Title: Leaving Home (Chapter Twenty-eight of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com . Also, please visit the wonderful fan listing that Rachel put together. Sign up today and link to your website (or just sign up to say hi!). The fan listing can be found at .

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Buffy and Spike prepare for patrol. Giles puts the plan to protect the children into action and Anya comes to the rescue. Draconius and Luke discover that they have a new problem to contend with. Meanwhile, Spike thinks that Buffy is back to normal. Or is she?

Leaving Home
Buffy dressed in silence as he sat on the bed, watching. Black leather pants. Black blouse with a black tank top underneath. Black boots. It was all a startling contrast to her pretty blonde hair and innocent face, but the clothing was nothing in contrast to the black cloud that hung over her like a thunderstorm waiting to exhale.

"You all right, Pet?" Spike asked, sliding another stake into his duster pocket. She strapped on the wrist sheathes that he had made for her and went to the closet to find her jacket.

"Fine," she answered, sullenly. Still Buffy. But he knew both her discomfort and his was from the knowledge that it wouldn't be her much longer.

Slowly, he approached her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. Buffy sighed, leaning back against him, knowing that she could put up the mother of all brave fronts, but not around him. "You're not, Pet."

"No," Buffy answered. "I'm not. I'm going to be the Scourge of Sunnydale in about an hour. How could I be fine?"

Spike spun her around slowly, forcing her to face him. "You won't, Love. Got the world's second best demon fighter at your side. Won't let you wreak havoc on the innocents." He smiled, hoping that she'd let herself laugh, but she just stared up at him, eyes full of fear. "C'mon, Pet. The Witches and your Watcher will suss it out. Probably while we're gone. In the meantime, I won't let anything happen to you."

"You didn't seem to be able to stop me last night," Buffy huffed, spinning back around.

Spike turned her gently to face him once again. "I didn't want to, Pet. Wanted you to claim me. Wanted to help you."

Buffy's eyes filled, her hand sliding to the now exposed wound on his neck. It was healing, but still raw and jagged. "How can you love me?"

Spike had to chuckle at that. "How can I not? Don't want me to start a list, do ya? Might take me all bloody night."

At that, Buffy smiled, letting her head fall against his chest. "I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose them."

"Won't happen," Spike whispered, kissing the crown of her head. "Never lose us. Just have to hang on, Love. We'll get it sorted. In the meantime, nothing like a good spot of violence to quell the beast."

Buffy pushed from his chest, looking up at his face. "Thought it was the righteous shag?" A grin broke across her face at the devilish glint in his eyes.

"If you behave, you'll have both, Pet."

~~~~~
The door shutting upstairs made them jump.

Dawn and Tara were on the back porch, watching for signs of the spell working. Willow, Oz, Giles and Xander sat in the basement, listening to the sound of the door slam and footsteps on the front stairs.

"I.I don't know if this is a good idea. I mean. Giles. what if she notices before we've figured out how." Willow stuttered as Giles rose from his chair and walked towards the phone.

"I think it a rather poor option to give Buffy the opportunity to do what she did to Spike last night, albeit unwittingly, to one of her children. What do you think that she would be more likely to forgive, Willow? Removing her children from danger or allowing her to harm one of them?" Giles responded, his face stony as he dialed. "Yes. It's time. Randy's with the sitter? Good. Best he not be around them. Right then. Anya, are you. you know that you're being asked to defend them? I know, dear. But you must. I know you love them. Please, just. if Buffy does find you and she's not herself, do what you can to simply stop her, but not harm her too badly. I know. If it comes down to it. but. Yes, Spike is with her. Right. It's time. Goodbye."

"You didn't just tell Anya it was all right to." Xander asked, wide eyed.

"To what?" Giles asked, his body stiff with tension. Slowly, he stalked the room.

"K.kill her?" Xander continued, his hands nervously fluttering in his lap.

Giles closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "As a matter of fact, Xander, I asked her not to. If you would cease to jump to conclusions.."

Xander nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry. This is... it's all too much."

The Watcher rolled his head, closing his eyes and trying to center himself. "I understand. But you must also give me credit for being the girl's Watcher and her. close to her," Giles continued. "I'd never wish harm upon her. Anya. she's quite. she's become quite protective over children and I wanted her to be wary of how vigorously she defends them. Do only what she has to. But Spike chose her because of."

"Spike?" Willow asked. "Spike asked Anya to take the kids?"

Giles nodded. "Spike asked me to address it with Anya. He knows she'd sooner die than let one of the children perish. She's the only one of us remaining who is powerful enough to defend them against a Slayer infected by Vampirism." He thought for a moment, looking at Willow. "Possibly not the only one," he amended. "But I don't think Spike really wants to put you in a position.."

"I understand," Willow responded, nodding. "Just. this can't be happening."

Oz smiled from his spot on the recliner. "A nickel for every time I've heard that on the Hellmouth."

Xander chuckled. "We'd all be living large."

~~~~~~
Giles had sent Tara to take Dawn to the supermarket. Dawn didn't need to see this. Even if she were old enough to understand why they were taking the kids, she didn't need to swallow that dose of reality quite yet. Oz and Xander walked the perimeter of the house as Giles and Anya stood in the front hall, bundling the two confused children into coats.

William looked at Giles sadly as Giles worked the toggles of William's jacket. The look on the boy's face made him want to cry. "It'll be quite all right, Will. Have you back in no time."

Emma stared at Anya for a moment, a bit of defiance creeping into her sad countenance. "Does daddy know you're taking us away?"

Anya smiled, wrapping an arm around Emma's waist and pulling the little girl against her. "Of course. He asked me to take you for a weekend getaway. You, me, Will and all the popcorn and Disney movies you can handle."

Emma smiled a little at that. "Are you sure? Because daddy doesn't like it when we're away." Again, Anya smiled, the sadness showing through. "No, he doesn't. Neither does your mum. But sometimes you have to be away from the people you love. Just for a little while."

Emma seemed to accept that, even if she was wary. Will just stood quietly and stared at Giles. "You all right, Will?"

"Mum," William whispered, under his breath. "Want mummy."

"She and your father had to go out to help people. It might take a bit longer than normal, that's all. But she'll be back to get you. Promise," Giles comforted, ruffling the boy's hair and handing a bottle of pills to Anya. "His pain medication. For the arm."

Anya nodded. "Don't worry, Will. We'll have fun and then your mum will come and get you."

Tears pooled in the little boys eyes. "But she'll have to kill gramma."

Giles looked at Anya. Anya raised a brow, crouching down in front of the boy. "Your gramma.. Your gramma is in Heaven," she said softly. "I was there when she went away. I was drinking fruit punch. She was nice. But she's safe in Heaven. Your mum won't have to kill anyone."

Will nodded, even if he didn't agree. Sometimes, grown ups could be so blind. He'd talk to Emma later.

"Ready?" Anya asked, holding out a hand on each side, two small palms making contact with hers. "We'll have a great time. Promise."

Emma stopped. "Pony. I want Pony."

Again, a glance exchanged between Anya and Giles. The Watcher looked at his mate pleadingly. Anya shrugged. "Go get the bowls and food, Emma. Giles, put a leash on that monster and load him up." ~~~~~

"Oh, we got problems," Luke cooed, watching the monitor from his seat on the bench of the Jacuzzi.

"What *now*?" Draconius asked, peeling the cucumbers from his eyes and shooting a pained glance over at his counterpart.

"Um. seems the chicks have flown the coop," Luke answered, passing the device over to the Old One and waving to the minion for another Cosmopolitan.

"Dammit!" Draconius screamed, almost dropping the monitor into the water. "I should've known that those obnoxious gits would have caught on."

Luke sighed. "They're pesky, even for humans."

"It's that Vampire on the side of good," Draconius mumbled. "Threw off the whole cosmic balance. "

"Thought we knew he was coming all along?" Luke questioned, sipping at his fresh drink.

Draconius sighed. "We did. But we had the wrong one. Who could have known that it wasn't the one with all the hair gel and the soul?"

"Angel," Luke sighed, dreamily.

