Chapter 20:

Using Wood as their guide to all of Faith's regular haunts they searched the whole rest of the night. With each unsuccessful sweep of a cemetery or bar or dark alley Buffy's tension skyrocketed. She was having trouble concentrating. Her body felt like a coiled spring wound tighter and tighter. They needed to find her now, not later, not soon, now.

Of course it would be the last place they had come to that had been the place where the brunette woman had last been. The evidence was all there from the broken shrubbery, the muddied footprints, the abandoned stake, the broken headstone and of course the blood. It wasn't enough to have killed her Buffy knew but it would have been quite an injury for that much blood to be staining the wet ground.

It was the look on Wood's face that tore at her heart, one of total agony and genuine fear for someone he loved, and as much as she hated to admit it she understood exactly what he was feeling.

As the edges of the night sky began to lighten they all understood the need to head back to the others and regroup. Without a word the three began to head towards the car when Wood suddenly stopped and turned. Taking a few steps he reached out and picked up the fallen stake and clutched it to his chest.

********

In the total darkness that surrounded her she tried really tried to ignore the loud thumping of her head that was pulling her out of unconsciousness. Giving it a few more seconds she felt the pounding become more insistent and knew that the blessed sleep wasn't coming back. Stretching out with her other senses keeping her eyes closed she could feel the tingle at the base of her spine. Only this time it wasn't the slight message that she was used to. This was a shout her inner slayer screaming that there were way to many vamps and other nasty things in the same room with her. This wasn't going to be a good thing she could tell.

Carefully and ever so slowly she tried to open her eyes. Luckily there was little light in the area she was in and it kept her head from actually exploding from pain. As it was she had to blink several times to take the harshness out of her vision.

"Nice of you to join us." Definitely a male voice. It was coming from almost behind her and she couldn't get her head turned enough to look at him.

Her other senses began to jump on the bandwagon and she started becoming aware of the feeling of bindings on her arms and legs. They were heavy probably metal than probably chains. That didn't make her feel any better.

"Wouldn't want to miss a party." Good her voice still worked. It was a little rougher than usual but it was still strong.

"That works out well for me than considering your one of the guests of honor."

"And it's not even my birthday." She snarked.

"But we have to wait on one other guest. Until then..." He finally stepped into her field of vision and she let go a gasp of horrible recognition. There was a jolt of horrible pain to the back of her head and oblivion claimed her once more.

********

"Please tell me you guys have some ideas."

"I wish we could Buffy but for the moment we are at a loss. I'm sorry." She watched as his gaze fell to the floor. "Unfortunately I have some worse news that I need to tell you."

Somehow she had made her way to the couch and sank into it bonelessly.

"There have been more attacks I'm afraid. The number hasn't been fully...." he trailed off and looked back at her. The look of pain and anger in his eyes was so intense Buffy actually felt herself take a gasp in shock. He tore his glasses of his face and threw them across the room. "FUCK!"

He began to pace furiously long strides covering the living room from one side to the other. It was at that moment she was glad the others had all left the room.

"They knew. Knew right where to bloody hit us." His pacing seemed to intensify.

"Giles." Her voice was soft and questioning.

"There all gone Buffy they were trapped inside and they knew it. They set fire to the house in England and killed anyone they found escaping. They managed to use a bomb on the Immortal's stronghold. They knew. I don't even know how but they knew." He kicked a plant in the corner of the room sending the dirt scattering all over the floor.

In an instant she was on her feet and easily she slipped her arms around the only father she had cared to know.

As her arms tightened around him the energy he had gotten from his anger was spent and he wilted in her embrace.

"Fifty one Buffy. Fifty one lives lost that I couldn't...."

"Don't you dare try to blame yourself for any of this Giles. You've done your job. It was mine to protect them if anyone is to blame it's me."

He grasped her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"You can't blame yourself Buffy."

"Sure I can just watch me. If I hadn't been so wrapped up in myself for the last four months maybe I would have noticed what was happening. Maybe I could have acted then."

"No."

"Um to which?"

"All of it. There is something I should have told you a while ago and now others have paid for my lack of foresight. Bring the others in here."

She cocked an eyebrow at him in confusion but nodded in agreement.

"What about Angel?"

"The slayers with him are still safe. I told him that I believe we need him here. He is on his way."

*******

With everyone assembled back in the living room she turned an interested eye at Giles.

"This may well be painful for everyone to hear and I regret that it has to be done. But I can no longer stand idly by why countless innocent lives hang in the balance."

She watched as Spike watched the older gentleman nervously. She raised an eyebrow at him but he ignored it.

"There is a prophecy....” the whole room groaned at his hard glare there was silence once again. "A prophecy I thought I would never see in my lifetime." He pulled an old piece of parchment out of his notebook. "I have been working on the translation for some time and only recently discovered that it may in fact be playing out." Some how he had managed to find his glasses and settled the now crooked frames back onto his face and read.

"The line of the chosen shall become split in twain
Until all that lay dormant are thrust forward.
The last shall be called never to feel time
To protect humanity until it finally breathes its last.
Two creatures chosen by her heart answered in deed
Neither human but carrying there essence
Shall stand shoulder to shoulder until blood mixes and cleanses
Sealing the deepest of wells that was pushed open
Freeing one to live again and chaining the other to her."

After the third sentence Buffy had stopped hearing the cryptic words. Never to feel time. Well she would definitely qualify there.

"Okay so I understand the first part, I mean its Buffy and than she died and we ended up with Faith after Kendra right?" Giles nodded. "So than what was it all that lay dormant are forward? That would be us making all the potentials into slayers."

"Yes indeed that would be the most logical interpretation. The next however I only recently discovered."

"What was that to never feel time? Maybe like time travel or traveling through dimensions. Or maybe portals?"

Buffy felt the stares from both Spike and Giles waiting and willing her to answer. Wait, Giles? He knew?

"When did you know?" her voice was small.

Willow and Xander looked quickly between the three people locked into each other’s gaze.

"Know what?" He was definitely missing something Xander could tell.

"Never to feel time, to never have time touch her? They mean the last of the chosen would be immortal." It was Spike of course who made her confront this. It was always him pushing her forward pulling her away from her self-denial and need to shelter her friends from ugly truths. She sighed guess now was a good a time as any.

"I hope you guys have saved some money cause I'm going to have to celebrate a whole lot of birthdays."

"What?"

