Destiny

By PSUBrat

Best Laid Plans

The lowering sun shone through the front window of the Magic Box, casting long prisms across the shop floor as the woman in the doorway continued to stare at the group inside. Had they not heard what she had just said to them? She couldn't tell since all they were doing was looking at her, mouths agape and eyes blinking. From what she could understand about the situation, time was precious so they didn't really have a choice as to whether or not she would be permitted to help. She would be their seventh and that would be the end of the discussion. Folding her arms across her chest, she sighed.

"Are you people deaf?" She demanded with a glare.

"No," Gunn replied taking several steps forward, scowling at her. "We just don't really like you much."

Pushing herself off the doorframe she was leaning on, she sauntered into the room, smirking. "You may not like me, but you need me."

Buffy looked at the three people left from Angel Investigations, trying to decide if it was worth bringing this woman into an already tense situation. There was something that felt off about her, but at the moment, beggars couldn't really be choosers could they?

"Get out," Gunn growled at her, running his hand over the handle of the battle-axe at his side. "Before I do something I may regret later; then again, I may not..."

"Charles!" Fred chided him. "We need her. As much as we may not like it, we need her to help save the others."

"Yeah," Lorne sighed, agreeing with Fred but feeling defeated despite it. "We do."

"She stays," Buffy stated, trying to be the voice of reason. "We need a seventh and she's the only thing we have right now." Noticing the looks on Garrick and Geoffrey's faces, she realized introductions were in order, especially since they would need her for the spell. "Guys, this is Lilah Morgan. Lilah, this is Garrick and Geoffrey...from the Watchers Council." She watched Lilah's face for a reaction at the mention of the Council, but none came. This one was smooth.

"She works for the people that are responsible for this mess," William stated coldly, not really caring for the spot they were in, but understanding that they could use her as a means to an end.

"Is that so?" Garrick asked; his eyes narrowing as he stepped towards her. "So you work for Wolfram and Hart, do you?"

"Actually, no," Lilah replied, her eyes glancing down at her feet before she continued. "Not anymore."

"Were you fired?" Fred demanded with a frown.

Silence.

"Of course you were, weren't you, sugar plum?" Lorne asked, smugly. "I'd bet the farm that it had something to do with bringing in a traitor."

Lilah pursed her lips and looked everywhere in the room but at those in the group. "Something like that," she said almost in a whisper as she fidgeted with the buttons on her shirtsleeve.

Gunn laughed as he leaned against the counter. "So the great Lilah Morgan isn't so great after all, huh? Which brings me to my next question. Why are you back here?"

"That's a very good question," Lorne agreed, moving closer to the woman who had been their enemy for so long. "Why are you back here?"

"Let's just say that it's in the best interest of both our sides to have me here right now."

Gunn growled. "Uh, uh. You don't expect us to believe that for a minute. You're here for yourself, not anyone else. What's in it for you?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying," Gunn growled as he flew at Lilah but Lorne grabbed his arm before he got far.

"I'm here to help, you ungrateful little bastard!"

"She's back for Wesley," Fred stated as the realization hit her. "She's in love with Wes!"

"What?" Gunn demanded, trying to calm down. "You're joking, right? There's not a caring bone in her body..."

"Okay," Buffy demanded as she stepped between the two. "That's enough. There'll be plenty of time for the snide comments and accusations later, after we defeat the Master. Got it?" She asked looking at Gunn and then at Lilah, challenging them to defy her. "Good. Now, let's get started. Garrick, do you have everything you need?"

"I think so. The spell just calls for the normal ingredients and one special herb, but I'm sure that won't be a problem, what with us being in a real magic shop and all."

"Quite right," Geoffrey added. "And if the shopkeeper is anything like Rupert has described her, you'll be able to find it without a problem."

Buffy chuckled. "Yeah, just be sure to write her a note to let her know what you took. She'll probably be looking for payment after I save her ass. I want the rest of you to help Garrick with whatever he asks you to do. No questions. We don't have the time."

Everyone nodded.

"While you lot sort this out, the Slayer and I will try to do a little training in the back room before we head out. We need to focus so don't disturb us unless it's absolutely important."

