4
4.O.cious Miss
Guest
This fic is sort of a spin off of the beginning of "Something Blue"...remember, be kind- I don't do fics often...and it's not finished yet..still a work in progress....NSlay
Fan-fic#2
Preface: Season 4; Something Blue
Reference: BuffyWorld.com; Episode 65 Transcript
(Cut to Giles bathroom. Buffy is sitting on the end of the bathtub in which Spike is chained up.)
Buffy: (exasperated) "So..you saw their faces, but you can't describe them?"
Spike: (coyly) " Well, they were human. Two eyes each, kind of in the middle."
Buffy: "Uh-huh. And the lab?"
Spike: "Underground. I came out through an air vent. I don't know exactly where. I'm done. Put the telly on."
(Giles enters, carrying a novelty mug that reads "Kiss The Librarian", with a straw protruding from it. The mug contains blood.)
Spike: "It's about time. Hope you got it warm enough."
(Giles hands mug to Buffy without a word. She takes it, sighing , and makes a disgusted face as she holds it close enough to Spike that he can suck through the straw. He makes a big to do about it, so as to disgust her more.)
Spike: "I don't know why your so dainty all the sudden. You've done this for Angel- You must have."
(Buffy pulls the mug away, leaving Spike with a straw dangling from his lips.)
Spike: "Hey give it!"
Buffy: "Okay, that's it. The invalid amnesiac routine is over. The kitchen is closed until you can tell me something useful about the commandos."
Spike: "I'm trying to remember. It was very traumatic."
Buffy: "How long are you going to pull this crap?"
Spike: "How long am I going to live once I tell you?"
Giles: "Look, look, Spike- we have no intention of killing a harmless..uh, creature. But we have to know what's been done to you. We can't let you go until we're sure that you're..impotent."
Spike: "Hey!"
Giles: "Sorry, poor choice of words. Until we're sure you're, you're.."
Buffy: "Flaccid?"
Spike: "You're one step away, Missy!"
Buffy: (sarcastically) "Giles help! He's going to scold me!"
(Spike growls, trying to grab Buffy, but the chains restrict him and only make his struggles comical.)
Buffy: "You know what? I don't think you want us to let you go. Maybe we made it a little too comfy in here for ya."
Spike: "Comfy? I'm chained in a bathtub drinkin pigs blood from a novelty mug. Dosen't rank huge in the Zagut's guide."
Buffy: "You want something nicer?" (She cocks her head to the side, exposing her neck.) "Ah, just look at my..poor neck? All bare, and tender, and exposed..All that blood just..pumping away.."
(Spike, by this time, is all but licking his lips.)
Giles: "Oh, please."
Spike: "Giles, make her stop!"
(Giles walks out of bathroom.)
<Fade to Black...>
Fan-fic#2
Preface: Season 4; Something Blue
Reference: BuffyWorld.com; Episode 65 Transcript
(Cut to Giles bathroom. Buffy is sitting on the end of the bathtub in which Spike is chained up.)
Buffy: (exasperated) "So..you saw their faces, but you can't describe them?"
Spike: (coyly) " Well, they were human. Two eyes each, kind of in the middle."
Buffy: "Uh-huh. And the lab?"
Spike: "Underground. I came out through an air vent. I don't know exactly where. I'm done. Put the telly on."
(Giles enters, carrying a novelty mug that reads "Kiss The Librarian", with a straw protruding from it. The mug contains blood.)
Spike: "It's about time. Hope you got it warm enough."
(Giles hands mug to Buffy without a word. She takes it, sighing , and makes a disgusted face as she holds it close enough to Spike that he can suck through the straw. He makes a big to do about it, so as to disgust her more.)
Spike: "I don't know why your so dainty all the sudden. You've done this for Angel- You must have."
(Buffy pulls the mug away, leaving Spike with a straw dangling from his lips.)
Spike: "Hey give it!"
Buffy: "Okay, that's it. The invalid amnesiac routine is over. The kitchen is closed until you can tell me something useful about the commandos."
Spike: "I'm trying to remember. It was very traumatic."
