"Hey, Willow... you're all with the here," Buffy exclaimed in happy surprise as she approached her friend in the school hallway first thing in the morning. After the confrontation last evening with the demon Eyghon, she hadn't anticipated any of her close friends to come to school today. They hadn't escaped the evening unscathed and so she was pleasantly surprised that one of her friends decided show up today. Oz spent the night at the hospital with a serious concussion and Xander insisted that his shoulder hurt too much to even contemplate school. Anya had even called her this morning to explain that she would not be attending so that Cordy could stay at her apartment. Queen C had insisted that there was no way she was returning to school until the burns on her arms and face were completely healed.
The red head ducked slightly so that her hair fell over her cheeks and hid part of her face.
"Yeah, didn't want to miss the quiz in Ms. Beakman's class. She always creates make up quizzes that are twice as difficult as the original one," the teen replied towards her shoes.
Buffy gently reached out and swept her friend's long hair away from her face.
"Oh, Wills, are you sure you shouldn't have stayed home?" she asked compassionately when she revealed the harsh burns that were quite noticeable on her companion's face.
Willow shrugged.
"Mom is actually home. She would have pushed. It wasn't worth the stress of an excuse. If I came to school, she most likely won't even notice my injuries. By the time dad gets the emergency room bill, I should be all healed up. Makes it easier."
"Sorry," Buffy apologized to her friend. For all that her own mother drove her nuts at times, Joyce never made her daughter feel like she wasn't worth her time. If anything, her mom wanted to be too involved in her life.
"It is what it is," Willow responded sagely.
"So where's your shadow?" her best friend inquired as a subject change from her own family stress.
Buffy smiled.
"Dru is staying with Anya today. She offered. Something about not stressing Giles," the teen explained with a small shrug of her own.
Willow opened her locker and emptied her books from her bag into it. She kept her English notebook and her independent reading assignment in her little purple backpack but closed the door on the rest of her school stuff. With a mild grimace of pain, the teen flipped her bright backpack into place where it clashed horribly with her fire engine red sweater. She turned back to her friend with a serious expression.
"That was nice of Anya," she stated and Buffy nodded in agreement. Willow wasn't finished with her discussion of Anya though.
"Do you ever think Anya is kinda weird?" Willow tentatively offered.
Buffy couldn't help but grin. Weird and Anya seemed to go hand and hand and she stated such.
Willow shook her head. That wasn't quite what she meant by the comment. The red head tried to explain her observation better.
"Well, yeah, but I didn't mean in the quirky strangeness. Sure, she is blunt and a bit socially awkward but then Xander totally says everything that pops into his mind and I don't do so well around lots of people. She's just more quirky than most. Actually, I was thinking more in the doesn't it seem strange how mature she often seems kinda weird. She makes some pretty impressive observations and she... I don't know... its like she knows stuff you wouldn't expect her to know."
Buffy frowned in confusion. She wasn't sure what her friend was trying to say.
"Like her offering to help with Drusilla today," Willow expanded. "I wouldn't have thought that Giles might need some recovery time. He wasn't physically injured so I would have just assumed it was books and babysitting as usual. She's the one who knew he might need a mental health break. That was a really mature thing to think of."
"And she seems to know how to deal with you and your... um... stress so much better than the rest of us. Well, except for maybe Oz. He's pretty chill when you get wonky too."
Buffy leaned against the wall of lockers and considered Willow's idea. While it was true that Anya seemed utterly unphased by all the supernatural stuff, she didn't appear to be that different than Willow or Xander. She had a lot of common sense. Wonderful observation skills too. She also made some great leaps in logic, but Buffy had just figured that was a result of being a year older than the original Scoobies.
"I, um, just think that is Anya."
Willow shook her head. "It just seems strange. You know. You said she lives by herself. You never hear her complain about her parents. She just showed up out of the blue and is all of a sudden friends with the Slayer. It just seems funky and it makes my brain crinkly."
"Aren't brains supposed to be crinkled?"
Willow giggled.
"Well, yeah, but not in the something is bothering me kinda way."
Buffy reached out and laid her hand gently on Willow's forearm. She hoped she wasn't hitting any sore spots but felt the need to offer some comfort to her friend. "You know, no matter how much I like Anya, you are still my bestest bestie, right?"
Willow nodded in understanding. She would have been the first to admit that some of her suspicious feelings might have started with her insecurity about being replaced. There was much more to it now.
"I know. And it isn't just jealousy that makes me think something is off," the red head added as they started moving down the hall again. They skirted past a number of jocks and then got held up by a couple making out in the middle of the hallway. The crowd of voyeurs made navigation a chore but they finally made it to the English and Humanities section of classrooms.
Buffy caught the hidden admission that Willow was feeling jealous and promised herself to try to include her friend in more of her life. She stopped as she suddenly realized she had been so removed from Willow and Xander lately that she hadn't even explained about her status as Slayer. Her friend still referred to her as the Slayer and Willow needed to know about Buffy's decision to embrace her different destiny.
"Wills, why don't you come with me to the Dingoes practice this week?"
Willow frowned and asked if she thought it would bother the band. Buffy assured her that it would be fine. When Willow countered and asked if she would rather spend an evening at the Bronze, the blonde had to admit that she still wasn't quite up to all the people and press at the dance club. Willow countered that perhaps they could do a best friend bonding sleep over this weekend. Buffy had to shake her head and remind her friend that this weekend was her camping trip with Oz and his family.
Willow sighed and agreed to try attending the music practice the next night. She wanted a chance to spend time with her friend even if it was in a social situation that would make her a bit uncomfortable. The Bronze was one thing. She had gone there enough that it didn't intimidate her. Attending band practice at someone's home that she didn't know well and wasn't sure if they liked her was enough to give the shy teen a rash. Willow smiled though because it was what her friend expected.
Happy at her friend's agreement, Buffy grinned and gave her arm another light squeeze before following Willow into class. She couldn't wait to drag Willow to the practice. It would kill two birds with one stone. It would allow the friends to spend some time together and it would allow Buffy to draw attention to Oz's finer points. Since she figured that Xander was never going to get a clue, it was time for Willow to try swimming in some different, hopefully more receptive, waters.
