Buffy was slammed against the table. She was struggling to breathe. She saw Angel trying to fight off two vampires. Xander and the others were doing as bad as she was. She kicked out but she couldn't get him off her. Suddenly, he was moved. Sitting up, she was startled to see Willow fighting him. Spike had already taken care of several of the others. Within no time, there were only two left. Angel and Xander got them and forced them into chairs.
Willow recognized one of the vampires. She moved behind Spike, not wanting to be seen. It was too late. His eyes widened when he saw her.
"Red?" he said in an amazed tone. "We thought you were dead." He suddenly laughed. "You mean, you actually survived? He's going to be thrilled when he hears it."
Spike moved forward and staked him, turning him to dust. The other vampire stared at Willow, not saying anything.
Buffy asked, "Willow...what was he talking about? Who's going to be thrilled and how did he know you?"
Willow ignored the questions, concentrating on the remaining vampire. She knew that Damien was here.
She could feel him. "Where is he?"
The vampire just looked at her. She moved forward, grabbed a stake, and put it through his leg. He cried out in pain.
"We can play nice or we can play not so nice. Your choice." she said, smiling, her eyes cold.
"I don't know. He just got here. I was sent to look at the slayer. We were to fight her to see how good she was. I don't know where he is."
She looked at him. "He's telling the truth. I doubt any of them know, except the one Spike staked." She frowned at him.
He glared at her. He had recognized that one too. It had felt good to finally kill him.
"Well, excuse me for killing one of the bad guys."
"I'm not mad. Thank you" she whispered for his ears. His eyes widened. He smiled at her.
She looked back to the last remaining vampire. She couldn't let him go, even if she had wanted to. Which she didn't. She couldn't let Damien know she was here. She might have a chance if he was surprised. If he knew she was here, she could only guess what he would do to find her. She quickly staked her informant.
Turning to Giles, the coldness still in her eyes, she asked, "Did you find anything out?"
"Yes" He said, taking a breath to steady himself.
He knew there was something that Willow wasn't telling them. He had seen a look of recognition in both her and Spike's eyes before Spike had killed the vampire.
"I have most of Damien's early history here. There has been very little about him the last hundred years. It appeared that he just faded away."
She sat down and reached for the book. Maybe there would be something in it she could use.
* * * * *
Across Town
Damien looked around his new home. It was nice. Jade had done well. He went to the window overlooking Sunnydale. His mind flashed to a familiar image. Shining green eyes and red hair. His hand gripped the side of the windowpane. She was here. He knew she would come. That was the reason he had chosen Sunnydale of all places to live. She would come to protect what was hers. It had taken him four years to discover her history. Four long lonely years. She would pay for leaving him. No one left him. Suddenly, he wondered if the blond kid was still with her. He smiled evilly. Time would soon tell. Soon, Willow would be with him where she belonged. He might keep the blond, for taking care of his Willow. He was a nice looking man after all. He might have his uses. But, only if he hadn't touched Willow. If he had, Damien would see him turned to dust. No one touched what was his. He heard a noise. Turning, he smiled at the vampire that came through the doors.
"The slayer killed them. None survived."
Nodding, he excused the man. He turned back to look out the window. The slayer was good. He would wait before making his move. It would give him time to find Willow. He chuckled softly. He could destroy the slayer with his love at his side, where she belonged.