Chapter 5
Since Angel voiced his plan that afternoon to have the entire team staying in Wolfram and Hart, people had been in and out, with even more difficulty caused by the fact that clients had to be given crystals on their way in, and then hand them back when they left.
Spike had sat in on Angel and Gunn's meeting with the Halzarts and Gronders and made it a success by throwing in puns only the trolls and himself could understand, meaning he got his dose of criticising Angel, and the trolls left in a good mood with negotiations sealed.
In their free time, of which they seemed to have little, Wes, Fred and Gunn went home and brought in clothes and everything they needed while staying at the office. The couches in Willow and Giles' rooms were pulled out into beds for Dawn and Xander.
Buffy and Willow had been around most of the building, looking for two extra desks for their office and had come back to find a couch that Lorne had found spare in his assistants room.
Late that afternoon Buffy went into Angel's office and found him, Gunn and Spike at his desk.
"Harmony. Where are you? What's wrong?"
Buffy heard a muffled voice on the other end of the phone and watched Angel's face for clues as to her whereabouts.
"Well if you don't know what it is, come in and be checked here. Okay?… Well if you're doing that bring some of your stuff. Everyone's going into semi-permanent residence."
Hanging up the phone Angel looked up at the three people around the desk. "She's sick. Some sort of weird flu, Gunn can you send a car for her, if she's contagious the last thing we need is demon flu spreading."
"I'll get on it." Gunn left and Angel turned to look at Buffy with her hand on Spike's shoulder.
"You did okay today Spike. How you put those trolls in such good moods I won't ask, but I guess…"
"Yeah" Spike prompted.
"I guess I could use your help more often."
Spike stood looking at him sceptically, waiting for a blur and he'd go back and Angel would tell him to bugger off. But nothing. "See sweetie. When your not busy insulting, your good at communicating." Buffy rubbed the back of his neck. If only she knew!
Smirking at the sarcasm dripping from Buffy's comment Angel turned to her; "Dawn and Xander's flight will be in in two hours, do you want me to send a car or are you getting them?"
"I'll go. That is if I can borrow a car."
With Angel's nod of agreement, Buffy kissed Spike on the cheek and went to the elevator. "Be good." She wagged a finger at him. Stepping into the elevator she turned to see him smirk and wink at her before the doors closed.
"You're brave letting Buffy borrow a car. You ever seen her drive?"
"Yes Spike. I have faith in her… and in Xander that he'll drive back."
When Angel's phone rang Spike jumped for it but Angel got there first. Glaring at Spike he answered. "Wolfram and Hart."
"Angel?"
"Yeah?"
"Hey it's Xander. Look me and Dawn won't be with you until Wednesday. Our flight was cancelled, and the next one is Tuesday night."
Wednesday, that's three days. "Okay Xander, I'll tell Buffy. Yeah, see you both then."
Hanging up he looked at Spike who was watching him from the armchair. "Flight's cancelled, they'll be her Wednesday morning."
"I'll go call Buffy."
"No I'll…" Angel was cut off by Andrew poking his head around the door. "Angel. I'm sorry to be disturbing you two great vampayres, but there's someone in Wesley's office who needs to see you."
"Okay I'm coming." Getting up to leave Angel looked at Spike.
"Guess I'll be phoning then!"
Driving along the streets of LA, Buffy hummed along to the radio, looking out for the turnoff to the freeway. Just as she switched the indicator, her cell phone rang. Seeing no ID she flipped it open. "Hello?"
"Hey Buffy, love. Xander and lil' bit's flight was cancelled so they're not coming 'till Wednesday."
Huffing with annoyance Buffy pulled onto the freeway and went straight round and back on the road to the city centre. "Okay I'm coming back."
Flipping her phone closed she tossed it onto the seat next to her and drove on until she realised she didn't know where she was. Looking around for a familiar building she pulled over at a supermarket and jumped out, locking the car behind her and going in. Getting directions from the late-night shop attendant she went back out to the car, only to find the bonnet smashed in and front tyres deflated.
"Down town LA. It's what you expect."
Turning Buffy saw an old man in a flannel cap and grey cord jacket standing in the shadow of the building smoking a cigar. "Do you know the number for a taxi?" Buffy asked him.
"If you go down the road there's a pub. They got a phone and numbers."
"Thank you." Unlocking the car Buffy retrieved her phone and purse. I'll have to tell Angel and get the car picked up tomorrow, she thought guiltily. It's hardly my fault; I only went into the supermarket.
Walking down the block she saw the lights of an old-English style pub on the corner. Passing an ally someone grabbed her arm and pulled her in. Instantly reacting Buffy threw a punch at her attacker, knocking him to the ground. Another two men came at her from behind and her purse and phone flew under a dumpster as she threw them off. Spinning around, Buffy saw half a dozen men surrounding her. They were all rough and had straggly beards. Their clothes were rags and she noticed many had few teeth.
"Go on then. Give me your best shots." As the men attacked Buffy threw them off one by one, but noticed that she'd become a bit sluggish and out of practice.
