part 41, by Snakes
Around mid afternoon, Buffy woke to find Tara and Willow staring at her, a mixture of shock and amusement on their faces. Buffy realized she was still lying in Spike's arms on the sofa. She just grinned up at them and then snuggled back against Spike's chest defiantly. Tara and Willow quickly went to join Dawn in the kitchen before starting to giggle uncontrollably.
Once they got their amusement under control, Willow asked Dawn, "You been up long, Dawnie?"
"A few hours. I've been trying not to disturb the lovebirds." She nodded toward the living room. Dawn was obviously quite happy about the new development in her sister's relationship with the vampire. "About time she admitted she likes him, dontcha think?"
Tara smiled at that, but still had to ask, "Do you suppose we should get them up, so we can figure out how to find Xander and Anya?"
"I think we'd better", Willow replied.
The three of them went out into the living room. They all looked at each other. None of them wanted to disturb the couple on the couch. No one could remember the last time they'd seen Buffy this calm or happy. "Ok", said Willow, "I guess I'd better wake them".
"Buffy. Spike. It's time to wake up. Xander and Anya still aren't back. We need to find them. " Willow shook Buffy's shoulder gently. "Come on. Wake up. I can't handle another locator spell yet. That last one wore me out."
Buffy opened her eyes again. "Ok, Willow. Getting up." Even as worried as she was about the missing scoobies, she really didn't want to move away from Spike. But she knew she had to find her friends. She moved Spike's arm off her and sat up. She turned to wake the vampire. He sighed. He'd already been awake, but had also been avoiding ending this encounter. "I'm awake, Buffy", he said as he sat up next to her.
He picked the watcher's journal back up off the coffee table. "I was reading this this morning, and I think I know what Giles, or actually this watcher that seems to be borrowing Giles, is planning. He wants to bring back his slayer. He's going to do a ritual to move her spirit into another body. Or at least he was going to. It looks like you messed up his plans pretty bad, Buffy."
"What do you mean?"
"That picture you took. It appears he needed that for the ritual. So, you've delayed him at least. As soon as it's dark, I suggest we head over to his new apartment and see if Xander and Anya are there."
Buffy nodded. "You think he might have intended Anya for his slayer?"
"Yeah, it would make sense, and it would explain why they're missing."
"And he can't do anything without the picture?"
"Well, I can't be sure he didn't have a backup plan…"
Buffy looked at Spike. "I think we'd better assume he had a backup plan. Willow and I can head over there now."
Spike was hurt, but realized that she was probably right. It's not like he could even enter the apartment to help. "You're right. You should probably go." Buffy heard the pain in his voice. She took his hand in hers and held it tightly. She looked over at her sister and the witches. "Could… um… could you give us a minute…" Dawn, Willow, and Tara all hurried back into the kitchen.
Buffy raised the hand that wasn't already holding Spike's and stroked his face gently. "Spike, just because you can't go help now, don't you dare feel bad about it. We wouldn't even know what Giles is planning if it wasn't for you."
"I know, Buffy. But I can't help worrying about you, and I hate not being able to be there with you, just in case you need my help. And… I want to be there with you, just to be with you."
"Spike, I…" She stopped talking and quickly pressed her lips against his. He responded passionately. She finally pulled away, her hand still on his cheek, and stared into his eyes. "I shouldn't be gone long. My slayer strength and Willow's powers against even a possessed Giles shouldn't be a difficult fight. And then I'll be back with you." She kissed him gently again before finally standing up.
She went to get Willow. As the two women left, Buffy looked back at Spike. He still looked pained, and she was feeling much the same way, even though she knew she had to go. She gave him what she hope was a slightly seductive smile, and was happy to see him smile back. Then she turned and went out with Willow.
******
Buffy handed Willow the keys to the corvette, and they headed back towards where Buffy and Spike had discovered Giles' new apartment. They were almost there when they heard a police siren behind them. Willow pulled the car over, and the police car pulled up beside them. A police officer walked up on each side of the car. "Would you ladies please step out of the car."
"What's wrong? I wasn't speeding. I'm not the speeding type."
"Please step out of the car."
Buffy realized that she'd never actually mentioned to anyone where the car had come from. *Oh shit!*, she thought as she and Willow got out of the car.
