Chapter Five: Against the Unknown, part 2

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy was angry. She felt that her trust had been betrayed yet again. She didn't like secrets. Secrets were dangerous.

She strode down the hallway, purposefully, strongly. Pushing open the double doors that led to the cafeteria with more force than was necessary, she spied Spike and Faith and called over to them. ::

"Time to wake Drusilla up. If you want in on it, this is your chance."

[Anita Blake]

=Mesektet Ra]Spike toyed with his buffalo wings for a moment before replying. Taking a bite and talking with his mouth full, he said, "Sounds 'bout right, from what I've heard," he finished chewing, and swallowed. He picked up a wing and gestured at her with it "We've all been bad, ducks. We've all got blood on our hands. We've just gotta-" he shrugged, taking a bite of the wing, "learn to get on with your merry little lives. Make things better. And by the sounds of things," he gestured to the room around him, "you are."

::Faith looked up at Spike. She stared at him while she finished chewing the last of her cheeseburger::

(Wow, maybe he isn't as completely disconnected as he acts sometimes.)

Spike: "I'm guessing the careless-badass-vamp routine is all an act, huh?"

:: Smiling at him, she turned and surveyed the room::

(Look how far I've come. He's right. I have moved on. Maybe I'm not who I used to be. Boy, that'd be a change wouldn't it...)

::Grinning at herself, she started shoving fries in her mouth. After a minute, she swallowed and looked back at Spike::

Spike: "I guess you're right. I never looked at it like that before. I'm different now then I was then. I've changed...a little...I guess."

::Shooting a hard look at Spike::

Spike: "You ever tell anyone that we had this conversation and you're dust. Got it, Blondie?"

::Hearing Buffy's yell she stood up::

Spike: "I guess its time to go see your ex-flame. You ready for this?"

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz nodded at Angel, glancing when he noticed Spike and Faith enter the cafeteria, then looking back at Angel. The possibility of meeting and possibly helping another wolf deal with the animal intrieged Oz, and was actually what had made him decide to join them all. The only other wolf he'd really known was Veruca, and that was a bad relationship.::

Angel: "Sure, when are you going?"

::Oz couldn't help but notice and hear when Buffy entered, and looked over, wondering what was going on. Buffy sounded very serious, and upset.

[+ Matt +]

::Amy fell numbly to the ground. Her body was vibrating from the inside, although she herself was not trying to move at all. That last blow had caused serious damage to her. She looked at Gwen, although did not attempt to shift her arms or legs just yet.::

Gwen: "Vincire!"

::More green energy darted from Amy's hand, however this time the energy formed a band tightly around Gwen, pinning her arms to her sides.::

Gwen: (Whilst gasping for air) "I heard that could keep Willow down, even at her best. She couldn't break it."

::Amy forced her upper body upwards and rested her back against the wall which she had just made contact with. Her eyes were starting to resume their original colour.::

Gwen: "You tend to remember those little facts when practising new spells."

::Trying to capture her breath, Amy shut her eyes and placed her hands on her chest. From this small battle, she had come to the conclusion that Gwen could only manipulate electricity, although could possibly kill her with it. ::

Gwen: "Now I know what you're capable of, all I need is time...(bitterly) freak."

::Amy needed to revise...She hadn't expected to face enemies so soon.::

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew strode over to the three women in the hallway and stood next to Illyria and watched the scene play out. This was a tad immature ... even for him. ::

Gwen and Amy: "Um, are you guys going to be shooting flames or whatever all day long ... cause I'd like to know so I can, you know, not be around you."

:: Andrew looked at Gwen. ::

Gwen: "She's not worth your time. I saw what she did to Willow a couple years ago. NOT cool."

:: Andrew glared at Amy, who was on the floor gasping for her breath. ::

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria watched the battle, Amy had won for the time being. She sensed however that Gwen wasn't going to give up that easily. There would be another before they finished their job. Illyria smirked at the thought.::

"Why are you here witch?"

::Illyria stood... facing the witch head cocked.::

"You dont seem to be friends here with the other humans of your kind. You dont seem to belong."

[+ Matt +]

::Amy opened her eyed and glared at Andrew, before looking up at Illyria.::

Illyria: "I thought it'd be fun. I thought I could help...Be part of something worth my time."

::Her eyes crossed back to Andrew.::

Illyria: "Little did I know it was St.Willow Day today."

::Shutting her eyes once again, she took another deep breath. Andrew had started to make her think; she wasn't actually friends with anyone that was present in the compund. Most hated her because of what she had done to Willow. If she were to make friends and allies, she would have to talk around those who did not know of her. She thought of Gwen since she appeared to be new also...She chuckled slightly under her breath.::

Illyria: "What's your story?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike smiled at Faith, all cockiness and swagger; he draped himself over the back of his stiff plastic chair, grinning like the Cheshire cat. He placed his hand on his heart, looking mockingly chagrined. "Wouldn't dream of it, love. You've got my word on it." He raised the hand he'd placed over his heart. "Vamp's honor."

It was then Buffy stormed in, looking right pissed. She eyballed Faith and Spike for moment before resting on Spike.

His earlier good mood diminished significantly. The smile melted off his face, and in crept the hollow, lifeless feeling that had destroyed his favorite [and only] lighter in the library. He stared down at his food, suddenly not hungry.

He looked back up at Faith, who was scrutinizing him. He pulled the fakest smile he knew how and plastered it on his face. "Yea, love. Let's do this." He looked at Buffy, and said quietly, "I'm going to get Gwen."

Without another word, he stalked off, following his nose to where Gwen would be.

[Anita Blake]

::Faith shot a suspicious glance at Spike's retreating form::

Spike: "You better not Blondie! I could so take you!"

(Why did that sound so wrong to me...I need to do something.)

::Walking over to Buffy, she took note of the blond Slayer's angry stance::

Buffy: "Whatever was said to set you off, you may want to hold off on telling me until I have a target to take it out on..."