At the end of the day, Buffy bounced energetically towards the library. She was alone because Willow had finally admitted defeat and gone home early to soak her aching body and change the dressings on her numerous burns. When the teen noticed Ms. Calendar standing outside the swinging doors to the library, she stopped at the end of the hall and waited. For a couple minutes, the computer teacher seemed torn between entering the library and leaving. She reached towards the door a number of times and turned to escape twice before she finally chose to leave without entering.
A pang of sorrow tightened Buffy's chest and chased away her previous good mood as she wished the two teachers would settle their differences. They had been on their way to cute couple-dom and the teen had been happy for them. Even grown ups deserved some fun every once in a while and Giles and Jenny really had seemed to like each other. The blonde watched as Jenny moved out of sight then she approached the library. Unlike the hesitant teacher, she slipped smoothly into the room. Not seeing Giles in the main section of the library, the student moved behind the circulation desk to reach the entrance to his office.
The librarian was on the telephone.
When Buffy went to call out a greeting, Giles shook his head and placed a finger on his lips. Taking the hint, Buffy leaned against the door frame and kept her mouth shut. For a few more minutes, Giles listened to whoever was on the phone. It was easy to see that Rupert was quickly becoming annoyed with the person on the other end of the telephone line. Finally tired of listening, the ex-Watcher interrupted.
"Look, Wesley. I am so very sorry that the Council is experiencing difficulties. I just don't see what this has to do with me. I am no longer a Watcher. I do not have a duty to a Slayer nor to the Council," he paused in his curt response as the other speaker attempted once more to retain his assistance.
Giles practically growled. Instead of just hanging up, he interrupted the caller yet again.
"That is all well and good but I live on a Hellmouth. Strange occurrences happen almost daily."
He rolled his eyes.
"No, we don't need a Slayer. There is nothing pending that cannot be handled by those of us who already live here."
His eyes rolled once again.
"No, I don't have any information that can help you but I will be sure to contact you if something comes to my attention."
Giles snorted. Buffy smirked as she realized that whoever was on the other end of the conversation had a better knack for irking Giles than even she did.
"Of course I would. I sent the Council information about the attack in India last June, didn't I? I live on this planet too. I think avoiding global destruction should always take precedent over petty squabbles."
There was only a short pause.
"Yes, the Council is petty. You can't convince me otherwise. Now if I find out anything that I think you should know, I will call."
Again, Giles waited.
"Yes, well, good luck with that."
Giles didn't bother to say good bye. He just sighed as he replaced the handset carefully back in the phone cradle. He didn't need the hassle of requesting yet another replacement telephone. He doubted the administration would be very receptive to shelling out the funds for yet another one. He had been forced to beg last Spring for the new one. The librarian secretly suspected that parsimonious was Principal Snyder's middle name.
"Trouble in Paradise?" Buffy inquired as she pushed herself up from the doorway and stepped into the office. The stacks of books and papers that covered most of the space always made the young woman smile. For a man whose job involved cataloging books and keeping information in neat and easily found rows, he really didn't keep his personal stuff very well organized. She shook her head and leaned against the mostly clear side of his work space.
Giles rubbed his hand through his hair and then pulled his glasses from his face. He tossed them onto his cluttered desk and pushed his office chair backwards so that he could face Buffy properly.
"It seems that the Watcher's Council is being targeted by someone or something well organized and very effective. Assets all over the world have been compromised."
After pushing aside a couple papers, Buffy slipped onto the corner of the desk and perched with her feet swinging.
"They want our help?"
A pinched expression settled on Giles face. It made him look even more tired than he already appeared. The altercation with Eyghon had done more than just injure the Scoobies. It seemed to have aged Giles and placed the shadow of a new burden on his shoulders. He really didn't need this additional stress.
"They are not yet aware of your continued um... existence?" the previous Watcher admitted with a slightly superior smirk and a self satisfied twinkle in his eyes.
"Regardless, I don't believe that they were seeking any active sort of assistance," Rupert expressed. "Wyndam-Price just seemed to be passing on a general warning and requesting that I keep my eyes open."
"Apocalypses for us or just them?"
Giles offered a pinched smile.
"I think just them. After all, the Sunnydale Slayer died and I was fired. I believe that removed us from the immediate notice of whoever has infiltrated and then subsequently attacked the organization."
"'Kay... then we are all with the sparing of no worries for the folks on the other side of the world. Got it."
Buffy settled back a bit on Giles desk and leveled a very serious expression at her mentor.
"On the other hand, I do have worries about you."
Giles immediately tried to deflect her concern but the teen was not fooled.
"You so need to fess up," she ordered with a stubborn tilt of her head that was easily recognized. "What was up with that demon last night. Why was it after you?"
"It really isn't something I wish to share," Rupert rationalized. He never wanted her to learn just how far he had fallen in his youth.
"Well, my friends really didn't want spell fried saving your tweedy bum-bum so I think an explanation is due." She crossed her arms and offered the librarian a bit of a glare.
"You really don't pull any punches, do you?"
"It's one of my best skills," she replied.
"You have a number of skills beside your fighting abilities," Giles offered in an attempt to distract the teen from her current focus on his past.
She smiled at him slyly. She knew what he was doing and wasn't about to be distracted.
"You are welcome to sing my praises some other time. Right now, I wanna know the deets on old horned and creepy."
Giles leaned back in his chair. He realized there was no escaping his explanation. Buffy had a stubborn streak that far surpassed his own. She would badger the details out of him eventually. It made more sense to just face the music now instead of later. Decision made, Giles' shoulders slumped and his voice wavered as he shared the stupidity he had embraced in his arrogant youth.
"I was twenty-one. Studying history at Oxford and the occult on the side. It was tradition. A birthright, so to speak. So many generations of Watchers in the Giles family. I hated it. The tedious grind of study. The overwhelming pressure. It was too much."
Giles sighed and stared at the wall over Buffy's shoulder. He refused to meet her gaze. He didn't want to see the disappointment that was sure to be evident in her previously trusting eyes.
"I dropped out of school. Fell in with the worst crowd that would have me. We ran wild. Practiced magic and the consequences be damned. Mostly small stuff for pleasure or gain. Then Ethan and I discovered something... bigger."
"Eyghon," Buffy murmured and her companion nodded.
"Dabbling in the demonic was a slap in the face to everything my family expected of me. It was the best thumb to the nose I could find. It was also an extraordinary high."
