Chapter Five: Against the Unknown, part 3

[Buffy Summers]

Connor and Dawn were talking on the way to the mess hall, while Amy and Illyria got acquainted in one of the training rooms as Andrew looked on. Angel and Oz were preparing to return to LA on a hush hush mission, and Giles was still in his private library.

Meanwhile, Buffy, Gwen, Faith and Willow pondered Drusilla's new condition as Spike was disconcerted by his reunion with his sire.

[Lyri]

::Gwen held up a hand, as if she were in school, looking at the four people in front of her, not really sure where she was going with what she was about to say, but hoping it could mean something.::

"Hold on a second, could this have something to do with Ansara?"

::She pointed to the glass, and Drusilla still sitting in the room beyond.::

"I don't know if I'm really understanding this correctly, but could Ansara have done something to Drusilla to make her loose all of her memories? Like, maybe it's a way to stop Dru spilling whatever plans Ansara had?"

::Gwen watched as everyone stared back at her. She swallowed hard.::

God, why did I just say that? I should have just kept me big mouth shut.

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow looked at Gwen, taking her point into consideration::

Gwen: "Well I'm not sure, I mean memory spells... eh I mean memory wiping spells take allot of power"

::Her eye's quickly darted to Buffy then back to Gwen::

Gwen: "So, I mean it is possible, This Vampire obviously has allot of power. But the last time Drusilla was conscious was, just before I was about to cast a spell, but it got interrupted, by a flying Andrew, and I lost my hold on the power, it went flying from me and hit Drusilla, she was hit by pure power, that could have a huge range of effects on the subject!"

"But if it was a memory spell then it could be easily broken... wait is that what we want to do, do we want to break this spell? cuz it will make her go back to the way she was before..."

::She quickly looked at Spike, then turned away::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike didn't quite understand why he had stayed, after making it abundantly clear he was out of this project. But he stood off to the side, arms folded, expression dour, listening with more intent than he'd admit to himself on a good day.

When Willow threw him a sheepish glance, Spike's hackles raised. He straightened. "Soddin' right we want her back!" He bit off. "How the bleedin' hell are we supposed to get any information out of her the way she is now?"

He didn't mention that it tore his psyche to pieces to see Dru cowering and broken. It would be much better on him if he were to have Drusilla back as the insanely vicious vampire. That, itself, was something a little more workable.

Not by bloody much.

[Lyri]

::Gwen took a deep breath. She knew the next words out of her mouth would upset Spike, probably make him mad enough to kill her, but she needed to know the answer.::

"Okay, so say that we do get her back, that we remove whatever mind wiping spell has been put on her, what are we going to do with her?"

::Gwen looked from Willow, to Buffy, to Faith and finally to Spike, her eyes staying with him.::

"I mean, are we just goning to let her go back out into the world? To kill more innocent people? Or are we going to...?"

::She let the sentence hang, knowing that everyone would know where she was headed with it.

::She waited for a reply.::

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow looked at Gwen, then back to Spike::

"She's right, If we restore her. It means we release a vicious killer back on the world"

::She looked around::

"The truth is we don't know what effect her current situation will have on her, it may be better for her to remain the way she is now!"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike's jaw almost dropped when Gwen spoke. His mouth worked, trying to form words...but none came.

Bint's got a point, he admitted to himself. They couldn't just let her go if she were restored; and the other option was on Spike's mind, swimming just below the surface, and he hadn't allowed himself to think it until now.

We'll have to kill her.

He tried his damndest to say the words; they were the most logical, of course, and the easiest course of action they could take. But yet again, the words stuck in his throat, and he couldn't quite understand why.

He turned and peered through the two-way mirror at Drusilla, who had started to cry again. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his duster, as he didn't trust them to be free at the moment. He didn't reply to Willow as she spoke, just stared into the bare holding cell that housed his darkest fears and deepest desires.

[+ Matt +]

::Having left the training room and the compound intself, Illyria and Amy made their way down a long and deserted road. A mild wind swept across Amy's cheek, which foretold her of the dangers that lay ahead. She dangled a stake loosely in the air. She felt fear.::

Illyria: "So I go for the heart right? That's what I heard I have to do."

:: Regardless of her current emotions, Amy needed to prove to Illyria that she was useful and could contribute something to the Scoobies, should Illyria's opinion matter at a later date when dealing with Willow.::

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor and Dawn walked to the mess hall, got their food, and sat down. Connor has been pretty bored lately because ever since Drusilla arrived, there hasn't been anything for him to do.

Dawn: "What do you do for fun around here anyway? I'm sure there is something we could do other than sit around and do nothing."

:: Connor had a lot of energy to burn but nobody seemed to need him. He was sure that Dawn wished she could do something to help also.

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew saw Amy and Illyria leave the compound and got curious. ::

It beats having to sit here and do nothing.

:: Andrew caught up with the couple. ::

Amy and Illyria: What are you guys doing? Does Buffy know you're-

:: Andrew realized that these two probably didn't care a whole lot if Buffy knew they were out or not. ::

Amy and Illyria: Never mind.

