The meeting room housed the Scoobies around the table, which Red had fixed with her mojo after his outburst, the original Potentials turned Slayers dotted around the room. The silence was thick with tension and Spike watched numbly as Angel put yet another red pin on the map. He'd just finished regaling everyone about his time with Kat, much to everyone's horror. The red pin sat on top of a convent where they'd massacred everyone there. It had hurt to hear of all the things Kat had been doing, for her blatant disregard for human life. But what was worse was the pang of envy Spike had while listening to the morbid tales. The demon in him wishing he had been with her doing those things. He was the one she'd been having fun with. He knew it was wrong. He'd felt that sick feeling building up inside of him when he heard the horrors Kat was inflicting. But he couldn't help it. The old Spike, the one without a soul, he'd be damn well proud of his little protégé. But this wasn't her and it was going to damn well kill her when she got her soul again.

The silence was stifling him, everyone in too much shock to hear about their once loving and caring Kat out there doing these things. They couldn't comprehend it.

"I know it's bad, but this isn't Kat's fault," Angel murmured softly, breaking the silence.

"She took away your soul and you're just gonna forgive her?" A Potential asked haughtily. Spike was sure her name was Kennedy. Bint had a mouth on her, didn't like being told what to do. Spike sneered at her while Angel just frowned.

"I am gonna forgive her. This isn't her fault. I know better than anyone what it's like to be Jekyll and Hyde. She can't control this," he directed his imploring gaze at Buffy then. She'd been the most shaken hearing what her cousin's been up to. Spike was just glad the Bit wasn't around to hear it.

"I know it's not her fault. And we need to fix her," she muttered dejectedly.

"We will. And I can help her through it. Once she gets her soul back, it's gonna hit her hard. Every death she caused… it's gonna haunt her," Angel lamented.

"Good," Kennedy scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Spike's hands clenched to fists as he glared at her.

"One more word outta you and I'll cut that bleeding tongue right out of your mouth," he growled dangerously. Stupid chit had the good grace to shrink under his gaze. Then he turned to Angel, his blue eyes hard and cold.

"And you… she's not some bloody pet project and she certainly doesn't need the likes of you helpin' her. She's got me and I'll be the one to help her through it," he hissed. He didn't want the ponce anywhere near her. He'd already spent too much time with her. Wasn't going to have him swoop down like some guardian angel and try to 'save' her.

Angel opened his mouth, no doubt to argue with him, but Buffy beat him to it.

"We need to change our game plan. We can't sit by and wait for a spell to work for her soul. We need to work on capturing her first. She can stay in the cell until she can be souled," Buffy said firmly.

"Buff… we need to think realistically here. She's not gonna go down without a fight. You need to consider the very real possibility that we might have to put her down," Xander frowned.

"What did you just say?" Spike asked lowly, his hand twitching, itching to punch the whelp right in the face for even thinking it.

"Really, Xander?" Buffy asked, hurt coloring her face. Xander sighed, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"I agree with Xander," Kennedy piped up again.

"Do you want to die?" Spike asked incredulously.

"Nobody asked for your opinion, Kennedy," Buffy snapped, now irritated before she turned her fiery gaze back on Xander.

"All I'm saying is… we might not be able to put her soul back, Buff. And we can't keep letting her murder innocent people," he argued weakly. Buffy's face fell and Spike growled, wriggling in his seat as agitation started to take hold.

"I can't even believe you're suggesting this," Buffy scoffed.

"Buffy… you should listen to Xander. I'm afraid to say he might be right. I love Kat like a daughter but this isn't her. She wouldn't want this. You need to be ready in case this is the only solution. You have to be prepared," Giles said sadly, a frown marring his face as he took off his glasses. Some of the other Slayers started murmuring in agreement and it took all of Spike's restraint not to go on a rampage.

"What the hell is wrong with all of you? We are not killing Kat. I'm the OG Slayer here, I'm the one in charge. I know my job and I know what I'm doing. We're going to capture her and then put her soul back and we're not going to hold these things against her. If anyone has a problem with that, you know where the goddamn door is," Buffy seethed, standing up and storming out of the room.

"You should all be ashamed of yourselves. You're Kat's friends, her family. And here you are, talkin' about killing her like she doesn't matter to you. Didn't see any of you readyin' your pitchforks and stakes when this arsehole was runnin' around with her. No. He gets free passes to be soulless and do whatever he wants. Kat's soulless once and that's it for her. She can't be redeemed. No second chances. So bloody ready to write her off like you've forgotten all she's damn well done for you," Spike rambled angrily, standing up.

