Title: Blood of the Heart Part I ~ The Hunt

Author: GG Noel

Disclaimer: I own nothing, Joss owns all.

Summary: There's a way to bring Buffy back. But it's going to take everyone to do it.

Rating: So far, PG

Blood of the Heart

Part I

The Hunt

~ Chapter 1 ~

She's been dead for two months….

Despite the front he presented, Gunn didn't like blades. Or needles, for that matter. But it wasn't often that a demon attacked him with a four-foot needle. It was always a sword, or an axe, or some other big knife. So he wasn't feeling too good about the machete the vampire had at his throat at this particular moment. He felt much better after the vampire exploded into a pile of ash.

"Angel…what'd you have to do that for? I had `em! Now I got to dry clean vamp out of my jacket. And I just got this…"

"I know. Cordy bought it for your birthday…she dragged me out to shop for it…"

Angel pulled him from the ground. They walked back to the Plymouth, Gunn trying in vain to get the dust off of his jacket. If this had been a few months before, Gunn would have expected the vampire to crack a lame joke, or to make a subtle dig about Gunn's fear of Cordelia. But the last few months had been hard, and besides, Gunn knew that there was a part of Angel, too, that was afraid of Cordelia's moods.

"So what's with these vamps using machetes? Why don't they just go for the throat?…and what's this about you going shopping…I'd have paid to see you at the mall…"

"She thought it would cheer me up…"

"Oh so this was when?…"

"The week after Buffy died."

"Oh…"Gunn knew this was a subject that Angel did not want to talk about. He was surprised Angel even said her name. Cordy was the only one that Angel ever talked to about her, and even that was in private. Gunn could tell that those conversations hurt Cordy as much as they hurt Angel. But Cordy was adamant that Angel was not going to brood and shut down on her ever again, and had said so loud enough that Gunn and Wesley had been able to hear it in the lobby.

"So what's the deal with the vamps?"

"They're the Nogar clan. They find using their teeth to be uncivilized…"

"So they do what instead?"

"Slice open the jugular, and drain the blood into thermoses, and take it home to drink."

"Take it home…"

"Yeah…and season it…like Cordy does with mine…"

"Cordy seasons your blood?…"

"Yeah…with cinnamon…"

"What that woman does for you…"

They arrived back at the Plymouth. Gunn knew that Angel had an unhealthy fondness for the jet-black convertible. He guessed he probably didn't appreciate the four Nogar leaning on the hood.

Angel smiled.

Gunn saw the grin out of the side of his vision.

"Now what are you smiling about?"

"I need a new thermos."

Angel rushed the Nogar, knocking two across the hood of the Plymouth and one to the ground. Gunn attacked, and took a right cross to the jaw before staking the vamp closest to him. He whirled to get the other, only to see its head flying toward him. As the vampire's body exploded, it revealed another vampire behind him, this one looking like a reject from a casting call for Sid and Nancy. Why it had attacked the other vamp, Gunn didn't know. But a vamp was a vamp. The punk vamp turned and ran toward Angel. Oh, no he didn't. Gunn swung his stake, dead toward the new vamp's heart.

"NOOOO!"

Gunn suddenly found himself floating ten feet above the ground. He looked down to see the new vamp take out one of the Nogar. Angel's other opponent exploded into dust.

It was only then that Gunn noticed that the new vamp wasn't alone. There were two girls standing at the back of the Plymouth. One looked to be about fifteen, dressed in a knee-length black leather skirt and a matching jacket. She didn't look nearly as frightened as one would expect a girl of that age watching a vampire battle to be. The other, the redhead, he recognized. She was the one that had been there the night they had gotten back from Pylea. The one that had told them about Buffy. For some reason, Gunn thought she was named after a tree or something…

"Angel…"

"Willow…Dawn…Spike…what are you guys doing here…"

"Savin' your ass, it looks to me, mate…"

Great, not only was it a punk vamp, but a British punk vamp.

"Yeah…sure…Dawn, you shouldn't be out here…it's not safe…"

The younger girl walked toward Angel and hugged him. "We had to see you…"

"I could have come to Sunnydale, Dawn…you know I would've come…"

"She said we, you prat…"

"And you're a part of this we, Spike?"

Dawn broke the hug, and looked up at Angel. "He's with me."

Angel's brow furrowed. "Spike's with you…why?…Willow care to explain this to me…?"

"He's part of the team, Angel."

"Since when?"

"We'll talk about this later. We need to see Wesley…" Gunn was shocked at the commanding tone of her voice.

Judging from Angel's reaction, Gunn didn't think this was how Willow normally acted.

"Willow what's this about…"

Gunn could tell that the other vampire was getting impatient.

"Red, tell the poof to get in the car and let's go. Time's wasting…"

"You're right…I'll ride with Angel…you and Dawn think you can follow us?"

"Yeah…" The vampire and the girl walked toward a black DeSoto parked at the end of the alley. What was it with vamps and black cars?

Angel stepped forward and grabbed Willow's arm. "Willow…two questions before we go anywhere…"

"Sure…what?"

"One…you are going to tell me what Spike thinks he's doing here, right…"

"I'll tell you as much as I think appropriate…"

"Appropriate, what's that mean…"

"Some of it's not mine to tell…you'll have to ask Spike…what's the other question…?"

"Are you going to let Gunn down…?"

She looked up, a sheepish grin on her face…"Oh, sorry…"

Gunn floated gently down to the ground. Too weird.

Angel hesitated as he got behind the wheel. "Damn"

"What?", asked Willow, "Are you hurt?"

