Chapter 12 – Life Blood
Do I tell her? Do I wait? I don't want to get her hopes up if it doesn't work. But I don't want to leave her side. Spike wrestled with what to say as Buffy and him made their way up to the science lab. And she'll kind of need to know if they are gonna need her blood for the sodding spell… hand in hand they exited the elevator and headed for the door, but before they entered Spike stopped. "Buffy?" he asked warily.
"What's wrong Spike?"
"Just, you wantin everyone to know about us just yet?" he held up their entwined fingers as he asked.
"Well," Buffy pondered for a moment Why not really? Won't be a big shock to these people. But what about the gang… that might be earthshattering… "Here, I don't care who knows. You're mine and I'm yours, and that's just how it is now." She squeezed her hand in his.
"But when we get back to Sunny-D?"
"Let me find a time to tell them, and how exactly." Spike raised an eyebrow at her "I promise I will, I just don't think they're gonna take it too well…"
"So, if she promises not to spill the beans, can I tell Dawnie first?"
"What is it with you and my sister? Should I be worried?" she joked.
"No, nothing like that pet. She just gets me, and you know she ought to know first."
"I suppose, can we go in now, I wanna see if they dug up anything else useful before we gotta go."
"Right luv." He released her hand and opened the door for her to enter first. Fred was jumping around the lab between her notes and a few experiments she seems to be juggling. Wes hadn't seemed to have moved from the table he was at when Spike left, three books open in front of him and a small stack of papers with notes on them.
"So Mr. Ex-Watcher, ya got any new goodies for me?" Buffy asked as she strode up and took a seat across the table.
"Oh, Buffy, hello." He looked to Spike for a moment then shuffled his papers around, like he was looking for something but was just trying to hide his more crucial notes on the spell Buffy was supposed to be unaware of. "What brings you down? I thought you were giving Angel a run for his money?"
"Been there, done that, he really has been behind that desk a little too long. He's losing his touch a little. I remember it being harder to match him."
"I suppose he has been pushing more papers than punching out demons as of late."
"So nothing new on our little rock of sunshine?"
"Um, no, I think we dug up all we could on it earlier."
"What's Fred so busy with?"
"I'm, ahh, not too sure, I've been buried in my research."
"Don't you have a whole department upstairs where you can do that? Why you down in science world?"
"Oh, well Fred and I like to bounce ideas off each other, helps us from getting stuck. For example right now were working on a case in which we need to expel a demon from a non-human body, and preserve the body."
"Regenerative demons!" Fred yelled then she looked around and actually saw Spike and Buffy for the first time "Sorry, brain blast." Then she walked over to the table "What about mixing blood of a regenerative demon and our demon."
"What good would that do pet?" Spike asked, a little too intrigue possibly if he wanted to keep this all a secret from Buffy.
"Well our client is a dead demon with a second parasitic demon inhabiting her body, so if we make the demon body alive by mixing her blood with a regenerative demon's blood, we wouldn't have to go through a dangerous exorcism."
"You may be on to something Fred, then we use our magical container to draw the demon in before it can flee into the either." Westley started flipping through his demon source book.
"Exactly, then we just have to perform the mwenye kuua mtu ritual."
"The thing is I don't know if we have a shaman strong enough to preform that ritual, it took three shamans the last time it was done." Westley intervened.
"What about Willow?" Buffy chimed in "You guys have helped us quite a bit by getting us the amulet and the info on it, I'm sure if Willow can help she'd be happy to."
"She is quite powerful." Westley started, still paging through his book of demons.
"And she was able to help get Angel's soul back in a jiffy." Fred added.
"I could send her down after our apocalypse." Buffy offered.
"If that ain't too bloody late for your demon," Spike interjected "What'd you say you send us with a copy of your notes and little miss Red can look um over and see if she can help?"
"Right," Westley agreed "That should be fine, just give me a little more time to clarify the ritual." Then he raised his hand "Gotchya' a Mora demon, demonic assigns that cannot die from mortal wounds. Their blood is used to heal wounds in moments, so there's a high price on them in the black markets, and they're very hard to find, unless they're after you of course." Buffy walked over to the book and read up on the demon.
"So mixing their blood with a dead body would get the heart to beat again?" Fred asked.
"In theory, yes. We need to find one and test this theory before we try it on our client, cause I think the ritual is a one shot deal."
"We got a few hours before we can get going, where can I find one?" Buffy asked.
"You're not going alone pet." Spike insisted.
"Last I checked it's still sunny out, and this guy isn't afraid of the sun like you." Buffy pointed out "Plus I'd like to head back as soon as the sun does go down."
"Still don't like you goin after a regenerative demon alone."
"I'll go with her," Westley offered "I'm thinking a binding spell may be more helpful than keeping it on conscious till we get back."
"Good thinking Wes."
"Alright, let's get me something blunt or pointy and get going." Buffy started toward the door then spun around and asked "Where exactly? It said something about salt?"