"She's like some superwoman!" One of the muggers cried as they all raced off into the night.
"Thank you" Buffy called after them. Bending down and reaching under the dumpster she searched around for her phone. Sensing someone behind her she looked around to see a pair of muddy trainers.
"Girl like you shouldn't be down a dark alley by yourself" she heard the person say, and began to get up when she felt two sets of hands hold her down and another pull her jeans and get them down around her knees. Kicking and struggling Buffy felt one of her heels kick a shin and one of the pair of hands holding her disappeared. Taking advantage Buffy tried to swing round but felt a man put his hands on her hips and got between her legs. She screamed as he slid into her and kicked furiously, flailing her fists until she threw off the other pair of hands. The man raping her still had a firm press on her hips, stopping her from being able to jump up or roll over.
At the end of the alley she heard someone shout down. Just as she was about to scream out a hand was put across her mouth, and the rapist stopped his movements. When the person had left he continued for another minute before pulling himself up. Still holding her down he told one of the other men to reach under and get her purse.
Buffy kicked out hard when she felt him move away and heard a yell as her foot met another of the men's shins. Lying still for a minute she heard them run, or limp, down the alley, and then sat up, pulling her jeans on again. Tears started to flow down her cheeks and she got up before remembering her phone. Lowering herself down again she found it in a corner. Still crying she dialled the number for Wolfram and Hart, and asked for Spike.
"Yeah?"
"Spike!"
"Buffy? What's wrong luv? Are you okay?"
"No. I got lost coming back in and stopped at the supermarket then the car got smashed in and I asked for directions and was walking down the road when some men attacked me and I got rid of them but they came back when I was getting my phone and held me down and raped me and now I'm at this pub and I need you to come get me."
"Love calm down okay? Go into the pub and I'll be there straight away. What's the name of the place?"
"Um, The Ptarmigan or something." She sniffled, feeling so vulnerable for the first time in her life.
"I know where it is. Stay right there."
Hanging up Buffy tried to lower herself onto the steps outside the pub, but found she couldn't bend down properly. Leaning against the wall she tried to wipe away here tears and started hiccupping.
Ten minutes later Spike pulled up in a black jaguar and jumped out.
"Buffy are you alright luv?"
"Not really, I was so scared Spike, I've never been so weak before, I wasn't able to throw them off."
Taking her into his arms Spike soothed and calmed her, kissing her hair. "I'm here now sweetheart. No one can hurt you. Come on let's go."
After helping her into the car Spike ran around and got into the drivers seat. Driving quickly he raced down the back streets until they reached Wolfram and Hart's garage. He pulled into the parking space and ran back around to help Buffy.
Shaking she pulled herself out of the car. Seeing she couldn't walk easily Spike swept her up in his arms and went to the lift, pressing the button for their floor. When they got to Buffy's room she found that her key was in the purse the rapist took.
"Okay 'luv, you wait here and I'll be back in a minute." Setting her down Spike swept back down the corridor. Feeling like she wanted to cry again Buffy hunkered down as much as she could and bit her lip, trying to hold the tears back.
Minutes later Spike was back with a spare key. "I've explained that your car was vandalised and purse stolen. I didn't tell them about the attack." He reassured her when she was about to cry out. Helping her in Spike made Buffy sit down on the bed while he checked to see if she was cut. Only finding bruises he removed her shoes and pulled the cover over her.
"Spike don't leave me," Buffy cried out when she saw him go back to the entrance.
"I'm not pet, I'll just check the door."
Locking the front door Spike threw his duster off onto the sofa and pulled his boots off. Climbing in beside her Spike gently took her into his arms. Kissing the tears that began to roll down her cheeks again he stroked her hair. Buffy felt herself relax a bit and slowly began to drift off to sleep. Waiting until he heard her breathing even out, Spike leaned across and turned the light off. Lying in the darkness and listening to Buffy's occasional whimpers he thought about what had happened to her, swearing that if anyone ever tried to hurt Buffy again he would kill them. The fact that she'd been beaten and raped would be a major knock back for her, and she wouldn't have the faith in herself to be able to fight for a long while.
Buffy was running down the streets of Sunnydale after a vampire. Grabbing the hood of his coat she pulled out a stake and stabbed him. But instead of turning to dust the vampire turned around and punched her across the face. She'd missed the heart! She hadn't done that in years. Too astonished to do much Buffy started to back off and the vampire chased her. Reaching a basement she ran down and pulled the door closed behind her. Turning around she came face to face with one of the muggers. Feeling her legs go weak and all the strength drain from her she cried out and tried to run towards the door into the house. The mugger grabbed her and threw her against the wall. The vampire was still banging against the door. Screaming again Buffy closed her eyes and curled up in the corner, feeling scared and weak and useless.
"Buffy!" Snapping her eyes open Buffy saw Spike's perfect face leaning over her and felt his arms around her. "It was just a dream 'luv."
Nodding but still biting her lips to stop herself from crying she curled back up against him. "Ow!" Jumping up again she caught Spike's chin with the top of her head.
