Prologue

Alone in a darkened room, a figure sat comfortably in a highback chair. A decanter of blood with its matching glass

sat half-forgotten on a side table. Moonlight shone in between the drawn open curtains, black as night and thick with dust.

The figure, female, bore an elfin face framed with straight, dark red hair and gazed listlessly out the window.


Breaking the deafening silence, soft giggles tinkled then escalated into mad laughter. Just as suddenly, they

ceased. Her family was coming home.


Time grew short, and there was so much to be done.



xxx



The old black DeSoto roared towards Sunnydale. Drusilla was ill, cursed by a mob in Prague. Spike hoped fervently

that the power of the Hellmouth would restore his beloved Sire’s health. As he pushed the gas a bit harder, he felt a

twinge in the back of his neck, signaling family was close by. Curious, he tilted his head to the side in quiet

contemplation. Who could it be? As if on cue, Dru stirred from her sickly stupor, regaining some semblance of her former

self.
“The pixies dance gaily!,” she gushed excitedly. “Can you not feel it my Spike? Daddy is here, and my baby as well!

Miss Edith will be so pleased! There will be much tea and cake!”


Shocked would have been an understatement. Appalled another. ‘Angelus? Bloody fantastic,’ Spike thought. No good

could come of that revelation. ‘Poofter will ruin everything.’


‘Would be good to see the bit though. Been too soddin’ long.’


Smiling at that thought, he focused again on the road ahead. They were close now. As Dru clapped and giggled

happily, one final thought crossed Spike’s mind.


‘Wonder what the bleedin’ hell the bit’s doin’ here in the first place?’



Chapter 1



Buffy was bored.


Ok, so Buffy was more than bored. Research and the Buffster? Not so of the mixy, though it was a necessary evil.


As of late, a strange malady was plaguing Sunnydale. No deaths thus far, but that wasn’t saying much. Several of

the Hellmouth’s adult residents were prone to giggles and all out laughter, coming at random intervals. Even the teachers

at old Sunnydale High were prone to these fits, including Giles, Miss Calendar, and even Buffy’s mother, Joyce. No

explanations were forthcoming so far, but it was early yet.


Unfortunately for Buffy, too early too patrol. Looking at her watch, she realized that it was still late afternoon,

and would be hours before she could escape the monotony of research and do what she did best – slay.


“Got it!” Willow beamed.


“What have you found my dear? Sounds like it might possibly be a Cha’ruut demon,” Giles replied.


“Great. Now we have a crazy carrot demon on the loose. How do you kill it?” Buffy asked.


“Cha’ruut, and I don’t think so Giles. This is gonna sound really weird, but I think it’s more witchy than that.”

Willow continued, “According to this tome, a powerful witch can act as a conduit for emotions or feelings. If they were to

channel someone insane or unstable...the madness could spread to an entire city. The more powerful the witch the greater

the area of effect.”


“Good Lord!,” Giles exclaimed, quickly removing his glasses from his face and a cloth from his pocket. The Scoobies

watched in amusement as the ritual polishing began.



“So how do we stop the channeling? Do we just ask them nicely?” Xander snarked.


“The tome doesn’t say anything about that,” Willow replied. “However, if the conduit is closed improperly...”


“The madness could last indefinitely,” Giles responded flatly.


A new voice entered the conversation. “We’ve got a bigger problem.”



xxx



“Angel! I didn’t hear you come in.”


“Not like we ever do Buffster,” Xander muttered.


“Hi Buffy,” Angel said with a small smile. “As I was saying, we have a bigger problem.”


“What praytell could be more problematic than town-wide bouts of madness, Angel?” Giles said.


“Let’s just say...the extended family is coming to visit.”


All at once, the Scoobies were talking over one another. In the commotion, Angel slipped out the door in usual

fashion. Giles went to the stacks to retrieve more books, his Watcher sense in overdrive. He’d heard about the rest of the

Aurelians of course, but never in his mind would all the surviving members have been in Sunnydale at once. Most foreboding

to be certain.


“Hey where did the Evil Dead go?” Xander asked. “As always, cryptic message then stealthy escape. We should

totally put a bell on that guy.”


“Quite,” Giles replied. As he continued, “More important than Angel’s rather abrupt exit, we must now hasten to

process this new discovery. The Aurelian line is was most deadly at its pinnacle, when the Scourge of Europe was still

composed as such. As we know Angel is now cursed with a soul, Darla dead at his hand. However, that leaves William the

Bloody and his Sire, Drusilla.” Giles continued, “William the Bloody, or Spike, was known for torturing his victims with

railroad spikes, and oh dear...”


“What else Giles? That seems wiggy enough.” Buffy said.


“It seems that Spike has fought two slayers in the last century, and has killed them both.”


Silence hung in the air.


“That’s not all. Drusilla, his Sire, is known to have a powerful thrall. Formerly a nun, she was tortured to

insanity by Angelus and turned on the day she was to take her final vows. She is not to be underestimated,” Giles

explained.


“So one kills Slayers, and one’s nutty as a fruitcake. Gotcha,” said Buffy as she looked to her watch. As the

research session had worn on, dusk began to fall, and patrolley goodness was upon her. “I assume pointy stake to the heart

still works?” Buffy said as she got up, packed a few vials of holy water, several stakes, and adjusted her necklace bearing

a cross and headed towards the door.


“Buffy, do you really think it’s wise to...” Giles started to say, but she was already gone, having had all the

research one girl could take.

Chapter 2

After setting Dru up in their new lair of an abandoned factory (with a bite to eat and a few newly recruited minions

to keep her occupied of course) Spike began the search for ‘his bit.’ Her scent and family bond were muffled, and he could

tell that she was masking her presence. However, she’d never truly been able to keep herself shielded from her ‘Mummy’ or

big brother, so he was able to follow the trail fairly easily. Slipping quietly through the streets, he ended up outside an

abandoned house in a run-down area of town, near Restfield cemetery. The door opened slowly, and a softly accented voice

murmured, “Hey Spike. Long time no see.”



xxx



Buffy’s own senses were on high alert. She knew now that there were two master vampires out for her blood. While

her abrupt exit from the library might have denoted a blasé attitude, she was under no impression that she should lower her

guard. Her thoughts drifted to the third master in town, her souled Angel. They were getting closer and closer, but it

always seemed as if he held back. It was frankly starting to annoy her. Was she too young? Not pretty enough? Was he not

interested in her that way? He seemed to like her company alright, occasionally going out for coffee with her and always

dropping in on the Scoobs to deliver cryptic messages, but not so much on the passion. She sighed heavily. ‘No time for

that now,’ she thought, as she quickened her pace through Restfield, feeling the tug of her Slayer senses. There were

strong vamps near, and she was more than ready for a good fight after only dusting a few fledges earlier in the night. She

was almost pulled to the spot in front of an abandoned house where she could see two figures embracing in the moonlight.


“Awww ain’t it cute?” She quipped. “Young love...or should I say old and dusty love?”



xxx



“Oi! We’re no’ snoggin’ here! Just givin’ the kid sis a hug yeah?” came the affronted reply. The aforementioned

‘kid sis’ merely giggled.


Puzzled, Buffy responded, “Kid sis? What, your Sire play a twisted joke on the family or something? You don’t even

look anything alike! Not like it matters anyway, you’re both about to fit in a Dust Buster!”


As Buffy brandished her stake threateningly, Spike immediately jumped down the crumbled steps and into a fighting

stance, ready to brawl. ‘Finally a good fight!’ Spike thought. ‘Nothing like fists and fangs against a Slayer to get the

ol’ borrowed blood pumpin’.’ While a few tentative swings and kicks flew, the seemingly forgotten red-headed vampire began

murmuring soft words in an unrecognizable tongue. Soon after the chanting stopped, Buffy and Spike found their limbs and

torsos immobile. ‘Crap crap double crap!” Buffy thought. ‘What the heck is this anyway?’ Struggling against her unseen

bonds, she began to panic.


Eyes widened as Spike realized what had happened.


“Hey Ellie! Quit with the spells already! You know how much I hate soddin’ magic!” Under his breath, though sure

to be heard by the other vampire, he mumbled, “Not like I can’t take another Slayer, ya know.” Turning his eyes back

towards the panicked Slayer in question, he continued, “Not that I like to brag, but done two ‘f your kind in already.

Bloody good fun that was...who’m I kiddin’, I LOVE to brag!”


Angered out of her panicked daze, Buffy responded with fire. “So you’re the famed William the Bloody? You don’t

look like much. Aren’t you a little short and scrawny for a vampire anyway?” ‘There, that oughtta shut him up,’ she

thought.
Outraged, Spike began to sputter a retort when Ellie glided down the steps and put a warning hand on her brother’s

shoulder.
“Now’s not the time Spike, and this is certainly not a lady you wanna ‘off’,” she whispered, too low for Buffy to

make out. Confused but curious, Spike relented. Nodding at Ellie, he immediately felt the magical bonds release and he

stretched his neck. Relaxing with one thumb tucked under the waist of his jeans, he couldn’t resist one last taunt.


Grinning, he tossed out, “Too short and scrawny for a vamp eh? You’re no more than a bitty bite yourself, Slayer.”


An annoyed grunt left said Slayer’s throat and she switched her attention to the obviously younger vamp. Locking her

hazel eyes with the equally greenish-brown of ‘Ellie,’ she questioned in frustration, “So he gets a get outta jail free card

and I don’t? I feel so...gypped.”


“Spike knows not to mess with me, not while I’m fully charged anyway,” Ellie replied. “We’ve been family longer than

you’ve been alive, and I can trust him to respect my judgment.” Smirking, she continued, “The question is, can I trust

you, Elizabeth Anne Summers?”


‘Elizabeth Anne Summers,’ Spike thought. ‘Interesting name for an infuriating bint, I guess.’


Shocked at the mention of her full name, Buffy recoiled as if struck. Acerbically she spat, “How do you know my full

name? You some kind of creepy stalker vamp?”


Eyes rolling internally, Spike wondered how much she truly knew about Angelus. If anyone had creepy stalker

tendencies, it was Liam. He could smell the bastard’s scent wafting about her own pleasing scent of vanilla and Slayer. It

was fresh but light; he hadn’t touched her but he had been close. Strangely, the thought of his Grand-Sire touching this

little spitfire bothered him immensely. ‘The bleedin’ hell you thinkin’ mate? Fuckin’ Slayer couldn’t hold a candle to

your Dark Princess.’ Spike continued to ponder his thoughts on the young little Slayer, almost missing his sister’s next

response.


“I know everything about you sugar. But no hon, not some kind of creepy stalker vamp. Just the creepy witch you happen to be looking for.”

Chapter 3

From the shadows, Angel lurked. That was one thing he was damn good at. That and thinking, of course. Watching the exchange between Buffy, Spike, and the unknown vampire, he grew anxious. If Spike was here, that meant without a doubt that Drusilla was as well. Those two had been inseparable for near a century now. This posed a great threat to Buffy, and Angel found himself growing even more protective of the young Slayer. Now add a new being to the mix? One with power? It seemed that the younger vamp was a witch pre-turning, and had retained her grasp of the arcane. Spike on the other hand, was a conundrum. He NEVER backed down from a fight, ever. To see him so easily cooled from violence both confused and unnerved Angel to no end. And to hear him call and be called sibling to this mysterious vamp was disheartening. He had tried desperately to end the family line by forbidding his insane child and her ‘Dark Prince’ to Sire more Childer, but obviously his warning had gone unheeded. As he overheard his newly-found Grand-Childe tell Buffy that she was the witch responsible for the town’s sudden descent into madness, he knew it was time to step in. Buffy would need his help, no matter how strongly she protested it.

xxx

Looking towards her oncoming Grand-Sire, Ellie thought, ‘Well, well, well. This should be interesting.’

She giggled.

Taken aback, Buffy lashed out, “Hey we’re talking here! What’s this about you being in charge of the all-access crazy pass?”

The giggles ceased, and Ellie returned a knowing eye to the petite blonde.

“It seems we have a visitor, Slayer,” Ellie stated with a slow drawl.

Quickly whipping her head as far as the bonds would allow, she felt relieved.

“Angel!” she breathed.

“Buffy! What’s happened to you?” Angel exclaimed.

“I don’t know, some kind of spell or something, I can’t move from the neck down!”

“Don’t worry Buffy, I’ll find a way to get you free.”

While Ellie resumed giggling softly, Spike watched the exchange between his Grand-Sire and the cute little Slayer with interest. ‘Wait,’ he thought. ‘Cute? Buggerin’ hell mate, you can’t think the fuckin’ Slayer is CUTE. Jus’ no’ right. Sure she’s just a slip ‘f a thing with a temper like no other, and man ‘f that in’t a turn-on, but you have your ripe wicked plum waiting at the factory!’ Equally floored by his sister’s lack of fear or respect for the elder vamp, Spike decided to open his mouth, in effort to deflect his Sire’s anger towards himself.

“Oi! Peaches! Still chasin’ that redemption I see. Eatin rats and broodin’ I’ll wager. How’s that workin’ out for ya mate?”

Eyes rolling, Angel replied, “Shut up, Spike.” Eyes moving to the red-head, he continued in a low growl, “Release Buffy you little upstart!”

Ellie’s giggles grew to all-out laughter. “You really think I’m going to release her before we’ve finished chatting? We were just gettin’ to the good part when you hadta barge on in. So why don’t you just mosey on off and let us finish, no harm done? I assure ya, she’s not in any danger from me or Spike, we just need to have a lil’ talk.”

Enraged at Ellie’s casual demeanor and complete lack of respect, ‘No surprise where she got that little trait,’ Angel mused briefly, looking at Spike pointedly. Spike just grinned proudly. Putting his superior size and physical strength to work Angel lunged at the young vampire. Expecting an easy victory, he was completely unprepared for the stake that hurtled through the air and embedded itself into his chest, precisely where his heart would be. If it weren’t on the wrong side of his chest, of course.

In a deathly chilled voice, Ellie spoke. “Next time I won’t miss. Do NOT approach me again, especially not after what you did to my Mummy.”

Loud guffaws sprung from Spike’s throat. “Ellie, you’ve got bollocks to spare. That was right funny!”

“Thanks big bro, gotta take this big oaf down a peg or two,” Ellie giggled.

Shocked and incensed, and with no small amount of pain, Angel replied, “Let her GO!”

Calmly, Ellie merely said, “No.”

Turning back towards the Slayer, who watched on in anguish as her long-time crush was injured so easily, Ellie resumed their earlier conversation. “Now Slayer, back to the issue of trust. I have a proposition for ya.” Accent singing through, she continued, “I ain’t got no thrall, and Spike here don’t either. I need to talk to ya a bit, then you can go back to your Watcher and talk things out. Will ya come inside and take a listen to what I have to say?”
Incredulous, Buffy was momentarily speechless. ‘With all that power, enough to easily stake Angel before he could fight back, she’s still ASKING me to talk? What the...’ she thought.

Regaining her voice, she responded with her usual gusto. “Anything you say Angel can hear too! You can say it right here and now!”

