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Author's Chapter Notes:
I own nothing except the plot. Thank you to my beta, enigmaticblues. As always, you rock J.

Adventure, Drama, Romance, humor
Chapter 6

Crash Landing Again

Buffy stared out the window while Spike started the Desoto’s engine and shifted into gear. Once they’d pulled out of the alley and into the light traffic flowing back into downtown Sunnydale, she twisted around in the seat so she could see his expression.

“Spike, what do you really think of Margot’s plan?”

He took a long drag from his cigarette and considered the question. “It’s a tempting idea. It’s true that it would tip the Hellmouth power structure in the white hats favor for a good long while, but she hasn’t convinced me yet that her plan will work. In fact, I think there are several valid reasons why it’s really pretty rash.” His expression wry, he added. “And I’m an expert on rash plans.”

Buffy acknowledged the joke with a slight smile. “Okay, so what are some of the reasons?”

Spike glanced at the Slayer. She gazed back at him, her hazel eyes large and solemn. Buffy was requesting his opinion, deferring to his greater knowledge of the demon underground. Maybe the past couple days had helped the Slayer see that he could stand at her side. Maybe she was actually beginning to see him.

Tamping down the sudden ecstatic feeling, Spike gathered his thoughts and continued his line of reasoning. “The Gashi Chieftain is ruthless and incredibly smart. You have to be to control that much power. I think she’s severely underestimating him.”

Spike stubbed out his cigarette and tossed the butt through the open window. “As much as the Thesa want the Gashi’s turf, they’re going to be extremely cautious. It’s not every day an offer like this gets dropped in their laps. It’s too bloody unusual. Even the slightest hint of doubt, the lightest whisper of a double cross, and the wizard’s bloody plan is blown; she’s goin’ to be in serious trouble and us along with her. You, me, Rayne and anyone else she’s involved.”

He rolled his window up. “Personally, I think the wannabe Imperial Wizard has a very large ego and I’m wonderin’ if she’s even really telling us everything.”

He watched Buffy chew her lip while she thought about what he’d said. “I get the feeling that there’s more to this than she said, too. But until we figure everything out, we’ll need to help strengthen her position against the demons in some way.”

She shifted, turning back around to face the front. “I’ve got to talk with Giles, get his take on what I need to do.”

She hadn’t said we. The chasm yawned open between them again. “This is more complicated than we thought. I hope Rupert doesn’t feel compelled to spill to the bloody Watchers.”

Buffy heard the tenor of Spike’s voice change. He sounded upset over something. Surely he wasn’t that concerned about the Council and Giles. Had she said something else?

Buffy tried to think through their conversation, but Spike interrupted her thoughts. “There’s someone else you have to consider in this, too.”

“Kyle.”

He nodded.

Buffy sank against the soft leather seat and sighed. “Believe me, I haven’t forgotten about him. It would be so much simpler if Margot would let us give him some hope, maybe relay some small message. I know he’s freaking out and it’s going to be hard lying to him.”

“Then don’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you promised to call him and tell him about Ethan Rayne. Tell him that we found Ethan but we’ve got to follow him and see what he’s up to. That’s all true; just don’t mention his mum. A sin of omission.”

Buffy nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a good idea. I can do that. I’ve got to report back to Mr. Chaplaine at some point, but I can wait awhile to speak directly with him. Once I talk to Giles, I’m going to try and find out more about Ethan by visiting that apartment. Then I’ll meet you back at your crypt just before sunset.”

Spike parked in front of Buffy’s house. “If you need me sooner, Slayer, you know where I’ll be.”

He idled at the curb until the Slayer shut her front door. Smacking the steering wheel with a clenched fist, Spike pointed the Desoto toward Restfield and gunned the motor.



*****


Ethan stumbled again. Reaching out, he scrambled to grab at the rough cave wall. Leaning against the wall to catch his breath he tried to peer farther down the path to check for any more obstructions. Unfortunately the minimal light thrown by the sconces hammered into the wall at such long intervals cast more shadow than actual light. Giving up the attempt, he wiped his hands on his pants and continued cautiously picking his way.

