"Well… today went about as well as it could have," Aisling said as she stepped into the room.
"Oh yeah?" Spike said staring at her amused.
"Mmmhmm." Aisling said, before she could elaborated there was a knock on the door.
Aisling's stomach dropped, She didn't have to guess who was demanding to be let in.
"Come on Dolly." Drusilla cooed on the other side. "Let mummy in. It's almost time for her to fix her dear little boy."
Aisling's eyes closed.
"We can find another way," Spike said.
Aisling shook her head. "There is no other way." She said before she turned around, she looked at Dalton. "Get the chains." She said. "I'm not taking any chances." She entered her room gripped the medallion on her desk and slipped in overhead.
"Let's just get this over with." She said before she opened the door.
Aisling had her chained up.
There was a part of her that desired to just unleash every bit of rage and anger she had on the monster who had tortured her.
Her fingers twitched with the desire to grab the Holy Water and dump it all over her.
To take out her eyes. Her ears. To force her to sing until her throat hurt and then continue singing.
Aisling wanted Drusilla to cry. To scream. To beg for mercy.
But Aisling knew that nothing she did would get the outcome she wanted.
Angelus had done far worse.
And Drusilla was needed to cure Da'.
"Come away," Spike said hand on her shoulder.
Aisling didn't move, just stared at the vampire who was sitting on a chair chained up.
Spike shook her some more. "Aisling," he said sternly.
'She broke out of her gaze and looked up at her father.
"Let's go." HE looked at Dalton. "Make sure she doesn't escape."
"Yes Sir," Dalton said.
"Don't look her in the eye," Aisling said. "Please."
Aisling let herself be escorted out of the room.
"Calm down," Spike said at the moment that they were in the master bedroom.
Aisling glared at Spike.
Spike sighed and placed his hands on Aisling's shoulders. "Breathe." He said.
"I—"
"Shhh," Spike said. "Breathe. In through your nose for 4 seconds. Hold for four. Out for four. Do it. Just like your first therapist taught you."
Aisling looked up at her father, weak as he was, she could break out of his hold. Quite easily. But then there would be an argument and even in this dim lighting she could tell that it was taking a lot for him to stay upright.
SO… she did as he asked. She took a deep breath in hold, and then let it out.
She did it over and over and slowly she felt her emotions settle to something more manageable.
"Better?"
"Yes," Aisling said. The desire to rip Drusilla's head clean off her body was gone. "I still don't like her."
"Good," Spike said. "We don't have to do this," Spike said. "We can just stake her and be done with it."
And Aisling wanted that. Did she ever want that?
"No," Aisling said. "We'll stake her when we've got what we need but right now? She stays until we can do the ritual." Aisling crossed her arms.
Spike shook his head, "I don't like this, magic? Dark magic like this? Always has consequences."
Aisling crossed her arms in front of her chest. "You've done magic before," Aisling said.
"Yes." Spike said, "But always as a last resort."
"This is a last resort," Aisling said.
"Still." Spike sighed, "What happens if… something goes wrong."
Aisling looked at him, "Your soul." Aisling said. "You're worried about it?"
Spike looked at her and nodded.
Aisling paused and pressed her hand against his chest right where his heart was. She felt nothing against her hand, his heart silent in his chest.
"We'll figure it out," Aisling said tears in her eyes. "But I don't believe you'll lose your soul over this," Aisling said.
"Soul's a finicky thing."
Aisling shook her head. "No," she said. "It's not." She sighed. "Listen… we also need information on the bounty that Drusilla set." Aisling looked up at Spike. "At the very least we need to question her on that."
"True." Spike sighed. "But I'll do the questioning," Spike said. "I don't need you anywhere near this."
"But—"
"No," Spike said. "It's bad enough she's in our home I'll not have her exposed to you any more than necessary." Spike sighed. "So… stay in your room. Is there any way you can stay out at a friend's house?"
Aisling scoffed. "No," she said. "I'm not leaving you alone with her."
"Aisling—"
"It's too late" Aisling sighed… "I'll… I don't know. I'll bring it up tomorrow. Alright." Aisling said. "Alright?"
Spike rolled his eyes. "If I was at full strength, I'd drag you out of here myself."
Aisling grinned. "Don't worry. You will be… soon." Aisling said.
"Go to school," Spike said.
"But…"
"Go," Spike said. "I can handle Drusilla for a bit. We can't do the ritual until tonight anyway. Go. Have a normal day."
Aisling looked at Dru who just smiled at her absently, she took off her necklace and handed it to him. "Keep this on." She said. "I don't trust her."
