Thank you to everyone hanging on and still reading despite the inexcusable lag. I really appreciate your support.

I didn't want to just rewrite the scene with Buffy and Faith fighting Kakistos, so this is what went on behind the scenes or at least my take on it. Again I don't own anything. All rights to the great Joss and Mutant Enemy.

Chapter 20 Babysitting

Hanging up the phone Spike got dressed. There wasn't much of the day left anyway and he wanted to be sure to get to the school before Kakistos or his goons. He shook his head as he tied his boots. Babysitting a Watcher, the things he'll do for love. But he knew how crushed Buffy would be if something happened to him or any of her friends and the thought of her in that much pain was unbearable.

He took a careful peek behind the heavy drapes. Ducking back quickly at the blinding light. "Another sunny day in Southern California." he mumbled in disgust. If there had been good cloud cover he would risk walking, there was always a shadow to duck into if the sun poked through the clouds, but he hadn't really expected the weather to cooperate. That left his car or the tunnels and sewers. His car was a risk in a city in daylight. The "tinting" he had done on the windows wasn't exactly street legal, and the chances he would be pulled over were good, even in Sunnydale. But he didn't fancy a walk through the sewers, especially if he was going to meet up with Buffy later.

That argument winning out, he gathered what he needed and headed into the garage. Luckily it faced east so it was in shadow, especially since he had never bothered to repair the door he had crashed through when he fled with Dru. He took the side streets to the school, shadier and less likely to run into any cops. He managed to get there without incident. He saw Buffy striding purposefully from the school and almost stopped her. But he knew she needed to hurry if she was going to get to Kakistos before dark and since that plan held the best chance of success he didn't want to hold her up.

He drove around the school looking for a place in the lot where he could park that would provide a shaded route from his car to an entrance. Luckily the shadows were lengthening and he was able to park at the side in a regular parking space which would attract less attention than if he had parked right up against the school. There were still kids about, the football team was on the field practicing and a few people watched. Some kids were loitering at the back of the lot, half hidden by trees, Spike was fairly sure it was a small drug buy. As he got out of the car he looked around carefully, he didn't see anyone he recognized as part of Buffy's inner circle so he proceeded to the door.

He knew the layout of the school, not only from his attack but from the endless hours of listening to Angelus concoct elaborate revenge scenarios. He headed unerringly to the library, pausing at hallway intersections only to listen and then look to make sure he wasn't seen. He was halfway down one hallway when he heard a familiar voice.

"C'mon Cordy, I said I was sorry." it was the whiny voice of the male scooby, who's name Spike just couldn't remember.

Bollocks! Spike thought and tried the nearest classroom door, it was locked but he was able to force it silently and duck inside, pulling it shut behind him, he could still hear the voices.

"What are you sorry for?" Came a female voice challenging him. From the sound of it they had turned the corner and stopped.

"I don't know." was the clueless reply. "Everything?" Spike shook his head, the boy was in trouble.

"You don't know? You spend all Friday night drooling over that new Slayer, completely ignoring me. Saturday we go out and it's all Faith this and Buffy that and then yesterday you don't even call me and I find out you spent your day here, getting your jollies watching her train, and you don't know why you're sorry?" She took a deep breath. "You're not sorry Xander Harris, you're pathetic." She stormed down the hallway.

Xander, that was his name. Did no one at this school have an ordinary name? Spike contemplated popping out and herding them into the library so he could watch over all of them. But he didn't know if Buffy had told them about him and if not they would likely panic, plus then he would have to deal with the Watcher which he was trying to avoid.

The boy followed at her heels, grovelling every inch of the way. Spike watched them through the narrow window in the door until they were out of sight. He waited a moment more before opening the door and making sure the coast was clear.

He got the rest of the way to the library without any further encounters. He didn't have to listen hard to tell that the librarian was there and not happy.

"Really Willow, I can't believe that you've fallen for this act that Spike has put on as well." His countryman sounded exasperated.

"It didn't seem like an act. I know it sounds crazy but I think he really does care about her, maybe even loves her." Willow replied.