"No…just forgot to get a thermos."

The Plymouth pulled onto Sunset and headed toward the hotel with Gunn taking the back seat. Willow stared out at the cars as they whizzed by.

Angel took a deep, unnecessary breath.

"So…about Spike…"

"What about him…?"

"Part of the team…?"

"Has been for a long time…"

"I don't think Buffy would have wanted…"

"Buffy was the one who insisted on it. When we were fighting Glory, Xander and Giles didn't want him there. Buffy overruled them…"

"Why would she do that?"

"She trusted him. I trust him. We all do. Even Xander now."

"And Giles…"

"In England on Council business. That's why we need to see Wesley. He's the closest thing to a Watcher we've got with Giles gone."

"But Giles trusts Spike…?"

Willow turned to Angel. "Yes, Angel, he does. We all do. Get over it."

"But this is Spike…the guy who tried to kill you all how many times?"

"And you're Angel…the guy who killed Ms. Carpenter and tortured Giles…"

"That's different. I didn't have a soul then."

"Well, Spike still doesn't. And he still helps. Still does the right thing. What's your excuse? As far as I can tell, the only difference between you now and you then is your sudden aversion to leather pants…"

"Leather pants?" Gunn asked.

"Willow, I…"

"I'm sorry…that was out of line. I know you're not that Angel…but just give Spike a chance. He's proven himself to us. He proved himself to Buffy."

"Angel wore leather pants?"

"But why…why did he do it?…and why'd you bring Dawn?"

"You'll have to ask him. As far as Dawn goes, a lot of this has to do with her, and Spike won't let her go anywhere without going along to protect her."

They pulled into the hotel parking lot. The DeSoto pulled up next to them, the Sex Pistols blaring. Gunn could see Dawn shaking her head to the music and laughing.

As they entered the hotel, Cordelia's voice called down to them.

"Angel, that you? I've went by the butcher shop and they were out of that lamb blood you like so much, but I…"

She turned the corner, and walked straight into Spike. She leapt back, screeching.

"Well, hello to you, too, pet. Quite the little domestic dolly you've got here, Angel. Cheerleader even does your shopping for you, eh?"

Spike had always liked Cordelia. She had spunk.

"What is he doing here…"

"We need to talk to your Watcher type. He around?"

"We…who's we…" It was then she saw Willow and Dawn standing with Angel.

"Oh hey guys…you're here with him? And Dawn…love that outfit…"

"Really? Spike bought it for me…"

"Spike bought you this…okay first what is Spike doing buying you clothes, and second since when does he have taste…?"

Dawn was about to answer when Cordelia was distracted. Gunn walked past her to put his weapons back into the locker.

"And what did you do to that jacket? I just bought that for you…"

As Dawn watched Cordelia question Gunn about his treatment of the jacket, Angel pulled Willow aside.

"Okay, Willow, what's this all about…"

"I'd rather wait till Wesley gets here…"

Spike smiled. "Oh, go on, Red. Tell him."

"Tell me what?" Angel had seen the look on Spike's face before. It was usually before he killed someone.

"Tell him, Red. After all, it's your idea…"

"Spike, I don't even know if we can do it…"

The smile dropped from Spike's face. "Not a matter of if, luv. It's a matter of when. We will do it, or I'll die trying."

Angel had had enough. "What are you talking about? What are you going to do?"

The smile returned to Spike's face. "Angelus, my boy…we're going to get her back."

~ Chapter 2 ~

"What…Buffy?"

"Of course, you git. Who else?"

"How?…"

Spike nodded at Willow. "Red, you wanna fill the boy scout in?"

"Willow?"

"I was looking through my spell-books the other day trying to find a way to keep my fish from dying…I can't seem to ever keep fish in my aquarium…hey that's another thing you…"

"Willow…"

"Oh yeah…so I came across the spell we used to call forth the power of the first Slayer that we used against Adam…"

"Buffy told me about it…"

"Anyway, I was reading and I found this section I never read before…"

"And…"

"This is the good part, mate, you'll like this…"

"Spike…"

"Well, go on…"

"Anyway, this section isn't about calling the first Slayer. It's about calling A Slayer."

"A Slayer? I don't understand."

"I can call forth the soul of the Slayer. I can call Buffy."

"You can…"

"Yeah…"

"But what about the new Slayer? The one called when Buffy died?"

"That's one of the reasons Giles is in England. There wasn't a new Slayer called. Seems Faith's it. And the Council isn't happy about that."

"No I guess not. But I still don't understand…what good will calling her soul do? She's dead, Willow. Calling her soul won't change that."

Spike laughed. "You've not been around Will for awhile, have you?"

"What's that mean?"

Willow hesitated, then started to speak, "I think I can make her a new body."

"You can what? Nobody can do that. No one can bring someone back from the dead."

"It won't be bringing her back from the dead. It'll be like….Buffy 2: the Sequel. I'll just make her a new body, like the old Golem spells. Only she'll be humany and not Golemy. Since the monks made Dawn out of Buffy…I think I can make Buffy out of Dawn…well…kind of.."

"So why haven't you done it? Didn't Giles have an Orb of Thessala around somewhere?" That was the extent of Angel's knowledge about soul spells. He thought he should probably know more given his personal situation, but hey, he had demons to kill. Wesley did his studying for him.

Spike stepped out his cigarette. "Don't you think we thought of that? Orb won't work. We tried it. Seems this calls for something else. That's why we're here."

"I don't understand."

