Chapter 7
Buffy woke up and tightened her embrace around Spike. They were still on the floor, they never quite made it to the bed. But at least Spike pulled the blanket off the bed to cover them. Spike turned his head and kissed the top of her head as he brought his fingers up to gently caress her cheek.
"Think it's almost time to get up?" Buffy asked as she started trailing kisses from his abdomen, up his chest to his neck.
Spike moaned as Buffy shifted and captured his lips in a long, slow and deep passionate kiss. When Spike broke the kiss, he was breathing hard as he rolled Buffy over and laid on top of her.
"Probably. They'll wait." Spike said as he rested his hips between Buffys thighs and slowly entered her.
They both groaned and closed their eyes. Spike resting his forehead against hers.
Buffy hand came up and gripped the back of his head bringing his lips down to hers, kissing hungrily.
Spike took his time, thrusting in and out slowly and deliberately hitting her nubbin each time causing her to moan in pleasure.
Buffy slowly raked her nails up Spikes back. Spike took a sharp breath as he brought his hand up and grabbed her breast, pinching and rubbing it making Buffy sigh. Spike lowered himself slightly and captured her nipple between his teeth.
Spike licked and sucked slowly bringing more moans from Buffy lips.
"Spike." Buffy gasped.
Spike moved back up to look into her eyes, they were heavy with desire. No matter how many times he saw that look in her eyes, it was still amazing to him that it was him, she wanted, needed and loved.
He dipped his head kissing her heatedly as their bodies rocked faster with their need.
Buffy began to move her hip and meet him thrust for thrust. Never tearing their lips apart.
Her hand frantically began touching and caressing him everywhere she could. Spikes arms snaked around her until she was fully in his embrace being held so tightly they were almost one,still trying to get closer to each other.
Buffy broke the kiss when she felt her climax starting to build.
"Oh god...Spike." Buffy said gasping for air.
"Buffy." Spike said through clenched teeth as he buried his face in her neck when he felt the building of his own.
Buffy and Spike both gasped and groaned, then Spike captured her lips as their orgasms exploded. Buffy saw flashes of colour bursting behind her closed lids. She kissed Spike with everything she had in her. Spike moaned as he felt her contracting to her orgasm. His body started to shake as his seed spilled into her.
They laid there a tangled mass of limbs breathing heavily and totaly oblivious to anything around them but one another.
"Mmmmmm. Now a bloke could get used to being woken up like that luv." Spike said as he began trailing kisses down her neck. He was already starting to harden, still inside of her. As he began to move slowly, Buffy wrapped her legs around him and rolled him onto his back.
Buffy rocked back and forth as she trailed her nails down Spikes chest.
Spike growled as he grabbed Buffys thighs and pulling her as he thrust harder. Buffy threw her head back as Spike filled her again and again. She began grinding herself into him as he thrust, causing him to moan louder.
Spike sat up as Buffys legs wrapped around him. He brought his hand around to cup her ass and and pulled her onto him deeply embedding himself in her. Spike brought one hand around and caressed her breast going slowly down her abdomen until he reached the junction between her thighs. His fingers deftly found and teased her nubbin unmercifully.
"Uhhhh.......ohhhh....ggg....Spike." Buffy gasped as she quickly orgasmed and rested her head on Spikes shoulders. Her arms wrapped around him as she felt him tightening up ready to explode.
"Buffy." Spike moaned as he had his release.
They fell back on the floor and tried catching their breath.
"Damn. I have to make sure we survive luv, If I get to wake up like this everyday." Spike said.
Buffy just smiled and captured his lips. "I love your stamina." Buffy said smiling.
Spike rolled her over and captured her lips a gain. He stated trailing kisses down her neck and stomach. His mouth stopped at the apex of her thighs.
Buffy groaned as she felt his tongue invade her.
Buffy gasped as she heard a knock at the door.
"Hey Buffy. We're leaving in about a half hour. Yo Spike, put it back in the holster already." Faith said then started to turn back and head downstairs.
Spike chuckled slightly as he licked and sucked deeply before moving and starting to rise.
"What a time to get interrupted." Buffy said pouting.
Buffy let out a breath as she and Spike headed for the shower.
"Are they ready?" Derclon asked slightly impatient.
Faith and Zaaron exchanged smiles. "Yeah, they'll be down in a few." Faith replied as she walked past Zaaron. "Vampire stamina, guess it's true." Faith chuckled as she started going into the kitchen.
"I've never had any complaints." Zaaron said over her shoulder as he walked past her into the kitchen.
Faith was about to respond but stopped when she saw Xander and Anya sitting at the counter.
"Faith, you guys heading out now?" Xander asked as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Yeah, just waiting on B and soulboy." Faith
Zaaron looked towards Willow and Giles and pursed his lips slightly before speaking.
"Willow, would you like to come with us tonight?" Zaaron asked.
Willow and Faith swung their heads around to face him.
"Red, why? I thought she was only coming if she was really needed out there. Right now she's the strongest one to protect everyone here when we're gone." Faith said.
"Verik wants to meet her, and she needs to meet the others as well. She can also tell them about what happened to the wiccas." Zaaron said.
Faith still didn't look convinced. Willow was just shocked and a little nervous. Giles put a comforting arm around her.
"I have to agree with Faith. I don't think Will should be going." Xander said.