"What about her?" Fred asked, tilting her head towards Lilah. "What if she causes any problems?"

Buffy threw a crossbow at Fred who caught it handily. "Use this," she stated matter of factly as she turned to walk out of the room, William following at her heels.

Fred and Lorne exchanged worried glances as Gunn smiled widely.

***

Before entering the back room, Buffy grabbed the duffle bag that she had brought from home and took it with her; the contents still unknown to William or the others. Her mind began to whirl with thoughts of the Master. She had faced him once before and had died at his hands, but Xander had brought her back to life with his knowledge of CPR. Dying wasn't something you forget all that easily and she would know, having died twice already. Despite her death by drowning, she had defeated the Master, sending him to hell for all eternity. At least, that's what she had thought at the time. However, after returning from her summer vacation in L.A. a few short months later, she discovered that the Anointed One, who had hopes of resurrecting the bat-like creature, had dug up the Master's bones. With Angel's help, she had managed to stop the Anointed One's plans. Afterwards, she took a sledgehammer to the Master's skeleton, pounding his bones into pieces. At that point, she had been fairly certain that they had finally seen the last of him. But she had been wrong, very wrong. Sighing, she realized she should have known better, after all, she did live on the mouth of Hell.

"Buffy?" William asked with concern, noticing that she had that far away look in her eyes that she usually got when she retreated into herself. "Buffy?" He asked again, this time gently gripping her upper arm, hoping to get her attention. The last thing they needed was for her to go all catatonic like she did when Glory took Dawn.

"Huh?" She whispered, slowly coming out of her daze.

"Luv, try not to worry so much," he stated as he cupped her chin in his palm. "We're going to get through this, together. You and me."

"You seem pretty confident about that," she retorted, eyeing him suspiciously. "Know something the rest of us don't?"

"Yes."

Placing her hands on her hips, she quirked a questioning eyebrow at him, demanding an immediate answer. "And that would be what?" She pressed when he didn't respond right away.

"Have you forgotten that you have a former Big Bad in your midst? I may not be a baddie now Buffy, but I certainly still know how to think like one."

She considered his words. He was right. He may be all human and soul-like now, but for over a century he had been a creature of the night. "Okay Mr. Big Bad," she stated, nodding her head in agreement. "You've got me there, but there's still one little problem."

A look of puzzlement crossed his face, as he looked at her, not sure what she was getting at. "What would that be?"

"You're human now, Spike. Totally human, needing breath and having a heartbeat. You don't have the same abilities you had when you were a vampire. Although, I do have to admit, you're still pretty strong and...."

"Buffy, I'm a bit more than human. You know that."

"Yeah and I still don't know why."

"I'd love to explain it to you in detail, but we don't have the time. Just know this, when I completed my trials, not only did I get the powers of the creature I defeated, but I received something else."

"What else?" She asked, screwing her face into a frown.

"Well, as Anya likes to think of it, 'a gift with purchase'."

"What kind of gift?" She demanded, a feeling of dread settling in the pit of her stomach.

He looked at her and smiled, trying to calm her. "Apparently, at some point, I had asked the beast to give you what you deserved." Then he frowned. "Thing is," he began again, slowly. "I only remember telling him that I wanted to be like I was before. Don't remember that other part. Anyway, it seems..."

"Yes?" She said, urging him to continue.

"It seems that he turned me into a male slayer of sorts."

Her mouth dropped open. She was stunned and unable to speak. "Wh-What?"

"It's complicated Luv, but suffice it to say," he stated with a wicked grin. "I'm just like you, but with the male bits."

"A male slayer, but there's never been one...not ever. How...?"

"I dunno how," he stated as he pulled her into his embrace. "But I'm thankful nonetheless. I have all the same powers you do, mostly, except my hearing's not as good as before."

"So that's how you could send that vamp flying across the cemetery with just one kick," she mussed. "Let me get this straight," she began, pulling out of the embrace and looking him in the eyes. "The beast gave me what I deserved? And what is that exactly? A guy who is like me?"

"An equal. Someone who will understand your duty and embrace your destiny."