"Speak for yourself pet."
"I'm sorry, but something just stung my arm." Examining the small red spot on her inner elbow she pulled out a tiny sting. Rubbing the spot she snuggled back down. "Sorry for waking you Spike."
"Don't think about it pet."
The next morning Wes went up to the lab and found Fred fast asleep with her head on a pile of files. Gently rubbing her back to wake her Wes looked at what she'd been researching when she fell asleep. Sitting up, Fred pulled off the papers that had glued themselves to her face and turned to see Wes.
"Morning."
"Hey," she replied in a scratchy voice.
"I'll get you a drink."
Fred thanked him when he came back with a glass of water. "Fred why were you researching demon viruses? Is there something in the office?"
"No! Well kind of. Harmony's ill. She was brought in last night, and from the tests we've taken it looks like she's got a mild type of demon flu. We just can't work out how she got it. We look at the blood tests to check if anyone has anything in the office and there's nothing here. Harmony's only got a very bad cold and is nauseous, whereas if it's what I think it is, then it could be deadly."
"Spike!"
Angel shouted across his office and into the lobby, stopping the peroxide vamp as he strode across it. Going back to Angel's office he stood in the doorway and wrapped his arms around himself. "Ye?"
"Spike, I just received a letter from the Gronder Troll tribe we had that meeting with. From what Wes translated with his books it agrees to everything proposed and the given requests YOU said they had."
"Right. So what's the problem?"
"It's headed to 'High and Mighty Bastard' and ends with 'We wish you luck with overcoming your skin condition'. Care to explain Spike?"
"Hey they were all uptight. I had to do something to make them negotiate."
"So you said I had a skin condition and told them my name was 'Bastard' or whatever else YOU call me?"
"It was either that or get them drunk, but I'm not sure how easy it is to do that."
Angel growled at him. Spike held his hands up and started to walk back out into the lobby. "Hey, just helping to work this well oiled machine you got going here."
Never again, Angel thought to himself as he went back to his desk and ripped the letter up and threw it in the bin.
Across the building in the Scoobies office Buffy walked in and lowered herself slowly into one of the chairs by the window. Furniture and books were scattered all over the room, Willow stood in the corner clearly contemplating where to place each desk and bookshelf. When Buffy came in she looked over at her and noticed her slow movements and rubbing her stomach. "Buffy? You feeling alright?"
When she looked up, Willow saw how pale her face was and knew she wasn't well. "I'm fine, I just didn't sleep well and felt a bit woozy when I got up this morning."
That was an understatement. After her assault the night before Buffy had woken up continuously in the night. Her arm where she got stung had swollen up in a red bump on her arm when she woke up at one point but by the morning it had gone down and nothing was there, but as soon as she rolled over bile had risen in her throat and she had had to sprint to the bathroom. After that all she remembered was kneeling on the tiled floor and Spike sat beside her, rubbing her back gently then getting dressed and, slowly, making her way down despite Spike telling her to stay in bed. Just thinking about it made her stomach turn.
"Are you sure? I mean you don't look all yourself, maybe you should rest."
"No really I'm okay. How are we doing with this spirit thingy? Anymore through from other sources?"
"Nope. Only Wolfram and Hart's library to go by, which I think we've been through a million times, and the books I brought with me, but those are mainly magic."
Wincing slightly, Buffy leaned down and picked up a record book she'd started checking for incidents yesterday, and turned to the page she'd got to.
A few minutes later Andrew and Spike both came in. "Oh Spike. Could you and Andrew move the desks to where I marked on this plan, and then bring in the spare couch I found?"
"I would be honoured to do help the great and wonderful witch as well as working with such a great vampayr. I feel so honoured to be chosen."
Willow looked over at Buffy who rolled her eyes, and Spike looked up at the ceiling; "Bloody hell."
Turning to do Willow's bidding Spike and Andrew moved two desks to opposite corners of the room, one in the centre and another at the side of the door, while Willow moved in lamps and telephones. All the time Buffy sat on one of the recliner chairs by the window going through records, feeling bad about not helping Willow. After about half an hour all the furniture was in place, and there was only a large pile of books in the centre of the room.
"Thanks guys. I've still got to find bookshelves, but apart from that I think everything's done. Whatcha think Buffy? I think the Scoobies have been upgraded big time."
"It looks great Will, well done." Buffy gave her a weak smile.
Gunn came in as they were talking and looked around the room. "Wow this looks great. You guys have got one of the best rooms in the building. Angel's calling a quick meeting to see how we're doing with research."
Andrew and Willow left with Gunn, and Spike went over to help Buffy. "You feeling any better Pet?"
"I'm still a bit woozy and achy." Seeing Spike's look of concern she smiled and said, "I'm gonna be fine, don't worry."
They both left the room and started towards Angel's office, Spike slightly ahead. As she got half way across Buffy suddenly felt light headed and collapsed onto the floor. Spike spun around and ran back to where she'd fainted. "Somebody get a doctor. Now!"