Destiny

By PSUBrat

Belly of the Beast

The nearly setting sun blanketed Sunnydale in a scarlet hue, causing everything in its wake to appear blood red. A strange, quiet eeriness fell as nine figures silently stood in the elongated shadows of the tall pine trees on the edge of the woods. Their interest seemed to be focused upon an opening in the side of the hill. After a few moments, the group, moving as one, stealthily retreated into the protection of the small forest. As they stood in the clearing, going over the plan yet again, but in greater detail, Buffy nervously paced a few feet away, her eyes constantly checking the progress of the sun's movement across the sky. It would soon be time to face the Master, the creature responsible for her first death six years ago. She shuddered.

As she continued to pace, her mind went over how quickly and easily she and the others had reached the Master's lair. Their progress had gone unimpeded, despite the vast numbers of minions crawling the streets of town. Her slayer senses were in overdrive because of the ease in which they were permitted to travel. Nothing should be that easy, even with having Lilah know exactly where the cave was located. They had steeled themselves for a fierce battle with the vampires, but none had materialized. She just wished she knew what it all meant instead of making her head hurt and her gut wrench.

"Want to share what's troubling your pretty little mind?" Geoffrey asked with a smile. "Other than the world-ending apocalypse that we're about to face, I mean."

Giving him a half smile, she shook her head in response but then thought better of it. "Don't you think it was strange that no one stopped us from coming here?"

He tilted his head; an expression of thoughtfulness crossed his face. "I suppose it was but I have a theory for that. Would you like to hear it?"

"Sure," she replied, briefly stopping her constant pacing.

"I think we went unharmed because of who you and William are. If the rest of us had tried to travel such as we did, I think none of us would be alive right now."

She frowned. "I'm not sure I follow."

"Buffy, you and William are extremely important to the Master's plan. I would safely say that his minions were under the strictest of orders to not harm either of you. Because the rest of us were with the two of you, we went unharmed as well."

"But that doesn't make sense. Why didn't they just try picking the rest of you off one by one?"

Geoffrey considered her question for a moment before replying. "Honestly, I'm not sure, but maybe the Powers are blinding him to our existence. I don't pretend to know everything and we don't exactly have the time to research it..."

"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so pushy. I like to ask a lot of questions."

"Questions are good, you know," he stated with a devilish grin. "I ask quite a few myself. Usually gets me into trouble."

She laughed despite trying not to. "Thanks."

"For what?" He asked, perplexed.

"For the talk. I feel a little better."

"My pleasure," he replied. As he began to turn to make his way back to the others, he stopped and looked at her. "Buffy, you're going to get through this. Both of you are."

"I know," she lied, forcing a small smile to cross her lips. "We'll be fine."

He smiled at her and then turned around again, heading off to where the others stood looking grim and defeated.

***

From the other side of the clearing, Spike leaned against the trunk of a thick oak tree, watching his slayer closely. He may not have been around for her first demise, but he had definitely been there for her second and for that one, he felt as if he were to blame. He had failed her. He was not going to fail her a second time. This time, there was no way he was going to let anything take her away from him again. Nothing. Not even if it meant sacrificing himself to ensure her safety, but that was a last resort. He refused to see this as a no-win situation and he refused to let his nervousness show. Buffy was doing enough of that for all of them.

Out of habit, he slipped his hands into the pockets of his duster, his left hand coming to rest on a solid, familiar object. His fingers traced it and then held onto it like a life raft in an unexpected storm at sea. Smiling slightly, he unexpectedly had the urge to take that pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and smoke them. The feeling was overwhelming, especially since it was the first time the need had arisen since he had become human. As he took the package out of his pocket and absently tapped it against the palm of his hand, he suddenly had the feeling of being watched. Raising his head to check out the situation, he saw Buffy standing before him, arms crossed and glaring at him murderously.

"What," he demanded, not sure what he had done to deserve her scorn.

"What do you think you're doing with those?"

