"Looks good, doesn't it? They're trapped in here. Terrified. Meat for the beast, and there's nothing they can do but wait... That's all they've been doing for days... waiting to be picked off. Having nightmares about monsters that can't be killed. But I don't believe in that. I always find a way. I'm the thing that monsters have nightmares about. And right now...you and me are gonna show 'em why."

-Buffy Summers

Chapter 7-

Things had gone almost according to plan.

She'd managed to remember the path she had taken in her dreams down under the school. Through the dark tunnels and dank places Xander and Jesse stood behind her, shoulder to shoulder, protecting her back. Xander was watching the darkness for the slightest movements, his eyes intense and focused. Jesse mirrored his friend. There was a kind of balance to them, there behind her. For her part she had kept her eyes focused ahead of her, matching memories to reality. No vampires came from the shadows to attack them. Some, she knew, were asleep but the rest would be on the other entrance, the one she had gone through the first time. Waiting for her. So sure she was coming.

They wouldn't know what hit them.

Tense minutes later they had neared the center and Buffy had turned to give the men behind her soft instructions, mid sentence Jesse's eyes had widened in alarm and he'd reached behind him clasping the crossbow from its strap, so smoothly and quickly it was as if he'd been born to it, a quick aim and a pull of the trigger and the single vamp that had been creeping from the shadows was dust before she'd managed to turn and perceive the threat. Eyes wide she turned to question, Xander almost shaking at his side but clutching his crossbow in his free arm eyes searching warily through the shadows. Jesse grinned down at her, simple and proud.

"My pop takes me hunting." The words were said on a laugh and Buffy found herself grinning. She was so glad she'd saved him. Unfortunately that laugh alerted the dusted vamps companions and they swarmed towards them en masse. Buffy didn't let herself think, she let instinct take over.

She danced.

In a flurry of movement she rushed two vamps, jumping agilely over their reaching claws, locking hips around one even as she swung herself forward and stabbed the others heart, twisting she allowed her legs to drop as she punctured the second vamps chest. By the time her feet touched the ground she was already engaged in another tussle, three vamps coming to grab her from all sides. When one grabbed her arm on each side she spun herself around, loosing their grip and allowing her to free her arms. Her arm swung at an arch, dusting one vamp even as two bolts found their targets in the other two. Like a whirlwind of destruction Buffy danced through the ranks, any vamp missed quickly dispatched by the determined men at her back, their crosses making the vamps cower in awe and fear. It wasn't long until they were in the main room, the boys immediately grasping their gasoline cans and pouring the pungent substance all around the room, the vamps unable to attack them due to that instinctive fear the crosses gave them.

Buffy continued her dance, her eyes trained solely on ol' batface himself. Not alive, not dead stuck in between realms. She could understand his desire to free himself but could not allow his plans to come to fruition. She imagined that some distant, reluctant, part of her owed this creature something. If not for him she would never have this chance with Spike, it didn't justify Darla...or Angelus. Quicker than she had imagined she was before him, his greedy eyes confidant, arrogant.

"Welcome." His voice was cold silk, the words polite the tone hungry. It should have unnerved her but she had years of memories in her now, she had faced things that would make this feeble old vampire clutch despairingly for even a hint of the sanity that Drusilla possessed. She wasn't afraid of him, she didn't even pity him. Instead she rolled her eyes before offering him a pointed glare.

"Ahh great the pointless banter part of the fight." The quip hit him dead center, made him growl low in his throat. She didn't hesitate. She dipped down, legs shooting out to sweep him to the ground. He jumped towards her, miscalculated and landed behind her. In a flash she was on him, like she had been Angel just a few hours before. A stake pressed against his back, his heart unbeating on the other side. He turned his head, as if preparing for some barb but she didn't allow it. She pushed the stake deep and heard him scream. She held herself against his back as he turned to dust, closing her eyes to prevent the flakes from clouding her vision. Within seconds she felt her world tip, her legs straightening even as the skeleton broke apart in front of her. Before she had a chance to do anything Xander was there, Jesse shooting bolts into the backs of rapidly fleeing vamps. Xander saturated the bones with the gasoline before turning to Jesse; the boys tossed their gasoline cans as far as they could down the corridor the vamps had run to.

