~*~

Chapter Two:

        Buffy blinked shaking her head at the image Spike made. She couldn’t believe it, felt sick to her stomach as she took him in.

        Bringing a shaking hand to her mouth she took in Spike’s sallow and pale face. His sunken cheekbones, the thinness of his mouth. His hair usually bleached almost white was reduced to a thin layer of brown fuzz.

        But it wasn’t only his appearance that disturbed her; it was the scars that crisscrossed Spike’s scalp as if he’d had his head cut open.

        What disturbed her most were his eyes.

        Once full of life and vibrancy his eyes were vacant holes, pools of such a light shade of blue it was hard to tell it was Spike.

        She remembered clearly thinking while fighting him their first time he had the most expressive blue eyes she’d ever seen.

        Swallowing she took a step back to try and get her bearings.

        “I see you’ve seen sweet William,” Dru’s voice broke through Buffy’s thoughts and she whirled to face the vampiress.

        “Dru,” Buffy muttered straightening and gathering her Slayer cloak about her.

        Dru dressed in her usual garb of centuries old dresses came forward a smile plastered to her pale face.

        “Did you touch him?” Dru asked gliding forward and reaching out.

        Buffy glanced at Spike again shuddering at the picture he made.

        “Wh—what’s wrong with him—Spike? What’s wrong with you?” she demanded turning to the silent Spike.

        She wasn’t sure why she was suddenly so angry but she didn’t like seeing Spike this way, so-broken. It was…sad…kinda. If she were to admit it to herself, which she certainly wasn’t.

        Buffy jumped startled as a cold hand gripped her and Dru tried to force her to touch Spike.

        “Touch him,” Dru urged.

        Buffy huffed slapping at Dru’s hands and shoving her away in disgust. She pressed her hands to her chest protectively and stared at Dru through narrowed eyes.

        “Don’t touch me,” she warned coldly.

        Looking slightly abashed Dru merely smiled and reached placing her hand over one of Spike’s pale bony hands.

        It started low but soon the room echoed with the harshness of Spike’s growls. He didn’t move or give any indication that he was aware of anything but the growls grew louder the longer Dru touched him.

        Startled and slightly horrified Buffy moved quickly taking Dru’s hand off Spike, moving her way from him.

        “See? M’Spike wants nothing to do with me,” Dru murmured sadly. “Cowers and growls like a baby tiger. Grrrr. And the red—he’s surrounded in the red—“

        Buffy rolled her eyes as Dru began to dance around the room.

        “Rule number one,” she mumbled under her breath,” don’t let Dru touch Spike. Drusilla what—how come he looks like this? Haven’t you been feeding him?” Buffy demanded glaring at Dru.

        Still silently swaying Dru’s hands traced imaginary patterns in the air.

        “Baby won’t eat. Baby won’t eat,” she repeated over and over.

        “Why not?”

        “Baby won’t eat the meals I catch for him. Delicacies of the finest of fine. She was so pretty, so tasty and he—he wouldn’t eat! Baby won’t eat…”

        Buffy’s eyes rested on Spike again, taking in his almost stick thin quality. Not a large man by any standards he really shouldn’t have been so thin, now he looked horrible.

        The longer Buffy looked at him the less her mind protested against the idea of actually helping Spike. Because though he was an enemy she’d always known if anyone was going to kill Spike it would be her. She wouldn’t let whoever had done this to him take that pleasure from her.

        Gritting her teeth she shot Dru a sour look, shaking her head at the vampiress who still swayed to silent music.

        With such a crazy looking after him no wonder Spike looked such a mess, she thought angrily striding closer to Spike.

        And the way he reacted to Dru it was any wonder how he ate, because Buffy had the sinking feeling he reacted that way with everyone.

        Hesitantly she lifted her hand hating what she was about to do. She had only ever touched one vampire in a way that wasn’t meant to harm. That had been Angel and since she had feelings for him she tended not to dwell on his cold dead skin.

