Chapter Nine

Buffy fought her way over to where Spike lay on the ground with all the determination she had left in her. She felt a sharp pain in her arm as one of the creatures blades brushed past her - but it was only a scratch. She was moving to fast for it to be anything else. She had cleared a space as she went, so there were less vamps now. She stood in front of Spike, with a sword of her own that she had claimed. She swung it around her in wide arcs, vampires ash flying all over the place as she beheaded them.

Soon, where there had been thirty, there was only a dozen. In her desperation she had succeeded in the kill, now the odds more to her favour. Sweat pouring down her face, she stared at them all in turn, willing them to back down. "If I were you, I'd leave now while you still can and run back to your little queen and tell her……that I'm handling the problem!"

Several of the vamps actually took her for her word, fleeing into the shadows. She grinned at this. "Well, it's about time you listened to what I have to say. I thought you guys were smart. I take it you are at least over 50 years old right? A century at least? How come I can take you down just like that?"

One of the vamps stepped forward. "Because they were fools. Cowards. And our kind have been taught to willingly die for the cause".

Buffy was liking this even less then she had a moment ago. "What cause? Who exactly is this queen of yours?"

" Her name is of no importance to you. She is known as Queen of the dead". As the thing stepped closer to her, Buffy tried not to cringe. It was still hard, even after four years of being the slayer. "So she's a vampire?" As they had been talking, Buffy noticed that his so called backup had also disappeared. It was just her and him in the cemetery now. "The time for talking is now past….Buffy".

Buffy felt a shiver run through her. It wasn't often her adversary's called her by name. That must mean this queen of theirs had some connection to her, or those that knew her. Another thing for me to worry about, she thought angrily. She groaned out loud as he drew his sword. "I'm not really longing for another drawn out to the death sword fight," she told him. "It cuts down outfits that you've spent this side of forever saving up for - literally!"

"Yes," said the vampire. "I heard about you're little escapade with Angelus last year".

"Ok, how the hell do you know so much about me? Since I know you're name you could at least tell me…."

He caught her off guard then with a flash of his sword. She only just had time to block it. They fought viscously, all the while she was aware of spike not getting any stronger. She felt pain as the vamp managed to get past her defences briefly and cut her arm - this time it was worse then a scratch, but she barely had the time to think about it. Adrenaline made her numb to the pain. Soon, after a good half an hour of sword play, she was getting tired. God if this doesn't let up soon - she didn't even want to think about it. This one was definitely giving her a run for her money. Suddenly the monster exploded into a pile of dust. It happened so suddenly that Buffy faltered slightly and almost fell to the floor.

She paused and glanced up. It was who she had least been expecting. She had been so involved with the fight that she hadn't noticed Spike struggle to get up and move behind them. She saw the blood seeping through his shirt and if possible he looked even paler. His eyes half closed, blood was also running down the side of his face from where he had been cut. They stood that way for a second or two, former enemies turned into allies - no matter how briefly. At that moment, she realised she had never been so grateful to see anyone in her entire life. Then Spike also fell to the floor again beside her. For a moment she was dazed, then she realised that they had to get out of there.

"Spike," she said, crawling over to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him up. "We so have to get out of here. They'll be back. We have to hide - I can hear more coming".

"How….Far away are they?" he murmured. She shook her head. "I don't know. It'll take them a while but they'll track us eventually". Spike tried to open his eyes again and she could see a renewed strength within him as he tried to take a few steps with her. But then she saw that strength and power within him fade away as quickly as it had appeared. "Spike please come on. You have to try".

He shook his head weakly. "Something's wrong".

"Poison?" she whispered. "No. But…I'm weaker then I should be. A sword through the chest would hurt like the fires of hell I'm not saying it wouldn't. But it'd only take a few days to heal up - and I know I could walk - or at least crawl. But this…it's like I'm ….drained of power".

"Ok, said Buffy firmly. "Listen to me. There's a crypt over there that's sort of hidden by bushes - do you think you can make it there?"

"I'll try". It was all he could offer her.

The crypt was cold and filled with shadows. Buffy practically dragged Spike over to the back, laying him down on the ground as carefully as she could. "If only there was something to block the door," she muttered. "It'd make me feel a whole lot better". Spike chuckled slightly. "You really think that'd help pet?" She sighed and shook her head. "I still can't believe we made it out of that! I mean there were what, thirty odd vamps out there?" Spike nodded. "You forget that most of them fled the scene. And it's weird what you can achieve if you're desperate enough. I should know. Been caught in a few desperate moments myself over the years. Some of them even with you!"

She looked at him in surprise. "Really? I wouldn't think you'd admit something like that to me". he remained silent. She walked back to the door and peered out. "I don't see anything yet," she told him. "I think we're safe for now. We need to get back to my place - or at least let the other's know what's happened. You need help".

Spike was still silent. "Spike?" she asked him frowning. "Are you ok?"

He nodded weakly. "Yeah, I'm getting there slowly. What's the point in you being all polite? We both know it's fake. This whole thing is. You're only being this way because you need me right? Why should I trust you anymore then the council? How do I know you won't just take me back to yours and torture me with magic or whatever to get the info and then kill me?"

Buffy rolled her eyes. "You're right. That's probably exactly what I'll do. Except for the fact that you saved my life out there - I won't forget that in a hurry. Maybe you're starting to change. You're right. I do need you. But as one warrior to another, maybe we can just - call it a truce for now".

He smiled. "I think I like that plan of yours slayer. I like it a lot…."