******
Evening had arrived, and Buffy and Willow hadn't come back yet. Spike, Dawn, and Tara were all getting extremely worried. "Buffy hadn't wanted anyone else to turn up missing, and now she's missing too!" fretted Tara. "And Willow was still tired from last night's spell." Tara was sitting on the sofa with her head in her hands. "Willow's upset. I can feel her. She's upset. She's crying."
Spike looked at her strangely. He hadn't realized that the witches had that kind of connection. "Tara, can you see where they are? Can you tell what happened?"
"No. I… our connection's not that way. I can feel how she is, but I can't see what's going on or anything like that."
Spike was disappointed, but didn't want to upset Tara further. "It's ok, pet. We'll figure something out." He wished he'd made Buffy wait until dark when he could have gone with her. It seemed like he always managed to let her down.
Dawn was leaning against the wall, trying not to cry. She was so afraid of losing her sister again. What could have happened?
A knock on the door startled all three of them. Xander's voice yelled, "Hey, someone let me in! I don't have a key." Dawn ran over and opened the door, and found Xander standing there, with Drusilla's arms around him. Dawn stepped back from the door startled.
"Spike, luv. Aren't you going to ask me in?" Dru looked at Spike and smiled.
"Can't, Poodle. I don't live here. Neither does anyone else who's here right now. So, sorry. Can't invite you."
"Awww. I've found a new playmate, Spike. I thought we could all play together, but you can't let me in." She nuzzled up to Xander and licked his neck. "Guess it's just you and me", she purred. "Let's go dance in the graveyard before I turn you."
Xander pleaded, "Come on! Somebody do something!"
"Dru!" Spike called to her. "Wha' do you need him for, luv? You'd be listening to bad jokes for eternity. Now that we can be together again, you don't need monkey boy." Spike started to walk toward the door.
"Spike", Dawn whimpered. Spike couldn't really be turning on them to go with Drusilla?
Spike walked quickly over to Dawn. He spoke briefly and quietly, since he couldn't afford for Dru to hear him. "She's going to turn Xander. If I go with her, she'll forget about him."
"But, once Xander's inside, you'll come back in, right?", Dawn whispered.
Spike shook his head. "I have to find out what's going on. She's got something to do with all of this."
Dru was getting impatient. "Spike, why aren't you with me yet? I see the slayer… Is she still holding you, my love?"
Spike walked quickly out the door and wrapped his arms around Drusilla. "Forget the boy, Dru. You can do so much better. You have me." Dru turned to Spike, loosening her hold on Xander just enough that he manage to pull away and run in through the apartment door.
"Where are you going?" Dru called to Xander. "I thought we were going to play. I have all sorts of lovely surprises for you."
"Drusilla." Spike swayed back and forth with her in his arms. "Come away from here with me, Dru. We don't need any of them."
"Oh Spike! Are you coming with me then?"
"Yes, Dru. Let's get out of here." Spike turned and gave a meaningful look to Dawn. He really hoped she understood why he had to go, and that he'd be back. Dawn seemed sad, but she did catch his look, and she nodded her understanding.
"Yeah, get out of here!" shouted Xander. "I've had quite enough of vampires today."
"Shut up Xander!" Dawn and Tara said at the same time.
Spike nodded to Dawn and Tara, and then walked off with Dru in his arms, and a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach.
***
part 42, by Marcee
"Look, I've seen Law & Order, I know I get a phone call!" Buffy yelled from her cage for what seemed like the millionth time. She looked over at Willow who still sat on the bench under the barred window with her head in her hands.
"Will, we need to do something," she said.
Willow looked up, "I'm still drained Buffy, I'd love to just close my eyes and pop the lock on the cell, but right now, I can't even pop a zit."
Buffy nodded. "Hey," she yelled again, "the phone! Can I please use the phone!"
She started pacing across the cell. "Damn Spike!" she mumbled to herself, "If he hadn't...but he just looked so cute...then I wouldn't...damn him!"
"It WAS a nice car," Willow mentioned under her breath.
"I know my rights!" Buffy yelled again. *Well, some of them, anyway.* "We've been here for almost THREE HOURS!"
"Four," Willow corrected.
"Did you hear that? FOUR HOURS!" Buffy bellowed.
"What? Afraid you're missing Dawson's Creek?" a guard responded as he walked up to her cell.
"Ew, are you kidding. Who watches the WB anymore?" she answered, "Look, can I get my phone call or what?"