"Willow is quite capable of looking after herself." Giles said with pride, even though he was scared to death on the inside.
"But still.........." Xander started.
"No. He's right." Buffy started as she and Spike came into the kitchen. "He's just not telling you everything. It's getting bad. We had a couple near misses lastnight. I'm sorry Will, I was hoping we wouldn't need you, but I guess your part of the patrolling team now." Buffy finished.
"I told you I'd be there when you needed me." Willow said as she came to Buffys side.
"I know." Buffy said quietly.
Buffy looked around at everyone assembled in the kitchen.
"Everyone ready? Lets go." Buffy said as she reminded Willow to put her pin on.
Spike and Zaaron rolled their eyes as they pulled out their pins and attached them to the belt loops.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They made it to the bar a little wose for wear. Some cuts and scratches and bruises already starting to appear.
They grabbed a table and waited for Verik to approach them.
"Zaaron." A voice said coming up behind him.
He turned to see a familliar face. His smile grew wide.
"So you've returned. Good to see you're in one peice." Zaaron said clapping the man on the back.
"In body only." The man said wearily. "Word travels, we heard what was happening. We've come to help out."
Zaaron turned to his companions at the table. "This is Kyle, an old aquaintance of mine. Kyle, this is Buffy and Faith, the two slayers. This is Willow, a very powerful witch, Derclon, whom you already know, and this is Spike."
They all nodded their greetings as the newcomer Kyle joined the table.
"How many are we?" Asked Buffy.
"Almost three hundred of us, plus maybe seventy five others we picked up along the way. Some deamons, some humans, majority vampires." Kyle said as he took a drink of his beer.
"Spike, remember when I told you of the vampires who took it upon themselves to follow in your footsteps to Africa. He was the first to go." Zaaron said indicating Kyle.
Spike just stared and dipped his head and looked down. "How many survived?" Spike asked quietly.
"Out of the three hundred and fifteen of us who went, two hundred and eighty four passed and survived. A little worse for wear of course." Kyle said as he pointed to his head.
Spike nodded.
"So some of them died during the trials." Buffy said as her hand tightened around Spikes.
"Yeah, we all knew the risk." Kyle replied.
"If you might die, why bother? Kinda eliminates the whole I'm gonna live forever thing." Faith said.
"After many years immortality wears on you. Not all vampires are totally evil. Most yes, but not all. You've all be mislead as to what makes a vampire tick. Look at Zaaron, he has no soul. Do you think him evil?"
Faith just looked at Zaaron. "No." She replied without a second thought.
"See just proves my point." Kyle said as he took another drink.
Everyone sat back sinking into idle conversation. Everyone but Buffy and Spike.
"Luv, I'm gonna need my hand during patrol." Spike whispered in her ear.
"What?" Buffy looked down and noticed the death grip she still had on his hand. She loosened her grip but didn't let go.
Willow turned to Buffy. She saw the stricken look on her face before her expession turned to slayer mode again.
"Buff, you alright?" Willow asked leaning over to Buffy.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Buffy said quietly.
Willow looked at Spike. Spike just shook his head and Willow nodded. Willow turned her attention back to the group and sipped her cola.
After another ten minutes Verik approached the table.
"Well." Verik said enthusiatically as he claped his hands together. "Everyone seems to be alive and kicking. Or undead anyway." He said lightheartedly taking in the three vampires sitting at the table. "Kyle, I see you found Zaaron."
Kyle nodded but said nothing.
"So, I take it this is the witch." Verik said as he smiled widely at Willow.
"Uh..yeah." Willow said looking at Spike and Buffy.
Spike chuckled slightly as he looked back at Willow. "Don't let his demeanor fool you luv, he's very good at what he does. He also really enjoys it."
"Like Willy......I mean Derclon." Willow replied.
Spike nodded. "Red, maybe you should go talk to Verik in private and tell him the situation."
"What situation?" Verik asked as he looked at the sullen faces of the group.
"If the meetings not going to start for a bit, mind if I turn the music on?" Spike asked.
Verik waved him off as he sat beside Willow.
Spike turned the music on and led Buffy to an open spot on the floor.
"Should we be doing this? Dancing at a time like this." Buffy asked.
"Well they needed to talk, figure they can have the table. Don't know what's gonna happen. I want to make every minute count. Hold you as much as I can." Spike replied.
Buffy leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulders.
Zaaron and Faith joined each ther in a dance as well.
Verik dropped his gaze when he heard what Willow had to say.
"So you are the last." He replied.
"Yeah. You must really be a threat if the First is going after you like that." Verik replied.
"I don't know. It went after Spike too." Willow said sadly.
"I Think the end result of the battle will rest largely on the shoulders of your group. The first has been going after you and your friends, there's something there the First doesn't want us to find out. Something you as a group ar individually can do to destroy it. Obviously it doesn't want that to happen. So what would you do?" Verik said as he looked at Willow.
"Destroy the threat before it happens." Willow answered.
"Exactly." Verik said.
"But we already knew it was our job to fight it." Willow said a little down.
"Yes. But now you know you have the power to destroy it, and it knows that. Knowledge is power. The most powerful of weapons in fact." Verik replied.
"We still have no idea how to destroy it." Willow said as she took a drink.