        She quickly reached out before she could stop herself and grabbed Spike’s hand. Was pleasantly surprised to find his skin not that cold, more like room temperature and getting warmer by the second with her hand in his.

        “Ohhhhh,” Dru cooed. “I knew the nasty Slayer would make you all better my sweet,” Dru purred as she came forward.

        “Hello standing right here you crazy vampire,” Buffy snapped taking her eyes off Spike long enough to glare at Dru who ignored her.

        When she turned back she jumped back a strangled yell coming out as she found herself face to face with Spike.

        The only thing that kept her from completely falling back and landing on her butt was Spike’s death grip on her hand.

        “Spike,” she breathed both relieved and freaked as he stared unblinkingly into her eyes. The seconds stretched and when he didn’t move or reply Buffy looked up at Dru who was on Spike’s other side looking on approvingly.

        “Okay—how weird is this?” Buffy asked aloud. “Dru first things first he needs blood. So go and get me—this uh-damn you have any butchers around here?” she asked more to herself than to Dru.

        “I shan’t go to that trouble,” Dru responded. “When there’s blood right here,” Dru continued pointing to Buffy.

        Buffy straightened and tried to move away but Spike’s grasp was too tight.

        “Please don’t delude yourself into thinking you can take me on,” Buffy spat angrily wanting more than anything to put Dru in her place. Crazy ho, she thought bitterly.

        “Get me blood and it better be from a butchers or I’ll leave and you can—“

        “No! You mustn’t leave,” Dru cried out wrapping her arms around herself. “I—I will get the blood. My Spike needs your help Slayer I will do what I must.”

        Dru swept out of the room.

        Buffy’s fingers twitched in Spike’s and she sighed looking over at him feeling her stomach clench and her heart begin to pound once again.

        Anger she was certain would be her constant companion for a good long while. With narrowed eyes she tried to think about what she should do at the moment. Dru was gone and Spike here wouldn’t let go of her hand.

        “So what happened to you?” she asked softly as she leaned closer to get a look at his head and fought off the bile that rose as she took in his bruised and abused scalp.

        She resisted the urge to touch his head, knowing it would probably hurt like hell. Stitches covered about half of his head.

        “Some one cut into your skull?” she asked. For the life of her she couldn’t understand why anyone would do such a thing.

        Especially to Spike. He was dead, what could be so interesting about his brain?

        Sighing she moved slightly away from him realizing she was practically in his lap.

        “It would be nice if you let go of my hand,” she muttered looking around the room once again. She was shocked when her hand was dropped.

        She stared at Spike a minute in shock.

        “So you heard me Spike? Can you talk to me?” she asked quickly. “What happened to you? WHO DID THIS TO YOU? Listen I need you to speak to me okay? I know you hate me and I—well I hate you too but—“

        Breaking off she realized he wasn’t responding to her and shut her mouth. She studied him and then sighed.

        “Okay let’s see. Can you come here?” she asked stepping back and watching him intently.

        She watched in delight as Spike rose and came to her.

        “Well,” she exclaimed in happiness,” aren’t you the little puppy? Okay I’m sorry I shouldn’t say things like that. You aren’t a puppy-more like an evil vampire who seems to have lost all capacity to speak.”

        She stared into his eyes a long moment before she had to shake her head and force her eyes away.

        It wouldn’t do to get lost in those eyes of his, she thought irritated. They were nothing but pools of endless blue. Nary an emotion in them.

        “Dru’s coming back with your blood—and you know what? It’s gonna be animal blood so be prepared. I know you like it direct from the tap and Dru has this bizarre idea that I’m gonna provide you sustenance. That’s a whole bunch of hell no! Capital H capital N. I don’t open my veins for anyone. Especially not you. So let’s sit back down,” she headed for the sofa and took a seat.

        Was slightly surprised when Spike took a seat beside her and they sat in silence for a moment.

