~~~~~~~ PROLOGUE~~~~~~~~~
As Buffy picked herself up and shook her head to clear it, she wondered what had just happened. Surely that skanky woman in the too tight red dress hadn’t just thrown her through a wall? A brick wall?
“Owie.”
Apparently she had. As Buffy limped away, she was muttering to herself about being caught off guard and kicking skanky butt the next time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next time came along much too soon to suit Buffy, especially considering that she now knew Dawn was the mysterious “Key” that Glory kept screeching about. An unfamiliar feeling of helplessness began to worm its way into Buffy’s psyche.
This bitch is stronger than me. Not all that bright, and she’s got lousy fashion sense, but still....
There was a period of respite from the strange demon after she got flattened by a semi, and after several Glory-less weeks, Buffy was seriously hoping that was the end of the problem, so she could concentrate on her mother’s health and quit worrying. She tried to ignore the nagging little voice in her head that insisted it was never that easy, but of course, it turned out the little voice was right....
Chapter One
Seeking a safe place to stash Dawn and her mother temporarily, if and when it became necessaryJust until I find a way to get rid of that bitch, Buffy ventured into Restfield, searching for the crypt that Spike had moved into sometime before he left Sunnydale. When she entered the open doors, she startled an unfamiliar demon, who had been sitting on the couch eating Doritos. Said demon gave an unmanly shriek when he saw her, leaping to his feet and spilling chips all over the floor.
“Slayer!”
Buffy put her hand on her stake, wishing she’d thought to bring a sword with her before realizing she was looking at one of many harmless demons that lived in and around Sunnydale. She remembered Giles and Spike assuring her that demons that looked like this incredibly wrinkled one were harmless to humans, and often actually friendly and helpful. She shook her head at that idea, but relaxed and spoke to him anyway.
“What are you doing here?” She did her best to intimidate him with her presence, hoping he would leave the crypt and not return. Her fierce look seemed to be working as he edged his way toward the door.
“I’m just keeping an eye on it for Spi—a friend. He has some stuff stashed here and—“
“Spike? You know where he is?” Buffy stopped her advance into the crypt and got between him and the door to safety.
The demon squirmed uncomfortably, but didn’t answer. His expression was one of abject fear mixed with stubborn determination.
“Oh stop acting so antsy,” she snapped. “I know what kind of demon you are. I’m not going to slay you... unless you don’t tell me where Spike is....”
“He’s my friend,” the demon said. “You’re the Slayer.” He stared at her as if he’d just explained everything. Which, she had to admit, it probably did if you were a demon....
Buffy sighed and allowed herself to visibly relax. “He’s my friend too,” she said quietly. “At least I think he is—was—wants to be....” She shook herself and gave him one of her best smiles. “Let’s start all over. Hi! I’m Buffy, the vampire slayer. I’m a...a friend of Spike’s. I was hoping to borrow his crypt for awhile.”
“I’m Clement – Clem for short,” the demon said, returning her smile. “And if you’re Buffy, then I’m sure Spike wouldn’t mind—” He goggled at her. “Buffy is the Slayer? You’re Buffy? Spike’s Buffy?”
Buffy blushed and cleared her throat. “Well, I’m Buffy. And I’m the Slayer. I don’t think I’m— I mean, Spike is just—“ She paused and frowned. “Why do you know my name if you didn’t know I’m the Slayer?”
“Well... I guess, now that I think about, I should have figured it out. It’s just— whenever he talked about you, he always just said ‘Buffy.’ You know, like ‘Buffy is really pretty’, or ‘I like the way she kiss—‘ Uh, nevermind. He just didn’t talk about Buffy and the Slayer at the same time, and I never figured you.... Dumb, I guess, now that I think about it. Of course you’re you. That explains a whole lot, actually.”
“Spike talked about me?” She did her best to sound casual, telling herself it was only natural that he talked about the Slayer to his friends.
“He did. Well, sometimes he was talking about you... you know–Buffy... but when he talked abut the Slayer—”
Changing the subject before he could share what Spike had to say about her when he was talking about the Slayer, she said, “So, Clem. You’re saying you know where he is?”
“I can get hold of him if I need to,” he answered, refusing to meet her eyes.
“Not what I asked,” she growled, watching him flinch. “I can get hold of him if I need to.... I think,” she added. “I want to know where he is.”
“I don’t know, Slayer. Honest. I don’t. I just know he’s still somewhere here on the west coast. Maybe in Portland or Seattle or some place like that? Where it’s rainy all the time?”