Drusilla chuckled. "Little dolly is growing up." She said. "Mummy is so proud."
"Ok, so good news." Aisling said, "We have Drusilla in our…" She paused as a girl around her age stepped in front of her.
She looked at Giles. "Who's the newbie?"
"Newbie?" The girl said.
"New person." Buffy translated. "She's a new slayer," Buffy said crossing her arms. "You have Drusilla in your custody?"
Aisling nodded, "Yeah. I can bring her down here tonight." She tilted her head. "New Slayer?" She said. "I thought there was only one slayer per fight…. Did I miss something?"
"You are going to work with vampires?" The slayer asked Buffy. "Not just one but multiple?"
"Which means there's someone else here who can kick your ass if you don't explain why and how you're working with vampires."
"I only work with one vampire." Buffy said, "Angel, and he's a good vampire. He has a soul."
Kendra stared at Buffy looking at her as though she was thick. "And her? Why do you have Drusilla in 'custody' why isn't she dead."
"Because she sent the Order of Taraka after her," Aisling said. "And—"
"Order of Taraka?" Kendra said surprised, "I heard of them in the writings of Dramius." Kendra looked at Aisling. "There's no way to stop them."
"There's one." Aisling said, "Up the bounty." She said. "If you can up the bounty to the point that the other person can't pay. Then the Order can be persuaded to drop it."
"And how do you know this?"
"My father dealt with them a few years ago."
"Mmm. Ok. First off. Drusilla sent Dalton to me, and since he's a linguist he's the only person I know who could solve the text as for the 'why' do you need me to explain?" Aisling sighed and stood. "I have to find Angel." She said. "Drusilla's at my apartment tied up right now, and Angel's probably the only one who can get her to chill out," Aisling said.
"Good luck.," Buffy said, "He's not at his apartment right now."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know." Buffy said, "I got attacked, yesterday by this weird… I don't know… this guy. From…
"The Order of Taraka," Giles said stepping forward.
Aisling's eyes widened and she cursed, "Them? Fuck."
"You heard of them?"
Aisling sighed, "Yeah. Dad dealt with them in Iowa once. They're practically unstoppable the only way to stop them is to pay them double whatever they're getting to try to take you out." Aisling said.
"Fun," Buffy said. "What's a typical bounty price."
"It depends," Aisling said. "For all I know Drusilla's paying in Kittens. Or promised to have their fortune read."
"Good," Buffy said standing. "Where's Drusilla."
Aisling smiled, "My apartment." She said.
"Good." Kendra said, "I can kill her easily just like I killed the other one."
"Other one?" Buffy said stepping forward "What other one."
Kendra looked at him, "The one you were kissing yesterday."
"Where?"
"The bar."
"Willy's?" Aisling said stepping away already pulling out her cell phone. "Let's go," Aisling said.
"He was threatening the human," Kendra said.
"To get information out of him." Buffy huffed, "Most likely."
"Then why was he talking about killing?" Kendra said.
Buffy paused looking uneasy, but Aisling continued hurried out the door. "Willy." She said into her phone, "Angel's locked up in one of your cages. Get him out." Aisling said.
"He's a vampire," Kendra shouted. "He's a monster."
"No," Giles said. "He's good now," Giles said,
"He has a soul," Buffy said. "We don't have time."
"No, we don't," Aisling said. "Dru, Spike and I have to be at the church by tonight." She said.
"No," Angel said. "I'll do the ritual. You head home."
Aisling glared at Angel. "Don't you—"
"No," Spike said. "He's right. I don't want you anywhere near this dark magic. Angel will do it. You go home."
Drusilla chuckled as she smacked Angel hard in the face. "He's a good daddy now." She said before she began to pout. "Stopped being a good daddy to me."
Buffy jumped forward but Aisling gripped her arm. "Ask your questions." She said.
Buffy glared at Aisling, but she took a deep breath. "Did you send the Order of Taraka after me?" She said.
"Mmm," Drusilla said. "Distractions. One, two, three."
"What?"
"Yes." Aisling translated. "She sent them. They were meant to distract you."
Buffy's brow furrowed. "You didn't mean for them to kill me."
"Clouds come to block the sun," Drusilla said as she dug her nails deep into Angel's torso. "Eventually they pass."
"So… you didn't mean for them to kill me?" Buffy asked.
"Of course, she meant for them to kill you." Kendra came in. "She's a vampire."
"Dru," Aisling said, stepping forward. "What was the bounty."
"Meow," Drusilla said. "10 little kittens all in a row. Pretty little turtle shell."