        “So uh-well I remember seeing these um commercials for premature babies—you know babies born early,” Buffy paused shaking her head at the dumbness of that statement. “Anyway touching them seems to help them. Human touch. And though you aren’t a human—well you kinda sometimes act like one. And the only person touching you has probably been Drusilla and well no offense she’s not so much with the nurturing. So what I’m saying—uh you know if you want—“she cleared her throat to get her next words out,” you can hold my hand Spike.”

        Buffy blew out a breath when her hand was snatched up, Spike locking their fingers together.

~*~

        “Can’t you do a spell?” Joyce asked irritated as she glared at Giles. “You know to find her or something? This can’t be all we can do!”

        Giles silently cleaned his glasses.

        “Joyce we are doing all we can. I assure you that you aren’t the only one worried for Buffy’s safety. I am just as concerned.”

        “I just thought of something,” Angel announced suddenly as he looked up from the table he was seated at.

        “Well,” Giles demanded impatiently.

        Angel ducked his head at the burnt of Giles’s anger. He couldn’t blame the man for disliking him; he’d killed the woman he loved.

        “Buffy mentioned you uh asked her to read up on thralls and while we were talking she mentioned Dru and we got to talking an—“

        “Thralls?” Giles demanded angrily glaring at Angel. “I did no such thing! You know good and well Buffy doesn’t read! Not on her own accord anyway.”

        Angel frowned.

        “Well she said so,” he muttered lowly.

        “And of course you believe everything she says,” Giles snapped angrily.

        “Listen,” Angel began beginning to become angry. He was just as worried about Buffy as everyone else. He hadn’t slept in two days.

        “Shut up,” Joyce shouted. “This is a clue! Why would she be mentioning Dru? And thralls? What are those and why would she be interested in those Giles? Think about what he’s told you. I know you don’t like him but he’s here to help and we can use all the help we can get!”

        Giles grumbled slightly before he nodded reluctantly.

        “Drusilla you say?” Giles asked curiously.

        “Yes. She wanted to know if Dru could do thralls from a long distance and I told her it wouldn’t be a thrall but a sort of mental connection. Not as strong as a thrall.”

        “Why would she mention Dru?” Willow asked frowning.

        “When did we last hear about Dru?” Xander asked angrily. “When her blood suckin’ boyfriend came to town a few months ago! Maybe—do you think she has Buffy in a thrall and Spike’s gonna kill her?”

        “NO,” Angel denied immediately causing everyone to look at him strangely.

        “Why do you think that? Huh maybe—did you have anything to do with this? I know you were evil before but Buffy said you’d changed and now—now my baby’s gone!” Joyce yelled at Angel getting in his face. “And if it’s your fault—“

        “I-I’m sorry,” Angel stuttered out.

        “Enough,” Giles yelled. “We are here to find Buffy. Now everyone calm down and let us think calmly and rationally. You’re right Joyce. I with your help Willow shall do a locating spell and then we’ll brainstorm on why Buffy was asking about Drusilla. Understood?”

        When he was met with nods of acceptance he nodded himself.

        “Good. Let’s begin.”

~*~

        Dru came back almost half an hour later but Buffy didn’t have it in her to be too upset, considering she was feeling the affects of jet lag.

        “Here,” Dru practically threw the brown bag that held the butchers blood at Buffy her face pinched and disgusted.

        Buffy grabbed it and peered into it.

        “What kind is this?” Buffy asked. She wasn’t sure what type of blood was the best. Angel never mentioned what kind he drank and never drank in front of her. So pretty much she was clueless about animal blood.

        “Pig,” Dru muttered gagging and clawing at her tongue.

        Buffy looked on and just shook her head.

        “Did you taste some?” she found herself asking. She couldn’t imagine why Dru was doing that. Well of course there was the fact that she was crazy.