There was silence while Buffy absorbed that news and began to walk around the crypt. She’d only been in it a few times before Spike left, but she thought she remembered it being pretty big and solidly built. She went back to the entrance and examined the double doors there.
“I think this will work,” she mused.
“Slayer?” Clem seemed to be frowning, but it was really hard to tell, what with all the wrinkles already there.
Buffy smiled at him. “I need a place to... hide—put... my family sometimes. I was kind of hoping Spike would be around to help me protect them, but I guess just keeping them here will work. It’s not like the bitch is going to be looking for them in a cemetery,” she muttered.
“Bitch? You mean that crazy woman who keeps asking for her key? That bitch?”
Clem’s immediate guess as to who the bitch might be was as startling as the fact that he’d overheard what she’d thought was a private grumble to herself. She whirled on him.
“What do you know about her?” she demanded.
He held up his hands in supplication. “Probably less than you do, Sla—Buffy. She’s looking for some kind of key to something or other, and she’s getting right testy about not being able to find it. Got some scabby little creatures out helping her, but she’s the dangerous one. I saw her deck a Fyral demon with a flick of her wrist. She’s really strong.”
“Ya think?” Buffy snorted, and turned back to the room.
“Do... do you want me to call Spike? I’m sure he’d come back to help you out with her if you wanted.”
Buffy narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re sure? How can you be sure about that? I’m not even sure, and I’m the one who—I’m not even sure. He’s probably forgotten all about telling me to call him if I need him.”
“I don’t think so....” Clem shrugged. “But hey, I’m sure you know him better than I do.”
“Me?”
“Well, yeah. With the being engaged and all. I mean, I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you kids, but I’m sure—”
“That was a spell! A stupid spell that said I should marry Spike. That’s all it was! And it only lasted one night!”
“Must’ve been one hell of a night,” Clem mumbled as he turned away.
“What? What did you say? What did he tell you?” Buffy struggled to keep her voice down below the range of dogs-only-hearing.
“Nothing, Slayer. Nothing. He didn’t tell me anything. Just that you were engaged for a while and that he couldn’t remember the last time he was that happy.” He met her eyes briefly. “That’s saying a lot when you’re as old as he is.”
“Oh.” Buffy flushed and bit her lip. “Well, we were pretty happy, I guess. I mean, we thought we were in love, and that made us happy, and.... And this has nothing to do with nothing. The point is, it was just a spell, it was a long time ago, and he’s been gone for almost a year. I don’t have any reason to think he’d help me with anything – never mind some kind of over-dressed ho-bag with more superpowers than I have.”
“It’s up to you, Slayer. I’m just saying, I think he’d come back if you asked him.” Clem walked to the door and glanced back over his shoulder. “He always asks me if I know how you’re doing when I talk to him. Of course, I don’t usually have much to tell him, because we don’t hang out, and I didn’t know the Slayer was the same person as....”
“Let it go, Clem. I’ll handle it myself. But do me a favor, huh?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Just... my mom and sister might be here a lot and they... it might be better if they didn’t see you.”
Clem’s face fell, but he nodded. “Sure, Slayer. I get it. I’m not the prettiest demon on the hellmouth.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean... it’s just that they aren’t used to seeing any demons, and they might be scared of you. If it turns out they’re here a lot, I’ll introduce you as a friend of Spike’s. Okay? They both like Spike. And then it would be okay for you to show up once in a while.”
“Okay, well, I’ve got to get going. Nice meeting you, Buffy.”
“Yeah, you too, Clem. See ya.”
Using the light coming in the open door, and the candles Clem had left burning, Buffy put down her unused flashlight and finished exploring the crypt. She cringed at the filthy couch and chair have to bring in some old sheets or something to cover those disgusting things, but nodded at the sturdy table toward the back of the crypt. She frowned over the jumble of wires leading to an old fridge and from there to a beat-up TV, then decided that stone probably wouldn’t burn anyway if the wires did catch fire.
“At least Mom and Dawn will have something to do all day.” She stared around some more and began making a mental list of things she’d have to provide for them. “Candles, flashlights, maybe some lanterns and batteries... an old sheet to cover that couch...” She stopped and sighed, realizing that neither Joyce nor Dawn was going to be happy about being stashed in a damp crypt while she was out searching for Glory.
“If we have to use it, they’ll just have to suck it up,” she said aloud as she closed both the interior and exterior doors. “I can’t go looking for her or fight her if I’m worried about them. If we’re lucky, she’ll go away and look for her key somewhere else, and I’ll never have to bring them here....”
squawks
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!