Buffy: "How long are you going to pull this crap?"
Spike: "How long am I going to live once I tell you?"
Giles: "Look, look, Spike- we have no intention of killing a harmless..uh, creature. But we have to know what's been done to you. We can't let you go until we're sure that you're..impotent."
Spike: "Hey!"
Giles: "Sorry, poor choice of words. Until we're sure you're, you're.."
Buffy: "Flaccid?"
Spike: "You're one step away, Missy!"
Buffy: (sarcastically) "Giles help! He's going to scold me!"
(Spike growls, trying to grab Buffy, but the chains restrict him and only make his struggles comical.)
Buffy: "You know what? I don't think you want us to let you go. Maybe we made it a little too comfy in here for ya."
Spike: "Comfy? I'm chained in a bathtub drinkin pigs blood from a novelty mug. Dosen't rank huge in the Zagut's guide."
Buffy: "You want something nicer?" (She cocks her head to the side, exposing her neck.) "Ah, just look at my..poor neck? All bare, and tender, and exposed..All that blood just..pumping away.."
(Spike, by this time, is all but licking his lips.)
Giles: "Oh, please."
Spike: "Giles, make her stop!"
(Giles walks out of bathroom.)
<Fade to Black...>
~Demonic Playthings~
By: Alexandra M. Tarallo
Buffy leaned in to taunt Spike. She continued to caress her neck and smiled seductively. Spike lost all control and pitched a tantrum, ratteling and yanking at the chains.
"You bitch! You're nothing but a bloody tease! Mark my words slayer, I will taste your blood!"
As he formed his last word he viciously lunged forward one last time. The chains gave. Buffy gasped, but had little time to move from Spikes line of reach. He rushed at her, wrapping his arm around her head, pulling it back. Covering her mouth with his hand, he paused. Briefly mulling over the pain he was about to experience, and inflict.
"Ah, bugger it."
Spikes ruggedly handsome features took on his demon form and he took a deep breath. Buffy struggled to her best ability, but was caught in a rather awkward position, flailing inside the tub.
"Don't worry, love. This will hurt me more than it will hurt you."
Spike sunk his fangs into her milky white flesh and drank. The pain and the taste were both equally exquisite. His enjoyment of the feed was certainly dampened by the seering headache. Buffy tried to call for help, but her cry was muffled by Spikes grasp. He then began to get light headed from the pain and loosened his grip. Buffy took advantage of the situation and bit down on his hand. She tasted blood about the time Spikes body went limp. He had fainted. Falling back to strike his head on the faucet, he lay there motionless. Blood streamed from the abrasion on his head, and ran down the drain.
Buffy wiped the blood from her neck and glanced at her hand. Seeing the crimson stain on her palm infuriated her, and she lunged into the tub, atop Spike. She used all of her strength throwing several punches before Giles returned and attempted to pull her off of the lifeless vampire.
"Buffy, dear god. What happened?"
She took several deep breaths and tried to loosen herself by shaking her shoulders and head. She motioned to her neck and gave Giles the notorious "I told you so" look. He panicked and grasped her arm. "A..are you alright? I thought he was.."
"Neutered?" Buffy finished.
Giles nodded in agreement and stood paralyzed.
"He is....Kind of." Touching her neck, she winced in pain.
Grabbing a small washcloth from the cubbard, Giles soaked it in warm water and applied it to Buffy's wound.
"The behavior modificator they implanted, that's what made him pass out. It wasn't me, Giles. It's what made him stop feeding."
Giles removed his glasses and pinched the arch of his nose.
"Buffy, you realize what this means. You will have to...."
"Relax. I'll take care of it." Buffy growled as she glared in disgust at the wounded vamp. She wasn't ready to dust him yet. She wanted to play a bit first....
**********
She looked on as he came to, writheing and moaning. Buffy lunged forward and backhanded him, full force, slamming his head against the wall behind him.
"Wake up!" She bellowed, having grown tired of waiting.
Spike mumbled sluggishly and slowly opened his eyes.
