His Slayer
Disclaimer: Joss owns Btvs
A/N: Hi all. Well I guess you all have been wondering why I haven't updated. I posted a bit about why in my profile page. But here's the gist I grew disillusioned about Spuffy and was focusing on Buffy paired with Gunn from Angel. This caused me to want to put him in every story I wrote. Including this one. Needless to say I had to take a break and write a Buffy/Gunn story. And now that I have started it I can now focus on Spuffy. So enjoy and please review, I hope I still have readers. Skyz.
~*~
Chapter Twenty:
Angel's fist grazed Spike's cheek as he ducked and danced back a few steps. He felt the glancing blow straight down to his toes. While it hadn't made direct contact it still hurt and Spike couldn't help snarling.
He watched with feral eyes as Angel advanced again his game face devoid of expression, of any real sign of anger. Spike found that to be unreasonably eerie.
Poised and ready for Angel, Spike rushed the larger vampire.
He blocked Angel's next swing head lowered and kicked out catching the older vampire in the gut, sending him reeling backwards.
Spike grinned in satisfaction as he watched Angel struggle, only to lose his grin when Angel moved faster than lightning, and wrapped his hands around Spike's arm and tossed him through the air.
Landing on his back Spike blinked back tears of pain as his head slammed against the floor.
Angel moved fast trying to reach Spike before he could regain his feet. But it was useless Spike was on his feet, feet spread wide and his stance ready for anything.
Standing a few feet apart they traded blows, aiming for any part of the body they deemed vulnerable.
Spike knocked Angel back far enough so that he could rush Angel with all the power he could.
Hitting him with his lowered shoulder and ramming him to the ground. Stumbling as his balance was off he managed to catch himself before he followed Angel down. But it was enough time for Angel to reach out and grab a hold of Spike's leg and drag him towards him.
Spike tried to kick out but missed completely and with one sharp yank he fell down and Angel crawled to straddle him.
A triumphant grin lightened Angel's features.
"I'm going to enjoy this," Angel stated as he grabbed a stake from his pocket and raised his arm.
Spike wasn't sure why he found the situation rather funny, but he did, and that was why he grinned. Then laughed. And laughed.
Startled Angel hesitated, his golden eyes filling with confusion.
Spike continued to laugh all the while his mind worked furiously as to how he was going to get out this situation.
His lips pulled back in a wide smile as he met Angel's eyes abruptly, and he bucked with all his strength.
Knocking Angel off balance as Spike managed to lift his leg long enough to ram his knee into Angel's back.
Throwing the startled man off of him Spike managed to make it to his feet. He moved fast reaching out and grabbing Angel's arm, the one that held the stake. His fingers pried at Angel's to release the stake from his death like grip.
Angel swung his free arm his hand fisted and slammed it into Spike's side. Followed up by an attempted kick to Spike's knee.
But Spike twisted aside so Angel's foot missed his knee completely.
They wrestled for control of the stake.
Their audience watched with bated breath as they fell to the ground the stake pressed between them. Knowing that if either of them died Buffy would not be pleased.
Giles at the moment didn't give a flying damn about Buffy's feelings as he stalked forward towards the tussling pair. He waited for his moment.
Spike managed to reverse his and Angel's position so he was now on top.
Leaving him exposed to Giles.
The Scoobies were transfixed as Giles lifted the stake he had taken from his coat pocket. Raised it above his head and with unwavering accuracy brought it down towards Spike's heart.
"Spike," Faith shouted unable to stop herself as she stood and watched Giles try and murder Spike. He might be a vampire but he didn't deserve to be murdered in cold blood. She couldn't allow that.
Faith's shout caused Spike to lift his head and glance behind him, in time to see Giles and the stake headed for his heart. He managed to jerk away but not in time so that the stake plunged into his chest cavity. Inches from his heart.