Draconius sneered. "Well, Angel wasn't all he was cracked up to be, now was he. This pesky little Billy Idol wannabe slipped right through the cracks, went all martyr on us and then knocked up the Slayer. Bang, starting of the end of the World as we know it."

A frightened look crossed Luke's face. "We can fix it though, right?"

"If we can get the Peacemaker," Draconius answered, pushing himself out of the water.

"Where are you going?" Luke asked, watching the ancient one slip into a red bathrobe.

"We must find the location of the children and send the Pawn. It's time. I'm done playing games with the Slayer and her winsome Lover," Draconius growled. "Fetch me Leonora," he hissed at a minion.

"Oooh, I love it when you get all authoritative," Luke squealed as he got out to join his partner.

~~~~~

She spun, and in one graceful, fluid movement, plunged the stake into the Vampire's heart, watching the dust blow and flutter around her. The move lacked all of the violence of the night before. All of the bloodlust. Spike had to smile as her momentum stopped and she stood there before him, victorious smile spreading across plump coral lips.

"Not bad, Pet," Spike commented, walking towards her and wrapping a hand through hers.

"Thanks," she chirped, squeezing her fingers around his.

"How are you feeling?"

She furrowed her brow a moment, shrugging her shoulders and shaking out her hands. "Me-ish. Still."

He smiled, kissing her head. "Maybe the little Slayer transfusion really worked," he said, kissing the top of her head. "Seem to be in top form."

"Feel good," Buffy answered, her eyes scanning the landscape for something else to fight.

They walked in silence for a while, the only sound their boots clacking against cement in the crisp air. She hadn't changed. At least not when they had thought. It had gone past the thirteen hours and the sun was down. But it was still Buffy who strode beside him; her arm now snaked around his waist as if they were just two lovers strolling through town. It was far too much to hope for, he thought.

"How do you feel?" Buffy finally asked. "I mean, it's pretty obvious when the whole demon takes over Buffy happens. But you've got my little Slayer inside."

"Bloody bitch," Spike snarked. "Pushy little someone. Always has to be black and white. Right and wrong. Wonder you ever got near me with her buzzing in your veins night and day, Pet."

Buffy chuckled. "Guess I didn't notice."

Spike rolled his eyes at her. "Right, Pet. That's why you gave me the easy road to hoe in the beginning."

"No fun without the chase," Buffy commented, looking up at him with glittering, completely green, eyes. "Sorry about that."

"Why'r you sorry? You got the short end of the stick on this exchange, Love. I just got the bossy white hat and an incredible desire to eat peanut butter," Spike responded. Again, she laughed, making his heart sing with relief.

A noise startled them out of their conversation. Both Slayer and Vampire stopped in their tracks, listening. There was a high, keening moan. Female. And then a deeper growl. Something not human. Something. big.

Before they even spoke, both took off towards the sound, finding a young girl pinned on her knees to the side of a mausoleum, hair slick with her own blood and scratches covering her tattered body. A large, green-gray blobish thing with claws was standing over her, swatting at her like a cat swats at a ball of string. The sound was its laughter. The mewling was her screams.

Spike looked down at Buffy. Her eyes blazed with anger, watching the seven foot demon toy with the girl and before he could figure a plan, she launched herself towards the thing, screaming. Spike ran towards the girl, pulling her from the wall and lifting her against him. She was bleeding, but most of the wounds seemed shallow and her heartbeat was strong and steady. He could hear the sounds of Buffy pounding the demon behind her, but he had to get the girl out of the way. Get her to relative safety.

There was a bench ahead underneath an overhead light. Quickly, Spike bolted towards the bench, sliding the girl gently onto the wood and taking a quick scan of her wounds. She was out, but not seriously injured. Spike wanted to stay with her. Make sure he got her to help. But Buffy was nearly howling with pain and, he felt, pleasure, at the battle with the mammoth demon. He couldn't leave Buffy. Not again.

"You'll be right as rain, Pet," Spike whispered, pulling the girl's jacket tight around her and brushing hair from her face. He looked up at where Buffy was fighting. She was holding her own. The girl was moaning in pain. Dammit. Moral dilemma. Hate the bloody light.

Spike went against his primal need to be with his mate and took off for the payphone, dialing 911. "Found a girl attacked in Sunnydale Memorial Cemetery. On the bench near the entrance. Following her attacker," Spike spit into the phone and hung up, tearing back up towards the mausoleum.

He arrived just in time to see Buffy fly backwards against the cement wall, howling in pain as her back slammed into the concrete. Spike ran at the demon, knocking it back and turned back to face Buffy. She was dazed, slumped in the other girl's blood, staring up at Spike in confusion.

"Spike?" She whispered, her voice thready and afraid.

"Buffy?" He asked, moving faster towards her, the demon starting to stir behind him.

Her body shook, her nose beginning to scent the air. Buffy closed her eyes, her face set in a grimace of pain and anger. "Buffy?" Spike repeated, spinning once, to kick the demon back one more time.

When he returned to facing his love, her eyes flickered open.

Yellow eyes.

To be contd.

Title: Worthy (Chapter Twenty-Nine of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com . Also, please visit the wonderful fan listing that Rachel put together. Sign up today and link to your website (or just sign up to say hi!). The fan listing can be found at .

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Giles deduces the identity of the pawn with Willow's help, and formulates a plan. Draconius and Luke try to circumvent the problem of the relocation of the Peacemaker. Buffy and Spike patrol and his cure seems to be holding up. Or is it?
Worthy
Something itched at the back of his mind as he paced the living room, wiping his glasses on his shirttail. It wasn't just sending the children away, but something that was said. Something. Something. Giles gritted his teeth, trying to bring the latent thought to the surface.

Suddenly, it hit him like a bolt of lightning. What William said. 'But she'll have to kill gramma.' Gramma?

Spike's mum?

Oh God. Joyce.

The Watcher ran through the living room, buzzing through the kitchen where Oz and Xander took turns making snacks and watching out the window, tearing down the stairs and nearly diving into the pile of books littering the coffee table.

"What is it?" Willow asked, rubbing her eyes and sitting up from her perch on the couch. The spell still bubbled in the cauldron below her.

"The Horasci texts? Where did we put them?" Giles asked, flipping through tomes and tossing them to the floor.

"R...red book. Second from the left," Willow gestured, suddenly becoming aware. "Why?"

"Something Will said before he left," Giles muttered, grabbing the book and flipping through. "Do you remember anything about the pawn?"

Again, the Witch rubbed her eyes. "Um.only that it can be destroyed by destroying the token that carries the spell. Which would make this whole getting Buffy back gig much easier."

"Oh God," Giles muttered again. "The pawn, does it have to be dead?"

Willow thought a moment. "I.I don't remember. But that would make sense."

The Watcher stopped, finding the section of text he had been searching for. "The spell requires a vector in the dimension of its target," Giles read aloud. "One that carries out the spell towards the purposes of the sorcerer. The vector, or pawn, can be of any origin; however, the maximum control is rendered when the vector is taken from a non mortal dimension."

"Dead," Willow confirmed.

Giles nodded, his finger skimming the page as he muttered words to himself. "Oh God," he said once again.

"What?" Willow asked, fear settling over her like a vice.

"If this is correct, then the pawn is someone who has passed into a non mortal dimension. The spell itself is simple to counteract. All one has to do is break the talisman, thereby ending the spell and neutralizing the pawn. According to the texts, the pawn then returns to the spell's master," Giles sputtered, his eyes flitting between the pages of the text and Willow's frightened face.

"Okay," she answered. "Not sure I'm following."

"How would someone as evil as Draconius, as purely torturous, make sure his pawn survived?" Giles asked, his eyes growing large and sad.

Willow thought for a moment, letting her eyes slide closed. "Um, I guess. Make the pawn something you don't want to destroy?"

Giles nodded. "Worse yet. Steal her from someplace else. Another non mortal dimension and pit her against those she once cared about. That way, killing her and returning her to the spell's master would be just as cruel a fate."

Again, Willow thought, her eyes growing larger. "Are you thinking.?"

He took a deep breath. "Yes."

"Buffy's mom?" Willow asked, her heart now picking up a frantic pace. "And.and if Buffy or Spike or any of us break the amulet, then she gets sent back to Draconius?"

"Who will doubtlessly torture her for failing," Giles responded, fear gripping him.

"Oh God," Willow muttered. "What. why wouldn't Heaven help her?"

"They must not know she was taken," Giles answered standing and beginning to pace around the room.

"We need to let them know then!" The Witch exclaimed, popping up from the couch. "We.we need to find a way for them to reclaim her before this. Oh God, how?"

Giles paced again, chewing on his pencil. He stopped suddenly, causing Willow's head to jerk from watching his movements. "Cyrus."

"Cyrus?" Willow asked.

"He's an emissary to the Queen, remember?" Giles gushed, searching for the phone. "An Immortal. An Officer to the Queen of the Sky. He can talk to her. "

"Now?" Willow said. "I mean, now is good, but we need it a week ago now."

"I'll find him. You be sure to tell them all to do everything in their power not to kill the pawn. Only.only if Emma is in imminent danger is she harmed. If we kill her in this state."

"Draconius has her forever," Willow whispered. "I'll tell them."

Giles nodded, jogging for the stairs. "Try to tell Spike, if you can. If they come back and."

Willow nodded. "Go." ~~~~~

The old hag sat in a darkened room, candles blazing in a circle around her. A cauldron bubbled in front of her, steam rising in slow whispers in front of her old, wizened face.

The hag twitched, seeing something in the fog, and then waved a hand to clear it. A handful of herbs were thrown into the fire, causing more tendrils of smoke to creep up from the cauldron, winding in pretty patterns in front of the witches face.

Draconius and Luke stood just outside the circle watching. Waiting.

"The Children were taken," the hag whispered, her voice arid and distant.

"We *knew* that," Luke whined. Draconius slapped the back of Luke's head.

"They are now with a demon protector."

"A demon?" Draconius asked. "Not the Vampire?"

"A demon of Vengeance. A powerful demon," Lenora answered. "She was charged with their protection."

Draconius sighed. "Well, that changes things a bit. Is there. can we infiltrate this demon? Force her to our side?"

The hag shook her head slowly. "Like the Vampire of Heart, she is integrated. She has a soul. She loves and is loved. Her essence is one with theirs."

"What *is* it with these demons?" Luke whined, putting his hands on his hips. "I mean, what are the chances of two tame ones turning their backs on all the good bits about being a demon."

"There are more than just the two," Lenora interrupted, still staring at the wisps of smoke. "There is a healer and a wolf among them now as well. They all serve to assist and protect The One and thus their Prophesy."

Draconius sighed. "Can the pawn get there? Will she have any effect at all on the demon who has taken the children?"

The hag was silent. "The demon knows the pawn. The demon would hesitate, yes. But she is more likely to kill than The One."

"Then we'd better hurry. Keep them off guard. Can you lead the pawn to the children's location and then wait until my command?" Draconius asked.

The Witch nodded her reply through the haze. "I can."

"Do it," Draconius ordered. "I will return."