He looked at her, confusion covering his face. "What in bloody hell are you yapping about woman?"

"These," she growled, grabbing the pack of cancer sticks from his hand.

"Oh," he stated dejectedly. "Those."

"We're getting ready to face the Master and you're thinking of taking up a disgusting old habit?" Her voice was becoming shrill. "Can't you think of anyone but your self?"

Taking a deep breath and glancing briefly towards the others who were now looking more on edge than before, he gently gripped her upper arm and steered her a few feet away from where they were currently standing. "Pet, calm down."

"I am calm! I'm as calm as a-a-a I don't know what, but I'm calm! Obviously you're the one who's not," she shouted waving the pack in front of his face. "Otherwise you wouldn't need these, would you?"

He knew that she was just tightly wound because of their impending situation and that she wouldn't have been like this otherwise. "Luv," he said calmly, grabbing the pack out of her hand and giving her a sympathetic look. "For your information, I found those in my pocket. Now will you just relax, you're not helping anyone by acting this way."

She followed his eyes to the group of seven who were now staring at her. Giving them the best disarming smile she could muster, she turned her attention back to the bleached-blonde in front of her. "Sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean..."

"I know, Luv. You're under a lot of pressure is all. It's okay," he said reassuringly as he placed a hand on each of her shoulders and looked in her eyes.

She wanted to drown in the endless depths of those blue eyes, anything to keep her from having to face the Master again. As she tried to lose herself in the ocean of Spike, she heard Dawn's voice, as if her sister were standing next to her.

"Buffy, I'm so sorry..." the air whispered around her.

"Dawnie?" Buffy asked, her eyes widening in shock as she fervently looked around the clearing.

Spike raised an eyebrow and considered her carefully. "Pet?"

"Dawn, she needs me," she cried looking up at him with pleading eyes.

"What are you talking about?" He asked, narrowing his eyes. He was becoming increasingly worried about her state of mind.

"Didn't you hear her?"

"When?"

"Just now."

"Buffy," he stated slowly, frowning. "I didn't hear anything. Are you sure...?"

"William, Buffy," A voice interrupted from behind.

***

"Am I interrupting something?" Garrick asked as he approached the couple, noticing their expressions.

"No," Spike responded, giving Buffy a quick glance to make sure she didn't answer. No need to rouse any more alarm.

Garrick, looking from one to the other, knew that they were keeping something from him but he also realized that now was not the time to press for answers, no matter how badly he may need them. "It's time. Sunset's in fifteen minutes. We're going to set up along the tree line. Once we're in position, it's your job to keep the Master distracted long enough for us to do the incantation."

"So you'll be doing it right away then?" Spike asked, trying to make sure they had all the information correct before going in.

"No," Garrick replied, shaking his head. "We have to set up the circle and be in position by sunset. We have to open the circle and pay the proper tributes to ensure that we call upon the correct forces."

"So, once you do all that, then you'll do the spell?"

"Not exactly."

"What do you mean 'not exactly'? Are you lot doing the spell or not?" Spike demanded; frustration evident in his tone.

Garrick held up his hands, trying to call his friend. "William, we'll do the spell, don't worry. We have to wait for the exact moment..."

"The exact moment?" Buffy yelled, glaring at the watcher. "And what moment would that be? When the Master kills me or Spike, or both?"

"No," he replied soothingly. "The right moment has to do with the position of the moon. Once the moon reaches its proper place, then we'll perform the spell, but not before then. You two worry about the Master. We'll worry about the spell. Alright?"

Buffy and Spike exchanged glances and slight nods. "Right then," Spike replied for both of them.

Garrick nodded his understanding.

"Ready?" Spike asked the Slayer as he reached into his duster to reassure himself that his weapons were still there.

Buffy picked up her crossbow and quiver full of wooden projectiles and loaded one into the chamber. Her face was serious as she took her attention off the weapon and looked up at the two men before her. "I am now."

Spike and Garrick stared at her, partly in awe at her ability to shift gears and launch into Slayer mode so quickly.