"Love?" Giles scoffed. "He's a soulless monster, he doesn't have the capacity to love."

Spike realized his hands had clenched into fists. Is this the kind of drivel he's filled her head with? Of course he could love. No one who didn't love her could stay with Drusilla for over a hundred years. No wonder Buffy was afraid of what she felt.

Picking back up the threads of the conversation he heard Giles say. "I have no intention of seeing Spike until I can determine how he has managed to charm you, Joyce and Buffy." he took a deep breath, "Now Willow, when you spoke to Spike did he have on an amulet of any sort?"

"No."

"Are you sure, it might have been concealed under his clothes."

"He... he wasn't wearing many clothes when I saw him." she stammered.

"What?!"

"I'll second that what." Came a new voice, quiet. Spike sniffed the air: werewolf, Red's boyfriend.

"When I went to Buffy's she answered the door in her robe, then Spike came down just wearing jeans." she sounded uncomfortable. "I...I thought you knew."

"I knew she was infatuated with him, I didn't realize their relationship had progressed that far." Spike could tell by the fluctuation in the volume of his voice that he was pacing. "It's so uncharacteristic of her, it must be a some sort of enchantment. You remember how everyone acted when they were under the love spell last year?"

"I accused him of that, but he denied it."

"Of course he denied it. Especially if he was hoping to catch you in the enchantment as well."

"I don't think that's what he did." she protested.

"Then how do you explain how three rational people suddenly go from hating him to being his friend or in Buffy's case his ...his paramour?"

"I never said I was his friend." Willow quickly said. "Am I happy that he and Buffy are together? No. I would pretty much rather she was with anyone else. He's still Spike and made no pretense that he's changed or was anything other than what he is. He even said he was evil." She sighed, "All I said was that I think he really does love her, or comes as close to it as he can."

"All right. Tell me everything that happened, what was said, what was done, everything when you talked to them."

"I...I'm not sure I remember everything. I was pretty freaked the whole time."

"Just tell me what you remember." Giles said more calmly.

The next hour or so was painful to hear. Willow tried to relate what she witnessed at Buffy's but her embarrassment at the circumstances and Giles frequent interruptions turned it into a disjointed mess. Finally Spike walked far enough away that their voices were so soft that he couldn't make out the words. It was either do that or barge in and put that pompous librarian in his place. Hell, Red would probably appreciate a rescue about now. He wished he had brought a book and chuckled. A whole library was just a few yards away and it did him no good.

Forcing another classroom door he found nothing worth reading but pocketed a few items. Glancing out the window he saw that the sun was almost down. If Buffy's plan had worked she would be back soon, if not... He couldn't think about that, the thought that she might have been killed was ice in his veins. God! Why did he promise to babysit these ingrates when he should be there with her? He should have pressed it, convinced her. He could have changed her mind. If he had stopped her when he saw her outside the school it would have been easy, a kiss, a whisper in her ear, looking her in the eye while persuading her. It was the better strategy.

But she trusted him, more than another Slayer. She trusted him with all that tied her to this world. That was why he was here and not there. That was why he had promised her he would cool his heels here guarding people who didn't think she could make up her own mind, instead of standing beside her in battle. If she died because of that promise... In frustration he slammed his fist into the side of a metal cabinet. The sheet metal made a thunderous noise and his hand went right through.

"Bloody brilliant." he muttered as he tried to pull his hand out. A ragged edge of steel tore into his hand. "Perfect." Ignoring the pain he finished pulling his hand out, cradling it in his other hand as he hurried to the door peeking out to see if the noise had drawn the attention of those in the library. The hall was empty.

Carefully opening the door with his unwounded hand he tread silently down the hall. Getting within earshot he heard Willow crying and was able to make out that she was telling them about Angel's soul. He looked down at his hand, the bleeding had slowed but his palm was full of blood. Best to get this cleaned up he thought and ducked into the restroom. By the time he had finished washing it the bleeding had stopped, he flexed it a couple of times and no serious harm seemed to have been done.