"Grand theft auto's a pretty serious crime, there, Missy," the guard chided. "Besides, you're lucky I didn't toss you into lock up with the others. They'd tear up a sweet thing like you."
"Look, Mr. Guard-man-guy, I just want to use the phone."
"What are you gonna do for me, babydoll, if I let you get that call?" he eyed her up and down.
"Oh, you wanna play?" Buffy asked seductively, leaning into the bars. "I'm so in the mood to play..."
The guard snickered, "Oh really?" He approached her, swinging a ring of keys around his forefinger.
Buffy put her face up to the bars and started whispering, "I'm a bad girl. I like to steal pretty cars."
"Yeah, you're bad," the guard smirked, "I like bad girls."
For the first time, in a long time, Buffy thought about Faith and smiled.
"I don't actually know how to drive stick," she continued. "That makes it tough to steal the nice, fast cars..." She drew out her words slowly, sultry.
"Yeah," the guard stepped closer to hear her.
"I'll bet you could teach me to drive stick," she licked her lips. "You know, like how to handle it? How to hold it. How to stroke it?" she whispered.
"Oh yeah, baby," the guard was entranced.
"I'll bet you could take me on one wild ride, couldn't you?" she breathed.
The guard took another step toward the bars and said, "Oh, baby, I could-" THUD! Buffy had grabbed him by the collar and yanked him forward into the bars, effectively knocking him out cold. She let him slide to the floor and grabbed the key ring from his limp hand.
Willow was at her side in an instant, "Good work, Buff! I didn't know you could be all seductress-y"
"Charlie's Angels," she replied.
"Who says TV rots the brain," Willow chuckled.
Buffy unlocked the cage; they snuck through a hall and were out behind the station in a matter of minutes.
"Now what?" Willow asked.
They were miles from anywhere.
"I'm not sure," Buffy answered honestly, "but we need to hurry and get to the others, I'm sure they're worried. And now Spike can help us with the possessed-watcher-situation-thing...and the longer Xander and Anya are missing..."
She didn't have to finish her thought, Willow nodded knowingly. "But how do we get there?" there was concern in the witch's voice, "I really can't do a teleportation spell right now."
"I know, I know," Buffy answered. She leaned back against the wall of the station. She needed to think.
Unfortunately, there was no time to think, as three vampires rounded the corner. "Uh Buffy?" Willow nudged her.
"Why would vampires hang out at a police station," Buffy asked, glancing around the alley for a weapon.
Willow stepped back as Buffy kicked a wooden palette into the side of a large metal garbage bin and grabbed for the splinters.
The gang of vampires approached the ladies smiling. The blond one had a billy club. "Well, what do we have here?" he asked.
Another spoke up in response, "Looks like these ladies are trying to escape."
"Get the Sergeant," the blonde one instructed. One of the vamps turned and headed back toward the front of the building.
"You've got to be kidding," Buffy sighed. "You're working WITH the police?"
"We do what we can to keep the streets clean," the blond chuckled.
"Besides," piped up the ugly vamp to his right, "we get paid awful well - and they don't give us trouble if a couple of burglars happen to get drained every now and then."
"Shut up, Darren," the blond poked him with the club. "Okay, ladies, the fun's over. Time to go back inside."
"Um. I don't think so," Buffy said and swiftly knocked the blond off his feet with a kick to the chest. The ugly vampire, Darren, was swinging wildly at her, but she ducked his amateur punches easily and kicked his feet out from under him. His head smacked against the alley wall on his way down and he was out. The blond had gotten up and was heading toward her, billy club ready in his outstretched arm. He swung it at her head, but she caught his arm and used his momentum to swing him into the wall. She punched him in the gut, grabbed his hair and brought his head down into her knee. When she released her grip, he fell face forward onto the asphalt. She brought the stake down over his back, but then hesitated. She looked at Willow, who had remained in the shadow of the doorway.
"What do you think, Will?" she asked her long-time friend, "They're sorta helping, right?"
Willow shrugged. "They're still feeding, though."
"Weird," Buffy said and dusted him. She made quick work of the unconscious Darren and then turned to face Willow once more.
The redhead had just fished something out of the debris on the ground and smiled at Buffy as she stood. She jingled the key ring, "We're already fugitives. What do you say?"
