Chapter Fifteen: Unexpected Battles

The rain hadn't quite managed to escape the confines of the clouds that loomed over Sunnydale as the Slayer headed for the cemetery. In the two days since the fiasco of losing her powers, she had celebrated a meagre birthday, once again doomed by the Buffy Summers Curse. Not that it was singular only to her birthday – she had no doubt that Halloween and Christmas were going to be spectacularly fun.

She trudged through the gates of Restfield, looking around to scope for any potential vampires or demons. Everything had been quiet last night and she could admit now she had only gone out in the hope of finding Spike, who had disappeared from the boarding house soon after. She knew he had been injured and just wanted to know he was alright. Plus, he had mentioned something about a night out at the Bronze, which she was keen to take him up on.

Restfield looked deserted and her hopes fell. Right now, she would be content with seeing Angel, if only to confirm the blonde vampire was okay. But the fates seemed not to be in the mood to appease her concern as she stood at the entrance to the darkened cemetery, only to be welcomed by the sight of a few shrubs and tombstones.

A sigh escaped her as she began her round of the area, burying her hands deep in her pockets. A slight chill was in the air as she kept her eyes on the ground, looking up occasionally to check out a sound or a rustle in the bushes. But as half an hour passed, the only thing she turned up was a mouse and a cat that was chasing it.

Buffy stopped her patrol, looking up at the sky and the rain the black clouds threatened for later. Then she looked down and stalled as she realised exactly where she had stopped in her travels. Looking down on a place she had avoided and hadn't thought of in a month.

Spike's grave.

Only Spike wasn't dead. He was right behind her.

She turned, smiling at him. He smirked back, looking past her as his facial expression changed.

'Guess this is kinda a waste of space.' He said, lighting up a cigarette. Buffy glanced backwards before her eyes returned to his.

'I guess. But then…everyone else thinks you're dead. Which you are. Just not…' She trailed off as he moved past her. It was then she noticed the large box he carried. She frowned, poking him as he passed, then pointing at the box in curiosity. 'What's that?' He looked a little confused for a moment, then looked down at the parcel before looking away bashfully.

'It's, erm, your birthday present. I know it was your birthday two days ago, but I had to heal up and wrap it and all that…and…' He stopped, lifting the box and offering it to her. 'Happy Birthday.' He grinned widely and Buffy took the present eagerly.

'Wow, it's really big!' She frowned as the sentence escaped her and Spike visibly did his best to not let the smirk return to his face. Buffy ignored it, placing the box on the ground as she crouched down, ripping at the wrapping paper like a kid at Christmas. Spike leant down beside her.

'Funny how I spend ages wrapping the thing for it to take five seconds for you to rip it off.' Buffy stopped her destruction of the paper, looking up at him apologetically.

'Sorry. It was really pretty.'

Spike smiled, cocking his head to the side. 'Pet, I was joking. I just hope you like it.'

The wrapping paper went flying to the side as Buffy unveiled the box, not waiting a second before ripping the lid off. She stopped, gasping as her hands wavered a few inches above the intricately carved sword in the box. Green jewels were encrusted in the ivory hilt as a dragon wound its way around the metal to the tip of the weapon. She glanced at the vampire, before her hand closed around the handle, taking a firm grip as she lifted it from the polystyrene casing. She stood, testing the weight of the weapon in one hand, her face an unreadable mask. Spike stood back as she experimented with the weapon, waiting for a response.

'Guess you like it then?'

Buffy nodded, placing the weapon back in its box. She stood straight and hugged him, a smile lighting up her face. 'It's really pretty. And useful.' She pulled away, the smile not fading. Spike looked down on her, reluctant to remove his arms from their position around her back. For a few moments he thought the world had stopped, then Buffy pulled away and he realised he had to speak.

'I went through everything. Couldn't think of anything to get you that wouldn't seem cheesy or something…or anything. Then I realised something you would appreciate would be something you could use. Something that would help you.' Buffy looked down.

'What do you get the Slayer who has everything?' She said, rhetorically. Spike shook his head, guilt rising in his throat like a stone.