[+ Matt +]

::Amy raised her stake higher into the air, in response to his question.::

Andrew: (Confident tone) "We're gonna go get us some nasties... (uneasily) I think"

::She moved further to the right to allow Andrew to stand in between her and Illyria. It was a relief to see someone human join her. Although she knew, from earlier in the training room, that Illyria could probably take care of herself, whether or not the demon would help her in a struggle was another issue.::

Andrew: "Sitting around, waiting to get verbally assaulted by Will' is not something I want to do."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew chuckled. ::

Amy: It's not the verbal assault I'd be worried about.

:: Andrew smiled and reached for a wooden stake in his back pocket. He could never be too careful, even in the safest moments. ::

Amy: Well, I'll help you guys out. With me being a "Watcher-in-training", I could be of use. Also, I need to get my field hours in anyways.

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Dawn looked at Connor she could tell he was bored.::

Connor:"I don't know usually I hang with Buffy and the scoobies but everyones so busy lately."

[+ Matt +]

::Twenty minutes past with no conversation. Amy looked at Illyria from the corner of her eyes, and then at Andrew.::

Andrew: "I'm beginning to think we're not going to see any big bads... (Looking around at the sand) Just a hunch."

::She moved her stake from her chest to the inside pocket of her jacket. Sand was getting in her shoes, she was making a hopeless job of keeping conversation with potential friends, and she couldn't even prove herself by taking down a creature of darkness as none were visible to her. Amy felt depressed. If the gang didn't accept her, she would be on her own - not that for the last six years she'd felt popular or wanted...::

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew had noticed the same thing. This place was picked for a reason. There was no real threat for miles from here. ::

Amy: Well ... Hey, bright side? At least we know there isn't anything out here.

:: Andrew wiped the sweat from his brow. ::

Amy and Illyria: Can we go back inside? It's kind of boiling out here ...

[Harley Quinn]

:: Drusilla's head was hung, and she was softly crying. After a while, she raised her head, looking at the two-way mirror. She knew, somehow, that he was on the other side. She could sense him, even though she still did not know his name. He had told her she was a monster. But that wasn't possible. She couldn't possibly be.::

Am I a monster? Was he right?

::She sighed, looking down at her lap. She looked back up shortly after, resolve and determination set in her face.::

If it's true, then there is only one way to handle it.

::Knowing what had to be done, she yelled in the strongest voice she could muster, glad that her voice didn't crack. After all, she had been a Catholic. She had been so close to joining the convent. This had to be done.::

"If what you say is true, then you must destroy me. Do you hear me!! Destroy me, William!!"

::Her blue eyes widened in shock as she searched her memory. Yes. There it was. His name had once been William, but that single bit of information, that one name, was all she remembered.::

[Lyri]

::Standing quietly beside Spike, Gwen listened as Willow spoke, and watching the reaction her words had on Spike.

:: Drusilla's shouts came out of nowhere, startling Gwen out of her daze. She turned to the window and watched as the vampire yelled at the glass. She said a name, one Gwen didn't recognize.

::She turned back to the others.::

"Who's William?"

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria had been quiet since they had started out of the compound, she wasn't much of a talker plus she wanted the attack of suprise apon her enemies..Though their didn't seem to be any around.::

"There aren't any half breeds about, is that normal?"

:: Illyria looked around and saw nothing but Andrew and Amy.::

[Mesektet Ra]

The silence boiled.

Spike had become aware of Gwen standing at his side, but instead of acknowledging her, he ignored her. Bugger all, he told himself, face twisted into a look of hatred that only he could comprehend. Buffy was right. Bird shouldn't be here.

And then...

Drusilla screamed.

Spike reeled back from the explosion of sound as if from a blow; when the words finally registered, he stood in shock.

He swiveled his head to Willow, eyes narrowing. "Red, what did you-"

Spike stopped as Gwen asked him about William. As an afterthought, and divulging too much information than he'd like on a normal day, he turned to her and said, "Me. I'm William. Before I was turned." The words where crisp, succinct. He turned his attention away from her almost as soon as he spoke, eyes locking on Willow once more.

"Willow," He said darkly, taking two steps, no more, in the witch's general direction. "What. Did. You. DO?"

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow looked through the two way glass in shock as Drusilla mentioned Spikes human name, and looked to Spike to see how he would react but he had already turned his attention to her

She spoke a little defensively, and stared back at Spike, straight in the eye::

Spike: "Do?, What do you mean, what did I do! I didn't do anything! I am as much in the dark as everyone else!"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike looked at her a moment longer, eyes locked. After a minute, he nodded once and looked away.

He turned to face the two-way glass, and Drusilla, who seemed to be staring right at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. She knows I'm here, he thought. She's starting to remember.

Sighing, letting the built up frustration slide away from him, he slumped. "What in the bloody hell are we gonna do about this one?" He murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow relaxed when Spike took his eyes off her, She herd him speak. She looked away from Spike and looked at the others, to direct the question at everyone::

"We need to know what we are going to do, We have to decide whether to find a way to return her memories, making her the way she was before, if thats even possible, or to leave her as she is, hoping that her human memories might control the vampire"

[Lyri]

::Gwen glared at the back of Spike's head, her anger rising. She couldn't help it, Spike's words had pissed her off.::

It's not my fault the chick's all crazed.

::She turned to Willow and considered the question for a few seconds.::

"Okay, let's look at it this way. What are you going to do with her when you return her memories? Send her on her way back out into the world? She'll sink those fangs into Andrew before she gets out the door. Or Dawn, or Xander..."