Spike shook his head and wondered, ‘The hell is Ellie up to?’

“Sorry darlin’, don’t work thataway. Either we go inside and your sugarplum goes ‘a packin’, or I teleport him to Siberia and we have it out here in the yard.”

Mouth agape, Buffy wasn’t quite sure what to do. Siberia wouldn’t kill Angel for sure, but it was far enough away that he would be of no help to her for months, maybe longer. She would miss him; she couldn’t afford an emotional trial such as that while the town was in trouble...not to mention three strong vamps along for the ride. While the vamp-witch had the power to bind her body and sling a mean stake, could she be bluffing about the teleport? Could Buffy take that risk? Decision made, Buffy tentatively responded, her voice lacking its usual fire.

“Alright. You have my attention.” she conceded. Turning her head towards Angel, she continued, “Angel, please leave. Go to Giles and let him know what’s happened, he’ll know what to do.”

“What?? Buffy are you crazy? She could just be taking you in there to kill you, or worse, let Spike kill you!!” Angel exclaimed, exasperated.

With a small smile, she replied, “Angel, if she wanted us dead or dust we would be already. I’ll be okay. Just...go for now, and I’ll see you later, safe and sound, I promise.”

Reluctantly, Angel turned. Without looking back (and with no small hint of Angelus) he quietly said, “Harm one hair on her head and you’ll wish you were dust.”

Though he couldn’t see her, Ellie nodded. “Not one hair,” she said. “Just gonna be doin’ some talkin’.”

Walking away with slowly quickening steps, Angel headed to Giles’s flat, hoping to return to the old house with Watcher in tow to kill the new thorn in his side. His failure: his family.

Chapter 4

Buffy watched Angel until he disappeared from view, slipping off into the shadows towards Giles’ flat. Again alone, she regained focus and turned back towards the two vampires who had her at their mercy.


“Okay, so Angel is gone. Let me go and I’ll come peacefully and we’ll talk,” she said, annoyed that her voice broke ever so slightly with fear.


Nostrils flaring, Spike picked up the scent of her unease almost immediately. “Slayer! No fear! If Ellie says we’re just talkin’ then we’re jus’ talkin’. She’s a vamp of her word and so am I. And if ‘m right, you’re just as curious as I am, pet.”


Nodding twice, Buffy replied, “I’m more wigged that you DON’T want me dead. It’s majorly creepy.”


Smiling ruefully, Ellie added, “Trust me sugar, creepy is story of my unlife. Since we’re playin’ so nice now, lemme get you free.”


With a few words and a wave of the hand, Buffy was once again able to move. Stretching her stiff muscles much as Spike had before, she said, “Thanks Ellie, I’m a Slayer of my word as well. I’ll listen.”


“Well then, I know it ain’t much, but ya’ll come on in. It’s warded against violence - so no funny business, ya hear? You’ll just hurt yourself.”


Spike and Buffy nodded in agreement. Ellie entered first, graciously leading her guests into her makeshift home. Then something strange happened. As Buffy went to cross the threshold, Spike’s hand brushed the small of her back in a very Victorian gesture. Almost as if an electric current shot through her body, Buffy bristled. Spike, who also felt the zing, dropped his hand as if burned.


“What the hell do you think you’re doing Mister?” the blushing and blustered Buffy asked.


“Oi! Jus’ tryin’ to be nice! Old vamp old habits yeah? Didn’t mean nothin’ by it. Not like I’m tryin’ to warm you up for a snog!” Spike retorted. ‘Is she blushing?’ he thought. ‘Well well well...’


“Yeah like THAT would ever happen. Whatever a ‘snog’ is anyway. So just...keep your hands to yourself!” Buffy replied.


‘Definitely not worth the effort.’ Spike thought again. ‘Though I’ll bet she’s a wild lil thing in the sack...’


With that idea firmly implanted in his mind, Spike’s lecherous side took over. Opening his mouth slightly and curling his tongue behind his top teeth, he ran his hand down his chest to rest palm open just above the waistband of his tight jeans.


Smirking ever so slightly, he said huskily, “Bossy lil chit. Turns me right on that does.”


Beyond mad and offended, Buffy replied sweetly, “If these wards weren’t in place, we’d find out just how hard I could kick you where it hurts. With all this Slayer strength, I’m sure I could put you out of our misery for a few days...at least!”


As the two blondes argued, Ellie watched on in interest. So THIS was what Mummy had been babbling about all afternoon. ‘Makes sense I guess,’ she thought. ‘Not like this family’s ever been normal.’


The three unlikely comrades continued their way through the entryway, which looked just as ramshackle as the outside of the house, blondes bickering and jibing all the way. Finally, Ellie had had more than enough.


“Quit it you two! If you’re gonna act like children, I’ll make you each get a switch out of the yard and I’ll beat you with ‘em!” she called over her shoulder. When she finally reached her sitting room, she turned to find two very sullen faces looking at the floor, refusing to meet her eyes.


“Oh now, you know I’m justa teasin’.” Mockingly shaking her head, she elaborated, “I guess if ya’ll can’t throw punches then you have to throw insults, but try to keep it to a minimum. We have a lot to go over, and precious lil time to do it in.”


Tired of remaining so calm and trusting, even though this WAS his beloved little sister, Spike asked, “The bleedin’ fuck are you doin’ in Sunnyhell bit? What’s all this ‘bout talkin’ with the Slayer? I’ve been a saint so far, and now I want some answers!!”


Buffy couldn’t agree more. “Not sure what half of that meant, but I did hear a few words I could string together. What ARE we doing here?”


Realizing that it was time to dole out some answers, Ellie sighed. Pointing to the couches and chairs covered plastic and dust, she said, “Rip off that plastic and have a seat, this could take a while.”



xxx



A loud banging noise woke Rupert Giles from slumber. Sprawled in a comfortable chair, he blinked bleary eyes and wondered who the hell would be waking him at this hour. Laying the research he had fallen asleep perusing next to the half-drunk glass of scotch on the side table, he looked to the clock nearby, confirming that it was just past one in the morning. The pounding began again.


“Yes yes, I’m coming,” came the annoyed reply.


When he finally reached the door, the pounding had commenced twice more, and Giles grew anxious. ‘What if Buffy needed him?’ he thought. Quickly throwing the door open, he was startled to find Angel on the other side.


“Invite me in Giles, there’s trouble,” Angel ordered.


“Do come in, Angel,” Giles replied sarcastically. “What brings you to my flat at one in the morning?”


“Buffy’s in trouble. Spike and some other vamp have her captive in an old house out by Restfield.”


“Oh dear Lord,” responded Giles. He immediately thought to polish his glasses. Realizing there was certainly no time for that, much less a proper explanation, he prepared to grab any necessary weapons.


Pausing his motions for a moment, he asked, “Why are you here instead of helping her?”


“I almost got staked trying to get her out of there. She was stuck in place by magic. They told me to leave or they’d kill me. She insisted on staying.” Angel replied.


Catching himself as another ‘Oh dear Lord’ was about to spill from his lips, he amended his list to include a few spellbooks and some common ingredients. Packing with haste, he turned to Angel who led Giles out of the flat and into the night, both men thinking rescue was close at hand.


They couldn’t have been more wrong.

Chapter 5

Ellie had much to say. She just wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. Looking to her two unlikely guests, she found her brother draped lazily over a chaise. ‘No surprise there,’ she thought. She knew however, that his attention was directly on her and what she had to say. Buffy on the other hand, was sitting almost primly on the furthest couch from Spike, eyes planted on the younger vamp, waiting expectantly for her to speak. ‘If only those two knew...’ Ellie thought. Realizing that she was stalling, she took a deep breath and began.


“This may sound crazy, but I’ve found a ritual of some importance. How much do you know about our Sire Slayer?”


Buffy responded with confusion. “Who is your Sire? Oh! You mean the crazy one! Dru something or other.”


“Got it in one pet, Drusilla is our Sire. My Dark Princess, my ripe wicked plum...” Spike trailed off, goofy grin on his face.


“As my brother so kindly stated, Drusilla is indeed our Sire. How much do you know of her history?” Ellie asked.


“Not much, I’m afraid,” Buffy responded, “I’m not one for the research. I’m more of a pointy-stick-to-heart type girl.” Sheepishly, she continued, “Something about being driven mad by Angelus before she was turned?”


“That’s correct,” Ellie nodded, ignoring the muttered “Wanker” that came from Spike. Pressing on, she said, “She was slowly tortured mentally until the day she was to take her final vows as a nun. By this time, she was more than insane. Angelus then took it upon himself to curse a convent girl with eternal damnation and made her one of us. However, what most don’t know is that she was also a seer. Her visions are second-to-none.”


Shocked and appalled, Buffy asked, “Is that why you don’t like Angel?”


“Angelus, and yes, he cursed my mother. That in itself is unforgivable.” Ellie replied with a single sharp nod of her head.


Stubbornly, Buffy added, “But he’s good now! He has a soul!”


Laughing dryly, Spike interjected, “Soul? What is it about souls that makes you humans go all aflutter? Serial killers and rapists have souls, doesn’ stop them from doin’ evil.”


Stubbornly, Buffy replied, “Doesn’t seem like vampires have problems with evil either though, does it?”


“Just because we CAN do evil doesn’t mean we HAVE to do evil Buffy,” said Ellie softly. “I’ve not killed a human in anything other than self-defense in goin’ on ten years. I drink pig’s blood from the butcher.”


“Never understood that ‘bout you Ellie,” Spike replied. “Tastes bloody awful that does.”


“It tastes like bacon,” Ellie replied, slightly sheepish.


Thoroughly confused and slightly disgusted, Buffy said, “So all vamps aren’t evil?”


Bitterly, Ellie replied, “No Buffy, not all vamps and demons are evil. Your misconceptions are based on the council and your Watcher I assume? They’re wrong. Some of us just want to live in peace.”


Buffy was quiet for several moments, finally saying, “This is a lot to take in, and I’m not sure I believe you. You are a vamp after all.”


“’Ey Slayer, don’t be so glum. Most vamps? Evil as they come, yours truly included.” At that, Ellie giggled. Shooting a sharp glare at his sister, Spike continued, “Don’t fret your pretty head over all the vamps you’ve dusted. Fledges and minions aren’t like Childer. One day we’ll sit ourselves down and have a nice long chat about it, but for now seems like there’s more pressing matters to tend to.” At that, he fixed a stare on his sister, urging her to continue.


“Right then, back to the topic at hand. My mother is very special to me. She saved me from a horrible death.” Taking a deep unneeded breath, Ellie pressed on, tears pricking her eyes. “I was a normal girl for most of my life. I was born in 1959 to a very religious home in Eastern Kentucky. My parents and I got along quite well, and other than the occasional trouble that stemmed from our business of moonshinin’, we were happy. When I turned ten however, my problems began.”


“I discovered that I was special. I could move things around without touching them. Being so young, I thought that all kids could do that. Still, I kept it a secret for another ten years. On the day I turned twenty, I was out workin’ the still with my pa when a big barrel of shine fell over on his leg, crushing it right good. Frightened, I did the only thing I knew, and moved it with my special power.”


“Instead of thanking me and letting me help him back down to the house, my pa looked at me in horror. ‘WITCH!’ he screamed. Hearin’ the commotion, ma ran up the short hill to the still and saw us both, terrified. As she helped pa back up, she fixed me with a glare like I’d never seen before. ‘You get the hell away from us you sinner!’ she cried.”


“I was devastated. With no where to go, I ran up into the mountains hoping to hide. I cried a lot, wondering what I had done wrong. I’d saved my pa right? Little did I know that ma and pa had rousted the whole town into findin’ me. When night fell, they searched me out in a small cave not too awfully far from my home.”


“As they grabbed me, torches blazin’, somethin’ strange happened. A figure in black with the lightest hair I’d ever seen jumped into the mob and started bitin’ and fighting like no other. In the confusion, I ran deeper in the cave. Lonely, scared, and tired beyond belief, I was startled to find a woman comin’ slowly towards me. She had long dark hair, pretty face, and was wearin’ this white nightdress. She had a curious smile on her face and was giggling, head tilted to one side. As we stared each other down, the figure in black joined us, blood soaking his mouth.”


“I was terrified, thinking that I’d jumped from the fryin’ pan and into the fire, when the man said, ‘This the one you wan’ ta eat love? She’s right pretty.’ Eyes rollin’ back into ma head, the last thing I heard was the woman talkin’. ‘No my Spike,’ she said, ‘The pixies tell me this one is family.’”


“I woke up the next night hungerin’ somethin’ awful. As I pushed through the shallow grave I was lyin’ in, I found the woman and man were there waiting for me. With a knowing smile, the man, Spike, led my face to the lady’s throat where I tore in and drank like a woman starved. When I had taken enough, they set to trainin’ me to be like them. For ten years we danced across the Appalachians, killin’ and causin’ trouble."


“As we traveled, I became resigned to the fact that my new mother was insane. I decided to part company with them, as I had no interest in visiting Eastern Europe, thinkin’ it more important to find a cure for her. Even something so small as to give her some sort of peace ya know?”


As Buffy sat stunned, eyes watering slightly, Spike nodded thoughtfully. “So you finally found it,” he said.


“Now you know why I’m in Sunnydale Spike,” Ellie replied. “The ritual requires the blood of the Sire and the blood of the Slayer.”

Chapter 6

“So let me get this straight,” Buffy said. “You need my blood and Angel’s blood for some ritual so you can make insane killer sane again? Excuse me while I don’t think this is a good idea.”


Sighing, Ellie stated, “I didn’t want to have to play this way, but I guess I’ll have to. If you and Angelus don’t participate willingly in the ritual, I WILL channel my Sire’s insanity into the town of Sunnydale...forever.”


Buffy gasped. “I thought you said you just wanted to live in peace!! How is this not evil?” she exclaimed.


“Calm yourself down Slayer. Ellie would never hurt anyone if she didn’t feel she had to. Dru means more to us than you can possibly imagine. What if it was your mother? What would you do, pet?” Spike said softly.


Taken aback, Buffy wasn’t sure what to do. On one hand, making an insane vamp sane wasn’t such a bad idea. Sanity was usually of the good. On the other, however, Drusilla was still a killer and would most likely remain so. Then there was the fact that the whole town would go crazy and stay that way forever if she didn’t. Classic damned-if-you-do damned-if-you-don’t scenario. One thing was clear. Ellie had gotten all her ducks in a row, that was for sure. And as for Spike’s words, she had to admit that if it WERE her mother, she would do anything in her power to save her. After several moments of silent contemplation, Buffy finally spoke.


“I need time to think, talk to my Watcher and Angel. I make no guarantees, but for the town’s sake I will consider your terms.”


“As you wish,” Ellie replied, smirking. Rising, she led Buffy to the door. “When you’ve made your decision, take this necklace, hold it, and think of me. I’ll know where to find you. Just...make sure it’s at night if ya would, much obliged.”


