So I'm actually going to switch to Spike's pov for the next two chapters; as we all know how Buffy runs off to get her scythe. I want to show you my take on how Spike deals with the mutinous band of Potentials, Scoobies and other what have yous. I'll switch it on back to the Buffster after Spike finishes given them all a mouthful.
I watch her as she leaves; off to put her life on the line again for the very people who turned against her… for the people who mean more to her than her own happiness and life. But I know she'll be fine. The Slayer's life isn't set to be snuffed out by a man in a vicars outfit. If Buffy's going to go - which I'm starting to think is near on impossible – she'll be there at the end of it all, fighting until her last breath. I always said she deserved to go out in a glorious battle.
As I stand there leaning against the doorframe watching her shadowed figure getting smaller and smaller, I hear Andrew taking deep breaths behind me and getting himself back under control. "Come on then Whelp, let get this thing over with shall we?" He jumps up and salutes me. The guy clearly had issues.
Before I leave though I quickly pick up the various Bringer's and their body parts and toss them out into the back garden. I'll set fire to them later or something. The girl really did a number on that last one, he was almost unrecognisable. It was sight I knew I would never forget. The moment I got within twenty feet of the house I could feel the raw anger in the air. The Slayer didn't even seem to register that I was there she was so focused, not until I had to literally yank her off of the body.
We leave the house, not bothering to lock the place up, there's no one left to break in. At first I don't really know where to start but then how hard can it be for a vampire to find what.. twenty living breathing people or thereabouts in a deserted town. Taking a minute to expand all my senses I can smell the faded scent of several humans all travelling one way and the pull of the demon part of me telling me to go to the west.
Whilst I concentrate on following the scent and Andrew trails behind me just watching me silently, I can feel Buffy's scent humming in the background, a scent so rich and beautiful that it makes me want to stop what I'm doing and just go and be with her. But I know she needs this, and I know she needs me to do this for her.
It only takes around ten minutes for me to figure out where I think they may be heading. "So, did I tell you I like your coat, it's actually very flattering.. I wonder if I could pull it off." Andrew's been droning on about nonsense the entire way so far. "Yeah you bloody mentioned it. I killed that Principle's mum for it." He visibly pales and thank the heavens he finally shuts his mouth.
As we enter the grounds of Restfield and work our way through its darkness it's a definite I know where they are. Walking with my usual confidence and swagger I open up the door to my old crypt and calling "Honey, I'm home" as I enter with my arms upraised.
There's a collective gasp around the place, one that echoes off the stones walls as people spin to face me. Andrew ducks under my arm and stands in the middle of the tomb. "Hi, everybody. I missed you guys a lot. Sorry we took so long getting back from our mission-mission but we had to wait out the sun." No one is saying anything yet though, clearly we were last people they were expecting.
"He's a breath of fresh air, isn't he? Thank god I don't breathe" I state calmly, not going in for the kill yet. I want to see if they'll bring it up first. The longest standing Scoobies – Willow, Harris and Rupert – along with Fait, scurry out from the lower level of the crypt. The Potentials all follow Faith's movements clearly showing she's in charge and she's the one they're all looking too. Red looks nervous, Harris resigned and the Watcher looks stony faced as if daring me to say something.
"So what's a mutinous bunch of cowards like yourselves doing all holed up in my old digs?" The place seems even gloomier than I remember it. "Excuse me?" I hear Rupert say.
"Oh I think you heard me Ripper." From the shadows I hear one of the potentials talking to Dawn. "Wait, this is Spike's place?" My eyes instantly dart to the younger Summers but she looks away, not meeting my gaze just as quickly. "Tell me you didn't Bit.. Tell me I've got it wrong." I say it quietly almost pleading, knowing it will carry over to her. Dawn just shuffles nervously and refuses to look at me. "I expected more of you Dawnie."
"Well, we all decided" Harris chimes in.
"I can see that. Who do you think you are? And don't you dare say friends!" I shout when I see the witch coming forward. "You three should be ashamed of yourselves. She's saved your lives, again and again. She's died for you. And this is how you thank her?" My voice is raised and I'm seething. They've never been able to really see Buffy, not like I have. "You don't understand—" whispers the Watcher.
"You know, I think I do. Rupert. You realize Buffy doesn't need you anymore, that she's outgrown you… so the moment something doesn't go exactly to plan you toss her aside and take up with someone who might still need you as a Watcher" I shouted nodding my head in the brunette Slayer's direction. "Face it Ripper, you're done. You've finally crossed the line!"