Willow took a page of weathered parchment from her bag. "Yeah, this part of the spell is in a language I don't understand. I would've scanned it and sent it to Giles in London, but it seems to not like being scanned. So we thought maybe Wesley would know…"

Just at that moment, the ex-Watcher came down the stairs into the lobby. "Wesley would know what?"

Angel turned to Willow. "Explain it to him. Wesley, do this. I don't care what you have to do, help her."

"Surely, but what…"

Willow took Wesley by the arm, and led him back into the offices. "C'mon, Wes. I think Angel and Spike are going to have big macho vampire talk. And Angel's right. I need your help."

"What? Spike? …Angel?"

"Just go, Wesley…"

As the ex-Watcher and witch stepped from the room, Spike lit up another cigarette.

"Put that out."

"Touchy, touchy. Here we bring good news, and you're not polite to the messenger. What manners…"

"Upstairs, now."

They stepped onto the roof, and Spike leaned against the edge, watching the ashes flick off of his cigarette onto the ground below.

"So mate, planning on throwing me off?"

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you here?"

"Well…one, Nibblet wanted to come. Two, I want this to work."

"Why?"

"Is that all you bleedin' say these days?"

"Why does it matter where Dawn goes, and why do you care if Buffy comes back or not. I thought you'd have been dancing on her grave."

"WHAT do YOU know about it?"

"Explain it to me, William…because I swear if you touch a hair on Dawn's head…"

"That's the last bloody thing I'd ever do…"

"And why is that…"

"I promised…"

"You PROMISED? Promised what? Who?" The last promise Angel remembered Spike keeping was to bring Dru a set of Siamese twins for her to kill on her birthday. That was the kind of promise Spike made and kept.

"I promised Buffy I'd protect Dawn. I promised I'd protect her until the end of the world, and I'm damn well going to do it."

"I don't get it Spike. Where is this coming from?"

"Buffy asked me."

"SHE asked YOU…"

"Yeah, you wanker, she asked me…your hearin' goin' in your old age?"

"Why would she ask you?"

Spike was starting to get pissed. "She couldn't rightly ask you now could she? You weren't there, and I was…that's what gets you isn't it? When the chips were down, she didn't call you. She counted on nasty rude Spike instead of big heroic soul-having loverboy Angel…that's it, isn't it you poof?"

"That was her call. I just want to know why she made it. Why'd she trust you, Spike?"

Spike hung his head. "Because she was Buffy, I don't know. I didn't deserve it, that's for sure."

"No, you don't. But you seem to have convinced everyone else you do. How'd you manage that, Spike? And why'd you even try."

Spike turned away from Angel, and stared down at the street. "Because…"

Spike had an expression on his face that Angel could remember seeing once before…but when was it?

"Because…"

"Yeah, because…"

It finally dawned on Angel. Spike had that same look the day Angel first saw him. The day that Cecily had crushed his hopes of ever winning her love. Angel, Drusilla, and Darla had watched from the shadows and laughed. It didn't seem as funny in retrospect.

"You loved her…"

Spike spun, and held his head up. "Yup…you got me…only thing is, there's no past tense to that. I love her, and always will."

Angel stood next to Spike and they both looked up at the sky. He could tell Spike meant what he was saying.

"I can understand that. It was hard not to love her."

"Isn't that the truth... You're the only one who doesn't look at me like I'm a loonie when I say that. You told me once that she made you feel human. At the time, I thought you were full of crap. Now I know what you meant."

"When did I say that?"

"When we were planning on killing her, a couple of days before I beat you over the head with a tire iron and she stuck a sword in you and sent you to Hell."

"Oh..yeah…don't reminisce about that time much…"

"Would guess not…"

"Spike, Angel, you up here ?"

They turned to see Dawn beckoning to them. "C'mon, Wesley's finished translating."

~ Chapter 3 ~

Gunn was incredulous. "So you're telling me that this Spike guy is like Angel's grandson?"

Cordelia scrunched her nose. "Something like that. I'd have to ask them again, but I know Drusilla's in there somewhere."

"Drusilla's that creepy vamp that looks like Morticia Addams and talks to dolls, right?"

"Yeah…oh hey, here's brood-boy now…"

Angel, Spike, and Dawn stepped out of the elevator into the lobby. Dawn sat between Cordelia and Gunn, while the vampires stood at opposite ends of the room. Wesley and Willow walked in from the back offices. Wesley was carrying a very large book in one hand, and the scrap of parchment that Willow had given him in the other. He set them down on the desk, while Willow made a place for herself beside Dawn. Willow reached her hand out to Dawn's and gave a little squeeze.

Angel looked at Wesley…."So…"

"So, yes…."

"Yes, what, you prat? Can it be done or not?" said Spike.

"If Willow is capable of what she says she is…"

Dawn leaned forward…"Yeah…"

"Then it's possible."

Spike and Angel both grinned widely, until they saw each other grinning.

Cordelia stood and walked toward Wesley. "So why don't we get this Bringing Back Buffy Bonanza started? What are we waiting for?"

Willow smiled. "That sounded like something Xander would say…"

Cordelia turned… "As if..."

Gunn stood. "Cordy's right. What are we waiting for? I want to meet this chick…"

Before anyone had even seen him move Spike grabbed Gunn by the collar and lifted him in the air. "Buffy's no chippie, mate. I'd be watching my tongue if I were you."

Angel gripped Spike by the shoulder. This new Spike was going to get some getting used to. "This coming from the man who called her Slutty the Vampire Slayer."

