A/N: Can I write a story without cliffhangers? Frankly, no! They're just too fun. Oh and this chapter is rated "R" for a little violence.
The first thing Buffy saw as she entered the high-security hospital cell was that the Kraal was indeed awake. He was thrashing around against his bindings and the several security team and doctors trying to subdue him. He was also foaming at the mouth, either in rage or due to some after-effects of the Speed Beads.
Angel was in the room, standing near the bed and saying something to the demon that Buffy couldn't hear over all the commotion. Illyria stood in the corner of the room watching the show with very little interest, or at least trying to make it look like she did not care.
Angel turned and caught glimpse of her "Buffy,"
"That's me" She said, walking slowly up to him.
As she crossed the floor towards the vampire Buffy felt like everything went slow motion. She found herself thinking of another vampire. A vampire who she had been kissing only minutes before. It brought a flush to her face and she fought to keep control of it. Angel knowing about this would only complicate things further and she really did not want that. So, Buffy told herself not to think about Spike and what had just happened; she still wasn't sure what to make of it herself. Best to wait till things cool down to get all introspective.
"He's a little jumpy" Angel remarked, motioning over to the Kraal.
"A little," She nodded "Must be the come down from the drugs"
Angel sighed "We really need to keep him still if we're going to question him"
Buffy walked wordlessly up to the small group trying to hold the demon down. She pushed past them and slammed one hand down against his shoulder. The Kraal hit the gurney with an audible thump. She pinned him there and gritted her teeth as he struggled against her. He was damned strong.
Angel smiled "Thanks, just what was needed"
"You could've done it"
He shook his head "I tried. He threw me across the wall"
"Oh" Buffy's eyebrow arched, then she turned back to the demon "Hey, mister. You got a name?"
He growled it at her "Herb"
"Herb as in Herbert!" Her eyes widened.
"Yeah, what's so funny?"
"No…no, Herb, nothing…" Buffy said then her eyes hardened "Where do you get the drugs from, or actually, who. No, wait. Both. First who then where. Or maybe –"
"I think I should question him" Angel patted her shoulder.
Buffy pouted "Well, fine. Use me for the grunt work"
"Ooh, sounds like my idea of a good time" Spike announced himself as he walked through the open door.
The Slayer felt her "Spidey Sense" react to him. A shiver ran up her spine and her back and shoulders straightened. She was betting it wasn't just because he was a vampire. It was because he was Spike. She set her jaw tightly and stared at a spot on the wall ahead, not looking back at him. Neutral was the way to go. Oddly Giles voice entered her head Keep tense, act like a commander, the warrior you're meant to be. Do not let him sway you from the job at hand!
Of course he chose that moment saunter up behind her to peek over her shoulder at Herb she assumed. Buffy reacted instinctively driving an elbow back hard into his gut and then slamming the back of her fist up into his face.
Spike cried out and sagged to the floor, in a heap. Buffy's eyes widened again and she spun around.
"Spike! Oh, God" She knelt down quickly beside him "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to,"
Buffy put a hand shakily on his arm.
He was cupping his nose in his hand, after a second he shook his head, eyes lighting up again "S'alright"
"No, it's really not"
"Shouldn't have sneaked up on you"
"You didn't, not really" Buffy sighed, looked down at the floor "I just overreacted, as usual…"
While she was busy apologizing Herb decided it was time to make a break for it. He reared up straining at his bindings. Buffy started to get up to stop him but knew she would be to slow. Just as she thought that a blur past her by, leaving only a breeze to brush her hair against her face.
Illyria slammed the demon down onto the gurney, pinning him there with one hand placed on the centre of Herb's chest. She didn't seem to be applying much pressure, for her standards anyway, and her eyes were coldly looking into the Kraal's.
"You will tell who you got the substance from" She said in a hushed but very much dangerous voice.
Buffy stood and reached out a hand to Spike. She kept her eyes on the ex-God though. Spike took her hand and stood next. He didn't let go of her hand.