"Some bloody family you are," he hissed, stalking off and slamming the door so hard behind him that it came off its hinges.

He was only partway down the hall when he heard footsteps behind him and he rolled his eyes.

"What do you want?" He snapped, turning to look at Angel. The idiot was standing with his hands in his pockets, that stupid kicked puppy look all over his face.

"I want to help," he said simply. Spike laughed, the sound harsh and grating as he shook his head.

"Of course you do. Want to be the white knight, do you?" Spike sneered. Angel sighed, stepping closer to him.

"We're the only ones who really know what it's like, Spike. We know what she's going to go through. I want to help. I love Kat like a sister," Angel implored. Spike was so caught up with his rage at people suggesting they kill Kat like euthanizing a sodding dog that it all came pouring out.

"Like the sister you murdered?" he asked scathingly. Angel looked like someone struck him in the face, pain passing behind his eyes. And Spike, well he felt like a right git for that comment. Might not get on with the idiot, but it was a low blow, even for him.

"Christ… I'm sorry," he frowned, baffling himself that he was apologizing to Angel of all people but his soul wasn't letting him get away with that sly dig.

"I know you're hurting and you're worried. I get it, I really do. I want her back too, I'm not here to antagonize you, Spike. We're on the same side here. We both want Kat back here, alive… mostly… and with her soul," Angel said firmly. And he knew he was right. There was dissent in the ranks which wasn't good, but he had the important people on his side. It didn't hurt to have someone else fighting in his corner, in Kat's corner.

"Fine. You can help, just don't step on my bloody toes," he grumbled. Angel snorted with a nod, looking pleased he wasn't going to have a fight on his hands.

"There's something else," he said, looking at Spike carefully.

"Of course there is," Spike huffed, rolling his eyes.

"She still cares about you, even without her soul. I think the main reason she got me souled again is because Angelus… he kept saying things about you. She'd get upset about it. He kept doing it on purpose and I think she had enough. And Wes said he mentioned you to her on the phone, hoping she'd just come back. He heard her screaming before the line cut out. When I sent Gunn out to check the room, she'd trashed the place… and murdered people," he admitted. He wasn't expecting that. Thought it would be more bad news 'cause it seemed like it was all they were getting these days.

He felt his chest swelling and embarrassingly his eyes pricked with tears. He quickly turned around, facing away from Angel because like hell he'd cry in front of him. But the sheer relief he felt at hearing those words completely knocked down the wall inside of him he'd built up so he could just get on with getting her back. The one he'd pushed all of emotions behind. He knew her love might not be quite the same. Be a little bit different without her soul. Worst case scenario, she'd be obsessed with him in a twisted way. But he didn't care. She loved him. Even without her bloody soul. He let out an incredulous laugh as he quickly wiped his eyes. This was good. Not only for him, but it meant they could use it to their advantage. This whole time they hadn't let her know he was alive because they were scared of her reaction. But now they could use him to lure her in. He could try and talk her down. Or at least distract her in a trap to get her in the cell if she wouldn't come willingly. It gave him a sense of hope he'd not felt in months. Kat finally felt within his reach and the relief was so palpable he could bleeding taste it. He'd get his girl back.

—-

Buffy felt a lot of things. Hopeless, jaded, lost, confused, useless. She hated all of them more than she hated green beans and that was saying something. They'd all been working tirelessly to try and figure out where Kat was. It was bad enough that some people were talking about putting her down, so she wanted her captured ASAP so she'd be protected in the cell in the basement and Buffy could keep her eyes on her. The more people Kat killed, the more tension grew back at base. She really didn't need a mutiny on her hands so she needed to find Kat and she needed to do it now. Spike and Angel had been at the forefront, going around and asking demons if they'd seen or heard about her. And by asking them, she very much meant beating them up. Kat had been once again leaving a trail of destruction behind her, more red pins to be put onto the map. And she always seemed to somehow be one step ahead of them all. But now they had a few leads and they were checking them out. With time being very much of the essence, they decided to divide and conquer. Buffy was on her way to an old abandoned building. She wasn't sure what it was about the big bads and their love for abandoned buildings.

