Sorry, but this is a correction, the first version of this chapter was missing vast sections of middle.
Chapter 2
"You do know that was the Slayer, don't you?"
The tall man continued walking, oblivious to the question.
"I hear your father had a thing for her a year or so ago... or at least he tried to."
Silence. It was a game of course. Sooner or later he would say something that would annoy the man enough to reply. He hated the silences that the man relished. It was somehow fitting that they continued torture each other in that way.
"I wonder what she's doing here? Last I heard she was in Sunnydale, a Hellmouth like that should be enough to keep her busy, so why is she here? Is she after the same thing that you are? I hope you won't have to kill her!
"Still thoes girls who were with her... they had Power, didn't they? I know you felt it. They could make a good meal for both of us, don't you think? Hahahaha!"
The laugh was cut short as the man's hand closed tightly on the door handle, pulling it open.
The pub was filled with the usual assortment of creatures, and a few humans who were either too stupid, too drunk, or too brave to think better of their choice of bars. Still, the crowd was light, but then this was the daytime crowd, and this type of pub, out of necessity did most of their business at night.
None of the tenants looked up at the man, if anything they took an extra effort to keep their heads down to pretend he didn't exist.
He took a seat at the bar, resting his hat on the stool next to him.
The bartender, a slimy human, readily approached the man with a grin, and the leer of seduction in his eyes. "Ah, D! So glad to see you! What can I get for you? Perhaps this time I can interest you in a pint... either chilled, or strait from the tap."
"The usual."
"Hrm... your no fun today, D... are you sure?"
"The usual."
"All right, all right." His hands disappeared under the counter for a few moments, before bringing out a filled glass for D.
"You have some information for me." D fixed the bartender with a cold stare, which the bartender did not meet. He knew it was there.
The bartenders entire mood seemed to change for the darker. "Your in something deep this time, D. Your daddy's not going to like it."
"Don't be so sure. What do you have for me."
"Huh. You see the news this morning? The Bartell family was killed by a pack of wild dogs when they went for a midnight stroll... at least that's what the official story is. Truth is, they was killed by vamps, but I guess you know that part already. What you don't know is that Mr. Bartell was a government employee, not very high up, you understand, but he was about to push through some forms that would have inconvenced Genom."
"The corporation, or the demon?"
"You normally aren't that dense, D. You know the Slayer is in town? The local Vampire King has placed a fairly large reward for her head. I'm sure they would even give it to you, if you brought it to him. They say she doesn't work alone, that she has a bunch of norms and witches helping her. They say it's a sign of her weakness, but not me, I have other ideas on that."
D had no time to waste on such distractions, the bartender was just trying to distract him now. "Do you have anything else for me?"
"I hear that Barbarois is in town too... on other business. The Vampire King is going to ask him to go after the Slayer. I wonder what your father would do if he knew there was another claiming to be king?"
Putting his hat back on, D stood to leave.
"Did you know that the current situation is very similar to the Ghostwood project in the northern US?"
"All right then, hows about this then. Did you know another vamp is arriving today from the colonies? I hear he specializes in killing Slayers and other freelance work, but how am I suppose to know what would interest you?"
D's eyes narrowed.
The bartender looked up at the ringing of the door's bell. D was gone.
Just as well, the stupid half breed's days were numbered anyway.
The scoobies all looked at each other at Willow's statement. Then looked at each other. It was as if everything was clear up until Buffy had barged in carrying a wounded man, but after that everything took on a dream like quality.
Xander was considering this, something tingling at the back of his mind, "It was like...like..." suddenly it came to him, "Damn, I was a butt monkey! Once again I am the spider eating man bitch, saying yes master how can I serve you master. I am really getting sick of it"! Looking up and seeing looks ranging from amusement to confusion on the faces in front of him he calmed down and said, "Look when was the last time you remember a situation like this"?