He screamed and fell sideways off of Angel, his hands clawed at his chest desperate to get it out. He had dealt with his fair share of pain, had even been staked per Maggie's orders with a plastic stake, but this was different, this was real. He had a wooden stake inches from his heart.
He would be damned if the Watcher was the one to do him in, with gritted teeth and closed eyes, Spike gripped the stake and tore it from his body. His body jerked and he felt lightheaded as he opened his eyes.
His vision swam as he tried to find where Angel was, where that bastard of a Watcher was.
Angel had slowly risen to his feet shocked at what he had seen Giles do; he hadn't thought the old man had it in him. He cast Giles a small smile as he approached Spike's fallen form.
"Now we'll see what a dusty Spike looks like," Angel said mockingly as he moved closer.
Faith found herself moving before conscious thought. Striding forward she grabbed Giles in a grip that threatened to break bones. She dragged him backwards.
"You better make this fair Angel. Let Spike get up and then fight it out like men. You do this fair or I'll stake your sorry no good ass. I would hate to see the look on B's face when I tell her I had to put you down Angel, like a rabid dog."
Faith's words echoed in the silence and no one doubted she would do it.
Spike crawled to his knees, swayed and almost fell back down; he steadied himself, the stake gripped tightly in his hand.
His head lowered and blood pouring from his wound, he blinked back unconsciousness.
"Thanks for that luv," he gritted out as he forced himself to his feet and caught himself against a wall.
Angel sent Faith a death glare and bared his fangs at her. He would abide by her rule and do this fairly. He would wait for Spike to prepare himself, and then he would kill the son of a bitch.
Spike took a deep breath and with a strength of will he'd cultivated in the time Maggie had had him imprisoned, he shoved back the pain, and with a grin worthy of a snarling wild beast he pushed off the wall.
Spread his legs wide and beckoned Angel forward with a flick of his wrist.
"Come and get me," he taunted.
With stakes in both of their hands, the two circled eachother aware that this had turned into a duel to the death.
Neither intended to be the loser.
Without another word the two began to fight in earnest.
Moving in with quick jabs of their stakes in an attempt to scare one another.
Spike tired of their endless circling and feinted, dodging inside, and with a slightly curled open palm slammed it into the side of Angel's head.
Pain snaked its way up Spike's arm and he hissed as Angel stumbled, his vision blurred as he saw stars.
He dodged Spike's next blow with a forearm.
He pushed back with all his weight on Spike's injury and was met by Spike's own weight. They leaned on one another for a moment, trying to bear eachother down; abruptly they stepped back from eachother.
Punches flew and kicks sailed as the two tried to best eachother.
The longer the fight continued the angrier Spike became. His eyes were narrowed to slits; his game face had slipped away. And his wound was pouring blood all down his side and onto his hand, making his grip on the stake precarious.
His thoughts were bits and pieces, nothing was clear. He wasn't sure if it was the blood lose or the fact that he was in a life or death fight.
He was madder than he had been in a long time.
That stupid Watcher had tried to kill him! And here was this prat Angel trying to finish him off because he had Buffy's love and Angel didn't.
Didn't they realize he was the only one who could help Buffy? Spike wondered as he rammed his knee into Angel's face as he shoved him downwards.
Didn't they understand that he had to find his son?
His blood mingled with Angel's as Angel head butted Spike and sent him flying into a near by wall. Spike hit with a loud thud, his body making an indentation as he slowly slid down.
His stake clattered from his hand and he moved to grapple for it.
Angel lunged for the stake and in his haste managed to kick it further away. Spike rolled around and in a rage attacked Angel with everything he had.
On his feet he grabbed a struggling Angel by his hair and slammed him up against the wall, his hand smashed up against Angel's throat. His other hand grabbed the stake from Angel's limp hand and tossed it aside.
He didn't need the weapon; he would just tear Angel's head off.
His mind was a blank canvas, his emotions a vortex of rage, and he took it all out on Angel. Banging the larger man's head against the wall. Feeling every punch that ran through his fists to his arms, Spike lost himself in the sensations.