He leaned against the wall behind the door and pulled out his cigarettes. Smoking in the school loo, how iconic, he chuckled to himself.

He was almost done with the smoke when the door swung open and Willow ran in, obviously not seeing him as the door swung shut. Her face splotchy from crying, she went straight to one of the sinks and splashed water on her face. It was only once she dried off that she noticed the blood on the basin next to her. She froze, she caught the smell of the smoke and scanned the mirror looking for the source. Spike smiled broadly, some days he loved having no reflection.

He stepped into her peripheral vision, effectively blocking the door, and ground out his cigarette under his boot. "You know Red, when you're worried a vampire might be about, checking in a mirror does no good."

"Spike!" she backed away and took a deep breath.

"Don't scream." he said with a dismissive wave. He leaned back against the door. "I'm not here to hurt you."

"But why are you here, and with blood." her eyes glanced at the sink.

He held up his hand. "Relax, it's mine. Hearing the bloody Spanish inquisition in there I had to punch something."

"You've been listening?" She looked guilty.

"Yeah, is he always such a berk?"

"Giles? No! No, he's just really worried about Buffy and this is how he's dealing with it. Are you mad?" she added in a small voice.

"At you?" he asked, she gave a small nod. "Nah. You're kinda stuck in the middle of all this, sorry 'bout that."

"S'okay. If you came looking for Buffy she went after Kakistos."

"I know, I should be there with her instead of babysitting you lot."

"Babysitting?"

"She asked me to make sure Kakistos doesn't get her Watcher."

"So that's why she wanted us to stay here."

"Yeah, just don't tell Rupert. Mood he's in he'll come after me with a pointy stick and I'd have to hurt him."

"More secrets?"

"For everyone's own good." he emphasized. "You think it would be better if he knew I was here?"

"Um, no."

"There you go." he said as if that settled everything. He jerked his head in the direction of the library. "He still think I have you all under a spell or what-not?"

"That's the theory."

"Rubbish, not that I expect you to believe me."

"But I do. I know I wouldn't think I was under a spell if I were, but other than thinking that you care about Buffy, nothing's changed. I'm still scared of you." She gave a wain smile.

"And you should be, I've given you enough cause in the past. Buffy trusts me now, enough to ask me to watch over you all and that's enough for me. I'm not going out of my way to prove myself to the rest of you."

"I should be getting back..." Willow said, her clasped hands indicating the door he was leaning against.

He moved to the side. "Remember, mum's the word." she nodded, then he had a thought. "Suggest to Rupert a general reversal spell, it'll keep him busy, might convince him you're not ensorcelled, though I doubt..." he cocked his head to the side.

"What is it?" Willow asked, his sudden alertness putting her on edge.

"Phone's ringing." He looked at her intently. "Get Giles to repeat the conversation, so I can hear it. And it's sundown so be alert. If an attack is coming it will happen soon."

"Okay." She skirted past him, trying to keep as much distance between them as possible in such tight quarters.

He waited long enough for the library door to shut behind her then slipped into the hall. The librarian's voice carried clearly to him. In the background he could also hear Willow and her boyfriend.

"No, she hasn't shown up here."

"Better?"

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until tomorrow to attempt a daytime assault?"

"Yeah, a little."

"Whatever you do, don't go after him alone."

"Anything I can do?"

"Yes, everything has been quiet here."

"No, I'm okay." Kiss noise.

"We are."

"Why do you smell like cigarettes?"

"Be careful."

"Oh...um someone had been smoking in the restroom before."

"Call me as soon as it's over."

The Watcher hung up the phone with a sigh.

"What did she say?" Willow asked.

"She hasn't been able to find Faith yet. She's going to double back to her motel now to see if she's returned."

"Is she still planning to go after him tonight?"

"Yes, if she finds Faith. I cautioned her not to go after Kakistos alone, for all that she's listening to me lately." He took a deep breath. "It's getting dark. We should probably be prepared for an attack."

Spike scoffed silently. Would have been a much better use of the last hour than tormenting Red.

"Weapons?" Oz asked.