Buffy grinned, "Can I play with the siren?"
***
Part 43, by Estepheia
"...and then Dru-psycho waltzed me round the cemetery and all the time I was keeping my fingers crossed the sunrise would fry her extra well done."
Xander licked orange marmelade off his fingers and grabbed another slice of toast. Giles's cupboards weren't exactly well stocked, but Xander had been positively ravenous, and toast wasn't so bad. Eating helped.
When they had told them that Anya was still missing and that Buffy and Willow were also unaccounted for, he had almost dashed out again, determined to take on anything and anyone that stood between him and the people he loved. Eventually, Tara and Dawn had convinced him that in his current state there was little he could do except get himself killed. And that wouldn't help Anya. Or the others.
After he had taken a shower, Tara had discreetly dressed his wounds (Drusilla had left a rather painfull criss-cross of scratches all over him, which he didn't want Dawn to see) and he had changed into some of Giles's less old-fashioned clothes. Meanwhile it had been Dawn's job to hunt down food and drink, because obviously he hadn't had anything to eat or drink while he had been in Dru's power.
He continued his narration: "Too bad, Crazilla got her wits back just in time and dragged me into Spike's crypt." He shuddered at the memory. No way was he ever going to tell just how scary the last 12 hours had been. Drusilla's mood swings and her lack of concentration and her desire to... play... would probably give him nightmares for years to come.
"And what happened then?" Dawn asked.
"Oh we had a really good talk," he said lightly. "I think a polite conversation with Hannibal the Cannibal would have been easier, though. At least he wouldn't have listened to ghosts all the time. Anyway, I told her, Spike was no longer in love with her because a while ago Willow cast a spell on him to make him fall in love with Buffy. And then I told her that I was the only one who could talk Willow into undoing the spell. It was all I could come up with, but she bought it. That's why she didn't kill me."
***
They had hardly walked a few steps away from Giles's appartment, when Drusilla pulled him into a passionate kiss. It was a strange feeling, to find himself in Drusilla's cold embrace again. His body certainly remembered the over 100 years they had spent together. Her familiar scent, the well-known curves of her slender body, the way her old-fashioned clothes rustled, all these impressions brought back memories of happy nights. And they had been happy; the fact that his heart now yearned for the love of another did not diminish the thrill, exultation and passion he and Dru had felt in each others arms.
He found himself returning Drusilla's kiss, unable to decide whether he wanted it or whether he didn't. When he had left the appartment it had been an easy plan: first he'd get the whelp off Dru's evening menu, then he'd lull his ex into a false sense of security and milk her for info and finally he'd make off with his new knowledge and sort out the Watcher business. He had, however, underestimated his own unwillingness to lie to his lover of a hundred years.
He gently pushed her away. "It's no good, luv. Nothing's changed."
She wasn't offended. She gave him a sly smile. "Yes, I can smell her on you. She owns you, she has you on a leash. Are her kisses as bittersweet as mine? Or do they taste like bones? Are you her little doggy, will you fetch sticks for your beloved Slayer?" Her eyes sparkled evilly as she placed her spidery hand over his still heart. He had always loved that cruel smile of hers.
Somehow her words hurt, and he knew that she knew it.
"If she want's me to," he admitted truthfully and not entirely without shame. There was still something between them, the attraction was still there, and of course the bond of blood. The connection between sire and childe tugged at him, part of him still wanted Dru's respect. He was, after all, still a vampire.
She took his hand into hers and lifted it to her lips. She placed a tender kiss on his fingertips. "It's not natural, you know, wanting to caress the Slayer with these hands. There's death on them. I can smell it, even if you can't." She drew him to her, her body swaying hypnotically, and breathed a kiss on his lips. "Do you want to kiss her with these lips, that have tasted the blood of thousands? Do you think she'll ever forget that you taste like death. Do you think she'll ever love her little doggy?"
He recoiled as if she had hit him. "I don't... it doesn't matter. She trusts me."
"Of course she does," Drusilla replied. "After all, she let her friend weave a magic leash for my poor Spike."
"What?" he felt an icy cold spread through him.
"It's magic that has twisted your heart and turned it away from me." She smiled at the pain she could read in his face and pulled him towards her. Spike didn't resist. She knew how to comfort him. She'd make his body hurt until it screamed louder than his heart and then they'd go and kill the witch.