"Maybe not now. But you will, or the First wouldn't have bothered with you thinking you're no threat at all. Everything has a weakness, you just have to find it. and chip away at it. Buffy said that the night I met her. She was right. Nothing is infallable." Verik replied. "You'll know the weakness the minute you see it."
"Yeah, I suppose. But sitting here not knowing what's coming next, or what to do, makes me feel useless. Everyone feels that way right now." Willow replied.
"All I can say is enjoy the calm before the storm, when it hits, it'll be hell, literally." Verik said as he started to rise. " Well time to let everyone know the news, and keep all info upto date." Verik said as he left the table and walked to the front of the bar.
Everyone quickly went back to their tables and took their seats.
Everyone listened and offered ideas as Verik spoke.
The meeting ended
quickly, not wanting to waste to much time, as the scheduled patrolers got up
and headed for the door.
"Will, do you still want to patrol, or would you rather us walk you back to the house?" Buffy asked her quietly as they stayed a short distance behind the group.
"Yeah, it wouldn't be any trouble Red." Spike added.
"Look, I'm glad you guys want to protect me, try and keep me safe. But this is my world too. If you didn't need me out here, I wouldn't have been asked to come. I'll be okay." Willow said as she smiled slightly to Buffy and Spike.
"I know. And you're totally right.......I just don't want anything to happen to you." Buffy replied quietly.
Willow took her hand and squeezed it tightly. "I know, same goes for you. I'm glad I can help, I want to protect you guys too."
Spike dropped his head and looked at the sidewalk as they continued up the street.
Quickly changing the subject, Willow looked ahead of them and smiled.
"So Faith and Zaaron huh."
"Yeah." Spike drawled slowly. "Getting there anyway."
"Pretty fast." Willow spoke quietly.
"Have you ever known Faith to be hesitant on anything. Besides it's a two way street." Buffy said smiling.
They continued on with the small talk while walking behind Faith and Zaaron. Derclon was in the lead, as always to impatient to wait for anyone.
As they caught up and walked together, with the exception of Derclon, Buffys brows furrowed as she spoke.
"Is it just me or does it seem really quiet tonight. We haven't staked one vampire or beheaded a single demon so far. We've been out here for almost an hour." Buffy said as she looked to everyone.
"Yeah I know. What the hells going on?" Faith asked as she looked behind them but saw nothing.
"What did Verik say about the calm before the storm." Willow said as she looked around.
Spike and Verik opened their senses trying to catch a scent or sound, but came up with nothing.
They continued on patrolling making the rounds of their area for the second time when the walkie talkie on Zaarons pocket came to life with crackling static.
Zaaron grabbed it as a voice came over the device.
"We're on Belle Blvd and we are seriously outnumbered. We eed help asap. We can't hold out much longer."
"We're on Cyprus, if there's another group closer to them go there now. We're on our way." Zaaron said as he put back in his pocket and they turned around and ran as fast as they could in the direction of Belle Blvd.
They rounded the corner to Belle as Kreegins group was rounding the opposite corned. They all joined and ran down the street and jumped in to the fray.
Spike grabbed Willow as she was just about to jump into the fight with them.
"Hey hold on Red. You're not goin in there." Spike said dragging her back and looking for Buffy.
He saw her, right in the middle, back to back with Faith. Zaaron and Derclon were moving through the fray quickly trying to get to Faith and Buffy.
"Spike. what the hell are you doing?"Willow yelled trying to get free.
"Savin your ass I 'spect. You do your mojo from here. I'll make sure nothing gets to you." Spike said as he threw his knife at the charging deamon, imbedding his knife in the demons throat.
Willow nodded and began concentrating. Holding her pin in her hand, she bagan chanting, as her eyes became black. Spike was too busy dealing with the onslaught of demons coming towards them to watch her too closely.
A small barely visible sheen came over the demons, as the fight continued.
The demons were taken down quickly from that point on. When the last demon hit the ground Willows eyes returned to their natural green as she gasped for air.
Breathing heavily she looked up to see Buffy and Spike come to stand in front of her. Buffy came closer and put an arm around her helping her stay on her feet.
"Will, are you okay?" Buffy asked worriedly.
"Yeah." Willow said as her breathing slowed to normal.
"So, that was a hell of a thing. What'd you do Will?" Faith said as she sauntered up to them, followed by Zaaron.
"Oh, just a little energy sucking spell. Slowed their reflexes, easier and quicker to take out." Willow smiled slightly.
"How did you just hit them with it? We were all in there, how come we weren't affected?" Faith asked.
"Easy. I concentrated on the pin. Anyone wearing a pin in this area wouldn't be hit." Willow answered.
"Good thinking. Damn B. Good thing she's on our side." Faith said as she walked over to the other groups to be of any help.
Spike just smile as he joined Faith.
"Thanks Will." Buffy said as put an arm aound her shoulder and they walked over to where Faith and Spike had gone.
"Kreegin." Spike said as he came to stand behind her. "Is everyone alright?"
Kreegin raised herself to stand and turned around to face Spike.
"Two were lost tonight." She said holing their pins in her open hand.
Spike just looked down and shook his head. "What about Melnick? He's the one who called for help." Spike asked as he looked around.
"He's there." Kreegin said pointing to the lone figure standing apart from the group.
Buffy watched as Spike and Kreegin walked over to where Melnick was standing.