"Bloody hell Harm, can't you....Oh." He paused when he realized to whom he was speaking.
"Well, good morning sunshine."
Spikes words were drenched in sarcsam, yet he wore a smile as he spoke. He noticed the crimson bandage on her neck and licked his lips. He remembered her intoxicating taste. He started to reach up to wipe the dried blood from his mouth, but his hand came to an abrupt halt. Something was restircting him. He looked at his wrists and snickered, she had him chained.
Buffy remained silent as she pondered beating Spike or merely leaving him there to wither.
"Oh, well isn't this cozy." Spike mumbled to himself."It's the broodmaster generals old office."
They were in Angels old mansion. He thought he had caught slight scent of him as he awoke. He should've figured the slayer would take him here to kill him.
"Let me guess, your Angel Homemaker files were deleted, so you thought you'd upgrade to a more advanced sort of evil? Sorry love, I'm not one for playing house with slayers."
Buffy pulled a stake from her back pocket and hurled it at Spike. It peirced his milky white flesh, straight through his neck, and into the wall behind him. His eyes widened, and he gurgled and spat as he flailed in his chains. Blood gushed from the wound and spilled down his chest.
"Shut up Spike, you talk too much." Buffy demanded as she grinned coyly. "Besides, I didn't bring you here to play. I brought you here to die."
Buffy jerked the stake from his jugular, and Spike gasped. He continued to gurgle and cough as Buffy turned away. She strolled to the window and yanked the heavy drapery aside. "Tick, tock Spikey. Tick, tock." She taunted as she turned to look into Spikes eyes. The morning sun had already cast an amber glow on the night sky. It was only a matter of hours before the sun rose above the trees and Spike turned to flames. Still wheezing, Spikes brow was heavy with concern, and his eyes full of hate.
"Bloody slayers." He choked out as he tried feebley to break his chains.
Buffy smirked and walked to the door. She stopped momentarily and pondered her decision to kill Spike. Her concience begged her not to, and she stood paralyzed and baffled as to why. She turned and caught a last glimpse of him,chained to the wall, covered in blood. "Ashes to ashes." Buffy mumbled as she hastily egressed from the mansion.
**********
The morning sky changed from amber to auburn as Spike writhed in his chains. His repetitive attempts to free himself became less frantic and more desperate as time wore. Falling to his knees, he attempted to cry out. But it only caused him to choke on his own blood.
In the heat of things,he paused. His arms layed still and he threw his head back, taking in a bit of musty air. There was another vampire nearby. The scent was undeniable. With mild hope he quickly perused the room. Nothing, the scent grew stronger, and instantly his shoulders fell as he realized to whom it belonged.
"Angel." Spike whispered in frustration. "The great poufta returns! Buffy send you to toy with the inmate until sentencing, did she? I tell ya you two are birds of a bloody feather!"
Angel emerged from the shadows and threw a Marlboro Menthol at Spikes feet, grinning coyly. "Spike shutup. The mere sound of your voice annoys me. And must we always talk about the slayer!? I mean c'mon William....don't tell me your getting sweet on the girl. I mean, I'll admit she's easy on the eyes, but so whiny." His voice was deep and taunting....different somehow.
Spike stood up and cocked his head slightly. Could it be?
"Angel?" Spike whispered in disbelief as the chains hung at his sides.
Angel approached Spike hastily, grasping him by the blood soddened neck and pinning him against the wall behind him. "Spike my boy...After your last miserable stunt I should just finish you off here. But I find your current condition rather amusing. Poor boy....Druscilla's cast off ,slayers play toy. Oh, and I hear you're watching what you eat these days." Angels eyes flickered with delight as his laughter echoed throughout the castle. Spike gagged and flailed his legs as Angels grip tightened gradually. "Your a pathetic excuse for a demon Spikey....worthless as ever." Angel released his grip and watched Spike fall to the ground.
"Angelus." Spike said with certainty, grinning despite his pain.
"Now your talkin..." Angelus spoke slowly as he perused his old abode a bit.
"When?" Spike asked as he continued to massage his mutilated neck.