Giles breathed deeply with an tiny accompanying shudder as if he almost missed the rush of demonic power. Shaking his head to clear away the desire, he then explained how one of the group would utilize sleep or drugs to reach a sedative state and then the others would summon Eyghon. He called himself a fool and admitted that they couldn't handle the power they unleashed. He went on to share about one of their friends who lost control and was fully possessed by the demon. In an attempt to save their friend, the group had attempted to exorcise Eyghon. The spell killed Randal and they thought the demon was banished. The young men and woman had erroneously believed that they were free from demon if not from the guilt of their failure.
"I am so sorry that my past put everyone in danger. I can't... it's just... they never should have been forced to pay for my sins. I can't apologize enough."
"Everyone will forgive you... well, maybe not Cordy if the burns leave any scars but otherwise, we all understand. Believe me... we all know stupid teen-aged stuff," Buffy encouraged.
When she noticed Giles didn't seem to agree, she pushed the point.
"Maybe you need to forgive yourself too."
Buffy paused as she remembered the painful scene by the library door.
"Maybe it could be a forgive-athon. We forgive you. You forgive you. You forgive Ms. Calendar."
Buffy raised her eyebrows and tilted her head to help stress her point.
Giles reached for his glasses and returned them to their proper position.
"I shall consider it," he conceded as he pushed his chair back further and stood.
Buffy hopped from her perch on the desk and turned for the door. She stopped before exiting though and once more faced her mentor.
"Gotta admit, this is kinda scary."
Giles frowned in slight confusion.
"I am so used to you being the grown up. The one with everything in line and keeping us from making with the major catastrophes. Then you go and prove yourself a... well... a human."
Giles shook his head.
"Most grown ups are."
"Who would've thought?" Buffy teased.
"Some are even shortsighted, foolish humans."
"So after all this time, we finally find out that we do have something fundamental in common," the teen responded with a soft smile. "Which, apart from being a little weird, is actually kinda okay."
A gentle smile was all Giles could offer in reply. It might not have totally shifted his guilty burden but it did help to know he wasn't alone in his foolishness.
With a loud bang, Buffy slammed the front door and tossed her book bag onto the dining room table as she rushed towards the kitchen. The talk with Giles had taken longer than she had planned and she was home way later than her mother expected. Confusion set in though when the teen didn't find her mother in the kitchen. The room was empty and no supper preparation seemed started.
"MOM!" Buffy called as she trailed back towards the foyer.
A loud thump sounded upstairs and Buffy was already halfway up the steps with a stake free in her hand before Joyce called a greeting from her bedroom. Buffy hid her weapon and slowed her pace from frantic to casual. She popped through the doorway of her mother's room and immediately noticed that her mom was packing a large suitcase. Clothes and toiletries were strewn around the room and the closet door and one drawer on the dresser were open.
"Running away from home?" Buffy inquired as she bounced into a seat on one side of her mother's bed. She used a bit more exuberance than was strictly expected and the bed squeaked and bounced roughly.
Joyce automatically steadied the jostled luggage before smiling at her daughter.
"No. Remember that art buying trip we discussed a couple weeks ago?"
"Um, yeah, wasn't that supposed to be the end of next week?"
Joyce nodded then explained that she had changed her plans. After meeting today with another salesman from Lorrin Software, this one not a psychotic robot, the gallery manager decided to change her trip plans. She figured an adjustment would work better since Buffy was supposed to be gone all weekend with the Osbournes. She wouldn't feel as guilty about leaving her daughter for so long if part of the time she was being supervised by other adults.
"But I'm gonna be gone all weekend," Buffy expressed with a frown.
"Exactly. What better time for me to be away?"
Her daughter crossed her hands in her lap and lightly bit on her lower lip for just a moment.
"But who is gonna stay with Drusilla?"
Joyce paused in her packing. She smiled at Buffy's immediate concern for their guest. Joyce shared a similar worry. The elder Summers woman might not know why Mr. Giles' poor niece had fled from England, but she suspected that she had experienced something horrible. Although it was strange having the young woman in their house, Joyce didn't begrudge her stay because she seemed so broken and lost. In addition, Drusilla made her feel needed in a way that her own daughter hadn't since long before they moved to Sunnydale. As luck would have it though, their guest was not going to be alone for the weekend.
"A solution presented itself this afternoon. That is if Mr. Giles doesn't wish her to stay with him for the weekend. I know you explained that he didn't really have the room but a few days on his couch wouldn't hurt too much."
A look of horror crossed Buffy's face. She highly doubted Giles would allow Drusilla anywhere near his home. It was one thing to keep her occupied during school hours. She often slept or read books quietly. It was another thing entirely to expect him to fulfill one of her obligations. Especially the ones that involved trusting William the Bloody.
"If he doesn't feel comfortable with her staying with him, your lovely friend Anya offered to have her spend the weekend with her."
Joyce practically glowed with pleasure.
"I really like your new friend. She is so mature. And forthright. Oh, and I almost forgot. The reason she called was to ask if you would bring William over to her home when he shows up tonight. She said that her parents don't allow her to have male guests in the house but that Drusilla could visit with her boyfriend on the porch. Like they do here. Isn't that lovely?"
Buffy nodded in agreement. It was very kind of Anya to help care for Dru. Buffy couldn't help but smile as she thought about how Anya always seemed to know when she was floundering in public. She seemed to have a knack for noticing distressed women. The teen had no worries about Anya not doing a fine job of Dru-sitting. She figured that the senior would probably do a better job than Giles does. Buffy just hoped that Spike didn't have a problem with the arrangement. She doubted he would be thrilled with the change but there wasn't anything they could do about it. If her mom was gone and so was she, Drusilla would have to be somewhere and Buffy doubted her mom would agree to allowing Spike spend the weekend in their home along with Drusilla.
After zipping closed her suitcase, Joyce lifted the cumbersome luggage to the ground and sat on the bed beside her daughter. Buffy scooted against her mom and laid her head on her shoulder. For a quiet moment, the pair enjoyed each others company. There was no pressure or deceit. There were no expectations or disappointments. It was just a tiny speck of time where the mother and daughter found themselves comforted by each others company.
"You're going to be all right with me gone?" Joyce quietly asked.
"Mmm-hhmm," Buffy confirmed without opening her mouth.
"Tony said he would take you out for dinner on Tuesday. I would like you to go with him. At least I will know you had one decent meal next week. Pizza and cold cereal are not really the best diet."
Buffy mock pouted as she told her mom that she could cook more than cold cereal.
