Chapter Fifteen

Buffy was tired. She was so tired that she was ready to pass out again at any moment. But she couldn't do that, she was the slayer. She was supposed to hold it together. She looked at Spike, whose eyes were closed - but she knew he wasn't unconscious again. Hey - when did he get a new shirt? She wondered. She then looked up at Dru again. She wore a ridiculous costume of silken robes and a dress made of gold - complete with an actual tiara. She was humming a song softly, seemingly oblivious to the world.

"So, what's going on here?" asked Buffy, struggling to keep up with the bravado act. Truth was, Dru actually gave her the creeps. Maybe it was that look in her eyes, the one that said she wasn't really all there. But Dru was also pretty smart when she wanted to be - and that freaked Buffy out even more. She'd had dreams before of Dru killing people she loved - people she had loved - and they'd almost come true.

For once, Dru looked at her like a half way normal person. Like she wasn't insane. But her voice gave it away. "I thought I told you," she said coldly. Buffy shook her head. "No, you told me you saw something. Something about Spike. You never told me what". Dru smiled. "If I can't help you with that one deary, then no one can. You really don't see, do you? I see it all around and it sickens me. All golden light, all pure - full of hope. It's disgusting". Buffy shook her head. "What is? What's full of hope?"

"What he feels for you," said Drusilla. Although she had claimed not to care, there was a hint of jealousy in her voice. Buffy stared at her in shock. "He doesn't feel anything for me," she said in a whisper. "He can't - I mean - he couldn't have. He didn't have a soul when you knew him and….and his Spike. We…"

"Do you know where you're hate is made from?" said the dark vampire before her. "From passion. You two are so alike in many ways - even I saw that, clearly as I see the stars right now. You're both stubborn, like to get your own way. You are both courageous and strong. And you both can think of nothing but each other, even when you wanted to kill the other, you were both fascinated. And you won't admit it, but you respect each other." She laughed again at the look on Buffy's face.

Buffy looked at Spike who wouldn't meet her eyes. "I never got it until now," he murmured. "All you see is the slayer. I never got it. When I had no soul it was lust, it was an obsession, but now that I can feel…now…." he couldn't finish the sentence. Buffy suddenly wanted to change the subject. "So, you're this so called Queen of the dead. What's with all the magic acts? The enchanted swords, the sleep spell. And why kill us? I thought you needed the spell Spike had to…"

Drusilla held up a hand. "Enough. One thing at a time". She adopted a mock serious lecturer tone of voice before continuing. "I decided that it is more fun to bargain. Spike shall stay alive. Then, for there to be order again in this world, the council will have to do as I say. As to your first question…."

"Wait," interrupted Buffy. "This doesn't sound like you! Someone's been…." Drusilla went on talking as if Buffy hadn't spoken a word. "I know people. Powerful people who can help me. Anna…..it's time to come out now…."

From a side entrance to the cavern, a young girl appeared before them. At first Buffy couldn't place her, but then recognition hit and she gasped out loud - not something she had been known for. Spike's eyes widened. The girl was dressed in modern clothing, and her face was that of a vampire, but she had been the girl that Spike had killed all those years ago. The daughter of the original keeper of the spell. "She's my little princess," Dru was saying happily. "She helps me. Were best of friends aren't we Anna?" Anna rolled her eyes in response. "Sure. If you say so". Dru nodded, then turned to look at her prisoners. " I went back while you were sleeping Spike. They still hadn't been found - the house looked normal on the outside. I turned her, she looked fun to have around. Of course I forgot her as soon as I had, but I'm making up for that. She's learned much of her mother's craft and is very powerful".

Buffy looked across at her friends. She could see Willow beginning to stir from sleep. I didn't tell them about our trip to the past, she thought wildly. I should have. I didn't have time, but i should have made time before we left.

"I met up with Anna again soon after you betrayed us last year Spike. See - I've been planning this a while now, how to pay you back. I never thought it would be like this of course - how could I? This is better then any dream in the world. First, I make you watch as I slowly kill the slayers friends. Then I torture Buffy while waiting for the council's response to my needs. It's beyond perfect!!" She sighed in content.

Willow looked around, confused. She'd listened to most of what had been said in the last few minutes and didn't get any of it. Especially the parts about Spike and Buffy. She could sense Xander and the others waking. She had to do something. It was really up to her. Buffy was the one engaged in a battle of wills with evil, she was the only one who knew magic. Suddenly, she began to feel dizzy and warm, and she sensed something like an electric shock pass through her hands. Magic, she thought instantly. It had to be. She didn't know what was happening, but suddenly everything she'd read in the advanced books of witchcraft that Giles had thought he'd hidden became clear to her. She knew what it meant. She saw flashes of light pass from her chains along the groups and she felt her hands loosen.

Dru's eyes widened in surprise as Buffy lowered her own hands, a smile on her face. "There's just one problem with you're little plan Dru," said Buffy. "it was pathetic. You think no one's ever thought of that before?"

"How?" questioned Anna, furious. The vampires that had surrounded the cavern instantly came to their master's side. Now Buffy knew where the real power lay - it wasn't Drusilla these guys followed. It was Anna. In that instant as the vamps seemed to close around Anna rather then her, Dru knew it to. "You're supposed to be protecting me you know," she pouted. Anna forgot the Scooby gang for a moment, long enough for Buffy to walk over to her friends and stand in front of them. "You guys ok?" asked Buffy. "What's going on?" asked Xander. Buffy explained as best she could. "Before you say anything Harris, I don't want to know, alright? I've had enough problems for one bloody day that I have to make right - I don't need you to add to the list" said Spike.