He bore down on Angel, pushing him to the ground, beating Angel senseless as he released his rage.
Faces flashed through his mind, of all the people who had done him wrong, who had caused him pain. One face remained in his mind's eye, the smirking smug face of Maggie Walsh.
"I hate you," Spike chanted.
"Do something," Willow cried out in horror as Spike wrapped his hands around Angel's throat and began to tug. She feared he was going to tear Angel's head right off. She turned imploring eyes to Faith.
Faith's hand tightened on Giles's arm before she let go of him, and raced towards Spike hauling him off the unconscious Angel.
"That's it," Faith gritted out and shoved Spike aside, putting herself between Angel and Spike.
Spike growled and swung around facing the Scoobies and focusing his eyes on Giles.
"Don't you wanna finish me off old man?" Spike snarled as he advanced on the older man.
Giles let his face hold all the contempt and rage it could as he moved forward. He would gladly be rid of Spike.
"I will revel in the day you no longer exist, you bloody fiend. I will surely be the one who kills you. But not now. Not now," Giles spat out in disgust.
Spike's bloodied lips curled up in a sneer as he reached out; his hands bloodied, and gripped Giles' shirtfront and yanked him to him.
"You gutless bastard," he said lowly. "You think Buffy'll appreciate this? You tryin' to kill me? I ought to rip your head off and spit on your blood. You aren't worth the effort old man. But if you screw with me one more time, I will kill you, regardless of Buffy's feelings."
Faith shook her head and with a sigh figured she had seen enough of Spike threatening Giles.
She had figured Spike owed Giles a few threats and a good shaking for what he had tried to do.
"Enough," Faith said quietly and turned to fully face Spike and Giles.
Spike's breath came in ragged gasps as he tightened his hands on Giles shirt before he shoved him away.
He lifted shaking hands and ran them over his face, smearing blood all over it. Blowing out a breath he moved sluggishly towards Buffy's door.
"I'm sorry Spike but you can't go in there," Faith said coolly as she walked towards him and grabbed his arm.
Spike tensed and she felt the coiled muscles in his forearm ready to strike.
"Let go of me," Spike muttered. God knew he was tired, he thought. So damn tired, all he wanted to do was sit with Buffy and hold her hand.
"No, it would be best if you stayed away. I won't have you fighting with Angel again. You have caused enough problems. Now before I change my mind and introduce you to my stake, get the hell out of here," she snapped out.
Jaws clenched tight Spike jerked his arm from her grasp and fisted his hands. It took everything he had in him to stay still, to not react and attack the other Slayer.
He was weak from the wound Giles had inflicted and from the fight he had just finished. He wouldn't stand a chance against the chit.
Reluctance in every inch of his body Spike turned from Buffy's door.
"Don't think this is the end of this," he coldly said as he gave them all a deadly once over.
With slow and measured steps he turned and walked away down the hall.
And when he was far enough away so that he was out of their sight he leaned against the wall, and closed his eyes in guilt and despair.
If he couldn't get by Buffy's loyal guards then how was he going to be of any help to Buffy?
And if he couldn't see her then how could he leave her not knowing if she would live or die? How could he search for his son when his heart and mind would be here with Buffy?
He couldn't bear the thought of it.
~*~
Wes stared hard at Rowan as he finished stating the facts of his plan. He wasn't sure what she was thinking, as her face was expressionless.
He rather thought it was a good idea and suspected that if he had Rowan's help he could set it in motion.
While he admired his plan he still couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive, after all he had failed in keeping Tate safe.
He had tried with all his power to protect that little baby.
His face contorted in misery as he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. He could not keep rehashing the events that had occurred in the past couple of hours.
He watched Rowan as she tilted her head to the side and pursed her lips.
"You would know better than I Wesley if this would work," she murmured with lowered eyes.
Wes licked his dry lips and nodded.