[Buffy Summers]

:: Gwen? Buffy couldn't help but wonder why Gwen's presence was so direly needed in order to properly interrogate Drusilla. She called after Spike. ::

"Is that really necessary? This isn't a tea party."

:: She looked back to Faith. ::

"He can do what he wants. I'm not waiting. Let's go."

:: She started to lead the way, then looked back at Faith. ::

"And Giles won't be joining us."

[David]

[ David had left his men standing watch over Amy. His time assisting those now residing in the compound had taught him that these were not everyday people, and that what constituted "violence" to them was far from the traditional definition. So he had learned to give them their space, let them fight their battles when they needed to, and to only step in when things truly got out of hand. So as his men watched Gwen and the witch go at it, they were carefully trained to leave them alone as much as possible - without letting anyone get seriously injured. And David was being kept abreast of the situation at all times, of course.

He made his way down the hallway after Willow, radioing for her position, and finding that she had gone to her room. He reached the door and knocked softly before speaking. ]

"Miss Rosenberg, it's David, are you allright?"

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria sighed a bit then cleared her throat::

Amy:" My shell you dont know her?"

::She smirked when amy looked at her like she was clueless.::

"I am Illyria, one of the old ones. I was brought back. Put in this form. The only reason i am here is because of Wesley. When i found my world shattered. He took care of me, He was killed in the battle before the ally. I watched him die. Being here is what he would want."

::Illyria cleared her throat agian::

"What is your..."Story.."

[+ Matt +]

::Amy stared in confusion. Her shell? She decided to avoid asking who her shell was in fear of insulting the woman.::

Illyria: "Just your ordinary girl; had a mother who tried to sabotage the highschool's cheerleading squad with magic, was turned into a rat for around three years...Oh and I transformed Willow into her ex-girlfriend's killer."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike stopped at the sound of Buffy's voice. He turned around, hands raised, prepared to make a comment, and then stopped abruptly. "You know what?" He said, lowering his hands. "Bugger that." He turned and stalked off.

He followed Gwen's faint scent through the camp, past Whitecoats and Slayers. This time around, he didn't recieve any of the inquisitive or flat-out fearful stares. Anybody who was unlucky enough to catch his gaze immediately looked away.

Spike found a small amount of satisfaction in that.

Gwen's scent led him to a corridor outside of the library. He was so wrapped in his thoughts it barely registered as his foot hit a shard of wood.

Barely. He looked up.

The hallway was strewn with shards and pieces of wood. A door near the end of the hall was hanging on broken hinges, creaking back and forth in the nonexistant wind.

"Gwen," Spike breathed. His heart wrenched as his bolted down the hallway and whipped around the corner into the room.

He found Gwen suspended in mid-ari by what looked like green gelatin. Spike sniffed; he growled. He knew better. This was magick at work.

He turned around in a fury to find Illyria questioning a small mousy brunette. He searched through his memory to find a name to add to the face.

He found it.

He charged.

Spike barreled straight into Amy, pining her to the wall with destructive force. "Amy," he growled, vamping. He leaned in close enough to smell the fear in her blood - a small, sick part of him relished it. "Amy blood Madison." He shoved her against the wall, hard. She winced. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO GWEN?!" He roared, gripping her shoulders tighter on every syllable. He could almost hear bones cracking and snapping; he lossened his grip, but not by much, and melted out of vamp face.

It didn't look and less horrifying.

"Get my girl out of there," he growled. He shook her, hard, her head banging against the wall. "NOW!"

[Lyri]

::Gwen watched as Spike attacked Amy, forcing the witch to undo her magick.

::Suspended in the air by whatever maigick Amy ahd used, Gwen tried to free herself, put ever wave of electricity boucned off of the green power.

::She could feel it constricting around her body.::

"Spike, help me. I can't breath"

::Everything started to go black.::

[+ Matt +]

::Letting out a small whimper in pain, Amy began muttering quietly under her breath until a small, thin flame rose up between her and Spike, causing him to take a step back in shock. Her body was throbbing from his steady grip.::

Gwen: (Gesturing) "Solutum."

::As the field dissolved on the ground and Gwen fell onto her knees, Amy let out a heavy sigh and lay down on her side. She had never had to endure so much pain in such a short space of time. As her eyes shifted from Gwen, to Andrew, to Spike and then to Illyria, she realised how isolated she felt and how alone she actually was. Any other person would have left by now, however something in the back of her head was telling to stay. She trusted that 'something'..::

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel looked at Oz. He wanted to know what was going on with Dru first. And he hoped Oz would understand. He probably should run it past Buffy first... no waut this was his fight not Buffy's she may have come to help but if it weren't for him she wouldn't even be here. Angel realised he'd probably have to talk to Buffy about her taking control. But thought it could wait until he came back.::

Oz:"I just want to see what happens to Dru. If you don't mind"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike stumbled back as the flame rose between Amy and himself. He almost roared and charged at Amy again, and then...

Thump. Spike whipped his head around to see Gwen struggling to sit upright. He sent a look to Amy that could've frozen ice, and darted to Gwen's side.

He slung an arm beneath Gwen's shoulders, laying her back so she could rest. "You alright, love?" He asked her, trembling fingers smoothing back tendrils of red and bone-white that colored her brown hair. "Don't pass out on me, love. I need you."

[+ Matt +]

Getting back up onto her feet, Amy breezed across the room, trying to keep a fair distance from Spike. She watched as the vampire tried to support Gwen, and suddenly a unique feeling passed through her. It wasn't guilt because she still thought Gwen deserved what she received, and it wasn't sympathy because Gwen had started the battle of powers. Amy bit her bottom lip as she observed.

Spike: (Muttering) "She'll be fine..."

[Lyri]

::Gwen sat up, supporting herself, but still laying in Spike's embrace.::

Spike: "I'm fine, I swear."

