She had failed again. Buffy walked up to her porch late at night and saw Giles' dead body. Spike and Zoë had placed him in a crucifix position: arms sticking straight out, legs closed and firmly next to each other. They opened his eyes and it looked like he was looking up at the night sky. Buffy collapsed right there in the front path, right in front of Giles. Sobs racked her body and she covered her face with her hands. In a certain light, someone might think she was worshipping him. Buffy called for Xander and Anya, but neither came. She failed again. She didn't find Dawn, and she left her other friends open for an attack. Giles was dead. Xander and Anya were missing. Dawn was missing. Willow and Tara were dead. Spike and Zoë were missing and presumed dead. Buffy was alone, there would be no comfort, no one to mourn with her, just solitude. Whoever was tormenting her had won. Even if she killed them, then what? What would she do? Celebrate with her friends. What friends? She had been a fool. She remembered how she shoved Giles out of the way on her way to "find" Dawn. God, that will be the last contact we ever have. A shove.

Spike was practically dancing with glee. He had it all planned out and if everything worked he would bring the Slayer to the Vampire's Ball, beaten, broken, and helpless. He would torture her in front of friends, enemies, and peers. He would avenge the humiliation and pain she caused him.

Xander woke up to Spike's cackling. He was chained to the wall, across from him was Anya with her hands and body tightly bound to a pole. She was already conscious. Off to the left, there was a dead Dawn chained to the wall. Xander's head was spinning. Where were they and how did they get there?

"Look, who's awake," said an annoyingly familiar accent. "Have a nice nap?"

"Spike." Xander slowly realized what was going on. He had been captured by Spike, but why? It hit Xander like a truck. Spike killed Willow. He killed Tara and he killed Dawn. Xander had accused the vampire already, but he was just angry and venting and wanted to blame someone. He really didn't believe Spike had done it. How could he with that chip in his head? But he had. He had murdered his friends. Xander yanked his chains violently trying to get to Spike, wanting to hurt him, make him feel the pain he caused.

"Oooo, someone's in a fiery mood. You keep that fire Harris. Be much more fun torturing you if you do."

"Murderer! You killed Willow!"

"That's not all. Killed her lover, killed the Watcher while you were out," said Spike. Then he sauntered over to Anya. He brought her chin up so he could look into her scared eyes. "Gonna kill your bird, too."

"Keep away from her!" Spike turned his attention back to Xander.

"Or what? You'll hurt my feelings?"

"Buffy's going to kill you."

"She just might, Harris, but she won't be in time to save you."

"How did you get your chip out?" asked Anya. She hoped if she could keep Spike talking it would distract him from torturing Xander, maybe even long enough for Buffy to save them.

"A happy accident involving a healing spell."

"Did you trick Willow into helping you and then kill her," spat Xander.

"Nope, Zoë did it."

"And then you killed her?"

"And then I birthed her," said Spike. "Zoë! Where are you pet!" Zoë descended into Spike's torture den wearing a white slip dress and combat boots.

"You called?"

"Harris here was inquiring about you."

"Hello Xander," said Zoë.

"You turned her," said Xander.

"You're a real genius, Harris," said Spike.

"I'm sorry, Zoë," said Xander.

"Don't be," said Zoë.

"You murderous bastard. You're going to get yours. I always hated you, but they didn't. Willow, Tara, Dawn, even Giles, they were all willing to give you a chance."

"A chance? A chance at what? To be the Slayer's house pet. To be the Scooby mascot? I'll pass thanks."

"You killed Dawn. Why?" asked Anya. "She loved you," said Anya as tears started to form.

"I know. Sweet girl, a bit tangy too," said Spike. Xander pulled at his chains again.

"Alright Harris, how do you wanna do this? Knives, matches, I've got a lovely whip." Spike rubbed his hands together and grinned at Xander, but then Zoë pulled Spike close and whispered something in his ear. "Good idea, pet," said Spike, "I knew there was a reason I sired you." Zoë walked over and picked up Dawn's body. She carried it out of the torture den and into Spike's bedroom. Spike pulled a table directly in front of Xander. Then Spike walked over to Anya and forced a kiss on her.

"Leave her alone!" screamed Xander.

"No, I don't think I will," said Spike. Zoë returned and she and Spike untied Anya. However, Anya wouldn't stay unrestrained for long. Spike and Zoë chained her to the table in a spread-eagle position. Her left side was to Xander, and she looked at him with scared eyes. Spike slowly caressed Anya's thigh.

"Don't touch her!" screamed Xander.

Spike continued up Anya's thigh under her skirt. He ripped off her underwear and straddled her.

"No! Stop it! Leave her alone!" screamed Xander.

Spike began to unbutton his fly. Anya started to struggle and beg.

"Please Spike, don't, please!" said Anya.

Spike leaned down and licked Anya's neck, then he moved to her face and licked her tears. Zoë looked on and smiled. Xander was beside himself. He yelled and threatened Spike, he tried to bargain with him, he even apologized for the nasty things he had said to him, but Spike ignored him, as he finally penetrated Anya. Spike thrust into Anya as she stopped pleading and screamed. She was crying harder. She turned her face away from Xander. She couldn't bare to have him look at her in that position, and she couldn't look at Spike.

"Not gonna move with me, pet? Fine, your loss," said Spike grinning. Just then, Zoë turned on "Anarchy in the UK."

"He really gets going when he hears this song," she said to no one in particular. Spike continued with the vile act and when he reached climax he put his game face on and bit into his victim. Anya screamed, so did Xander. Spike drank Anya's blood and Xander cried. Amidst his tears, he called Spike every name in the book, but there was nothing he could do. He was helpless. He was weak. He couldn't even protect the woman he loved from the monster. He couldn't protect his friends. He hoped Spike would kill him quickly, but he knew Spike wouldn't. Spike hadn't touched him yet, but he never felt worse in his life, and he never would.

When Spike was finished he looked over at Xander. He had his game face on and he was grinning. Anya's blood still dripping from his fangs.

Spike turned to Zoë and said, "Come give us a kiss, luv." Zoë did just that and she licked Anya's blood from inside Spike's mouth.

Xander felt like he wanted to vomit. Anya's dead and violated body lay before him and he lost hope. Anya was dead along with everyone he loved. Buffy wasn't coming, she couldn't know what was going on. He was Spike's prisoner, and he knew he was doomed.