"If…and this is just a thought, it were to succeed you do understand that you would have to steer us in the right direction?" Rowan asked curiously.
Wes parted his lips to speak.
Thought better of it and nodded again.
Rowan gave him a slow nod and then gave him an abrupt smile.
"Well then I will see to it you are released as soon as possible and you can get started on your plan."
With that said she turned and strode for the door.
"Any news on Buffy?" Wes called after her. He could only imagine what Buffy and Spike were going through.
No doubt they would surely blame him and he didn't fault them. He had failed.
But no more thoughts like that, he thought with a fierce shake of his head.
"I haven't heard from her or Spike for that matter. I will see what I can find out. I'll be in touch Wesley. Feel better," she told him as she left the room.
Wes gingerly rose from his bed and headed for the bathroom. Once there he leaned over the sink turning on the faucet and splashed water on his face.
He stared into the mirror and met his own eyes. Straightening his shoulders he gave himself a grim smile and nodded once.
He could do this.
Turning his back on the mirror he strode back into his room and rang for the nurse on call.
When no one came he made his way to the door and pulling it open spotted Rowan in deep discussion with a nurse.
Looking around he noted she seemed to be the only one on the floor at the moment.
"What's going on?" he asked as he approached the women.
Both glanced at him.
"Well there seems to have been a disturbance in one of the patients rooms. In fact two men were fighting. Two men I am certain we know," said Rowan.
Wes felt his face blanch as he realized whom she was speaking of.
"Oh dear. What floor?" he demanded.
"The fifth floor. Come on," Rowan answered as she grabbed Wes's arm and led him towards the elevator.
"Wait a minute you can't take him. He needs to rest," the nurse called after them.
Wes heard Rowan murmur a few words and the nurse stepped back wearing a blank expression.
"What did you do to her?" Wes demanded as he stared back at the nurse as they entered the elevator.
"Just a little blanking spell. She won't remember that we got on this elevator. It will be a blank. Don't worry your little Watcher head about it lad. She'll be fine."
Unsure but willing to believe her Wes settled his shoulders back against the wall of the lift and tried to relax.
He could only guess that Spike and Angel were fighting over Buffy.
While he could understand the sentiment, he could not wrap his head around how that would help Spike find his son.
"I can't believe Joyce is dead," he muttered aloud. He knew he should not have let Joyce engage in her plan. After all she wasn't trained in dealing with things such as this.
He should have stepped up and been more forceful and made her realize the error of her plan. No doubt that it sounded good in theory but things rarely went as planned.
Though he had rarely worked in the field he knew that as a fact and had been trained for an event such as that.
If only…
Wes started as the elevator came to a stop and the doors swished open and Rowan stepped out.
He trailed after the witch and they had no problem seeing where the fight had taken place.
Blood smeared the walls, the floor; debris from holes in walls littered the floor. The hall looked as if a Mack truck had come rolling through and did a hell of a lot of damage.
Gathered in a huddle off to the side were the people Wesley had come to know over the short time he had been here in Sunnydale.
"Willow what happened?" Wes asked as they approached the group.
Willow glanced up her eyes landing on Wes then skirting around to all the people milling about. She finally swallowed and gestured for him to come closer.
"Spike and Angel had a fight because Angel wouldn't let Spike see Buffy," she answered quickly.
Wes's brows rose.
"What happened to Buffy? I heard about Joyce. Surely she could use all the comfort she can get," he muttered.
Willow let out a shaky breath and glanced at Xander for help, but he looked blank and finally she turned her gaze to Giles.
"It seems Buffy has been going into seizures off and on for the last couple of hours. Spike brought her in and the doctor says that she is healthy and that there is no real reason why she should be seizing."
Giles paused and the next words he spoke seemed to pain him, Wes realized.
"And now it seems that because of Spike we have no knowledge of what could happen to her next. Angel had the right thought to kill that parasite. If it's the last thing I do I will-"
"That's more than enough," Wes snapped a bite to his tone. "I will have no one touching Spike. He has a son and there is no way I will allow you to kill him while his son is missing. Now where is he? I must speak to him."