Angel stood, on the other side of her also transfixed by the blue-haired woman.
Herb glowered "No…way"
Illyria cocked her head, then pressed the tip of one of her fingers against his chest "I am Illyria, you will tell me willingly or you will tell me as I rip the tongue from your mouth and claw out your worthless heart. Either way you will tell me"
Herb paused, not breathing. Still he said nothing though.
Illyria dug her finger into him and he bucked around on the bed but not much because she was holding him. Buffy watched, captivated in morbid fascination, as the whole of her hand disappeared inside Herb's chest.
He let out scream after scream. Illyria flexed her hand. Herb gasped, it was a severe and chilling sound. Maybe more so then the screams.
"I hold your heart within my hand, one mere squeeze and I will ruin you" She said, voice totally devoid of emotion "Choose now. Painful death or a simple question answered?"
Herb gagged "I…I…"
"Which is it to be, mortal?" She flexed her hand slightly.
His breath caught "I'll…I'll tell you! Oh, please! Ahh, please!"
"Illyria –" Angel started.
"Who supplies the substance?" Illyria asked.
Herb whimpered "The head of us"
"What?" Buffy spoke up again, letting go of Spike's hand to move up alongside the ex-God even though she wasn't too happy about being there.
"The head of the Kraals" Herb whispered.
"What's his name?" Angel asked standing on the other side of Illyria now, looking down at the demon.
"I…Isaac" He wheezed, sweat beading on his forehead as he lay completely still "He lives in the city…I don't know exactly where, I swear that. I get mine from…a bud…a buddy. I do know he doesn't like to slum it though"
Angel paused, thinking it over, turned to Buffy and spoke over Illyria as if she was not there "So, rich places"
"Somewhere they won't be too bothered about seeing a guy that looks like that" Buffy pointed to Herb.
"There's a couple of places that house demons in the good part of town" He said, mostly thinking aloud.
Buffy turned back to Herb "There must be warehouses where this stuff is stored. Where are they?"
"I only know of two…" He made a wet, gagging sound low in his throat "Both here. Not far apart. Used to be used for making…kid's toys"
"I know the places" Angel said "Good we're making progress. Now, where do Speed Bead's come from? I mean, how are they made and by who?"
"I do not know…" Herb rasped "Oh, please, I swear. Help me"
Angel stopped a moment, weighing the options; he turned to Illyria "Let him go"
She did nothing.
"Illyria let him go"
She turned her gaze on him, eyes unblinking. They stared each other down. Buffy tensed, ready to fight if needs be. Then Illyria simply let go of Herb and lifted her bloody hand free. She looked at the hand and then pulled a face of disdain. The hand of a God coated in a lowly demon's blood. How unflattering.
Buffy let out a pent up breath.
Angel grinned at her "Looks like we're finally getting somewhere"
"Let's hope so" Buffy replied not returning the smile, she was too exhausted.
Spike cleared his throat "Well, this is all well and good but the suns coming up. So, I reckon we should all have a nap"
Angel glared at him "Got no stamina, Spike?"
"Oh, I got buckets of it," He grinned, bouncing on the balls of his feet, not even mildly wounded by Angel's insult "Ain't that right, love?" he turned to her.
Buffy rolled her eyes "Boys, boys, boys. I really don't have the energy for this. I vote we get some sleep and then we bust these warehouses tomorrow…or later today"
"Well, then it's decided" Spike slapped his hands together.
Angel spoke up "Since you're tired you could always stay here. I have some guest suites…"
Buffy turned and walked to the door "No thanks. Gotta get back to Dawn and, you know, this place reminds me too much of the mental asylum"
As she left the room she heard Angel utter "Mental asylum?" and then Spike's 'I know something that you don't' laughter followed her down the corridor.
Men…no, vampires She sighed.
A/N: Hey, look no cliffhanger! Unless you count all the repressed sexual tension and stuff… Review please!