::Gwen trailed off, knowing herself that this wasn't really helping.::

"If we keep her like this, what's to stop the memories coming back themsleves? She's already remembered Spike's real name, we don't know what's going to come back to her next."

::She studied Willow and directed her next question to the witch.::

"Is there anything else you could do? Like, maybe find a way to stop the memories coming back? Or maybe just returning her human memories?"

::She looked at the faces of the three women in front of her and sighed.

"I know, I'm reaching, aren't I?"

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy stared at Spike, watching how shook up he was by all of this. Part of her wanted to comfort him somehow, but...no. He had to work through this, and she was not the one he needed to help him.

She looked at Gwen and paused for a second before speaking. ::

"No - maybe you have something."

:: She turned to look at Willow. ::

"Will - a binding spell of some sort? Too bad we didn't save that ch-"

:: She stopped herself before saying the word chip in front of Spike. ::

"As she is, we can't really keep her tied up in there...but we can't let her loose either. And we need to know what she knows about Ansara..."

:: She thought for a second, an idea coming to her. ::

"If seeing Spike brought back some of her memories, maybe seeing someone else from her past will bring them all back. We need to get Angel."

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow looked around at everyone, plans were starting to form::

Buffy: "A binding spell is perfect, I could probably bind her to that room so she would not be able to step outside the doors, It's a simple spell, we probably have all the stuff to do it on the grounds"

:: She paused for a moment, her eyes darting to Spike's back, as he looked out through glass ::

"That means that Drusilla will be returned, and we will have a problem of what to do with her when this is all over...:

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike looked from person to person as they spoke. He listened to Gwen and the stiffness in her voice; his heart wrenched.

He listened to Willow and Buffy work through the plan, all with sympathy in their eyes when they looked at him. Damnit, I am NOT some sodding CHILD-

All this thoughts stopped when he heard Willow speak.

He turned slowly, only the creak of leather heralding his movement. He could feel the tension rising in the air as everyone stiffened in the room. His eyes fell on Willow, and she looked away. Darting his gaze to Buffy, he said softly, "Tell me what to do an I'll do it. If anyone is going to harm Dru, I want it to be me." He turned around and gazed through the mirror once more. "Told you I was your man before - mean that, still do. Now prove it."

He couldn't tell if he was talking to Buffy or Drusilla.

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy uncrossed her arms and walked slowly over to Spike, putting a hand gently on his arm. She spoke softly. ::

"Spike."

:: She shook her head slightly. ::

"Maybe you're too close to this...maybe you need some time away..."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike moved quickly, spinning and darting back out of Buffy's reach. Throwing his arms open, he yelled, "And what hell do you expect me to DO, Buffy?! Sit here and watch?! Go brood like your beloved Peaches?! NOT. BLOODY. LIKELY." Taking a step back, he said, "She was my Sire, and I want to be here. And don't BLOODY WELL coddle me!"

Panting, eyes wide, he leaned against the mirror, presing his forehead to the glass. He was perfectly aware that he was fraying, that the situation was wearing on him a little more than he thought. Closing his eyes and sighing, he said to Buffy, "Just tell me where you want me. I won't repeat it."

[Lyri]

::Gwen watched the anger grow in Spike and stepped forward as he spun away from Buffy, throwing his arms wide.::

"I know this is hard for you, but you have to calm down, Spike. You're taking this out on us, and it is not our fault. We need to figure out what's in Drusilla's head and we're trying to decide the bast way to do that."

::She turned to Buffy.::

"Maybe the best way to start is to get her out of that cell?"

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy jumped back a little at Spike's outburst, then crossed her arms again, brow furrowed slightly. She nodded. ::

"Allright."

:: She moved over to the glass and stared at the whimpering Drusilla. ::

"She remembers you...or something of you, at least. Maybe she'll remember more if you talk to her again. Can you do that? And Gwen's right - she's not much help to us in such an agitated state. Perhaps we should bind her someplace else..."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike just nodded, throwing open the door and closing it softly behind him.

Hands in duster pockets, he straightened, walking over to where the tear-stricken Drusilla sat with her head hung. Kneeling down beside her, placing a trembling hand on her shoulder, he said softly, with a ghost of a grin on his face, "You rang, pet?"

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy watched Spike through the glass. A look of pity crossed her face - she knew from dealing with Angelus what this was like...

She touched her hand to her ear. ::

"David, I need you in the holding cell. Now."

[David]

:: David heard Buffy's call on his radio from the communications room, where he was monitoring Amy's movement via a satellite tracker. He touched his earpiece. ::

"I'll be there in 60 seconds, Ms. Summers."

:: He was already on his way out of the door and down to the wing where the holding cells were. There was no question as to which one she had meant. He knocked softly on the door to the antechamber before entering. He shut the door behind him, then stood stiffly in front of the others, looking into BUffy's face expectantly, hands clasped in front of him. ::

"How may I be of service?"

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy turned towards the door as David entered. ::

"Ah, David. First I need you to find Angel and have him join us here. Then get Willow-"

[David]

"He's not here."

:: David then realized with a slight wince that he'd just interrupted his boss. ::

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy looked at David more sharply, her eyebrows lowered. ::

"What do you mean 'he's not here'? Where is he?"