~~~~~
Willow walked slowly back down the steps. She had gathered the rest in the living room and told them what Giles had discovered. Even stranger, how he had discovered it. Maybe Will wasn't quite as powerless as he seemed. But that investigation was for another day.

It had occurred to them, as Willow filled them in, that they needed to get word to Anya. Giles had told them that even he was not sure where Anya was taking the kids. That is was best that way. Anya would check in each day until she could confirm it was safe. Still, she had to be told about the pawn.

She had to know about Joyce.

Willow sat on the floor, relaxing into a deep meditation. If she couldn't use the phone, she'd speed dial the demon's mind. Anya didn't seem to mind telepathy as much as the rest and could almost initiate it on her own now. But still, they were all jumpy and she didn't want to just barge in. Especially not while the kids were involved.

"Anya?" Willow finally thought as she reached full relaxation. "Anya? It's important. Please."

"What?" An annoyed voice finally answered. "Driving here, Willow. Don't really need distractions."

"The pawn," Willow said briefly. "It's. It's Buffy's mom."

"What?" Anya nearly screamed. Willow could see the car swerve and her body jolted. Calm returned as the demon corrected and pulled over to the side of the road.

"The pawn," Willow repeated.

"Joyce?" Anya answered. "What? Why?"

"Just. unless she is actively hurting Emma or Will. or, I guess, you, don't break the amulet. Don't hurt her."

Anya thought a moment in silence. "Okay, but why?"

"Because then she'll be returned to Draconius and never be able to go back to Heaven," Willow answered.

"Oh." There was a moment of silence. "That's pretty low. using her mom."

"Yeah," Willow commented. "Just. try."

"Right," Anya answered. "No killing the pawn unless absolutely necessary." There was another pause. "Did my Rupie figure all this out?"

Willow smiled despite herself. "He did," she answered.

"Give him a kiss for me. Oh, but not on the lips because then I'd have to despise you and we'd cat fight but."

"A nice, innocent kiss on the cheek," Willow replied. "Take care of them."

"I will," Anya said softly. "They belong to us all."

"They do," Willow confirmed. "Bye."

"Bye."

~~~~~
Oz opened the back door, sandwich in hand. It was unusually dark, the moon hidden by a heavy layer of clouds. He took a bite of his supper looking around.

Something seemed off.

Slowly, he descended the stair case, following his senses into the garden, towards the tool shed. Oz slid open the door, turning on the bare, overhead light.

Nothing.

"Hunh," he whispered to himself, turning around. "Odd."

Suddenly, he saw it. Like a silvery wave, undulating in the night air in front of him. Dancing like Tinkerbelle's magical wake. "I thought it would be brighter," he muttered to himself as he ran towards the house.

"Willow!" Oz screamed from the back door.

The thundering of footsteps from all corners of the house confirmed that everyone now answered to the name and before the wolf knew it, several bodies stood before him, wide eyed and panting.

"What...what is it?" The real Willow asked. He motioned her outside, walking to the place where he saw the twinkling trail.

"Do you see it?" Oz asked, pointing out the glitter.

"That's it?" Dawn whined, passing her hand through the trail. "I thought it'd be. sparklier."

"It should be," Willow gasped. "Dammit. She's moving and we haven't got any real way to follow her."

Oz smiled. It wasn't often Willow got upset enough to curse. "I think I can follow this," he commented, still calmly eating his sandwich. "You know. canine."

Willow smiled. "I'll. I'll go see if I can make it brighter. You try and follow. Oh, and take someone. Xander. Take Xander. Oh, and a phone. Take Xander's cell phone."

"If I'm taking Xander, the phone will come with," Oz comforted, putting a hand on Willow's back. "We can follow it."

"Good." She smiled nervously. "Remember. No killing unless."

"No killing," Oz confirmed, nodding. "Go make the twinklies. twinklier." He turned to Xander. "You drive; I hang my head out the window and sniff?"

"Just don't slobber and you've got a deal," Xander agreed, running back into the house for his keys.

Oz took a long look at Willow. "Don't worry, Will. It'll work."

Willow nodded. "Better work on sparklies. Thank. Thank you."

He smiled, leaning in and planting a kiss on her cheek. "It'll work."

"I hope so."

~~~~~

"Buffy?" Spike asked again, his body frozen, knowing that it was too late. She was gone.

The gold eyes stared back at him, nearly devoid of any trace of his girl. His golden goddess. Her face was the same, but the emptiness of her eyes changed even her looks.

Suddenly, she propelled herself from the wall with lightening speed, an angry roar coming from her pretty lips. Spike braced himself for impact, but she bounded past him and slammed into the demon behind them.

Spike stood back, too surprised, confused, upset to do anything else. Buffy had the demon on the ground again in an instant. Pounding it into a headstone. Beating it with fists, nipping with fangs. She was brutality at its finest. Not her fluid graceful dance. This was the kill of an animal.

The demon twitched for a moment and fell still, but Buffy continued to beat on it until it finally disappeared into a ball of thick gray ooze, sinking down into the grass. Spike took a step towards her as she knelt over where the demon used to lay and her head swiveled to face him.

"Love," he whispered, staring down into those blank, golden eyes.

"Spike," she answered, a grin breaking on face. It made him shiver.

