Unwelcome Visitors
Thought in * *
Part 17
Buffy took point, leading the team through the woods towards what was left of the Initiative base. Sam, Jack, Teal'c, Jacob and Lendra ranged out on either side of her, cautiously moving forward, watch full for any Jaffa that may be lurking. The rest of the military escort was fanned on either side of them in small teams, Sam took the device she had used earlier and checked the readings.
"There's a large amount of that energy nearby sir."
"Which direction major"
"That way"
She pointed towards a low hill covered with brush, Buffy saw the cave set in the side and entered carefully. Caves were often the haunt of demons so it was just as well to take care. Finding no living things they explored, Teal'c found a door set back in the far wall, barely recognisable but there. Opening it they found steps and proceeded downward for a few minutes, the darkness lit by glowing rods that Sam and Jack had produced. As they reached the bottom they found the first squads of Jaffa guards, a short but fierce battle later they were in the halls leaving the dead Jaffa strewn on the floor. The long sterile corridors branched off a few metres later, and Jack sent the other teams on recon telling them to report in if they found any of the missing men. Buffy tried to get her bearings but it was difficult coming from this direction.
"I think the cells were over that way Jack", she pointed to a corridor going left. Sam took a reading and glanced up at Jack.
"That power source is over in that direction sir" she tilted her head to the corridor on the right.
Taking a deep breath Jack cleared his mind, he knew that both were important to check out.
"Okay we're gonna split up, Buffy you go with Jacob and Lendra and check the cells, don't take any unnecessary risks, you need backup you call. Sam, Teal'c and I will see if we can find that power source"
Buffy nodded and gestured with her crossbow for Jacob and Lendra to follow her, a quiet good luck floated back over her shoulder to the other group. Sam handed her father a comunit.
"Good luck and keep in touch dad"
Jacob smiled grasping her hand and squeezing lightly
"You too Sam"
As they parted sounds of fighting could be heard faintly far away, hurrying Buffy and the Tokra negotiated the halls. Buffy who was relying on her memory was relieved when she came across a familiar looking door.
"Okay I know where I am now, the cells should be a couple of halls over so be careful. If they are there, we'll have to watch out for guards, lets go"
Jacob and Lendra followed the small blonde girl, staying in the shadows as much as they could. The dim lighting of the halls is what gave them the edge in the end. The Jaffa didn't see them coming and Buffy nailed two of them with crossbow bolts to the chest before they retaliated. Jacob and Lendra fired their zats and felled two more, Buffy waved them forward and they reached the cells without incident. Buffy's heart broke when she saw Spike, he lay in the cell facing the glass front, his dark clothes stark against the sterile white walls. He was curled up in a foetal position, his body shaking continuously as the lights in his wide-open eyes flickered and flamed. His head lolled to the side and they could see just how bad it was, his normally pale skin was translucent, glowing from inside, he was close to his final death. Buffy keyed the door open and sank to his side, running her hands over his shivering shoulders.
"Spike.Spike can you hear me?"
Spike eyes flickered to blue and a soft English voice whispered in the cold of the room
"Xander"
Buffy sobbed, tears rolling down her face, she gasped in a breath and steadied herself, pulling Spike up to clutch him to her breast.
"No Spike its me..its Buffy, come on we have to get you out of here."
Amber eyes stared up at her for a second, then the blue again, then that raspy voice begging.
"Kill me"
"No.not gonna happen, your coming with us..we're taking you home and we'll get Xan back too, you'll see"
Jacob came and helped her drag Spike to his feet, the blonde vampire recoiling as he sensed the presence of Selnac within the man at his side. Buffy soothed him "Its ok Spike they're friends, this is Sam's dad, he's one of the Tokra"
A sudden blast from the corridor sent Lendra failing backwards, blood streaming from his temple and chest. The Tokra fell on his back inside the cell, Buffy pushed Spike behind her before returning fire. Jacob grabbed Lendra's outstretched hand and dragged the other man to the rear of the room. Buffy's crossbow bolt hit the Jaffa as he leaned forward to fire at them again, the man screamed and fell dead to the floor. She turned to Jacob as he held Lendra in his arms, the other mans eyes glowing as he struggled to breathe.
"Jacob I am unable to save Lendra, we shall both die shortly, leave us here"
"Radic are you sure?"