[David]

:: David was beginning to feel a little nervous. ::

"I'm sorry - Mr. Angel he's, gone into Los Angeles with Mr. Ozwald. Something about retrieving a new werewolf trainee..."

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy rolled her eyes and threw up her hands. ::

"Well that's just great. We're in the middle of a crisis and he's off playing Dr. Van Helsing."

:: She moved to leave the room, calling back to the others behind her."

"I'll be right back"

:: David followed her out of the room and as she moved down the hallway. She turned to David as she walked. ::

"I hope he at least took a cell phone with him?"

:: David nodded. They made it back to the communications room, where Buffy punched a code into a computer which autodialed the phone Angel had taken. ::

"Great - no signal. Explain to me again this high tech world we're supposed to be living in?"

:: She walked out of the room again, thinking about what to do next. ::

"I want you to track down whatever Willow needs. Then I need you to prepare a room in the barracks for Drusilla - someplace where we can keep an eye on her."

:: As Buffy walked down the corridor, she saw Andrew, Illyria and Amy returning from their exploration outside the camp. It gave her an idea. ::

"Andrew!"

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow waited in the room with Faith and Gwen, looking through the glass at Spike and Drusilla, arms crossed across her chest

She looked at the others, The letter that was up in her room still floating around in her head::

"Oh this is fun..."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew was startled by Buffy's sudden outburst of his name. So startled, in fact, that he dropped the weapons he was carrying which made a loud clanking sound on the concrete floor. He recovered and walked over to where Buffy was standing. ::

Buffy: Look we weren't going to get into any trouble. We just went looking for demons to fight, and then we realized there weren't any and then we came back here. I'm sorry we didn't tell you and it won't happen again.

:: Andrew finished almost robotically. He pretty much assumed he would be reprimanded if Buffy wanted his attention nowadays, what with all she has to go through. ::

[Harley Quinn]

:: Drusilla gazed at Spike, as if studying him, before she spoke softly.::

"Your name... It's William... But that's all... I don't...."

::She was a bit breathless, but she managed. Her eyes closed, and had she not been bound, she would've held her head in her hands. In fact, forgetting for a seoncd where she was, she tried to do just that. She hissed slightly. Red marks had already formed where her arms had been bound, from her struggling, and now they were raw. After a minute, she opened her eyes, looking into his eyes.::

"That's all I remember. You said... Yoou said I was a monster. That I turned you into one."

::Her head hung once more, and in a soft, broken voice, she managed to mutter.::

"I am sorry. But if that is the case, what is to stop me from harming another."

::She looked up at him again, and her eyes held determination, and a hint of fear.::

"Can you... Please, do not let me harm another... Promise me that if you have to, you'll destroy me before I harm another."

[+ Matt +]

::As Andrew met Buffy to give an immediate apology, Amy's walk began to slow down in speed. She hadn't had nearly enough time to gain the support of other members in Buffy's group. She didn't want to be evicted; she couldn't be. Where else would she go? What could she do?::

Illyria: "Uh, so what else is there to do around here...(Pointing in the opposite direction from Buffy) Around this way?"

::Amy began to edge further away from Buffy and Andrew, hoping that Illyria would lead her away.::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike just watched Drusilla speak with an empty look on his face. As she finished, he tried very, very hard to keep any sort of emotion out of his voice.

Putting his other hand on her shoulder and insinuating himself int front of her, he leaned in just a little bit closer. "I can't promise anything, love," he said softly. He looked down sharply, realizing that tears had sprung to his eyes. Oh, sod that, he thought angrily. Looking back up, there was steel in his blue eyes as he said, "'S not really up to me. But I can promise you this -" taking Drusilla's hand in his, he continued. "If you become what you were before, I'll bloody well stop you. On my word. Got me, Dru?"

[Kendall Hart]

::Alexander "Xander " Harris was beyond bored. He didn't know what to do, here he was with Giles in the library. He sighed as he walked out slowly. He wondered what everyone else was doing as he wandered the halls.::

"This is so boring.. wonder what Buff and the gang,are up to?"

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy saw Andrew fidgeting and had to suppress a laugh. ::

"I don't care about that. Listen, I want you to-"

:: She paused a second, rethinking what she was about to say. ::

"I have a mission for you."

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria shrugged at Amy's Question::

"I have found the library interesting... they have a large round chair like structure thats nice for resting, The Trainning room has gotten boring.."

:: Illyria looked at Amy then back at the hall..::

"Perhaps we should look for more trainning tools... "

[+ Matt +]

::Amy didn't care for training or for reading, however she didn't want confrontation just yet, so in desperation she began to nod her head whilst walking further away from Buffy::

Illyria: "Well great, let's go get some more training stuff!"

::Amy gave an awkward 'thumbs up' to Illyria before slowly bringing her arm back to her side.::

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria stopped in her tracks and tilted her head as Amy gave her a 'Thumbs up', she then brought her arms up and copied Amy ::

"I have yet to see this trick used by anyone yet... What is it?"

:: Illyria studdied her thumbs and hands before placing them down at her side and started to walk agian waiting for explination by Amy::

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow looked into the small holding cell, watching Spike and Drusilla::

Those memories are effecting her, she is showing true emotion. But the others are right they will start to fade...