Taking the small crystal necklace with its simple gold chain, Buffy nodded. “Right,” she said.


Walking down the rickety steps, Buffy heard Ellie call out, “The town will stay sane for twenty-four more hours. The ritual MUST take place on the night of the full moon, two nights from now.”


Nodding slightly, Buffy continued down the walk towards home.



xxx



After the conversation ended and Buffy had long since left, Spike sat staring out the open window. The moon was nearly full and let much light into the small sitting room. ‘Dru sane again,’ he thought. ‘Not sure if I want that or not...’


“So big brother,” Ellie said cutting into his thoughts, “This is great right? We’ll have Mummy back in one piece!”


“You think the Slayer will go for it?” he asked.


“I think she has to.” she responded, giggling madly.



xxx



Buffy was lost in thought as she wandered back to 1630 Revello Drive. While it had been Ellie with much to say earlier in the night, now Buffy felt the need to get some things off her chest. She knew she had to face Giles and Angel as well as the Scoobies, she just didn’t have the will to do that at the moment. For now, a good cup of cocoa and a chat with her mother seemed to be the best course of action. Mom always knew just what to say.



xxx



Unfortunately for Buffy, that was not in the cards for her tonight. Not realizing that it was well past three in the morning, she was startled out of her thoughts by Angel’s frantic yelling not two blocks from home.


“Buffy! You’re alright!” Angel called, surprised.


“Hi Angel. Yes, I’m fine. Slayer here, I can take care of myself, ya know.” she replied.


“Of course you can,” interjected Giles, out of breath from walking so fast trying to catch Angel, who had ‘picked up her scent’ several blocks earlier and dashed off. Continuing, he said, “You had us worried! What with Angel injured and you locked in magical bonds we did fear the worst!”


“We think the red-headed vamp cloaked the house. We couldn’t find it. Did you dust them?” Angel asked pointedly.


“What? No, of course not. We just talked for a while.” Buffy replied.


“WHAT?” Angel shouted.


“Do lower your voice Angel,” Giles said softly. “People are trying to sleep...such as myself two hours ago.”


“Sorry, I just can’t imagine a Slayer who lets two powerful and dangerous vamps to run free!” Angel replied.


“Angel, we had a truce for the night. I’m a Slayer of my word, and I would appreciate it if you remembered that this is MY town, MY show, and it is MY decision who and what gets slayed!” Buffy exclaimed, exasperated.


“But Buffy...” Angel began.


“But nothing Angel. I always appreciate your help, and we WILL talk this out, but not right now okay? I just need some sleep. I had to digest a lot of info tonight, and I’m wiped. Can we do this tomorrow? With everyone there?”


“Buffy...if there are dangerous vamps out there, surely this cannot wait,” Giles pointed out.


“We have 24 hours of town-wide sanity to decide what to do. I plan to use at least some of that to sleep!” she said firmly. “We’ll all meet at the library right after school to discuss what I learned tonight, okay?”


Conceding defeat, both Giles and Angel nodded in agreement.


“Can I at least walk you home Buffy?” Angel asked hopefully.


“I just need to be alone a while, it was a lot to take in. I’ll be fine, just gonna crawl up the tree and sneak back to bed before Mom gets up.”


“Very well Buffy, do call if you need me, I doubt I’ll be getting back to sleep any time soon,” Giles said, glaring at Angel. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be returning to my flat.”


Saying ‘goodnight’ to Giles, Buffy turned to Angel. “Angel, I know this is hard, but I really do need some time to think. I’m the Slayer, and while this may not be apocalypty, there’s still an important decision I need to make. So I’ll see you tomorrow?” she ended hopefully.


“Sure Buffy, be safe.”


Leaning down, Angel swooped in for what he was sure would be a goodnight kiss. Unfortunately, Buffy turned her head at the last second and he merely brushed her cheek. Puzzled and slighted, Angel turned and walked away.


‘Why the heck didn’t I let him kiss me?’ Buffy thought. Thinking back to the new male vamp in town, she was shocked to realize that she found Spike more attractive than Angel. ‘GRRRRRR,’ she thought. ‘What is it about me and vamps? And the new one is pure evil!! Isn't he?’


Shaking her head from side to side quickly, she decided to think about it all tomorrow. She quietly crept up the tree and slid into her bedroom. After changing into a pair of boxers and an oversized t-shirt, she hung the gifted necklace onto her vanity before crawling gratefully into her bed. She was fast asleep shortly after.


Unbeknownst to Buffy, Angel, or Giles, another figure watched on in interest. No one heard the low growl when Angel tried to kiss Buffy, nor did they see the swish of black leather as the figure slunk back into the shadows.

Chapter 7

Buffy spent the morning in a daze. Ambling from class to class, she was finally cornered by Willow at lunch.


“You’ve been all avoidy Buffy today, what gives?” Willow asked.


“Oh Will, I’m sorry. Just had a really wiggy meeting with some new vamps in town last night.” Buffy replied.
“You met with some vamps? I thought you usually just dusted them!”


“I don’t know Will, it’s just that they were both super strong. One was a witch and the other was a super good fighter, you know, the one that killed the two Slayers? It was him! So after the witchy one almost staked Angel, she called truce and we talked for like a couple hours! It was so weird.” Buffy said quickly.


Processing the information, Willow replied, “So what did you guys talk about?”


“I’m gonna tell THAT story once and once only. Scooby meeting after school, okay?”


“Sure Buffy, I’ll make sure Xander knows.”


“Thanks Will. One more thing. If you could help save someone who was insane and make them sane again, would you do it?” Buffy asked.


“Of course! No one should have to live with that torment, it would be awful!” Willow cried.


“What if it was an insane vamp?”


“Oh wow! I...uhm...don’t know.”



xxx



Buffy felt somewhat better after talking to Willow, but she still wasn’t sure what to do. She knew that Xander would be against the idea, telling her to dust them instead. Giles would no doubt be interested in the ritual itself of course, and Willow would as well. She might want to help or at least observe to sate her curiosity for all things witchy. Angel was a mystery, as usual. Buffy could see the disdain he felt for Spike, and was more than likely he felt guilty and ‘brooded’ over his torture of Drusilla for many years, and probably did to this day. She still longed to talk to her mother, and made it a point to make sure she did before using the necklace to summon Ellie. While Buffy pondered her choices, the final bell rang. She walked with purpose towards the library, ready for all comers.



xxx



Angel and Giles were talking quietly when Buffy, Willow, and Xander entered. Quickly saying a few last words, Giles turned towards the Scoobies and said, “I’ve been researching rituals of healing and peace of mind all afternoon, and I do believe that I have located the ritual in question.” Sighing, he continued, “It involves very serious black magics, of which I have no doubt a vampire is capable of withstanding. However, I believe that it would be folly to undertake this ritual, simply due to the fact that we have no records of it ever being successfully performed.”


“That’s what I was afraid you’d say Giles,” Buffy responded.


Xander was confused. “Maybe you could bring us up to speed Buffster, because I have no clue what any of that stuff the G-man just said meant.”


“Xander, please do not call me that,” Giles asked, annoyed.


Sheepishly Xander nodded. He would of course forget, but that was half the fun!


Angel took everything Giles said in with interest, and waited for Buffy to elaborate.


Taking a deep breath, Buffy began.


“You all remember Drusilla from yesterday?”


When several nods came as answer, she continued, “She’s the insane one. This new vamp I met, Ellie, is one of Drusilla’s Childer, the same as Spike.”


“Ellie loves her mother and brother very much, as Drusilla and Spike saved her from being burned as a witch in the late seventies. She’s found a ritual that would make her mother sane again, but it requires my blood and Angel’s blood to be completed. As the kicker, it has to be done tomorrow night. If I don’t go through with it, Ellie has promised to make the whole town of Sunnydale insane...forever.”


There was silence as all present digested the information. Xander was the first to speak.


“I say we just stake all three and be done with it. I mean, with no witch-vamp around, the other two should be easy to pick off. Bonus – the town isn’t insane anymore.”


“Remember when we were researching yesterday Xan?” Willow said. “If we don’t shut down the link properly, the madness will continue anyway.”


Grunting, Xander relented. Angel was beyond angry, and Giles was on the brink of Ripperdom. After realizing that it would be almost impossible to forgo the ritual, Giles was the first to speak.


“It seems as though it might be prudent to simply follow through with the ritual. However, I still believe that we should research the channel this Ellie is using to cause the madness. We could possibly find a counter-spell in time to prevent the inevitable.”


Angel spoke next. “Buffy, this is very dangerous. I agree with Giles completely. More research and a counter-spell is definitely the better option.”


Buffy was thoughtful when she replied, “What was Drusilla like before she went mad?”


Taken aback, Angel said, “She was a sweet young nun Buffy, never hurt anyone. And it’s all my fault that she’s the way she is now. Bloodthirsty and crazy. She had the visions before she was turned though.”


“It’s just so weird Angel, I can tell both Spike and Ellie care for her so much. I thought you said that soulless demons and vamps couldn’t feel anything?”


“They can’t Buffy,” Giles interjected.


“I think you’re wrong guys.” Buffy finally said softly.


“Buffy, the ritual requires my blood too.” Angel said.


“You could right a wrong Angel, it might be worth it.” Buffy replied.


Pondering his beloved redemption, Angel was very tempted.


With that, she got up and left the room saying, “I’m gonna go talk to mom before I make a final decision. You all make with the research and I’ll talk to you later.”



xxx



As Buffy made her way back home, she was no closer to a decision. Firmly believing that her mother held the final clue, she hurried on.


When she arrived, she found her mother busy doing dishes in the kitchen.


“Hey mom,” she said quietly.


“Buffy! How was your day?” Joyce replied.


“I’ve got something I need to ask you. If you could help someone, what would you do?”


“Why Buffy, of course I would help them! What a silly question.”


“What if by this person was insane, and you could help them through it along with a counselor or something? Bur what if their personality didn’t change, and they weren’t a good person?”


Joyce pondered this for a few moments, and finally said, “I would ask ‘what if they were a good person and under the weight of insanity BECAME a bad person?’ Sometimes you just have to take the risk, Buffy.”


Nodding thoughtfully, Buffy replied, “Thanks mom, I think I’ve made my decision.”



xxx



When dusk fell, Buffy took the amulet off the vanity and held it gently in her hand. Thinking about Ellie and her soft accent, it began to glow a bright gold. Knowing that the summons had completed successfully, Buffy stepped lightly down the stairs and made her way out on the porch to wait.

Chapter 8

In a room far from the one he shared with Drusilla, Spike sat contemplatively, thoughts muddled. After spending a century with his insane Sire, he was more than unsure about this ritual his sister Ellie had found. ‘What if she changes so much she doesn’t want me anymore?’ Tilting his head to the side, he continued musing. ‘What if she could actually love me sane? And what is it about this little slip of a Slayer that has me enamored so?’


He realized that he had been thinking for several hours, a shock to be sure, when he was startled out of his inner monologue by Dru’s loud laughter. It tinkled and escalated until he found her dancing through the doorway. Dammit! He’d been brooding! Shaking his head violently, he turned his attention to Dru and smiled softly, waiting for her voice.



xxx



Ellie shimmered into existence quietly about a block from the Summers’ residence. Walking in no hurry towards the Slayer’s home, she was confident that Buffy would make the right decision. Though Ellie had played her ace in the hole as insurance, she could already see that Buffy was considering helping for other reasons; reasons that stemmed from her teachings from the Council, her Watcher, and that accursed Angelus. Expecting no trouble, she was surprised to find her thoughts interrupted by Angelus himself.



xxx



Using his hulking frame to stop Ellie’s movement towards Buffy’s porch, Angel said simply, “It’s my fault that Dru is the way she is. I’ll do the ritual.”


Smirking, Ellie replied, “I had no doubt that you would.”


Nodding once, Angel left her with, “Then I’ll be on my way. Where will it take place?”


“Basement of the house you came to last night. It’s on a ley-line.”


Angel then turned and spun away from Ellie and headed back to his apartment. He had more thinking to do. Ellie, on the other hand, kept her unhurried pace and continued on towards Buffy.



xxx



“Hey kiddo,” Ellie said softly. “May I sit with ya?”


“Sure,” Buffy replied, motioning towards the empty space on the steps.


“So I take it you’ve made your decision then?” Ellie asked.


“I think so.” Pausing for a moment to collect her thoughts, Buffy pressed on. “I-I...want to help. Not because I want to save the town though...it’s just that...it’s the right thing to do, ya know?”


Surprised, Ellie was speechless for several long seconds. Finally gathering her wits, she said, “This is incredible! You don’t know how much this means to us! Spike and I, we just love her so much ya know? It’s been terrible watchin’ her suffer for so long...longer even for Spike.”


“I believe you when you say you love her. I was taught that vamps and demons couldn’t love or feel anything really, but now I’ve seen it. And-and, I just wanted you to know that I believe you.”


Sure that thank you would never be enough, Ellie’s thoughts as to how to respond were jumbled. She said it anyway. “Thank you.”


Nodding her response, Buffy laid a reassuring hand on Ellie’s shoulder. Buffy removed her hand as a silent understanding passed between vampire and Slayer. They sat for a long time, both lost in their own thoughts, merely enjoying each others presence.



xxx



With one final twirl, Drusilla’s dance came to a halt. Smiling broadly, she said to Spike, “Come with me my Dark Prince, we must gaze at the stars! They speak so loudly to me, I simply must share it with you!”


Expecting her to lead him outside and into the night, he wasn’t too shocked to find that he had been led back to their makeshift bedroom. Flopping on her back onto the stolen four-poster, Dru giggled softly, eyes to the ceiling.


Shaking his head and smirking easily, Spike gazed in wonder at his Dark Princess. ‘So lovely,’ he thought. However, he couldn’t quite shake the image of the golden Slayer completely from his mind. It didn’t trouble him nearly as much as it should, and that confused him.


“Oh my Spike, the stars! They tell me all sorts of wonderful things!”


Dropping a light kiss onto her forehead, Spike planted his hands on either side of her torso and deftly flipped himself over and landed with a thump beside her.


“What do they tell you, Princess?” he replied.


“They tell me my Spike has been a naughty, naughty boy. Thoughts of the sunshine dance through your brain.”


Taken aback, he blustered, “Oh my Dark Goddess, my ripe wicked plum, you know you’re the only one for me. Just a passin’ fancy, tha’s all. I’ll make her my third for you, I will.”


Her eyes losing their glassy sheen, Drusilla became strangely lucid. She pressed on, cryptically, “Meant to dance with the sunshine you were, not in the darkness with me. Some things just aren’t in the stars.”



xxx



Alone in his flat, Giles was quickly shuffling through the pages of a musty tome. Eyes scanning rapidly, they widened. He’d found it! Rising from his chair, he took the tome in one hand and almost sprinted to the phone. Dialing Buffy’s number, he wasn’t surprised in the least to hear Joyce’s voice answer in greeting.