Willow and Buffy made their way to Melnick stepping over the corpses on their way.
"Hey." Buffy said quietly as she rested her hand on the small of Spikes back.
Spike looked at her solemnly and put his arm around her.
"Melnick, how many?" Kreegin asked quietly.
"All. It was just me and Terran left whan you arrived. He was taken out shortly after." Melnick said as he placed all the pins from his group into his pocket.
"It was a trap. They planned this attacking one group at a time, taking us out one by one." Buffy said.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"We should head back. I think that's all that's going to happen tonight." Kreegin said and Melnick agreed.
They all started walking back to the bar.
Buffy started looking at all the demon corpses on the ground as her brows furrowed. She slowed her pace as she looked more closely.
"Somethings not right. This is all wrong." Buffy said still looking at the ground.
"What luv?" Spike said as he looked around.
"Look at the demons Spike." Buffy said as everyone stopped and watched puzzled.
"I am looking. They look dead." Spike said casually as he looked up to meet Buffys eyes.
He saw confusion there first. Then he saw her eyes clear as something came to her.
"Look at them. These demons are an easy kill. We've fought them more than once. Only reason they stood a chance was their numbers. It was a trap, just not for us." Buffy said as the group started shifting and murmering to themselves.
Chapter 8
Spike looked at Buffy and then glanced around at the demon corpses littering the ground.
"Zaaron. Contact the other patrollers." Buffy said as a sense of dread washed over her.
Five minutes later Zaaron quietly made his way to the middle of the group.
"There's no response from any team members." He replied as he hung his head.
Buffy closed her eyes breifly before looking around at what remainded of the three groups.
"We have to get out of here. They're coming for us." Buffy stated as she slowly grabbed Spikes hand and started moving.
"What do you mean coming for us?" Willow asked.
"What the hell's goin on B?" Faith asked.
"They've been watching us. Learning their prey...so to speak." Buffy said as she kept walking and everyone fell into step behind Buffy and Spike.
Spike shook his head as awareness washed over him. "Take out the weaker teams then converge and go after the stronger one." Spike said as Buffy nodded.
"They've been watching and testing the waters with each attack. They know our strengths and weaknesses. My guess.........after they wiped out the other teams, they were all coming for us." Buffy said as she looked at Willow. "We have something they don't expect. You haven't been out with us before tonight, they don't know about you. Welcome to the team Willow. I guess it's just not for tonight. We're gonna need your help." Buffy said quietly.
Willow looked at Buffy and Spike. She could tell by the looks on their faces they didn't want her there. They wanted her at home where it was safe. Truth be told...so did she. She would love nothing more than staying home with Rupert and being book girl. But she wasn't about to back out because of fear.
"I know you would rather me not be her with you guys, But It's my world too. I'll do whatever I can to help save it." Willow said to Buffy.
"I know you will." Buffy said as a ghost of a smile came over her face.
"You're a good woman Red. I hope he tells you that often." Spike said as they continued to walk.
Willow just blushed slightly at the compliment.
Faith, Zaaron and Derclon took up the lead while Kreegins team and Melnick brought up the rear.
Everyone was sullen in the trek back to the bar to talk to Verik and tell him the latest news. They made they're way down the abandoned streets and darkened houses and storefronts.
They walked into the bar and came to stand in front af Veriks table. Verik looked up and saw the grim yet determined looks on they're faces.
Verik lowered his head and closed his eyes. His hands were clasped tightly while resting on the table.
"Tell me." Verik said preparing himself for the blow. He knew it was bad, they weren't due to come until after patrol, and that wasn't for a few more hours.
They all fell silent while Buffy and Spike filled him in. Faith, Willow and Zaaron also gave him details, now looking back they could see. That old saying about hindsight being true.
Verik just rubbed his temples as a round of drinks were brought over for everyone.
"I'm ............I have to call the rest of the teams who were scheduled to take over after you, I should have them come in and hold a meeting." Verik paused a few minutes. "Go home, get some rest. We'll meet here in five hours. Put your thinking caps on, we are going to need suggestions people." Verik said wearily as he bid them good bye and headed to the back room to make his calls.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Spike sat in the chair with Buffy on his lap, holding each other tightly. Willow sat leaning against Giles on the couch, his arm securely around her and her head resting on his shoulder. Faith stood leaning against the wall fidgeting slightly. Zaaron sat on the stairs quietly but watching everyone intently. Xander and Anya sat side by side holding hands and looking downtrodden.
"Well this is getting us nowhere." Spike said breaking the silence.
"Well I haven't heard anything come from you either." Xander said quickly not hiding his dislike for the vampire.
"I haven't heard anything come from anyone." Buffy said looking at Xander.
"I have no idea what to do B. The only thing I can think of is Doubling up the teams." Faith replied.
"I thought of that too. It would seriously limit our number of teams though, and less rest in between each patrol." Buffy said mulling over the idea.
"Yeah, it would. But unless we can come up with somthin, that's all we have." Faith replied.
"I know." Buffy said quietly.
"Maybe not. Ideas are going to be thrown around at the meeting. Maybe one of those will be better." Willow said.
"I hope so Will. Cause this one.......well it's not a very good idea." Buffy said.
"Yeah. Somehow us patrolling while we're exhausted isn't high on my to do list." Spike quipped before turning serious. "That's how accidents happen." He said tightening his hold on his slayer.