"That was before I knew better. Besides…I didn't mean it."

"Sure you didn't. But Gunn's right, Wes…what are we waiting for?"

"Well, it seems that the reason that the Orb of Thessala didn't work to call forth her soul as it did in your case, Angel, is, well, how to put this delicately…her soul is more powerful than yours."

"Oh…oh…what do you mean?"

"A Slayer's soul is more powerful, larger…"

"Better…" said Spike.

"Yes…better than a normal human's. An Orb of Thessala cannot contain that rich a soul. It's simply too much power to fit."

Spike grunted. "I could have told you that…"

"Yes, well, there is however, a way to draw Buffy's soul from the ether using a variant of the spell that called for the First Slayer. We could then contain it."

"Just not in this Orb of Cecily thing?" asked Cordelia.

Wesley held back a smirk. "Yes. We need two items…here, " he said, turning the book to where Cordelia and Dawn could see it. "This is the Chalice of Osiris..and these….these are the Black Pearls of Rumin."

Dawn looked back at Willow. "So how's this spell thingie supposed to work?"

Willow smiled, her eyes glowing with excitement. "Oh it's real cool, first I form the body out of mud…"

"Mud…?"

"Yeah, mud and some of your hair. Don't worry, she's going to be all human once I contain her soul in the pearls, then dissolve the pearls in the …what do I dissolve them in, Wesley?"

"The Chalice must contain the heart's blood of a vampire…"

"yeah, so I dissolve it in that, and make MudBuffy drink it, then she'll turn into RealBuffy. At least I think…"

Angel smiled. "So all we have to do is get this cup and these pearls and we're set."

Dawn was looking closely at the pictures. "I think I've seen this cup somewhere before…"

"Where?" said Wesley. "There are only two known to exist in the world, and one's under lock and key in St. Petersburg. The other's been missing for centuries."

"Well, I've never been to Russia, so I think it was in Sunnydale somewhere…"

"And the pearls?" asked Willow.

Wesley's face took on a grim expression. "They've been lost for at least a hundred years. The last known location was in Amsterdam in 1894. They werestolen from the body of the visiting Princess of Norway. She was killed with the

rest of her family in their box at the Opera."

Angel raised his head from the spot on the ground at which he'd been staring. "Did you say 1894?"

That got Spike's attention…"Yeah…and Amsterdam…it couldn't…"

They both grabbed the book and looked at the drawing Wesley had shown Dawn.

They looked at the picture, then at each other. They both grinned widely, and this time they didn't look away. Instead they started laughing.

Gunn was puzzled. "I don't get it. Some joke you guys want to share…"

They turned toward Gunn and the girls. Dawn thought Spike was almost crying. She had seen him crying a lot over the last two months. This was the first time she had ever seen it in happiness.

"Let's just say," said Angel between laughs, "that we have a pretty good idea of where they are."

"And why is that," asked Cordelia…

It was Spike's turn to laugh. "Because….you're looking at the two vampires that stole them in the first place…"

Wesley's face brightened. "Oh…that makes things considerably easier. You just have to go get them, then…"

Angel and Spike looked at each other knowingly.

Angel's face darkened. "It's not going to be quite that simple, Wes…"

"And why not?"

Spike smiled at Wesley, his face suddenly shifting into demonic form. "It seems we're going to have to do a little hunting…"

~*~*~*~*~

The man dropped, his body lifeless, his blood drained from his body. The woman stood over him, wiping the last traces of blood from her mouth.

"He tastes all funny….like he was made of huckleberry jam…"

Her blonde companion dropped another body at her feet. "How the hell do you remember what huckleberry jam taste like? It's been 140 years since you've eaten solid food."

"No, it hasn't…Spike used to make breakfast for me."

"Oh yes. He still likes to eat the human food, doesn't he?"

"Oh yes, my Spike. Used to let me cut the chickens' heads off, he did…"

"Let's not talk about Spike. It just reminds me of that Slayer."

"Ah you went and made me smile. Reminding me that that naughty Slayer is dead. Spike crying, crying, crying…such beautiful pain he's in…"

"Are you sure about that?"

"Saw it, I did."

"I wish you could tape those visions of yours, Dru…"

"Oh, Darla…it was delicious, " said Drusilla.

She lifted her hand to her neck, and stroked it in the ecstasy of the memory, her fingers intertwined with the strand of black pearls around her neck.

~ Chapter 4 ~

Dawn sat on the edge of the bed trying to find a channel on the TV that was showing something other than Diagnosis Murder or Xena. One of the cool things about coming to visit Angel was that you never had to look for a place to stay. Angel always had the room. One of the benefits of living in a hotel. You'd think if he could afford this kind of place he could spring for some cable.

There was a knock on the door….

"Dawn…"

"Yeah, Angel..come in…"

Angel stuck his head in. It was always awkward for Dawn to talk to Angel. Not that she ever really had, in reality. But she remembered doing it, and so did he. And even in false monk-created memories, their conversations had been awkward. Now that Buffy was gone, it was even more so…

"So…"

"Yeah…"

"Dawn…I've got to ask you a question, and I need you to be straight with me. Can you do that?"

"Yeah…"

"Is Spike…is he hurting you in any way or …"

"No…Spike loves me. He'd never hurt me."

"He loves you. You're sure of that."

Angel sat on the bed next to her, sliding her calf-high leather boots to the side of the bed to make room for his feet. Leather boots with three-inch heels. She'd definitely been hanging around Spike.

"Yes, I'm sure. You haven't seen him, Angel. He's different than he used to be."