“Yes Ms. Summers, this is Rupert Giles, the librarian from school? I need to speak with Buffy please, I’ve found something-ah something she left here after class.”



xxx



After hanging up the phone, Joyce stepped out onto the porch, and was interested to find not one, but two people sitting on the steps.


“Who’s your friend Buffy?” she asked.


Turning slowly, she quickly covered, “Oh hey Mom, this is Ellie, a new student in school.”


“Well it’s nice to meet you Ellie.” Directing her eyes to Buffy, Joyce continued, “That was Mr. Giles on the phone, he says you left something at school and wanted to talk to you about it.”


“Thanks Mom, I probably forgot my Math book again. I’ll head over there right now to get it, still have homework to do.”


“Ok dear, just be careful.” Joyce replied.


“Nice to meet ya Ms. Summers, I’ll just be headin’ off now. Holler at me later if you wanna chat again Buffy, had a nice time.” Ellie said, walking down the steps and into the night.


Sure that Giles had found the counter-spell, Buffy was at a loss. With a strong shake of her head, Buffy steeled her thoughts and made haste towards Giles’ flat.

Chapter 9

Buffy walked with purpose towards Giles’ flat. There was a heavy weight on her heart. In typical Scoobie fashion, they had found the ‘better’ solution just in the nick of time. Now she had a make or break choice; should she go ahead with the ritual, as she was sure was the ‘right’ thing to do, or betray Ellie’s trust and use the counter-spell?


Sighing, she thought, ‘Giles will go ballistic over this...’



xxx



A soft rap invaded Giles’ ears. Walking with long strides towards the door, he opened it, relieved to find Buffy standing on the other side.


“My dear, I hated to ring you so late at night, but it was imperative that I inform you that I have found the proper counter-spell. If you’ll step this way and act as a conduit, I can perform the spell immediately...”


As Giles droned on about using the correct ingredients, the ritual words, and the right outcome of of spell in question, Buffy realized that she really WAS a Slayer of her word. She couldn’t go through with the counter-spell, not after promising Ellie that she would undertake the ritual.


“Giles,” she began timidly, “I already talked to Ellie tonight. I’m going to help her with the ritual to cure Drusilla.”


Aghast, Giles exclaimed, “Buffy! That is a most unwise course of action! We don’t know the ramifications or repercussions of this ritual at all, you could be hurt or killed!”


“Ellie trusted me enough to release the magical bonds and let me enter her home. Spike trusted she and I enough to talk without violence, and not once after Ellie stopped us did he make a move to kill me. Now it’s time for ME to trust Ellie.”


Sighing, Giles knew that he was outmatched by Buffy’s stubbornness. “Have you talked with Angel?” he finally said.


“No, and you and I both know I don’t have to. He’ll be there. It’s all about his redemption. Don’t tell me you didn’t see the look in his eyes when I mentioned ‘righting a wrong.’”


Realizing that she was right, he conceded defeat. “May I at least accompany you to this farce?”


“I’ll just bet that Ellie will be expecting us.” she replied with a small smile, turning to head home.



xxx



Ellie decided to walk back to the old house, with the intent to save her strength. She knew that she would need every bit to see the ritual through to its end. To say that she was ecstatic would be an understatement. Buffy had opened her heart to her mother’s plight! It was just as Drusilla had foretold; she would become well again, and with that freedom she could release Spike as her protector and nursemaid. All was going EXACTLY according to plan, and Ellie couldn’t help but giggle at her good fortune!



xxx



Sitting alone in his darkened apartment, Angel was lost in thought. Brooding, some might call it, he thought with a laugh. He pondered his beloved child, Drusilla, and how he tortured her mind for so long. She had been such a beautiful young thing that the whoring side of Liam just couldn’t resist. She was heavily resistant to his advances, so he had used every trick in his rather large book to twist and turn her as he liked. As the final straw, he had killed her entire family in front of her. As she had gone to take her last vows as nun, he had decided then, when she was at her lowest, to turn her and keep her forever. With a chance to amend this grievous error, he couldn’t help but feel relieved and somewhat excited.



xxx



While Drusilla napped quietly, Spike was also lost in thought. ‘Has Dru gone barmy?” he thought. ‘Well, more barmy than usual,’ he amended. ‘Dance with the sunshine? What the bleedin’ hell does that mean? I’ve been faithful to her for more than a century, and now she’s tellin’ me that it’s not in the bloody stars??’ Sighing audibly, he resigned himself to sleeping, as he would get no more answers out of Dru than he could blood from an orange.



xxx



After arriving back at the abandoned house, Ellie found herself sitting on stores of pent-up energy. As there were no preparations yet to be made for the ritual at hand, she decided to stir up some trouble. Surely her mother wouldn’t mind her borrowing a bit through their link...



xxx



Across black satin sheets a naked female figure was strewn haphazardly, limbs akimbo. Covered in all the right places by a swath of fabric, she was almost demure. Blond hair fanned this way and that among the multitude of pillows, as she waited patiently for her lover to disrobe.


Smirking, the male across the room shed his long leather coat and cocked his head to the side. Leering unabashedly at her, she blushed prettily.


“Gonna take care of you right proper, I will,” he said.


Swallowing reflexively she nodded with wide eyes.


Slowly unbuttoning his red overshirt, he watched as she arched her hips slightly off the bed in anticipation. With a low groan, he sped up his movements, quickly shedding the offending garment. It fell to the floor in a heap, and he then crossed his arms and pulled the black t-shirt over his head. As the alabaster skin of his taut torso was revealed, the female moaned appreciatively.


“Ohhh pretty...” she said.


Offended, the male cried, “Oi! No’ pretty, manly! Handsome even!”


Giggling, she acquiesced. A sharp intake of breath was heard as he resumed his slower pace in undressing. Using both hands to pop the buttons on his fly, his erection sprang free to jut proudly against his stomach. Relieved to be free of the constriction of his tight black jeans, he sighed happily. Finally stepping out of the chafing garment, he was now as nude as the woman on the bed.


He stalked towards her. She made room for him on the luxurious bed, and he kneeled down and dropped his head towards hers. She met him halfway and their lips met softly. Brushing lightly, the kiss grew more passionate as tongues began to slip and slide sensuously against one another. As the kiss broke and rekindled so the woman could take in needy gulps of air, she slipped one hand down his chest, lightly teasing the skin there until she was trailing her fingers through the curls nestled just above his member. Finally taking him firmly in hand, she began to stroke him just as he liked.


Breaking the kiss one final time with a groan, he too began to explore. Sliding the sheet down to reveal her breasts, he cupped one mound gently as a wayward thumb began to rub feather-soft circles around its tip. Grinning, he winked before his head dipped down to take its twin into his cool mouth, taking long pulls on her nipple.


She moaned tortuously, increasing her rhythmic pumping of his cock. Growling, he abandoned her peaks. Two could play at that game. His fingers quickly ripped the sheet away completely, revealing her luscious golden-skinned body to his gaze. Returning his eyes to hers, his hands pressed her legs open wide, and he took in the sight of her womanhood.


“Mmmm,” he said lecherously. “What a pretty shade of pink I’ve found!”


Blushing once more, she noticed her breathing becoming more and more labored. As he slowly brushed two fingers from her opening to her clit, she gasped loudly.


“So kitten wants to play hmm?” he said.


Nodding furiously, she lifted her hips in insistence that he continue. Laughing softly, he slid one digit into her, delighting at her sharp gasp and subsequent moan. Beginning to pump slowly, he brought his thumb to back her clit and pressed languid circles. Within moments, she was writhing, tormented.


“Need more...need...you...” she whispered, breathless.


“Then more you’ll have love,” he responded.


Moving to rest his hips between hers, he aligned their bodies. As always, they fit perfectly together, his weight not to heavy, nor did his height leave her out of range of his melting kisses. Waiting for her assent, he rubbed the head of his cock teasingly along her folds.


“Now...please...” she whimpered.


With no further introduction necessary, he plunged into her depths in one steady stroke. He waited, savoring the sensation of being once more inside her. After a moment, he felt her strong muscles clench him deliciously. He began to thrust at a leisurely pace, enjoying her tightness.


“So good,” she moaned.


“Tha’s right kitten, squeeze me good, love that love that love...” he babbled.


Pumping ever faster, their words became moans, then grunts interspersed with frantic breathing. As they approached climax...



xxx



Twin figures shot straight up in bed and gasps were loud in the still night. Though miles away, there was no mistaking who the two had dreamed about. Embarrassed and resigned to cleaning up sticky sheets, they both lay back down, panting and pondering.






Ellie giggled.

Chapter 10

As Buffy made her way to her first class, mortified wouldn’t even BEGIN to describe how she felt. She’d had a naughty dream! Not a random naughty dream with some TV heart-throb either, but she’d dreamed...of an evil vampire! Not that he wasn’t hunky, no, he definitely was that. Not that the dream was bad either...but she’d left sticky sheets! Wholly embarrassed, she was frantic to recall if this was laundry day or not. Thoughts drifting, she began to sport an impressive blush as she remembered how gentle he’d been with her. With his husky voice and those beautiful blue...‘GAH BAD Buffy,’ she thought. Trying frantically to calm herself, she ran smack dab into Willow.


Taking one look at her best friend’s glassy eyes, Willow said firmly, “Spill.”


“Oh! Will! Uhm, was just thinking of uhm, Angel! Yea, Angel! You know, the souled vamp I trade smoochies with?” Buffy replied nervously.


“Right Buffy, I’m sure that’s why you were blushing from head to toe! Are you not seeing my resolve face? Now c’mon, SPILL.”


“Okay, okay.” Taking a deep breath, Buffy whispered, “Well, I ah, had a naughty dream last night.”


“Wow! Really?” cried Willow. As the ramifications of what her friend said, she blushed madly herself. “Was it about Angel?” she asked.


“Well that’s the thing...” she began, then quickly finished, “YouseeitwaskindofaboutSpike.”


The pitch of Willow’s voice was helium-high as she replied, “Spike?! As in, I killed two Slayers probably wanna make Buffy my third – Spike?”


The glassy quality returned to Buffy’s eyes as she murmured, “Oh yeah.”


Noticing that her friend had re-entered fantasy-land Willow said, “That good, huh?”


Buffy nodded emphatically.


“What are you gonna tell Angel?”


“What are we telling Deadboy?” Xander cut in.


“NOTHING!” both girls shrieked.


As the girls went their separate ways towards class, Xander muttered, “Women.”



xxx



Luckily for Spike, he didn’t have to worry about such an awkward confrontation. In fact, he thought, it was entirely possible that Dru had foreseen this event already. The woman in question slept peacefully next to him, giggling softly every so often. Tilting his head to one side, he grinned at the thought of lovely Slayer legs wrapped around his torso as he shagged her rotten. Just as suddenly, he remembered Ellie. ‘That BITCH,’ he thought. ‘How DARE she send me one of Dru’s visions as a dream!’


Calming himself, he recalled Dru’s words from the before he fell asleep. This opened a whole new set of problems. What if the SLAYER was the sunshine that Dru spoke of? More importantly, did he really want that? What about his lovely Dark Princess?” Realizing that he was very possibly brooding again, something he’d never thought to do in the past, he resigned himself to get more sleep. It seemed that the ritual would take place tonight, come good or ill.



xxx



The Scoobies filed into the library after school, all but Buffy in the dark as to Giles’ findings the evening prior. Angel was waiting for Buffy, and stopped her as she tried to enter the room.


“I’m going to do the ritual Buffy.” he stated simply.


“It’s the right thing to do,” she replied.


“I know it was all my fault and that I should be the one to fix...wait, did you just agree with me?”


“Yes, I’m going to do the ritual as well. I know they can love her Angel, and they do. She deserves peace of mind, at the very least.”


“I agree, but you can’t think that all vampires and demons can love Buffy, they simply can’t. It’s all obsession or lust, or even just companionship. Not true feelings like you and I have for each other.”


Lowering her gaze to the floor, Buffy realized that Angel was once again trying to cloud or steer her thoughts, thoughts that she felt were truly important. A little piece of her heart broke. She had been blinded by his devotion and care for her safety, but she knew now that this wasn’t love. She raised her eyes once more to stare at him, saying, “You’re wrong. Angel...I can’t love someone who’s this closed-minded and domineering. It’s so obvious that what Ellie and Spike feel for Drusilla is real. No one goes to this much trouble for companionship.”


“Buffy, I..." he began.


“No Angel. I’ll always care for you, but what we have isn’t love. Let’s just get this ritual done, okay? Then maybe we can talk more.”



xxx



At dusk, the Scoobs trekked to the abandoned house, Buffy leading. Giles was next, several books in hand. Xander and Willow followed, the former sullen at the thought of Buffy going through with the crazy spell. Willow, on the other hand, was quite excited to be able to see some REAL magic. Angel trailed far behind, lost in thought.



xxx



Ellie sat meditating quietly as Spike lit the various candles and tea lights strewn about the basment. With its dirt floors and unfinished walls, the basement had a decidedly spooky quality. Drusilla lay on her back inside a large pentagram of salt, arms to her sides, staring at the ceiling. She was strangely quiet.


Ellie felt the oncoming group moments before a soft knock was heard at the door. Fixing a pointed glare to her brother, she asked with a smirk, “You mind getting that sugar? Seems like the gang is all here. ‘Bout time to get this show on the road.”


Grumbling softly, and not without his own hard stare, Spike nodded once in agreement. Still mumbling softly under his breath he made his way up the stairs and to the front door. Whipping it open quickly, he was shocked to find Buffy’s petite form on the other side, figuring that Angel or the Watcher would insist on leading. Quickly regaining his composure, he sent a sexy smirk her way, blue eyes blazing.


“Hello, kitten.”


Buffy gasped.

Chapter 11

Mouth still agape, Buffy had been expecting Ellie to answer the door. She wasn’t ready for this! And that bastard KNEW. He’d called her ‘kitten,’ just like in the dream. Shaking from her shocked stupor, she became very angry. “You...you!” she stuttered.


“Me...me.” Spike replied with a chuckle.


“Oooh!” she grunted. Reaching for the stake in the waistband of her skirt, she was stopped by a soft sound from inside the house.


“None of that now Slayer,” Ellie called. “We have work to do. Y’all can be mad at me later.”


Suspicions confirmed, Spike rolled his eyes. Looking back to the Slayer, he said simply, “We can suss this out after this ritual. The bit’s right, we do need to get this show on the road.”


Eyes narrowing, Buffy reluctantly acquiesced. In a low voice, she coldly stated, “We WILL be talking about this later, don’t try to weasel your way out of it.”


Grinning, Spike nodded.


As the group filed into the house, Willow cornered Buffy. “What was that all about?” she asked.


“I don’t know Will, but if Ellie’s involved, you can bet on magic.”