"Me Xander I found out a few months ago. I'm not ever going to have to worry about dying again. "

Willow studied her seriously. "You mean it Buffy really I mean the living forever thing cause I mean that could be cool right the not worrying about dying thing a serious bonus."

"Yeah its true I'm like all Immortal Buffy all doin the slayage forever." She noticed that Xander and Wood were just staring at her now. Well they would have time to let it all sink in she supposed.

"If I may continue? The next obviously refers to Angel and Spike."

Willow nodded excited at her knowledge. "Both vampires mean neither is human but the essence would be their souls."

"Is that why you told Angel to come here?"

"Yes. If the prophecy is occuring we will need his participation."

"The Poofter is gracing us with his presence. Terrific."

"The last of it I have yet to understand all though I am told that the end of one being chained and the other to live is pretty straight forward."

"Vampire with a soul who gets to become human and another who spends eternity with said chosen bird." He looked nonchalant as he leaned against the wall. "Ripper read that other again."

"Shall stand shoulder to shoulder until blood mixes and cleanses sealing the deepest of wells that was pushed open."

"Bugger all. The deepest of wells I knew that was trouble. Peaches sure mucked up this time."

"What are you talking about Spike?"

"The eternal resting place of the old ones. The deeper well."

Chapter 21:

"I don't understand." Buffy shook her head.

"The Deeper Well. Maybe I should be startin' at the beginning then." He pushed himself off of the wall he was leaning on and began to pace. "Old ones you know last of the pure demons that walked the planet before they croaked. Place is full of tombs of the old ones goes right through the center of the bloody planet."

"How do you know this?"

"Because someone released one of them. Remember a phone call few months ago from Angel?"

Giles thought for a minute trying to bring up the memory. "He was looking for Willow."

"Me? Why would he have been trying to find me?"

"My idea Red. Thought you might be able to help a friend." He sighed then, the memory of losing Fred still cutting deeply. "Didn't matter in the end anyway. Long story short someone died and Illyria powerful demon king or god was set loose. Wesley managed to contain her power and she helped us when we were fighting."

"And the part about the Well being sealed after it was pushed open?"

"Another of Peaches' brilliant little ideas. Seems he killed the guardian as part of his little power struggle to get to the Black Thorn."

"Let me see if I understand all of this. I've been chosen as the last of the chosen ones to fight against some unyet named evil with Spike and Angel helping me to do some thing that involves blood to seal the Deeper Well and one of the two will become human and the other one gets to spend eternity with me fighting the good fight?"

"Yes I do believe that would be what it means."

"Terrific. It still doesn't help me find out who the hell has been doing all this or where Faith is." Buffy stood up strain evident on her face. "How long ago did you talk to Angel?"

Giles glanced at his watch. "About four hours ago."

"Did any of you get any sleep while we were gone?" The others nodded slowly. "Okay. Lets assume that the thing in charge is here in Cleveland because of all the Hellmouthy goodness. If he really has an army of demons and Vamps than he has to have some kind of base. Gotta be large and somewhere where they wouldn't draw a lot of attention. I think it would be a safe bet to think that would be where they're keeping Faith. Willow search the city records for abandoned buildings like warehouses and such. Try to narrow it down to where there isn't a lot of people around or where no one would pay any attention to their comings and goings." Willow nodded at her and headed out of the room. "Giles I think you need to do some serious digging and see if you can find more on this prophecy or maybe something about this ritual."

"Of course Buffy."

"Oh and don't think you and I aren't going to have a serious discussion about this later." He ducked his head and began to look through some of the books. "Xander you better give Giles a hand until we can scout out some of the locations Will gives us."

"And what are you going to do in the meantime?" Although he asked Buffy the question his eyes were on Spike.

"I'm going to try and get some sleep something tells me we don't have much time. I suggest both of you do the same."
She looked pointedly at Robin.

He mumbled something under his breath and began to head for the stairs. Buffy reached out and touched his arm causing him to turn around.

"I know you're worried and I don't blame you but I promise we will find her." He gave her a slight nod and headed up the stairs.

"I figure Angel will get here in just a couple of hours so wake me when he arrives." She turned then and headed for the bed that was screaming her name. She was exhausted.

Closing the door behind her she pulled off her shoes and flopped onto the mattress. Taking a deep breath she rested her head on the soft pillow praying silently that sleep would over take her soon. A soft knock on the door made her curse under her breath and she reopened her tired eyes. She noticed she had left the light on in her haste.

"It's open." She called softly.

The door cracked open and Spike peaked his head inside.

"Hate to disturb you pet but..."

"Spike will you just get in here all ready." She looked at how far away the light switch was. "And turn out the light will you?"

She caught the ghost of a smile that had touched his lips before he flicked the lights off. In the darkness she could hear the thud of his boots as he took them off and discarded them to the floor. Feeling the bed sag as he laid down she turned to her side letting him spoon into her from behind. The hardness of his chest behind her was complimented with the reassuring weight of his arm around her waist. She let her eyes drift closed for a moment drinking in the sensation of his closeness.

"Did you tell him or did he know?"

The words were so quiet Spike thought he imagined it at first.

"He knew."

"And the prophecy how long have you known?"

"Just since this afternoon."

She turned in his arms then her body pressed to his.

"When were you going to tell me?"

He looked down into her eyes even though he knew she would have a hard time seeing his in the dark. He drank in the beauty of her face.

"Tonight."

Her sigh was long and deep. "You know how I hate it when people keep stuff from me. Especially stuff like this. It's part of who I am."

"I know." It was all he could manage.

"Don't do it again." She tilted her head up and placed a small tender kiss on the side of his mouth. "I love you. Now go to sleep."

He watched her close her eyes. Again he didn't get the reaction he thought for sure would be forth coming. His little book of Buffy reactions was going through some serious rewrites. Could anyone really change this much where everything he thought he knew about this woman was being proven wrong in the space of a few days. Or is it possible that he never really knew her at all, that she had never given him the chance to see what she was really like until now.

"Luv?"

"Spike I'm really tired can't we just go to sleep now?" She didn't even open her eyes.

"In a minute."

Silently Buffy counted to ten trying to mask her frustration. "What's wrong?"

"Do you regret what happened tonight?"

Her eyes adjusting to the dark of the room now could make out the look of concern on his face. Seeing her gaze he turned his head away from her.

"How could you even think that?" She tried to keep the hurt out of her voice but she had a feeling that she failed miserably.