        “The moon has come and…I’ve lost my way-I’ve lost my way. And the nasty Slayer’s here to stay. M’Spike wants only her—won’t let me touch ‘im only the nasty Slayer…”

        “Okay,” Buffy muttered glaring at Dru a minute before she turned to Spike. “You know calling me names really isn’t smart Drusilla. I am the Slayer and I can and will kill you. So uh… if you want me to help Spike knock it off! You don’t see me callin’ you the skanky ass ho you are now do you?”

        Buffy took one of the bags of blood from the bag and held it awkwardly as she resisted the urge to gag.

        “Here,” she pressed the bag into Spike’s hands.

        When he didn’t take it she sighed.

        “How’d you get him to eat before?” she asked Dru.

        “He hasn’t,” Dru admitted.

        Buffy blanched.

        “What is wrong with you? I mean are you stupid—oh you’re just crazy! How did you think he was going to survive if he didn’t eat Dru? God I can’t believe I’m saying this but it’s a good thing I came. You gotta eat that Spike,” she ordered.

        Spike remained still, unresponsive.

        “Hmmm, so you’re not listening to me,” she mused. “Can’t you take a bite? I mean would you like a cup or something? Or-well I don’t know how to eat blood. Cold or maybe warmed up like human blood?”

        Pausing she took the pack of blood back and reaching out she gripped Spike’s jaws.

        “Open up Spike,” she muttered.

        He didn’t open up.

        Using her Slayer strength she opened the bag and waved it under his nose, trying to illicit some sort of reaction from him.

        It seemed even the scent of animal blood couldn’t make him open up and try a little of it. Not that she blamed him; the thought of it sickened her. But he needed to start eating.

        Fed up she reached out and slapped him.

        Cringing as she did so and his head flopped to the side. She was relived to see his eyes had flickered and slowly changed from pale blue to the yellow of a demon.

        Now we’re getting somewhere, she thought happily as she stuck the bag of blood under his nose.

       Watched him sniff, his head rear back and a growl erupted from him.

        Buffy rolled her eyes.

        “Stop that,” she ordered.

        She was entirely too pleased when he listened.

        “Now eat this,” she went on and watched as he ripped into the bag drinking greedily.

        Buffy reached out pulling the bag back from him, remembering once hearing that after a long period without drinking and you drank too much you could get sick.

        She figured the same applied to drinking blood.

        “Little bits at a time Spike okay? I don’t want you to throw up blood.”

        Buffy wondered as she fed Spike how’d she had gotten here. Hell not two days ago she’d been patrolling with Angel and thinking of all the ways she and he could work around that pesky curse of his. Now she was feeding an almost catatonic Spike.

        Spike who seemed to only respond to her and she had to admit she could get used to ordering him around.

        “My sweet baby,” Dru squealed as she tried to reach out and touch Spike.

        “Don’t,” Buffy snapped.

        Dru drew back as if burned and pouted.

        “He’s mine,” Dru hissed.

        Buffy shrugged.

        “I don’t want him,” she muttered.

        “Baby’s eating. Baby’s eating,” Dru sang as she danced around the room once more. “The nasty Slayer’s got m’Spike’s eating. Grrrr Miss Edith says I must be nice to the nasty Slayer. But the fishes burn and wither when I do—I loves the baby fishes…”

        Buffy felt like sticking out her tongue and gagging, Dru was so annoying. This was really getting annoying quickly and she knew she’d have to take more of it.

        Because she had the feeling she wouldn’t be leaving, at least not any time soon. Spike seemed to have suffered a huge trauma and she wasn’t sure how she could help. But she knew that she could and felt that she must.

        Staring into Spike’s blank eyes she vowed silently she would fix him, turn him back into the evil vampire he had once been before. Make those blue eyes dance with mirth and arrogance.

        I’ll help you Spike, she thought fiercely. I’ll make you better and when I’m done you’ll be the old evil enemy I love to hate.

        I swear.

Chapter Three:

     It had been a stressful two days since she’d arrived in London, and Buffy wasn’t sure how much more she could take.

     She was certain more than ever that something was seriously wrong with not only Spike but Dru too. Because for the most part Dru seemed to be actually sane and that was just…wrong.