"Will, how did you free us? I assume it was you?" asked Giles. Oz looked at his girlfriend in surprise and amazement. Doubt also lingered in his eyes. "I don't know," answered the Wicca softly. "Really. It was like everything I'd ever read about, I could suddenly do. It's weird, and it drained me. I don't think it'll happen again anytime soon". Xander looked serious for a moment. "So I guess we're chalking it up to one of those strange miracles that rarely happen around here. Like the snow storm sent to protect Angel?" he hesitated. "Not that I care what happens to the jerk".

"Why do you think I've been helping you, really?" Anna was saying. "You're mad, but not that mad surely? Those trinkets of help were but a fraction of my true power. I am the rightful queen if there is to be one. I earned that right as soon as you turned me. I have only been helping you so I can claim back what is mine - The spell of illusions. It belonged to my family. No one else can use it".

"Yeah, we'll see about that," muttered Buffy. Anna turned to stare at Buffy evilly. "I've been around a long time," she said. "I may look like a child but I'm over a century old. As old as my killer. He may be good now, but you shouldn't forget the power he holds. You shouldn't forget what his been capable of". Buffy nodded in agreement. "Sure. We've been over this. I know what his done and so do my friends. He can be a good man if his given the chance". Xander raised a hand. "Not all of us agree with that!"

"Enough of this," said Anna finally. "All this talk is boring!" The vampires moved forwards. Buffy scanned around quickly for weapons. Obviously they hadn't expected her to be set free! She nodded to spike who stood by her friends - much to their surprise. Buffy leapt over the vampires and reached for the torches on the wall. She wrenched them off the wall with all her strength and threw them forward. The vampires screamed as the flames engulfed them. They exploded in an instant. Spike was battling others and she moved back to help.

"Xander, watch out!" cried out Willow. A vampire had appeared behind Xander and his arm now wrapped around his neck in a tight grip. Spike knocked the vamp down and began to fight. Buffy needed a weapon - and fast. Then she noticed the swords that had appeared once again . She quickly took care of the nearest vampire and grabbed the sword from his grasp. She threw it to Spike who quickly beheaded the vamp he'd been fighting, and then he threw the sword back to Buffy. Buffy looked over at Anna, who had conjured the swords. Magic was crackling around her. She looked over at her friends and was satisfied at how Spike was handling the situation. She knew it wouldn't last for long. She felt a twinge of guilt as she saw her mother had been hurt, but Giles was helping her.

Buffy started to move towards Anna. She noted that Dru had moved to the back of the cavern and was now cowering in the shadows, watching her plans turn to chaos. Buffy started to run, vampire ash swirling around her. Anna was ready for her though. As Buffy neared her she raised the sword above her head, but she ran into an invisible barrier. Anna grinned as Buffy was sent flying backwards. A dark light shimmered around Anna as the barrier faded.

Buffy looked up slowly, a little dazed. She could see something glowing in Anna's hand. This doesn't look good!

Spike looked up as the lightening sped from Anna's hand towards Buffy. The slayer wouldn't be able to move in time, he knew that. He had to do something, but that would mean leaving the others practically unprotected. His mind was made up as he heard Buffy cry out. He saw her move just in time as the lightening struck the wall behind her, but Anna was ready with yet another attack. This time it was fire that sped across the cavern.

He knew it would be his death, and apart of him was laughing at the irony that he would die protecting the slayer! But another part was relieved. Maybe that act alone would make up for everything. He moved as fast as he could to stand in front of Buffy. "no!" she cried out in panic. But it was to late. The flames wrapped around him. He could feel the heat - but nothing happened! His skin didn't burn, he didn't fade. A light wrapped around Both him and Buffy, a bright flash of white. The fire seemed to move away from them. Everything seemed to freeze as they saw what happened next. The spell had reversed itself somehow, and the fire raced bac towards it's creator. It was like an explosion. Spike was thrown back by the force of it and he ended up near buffy. They sat close together as they watched Anna scream. Then it was over.

The remaining vampires in the cavern froze, and then they turned and fled. Buffy and Spike slowly stood up. She turned to face Drusilla, a smile on her face. " So I guess you'd better run while you can, unless you want to fight to? Gottta say I'm tired though. I could kick your ass, but if I can help it…."

Dru started to run before buffy had even finished. Spike watched her go with a mixture of feelings. Apart of him wanted to go after her. She had been a part of his life for so long now. But he had a new life now - or so he hoped.

"What happened?" asked Joyce, standing by Giles who looked equally mystified. Spike smiled. He pulled a chain out that had been hidden by his shirt. "I noticed that earlier," said Buffy in shock. "It's a talisman," he said. "I haven't just been wasting the year away pining for Dru you know!" he laughed at the expressions on their faces. "It's for protection. I spent some time with a allie of mine this year. His a dark sorcerer. He taught me how to make it. Evil has to be careful as well you know. It changes according to the intentions of the wearer, so now I have a soul it acted for good. And I'd heard how you defeated that witch Catherine Madison. The only good way to kill a witch is to reverse her spell against her - which is what happened".

"Thanks," muttered Xander after Spike had finished. Spike looked at him with a grin. "What was that? I didn't hear you!" Xander looked up. "I said thanks. For saving my life back there. Never thought that'd ever happen. And you won't be hearing it again anytime soon!"

Buffy smiled slightly. "Very impressive. You have passed the test," said a voice from the entrance. It was Quentin Travers. "Now I have come to collect what the council needs. The Spell Spike. It's time to get things back to normal…."

TBC