"I agree. There's got to be another way. We're just not seeing it." Zaaron said almost talking to himself.
"Well it better show itself soon. Hell I'll be happy if it jumps up and bites me on the ass." Faith said as she pushed herself off the wall.
Spike, Buffy and Zaaron all chuckled at her comment.
"I don't think that'll happen pet, but I'm sure we'll find a way around this." Spike replied still smirking at Faith.
Faith just smirked back and started for the front door.
"I think I'll join her." Spike said placing a kiss on Buffy temple and moving out from under her.
Spike followed Faith out to the front porch and closed the door behind them.
Faith and Spike sat on the porch smoking in silence. Both their minds too busy to be bothered trying to start a conversation.
When their butts were tossed to the ground, Spike turned to open the door, but was stopped by Faith.
"Spike can I ask you something?" Faith asked hesitently.
Spike nodded and dropped his hand away from the door.
Faith looked uneasy. Her eyes kept darting around.
Spike just looked at her. "Are you going to ask sometime tonight luv?"
"This is totally not the right time, but........." Faith started.
"If it's something you need to know, there's never a right or wrong time." Spike replied.
Faith took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Spike stood watching slightly amused by her actions.
Realization dawned on Spike as he started to smile inwardly. He moved closer and leaned into her slightly.
"It's alright Faith. He's a good man. He would never hurt you. Let yourself fall...............he'll catch you." Spike said quietly as he moved back to the door and went inside, leaving her to her thoughts.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Five hours later they found themselves sitting around a table quietly having a drink and listening intently to other ideas being tossed around.
Their faces only became more grim as the night went on. So far their idea was the only one that had any chance of working.
Willow was startled when she felt someone tap her shoulder. She turned to see a Veriks bartender beside her.
"Yes." Willow said as she raised her eyebrows in question.
"There's a phone call for you, you can take it at the bar."
"Thank you." Willow said as she got up and went over to the bar.
"Hello." Willow said as she picked up the phone.
"Willow, I just recieved a call from Wesley. He has some good and bad news." Giles said quickly.
"Okay, as always, good first and bad after." Willow replied as she sat down.
Willow listened intently as Giles told her everything he'd been told by Wesley.
"Okay, I'm gonna go talk to Verik privately and we'll tell everyone else when we get home. I'll see you shortly." Willow said as she hung up the phone and immediately pulled Verik aside and gestured towards the back room for privacy.
Buffy, Spike, Faith and Zaaron saw Willow take the call then go to the back room with Verik.
"Is this good or bad?" Faith asked.
"Maybe both." Buffy said.
Zaaron just nodded in agreement.
"Not sure I want to know." Spike said as he clasped Buffys hand. "I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."
They all nodded and continued to watch all the demons around them belting out ideas, quickly being quashed by others.
Willow and Verik exited the room and she made her way back to the table looking at the expectant faces seated around her as she took her seat.
She just nodded acknowleging them and faced Verik.
"Okay, settle down everyone. What we're gonna do for the time being is do a general sweep of Sunnydale. All patrollers, at the same time, together. Start at one end of town and work your way to the other and back. We'll do it this way for a couple days until we can sort things out.
Now, go home, do a quick patrol on your way. Anything that seems too much for your team, avoid it. We don't have the numbers to be heroic right now. That's all." Verik said as he turned back to the bar and started grabbing glasses.
It was a silent walk home. They took out several vampires and demons on their way. But mostly just wondering what Willow knew, and wasn't sharing.
"Are you gonna tell us Red or are we supposed to guess." Spike said patience quickly leaving.
"When we're all together Rupert and I will tell you everything." Was all Willow said.
They all just made the silent journey the rest of the way home without any incidents.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
They were all seated and standing in their previous spots looking expectantly at Giles and Willow. Who were sitting forward on the couch silently.
Spike rolled his eyes. "Well c'mon. Out with it. Stop with the bloody suspense already." Spike said annoyed.
Giles looked to Spike as he started to speak.
"I heard from Wesley tonight. He figured out what Angel meant when he said the Bearst carried his death with him. So he knows how to kill it. But he needs help. He wants Willow and Buffy or Faith to go to L.A. to bring down the Beast..........and to restore Angels soul." Giles said.
"Our team will be weakened by this." Zaaron said.
Faith looked at Buffy and Spike. She could see the unease in Spikes face.
"I'll go with Red." Faith said as she looked at Spike.
"Are you sure?" Buffy asked quietly.
"He helped me, it's my turn to repay the favour." Faith replied.
Buffy never said anything, but she was glad Faith decided to go. Buffy would have gone, but she would rather stay here by Spike and her friends.
This was her town and she wasn't about to leave it the way it was.
"When are you going?" Buffy asked.
"Now is as good a time as any." Willow said rising from the couch.
"Okay, just let me grab some weopons and I'm ready." Faith said as she went to the closet and grabbed a bag.
Buffy and Spike got up and started pulling out weopns and handed them to Faith.
"How long do you think you'll be gone?" Zaaron asked Willow as he galnced back at Faith.
Willow smiled. "Not too long. If everything goes right we'll be back tomorrow night. Maybe sooner." Willow replied.
Twenty minutes later they stood outside as Faith put her bag in the car and Giles stood by the driver door saying his good byes to Willow.