"What?"
"10 calico cats." Aisling translated. "Surprised they would take that. Normally it's the purebred breeds that have the best prices. Then again if she's telling the truth this was a distraction hit, if this was an actual hit the price would be…" She trailed off and winced as she noticed everyone was looking at her. "Sorry."
"Can we kill her now?" Buffy while Giles immediately stood and left the room.
Aisling stepped in front of Kendra. "No. I need her to heal Spike."
"She should die."
"She will," Aisling said. "After she heals Spike. He could die if we have to wait another month,"
"He's a vampire. He should die."
Aisling clenched her fist. "You—"
Spike wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "Don't."
"She's saying you should die."
"Ok," Buffy said stomping forward and pulling Drusilla away. "You're done. I got my answers."
Drusilla pouted. "Sunshine always stops my fun."
Aisling took a look outside. "We have to go."
"We can't just let you do dark magic."
Aisling glared at Kendra. "Let me make this clear. You can do whatever you want to. But if you try and stop my father from healing. I will personally make it, so you never get back home."
"Is that a threat?"
Aisling grinned. "Yes. Yes, it is. I may not be a slayer. But I have staked a few vamps in my time. I hobbled Buffy. I can most definitely make you a nightmare."
"That's enough Ash," Spike said.
Aisling backed away, Angel, Spike, Dru and she turned and hurried out of the room.
"What now?" Aisling asked.
"You go home," Spike said.
"But!"
"NO," Spike said. "It's bad enough I'm doing this. I don't want you anywhere near this. You go home. Lock the doors and wait for me to come home."
"But!"
"No," Spike said. "Angel can do the ritual."
"Ok. Wait," Buffy said stepping in. "No. No. What about Angel's soul."
"Good point." Spike nodded toward Kendra. "You come with. Make sure that Angel doesn't turn evil."
Aisling bit back her lip to stop from laughing. "He's kidding, Buffy." She said when it looked as though Buffy was going to start throwing punches.
"He doesn't know. What if this makes him lose his soul?"
"He isn't worried about me losing my soul. He's worried I'll blacken it."
"As well as the League of Assassins as well." Spike said.
Aisling rolled her eyes and waved him off.
Buffy glared at Aisling. "That's not much better."
"It's fine Buffy." Angel; said wrapping his arms around her. "We'll be alright. And if I at any point sense that something wrong. I'll stop the ritual immediately.
Aisling bit her lip from shouting back. Spike gripped her shoulder comfortingly – or as comfortingly as possible.
"Can we go? It's almost time."
"Your going—"
"Home," Aisling said cutting him off. "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah." Angel stalked toward Dru and gripped her arm tightly practically dragging her out of the room.
If it hurt Drusilla, she didn't seem to mind. She looked almost excited at the prospect of being in pain.
"Good news," Giles said as he entered the room. "I managed to get hold of twenty calicos." Giles looked at Spike. "Should that be enough?"
"Yes."
Aisling hated this. Hated being forced to stay at home while she waited to know if her father was going to be alright. She had no idea what was going on. No idea if her father was going to be ok. Or if the ritual was going well or bad. Or if Drusilla did something and her father was now…
Aisling paused and reached for the phone, it didn't take a long time for the person on the other end of the line to answer.
"Ash?"
Aisling took a deep breath. "Jackson." She whispered lying down on the floor of her house.
"Hey." He said, "Are you alright."
"Yeah. Just…" Aisling closed her eyes. "Dad's getting a ritual done today that will hopefully heal him. But he doesn't want me there."
"You're dad was never really big on you being around for big dark rituals."
"I know." Aisling said, "But this waiting." She leaned against her bed. "It sucks."
"I get it," Jackson said.
Aisling looks down and smiles. "How's Crys?"
"I have no idea." Jackson said, "To be honest Crystal and Don haven't been around so often."
"She's mad at you?"
"Well… yeah." Jackson said, "I did defend you."
Aisling winced, "I'm sorry."
"Don't," Jackson said. "I was happy too."
"Aisling smiled against the phone, "And Don?"
"You know him. He's been wrapped around Crystal's finger since the day they met."
Aisling laughed. "Hope he's happy at least."
"He does seem to be."
Aisling leaned back.
"Still worried for your dad?"
"Yep," Aisling said.
"Surprised you haven't tried to follow them."
Aisling rolled her eyes. "Love too. Can't. Dad's not stupid, he asked the neighbours to keep an ear out to make sure I don't leave the apartment. Their hearing is really good too. I take a single step outside and they're there ready to drag me back inside."