***
Around mid afternoon, Buffy woke to find Tara and Willow staring at her, a mixture of shock and amusement on their faces. Buffy realized she was still lying in Spike's arms on the sofa. She just grinned up at them and then snuggled back against Spike's chest defiantly. Tara and Willow quickly went to join Dawn in the kitchen before starting to giggle uncontrollably.
Once they got their amusement under control, Willow asked Dawn, "You been up long, Dawnie?"
"A few hours. I've been trying not to disturb the lovebirds." She nodded toward the living room. Dawn was obviously quite happy about the new development in her sister's relationship with the vampire. "About time she admitted she likes him, dontcha think?"
Tara smiled at that, but still had to ask, "Do you suppose we should get them up, so we can figure out how to find Xander and Anya?"
"I think we'd better", Willow replied.
The three of them went out into the living room. They all looked at each other. None of them wanted to disturb the couple on the couch. No one could remember the last time they'd seen Buffy this calm or happy. "Ok", said Willow, "I guess I'd better wake them".
"Buffy. Spike. It's time to wake up. Xander and Anya still aren't back. We need to find them. " Willow shook Buffy's shoulder gently. "Come on. Wake up. I can't handle another locator spell yet. That last one wore me out."
Buffy opened her eyes again. "Ok, Willow. Getting up." Even as worried as she was about the missing scoobies, she really didn't want to move away from Spike. But she knew she had to find her friends. She moved Spike's arm off her and sat up. She turned to wake the vampire. He sighed. He'd already been awake, but had also been avoiding ending this encounter. "I'm awake, Buffy", he said as he sat up next to her.
He picked the watcher's journal back up off the coffee table. "I was reading this this morning, and I think I know what Giles, or actually this watcher that seems to be borrowing Giles, is planning. He wants to bring back his slayer. He's going to do a ritual to move her spirit into another body. Or at least he was going to. It looks like you messed up his plans pretty bad, Buffy."
"What do you mean?"
"That picture you took. It appears he needed that for the ritual. So, you've delayed him at least. As soon as it's dark, I suggest we head over to his new apartment and see if Xander and Anya are there."
Buffy nodded. "You think he might have intended Anya for his slayer?"
"Yeah, it would make sense, and it would explain why they're missing."
"And he can't do anything without the picture?"
"Well, I can't be sure he didn't have a backup plan…"
Buffy looked at Spike. "I think we'd better assume he had a backup plan. Willow and I can head over there now."
Spike was hurt, but realized that she was probably right. It's not like he could even enter the apartment to help. "You're right. You should probably go." Buffy heard the pain in his voice. She took his hand in hers and held it tightly. She looked over at her sister and the witches. "Could… um… could you give us a minute…" Dawn, Willow, and Tara all hurried back into the kitchen.
Buffy raised the hand that wasn't already holding Spike's and stroked his face gently. "Spike, just because you can't go help now, don't you dare feel bad about it. We wouldn't even know what Giles is planning if it wasn't for you."
"I know, Buffy. But I can't help worrying about you, and I hate not being able to be there with you, just in case you need my help. And… I want to be there with you, just to be with you."
"Spike, I…" She stopped talking and quickly pressed her lips against his. He responded passionately. She finally pulled away, her hand still on his cheek, and stared into his eyes. "I shouldn't be gone long. My slayer strength and Willow's powers against even a possessed Giles shouldn't be a difficult fight. And then I'll be back with you." She kissed him gently again before finally standing up.
She went to get Willow. As the two women left, Buffy looked back at Spike. He still looked pained, and she was feeling much the same way, even though she knew she had to go. She gave him what she hope was a slightly seductive smile, and was happy to see him smile back. Then she turned and went out with Willow.
******
Buffy handed Willow the keys to the corvette, and they headed back towards where Buffy and Spike had discovered Giles' new apartment. They were almost there when they heard a police siren behind them. Willow pulled the car over, and the police car pulled up beside them. A police officer walked up on each side of the car. "Would you ladies please step out of the car."
"What's wrong? I wasn't speeding. I'm not the speeding type."
"Please step out of the car."
Buffy realized that she'd never actually mentioned to anyone where the car had come from. *Oh shit!*, she thought as she and Willow got out of the car.