::Getting to her feet, Gwen stared at Amy, shooting daggers at her.::

Amy: "You just made yourself a powerful enemy."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew walked over to Amy and gave her a very serious look. ::

Amy: Word of advice? Don't go around trying to show-off in front of these people ... because you will, inevitably, get burned. They're not superheroes for nothing.

:: Andrew realized what Spike had just done to the girl and felt a pang of sympathy. ::

Amy: Do you need to go to the hospital wing? We have people that ... I don't know, can fix you or whatever.

[+ Matt +]

::Amy let out an awkward smile. This was the first time, since arriving, that someone had asked her a question out of consideration for her. She was thankful, although did not feel as though her injuries were that serious.::

Andrew: "N-no, I'll live...Which is more than I can say for some us."

::Hey eyes moved to Spike. She ignored Gwen and her recent comments, assuming that saying nothing to her would anger her more than some sort of come-back threat. Spike comforted Gwen and she could not understand why. He was a vampire...::

::Her attention turned back to Andrew.::

Andrew: "So how have you been?"

[buffetofsporks]

Amy: We've never met, remember? And I'm not being nice because I want to be your friend. I just know what it's like to have everyone hate you. It sucks. If you're going to be staying here, you're going to have to start changing. If you can't do that ... then it's probably best you leave before someone a lot more powerful than Spike, Willow for instance, decides to get a little rough with you.

:: Andrew turned around and looked at Spike. ::

Spike: No offense.

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked at Spike and Gwen, then to the others she growled a bit then started out of the room::

"I want a fight."

:: she said as she left the room heading toward the trainning room, she stood there for a second she wanted to work on some things before the next battle, she also wanted to work on becomming Fred in case she needed to rely on her shells form. Illyria looked around for somone to fight but no one was in sight so instead she decided to work on being Fred. She closed her eyes and concentrated when she openned them agian she no longer had the blue hair or the leather outfit. Instead she was in a skirt and top, with long flowing brown hair.::

"Hey y'all."

::Illyria practiced spitting out a normal hello for her shell though no one was around to hear it , it was killing her to be human she despised it and she knew if anyone caught her being Fred they'd probley lock her up, so she sat back agian and breathed closing her eyes once more, returning to her own form, The blue hair returned, the dark blue eyes and the leather outfit. She felt herself agian, cold.. heartless once more::

[+ Matt +]

::Amy's smile passed. She felt rejected and slightly alone, even though she was in a room with three other beings. How was she to change when most would not let her? She tried to be friendly towards Willow but was greeted with hatred.::

Andrew: (Forcing a small smile again) Are you sure we haven't met? Didn't you try to commit suicide in the watchtower?

::Amy's speaking tone faded. Suicide was hardly the appropiate topic. She tried moving on to a more happier note.::

Andrew: "I think we had chem. class together..."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew grew annoyed at this last comment. ::

Amy: "Okay, number one, I did not try and kill myself in the watchtower. Okay, that was Jonathan! He was the desperate one, remember?!"

:: Andrew looked at his present company and realized no one really would've remembered, considering Amy was a rat at the time and the other two just weren't there. He realized he wasn't getting anywhere. ::

Amy: "My brother, Tucker, tried to send a bunch of demon dogs lose on the prom one time. Buffy stopped him, but ... yeah ..."

:: Andrew rolled his eyes. Once again no one remembered his efforts at trying to ruin a social function in high school. ::

[Anita Blake]

:: Gwen? Buffy couldn't help but wonder why Gwen's presence was so direly needed in order to properly interrogate Drusilla. She called after Spike. ::

"Is that really necessary? This isn't a tea party."

:: She looked back to Faith. ::

"He can do what he wants. I'm not waiting. Let's go."

:: She started to lead the way, then looked back at Faith. ::

"And Giles won't be joining us."

(Boy, its been a while since I've seen B this mad...maybe its the vampire thing...but what did Giles say that would make it worse? She wasn't like this earlier...)

::Faith caught up and met Buffy's pace::

Buffy: "So, B. Any theories about Dru?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike looked at Amy and Andrew in befuddled amusement for a moment before shaking his head and helping Gwen to her feet.

"Stay here," He said to Gwen, who leaned against an unbroken table for support as Spike stalked over to Amy.

He didn't touch her, didn't vamp - he shoved his hands into his pockets and gave her the single most powerful glower he was capable of. "Gwen is my girl," he began, voice low and seething. "You'd better think twice, you twit, before you go mucking around with my women. Think Static over there is a freak?" His eyes flashed gold, and a hint of fang burst from his lips in the span of an eyeblink. "You bloody well don't know me."

With that, he turned and went to Gwen, laying his hands on her shoulders. "It's time. For Dru. I...I wanted you to come along. I don't think I could do it by myself."

[+ Matt +]

::Amy let out a small chuckle as Spike spoke to Gwen. Sure, she was terrified of him, but she had to show she was a strong female.::

Spike: "You don't think you could do it by yourself? Yeah, that's really making you look tough. For a vampire, you don't seem so...Vampire."

::Knowing that Spike could probably break every bone in her body, Amy quickly strutted across to the wreckage that used to be a door, heading towards the room which she had previously been in when she had arrived.::

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew rolled his eyes at Spike as he and his "girl" walked away. He hadn't expected it, but he felt kind of sorry for Amy. So she turned into a mean-spirited biotch after she got done with being a rat, wouldn't anyone? If anything, Andrew sort of felt like Amy a little. Sure, he was accepted by most everyone in the group ... but he was in no way a member of the "group". He was an outsider. Just like Amy. ::

Amy: "Hey! Wait up!"

:: Andrew caught up to Amy's pace. ::

Amy: "So seriously. Why do you want to be here? To piss off Willow ... or something else?"

[Lyri]

::Gwen followed Spike as he led her through the compound to where Drusilla was being held. The fight with Amy and being rescued by Spike had confused her even more.::

Spike: "So, why exactly do you need me to come along?"