"I know you can," Joyce replied as she patted her daughter's leg. "It's just that you won't."
The teen couldn't deny the charge. Given the chance, she would live on take out and foods that required no preparation. It wasn't that Buffy couldn't cook; she just didn't find it a priority. Somehow perfecting the art of al dente pasta in carbonara sauce just didn't have the immediacy that stopping an apocalypse carried.
Joyce tried to sweeten the offer.
"Tony offered to take you to that seafood place down by the pier."
"OH! Totally yes then," her daughter exclaimed with an excited bounce and a joyful grin. "Willow said they have this awesome spicy shrimp salad that I would totally love."
"Good. Then I will tell him that you will be ready to go at six on Tuesday evening."
"Peachy. Date with the older man confirmed," Buffy teased which made her mother giggle.
"Just so long as he's the only man in the house while I am gone. No parties. And make sure you get to school on time."
"Got it. No fun for Buffy while mom is gone."
Joyce snorted and shook her head. She put her arm around her daughter and gave her shoulder a quick squeeze.
"If you have any problems, you can call me. Or Tony. Or your father."
Buffy nodded.
"Oh and speaking of your father. He called this morning to discuss you coming for Thanksgiving."
Buffy smiled and confirmed that she would enjoy a visit with her father. She promised to call her dad and accept. Although she would prefer her mom's holiday cooking, the teen missed her father. It tickled her that he wanted to spend the occasion with her; he hadn't made an effort last year to spend as much time with her as she would have liked. Hank had been a lot more concerned about her life after the incident last Spring. Even if he wasn't visiting often, he at least was calling once a week for an update.
Although excited to go to LA for the break, Buffy worried that her mother would be lonely without her. She stated as much and Joyce patted her on the leg once again. She assured her child that she would be fine.
"Got it. Thanksgiving date for mom with the older man confirmed."
"He's only four years older than me," Joyce huffed but then noticed the teasing grin on her daughter's face. She poked Buffy on the arm. "You are an evil child."
"Yup," agreed Buffy with a genuinely joyful grin. It loosened something tight in Joyce's chest to see her daughter truly enjoying life again. For the time being, her fears fell away and she found hope seeping back into her feelings for her daughter and her future. She started to believe that time was all that was going to be needed to dull the pain. It was such a mental relief for the worried older woman. Joyce joined her daughter in giggling.
Their mutual laughter was interrupted by the doorbell.
Spike had arrived for his nightly visit. As Buffy expected, he wasn't thrilled that Drusilla wasn't at the Summers' residence. He had barely waited for the sun to touch the horizon before he was on his way to Revello Drive. He had waited all day to see his precious girl and he didn't take disappointment well. His temper was soothed slightly when Buffy offered to show him where Anya lived and they were quickly on their way. Buffy had eyed the black monstrosity Spike drove and asked if they could just walk. The teen promised it wasn't too far. The vampire had shrugged and followed the teen down the block.
Two residential blocks fell behind them before Spike bored of the silence.
"Appreciate you taking Dru golfing," he opened as they strolled down the street side by side. Anyone seeing them might wonder why the slightly scary looking punk was accompanying the pretty high school student but no one would have guessed that just a few weeks ago that the pair had been trying to kill each other.
"I'm glad she had fun."
When the silence stretched again, Spike found himself compelled to cover it.
"So, Slayer. How do you think my Princess is handling the whole human thing?"
With a tiny wrinkle on her forehead, Buffy seriously considered the question.
"I guess okay," she offered. "Stuff upsets her at times. She cries for no obvious reason sometimes. She spends a lot of time reading books in the library so its not like I see her all the time. She and my mom really get on well. Dru really loves the mother love and attention."
"She eatin'? How 'bout sleeping?"
Buffy shrugged and shared that some days were better than others. There were days that Drusilla seemed perfectly fine. She ate. She conversed with everyone. She watched television and prayed. Other days, she spent hours staring at her fingernails, talking to herself, and refusing to eat the lunch Giles provided. Her nightmares were more frequent than Buffy's night terrors but the teen didn't add that tidbit of personal information.
Spike seemed to expect her answer. He confirmed that she had been the same way as a vampire.
"She doesn't seem physically sick anymore," Buffy offered as a positive point.
Spike agreed. Every night, the vampire was more thrilled to see just how much healthier his lover became. Although he still resented her transformation to human, William appreciated that it had saved her existence. There had been no guarantee he would have found a way to heal Dru before her illness had dusted her. Neither he nor Dalton had much luck in following the Master's recommendation on the healing spell for vampires. They have been unable to secure the proper books. Dalton had discovered that the Watcher's Council was in possession of three copies but they hadn't the time to hunt down one for their use. Because of their literary roadblock, it had been beyond frustrating to watch Dru become weaker every day. Spike had fully expected her to not survive long into November. At least now, he no longer feared losing her.
He missed her though. Although they did occasionally spend time apart over their more than a hundred year relationship, he always felt connected to her. Spike needed to be needed. He loved belonging to Dru. She filled him with a purpose. He looked at her now and realized that he was no longer the most important part of her life. Life. That was the real problem. Drusilla had a life while he had an unlife. Spike growled at the unfairness of his situation and stomped harder as he walked.
He hated how his existence had changed in such a short time and it wasn't all just missing Drusilla. Spike despised blood from the butcher. He missed the thrill of the hunt and the violent rush of death in his hands and on his tongue. The vampire shivered as he warred within himself. The quiet steps of his companion didn't help with his dilemma. Her heartbeat was almost hypnotic and her scent made his mouth water. His muscles trembled with the desire to strike her just hard enough to catch her attention. Spike didn't want an instant death for this girl. Although he wanted to drain Buffy dry, he wanted it only after another battle of fang and fist versus strength, speed and stakes. The siren call of a no holds brawl was actually more appealing than the feast he anticipated at the end.
Almost as if she sensed the vampire's internal struggle, Buffy asked if something was wrong. Not trusting himself to not bark or growl his answer, Spike curtly nodded his head. Buffy didn't believe him, but she didn't press the issue. She just casually slid the stake inside her sleeve down until it was free in the hand opposite Spike's position. She didn't wish to call attention to the weapon but the sudden prickling and adrenaline zipping through her body in response to his agitation wasn't going away without the comfort of the wood in her hand.