Curious, Willow merely nodded thoughtfully.



xxx



Though her outward appearance didn’t show it, Drusilla was excited. She would be well again! No more would she be under Angelus’ thumb. No more would she wait patiently for her ‘Daddy’ to return. And finally, she could release Spike from his role as her Dark Knight. Without insanity to cloud her mind, she would be free.



xxx



Angel too, was excited. He could right this blight upon his soul, bringing him one step closer to true redemption.



xxx



Buffy made her way down the steps into the candle-lit room with trepidation. Giles followed, nervous as to the possible outcomes of this folly. Xander clomped down unrepentantly, oblivious to the delicate nature of the event which they were all about to witness. Willow was beside herself, hoping against hope that she would be able to help. Angel trailed down last, eyes glued to Drusilla.


Finally reaching the area, Ellie welcomed them all. “Hey all, welcome to the party.”


“Party?” Giles began, affronted. “I hardly believe that this could constitute...”


“Ah, you must be the Watcher.” Ellie cut in. At Buffy’s nod, she continued, “You can help then.”


Startled by her abrupt dismissal of his thoughts, Giles merely nodded once in affirmation.


Ellie’s eyes and senses scanned the room, quickly landing on Willow. Head tilting thoughtfully, Ellie said, “Would you like to help as well, little witch?”


Scared out of her wits at the attention the obviously powerful vampire had placed upon her, Willow gave a quiet ‘Eeep!’ When she realized that she would be able to actually HELP with the ritual at hand, she shook her head vigorously in the affirmative.


“Just don’t get too excited. For all my down-playin’, this will be rough on all of us. We’re gonna make it through though, you’ll see.”


Motioning towards Willow and Giles, Ellie continued, “You all are on herb duty. They’re here to purify the area and calm the mind, so just keep em burnin’ at a steady rate.” She pointed out the herbs used quickly, and placed the two ‘herb-burners’ at opposite points of the pentagram. Looking towards Buffy and Angel, she withdrew two identical daggers from her pockets. The daggers were beautiful in their simplicity. Bright silver blades were framed with delicate crystal-encrusted hilts. Handing one each to Buffy and Angel, she said, “Just a shallow cut to the right palm is all we need. Just enough for three drops of blood into the bowl.” Nodding in affirmation, both Slayer and souled-vampire were then placed kneeling at the two remaining ends of the pentagram. Finally Ellie placed a small gold bowl filled with only a tiny sphere of crystal onto Drusilla’s stomach.


With one last look about the room, Ellie was satisfied with placements and preparations. Taking a deep, unneeded breath, she said, “Time to play.”



xxx



Closing her eyes and breathing in the soothing herbs, Ellie began chanting softly in an ancient and unrecognizable tongue. This continued for long moments, and a soft breeze began to blow through the room, sending the candles and tea lights to flicker more rapidly.


As the chanting droned on, Buffy became more and more nervous. The crystal in the bowl began to glow golden, its hue bright to her eyes. Breathing deeply, she tried to calm herself.


Ellie’s voice grew more forceful. The wind filtering into the room picked up and her eyes opened wide, irises black as night. Her words switching to common English, she said, “With the blood of the Sire and the blood of the Slayer, I call thee Osiris! Heed my words and grant peace to this woman, this vampire!”


Knowing that this was their cue, both Buffy and Angel made the aforementioned shallow cuts to their right palms. Leaning forward, they both took turns allowing three drops of blood into the bowl. In violent response, the crystal rolled around the bowl, picking up the small amount of liquid. When it was covered in a thin sheen of red, still glowing brightly, it began to float into the air. Coming to rest in the center of Drusilla’s forehead, it changed into a shimmering mist and was absorbed quietly into her mind.


As Ellie slumped forward, palms catching her fall, Dru’s eyes shot open wide. Gasping, Drusilla looked frantically around the room, terrified. Eyes finally landing on Angel, she began to shake. Quickly gaining her feet, she ran to Spike, who was leaning nonchalantly against a visible stud in the unfinished walls. As Spike went to embrace her, comfort her, she insistently cowered behind him.


Murmuring soothing words, Spike made out her infinitely small whisper. “He hurt me. You took care of me.” Eyes glassy with unshed tears, she finished with a soft, “Thank you.”


Regaining some of her usual carefree attitude, Drusilla turned her head towards Ellie. In a more confident voice she said, “I can think clearly again, my daughter, and I thank you as well.”


As the shock from her sudden return to the land of the sane began to wear thin, she embraced both of her children in turn.


Watching the touching scene, Angel was both relieved and saddened. As it became clear that the ritual was an astounding success, he looked on in thoughtful awe and happiness as his family embraced on the other side of the room.


The more he watched, the funnier he felt. It started as a dull thud in his stomach, and the pain grew in intensity as it moved into his chest. When a sudden urge to move struck his body, he followed it willingly. Rising quickly, he made to quit the chamber, when he was stopped briefly by Buffy’s words.


“Angel...? What’s wrong?”


“I don’t feel right Buffy,” then with more venom, “I need to get out of here; I’m obviously not needed.”


As Angel left the room, all eyes returned to the joyous reunion of Ellie, Spike, and the now sane Drusilla. Fear returning, Dru whispered, “Daddy’s home.”

Chapter 12

Fixing a sharp glare onto his sister, Spike’s whisper held deadly intent. “What exactly did you do?”


Still dazed from Drusilla’s scared words, Ellie whispered back heatedly, “I just did the spell to cure Mummy! I didn’t do ANYTHING to Angelus!”


Picking up on the vampires’ quiet words, Xander called, “Hey Evil Dead Boys and Girls, what in all that’s holy is goin’ on?”


Now with the cat out of the bag, all eyes were focused on the trio of vampires. Surprisingly, Dru was the first to respond. In a timid voice she said, “I’m sorry to have caused all this trouble. It seems that Angel has lost his soul. Angelus is once more among us.”


In the following commotion of shouts and flurry of questions, no one noticed the soft footfalls coming down the stairs. Clearing her throat, the newcomer spoke.


“I believe I can shed some light on the situation.”



xxx



Jenny Calendar had failed in her duty. On her watch, Angelus had once more been released. Sensing the power emanating from the woman, Ellie said calmly, “What business do ya have here, witch?”


“Witch? I assure you my dear that this is no witch, she’s merely the computer teacher at Sunnydale High.” Turning to Jenny, Giles continued, “Miss Calendar, it’s simply not safe...”


Interrupting, Jenny stated, “Rupert, it’s okay.” Focusing her attention to the vampires, she introduced herself. “My name is Jenny Calendar and I am a witch. And unfortunately, I’m also a member of the clan of gypsies that cursed Angelus. I was sent here to make sure that it wasn’t broken, and I have failed.”


The rest of the room’s occupants were floored.



xxx



Laying a soothing hand on her brother’s shoulder, Ellie said, “Let’s scatter this salt and clean up a bit and go upstairs to the sittin’ room so Miss Jenny can explain. Don’t want no more spells to go off with this setup.”


Buffy, Xander, and Willow made quick work of the pentagram while Giles and the three vampires sorted out the candles and herbs. Jenny stood quietly, collecting her thoughts, grateful for the short reprieve. As cleanup finished, Ellie gracefully led her guests up the stairs.



xxx



Once everyone was comfortably seated in the small sitting room, some strewn on couches and a few on the dusty floor, all eyes became fixed on Miss Calendar. She took a deep breath and began to explain.


“Angelus was not gifted with a soul, he was cursed. It’s very important to note the difference. After killing one of our clan many years ago, we bespelled him as a means of punishment. The curse wasn’t perfect, however. If Angelus experienced a moment of true happiness, the curse would be broken and his soul would leave him. I believe that seeing his insane Childe become well again was enough to break the curse.”


Several gasps and thoughtful nods permeated the room in response. Ellie was the first to speak.


“See Spike? It WASN’T my fault!”


“Yeah, yeah.” he replied. “It was only your spell that caused Angelus to have a happy!”


Ellie merely sighed, realizing that she really WAS at fault. Remorsefully, she said, “I’m so sorry. I just didn’t know...didn’t think...”


“Damn right you didn’t think!” Spike cried.


“Spike, she didn’t know,” Buffy said calmly. “We’ll deal with this just like we deal with any other apocalypse, face it head-on.”


Grumbling, Spike relented. Xander piped up, “So can’t we just stake him?”


Jenny’s voice took on a hard edge. “No, Xander, I want to re-curse him. He deserves to feel the pain of his actions.”


“Can I help?” asked Willow.


Before Jenny could respond, Giles broke in. “Yes, that’s all well and good, but for now we must deal with getting home. With Angelus on the loose, it’s simply not safe for any of us to be alone. We’ll need to perform disinvites to all homes he has access to also.”


Shock lacing through her, Buffy suddenly remembered something. “My mother!” she cried. “I have to get home and protect her!”


“I’ll be happy to accompany you Buffy,” Giles responded.


“No Watcher, you and Ellie go with the gypsy. I’ll make sure the Slayer gets home safe. She and I need to suss some things out anyway.” Spike interjected.


“I’ll make sure the lil’ witch gets home safe as well, wanna talk to her myself. Dru, you be ok? Need some time to process?” Ellie said.


Drusilla responded coldly, “Of course. However, I have no problem staking him. Gypsy or no, he doesn’t deserve to walk this Earth after what he did to me.”


Buffy was shocked. Taking her spare stake out of an elegant boot, she handed it to Dru. “Just make it quick. I do still care for him, and I’m sure he still cares for me too.”


At this, Drusilla was incredulous. Not bothering to respond, she nodded softly. She, though, had no intention of ‘making it quick’. No, he would suffer at her claws, just like he had made her suffer.


Excited to be able to talk to the two powerful witches, Willow agreed whole-heartedly. Buffy on the other hand, was nervous about being escorted by Spike.


It was decided that Giles and Xander would take Giles’ car back, and all set off to their respective homes. Goodbyes were short, and they headed into the night.



xxx



Angelus felt fantastic! He was free once more. Without that pesky soul bringing him down, he could again do as he liked. Deciding that a good kill was in order, he quickly slipped through the streets, finding a quaint little shopgirl leaving from work. She couldn’t be more than eighteen, obviously working her way through school. A little old for his tastes, she would have to do. Silently slipping into game face, he tracked her down and forced her into an alley. Ah, the sweet smell of fear! It was intoxicating! Grabbing her more roughly than needed, he spun her around so her back was pressed against his chest. Erection soaring, he sunk his fangs into her neck, delighting in the sweet rush of blood into his waiting mouth. Once he had drained her dry, he let her now cooling corpse drop casually to the ground. Sated, he grinned. He was back!

Chapter 13

The silence was awkward as Buffy and Spike made their way back to Revello Drive. Neither knowing quite what to say, it was Spike who finally spoke first. “So, you have questions, yeah?”


Sheepish and embarrassed, Buffy nodded. “What did Ellie mean by ‘being mad at her later?’ I guess that’s the best place to start.”


“Ellie has always been a right powerful witch, but her connection with Dru started just after she was Sired. You birds sussed out that she was using her link to make the town mad?”


Nodding again, Buffy said, “I’m not sure what she was channeling though, was it Drusilla’s...mind?”


“Yeah. She’s known that trick for a long time. Played it on me more than once, too. This one time me and Dru were shaggin’...”


At Buffy’s slightly squeamish look, he stopped. Instead, he tried a different tactic. “You know Dru has visions, right?” At Buffy’s agreement, he continued, “Well Ellie can see those visions too - when she opens the link. The dream we both had, it musta been something Dru was seein’ as she slept that night.”


Horrified, Buffy squeaked in a high voice, “So that’s actually going to happen??”


“Oi! Don’t look so touchy! I’m a right handsome bloke, should be happy it was me!”


Rolling her eyes, Buffy admitted, “Okay, so you’re attractive. Hunky even.” Eyes widening, she paused before saying, “Tell me I didn’t just say that out loud.”


“’Fraid you did, love, not that I mind,” he replied with a leer.


“So not going there! I can’t fall in love with a soulless vampire...and, I’m not sure I even like you.” she said, eyes dropping to the ground.


Taking a moment to process her last thought, he said in a small voice, “I’m not sure I like you either, but you’re a pretty little chit, gorgeous when you’re brassed off.” Brain catching up to his mouth, he spat out, “And soul or no soul, I’m a much better vamp, AND man than Angelus.”


Not quite ready to asses the comment about souls, she focused on the off-hand compliment. “You think I’m gorgeous?”


“You haven’t been done right by men in the past, have you love? If you were my girl, I’d tell you everyday. Just the kind of bloke I am, I guess. I wear my heart on ma sleeve; I’ve always been love’s bitch.”


“So you where does Drusilla fit into all of this? Aren’t you still with her?"


Sighing, he said, “Been faithful to her for over a century pet, doesn’ mean she’s been with me, ya know? And I’m more than worried now that she’s got get mind set up again, she won’t need me at all. Was more of a caregiver, not that we weren’t lovers mind. I guess she just cared for me as a Childe...”


“That’s terrible! How could you stay with her if she was like that?”


“Like I said kitten,” he began, catching her blush at THAT particular pet name, “I’m love’s bitch. Don’t know how to be anything else.”


Saddened by his words, Buffy was thoughtful. “I need time...time to think this over. I need to get to know you, see if you truly CAN be a good man...errr vampire. You know what I mean.”


Smiling softly at her rambling, he responded with, “Speakin’ of relationships, aren’t you and the poofter still an item?”


Shaking her head in the negative, Buffy didn’t say anything in elaboration.


Shocked, Spike’s heart soared. Maybe there WAS a chance in hell...


Realizing that they had reached her home, they stopped their now casual walk next to the infamous climbing tree. “Well,” Buffy said, “this is me.”


In a teasing voice, Spike said, “Well it’s been lovely Slayer, now gimme a good-night kiss, yeah?”


Blushing once more, Buffy surprised him by going up on her toes and dropping a light kiss on his cheek. Deftly shimmying up the tree and through the window, she looked down upon the still stunned vampire and giggled. “Goodnight, Spike.”


She was gone by the time he whispered, “’Night Slayer,” his cheek still pleasantly tingling from her abrupt kiss.



xxx



A dark figure watched the blonde duo with revulsion. He always knew Dru’s first Childe was soft, but he couldn’t fathom that THIS was how soft he had become. First staying with his own lovely Childe, Dru, for over a century, then protecting his ‘little sister’ for several years, and now pining for the Slayer? Bah.


The Slayer in question was another matter entirely. With Dru now sane, he would make Buffy his crowning glory. Oh yes, he had many plans for her. She had left herself wide open to the malicious tortures he loved to perform...what with having friends, a stuffy Watcher, a possible vampire lover, and of course, her mother. Not his usual cup of tea, preferring young girls, her mother would be an easy path to breaking the young Slayer. Oh the possibilities...he knew just where to start. He still had an invite to her young witch-friend’s house, and she would be so easy to spook. A nice subtle fishing trip seemed in order! All the pretty pictures he would draw...it was such a delicious thought that he a couldn’t wait to begin. Knowing he had to move fast to avoid a possible disinvite AND the company he saw the witch leave the abandoned house with, he headed to Willow’s home post-haste.



xxx



In his rush to leave the safety of the shadows, Angelus didn’t notice that he had been spotted. Drusilla had been patiently waiting and watching him from the time she had picked up his scent and sensed his presence. Emboldened by the vision she received telling her that her Sire would cause no harm this night, she was sure in her desire to torture and kill him. Checking to see that the stake Buffy had given her was securely strapped to her nightdress, the now perfectly well vampire smiled menacingly and followed him into the night.