Thinking back Buffy softly answered, "Dracula. It was like that when he...well um...came into my bedroom. Like it was a dream, but like it was really happening at the same time. But that wasn't Dracula. This guy looked,"
Buffy was interrupted by Tara saying, "Angelic, soft angular features that are vaguely feminine," then seeing Willow looking at her with a sharp gaze she stammered, "b-but defi-nitely male, and males, w-well I have no interest in." She finished smiling sheepishly at Willow.
Willow smoothed her hand down Tara's arm, "It's ok. I thought Dracula was hot, remember." Willow whispered putting her girlfriend at ease.
"Ok, so what do we do now"? Buffy asked the group.
"Well we have the question of this Barbaroy. Anya said he was a mercenary. Xander can you see if there is some way to trace this mercenary and see if we can find out some information on him. Anya help Xander. Buffy, when you patrol tonight, I want you to be on the lookout for our mysterious guest last night, I shudder to think what he portents, also I have to also agree with Xander, I am loath to be anyone's," Giles paused as if he couldn't believe the next words coming out of his mouth, "butt-monkey".
Buffy looked at her watcher and giggled, "You said butt-monkey."
"Erm, yes, I will call one of my friends in the watchers, and Willow and Tara, see if there is some spell to find out about our late night visitor. But first I think we should all go and get some breakfast." Giles finished giving out the game plan.
Two hours later they found themselves back at the house and going over their respective tasks. Tara and Willow were searching for a spell, while Xander and Anya were looking through various gun and soldier magazines. They were all trying to ignore the madly pacing slayer as she talked on the phone to her mother.
"I know mom, but I am working. Can't you and Dawn just go and have a good time." Sighing Buffy relented. "Alright, I'll be there in a half-hour. See you then." She hung up the phone and looked at the group. "I have to go and see the crown jewels with mom and Dawn, does anyone else want to go"?
"I would love to, but Tara and I are trying to narrow down a spell." Willow answered. "So go on and have a fun time."
"Sorry Buff, getting some head way done over here." Xander said holding up a magazine.
"You know the only crown jewels I would be interested in seeing is Pri... Giles did you find anything"? Buffy finished her statement as she saw her watcher walking in.
"No. I am fixing to call the Counsel and see if they have any information that can be useful." Giles finished. "I will be upstairs if you need me." With that he walked up the steps and went into the bedroom.
"Fine. Well see you guys later." Buffy said as she walked out the door.
Xander looked down as he said good-bye to Buffy, then went back to the magazine he was reading. Searching down the personal messages he came across one that caught is eye.
B.B. Rois-Good to hear from you. Will be at the Brimmley Tavern at 2pm._J
"B.B. Rois. Sound's promising. Hey guys I think I found something here." The others came over and looked at the ad he was pointing at. He reached over and grabbed the phone book and started looking up the address to the Brimmley Tavern. Finding it he wrote it down on a piece of paper and stuck it in his pocket.
"I don't know Xander. This could mean anything." Willow said as she pointed to the name.
"Yeah, maybe, but these are not the kind of guys that give out information. I'm just gonna go over to the tavern and have a look around. Nothing lost even if it turns out to be nothing." He said.
"That's true babe, let me get my coat." Anya said getting up.
"Anya, hun. Would you stay here and help Willow and Tara. I don't know if this is a good place to take you to." Xander said holding on to his girlfriend's shoulders.
"But I would be worried about you." Anya whined.
"I know baby, but I'll be fine. Be back before you know it." Xander promised as he gave Anya a kiss on the forehead. "See you later Willow and Tara. And then I will tell you what I find out." Xander then went to the door and waved as he walked out.
Upstairs Giles was on hold. He tapped his foot while he waited. Then someone spoke.
"Rupert Giles"?
"Speaking." Giles answered into the phone.
"What have you heard about the Ghostwood project"?
"Not much I am afraid." Giles sighed as he answered. It was going to be a long day.
Nightfall. D watched the unloading of the ship. Only one ship was being unloaded a night, and it was a particularly rundown freighter. He would not move against them, but he would remember them. He may need their services himself one day, or he may be able to use them to track some other prey.
