Chapter Eighteen: Finding A Way

The prison was a cold and sterile place that made Buffy shiver as soon as she walked in. On the outskirts of Sunnydale, away from the sunny posterior of the town and hidden behind some woodland, so the locals didn't have to see it. It wasn't a huge prison, seeing as the majority of murders and such committed in Sunnydale were of the supernatural kind, but occasionally, the odd human would do something that wasn't cooperative in the interests of the community. And Buffy was definitely glad last years problems hadn't led to her being here.

Spike had told her about a night he'd spent in the cells at the precinct the year she had gotten here. He'd been smoking weed, experimenting, or so he had told her and had been caught by his mother, whose punishment seemed to be shopping him to the cops so he could learn his lesson. He'd spent twelve hours dying for the toilet in a six foot by ten cell that had see through bars on three sides and an open urinal in the corner. Apparently it had been the most horrific experience of his life and had prompted him to avoid getting caught in future.

Typical Spike really. He wouldn't stop doing it, he'd just take it somewhere else and hide.

Buffy started to giggle at the unbidden thought and stifled it as Giles signed his name on the register. The two were checked for any offending objects and then shown through to a large room with table and chairs in five neat rows down the length of it. The walls were painted grey and bars covered the windows, sending symmetrical patterns across the floor as the sun shone through. As they were shown to a table at the far end, Buffy shivered again, thinking that the place had far too much of the institution feel to it. She was about to voice the thought to Giles when the doors at the opposite end to which they had came in, slid open and prisoners starting filtering through. This being the women's section of the prison, all of them were female, dressed in blue sweats and t-shirts, with orange vests over the top, stating a number and a barcode. A lot of them looked butch, one woman standing out in particular with a shaven head and more piercings on her face than Buffy had ever seen in a whole field of hippies.

She smiled warmly as Faith joined them, departing from her line to sit in the plastic chair opposite them. The chairs were all nailed to the floor, which said something about the security of the place and Buffy absently wondered how many riots the jail saw on a daily basis.

'Hey B. Hey Giles.' Faith seemed somewhat chipper considering her circumstances and Buffy looked at Giles.

'Faith. How are you holding up?' Giles looked around, as if emphasising his point.

'Okay so far. I mean, the foods crappy, the dress code is a little too colourful for my style and I only get one pillow on my bed, but I'm doing okay.' The bags under her eyes revealed a sleepless night and Buffy smiled at her again.

'We'll get you outta here, Faith.' She reassured the other girl.

'They already got me a lawyer, seein' as I don't actually have one myself.' She lowered her voice. 'They're pinnin' everything on me. They caught me on camera Buffy, goin' round the back of the building. Said they saw me with some brown haired guy.'

Buffy's widened. 'Angel.'

'Exactly. They're sayin' I did it, and I ain't getting out for a long while.' She shrugged. 'I can't see any way outta it.'

'There must be some way…' Giles was cut off by Faith.

'By what? Dropping B in it?' Faith sighed. 'She wouldn't be able to take this.'

'Hey!' Buffy frowned. 'I'm sure I'd cope.'

Faith shook her head. 'Buffy, no offence but this is a lot like how I was dragged up by my folks. I'm used to this shitty life. You got everything goin' for you. I'm sure I can get out on good behaviour in a couple.' She looked at Giles. 'They did try to cut a deal. Told me if I tell them who the guy was and anyone else involved. But even if I did…Angel's not exactly on the electoral register is he?'

Silence greeted her answer positively and she sat back, folding her arms across her chest. Buffy looked to Giles.

'There's nothing we can do. The Council don't even seem to care.'

'I have spoken with Wesley at length about it but short of Faith telling them what actually happened, there is nothing much we can do except support you, Faith.'

'And you can't tell them the true story, cause before you know it, you'll have a stamp on your hand and a nice shiny white jacket with buckles.' Buffy sighed, her shoulders slumping.

'See? So if I'm stuck here, at least you won't have to worry about it.' Faith tried to sound positive, but Buffy could see the cracks.

'We'll be here for you, Faith. You'll be out in no time. I don't actually understand why you're here so quick. They haven't exactly had time for a trial have they?'

'My violent record landed me here. Cops think I'm too hot to handle.' Faith grinned.

'It isn't really a laughing matter, Faith.' Giles scolded and Faith rolled her eyes.

'I'm making the best of a bad situation.' She shrugged. A bell signified the end of visiting time and Faith stood up as Buffy moved round the table and hugged her sister slayer. 'You better come visit and bring me some Twinkies.' Faith said jokingly.

'You bet.' Buffy said, releasing the other girl and standing back. Faith smiled and looked to Giles.