     But Buffy couldn’t find fault in that, because it meant she could ask Dru questions and actually have them answered. But the questions she’d been asking weren’t ones Dru felt inclined to answer. Or maybe she didn’t have the answers. Either way Buffy wasn’t getting much of anywhere.

     It was with this in mind Buffy found herself pacing in the library, Spike at her side and a phone to her ear.

     She’d had every intention of calling Giles and her mom, but watching over Spike and Dru had eaten up a lot of her free time.

     “So what are you saying?” Buffy finally cut in abruptly.

     “I’m saying Ms. Summers I can be of no help to you at the moment,” Quentin Travers calmly replied.

     Buffy blew out a breath and glanced at Spike.

     “Now why don’t I believe you? I know you must know something Mr. Travers. Things like this just don’t happen,” Buffy muttered angrily staring at Spike’s blank face.

     “I assure you I wasn’t even aware you were in London,” Quentin drawled condescendingly.

     Buffy rolled her eyes unable to believe him. She knew he was aware of everything that went on in London. Especially if Spike and Dru came back to town.

     She wasn’t sure why she had thought the Council might know what had happened to Spike, but it had been worth a try. Quentin had immediately told her to rid the world of Spike and Drusilla.

     Buffy had been tempted to kill Dru, but not Spike. At least not when he was in this condition.

     “You will kill him won’t you Buffy? It is your job is it not? I will expect his ashes at Council headquarters when you do. Good day,” Quentin hung up abruptly.

     Sighing Buffy hung up as well.

     “Now I see why I don’t trust them,” she muttered to herself. “I mean sure if it were any other vampire I’d kill them. But it’s you…” Buffy trailed off not liking the way her thoughts were going. Spike wasn’t more than what he was. He was her mortal enemy.

     “Anyway we’re enemies and when I want you dead I’ll kill you. No sooner. He wants your ashes…I don’t think he’ll take it well if I leave without taking you all out. What to do…”

     She turned and paced the room occasionally looking at Spike. He was if possible looking better. His face had lost most of the sallow look, his cheekbones weren’t as pronounced, and his eyes had picked up a little more color.

     She should call Giles, she thought suddenly.

    And tell him what, a little voice in her head asked. That you can’t kill Spike because he’s in some sort of coma? And killing Dru will only incur Spike’s wrath once she fixed him?

     She could hear him now, in her head. And how do you propose going about ‘fixing’ him Buffy?

     Shaking her head she sighed again finally coming to a decision.

     “C’mon Spike we’ve got some things to do,” Buffy announced as she strode to the door.

     Spike rose from his seat and followed her.

~*~

     Quentin Travers sighed warily as he hung up with Buffy, and turned to face the middle aged woman standing in front of his desk.

Waiting to be updated on their joint effort.

     Or more accurately her project one of which she’d forced him and his people to cooperate on.

     “I assume your phone call went well? What was the Slayer calling you for?” Dr. Maggie Walsh asked curiously as she rested her hip on the corner of Quentin’s desk.

     Quentin shrugged and smiled slightly.

     “She was curious about what we knew about a vampire named Trick. He seems to be causing quite the problem in Sunnydale. His ashes will tell us a great deal and I told her to send them to us. He’s an older vampire and Giles her Watcher is worried,” he lied smoothly easing out of his chair.

     Maggie seemed content with his answer as she watched him round his desk.

     “The Slayer’s not worried?” she finally asked.

     “I wouldn’t know. She and I aren’t on the best of terms. I don’t approve of her unconventional ways. She doesn’t like my need for rules. So what can I do for you Maggie?” he asked at last looking over at her.

     Maggie ran a hand through her hair and smiled.

     “We have a lead on William the Bloody. We…need access to your sources. We are certain he’s here in London and this time we’ll find him and Drusilla,” she vowed fiercely.

