His Slayer

Disclaimer: Joss owns Btvs

A/N: Hi all. Thank you for the reviews. Enjoy. Skyz.

~*~

Chapter Two:

        Buffy blinked shaking her head at the image Spike made. She couldn't believe it, felt sick to her stomach as she took him in.

        Bringing a shaking hand to her mouth she took in Spike's sallow and pale face. His sunken cheekbones, the thinness of his mouth. His hair usually bleached almost white was reduced to a thin layer of brown fuzz.

        But it wasn't only his appearance that disturbed her; it was the scars that crisscrossed Spike's scalp as if he'd had his head cut open.

        What disturbed her most were his eyes.

        Once full of life and vibrancy his eyes were vacant holes, pools of such a light shade of blue it was hard to tell it was Spike.

        She remembered clearly thinking while fighting him their first time he had the most expressive blue eyes she'd ever seen.

        Swallowing she took a step back to try and get her bearings.

        "I see you've seen sweet William," Dru's voice broke through Buffy's thoughts and she whirled to face the vampiress.

        "Dru," Buffy muttered straightening and gathering her Slayer cloak about her.

        Dru dressed in her usual garb of centuries old dresses came forward a smile plastered to her pale face.

        "Did you touch him?" Dru asked gliding forward and reaching out.

        Buffy glanced at Spike again shuddering at the picture he made.

        "Wh—what's wrong with him—Spike? What's wrong with you?" she demanded turning to the silent Spike.

        She wasn't sure why she was suddenly so angry but she didn't like seeing Spike this way, so-broken. It was…sad…kinda. If she were to admit it to herself, which she certainly wasn't.

        Buffy jumped startled as a cold hand gripped her and Dru tried to force her to touch Spike.

        "Touch him," Dru urged.

        Buffy huffed slapping at Dru's hands and shoving her away in disgust. She pressed her hands to her chest protectively and stared at Dru through narrowed eyes.

        "Don't touch me," she warned coldly.

        Looking slightly abashed Dru merely smiled and reached placing her hand over one of Spike's pale bony hands.

        It started low but soon the room echoed with the harshness of Spike's growls. He didn't move or give any indication that he was aware of anything but the growls grew louder the longer Dru touched him.

        Startled and slightly horrified Buffy moved quickly taking Dru's hand off Spike, moving her way from him.

        "See? M'Spike wants nothing to do with me," Dru murmured sadly. "Cowers and growls like a baby tiger. Grrrr. And the red—he's surrounded in the red—"

        Buffy rolled her eyes as Dru began to dance around the room.

        "Rule number one," she mumbled under her breath," don't let Dru touch Spike. Drusilla what—how come he looks like this? Haven't you been feeding him?" Buffy demanded glaring at Dru.

        Still silently swaying Dru's hands traced imaginary patterns in the air.

        "Baby won't eat. Baby won't eat," she repeated over and over.

        "Why not?"

        "Baby won't eat the meals I catch for him. Delicacies of the finest of fine. She was so pretty, so tasty and he—he wouldn't eat! Baby won't eat…"

        Buffy's eyes rested on Spike again, taking in his almost stick thin quality. Not a large man by any standards he really shouldn't have been so thin, now he looked horrible.

        The longer Buffy looked at him the less her mind protested against the idea of actually helping Spike. Because though he was an enemy she'd always known if anyone was going to kill Spike it would be her. She wouldn't let whoever had done this to him take that pleasure from her.

        Gritting her teeth she shot Dru a sour look, shaking her head at the vampiress who still swayed to silent music.

        With such a crazy looking after him no wonder Spike looked such a mess, she thought angrily striding closer to Spike.

        And the way he reacted to Dru it was any wonder how he ate, because Buffy had the sinking feeling he reacted that way with everyone.

        Hesitantly she lifted her hand hating what she was about to do. She had only ever touched one vampire in a way that wasn't meant to harm. That had been Angel and since she had feelings for him she tended not to dwell on his cold dead skin.

        She quickly reached out before she could stop herself and grabbed Spike's hand. Was pleasantly surprised to find his skin not that cold, more like room temperature and getting warmer by the second with her hand in his.

        "Ohhhhh," Dru cooed. "I knew the nasty Slayer would make you all better my sweet," Dru purred as she came forward.

        "Hello standing right here you crazy vampire," Buffy snapped taking her eyes off Spike long enough to glare at Dru who ignored her.

        When she turned back she jumped back a strangled yell coming out as she found herself face to face with Spike.

        The only thing that kept her from completely falling back and landing on her butt was Spike's death grip on her hand.

        "Spike," she breathed both relieved and freaked as he stared unblinkingly into her eyes. The seconds stretched and when he didn't move or reply Buffy looked up at Dru who was on Spike's other side looking on approvingly.

        "Okay—how weird is this?" Buffy asked aloud. "Dru first things first he needs blood. So go and get me—this uh-damn you have any butchers around here?" she asked more to herself than to Dru.

        "I shan't go to that trouble," Dru responded. "When there's blood right here," Dru continued pointing to Buffy.