[+ Matt +]

::Amy looked down at Andrew as the walked. Was he teasing her now and trying to find out information, or was he being sincere? She decided to answer his question since he was taking the time to bother with her.::

Andrew: "Working your mojo on stuffed bears his fun for a little while, but it gets dull. I took the letter inviting me here to train as a sign...Kicking demon ass - who wouldn't love it?"

::They continued to walk. Whether Andrew's intentions were kind towards her or not, she felt as though she may as well share her points of view with someone else while she still could.::

Andrew: "I didn't come here for Willow, never mind to make friends with her again. I came here for me."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew was a little surprised by this revelation. After hearing about Amy from everyone in the group, he didn't expect to actually find a person underneath the witch. ::

Amy: "You get that it's going to be hard right? I mean, you can train here, they can't keep you from that. But ... everyone here doesn't really like you that much. Do you really think you can keep your head up while they're ignoring you ... making you feel unimportant? Cause, I know I couldn't. I had to try and make them like me. It worked, too."

:: Andrew didn't exactly know what he was doing. Was he trying to make a friend, or trying to keep someone he kind of liked from an intense situation? He wasn't sure. But he went with it, anyways. Amy could either take it or leave it. If she really wanted a friend, then she'd listen to what he had to say. ::

Amy: "Whatever, it doesn't matter. I just don't like seeing Spike try and intimidate people with his creepy vamp powers."

[+ Matt +]

::Amy smirked at Andrew'a question.::

Andrew: "I was a rat for like three years. It took Willow three years to turn me back into my human form. Trust me, I've felt unimportant. I can deal..."

::She fell silent for a couple of seconds, continuing to wonder about Andrew's goal for this conversation. Her mind set back to his last comment; 'vamp powers'.::

Andrew: "You're brother tried to bring down the prom and you end up hanging around with Buffy and her gang? Do you have any little gifts I should know about?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike looked sheepish for a moment, tossing Gwen a shy look. He took a breath and held it, exhaling as he spoke. "'S hard," he admitted, to her and noone else. "Seeing Dru again. I haven't seen her since...before I got the chip out. It was..." he trailed off, staring at some unknown part of the floor as he walked. "An experience."

He didn't mention the First coming to Spike in all of Dru's insane glory. He didn't mention how much it had torn him apart, his creator, his lover, his sire...

He shook his head. "I jus' wanted someone there to catch me if I fall. And...I wanted that to be you, Static love." He draped an easy arm over her shoulders, hugging her in close.

[Black Eye Guy]

[ David had left his men standing watch over Amy. His time assisting those now residing in the compound had taught him that these were not everyday people, and that what constituted "violence" to them was far from the traditional definition. So he had learned to give them their space, let them fight their battles when they needed to, and to only step in when things truly got out of hand. So as his men watched Gwen and the witch go at it, they were carefully trained to leave them alone as much as possible - without letting anyone get seriously injured. And David was being kept abreast of the situation at all times, of course.

He made his way down the hallway after Willow, radioing for her position, and finding that she had gone to her room. He reached the door and knocked softly before speaking. ]

"Miss Rosenberg, it's David, are you allright?"

::Willow had been sitting on her bed reading the letter over and over, she had not come to a conclusion on how find the person who wrote it, when suddenly there was a knock on the door, and she heard David's voice. She put the letter under her pillow, and then opened the door, Smiling at David::

"David, hi. Yes I'm fine thank you, I hope our new friend is not being to much of a pain in the ass. Sorry about dumping her on you like that."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew smirked at Amy's question. ::

Amy: "Not quite. I just want to help. I tried the whole being evil thing ... didn't really agree with me. After I killed my best friend ..."

:: Andrew realized how bad what he just said really was. ::

Amy: "I was possessed at the time, though ... Not that that makes it any better. Anyways, after that, I felt really bad. And Buffy took me in. Actually, Willow took me in and had me tied to a chair for about a week straight, but still ... they took me in. I don't have any powers, though. I'm pretty useless, actually. I've been taking Watcher training, but other than that ... I just want to help. I like being a good guy."

:: Andrew felt weird telling that to a complete stranger, but he didn't mind. It was nice to finally meet someone that would just listen to him. Weird, but nice. ::

[Buffy Summers]

(Boy, its been a while since I've seen B this mad...maybe its the vampire thing...but what did Giles say that would make it worse? She wasn't like this earlier...)

::Faith caught up and met Buffy's pace::

Buffy: "So, B. Any theories about Dru?"
:: Buffy looked over to Faith as she walked rapidly down the hall. ::

"Dru was with Ansara - she has to know something about what she's up to. We need to know what she does. We just have to get her to talk."

:: They reached the block of holding cells where Drusilla was being kept. A small antechamber was connected to her cell, with one-way glass installed on the long wall. Inside, the could see Drusilla, bound to a chair in the center and still unconcious. She reached for the radio on her belt. ::

"David, can you please find Willow and ask her to come down to the holding area?"

:: She put the radio back in its place, and turned to Faith. She gave her an apprehensive smile, then took a deep breath. ::

"If you're ready..."

:: She pressed a button near the door, deactivating the ultraviolet lights which formed a cage-like barrier around the captive, in case Spike did choose to show up. Opening the door, she strode into the cell, a very serious expression on her face. ::

"Wake up sleeping beauty - or you'll be late for the ball."

[David]

[ David smiled at Willow. ]

"That's my job."

[ After a pause he continued. ]

"I just wanted to make sure you were all right - you seemed upset as you left the library. Should I get our people working on the origins of that letter?"

[ Buffy's message came across his radio. ]

"Shall I show you the way?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike and Gwen turned onto the cell block, twisting down a warren of hallways until they reached what must be Drusilla's cell.

Spike took a shuddery breath and pushed the door to the antechamber open, walking into the room. He watched through the mirror and Buffy strode into the cell.

His eyes locked on Drusilla's prone form. Thousands of thoughts, thousands of deeds, thousands of memories...

I'm naming all the stars...