After Buffy had walked over to the others and was out of earshot, Spike slowly turned to his friend. "So, how will we know when the spell works, mate?"

"You'll know," Garrick responded; face more solemn and grave than usual. "Believe me, mate, you'll know."

Spike nodded. "Right then. We're off."

"William," Garrick called after him. As soon as Spike turned around, he continued. "Good luck."

"It's not about luck," he replied grimly. "It's about destiny." He gave his friend a small nod and forced smile. Turning on his heels, he set off at a quick pace to catch up with his beloved.

"Right," Garrick whispered after his friend. He hoped this wouldn't be the last time they ever spoke.

***

"It's almost time, Master," Darius stated as he and Drusilla entered the chamber where the Master was now pleasuring himself with his latest creation.

"They're coming Grandpa-pa," Dru sing-songed. "I can feel the naughty Slayer approach us with malice in her heart." She paused, frowning, as she cocked her head to the side as if listening to some voice only she could hear. Growling and eyes flashing yellow, she turned to the Master. "There's a tea party in the woods and we haven't been invited. This is very rude!"

The Master sighed as he disentangled himself from the newly created vampiress. "What type of party, my dear?"

"It's all wrong!" She yelled, shaking and whining. "They want to stop us. To make us burn. But we cannot let them."

"Is that so?" He asked calmly, tapping his fingers against his jaw.

"They must have found the Book of Rentar," the vampiress hissed. "They're preparing to do the spell."

Anger began to boil within him. He had not been brought back again to come this close to his desire and not see it to fruition. "Well, we can't have that, now can we? We're too close. The Last Judgment is almost upon us."

"Let me go after them," Darius growled, his blood screaming to kill. "I will take care of them for you, Master."

"No doubt you would, Darius. I appreciate the offer. You will be rewarded handsomely."

"Please Master," another male voice spoke from the edges of the shadows. "Allow me to assist Darius. Let me prove my loyalty to you by helping him defeat our enemy."

"Very well, Gavin. You and Darius go take care of the little party in the woods while we prepare for the delicious victory that is to be ours."

Both vampires bowed before their master and then took off at a quickened pace for the outside world.

Once again, Dru began to bounce on her feet and clap excitedly. "Grandpa-pa, the stars will sing such songs for us tonight and we will dance with the pixies at a grand ball!" She paused again and smiled wickedly. "My dear sister," she cooed to the vampiress at the Master's feet. "Our Spike is coming! Soon he will be part of the family again!"

The raven-haired female vampire smirked in response. Revenge would certainly be sweet.

***

Buffy and Spike stood at the entrance to the cave, weapons ready, bodies tense. Silently they crept into the darkened passageway. Reaching out with her Slayer senses, she knew immediately that they were getting close. Before they could go much further, they heard voices and saw light bouncing off the walls of the passage in front of them.

"In here," Spike whispered, as he backed them into a narrow crevice, giving them a place to hide until the voices passed by.

Buffy peered through the opening, catching a glimpse of the two vampires who sped by them. "Great," she sighed.

"Who was it?"

"The one that sent me the message yesterday while I was with Angel and some other guy I didn't recognize. I knew I should have killed him."

"No point in beating yourself up about it now," he whispered.

"True. But I can kill him now." She stepped out of the crevice and began heading back towards the opening of the cave.

"What are you doing?" He demanded as he grabbed her upper arm, spinning her around to face him.

"Doing what I should have done yesterday, kill him."

"No. We don't have the time."

"What if they're on their way to get the others right now? What if they interrupt the spell? Then what?"

"Buffy, there are two watchers, two demons and three humans who know how to fight vampires. They're going to be fine."

"You don't know that!" She snapped at him. "It's our responsibility..."

"No! It's our responsibility to save the world and our friends and in order to do that we have to go on. Now."

She glared at him. Deep down she knew he was right. This was their path, their destiny, and they had to keep going and face the beast. "Fine, then let's get this over with."