"Faith." Zaaron said as he came to he side.
Faith turned around to face him. "What's up Ronny." Faith said.
Zaaron winced at the nickname as Faith chuckled.
" I don't like the fact you have to go.........where I can't see that you're alright." Zaaron said quietly.
Faith looked at Zaaron as he lowered his eyes fighting for words he wasn't able to say. She looked over to Spike and Buffy. Buffy gave her an encouraging smile. Spike nodded his head and looked at her intently as his word came back to her. "Let yourself fall..............he'll catch you."
The idea terrified the hell out of her, but there was something here she couldn't deny, she didn't want to deny.
Faith moved in slowly and placed a gentle kiss to his lips. She'd never kissed anyone like that before. Before it was always demanding and never had any true feelings behind it. This was definately unchartered waters she was tredding in. She broke the kiss and stepped back slightly.
"We'll talk when I get back." Faith said as she looked at him again then turned and got into the car.
Zaaron stepped back as the car pulled out and drove off.
Spike came to stand beside Zaaron. "She'll be alright. She's a tough bird," Spike said clapping Zaaron in the back. "C'mon, we have the night off, let's go find something to amuse us shall we. Let's see, we could ruffle the whelps feathers, that's always a good time." Spike said as he dragged Zaaron back inside.
Chapter 9
Zaaron sat there chuckling to himself. For the past six hours Spike did nothing but grate on Xanders last nerve and vice versa. Zaaron had thought Spike was only kidding about ruffling Xanders feathers, he soon found out, he wasn't. Buffy came to stand beside Zaaron.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "God this has got to stop."
Zaaron chuckled. "They're ............working out their issues." Zaaron said with amusement in his voice and clearly on his face.
"Oh god, not you too." Buffy huffed annoyed.
Zaaon contained another laugh as he smiled, he drew his attention toward Spike. "Spike, I think playtime is over, your woman is starting to get a little.......shall we say flustered." He said only loud enough for Spike to hear.
Spike turned and nodded to Zaaron with a wide grin on his face, but quickly lost his smile when his eyes met those of his very pissed off slayer. He looked down to his feet as he cleared his throat.
"Sorry luv." He said as he looked back up and smirked at her.
Buffy rolled her eyes and slightly smiled at his "I can't help it" look on his face.
"None of us are tired, we should be out there........doing something. Anything." Buffy said as Spike moved to stand beside her.
"Why don't I call Verik, maybe the others are feeling the same way." Zaaron said as he moved to the phone.
"Or..............we could.......let's see, not and find something else to do with all this extra time." Spike said whispering in her ear as his arm came around her waist and drew circles on her abdomen, as his tongue darted out and licked her neck before lightly nipping her neck, while grinding his erection against her from behind.
Buffy breathed heavily as she and Spike slowly backed up until they were out of sight from everyone. She quickly turned and captured his lips in hers hungrily as he pinned her against the wall. Buffys hands roamed up under his shirt, roughly and demanding.
Spike pressed himself against her heavily as her legs came up to wrap around his waist. Spike slowly opened the door to the closet and carried her in there and sat her down on a pile of boxes.
Buffys fingers quickly pulled off Spikes shirt then Spike slipped hers off, letting it fall to the floor. Her hands deftly moved down and unzipped his jeans freeing him. Spike roughly jeked Buffy to her feet as he pulled her jeans and underwear down. They quickly fell to the floor when Spike scooped her up and placed her once again on the boxes.
"Damn." Spike said as he tore his mouth from hers.
"What?" Buffy asked confused as she captured Spikes lips again tightening her embrace.
Spike broke away again resting his forehead against hers and taking a deep breath. "Zaaron said patrols back on. Seems we weren't the only team a little bored luv." He said as his hands kneaded her thighs.
"Want you." Buffy said kissing him hard and grinding herself against his erection.
Spike gasped as he positioned himself and slipped inside her in a quick fluid motion.
Buffys head rolled back as she took a sharp intake of breath.
Knowing they had little time, they wasted none, as they met one another thrust for thrust. Each one harder and more demanding.
Quickly they fell over the edge as they orgasmed simeoutaneously.
They held on to each other until their bodies finished shaking and their breathing became normal.
Spike bent down and placed a loving kiss to Buffys lips before helping her up and dressing again.
They took a moment to compose themselves before leaving the closet and re-entering the living room.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Faith landed unceremoniously into a pile of crates. She was bleeding from several cut to her face and her arms. Faith got up slowly trying to shake off the pain. She ran quickly and jumped into a flying sidekick , knocking Angelus back about ten feet into a concrete wall. Before Faith could react the Beast landed a kick to her midsection sending her several feet into the air only to land in a heap on the cement floor.
Willow came running into the room and saw Faith laying on the floor, moving slowly. Willow looked around quickly until she spotted her target.
Willow started to run to her destination, when out of the corner of her eye she saw Angelus rising to his feet and running towards her. She looked to him as her eyes turned black and smirked.
"No. " Willow said softly as she held up her hand causing Angelus to fly back against the wall, and held there by a barrier.
Willow went over and grabbed the object as she looked at Faith. She was standing now, but not for much longer.
Willow quickly threw it to Faith. Faith caught it and swiftly ran and lunged at the Beat with all her remaining strength. Embedding it deeply within the Beasts chest.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Spike, Buffy, Zaaron , Derclon, Melnick and Kreegin stood in front as the oncoming battle was about to commence.