"What are we doing here, D?"
D remained silent.
"Do you really think they have hired this vampire? Or are you trying to get on the Slayer's good side?"
They opened a crate, and a drunk man, holding a bottle staggered out. No, not a man; a vampire.
The vampire staggered forward a few steps, looking up at the city before him. "Its nice to be back home." The man was too drunk to notice D's approach, or was too drunk to detect it as a threat.
D's conscience grumbled. He did not like striking a man unawares, but it had to be done. He raised his sword for the kill.
The vampire was not as unaware as he had pretended, blocking D's sword with his bottle. The bottle broke, but not before stopping D's attack. The vampire followed up with a punch to D's face.
D took the hit, and stepped back, ready to attack or parry as needed, depending on what his opponent did next.
His opponent, screamed out in pain, hopping in a circle, his hands holding his head. "Bloody Hell!! Who ever heard of half a headache?!? What are you?"
D leaped forward, and knocked the vampire flat with a blow to the face from the hilt of his sword. D's other hand firmly grabbed the vampire's head. "What do you see?"
"Ha! He has a chip in his head. The poor fool has been neutered! A pretty good job of it, too."
Releasing the vampire, D stood. "What are you doing here?"
"I've got as much right to take a stroll as anybody, don't I?"
D drew the man's attention to his sword. "Aren't you the vampire who specializes in killing Slayers?"
"Well, yeah, I use to."
"Then why are you here?"
"Well, I'm here because the Slayer is here, aren't I?"
D's eyes narrowed.
"I'm her close personal friend, you know. Saved her life lots of times."
"Why?"
The vampire, Spike, was growing more and more flustered as the questioning continued, and his sobriety returned. "To keep her from staking me, mainly."
D remained motionless, impassive.
"Yeah, well. Guess Ill see you round," Spike said, as he began staggering towards the town.
The wind whipped through D's hair as he watched the man go.
"You don't actually believe him, do you?"
"Of course not., but I can use him anyway." D replied.
Chapter 2
"You do know that was the Slayer, don't you?"
The tall man continued walking, oblivious to the question.
"I hear your father had a thing for her a year or so ago... or at least he tried to."
Silence. It was a game of course. Sooner or later he would say something that would annoy the man enough to reply. He hated the silences that the man relished. It was somehow fitting that they continued torture each other in that way.
"I wonder what she's doing here? Last I heard she was in Sunnydale, a Hellmouth like that should be enough to keep her busy, so why is she here? Is she after the same thing that you are? I hope you won't have to kill her!
"Still thoes girls who were with her... they had Power, didn't they? I know you felt it. They could make a good meal for both of us, don't you think? Hahahaha!"
The laugh was cut short as the man's hand closed tightly on the door handle, pulling it open.
The pub was filled with the usual assortment of creatures, and a few humans who were either too stupid, too drunk, or too brave to think better of their choice of bars. Still, the crowd was light, but then this was the daytime crowd, and this type of pub, out of necessity did most of their business at night.
None of the tenants looked up at the man, if anything they took an extra effort to keep their heads down to pretend he didn't exist.
He took a seat at the bar, resting his hat on the stool next to him.
The bartender, a slimy human, readily approached the man with a grin, and the leer of seduction in his eyes. "Ah, D! So glad to see you! What can I get for you? Perhaps this time I can interest you in a pint... either chilled, or strait from the tap."
"The usual."
"Hrm... your no fun today, D... are you sure?"
"The usual."
"All right, all right." His hands disappeared under the counter for a few moments, before bringing out a filled glass for D.
"You have some information for me." D fixed the bartender with a cold stare, which the bartender did not meet. He knew it was there.
The bartenders entire mood seemed to change for the darker. "Your in something deep this time, D. Your daddy's not going to like it."
"Don't be so sure. What do you have for me."