"S'me, Pet," Spike answered, dropping to his knees a few feet from her. She turned, crawling on all fours towards him like a jungle cat, that devious grin spreading wide across her face. It made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

"Finally," Buffy hissed, reaching him and rocking up onto her knees. His eyes slid closed as her hands found his face, palms pressed to his cheeks. He could feel her breath against his mouth, coming in short pants. "Finally," she repeated.

Spike's hands moved to her hips, grasping her gently. "I'm here, Love. Never leaving."

Her mouth pressed softly to his, lips brushing like butterfly wings. "Spike," she sighed.

"S'alright, Pet. I've got you," Spike encouraged.

Her eyes flickered open at the same time he dared to open his. Her gold flashed against his blue, nearly burning a hole into his heart, crushing him. "Finally."

"Finally what, Love?" He asked, brushing her wild hair from her face.

A smile spread across her features. "A worthy adversary," she hissed, slamming her head forward and head butting him into the ground.
To be contd.

Title: Autumn into Summer (Chapter Thirty of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com . Also, please visit the wonderful fan listing that Rachel put together. Sign up today and link to your website (or just sign up to say hi!). The fan listing can be found at .

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Spike battles the demon in Buffy. Giles pleads with Cyrus for his help to save the Pawn. Xander and Oz go off to follow the trail and hopefully protect the kids. Buffy manages to get to the house and realizes that something very important is missing.

Autumn into Summer

Spike lay on the ground, stunned. His eyes swimming from the force of the blow. His mind reeling from what he thought was about to happen. Buffy. His girl. The only thing she now recognized about him was that he was her match in battle. Her most worthy adversary.

Her foe.

Buffy grinned down at him, hopping to her feet in a feral, catlike motion. Spike had only a split second to come to his senses and roll hard right before she pounced, missing him by centimeters. As she scrambled towards him, he pushed the thoughts of caressing her, kissing her, loving her, into the back of his mind and let the annoying little light inside of him bubble to the surface. Even then, he knew he couldn't kill her. But he'd have to fight. He'd have to fight her as he had when they'd met. One on one.

Spike desperately wanted to know that they'd still never find out who would win in the end. That particular question never need be answered. But he knew that if it came down to it, as always, she'd be the victor. He just didn't have it in him to draw their last breath.

Buffy's eyes glittered yellow as she hopped again to her feet, stalking towards him, her stance not so much the perfect, balanced form of the Slayer, but rather the primal, tight muscled motion of a predator about to strike. He spread his feet, bracing himself and took a breath, never letting his eyes leave hers. Willing her back.

"Shall we?" Buffy grinned, her eyeteeth now extended to her bottom lip. Her face contorted into a grimace not far from Spike's game face.

"Buffy," Spike whispered. "Please."

"She's not home," the voice in her body hissed, the grin spreading. "But I am."

"And I will bloody well beat you out of her if I have to," Spike snarled, positioning himself for defense.

"You can try," she answered. Before he could form another word, she hurtled through the air, covering the distance between them in less than a second, her foot catching his shoulder and sending him reeling into the mausoleum. He countered, grabbing her leg as she landed and twisting hard, using her momentum to toss her to the ground.

The smile on her face widened as she kipped up to meet him, spinning and throwing a perfect reverse roundhouse to his gut, catching his arm as he threw a fist and slamming it back to his side, landing a left hook, all in one movement. Spike's hand came to his face, feeling the blood trickle from his mouth and down at her. Her eyes glittered and her nose twitched, smelling him. Tasting his blood on the air.

"You can't have her," Spike snarled, stopping her next barrage and squeezing her hand until it nearly broke under his grip and she relented.

"But yet, I do," she answered, giggling and tearing free of his hold. The demon had taken over completely. He had to get her to fight it. Had to get her back to the surface. Had to stop her from pounding him into oblivion before hand.

She raised an eyebrow and launched again, landing another kick to his gut. He went with the flow of the kick, hurtling into a perfect back flip and landing a safe distance back from her. To the casual observer, it must have looked like Cirque du Soleil met Smackdown.

"Buffy, you've got to fight it," Spike pleaded, trying to catch her gaze.

She stopped for a second, looking at him questioningly. Intently. Almost as if she was listening. He took that as a good sign. "Pet, it's me. Don't want to fight you. Don't want to hurt you."

At that, she laughed, the sound crisp and clear in the night air. Her eyes met his again. "Now that's funny," the voice said. It was barely hers anymore. "Almost had me there for a second. But then. you hurt me. Spike, you're just full of the funnies, aren't ya?"

He took another step back. She took one closer. He didn't want to hurt her. Didn't want to have to fight her in earnest. Didn't want to break and batter the body he'd loved for so long. Needed to be whole for when it was hers again. Didn't need to have bruises and scars made by him. They had enough scars. "Buffy, Love, please."

"Enough talking, "she whined, stepping closer again. "Can't we just fight?"

"Don't want to, Pet. Not this way." Truth be told, they fought all the time. But they never went out to hurt each other. Not anymore. They just sparred like bear cubs until they either got tired out or shagged away the rest of their energy. That wasn't what this was. She wanted to take him.

She wanted the question answered.

"Well, I wanna," Buffy answered. "So, either fight back, or hand me your stake and we'll put you out of your misery."

It wasn't her. He knew it wasn't, but it stung all the same. For a moment, he faltered, letting his eyes drop from hers and she took the opening and attacked. Fists flew, striking him in a flurry of impacts as she punched and kicked and snarled. Spike only defended at first, blocking what he could from landing, but finally realized that the only way that he might have a chance at breaking through to his Buffy was wearing down the demon. The muscles in his jaw clenched and he began to fight back.

Blows rained down, both of them moving so fast, still drawing from the One, that it was hard to tell where one began and the other ended. Whose fist had made contact with whose purpling flesh. The dance was off and the battle on as he swaggered between kicks and they tossed insults that they hadn't used since they had been true enemies. She took every advantage, the rules of engagement no longer in effect and low blows and even lower words the fair of the night.

Until finally, in a stroke of complete luck, he had her pinned to the ground, his knees holding her legs, his hands gripping her arms.

"Buffy," he panted; staring down at her flushed and battered face. Even still, he'd left only red marks, pulling some of the force before he'd struck. He could feel blood trickling from wounds above his eye and below his cheek. "Buffy, listen to me."

Her jaw clenched and her body struggled for a moment, until finally, her eyes fluttered up to meet his. "What?" She hissed. "Just kill me and be done with it. Don't get all taunty on me now."

Spike softened, trying to reach inside her mind and pull her to the surface. Push the demon back for her, but it was too strong. Still, he could feel her, just behind those yellow eyes. Maybe he could get to her. "Pet, I won't kill you. I'd die first. You know that."

"Your loss," she answered tritely.

"Yes," Spike answered. "Got a lot to live for, I have."

The yellow eyes stilled, staring up at his. She was silent, but Spike could feel her struggling just behind the demon. Pushing towards him.

"Need you back, Buffy. Gotta fight the demon so we can set things right. I love you, Pet." Spike leaned his face towards hers until his lips were just a hair's breadth from hers. "I love you, always."

"Everyday," a very small, desperate, voice whispered underneath of him.

His eyes drifted to hers, seeing glimmers of green emerging in the gold as if autumn was trying to change back to summer in her eyes. "I love you, Pet," he repeated. "Need you. Emma and Will need you."

"My babies," the small voice answered, still struggling.

"They're safe," Spike answered, nuzzling her cheek gently. "Got them somewhere safe." His grip on her arms released just a fraction and he realized at the last moment, that that error had been critical.