In front of them stood an entire army of deamons ,possibly up to five hundred.
"I love you." Buffy said quietly to Spike as she looked ahead of her.
"Forever luv." Spike replied seeing her out of the corner of his eyes, but keeping his eyes in front watching the enemy come.
"Can honestly say........wasn't expecting this." Derclon said a little anxious.
They all shook their heads in agreement.
"Vampires. Alot of them." Buffy said quickly.
"Yeah.........coming up behind us." Spike replied.
"Yeah, we're right between them. We don't have enough for a fight this size." Kreegin said as Melnick nodded and took a quick look at their team.
They had only one hundred and fifty. That's all that could come to Sunnydale. The rest were busy fighting in different parts of the world, doing the same thing they were.
"We won't survive this fight." Melnick said as he drew his sword.
"No. We won't." Zaaron replied as he too drew his sword.
"We're gonna take as many of them down as we can." Kreegin said determined.
Spike tore his eyes from the oncoming army of demons and looked at Buffy.
"Are you ready to dance luv." Spike said eyes soaking in every inch of her.
Buffy looked to Spike and smiled warmly. "Always." She whispered.
They held each others eyes for a moment longer.
"What are we waiting for. Let's do it." Derclon said.
They all charged breaking the enemies lines. Their swords sliced through the demons quickly, but there was always another and another to take it's place.
Spike was taken by suprise as he was kicked in the stomack and sent flying back several yards causing him to be separated from Buffy.
Spike quickly got to his feet and turned when he caught a very welcome sight. Coming down the street was a veritable army of vampires...with Kyle leading them. Spike smiled widely as Kyle nodded and they broke into a run to join the battle.
Spike fought dilligently as he made his way back to Buffy, demon body parts landing on the ground as he cut through them with renewed energy.
By the time he made it back to Buffy everyone knew of Kyles arrival.
Zaaron just took heads, it was the fastest way to cut the enemy down, there was no time for fancy moves, it was kill or be killed. Zaaron, out of the corner of his eyes saw at least ten demons attacking Derclon and gaining the advantage when he saw Derclon fall under there attack.
Zaaron quickly fought his way over and killed five giving Derclon a small repreive, Derclon jumped to his feet as his claws extended and the demons recieved blow after deadly blow. Derclon gave a quick nod to Zaaron as he stepped over the bodies to attack the ones coming towards him.
Melnick and Kreegin fought side by side, making a lethal combination.
Demon bodies and parts landed on the street around them as they continued to battle.
The demon Kreegin was fighting got a lucky strike, as his sword sliced across her chest causing her to scream out.
Melnick made the mistake of turning his eyes from his oncoming opponent to help Kreegin, just as he cut the demons head off, he fell to his knees as a sword was embedded into his chest from behind.
Kreegin turned and cut the demon in half as she saw Melnick fall to the ground, lifeless eyes staring up at her.
Tears and blind rage coursing through her veins she swung her sword cutting her enemies down quickly.
Buffy and Spike fought together side by side, and back to back, what ever assured the others safety and did the job.
There were no longer any lines to break, everyone was everywhere. Enemies and alliances were on all sides.
"Spike." Buffy breathed. "I can't tell who's with us and whos not anymore. I can't see which vampires came with Kyle, or which ones were fighting." Buffy said as she staked a vampire.
"They know who we are, don't worry luv." Spike said as he shoved his sword to the hilt into the chest of a Fyarl demon.
Buffy just nodded as she slit a demons throat.
The fighting slowed, and the numbers on both sides had dwindle drastically. Exhaustion was creeping in quickly as Zaaron took down the leader of the demon army. There was only about fifty demons left.
Spike noticed they had maybe twenty left. But Kyle still had around a hundred and fifty vampires.
"We won." Buffy said quietly.
Spike wrapped his arms around her from behind as he watched Kyle and his men charge and destroy what remained of the demons.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Faith sagged to the floor as the Beast screamed in agony. She watched as he slowly disintegrated. Faith and Willow quickly looked to the window when streams of light from the sun came beaming through the windows.
"No wonder I couldn't find a spell to reverse it. He had to die to bring it back." Willow said as she moved to help Faith up.
"Damn Red. If I knew it was gonna be this tough and I was gonna hurt this much, I'd a let B come instead." Faith said smirking slightly as she stood on shaky legs.
"Your a walking bruise Faith." Willow said as she looked her over.
"You should feel it from this side." Faith replied.
"I could do a healing spell." Willow said.
"Nah, I'll deal. What about him?" Faith asked pointing to Angelus who was pinned against the wall, looking very pissed off.
"Get him back to the hotel and do the spell." Willow said casually.
"Suns back. How do we get him there?" Faith asked.
Willow smiled. "Well we can cover him and drive back, or we can....poof.....use magic to get there."
"I'm pretty sore. Magic is quicker and I need to lay down. Get to your mojo Red. There's a bed calling my name somewhere." Faith said exhausted.
Willow and Faith went and stood by Angelus. Willow held Faiths hand and placed her other hand on Angelus' shoulder.
She quietly chanted a few words as they disappeared.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
They all stood around looking at all the bodies littering the ground. Also taking count of how many they had left. In the last scuffle Kyle lost about twenty before they decimated the last of them.