Without further ado Buffy found herself being hauled away, her arms locked in two different but equally harsh grips. At her sides the boys were running, full tilt, their height making it impossible for her feet to touch ground. Just as she opened her mouth to complain she heard the crackle of flames, heat washed against her back. They'd lit the gas at some point. The fire would burn through the tunnels. Twisting her arms gave her the chance to grab their forearms, lurching forward her feet found purchase and she was running. Faster than she had thought possible, dragging the men behind her. Emerging out of the tunnels just as the sky began to warm. Stopping, breathless, Buffy glanced at the boys. Jesse was lying on the ground, chest heaving; a grin a mile wide on his face. Xander was doubled over; clutching his stomach as bubbling laughter escaped him. She stared at him for a few moments until finally the three were chuckling into the night. They helped Jesse to his feet and moved back towards the school.

Shooting an innocent look at the men beside her she said, almost conversationally, "I think it's gonna be a great day."

Jesse and Xander stared after her for a moment before sharing a knowing look and ran to catch up with their Slayer.

It'd been simple enough to find himself a place to stay, one of the warehouse's previous occupants lay dead and drained on the floor. Now normally he preferred a nice beautiful girl but, as he was reluctant to face another encounter with the Slayer, he decided beggars could not be choosers.

He'd just been getting comfortable when pain split through his skull. He closed his eyes against it, his mouth twisting into a scowl. Across the link he could feel Drusilla, confused and angry yelling nonsense words at yet another dead bird. He felt Angelus heave a sigh of relief. Understood that the Slayer had done tonight what no one had thought possible. The Master was dead. Ol' Batface had finally gotten his just reward. The bloody Slayer had done it. That child had killed the Master. A chuckle escaped him. Then another until he was laughing, tears streaming down his face.

Wiping a hand across his eyes he gazed at his newly acquired surroundings, mirth danced in his eyes, a smile splashed across his face.

"That's right Slayer, get stronger. Keep winning cuz one day, soon, I'm gonna make you another notch on my belt. Maybe the best one yet." The idea of that battle, once the girl was just a bit stronger, made his blood boil. Made his beast roar in anticipation. Still chuckling his eyes found the other homeless man that had been staying in the warehouse. Smiling wickedly he watched as terror streaked across the man's face seconds before teeth punctured skin.

This was going to be fun

The days passed in relative peace. Her new friends still on a victory high. Even Giles was reluctant to break the mood, but he watched her with curiosity shinning behind those all seeing eyes. She knew, soon, she'd have to reveal all but, for now, she enjoyed her friends. She enjoyed her time with her mother, spending time with her each night before she had gone out patrolling. Her mother, unfortunately, wasn't ready for the truth but, with Giles' assistance, managed to convince her mother that she was attending a tutoring course he offered to students that were a little behind. Seeing this as an improvement to her burning down schools her mother had taken the lie hook, line, and sinker. Giles had also managed to convince her that, as of late, there had been a string of people that were asking to be invited into homes only to rob the owner's blind. Joyce had readily agreed that it would be unwise to invite any strangers into the house without consulting her daughter, knowing the majority of the crimes had to come from teenagers.

Thus Buffy didn't have to hide her coming and goings, making her life much easier. She knew, soon, her mother would have to be told the truth but she wanted to wait on that just a little longer. She remembered the strain the truth would cause them and wanted to enjoy the time she had. In truth her life had been damn near idyllic the last few days. Except for two things.

The first was a minor annoyance. Angel still lurked the shadows, trailing after her and offering cryptic words. Now, though, they were tempered with a kind of guarded curiosity. She knew he hadn't believed her, hadn't wanted to. He continued his pursuit of her and remained friendly, if neutral. Her attitude was surely hurting his pride but she refused to let it bother her. Angel she could handle. Which then led to problem number two...

Spike.

For days she'd felt his eyes on her. Could feel the intensity of his gaze like a caress. He flitted across her senses throughout the nights. She could feel the weight of his gaze when she patrolled, when she was with her friends, when she prepared herself for sleep but she never actually saw the blond vampire. He remained, infuriatingly, beyond sight. It had started the night after the Master had dusted and had persisted for the last three days. She had, thus far, steadfastly ignored it but now, on the fourth day, she had had enough. Fingers curling in frustration Buffy, abruptly, turned around. Her voice cracked through the silence like a whip.

"Damn it Spike if you're gonna keep this up you might as well come out." Huffing she planted her hands on her hips, "Honestly you're almost as bad as Angel."