"Huh. You see the news this morning? The Bartell family was killed by a pack of wild dogs when they went for a midnight stroll... at least that's what the official story is. Truth is, they was killed by vamps, but I guess you know that part already. What you don't know is that Mr. Bartell was a government employee, not very high up, you understand, but he was about to push through some forms that would have inconvenced Genom."
"The corporation, or the demon?"
"You normally aren't that dense, D. You know the Slayer is in town? The local Vampire King has placed a fairly large reward for her head. I'm sure they would even give it to you, if you brought it to him. They say she doesn't work alone, that she has a bunch of norms and witches helping her. They say it's a sign of her weakness, but not me, I have other ideas on that."
D had no time to waste on such distractions, the bartender was just trying to distract him now. "Do you have anything else for me?"
"I hear that Barbarois is in town too... on other business. The Vampire King is going to ask him to go after the Slayer. I wonder what your father would do if he knew there was another claiming to be king?"
Putting his hat back on, D stood to leave.
"Did you know that the current situation is very similar to the Ghostwood project in the northern US?"
"All right then, hows about this then. Did you know another vamp is arriving today from the colonies? I hear he specializes in killing Slayers and other freelance work, but how am I suppose to know what would interest you?"
D's eyes narrowed.
The bartender looked up at the ringing of the door's bell. D was gone.
Just as well, the stupid half breed's days were numbered anyway.
The scoobies all looked at each other at Willow's statement. Then looked at each other. It was as if everything was clear up until Buffy had barged in carrying a wounded man, but after that everything took on a dream like quality.
Xander was considering this, something tingling at the back of his mind, "It was like...like..." suddenly it came to him, "Damn, I was a butt monkey! Once again I am the spider eating man bitch, saying yes master how can I serve you master. I am really getting sick of it"! Looking up and seeing looks ranging from amusement to confusion on the faces in front of him he calmed down and said, "Look when was the last time you remember a situation like this"?
Thinking back Buffy softly answered, "Dracula. It was like that when he...well um...came into my bedroom. Like it was a dream, but like it was really happening at the same time. But that wasn't Dracula. This guy looked,"
Buffy was interrupted by Tara saying, "Angelic, soft angular features that are vaguely feminine," then seeing Willow looking at her with a sharp gaze she stammered, "b-but defi-nitely male, and males, w-well I have no interest in." She finished smiling sheepishly at Willow.
Willow smoothed her hand down Tara's arm, "It's ok. I thought Dracula was hot, remember." Willow whispered putting her girlfriend at ease.
"Ok, so what do we do now"? Buffy asked the group.
"Well we have the question of this Barbaroy. Anya said he was a mercenary. Xander can you see if there is some way to trace this mercenary and see if we can find out some information on him. Anya help Xander. Buffy, when you patrol tonight, I want you to be on the lookout for our mysterious guest last night, I shudder to think what he portents, also I have to also agree with Xander, I am loath to be anyone's," Giles paused as if he couldn't believe the next words coming out of his mouth, "butt-monkey".
Buffy looked at her watcher and giggled, "You said butt-monkey."
"Erm, yes, I will call one of my friends in the watchers, and Willow and Tara, see if there is some spell to find out about our late night visitor. But first I think we should all go and get some breakfast." Giles finished giving out the game plan.
Two hours later they found themselves back at the house and going over their respective tasks. Tara and Willow were searching for a spell, while Xander and Anya were looking through various gun and soldier magazines. They were all trying to ignore the madly pacing slayer as she talked on the phone to her mother.
"I know mom, but I am working. Can't you and Dawn just go and have a good time." Sighing Buffy relented. "Alright, I'll be there in a half-hour. See you then." She hung up the phone and looked at the group. "I have to go and see the crown jewels with mom and Dawn, does anyone else want to go"?
"I would love to, but Tara and I are trying to narrow down a spell." Willow answered. "So go on and have a fun time."
"Sorry Buff, getting some head way done over here." Xander said holding up a magazine.
"You know the only crown jewels I would be interested in seeing is Pri... Giles did you find anything"? Buffy finished her statement as she saw her watcher walking in.