He ran a hand through his hair. "Do you?"

She sat up in the bed. "What is it you want exactly? I told you I love you. I do more than I thought it was possible to love anyone. So why would I regret letting you claim me as your mate and claiming you in return?"

He was sitting now as well but his eyes wouldn't meet hers. "Do you really understand what this means?"

"Spike no matter what Giles claims I did pay attention when he was talking. I also did research on many parts of vampire life mating rituals included." She felt her cheeks grow warm at the thought of the books she and Willow had found at the back of Giles' office. Probably was a little more information than her Watcher had intended for her to learn.

She touched his arm letting his cool skin warm beneath her touch. "I understand. I agreed to take you as my mate for eternity Spike. Now why would that be something I would regret?"

"You just mated yourself to a vampire. You're the Slayer it isn't right. I should never have done it."

She drew her hand back from him quickly like she had been burned. "Oh so that's it you regret it happened." She got up and stood next to the bed. "I thought we were past all of this." She made her way around the bed to stand in front of him. "Tell me why I was wrong to do what I did. Explain it to me using small words so I don't get confused." Buffy hated the sarcasm she could hear dripping from her words but he was pushing her over that edge. The place where only he could send her.

"I just reacted and I wasn't thinking clearly."

"Fine then you do regret it. Great wonderful let me reverse time for you then and we can take it back just so you feel better. Is that what you want? I should have known any real commitment and Buffy sends them tearing for the hills." She barked out a hysterical laugh. "Got to admit it though you sure had me fooled. I thought for a second that you might just be as different as you said you were. Well let me tell you something. I. Don't. Regret. Anything. Got that? Not a damn thing."

She turned her back to him and took a few steps towards the door. She let her mind wander to the feelings in the claim. Feeling the doubt and insecurity he was trying to block from flowing to her. Stopping herself she let the fear and frustration his words had brought her be squashed by sudden need to let him know how much she knew what she was doing. Listening to what her instincts told her she opened herself up fully to him letting everything she was flow back to him.

Spike knew he was pushing her, hurting her while he questioned her heart. He couldn't help it this was all so new. Their feelings had just started to blossom between them and he had let himself get carried away and complicated things. They were supposed to be taking it slow and getting to really know each other and he had claimed her in a night’s time.

His thoughts were such a jumble all at once. He didn't know whether he was coming or going at this point and while he had heard the words she had spoken here in the quiet of this darkened room he couldn't let the sprouting bud of hope to grow in his heart. Maybe she did understand the principal of a claiming but that didn't mean she understood everything that went along with it. The part of her that made her The Slayer, just not a slayer among many, couldn't have wanted this. It was bad enough that she had feelings for him but to mate and link herself to him forever. No way was that something the light part of her could accept. Sure she was all hugs and puppies right now but when everything finally set in he was sure that it would crush her beautiful spirit.

He had tried of course to block most of what he was feeling from flowing into the bond that they were now sharing but he was still adapting to it. It was more encompassing than the Sire/Childe bond he had shared with Dru. He hadn't had trouble mastering the art of walling his feelings off from her or vice versa, course it had been more for his own protection than hers considering how often her fragile state of mind sent her emotions spinning violently. This was harder though he knew he was straining mentally to keep up the barrier between them. He didn't want her to feel the doubt or confusion he was feeling but especially the fear he had buried deep inside him the one where she would think that all of this had been a mistake.

The room had become oppressively silent weighing down the air around them. His inner thoughts were interrupted by a gently nagging in the tiniest corners of his mind. He felt himself drawn to the sensation and reached for it with his mind still not letting his guard down.

She stood there in the silence opening herself up to him laying her heart bare for him to see. Knowing this was a huge risk to her but he had always taken care of her heart and she had to trust him to do that now. She just wanted to show him the truth that she held inside of herself. He had to see for himself the trust, the caring and all the love held inside of her for him. If she could make him see she knew that it would alleviate his every worry keep in check the negative thoughts that always seem to creep in-between them. So still she waited not pushing against his tightly held shield letting him feel secure behind the fences he had put up.

Pushing other thoughts from his mind he focused on what he was sensing from the small woman who stood several feet away from him. He gasped at how she had just opened herself completely to him letting him into every nook and cranny of her being. The things he found there amazed him. He felt the fear and concern she felt for Faith, the love she felt for her friends and her sister, the hurt from the words he had spoken just a few moments ago. Inside of it all he could feel the trust she had in him, how much she had come to care for him after all these years, and most importantly how much she loved him. He was wrong. Right then and there he knew he had been wrong to ever doubt the fact that the love she felt wasn't real, that it just a dream she had held onto while she thought he was dead. It wasn't that at all and he could see it all now clear as day. The walls he had carefully constructed started to crumble he couldn't hold them up any longer.

Buffy could feel the blockage begin to fall away as his guard began to drop. She had felt him there of course and knew he saw her completely. It wasn't something she would have been able to do with words.

"Spike?" His name was barely a breath on her lips. She hadn't moved, her back still facing him and her feet pointed at the door.

"Buffy." He breathed her name along a sad sigh.

"Ask me again." It was a demand spoken on the wings of a whisper. An urging of the gentlest nature to finalize what was seen and felt into words.

"Do you." his voice broke as he tried to push the words into the air around them. "Do you regret...?" His voice had shaken again and he wasn't going to try to pretend that it was easy for him to ask his now asinine question.

"No." A simple statement of fact. Something held so true it was cemented into the center of her very being. Now she turned to face him the darkness hiding his features from her. "Do you regret making me your mate?" Her words were strong and even measured with the belief she held.

"No." For what the word lacked in volume it more than made up for in conviction. He loved her every single part of her that she was willing to share with him. And now he had seen all of her could it be possible for him to love her more then he did before. Somehow he knew that he did that the willingness she had to flay herself open in such a way for him was nothing short of an earth shattering experience. She was holding nothing back for the first time.

"So so sorry luv. Just a stupid vampire." He held his arms out to her, a welcoming gesture, a silent plea to her heart.

She climbed onto the bed and let herself be wrapped into his strong arms. He held her close her head tucked under his chin keeping her body tight against his.

After a moment she pulled her head back slightly to look into his face and ran a hand gently in his hair.

"Do you get it now?" Her words were soft but urgent needing to know for certain.