"Does it matter? I'm back. In permanent way. The time of the slayer is over. That bitch is going down, and your going to help me." Angelus walked gracefully over to the window and drew the shades.
Spike realeased a small sigh of relief."But...how?"
Angelus snatched a sword from the wall and swung it full force at him. Spike hastily jumped back, gasping momentarily as it cut clean through the chain and freed his left hand.
"You can thank Cordelia for that." Angelus wore an evil grin. " Well...You could if she were alive. I swear, These SunnyDale women are just dyin for a little sinister satisfaction!"
Clearly amused with his own sarcastic wit,Angelus swung again. Spike was free. " Let's just say, I got to have my cake......and eat it too. " Angelus snickered sarcastically. "But enough small talk....let's get rid of that chip."
**********
Buffy entered the dorm room at about 7 am. Willow had long been awake and sat alone in her pajamas, phone in hand. In the background, some complaint rock wailed from her stereo. "Hey Will." Buffy said, exhausted, as she made her way across the room and onto her bed. Embracing her pillow, she thought about Spike. About the look on his face when she left him there in the mansion, and about why exactly it was that she hadn't killed him a long time ago. But her thoughts were quickly interrupted. Willow had turned off the music and was now sitting on the edge of her bed. "Buffy, somethings up. I know your tired from killing Spike and all.....you did kill Spike, right? Anyways, bad news.....of the serious kind." Willows words were soddened with anxiety, and Buffy could tell from her tone that she was seriously disturbed.
She sat up slowly, snatching Mr. Gordo and bringing him to her chest as she arranged herself comfortably on her bed. "What's up? Are you okay? "
"Oh no, I mean yes, I'm fine. It's just that....well, you got a phone call." Willow stuttered slightly as she fidgeted with the corner of her bedspread.
"And this disturbs you? Cause I may as well tell you now that I occasionally get letters as well." Buffy attempted humor in hopes to lighten things, not realizing the intensity of the situation.
"You got a call from LA. Buffy...it's Angel." Willow looked down at her hands, they trembled slightly.
Buffy quickly arose from the bed and released her grip on her stuffed pig.
"What's wrong? Is he okay? What happened!?" She spoke in a tone Willow had never heard before.
"He's changed Buffy. Cordelia....well, it happened again."
"What do you mean he's changed. WHATS changed?" Buffy's brow was heavy with concern.
"He killed Cordelia, and he's on his way to SunnyDale.... If not already here."
Buffy inhaled deeply and grasped onto the nightstand to steady herself. After a moment, she sat slowly back onto the bed. Instantly she humored flashbacks from the last time Angel had lost his soul. As Willows words began to sink in, a hollow pit formed in the base of her stomach. She was struggling to process the information.
"Giles, have you called Giles? Did they say how..." Buffys voice was monotoned and she spoke directly to the floor. Her eyes unblinking, she thrust her hands together to steady them.
"I've already called Giles, and Xander. They didn't tell me how. They found Cordelia dead in his apartment, and your moms number was the last number dialed. Wesley said they traced the calling time, and it was made hours after Cordelia died. Buffy, your mother...shouldn't we..."
Buffy broke from her trance, walking to the closet she pulled out her bag of weapons. Half hazardly, she threw her hair up off her shoulders and put on a light denim jacket.
"Willow, get working on a protection spell. I want everybody safe by sundown, starting with mom's house. Call Xander and Anya. I want everyone at Giles' house stat."
Willow stood and slowly moved toward the cedar chest at the foot of her bed. She observed as Buffy whisked around the room and couldn't help but think that she was covering for a serious amount of pain and uncertainty. "Buffy....are you sure your ready for this? I mean, are you ready....for Angelus?"
Buffy stopped mid stride and faced Willow, hands shaking. "No. I'm not ready. But I guess we don't have much choice in the matter. If Angelus has truly returned, then I'll find time to grieve later. Right now I just have to focus on killing him. Before he gets anymore blood on his hands."
**********
"Raq is a sorcerer, not a bloody surgeon... I'm telling you, we're wasting our time." Spike growled as they skimmed the back alleys of Sunnydale curiously.