     Quentin licked his suddenly dry lips, worry swirling through him as he watched Maggie’s cold eyes take on a distant look.

     He feared for the safety of his Slayer and it was an odd sensation. He had been sure he found her slightly off putting, but…under it all there was a fondness, he mused. An amused, tolerable fondness that allowed for him to do this.

     “Of course. Allow me to show you to the person in charge of such matters,” he murmured as he walked to his door and held it open.

     Maggie flashed a quick grin at him as she strode past him and he resisted the urge to shudder in disgust.

     She was already at the lift when he paused to speak to his secretary.

     “Gwen,” he began quickly. “Call Wesley-Wyndham Pryce. Tell him it’s a go.”

     “Are you coming Quentin?” Maggie called out impatiently.

     “Yes,” Quentin snapped as he stared at his secretary until she nodded, and then with a curt nod of his own hurried to the elevator.

     As soon as Quentin disappeared Gwen picked up the phone and dialed an extension.

     “May I please speak to Wesley?” she asked.

~*~

     “Did you get it?” Buffy asked Dru as soon as she appeared in the dining room later on that evening.

     Dru twirled around and held out a large bag.

     “Yes,” she cooed. “I got the nasty Slayer’s goodies. Swaying into the—“

     “Give it to me,” Buffy cut her off irritated.

     Dru sighed and tossed the bag to Buffy who caught it effortlessly.

     Peering into it she grinned when she saw two canisters of what she assumed were the ashes she’d asked Dru for.

     “Thank you,” Buffy grudgingly muttered as she placed the bag on the table.

     Dru wasn’t paying attention to her as she twirled around the table, her eyes distant. Her mind a million miles away.

     “Spike are you hungry?” Buffy asked abruptly glancing at Spike.

     “The baby won’t eat…” Dru began chanting.

     “What are you talking about?” Buffy wondered aloud as she walked to Spike and helped him to his feet. “Never mind. It’s better if I don’t know. Come on Dru you need to eat too.”

     “No! I won’t,” Dru screamed clawing at her head as she dropped to her knees.

     Awkwardly Buffy stared at Dru not knowing what to do.

     “Fine but if I find you’ve been out killing I’ll kill you,” Buffy finally managed as she hurried out Spike’s hand in hers.

     As Buffy fixed Spike his meal she thought about how she was going to explain this to Giles. Much less her friends. They wouldn’t understand, and she couldn’t explain because she didn’t understand either.

     “Well you know what?” she asked as she poured the bag of blood into a cup and shoved it into the microwave. “You’d better appreciate this Spike. I wouldn’t do this just for any one… When are you going to talk to me? As much as I loath to admit it I kinda miss your snarky, pain in the ass attitude. Drink up.”

     Face scrunched up in distaste Buffy concentrated inwardly. She’d found that by focusing on her Slayerness in Spike’s presence his demon came out on its own. Which she found was a good thing because she hated hitting him when he was like this.

     She made small talk with him while he ate and tried to figure out a way to get him and she supposed Dru back to Sunnydale with her.

     Since they were vampires it wouldn’t be easy. But since Dru had gotten herself and Spike here in one piece she should have an idea or two.

     “Pssst…”

    Buffy’s head shot up and she looked around warily. Of all the servants and enthralled slaves she’d seen walking around no one had spoken to her unless she spoke first.

     “W-who’s there?” she demanded looking around and not seeing anyone.

     “Over here,” a small British accented voice came from the far corner of the kitchen.

     “You come here,” Buffy ordered.

     “I—I can’t,” the voice said in a pitiful tone. “You see I am stuck.”

     Buffy snorted glancing at Spike who was looking in the same direction as she was.

     “I’ll be right back,” she assured him as he looked at her. Walking quickly to the corner where the man was she paused hands on hips.

     The man appeared to be stuck between the wall and a door that led to a secret passageway.

     With one tug she pulled him free and he landed sprawled out on the floor.

     “Oh,” he murmured as he fumbled with his glasses. “Thank you!”