Spike squeezed his eyes shut and balled his fists. Bloody hell, he thought harshly. Why does this have to be so damn HARD?!

[Black Eye Guy]

David: "I'll handle the letter, thanks, If I get stuck I'll call for your help. Thank you though::

[She smiles]

David: "But yeah, I should get down to the others"

::She steps out of the room and closes the door. And they began to walk down to the cell::

[David]

[ David escorted Willow to the door of Dru's cell. ]

"I'll take my leave of you now, if there's nothing else I can do for you? Should I keep Miss Madison under guard?"

[Black Eye Guy]

::She smiles at David::

David: "If you would not mind, I do believe she is here with good intentions, but still it would not hurt to keep an eye on her. Thank you"

::She walked through the door to Dru's cell and joined the others::

"Sorry, hope I didn't keep you waiting"

::She smiled nervously::

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy turned as Willow entered the cell, smiled and nodded. ::

"The party's just beginning."

:: She then sent Willow a mental message. ::

When she wakes up, see if you can read anything from her mind at all.

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz glanced at Angel, wondering about the sudden distraction and shrugged.::

Angel: "Yeah, just let me know when you need me."

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow send a telepathic message back to Buffy::

Sure, That should be fun, never looked inside a crazy person before

[Harley Quinn]

:: Blue eyes fluttered open as Drusilla slowly regained conciousness. Her eyes widened when she realized she was bound to a chair and she began to struggle weakly. She seemed to have momentarily forgotten she had vampiric strength, for she didn't use any in her attempt to get free. Her eyes quickly began to scan the room and as she looked at each person, something that hadn't been seen in Drusilla's eyes in centuries appeared. Drusilla's eyes revealed that she was terrified. She quickly let her fear stricken gaze settle on Buffy, and she spoke to the blonde slayer. ::

"Where am I? Who are you? What do you want with me?"

:: Tears filled those blue eyes as she again looked around. It had been Drusilla's voice, but it wavered with terror and she did not talk in the unusual manner that was so often used. She looked around the room once more, thoughts flying through her mind. she knew none of these people, yet they were all staring at her, some accusingly. ::

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy suppressed a laugh at Drusilla's act. The freak really was crazy. She crossed her arms as she stood over her. ::

"Come on, Drusilla. You can't honestly think we're going to fall for that, do you?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel had been wandering the halls in search of Buffy but she was no where to be found so instead decided he'd head to L.A to find Nina. He felt he didn't need to tell Buffy he'd gone longer before without her permission and if all went well he'd be able to return in a day. So Angel set off looking for Oz when he accidently crashed into him::

Oz:"Sorry. I've decided to leave for L.A now if you're ready."

[Harley Quinn]

:: Drusilla's eyes widened even more as she continued to look at Buffy.::

"How do you know me? I don't know you!! None of you! Just, please let me go! I've tried to make them stop... Please..."

::She once again tried to struggle against her restraints and once again she did not use her vampiric strength. More tears streamed down her eyes as she did so.::

[Mesektet Ra]

As Spike watched the proceedings through the one-way mirror, his heart twisted and burned.

He raised a hand and let it fall on the glass where Drusilla's face would be. He made a fist and grit his teeth.

"She doesn't sodding remember a thing!" Spike spat, pushing himself away from the glass. He noticed Gwen tense, and Spike whirled on her, trying his damndest to inject sweetness into his voice and succeeding only a bit. "Stay here, love. I've got to go to her."

He threw the door open and sulked into the room, the door slamming shut in his wake. Both Buffy and Willow gave him a look as he entered.

He was silent, didn't look them in the eyes. His eyes were fixed on Dru, and the weak struggling she was doing against her bonds.

He was silent. He waited for Drusilla to speak.

[Lyri]

::Gwen jerked as Spike stormed out of the room they both stood in, and watched through the glass as he entered Drusilla's cell.

::Something was wrong, she could feel it. This wasn't the same vampire who had spoken to her during the fight at the haven. This vampire didn't seem to know who she was.

::Crossing her arms over her chest, Gwen sighed and did the only thing she could think of to do.

::She waited.::

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy laughed. ::

"You tried to make the vamps stop? Now, why don't I believe that."

:: She leaned in closer to Drusilla. ::

"What were they doing in that camp?"

[Anita Blake]

::Faith hung back, watching Buffy interrogate Dru. With Willow making with the mind mojo, and Buffy asking the questions, she felt that she should just let them do their thing::

(This should be good.)

::Watching the vamp wake up, the confusion and fear in her voice and behavior was confusing as hell::

(What the hell is this?)

::She watched as Spike stalked in. Wincing slightly as he slammed the door. He was clearly upset, his gaze only for Dru. She frowned slightly and moved closer to the group, standing between Spike and Buffy::

(I'm not even really a part of this. I wish I knew how to help.)

::She looked at Dru. She really did look sort of pathetic, struggling weakly, tears leaking from her eyes. Looking closer at her eyes, Faith cocked her head to the side::

Buffy: "B. Ummm, generally crazy people don't have mad acting skills...maybe we should try a different approach."

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy turned her head and looked at Faith, considering for a minute. She stepped back, making a sweeping motion with her hand. ::

"Be my guest..."

Hey, good cop, bad cop never hurt anyone...

[Anita Blake]

::Faith stared at Buffy for a moment, taken aback::

(Hey, what! I didn't mean that I should do it...)

::Looking back at the vamp, she decided that she could atleast ask her a normal question for someone claiming to have no memory. Walking closer to the cage, she looked down at Dru::

Drusilla: "What is the last thing you remember."

::She deliberately try to be as unthreatening as possible for the moment, thinking if need be, Buffy can do the intimidation thing::

(I've always loved cop shows.)

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz was still a little puzzled by Angel's apparently shifting of current priorities, but he didn't say anything about it. He just nodded.::

Angel: "Sure."