"That's just cruel, that is. Comparing me to the Great Forehead." His voice drawled out from the darkness, somewhere to her left. Tapping her foot impatiently she raised an eyebrow in his general direction. He strolled out of the shadows and her heart caught in her throat. He's so beautiful. Seeing him, red shirt tight against his lean frame, coat resting heavy on his shoulders, blue eyes sharp and bright in the darkness she knew he was, hands down, the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She couldn't allow herself to look her fill, couldn't bring herself to consider the soft, pale skin, the finely honed muscles. Those thoughts inevitably led to thoughts of slick skin, lips hungrily devouring, hands skimming.

Instead she focused on his eyes, his words. She offered him a sardonic glance.

"I call 'em like I see 'em. He stalks me, you stalk me and you're both vamps. Stop me when I'm wrong." The wicked glint in her eyes almost made him chuckle. Almost. Instead he lit a ciggy. Running the filter across his lips before taking a quick drag. In a second he was on her, his face twisting to flaunt his demon. Sharp fangs, hard planes, an animal. Still beautiful. Less than a breath separated them, his face lowered to blow acrid smoke into hers.

"Out. For. A. Walk... Bitch." He spit out, almost gleefully. Wrinkling her nose cutely Buffy raised a hand to wave the smoke away. Her green eyes glared at him as a cough escaped her. Grunting she moved past him, felt his eyes trail her. Suddenly glad she had decided on a simple black tank-top that clung to her every curve, low riding jeans hugged her taught frame and her simple sneakers completed a casual but mature look. Stopping she tilted her head back, offered him a mischievous wink, and continued on her way.

The action made him twitch. His whole body jolting towards her against his will. Growling, angry at the heat that coursed through him, he rushed her. She turned, her eyes bored, and side-stepped him. He turned, half-past her, and closed a hand around her throat, squeezing tightly.

"Better watch how you talk to me Slayer." He hissed at her. Buffy moved her arms, not to struggle, but to rest gently against his. Exasperation was evident in her eyes and, though she knew she should be afraid because this Spike could and would kill her, there was no fear.

"Were you born this big a pain in the ass?" She asked, the words coming out a little breathless. Caught of guard Spike's grip loosened. Giving the Slayer an appraising look he pulled her closer, ignoring the warning bells going off in his head.

"What can I tell you, baby? I've always been bad." Buffy smiled a second before Spikes lips crashed into hers, bruising and merciless. He attacked her lips savagely, punishingly. Buffy struggled past sudden, intense, haze of desire. She met his vicious attack with equal ferocity. Their lips melding, biting, teasing. A hand snaked around her waist, pulling her fully against him. What little sanity Buffy had struggled to acquire melted into a puddle as their bodies connected. Desperately Buffy ran her hands over his shoulder, down his chest. Her fingers struggling with the fabric of his shirt. Pulling and twisting until her hands touched cold, silk skin. Her hands traveled up under his shirt, resting against his chest even as he deepened the kiss. His hands running along her sides, fingers caresing the underside of her breasts. She moaned, soft and long. Immediately after a low growl filled the air around them.

Awareness hit her like a brick wall, stiffening she wrenched herself away from Spike. One hand reaching to cover her lips, cut and bleeding. The realization that Spike was still in full on game face came slow. Spike was licking a drop of blood from his lower lip, the few drops that had seeped into his mouth during the embrace raced like fire through his body. His head foggy. Sure he'd had Slayer blood before but never had it been so heady. So utterly delicious. Her green eyes were wide, his body was hard. Part of him wanted to pull her back into his arms, another part of him wanted to tear her to shreds and drain her dry. Before he could decide which of the two desires would emerge victorious he felt it.

Cursing he realized that there was no time to get away. Well the confrontation had to come sooner or later. He'd rather have had Drusilla with him. The thought of his love made him feel almost guilty. Sure Dru had done much worse than a little snogging every now and then but, somehow, he still felt as if he'd betrayed her. The Slayer fidgeted for a moment, fingers twisting the stolen ring around her finger. Blue clashed with green for what seemed like an eternity broken by a looming figure stalking out from the darkness.

Buffy looked at the newcomer and then at Spike, then back to the newcomer. Irritation colored her voice.

"Angel."

universalbea- No worries i'll be explaining the faith line later on, since I have every intention of making her show up in the story ^_^

twotoe- Thank you! I've been saying that for years. Spike fought for his soul and, in my book, that makes him instantly better than Angel.

Thank you all so much for your reviews, I truly appreciate your faithfulness to this fic. A special thanks to my new beta ginar369 with whose help I hope this fic will become even better.

Until next time my friends, no worries the wait won't be long.