'Thanks, Giles, for coming up.' She turned and headed back through into the cells with her fellow inmates. Buffy sighed and followed Giles automatically as they left the prison, climbing into his outdated car and heading back towards Sunnydale.

'Do you think she'll be okay?' Buffy asked, staring out of the window as they re-entered civilisation. Giles frowned, his eyes not leaving the road.

'Faith does seem to be somewhat resilient. It would appear she is coping. Nevertheless, I believe it may be profitable to keep visiting, make sure she is okay.' Buffy didn't answer and carried on looking out of the window.

Faith was in prison and they had lost another fighter against the new threat that seemed determined to rip her and her friends' worlds apart.

Could things get any worse?

And did she really need to ask that question?

The sun had set hours before on Sunnydale and evil had come out to play. The night was unbearably stuffy, typical Californian weather at the wrong time of year. March was usually warmish, but not so warm that Buffy felt like she had been wrapped in cling film and left in a sauna. Her skin was sticky and her arms felt sluggish, which was not helping her to defeat the three vampires that had descended upon her in group fashion.

The first was slow and easy enough to dispatch as he charged her. She held her stake out, point up and it sliced through his flesh, embedding in his heart within seconds. He was dust and there were two remaining. Buffy couldn't help but feel like she was at a distinct disadvantage – vampire didn't feel the heat. And with the two circling her at the moment, as beads of sweat dripped down her forehead, she was growing increasingly frustrated with stupid logic.

The blur of black and white that landed beside her and rushed one of the vampires made her smile again. Odds were once again restored in Buffy's advantage as she faced off with the one remaining vampire. Sounds came from behind a tombstone as Spike took on his opponent and Buffy dodged a blow from hers, blocking out her surroundings to concentrate on her job.

Which, it turned out, wasn't that hard. Whilst most vampire picked up martial arts skills, this one didn't seem to have queued for a brain and quickly went for the neck, oblivious to the fact that she had in her possession, a sharp piece of wood. She ducked, pushing her weapon upwards and home, leaving her shaking the dust from her hair. A whooshing noise from Spike's direction indicated that he had finished off his antagonist and his head appeared above a tombstone. He sauntered towards her as she stood, smiling brightly.

'Nothing like a spot of violence to start the nightly routine.' He said, brushing dirt off of his shoulder. Buffy grimaced.

'I'm disappointed. I thought that would have taken longer.'

'Well, you know…some guys just don't have the stamina.' He winked at her and she found herself unbearably hot once more. She wiped at her forehead as she started to head back out of the cemetery. She felt Spike's hand slip into hers and smiled at the comfort of it all and then realised that he came with an advantage. She raised his hand to her face, stopping and facing him.

'You're nice and cold.'

Spike frowned. 'Thanks.' He watched as she placed his palm on her cheek, trying to cool herself down.

She seemed to realise what she was doing after a few moments and blushed, dropping his hand. He smiled and she ducked her head. 'Sorry. Guess I'm just really hot.'

'Blowin' your own trumpet now, are we luv?' She whacked him in the arm as he smirked at her, grabbing her arm as she sought to replace it at her side. She struggled for a few moments before he pulled her to him, capturing her whole body and locking his wrists together behind her back. She was encased in his arms, unable and unwilling to move as his cold body pressed up against hers, his face millimetres from her own and his cool breath on her skin. She closed her eyes as the sensations coursed through her body, only to feel his lips take hers in a passionate kiss. They remained like that for what seemed like hours, enjoying the closeness and one of them enjoying the cool touch of the other in the unbearable heat that seared her skin.

Finally they separated, Spike with a sly look on his face and the slayer flushed and gasping. She whimpered at the loss of his cool touch, and his hand joined with her again as they restarted their walk through the deserted cemetery. Silence consumed their journey, before they lapsed into comfortable talk of their usual lives, seemingly forgetting that neither of them was the person they used to be and that their lives were due a shake up of immense proportions.

Angel sat in the main room of the mansion, reading a book about romance, which was not of much interest to him. He was actually thinking about investing in a television, not just for his own entertainment until his upcoming departure, but to shut Spike up from moaning. Whilst the blonde vampire liked reading, something Angel hadn't known before, he had made his way through every single book in the building, and was now complaining that his entertainment was limited during the day, when he was unable to venture outside. He didn't seem to have any problem at night, seeing as the majority of his time then was consumed by a certain blonde slayer. Angel always took the time to indulge in some peace and quiet, lest his demon required violence.