"You took my babies," the hissing voice said, flipping them over until she was on top of him. "And I wanted something tender tonight," she whined. Spike struggled to flip them back but the next, and the last, thing he felt was her fist make contact with his temple and the world shift to black.

~~~~~~

Cyrus sat stiffly in his armchair, listening to Giles get him up to speed on their plight. He had spent the last evening on a marathon conference call with Council headquarters in London and was operating on no sleep while trying to absorb what had become a grievous situation.

"Can you help?" Giles asked nervously, watching Cyrus's exhausted eyes blink back at him.

Cyrus tried to focus, sorting through the barrage of words that had just been thrown his way. "Buffy's mother is the pawn. Draconius stole her from Heaven. If any of us deactivate the pawn by destroying the amulet, then Buffy's mother is returned not to Heaven but to Draconius to do with her as he sees fit. However, if we do not deactivate the pawn, then the One remains imbalanced and the Slayer will become more and more Vampiric, while the Vampire becomes more like the Slayer. Have I followed?"

Giles quirked a brow. "You all right, Cyrus?"

The Immortal raised his hand to his forehead, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. "I'm just quite tired. Council quarterly meeting and."

Giles winced, forgetting that he probably should have attended the teleconference as well. As if reading his mind, Cyrus spoke, "But I did inform the others that you were quite busy with the Slayer."

"Thank you," Giles answered, slipping off his glasses and rubbing them on his shirttail. "Do you think, well, with your connections.?" Giles' head rolled towards the ceiling as if he could picture Heaven in the stucco above.

Cyrus sighed deeply. "You want me to go back. Talk to them." It was a statement of fact rather than a question. Really, they hadn't any choice. Traveling from mortal to non-mortal dimensions was never safe or easy, however, as an Immortal and an emissary to a queen, Cyrus could move quickly and directly to the source.

"Yes, yes," Giles answered, nodding shyly. "It is quite important. And Emma isn't quite old enough yet to debrief in regards to the mission."

Cyrus sighed again, standing up and rolling his shoulders, stretching. "I don't suppose that this is something I could do after a good night's rest, is it?"

Giles smiled, knowing that his colleague would do whatever it took, whenever he had to, to protect Emma and her family. "No, I'm afraid that the situation has become quite dire."

"Right then," Cyrus agreed, nodding quickly. "Guess I'll be off."

Giles looked at his knees, then back up at the Immortal. "Cyrus, may I ask where you. I mean. How do you travel to.?"

"Oh, it's quite elaborate with portals and spells and chanting and all sorts of buggery," the Immortal chattered, all the while his very being fading into nothingness. "It takes all sorts of knowledge and bushelfuls of herbs and candles and."

With that, Cyrus disappeared in front of Giles' amused eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~
Xander drove slowly down the street, a cell phone held to one ear. "Yeah, we're on the Bi-Coastal heading out of town towards the water. Yeah. Wait, let me ask, Oz?"

Oz pulled his head in from the window, his nose still twitching from scenting the air. Xander had to laugh. "What?"

The giggling died down. "What with the van and the sniffing and the. Bad Scooby Doo flashbacks."

The wolf smirked and stuck his head back out the window, sniffing again. "It's going straight towards the water, man."

Xander pulled the phone back to his ear. "Wolfman says that the trail is heading towards the water. Yeah. How's it going with the sparkliage? Might help out if we can follow the trail of magical glittering breadcrumbs."

"My sniffer's getting beat," Oz joked, shaking his head in the breeze. Xander laughed again despite himself.

"Right. Okay," Xander continued into the cell phone. "Ooh, almost done. Firework time? Oz, get your head in the window, man."

The werewolf pulled his head in the window just as the air began to crackle and the trail lit up like sparklers on the fourth of July. "Now *that's* what I'm talking about," Oz grinned, nodding.

"Looking good, Will," Xander commented, picking up speed and following the winding road towards the water. "We have lift off. Or at least shiny sparkly stuff. Thanks. Yeah. Spike and Buffy been back yet? Hope she's okay. I'd stick to telling Spike. No way to know how she'll react. Okay. Yeah. We'll let you know where we end up. "

With that, Xander hung up the phone and followed the silvery trail.

~~~~~~~

Buffy's legs pounded against the pavement towards the house on Revello. Both she and the demon were desperate to get there. To find out.

The demon wanted to punish her by harming her babies.

Buffy was torn between wanting to know they were safe at home and wanting them to be safe somewhere else.

Her heart beat against her chest at a frantic pace, her legs pumping at supernatural speed, racing down the road towards the house. Following the familiar, worn trail down the grass across the street, skirting onto the sidewalk and bounding up the front steps. Before she even thought about it, the door was off its hinges and she flew past Tara and Dawn in the living room and up the stairs.

"Buffy?" Dawn called, walking to the bottom of the stairs and taking the first step.

"Dawn, I don't know if you should follow her. I mean, she may not be herself," Tara warned, standing up. Dawn paused, craning her head behind her and waiting.

"Where's Spike?"

Tara furrowed a brow. "He's not behind her?"

Dawn could see clearly out to the street. She shook her head at the Witch. "I don't see him."

A flash of terror crawled up Tara's spine as she pictured the wound in Spike's neck. Buffy was only getting worse. Something was very wrong. "Dawn, don't go up there. Stay out of her way."

"But she's my." Dawn began. Before she could even complete the sentence, Buffy came flying back down the stairs, knocking Dawn back to the landing and pinning her to the wall.

"Where are my babies?" Buffy hissed, her hand closing down on Dawn's neck.

Tears welled up in the younger girl's eyes. "I.I don't know, Buffy. No one told us." She swallowed hard, taking in the empty glint of her sister's golden eyes and the etched grimace lining her face.

"You're lying," Buffy roared, slamming Dawn back into the wall.

"Buffy, stop," Tara said firmly from her place next to the couch. Buffy turned her attention to the Witch, letting her hand drop from her sister's neck. She began towards Tara, an evil little grin playing across her blood red lips.

"Excuse me?" Buffy said, coming closer. Tara backed up a step, but stood tall. "Or maybe *you* know where my spawn are?"

Tara cringed, knowing that Buffy would never refer to her children in such a way. She was gone, or buried so deep under the demon that she couldn't fight back. "I don't know, Buffy," the Witch answered.

"Sure you don't," Buffy sing-songed as she moved closer. Out of the corner of her eye, Tara could see Willow move into the opening between the kitchen and the living room.

"I. I don't," Tara repeated. "Spike sent them somewhere safe. He was right to, Buffy. You'll know that when."

Buffy lashed out, swinging, but stopped right before making contact with Tara's face. Willow's hand was stretched towards them, pushing her power against Buffy's arm. Buffy looked back at the redhead over her shoulder, debating whether or not to attack or to flee. Something... something inside of her told her that there were more important things. Places to go. Babies to see.

The Slayer hissed at Willow and dropped her arm. Before Willow could react, Buffy fled out the door, instinctively following the scent of her children.

Not to mention the convenient glittering road map.

To be contd.

Title: Bound (Chapter Thirty-one of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com . Also, please visit the wonderful fan listing that Rachel put together. Sign up today and link to your website (or just sign up to say hi!). The fan listing can be found at ed lustfully. "Neat trick."

She smiled through blood red lips. "I thought it might make you more. comfortable." Her voice had changed from the dry crackle to a smooth, rich purr.

Luke shifted, adjusting his pants. "Uh, sort of."

She laughed, deviously.

"Back to the point," Draconius sighed.

Lenora nodded. "The demon is one of Vengeance," she began. "And the Pawn has a claim."

Draconius lifted an eyebrow. "Really?"

"She lost her daughter to the calling of the Slayer. Lost her family to her daughter's answer to her call. She can ask for Vengeance," Lenora answered, smiling thoughtfully.

"Will the demon grant it?" Luke asked, hiding his now evident lower bits behind a chair.

"She is bound. She must, or face the consequences," Lenora answered. "Her master will make sure of that."

Draconius nodded his pleasure. "Well done, Lenora. I suppose you instructed the Pawn?"

"She will do as we ask. She, too, is bound," the Witch answered. "However, we have another small problem." She pushed herself to her feet, taking a drink from the wet bar and swiveling back towards the pair of men.

Both looked at her curiously. "Well?" The Old One asked.

"Their Witches have uncovered a way to follow the Pawn and have sent the wolf and the younger human male after her. The corrupted One is now on the scent of the children as well," Lenora answered. A sly smile broke on her face.

That same smile infected both of the men. "I suppose you have an answer for that as well," Draconius purred contentedly.

"Why, yes, if you wish," she taunted, sipping her drink. "The wolf and human are easy. Just say the word and I can get them out of the way."

"The Word," Luke chirped, watching her every move.

Lenora smiled. "Done. They are in a motor conveyance. Near cliffs. "

"Ooh, a nice little accident?" Luke sing-songed.