Glancing at the luminous dial of his wristwatch he grimaced. The protocols of any meeting with the Thesa Overlord were known and rigidly enforced. The image rose in his mind of being nailed to the throne room wall crucifixion style, mouth open in a wordless scream. He started jogging.

*****

Buffy hung up the phone. “Well, that wasn’t of the fun.”

Giles poured more tea in his cup and added a small lemon slice. “I assume Kyle wasn’t satisfied with your abbreviated version of last night?”

Sinking back into the couch, she replied morosely. “I know how I’d feel if it was me looking for info on my missing mom and the person supposedly helping just came up with a big fat zero.”

“It’s perfectly understandable to feel that way. However we must abide by Ms. Chaplaine’s wishes. The situation has become very convoluted and we dare not place her child in danger.”

Buffy scowled as Giles sipped from his cup. “Yeah, but Giles, it’s her fault it’s so convoluted.”

“I would like to know more about her relationship with Ethan. What hold could she possibly have over him that would pressure him enough to act as an emissary?”

Buffy bit into a pecan Danish. Swallowing, she replied. “That’s what I want to know. I’m going to check out that apartment building. Maybe we can get some answers.”

“I think that would be the prudent course of action.” Giles set his cup down. “Just do be careful.”

*****

“Overlord, the emissary has arrived.”

The Thesa Overlord, compound eyes glowing in the twilight of the throne room, motioned for the human to enter.

Ethan cautiously stepped forward into the cavernous room. Speaking in the Overlord’s native tongue, Ethan introduced himself. “I am Ethan Rayne, emissary for the High Wizard Council.”

The Overlord raised one of his six arms and waved negligently. Speaking in English, he replied. “I know who you are.” He motioned to one of the Clan members clustered nearby to close the heavy door. Ethan made a conscious effort to appear calm as the sound echoed throughout the rocky chamber.

The Overlord’s voice rumbled again. “Why would an emissary representing the White Council dare stand before me?”

Ethan swallowed the lump forming in his throat. Remember the agreement with Margot. You have to get through this in one piece. Although it was barely possible for him to glance at the Overlord without grimacing, Ethan straightened his shoulders and looked directly into the demon’s face. “I have been requested to offer a proposition to the Overlord of the Thesa Clan.”

“This proposition of which you speak is not from the entire Council. This I already know.” The Overlord leaned forward and his iridescent wings spread wider, shimmering in the flickering light. “Yet I will deign to listen.”

“You have a mighty friend in the successor Imperial Wizard. She wishes to offer an allegiance that will benefit the Clan.”

The Overlord gazed at Ethan impassively. “Continue.”

“She has the means to offer death to an old enemy, the Chieftain of the Gashi.”

The gentle murmuring that had been background noise rose until it threatened to drown out their conversation. The Overlord paid no attention. Continuing to stare at Ethan, he queried . “And in return?”

“She wishes a certain portion of the gain.”

The murmuring grew louder.

The Overlord jumped to his feet and thundered. “I am First Overlord of the Thesa Clan. I will not pay tribute!”

Ethan shrank back. “Forgive me, Overlord, for I’ve misspoken. The Imperial Wizard merely wishes a small one time compensation. There is something that the Gashi Chieftain has within his possession that she wishes to obtain, but otherwise all land and activities associated with the Gashi would clearly be yours. She has no interest in either.”

The Overlord retook his throne and motioned the hall to quiet. “What does the White Wizard seek?”

“I am sworn not to reveal that information unless you choose the alliance.”

The demon inclined his head. “I will consider this alliance. Return in one day.”

Ethan nodded and backed away from the throne. “As you wish.”

When Ethan had left the room accompanied by several of the Clan, the Overlord turned to one of his guards. “Send a tracker. I want to know everywhere the emissary goes until his return.”

Pulling his wings close to his body, the Thesa Overlord settled comfortably within his chair to consider the ramifications of allegiance with a white wizard. He questioned the motives of a leader who would covet something so badly that she would align herself with a known enemy to acquire it. He began to think of possible ways to exploit that lust.





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