"Ouch. The window?"
"Nope." Aisling said, "When Kat came by to do her thing, she also put a charm on the windows no one can leave or enter unless dad gives express permission. I am effectively trapped."
"That seems…"
"Like a bit of a fire hazard?" I say. "Yep. Fortunately, there's an override if I'm in genuine danger I can leave"
"Good."
The door opens and I turn, unable to stop myself from running into the living room. My father is walking into the room with his eyes. Behind him is Angel, and to my surprise also Buffy, Xander and Willow.
"What are you—" I say surprised I turn to Da' "Are you."
He jolted forward picked me up and hugged me tightly. My eyes widened and tears came to my eyes and wrapped my arms around him. "Da'," I whisper.
"I'm ok sweetheart." He said hugging me tightly. "I'm ok."
And for reasons I didn't quite understand and buried my face in his shoulder and broke down in tears.
"It's ok," Spike whispered. "I'm here. You're alright." He whispered in my ear.
I looked up at him and smiled. I kicked my legs lightly and he put me down. I straightened as I stared up at him and then back at my friends.
"Well…" I said tears still in my eyes. "Shall we celebrate?"
We didn't have much for a celebration, but Aisling managed to scrape together something edible.
"So…" Xander said leaning against the table. "You're dad's back to full power."
I turn and smile. "Yep," I said. \
"Are you ok with that?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked. "He's back to full health. He's no longer at risk of keeling over. He's… he's himself again."
"But he can hurt you know."
I shake my head. "He'd never," I said. "Only during sparring and even then, he's very careful not to step out of the boundaries that we concocted together.
"He's still a vampire," Xander said.
Aisling turned to him. "I know." She said. "But I've lived with him for years. I've been safe so far."
Xander shook his head. "I'm just worried."
Aisling patted his arm, "I know." She said, "And I promise, the moment I feel unsafe I'll let you all know alright?"
Xander smiled and took a deep breath. "Thanks, Ash."
Aisling gave Spike a mug of blood and sat beside him on the couch.
"Ok…" Buffy said, "No more Drusilla, Your father is all healed." She said. "What happens now?"
"I don't know." Aisling said, "What do you think Da?"
"I don't know." Spike said, "The semester is almost over." He said, "We could wait until Christmas and then make a decision then."
Aisling smiled. "I do hate starting school so close to the end of the semester." She said.
"In the meantime." Spike said, "We do need a bit of income. We are beginning to hemorrhage money."
"Time to put the fliers again." Aisling said, "Try not to take the very dangerous jobs?" I said. "Deal with the minor demons. The demons that are more like vermin."
"Oh, that would be nice," Buffy said. "Vermin demons. Just step on them and problems are over."
Spike laughed, "Not quite that simple. Demon vermin are harder to kill than regular vermin."
"But easier than killing vampires."
"Much," Aisling said as she took a sip of coke.
"You've killed a few demons?"
"Dad's a demon hunter." Aisling said, "He's taught me a thing or two." She said.
"My best student," Spike said wrapping an arm around her and pulling her in for a hug and a kiss on the crown of her head.
"And only," Aisling said,
"I see." Buffy said, she leaned forward, "Any interesting stories of demon slaying?"
Aisling and Spike looked at each other.
"Well…" Spike said, "I did fight a Glarghk Guhl Kashma'nik Demon," He said
"A what?" Buffy said confused.
"A demon that has a stinger that injects you with terrible hallucinations," Aisling said lying back on the couch. "He defeated it eventually, but not before getting stung." Aisling sighed, "Had to call Nanna Kate for help."
"I did defeat him"
"Yeah," Aisling said, "After spending two and a half days being haunted by the people you killed," Aisling said. "Fun times for everyone." Aisling. "Honestly. I prefer the fight with the Chaos demon. Less mind-rapey."
Buffy tilted her head, "You must have experiences with lots of demons." She said softly. "May… maybe you could… help me understand them?"
Spike blinked surprised. "I'm sure Angel can already tell you plenty."
Buffy flushed embarrassed, "That's true." She said.
"You two could spar." Aisling said, "I mean he spars with me, but we need to test his strength if he's going to be taking more and more jobs."
"That's a smart idea," Spike said, as he turned to Buffy. "If you don't mind?"
Buffy shook her head. "Not at all." She said. "I am curious about fighting against someone who's already fought multiple slayers and one. Want to see how I measure up."
Spike smirked. "We'll see."
Aisling laughed, "Very well," She stood. "Anyone want refills?"