::He just needed to grab a bag on the way out and he was good. He traveled light.::

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow was trying to get access to Drusilla's mind, but she was finding it hard to get it, every time she tried she was overrun with feelings of Panic::

::Dru was obliviously playing a game with them, and she was apparently able to mask her mind as well, which was not surprising, She had once made Giles believe he was talking to Jenny Calendar.
Drusilla was a gifted physic, but it did not get across so well because of her insaneness::

::Willow calmed her own mind again before trying again::

[Harley Quinn]

:: Drusilla's eyes widened as Buffy verbally assaulted her and she stopped struggling, instead she tried to cower back in the chair she was bound to and whimpered. When Faith interjected, she glanced at the brunette slayer, but she didn't answer her question, for it was then that she noticed Spike. She didn't remember his name, or how she knew him, but she had this urge, this undescribable feeling, that she did indeed know him. A pleading look filled her eyes, and she whispered softly to him, sounding very unlike the killer she was remembered as, and more like a terrified child. She somehow knew he would help her..::

"Please, help me. Don't let them hurt me. I've tried to be a good girl. I was just going to the church. I haven't done anything. Please..."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike's eyes widened and he took a couple of surprised steps back. He looked from Buffy and then to Faith; the younger Slayer's eyes melted into his own for a second, and Spike took a breath.

He tried to relax himself; he let his shoulder fall as he gingerly took the steps toward Drusilla's chair. He knelt down beside it; he reached a trembling hand to wipe away the tears streaking her cheeks. "Dru," he said softly, almost reverently, and for that he wished he could stake himself right then and there. "Drusilla, love...sh, pet, don't worry 'bout a thing." Drusilla calmed almost immediately. He was kind of taken aback; Drusilla didn't seem to remember anything that happened, and yet she was still calmed by him. He shook him down the the very core of his being to realize the fact that, no matter what, he and Drusilla were still joined, and some small part of him will always love her throughout eternity.

He dropped his hand back onto his lap. His expression wary, he looked up and met those familiar blue eyes. "Drusilla, love, do you feel your heart beat?" He asked softly, raising his hand again to push back flyway tendrils of hair. She nuzzled into his touch with a whimper; Spike almost jerked his hand away with the familiarity of it all, and it took a will he never thought he possessed to keep his hand stroking the hollow of her cheek.

[Harley Quinn]

:: Drusilla, who was now calm, closed her eyes and concentrated on the feeling of her own heartbeat. After a few seconds, her eyes flew open and she looked at Spike in shock.::

"No. What's happening? Why can't I feel my heartbeat? How do I know you?"

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow closed her eyes, and took some deep breaths, then she opened her eyes and looked straight at Drusilla, letting her mind enter hers, making there thoughts become one::

::Suddenly her surroundings changed, she was standing in an abbey, there were some monks chanting, and a young women walked behind the pews toward the confession booths. Before going in she faced the altar, kneeled and crosses herself. She looks up briefly before getting back to her feet, and Willow saw it was Drusilla, then she went into one of the confessionals. Willows surrounding suddenly changed::

::She was is in a Kitchen, In something like the 18 Hundreds she guessed from the surroundings, a much younger Drusilla is sitting at a table with two other girls. At the head of the Table an older women is cutting up a lemon, she cut’s it up into four pieces, then she bites into one, her face squeezes up, from the ‘sourness’, and the girls began to laugh. Then again her surroundings changed::

::Next she was in a street filled with people in regency clothing and horse-drawn carriages. She sees Drusilla come come out of a building with her sisters, they walk along for a bit, then Drusilla turns around and looks straight at someone, Willow squinted to see who it was, And she thought she saw Angel::

::Then her surroundings changed, this time more rapidly, she saw images of Drusilla with her Family, and Drusilla as a child. Then she closed her eyes, When she opened her eyes, everything had returned to normal, she was standing in the cell with the others, who where still talking to Drusilla::

::Willow stood there in shock at what she had just learned::

::“My God”, she Thought::

[Anita Blake]

::Faith watched impassively as Spike spoke quietly to Drusilla::

(Poor Spike. He's the only one with a chance of getting through to her right now...but I wish he didn't have to do it...)

::Watching Drusilla start to panic was slightly strange, even though she wasn't sure what was wrong with the vampire. But from behind her she sensed that Willow was making with the wicca magic, so she turned to look at her::

(Well, then again, maybe Red will have more luck than all of us...)

::She turned just in time to see Willow open her eyes. Faith tensed up slightly when she saw shock flow into them. Moving closer to Willow, she lowered her voice as to not interrupt the vampires::

Willow: "So, Red. What's got you so shaken?"

[Lyri]

::Gwen saw Willow's eyes open slowly, and the witch's face contorted into shock.::

"Something really isn't right here."

::Gwen had to physically stop herself from entering the other room.::

"This isn't your problem. Let them do their work."

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy too noticed the strange look on Willow's face. She motioned to Willow and Faith to follow her out of the room and into the side room, leaving Spike and Drusilla alone together.

She nodded to Gwen who was watching the events unfold through the glass. Buffy shut the door, flipped a switch in the wall and then turned to the others. ::

"So, Will - what do you think?"

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow stood there still in shock, then she spoke quietly::

"She not lying...."

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel walked out to the car silently he knew Oz and knew he didn't say much this suited Angel. angel got into the car and Oz did the same. As they drove Angel contemplated what thet were going to say to Nina and how she'd react. I wonder how things are going at camp.. his thoughts drifted to Drusilla and everything he'd done to her angel hated thinking about this part of his life and swore to himself once more he'd make amends. But he needed Nina on his side::

[+ Matt +]

::The two continued to walk as silence surrounded them. Amy did not read Andrew's thoughts as she was too busy trying to remember who he was. Maybe he was the school mascot...Or was he the janitor's son?::

Andrew: "Oh! Did you used to sit behind me in math?

[Buffy Summers]

:: That was not the answer she has expected from Willow. She looked at her in disbelief, confused. ::

"But how is that possible? What are you saying?"