::Willow turned to the others, uncrossing her arms::

"I'm gonna go get the supply's we need to bind her location, if Buffy gets back tell her I'll be right back"

::Willow stepped out the door into the hall::

Where did David go?

[Kendall Hart]

::Xander was wandering the hall, bored as ever until a glimpse of red hair caught his eye.Ah, Willow just the person he could talk to. He waved at her from across the hall.::

"Hey Willow!"

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow turned to look at Xander suddenly, her mind had been elsewhere::

Xander: "Hey, your missing quite a show down there with Drusilla, she has lost all her vampire memories and thinks she's a human!"

[Lyri]

::Gwen turned to Faith as Willow walked out of the room. Spike's mumbled words to Drusilla were in the background now.::

"So, what do you think, Faith? You think it's a good idea to give her her memories back, or what? You haven't really said much about what's happeining here. I'd like to know that I'm not the only one thinking how potentially dangerous this could be."

[Kendall Hart]

::Xander's eyes widen in surprise as he listens to his best friend, Willow::

"Really, that must be a sight to see!"

::He grinned goofily as he scratched his head::

"Where is she?"

[Anita Blake]

::Faith had been uncharacteristically quiet, after hearing about Drusilla's condition::

(Wow...if its not one thing its another...)

::Watching Buffy, and then Willow leave she spared a moment of thought for the rest of her fellow "heroes"::

(Angel...recruiting? Okay...man, I wonder what everyone else is doing...)

::She snorted to herself::

(Knowing them they're all having their own mini-melo-dramas.)

::She walked quietly over to the glass to stand next to Gwen looking in at Spike and Drusilla::

(Hell.)

Gwen: "How you hanging over there Sparky?"

[Black Eye Guy]

Xander: "She is down in one of the holding cells, Faith and Gwen are there and Spike is inside with her, you should head on down, I have to go and get some supply's from my room, we are gonna bind her to a room so she can't leave"

::Willow walked passed Xander::

"Tell the others I'll be right back"

::she smiled, and continued walking towards the Dorms::

[Kendall Hart]

:: Xander dashed down to the cell and stood near Gwen as he looked at everyone ::

"Willow told me she is getting supplies from her room for you know."

:: He indicates Drusilla with a motion of his hands. ::

[Harley Quinn]

:: Drusilla nodded once, looking into his eyes.::

"Thank you."

::She hesitated for a second. But something had been at the back of her mind since she had found herself in this situation. She had to know, now that she was calm enough to think straight.::

"The women who were in here earlier... They are all human, correct?"

::She looked down, as if not sure she should continue, but then decided she needed to know, so she looked at him once again.::

"If so, how is it that you can be around them? Do you not wish to harm them?"

[Anita Blake]

::Faith glanced at Xander::

Xander: "So, you finally up and around there Cyclops?"

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow walked into her room, closing the door behind her, Taking a deep breath she looked around the room, then headed straight for the bed, taking the letter out from under the pillow, she sat down and read it through.

She hesitated for another moment before putting the the letter back under the pillow.

She stood up and walked over the a book shelf which had a small collection of magick books, she ran her finger over the spine's of the books before pulling one out, and flipping it open::

"Hmm... oh I have that!"

::She closed the book and went to the wardrobe, opening the doors she immediately kneeled down, where there was a few magikal supply's, she picks up a glass jar full of a green sand::

"Sand of Surin"

::She stood up, closing the doors to the wardrobe, and walked to wards the door, before leaving she contacted Buffy telepathically::

"Hey I have all the supply's I need for the binding spell, so all I need is a location. I'm heading back down to the holding cell, whenever your ready"

::She stepped out of her room and closed the door, then started to make her way back down to the holding cell::

[Lyri]

::Gwen was about to answer Faith's question when Xander came into the room. She tried hard to hide her smile at Faith's cyclops comment.::

"So, binding her to a room means she can't leave, I get that. But can anyone else enter? If we, or other people, want her to get her memories back, it would mean that Spike would have to talk to her. Can he get into the room without getting bound in there himself?"

::Gwen shrugged.::

"Don't really understand this magic stuff. Apart from what I've got. And I don't think that's really magic."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike grinned a little at Drusilla, cupping his hand at the nape of her neck gently. The move used to calm her back in the day, and now he was almost startled at how it was all coming back to him so easily. "I have...a soul," he said softly. "Do you understand that, Dru? What that means?"

Without waiting for an answer, he continued. "If you could see the people in there...Buffy, Gwen, Red, and Christ, even Faith...they understand that. Understand what I did to get here. They're...well, I guess you could call that lot friends of mine, yea?"

[Anita Blake]

::Looking at Gwen, Faith smiled::

Gwen: "I pretty sure no one but Willow, and maybe Giles, knows what that is or how it works. I'm fine with Red makin' with the mojo, as long as she's not using it on me."

::Glancing at Xander, she once again turned back towards the two-way::

"I sure hope that Red does know what she's doing. We could use a little luck right about now..."

[Kendall Hart]

::Xander turned to look at the fiery spirited young woman he lost his virginity to Faith Lehane, aka the other slayer. She made a remark on his eye patch. Xander couldn't help but, smile.::

"I was chatting with Giles, Faith and whats with the Cyclops act?"