"So I'm told. But Dawn…I've known Spike for over a hundred years…and this…thisjust doesn't sound like him…"

"Well…maybe…maybe…it's the him that was supposed to be."

"That's a nice thought, but I don't know, Dawnie…"

Dawn hated being called "Dawnie". Buffy had called her that. She much preferred"Nibblet" or even "Platelet".

"What don't you know? He loves me. He loved Buffy, too. He still does, I cantell. When he doesn't think I'm looking, I'll catch him with a tear in his eyes."

"Spike…crying?"

"Yeah…Angel…when Buffy died…we were all there….and Spike…Spike just collapsed. He was crying so hard. Giles and Willow had to drag him away so he wouldn't burn up in the sun. I think Willow put some kind of spell on him to put him to sleep or something because he didn't come around until after the funeral."

"So that's why I didn't see him there." Not that he had been looking for him.

"Yeah. Willow didn't think he could handle it. I thought Spike was going to be mad at her, but he wasn't. I saw him one night at her grave. He was just lying there…hugging the tombstone. Then he didn't come out of the crypt for a few days. Until I went and got him."

"You went and got him?"

"Yeah, I told him Buffy wouldn't want him moping around. He said something about doing what Buffy wanted. Next thing I know he moved into the house."

"Moved in? Giles allowed that?"

"Giles really couldn't say anything about it. Spike had bought the house."

"What?"

"Yeah, it had been up for sale before Buffy died. We really couldn't afford to live there. Buffy couldn't keep up the payments. So she put it up for sale, and the realtor lady called the week before all the Glory stuff happened. Said she had a buyer. Buffy didn't know it, but Spike was the buyer. He was going to buy it, and give it to her as an anonymous present. So she didn't have to worry anymore. Spike never wanted her to know. I don't think she thought he had that much money. I wouldn't know now if Buffy hadn't died."

"Spike used to spend all his money on Drusilla, going to the opera and stuff like that. I guess I never thought about what he did with his money."

"Well, he always liked to pretend he didn't have any. I think he liked makingBuffy mad when she had to pay him for something."

"She paid him?"

"To help. At first…then…he just did it…"

"Did Buffy ever say anything to you about Spike?"

"Just to stay away from him…then things got really bad…and she always took me to Spike. After Glory tortured him…"

"What?"

"Yeah, it was bad. She wanted to know who the Key was, and he wouldn't tell her. So anyway, after that…I think she trusted him…no, I know she did."

"And did she know about him…"

"Loving her? Yeah…he told her."

Angel laughed. "I would have loved to have seen the look on her face when he told her."

"Oh, believe me, it was funny. Full on Buffy panic mode. She didn't believe it was possible."

"I tend to agree with her."

Dawn's face reddened. "Why? Spike has feelings just like all of us. More so, maybe…"

"But Dawnie…he doesn't have a soul"

"So…he says he loves me…that he loves Buffy…and I believe him…" Angel could see that Dawn was getting defensive.

"I know you do. Why?"

"You haven't been around, Angel. You haven't seen him around Buffy, around me. And since she's died…if you had seen him the way I've seen him, you would know better."

"How have you seen him, Dawn? Has he been violent?"

"Not toward me. He still patrols, and I think that gets out a lot of his pain."

"He patrols? Buffy's patrols?"

"Yeah, he seems to think that someone has to do it, that Buffy would've wanted it…"

"He's right…"

"I know. That first night he went out on patrol, I followed him…"

"Dawn, that was dangerous." But typical Dawn.

"I know, I know. Spike told me later forty times I wasn't to follow him again."

"So he knew you were there…"

"Only after I tripped over one of the knights' bodies…"

"Knights?"

"Yeah, those weird medieval guys who were after Glory…"

"The ones that attacked the RV you guys were in?"

"Yeah…Spike went out and well…I guess this isn't a good thing…"

"What, Dawn?"

"He killed them all."

Now that sounded like Spike.

"I don't understand. Willow said the knights were human. I thought Spike had a chip in his head, and he couldn't harm humans."

"He does."

"So is the chip malfunctioning? I thought it was supposed to cause him pain whenever he did anything. If he can kill again, Dawn, there's no way…"

"Don't you even say that, Angel…I'm staying with Spike. I've already had this argument with Giles."

"But if the chip isn't working…"

"I think it still is…"

"So how…?"

"I think he was just in too much pain already for him to notice."

Angel knew that Spike felt pain. But not that kind.

"Buffy's death hit him that hard?"

"Yeah…it did…"

"Dawn…you said Buffy trusted Spike. And she knew that he loved her?"

"Yeah…"

"So did she…did they…?"

"No."

"Oh."

Dawn could see the relief on Angel's face.

"Would've been cool, though."

Angel smirked.

"So Buffy wasn't interested, then…" Of course not.

"I didn't say that…"

"I don't understand."

"I think it hurt her. She felt guilty."

Guilt and Buffy. Not a new combination.

"How?"

"A lot of ways. At first she said maybe Spike only loved her for being a killer. She thought it was icky. She revoked his invitation to the house, everything. Then that happened with Glory and she…I think she knew that he loved her even though he thought she could never love him back. And I think that hurt her worse."

"I don't understand."

"Because of you…"

"Because of me…" Of course.

"Like you said…he doesn't have a soul."

"I still don't understand."

"He loved her even though he thought she'd never love him, Angel. Without a soul…when you didn't have a soul, you…"

"Tried to kill her. I get it…what's it say about me that I didn't love her enough to stay with a soul…and he can love her without one?"