[Black Eye Guy]

:: The information had started to sink in now, Willow looked straight at Buffy ::

Buffy: "I looked inside her like you asked, I saw her, her true self.
She is still a vampire, but she has no memory of it - She has the memories of the Human she was before"

:: A look of hurt crossed her face and she looked down::

"There was so much confusion and pain, Buffy she could not have been faking it"

:: She took a moment then looked at Buffy again::

"She has no clue who she is or what she has done since the night she died"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike looked almost pathetically up at Buffy, Faith, and Willow as they left the room. He turned his attention back to Drusilla, who was starting to panic again.

"Sh, ducks, sh, nothin' to worry about," he began, taking a deep breath. He knew he was lying; so did she, but that didn't matter. "Drusilla...you're dead. You've become a vampire, love."

[Anita Blake]

(Well...I don't know what I was expecting...but I doubt it was this.)

Willow: "So, she's not lying. What does that mean...did she lose her memory?"

::Faith started to pace. Five steps to the left and then 10 steps right. 10 steps back to the left and 10 to the right. Repeat::

"There's something off about her. I can feel it. But what does it mean?"

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy walked to the window and looked on as Spike tried to comfort Drusilla. She crossed her arms. ::

"And what do we do now? We can't just let her go..."

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow watched as Buffy moved to the Window::

Buffy: "No we can't let her go, she is still a vampire, it's like a vampire with a Human mind, but I am not sure how much this will effect her, I don't know if it will act as a soul or if eventually she will return to her vampire ways.

::Then she paused::

Buffy: "But em, well Giles would probably be the best one to ask..."

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz noticed Angel seemed to be thinking. He supposed probably the sudden appearance of Drusilla might be what was on the vampire's mind. Oz had been around for Spike and Dru's little reign of terror in Sunnydale, which also included an appearance by Angel sans the soul, also known as Angelus. It had not been a good time. So he understood there was concern about her, and that she'd been hanging around with this uber vamp who had tossed Buffy like a rag doll.::

(I just hope that they can find something out from her. She seemes to be the best clue we've got. Of course that could be a challenge, since last time she seemed pretty evil and insane. Never a promising combination.)

::Oz continued to think to himself about everything going on, and the history he knew, and wondered about the history he didn't know. Content in the silence with Angel.::

[Harley Quinn]

:: Drusilla's eyes widened as she looked at Spike.::

"Dead? A vampire?"

::Once again, she began to struggle, still weakly. Tears formed in her eyes once more as she whimpered.::

"No! I'm a good girl! I'm not dead! This is some kind of mean trick! I thought you would help me..."

[Lyri]

::Gwen watched as Drusilla started to struggle, Spike's words causing her to panic.::

"How can she just forget that she's a vampire? Shouldn't there be...I don't know, a blood lust or something?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike rocked forward to his knees, both hands steadying Drusilla's shoulders. "Drusilla, no, love, please calm down ducks, please, let me explain." The words spilled out in a tense torrent, not unlike the days when they ran together and she would have one of her episodes. The entire scenario was oddly and sickeningly familar. Spike swallowed hard. He reached a trembling hand to smooth away her hair, and she flinched; his heart broke. "Drusilla, I'm here to help you. You can trust me, love." He took another shuddering breath, dropping his hands back onto his lap, rubbing his knees. "Do you remember me?" He asked softly, eyes not meeting hers.

[Harley Quinn]

:: Drusilla calmed down enought to concentrate on Spike's face. After a while, she shook her head just barely.::

"I... I don't remember your name, or how I know you, but I have this feeling that I do know you somehow. Please, tell me how I know you?"

::She tilted her head slightly to the left.::

"Will you tell me?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike lowered his head, pushing himself slowly to his feet. "Yea, Dru," he said softly, no longer hurt. The tone was an unreadable one, full of seven different unnameable emotions. "I'll tell you."

In seconds, he was millimeters away from her face. His eyes melted from ice blue to liquid gold; his brow formed and shifted, his canines elongated. "Do you see this?" He asked, voice still soft. "This is what you did to me. This is you, Drusilla." His face melted back into human form, and he cocked his head to the side. "And part of me still thanks you for that."

He pushed himself off of Dru and turned to the door, storming through it; it slammed shut in his wake, startling Gwen once more. He turned and opened his mouth to scream at her, and thought better of it; he shook his head and pushed through the other doors to find Buffy and Willow.

"She doesn't remember a sodding thing," He reported to Buffy, voice stiff and tense. "She doesn't remember me, Angel, anyone. I don't know what the bloody hell you lot are gonna do about this one, but count me out. Bugger this mess."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn wandrered the halls she'd done alot of this back in Sunnydale. She was getting bored everyone seemed to have disappeared somewhere. She was about to turn around and walk back to her bedroom when she bumped into someone. Looking up she saw Connor.::

Connor:"Oops. Sorry. Are you okay?"

[+ Matt +]

::Having left Andrew to drift along the corridors alone, Amy entered the training room where she sensed the blue demon had entered. Although Amy could not yet trust this creature, she felt as though she could become a powerful ally if she were to remain in the compound.::

Illyria: "Hi"

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor felt someone bump into her and saw that it was Dawn. He smiled at her and said, "Yeah, I'm fine." He hasn't seen Dawn in a while. With everything that has been going on, it was hard to find somebody to talk to these days.

Dawn: "So why were you in such a rush? Where were you going?"

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria quickly turned from the trainning dummy had been working on and looked at amy with her head cocked...::

"You agian..."

:: Illyria looked back at the dummy then took a breath, and looked at amy she had decided she was done being ignored by the whole group, so she decided she was going to try to be alittle more like that disgusting creature Fred. Nice, Polite... if she couldn't rule this species she wasn't going to be ignored by them::

"Hello Witch.."

[+ Matt +]

::Amy's attentions turned from the demon to the rest of the training apparatus as she slowly walked further into the room.::

Illyria: "People don't do much around here, do they?"

