Anna Taylor

"But how? When did your chip stop working?"

Giles asked, his face a mask of confusion.

"I didn't know it had."

Spike replied, carefully neutrally.

"One way to find out..."

His Childe suddenly spoke up, causing suspicious eyes to fall harshly upon her.

"Oh come on! It's obvious isn't?! Spike needs to hit someone, then if his chip goes off..."

She trailed off, she couldn't say anymore. If the chip was still working, something she knew nothing about apart from her own assumptions, she had no idea how Spike could have sired her, but she was sure that Spike was her Sire.

An evil glint passed through Spike's eyes, and a smirk of retribution formed on his face as his eyes landed on Xander.

"All right then! You think you can take it whelp?"

Spike sneered at Xander, flexing his muscles as he did so. Xander gulped visibly, but his hatred of Spike seemed to give him strength, and he nodded curtly and made his way forward. Spike moved closer as well, though he thought he heard Buffy mutter

"Testosterone overload much?"

They eventually faced each other off, and Spike smirked proudly, deciding that no matter how the chip may or may not pay him back for the pain he was about to cause Xander, it would be worth it.

The punch was delivered like lightening and Xander's loud exclamation of pain, as Spike's fist smashed into his stomach, was almost instantly followed by Spike's agonized screams. He had caused Xander so much pain that the chip's repayment brought him to his knees. Xander cupped Spike's face and patronizingly clapped his cheek.

"Sorry but thanks for playin'."

"OY Xander! Did I not nearly break your nose enough?"

Buffy threatened him, her temper seriously invoked by Xander's attempt to humiliate Spike. Xander looked at her betrayed, but Willow hastily came between them and offered her hand to Spike. She then turned the attention back to Spike's Childe.

"Right, so Spike's chip is still definitely working, so how did he sire-"

"The First."

Buffy cut in.

"The First has been brainwashing Spike, making him kill and sire these innocent people. He didn't know what he had done. The First has some power over him, Spike you mentioned this song to me when we were walking-"

"Yeah, I don't really remember it, but that's the last thing I remember before...waking up and finding myself in some strange place. I've been without a soul for so long I figured that's just how it was."

"Trigger..."

Xander whispered, almost to himself. Buffy turned to him, previous anger pushed aside at the thought that Xander could help them. Xander sighed and then explained.

"Trigger, it's a brainwashing term. Its how the military makes sleeper agents. They brainwash operatives and condition them with a specific trigger, like a song, that makes 'em drastically change at a moment's notice."

Willow looked at him impressed,

"Is this left over from your days in the army?"

Xander grinned wryly.

"No this is left over from every army movie I've ever seen. But it makes sense."

Buffy looked at him determinedly.

"This Trigger, how do we... holster or... safety or, I don't know guns. How do we make it stop?"

Xander looked distinctly uncomfortable.

"Usually the operative completes his task, and either blows his head off or steals a submarine."

"Ain't this swell, I've not only sired a girl I know nothing about, I'm now also a trigger! Buffy I should go. Take Anna with me and just head out before the First tries..."

Buffy shook her head.

"No, look we can restrain you. We can make you safe, safe till we find out what's triggering you. You're not leaving."

Spike just sighed, and rose from what was now his bed. He had something to do first before he could sink into peaceful oblivion.

The vampire sat alone against a living room wall, she was huddled in a sleeping bag, and had her arms wrapped round herself. It had hurt more than she thought it ever would that her Sire not only hadn't intended to sire her, but he didn't even recall her or the event.

"So, you're my Childe then."

A deep English voice from behind her suddenly spoke softly. She turned over towards Spike.

"Apparently,"

she replied dryly, watching with faint amusement as Spike cocked an eyebrow.

"Apparently? As in you're not sure?"

She let out a low growl, and her eyes flashed in the darkness of the night.

"I'm sure all right... This is so messed up! You're my Sire! You're supposed to be my teacher aren't you? My father? My family? But all you can do is look at me like am the world's biggest stranger!"

Spike sighed, irritated at the situation but completely sympathizing with his Childe.

"There's exception to every rule Pet. Didn't have the sanest Sire myself, but I got by... I can't promise you anything, you hear? I never wanted a Childe, I wanted to be free you know? No strings attached? Not till I found the One... But that's all relative I got you now, and there's nothing either one can do about it so things are gonna have to change... What's your name anyway?"

"Anna. Anna Taylor, what's yours?"

Spike laughed, waiting with eager anticipation at her reaction to his name.

"Spike, known by others as William the Bloody."

Anna gave him the greatest incredulous look he had ever seen.

"Ok, you have so lost all credibility you ever had."

Hey! Thanks to all those who have reviewed my story, and sorry for the wait, all reviews are welcome!

Lisi the slayer