"I know she knew he loved her…really loved her. And it confused her."

"So how do you think she felt about him."

"She trusted him with me. And with Mom when she was alive."

"I know."

"Angel, I'm sure if you were there, she would've trusted you, too."

"But I wasn't, was I? I left."

"Well, you weren't the only one. Riley left, too. She tried to make Spike leave. He wouldn't."

"No, I guess Spike wouldn't. He's too stubborn for that."

"Angel, I don't know how she felt. I know how he makes me feel, though."

"And how's that?"

"Safe. Loved. Protected."

"So what's your dad think about you living with Spike?"

"Dad doesn't even know Buffy's dead. He never calls. I didn't think he deserved to know. Willow fixed the…Willow fixed it so I don't have to worry about anybody taking me away…"

"Dawn…"

"I'm happy where I am, Angel. And if we can get Buffy back it won't be a problem. Why tell her she's dead, if she's just going to be alive again?"

"She will be, nibblet."

They turned to see Spike standing in the doorway.

"Time for bed, pet. Tell Angelus goodnight, and get those jammies on."

"It's still early, Spike."

"By the time you get ready, it'll be late. I'll tell you what…you get ready in 20 minutes, we'll watch this," he said, holding up a video tape he'd been hiding behind his back.

Angel was confused. "What's that?"

Dawn smiled. "Passions!"

"Yup. Snagged the tape out of the machine before we hit the road. You do have a machine we can use, don't you?"

Angel laughed. "Yeah, I'll bring you mine."

"Mighty kind."

Dawn ran into the bathroom and began to brush her teeth. As soon as she had shut the door, Angel stood and faced Spike.

Spike looked him straight in the eyes. "So mate, did I get the nibblet's approval?"

"You know you did."

"So you believe me."

"Yes."

"So…"

"So…"

"Drusilla…"

"and Darla…this is going to be fun…"

"Going to be a gay old time…"

~ Chapter 5 ~

Dawn was concerned.

"Is it going to be a problem for me to get into here?"

Cordelia smiled. "No. We have an in with the owner." She scanned the Caritas crowd. "There he is…hey, Lorne! Hey!"

Dawn saw a green-faced, two-horned demon in a loud red suit about to go on stage. He pointed to something near the stage and Cordelia nodded in acknowledgment.

Cordelia led Dawn, Willow, and Spike to a table to the side of the stage that had a reserved sign on it. Willow was wearing a dark green skirt, lace-up boots, and a red blouse that showed more cleavage than Cordelia would have expected from Willow. Spike had changed into blue jeans and a white linen dress shirt with a black t-shirt underneath. He still wore his ubiquitous leather duster. Cordelia admitted to herself that he looked good.

Spike looked around warily…"Uhh…Cordelia…"

Cordelia looked up from the song list that sat at the table. "Yeah, Spike…"

"Not to be the pot calling the kettle black…but what kind of place is this?"

Willow scrunched up her nose. "What do you mean?"

Spike was a bit shocked. "Look around, Will. More non-human types than human."

Willow then did exactly that, and spun her head around. "Hey, I guess you're right. I didn't notice."

Dawn laughed. "You've been living on the Hellmouth too long."

"So…Cordelia?"

Cordelia was straining her neck, looking toward the bar to where Angel and Gunn were both raptly engaged in conversation with a pretty dark-haired girl.

"Cordelia…?"

"Huh…?"

She hadn't heard a word he'd said. "Oh…I thought you knew…"

Cordelia was still staring at the bar as though it was about to explode.

"Calvin Klein is a vampire…"

"That's nice…"

"and Angel told me he was going to be getting married to Wesley soon…"

That got her attention.

"Huh, what?"

"I want to know what kind of place you dragged the Nibblet into."

Dawn rubbed Spike's hand. "I'm sure it's safe, or Angel wouldn't have brought me here."

Cordelia chuckled. "Safe, oh yeah. You can't even fight here. Literally can't."

Willow perked up. "Really?"

"Yeah. No fighty in Caritas."

Spike was still testy. "So…you still didn't tell me what this place is…"

"It's a demon karaoke bar."

Dawn leaned forward. "Demon karaoke?"

Cordelia's face darkened. "Yeah…unfortunately, we might have to listen to Angel sing."

Willow's eyes widened. "Angel..sings?"

Spike stood up. "No way I'm staying around for that. I heard him once a hundred years ago and that was enough for one undead life."

Cordelia laughed. "Sit down, Spike. Believe me, I agree with you about Angel. That's why Wesley made that excuse about having to call Giles. But it might not be him that has to sing."

"Has to sing?" asked Dawn.

"Yeah. That's what Lorne does. He listens to you sing and sees things in your soul."

"Like visions…"

"More like guidance…"

Spike leaned back in his chair. "So Angel brought us here why? We already know what we have to do."

"Because Spike…" Angel said as he sat in the seat across from Spike…"unless Dru gave you a forwarding address, we're going to need some help finding them."

"Now why would you want to find those two Sour Sallies?"

Spike looked up. The demon Cordelia had referred to as Lorne was standing with one hand on Angel's shoulder and the other on Gunn's.

Gunn rolled his eyes. "You know why. You always do this."

Lorne cocked his head in resignation. "I know. I just hate having to tell Angel he doesn't get to sing."

Looks of relief swept over the faces of Cordelia and Gunn. Dawn laughed at the combination of their relief and Angel's obvious disappointment.

"I…I don't?"