"Some surprises are good ones," Lenora answered, her voice soft and sultry.

"Go on," Draconius continued, watching his Witch walk gracefully around the room.

She nodded. "Both the Vampire and the Slayer are now on their way as well. But I was thinking that, at this point, they are not much of a threat. She is completely controlled by the demon. He is consumed by saving his mate."

"Let them watch," Draconius added, thoughtfully, swirling brandy in his snifter. "I *like* that."

"It's unlikely they will be able to do much. And even if they do, the identity of the Pawn should stop them both in their tracks long enough for your plan to succeed, Master," the Witch continued.

"Yes," Draconius agreed. "Then make it so."

Lenora smiled. "I thought you would say that. I already did."

To be contd.

Title: Bound (Chapter Thirty-one of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com> . Also, please visit the wonderful fan listing that Rachel put together. Sign up today and link to your website (or just sign up to say hi!). The fan listing can be found at www.cloudy-visions.org/nimue/always.htm <http://www.cloudy-visions.org/nimue/always.htm> , and it totally rocks.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Spike awakens after his confrontation with Buffy and heads home to assess the damage. Cyrus visits with the Queen of the Sky and attempts to enlist her help. Luke, Draconius and his Witch formulate a plan B to help the Pawn succeed in her mission.

Bound

Stars, he thought. Stars above him. Stars beneath him. Stars inside his head.

Spike raised his hand to his temple and felt the heat of the bruise underneath his skin. Good thing he was a Vampire, he thought, or he’d be in the right place, lying stretched on the ground beneath a tombstone.

Who the bloody hell had beaten the piss out of him? Again?

His head began to clear and he felt it. An urgent, desperate pull towards something. Spike shook his head, began to sit up and heard it. Heard her screaming in his head in perfect counterpoint to the bruise that was already yelping in his brain.

Buffy.

Oh God.

He was on his feet and on her scent before he could even finish putting together the thought. Really, he didn’t need to track her anymore. Somehow, Spike just knew. Knew where she’d gone. Almost certainly knew what she’d done.

Another screaming voice joined in the chorus in his head. His own. Rupert, please have gotten the tots out of there.

With the speed of both Vampire and Slayer, he sprinted towards their home.

~~~~~~~

Cyrus stood at the beautiful, enormous, glistening doors of the court of the Queen of the Sky. Slowly, reverently, he raised his hand to knock, but the door opened of its own accord. Cyrus smiled. Good to know that he was still welcome.

With cautious and nearly inhuman grace, Cyrus stepped through the doors and glided through the mist. He could see nothing except for a pretty, white fog and glowing stones beneath his feet to mark his path. The Queens were big on illusion. It made them more mysterious. Not that the very women who controlled all positive aspects of the Universe needed much help in the way of mystery.

Suddenly, the fog lifted and a short set of white marble stairs leading to a similarly constructed dais appeared in front of him. Cyrus stood still, inhaling, rolling his shoulders in anticipation of the member of the court. Most likely, it would be one of the Princesses. Or a Court-bound Knight.

But a golden throne appeared atop the platform. Then the figure of a woman more beautiful than the human mind could fathom. Ageless and timeless and heartbreakingly perfect. Her blonde hair tumbled in perfect waves down her golden shoulders. Her enormous blue eyes, blinking from behind long, silken lashes. Her gown of white and gold wrapped around her slim, beautiful form and draped like a Greek statue. No. No statue did her justice.

The Queen herself had accepted his call.

“My Queen,” Cyrus said humbly, dropping to one knee and lowering his head.

She smiled radiantly, standing from her throne and gliding down the short staircase to her emissary. Slowly, she reached a soft, gentle hand towards him, touching his chin and raising his eyes to her. “Cyrus,” she breathed, her voice like a bell on the crisp air. “You should know you do not have to be so formal with me.”

Cyrus blinked up at her. “You are my Queen.”

The Queen chuckled. “Yes. That I know. But you have been an excellent emissary. One of the few humans I have chosen for my court. That buys you a bit of slack when it comes to the pomp and circumstance.”

The Watcher returned the smile and let her raise him to his feet. “Thank you my Queen.”

She nodded, her hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall of gold. “How is my girl?”

“Emma,” Cyrus began. “Is lovely. “ His face became more serious. “And she is part of the reason I have come, My Queen.”

An interested, if not concerned, look crossed the Queen’s face. She had the utmost confidence in Cyrus to perform his duties as her Watcher, and equal confidence in both the Vampire and the Slayer that her human form had been born of. “Can I help?” The Queen asked, knowing that the situation must be beyond mortal control for Cyrus to come running back home. He’d always been proud.

Slowly, the Watcher nodded, leaving his head bowed slightly. “We hoped that you would.”

“Walk with me,” the Queen said, her voice a song in the air.

~~~~~

Spike took the front stairs of the house in a single bound, pushing through the door without even checking to see if it was locked, and was up the stairs without noticing the three women huddled on the couch.

Before he knew it, he was pushing into Emma’s room, scanning it for his little girl. Nothing. But the bag he had packed her earlier was missing as well. God, he’d hoped Rupert had been in time.

Spike spun on a heel and jogged to the next room, letting the door swing open. Will was gone as well, his overnight bag and his favourite toy missing from the hastily made bed. He settled a little, realizing that the demon inside of Buffy, even if it didn’t consume them right away, would not have taken their things with them.

Still, he could feel her desperation in his head. Feel the demon’s control of her. His own panic started anew.

The steps seemed endless as he jogged back down, finally noticing the girls. “You all right?”

Willow nodded, holding ice against Dawn’s neck. Spike hopped the bottom stair and walked over to the group. They looked shaky. Spike could smell their fear on the air. “Rupert and his bird get the tots out?”

“Yes,” Tara answered. “But Spike?”

Spike had dropped to his knees in front of the couch, brushing Willow’s hand away from Dawn. A livid, purple bruise in the shape of a perfect handprint wrapped around the younger Summers’ throat. “She been here, then?”

Dawn nodded, looking frightened.

Spike traced the print with his finger. “You all right, Niblet?”

Again, she nodded and then realized that he was waiting to hear her speak. Silently afraid that Buffy had crushed her sister’s voice box. “Fine,” she squeaked out, her eyes filling with tears.

Spike put his hands on her knees, looking up at her. “Nib, you know that s’not her. She didn’t do this to you. Demon did.”

The younger girl looked at him for a long moment. “Your demon,” she said softly.

He nodded in response.

“But you never hurt me,” Dawn whispered, her hand involuntarily rubbing her throat.

Spike took her hands. “Pet, I had a century plus to learn to control it. She’s had two days. Used to be like that for me sometimes.”

The softness in his eyes, the sheer fact that Spike had never hidden the truth, made her accept it. “Can you get her back?”

His eyes slid closed. He didn’t know. He honestly didn’t. “Hope so, Love. If not, then we have to try and teach her. You and me. Show her the what’s what.”

“How can I help?” Dawn asked, confusion in her eyes.

“Love her,” Spike answered, simply. “Love wins.” He repeated Emma’s words from the night before and felt a weight lift off of his heart. He could do this. Save her. Make it right. His head turned towards the other two. “Do you know where she went?”

Willow nodded. “She’s after the kids, Spike.”

“Demon wants to hurt Buffy,” Spike reasoned, standing. “Separate her from what she loves. Know where Anya took them?”

Willow shook her head. “No, they didn’t tell anyone. But…but Xander and Oz are out looking. They have a phone and…”

Spike rolled his eyes. “Sent the reserves out first, did ya?”

“Only ones we had lying around,” Tara joked, softly smiling.

Willow smacked her head, shaking it at the same time, causing Spike to raise an eyebrow at her. “You all right, Red?”

“Just feeling dumb. We did a spell. To track the Pawn. Who is also after the kids. And it left a shiny trail. You can follow that.”

“The Pawn has moved?” Spike snapped, that weight returning to his heart. This was something he wasn’t so confident he could handle.

The red Witch cringed a little at his sudden anger. “Y…yes, Spike. But… but…” He was already moving towards the door. “Spike… wait.”

The Vampire turned around. “What is it?”