Wes's gaze skimmed the faces of the gathered group. Seeing that no one wanted to answer he pursed his lips and shook his head.
"Don't you understand that Spike is the only one who knows what might be wrong with Buffy? He was captured by Maggie and held for months. He might know the cause of her illness. I very much doubt Buffy would be thankful of your interference in her relationship with Spike. Where is Angel? Where's Spike? I must speak to someone who has the sense that God gave them!"
Giles paled at the tone of Wesley's voice. He couldn't understand the lack of respect from this insolent fool.
"Spike's gone. For good," a voice came from the left of them and Wes turned sharply.
Met the brown eyes of a man whose face was bruised and bloodied. A man Wes assumed was the vampire Angel.
"Really?" Wes asked and couldn't help the taunt in his voice. "We will see about that. Now excuse me I want to see Buffy. Rowan perhaps you could find Spike and tell him what we discussed," he urged as he strode past them all.
Pausing when he realized he had no clue as to which room Buffy was in.
Turning back with a slight chagrined look on his face he gestured forward.
"Which room if you please?" he asked.
He heard Willow whisper the number and with a nod of thanks he walked off.
Wondering with all these new developments if his plan could still come to bear fruit.
He hoped that it would.
~*~
Spike didn't stray far from the hospital. He couldn't bear to tear himself away from Buffy. So many things warred inside of him. He knew that he had to find Tate.
The trail would be getting colder by the minute.
He shivered as he rested against the side of the building. He couldn't think straight. He knew he had to get going on this.
He could not stay here.
But his body refused to move, from lack of blood and the strength of his love for Buffy.
What had happened to her? He wondered once more. He could not fathom what had caused this.
He bit his lip as pain slid through him and he banged his head against the brick wall.
"Buffy," he whispered raggedly.
"Excuse me," the quiet voice came from behind Spike and he stiffened slightly. He kept his face hidden as he leaned his forehead against the bricks.
"Get out of here," Spike snapped.
"Spike…"
Hearing his name Spike stiffened even more and slowly, with deadly grace he turned to stare at the speaker.
His gaze raked over the boy.
Small and thin in stature the boy stood his ground as Spike's cold angry gaze met his. His hair was wet from just having been washed but Spike could still smell the scent of blood.
It surrounded the boy and Spike felt his stomach growl, and fiercely he blocked out his blood lust.
He scowled at the boy.
"How do you know my name? Who the hell are you?" Spike lashed out as he stalked forward.
Oz stuffed his hands in his pockets and resisted the strong urge to move away as Spike advanced.
"We've met before. You wouldn't remember because of your amnesia. You kidnapped my girlfriend Willow when you were here last. Right after I guess you were kidnapped."
Spike slanted his eyes away from Oz and shifted on his feet.
He should probably apologize but at the moment he was too tired to care about this boy's girlfriend and what he'd done to her.
"Get away from me doggy," he spat.
Oz felt his anger stir in the pit of his stomach as he glared at Spike.
"I just came over to see how you were. I heard about Buffy's house burning down and that Dr. Walsh has your son."
Spike sighed unable to keep his anger as he gave a curt nod.
"Good lot that's gonna do considerin' I have no clue as to where that bitch is going. Can't seem to move my ass long enough to go after her, on account that Buffy's lying in a coma upstairs. What the hell good am I, if I can't even protect the people I love?"
Sighing in aggravation and defeat he grimaced and moved his eyes away from Oz's pitying ones.
"Well…having met the baby I can say he's a good kid. And since this plan failed, whatever you have planned next I'll be right there with you. I want to find Tate. As much as you do."
Oz knew he wasn't lying. He did want to find Tate; he felt that he owed the baby since he had failed this time around.
But the truth was he wanted something, anything, to keep his mind off of the body he had devoured.