"Yes Jacob his wounds are too severe for me to heal, his mind is already gone"
Spike slumped to the floor, the glow fading in his eyes, Jacob pulled Lendra around till he was lying beside Spike.
"Radic do you think you could help Spike, the Goa'uld within him is nearing death as well"
Radic closed his eyes for a second and then looked over at Spike.
"I will consent only if he wants it to be"
Buffy turned from the doorway she was guarding, her voice rough with the emotion.
"I can hear reinforcements coming so if your going to do something do it now"
Jacob shook Spike's shoulder "Spike can you hear me"
Blue eyes flickered through the amber, the glow was very dim now,
"Yes"
"Will you let Radic bond with you, he can help heal you"
"Get.rid.of..it"
"Yes he can force out the Goa'uld within you"
The blue and amber fought for dominance, then the blue subsided and the demon came forth
"We agree"
Jacob quickly turned both the men on their sides facing each other, millimetres separating their lips.
"You have to open your mouth for him to enter"
Spike slowly opened his mouth and as their lips touched the Tokra symboite crossed from one body to the other. Spike stiffened as the Tokra and the Goa'uld quickly did battle, he felt a tearing pain as the Goa'uld was expelled from his body, he spat it out, shivering in reaction. Rolling on to his back he closed his eyes, letting the internal debate continue. He had always felt the human and demon sides of his nature were two separate beings, now there was a third entity to contend with. The demon challenged the Tokra for dominance but in the end was too weak to win, it retreated and in that moment the Tokra took control. Radic did not banish the demon, instead he forced it to release some of its hold over the human host. Now William had an equal share of the body and mind instead of being a sort of wraith following his body around. And it was William who came out now, while Radic healed him and the demon rested.
"Buffy, we'd best leave"
Buffy spun around at the soft cultured tones, seeing the clear blue eyes filled with tears she smiled tremously and helped William up, Jacob ducked under his free arm to support him and they entered the halls warily.
Keeping a close eye out they silently moved through the darkened corridors, Jacob took out the comunit and called Sam.
"Sam, we've got William, umm Spike and we're headed out"
"Did you find Daniel or Xander"?
"No, Sam I'm sorry there was no sign of either of them"
There was silence for a moment then the crackling static resumed and Sam voice returned.
"Copy that Dad, we'll catch up to you, its possible Daniel and Xander are with the power source we're looking for."
Jacob, Buffy and William cautiously made their way out of the base, detouring around the Jaffa several times. Luckily they managed to pick up several soldiers that had been separated from their groups. The larger band exited the cave entrance to the base and into the cool dark predawn of the new day. Buffy dragged William and Jacob to where they had left the humvees, carefully stowing the recovering vampire in the back seat, they headed back to the Magic shop. They made it to the store just as the pale green dawn came edging over the horizon. Willow and Giles helped William to the couch laying him down, Jacob and Buffy hovering protectively over him.
"Spike do you need anything, some blood perhaps?"
"A cup of tea would be most appreciated, earl grey if you have it"
Giles started when he heard the crisp upper class accent and saw the more refined cast of the blonde mans features. Buffy stifled a giggle at the watchers reaction, Giles sat staring as if he'd just seen or heard a ghost.
"William"
William smiled, "Rupert?"
Willow laughed and hugged Buffy, Giles sank down on to the arm of the couch as he struggled with the fact that he was speaking to the man who had been William the Bloody in real life. Jacob knelt at William's side, immediately getting his attention, he asked seriously.
"William how is Radic?"
William's smile died on his lips and his eyes lost their focus for a few seconds, then he was back his voice low with sadness.
"He grieves the loss of his friend, but he has come to an..agreement with the demon inside me. We will all share this body, the demon has had his own way for a very long time but he will abide by the decision. He must be allowed to surface, as I cannot bring myself to consume blood for him, he has allowed me freedom at last and I will do as he bids. Radic is the strongest of the three of us and will be the mediator between us. We will need a little more time to heal, an hour or two at the most."
Giles shook himself and rose from the couch, "We are all very grateful to Radic for his help and are most sorry for his loss."
