Drunken Dreams

It took Dawn some time dragging the drunken slayer back to Giles' apartment. And when they did arrive he was not amused with either of them.

"How could you have let her get like this, Dawn? And Buffy, what were you thinking? Drinking with a minor? What's wrong with you?!"

"What's wrong with me?" she spat. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Buffy, please. You don't know what you're saying. I think you should go sleep it off."

"How could you do it?" she continued, surprisingly coherent. "How could you know and not tell me?"

A look of recognition came over his face. "Ah. Am I to assume you're talking about Spike?"

"How could you not tell me?!"

"Buffy, be reasonable-"

"No! I'm done being reasonable. If reason keeps people apart then to hell with it. I love him Giles, and he's in danger and I haven't done a damn thing because I didn't know the visions were real."

Giles perked up at the mention of visions.

"Before you ask, no. I'm not going into every painful detail of my dreams just so you can sit and muse over your beloved books. We are not okay."

"Buffy," Dawn piped up. "I think maybe sleeping is a good idea."

Buffy turned to her sister with tears in her eyes. "Will you stay with me?"

"Sure, Buffy. Of course; anything you need."

Dawn led her to the bathroom to change before tucking her in and taking a place beside her. Instinctively the stroked Buffy's hair, hoping it would calm her, but she protested.

"No, don't. That's what he did. He was always playing with my hair. Called me his little Goldilocks- oh, Dawn I need him, and he's not here. Why isn't he here? Why didn't he come to me?"

"Well, umm…"

"What? What is it?"

"Andrew said he kinda did stop by, in Italy, but you were with the Immortal; and apparently they have some kind of past. I don't really know anything more than that, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Dawnie. I'll sleep and we'll figure it out tomorrow. I just need to find him."

"And you will, I'll help you."

Unable to keep her eyes open any longer, Buffy whispered a thank you as she drifted off.

In her dream Buffy was transported back to the curb she'd sat on earlier, but this time she was hovering above herself. Watching her body slumped there, with head between knees as she had been. This time it was night, and this time - when the grounded Buffy looked up - it was William guarding her instead of Dawn. Letting out a tiny gasp, floating Buffy inadvertently drew William's attention to her. Looking up at her he smiled before a light began emanating from his chest.

"No!" both Buffys cried together, "Not again!" but it was too late. He was gone; for the fifth night in a row he'd dissolved into light before her and she was jerked back to consciousness before she could do anything.

"Buffy? It's okay," said Dawn, soothingly, "It's just a dream."

"No," Buffy said, "It's not."

Dawn wasn't sure which part Buffy was disagreeing with but felt it best not to ask.

"You need anything?"

"Yes. Phone. Now, please. And the laptop, I need you to find me the number for that law firm."

"Wolfram and Hart? Sure, I'll get it."

The phone rang just twice before being picked up by a snooty woman Buffy instantly disliked.

"May I speak to Angel?" she asked, trying to sound pleasant.

"Angel is no longer based within this company. The office you have called has been closed and you will need to direct any personal calls elsewhere, Miss Summers," said snooty before hanging up.

Buffy couldn't believe it. Who was the woman? What happened to Angel and the office and how did they know who she was? All the thoughts made her head go dizzy again.

Dawn looked up at her, expectantly.

"Get back online. Book us some plane tickets, leaving as soon as possible."

At the airport Giles pleaded with Buffy to stay and talk for a while; to not act on impulse, but she was in no mood to listen. The bags Dawn had hastily put together were already on board and the flashing sign was urging them to go to the gate.

"I will listen to what you've got to say when I get back. I don't know why you kept this from me but I'm willing to let you try and explain later."

Dawn gave him a quick hug and that was an end to the matter. Nothing was stopping them getting the plane. Nothing was gonna stop her until she found him.

Having not slept the entire flight, Buffy was half out of her seat by the time the plane landed. Nudging Dawn awake, they climbed out of the seven-four-seven and got into the closest taxi they could find as quickly as they could.

When the cab pulled up outside what used to be Wolfram and Hart's LA branch, Buffy could see why all calls were being directed elsewhere. The building barely held together – looking exactly as Buffy felt.

"You sure you wanna get out here, Ladies?" the driver asked but no response came from the slayer.

Eventually Dawn had to make a decision without her. "Take us to the nearest hotel."

The driver obliged but before he was even half way there Buffy demanded he stop so she could get out.

"Crazy chicks, you can't get out in the middle of an intersection."

The slayer glared at him. "If you wanna get your cash you drop us here and now."

Grudgingly he pulled across two lanes to traffic to let them off at the side. Horns blared angrily all around them as they hauled their cases out of the trunk.

Throwing bills at the driver, Buffy couldn't help but remember when she'd last thrown money at Spike. It was years ago but she could still see the pain in his eyes as if she'd just witnessed it afresh. She told him he was beneath her, but how wrong she'd been. If only she could take it back.

"Buffy!" Dawn shouted at her – bringing her back to her senses. "Where to?"

"Can you get over that wall? There's a street on the other side. He's been here recently."

Once in the street it didn't take Buffy long to figure out the rest of the way to Spike's apartment. Upon kicking the door down, the man standing on the other side jumped back in surprise.

"Well, what d'ya know? The Slayer. Never thought I'd be seeing you this soon."

Buffy grabbed him by his throat and pushed him up against the wall.

"Tell me where he is. Now."

"You've still got one hell of a grip."

"I am in no mood for games."

"Okay, okay. He's right in there," said Whistler, gesturing towards a door off the lounge.

"He couldn't be," she said. "I don't sense him. It's like he was here but he's left."

"Yeah," he said, rubbing his throat. "There's a reason for that."

To be continued...