" Ah, quit your complaining already. If anyone can help us it's him, he has connections. If it can't be done with magics, then he'll find some other way." Angelus scowled as he lectured. "Besides, do you want this done or not? I'm trying to help you, you ungrateful louse..." Angelus lecturing turned quickly into mumbling, as he concentrated on finding Raqs hideaway.
"Right, help me.... I forgot. This has nothing to do with your vendetta with the slayer. Or perhaps nothing to do with the fact that you know you can't beat her alone." Spikes words oozed with sarcasm.
Angelus spun to face him and swung a left fist to kiss his face. Flying back against the brick wall behind him, Spike erupted in wicked laughter. "Oooh, soft spot, eh? His face morphed, and he lept forward. Landing a punch directly to Angelus' temple, leaving him momentarily handicapped. Spike took advantage and swept him off his feet with a low kick. "Whats the matter Angelus....Can't handle your women? As I remember, last time, Buffy went all "dominant slayer" on you and drop kicked your ass all the way to hell." Spikes laughter bellowed through the alleyway."Well, I guess that was brought to you in part by The Big Bad." He leapt atop Angelus and continued throwing punches. After taking a few to the jaw, he regained focus and threw Spike over his head, and into a trash pile behind him. Angelus stood, eyes burning intensely. He threw his left leg forward in a viscious thrust and it connected squarely with Spikes jaw. His head flew backwards and blood gushed from his chin. "Seems to me Buffy's got herself a new platinum lap dog. You want her bad, don't you Spike?" Angelus towered over Spike, glaring down synically. "You don't really think Buffy would ever love you....do you? I mean, come on man....she just left you to die. But then, your women do have a tendency to do that ....don't they? " Angelus swiftly struck a match on the brick wall supporting Spikes head, then threw it ablaze onto his black leather jacket. Spike immediately jumped up and hastily brushed the match onto the pavement. "Oh, I get it." He snickered sarcastically. "We're going to play "who's fangs are bigger" now, aren't we?" Spike slowly stepped away from Angelus and started back down the alleyway. "Well cherrie- O then....may the best win." Spike turned to face Angelus as his last words were spoken, continuing to walk backwards. Moments later, Spike dissapeared completely. Almost as if he had dissinigrated into thin air. He had found Raqs hideaway. Angelus grimaced as he made his way down the alleyway...."It's about time."
**********
Buffy, Giles, Xander and Anya sat around the room in complete silence. Denial left their tongues and vocal cords placid as they stared at each other in disbelief. Buffy clenched her fists and sat forward on Giles overstuffed couch. "I'm sorry."........
By: Alexandra M. Tarallo
Buffy leaned in to taunt Spike. She continued to caress her neck and smiled seductively. Spike lost all control and pitched a tantrum, ratteling and yanking at the chains.
"You bitch! You're nothing but a bloody tease! Mark my words slayer, I will taste your blood!"
As he formed his last word he viciously lunged forward one last time. The chains gave. Buffy gasped, but had little time to move from Spikes line of reach. He rushed at her, wrapping his arm around her head, pulling it back. Covering her mouth with his hand, he paused. Briefly mulling over the pain he was about to experience, and inflict.
"Ah, bugger it."
Spikes ruggedly handsome features took on his demon form and he took a deep breath. Buffy struggled to her best ability, but was caught in a rather awkward position, flailing inside the tub.
"Don't worry, love. This will hurt me more than it will hurt you."
Spike sunk his fangs into her milky white flesh and drank. The pain and the taste were both equally exquisite. His enjoyment of the feed was certainly dampened by the seering headache. Buffy tried to call for help, but her cry was muffled by Spikes grasp. He then began to get light headed from the pain and loosened his grip. Buffy took advantage of the situation and bit down on his hand. She tasted blood about the time Spikes body went limp. He had fainted. Falling back to strike his head on the faucet, he lay there motionless. Blood streamed from the abrasion on his head, and ran down the drain.