He couldn't think of the words so he answered her the only other way he knew how. His lips claimed hers in a kiss that scorched her insides. It was passionate and yet gentle, taking her fully but giving in return. Her own mouth answered touching and caressing his, soothing his emotions yet stirring his blood. The soft slide of their lips grew in intensity each fiery touch demanding for them to become closer still.

Buffy needed to touch him, to feel his cool flesh under her teasing fingers and began to draw the shirt he was wearing over his head. Pulling it free she balled it up and threw it across the room forgotten once the fabric left the tips of her digits. She let her hands move over his well-muscled torso slowly savoring every twitch he had at her slightest touch. Across his sinewy back, over his well developed chest, down the perfectly sculpted abs and then across his waistband. She felt a giddy sense of euphoria at the sudden gasp he took as her hands ran back and forth just under the fabric.

Spike savored the taste of her slowly drinking it from her warm luscious lips. Reluctantly he parted from them brushing his lips down her jaw to follow the curve of her neck. He felt lost in the sensation of her scent, her warmth and her love. His hands were moving slowly up from her waist, over her flat stomach until his hands reached for her perfect breasts. The feel of the cotton under his skin was too much of a barrier and he pulled it off. Unhooking her bra from behind he tossed it away finally able stroke her golden skin. His hands cupped her mounds letting their weight rest in his palms his thumbs grazing her nipples. She arched closer to him wanting more of his touch her body surrendering to the sensations he brought her.

Turning himself in his seated position he softly laid her down onto her back while he followed with his own body. His lips and tongue left a cool path down her neck, into the dip of her collarbone, down the valley between her breasts, circling around and over until his mouth sucked eagerly on the tight pert nipple.

She wove her fingers into his hair bringing his head closer to her chest gasping as his mouth sent shivers of pleasure up and down her spine. Pulling his head upwards she claimed his mouth in another kiss the power of which caused both to moan. His hands dipped now to the top of her pants untying the drawstring of the sweats she had donned not too long ago. Tugging at the fabric he moved away slightly as the sweats came away leaving her in just a scrap of lace. Unable to keep away for long his lips found her body again and kissed and licked their way over her stomach stopping just at the edge of her thong. Hooking his thumbs into the fabric he brought it down slowly over her legs. He stood for a moment taking a second to shed the last of his clothing letting it fall to the floor.

She gazed at his lean body, his alabaster skin a contrast to the darkness in the room, shadows filling in the hard planes of his form making him look like some statue of a Greek god. To her he was beautiful, the masterwork of the male form here in all of its glory, belonging to her and her alone. The predatory smile that graced her full lips was unbidden. She crooked her finger, motioning him closer. When he shook his head at her she immediately pouted her bottom lip thrust out. In answer he grinned brightly. Crawling over her body slowly he paused his face hovering over her. Unable to resist he took her bottom lip and began to suck on it tugging sensually at it. Moving back he smiled again at the dreamy look that replaced her little pout and continued to move back until he was seated near her feet. Leaning forward he trailed his tongue along her stomach and let it dip into her belly button for a moment before gliding lower until he reached the sweet nectar of her sex.

Buffy moaned as his tongue probed and teased her folds, sipping at her, drinking her in. Her head turned from side to side as
He licked her swollen clit. Sucking the throbbing bundle of nerves, pushing against it with his tongue, nipping gently with blunt teeth, she could feel the warm tingling at the base of her being growing in intensity. She panted so close to the edge feeling herself starting to teeter. Turning her head into the pillow she bit down on it to muffle the scream that was pushing past her lips as the orgasm tore through her body. Her hips bucked held in place by his large hands as he lapped at her devouring her greedily. As her trembling subsided he let her go his head coming up to her again kissing her deeply. Tasting herself on his lips she felt the desire rushing through her system again. Wrapping her legs around his lean waist she grabbed his shoulders, using her strength she flipped them over so that she lay on top of him.

His eyes locked with hers adoration pouring silently through them both. Settling upright she guided him into her entrance letting him fill her inch-by-inch. Their movements were unhurried as both sought to savor the pleasure of their joining. Riding him with fluid grace he watched fascinated as her head dropped back, eyes closed at the intense look of joy that was on her face. Bodies straining to keep their torturous pace they began to move together faster seeking their ultimate release.

Unable to help himself he flipped them both back over increasing the power of his thrusts. The sounds of their flesh meeting and their heavy panting filling the room. Looking deep into her eyes he could feel her body tensing signaling that she was close, neither was able to look away, and he could feel his own orgasm rushing to meet him. Dipping his head he whispered nonsensical words of love and devotion into her ear letting them tumble from his lips. As she started to shake his lips took hers and muffled the yell that tore from her throat and the answering roar from him. Finally spent he collapsed on top of her limp form panting even if he didn't need to catch his breath. Getting himself under control he reluctantly moved to her side pulling her close to him.

Wrapped in his arms, she let her head rest on his chest for a moment before managing to maneuver a blanket over them. Looking up at him she placed a warm hand to his cheek and looked into the blue eyes of the man she loved.

"I love you." She settled herself back into his body and closed her eyes letting sleep to overtake her tired body.

"Love you Buffy." The whisper was barely out of his mouth before his own heavy eyelids drifted closed and sleep stole him away.

Chapter 22:

The faint sound of the doorbell was enough to stir Buffy from the light slumber she had allowed herself. She took another half second revelling in the feel of his embrace before she moved. Walking away she grabbed her clothes to get dressed as a light tap came from the door.

"Buffy?"

"I'm up Wills be out in a sec." She called softly looking over at Spike as she fastened her jeans.

Blue eyes gazed at her thoughtfully.

"Coming?"

Minutes later they were both dressed and once again standing in the living room. Buffy looked at Wood and noticed how exhausted he appeared. Probably didn't get much rest and she couldn't blame him. Her gaze fixed on the tall quiet figure in the center of the room. Angel didn't look like he had gotten any rest either and she could swear he was broodier than normal, which would be quite a feat. She also didn't fail to recognize the open hostility her ex was showing towards Giles. There was something going on there but was at a loss as to what it was.

She walked over to him opening her arms in a welcoming gesture and hugged him. It was a friendly hug no overt gestures from either party so it was a little suprising to hear the low growl come from the corner of the room. Buffy turned to Spike her eyebrow raised in a silent question. He gave her a noncommital shrug.

"It's good to see you Angel."

"You too Buffy." His eyes narrowed and raked over her critically. "So you're cookies already? You didn't spend a lot of time in the oven."