Spike rolled his head and pulled a cigarette pack from his pocket. With one between his lips, he dug for his lighter. The first rush of nicotine helped settle his nerves and offered him a momentary calm. Of course, the tiny high flattened much quicker than is did for a human but the distraction was enough for his will to overshadow his instincts.
"Are we almost there, Slayer?" he demanded harshly.
Buffy stopped moving. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the vampire.
"Yeah. Its just around the block by the park. Now stop calling me that."
"Whot? Slayer?" he snorted. "You spend your nights killing vampires and you were one of the all mighty Chosen Ones. Why wouldn't I call you that?"
"Because it isn't my calling any longer," she answered with her eyes narrowing in disgust.
"Just cause you say it ain't so, don't make it untrue."
"I died. New Slayer."
"Still here, Slayer," he replied mockingly with even more emphasis on the unwanted moniker.
Buffy growled and whipped around. It was her turn to stomp down the sidewalk. For a moment, Spike watched her move with a grin blooming on his lips. It wasn't as fun as a fight but irking the young blonde held its own bit of satisfaction for the vampire. He would take his mayhem where he could and in the only outlets Dru still allowed him. She might have demanded the end of his fighting, but she hadn't forbidden him from verbal sparring at least.
Feeling a bit more sure of himself, Spike stalked after Buffy until he met her in front of a well maintained but old building that housed eight apartments spread over four floors. After walking up three steps to reach the main entrance, Buffy jabbed the doorbell for Anya's third floor flat. She had time to absently spin her stake over a dozen rotations in the time it took the older girl to finally answer the summons. Her voice crackled over the intercom and requested that Buffy meet them at the courtyard in the back of the building. She promised that they would be down in a couple minutes. The buzzing system clicked off and Buffy motioned Spike towards the tight passageway that ran along the right side of the building.
There wasn't enough space to walk two abreast down the brick lined path so Buffy led the way. They plunged into darkness but passed quickly to the iron gate that was propped open to allow easy access. The landlord would not have been happy at the disregard for properly safety but the residents seemed to prefer having the gate open. Once around the building, the passageway opened into a rather large brick patio. A tall brick fence with Gothic iron spikes lining the top surrounded the space. An iron gate with an elaborate looking lock that required a key each time it was opened was found at the far side. It exited into a back alley. There were four round glass and metal tables with four garden chairs at each. A stone bench sat surrounded by a raised circular garden filled with now dead and dried flowers. Opposite the garden, there was a stone lined fish pond with a tiny fountain that gurgled softly. Despite the evening shadows, the patio was pleasantly lit with two spot lights.
Spike dropped into a seat and stretched his legs to take up as much space as possible. Buffy rolled her eyes at the way the vampire made himself at home. She was a little jealous of his lack of regard for his surroundings. She still wasn't comfortable in large, loud crowds and the thought that some guy might press up against her while dancing kept her from going to the Bronze with her friends. It was a noticeable change in lifestyle for the previously quite social teen.
The back door from the building opened and Anya and Drusilla arrived. Their laughter was jarring after the quiet stillness that had settled uncomfortably between Spike and Buffy.
Like a gentleman, William stood. A grin broke across his lips when he noticed the outfit Drusilla was wearing. There was nothing of her most recent tastes to be found in her dress. The crisp khaki shorts, shimmery sleeveless top, and delicate white sandals obviously belonged to someone else but they definitely complimented her body.
"You are a vision, Luv," Spike offered as he held out his hand towards his lady.
Drusilla blushed slightly and ran her hands over the satiny material of her shirt. She adored the sensation it created under her fingertips. It tickled her skin when she moved and felt light and free. The outfit was a far cry from the conservative and constricting dresses she had worn the last time she human.
"Mummy and Daddy would be scandalized," Dru replied with a nervous smile as she took Spike's hand and allowed him to draw her closer to him.
Spike chuckled because she was right. Society when they were human had covered the legs of tables and pianos because they were too scandalous. Her long exposed limbs would have caused more than just a tiny stir.
Drusilla's pleased expression faded.
"I did so much that they would have hated," she murmured. "So bad. Bad. Bad. Bad."
Drusilla scratched at her chest as tears pooled in her eyes. Before they could fall, Spike had wrapped her in his arms. He pulled her against his chest and stopped her nails from biting into her skin. The vampire attempted to soothe Dru with quiet comforts but it was Anya who stepped forward with the words that helped the most. While Spike made promises and tried to distract, Anya simply touched the back of her neck and reminded the distraught woman that her God would forgive her anything if she was truly repentant. She added that if her God could forgive her sins in her lifetime as a vampire then surely her parents would find it in their hearts to do the same.
Dru sniffled against Spike's chest a few more times before pulling slowly away from him. She reached up and wrapped her fingers around a lock of her hair and tugged it softly while she meekly apologized. Her voice sounded so lost and pained.
Anger surged in Spike's chest. It was a red hot thrumming that threatened to shatter his control. The vampire turned and snarled at Buffy who had approached the table to offer support even though she was at a loss of how to help.
"She was happy as vampire!"
Buffy's gaze snapped towards the vampire. Her eyes narrowed.
"She killed people," Buffy countered as if that was all the explanation needed to excuse the transformation.
"A vamp needs to eat."
"Are you starving now?" Buffy asked snidely as a reminder that a vampire did not have to kill in order to survive.
"Please don't argue," pleaded Drusilla as she continued to yank on her hair.
With gentle hands, Spike untangled Dru's fingers from her hair and kept hold of her hand. His hold was a tender restraint but an inescapable one.
"Alright, Luv. No more arguing," he conceded with a sigh and an added slump to his shoulders.
Drusilla squeezed his hands in unspoken thanks before she turned in her seat to look at Buffy.
"All your dollies have left the cannery, Daughter. Only Grandfather's dead men waiting to dust remain," Drusilla mumbled.
Anya and Buffy appeared confused but Spike sighed again.
"You sure, Dru?"
She lifted her eyes and nodded. Unable to refuse the pleading in her eyes, Spike translated for the teens who were not as well versed in Dru-speak.
"She means that you should check out the cannery at the end of Chestnut. It's where we stayed originally. Dalton put me up in his little hole in the wall so all the dollies, meaning us, are gone. Bunch of other vamps still squatting there though. All beholding to the Master."