******
Evening had arrived, and Buffy and Willow hadn't come back yet. Spike, Dawn, and Tara were all getting extremely worried. "Buffy hadn't wanted anyone else to turn up missing, and now she's missing too!" fretted Tara. "And Willow was still tired from last night's spell." Tara was sitting on the sofa with her head in her hands. "Willow's upset. I can feel her. She's upset. She's crying."
Spike looked at her strangely. He hadn't realized that the witches had that kind of connection. "Tara, can you see where they are? Can you tell what happened?"
"No. I… our connection's not that way. I can feel how she is, but I can't see what's going on or anything like that."
Spike was disappointed, but didn't want to upset Tara further. "It's ok, pet. We'll figure something out." He wished he'd made Buffy wait until dark when he could have gone with her. It seemed like he always managed to let her down.
Dawn was leaning against the wall, trying not to cry. She was so afraid of losing her sister again. What could have happened?
A knock on the door startled all three of them. Xander's voice yelled, "Hey, someone let me in! I don't have a key." Dawn ran over and opened the door, and found Xander standing there, with Drusilla's arms around him. Dawn stepped back from the door startled.
"Spike, luv. Aren't you going to ask me in?" Dru looked at Spike and smiled.
"Can't, Poodle. I don't live here. Neither does anyone else who's here right now. So, sorry. Can't invite you."
"Awww. I've found a new playmate, Spike. I thought we could all play together, but you can't let me in." She nuzzled up to Xander and licked his neck. "Guess it's just you and me", she purred. "Let's go dance in the graveyard before I turn you."
Xander pleaded, "Come on! Somebody do something!"
"Dru!" Spike called to her. "Wha' do you need him for, luv? You'd be listening to bad jokes for eternity. Now that we can be together again, you don't need monkey boy." Spike started to walk toward the door.
"Spike", Dawn whimpered. Spike couldn't really be turning on them to go with Drusilla?
Spike walked quickly over to Dawn. He spoke briefly and quietly, since he couldn't afford for Dru to hear him. "She's going to turn Xander. If I go with her, she'll forget about him."
"But, once Xander's inside, you'll come back in, right?", Dawn whispered.
Spike shook his head. "I have to find out what's going on. She's got something to do with all of this."
Dru was getting impatient. "Spike, why aren't you with me yet? I see the slayer… Is she still holding you, my love?"
Spike walked quickly out the door and wrapped his arms around Drusilla. "Forget the boy, Dru. You can do so much better. You have me." Dru turned to Spike, loosening her hold on Xander just enough that he manage to pull away and run in through the apartment door.
"Where are you going?" Dru called to Xander. "I thought we were going to play. I have all sorts of lovely surprises for you."
"Drusilla." Spike swayed back and forth with her in his arms. "Come away from here with me, Dru. We don't need any of them."
"Oh Spike! Are you coming with me then?"
"Yes, Dru. Let's get out of here." Spike turned and gave a meaningful look to Dawn. He really hoped she understood why he had to go, and that he'd be back. Dawn seemed sad, but she did catch his look, and she nodded her understanding.
"Yeah, get out of here!" shouted Xander. "I've had quite enough of vampires today."
"Shut up Xander!" Dawn and Tara said at the same time.
Spike nodded to Dawn and Tara, and then walked off with Dru in his arms, and a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach.
***
part 42, by Marcee
"Look, I've seen Law & Order, I know I get a phone call!" Buffy yelled from her cage for what seemed like the millionth time. She looked over at Willow who still sat on the bench under the barred window with her head in her hands.
"Will, we need to do something," she said.
Willow looked up, "I'm still drained Buffy, I'd love to just close my eyes and pop the lock on the cell, but right now, I can't even pop a zit."
Buffy nodded. "Hey," she yelled again, "the phone! Can I please use the phone!"
She started pacing across the cell. "Damn Spike!" she mumbled to herself, "If he hadn't...but he just looked so cute...then I wouldn't...damn him!"
"It WAS a nice car," Willow mentioned under her breath.
"I know my rights!" Buffy yelled again. *Well, some of them, anyway.* "We've been here for almost THREE HOURS!"
"Four," Willow corrected.
"Did you hear that? FOUR HOURS!" Buffy bellowed.
"What? Afraid you're missing Dawson's Creek?" a guard responded as he walked up to her cell.
"Ew, are you kidding. Who watches the WB anymore?" she answered, "Look, can I get my phone call or what?"