Buffy wiped the blood from her neck and glanced at her hand. Seeing the crimson stain on her palm infuriated her, and she lunged into the tub, atop Spike. She used all of her strength throwing several punches before Giles returned and attempted to pull her off of the lifeless vampire.
"Buffy, dear god. What happened?"
She took several deep breaths and tried to loosen herself by shaking her shoulders and head. She motioned to her neck and gave Giles the notorious "I told you so" look. He panicked and grasped her arm. "A..are you alright? I thought he was.."
"Neutered?" Buffy finished.
Giles nodded in agreement and stood paralyzed.
"He is....Kind of." Touching her neck, she winced in pain.
Grabbing a small washcloth from the cubbard, Giles soaked it in warm water and applied it to Buffy's wound.
"The behavior modificator they implanted, that's what made him pass out. It wasn't me, Giles. It's what made him stop feeding."
Giles removed his glasses and pinched the arch of his nose.
"Buffy, you realize what this means. You will have to...."
"Relax. I'll take care of it." Buffy growled as she glared in disgust at the wounded vamp. She wasn't ready to dust him yet. She wanted to play a bit first....
**********
She looked on as he came to, writheing and moaning. Buffy lunged forward and backhanded him, full force, slamming his head against the wall behind him.
"Wake up!" She bellowed, having grown tired of waiting.
Spike mumbled sluggishly and slowly opened his eyes.
"Bloody hell Harm, can't you....Oh." He paused when he realized to whom he was speaking.
"Well, good morning sunshine."
Spikes words were drenched in sarcsam, yet he wore a smile as he spoke. He noticed the crimson bandage on her neck and licked his lips. He remembered her intoxicating taste. He started to reach up to wipe the dried blood from his mouth, but his hand came to an abrupt halt. Something was restircting him. He looked at his wrists and snickered, she had him chained.
Buffy remained silent as she pondered beating Spike or merely leaving him there to wither.
"Oh, well isn't this cozy." Spike mumbled to himself."It's the broodmaster generals old office."
They were in Angels old mansion. He thought he had caught slight scent of him as he awoke. He should've figured the slayer would take him here to kill him.
"Let me guess, your Angel Homemaker files were deleted, so you thought you'd upgrade to a more advanced sort of evil? Sorry love, I'm not one for playing house with slayers."
Buffy pulled a stake from her back pocket and hurled it at Spike. It peirced his milky white flesh, straight through his neck, and into the wall behind him. His eyes widened, and he gurgled and spat as he flailed in his chains. Blood gushed from the wound and spilled down his chest.
"Shut up Spike, you talk too much." Buffy demanded as she grinned coyly. "Besides, I didn't bring you here to play. I brought you here to die."
Buffy jerked the stake from his jugular, and Spike gasped. He continued to gurgle and cough as Buffy turned away. She strolled to the window and yanked the heavy drapery aside. "Tick, tock Spikey. Tick, tock." She taunted as she turned to look into Spikes eyes. The morning sun had already cast an amber glow on the night sky. It was only a matter of hours before the sun rose above the trees and Spike turned to flames. Still wheezing, Spikes brow was heavy with concern, and his eyes full of hate.
"Bloody slayers." He choked out as he tried feebley to break his chains.
Buffy smirked and walked to the door. She stopped momentarily and pondered her decision to kill Spike. Her concience begged her not to, and she stood paralyzed and baffled as to why. She turned and caught a last glimpse of him,chained to the wall, covered in blood. "Ashes to ashes." Buffy mumbled as she hastily egressed from the mansion.
**********
The morning sky changed from amber to auburn as Spike writhed in his chains. His repetitive attempts to free himself became less frantic and more desperate as time wore. Falling to his knees, he attempted to cry out. But it only caused him to choke on his own blood.
In the heat of things,he paused. His arms layed still and he threw his head back, taking in a bit of musty air. There was another vampire nearby. The scent was undeniable. With mild hope he quickly perused the room. Nothing, the scent grew stronger, and instantly his shoulders fell as he realized to whom it belonged.