"No. I am fixing to call the Counsel and see if they have any information that can be useful." Giles finished. "I will be upstairs if you need me." With that he walked up the steps and went into the bedroom.
"Fine. Well see you guys later." Buffy said as she walked out the door.
Xander looked down as he said good-bye to Buffy, then went back to the magazine he was reading. Searching down the personal messages he came across one that caught is eye.
B.B. Rois-Good to hear from you. Will be at the Brimmley Tavern at 2pm._J
"B.B. Rois. Sound's promising. Hey guys I think I found something here." The others came over and looked at the ad he was pointing at. He reached over and grabbed the phone book and started looking up the address to the Brimmley Tavern. Finding it he wrote it down on a piece of paper and stuck it in his pocket.
"I don't know Xander. This could mean anything." Willow said as she pointed to the name.
"Yeah, maybe, but these are not the kind of guys that give out information. I'm just gonna go over to the tavern and have a look around. Nothing lost even if it turns out to be nothing." He said.
"That's true babe, let me get my coat." Anya said getting up.
"Anya, hun. Would you stay here and help Willow and Tara. I don't know if this is a good place to take you to." Xander said holding on to his girlfriend's shoulders.
"But I would be worried about you." Anya whined.
"I know baby, but I'll be fine. Be back before you know it." Xander promised as he gave Anya a kiss on the forehead. "See you later Willow and Tara. And then I will tell you what I find out." Xander then went to the door and waved as he walked out.
Upstairs Giles was on hold. He tapped his foot while he waited. Then someone spoke.
"Rupert Giles"?
"Speaking." Giles answered into the phone.
"What have you heard about the Ghostwood project"?
"Not much I am afraid." Giles sighed as he answered. It was going to be a long day.
Nightfall. D watched the unloading of the ship. Only one ship was being unloaded a night, and it was a particularly rundown freighter. He would not move against them, but he would remember them. He may need their services himself one day, or he may be able to use them to track some other prey.
"What are we doing here, D?"
D remained silent.
"Do you really think they have hired this vampire? Or are you trying to get on the Slayer's good side?"
They opened a crate, and a drunk man, holding a bottle staggered out. No, not a man; a vampire.
The vampire staggered forward a few steps, looking up at the city before him. "Its nice to be back home." The man was too drunk to notice D's approach, or was too drunk to detect it as a threat.
D's conscience grumbled. He did not like striking a man unawares, but it had to be done. He raised his sword for the kill.
The vampire was not as unaware as he had pretended, blocking D's sword with his bottle. The bottle broke, but not before stopping D's attack. The vampire followed up with a punch to D's face.
D took the hit, and stepped back, ready to attack or parry as needed, depending on what his opponent did next.
His opponent, screamed out in pain, hopping in a circle, his hands holding his head. "Bloody Hell!! Who ever heard of half a headache?!? What are you?"
D leaped forward, and knocked the vampire flat with a blow to the face from the hilt of his sword. D's other hand firmly grabbed the vampire's head. "What do you see?"
"Ha! He has a chip in his head. The poor fool has been neutered! A pretty good job of it, too."
Releasing the vampire, D stood. "What are you doing here?"
"I've got as much right to take a stroll as anybody, don't I?"
D drew the man's attention to his sword. "Aren't you the vampire who specializes in killing Slayers?"
"Well, yeah, I use to."
"Then why are you here?"
"Well, I'm here because the Slayer is here, aren't I?"
D's eyes narrowed.
"I'm her close personal friend, you know. Saved her life lots of times."
"Why?"
The vampire, Spike, was growing more and more flustered as the questioning continued, and his sobriety returned. "To keep her from staking me, mainly."
D remained motionless, impassive.
"Yeah, well. Guess Ill see you round," Spike said, as he began staggering towards the town.
The wind whipped through D's hair as he watched the man go.
"You don't actually believe him, do you?"
"Of course not., but I can use him anyway." D replied.