"Yes, there are crossbows and stakes in the book cage. We should also make sure the door behind the stacks is secure. Pity this door swings both ways..." his voice grew louder as he approached the door and Spike ducked around the corner. "it's never very secure even when locked." He turned the lock on the door. "Help me move the card index over in front of it. It won't stop anyone, but it might slow them down."

Spike could hear something being wheeled across the floor and shook his head. Anything on wheels would not be more than a momentary inconvenience for a vampire. With the number of times they've been attacked here they should have proper defenses in place. No wonder Buffy wanted me here to guard them.

He paced the side hall, worried about Buffy. While he was marginally comfortable with her going off after Kakistos under the cover of daylight, now that it was dark he regretted his promise all the more. He knew she was tough, but the odds weren't in her favor and this other Slayer was too much of an unknown. She hadn't been able to protect her Watcher, what good would she be to Buffy?

The urge to hit something was growing in him again, but he knew he was too close to the library. Now that it was dark he wouldn't stray far, since he was stuck with this promise he wasn't going to half-ass it. Those in the library had grown silent, probably trying to be on alert. He was pacing faster now, like a tiger in a cage. He hated waiting, always had, never was any good at it.

"Shouldn't she have called by now?" Willow asked, echoing his own thoughts.

"Now, don't let's worry." the Watcher replied. "It's only been ten minutes." That surprised Spike, he was sure it had been longer. He risked a peek around the corner at the wall clock and confirmed Giles' statement. Damn.

"I wish we had gone with her."

"No Willow, Buffy's concern for us would have been a distraction. I have every confidence that she and Faith will be able to handle this." Despite his words, his voice was tinged with concern.

They dropped back into silence, Spike resumed his pacing.

"This is nerve-wracking." Red spoke up again after a few more minutes.

"Agreed." her boyfriend responded.

"Yes, I must admit you're right. But I do think that Buffy was correct that we should be prepared. We don't know enough about the circumstances of Faith's Watcher's demise to do more than be ready. Although as time goes by I think we have less to fear in that regard." Spike could hear him pacing.

"What if..." Willow began reluctantly, but was cut-off by the phone ringing.

It rang again before the librarian picked it up. "Buffy?" "Yes, we're fine, it's been quiet." Are you all right?" "Oh, thank god and Faith?" "Good, good." "Excellent." "Yes, of course." "Well come by after you're done." "See you then."

He didn't even have the phone in the cradle before Willow began interrogating him. "What did she say? Are they all right? Did they get him? Done with what?"

"Willow calm down. Buffy and Faith are fine and they've destroyed Kakistos." Spike felt the tension flow out of him.

"Are they coming back here?"

"First they're going to stop for a bite to eat. I think it is safe to say the danger for tonight has passed, best to stow these weapons away and put the library back to rights."

"Okay."

Spike heard them milling about as he was trying to decide whether to go ahead and leave or wait for Buffy.

"Now Willow, when you were talking to Spike..." Giles started. Spike felt his jaw clench.

"Giles, I don't want to rain on your parade, but it has been a very long night." Oz spoke up.

"I guess it has at that." he conceded. "Sorry."

"You know Giles, if you're convinced we're under magical influence isn't there some kind of dismissal or reversal spell?"

Good girl Red, thought Spike.

"Excellent idea. If you two want to go I'll wait here for the Slayers."

"Yeah, I think we will, I...I just need to go to the ladies room. Be right back."

Spike rounded the corner so she would see him in case that was the real reason for her trip to the loo. It turned out to be, because she headed straight to him.

"Did you hear?" she whispered.

"Yeah, thanks. I'm heading out. Do you want I should follow you? Make sure you get home safe?"

Her eyes widened and mouth hung open for a moment before she said, "Um... thanks, but no, we'll be okay, really. I...I wouldn't want to be a bother."

"Suit yourself. See you Red. Stick this on the door for me?" He held out a square of paper.

She reached out tentatively and took it. Turning it over she saw it was a post-it note with an 'S' on it. "Sure." she said.

He stepped back around the corner and strolled down the hall. Time to explore.