Chapter 14

Giles dropped Xander off and arrived home himself without incident. Facts as they were, Giles could perform his own disinvite; Xander didn’t need one. Both man and student were safe for the night, barring no unforeseen circumstances.


The unforeseen circumstances, however, occurred far from both Xander and Giles. In fact, as the trio of witches, two human and one vampire, arrived to Willow’s home, they saw a very disconcerting sight. Angelus had just slipped out the door to Willow’s room as they came to the side of the house, laughing madly.


“Hey up there! We seeeee youuuuu!” Ellie called.


Angelus didn’t respond. Taking one look at the three witches, he knew he was outmatched. He made to sprint away when he was stopped by unseen bonds.


“What the fuck is this!?” he yelled.


“Oh just the same lil’ trick you saw Buffy in the other night. Shame you fell for it so easily. I woulda expected more constitution from someone of your...advanced age.” Ellie replied with a grin.


Not entirely comfortable baiting Angelus, Jenny whispered to Ellie, “You might want to let him go, I’ve read he’s very volatile.”


“Oh I know that sugar, I just can’t help it. Love to see the old man suffer. ‘Specially after what he did to Mummy. What say we have some fun yeah?” Giggling, Ellie began to make him dance, flopping his limbs this way and that. Angelus growled and thrashed all the while, finally shouting menacingly, “You’ll pay for this you little upstart! I’m sure you’ve heard the stories, I can make you beg for death for weeks...then wait ‘til you beg a little more.”


“Oh of that I have no doubt, grandpappy, but you see, I just can’t help myself!” Ellie replied.


This went on for many moments as Ellie humiliated and enraged the vampire. The bonds began to loosen as Ellie tired. Sensing his victory and retribution close at hand, he struggled harder and harder while the bonds loosened more and more.


Ellie had forgotten how taxing a ritual as difficult as the one she had earlier performed was. Used to large stores of strength, she wasn’t prepared for him to break free so easily. Jenny and Willow had caught on to her draining power with their own senses; they felt it gush out of the young vampire in large waves. Fearing for their lives once Angelus broke free, they began to back away towards the safety of Willow’s home. A barred door would hold him for a few moments, long enough to call for help or perform the disinvite.


Jenny and Willow made a mad dash for the house as the bonds broke and Ellie collapsed to her knees. While Ellie had trained in physical combat with her brother ad nauseum, in her weakened state she wouldn’t last but a few minutes against a fully enraged Angelus. Resigning herself to defeat, she hung her head in shame. She should have listened to Jenny! How could she have given in to her own childish impulses?


When Angelus felt the bonds release, he wasted no time in charging the weakened vampire. With no foolish compunctions towards fair fighting like pathetic little ‘Willy-boy,’ he had no trouble beginning to gain his revenge. Backhanding her, her knees gave out as she fell limply to the ground, dazed. Almost displeased at her lack of response, he quickly began beating her black and blue. Satisfied that she wouldn’t retaliate, he carefully began breaking bones, some in several places, beginning with her toes. He had found over the years that breaking bones at specific points caused more pain than others. Working his way upward, he used all his knowledge to cause maximum torment. Having remained silent through the beating, as the first bone broke, Ellie began to wail and scream. Enjoying her pained cries and whimpers, Angelus merely slowed down his pace. Good torture couldn’t be rushed. Not exactly the ideal place to do it, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers.



xxx



Having barricaded themselves in Willow’s room, the two women were terrified by the anguished screams they heard from outside. Equally frightened by the crudely drawn picture of her fish, who were now strung sickeningly atop the aquarium, Willow finally shook herself out of her stupor. Rushing to the phone, she dialed Buffy.


“C’mon, c’mon!” she whispered impatiently, waiting for someone to answer. Luckily, Buffy’s voice came through one ring later.


“Hello?”


“BUFFY! It’s Will! You have to hurry, Angelus was here and there was taunting and now he’s got Ellie!”


“Oh God,” was the pained reply.


As the line ‘clicked’ closed, Willow nodded to Jenny, who was murmuring the disinvite as the phone call was made. Completing her incantation, Jenny sighed loudly. “We’re safe for now, Willow.”


Breathing her own sigh of relief, Willow finally relaxed, sagging tiredly to her bed. Jenny followed soon after. Embracing each other in comfort, they jerked at each sound coming from the street below.


The screams had yet to cease.



xxx



Buffy tore out of the house, not caring that she used the front door so late at night. Slamming it behind her, she had no doubt woken her mother. That was a subject that she’d broach at another time. Dashing down the street, she made it about two blocks before she crashed into a dark object.


“Oi you silly bint! Watch it!”


“Spike, oh God, we have to hurry, no time to explain, but Angelus has Ellie!” she said, breathless.


“That stupid chit!” he mumbled, shifting to game-face.


Grabbing Buffy forcefully by the arm, he practically drug her behind him, tracking Ellie’s scent.



xxx



Sensing her Childe’s pain, Dru roared. Using her superior agility, she made it to the scene as Angelus began on Ellie’s arms. Moving without thought, Drusilla deftly removed the stake from its makeshift ties and slung it with all her might. Traveling the half-block-long distance quickly, it embedded itself deep within Angelus’ heart. Dru continued to her Childe, hoping to calm her, help her, ANYTHING to make her pain lessen.



xxx



After dusting, Angelus came to consciousness in a small dark room. He began to snap and snarl, thrashing once again in bonds, this time of a decidedly physical nature.


Sighing softly, a figure in a tacky suit and fedora said, “Well boyo, you’ve really screwed this one up.”


Neither were quite sure who he was referring to.

Chapter 15

Her vision had been wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong! As she kneeled next to her broken Childe, Drusilla was at a loss.


Noticing her mother’s discomfort, the broken Ellie struggled to raise her good arm and brushed broken fingers across Dru’s cheek. Sputtering Angelus’ dust out of her cracked and bloodied lips, she forced out, “Mummy, it’s all right.” Swallowing painfully, she pressed on, “He can’t hurt us now.”


Soothingly stroking Ellie’s matted hair, she whispered, “He deserved to suffer, STILL deserves to suffer. Why don’t I feel anything but remorse at his passing?”


Ellie’s eyes fluttered rapidly several times and her weakened hand dropped. Finally she uttered, “Because you’re good, Mummy. You’re good.”


Beginning to cry softly, Drusilla mourned the loss of her Sire; she cursed her lack of speed to protect Ellie, and did something she hadn’t done in many long years. She prayed.



xxx



Spike and Buffy had been too late to be of much use. Shocked and enraged at the sight of Ellie’s mangled body, Spike let an anguished roar. Still latched on to Spike’s arm, Buffy covered her mouth with her other hand, eyes wide with horror.


By this time, Willow and Jenny had filtered down to the scene, having watched the dusting from the windows. As they took in the extent of Ellie’s injuries, twin “Oh my Gods!” were spoken in hushed tones. Willow slowly moved to Buffy’s side, whispering, “I think I have a tarp in the basement. We can get a couple brooms or mops and we’ll have a make-shift stretcher to carry her in.”


Nodding, still engrossed in the scene, Buffy eventually shook herself from stupor. “That will work Willow. We’ll take her to my house. Mom will just have to deal.”


As Willow and Jenny rushed to make the stretcher, Spike took to action. He worked tirelessly, quickly setting bones. After removing Ellie’s black leather riding boots and socks, he started as Angelus had, with her toes. By the second toe, Ellie had fallen to unconsciousness due to severe pain. Thankful she wouldn’t have to feel the rest of the sets, he pressed on.


“We can splint ‘em at the house. Need to call the Watcher. Desoto’s too far to be of use, but we can get her there in his car.”


Nodding, Buffy left Spike to his task and entered the strangely quiet Rosenberg residence, moving quickly to the phone in the kitchen. Dialing Giles’ number easily from memory, she waited for his voice.


Having gone to bed shortly before, Giles’ speech was scratchy with sleep.


“Rupert Giles.”


“Hey Giles, it’s Buffy. We have a problem. Angelus and Ellie got into it and she’s hurt really badly. Can you come get us and drive them to my house?”


The requisite “Oh dear Lord,” was heard, then “Of course, where are you?”


“She’s outside Willow’s. Spike is setting her bones and Dru’s there comforting her. She’s in and out, but mostly out, thank God.”


“I’ll be right there. Shall I stop by the hospital for some blood?”


Making a snap and possibly rash decision, she said, “No. I’ll take care of it. Thanks so much Giles.”


“It’s going to be alright Buffy. I’ll leave now.”


Both parties hung up, and Buffy returned to the street where Ellie lay. Kneeling next to Dru, she lay a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Giles is on his way with the car. We’re going to take care of her, I promise.”


Nodding, Dru responded, “Thank you Buffy. You don’t know us well - yet you help as if we were family.” Rhetorically, she continued, “Is this what Ellie meant by good? Could I actually...be good as well?”


“I think you are Dru, you saved her from even more pain. You saved us all.” Buffy replied.


With that, Buffy looked to Spike. “Willow and Miss Calendar should be out with the stretcher here in a minute. I’m going to head back to my house and wait for you there, will you be ok?”


“Yea love, almost done here. Jus glad the bit’s out for it, must hurt like hell. Dru and I will ride with her. We’ll meet you there to suss out some splints.”


“I’ll have everything ready.” To no one in particular she finished, “Let’s just hope Mom believes me this time.”



xxx



Jenny and Willow had the stretcher prepared in record time, and Dru and Spike, with their superior strength gently loaded Ellie onto it. About that time, Giles screamed in, having sped the whole way to Willow’s. The car was loaded, and awkwardly, all persons there were crammed into the small car. With three in the backseat, Ellie stretched across their laps, Miss Calendar took the front seat. Giles pressed the gas down hard, and they all fled off to the Summers’ home.



xxx



As everyone filed into the living room, Buffy was busy in the kitchen. Having laid out several popsicle sticks left over from a long-finished school project as well as a couple old broomsticks from the basement, Buffy was in the process of fulfilling her rash promise to ‘take care’ of the blood situation. Taking a sharp knife from the drawer, she calmly sliced her palm and let the healing liquid pool in a mug. After she was satisfied, she rinsed her hand and watched as her Slayer healing took care of the gash. While Spike and Dru placed Ellie carefully on the couch, Buffy emerged from the kitchen, mug in hand.


Ellie had woken, and was talking softly with Spike and Drusilla. Buffy handed Ellie the mug of blood and waited.



xxx



Shifting into game face, Ellie slurped a long gulp of the nourishing substance. As the sweetest blood she’d ever known passed her lips, she was shocked. This wasn’t pig...nor was it human. Turning as best she could toward Buffy, she rasped, “What is this?”


Realization dawned on Spike as Buffy answered gently, “It’s my blood. It’s like the best medicine for vamps. Drink up, and there’s more where that came from.”


Awed at Buffy’s sacrifice for his sister, he swiftly returned her chaste kiss to the cheek. “Thank you, love.”


After a few long needy pulls, she sipped to empty the mug. Ellie began to feel the immediate effect of luscious Slayer blood. As bones knitted and bruises faded, she sighed happily. She was starting to itch a bit, always a good sign during recovery. “If this rate of healin’ keeps up, I’ll be right as rain in a day or two. Thank ya so much Buffy, means a lot to us to have your trust.”


With a quick ‘you’re welcome,’ all hell broke loose. Joyce came stumbling down the stairs, woken from a deep sleep by the activity downstairs. She was puzzled by all the people in her living room so late at night. Some she knew, and many were strangers. One was grievously injured, and then Whistler appeared out of thin air.


Joyce’s eyes rolled up, and she promptly fainted.

Chapter 16

Dashing to her mother’s side, Buffy frantically dropped to her knees and began attempting to resuscitate her. Lightly patting her mother’s cheeks and whispering for her to wake up, Joyce began to stir. Moaning softly, her eyes began to focus. Seeing Buffy’s face, Joyce knew that something was very wrong.


“Buffy...what...who are all these people? And that man, he just, appeared out of thin air!” With more force and a firm glare, she continued, “I want answers, NOW.”


Resignedly, Buffy began to speak. “I guess I should start at the beginning. You remember when I what I told you and Dad after the fire at Hemery?”


“Oh Buffy, not this again,” Joyce interjected. “I thought we were past all that. You know that none of it is real!” Joyce responded, exasperated.


Sighing audibly, Buffy looked to the three vampires in the room. “Guys?” she said, “I hate to ask with all we’ve been through tonight, but can you all show Mom that vampires are real?”


Rising from her primly-seated position in a chair not too far from Ellie, Drusilla was the first to respond. “I will assist, Buffy. She needn’t be terrified by all three of us.”


With Buffy’s assistance, Joyce was raised to a seated position at the bottom of the stairs. Drusilla moved slowly towards the Summers women so as not to frighten. Once she had reached them, Dru kneeled down daintily. Making sure that she had Joyce’s attention, she brought her vampiric features to the fore. The transformation was quick.


Gasping sharply, Joyce shook her head violently side to side, as if to clear the image of angular features and haunting yellow eyes from her vision. She muttered softly to herself, “It’s not real...It’s not real...Just a trick...”


Realizing that Joyce was very possibly in shock, Giles hoped a friendly face would help. Cautiously moving over to Drusilla, still not sure of vampiress’ amicable nature, he softly stated, “Ms. Summers, I assure you that vampires and demons of all sorts are real. I am Buffy’s Watcher. More specifically, I am her guide and mentor, here to aid her in her role as the Slayer.” Droning on, he began to speak of Buffy’s exploits, the Council, and the various species of demons present on the Hellmouth.


Groaning, the new arrival cut Giles off. “That’s all well and good Watcher, but I’m on a schedule here. I need to talk to the Slayer, privately.”


“I’m a little busy here, buddy,” Buffy retorted. “Who are you, anyway?”


“Name’s Whistler, messenger to the Powers That Be. I have a friend of yours in limbo, and I need to talk to you about a choice. The Powers left his fate up to you, kid.”


Her mother momentarily forgotten her eyes rolled heavenward and she thought, ‘Why ME?’ Pressing on, she fixed her gaze onto Whistler saying simply, “It’s Angel, isn’t it?”


This time, no one missed the soft growl emanating from Spike. While most were shocked, Ellie merely chided, “None of that now, Spike.”


“’S no bloody secret I hate Peaches, Ellie,” he said. Then more sheepishly, “Can’ help it.”


Having been silently taking in the goings on, at that, Willow giggled softly. Glad some of the tension had left the air, Buffy turned back to her mother, who was waiting expectantly for her daughter to FINALLY introduce the newcomers.


“Can you PLEASE tell me who all these people are Buffy? I seem to recall that I did raise you better than this,” Joyce said.