She was speechless. He was right, again. Hadn't she always wished for someone who would understand her and the things she did, no questions asked? And hadn't she always wanted someone who could hold their own in battle but yet still know how to make her feel incredibly sexy at the same time? She had and now her wish had been answered in a way she never dreamed possible. Amazing. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "I love you."

"I love you too."

After a few moments, she released him from the embrace. "So, we have a former Big Bad who's now on our side. And not only does he still think like a Big Bad, but he can slay beasties as well?"

"That's pretty much it in a nutshell. Although, not too terribly different from before I became human."

Suddenly, a wide grin broke out on her face. "Okay then," she stated as she pulled the duffle bag off her shoulder and tossed it to him. "Since you're still a Big Bad, you might need this."

"What's this?"

"Open it up and find out," she said, smiling playfully.

Quickly he unzipped the bag and opened it. His breath caught in his chest as he looked at the contents. "Buffy, I can't..." he tried to say, lifting his head to look at her, his eyes watery.

"You can," she stated, giving him a reassuring smile. "Spike, stop trying to suppress who you are, what you are."

"But you said no more..."

"Forget what I said, Spike. Be who you are. Speaking from experience, it only messes up your mind more if you keep trying to hide." Before he could retort with his usual protesting statement, she held up her hand. "You are not a monster, Spike. Not anymore. So take that bag and go in the bathroom and don't come out until you feel like yourself."

He looked at her, tears still threatening to spill. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. Now get going before I change my mind." She watched as he walked away and then turned, getting ready to go a few rounds with the punching bag, to help take her mind off of what it was he was doing in the bathroom.

***

Garrick had already gathered the ingredients for the spell and was putting them in a bag by the time Buffy had rejoined the others in the front of the shop half an hour later. She was surprised to see that they were all working together, maybe not in harmony but at least not in total discord. She watched as they listened to Geoffrey while he taught them the incantation to invoke the powers to the Twelve. Fred was furiously scribbling notes on a small sheet of paper while Gunn tried to pronounce a few of the Latin words correctly. Standing by the stairs to the upper level, and trying to stay out of the way, she found herself unable to take her eyes off Geoffrey. There was just something about him, something she just couldn't put her finger on.

"He's quite the looker, isn't he?" Garrick stated as he stood beside her.

She hadn't heard him come over to her, nor had she wanted to be caught staring at one of William's best friends. "He's okay, I guess," she stated with a shrug, trying to look nonchalant about it despite the pink that had risen up in her cheeks.

Garrick gave her an understanding smile. "You wouldn't be the first to think him handsome, you know. Women chase after him all the time back home."

"I'm surprised he's not married or engaged or something," Buffy responded innocently enough. She wasn't interested in Geoffrey, but at the same time, she felt drawn to him.

"Nah, not our boy. Too busy playing the field and breaking hearts."

Giving Geoffrey one last glance, she turned to Garrick and changed the subject. "You have everything?"

He nodded his response. "Everything was here and I've left Anya a note letting her know what we 'borrowed'."

"Good. So what's the plan?"

"Well, I'm not quite sure exactly. We'll follow you and William to the Master's hideout but we won't follow you inside. We must perform the ritual outside of his dwelling for it to be potent."

"So while William and I are fighting the Master, you guys will do the spell thingy and then we'll be able to kill him for good this time?"

He paused and considered his words carefully before he responded. "Buffy, you must know, this ritual will only work if the others are still alive."

"Yeah," she said quietly. "I kinda figured that. We just have to go with the idea that they are, otherwise," she shrugged. "What's the point?"

Garrick looked down at his feet. "Quite right," he replied softly. Then, looking around, he realized that his friend was missing. "Where is William?"

"Right here," William replied from behind.

Both Garrick and Buffy automatically turned to welcome him after he announced his presence. Buffy smiled widely at her lover while Garrick sputtered, causing the others to stop what they were doing and look at him as well. An eerie hush fell over the shop.