"Grand theft auto's a pretty serious crime, there, Missy," the guard chided. "Besides, you're lucky I didn't toss you into lock up with the others. They'd tear up a sweet thing like you."
"Look, Mr. Guard-man-guy, I just want to use the phone."
"What are you gonna do for me, babydoll, if I let you get that call?" he eyed her up and down.
"Oh, you wanna play?" Buffy asked seductively, leaning into the bars. "I'm so in the mood to play..."
The guard snickered, "Oh really?" He approached her, swinging a ring of keys around his forefinger.
Buffy put her face up to the bars and started whispering, "I'm a bad girl. I like to steal pretty cars."
"Yeah, you're bad," the guard smirked, "I like bad girls."
For the first time, in a long time, Buffy thought about Faith and smiled.
"I don't actually know how to drive stick," she continued. "That makes it tough to steal the nice, fast cars..." She drew out her words slowly, sultry.
"Yeah," the guard stepped closer to hear her.
"I'll bet you could teach me to drive stick," she licked her lips. "You know, like how to handle it? How to hold it. How to stroke it?" she whispered.
"Oh yeah, baby," the guard was entranced.
"I'll bet you could take me on one wild ride, couldn't you?" she breathed.
The guard took another step toward the bars and said, "Oh, baby, I could-" THUD! Buffy had grabbed him by the collar and yanked him forward into the bars, effectively knocking him out cold. She let him slide to the floor and grabbed the key ring from his limp hand.
Willow was at her side in an instant, "Good work, Buff! I didn't know you could be all seductress-y"
"Charlie's Angels," she replied.
"Who says TV rots the brain," Willow chuckled.
Buffy unlocked the cage; they snuck through a hall and were out behind the station in a matter of minutes.
"Now what?" Willow asked.
They were miles from anywhere.
"I'm not sure," Buffy answered honestly, "but we need to hurry and get to the others, I'm sure they're worried. And now Spike can help us with the possessed-watcher-situation-thing...and the longer Xander and Anya are missing..."
She didn't have to finish her thought, Willow nodded knowingly. "But how do we get there?" there was concern in the witch's voice, "I really can't do a teleportation spell right now."
"I know, I know," Buffy answered. She leaned back against the wall of the station. She needed to think.
Unfortunately, there was no time to think, as three vampires rounded the corner. "Uh Buffy?" Willow nudged her.
"Why would vampires hang out at a police station," Buffy asked, glancing around the alley for a weapon.
Willow stepped back as Buffy kicked a wooden palette into the side of a large metal garbage bin and grabbed for the splinters.
The gang of vampires approached the ladies smiling. The blond one had a billy club. "Well, what do we have here?" he asked.
Another spoke up in response, "Looks like these ladies are trying to escape."
"Get the Sergeant," the blonde one instructed. One of the vamps turned and headed back toward the front of the building.
"You've got to be kidding," Buffy sighed. "You're working WITH the police?"
"We do what we can to keep the streets clean," the blond chuckled.
"Besides," piped up the ugly vamp to his right, "we get paid awful well - and they don't give us trouble if a couple of burglars happen to get drained every now and then."
"Shut up, Darren," the blond poked him with the club. "Okay, ladies, the fun's over. Time to go back inside."
"Um. I don't think so," Buffy said and swiftly knocked the blond off his feet with a kick to the chest. The ugly vampire, Darren, was swinging wildly at her, but she ducked his amateur punches easily and kicked his feet out from under him. His head smacked against the alley wall on his way down and he was out. The blond had gotten up and was heading toward her, billy club ready in his outstretched arm. He swung it at her head, but she caught his arm and used his momentum to swing him into the wall. She punched him in the gut, grabbed his hair and brought his head down into her knee. When she released her grip, he fell face forward onto the asphalt. She brought the stake down over his back, but then hesitated. She looked at Willow, who had remained in the shadow of the doorway.
"What do you think, Will?" she asked her long-time friend, "They're sorta helping, right?"
Willow shrugged. "They're still feeding, though."
"Weird," Buffy said and dusted him. She made quick work of the unconscious Darren and then turned to face Willow once more.
The redhead had just fished something out of the debris on the ground and smiled at Buffy as she stood. She jingled the key ring, "We're already fugitives. What do you say?"
