The after effects of the tranquiliser dragged Spike down into an uneasy sleep despite himself. His dreams were full of blood, of screaming and begging and dying and broken victims. At the centre of it all was Drusilla, smiling that strange, twisted smile of hers, standing arm outstretched, something red in the palm of her hand. "She wouldn't give it to you." She said slowly. "So I took it for you. It's a present..." She was offering him a still beating heart. "But it doesn't have your name on it..." He woke with a start, dry-mouthed and panic-stricken. The after effects of the dream eased slowly, leaving him with a deep sense of unease. He was relieved at least to find the thundering headache had been replaced by a vague ache, even if his stomach seemed intent on tying itself in painful knots. He shifted his position and groaned.

"You used to like to play." Drusilla detached herself from the shadows by the door and drifted slowly over to the bed. "Do you remember?"

"I remember." He looked over at Drusilla, frowning into the shadows behind her. "Where's your little friend?"

Drusilla gave a slow smile. "Baby's gone a-hunting. Gone to get a slayer skin to wrap my sweet boy in..." The smile narrowed. "Won't that be nice? She said I could have you. Until she brings the slayer home." Dru climbed onto the bed, straddling Spike's hips. "Shall we play a game?"

"Not really in the position, love." He rattled the cuffs.

"Pretty bracelets." Dru giggled and wriggled against him. "They won't stop this game." She growled.

Spike looked up at her. Despite everything, he was struck again by how beautiful she was, at the depth of feelings she could still stir in him. He felt a sudden rush of tenderness for her. "Where did you go?" he said softly. "You know, after..."

"After you nearly killed me?" Dru tilted her head with a pout. "That wasn't nice you know, changing the rules when I wasn't looking. The music hadn't stopped. Spoiled the game."

He looked up at solemnly. "I'm sorry."

There was a flash of something in Drusilla's eyes – a sudden touch of sanity, a vision of the girl she could have been that tore at his heart. "I loved you." She whispered. "I really did..." And then it was gone. "Do you like my dolly?" She gave him a proud smile. "I made her, you know. Like I made you. Only you won't play with me any more. You're broken. But dolly says we can fix you. And then... we can be a family..."

"But Mary's not family. Angel..."

"Shh! Naughty children, mustn't squabble!" Dru growled. "All play together nicely, or mommy will be cross." She reached out a hand and pressed it to Spike's cheek. "But you'll always be my special one." She smiled gently. "Am I special, too?"

Spike leaned into her touch. "Always." He watched her carefully. "My black goddess." He turned his head to press a kiss on her palm, "My ripe," bent his head to trail his lips over her wrist, "...wicked plum." He raised his head, eyes locked with hers. "It's been..."

Drusilla's eyes were dreamy, unfocussed, lost in memories. "Forever..." She said softly bringing her lips to his.

"Dru..." he whispered against her lips. "Dru, love, where's the key...?"

"Sweet." Mary's voice from the door was heavy with sarcasm.

Dru turned to look at her as Spike groaned in annoyance. "Did you bring me a present?"

"Yes, love."She smiled. "It's in our room."

Dru jumped to her feet, clapping her hands in delight. "Is it her? Have you brought me sweetmeats?"

"No, not this time." Dru gave a disappointed pout and Mary laughed. "Soon. Now – go eat, precious. We have to move to somewhere new..."

Drusilla frowned fretfully. "I like it here. It smells of roses... and blood..."

"Ah, but where we are going is so much nicer. And the friend who's letting us stay? He is so looking forward to seeing you again." Mary gave Spike a hard smile. "And you, too."

"Then I must go and pack." Drusilla smiled. "We shall have a lovely holiday." She threw Spike a smile and left.

Mary turned to look at Spike. "We need to move you. My friend seems to think you have some powerful people looking for you. We aren't safe here. And your slayer wants you back, it seems. No matter. She'll see you soon enough." Mary opened a drawer and took out a vial and syringe.

"Why are you doing this?" Spike eyed the syringe.

"Because I can." Mary gave him a mocking smile.

"But... look, you and Dru... you're clearly... "he paused "...close." He went on as Mary gave an amused laugh. "Why am I here?"

"Because it's what Drusilla wants. She thinks she'll get you back. She thinks slayer blood will bring her darling deadly boy back. And she'll have us both." Mary shrugged. "It makes sense to her."

"Yeah, but you're not barking. You know it won't work."

"Of course not. But you see,"Mary leaned closer to him and hissed, "you hurt Drusilla. You have no idea how much. So I'm going to hurt you." She pulled away and smiled. "And what better way than killing your precious slayer. And Drusilla will enjoy that so much."

"You know you'll never stand up to Buffy." Spike hoped he sounded more convinced than he felt.

"No? Maybe not in the past. But now? She's weak. She's lost her drive." She frowned and shook her head. "Sorry excuse for a slayer, that one. Besides, you're not the only one with friends in high places." She held up the vial. "Now, let's just get you ready." Mary frowned in concentration as she drew the amber coloured liquid up into the syringe. She turned to him with a smile, brandishing the needle. "Now – this is going to hurt you a lot more than it's going to hurt me."

Spike wondered whether there was any mileage to be had in kicking the syringe out of her hand, other than just making him feel better about the situation. Better still, if he timed it right, perhaps he could kick her unconscious - although what the fuck he'd do when she came round he didn't know. He came to conclusion that, sensible or no, he was buggered if he was going to let the bint jab him without a fight.

"Fuck you." He said through gritted teeth, watching for his moment as Mary came closer.

"Told you before, sweetie, you're not my type." Mary smiled down at him.

"No? Maybe you should try it." He kept his eyes on the syringe.

She looked at him, head tilted in amusement. "You know, I just might just. See what all the fuss is about." She gave a sigh of mock disappointment. "But it's going to have to wait. Now, where do you want it?"

As she bent toward him, Spike tensed his muscles, poised for a fight. Little bit closer. Damn, this was going to feel good.

It was then all hell broke loose.