***

William looked around at the group, suddenly feeling very self-conscious as he walked further into the room. Everyone but Buffy and Clem were looking at him as if he had grown a second head. "Uh, is there a problem or does a Sabertine demon have your tongue?" His hair had been freshly bleached and his curls were now slicked back against his head. He had changed into a black pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. As they stood watching him, he slowly put on the leather duster that he had taken from the last Slayer he had killed. Oddly enough, he felt good, like he was at home again in his own skin. Maybe Buffy had been right, he didn't need to hide from what he used to be in order to understand who he was now.

"I think you look great," Buffy stated with a smile as she walked over to him and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

"That might be so, Luv, but no one else here seems to be that enthused at the moment."

"I would hope not," she teased. "I'd have to hurt them otherwise. Maybe it's the duster they're amazed by," she added thoughtfully, taking a step back and giving him a lingering look.

"So it's true then?" Geoffrey stood, almost knocking over his chair in the process. His face had grown pale and his eyes wide. "You really were William the Bloody."

"Well, yeah. Did you think I was making all that stuff up?"

"Maybe? You have to admit though, you told us when you were totally pissed," he paused, realizing that the Americans would think he meant something else and then corrected himself. "Drunk, you were drunk at the time. Thought maybe you just made it up."

"You're William the Bloody?" Lorne asked in awe. "Wow. I mean, I had heard about you before..."

"From the poofter, I'd wager."

"Nah, Angel cakes doesn't talk much. I read this guy once, I think it was in Albuquerque, or maybe it was Buenos Aires. Doesn't matter, really, but he was terrified of this vampire named William the Bloody or was it Spike?"

"One and the same, mate. Ah, the good ol' days. Back when my name struck fear into the hearts of men, and slayers alike."

Buffy rolled her eyes at him. "Whatever...William."

"You know," he stated as he slipped his arms around her waist and gave her a devilish grin. "I think I'd rather be called Spike, it's more...manly."

Garrick, looking all the world like he was going to explode with William's final comment, finally spoke. "Really William. Is this all necessary? You're going to fight the Master, not apply for monster of the week. Rupert will be very displeased with you when he finds out that you've tipped your hand. No one is supposed to know..."

"Garrick, everyone already knew. Except for these blokes," he said, motioning towards Lorne and Gunn. "And lady," he added quickly after seeing Fred cross her arms, looking peeved at him for leaving her out. "But that's only because I'd never met them before and I'm quite disappointed that Peaches never mentioned me."

Lilah slowly made her way over to William, her eyes scanning every inch of him appreciatively. "I knew," she stated with an air of smugness. "Wolfram and Hart researchers found a picture of you in an old Chinese newspaper, Boxer Rebellion I believe. You have quite the...history, Spike." Seductively, she straightened the collar of his duster as a bemused Buffy looked on.

"I guess we should get a move on," Gunn stated as he checked his watch, trying to turn everyone's attention back to the problem at hand.

"Yes," Garrick replied. "We need to be in position before the sun sets."

"I have a question," Fred said nervously, wringing her hands as she had back at the house when she told Buffy that Dawn was missing. "Do we know where we're going?"

Geoffrey nervously glanced around the room at the others' expressions. "What? Are you serious? We thought you knew where he was! We're doomed!"

"No we're not," Buffy replied tersely. "According to mine and Spike's dreams, he's in a cave. There's not many caves around Sunnydale. Well, not really. We'll just have to look from cave to cave."

"We don't have the time!" Garrick snapped. "Everything is depending on us being in place by sunset."

"Chill dude," Gunn replied. "The quicker we leave, the faster we'll find the cave and take this thing out."

"Wait," William called out as he tightly grabbed a hold of Lilah's arm and gave her his most evil glare. "We don't need to search for the right cave when we have one of the enemy right here with us. Isn't that right, pet?"

Lilah looked down at his hand on her arm and then looked back up to give him a smug smile. "I guess you expect me to show you where he is?"

"I suspect that you will since I've got this feeling you want to help save your watcher bloke."

"Great," Buffy stated as she grabbed her weapons and headed toward the door. "Let's go. She can lead the way."

Quickly, everyone gathered their weapons and supplies and filed out the door of the Magic Box into the waning afternoon sun.

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