     Buffy nodded eyeing him curiously.

     “So what’s a Watcher like yourself doin’ here?” she asked abruptly as she walked back to Spike.

     Wesley rose and straightened his suit as best he could.

     “I’ve come to help you,” he proudly announced.

     “How? Quentin said he wasn’t going to help me. Why the sudden change of—“

     “We don’t have all day to discuss this Ms. Summers. I have come on Mr. Travers orders to help you and-“he looked at Spike then for the first time. Started in surprise as dead like, blue eyes were fixed on him.

     “Oh dear Lord,” he mumbled. “You mustn’t stand so close to him!” Wesley exclaimed as he reached out and tugged on her arm.

     The minute Wesley’s hand came in contact with Buffy Spike reacted as fast as Buffy had ever seen him move.

     Spike leapt from his seat and struck out at Wesley a growl erupting, as he shoved Wesley away from Buffy.

     Wesley landed on the floor with a moan.

     Buffy looked at Spike in surprise and delight.

     “Well although unnecessary it was appreciated Spike,” she said patting his head like a puppy. “I see you’re progressing. I’m sorry about that uh—you never mentioned your name.”

     “Wesley Wyndham-Pryce. And unless we do not leave this residence immediately you will not see the light of day any time soon,” Wesley announced as he glanced fearfully at Spike.

     Buffy frowned.

     “Sounds kinda serious,” she commented.

     “It is,” Wesley assured her quickly.

~*~

     Maggie stared hard at her soldiers as she briefed them on their mission.

     “I want him alive do you understand?” she finally asked taking them all in with cold and deadly eyes.

     “Yes ma’am,” they chorused in unison like robots.

     This was essentially what they were to Maggie anyway. She cared little for them as long as they did the job she paid them for, and did it well.

     If they failed they knew what the punishment would be. The group that had failed to keep Hostile 17 and his vampire mate Drusilla imprisoned had died long and painful deaths.

     Squadron leader of this reconnaissance mission Riley Finn hurried over to her as soon as she dismissed them.

     “Ms. Walsh-“he began.

     “Doctor,” she cut him off coldly.

     Riley nodded quickly, a blush staining his cheeks.

     “Yes ma’am. Dr. Walsh I was wondering what we do about the woman vampire? She took hostile 17 and I doubt she’ll let us have him. Should we bring her in or kill her?”

     Maggie contemplated this.

     Their experiments on Dru had not gone as planned. What they’d expected to happen hadn’t. Bringing her back would be a pointless task. Plus she didn’t want to take the risk of having Dru kidnap Spike back again.

     “Kill her,” was Maggie’s slow response.

     All she needed was William the Bloody, and if she had him then she had the whole world in the palm of her hand.

~*~

     “When you get your—well when you get better this is gonna be some good ammunition to use against you,” Buffy mused as she sat in the back seat of a rented car.

     Spike sat next to her as close as he could get. His eyes were on the rearview mirror and Wesley who was driving.

     “I mean cuz you’re like totally dependant on me! You won’t even let Dru touch—Dru stop touching Wesley,” Buffy snapped out catching Dru tangle her fingers in Wesley’s hair.

     Reluctantly Dru drew her hand back glaring briefly at Buffy over her shoulder.

     Buffy glanced at Wesley who looked traumatized, hunched in his seat and pressed firmly against his door.

     “Are you okay to drive?” Buff asked in concern. She didn’t want him killing them.

     “Quite… Excuse me I am not used to having vampire’s touch me.”

     “Now you said once we were on the road you’d explain some things to me. First question is why are you helping me with Spike and Drusilla?”

     Wes swallowed.

     “Well you see-“he began slowly before he flicked a quick glance at Dru and was so startled he lost control of the car for a moment. “Oh my God!”

     Buffy was flung into the side of the car as it went skidding across the road and landed in a ditch.

     “What?!” she yelled as she glanced at Spike who’d fallen against her, gently she shoved him off.