And if helping Spike find Tate was the answer then he was there.
He didn't ask about Buffy being in a coma or the fact that Spike's face bore bruises that hadn't been self inflicted.
He understood that there was only so much the vampire was able to handle and if he brought up either of those things he feared Spike would snap.
"Appreciate it," Spike mumbled and shook off his desolate mood and straightened.
Oz gave him a nod.
Spike watched as the boy began to wander off.
"What's your name, boy?" he called out after Oz.
Oz turned slightly and replied.
"You can call me Oz," he called back and hurried off towards the entrance of the hospital.
Spike frowned after Oz.
Not only had the boy smelled of blood and human remains he had smelled like a dog. It hadn't been hard to deduce that the boy was a werewolf.
Buffy had all kinds of friends he mused.
His whole body ached and he knew he needed to go find something to eat.
Slowly he moved away from the hospital, every step more painful than the last.
"You gonna say something?" Spike asked aloud. Not bothering to turn his head to see if Rowan was lurking in the shadows still.
"You know what you have to do," Rowan said softly.
Spike limped his way off.
"Don't start old woman," he told her tiredly.
"It's a fact that the longer Maggie is with Tate the harder it will be to find her. I don't have to tell you what she'll do to him once she is sure you're not coming to search for your son."
Spike wanted to ignore her words and cover his ears as he walked and she followed.
"Don't talk to me about what Maggie's gonna do to my son. I am well aware of what's at stake here! Tell me something I don't know. Tell me something that hasn't occurred to me! I know what's going to happen. And I can't do a damn thing about it!"
He was yelling and couldn't stop himself as he whirled to face the old witch and glare at her.
He watched as she came to a stop a few feet from him and gave him a small sad smile.
"You want Buffy and you want your son. Well right now you can't have them both. It's one or the other. You need to decide. Because there's not much time left Spike. I spoke to Wesley and he has a plan. I think it will work as long as we do things properly."
Spike lifted a hand and scratched at his aching jaw.
"Properly? What do you mean? What's his plan?"
"Tell me who you're picking Spike. You know in your heart what's right. Buffy has a whole support system here. When she wakes up she'll be loved and well taken care of."
"You mean by Angel?" Spike couldn't help but ask in disgust. He shuddered at the thought of Angel anywhere near Buffy.
"If you think he can sway Buffy from loving you that easily then you are both better off by yourselves. Now think of how happy she'll be when you come back with Tate in tow."
He didn't have to think about it. There was no choice to be made. Buffy had already urged him to leave.
And even though she was indisposed he couldn't hang around to help her get better.
"We'll leave as soon as I see Buffy again. And if you want it to be soon, then you had better talk some sense into those people. Because I won't leave until I say goodbye."
With that said Spike hurried away, off to find something to eat.
Leaving Rowan to stare after him.
~*~
"Well are you sure he won't hurt her?" Willow asked as she watched Rowan with wary eyes.
"Absolutely. Now if you would all clear out and give him some space he'll come and be gone soon enough," Wesley said as he glanced at Rowan who nodded.
Willow glanced at Xander who was resting comfortably in his hospital bed.
His eyes were hooded.
"I don't know Will. I think it's been a hell of a day and I'm exhausted. Can't think about all this right now. If he wants to see Buffy why not? She's gonna need all the love she can get. I just… I can't deal with this right now," Xander whispered hoarsely.
Willow nodded slowly as she made her way to his side and took his hand.
"Fine. Angel's gone off with Faith and Giles will just have to deal with this. Just… never mind. Xander's tired and he needs his sleep."
Wes nodded and he and Rowan left the room.
"How did your phone calls go?" Rowan asked Wes as they made their way to the elevator.
"Better than I had hoped. I have contacted a number of people who will see to it that the word spreads."
Rowan nodded.
"And you're sure that once other vampires learn of Tate's existence there will be a search en masse for Maggie and Tate? We'll just have to follow the trail they leave and we'll have Tate back in no time."