With a nod of understanding, Buffy stated that she would swing by on patrol. With a wave and a goodbye, she was gone. Anya immediately fled back to her apartment. Although she had enjoyed her day with Cordy and Dru, she wasn't comfortable being around Spike without the safety of Buffy's presence. She told Dru to call on the intercom when she was ready to come back before unlocking the bolt and slipping through the doorway.
Dru pulled gently at Spike's hands after Buffy had left the patio area.
"You should go with her, Our William," the dark haired woman prodded.
Spike frowned and shook his head. He released the hold on her hands so she could not keep pulling at them. The vampire insisted that he wanted to spend time with her. He had no interest in follow the blonde.
Drusilla suddenly stood. She stomped her foot and her face scrunched up like a four year old preparing for a tantrum.
"No, no, NO!" she cried as she backed away from the confused vampire. "The stars don't want you here. You can't be here. Choices, Our Spike. We made choices."
Spike shook his head. He had no clue as to what choices they had made.
"Grandfather would have stolen my cure. He already has," Drusilla shared with a terrified expression on her face. "The book. The book. I found the needed book. My Sunshine Keeper had the book but not the key."
"Choices, Our William. Choices!" she cried as she backed against the wall.
Spike followed her retreat. When she could move no further, he captured her hands and tried to convince her to explain. Tension and hatred for the Master bubbled in his guts as he latched onto the thought that the trapped demon had kept Drusilla's cure from them. When Dru began to sob again, the vampire pulled her close and held her. He swept her into his arms and carried her over to the bench where he sat and held her in his lap.
Dru cried for almost fifteen minutes before the shaking and tears trickled into short gasps and passing shudders. She was exhausted but the terrorized expression was gone from her eyes. She absently brushed her fingers over Spike's tear stained t-shirt. With a long sigh, she raised her gaze to the vampire. When she finally spoke, her voice was husky but held no hint of the dreamy or childish qualities it sometimes contained.
"So many paths. Too many to follow. To follow the trails would have bathed us in sunlight and dusty ruin. I love my dark knight."
Her fingers raised and glided tenderly over Spike's cheek.
"You were the fatling to sacrifice in the light. I would not have it. I will give you to the sunshine before you dust in the light."
"I'd dust in the sun too, Precious."
Dru shook her head. In her mind, she knew that this path did not end with his dust in the bottom of a cursed crater over hell.
"Choices, Our Spike. Muddled and puddled and lost in the rain. I don't want slime on my dresses. It never comes clean. I don't want champagne in hell. No tasties could survive there. I don't want a bite for your head. Too much time. Too much pain. Too many clouds will obscure the sunshine and you will find it too late. I don't want a broken knight. You need something effulgent and effulgence gave me grace. I love my gift. You will love yours."
"Don't need a gift, Dru," the vamp stated as he nuzzled the side of his lover's head.
Dru slid her fingers into Spike's hair and grasp it firmly. With surprising force, she pulled his head back so she could make eye contact with William. Her own eyes sparked with annoyance that the vampire would deny what she knew to be truth.
"You will take your gift," she ordered firmly. "I made a choice. It was mine to make. I heard the calling of Grace. I knew what was under the masks."
"Grace? Masks... Dru, did you know what would happen to you on Halloween?" Spike stiffened and accused.
Drusilla nodded solemnly.
For a moment, Spike just stared at her in disbelief. His temper flared to life. He stood abruptly and spilled Drusilla to the ground. She just sat on the smooth bricks and watched the vampire's stomping and cussing. He stormed to the other side of the patio and paced in a tight circle while muttering to himself about her sabotaging his life and how everything was destroyed. Suddenly, he raised his face towards the sky and screamed. His long, inarticulate cry echoed through the night.
Drusilla flinched.
"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT?!" he yelled in frustration as he whipped his attention from the heavens to his companion.
The woman dropped her face into her hands and started to cry again.
Her distress worked like an off button for Spike's rage. He stopped ranting and stalked back towards the bench. He reached down and pulled Drusilla to her feet then steered her back to the bench. He sat and pulled her down beside him.
"I'm sorry, Poodle. I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm a bad, rude man. It's just..."
Spike was at a loss. He didn't know how to verbalize just how devastated he was by Drusilla's decision. He found himself fighting not to cry himself. Confusion and anger warred and under it all simmered a crippling hole of betrayal. This rift between them had been of Dru's doing. She had chosen to pursue her supposed Grace. His heart clenched. In his mind, Spike saw Drusilla's decision as her deciding to leave him in a manner he could never truly overcome. It tore at him.
Instead of acknowledging the pain, Spike stood once more. He set to pacing across the bricks. After three rapid trips around the private plaza, he stopped in front of Dru. His temper was once more in check.
"So you want me to follow Buffy tonight," he stated in a voice he forced to be calm and quiet although he wanted to snarl.
Drusilla nodded.
"You don't want to spend time with me."
"Not tonight. Tonight you need to go."
Spike shook his head. He didn't understand what Dru expected of him but he would try to follow her wishes. He cupped the side of her head and tilted her face slightly upwards. His lips brushed across her forehead.
"Good night, Princess. Sleep well," he whispered before turning abruptly and stalking from the tiny courtyard like the fierce predator he was.
Drusilla watched him go.
"You will love your gift," she fiercely muttered into the silence. "I have always known it."
Buffy worked her way across town systematically hitting hot spots where she normally found a demon or two in need of dispatching. It was forty-five minutes into her patrol, and she had dusted three vampires of the recently turned variety. She had seen a tiny, pink and gray demon with what looked like porcupine quills on its back that was eating trash under a picnic table in the park. The thing had squealed fearfully when she approached it; it then scrambled into the bushes and disappeared. Buffy intended to ask Giles about it in the morning. She doubted it was a danger to society.
Despite this routine nature of her patrol, something was setting the teen on edge.
Repeatedly, Buffy glanced over her shoulder and into the shadows. The skin on the back of her neck continued to prickle despite her inability to discover any threat to be causing it. The teen was starting to get annoyed. She felt like someone or something was watching her but her inability to pin point the source was driving her batty.
The nagging sensation fell to the background as she traveled down Chestnut Street. Whoever or whatever was following and watching her didn't seem too interested in being discovered on the open street. Most of the street lights in the industrial area were poorly maintained so she had difficulty seeing much. On the other hand, she certainly felt something. The concentrated energy of a large collection of vampires obliterated her previous tingles. Drusilla hadn't been kidding when she said the cannery was filled with vampires.