'I'm sorry…' He started and Buffy's head whipped up.

'What for?' She asked, stepping forward again.

'The one thing you could want and I gave you something to remind you that you will never have it.' He looked away. 'I know you want to be a normal girl, Buffy. With the normal life, normal boyfriend, everything. And here I am a vampire no less, giving you a sodding sword for your birthday.'

He turned away, before feeling her hand slip into his. He looked at her, hazel eyes clashing with blue as she shook her head defiantly.

'I'm the Slayer, Spike. I'll never have those things. But…if there is one thing losing my powers taught me…it's that I'm lucky. I'm strong enough to protect myself, to protect my friends. And I don't want a normal boyfriend because inevitably, I would have to keep a part of myself from them in order to maintain the normality. I guess I like my life. I like the fact that weapons come as part of the package. And hey, shiny?' He smiled at her joke and she pulled him closer. 'And I know vampires come as part of it too, even if you aren't the vampire in the conventional sense. You aren't trying to pin me down and…' She saw the dirty grin spreading across his face. 'Unless you wanted to that is…' She breathed and he stopped, the grin fading.

'Buffy…' He squeezed her hand. 'When I found out you were the slayer…you gave me a reason. Something good to do with my life. Because before that I was heading down a path that would've landed me in jail. You changed me…'

'Yeah, I also got you killed.' She said, the tone in her voice relaying her guilt.

'No, I got me killed. I rushed after you, like I always did and took on more than I could handle. But in a way…I don't regret it. I don't ever have to get a job. I don't have to pay taxes. And I can still have an excuse to see you. I can help you.'

'You can never have a family. You can never see the sun. You're doomed to the same life as me.' Buffy's eyes filled with tears and Spike smiled, wiping them away with his thumb.

'I'm not doomed pet.' He whispered. 'Because if I had a choice between a normal life without you and a life in the dark where I get to see you…' He smiled again. 'I'd pick the dark any day of the week.'

Buffy took a sharp breath. Both of his hands were cupping her face and the tingling she usually felt when he was around had spread to her entire body. His face was centimetres away…all she had to do was reach up on tip toes and they would be kissing. She closed her eyes, taking the plunge. He wasn't pulling away and seconds stretched into hours before her as their lips met.

The kiss was everything she had dreamed it could be, passionate and sweet, loving and yet rough in that way that was all Spike's. His arms slipped around her and the world melted away as the kiss continued.

Suddenly he pulled away and Buffy frowned, before seeing he had slipped into game face.

'What's wrong?' She asked and he nodded behind her. Buffy turned, seeing three vampires, snarling and heading towards them. She dropped, picking up her sword and smiling back at Spike. 'I get to use my present.' She walked forward, raising the weapon high. 'Anyone want a party favour?'

The first vampire ran for her as the other two went for Spike. Buffy ducked the first's blow before stabbing upwards. The vampire spun to the side, rolling across a tombstone as Buffy cut through the air. He jumped away snarling at her and kicking out. The sword went flying and Buffy frowned at him.

'Hey! I haven't even got a good shot in yet!' She spun, landing a foot on his jaw and he went down, rolling to the side and she stamped down. He jumped up, only to meet her fist. He stumbled backwards, as Buffy pulled the stake from her waistband and thrust it forward, stabbing him in the chest. The vampire crumbled to dust and Buffy looked down at the stake. 'Guess sometimes the traditional works the best.' She glanced over to see Spike take out one vampire and bent down, grabbing the sword, before vaulting over the tomb and taking the remaining vampire's head off. She landed gracefully behind him and then smiled sweetly.

'That was fun.' She said, chirpily. 'And I got to use the sword.' Spike smiled at her and she sided closer to him, the sword falling to her side. 'Where were we?'

'Buffy.' She turned, sighing heavily as Angel emerged from the bushes. Spike automatically backed away from her and she looked at him confused. Angel reached them and looked down at the sword, before glancing between her and Spike. He hesitated before speaking. 'I've had some more information on the mayor. And this vampire guy that's with him.'