Wes was fairly certain his plan was a good one. He wouldn't go so far as to say it was foolproof because it wasn't.
But it was the only one they had and it would have to do for now.
"Hopefully. Now where did Spike get off to?" Wes asked as he and Rowan boarded the elevator.
"To hunt I assume."
Wes paled and stared at her aghast.
Rowan merely shrugged unconcerned that Spike might possibly be out there killing people.
Wesley swallowed and couldn't find too much energy to react beyond that.
"So he'll be back here then?" Wes asked instead.
"One can only assume."
They got off at Buffy's floor and headed for her room where Giles was just coming out.
"We thought you should know that Spike will be coming by to visit with Buffy. He wants to see her before he goes in search of his son. Don't cause any problems Rupert or you will have to deal with me," Rowan warned.
Giles glared at both of them and too angry to get a word out he stalked past them.
Wesley and Rowan exchanged a glance before they set up to wait for Spike to come and see Buffy.
~*~
It wasn't until the next night that Spike managed to get back to the hospital.
If he'd been a little more knowledgeable in the lay out of Sunnydale he might have made it back sooner.
As it was he had searched all night for a suitable human in which to feed from. He had been tempted to feed until he had drained his prey dry, but knew if he did Angel and Giles wouldn't hesitate to kill him.
And in the state he was in he wouldn't stand up to it. So he drank as much as he dared from a lone man wandering around the bad part of town.
Unsatisfied he had continued to hunt taking as much as he felt was needed from three different people.
He found an abandoned building not too far from the hospital and had stayed there the whole day.
And while he'd waited out the sun with the nourishing effects of the blood his wound began to slowly heal, and his brain began to work properly.
His mind slowly went over Wesley's plan and found that it was a good one. One that might even work.
He pushed doubts of Tate's welfare out of his mind, he knew that Maggie wouldn't hurt the baby. He was her bargaining chip.
Hurting Tate would ensure his and Buffy's wrath for the rest of their lives.
The other thing that had plagued his mind had been Buffy.
With a clear mind he had finally figured out what was wrong with Buffy.
And sure of it, as soon as night fell, he headed for the hospital.
He knew he was a sight for sore eyes and that he looked like he had just pulled himself from the depths of hell.
With his head ducked he made his way through the hospital corridors. Until he was on the fifth floor and he hesitated a moment in front of Buffy's door.
He wondered if she had relapsed while he'd been stuck inside while the sun had been out.
Turning the doorknob he shoved open the door and scowled when he saw her room was filled with people.
"Get out. I want to see her alone," Spike flatly said as he crossed his arms and glared at them all.
One by one the people trickled out leaving Spike alone with Buffy at last.
Moving stiffly he took the vacant seat at her bedside.
He reached out and took her limp hand in both of his.
Studying her pale face he let his ears pick up on her slow steady heartbeat.
"I'm leaving," he said softly kissing the palm of her hand. "Just like you wanted. I know that's what you wanted."
Swallowing he shook his head.
"I'll be back. With Tate and you had better be here when I get back," he said fiercely. "Alive. Alive and well all right?"
With his face a mask of grimness he trailed his fingers down her warm cheek and then leaned forward to brush his lips over hers.
Standing he kept her hand in his.
"I love you Buffy, more than you could ever know," he muttered as he gently placed her hand back down and walked away.
He shut the door behind him and gritted his teeth as he spotted Buffy's friends standing waiting for him.
His gaze slid over them and settled on Giles with a blank expression.
"I want to talk to you," he said and moved off sure that he would follow.
Giles reluctantly followed Spike aside and waited impatiently for him to speak.
"I know what's wrong with Buffy," Spike said and raised a hand when Giles tried to speak. "It's the drugs Maggie gave her. See she's manufactured the drugs for vampires."
He paused seeing if this was registering with Giles. From his angered face Spike could tell it wasn't making sense to him.
He was too angry to think straight.