She couldn't help but feel despondent and hopeless about it. She'd followed so many empty leads that at this point, it was hard to believe they would find Kat at all, and that was terrifying. She'd rarely felt truly scared and like they might not win. There was the battle in Sunnydale where for a moment she hadn't been sure she could do it. And then when Glory was hunting Dawn. Her younger sister was also 'pro Kat staying alive' and had been hitting the books hard. It felt like she'd grown up far too much since the fall of Sunnydale. She'd tried to protect her from the gory details of what Kat had been up to, scared it would change how she saw her older cousin. But in an act of being a complete bitch, Kennedy and another Slayer called Olivia decided to tell the teen all about it. Buffy had lost her shit when she'd found out, reprimanding them and landing them on cleaning duty for a week. Spike had wanted blood for it but she managed to talk him down. It helped that Dawn hadn't seemed phased. She'd wisely told them she wasn't stupid and she knew Kat had been doing terrible things as she had no soul. And that it wasn't her fault and she didn't see her any different. It still irked her though that some of her girls were pushing back like this, not listening to her. Upsetting the delicate order of balance they had at HQ. Sure, she was in charge now. But the Slayer Organization was growing at a rapid rate and it wouldn't take much to tip the scales and send her packing. And she had a feeling Kennedy would gladly take the throne.

She lurked around a little in the dark, scoping out the old brick building for a moment. The horrible traitorous voice in the back of her head told her it was pointless and she might as well go back home. That voice had been getting louder in the past few days. Especially since Kat had rid Angel of his soul and then she'd learned all about the horrors they'd committed together. She knew it wasn't Kat and she'd never hold it against her, but it made her feel sick. Soulless Kat was pure evil and on par with Angelus and she hated it. She wished she'd been more like Spike, not that he was perfect but he was nowhere near the same. It was hard for her to process it was Kat doing this. Well, it wasn't really, but it kind of was and it didn't make sense. She was about to give in to that voice in her mind and head back, miserable and demoralized. But then she saw a figure making their way to the building. She squinted a little, seeing the red hair she'd recognize anywhere. All of her hopelessness vanished like a candle snuffed right out. A fire lit inside of her then, determination coming back in full force. She sent a quick group text to let Spike and Angel know so they could come and back her up. Their group messages amused her a little, although it was dulled because of the usual topics they were talking about. But seeing two old ass vampires trying to get to grips with technology had been amusing. Spike loved using the symbols to make faces and obscene shapes and texted in slang, more often than not, insulting Angel. And Angel, who hated technology and always seemed to struggle with it, would try to be grammatically correct in his replies and always sounded formal. But half the time things were spelt wrong due to his big thumbs or autocorrect failing him. And sometimes he'd end up only sending half finished sentences out of frustration of trying to type. He preferred to just call.

She knew she should wait for them, she knew it wouldn't take that long for them to get here. But Kat was actually here, after evading them for months. She wasn't sure she'd get another chance like this. If Kat decided to leave now, she could be gone forever. She couldn't have that. She was a Slayer. Kat was a mostly baby vampire by their standards. She knew she could get her. She just had to make sure her head was in the game. She knew it would mess with her head seeing Kat like this. She remembered how jarring it had been to meet Angelus after knowing Angel. And even Angel had confided in her how he'd been not on top form when he ran into Kat because it had thrown him off. She had to be in full Slayer mode. Had to see it as someone other than Kat. But she knew it was easier said than done. She stalked over to the building, pulling her black beanie tighter on her head like it would protect her from what she was about to face. She took a large breath, trying to steady her shaking hands before she barged right in. She wasn't sure what this place used to be, but through the door was a large open space made of just brick and concrete. It was bare except for some sheets in the corner. Where Kat was, now looking at her because of the door flying open. Kat blinked at her for a moment in shock before laughing and Buffy felt her stomach twisting terribly. She could do this. She had to do this.

"Kat," she bit out, clenching her trembling hands as she stared at her. She looked normal yet didn't at the same time. Like she could just tell this wasn't the Kat she was used to.

"Slayer," Kat smirked darkly, and it stung. The distance that word created. The unfamiliarity, like they didn't know each other at all.

Buffy moved, walking slowly and Kat followed suit, the pair circling each other.

"I wondered when you'd find me. A matter of time I guess," Kat shrugged.

"We've been looking for you," Buffy muttered, body tense and vigilant of every move Kat made. Her cousin seemed far more relaxed though, an amused smile on her face.