Embarrassed, Buffy motioned to each member of the room in turn. Beginning with those closest to her mother, she began quickly spouting a few lines each along with the requisite introductions. She wasn’t so quick, however, that she glossed it over. She paid a bit of special attention to each vampire in question, especially to Ellie, explaining how she got hurt. Once Joyce was satisfied and had greeted each member of the strange party, she placed her focus back on Drusilla, who was still in game face, waiting patiently.


Joyce raised a hand and lowered it several times, Dru eventually giggling softly and encouraging her to touch if she liked. Joyce was taken aback to find that the delicate ridges and bumps were real, as were the extremely sharp fangs.


“I can’t believe that this is all real...but I guess I’ll have to. It’s obvious that this isn’t some trick. I’ll just need some time to process this information.”


“If you’d like, Ms. Summers,” Giles began, “I can bring some literature over that you are welcome to read. It may provide answers to some of your questions.”


“That would be appreciated, Mr. Giles. If I am to accept all of this, I would like to know all I can. I guess this explains why Buffy’s clothes are always bloodied and she sneaks in and out so late, hmm?” Joyce pondered, eyes on her daughter.


Blushing under her mother’s scrutiny, Buffy nodded and subsequently turned back to Whistler.


“Now that that’s all cleared up, what are my options on this...mysterious choice I have to make?”


“You sure you wanna do this in front of the class, kiddo? I can tell you most of them won’t like it,” Whistler responded.


“I’m sure,” she said, “If it involved Angel, it involves all of us, especially after what happened tonight.”


Nodding, Whistler got down to business. “Okay, here’s the deal. The Powers still have a plan for Angel, so when he was dusted, he was sent into limbo. He’s there chained up, snarling, as we speak. The options are pretty simple. Either you can choose to send Angel to hell for eternity and another protector will be chosen, or, you can bring him back to Earth, where we’ll make sure that the gypsy can re-curse him with the soul.”


Startled, Buffy was silent. Spike, on the other hand, immediately spoke up.


“Mate, Angelus deserves to rot in hell after what he’s done to ma girls.”


“Not your choice bucko. Powers left it completely up to the Slayer,” Whistler replied.


“That’s bollocks and you know it!” Spike shouted.


The two demons continued to argue for several minutes. Finally, Buffy’s voice cut through the chatter.


“How much time do I have to make my decision? And can I get the opinions of my friends?” she asked.


“I think we can spare about an hour. The PTB are really annoyed with all the racket. And sure, so long as the ultimate decision is yours.” Whistler answered.


Eyes rolling, Buffy nodded in agreement. With that, Whistler tipped his fedora, saying “Cya in an hour,” and winked back to whence he came.

Chapter 17



Strangely, there was no commotion after Whistler left. Everyone seemed lost in thought, each hoping to give advice and provide support for Buffy with this challenge. Giles was the first to speak, furiously polishing his glasses.


“Buffy, with as easily as Angelus was released, I do not believe that returning him to this world would be prudent.” Adjusting his glasses as he placed them on his nose, he continued, “Though I am not quite as enamored with Ellie as the rest of you seem to be, even I understand that this event, this brutal torture, was both extreme and violent. There is no excuse for this atrocity.”


Nodding, Buffy replied, “I thought you might say that.” With an encouraging smile, she said, “We have time, so I’d really like to hear everyone’s thoughts.”


Surprisingly, Drusilla was next. In her usual soft Cockney, she said, “I had a vision tonight just after we left the ritual site. It was fairly clear that no harm would come to any of us this night. It was wrong. For what it’s worth, I see that Angel will do much good if he is returned to this Earth to walk among us. I’m just not sure of my visions anymore, not since the ritual.”


Buffy was almost saddened by this revelation. ‘If she her vision was wrong tonight,’ she thought, ‘was her vision about me and Spike wrong too?’


Earlier in the night, her heart had gone out to both Dru and Spike. They had taken such care with Ellie, and it was obvious that love flowed freely through the family of vampires. As she watched Spike set Ellie’s broken bones, she realized that she COULD love someone like that, soulless vampire or no. Anyone with that capacity to love deserved that love in return.


Realizing that she was getting off-topic, she turned to Willow.


“Will, you’re my best friend. What do you think?”


Willow tried desperately to hide her desire to help with the curse, but failed miserably. Her enthusiasm was palpable as she responded, “I think we should re-soul him. Angel and Angelus are different people...errr...vampires. Having Angel back would be of the good, right?”


‘So,’ Buffy thought. ‘One for staying in hell, two for resouling.’


While she was thinking, one of the two obvious answers were spoken.


“No secret I hate the poofter, love. After what he did to Dru and Ellie, bastard deserves to rot,” Spike said simply.


Nodding, Buffy turned to Miss Calendar saying, “I assume you still want to re-curse him?”


“Yes Buffy, that is my mission, and I intend to complete it.”


The count was quickly becoming in favor of the curse. With only Ellie and her mother left to chime in, Ellie spoke.


“I usually put ma faith in Mummy’s visions, but I just can’t see lettin’ him run free again. Let ‘im burn!”


At last Buffy focused on her mother’s face, saying, “I know you don’t know much about this situation, so I’ll explain. You know Angel, right?” At her mother’s nod, she continued, “He was cursed with a soul by a clan of gypsies. He killed one of their clan back when he was Angelus. Angelus is evil to the core, but when he has a soul, he’s Angel, and he’s good. I don’t really know how to say this, but does someone like that deserve a second chance?”


Joyce thought long and hard about her daughter’s words. She could tell that Buffy still cared for Angel, but realized that his alter ego, Angelus was pure evil. Looking to the wounded vampire on the couch, she couldn’t help but empathize with her pain. What with Hank walking out on her, she knew pain, even emotional as her own was. Still, she firmly believed that every soul had the potential for good. If they could give Angel his goodness back...


“Since I don’t know as much about him as the others, I’ll say I’ve never been much of a fan of Angel. I’m not sure how much stock you should place in this, but I do think everyone deserves a second chance.”


Frustrated and angered, Spike stood quickly. He realized that Buffy would most likely choose to bring ol’ Peaches back and stuff the soul back in him. As Buffy’s eyes were drawn to him, he gruffly said, “’M goin for a fag.”


Proceeding to the door, he opened it and stepped through, closing it with a slam.


The clock on the wall chimed, signaling that there was just over a twenty minutes left to make her decision. Thinking for a few moments about her own decision, she finally spoke.


“I think it’s fairly obvious how the votes tallied up. I’ve made MY decision. I think we should give Angel that second chance.”



xxx



Spike heard her decision easily with his enhanced hearing. Cursing under his breath, he wasn’t prepared for Buffy to join him. Taking a long drag of his smoke and exhaling louder than needed, his disappointment was clearly heard in his voice.


“So I guess that’s it then, yeah? We bring the poof back and all’s well in Buffyland.”


Sighing softly, she sat down on the porch steps. Placing her head in her hands, she said, “I’m not in love with him anymore, you know.”


“Funny way of showin’ it, kitten.”


“This isn’t about loving him, Spike. This is about giving a good man a second chance.”


“Good man? You’re barmy! What do you know ‘bout ol’ Liam little girl? Speakin’ of little girls, you know they’re his favorite. Loved to whore around, you know. Stole money from his Da to pay for em. He wasn’t a good man then, love, and he wasn’t as Angel either, I’ll wager.”


“What do YOU know about Angel? You just met him a few days ago!”


“Don’t need to know the bastard, I already do! I’ll just bet he stalked you, snuck up on you, dropped a message or two, never really got his hands dirty, yeah? Tha’s old Liam to a T. He was always about the mind games, never about the brawl.”


Shaking her head, Buffy was tired. She WANTED to like Spike, she really did, but sometimes he made it so hard.


Now frustrated herself, she said, “How can I prove that I don’t love him anymore? That I just care about him as a friend and ally?”


Thinking for a bit, Spike’s slow grin was positively lecherous. Moving to stand before her at the bottom of the steps, he was just above eye-level with her. Leaning down and invading her personal space, he said huskily, “Kiss me.”


His eyes widened as she tentatively pressed her lips to his.

Chapter 18



Spike was so shocked that the cigarette dangling loosely from his fingers fell to the ground. Jerking back abruptly, he quickly spotted and crushed the glowing ember under a boot. He prepared to lean back towards Buffy’s inviting lips...but instead of revisiting her warm mouth, he found one of her hands covering it, her eyes wide in...shock? Revulsion? Crestfallen, he stepped back slightly, gaze falling to the ground. Not waiting for her to speak, his mouth opened of its own volition.


“Sorry love, ‘M a bad, rude man. I know ya said ya needed time and what-all, just couldn’t resist...”


She cut off his ramblings. “Spike, it’s okay,” she said softly. “I kissed YOU, remember?”


Eyes snapping back to hers quick as lightning, his face took on a look of quiet awe as he saw the truth in her own orbs. Calmer now, he could smell that she was nervous. It wasn’t revulsion he had seen, but a fear of the unknown...fear of FEELING again so soon.


“It’s just, not the time, okay?” she continued.


“Right. Time an’ place an’ all that rot,” he replied with a nod.


“You still need a minute, or can we go back in? It’s almost time for Whistler to be back,” she asked.


“Nah, we can head on in. Bein’ peckish and cravin’ a smoke’s never a good combination,” he replied.


“Peck-ish? OH! You mean hungry! I don’t understand why you just can’t speak English like the rest of us.” Pausing, a thought struck her. In a colder tone, she said, “What exactly have you been eating?”


Taking a deep breath into his dead lungs, he finally said, “I won’ lie to ya love, our first night in Sunnyhell both me and Dru had human blood, straight from the tap. Last couple nights though, Ellie insisted that we drink that pig swill she likes so much. Didn’ know at the time, but I guess she figured you’d not like it if we had the real thing. Makes sense now.”


Saddened by the thought of innocents dying on her watch, Buffy was also relieved that they’d been drinking butcher’s blood for the remainder of their stay.


“What will you do now?” she asked.


“I’ve got a stash from the butcher at the factory; ‘m sure Ellie has some at her place. Figure I’ll sneak out durin’ the night an’ nab enough to last the three of us for a bit.”


“I would appreciate that, Spike. I can’t have you guys killing in my town.”


“I know, Slayer. Chosen one and all.” Rueful smile on his face, he continued, “Doesn’ mean I have to like it though. The things a bloke has to do for the annoyin’ lil’ chits in their life...”


An indignant “Hey!” spilled from Buffy’s lips as she translated his last sentence.


Chuckling softly, he said, “So bloody beautiful when you’re like that, kitten. Makes me wanna eat you right up.”
Blushing furiously, Buffy couldn’t find any words in retort. Luckily for her, Giles’ head poked through and he said, “Whistler has returned. He’s waiting rather, impatiently for your decision.”


Resignedly, Spike extended a hand to Buffy in order to help her to her feet. She took it gratefully and he led her back into the house, this time with no resistance to his hand at the small of her back.



xxx



The room was much as Spike and Buffy had left it. Ellie, obviously feeling well enough to pout, remained lain across the sofa, while Drusilla was still chatting amicably with her mother. Willow and Jenny seemed to be talking about the coming curse, and Giles had resumed his position near both her mother and Drusilla, wary of the now sane vampiress. Whistler was pacing impatiently, as Giles had said, stopping to look at his watch every few steps.


Noticing that both Buffy and Spike had returned, sighed loudly. “Finally! I don’t have all day you know.”


Several pairs of eyes rolling, Buffy responded calmly, “I’ve decided to give Angel another chance.”


Nodding, Whistler asked, “Where do you want him?”


Puzzled, Buffy asked in return, “What do you mean where do I want him?”


As if talking to a small child, he replied, “I have to have somewhere to return him to. So where will it be?”


Giles was the first to respond. “I believe that we could successfully chain him to the bathtub in my flat. The pipes are old and very strong. But I will need to know exactly how long I should be expecting a...visitor.”


Jenny spoke up, “The curse has long been lost to my clan, it could take weeks to search for it.”


Relieved that they were FINALLY getting somewhere, Whistler eagerly cut in. “Gypsy, if it’ll get him out of our hair, I’ll personally make sure you have the curse by tomorrow morning. Heck, in thanks for the quiet we’ll have, I’ll even toss in the ingredients!”


Jenny seemed pleased and resumed talking animatedly with Willow. The younger witch was extremely excited, Miss Calendar having stated she would need her assistance with the spell.


Giles had one last question. “Since I’m obviously not at my flat currently, how can I be sure that he won’t escape before I can return home?”


Huffing once again, Whistler replied, “I can spare some more time to watch him until you get there.”
Once all parties were satisfied, Whistler tipped the brim of his fedora once more and blinked back into the abyss.



xxx



Angelus was strangely quiet as Whistler appeared before him. Confused, Whistler said, “Well, my boy, it seems as though you’ve been granted another go at life.”


Nodding silently, Angelus had a sinister grin on his face.


In response, Whistler wasn’t sure what to think. Using his powers to transport them to Giles’ flat, he made sure Angelus was secured to the tub before sitting down on the toilet seat to wait. He hadn’t noticed the odd trail of ashen footprints in the darkened room they had just left.

Chapter 19

At the Summers’ residence, all occupants were exhausted. Ellie was napping lightly, still recovering from her wounds. Giles had already left to return to his flat, resigning himself to a long night of guarding his ‘guest.’ Spike had snuck out to retrieve blood from the factory. Jenny and Willow had both gone home, each promising to be back bright and early after getting a couple hours of much-needed rest. The conversation between Dru and Joyce had dwindled, leaving silence in its wake.


Buffy watched the proceedings in quiet contemplation. As her thoughts drifted, Spike quietly re-entered the house, blood in hand. Coming to stand next to her, he said, “Can I put this in the fridge, pet?”


Shaking herself from her musings, she nodded tiredly and led him into the kitchen. Once the blood was safely tucked away, Spike moved to stand behind her, hands coming to rest lightly on her shoulders. He began to rub soothing circles on her neck and upper back, pressing deeply with his thumbs to ease the tension he found there.


Buffy was in heaven. Moaning softly, she mumbled, “Mmmm. Feels good.”


Delighted at her pleasure, Spike began to speak. “Love, I just...”


He had found an especially tight knot near her right shoulder blade, and she moaned again, louder this time. “No talky, more touchy,” she said petulantly.


Chuckling, he added more pressure to that spot as he continued, “’M talented love, can talk and touch at the same time. Never did properly thank you for what you did for Ellie.”


Leaning in closer, he pressed a soft kiss to her throat, just above the marks the Master had left upon her silky skin. At her sharp intake of breath, he pulled back, thinking he had scared her.


“Sorry kitten, you’re just too temptin’. Didn’ mean to give you a fright.”


Buffy slipped out of his massage and faced him. “You didn’t scare me, Spike. I was just surprised.”


He swallowed audibly and Buffy watched in fascination as his adam’s apple bobbed. Bringing her eyes to his, she said clearly, “Ellie earned what I did for her. She may not have meant to, but she kept Miss Calendar and Willow safe from Angelus. So, you’re welcome.”