He'd already discussed that with Spike, one of the first things they had covered. He knew the younger vampire would need the violence – even he as an older vampire needed it, with or without a soul. Vampires lived for the death and chaos they brought to others – the transference onto demons was not surprising. He still craved blood straight from the source and needless to say, his other senses were heightened, leading him to spend countless hours searching for someway to occupy himself and ignore the various urges he had.

He had no idea how Spike was controlling it. Hs control when it came to Buffy must have been down to the fact he had already spent over two years loving her from afar, unable to do anything. The violence was sated by patrolling. But the bloodlust was a subject so quickly overcome by the younger, that Angel was surprised. If he hadn't known any better, he would say Spike was not merely the fledgling he should be. He fought harder, he was stronger and he seemed to counteract the blood lust from his demon with mastery that had taken Angel years to accomplish. Spike had done it in months.

These thoughts often kept Angel awake, and his concern grew with every day as with regards to the situation. Spike, however strong and ready he was, was rash and unpredictable at best and Angel was worried that rushing into battle against David was not the course of action for them. He worried about Buffy, and hoped upon hope that she would stop the vampire from doing anything stupid that could jeopardise them all.

'What makes you think he would?' A voice floated to him from across the room. 'The little ray of sunshine always stops the demons coming out to play. They don't like it cause it burns.'

Angel jumped to his feet, cursing his inner self for not recognising the familial bond as she approached. He turned, dropping the book and coming face to face with Drusilla. She was dressed in a long flowing gown, a maniacal grin on her face as she contemplated him.

'What are you doing here?' he asked.

'What are you doing here?' She echoed. 'Daddy went to hell. It was all fun and games and then that nasty little slayer and her boy went and ruined it all. But now the little boys got some darkness in him and I can't wait to taste it…' She giggled, spinning around as if in a daze. Angel narrowed his eyes.

'You stay away from them.' He warned and Drusilla stopped.

'Or you'll what? Poison me? He's family, Daddy and our family used to be so much fun. You might have killed Grandmamma, and you may have buried your own so deep inside that it struggles to be free…but I know that one, the trick, and the fun we could have! No more sunshine, no more hiding, no more burying. Just games and dancing and lots of pretty red flashes…Don't you want it?' She floated closer, and Angel snarled at her. 'See, Daddy wants out. Daddy needs to play. Won't you play with me?'

Angel took an unconscious step back as the vampiress got closer, a dangerous edge in her eyes. He knew he couldn't let his guard down, or she would have him in a second. Even older than her, he still couldn't counteract the deadly thrall she could exact on anyone.

'You need to leave.' Angel said through gritted teeth. 'Buffy will kill you. You need to leave.'

Drusilla leant in to him and his control snapped. He stared into her eyes, the expression on his face vacant as she smiled in victory.

'I don't want to leave.' She smiled, motioning for him to sit down, and he complied without resistance. 'I want to play. I know my Daddy's in there and he wants to play to. So we'll have to see if we can find a way out.' She twirled again. 'That little girl won't stop me. And she can't stop you, if you want it.' Angel stared at her still, his body fighting the thrall, his mind trying to beat her away. For some reason, she didn't sound quite as insane as she once had. She turned to him again, kneeling in front of him, smiling shyly.

'I felt it. When you made me a prince. When you took him from that nasty black shadow and made him yours. All for me. A present. A prince to turn into the devil and wreak pain on little dollies, who need to be punished. And my Daddy will play with me and my prince and we'll tear that sunshine apart, into pieces, chunks of rotten puppy dogs.' She leant in, brushing her fingers against his cheek, the dagger in her hand appearing out of nowhere, a glint to it. She thrust it forward, and it connected with his chest. Angel cried out as brilliant light filled the room and he slumped forward, the dagger still embedded in his chest. Drusilla stood up.

'Heart and soul is all connected, my pretty, my daddy. So I got a present. I got a toy that would take your dirty soul away and make you play with me again.' She giggled and span, swooning as she stopped, looking down on the still form of Angel. He twitched and groaned, one hand coming up to pull the dagger from his chest. It clattered to the floor and he shook his head. Drusilla clapped her hands.

'Want to play?' She asked; her voice high and giddy.

Angel looked up, a cruel smile affecting his features. Drusilla smiled wider, holding her hand out to him. He took it and pulled her roughly to him, kissing her hard. She melted into his touch, and he broke the kiss, smiling at her, his vampire features in place.

'Our boy will be home soon.' He whispered.

'Are we going to have a party?' She asked; her eyes wide and full of awe.

'Oh yes, princess. We're going to have a good old fashioned shindig. And poor William is the guest of honour.'

Drusilla pulled away from him and Angelus watched as she twirled and danced to music only she could hear.