She felt the curious stares focus on the two of them.

"Um guys could you excuse us for a minute?" Buffy turned and headed towards the kitchen. She spun around as she entered the room looking at the two males. She watched as Angel grabbed Spike by the arm.

"You claimed her?" There was a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Spike yanked his arm away from the taller vamp his eyes flashing yellow for a moment.

"Don't play dumb with me you big poof. You knew the second it happened."

"You knew? How?" Her arms were folded over her chest waiting for an answer.

He looked the blonde pair up and down seeing the glare from Spike and the tension radiating off of Buffy. Then he did something he rarely did, Angel sighed.

"I didn't know for sure."

"How?" She asked again.

"Familial bond pet. Peaches and I aren't close anymore but he can feel it when someone joins the family. Specially someone as strong as you."

"But you weren't sure until now. What changed?"

"I figured it out when I stepped into the house." Angel tapped his nose gently.

"You mean? Oh that is still gross and did I mention ewww?" Her nose scrunched up in distaste.

"How could you do this? How could you let yourself be claimed by William the Bloody?" His turn on her shocked her momentarily making her forget that she had wanted to spare his feelings.

"I didn't let myself..." The hard edge to her words cutting him down. "This was a mutual thing Angel or don't you get that. I love Spike. Period. End of discussion on the subject."

"But Captain Peroxide? The Bleached Wonder? You love him?" His tone was incredulous unable to believe the simple fact.

Angel's attention was focused on the little blonde woman in front of him and he failed to notice the way Spike's hands had curled into tight fists by his side.

"Is this the part where you try to tell me he's evil, he can't be trusted and the second I turn my back he'll turn on me? Save it. I had enough of that years ago." She gave Angel a hard glare. "He is a good man. A man with a demon yes but he controls it. In fact he was a good man before he went and got his soul back. Not many around here that can say that."

His head hung at her strong words.

"Look Angel I know this hurts you and I'm sorry. I really am. I should have been able to tell you when you came to Sunnydale but I didn't have the words then. I do now. I love him." Her voice held a plea of understanding.

Spike was pissed. Actually he was passed pissed and was steadily making his way to furious. How had Angel gone from complete understanding in L.A. to being the stubborn git he was here? It didn't make a bit of sense and for once he was glad that Buffy had taken control of the conversation. All he wanted to do now was pummel the bastard.

Angel looked back and forth between the determined face of the woman he loved to the angry glint in his grande childe's eyes. He was confused. Buffy actually loving Spike had never crossed his mind. Sure she had said that he was in her heart but so were her other friends and that didn't equal love. She cared and he got that, he really did. But loving him? It wasn't possible in his mind. Yet truth be told Cordelia had been right about him. The love he thought he had felt for Buffy had shifted and changed over the years. Where before his whole world had centered on her, now she was just out on the sidelines still there but not vital. It wasn't the undying love he had thought.

"The Buffy I knew would never have fallen in love with him." He mumbled.

There it was then. She had known that he had always considered her something to be placed on a pedastal, someone who was above every thing and was innocent and pure. It was frustrating that he hadn't changed his view, learned that she had grown, that she too had changed as the years had passed.

"I haven't been that Buffy for a long time Angel."

"I don't know if that's a good thing."

That was it. He'd finally driven him over that line drawn in the sand. Past the point where his control slipped and his demon demanded blood. No one, not even the Poofter was ever going to say anything negative to his mate. She was his, just as he was hers.

Faster than a blink Spike had him by the throat, backed against the kitchen counter. He let a low rumbling growl echo through the room.

A gentle hand on his arm stopped him from using his strength to crush the neck in his grasp. He looked questioningly at her.

"It's alright Spike." Her voice was warm and gentle.

He didn't let go and he refused to back away from the asshole. He was lucky that the woman was so forgiving. He was sure that he wasn't.

"We really don't have time for this Angel. What exactly is wrong with you?"

Angel tried to suck in a little air so he could make his vocal cords work. It wasn't that easy considering the amount of pressure that was coming from Spike's hand.

"I don't know."

Disgusted Spike dropped his hold and took a few steps back.

"Cheerleader was right wasn't she? Jealous much?" Spike leered his tongue curled behind his teeth.

His glare at the platinum blonde didn't go unnoticed by Buffy.

"Are we back to that again?" She shook her head, disgusted by the immature vamps. "You know it's hard to believe how old the two of you really are. How is it that I'm the only adult in this room?" She turned and smiled at her mate. "Spike could you give us a minute?"

The hurt flashed in his eyes quickly before being hidden by the false bravado he carried around. She smiled reassuringly at him.

"It's okay Spike." She reached up and kissed his cheek tenderly.

Spike nodded, sensing her love through their bond and gaining confidence through the feeling. "Alright luv. Gonna go talk to your watcher see what he's dug up."

When he had left she returned her glare at Angel.

"So you want to explain the caveman act or are you just gonna club me over the head?"

"You really love him?"

"Yes."

"And you returned the claim?"

"Yes."

At her simple word his whole demeanour changed and he slumped against the counter. It was probably the only thing holding him up.

"Angel I know this is hard for you. But I know that this is what's right for me. I've never felt as complete as I do right now and I wouldn't change it for the world."

His eyes met hers as he tried to gauge her feelings. It was there he could see it, the light that danced in her hazel depths. The happiness she never had with him.

"I'm sorry Buffy. You're happy and that's what matters." He smiled sadly.

"You do mean that don't you? Cause really I don't have the energy to keep the two of you seperated for long."

"I mean it. Doesn't mean I like it a whole lot, but you're right he has changed and even if I don't think he deserves you, he's what you want."

She gave a disdainful snort. "He does. He's gone through a lot Angel. Any other man or demon for that matter would have broken years ago if they had even faced a tiny scrap of what he did. He pushed through it and became the man no one thought he could be. I don't deserve him." With that she turned and walked to join the others.

******

"There wasn't very much written about the ritual that I could find. The only mentions of it are vague and open to interpetation. I'm afraid we don't have much time however. The book mentions something about the alignment of certain planets."

"And that would be when?" Wood's voice was frayed from worry and exhaustion.

"Tomorrow at the latest." Giles was pinching the bridge of his nose.

"So we have like one night to figure all this out, find the bad guys, rescue Faith, and stop whatever this thing is from ending the world? Seems like old times. Too bad I didn't miss them."

"Unfortunately you are quite correct Xander." Giles groaned. "Please tell me I didn't just say that."