::He smiled goofily as he looked at her::

"I was thinking I looked like a pirate, argh!"

[Anita Blake]

::Faith rolled her eyes at Xander::

(Same old Xander...)

Xander: "I see you didn't lose your sense of humor when you did other things..."

::Smirking at Xander, Faith gave him a complete head to toe look::

Xander: "Duh...no parrot. Every self-respecting pirate has a parrot. But since you only have one eye and no parrot -- Cyclops boy."

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow walked into the room just as Faith finished speaking::

"Hee hee Cyclops boy, don't worry I'll call you a pirate like you asked"

::she smiled at Xander::

"Everything the same same - yeah?"

::She spoke to the whole room and looked out the window in on Drusilla and Spike::

"She said anything else?"

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew was elated. Buffy was asking him to go on a mission. He's finally been accepted as a part of the group. This was his initiation. This was the big day he'd been waiting for. ::

Buffy: Oh, Buffy, I couldn't be more happy. I'd be proud to go on your mission.

:: Andrew paused to collect his thoughts. ::

Buffy: This is really emotional ...

:: Andrew rubbed his eyes to hide the welling of tears.

[Kendall Hart]

::Xander smiled at his red headed Wiccan best friend, as she asked him if everything was the same same.::

"Oh yeah totally, Will, the same as always."

::He smiled a fake smile to show Willow he was fine but, in reality he wasn't okay.::

Oh man, do I miss Anya .

[Harley Quinn]

:: Drusilla smiled. She felt comfort from having his hand at the nape of her neck.::

"A soul gives one the ability to decide right from wrong. Your soul allows you to regret, or feel remorse, for things you've done that you know were not right. It is, in a sense, your conscience."

::She looked toward the mirror.::

"They are your friends."

::She shook her head, a loneliness filling her blue eyes. Behind that, there was a sense of despair.::

"I do not think I have any friends at the moment. I don't even remember how I know you. I don't remember anything, other than your name. Could you... try to help me remember?"

[Lyri]

::Gwen turned at the sound of Drusilla's voice, listening as she asked Spike to help her remember.

::Crossing to the glass, Gwen spoke to the others without turning back to face them.::

"She's asking him to help her. To help her remember. Maybe it'll all come back sooner than she thinks."

::Now Gwen turned to face them.::

"Has anyone thought about what'll happen when she gets a blood lust? She must be starving in there, or getting pretty close to it. What's going to happen when she can't take the hunger anymore?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike sighed. Dru had named off the purpose of a soul like it was preprogrammed into her, like she was a robot.

"Tell you what, love," he said. "I can't help you remember a whole lot, but there's someone in that room who can. Just sit tight, alright, sweets? She'll have you all better in no time."

With that, Spike rose. "Now, I'll be back in a mo'. Gotta check with the leader of this whole operation."

Marching back through the doors, Spike spotted Gwen; he gave her a nod and a little smile, trying to make up for his unspoken behavior earlier. He turned and spotted Willow, who was making small talk with...Xander?

Spike sighed and rolled his eyes at Xander's presence. "Listen, Boy Wonder," he said curtly. "Major badness going down here, yea? Maybe all civilians should bugger their collective arses elsewhere."

Without waiting for a retort, Spike turned to Willow. "So, I've been thinking about this spell lot you have goin' on, and something occured to me - what if she remembers everything, she just can't get to it?" Spike turned an nodded in the direction of the two-way mirror. "Bird just gave me the complete meaning of a soul like she was a sodding robot or something like it. I'm thinkin', maybe she remembers, but the spell buried it in her. Understand?"

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow opened her mouth to answer Gwen's question, but before she got a chance spike had come into the room, and she quickly snapped her mouth closed::

::She frowned at Spike as he spoke about Xander, but her expression quickly changed as he continued::

Spike: "Well yeah that makes sense,"

::She hesitated for a moment, thinking::

Spike: "She obviously still has the memories in there, But I walked her mind earlier and didn't get any hint of memories after she became a vampire, which would mean they are buried with some serious magick. And you have to think of when she was turned, What the eighteen hundreds? She would have had the meaning of a soul drilled into her like the alphabet!"

[Anita Blake]

::Faith shot a look at Xander::

Xander: "Boy Wonder? Hmmmm, not quite sure of that..."

::Raises her eyebrow and looks back through the glass at Drusilla::

(She doesn't rember anything that she did...she has a soul now...when she remembers...)

::Turning back to Willow and Spike::

"Is it really your right to decide whether she should get her memories back or not? She has a soul now. Do you know what thats gonna do to her? She's gonna hate herself, and it won't even be her fault. And, then there is the fact that she's mentally unstable. What is giving her memories back gonna do to her, since she's not already all there. I was told how both you"

::Faith nodded to Spike::

"and Angel acted when you got your memories back. Ya'll weren't exactly the sanest people in Saneville. And you want to just force the memories back on her, she she'll have to live with them? They aren't even hers!"

::She turned back to look at Drusilla, wrapping her arms about herself::

To herself: "Nobody wants to live with memories like that. Even if it wasn't your fault."

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy looked at the now emotional Andrew. ::

"Andrew...Andrew...ANDREW! This is what I want you to do: Angel has gone back to LA, and his cell phone isn't working. I need you to find him, help him with whatever it is he's doing, then tell him to get back here. We need him asap."