"Angel." Spike whispered in frustration. "The great poufta returns! Buffy send you to toy with the inmate until sentencing, did she? I tell ya you two are birds of a bloody feather!"
Angel emerged from the shadows and threw a Marlboro Menthol at Spikes feet, grinning coyly. "Spike shutup. The mere sound of your voice annoys me. And must we always talk about the slayer!? I mean c'mon William....don't tell me your getting sweet on the girl. I mean, I'll admit she's easy on the eyes, but so whiny." His voice was deep and taunting....different somehow.
Spike stood up and cocked his head slightly. Could it be?
"Angel?" Spike whispered in disbelief as the chains hung at his sides.
Angel approached Spike hastily, grasping him by the blood soddened neck and pinning him against the wall behind him. "Spike my boy...After your last miserable stunt I should just finish you off here. But I find your current condition rather amusing. Poor boy....Druscilla's cast off ,slayers play toy. Oh, and I hear you're watching what you eat these days." Angels eyes flickered with delight as his laughter echoed throughout the castle. Spike gagged and flailed his legs as Angels grip tightened gradually. "Your a pathetic excuse for a demon Spikey....worthless as ever." Angel released his grip and watched Spike fall to the ground.
"Angelus." Spike said with certainty, grinning despite his pain.
"Now your talkin..." Angelus spoke slowly as he perused his old abode a bit.
"When?" Spike asked as he continued to massage his mutilated neck.
"Does it matter? I'm back. In permanent way. The time of the slayer is over. That bitch is going down, and your going to help me." Angelus walked gracefully over to the window and drew the shades.
Spike realeased a small sigh of relief."But...how?"
Angelus snatched a sword from the wall and swung it full force at him. Spike hastily jumped back, gasping momentarily as it cut clean through the chain and freed his left hand.
"You can thank Cordelia for that." Angelus wore an evil grin. " Well...You could if she were alive. I swear, These SunnyDale women are just dyin for a little sinister satisfaction!"
Clearly amused with his own sarcastic wit,Angelus swung again. Spike was free. " Let's just say, I got to have my cake......and eat it too. " Angelus snickered sarcastically. "But enough small talk....let's get rid of that chip."
**********
Buffy entered the dorm room at about 7 am. Willow had long been awake and sat alone in her pajamas, phone in hand. In the background, some complaint rock wailed from her stereo. "Hey Will." Buffy said, exhausted, as she made her way across the room and onto her bed. Embracing her pillow, she thought about Spike. About the look on his face when she left him there in the mansion, and about why exactly it was that she hadn't killed him a long time ago. But her thoughts were quickly interrupted. Willow had turned off the music and was now sitting on the edge of her bed. "Buffy, somethings up. I know your tired from killing Spike and all.....you did kill Spike, right? Anyways, bad news.....of the serious kind." Willows words were soddened with anxiety, and Buffy could tell from her tone that she was seriously disturbed.
She sat up slowly, snatching Mr. Gordo and bringing him to her chest as she arranged herself comfortably on her bed. "What's up? Are you okay? "
"Oh no, I mean yes, I'm fine. It's just that....well, you got a phone call." Willow stuttered slightly as she fidgeted with the corner of her bedspread.
"And this disturbs you? Cause I may as well tell you now that I occasionally get letters as well." Buffy attempted humor in hopes to lighten things, not realizing the intensity of the situation.
"You got a call from LA. Buffy...it's Angel." Willow looked down at her hands, they trembled slightly.
Buffy quickly arose from the bed and released her grip on her stuffed pig.
"What's wrong? Is he okay? What happened!?" She spoke in a tone Willow had never heard before.
"He's changed Buffy. Cordelia....well, it happened again."
"What do you mean he's changed. WHATS changed?" Buffy's brow was heavy with concern.
"He killed Cordelia, and he's on his way to SunnyDale.... If not already here."
Buffy inhaled deeply and grasped onto the nightstand to steady herself. After a moment, she sat slowly back onto the bed. Instantly she humored flashbacks from the last time Angel had lost his soul. As Willows words began to sink in, a hollow pit formed in the base of her stomach. She was struggling to process the information.