"Can't take it back now G-man."

"What about locations Wills?" She finished walking into the room and leaned against her vampire.

His arms circled her appreciatively as he watched the Poof shuffle into the room.

"There were a lot of places. I tried narrowing them down but since most are in a deserted area of the city there wasn't much to go on. Oh but I did find out that there have been a rash of neck injuries in just the last two months and maulings by wild animals are up too. Most of the attacks were near that part of town. So they have to be there somewhere right?"

"So what's the plan Buff?"

"We need to get going now. There's not enough time for us to figure this out." She looked at the clock on the wall noting that the sun wouldn't be setting for a long while. "Xander, Giles you guys are with me. Wills see if doing a locator spell will help but I have a feeling they might have it sheilded, and see if you can pull up the blue prints for those buildings. Wood I want you to stay here with Spike and Angel. You guys can join us as soon as we figure out exactly where they are and how many of them we're up against."

She could feel Spike start to tense as if he was getting ready to protest the idea.

"You guys have to stay here sun's still out. In the meantime look over what Giles has found. See if maybe there's something us humans are missing concerning the ritual. Alright let's get going."

Chapter 23:

She had just reached for her coat not waiting to see if the others had begun to make their own way to the door when all hell finally broke loose.

The front wall of the house seemed to explode before their eyes, glass and shards of wood spraying the air. The dust billowed inwards coating them in fine drywall powder. Buffy squinted trying to see through the bright haze noticing that at least the sun was only high enough to light the front part of the room. The thundering footsteps she heard told her that for once the fight had come to her.

The Cameria were great lumbering beasts but they were awfully fast. Faster then things that big and ugly ought to be. She wished she had a weapon in her hands as they entered the house. There were lots of them Buffy could tell maybe fifteen or so and she didn't think this was going to be good.

At the back of the room both Angel and Spike had twisted themselves away from the splintered wood that was propelled towards them and instinctively ducked as the light entered the room. They watched as Buffy quickly dropped into a fighting stance taking on the rushing pack. They noticed the humans in the room searching around trying to find a weapon of any sort.

Xander had made it finally to the weapons chest in the corner of the room. He pulled out a short sword.

"BUFFY!" he yelled as he tossed the sword to her waiting hand.

For once their timing was impeccable, the sword landing in her hand as the first demon reached her. She swung in a high arc, the blade slicing through its neck.

Xander managed to toss a dagger to Spike as he dodged the Cameria closest to him. Using his body to twist around the demon he shoved the dagger through its eye and up into its brain.

Buffy concentrated now, keeping her eyes on the three demons in front of her and noticing that five of them were standing outside in the sunlight. So that was their plan it seemed, the controlling demons staying outside and sending their doubles in to fight. She was the only one who would be able to take them on outside and they had known. She was debating on the next move she was going to take, feeling her body tense at the encroaching Camerias. It was the sound of their footsteps crunching in the debris lying on the floor of the living room that made her realize that there were no sounds of fighting around her. In fact the room was deathly silent and that just wasn't right.

She risked looking around the room, sweeping her gaze from right to left slightly behind her. Willow was unconcious on the floor, her head resting against the wall. Xander was bent over her, his hands gently touching her face and a Cameria holding a sword against his back.

Next she saw Angel with his back against the wall, a stake pointed at his heart. His face was a blank mask not telling her what he was thinking.

Passing him she saw Giles down on his knees a sword held to his throat. Unlike Angel his face showed a barely checked fury at his current perdicament.

Spike was on the other side of Giles' position a demon holding him up by the neck his toes just barely touching the floor. Her eyes caught his and she could see the worry in their depths and she knew it was for her and not about his current position.

Robin was last and the most humiliated it would seem as his throat was under the foot of another Cameria. She dared not meet his eyes knowing that the pain he was feeling at this latest hurt couldn't compare to the fact that they were now derailed in the attempt to find Faith.

Her eyes swiveled again to the front and her brow furrowed as she took in the three in front of her. There was no way that she could take down all three and make a move on the five that were outside before the others killed her family. Oh this sucked royally and she wasn't prepared to lie to herself that there was a good way out of this for them.

With a sigh she dropped her sword to her side.

"What do you want?"

"Why you of course." the voice that answered her didn't come from any of the people or demons in the house. And it hadn't come from the five just outside the destroyed wall either. It seemed to be echoing through the walls surrounding her. Great a magic voice. This really wasn't getting any better.

"Well I'm right here and you have my attention so talk."

The voice chuckled. It was cold and hollow, the sound of it chilling her more than the breeze she felt from outside.

"Soon, once you have joined me."

"And my friends?"

"They are of no consequence to me."

"Then let them go."

"Come with us willlingly and I shall release them."

"And if I don't?"

She heard a gasp and turned to see a bright red drop of blood form on Giles' throat.

"Yeah I get it." She dropped the sword and it landed with a slight thump against the carpet. "So where we going?"

The protests in the room were to many for her to single out.

"Let me have a moment please."

"Of course."

She turned to face the others as they gaped at her.

"Find Faith. Do what you have to. I'll be alright." She could feel the reluctant acceptance of the situation as it traveled around the room. Her eyes met each of the men in turn letting them know she knew exactly what she was doing, wanting them to understand it was the only choice. Each set held their own look of worry and she acknowledged each in turn. Lastly she locked her eyes onto Spike's letting her love for him and a soothing encouragement flow through the bond.

She dragged her eyes away reluctantly and faced the demons again.

"Well lead away." She was flippant but was soon worried when what could have only been a portal opened up just outside the house. The demon closest to her gave her a slight nudge in its direction and she set her jaw. She took a deep breath and walked forward until she was just in front of the portal. Hesitantly she took a step and walked in. Behind her she could feel the five controlling demons walk in behind her.

Spike watched as Buffy disappeared into the swirling mass of energy followed closely by the five Cameria that had been on the lawn. As soon as they had all stepped in it closed around them with a slight popping noise. He was relieved when the hand around his neck began to loosen and he could stand on the floor. He watched as the remaining demons vanished from the room leaving the Scoobies alone now minus two slayers.
 

Chapter 24:

For a moment none of them moved all too transfixed by the sight of Buffy disappearing in front of them. Each man was lost in his own thoughts fear and worry etching all of their features.

The slight moan from the remaining woman in the room drew their attention back to the present.

"Red alright?"