        Buffy straightened and tried to move away but Spike's grasp was too tight.

        "Please don't delude yourself into thinking you can take me on," Buffy spat angrily wanting more than anything to put Dru in her place. Crazy ho, she thought bitterly.

        "Get me blood and it better be from a butchers or I'll leave and you can—"

        "No! You mustn't leave," Dru cried out wrapping her arms around herself. "I—I will get the blood. My Spike needs your help Slayer I will do what I must."

        Dru swept out of the room.

        Buffy's fingers twitched in Spike's and she sighed looking over at him feeling her stomach clench and her heart begin to pound once again.

        Anger she was certain would be her constant companion for a good long while. With narrowed eyes she tried to think about what she should do at the moment. Dru was gone and Spike here wouldn't let go of her hand.

        "So what happened to you?" she asked softly as she leaned closer to get a look at his head and fought off the bile that rose as she took in his bruised and abused scalp.

        She resisted the urge to touch his head, knowing it would probably hurt like hell. Stitches covered about half of his head.

        "Some one cut into your skull?" she asked. For the life of her she couldn't understand why anyone would do such a thing.

        Especially to Spike. He was dead, what could be so interesting about his brain?

        Sighing she moved slightly away from him realizing she was practically in his lap.

        "It would be nice if you let go of my hand," she muttered looking around the room once again. She was shocked when her hand was dropped.

        She stared at Spike a minute in shock.

        "So you heard me Spike? Can you talk to me?" she asked quickly. "What happened to you? WHO DID THIS TO YOU? Listen I need you to speak to me okay? I know you hate me and I—well I hate you too but—"

        Breaking off she realized he wasn't responding to her and shut her mouth. She studied him and then sighed.

        "Okay let's see. Can you come here?" she asked stepping back and watching him intently.

        She watched in delight as Spike rose and came to her.

        "Well," she exclaimed in happiness," aren't you the little puppy? Okay I'm sorry I shouldn't say things like that. You aren't a puppy-more like an evil vampire who seems to have lost all capacity to speak."

        She stared into his eyes a long moment before she had to shake her head and force her eyes away.

        It wouldn't do to get lost in those eyes of his, she thought irritated. They were nothing but pools of endless blue. Nary an emotion in them.

        "Dru's coming back with your blood—and you know what? It's gonna be animal blood so be prepared. I know you like it direct from the tap and Dru has this bizarre idea that I'm gonna provide you sustenance. That's a whole bunch of hell no! Capital H capital N. I don't open my veins for anyone. Especially not you. So let's sit back down," she headed for the sofa and took a seat.

        Was slightly surprised when Spike took a seat beside her and they sat in silence for a moment.

        "So uh-well I remember seeing these um commercials for premature babies—you know babies born early," Buffy paused shaking her head at the dumbness of that statement. "Anyway touching them seems to help them. Human touch. And though you aren't a human—well you kinda sometimes act like one. And the only person touching you has probably been Drusilla and well no offense she's not so much with the nurturing. So what I'm saying—uh you know if you want—"she cleared her throat to get her next words out," you can hold my hand Spike."

        Buffy blew out a breath when her hand was snatched up, Spike locking their fingers together.

~*~

        "Can't you do a spell?" Joyce asked irritated as she glared at Giles. "You know to find her or something? This can't be all we can do!"

        Giles silently cleaned his glasses.

        "Joyce we are doing all we can. I assure you that you aren't the only one worried for Buffy's safety. I am just as concerned."

        "I just thought of something," Angel announced suddenly as he looked up from the table he was seated at.

        "Well," Giles demanded impatiently.

        Angel ducked his head at the burnt of Giles's anger. He couldn't blame the man for disliking him; he'd killed the woman he loved.

        "Buffy mentioned you uh asked her to read up on thralls and while we were talking she mentioned Dru and we got to talking an—"

        "Thralls?" Giles demanded angrily glaring at Angel. "I did no such thing! You know good and well Buffy doesn't read! Not on her own accord anyway."

        Angel frowned.

        "Well she said so," he muttered lowly.

        "And of course you believe everything she says," Giles snapped angrily.

        "Listen," Angel began beginning to become angry. He was just as worried about Buffy as everyone else. He hadn't slept in two days.

        "Shut up," Joyce shouted. "This is a clue! Why would she be mentioning Dru? And thralls? What are those and why would she be interested in those Giles? Think about what he's told you. I know you don't like him but he's here to help and we can use all the help we can get!"

        Giles grumbled slightly before he nodded reluctantly.

        "Drusilla you say?" Giles asked curiously.

        "Yes. She wanted to know if Dru could do thralls from a long distance and I told her it wouldn't be a thrall but a sort of mental connection. Not as strong as a thrall."

        "Why would she mention Dru?" Willow asked frowning.

        "When did we last hear about Dru?" Xander asked angrily. "When her blood suckin' boyfriend came to town a few months ago! Maybe—do you think she has Buffy in a thrall and Spike's gonna kill her?"

        "NO," Angel denied immediately causing everyone to look at him strangely.