"How's Angel doing?" she grinned menacingly. Buffy lunged at her and Kat dodged, kicking her foot out and connecting it with Buffy's chest. The air left her lungs in a whoosh as she flew backwards into the wall. She needed to pull her head out of her ass. She couldn't let Kat get one over on her. She was better than this. She jumped to her feet, swinging at Kat as she came at her. It connected with her jaw and she tried to push away the pang of guilt it sent her as it knocked her on her ass. But it didn't throw the vampire off. She laughed delightedly, like she was enjoying it, before hopping gracefully to her feet. She smiled at Buffy and it was unsettling and unhinged. And then Kat came at her again. Buffy went to leap out of the way but Kat, who had seen Buffy fight plenty to know her moves, knew she was going to do that and grabbed her, flinging her across the room like a rag doll. Buffy cried out, feeling pain radiate through her ribs. She'd heal quick enough, Slayer healing. But it hurt like hell. She struggled to get to her feet but Kat used her vamp speed to get to her quicker. Buffy felt pain exploding in her head as Kat landed a punch that made her brain rattle around her head. Buffy knew she wasn't doing herself any favors. She was holding back, scared she'd hurt Kat too much. But this wasn't really Kat and she needed to get her back so they could soul her up. She kicked up with two legs hard and it connected with Kat's chest. She turned into Superman for a moment, flying through the air and into the brick, making some of it crumble.

"You know what?" Kat asked with ease, climbing back to her feet.

"What?" Buffy snapped, rolling her sore shoulder as she readied herself once more.

"I don't know why I avoided you for so long. This is fun, we should have done this sooner," Kat grinned, licking her top lip where blood was spilling from her nose.

"This is fun?" Buffy asked incredulously, blocking a punch and moving out of the way. She felt tears prick her eyes and she hated it. She hated seeing Kat this way, nothing but darkness behind her blue eyes.

"Aw, what's wrong, Buff? Gonna cry?" Kat teased mockingly.

"Shut up!" she growled, blocking another punch and letting one of her own fly. It landed but it only made Kat stumble. Stupid. She was stupid. She was letting it get to her. She was being weak. Kat laughed, looking more than amused at the feeble punch.

"I'm so glad I lost my soul. Finally got rid of you and the rest of those assholes," Kat sneered, hitting Buffy in the temple and sending her spinning to the floor. Kat straddled her quickly and landed another punch and Buffy couldn't see straight. She wasn't sure what hurt more. The hits or the words coming out of Kat's mouth.

"Have you ever wondered what's wrong with you? Why death seems to follow you wherever you go? Why you keep losing the people you love? Maybe you're cursed," Kat mused patronizingly, gripping Buffy by the throat. Buffy made a strangled sound as her hands darted up to pry her fingers off her. Every word she said just reminded her how far from the normal Kat this was yet it didn't make it any easier to fight her like this. And her words cut deep because she had thought that about herself before. There were many times when she'd seen being a Slayer as a curse, wondering why she couldn't have a blissfully ignorant life like most other people. Why it all fell on her shoulders. And when things went wrong, she always took it personally. That little voice was back, telling her to lay down and take what Kat was giving to her. She deserved this. This all started with her, when she decided to con everyone into helping her to turn Kat into a vampire. She hadn't cared of the consequences then and now people were dead and it was all her fault. She was supposed to help people, save them. And instead she'd gotten them killed because she'd been too scared to have yet another loved one die.

—-

"Put your bleedin' foot down, will you?!" Spike growled, glaring at Angel. There was no way he was letting Kat slip through his fingers. Girl had been scarily good at hiding out and keeping a low profile, all the while painting the whole of sodding LA red. He wasn't sure how she managed it but he wasn't letting her get away.

"I am! This is as fast as I can go!" Angel argued back, giving him a dirty look. Spike was shifting in his seat anxiously. He had half a mind to shove Angel out of the van and drive himself.

"As fast as you can go?! Bollocks! A granny could go faster than you!" Spike yelled, getting ready to punch him even if it was a bad idea mid drive. The engine revved then and the van sped up. That was more like it. They needed to get there quickly. He knew Buffy wouldn't wait for them. He knew 'cause he wouldn't wait either. They needed to get there before it all got out of hand and one of them ended up dead. And he had a horrible feeling it would be Buffy since he knew the Slayer wouldn't kill her cousin, not even when backed into a corner. And Kat… well, she didn't have a sodding soul now, did she?

The van screeched to a halt outside the building and Spike rushed out before it had fully stopped, Angel on his heels as they burst in. He stood there for a moment with wide eyes, watching Kat choke the life out of the Slayer, who just lay there and took it. The place was a wreck. Dents and bricks all over the place, telling him without words about the hell of a fight that had taken place here. He could do little else but stand in the doorway watching his girl, shock seeping into him that he was finally with her after all this time. Oh, how he'd missed her. Angel managed to rush her, sneaking up on her while she'd been too distracted by her rage. He grabbed her from behind, hooking his arms under her armpits and dragging her away from Buffy who was now spluttering and coughing, trying to catch her breath.

"Let me go!" Kat roared, flailing in Angel's grasp. Didn't do her much good though. Angel was a lot stronger than her given the years he had on her.