"They need a lot of salt to survive, I've got a few places in mind we can check." Westley jotted down a binding spell as Spike walked up to Buffy by the door.
"Be careful luv, no client is worth you getting killed." Spike knew she was full capable, but he still couldn't help but worry. He's been able to watch her back for so long. But he was also worried if she was gonna come to her senses in their time apart and figured she'd rather go out swinging than stay with him…
"I'll be fine Spike, I even got a wizard-ex-watcher to watch my back." She smiled and gave him a soft kiss "Be back before ya know it." With that she and Westley were out the door.
Spike felt useless being left behind like that, so he sauntered over to where Westley was working and tried to make heads or tails of what he found.
"So, that was new?" Fred poked.
"What's that pet?"
"She kissed you? Thought you two weren't gonna be a thing until this spell worked. You tell her about the spell already?"
"Oh, no, just Lorne gave her some advice and she gave into what she was feeling, said she loved me and everything." He said with a smile plastered on his face.
"She sang for Lorne?"
"Yeah, and Angel told her he's always right. So with the big man's blessing, here we are." Fred smiled back at Spike "But, if this spell doesn't pan out, I don't know how long we're gonna bloody last."
"So I should keep working?"
"That'd be grand."
"Why the hell is there a Mora demon in my lobby?" Angel asked rather perturbed by the intrusion. Buffy and Westley were wheeling in the demon on a stretcher. The binding spell emitted a soft yellow glow around the creature keeping him on conscious.
"Well Fred & I were working on a case and thought the blood of the Mora may be helpful." Westley insisted "And Buffy came up with the idea that we could probably enlist your secretary to help test our theory."
"See they're trying to make a dead thing live again and I figured Harmony was probably over the whole vampire thing by now, and wouldn't mind being a human again." Buffy supplied "Plus I don't wanna wait till after dark to capture a vampire or some other demon to test it on."
"Wait are you serious? I could be human again?" Harmony asked excitedly getting up from her desk.
"Yup, you get to see your reflection again, you get to go to the beach on a sunny day, no more drinking blood." Buffy tried to intrigue the dimwitted vampire.
But then she started to think of all the fun parts of being a vampire "But why would I want to do that, I'm so strong this way and its way easier to die when you're human."
"You don't have to test it I know it works, I've seen it happen." Angel explained, just then the elevator doors opened and Spike and Fred came in with Westley's notes & books, and a small wooden chest.
"If it's all the same I'd still like to test it before presenting it to our client." Westley continued.
"Who's the client, why haven't I heard about this case?"
"Oh well, we just didn't need to bother you with it is all, we're almost done anyway. Just gotta run this test with the Mora's blood to prove our hypothesis." Fred explained.
"Yeah, Wes & Buffy just explained." Angel was clearly still annoyed he didn't know this was going on "So who's the client?"
"Some undead demon chick with a second demon stuck in her." Buffy blurted, trying to be helpful. Spike could tell it was getting hard for Fred and Westley to keep the truth discreet, if Angel kept prodding like this they probably couldn't keep up the charade. But if I come clean about it all what's to keep Angel from demanding they use the sodding spell on him so he can be with Buffy. And what the bloody hell would Buffy think of me for keeping this a secret, especially now that she's helping with it. "So what'd ya say Harmony? You done being a creature of the night, wanna be a real girl again?"
"I suppose I don't really use the super-strength, and people never tried to actually kill me when I was human. Angel will I get fired if I'm not a vampire?"
"No." he replied curtly "You'll still have to bring me my blood."
"I think I can do that still. Sure, let's make me human!"
"Excellent." Westley replied, then pulled a knife out of the holster on his belt, he walked up to the mora and sliced into it's hand, coating the blade in a florescent green blood. Then he walked over to Harmony. "Give me your hand," she placed her hand in Westley's open palm "Spike, would you come over with the box." Spike walked up to the pair.
"What's that for?" Harmony asked.
"We want to draw your demon into the box and trap it rather than releasing it into the either."
"Oh, so like I could visit it?"
"Not exactly, now hold still. Ready Spike?"
"Ready." Then Westley cut deep into Harmony's hand, whipping the blade as he cut. After the blade was clear white sparks danced in Harmony's hand, the cut started to mend, and Harmony fell to her knees. A grey light arched out of her body and into the box Spike held, after a moment the light was out of Harmony and Spike promptly closed the box. Harmony fell to her hands, trying to catch her breath.
"Oh jeeze, my chest hurts."
"I would think so," Fred walked up, pulled the stethoscope off her neck and helped Harmony to her feet then placed the instrument against her chest "You haven't used your heart in quite some time." Fred smiled then placed the stethoscope in Harmony's ears.
"I can hear it, my hearts beating!" she was enamored by the sound.
"See you're a real girl again Harmony." Buffy said as she pointed to her now visible reflection in the mirror covered pillar across the lobby. Harmony raced across to take a closer look at herself, pleased with what she could now see. Spike could barely hide his excitement in how well that worked, he looked to Buffy. Soon pet, I'm gonna make this work for us.