'That "David"?' Buffy asked and Angel nodded.

'Has Giles dug anything up on them yet?' Spike asked and Buffy shook her head.

'With all the researching and getting fired from the Council, I'm surprised that his head hasn't exploded.'

'Giles got fired?' Spike and Angel asked simultaneously. Buffy sighed and nodded.

'Let's go to the library. I'll fill you in on the way.'

Giles was sat propped at the counter of the library when they entered; his glasses perched on the end of his nose as he obviously tried to stay awake. Considering the hour was nearing three in the morning, it was no surprise to see Willow and Xander asleep on the table, pillows substituted for books. The librarian looked up as Buffy walked in, his face a mixture of tiredness and surprise at seeing the two vampires accompanying her.

'Buffy…how was patrol?' he wisely skirted the subject, focusing on the task she had gone out to perform.

'Three vampires, easy slay. Ooo, look, Spike got me a present.' Buffy raised the sword in his direction, a smile still on her face. Angel looked to Spike with an elevated eyebrow in concern to the sword and the younger vampire replied with a shrug. Giles inspected the sword and then looked at both vampires, before heading around the counter to stand in front of the table. 'Any luck on research front?'

'No.' Giles removed his glasses, which were in danger of falling of his face anyway, and lent on the table. The act dislodged a book, which fell to the floor with a heavy thump and woke both Xander and the red head up immediately. The boy stretched, yawning widely before noticing the company. Willow looked flustered and Buffy smiled fondly at her.

'Where's Oz?'

'It's a wolf night.' Willow said, sleep hindering her speech. Xander looked over at her. 'Maybe we should actually go home and sleep.' She suggested.

Buffy stopped them from getting up. 'Angel has some information on the Mayor. Or something.'

All eyes turned to the dark vampire expectantly, except for Spike who hopped up onto the counter, fiddling with the text Giles had been reading.

Angel cleared his throat. 'I said to Buffy before that the mayor was gunning for ascension right? Turns out that Richard Wilkins the Third is actually Richard Wilkins the First. He's been alive and controlling this town for over a century. Only now, he's looking for payback.'

'You said you knew something about this David bloke?' Spike put in, and Buffy nodded.

'He's the vampire that seems to be his right hand man at the moment. The guy from the sewers. He of all the big threats.'

Angel nodded. 'I did a bit of work on that one. The mayor was relatively easy to get information on. Turns out, this David guy has been around a long time, longer than me. There are rumblings that he is after something but I couldn't quite manage to get a drift on it. I did however find out a name that should make finding information him easier. Einherjar.'

'Einherjar?' Giles repeated. 'I know that name. If I'm not mistaken, it refers to Norse mythology.' The librarian turned, and began leafing through books on the table. Buffy watched with confusion on her face. Angel touched her arm gently and she looked up at him.

'It's the clan name.' Angel explained. 'His lineage. From what I understand he is the last left.' His gaze moved back to Giles as the former watcher picked up a book and found his past.

'Their name taken from Norse mythology, the clan originated in Eastern Europe, slaughtering half of Germany. They disappeared in the 15th century, the odd sighting afterwards. They all bear a tattoo of a Valkyrie on their forearms.'

'I didn't see any tattoo.' Buffy protested. 'And what's a Valkyrie anyway?'

Spike jumped down from the counter. 'In the myth, the Valkyrie were the choosers of the Einherjar, the "heroic dead". They became the great army of Odin.'

Xander frowned at Spike as the vampire said this. 'Huh? Did you really just say that?'

'Just because I didn't act smart doesn't mean I wasn't. Am.' He frowned and turned away, scrambling for his cigarettes. Giles raised a hand at him.

'How many times do I have to tell you Spike? No smoking in here.' The vampire scowled and stuck a finger up at him before retreating out of the library. Buffy watched him go for a second before turning back to Giles.

'Was he right? Bout the heroic dead thing?'

'Yes, but they aren't very heroic. More like…homicidal. And if he is here…there's no telling what he is up to.' Giles frowned, finally returning his glasses to the bridge of his nose. Angel sighed, leaning against the office door.