:: Watching Andrew wipe his eyes again she was less than confident of his ability to even get to LA without getting lost... ::

"Oh and you can take those two you were with earlier with you...show them the ropes and all."

[David]

[ David had quietly excused himself during Buffy's conversation with Andrew and had made his way back to Drusilla's holding cell. Once again he quietly knocked on the door before entering and addressing Willow. ]

"Excuse the interruption. Ms. Summers has briefed me on the situation - is there anything I can get for you, Ms. Rosenberg?"

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow turned to David as he spoke, and smiled::

David: "I have the spell I need, and the main ingredient"

::She shook the book and jar of sand that were still in her arms::

David: "But if there is any sage on the premises, could I have it please? It's not vitally important but it would help, also we are going to need a bigger room to do this in, and..."

::she turned to spike::

Spike: "Are we gonna need any extra help with making sure she is secure while being moved, or will you be ok to handle it - Whatever comes up?"

[+ Matt +]

::Amy stared in shock at Illyria.::

Illyria: "Um...It means-"

::She shook her head in confusion as her brain tried to create a simplistic way of explaining::

Illyria: "Let's just go shall we?"

[Kendall Hart]

::Xander turned to Spike and glared at him as he made a comment, more likely a insult.If he wasn't still mourning for the death of the two women he once loved, Xander would of staked Spike by now.::

"That's uncalled for Blondie."

::He said to Spike as he exited out of the room.::

"Noone knows how difficult it is, to move on with your life."

::He shuffled his feet as he walked down the hall.::

[Lyri]

::Gwen listened as Willow addressed David, before asking Spike if he wouldn be able to handle Drusilla when they attempted to move her.::

Finally, maybe this is something I can do.

::Gwen took a step forward.::

"I can help Spike move the girl. I can minimize my power so that it doesn't cause any permenant damage, but I can help control her while we move her to wherever you're taking her."

::Gwen blushed.::

"I mean, if you think you might need my help."

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria once agian looked at her hands before starting to walk agian slowly.::

"All these new tools, I have yet to learn...It is sometimes difficult to use them properly."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike smiled over at Gwen, and how useful the girl needed to feel. "Thanks, love," he said softly, smiling warmly. "Could use all the help I can get, moving this bird."

He turned and looked through the glass once more. I'll need all the bloody help I can get just to get through this.

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow watched Spike::

"Ok..."

::She turned to Gwen::

"You wont need to minimize your powers, in fact the stronger the better, we shouldn't give her any chance to pull anything, just encase. She's still a vampire she can take it."

::Then she turned back to David::

"Is that ok then? We're gonna need a bigger room and some Sage if there is any"

::She smiled at David::

[David]

[ David nodded. ]

"I've called ahead and had a room in the barracks prepared. It has been equipped with full surveillance and security measures. The sage you require is no problem - we have an extensive store room as well as our own organic cultivation facility. I'll show you the way then retrieve it for you while you make your other preparations."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew stared at Buffy. To be completely honest, he was a bit underwhelmed. Was it so bad that he imagined this mission to be more like rescuing a beautiful maiden from an evil demon in his lair atop a dark castle in Romania? But a mission is a mission. ::

Buffy: Don't you worry, Buffy. I'll get Angel back here safe and sound. I know LA like the back of my hand.

:: The truth was, Andrew didn't know LA in any way. The last time he was there, his driver had gotten lost four times and almost ended up in Tahoe. But, he'd still try to get there in time. And he did have help. ::

Buffy: I'll go tell the others and then we'll be on our way.

:: Andrew turned around and started to walk away. He quickly turned on his heels, however, and immediately gave Buffy a huge, uncomfortable hug. After the few awkward seconds, Andrew left embarrased to find Amy and Illyria. ::

[Black Eye Guy]

David: "Ok, will we go now? Cuz I'm gonna need time to prepare."

[Kendall Hart]

::Xander had hated Spike since he entered the life of Buffy Summers, alongside his insane ex Drusilla. He knew he was not to be trusted soul or not, especially after what Spike had done to Buffy. Xander shook his head as he walked down the hall. Noone wanted his help or had even asked. Noone care for Xander anymore.::

Like anyone cares for me anymore, ever since the passing of Anya,I been nothing.

[David]

[ David nodded to Willow. ]

"If you'll follow me? I'll show the way, then when you're ready, Drusilla will be brought to you."

[ He moved to the door and held it open for Willow, then proceeded to lead the way back to and isolated area of the barracks. The room that had been selected was on the inside, windowless. Two guards flanked the door on the outside, and inside a technician made some last minute touches to a security panel. Otherwise, the room looked like any other - a bed, small chest of drawers, chair, and closet. The technician finished his work and nodded to David. He walked over to the panel, and with a glance at Willow, pushed a button. The room was suddenly filled with beams of light. ]

"Same principle as security systems that museums and the like have, except that this uses ultraviolet light instead of focused lasers."

[ He switched off the lights. ]

"Seems to be working."

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy patted Andrew on the back stiffly as he hugged her. As she watched him walk away, she smiled. ::

"Right."