"She got a nasty bump on the head but I think yeah."

"Right then."

"I can't believe she went with them." Woods voice was quiet and rough, the demon's weight apparently not good for the vocal cords.

The other four men decided to ignore the comment each of them knowing that she wouldn't have made any other choice.

Willow moaned again this time her eyes fluttering open.

"What happened?" She tried to sit up but winced at the pain in her head.

"Oh you know. Bunch of demons crashed in knocked us around a bit." Xander smiled warmly at her. "Same as usual."

"Are you alright Willow?"

"I'm fine Giles. Just you know kind of headache-y. Where's Buffy?"

Angel cleared his throat. "They took her."

Her eyes swept over the men in the room. She took in the lines on their faces, the gloomy disposition in the room settling into her bones.

"Where?"

"Don't know Red. Popped into some kind of portal."

"Ooohhh! That's good!" Her sudden excitement made everyone else stare hard at her. Taking in their reaction she smiled. "Well not good in the sense that she's gone or anything but a portal is good."

"Why is that?" Spike didn't think anything that had happened in the last few moments could be good.

"I can trace it. See it takes really powerful magic to open a portal and I can follow it to where it came from. Its like that kind of magic has its own kind of individuality. Kind of like a signature."

"Why didn't I think of that?" There was despair in Giles' voice.

"Do you think she was taken to the same place as Faith?"

"Do the spell Red and then the locator spell she asked you to perform."

Xander offered her a hand and she took it gratefully using the leverage to get to her feet.

********

She felt a bit nauseated as she took a step forward from the blinding light around her. It was hard to get her eyes to adjust to the darkened area they were now in. The demons behind her shoved her forward again and she stumbled a bit before continuing to walk. Her tinglies were in overdrive now becoming almost painful. She hadn't felt the presence of this many vamps and demons since she had been in the hellmouth with all those ubervamps. Somehow this situation wasn't getting any easier to deal with.

Her eyes were starting to adjust a bit and she could see that she was in a cavernous room. It was not just dark but it smelled musty and she could feel the dust clogging her breathing as she walked along. Her shoes thumped on what sounded like a hardwood floor. She could make out the weak thin rays of light that tried to enter the room through what must be long boarded up windows.

She must have hesitated taking the next step judging from the push she got from behind. Buffy fought the urge to turn around and glare at the demon. Now was no time to lose her temper. Instead she forced herself to take deep even breaths.

They turned to the right down a narrow passage way and she let her senses out once again. The intensity of her spidey sense seemed to drop a bit meaning they had left the largest group of demons behind them. That awareness instead of being comforting was making her a tad nervous. It meant that whoever this was that had brought her here was unconcerned about her approach.

Still she held her tongue and continued to walk her steps thudding softly on the worn carpeting.

Near the end of the corridor the demons in front of her stopped and she stepped in front of the open door. The room was large though not nearly as big as the room she had first come in was. There were a few demons and vamps maybe six walking around and looking at a couple of computers. A part of her noticed this and filed the information away for later.

Mostly she just noticed the figure hanging from some chains on the far wall.

"Hey B 'bout time you showed up." Faith's voice was quiet and a bit rough and Buffy could see the trail of dried blood on her forehead.

"You know me I like to make an entrance. You okay?"

"Five by five B." Faith gave her a little smirk and Buffy returned it. Both of them knew the odds they were facing.

"So any word on who's behind all this?" Buffy asked as she was pushed into the room from behind.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

***********

Angel had pulled Spike into the kitchen supposedly to keep both of them out of the sun. Spike knew better. Sure they had brought all the research materials and placed them on the island but neither was as of yet pouring over the books. Instead they kind of just stared at each other in silence.

He really couldn't make himself care. Right now the woman he loved had been taken from him and the only thought he had was getting her back. And making whoever took her pay in pain and blood. So he was hardly going to be paying attention to his Grandsire.

Unfortunately Angel had other ideas as usual.

"What the hell were you thinking claiming her?" The harsh tone of Angel's voice was enough for Spike to let loose the rage he'd checked earlier combined with the helplessness he felt with Buffy's exit.

"Get over it you great brooding git. It's done now Slayer's my mate. Got more important things to do then talk to you about it." He snarled at Angel unable to contain the demon flashing in his eyes.

"Normally I would agree with you." The words made both vampires turn sharply and see Giles walk into the room. "However I don't think anyone mentioned this to me."

The words themselves were hard and cold and Spike had to keep from flinching at the look in the watcher's eyes. Suddenly Spike remembered every threat the Englishman had ever tossed his way. The memories weren't very comforting. Spike understood just how deadly dear old Rupert really was underneath that calm British exterior he liked to maintain.

He took a deep breath and sent out a slight prayer to anyone who would listen that he survive the next few minutes without turning to dust.

"Buffy and I are mated Rupes. Just happened last night. Don't think it was a secret just didn't have the right moment to let everyone know."

Giles seemed to consider the words for a moment before taking his glasses off and giving them a good polish.

"Dear Lord." He shook his head slightly. "Well I suppose now would be a good time as any to ask what you can sense through the bond."

" 'S not like the movies Watcher. Can't tell where she is only that she's alive and if she has any strong emotions. Isn't an all encompassing psychic link."

"Right. Well than I suppose we should get to work then."

*********

Willow looked up from the flash on the map quietly pleased with herself. The locator spell was a bust of course like Buffy knew it would be but she was right trailing the origin of the magic from the portal was a piece of cake.

"Traced it did you?" She lifted her eyes to Spike's.

"Yeah. It seems to be an old abandoned hotel. That's where the magic came from at least. Buffy was right the place is shielded from simple magicks like locator spells. They just didn't think of a tracer spell."

"So we just ride in and save the Buffster and Faith?" Xander asked as he got up from the lonely chair that had survived the fight.

"Unfortunately that may be a little fool hardy. There is still the matter of the ritual to consider." Giles stated as he and Angel joined the rest of the group.

"Which we can't do without Buffy." Wood mumbled.

"That would be a problem yes. However we are lacking in information. We don't know who or even what has taken both Buffy and Faith or for what purpose."

"Doesn't matter Rupes. Haven't got much of an option left. Time's wastin'."
 

Chapter 25:

There were a few times in Buffy's life that she could think of when she'd been bound in chains. None of them were good. And usually she was rescued before the final plot was about to happen.

Well except for that one time with Spike.