:: She looked back to Illyria and took a seat on one of the benches. Her fingers ran through her hair as she observed the physical features of the navy figure.::

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria looked at amy and shrugged...::

"They are all a group... they all know one another. Outsiders are looked down apon...leaves the outsiders to fend for themselfs."

:: Illyria walked over to the knifes and started aimming them at the dummy's center.::

[+ Matt +]

::Amy levitated two knives into the air for Illyria to use if she wished to. She had felt power circulating through this demon when Illyria had shoved her - power which she could not defend against without a lot of dark magic books. Amy needed Illyria to, not neccesarily like her, but to stick with her in the fight against evil.::

Illyria: "And I suppose you'd be an 'outsider' also?"

::If Illyria was in fact an outsider, then questioning her may make her feel wanted. Amy decided this was her best approach.::

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria turned to see the knives in the air and grabbed them aimming them for the center of the dummy too, She turned and went near Amy standing in front of her ::

"This is not my world, this is not the world i was intending on comming back to, my world was shattered, Wesley took care of me... I would have died without his help the others thats what they wanted. I am sure the only reason wesley kept that from happening is Fred...Since i've taken her body as my shell i have been an outsider, still remain to be. I'm here because this is what Wesley would have liked for me to do."

:: Illyria sat down on the bench beside Amy and looked at her::

"Why is it you come here... I've been hearing many stories of how you tried to destroy the other witches life."

[+ Matt +]

::She stared at Illyria, but quickly looked back as not to offend her.::

Illyria: "It's not easy practising witchcraft daily, trying to be the best, when your best friend can just pick everything up so quickly. Willow had the power before she even knew it...She didn't have to work for it like I did. "

::Amy sent a spark out of her fingers to the floor.::

Illyria: "Plus she left me as a rat for like a gazzilion years! I missed the supposed 'best day of my life' in highschool because she was too lazy to turn me back into my human form. It's not easy being a rat, you know? Day's routine; run on wheel, cheese, run on wheel, sleep, run on wheel, cheese again."

::Maybe Amy was over-exaggerating, but anger was filling inside her and she needed her opinions to be voiced.::

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria looked confused then smirked...::

"Rats are very low creatures... Dirty things. Understandable your anger is.... Rats are about as dirty as the human itself.... "

:: Illyria looked to amy then grunted::

"Or so i thought anyways....after all this time fighting along side some of these humans though i still dont know why they fight to save this world.. all i see is pain, suffering, disease, famine, why would one want to save such a place. Instead of ruling.."

[+ Matt +]

::A silence occurred as Amy considered the question.::

Illyria: (Evenutally) "Humans have emotions. They're led into this false nature of believing that they can change the World for the greater good. Suckers. Being a lonely rat for so long, you tend to forget such feelings...I'm not a fool: I see what you see. "

::A dark cloud settled over Amy. Why was she here? Did she really want to battle on the side of good, when she herself did believe in the cause for fighting?::

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria smirked at Amy's answer::

"Stupid humans always thinking they can over power evil.... Wesley believed they could and look were he is now...and my shell she thought she could too.... Now i have her body for myself..."

:: Illyria looked to the dummy then to Amy.::

"Maybe we're wrong maybe one day they will overcome all evil, and the world we see will become the world they want to see."

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Dawn looked at Connor he was kinda cute she tried not to blush.::

Connor:"I was looking for Buffy but I can't find her anywhere. I'm really sorry I ran into you... well not sorry that I saw .. you get what I mean. What were you doing?"

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor looked at Dawn who seemed a bit nervous. he thought he saw her blush too.

dawn: "I was just checking this place out. Everyone seems pretty busy with this Drusilla chick so there's not much to do around here."

:: Connor stared at Dawn and saw that Dawn still looked nervous.

Dawn: "Are you allright? You look a little nervous."

[+ Matt +]

::Amy swayed the dummy side to side with her magic. It seemed to comfort her in these new surroundings.::

Illyria: "That's a big 'maybe' though, right? There's evil in everybody - it will never be overcome. All of this (looking around the training room), all of this is just a defence against the bad. Most guys are here for protection, not to fight."

::The dummy ceased to move.::

Illyria: "I, however, want to fight. I need to put my powers to use... (After a long pause) When will that be? At the moment, everyone is just freakin' over one another; like Gwen the arrogant toastie, for example."

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria sighed and looked at the dummy.::

"They are strong, they fight as we do. "

:: Illyria looked to Amy then back at the dummy::

"We all might die fighting, we may all have evil inside us.... most will die trying to fight. They are questioning a vampire that was at the last fight before going into battle agian. The strong Blonde woman seems to be running things. "

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Dawn looked at Connor and blushed again. She wasn't usually like this and it was really embarrasing.::

Connor:"Nervous? No I'm not nervous what gave you that idea?"

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor smiled at Dawn.

Dawn: "It's just that....never mind. You want to go get something to eat with me? It's been a while since we talked and there's nothing else to do around here so.."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:; Dawn grinned. She liked the idea of being alone with Connor.::

Connor:"Sure I'd love to."

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor and Dawn walked down the hallways together. Everyone seemed to be doing their own thing.

Dawn: "So what's the story with this Drusilla chick? I heard she's a powerful vampire."

:: Dawn looked kinda nervous by the mention of her name. Or maybe it was something else entirely.

[Wanabee-slayer]

::She looked at Connor she didn't remember much about Drusilla but what she did know she said.::

Connor:"Oh yeah. Her and Spike used to give Buffy a lot of trouble of course then things only got worse when Angel did the whole kill... oh sorry."

::She'd almost forgotten Connor was his sun::

Connor:"Any way she's kinda crazy but her and Spike skipped town when Buffy stopped this demon thing acathla or something. It was this whole thing"

::She gave Connor a nervous smile she knew how buffy killed the demon but wasn't sure if she should tell Connor.::