:: She turned and headed back to the others. Passing Xander in the hall, saying nothing, she grabbed his hand and pulled him back towards Dru's cell. ::

[Kendall Hart]

::Xander turned to look at Buffy, one of his best friends who had always been there for him.::

"Spike,didn't want me to be in there..."

::His voice trailed off as he looked at his feet.::

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy stopped and turned towards Xander, looking him directly in the eye. ::

"I want you here. You're part of this team."

:: She turned and opened the door, marching inside. ::

"Allright, Andrew's gone to get Angel. In the meantime, we'll just have to keep her contained until we can figure out what to do with her."

[Anita Blake]

::Faith watched Xander leave the room::

(Poor guy...I'm gonna have to talk to him later...Boy, thats a change...I'm actually interested in people's feelings. Oh no...I've turned into a ninny.)

::Faith pulled a face. Seeing her reflection in the two-way, she couldn't help but grin. She listened to the others and waited for someone to ask for her help. When Willow followed David out the door without even glancing her way, Faith frowned::

(What the hell?)

::She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Buffy once again entering the room, this time with Xander in tow. Faith couldn't help but feel slightly useless hearing that Andrew had gone to get Angel::

(Well, this is just stupid. I've had enough. First, the stuff with Giles which I'm still trying to absorb, and now this...I've had enough.)

::Looking at Spike, Faith could feel herself getting slightly angry::

(What am I? Chopped Liver? Hello! Vampire Slayer here.)

::She lifted to fingers to her mouth and let out an ear-piercing whistle::

"Hey! Yo People! Vampire Slayer here. I don't know exactly but maybe I could be of some help. I don't do good just standing around wringing my hands. Maybe I could be of use with something."

::Pretending to think for a minute, she suddenly snapped her fingers::

"Hey, thats an idea. Lets use the Vampire Slayer, a being with super-strength, to...I don't know...lets say, help control a vampire."

[Lyri]

::Gwen smirked at Faith's sarcasm.::

Looks like Faith's feeling a little like me. Usless.

::She put her hands on her hips and looked at Buffy.::

"You sure Andrew's gonna be able to convince Angel to come back here? He doesn't exactly look like the persuasive type."

::Leaving the questions hanging, Gwen turned back to the glass and look at Drusilla.::

"So, where are we moving her to and what do you want me to do?"

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew made his way back outside the compound and quickly spotted Amy and Illyria. ::

Amy and Illyria: "Hey! Wait up!"

:: Andrew caught up with the couple. ::

Amy and Illyria: "Buffy's got a job for us."

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria looked at the small boy and turned her head to the side.::

"Now what?"

:: Illyria looked intrigued by what Andrew had to say, she straightened her head and stood stiffly::

"What kind of a "Job."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike grinned lopsidedly at Faith as she spoke. He just nodded at her, pleased. Bird's a bit of an alright, then.

Throwing a look to Xander, Spike shook his head incrementally and shifted his gaze to Buffy. "Tell me where you want me, love. All we're doing is waiting."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew cocked his head to the side to see just what Illyria was trying to accomplish with this gesture. Eventually he gave up on trying to understand her ... his ... its body language and got back to the point. ::

Illyria: "Well, basicly, she wants us to track down Angel and get him back here. Apparently he's gone off to LA again ..."

[+ Matt +]

::Amy looked on at Andrew. Obviously Buffy had not noticed who she was or had had a chance to speak to Willow. This was the oppurtunity Miss Madison needed to prove that she could be of adequate use to the group.::

Andrew: "Great - when can we go?"

::Small sparks of electricity began to sizzle in between the tips of Amy's fingers at the thought of a mission.::

[Harley Quinn]

:: Drusilla had nodded when Spike left the room. For some reason, she trusted him to help her in any way he could. She began to study the room, wondering what they were going to do with her when she felt it. She had this strange sense of hunger, yet it wasn't food that she craved. She truly believed, at that moment, that he had told her the truth. She was, indeed, a monster. She had tried to discredit it, to make it false, but the proof was now there. The craving wasn't too intense, but she now knoew that it was blood she was longing for. Her eyes landed on the mirror and she called out to the one person she felt she could trust at the time.::

"William? Could you please come here? I need to ask you something?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike's smile dropped off his face.

He raised a hand and turned, walking into Drusilla's room without another word to the others. "Yea, love?" He asked as he approached. He crouched down next to her chair, arms hanging easily on his knees, coat a pool of black behind him. "Got a question for me, then?"

[Harley Quinn]

:: Drusilla forced a smile as he entered the room. She shifted a bit uncomfortably, or as much as she possibly could in her current state.::

"I'm... I feel a bit hungry, but it's not food I want."

::She looked a bit embarrased, but she managed to keep looking at him.::

"How do you... handle it? This strange craving?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike nodded once and stood. "Don't handle it, love. I fix it."

Laying a hand on Dru's shoulder, he said, "I'm gonna go get you something for this, alright? Just sit tight."

He moved into the next room; looking at Buffy in particular, he said, "Dru's getting hungry. You got any kind of animal blood around here?"

[Kendall Hart]

::Xander just stood with the others, waiting for someone to assign him something, he smiled at the people around him, Buffy, Faith, Willow, Amy, Illyria, Spike and heck, even little Andrew had grown on him. He should be happy he was living and even though the thoughts of his bunnyphobia Anya would always be in his memories and heart, he had family and friends living.::