Outside a large sliding door that was originally used to load and unload trucks, a group of four male vampires stood in a cluster around a tall, buxom female vampire. With the aid of the spotlight over the door, Buffy could tell that four males were utterly fascinated by the other vampire. Buffy couldn't fault their behavior. The female vamp was utterly gorgeous. She reminded the teen of some of the actresses from the black and white movies her mom liked to watch late on Friday nights. Her waist was incredibly tiny, her hips and chest ample and perfectly curved. She boasted thick, shoulder length chestnut colored hair and wore a dressy pants suit with a plunging neckline. As Buffy approached, the female vampire laughed at something one of the others said. The sound flowed over the teen and made her shiver. In an amplified shadow of her normally unpleasant tingles, this supernatural touch was almost like someone was scrapping their nails down her back. They weren't nice nails and scratches either. They were jagged ones that seemed to tear at her body with a stinging pain.
Because the male vampires were so enamored with the gorgeous female vampire, they didn't notice her approach. She had already dusted one and was swinging towards the second before anyone realized she was there. The second demon followed the first into the afterlife.
The female vampire screeched. This cry caused more pain than her laughter. Buffy's body felt like it was being savaged by the claws of a huge cat. Blood started to flow from shallow wounds all over her skin that erupted even though no one had physically touched her. She gasped but still connected the mule kick she had aimed for the third male vampire. Her target was propelled against the wall of the cannery and slid to the ground stunned.
When the female demon took a deep breath to let loose another screaming attack, Buffy arced her stake towards her chest. The significantly older demon grabbed the remaining male vampire and pulled him towards her. Buffy's stake sunk home in his heart. He dusted but his body stalled the momentum of the attack. The remaining conscious vampire easily blocked Buffy's overextended swipe. She followed with a punch of her own that Buffy barely avoided by ducking under the taller female's arm.
The blonde was not able to avoid the demon's second swipe. It was an open handed slap which from a human would have been annoying but ineffective. With the strength the larger and quite powerful vampire held, it staggered Buffy and made her cheek throb. It split her lip and elicited a grunt of pain. The teen bounced back out of range and positioned herself for another attack.
The demon took another deep breath to strike with her cutting voice again. Buffy immediately moved on an attack of her own. Instead of the expected heart shot, Buffy slammed the butt end of her stake into the vampire's throat. The demon gagged as her esophagus ruptured and she grunted hoarsely instead of vocally stripped the skin from Buffy's body. Enraged at the loss of her preferred form of attack, the vampire dove towards her opponent at the same time as the large sliding door opened.
Momentary apprehension rolled in the teen's stomach as she worried that she might have bit off more vamps than she could chew. Shoving aside the fear, Buffy snap kicked the taller vamp under her chin which staggered the demon back into the crowd of fledglings that were rushing from the derelict factory. The gorgeous female toppled to the ground with two newborn vampires under her. Four more swarmed around the three fallen demons. Based on their clothes, hairstyles and lack of supernatural power, Buffy figured the newly arrived vampires couldn't be more than a few days to a couple weeks old. She almost sighed in relief. She was confident she could handle a handful of fledglings. If any more like the older female arrived though, she planned to utilize a timely retreat.
"Geez, what are you doing? Making baby vamps on a conveyor belt?" She complained sharply as she used a crescent kick with her forward leg to knock back the first vampire to reach her. She caught the attacker on the side of the face. The blow sent the vampire to the ground and opened up a chance for Buffy to easily stake the vampire behind him.
She pulled another stake from the back of her waistband and flung it at another opponent. He dusted and Buffy retreated a bit from the front of the building so that she had more space to maneuver against the remaining demons. The teen caught her breath as she took quick stock of her situation.
The gorgeous female vampire had finally disentangled herself from the two fledglings. The fledges looked a bit worse for wear and seemed to be hiding behind the more powerful vampire. The previously stunned vampire was groggily pulling himself back to his feet while the final one was glancing nervously from the cannery door to Buffy. It was easy to tell that he wanted to flee to safety. Buffy almost hoped he would run. She could use the break.
Annoyed by the two underlings who were cowering behind her, the gorgeous vampire reached for their arms and yanked them both forward. She shoved them towards Buffy. In turn, the teen took a deep breath and side stepped their clumsy attacks. With an efficiency of motion, she caught the first one in the chest with her stake then pivoted on her front foot and backhanded the same stake through the back of the second one. Their dust swirled like twin dust devils as Buffy continued her spin through the center of their scattering remains. Fluidly, Buffy distributed her weight back off her pivot leg and jumped. She caught the frightened and frozen vampire in the head with an aerial kick. He dropped without a sound. Buffy lightly landed beside him in a crouch and jammed her stake in place.
"Well that was almost worth my time," the teen stated as she stood to face the only two remaining demons. "Where did you get these minions? A bargain basement outlet?"
"Second Hand Fangs Thrift Store," answered a smooth voice with a hint of a chuckle lacing it. It was a more than nice voice. It was the kind of voice that would have held your attention even reading the phone book. It was the kind of voice that might even have made history textbooks interesting for the teen.
Buffy shifted her head slightly towards the sound of the voice but saw no one in the darkness. Thinking she was properly distracted, the final remaining fledgling rushed her. Her eyes flicked back to him as she simply raised the stake clutched in her right hand and he impaled himself on it.
The voice in the darkness snorted.
"Yes, we definitely need to find a more upscale minion broker," the Fly stated as he stepped into the glow from the cannery spotlight. The new vampire moved with a grace normally reserved for professional dancers. His designer clothes attested to his superb tastes and style. He was almost mesmerizing and Buffy found herself unconsciously drawn in by his presence. She didn't appreciate the effect. Although his slight form appeared very attractive, something in his eyes and the twist of his mouth set every nerve in her body on edge. He smiled at Buffy and she found herself taking an unconscious step backwards.
"It seems we had a bit of of a massacre this evening," the new arrival stated with mild interest as he noticed the dusty remains of more than a half dozen fledglings. "How marvelous. I always did love a good massacre."
His handsome features slipped from his face leaving behind his demon ridges and fangs. Buffy took another step back when she realized that her new opponent had the most pronounced demon's face that she had ever seen in real life. His claws were longer too. Only the appearance of the Master in her dreams had revealed more prominent demonic features, claws and pointed ears. Fleetingly, Buffy wondered just how old her new opponent was. He obviously blew away the age of the gorgeous female vampire she had injured just a few moments ago.