“The Pawn, “Willow began, sending a sad look at Dawn. “It’s Buffy’s mom. “

A shocked expression crossed Spike’s face, followed by sadness. “Anything we can do to…”

Willow shook her head. “Don’t know. Just… try not to break the amulet. If we do, she… She can’t go back to Heaven, Spike. “ Dawn lowered her head into her hands and Spike saw her shake as the tears started. There was little in this world he wanted to do more than to comfort her, but he had to stop this. Had to bring Buffy back. Save the kids.

Spike nodded. “Is there any way that she can be sent home?”

“Giles went to talk to Cyrus. To… to see if he could talk to the Queen about it,” Tara answered. “But you have to save the kids. Save Buffy. Let Cyrus try to save Buffy’s mom.”

Spike nodded, understanding, his eyes still glued to the quietly crying girl on the couch. “Niblet, I’ll do everything I can…”

She looked up, wet strands of hair stuck to her face. “I know,” her soft voice answered. “Please don’t let them take Buffy or Will or Emma away too.”

“Never, Pet,” Spike answered, smiling gently at her. She nodded, and he took off out the door.

~~~~~

“So,” Draconius began, easing back into a red velvet chair. “You have put into place a method of controlling the demon in possession of the children?”

Lenora nodded, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Luke paced in front of the fire, sipping at his fifth Cosmopolitan of the day.

“Well?” Draconius drew out, an annoyed look crossing his features.

The old woman shifted into a more pleasing form. That of the raven-haired woman in the red silk dress. Luke stopped his pacing and stared lustfully. “Neat trick.”

She smiled through blood red lips. “I thought it might make you more… comfortable.” Her voice had changed from the dry crackle to a smooth, rich purr.

Luke shifted, adjusting his pants. “Uh, sort of.”

She laughed, deviously.

“Back to the point,” Draconius sighed.

Lenora nodded. “The demon is one of Vengeance,” she began. “And the Pawn has a claim.”

Draconius lifted an eyebrow. “Really?”

“She lost her daughter to the calling of the Slayer. Lost her family to her daughter’s answer to her call. She can ask for Vengeance,” Lenora answered, smiling thoughtfully.

“Will the demon grant it?” Luke asked, hiding his now evident lower bits behind a chair.

“She is bound. She must, or face the consequences,” Lenora answered. “Her master will make sure of that.”

Draconius nodded his pleasure. “Well done, Lenora. I suppose you instructed the Pawn?”

“She will do as we ask. She, too, is bound,” the Witch answered. “However, we have another small problem.” She pushed herself to her feet, taking a drink from the wet bar and swiveling back towards the pair of men.

Both looked at her curiously. “Well?” The Old One asked.

“Their Witches have uncovered a way to follow the Pawn and have sent the wolf and the younger human male after her. The corrupted One is now on the scent of the children as well,” Lenora answered. A sly smile broke on her face.

That same smile infected both of the men. “I suppose you have an answer for that as well,” Draconius purred contentedly.

“Why, yes, if you wish,” she taunted, sipping her drink. “The wolf and human are easy. Just say the word and I can get them out of the way.”

“The Word,” Luke chirped, watching her every move.

Lenora smiled. “Done. They are in a motor conveyance. Near cliffs. “

“Ooh, a nice little accident?” Luke sing-songed.

“Some surprises are good ones,” Lenora answered, her voice soft and sultry.

“Go on,” Draconius continued, watching his Witch walk gracefully around the room.

She nodded. “Both the Vampire and the Slayer are now on their way as well. But I was thinking that, at this point, they are not much of a threat. She is completely controlled by the demon. He is consumed by saving his mate.”

“Let them watch,” Draconius added, thoughtfully, swirling brandy in his snifter. “I *like* that.”

“It’s unlikely they will be able to do much. And even if they do, the identity of the Pawn should stop them both in their tracks long enough for your plan to succeed, Master,” the Witch continued.

“Yes,” Draconius agreed. “Then make it so.”

Lenora smiled. “I thought you would say that. I already did.”

To be contd.

Title: Chasing Tinkerbelle (Chapter Thirty-two of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday at yahoogroups.com . Also, please visit the wonderful fan listing that Rachel put together. Sign up today and link to your website (or just sign up to say hi!).

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Xander and Oz try to get to Anya and the kids, but something stops them dead. Spike leaves in search of his family. Buffy comes across something that distracts her, but not enough to keep her away from trying to hunt her children. The Pawn makes it to the hiding place and gives Anya an ultimatum.

~~~~~

Chasing Tinkerbelle
The pair had been silent for a while, all joking set aside as the reality of the task had hit home. They were following a Tinkerbelle trail, yes, but following it to what was certainly going to be a messy situation. A big bad that wasn't so big, or so bad, and one they couldn't kill unless it was absolutely necessary. A big bad that was after two kids that they, even in their own personal dogmas, had adopted in their hearts as their own. Oz was just learning this, but Xander knew it in his bones. One of theirs was one of theirs. Spike would lay his life, or unlife, on the line for River in the blink of an eye. Xander was willing to do the same for Emma and Will. Not just for Buffy either.

Not just to save the World.

Blood was blood. Flesh was flesh. Friends were friends. And even the Vampire was his friend now. Not that he'd ever admit it.

They rounded a corner on the Cliffside road, going way too fast for conditions. Xander knew the course. Had driven to the water millions of times. But this time was different. This time was. everything. The road kept coming in tight turns as he sped and steered and listened to the tires squeal against the pavement. Oz didn't say a word. Van could take it. They had to get there. Yesterday.

Around another corner and there it was. Standing in front of them. A little girl glowing almost translucent in the light. Emma? Xander had the chance to think before he hit his brakes hard, his body bracing into the back of the seat. Oz pushed his hands against the dash, yelping involuntarily.

The car wasn't going to stop.

Emma.

Xander had a choice. Sheer drop to the right. Hard rock to the left.

The choice was made for him as his tire went off the right side of the road and the van upended.

The girl was gone.

So was everything else.

~~~~~~

Knew the road was windy. SUV wasn't going to make it fast enough. Did it even have gas anymore?

Spike pulled the motorcycle from its place tucked against the wall of the garage and picked it up, carrying it over boxes of toys and packaged baby stuff that was going to go to the next one in line. Whoever's that might be. He didn't have time to think about the dichotomy of his existence. His leather jacket and his motorcycle in stark contrast to boxes of pink and blue onsies with his pretty script on the side stating "Baby items".

All that mattered was her. Was them.

The motorcycle was gassed. Mercy of mercies it started. Even better that it purred like a kitten as he tore from the driveway and headed out of Revello faster than any emergency vehicle in the existence of Sunnydale. That's what they were, really. All of them. Emergency personnel of a different kind.

The motorcycle took off after the trail, Spike's face to the wind, his mind racing and his heart pounding out a staccato beat against his chest. Had to get there. Had to save them. Had to now.

~~~~

Anya was in the bathroom, Will sitting on the counter and Emma standing in front of the sink. She helped to brush Will's teeth as Emma went through a complicated nightly ritual. Must have learned that one from her mother. Couldn't imagine Spike preening quite so much.

She thought again.

Okay, they both do have really good skin.

Will was very quiet, but Emma had relaxed since they arrived, unpacking her toys and playing with the dog on the beach outside. Not that the little boy had been upset. He smiled and ate his supper, but he looked. pensive. Like he was waiting for something. It was a look they all had perfected. Waiting for the Apocalypse. The rest of them had just gotten better at hiding it.

And Emma. well, she was a trusting sort. Worry didn't seem to enter in her vocabulary. Even knowing what she already knew and seeing what she'd already seen, she was the picture of calm optimism. Thoughtful hope. Peace.

Anya started, hearing the door blow open. The back door had been slamming back and forth since they got there, the winter winds blowing off the water knocking the old, thin door around like a dead leaf. The last time, she thought she'd locked it. But here it was, blowing open again.

"Emma, do you think you can help Will finish brushing his teeth, and then go and wait for me in the big bedroom? We can watch movies until you fall asleep?" Anya asked, brushing golden strands from the little girl's smiling face.

"Sure, Aunt Anya," Emma answered, moving to Will. "Want us to stay hide- y?"

