Chapter 224
Buffy and Tara were at the cave shortly before sunset. They could actually see some of the vmpire skeletons inside. Buffy might've preferred bringing Faith, Gunn, or even Angel here, but Spike was very clear, only Buffy and Tara. Spike soon arrived with Conner and Dawn. Spike held Dawn's arm tightly, likely in case Conner couldn't hurt Dawn. Conner seemed to feel guilt, but was willing to do what he had to do. He was also holding the blood bags. Once everyone was here Tara did the incantation in Latin.
Tara: The barrier's down. You can go in and come back out.
Spike: My Latin's a little rusty. We'll take Dawn inside and use the blood bags. If we can't come out we three vampires will make her blood last as long as possible. My point is if the barrier's not down now, it better be when we come out.
Buffy: I's going to be okay Dawn. I promise.
Spike: It will if the blonde does her part. You stay here.
Spike and Conner brought Dawn into the cave. They began looking for female clothing on the skeletons, likely newer than the others. When they were out of sight Buffy snuck into the cave to protect Dawn. As Tara waited nervously outside Angel arrived. He wanted to make sure Conner was safe, and didn't hurt anyone else. Tara warned Angel not to go inside, the barrier was still up. But Angel could hear Dawn's whimpers, her rapidly beating heart. By instict he ran inside. As Angel went inside Tara had to make a choice. Whether or not to break the barrier for real to free Angel, thus letting pike and the others go as well. Conner and Spike searched. They found a skeleton, dressed in a Catholic school girl's uniform. This had been Darla's favorite outfit. Conner gave a blood bag to this skeleton. While he waited for his mother to revive Spike dragged Dawn to look for Drusilla. They looked and looked, they saw skeleton's but not Drusilla's. Spike got angrier and angrier over this. Dawn feared Spike would kill her in anger. While Spike's attention was focused elsewhere Angel snuck up on him and freed Dawn. Dawn ran away as Spike continued to search for his beloved Drusilla. Dawn found Buffy, together they ran out to freedom. As they got out they saw Conner carrying a recently revived Darla out of the cave. The barrier was down.
Buffy: How did they get out?
Tara: I dropped the wall, when Angel went inside.
Buffy: Angel's in there?
Tara: Yeah, he isn't out yet.
Buffy: Wait ten minutes. If Angel's not out bring the wall back up.
Spike meanwhile continued to search for Drusilla. He was becoming angrier and more frustrated. Angel found him. As much as they disliked each other Angel and Spike went back too far for Angel to want to see Spike trapped in here.
Angel: Spike, we need to go now.
Spike: I can't leave her here.
Angel: She's not here. Maybe the witch put the barrier down, but I don't know how long before she puts it back up.
Spike knew Angel was right. They ran out together. Angel fell and Spike helped him up. The two vampires ran out of the cave before Tara could bring the wall back up. The Spike dissapeared into the woods.