They walked around the bodies to identify they're team members and remove their pins.
Spike looked up quickly as did the other vampires, when they felt the familliar tingling going up their spine.
"Spike." Buffy looked at him questioningly.
Buffy looked up just in time to see the sun starting to shine.
"The sun." She said smiling. But quickly lost it when she saw Spike, Zaaron, Kyle and the rest of the vampires.
Buffy moved quickly as she grabbed Spike and threw him to the sewer cover.
"SUNS UP, GET IN TO THE SEWER." Buffy screamed bringing the vampires out of their exhausted state and driving them to the sewer.
The sun was fully ablaze when Derclon tried to shadow the last one,
but wasn't successful. Buffy watched as Kyle turned to dust. She heard him yelling at his men, he wasn't going anywhere until all his men were safe first.
"People are going to be coming out now that the sun up. Let's head underground and make our way home from there." Buffy said As Kreegin and Derclon nodded and headed to the sewer.
Everyone slowly made their way to the bar and told Verik of the battle without missing any details.
After having a much needed drink everyone slowly filtered out and made their way home.
Buffy opened the front door as Spike and Zaaron came running in quickly as smoke billowed behind them.
"Buffy, thank god. When the sun came up we were worried." Giles said looking to Spike and Zaaron.
"Hell of a battle we had tonight Rupes. Could've used the witch today." Spike said as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"One we'll tell you about after. We really need to get cleaned up and some rest." Buffy said as she moved towards the stairs.
"Of course, we'll talk after you've rested." Giles said as he moved back to the table.
Buffy and Spike showered and fell onto the bed and slept heavily cradled in each others arms.
Faith watched as the spell ended and Angel fell to his knees and gasped for air.
"Willow. Faith. What happened? What going on?" Angel asked confused.
"Wesley can fill you in on that." Willow said as she started packing her ingredients back into her bag. "We don't really know the details."
"I read the spell ahead of time. You left out a few lines." Wesley said as he looked at Willow.
"Yes I did. You can tell him later. No more happiness clause." Willow said quietly knowing Angel was still to confused to hear her talking to Wesley.
Wesley just smiled and nodded slightly to Willow.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * * * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Willow and Faith walked in the front door and Dropped their bags and coats on the chair in the dining room.
Willow and Faith looked around and then checked upstairs.
Knocking lightly Willow opened Buffys door and saw Buffy and Spike asleep, and a pile of dirty, bloody clothes by the door. She started to close the door quietly when Faith came up behind her.
"Zaarons sleeping, and looking like he went through a hell of a fight." Faith said quietly.
:Buffy and Spike too. Let's check the basement." Willow said as they headed downstairs. On their way to the basement they heard noises coming from the back yard. As they opened the back door they saw Giles, Xander and Anya sitting in the yard having a drink.
"Is this a private party, or can any one join?" Faith asked as her and Willow descended the stairs.
"You're back." Giles said as he enveloped Willow into a hug.
Willow just held him tightly for a moment before they sat down beside each other.
"Well the suns back. How'd ya do it?" Xander asked Willow.
"Actually, it was Faith." Willow said as she accepted the bottle of beer Anya handed her.
"Really?" Giles looked at Faith obviously very intriged, and wanting details.
"There was no spell to reverse it. The only way to do it was to kill the Beast." Faith shrugged taking a drink from her beer. "Hey, let's have a BBQ." Faith suggested.
"Yeah, Faiths right. We all need a small breather. Xander you can cook the steaks, Anya and I can make the salads. Let's just forget everything for a few hours." Willow said.
"Zaaron and Spike can't come out here now." Anya stated.
"Me and Giles can take care of that." Faith said.
" Sounds like a splendid idea. I think a BBQ sounds good." Giles said.
Anya and Willow went into the kitchen and started working.
Xander went into the shed and Pulled out the BBQ and supplies and went about his task.
Faith and Giles gathered ropes and tarps from the shed and basement.
When they finished Zaaron and Spike had a safe passage from the door to the makeshift three sided shelter with a couple of poles holding up an extra wide awning incase the sun shifted.
Buffy and Spike awoke to laughter coming from the backyard. They got up and quickly went downstairs only to be suprised to see a Xander hovering and cooking over the BBQ and a table full of food. Buffy and Spikes eyes landed on the the shelter. They smiled brightly when they saw Zaaron alredy taking advantage of it and enjoying a beer outside in the middle of the day.
Spike and Buffy quickly joined them. Spike grabbed a beer and sat beside Zaaron. Buffy grabbed a soda and joined Faith and Willow and Anya.
Giles quickly joined Spike and Zaaron when their conversation turned to shoes and shopping.
"Hey turn them over once in a while. Don't want to eat charcoal." Spike said to Xander as he hid a smile.
Zaaron chuckled as did Giles.
"Why don't you do it then. Oh that's right you can't, what with you dislike of the sun and all." Xander replied.
Buffy rolled her eyes as Spike and Xander went off on their litle tangents.
"This is gonna be a long day." Buffy said.
"Oh come on. You can't tell me you don't find this funny B." Faith said laughing as Spike got off a really good one to Xander.
Buffy and Willow started laughing.
"Okay I do, but this behaivior shouldn't be encouraged." Buffy said before she doubled over as Giles got a good one off towrds Spike.