"Right then, let's go."

***

Garrick made his way over to the others who were now starting to seat themselves in the circle. He noticed that Geoffrey had already begun to set things up. For a moment, he stood frozen, watching them, a feeling of dread swimming freely in his stomach.

"They're going to be alright, Gar," Geoffrey stated as he put his hand on Garrick's shoulder, startling his friend out of his thoughts. "Sorry."

"No worries. Are we ready?"

"Just about. We need to take our places and make the appropriate tributes..."

"And then wait."

"Right."

"One minute 'til sunset," Fred called to them. "Best get over here and complete the circle before it's too late."

The two men quickly sat down in their pre-assigned places, joining hands with the others as they began the process of calling on the powers of the Twelve.

"There they are!" Darius shouted as he and Gavin emerged from the trees on the other side of the clearing, game faces on and fangs gleaming.

"Oh my god!" Lilah gasped. "Gavin!"

Fred, Gunn and Lorne all recognized the fledgling vampire as soon as his name left Lilah's mouth. "I suppose we all get what we deserve in the end," Lorne commented icily as he glared at the two vampires.

"Don't break the circle," Garrick warned. "We cannot break the circle!"

"Are you crazy?" Gunn yelled, trying to let go of Fred and Lorne's hands. "They're going to kill us!"

"We cannot break the circle!" Geoffrey roared back.

"So what are we supposed to do? Just sit here and let them rip our throats out?"

"No," a female voice responded. "That's why I'm here."

Their heads whipped around, trying to locate the owner of the voice but all they saw was a flash of color and a flurry of hands and legs as the figure began assaulting the monsters.

Lilah's eyes widened and her mouth dropped as she recognized the fighting form.

"Who is that?" Fred asked in awe as she watched the young woman fight.

"I dunno," Gunn replied with a shrug, never taking his eyes off the dark haired woman. "We should help her though; she can't take on that big dude and Gavin by herself."

"Yes she can," Geoffrey stated with a smile. Based on her moves alone, he was pretty sure he knew who it was.

Though Darius was proving to be a formidable foe, Gavin was no match for her. In one smooth motion, she dusted the fledgling and knocked her other opponent to the ground. As soon as Darius was down, she straddled him and lowered her stake, inches above his heart. "Bet you didn't think you were going to die tonight, did ya?" She asked, smiling down at him. Before he could answer, she thrust the stake through his heart, leaving nothing but dust behind.

Slowly she stood up and brushed herself off, not really paying attention to her surroundings. Suddenly, she stopped, sensing several pairs of eyes watching her. "What? Never saw vampires get dusted before?"

"No," Geoffrey answered for all of them. "Just haven't seen it done so well since earlier this afternoon when we all faced a hoard of monsters."

"Cool," the girl replied as she swaggered over to the group. "I never thought I would get here, what with pretty much being on the run and all."

Geoffrey smiled. "But you made it. Was it the dreams?"

"Yeah, how did you know about that?"

"I'd get up and properly introduce myself but you see I'm a bit indisposed at the moment. Geoffrey Ashcroft."

The girl's eyes widened. "So you're..."

"Yes. I am."

"Okay," Gunn interrupted gruffly. "Which one of you would like to share what's going on before I get up and kick your asses?"

"Chill dude," she stated as she crossed her arms over her chest and placed all of her weight on her right hip.

"I'll chill you in a minute," Gunn growled.

Garrick cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Please, shall we try to concentrate on the spell? We don't have much time."

"Well how do we know the Master won't send any more surprise guests while we're doing this?" Fred asked, worried that they wouldn't be able to begin the spell, let alone finish it.

"I've got your backs," the girl responded as she nervously chewed on the side of her thumb. "Do what you guys need to do."

"Thank you, Faith," Garrick said, smiling. "Once we're done here, you and I will have plenty of time to get acquainted."

She nodded at him and then walked over to the edge of the woods to keep watch as the others stared after her.

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