"No, you need to stop this, Kat," Angel warned, spinning her around. Spike was face to face with her then and he noticed a few things. She was bleeding and bruised, telling him Buffy had at least fought with her before giving up and the damage hadn't been all Kat's fault here. But when her eyes landed on him, they went wide, her struggling stopping immediately. She looked completely shocked and nothing like the cornered animal she'd been just seconds before. She looked… like herself.

"You need to calm yourself, pet," he murmured, his voice cracking as he felt his heart ache for her. She just stared at him with a blank look on her face and for a moment he got worried. Worried Angel had been wrong when he said she still cared about him. But then she broke free of Angel's hold and Spike idly wondered if Angel was worrying the same thing he was but decided to let her go anyway. She rushed at him and he closed his eyes, bracing himself. If she wanted to do him in, bloody let her. Didn't want to live in a world where she didn't love him. Couldn't bear it.

But then he felt arms wrap around him as she hugged him tightly and he felt something crack inside of him, metaphorically, she didn't hug him that tight. His arms wound around her, one on her back, the other in her hair as he buried his nose in it and took a deep inhale. It almost felt like a dream. A cruel dream to tease him before he woke up without her once more. She moved away a little, arms still around him as she blinked up at him. She was crying and it took him off guard for a moment, given her lack of soul. But this was good. It meant she could feel something.

"I missed you," he said softly, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. His touch was tentative, like he was scared he'd find out she wasn't real. She was though and her skin was cool and soft.

"What…? How…?" she stuttered, looking bewildered and awed at the sight of him. He felt his throat close up just looking at her. He'd been worried this day would never come. But he also knew what came next and his heart broke for her.

"It's a long story, luv. I'll tell you when we get back to HQ," he explained carefully. Her damp eyes turned cold then and it made his stomach turn.

"Is that a joke? You want me to go back with Goldilocks and her mini me's?" she scoffed, giving him a look like he was crazy. He'd hoped just her seeing him would be enough to convince her, play on her feelings for him. Seemed she needed a bit of prodding though. She clearly cared about him still, her reaction was proof enough of that. It soothed his aching soul like a soothing balm, but now he needed her to come with him so they could work on getting her soul back.

"We can finally be back together, Kitten. Me and you, yeah?" he asked, giving her a soft and tentative smile. He saw her wavering, her eyes turning a bit warmer as she looked at him. And then, Angel jabbed her in the neck with some tranq and he felt the guilt stabbing at him, knowing the plan had been for him to distract her if she didn't come willingly. Her head whipped to Angel over her shoulder, betrayal covering her face as her hand flew to her neck. She directed that look to him then and Spike felt like he would choke from the guilt that look made him feel. She looked so vulnerable, so upset. He never wanted that look aimed at him again. The last time had been after he'd turned her. She opened her mouth but nothing came out as she swayed, eyes rolling back in her head and he caught her effortlessly before she hit the floor.

"I'm sorry, pet," he whispered, shifting her so he could carry her bridal style to the van.

As they drove back to HQ, he sat with her in his arms in the back, Buffy and Angel murmuring up front. He knew the ponce was trying to make her feel better after the beating she'd willingly taken. He was starting to think the self loathing and guilt for things not their fault was a Summers trait. He stared down at her face, she looked like she was peacefully sleeping. Not in a forced slumber. The guilt itched his chest so badly it burned him, but he knew it was the only way. They couldn't risk her getting away. It had been hard enough getting her in the first place and ironically, that was the easy part. The hard part came next. Getting her souled up and back to her own self. And then it got even harder 'cause she'd have to deal with what she'd done. Had to live with it. And this was bloody Kat of all people. Wasn't him or even sodding Angel, and both of them had taken quite the mental beating when it happened to them. But Kat was nothing but pure, tried with all her might to be good, even when it went against her nature. She'd went so long trying to keep the beast at bay and now she'd be forced to finally face it. She'd spent the better part of their relationship when it started convincing him he wasn't a monster and now he knew he'd need to repay the favor. Somehow though, he didn't think she'd listen to him and it worried him. There was no telling how badly she'd react to this. Just how bad her mind would get, how long it would take her. He had a horrible thought then. One where she never got better from it. One where she never recovered. He hoped it wouldn't come to that, but even if it did, he'd be by her side helping her. He wouldn't let her go through this alone. She hadn't let him do it alone. She'd bloody well found him and came to see him every day. Put up with his nonsense ramblings and the yelling and nastiness. She never gave up on him and wouldn't give up on her either.