Willow and Buffy murmured in agreement, and Giles turned away to go get the tea William had requested. Hopefully Jack and the rest of Sg1 would return soon bringing Xander and Daniel with them. They settled in to wait.
tbc
Part 17
Buffy took point, leading the team through the woods towards what was left of the Initiative base. Sam, Jack, Teal'c, Jacob and Lendra ranged out on either side of her, cautiously moving forward, watch full for any Jaffa that may be lurking. The rest of the military escort was fanned on either side of them in small teams, Sam took the device she had used earlier and checked the readings.
"There's a large amount of that energy nearby sir."
"Which direction major"
"That way"
She pointed towards a low hill covered with brush, Buffy saw the cave set in the side and entered carefully. Caves were often the haunt of demons so it was just as well to take care. Finding no living things they explored, Teal'c found a door set back in the far wall, barely recognisable but there. Opening it they found steps and proceeded downward for a few minutes, the darkness lit by glowing rods that Sam and Jack had produced. As they reached the bottom they found the first squads of Jaffa guards, a short but fierce battle later they were in the halls leaving the dead Jaffa strewn on the floor. The long sterile corridors branched off a few metres later, and Jack sent the other teams on recon telling them to report in if they found any of the missing men. Buffy tried to get her bearings but it was difficult coming from this direction.
"I think the cells were over that way Jack", she pointed to a corridor going left. Sam took a reading and glanced up at Jack.
"That power source is over in that direction sir" she tilted her head to the corridor on the right.
Taking a deep breath Jack cleared his mind, he knew that both were important to check out.
"Okay we're gonna split up, Buffy you go with Jacob and Lendra and check the cells, don't take any unnecessary risks, you need backup you call. Sam, Teal'c and I will see if we can find that power source"
Buffy nodded and gestured with her crossbow for Jacob and Lendra to follow her, a quiet good luck floated back over her shoulder to the other group. Sam handed her father a comunit.
"Good luck and keep in touch dad"
Jacob smiled grasping her hand and squeezing lightly
"You too Sam"
As they parted sounds of fighting could be heard faintly far away, hurrying Buffy and the Tokra negotiated the halls. Buffy who was relying on her memory was relieved when she came across a familiar looking door.
"Okay I know where I am now, the cells should be a couple of halls over so be careful. If they are there, we'll have to watch out for guards, lets go"
Jacob and Lendra followed the small blonde girl, staying in the shadows as much as they could. The dim lighting of the halls is what gave them the edge in the end. The Jaffa didn't see them coming and Buffy nailed two of them with crossbow bolts to the chest before they retaliated. Jacob and Lendra fired their zats and felled two more, Buffy waved them forward and they reached the cells without incident. Buffy's heart broke when she saw Spike, he lay in the cell facing the glass front, his dark clothes stark against the sterile white walls. He was curled up in a foetal position, his body shaking continuously as the lights in his wide-open eyes flickered and flamed. His head lolled to the side and they could see just how bad it was, his normally pale skin was translucent, glowing from inside, he was close to his final death. Buffy keyed the door open and sank to his side, running her hands over his shivering shoulders.
"Spike.Spike can you hear me?"
Spike eyes flickered to blue and a soft English voice whispered in the cold of the room
"Xander"
Buffy sobbed, tears rolling down her face, she gasped in a breath and steadied herself, pulling Spike up to clutch him to her breast.
"No Spike its me..its Buffy, come on we have to get you out of here."
Amber eyes stared up at her for a second, then the blue again, then that raspy voice begging.
"Kill me"
"No.not gonna happen, your coming with us..we're taking you home and we'll get Xan back too, you'll see"
Jacob came and helped her drag Spike to his feet, the blonde vampire recoiling as he sensed the presence of Selnac within the man at his side. Buffy soothed him "Its ok Spike they're friends, this is Sam's dad, he's one of the Tokra"
A sudden blast from the corridor sent Lendra failing backwards, blood streaming from his temple and chest. The Tokra fell on his back inside the cell, Buffy pushed Spike behind her before returning fire. Jacob grabbed Lendra's outstretched hand and dragged the other man to the rear of the room. Buffy's crossbow bolt hit the Jaffa as he leaned forward to fire at them again, the man screamed and fell dead to the floor. She turned to Jacob as he held Lendra in his arms, the other mans eyes glowing as he struggled to breathe.
"Jacob I am unable to save Lendra, we shall both die shortly, leave us here"
"Radic are you sure?"