She never could understand what made him think that chaining her up next to his ho of a Sire would be a good idea. No sane woman would ever consider it the most ideal romantic setting for a declaration of love. Of course one only had to look at the woman he had been with for a hundred and twenty years and bam there's the answer.

Right now thoughts of her vampire were the only thing keeping her sane. Not that she felt that her life was threatened. Nope not with the immortality clause that she'd been sporting for the last year. No she was worried about what they intended to do to her without the death. And she had to admit she was more then a little worried about Faith. She wasn't in the same situation.

It was hard for her to deal with the thought that people she cared about were going to die. She'd never dealt well with death be it someone on the fringes of their group like Jenny had been or people like Anya or Tara that she'd been close too. Let alone the kind of emotional shut down she found herself in when it was someone like her mom and Spike.

She'd be so lost without him in her life. Had been already. His second death nearly killed her inside. Sure her body no matter what would keep on living but her heart. They say you can't die from a broken heart Buffy was willing to bet that you could come damn close.

Such musings were doing little to get either her or Faith out of their current predicament. She was bound at the wrists by manacles the chains connecting them secure in the wall behind her. Faith was bound similarly and even with Slayer strength the steel was impossible to break. She had a feeling they weren't just ordinary chains.

They had been left alone once the demons had finished securing her. That had been quite a while ago. Now the anxiety was rushing in to take the place of her fading adrenaline.

"Any ideas?" The darker Slayer turned her head and her brown eyes met Buffy's.

"Um I have to say no. You?"

Faith shook her head side to side.

Buffy opened her mouth to speak again but stopped when someone walked into the room.

She turned her head to take a look at the newcomer and her mouth dropped open in surprise.

**********

The men were all silent as they rode in Spike's car. Angel Giles and Wood were all riding with him to the spot in the industrial area that Willow had found. None of them were willing to discuss what they thought was going to happen once they arrived at their destination and none of them were willing to think about the danger both Slayers were probably in.

Spike drove down the city streets not at the speed limit but not too fast either trying not to lose the car behind him. He checked his mirrors again seeing enough to catch the determined look on Xander's face as he drove. Willow sat beside him Spike knew concentrating on whatever she needed to gather whatever powers she may have to call upon.

He realized just how foolish this really was. Anyone who could effectively launch a world wide attack wasn't someone who didn't have an army guarding their front door. The odds were not in their favor. They were in a helpless situation and he was unsure how they were going to get out of this one.

It surprised him to realize that he was brooding. He wasn't the brooder in the family that was the poof's job. Determinedly he thrust all his distressing thoughts away. Right now he just needed to concentrate on getting his mate back.

****************

"You son of a bitch. How the hell did you get away?"

A slight chuckle only infuriated her further.

"It's amazing just how much chaos one can generate with just the right amount of magic." The lightly accented voice made her grit her teeth.

"I can't believe even you would stoop this low Ethan."

"Well that my dear would depend on your point of view. From my vantage point things are quite different."

In the years since she had seen Ethan Rayne he had changed little. A little gray in his hair maybe a few lines around his eyes but for the most part Giles' old buddy was still the same. His sure steps brought him into her personal space stopping only when they were separated by mere inches.

She gave him a hard glare refusing to let him intimidate her.

"Oh yeah and how's that?"

The slight chuckle grated on her nerves. "Come now my dear. Surely you see the predicament both of you are in."

She had no answer for that of course. The way both of them were bound and the fact that they were trapped in a building with hundreds of demons without any weapons. Well she knew that there wasn't a way out of this easily.

Ethan seemed to take her silence in stride though.

"But if I was you I wouldn't fret. There are big plans for you in the works young lady." He gave a slight nod in Faith's direction. "Luckily for your friend here the Master has decided to change her fate a bit."

"So what now you're just a lackey? Finally realize that your plans seem to go a bit kablooey?" She didn't know why she was taunting the sorcerer but she couldn't help it. Besides after watching Giles kick his ass more than once she was fairly certain she could take him. It was just more difficult since she was chained up.

The brief look of fury in the man's eyes told her she had struck close to home but he covered the emotion quickly.

"Let's just say that I've realized the importance of having powerful allies. Something I'm sure you know all about. Pity it won't help you much now." Neither girl responded verbally but shot him twin looks full of hate instead. "Now now no need to get all huffy ladies. Instead perhaps it was time we got started don't you think?"

Buffy didn't respond as she watched the door open behind him.

**********

Spike gathered with the others in the shade of an alley across the street from what should have been an abandoned hotel. So far they hadn't seen anyone coming or going through the front door but now that he was so close he could feel it. There were a very large number of demons in the area.

They had been standing around for quite a few minutes none of them talking.

What they needed was a plan. Unfortunately it looked like the others didn't have any ideas either.

"This is stupid." Xander blurted out making a super tense Willow jump a bit.

Spike gave him a shrug. "You got any better ideas Harris?"

"Well no." He replied sheepishly. "But standing out here isn't helping either."

"If we go in now the surprise would work in our favor." Wood added.

"Yeah for like thirty seconds." Angel said as he glanced back at the silent building. "There's got to be hundreds of demons in there."

"Unfortunately we seem to be out of choices." Giles took off his glasses and slipped them into his coat pocket. "Whatever they are planning is inconsequential we need to perform that ritual tonight. And we need Buffy to do so."

Willow pursed her lips together thoughtfully for a moment.

"Do you think that Spike and Angel could like just slip in being vamps and all? Do you think the guards would let them past?"

Spike looked seriously into Angel's eyes for a moment seeing the determination bleed into them.

"Would be suicide mate."

"Probably." Angel agreed.

Spike nodded in acknowledgement.

"We're in Red."

"And what are we going to do?" Xander asked not really wanting to run into the thick of things but not wanting to be left out of trying to rescue his friend.

"You and Wood here just be ready to rush in and pull Faith out. Peaches and me'll get to Buffy."

"I can still talk to you telepathically." Willow said hesitantly. "Maybe Giles and I can set up some kind of distraction."

"Of course Willow. Perhaps we should get started then?" Giles asked looking more like he wanted to rush in there in himself than stay behind.

"Last chance Rupert. You sure there isn't something else we should know about this thing we're supposed to do?"

"I regret that I'm just as much in the dark as you are about this Spike." Spike didn't need to look at the man to hear the trepidation for Buffy in his voice.

"Well after you." He gestured Angel forward for the short run to the front doors of the hotel.