"So Wes, where do ya want this bundle of joy?" Spike asked.
"Let's bring it to Fred's lab, I wanna make sure it's secure in there." Westley answered half fibbing, since now he needed to test how to alter the demon form to work for the spell. Spike started toward the elevator with the box, Fred and Westley followed, pushing the mora toward the elevator. Fred had just pressed the button when Buffy popped up behind them.
"Spike, we can probably get going soon, I'm gonna go pack my things then meet you in Angel's office after you drop that off?"
Spike hadn't realized how late it had gotten, it was nearly sunset. "Sure thing pet." The three loaded in with the mora and headed down to the lab. "Thanks for not ratting me out."
"No problem. Angel did get way nosy-er than I thought he would." Fred replied.
"Indeed" Westley agreed "But the mora worked like a charm though, and we were able to capture Harmony's demon."
"So now what Wes, we gonna be able to do this all to me now or?" Spike asked excitedly.
"Not just yet Spike, after I run a couple of tests with Harmony's demon, I think Fred & I will head up to Sunnydale tomorrow, and enlist Willow to help with the spell."
"I've waited a few years, suppose one more bleeding day won't kill me."
"Brilliant." The elevator dinged open and the group made their way down the hall to the lab.
Buffy exited the elevator with her bag over her shoulder into Angel's office. Angel was sitting on one of the chairs, Lorne was sitting in the next chair chatting with him. Buffy set her bag down by the elevator then walked over to join them. "Pumpkin!" Lorne called "So, Angel tells me he gave you his blessing, you do anything about that yet?"
"Lorne I really don't need to be going through this again." Angel protested.
"Oh you know your gonna want to know regardless, and you won't have the kahunas to ask for weeks." Lorne reasoned "So, Buffy, you two kids talk?"
Feeling pretty awkward explaining this in front of Angel, but at the same time Lorne had a point, he'd want to know even if he'd never admit it. "Um, yeah, we talked, and I told him."
"Oh that is possibly the worst way to put a love story ever, sweet bread. Come on, what'd you say? How'd you say it? That boy is such a romantic, did he cry?"
"Fine Mr. Dramatic, no wonder you're running the entertainment department." Buffy laughed a little then composed herself, not noticing that the door to the office had started to open "Well, first I convinced him that Angel wasn't trying to get me back; at that point he managed to calm down and we started talking about the song I sang for you, and reminisced a bit about our musical demon fiasco. Then he said he was glad he couldn't kill me then or ya know any time before or since. Then he stared me down with those piercing blue eyes of his, then before he could say anything else, I kissed him. It felt like it was for the first time, not counting last year." Buffy looked down a moment and smiled "Then I finally told him I loved him. And he practically started jumping around the room in excitement," Buffy giggled and looked up at Lorne "He can be such a kid sometimes."
"Much better, you feel better buttercup?"
She looked to Angel who wasn't especially pleased with the conversation. "You were right Lorne."
"Now why'd you have to say that?" Angel asked, "He's already got a big head," Then Angel got an odd look on his face "Speaking of demons with big egos…"
"Poofter," Spike scoffed from across the room "And I believe a 'you were right Spike' is in order too." He added as he walked over to the group. "Cause I've been saying you love me for the past two bloody years." Buffy rolled her eyes at the vampire and flopped back on the couch.
"You honestly trying to convince us that William the Bloody doesn't have a big ego?" Angel asked.
"I like to call it confidence mate, besides, why waste time being humble? By the by I suppose I should thank you mate." Spike grabbed Lorne by the shoulder as he walked over to stand by Buffy. "You got the little lady to finally confess." He grabbed for Buffy's hand, holding it in his and smiled at her, then looked to Angel "And thanks for your blessing Pops," he managed to say with some genuine sincerity.
Angel was shocked by his rival's sincerity "Well, if or should I say when this doesn't work out and you hurt her." A wicked smile formed as he leaned forward "Then I'll finally get to stake you." He leaned back in his chair again.
"Fair enough." He looked to his girl. If I hurt her, I may beat you to it mate… She's really mine, she's admitting it to her ex-poof and everything. God if I thought she go for it, I'd take her right here on this couch. "So anything else need our attention, or can we get on the road?"
"I think we're all set here," Angel replied. "Buffy you got all the files we gave you?"
"Yup, packed away in my bag, the amulet still in the conference room?"
"Nope, it's locked in my desk, I'll grab it for ya." He walked over to his desk grabbed the amulet from a drawer and placed it in Buffy's bag, handing it to her as they walked up to the elevator.
"Well, it's been nice and awkward." Buffy said gave Angel a quick hug, and gave Lorne one as well, "It really was nice to meet you Lorne, and thanks."
"Oh, don't mention it crumb cake. Putting people on their paths is what I do."
Buffy & Spike loaded the elevator, waved one last goodbye, then just before the doors closed Spike held up a certain solitary finger and hollered to Angel "Sod off Gramps!" Just after the doors shut Spike was slapped on the back of his head. "Eh, worth it."