Gazes still locked, she slid her right hand to tangle in the curls she found at the base of his neck. Pulling him down, he willingly met her halfway as their lips touched oh so lightly. Spike brought his own hands into play, cupping her cheeks. He tilted her head and deepened the kiss, delighting in her tiny gasp of pleasure. Using that to his advantage, he was just about to add tongues to the fray when a throat was cleared near the entryway to the room.


The couple jerked back from each other quickly; Buffy was wholly embarrassed at being caught making out with a vampire, in the kitchen no less! Blushing furiously, turned to the newcomer and said, “Sorry, Mom.”



xxx



With a knowing smile, Joyce had seen it all. She had suspected that the blonde vampire meant something to Buffy, enough that she would follow him onto the porch to calm his rage. She was until now unsure as to how far the two had progressed. Also knowing that it had been a long night, she put away the thought of her daughter being with a vampire for another time.


“It’s okay, Buffy,” she started. “It’s been a rough night.”


Buffy nodded sheepishly, while Spike remained unrepentant, a goofy grin on his face.


Joyce pressed on. “Ellie seems comfortable on the couch, and I don’t think moving her is a good idea. I’ve set Drusilla up in the guest bedroom, and yes, I made sure the curtains were drawn. I know it’s not much, Spike, but I do have a cot in the basement. Will that be all right?”


“Thanks for that, Ms. Summers. It’ll be more than fine.”


With sleeping arrangements set, the last in the house were sent to bed.



xxx



While Giles and Whistler exchanged strained pleasantries, Angelus remained silent. Giles brought a chair into the bathroom, and settled in to keep watch. Angelus merely waited, much too comfortable in his bonds.


The night wore on. Once Giles had fallen asleep, just as expected, Angelus calmly got up and shook off his bonds. Startled by the clanking sound of chains falling limply into the tub, Giles awoke, nearly jumping up with his stake brandished.


“I’m not sure exactly how you have gotten free, Angelus,” he spat, “but you will not leave this room alive.”


“Old man, you couldn’t stop me on your best day, much less now, as tired as you are. I will be walking out the door, and I will have my revenge. Childe or no, Drusilla knows better than to cross me. You’ll all pay.” Angelus said, clearly annoyed.


Giles attempted valiantly to stop him, but he was taken off-guard by the sharp blow Angelus’ right hand dealt to him temple. Crumpling to the floor, Giles was blissfully unaware as Angelus calmly snapped his right femur and stalked out into the night.



xxx



Thought the house on Revello Drive was mostly silent, one of its occupants was thrashing wildly in slumber. Buffy was in the throes of a nightmare.


The dream began with the scene of a wolf snacking noisily on the heart of a small fawn. Across the meadow, a ram was at the base of a sharp cliff, grazing quietly. The scene shifted.


She was in a dark room, her arms chained securely to a ring in the ceiling. Feet not quite touching ground, she hung helplessly. Watching on in horror as Angelus mercilessly poked hole after hole into Spike’s chest with a wickedly sharp knife, she saw a man woman who both looked to be human watching on in sick fascination. Buffy began to cry softly as Spike’s proud form crumbled and fell lifelessly to the floor. Willow and Jenny were across the room, chained just as Buffy was, and Giles’ corpse lay strewn sickeningly in a heap in the corner. Ellie and Drusilla were no where to be found.


Buffy woke with a start, shooting straight up in bed. Tears still leaking down her cheeks, she moved quietly through the house until she was standing near the cot in the basement. Originally just planning on looking at him for reassurance, she eagerly took the invitation of his outstretched arms.


Curling his body protectively around her, she finally drifted back to sleep, obviously comforted by his presence. Both worried and heartened, he watched over her until the house began to stir.

Chapter 20

Angelus was seated casually in a chair, one leg crossed over the other. Hands laced together behind his head, he was delighted to be safely ensconced in his new lair, an old mansion on Crawford Street. He looked on thoughtfully at his two ‘guests.’ Both dressed sharply in business attire, they didn’t seem to be bothered by his status as a master vampire. Curious, he tilted his head to the side. Face taking on a sinister grin, he said, “I should just eat you both.”


When neither even so much as flinched, Angelus sighed loudly. Amused smile on her face, the female spoke. “I’m afraid that would not be in your best interests, Liam.”


Angelus was surprised by the use of his human name. Instead of growling as he would of liked, he became even more curious. Remembering his conversation with the male when he was in that accursed dark room, he said, “So tell me more about this master plan. Where do I fit in?”


“There is a statue that has recently been uncovered. Its name is Acathla, and will be arriving at the Sunnydale Museum for processing later this morning. Our research department has ascertained that you are the key to unlocking this statue’s power. Our...supervisors...are very interested in the result of this artifact’s accompanying ritual. I assure you, you will benefit from its outcome as well.”


“So I’m the key, huh? Sounds kinky,” Angelus began. With a harder edge in his voice, he continued, “What exactly does this ritual do? Can’t say I’ve been displeased with the outcomes of those things lately, but you could always break my streak. And how exactly do I benefit?”


The female nodded and responded airily, “It’s quite simple. The ritual of Acathla sucks the Earth into Hell. In return, our firm will then make sure you recieve all the young maidens you could ever want. Delivered.”



xxx



Spike was warm. Stirring slightly, the warmth made an annoyed sound and moved still closer to his body. Finally waking, Spike looked down to see a sight that warmed his heart. Now resting on his back, he smiled softly while looking down upon Buffy. She was sprawled across his chest, one arm protectively around his torso. Her legs were hopelessly tangled with his, and he could feel her quiet breaths fanning his neck. He’d never felt better.


Buffy awoke slowly. As she realized that she was still wrapped around Spike, she shot up in bed.


“Oh God, Spike. I had a slayer dream!” she whispered.


“Calm down, love. We’ll suss it out,” he replied just as softly.


Nodding slightly, Buffy moved to return to Spike’s comforting embrace when a loud shrill pierced the air. It was the phone. She looked to Spike in silent question and was pleased to see him cock his head and begin to listen carefully.


After several tense moments, he finally said in a low voice, “It’s the Watcher pet. Angelus got free and roughed him up pretty bad.”


Gasping, Buffy sat up quickly and made for the stairs, saying, “I’ll go check the curtains and call when it’s safe.” Pausing slightly, she turned back to him. “Thank you for last night.”


Resuming her pace, she took the steps two at a time and was long gone before he spoke, goofy grin returning to his face.


“You’re welcome, kitten.”



xxx



Luckily for Spike, Joyce had made sure that the curtains were securely drawn. Ellie was awake and sipping her blood slowly, savoring its bacony taste. Dru, having already eaten, was helping Joyce prepare a light breakfast. Willow and Jenny looked quite stunned and scared, having arrived just after the unsettling phone call. Xander had also shown up, donuts in hand. He was quickly brought up to speed, and was slightly sheepish at having missed it all. Buffy called for Spike and he joined her in the living room, both parties wanting to avoid at all costs the domesticity occuring in the kitchen.


Once breakfast had been served and eaten, bloody mugs rinsed and dishes done, the human members of the unusual party headed to the hospital. Left alone to their own devices, the three vampires made inane conversation as they waited for their breathing counterparts to return.


Ellie had once more nodded off, still needing sleep to heal. This left Spike and Dru alone, and the silence was awkward. At last, Spike spoke up.


“I’ve been a right bad man lately, Dru. Here I’ve been snoggin’ the Slayer and not payin’ you any mind.”


Chuckling, Dru replied. “It’s quite alright, my Spike. If you recall, I DID foresee this. My duty was simply to create you so you could be with your Sunshine.”


Breathing a sigh of relief, Spike said, “Glad that’s over. So...you’re not brassed at me?”


“No, of course not! You will always be my Childe, my Dark Knight, but you were never meant to be MINE.”


“You’ll always be my Sire, Dru. I’ll always love you. Jus’ not IN love with you anymore. Guess that works out well, doesn’ it?”


Dru smiled, and the awkwardness left the air. Once more certain of their status with one another, both vampires knew it was time to speak about the OTHER elephant in the room, Dru’s recent faulty visions.


“I was wrong again, Spike,” she began in a quiet whisper. “I told Buffy that Angel would do good if brought back...now he’s escaped and injured Mr. Giles. What if...what if the ritual broke them?”


“I don’ know much about all that rot, Dru. Ya know how I feel ‘bout magic. Maybe you jus’ don’t remember how to analyze ‘em anymore, what with bein’ barmy for so long and all. Maybe we’ll go see the Watcher after dark, see what he thinks.”


Nodding thoughtfully, she replied, “That might be a good idea. Maybe he can tell me where I went wrong. Needless to say, I won’t rely on them further...at least without guidance.”


Spike took her hands into his in a comforting gesture. They sat for long moments, merely contemplating the revelations from their talk.


Feeling slightly better about herself, Drusilla left Spike to return to catch a few more hours sleep. Spike knew he would be unable to sleep again himself, so he flopped down into a comfy chair and resigned himself to watching the ‘telly.’



xxx



The Scoobies and Joyce arrived via Joyce’s SUV to the hospital safely. Giles had been diagnosed with a severe concussion and broken leg, the cast bulky and hung from a sling. The Scoobs listened in horror at Giles’ depiction of his injuries, and were very suspicious of Angelus’ seemingly easy escape. They only had Buffy’s own horrific Slayer dream to go on, and that wasn’t much. The Scoobies stayed for about an hour, going over every detail Giles and Buffy could remember with a fine tooth comb. They found themselves at a loss. Promising to return later that afternoon with research supplies, they left Giles to rest.


Doing some thinking of his own, Giles quickly realized that he was getting nowhere. Until the rest visited again later with the aforementioned supplies, he turned on the TV. Finding a local news program, he settled in to watch. Fifteen minutes later, he was back on the phone. The scroll at the bottom of the screen proudly displayed, ‘Recently uncovered statue Acathla stolen from Sunnydale Museum!’


As he hung up the phone after talking with Joyce, his eyes widened comically. The most cryptic pieces of Buffy’s dream had finally clicked into place. A wolf eating a heart, ram looking on?


“Oh dear Lord.”

Chapter 21

The weary and frustrated Scoobies were ushered back into the Summers’ home to the telephone blaring. As Joyce answered, the rest looked on and listened as well as they could. Dru and Spike made their way into the kitchen at the sound of the phone, the latter going to stand beside Buffy. Leaning comfortably against the wall, Spike cocked his head and listened closely, easily hearing all sides of the conversation. Grabbing a sheet of paper from the refrigerator door, Joyce frantically began making notes. The call dissipated, and Joyce turned to relay the news.


“I’m not sure what all this means, but I’ll tell you as much as I can gather. This is the list of books Mr. Giles needs from the library and his apartment. More importantly, it seems that some kind of statue was stolen from the museum this morning. I believe it was called ‘Acathla.’ Then there was a bunch of gibberish...and something about an apocalypse?” Joyce said, confused.


“Great,” Buffy replied, taking the hastily scrawled note from her mother, “I thought Angelus WAS the apocalypse. Do we need to head back to the hospital sooner I take it?”


Nodding, Joyce moved to pick her purse and keys back up, and the rest of the Scoobies made haste to follow, knowing that they still had to stop for supplies - most importantly, the books and tomes to research this new discovery.


Huffing, Xander mumbled, “You see? THIS is what happens when you deal with the undead.”


Missed by all but the vampires, Spike was the first to react.


“Hey! We were tryin' to do some good for once!” he yelled.


Softly placing a hand on Spike’s arm, Buffy merely said, “Leave it. Xander, we have work to do.”


Moved by the repeated touches and gestures Buffy had been sending his way lately, Spike wisely said nothing, and didn’t even bother to look smug. She was right, there WAS work to do.


The vampires were once again left to their own devices until dusk, when Spike and Dru were themselves headed to the hospital to speak to Giles about the faulty visions.



xxx



Giles was in good spirits when the gang arrived back to his room. Eagerly, he took the books and tomes from the arms of Willow and Xander. Neatly separating through the items, he found what he was looking for. Thumbing quickly through the pages, he found the passage he had been looking for and began to read.


After a few moments, he looked up, aghast. With shaking hands, he removed his glasses and began to absently polish them.


“Giles,” Buffy said, “You’re scaring me. What’s the problem?”


“Buffy, I was correct in my assumptions,” he replied. “Acathla has the power to literally suck the world into hell.”
Several gasps were heard, and Buffy was the first to speak. Steeling her eyes with determination, she merely said, “How do we stop it?”


Giles replied, “The ritual to unlock the portal must be performed on a certain date and time. Barring that, the statue could be destroyed, however, it IS a priceless artifact. I would prefer that we avoid that at all costs.”


Nodding once, Buffy turned to the others. “Let’s get home. Now that we know when, we need to find where. And I know just the vamps to get us that information.”



xxx



Finally at the Summers’ residence once more, Joyce began channeling her excess fear into something she did quite well, cooking. While the threat of the possible and hopefully preventable apocalypse loomed in the air, the conversation over the delicious meal drifted from one topic to another as dusk fell upon them.


Almost as if on queue, the vampires rousted themselves from restless slumber and made their way towards the sounds and smells in the kitchen, where everyone had pitched in to clean up. After blood had been warmed and consumed, the vampires added their mugs and hands to the clean-up. While strangely domestic, it was also rather comfortable in its simplicity. They felt like family again, both human and demon.


Pulling Spike aside, Buffy began to speak softly. “We know what Angelus is planning. He’s got some kind of statue, Alfalfa, or something, that sucks the world into hell. I need you and Dru to scout out where he’s hiding so we can stop it.”


Smiling softly at her version of the statue, he replied, “’Acathla’ love, but that’s here nor there. We need to have a chat with the watcher first about Dru’s visions, then we’ll suss out where he’s hiding. Without serious magic, he can’t hide from us for long.”


“Thank you Spike. And be careful,” she added with a whisper.


Sensing her worry, he enfolded her in a comforting hug.


“We’ll be safe kitten, Dru’s fearsome when she wants to be, and the poofter hasn’t fought me in nigh one hundred years.”


“I’ll still worry.” Then cheekily, “Can’t lose my security blanket now, can I?”


As the ever-present goofy grin returned to Spike’s face, Buffy patted his cheek and left, smiling softly.
Joyce looked on with a smile of her own.



xxx



Having left Ellie recovering on the couch with the Scoobies and another dose of potent slayer blood, Spike and Drusilla made their way to the hospital to visit Giles. Preferring to travel on foot so they could scout about as they traveled, they were surprised to find little activity on their way. Disturbed, they pressed on, and made it to their destination without incident.


Once safely ensconced in the Watcher’s room, they were faced with a large cross and a hand ready to throw a vial of holy water. Dru was quick to reassure Giles that they meant no harm and went on to describe the nature of the visit.


“Not to sound so cliché, but we do come in peace. We wish to discuss the nature of my faulty visions. I’m sorry they led in part to your injuries.”


Releasing the vial of holy water and laying down the cross, both remaining in easy reach, the watcher settled in to listen.