Buffy grinned, "Can I play with the siren?"
***
Part 43, by Estepheia
"...and then Dru-psycho waltzed me round the cemetery and all the time I was keeping my fingers crossed the sunrise would fry her extra well done."
Xander licked orange marmelade off his fingers and grabbed another slice of toast. Giles's cupboards weren't exactly well stocked, but Xander had been positively ravenous, and toast wasn't so bad. Eating helped.
When they had told them that Anya was still missing and that Buffy and Willow were also unaccounted for, he had almost dashed out again, determined to take on anything and anyone that stood between him and the people he loved. Eventually, Tara and Dawn had convinced him that in his current state there was little he could do except get himself killed. And that wouldn't help Anya. Or the others.
After he had taken a shower, Tara had discreetly dressed his wounds (Drusilla had left a rather painfull criss-cross of scratches all over him, which he didn't want Dawn to see) and he had changed into some of Giles's less old-fashioned clothes. Meanwhile it had been Dawn's job to hunt down food and drink, because obviously he hadn't had anything to eat or drink while he had been in Dru's power.
He continued his narration: "Too bad, Crazilla got her wits back just in time and dragged me into Spike's crypt." He shuddered at the memory. No way was he ever going to tell just how scary the last 12 hours had been. Drusilla's mood swings and her lack of concentration and her desire to... play... would probably give him nightmares for years to come.
"And what happened then?" Dawn asked.
"Oh we had a really good talk," he said lightly. "I think a polite conversation with Hannibal the Cannibal would have been easier, though. At least he wouldn't have listened to ghosts all the time. Anyway, I told her, Spike was no longer in love with her because a while ago Willow cast a spell on him to make him fall in love with Buffy. And then I told her that I was the only one who could talk Willow into undoing the spell. It was all I could come up with, but she bought it. That's why she didn't kill me."
***
They had hardly walked a few steps away from Giles's appartment, when Drusilla pulled him into a passionate kiss. It was a strange feeling, to find himself in Drusilla's cold embrace again. His body certainly remembered the over 100 years they had spent together. Her familiar scent, the well-known curves of her slender body, the way her old-fashioned clothes rustled, all these impressions brought back memories of happy nights. And they had been happy; the fact that his heart now yearned for the love of another did not diminish the thrill, exultation and passion he and Dru had felt in each others arms.
He found himself returning Drusilla's kiss, unable to decide whether he wanted it or whether he didn't. When he had left the appartment it had been an easy plan: first he'd get the whelp off Dru's evening menu, then he'd lull his ex into a false sense of security and milk her for info and finally he'd make off with his new knowledge and sort out the Watcher business. He had, however, underestimated his own unwillingness to lie to his lover of a hundred years.
He gently pushed her away. "It's no good, luv. Nothing's changed."
She wasn't offended. She gave him a sly smile. "Yes, I can smell her on you. She owns you, she has you on a leash. Are her kisses as bittersweet as mine? Or do they taste like bones? Are you her little doggy, will you fetch sticks for your beloved Slayer?" Her eyes sparkled evilly as she placed her spidery hand over his still heart. He had always loved that cruel smile of hers.
Somehow her words hurt, and he knew that she knew it.
"If she want's me to," he admitted truthfully and not entirely without shame. There was still something between them, the attraction was still there, and of course the bond of blood. The connection between sire and childe tugged at him, part of him still wanted Dru's respect. He was, after all, still a vampire.
She took his hand into hers and lifted it to her lips. She placed a tender kiss on his fingertips. "It's not natural, you know, wanting to caress the Slayer with these hands. There's death on them. I can smell it, even if you can't." She drew him to her, her body swaying hypnotically, and breathed a kiss on his lips. "Do you want to kiss her with these lips, that have tasted the blood of thousands? Do you think she'll ever forget that you taste like death. Do you think she'll ever love her little doggy?"
He recoiled as if she had hit him. "I don't... it doesn't matter. She trusts me."
"Of course she does," Drusilla replied. "After all, she let her friend weave a magic leash for my poor Spike."
"What?" he felt an icy cold spread through him.
"It's magic that has twisted your heart and turned it away from me." She smiled at the pain she could read in his face and pulled him towards her. Spike didn't resist. She knew how to comfort him. She'd make his body hurt until it screamed louder than his heart and then they'd go and kill the witch.
***