Friduhelm stepped into position beside the injured female demon. The taller vampire towered more than six inches taller than him even without her heeled boots. Despite the actual size difference, the newly arrived vampire seemed larger than the statuesque female. Everything about him was larger than life. He reached up and cupped the side of the injured demon's face. His tongue made a strange tisking sounds against his yellowed fangs.
"You having fun, Evie?" he asked his childe in a tone that sounded just a hair off from truly concerned.
Evie attempted to answer him but only guttural hisses and barks sounded. Buffy had seriously damaged her throat and vocal chords. The Fly's amber eyes narrowed and he whipped around to glare at Buffy.
"You broke one of my toys," he accused with a stomp of his left foot.
Evie flinched at the action. It was the last thing she ever really did. Her eyes widened in shocked pain as The Fly drove his clawed hand into her chest. The blow hit her stomach below her rib cage and punched upwards until his hand clasped her heart. With a violent jerk, the elder vampire ripped Evie's heart from her body. Betrayal and hatred flashed momentarily in her eyes and a silent scream attempted to pass her lips as she shimmered into dust.
The heart in Friduhelm's bloody hand shimmered into dust also. He thoughtlessly dropped it and wiped any clinging remains onto his pant leg.
"I have no use for broken toys," the vampire informed Buffy as he took two menacing steps towards her. "Someone needs to pay for damaging it though."
"I already spent my allowance on this incredible pair of shoes. Will you accept an IOU?" Buffy inquired with a sass and confidence she wasn't exactly feeling.
The Fly snorted.
"If those were the shoes, you should get your money back," he insulted.
Buffy glanced down at her feet then looked back up with indignation clearly displayed on her face.
"What's wrong with my shoes?" she accused in defense of her very trendy yet sturdy leather boots. "These cost four weeks allowance."
The vampire rolled his eyes.
"I wouldn't be caught dead in something so pedestrian."
"Well, good thing you aren't wearing them since I intend to make you dead," Buffy stated as she adjusted her grip on her stake and slid her left leg slightly back to offer her a wider and stronger defensive stance.
"I think not, silly child," the vampire replied evenly before suddenly moving forward.
Buffy barely had time to attempt a rising block with her left forearm before The Fly struck her. The half completed block redirected some of the impact but the force and speed of the punch still staggered the small blonde back a step. Her attacker followed with a flurry of punches that moved faster than her eyes could follow. Relying solely on instinct, Buffy succeeded in avoiding a number of the strikes. A few slipped through hitting her once in the torso, once on the thigh and once on the edge of her jaw.
Unable to stand firmly against the brutal assault, Buffy slowly retreated until her back bumped against the ten foot high chain link fence that surrounded an empty lot across the street from the cannery. She attempted a snap kick towards the Fly's gut in hopes of pushing him back enough for her slide past him and run. The vampire casually pushed aside the desperate kick with his left forearm. In a blur of movement, the powerful demon pressed himself chest to chest with the trapped teen. Buffy's anxiety skyrocketed into terror as she felt the demon's body pushing her against the fence. Panicking, she tried to drive him away with her fists but the Fly simply caught her wrists and pressed them back against the chain link. The metal links bowed slightly under the force of his body pressing the teen into it. Buffy wiggled and even tried to knee the vampire but the strength of his legs against her thighs successfully held her in place.
"What are you?" Friduhelm whispered in her ear before shifting his nose into the warm junction between her shoulder and her neck. He breathed deeply as he nuzzled against her while collecting her scent for comparison to the myriad of memories experienced over his extensive lifetime. He shifted his nose into the short fall of blonde hair around her ear and reveled in her warm, sweaty and slightly sweet smell.
Flashes of sensory memory from her previous assault mingled with the terror of impending death. Tremors shook Buffy's entire body. Her strength deserted her; the only reason she remained standing was the Fly's body holding her in place. Her stake clattered to the ground. A jagged sob escaped from her lips as tears began falling. Her head spun as she began to hyperventilate.
The vampire shifted just slightly until he was once more face to face with Buffy. Since he was only an inch or two taller than the equally short teen, it was easy for him to force her terror-filled eyes to meet his gaze. His tongue slipped out and slid slowly up the tear trail on her right cheek. The vampire moaned. His eyes rolled back and he ground his body harder against the frozen girl. The action sent Buffy into another panicking response and she again thrashed her body in hopes of escaping the powerful vampire's hold. Unexpectedly, her left hand broke free. The Fly didn't seem to care. He ignored the frantic punches angled into his side and didn't bother to recapture her wrist. Instead, the vampire grabbed her chin and forced her head to tilt slightly. His tongue flicked out and collected the dripping blood from her split lip.
"Exquisite," he murmured as he savored her taste. He released her chin and took a moment to recapture her flailing arm. "Utterly unique."
He smiled in the empty, scary manner that only a true psychotic can achieve. The smile was void of humanity and made Buffy think if the lifeless black of a shark's eyes behind the snap of their deadly jaws.
"I like unique things," the Fly murmured in a soft and sensual whisper that tickled against the side of Buffy's neck. His tongue slipped forward and tasted her skin one more time. He hummed in joyful appreciation at the combination of sweat, blood and tears that rolled over his taste buds.
"My toys are pretty pass times but my treasures. Oh, my treasures are special. I keep them close to my heart. Joys for a million lifetimes. Unique. Like you."
Teeth sunk into Buffy's neck. Her fingers clasp helplessly against the links of the fence in response to the pain. She closed her eyes and screamed. She felt a single pull on the blood from the wound before the vampire was suddenly gone from against her. Her eyes flew open. The Fly hung suspended in the air just a few inches from her body. His feet dangled about six inches from the ground and Buffy could see a huge hand around the neck of the vampire and holding him aloft.
She scrambled sideways until she was out of reach of the struggling demon. She clasp her left hand over the wound on her neck and bent to retrieve her fallen stake. Buffy swiped at the tear trails on her cheeks with the back of her right hand as she took yet another step away from the now gurgling vampire. With a grunt from whoever was holding the vampire, the Fly bounced to the ground once then was launched up and over the high fence. Buffy watched his flight in stunned silence as the powerful vampire landed in a pile of discarded boxes and trash.
A large hand encircled her right wrist and started dragging her down the street. She didn't fight the forceful suggestion. She ran.