Anya had to smile. Most of the time, Emma had an uncanny ability to sound mature and even had adopted a softened version of her father's rich accent. But that sentence was straight out of her mum's mouth.

"Hide-y's good. Think it's just the wind, but you never know," Anya answered, ruffling Will's hair.

Emma shook her head. "Nope. I'll take Will into the big room. Can we sleep with you tonight?"

"Sure," Anya answered smiling. "We'll all pile in. That big, oafy, fur ridden thing too."

Emma smiled. "Pony likes you. He told me."

"Well, I guess that's good. Just tell him to keep his fleas off of the bed," Anya answered. "Now go get all hide-y."

Emma smiled as Anya walked out of the room.

~~~~~
Buffy could smell blood. It mixed in her nose with the scent of the magic of the trail and the smell of the children she was hunting. Strong blood. Fresh blood.

It made her stomach howl.

Still, she had to get to the children. Something told her demon that the only way it could keep this body, this firm, strong, athletic shell, was to dispose of what the girl loved. Make is so she wouldn't want to go back. Wouldn't want to return to herself in a world where her own mouth had stolen the life of her family.

The Vampire wasn't going to like that much. Sod off. He'd had a hundred plus years to get it right and still that damned poet got in the way. Not going to let it happen this time. Destroy it all now so the girl has nothing to come back for. Nothing to fight.

Buffy stopped at the side of the road, her legs burning from the ten miles she had run in short order. The smell of blood was overwhelming. Her yellow eyes scanned the cliff and saw it. Caught about forty feet down the drop off on the side of the road was a van, upended and being held precariously by a tree. There was blood in the van. Fresh, warm, blood. Lots of blood. She could hear the heartbeats and the slow steady drip of red red life.

Well, the kiddies could wait until after supper.

~~~~~

Anya walked to the door, sticking her head outside and looking around. "Hello?" She called out into the chill, ocean air. "Anyone here?"

There was no answer to her call.

She shrugged, stepping back into the doorway and pulling the door shut tight behind her, locking it and sticking a chair in front of it. The cold air would cost her valuable heating dollars, she reasoned, not wanting to admit that she was afraid. At least not out loud.

A noise behind her made her jump. She spun, facing the sound and the dog rolled over on the couch. She sighed. "Big, noisy, sleepy thing," she sighed, getting control of her heart again.

Little did she know that the dog wasn't asleep.

Anya took a step back down the corridor towards the kitchen, turning on the kettle. As it warmed, she busied herself filling a sippie cup with juice for Will and a glass of caffeine free soda for Emma. She knew the kids wouldn't fall asleep soon. She was in for a long night of Spongebob and Wiggles.

The demon barely noticed the sound of shuffling feet. Just sounded like the wind. Until, of course, the hairs on the back of her neck spun and a voice sounded behind her.

"Anya?"

~~~~~

Buffy was halfway down the cliff to the van when she heard it. A low whimper followed by the sounds of struggle in the vehicle. Dammit, she thought. Had time for drive through, but not for struggling with injured victims. Not to mention, she could smell the power on the one. Wolf. No time to take her chances against a wolf so close to the full moon.

Instead, she decided that she'd have plenty when she got to the kids. Maybe not the biggest meals on the planet, but the satisfaction of knowing that she'd taken away so much of what Buffy loved, and done possibly the only thing that the Vampire couldn't forgive her for. now that would be more satisfying than a snack along the way.

Forcing herself away from the intoxicating scent of blood, Buffy took back off after the scent of her kids, keeping the glittering trail in her sight always.

~~~~~

Anya stood before the woman, eyes wide open. Even though she had known, been somehow prepared, seeing her standing in front of her, looking as normal as she had the last time she had seen her, was unnerving. It was Joyce. Hot chocolate Joyce. Mother of the Chosen One. Made them dinner and didn't ask too many questions, Joyce.

A sinking feeling hit Anya as she remembered the exact moment that Xander had received the call. That Joyce had died. She was drinking fruit punch. Xander dropped the phone, tears streaming down his full cheeks. Her first brush with human mortality and it hurt. Stung as if it had been one of her own. It was one of her own. They all belonged to each other.

"Joyce?" Anya said, her voice wavering.

The Pawn smiled, her dirty white gown still looking beautiful on her form. She was still so beautiful. So gentle.

But it wasn't her, Anya reminded herself. Or it was. But it was a her who didn't know. Didn't understand. Wanted, was being told, to hurt the kids. Kids that Anya had been sworn to protect. Not this. Not this.

The demon edged her way towards the exit to the kitchen.

Joyce smiled. "It's been a while. How has life treated you?"

The voice was sweet and cheery. It was right. But there was emptiness to it. Foreignness, like she was there, but she was buried so far beneath the surface that what came through was an echo of who she had been.

Anya nodded. "Good. Good. "

"You're a mother," Joyce said, nodding at the demon's still tight form.

"Yes," Anya answered. "A little boy."

"Rupert's," Joyce commented. "Have to say I didn't see that one coming."

"Most didn't," Anya confessed, smiling.

"You're a demon again," Joyce continued, her head tilting to the side. Anya just nodded her reply. "Does it hurt?"

"Does what hurt?" Anya asked, confused. She scooted closer to the hall exit.

"Killing," the Pawn asked, the same sweet smile on her face.

That got Anya's hackles up. This was not Joyce. Not really. Or at least not in control. "Yes," Anya answered honestly, still edging towards the door.

Joyce sighed. "Well, I wish I could catch up, but, I've got work to do." She slapped her hands to the sides and shrugged. "I know the answer already, but since you're a demon, I figure it's only polite for me to just ask it once. Then we will go from there."

"Ask what?" Anya asked, now at the exit, trying to work her way into the hall. Wanted to get to the kids. Wanted to know they were all right. At least block the way. Or die trying.

Joyce sighed again. "I'm here for Emma. My . boss. knows. you know that."

Anya nodded solemnly.

"So, we could make this easier if you'd just let me take her. I promise to leave you and the little boy alone. And as soon as I leave the dimension, they told me everything would be all right with." Her voice wavered and Anya could see tears come to her eyes. There was something of the real Joyce in there.

That meant there was hope.

Stall her.

"Buffy?" Anya asked, standing in the hall, hands on her hips, trying to make herself look somehow imposing.

Joyce nodded in return.

"She's pretty messed up. She almost killed Spike last night. How could you let that happen?" Anya asked. Interrogation usually worked to either bring on the guilt or the anger. But it would keep the conversation alive.

Something flared in the Pawn's eyes and that little piece of Joyce retreated. Anger it was. "Are you going to give me the Peacemaker or are you going to endanger the other child and the One?"

"I've been asked to protect them. I will." Her voice was simple. Firm.

The Pawn sighed. "All right then. But you aren't going to like what they want me to do."

Anya quirked a brow. She had expected an attack. A fight. Not a calm statement of fact.

"What do you mean?"

"I have been wronged," Joyce began. "The Powers stole my baby. They made her a warrior. Took her away from me. Took away my family." The voice, the eyes, flickered with their true owner's hurt for just one moment, and then flashed away. "I wish that Buffy cannot stop me from taking her child away. That no one can."

A shocked look crossed Anya's face. This she definitely hadn't expected. Could dead people make Vengeance wishes? This had to be a new one for her. Well, dead dead people. The undead had an active Vengeance imagination. "You're asking for me to grant you a wish?"

"You are bound," Joyce answered, returning to the automaton stare. "You must."

Anya stared at her for a moment. "You know. I can't. I gave them my word."

The Pawn shook her head, smiling. "It's your duty, Anya. You cannot turn away someone with a Vengeance claim."

The demon swallowed, her heart now racing. Emma. Buffy. Will. Spike. Rupert. Randy. Pictures of them all spinning through her mind. They were all hers and all theirs and all part of her heart. She couldn't just hand Emma over. But there were penalties for denying a wish made by a valid claimant. Big penalties. Huge penalties.

D'Hoffryn had been good to her.

Anya closed her eyes and swallowed, steeling all of her strength. She would protect them or die trying. Anything less would disappoint them. Would disappoint her. She'd expect the same from Buffy. From Spike.

"I cannot grant your wish."

To be contd.

Next