"No,honey, you don't. This ain't really your fight anymore, and it hasn't been for a while now. Besides I know you're eager to tackle Copacabana, but I ain't ready to hear it yet."

Willow silently mouthed "Copacabana?" to Gunn. He shook his head.

"Don't ask."

Spike grinned. "Such a disappointment. We don't get to hear the illustrious song-stylings of Captain HairGel. Such a tragedy…"

Lorne nodded his head…"Yeah…"

Spike rubbed his hand over Dawn's head. "So, Platelet, I guess you're up."

Lorne shook his head and walked over to Spike. "No, Billy boy…I'm afraid it's time for your debut."

Angel laughed. Spike glared at him.

"Shut up." He stood and turned back to Lorne. "Listen Don Pardo, I'm afraid you've got the wrong vampire for this gig. The cheerleader said you looked into people's soul while they sang. Me, I'm soul-free."

Lorne put his hand on Spike's shoulder. "Two problems with that, Billy. One, I told Cordy that because that's the best way to explain what I do. And two, I wouldn't be so sure about that soul-free part."

That got everyone's attention.

"What did he say?" asked Dawn.

Angel leaned back in his chair. "Spike's got a soul."

"I do NOT."

Lorne smiled at him. "Listen, I won't know until you sing. But it's got to be you."

"Why not little bit? She's her sister…"

"It's got to be you. Now go pick out a song. I've got to introduce the next act."

Lorne walked toward the stage. Spike stood there, shocked. Dawn walked up, took his hand and walked over next to the stage to the DJ booth.

Angel smiled widely. "This ought to be good."

Cordelia smirked. "I wouldn't talk if I were you, Barry. Who knows, Spike might actually be able to carry a tune, unlike some people."

Gunn let out a deep breath, and whispered an aside to Willow…"Here it comes…"

"Here what comes?" she asked.

"Just watch…"

Angel let out a low growl that Willow had only heard before when Angelus had been holding her by the throat.

"Cordy, what is your problem?"

Cordelia swizzled her drink lazily. "Oh…nothing…nothing…just thought you'd be paying more attention to this quest to return the supposed love of your life back from the dead…"

"Supposed…?"

"I'm sorry. Did I say that?" She gave a facetious grin. "Anyway….how's Fred?"

Gunn took Willow's arm. "Speaking of Fred, I think I'm going to go introduce Willow and let you guys talk this out."

Angel's eyes glared. "You do that."

Cordelia let out a deep breath. "Yeah, you go do that."

Willow glanced back at her two friends as they walked toward the bar. "Are they always like that?"

"Lately, yeah."

"That's not good."

"No…it's not. But hey…hey…tell me…you've known them longer than I have. You

tell me what's going on."

"I don't know. I mean Angel's always been kind of Mr. Spooky-I-don't-share, andCordelia…well, Cordelia's different than she used to be."

"Well, that Mr. Spooky crap don't fly with Cordelia, I can tell you that. They've been yelling at each other ever since we got back from Pylea…"

"Ever since Buffy died…"

"Yeah…"

A small demure brunette walked up to them from behind the bar.

"Gunn? Who's this?"

Gunn turned back toward the girl. "Oh hey, Fred. This is Willow. She's a friendof Angel and Cordy's from Sunnydale."

"Oh hi. Do you like tacos?"

Willow was confused. "Sure…you serve tacos here?"

"No…not yet. But we will! Or at least we should."

"Haven't we met before?"

"Yeah, you have," said Gunn. "We brought her back from Pylea."

"Oh."

"Yeah…"

Back at the table, Angel and Cordelia were staring holes into each other's eyes.

"Out with it, Cordy…"

"Nothing, nothing…I just thought that Buffy was the love of your unlife…"

"She was…she is…"

"So what are you doing flirting with Fre-AAAAAAAAAH!" Cordelia bent under the table, holding her head. Angel rushed around to hold her up.

"What did you see?"

"Oh, you won't believe this one…"

"LET'S GIVE HIM A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE, FOLKS!"

Willow turned toward the stage to see Lorne patting a four-armed demon on the back.

"Thank you, Ravlock, I'm sure Rod himself would've enjoyed that. C'mon folks, give Ravlock a hand, we all think he's sexy, don't we?"

The demon shuffled off the side of the stage, taking a couple of bows along the way.

Gunn motioned to Willow. "C'mon, look's like it's showtime. We better get back to the table."

They sat as Dawn made her way back to the table. She took a seat between Willow and Angel.

"So, Dawn," asked Cordelia, "what's he going to sing, Rock the Casbah?"

"No…"

"Anarchy in the U.K.?"

"No…just listen…"

They looked back to the stage, where they could see Lorne whispering in a hushed voice to Spike. Lorne got a big grin on his face.

Lorne stepped back to the microphone. "Okay, folks. We're in for a treat tonight. Occasionally we've been treated to a song from our local vampire with a soul…"

People started to get up from their seats and grab their jackets…

Cordelia laughed at the look on Angel's face as Lorne calmed the audience's fears.

"…but I'm afraid that he can't sing for us tonight because well, it's not his turn."

The audience sat back down.

Angel looked around in disbelief. "I'm not that bad."

Gunn took a swig of his drink. "Yes, Angel, you are."

Dawn could see than Spike was nervous. "Guys…can we just listen…"

They turned back to the stage where Lorne was finishing his introduction.

"Let's give it up for…Spike…!"

Spike walked with his head down toward the microphone.