Spike turned away from Giles and let his eyes rest on Angel.
"Angel," he called out and watched Angel slowly make his way to them.
"What?" Angel spat out angrily.
"Buffy's got drugs meant for vampires in her system. I don't think Maggie thought of the ramifications of doing this. Because where I know her drugs were meant to make a vampires vital organs alive, in this case it's making Buffy's system shut down."
Angel frowned and stepped forward invading Spike's space.
"Are you sure?" he demanded.
Spike nodded.
"I can't think of any other reason. While Maggie knew about Slayers I don't think she thought she could capture one. So she didn't make drugs for humans. She wanted vampires to mate with vampires. Hence the rejuvenating drugs."
"Dear God," Giles finally gasped out as his mind moved past his anger.
Angel sent him an annoyed look.
"What can we do?" Angel asked Spike ignoring Giles for the time being.
"I don't know. I think it might wear off because she's the Slayer. But then again it could shut down all her vital organs and kill her."
Spike stopped and sighed as he tried not to contemplate that. He had to hope Buffy didn't die. He had to hope that Buffy could overcome this and come out stronger.
"What kind of drug is this?" Giles asked taking his glasses off and cleaning them.
Spike shrugged.
"Don't know. Have them run tests. Hunt down some of Maggie's men. See if you can find anyone who worked for the Initiative, Angel. They can't have all flown the coop or been killed in the explosion. Find them and we might be able to find out what drugs are in Buffy's system."
Spike glanced back at Buffy's closed door and then turned back to face the two men who'd been the most important ones in Buffy's young life.
Let his guard slip a little.
"I am counting on the both of you to keep her safe. Understand? You keep her alive no matter what you have to do," Spike said lowly.
Angel's eyes narrowed.
"No matter what?" he echoed and watched as Spike nodded.
Giles looked back and forth between them in horrified silence.
"No matter what," Spike repeated with a fierce look that he shifted to Giles. "You do what you can. Keep your cool and let him do what he has to Watcher. Or so help me I'll-"
"Spike," Rowan's voice interrupted him threatening Giles and he swung around. He met Rowan's steady gaze and nodded curtly.
"Just…do everything you can," Spike muttered as he turned and headed for Rowan.
Wesley clapped a hand on Spike's shoulder and gave him a smile.
"Ready Spike? Rowan has everything you'll need."
Spike frowned as he met Wes's eyes.
"What are you talking about? Aren't you coming with us?" Spike demanded.
"No. I figure some one should be here to see to your needs as well as Buffy's. I'll watch over her. Better than I did Tate. I swear," Wes promised.
Spike managed a small smile.
"Thank you Wesley," he gave the younger Watcher a quick impulsive hug.
Wesley stepped back and Spike latched onto Rowan's elbow and led her away.
Giles clutched Angel's arm in a tight grip.
"What did he mean by 'no matter what'?" he asked his voice squeaky and high.
Angel turned his gaze from Spike's departing back and settled on Giles. His demeanor grim, his brown eyes bleak, and mouth flat.
"What it means is I am going to do whatever I have to in order to keep Buffy alive. Infer whatever you want from that Giles. Excuse me," Angel muttered as he stalked away from Giles for Buffy's door.
With a furrowed brow and a heavy heart Angel stepped into Buffy's room, his eyes resting on her still form.
Knowing that if worst came to worst then he would have to do what he had never thought possible.
He would have to turn his golden princess, all that was good and light in his world, and make her into a force of darkness the world had yet to see.
He prayed to a God that he didn't believe in and hoped he wouldn't have to resort to that.
Knowing that if he did there was no turning back from that. He would be one more step closer to letting Angelus loose, with a turned Slayer as a childe.
His soul rebelled at the very thought, but oh, Angelus reveled in the mere suggestion. The havoc they would cause.
Angel squashed that side of him down viciously and with a pained groan he slumped down in the seat beside Buffy's bed. And buried his head in his hands.