        "Why do you think that? Huh maybe—did you have anything to do with this? I know you were evil before but Buffy said you'd changed and now—now my baby's gone!" Joyce yelled at Angel getting in his face. "And if it's your fault—"

        "I-I'm sorry," Angel stuttered out.

        "Enough," Giles yelled. "We are here to find Buffy. Now everyone calm down and let us think calmly and rationally. You're right Joyce. I with your help Willow shall do a locating spell and then we'll brainstorm on why Buffy was asking about Drusilla. Understood?"

        When he was met with nods of acceptance he nodded himself.

        "Good. Let's begin."

~*~

        Dru came back almost half an hour later but Buffy didn't have it in her to be too upset, considering she was feeling the affects of jet lag.

        "Here," Dru practically threw the brown bag that held the butchers blood at Buffy her face pinched and disgusted.

        Buffy grabbed it and peered into it.

        "What kind is this?" Buffy asked. She wasn't sure what type of blood was the best. Angel never mentioned what kind he drank and never drank in front of her. So pretty much she was clueless about animal blood.

        "Pig," Dru muttered gagging and clawing at her tongue.

        Buffy looked on and just shook her head.

        "Did you taste some?" she found herself asking. She couldn't imagine why Dru was doing that. Well of course there was the fact that she was crazy.

        "The moon has come and…I've lost my way-I've lost my way. And the nasty Slayer's here to stay. M'Spike wants only her—won't let me touch 'im only the nasty Slayer…"

        "Okay," Buffy muttered glaring at Dru a minute before she turned to Spike. "You know calling me names really isn't smart Drusilla. I am the Slayer and I can and will kill you. So uh… if you want me to help Spike knock it off! You don't see me callin' you the skanky ass ho you are now do you?"

        Buffy took one of the bags of blood from the bag and held it awkwardly as she resisted the urge to gag.

        "Here," she pressed the bag into Spike's hands.

        When he didn't take it she sighed.

        "How'd you get him to eat before?" she asked Dru.

        "He hasn't," Dru admitted.

        Buffy blanched.

        "What is wrong with you? I mean are you stupid—oh you're just crazy! How did you think he was going to survive if he didn't eat Dru? God I can't believe I'm saying this but it's a good thing I came. You gotta eat that Spike," she ordered.

        Spike remained still, unresponsive.

        "Hmmm, so you're not listening to me," she mused. "Can't you take a bite? I mean would you like a cup or something? Or-well I don't know how to eat blood. Cold or maybe warmed up like human blood?"

        Pausing she took the pack of blood back and reaching out she gripped Spike's jaws.

        "Open up Spike," she muttered.

        He didn't open up.

        Using her Slayer strength she opened the bag and waved it under his nose, trying to illicit some sort of reaction from him.

        It seemed even the scent of animal blood couldn't make him open up and try a little of it. Not that she blamed him; the thought of it sickened her. But he needed to start eating.

        Fed up she reached out and slapped him.

        Cringing as she did so and his head flopped to the side. She was relived to see his eyes had flickered and slowly changed from pale blue to the yellow of a demon.

        Now we're getting somewhere, she thought happily as she stuck the bag of blood under his nose.

       Watched him sniff, his head rear back and a growl erupted from him.

        Buffy rolled her eyes.

        "Stop that," she ordered.

        She was entirely too pleased when he listened.

        "Now eat this," she went on and watched as he ripped into the bag drinking greedily.

        Buffy reached out pulling the bag back from him, remembering once hearing that after a long period without drinking and you drank too much you could get sick.

        She figured the same applied to drinking blood.

        "Little bits at a time Spike okay? I don't want you to throw up blood."

        Buffy wondered as she fed Spike how'd she had gotten here. Hell not two days ago she'd been patrolling with Angel and thinking of all the ways she and he could work around that pesky curse of his. Now she was feeding an almost catatonic Spike.

        Spike who seemed to only respond to her and she had to admit she could get used to ordering him around.

        "My sweet baby," Dru squealed as she tried to reach out and touch Spike.

        "Don't," Buffy snapped.

        Dru drew back as if burned and pouted.

        "He's mine," Dru hissed.

        Buffy shrugged.

        "I don't want him," she muttered.

        "Baby's eating. Baby's eating," Dru sang as she danced around the room once more. "The nasty Slayer's got m'Spike's eating. Grrrr Miss Edith says I must be nice to the nasty Slayer. But the fishes burn and wither when I do—I loves the baby fishes…"

        Buffy felt like sticking out her tongue and gagging, Dru was so annoying. This was really getting annoying quickly and she knew she'd have to take more of it.

        Because she had the feeling she wouldn't be leaving, at least not any time soon. Spike seemed to have suffered a huge trauma and she wasn't sure how she could help. But she knew that she could and felt that she must.

        Staring into Spike's blank eyes she vowed silently she would fix him, turn him back into the evil vampire he had once been before. Make those blue eyes dance with mirth and arrogance.

        I'll help you Spike, she thought fiercely. I'll make you better and when I'm done you'll be the old evil enemy I love to hate.

        I swear.