"Uhh….thank you…I've always liked this song…and well, the Nibblet picked it out for me…so here goes…"

Angel leaned back in his chair as Lorne took Spike's seat next to Cordelia.

"This ought to be good," chuckled Angel.

"Shut up and listen, Angel…" snapped Dawn.

The music started. Spike started to sing.

Cordelia almost dropped her glass, and Willow held her breath. Spike was singing Otis Redding's `That's How Strong My Love Is.' And he was singing it well. His eyes were closed, and Willow could tell that he wasn't singing to the people in the audience. His audience wasn't there, not in body.

When he stopped, the crowd was silent. Then they broke into raucous applause.

Lorne took the microphone from a sheepish Spike, who didn't know quite how to react.

"Definitely a vampire with soul!" cracked Lorne.

Spike looked up. "What the hell do you mean by that?"

"Just sit down, puddin'. I'll be with you after I introduce the next act."

Spike took his seat as a rather dowry looking demon with three eyes started in on "Candle in the Wind."

"That was…good, Spike…" said Cordelia.

"Yeah, Spike," agreed Willow. "I didn't know you sang."

"In the shower, luv…"

"I didn't know you showered, " snapped Angel.

"Bugger off."

"Yeah, man," said Gunn. "At least he had the stones to do Otis, not Manilow."

"Will you all just get over that already?"

Dawn whispered in Spike's ear. "She would have liked it, Spike."

"I'm sure she did," said Lorne, as he pulled a chair up to the table.

"So…" said an impatient Spike…"now that the talent show is over, tell us where Dru and Darla are."

"They're here in LA."

Willow was shocked. "You got that just from hearing him sing?"

"No, I got that from the awful rendition of `My Favorite Things' that Darla sang last night."

Spike grabbed him by the collar. "You knew that when we walked in here and you didn't tell us?"

"You needed to sing, blondie. I've got some things to tell you and your grand-pop here."

"So we don't get to hear?" asked Dawn

"No, honey, it's for vampire ears only…"

"So, what?" sputtered Cordelia, "Are we supposed to leave?"

Spike's face narrowed. "That would probably be good. Willow, can you see little bit back to Angel's."

Angel looked up in surprise. "No, I think you guys ought to wait for us."

"Sit down, Angel," muttered Spike. "Red can take care of things."

Lorne shifted in his seat. "That's an understatement."

Willow smiled at that thought as she, Cordelia, Dawn, and Gunn walked toward the parking lot. She really could take care of herself. Not only herself, but others. It felt good.

Cordelia took Angel's spare car keys from her purse. "Well, guess it's vamp's night out."

Willow looked at Cordelia. Something was wrong with her, she could tell.

"Gunn, you think you and Wesley could watch Dawn for me when we get to the hotel. I need Cordelia to take me somewhere."

"Sure…"

Cordelia looked at her, curious. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

~ Chapter 6 ~

"So get on with it. Why'd you have me sing like a nancyboy?"

Lorne set his glass back on the table. "Okay, first, Otis was no nancy-boy. Besides you sang the hell out of that song. Your girl liked it."

"Dawn picked it out, of course she liked it."

"I'm not talking about little puddin' head. I'm talking about her big sis."

"What?" asked Angel. "Buffy's dead."

"Just because she's dead doesn't mean she doesn't have taste."

"And what's this about being `his' girl?"

Lorne held his hands up in a defensive posture. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I only know what I know. And I know that she liked it."

Spike brought the shot-glass of blood to his lips…"So what else do you know."

"I know a couple of things. First is, you guys can't do this like you normally would."

"What's that mean?" asked Angel.

"Your immediate problem. You can't do this like why you're doing this doesn't matter. It does. You can't do it like you would've if she wasn't in the picture."

"O-kay, " grumbled Spike. "That tells me less than nothing."

"I can tell you this," whispered Lorne, as he leaned his head between the two vampires…

They listened in rapt attention as he said…"Dosie-do"

"DOSIE-DO?!", yelled Spike, "what the bleedin' hell does that mean?"

"Shhh…" cautioned Lorne…"I've already told you too much…"

Angel calmed Spike, motioning him to sit back down.

"Lorne, you said you had something else."

"Yeah…this other thing you're looking for…you already know where it is…"

"We do…or at least blondie here does…"

Spike was still annoyed. "Spit it out."

"You have to face your failure."

Spike swallowed. He knew then of what Lorne was speaking. His failure had a face. One he had avoided thinking about. And it was still walking somewhere in the world.

"I'm not going to fail."

"I didn't say you were. In fact, if that song told me anything, you're going to do it."

Spike snorted. "Damn right I am…c'mon, I want to see Dawn to bed."

Angel rose, and took Spike aside. "I'll be right back. I've got to go talk to Fred for a second. She doesn't know anything about Dru or Darla. She deserves a warning."

"All right."

Spike stood at the door, a cigarette dangling from his lips. A cigarette he almost dropped when Lorne tapped him on the shoulder.

Spike struck a defensive posture…"Oh, it's just you."

"I've got something else to tell you. Something that wasn't for Luscious to hear…"

Spike grinned at the euphemism for Angel. "So out with it. What else?"

"She knew. And so do you, at least you do now."

"Knew what?"

"Who you are."

"Who I am? Of course, she bleedin' knew who I was…"

"In your soul."

"In my…"

"In your soul…she knew…and she still does."

All the borrowed blood drained from Spike's face.

"You mean?…"

"Time to go," said Angel, walking from the bar. "We've got another stop to make before we go back to the hotel."

Spike, still stunned, just stared at Lorne.