Buffy frowned at the silence, looking around. 'Anyone seen Faith? Cause she should really be here.'

'I believe she went out to patrol shortly after you did.'

'I didn't see her. Which means she's probably at the Bronze.' Buffy sighed, running a hand down her face.

'Would you at least have a little faith in me?' The voice caused her to turn and the group watched as Faith bundled in through the doors, roughly pushing a timid looking man in a suit to the ground before her. Buffy frowned down at him.

'We're taking prisoners now?' Buffy asked, folding her arms over her chest.

'This ones special. This is Alan. Alan, meet everybody.' Faith pulled him to his feet and thrust him towards the group. 'He's the mayor's assistant. Found him in the cemetery and he started spoutin' that he wanted to speak to you. He's got info worth sharin'.'

The group immediately fell into place, forming a semi-circle around the some what frightened looking man. Faith took up the rear, her arms folded across her chest. As they waited for answers, Spike entered through the swing doors, coat swirling behind him as he stopped to take in the scene.

'If I had known there was gonna be a party, I would have brought something.'

'Not the time, Spike.' Buffy said, her gaze trained on the suited man. She stepped forward, her posture clearly signifying she was in charge. 'What's this info, Alan?'

'The M-Mayor.' The man stuttered, his eyes darting between the group's individuals nervously. He wrung his hands. 'A-And the A-Ascension.'

'This wouldn't be another of the Mayor's wacky games would it? Cos I'm not such a big fan of them.' Buffy folded her arms, mimicking Faith's stance. He unconsciously looked to the other Slayer behind him, his shaking increasing as she glared at him. 'One of my friends is already dead.'

Alan looked towards her again, nodding slightly. 'I-I came to you for help. T-This thing is too far for me.'

'What do you mean by that?' Giles removed his glasses, his posture rigid, but not overly aggressive. The stricken man was not a threat to any of them, so appearing threatening would only hinder their quest for information on the Mayor.

The man's gaze moved to him. 'I came to this town about five years ago. I got the job as Wilkins's assistant, thinking everything was all normal. Then I see demons and vampires and my own employer aiming to destroy the town. I want out.' The stutter disappeared, but the emotion on his face remained for all to see. The guy was terrified, but not of the group. He was terrified of the situation and the fact that he knew the end was coming.

'You signed on with the big evil and now you've changed your mind?' Buffy asked. The guy shook his head.

'No. I had no idea about any of this before I took the job.' He wrung his hands again. 'Look, I've got a family. Two little boys. I don't want any of this to happen. And I know you're the only people who can stop this.'

Faith frowned. 'I do not like this. Could be a trap.'

'No! It isn't.' Alan turned to her. 'You don't understand! I want to stop it. I can't stand by whilst he kills all those people. I can't claim to be a decent person and watch it happen.' He hung his head, looking back to Buffy. 'People have already lost their lives. This was just a job, a way to support my family…now they might die and it would be my fault for not doing something.'

'So spill the information.' Buffy shrugged. 'Cos this is wasting time.'

'You're not going to kill me?' Alan looked wary again, as Buffy unfolded her arms and shook her head.

'I kill demons. You're human. And for now, you seem genuine. Only thing I'm thinking is what you want out of this.' She eyed him and he nodded.

'I've got tickets out of California. Upstate New York. Away from this place and the not so welcoming residents.'

'Hate to break it to you, mate, but there are demons everywhere.' Spike said, moving around Faith to join the group. Alan looked at him, nodding again.

'I know. But this place is a focal point. I don't want my boys to see any of that. No one should see the evil I have seen.' He looked down at the ground briefly and then back up again. 'This town just covers it all up. Everyone is in on it. The police, all the officials.'

'We know.' Angel said, stepping back from the group as Spike stood next to Buffy.

Buffy looked between the two vampires for a moment, and then looked back to Alan. 'So we talk. Are we gonna stand up for this, or does everyone wanna get comfy?' She narrowed her eyes. 'Cause I'm expecting one hell of a story.'