"Giles, have you called Giles? Did they say how..." Buffys voice was monotoned and she spoke directly to the floor. Her eyes unblinking, she thrust her hands together to steady them.
"I've already called Giles, and Xander. They didn't tell me how. They found Cordelia dead in his apartment, and your moms number was the last number dialed. Wesley said they traced the calling time, and it was made hours after Cordelia died. Buffy, your mother...shouldn't we..."
Buffy broke from her trance, walking to the closet she pulled out her bag of weapons. Half hazardly, she threw her hair up off her shoulders and put on a light denim jacket.
"Willow, get working on a protection spell. I want everybody safe by sundown, starting with mom's house. Call Xander and Anya. I want everyone at Giles' house stat."
Willow stood and slowly moved toward the cedar chest at the foot of her bed. She observed as Buffy whisked around the room and couldn't help but think that she was covering for a serious amount of pain and uncertainty. "Buffy....are you sure your ready for this? I mean, are you ready....for Angelus?"
Buffy stopped mid stride and faced Willow, hands shaking. "No. I'm not ready. But I guess we don't have much choice in the matter. If Angelus has truly returned, then I'll find time to grieve later. Right now I just have to focus on killing him. Before he gets anymore blood on his hands."
**********
"Raq is a sorcerer, not a bloody surgeon... I'm telling you, we're wasting our time." Spike growled as they skimmed the back alleys of Sunnydale curiously.
" Ah, quit your complaining already. If anyone can help us it's him, he has connections. If it can't be done with magics, then he'll find some other way." Angelus scowled as he lectured. "Besides, do you want this done or not? I'm trying to help you, you ungrateful louse..." Angelus lecturing turned quickly into mumbling, as he concentrated on finding Raqs hideaway.
"Right, help me.... I forgot. This has nothing to do with your vendetta with the slayer. Or perhaps nothing to do with the fact that you know you can't beat her alone." Spikes words oozed with sarcasm.
Angelus spun to face him and swung a left fist to kiss his face. Flying back against the brick wall behind him, Spike erupted in wicked laughter. "Oooh, soft spot, eh? His face morphed, and he lept forward. Landing a punch directly to Angelus' temple, leaving him momentarily handicapped. Spike took advantage and swept him off his feet with a low kick. "Whats the matter Angelus....Can't handle your women? As I remember, last time, Buffy went all "dominant slayer" on you and drop kicked your ass all the way to hell." Spikes laughter bellowed through the alleyway."Well, I guess that was brought to you in part by The Big Bad." He leapt atop Angelus and continued throwing punches. After taking a few to the jaw, he regained focus and threw Spike over his head, and into a trash pile behind him. Angelus stood, eyes burning intensely. He threw his left leg forward in a viscious thrust and it connected squarely with Spikes jaw. His head flew backwards and blood gushed from his chin. "Seems to me Buffy's got herself a new platinum lap dog. You want her bad, don't you Spike?" Angelus towered over Spike, glaring down synically. "You don't really think Buffy would ever love you....do you? I mean, come on man....she just left you to die. But then, your women do have a tendency to do that ....don't they? " Angelus swiftly struck a match on the brick wall supporting Spikes head, then threw it ablaze onto his black leather jacket. Spike immediately jumped up and hastily brushed the match onto the pavement. "Oh, I get it." He snickered sarcastically. "We're going to play "who's fangs are bigger" now, aren't we?" Spike slowly stepped away from Angelus and started back down the alleyway. "Well cherrie- O then....may the best win." Spike turned to face Angelus as his last words were spoken, continuing to walk backwards. Moments later, Spike dissapeared completely. Almost as if he had dissinigrated into thin air. He had found Raqs hideaway. Angelus grimaced as he made his way down the alleyway...."It's about time."
**********
Buffy, Giles, Xander and Anya sat around the room in complete silence. Denial left their tongues and vocal cords placid as they stared at each other in disbelief. Buffy clenched her fists and sat forward on Giles overstuffed couch. "I'm sorry."........