"Yes Jacob his wounds are too severe for me to heal, his mind is already gone"
Spike slumped to the floor, the glow fading in his eyes, Jacob pulled Lendra around till he was lying beside Spike.
"Radic do you think you could help Spike, the Goa'uld within him is nearing death as well"
Radic closed his eyes for a second and then looked over at Spike.
"I will consent only if he wants it to be"
Buffy turned from the doorway she was guarding, her voice rough with the emotion.
"I can hear reinforcements coming so if your going to do something do it now"
Jacob shook Spike's shoulder "Spike can you hear me"
Blue eyes flickered through the amber, the glow was very dim now,
"Yes"
"Will you let Radic bond with you, he can help heal you"
"Get.rid.of..it"
"Yes he can force out the Goa'uld within you"
The blue and amber fought for dominance, then the blue subsided and the demon came forth
"We agree"
Jacob quickly turned both the men on their sides facing each other, millimetres separating their lips.
"You have to open your mouth for him to enter"
Spike slowly opened his mouth and as their lips touched the Tokra symboite crossed from one body to the other. Spike stiffened as the Tokra and the Goa'uld quickly did battle, he felt a tearing pain as the Goa'uld was expelled from his body, he spat it out, shivering in reaction. Rolling on to his back he closed his eyes, letting the internal debate continue. He had always felt the human and demon sides of his nature were two separate beings, now there was a third entity to contend with. The demon challenged the Tokra for dominance but in the end was too weak to win, it retreated and in that moment the Tokra took control. Radic did not banish the demon, instead he forced it to release some of its hold over the human host. Now William had an equal share of the body and mind instead of being a sort of wraith following his body around. And it was William who came out now, while Radic healed him and the demon rested.
"Buffy, we'd best leave"
Buffy spun around at the soft cultured tones, seeing the clear blue eyes filled with tears she smiled tremously and helped William up, Jacob ducked under his free arm to support him and they entered the halls warily.
Keeping a close eye out they silently moved through the darkened corridors, Jacob took out the comunit and called Sam.
"Sam, we've got William, umm Spike and we're headed out"
"Did you find Daniel or Xander"?
"No, Sam I'm sorry there was no sign of either of them"
There was silence for a moment then the crackling static resumed and Sam voice returned.
"Copy that Dad, we'll catch up to you, its possible Daniel and Xander are with the power source we're looking for."
Jacob, Buffy and William cautiously made their way out of the base, detouring around the Jaffa several times. Luckily they managed to pick up several soldiers that had been separated from their groups. The larger band exited the cave entrance to the base and into the cool dark predawn of the new day. Buffy dragged William and Jacob to where they had left the humvees, carefully stowing the recovering vampire in the back seat, they headed back to the Magic shop. They made it to the store just as the pale green dawn came edging over the horizon. Willow and Giles helped William to the couch laying him down, Jacob and Buffy hovering protectively over him.
"Spike do you need anything, some blood perhaps?"
"A cup of tea would be most appreciated, earl grey if you have it"
Giles started when he heard the crisp upper class accent and saw the more refined cast of the blonde mans features. Buffy stifled a giggle at the watchers reaction, Giles sat staring as if he'd just seen or heard a ghost.
"William"
William smiled, "Rupert?"
Willow laughed and hugged Buffy, Giles sank down on to the arm of the couch as he struggled with the fact that he was speaking to the man who had been William the Bloody in real life. Jacob knelt at William's side, immediately getting his attention, he asked seriously.
"William how is Radic?"
William's smile died on his lips and his eyes lost their focus for a few seconds, then he was back his voice low with sadness.
"He grieves the loss of his friend, but he has come to an..agreement with the demon inside me. We will all share this body, the demon has had his own way for a very long time but he will abide by the decision. He must be allowed to surface, as I cannot bring myself to consume blood for him, he has allowed me freedom at last and I will do as he bids. Radic is the strongest of the three of us and will be the mediator between us. We will need a little more time to heal, an hour or two at the most."
Giles shook himself and rose from the couch, "We are all very grateful to Radic for his help and are most sorry for his loss."
Willow and Buffy murmured in agreement, and Giles turned away to go get the tea William had requested. Hopefully Jack and the rest of Sg1 would return soon bringing Xander and Daniel with them. They settled in to wait.
tbc