     “Did you—what is-“Wesley couldn’t even speak as he gestured to Dru in the passenger seat.

     “What?” Buffy demanded again as she lifted herself up and peered over into the front seat.

     Spike followed her wanting to stay close.

     Buffy ignored him as he began to growl, and his eyes flashed yellow, his game face appearing.

     Buffy’s gasp was covered by the loudness of Spike’s inhuman growls as she took in Dru.

     “She’s—she’s—oh my God,” Buffy mumbled. She shook her head trying not look but she couldn’t tear her eyes away.

     “Pregnant,” Wes supplied in a choked and slightly disgusted voice.

     Three pairs of eyes stared at the image Drusilla made as she sat primly in her seat, her dark hair covering her face. Her slender pale hands smoothed over her bulging stomach.

     “Guess the baby won’t eat,” Buffy mumbled,” but it sure is growing. How did this happen? She wasn’t pregnant when we got into the car! Wha—hey what’s that car doing?”

     Wesley’s head shot up and he groaned as a black sedan slowly came to a little ways off.

     Three people spilled out, two in military uniforms, and the sole woman wrapped in a long cream colored coat that fell to her ankles.

     “Who are th—“Buffy began to ask.

     Wes fumbled with his door handle and glanced around wildly.

     “Run,” Wes screamed. “They mean to kill us!”

     Wes fell out of the car and managed to stumble to his feet.

     Buffy didn’t question him as she grabbed Spike’s arm and instead of using the door handle kicked the door right off.

     It sailed through the air.

     And into the path of one of the soldiers.

     He went down out cold.

     “Drusilla come on,” Buffy yelled as she managed to stumble out of the car.

     “Don’t shoot to kill,” Buffy heard the woman say as she rushed the remaining soldier.

     But before she could get within a foot of him a blur of black whizzed by her, and she watched in stunned incredulity as Spike launched himself at the woman.

     He had her by the throat, fangs bared and ready to strike.

     “Spike,” Buffy yelled as she took her eyes away from him to the torn soldier.

     Taking advantage of his distraction it took her little time to knock him out and turn her attention back to Spike.

     “Spike…” she approached him carefully, not wanting to startle him and cause him to inadvertently kill the woman.

     The woman was staring at Buffy with wide incredulous eyes.

     “Spike put her down…we have to get out of here. Come on,” she urged as she placed a hand on his back.

     Frowned when she found he was trembling.

     She wasn’t sure why.

     “Kill…”

     It was a shock to hear Spike’s voice. It was raspy and thin because of lack of use.  But it was his voice and Buffy grinned briefly forgetting what Spike wanted to do.

     Buffy studied the woman a moment before she took in Spike and came to a startling conclusion.

     Spike wasn’t in a rage of homicidal bloodlust; his actions had come about because of fear.

     A fear that made him tremble and caused his eyes to flicker from blue to yellow.

     Gently she slid her hand over his.

     “Put her down Spike,” she requested again.

     Spike reluctantly did as he was told.

     Maggie landed on the ground her legs too weak to support her.

     “Go help Dru,” Buffy ordered as she turned her back on him.

     Maggie stared at Buffy her eyes revealing none of the surprise she felt.

     “You and I are going to have a talk about what you’ve done to Spike,” Buffy hissed out.

     “Since when does a Slayer protect a vampire?” Maggie gasped out in contempt.

     “Since you’ve done this to him! I don’t know who or what you are lady but I swear—“

     Buffy broke off as she heard it, the low keening sound. Too low for an ordinary human to hear but for a Slayer it was easily heard.

     Gripping Maggie by the front of her shirt she shook her.

     “Tell me what you’ve done to him!” She yelled knowing she didn’t have too much time left.

     “I’ve never seen the like. A Slayer willing to protect a vampire! I can’t believe this… It will be a treat when I get my hands on you. To see exactly what makes a Slayer a Slayer…” Maggie mused.

     “If you come after me or Spike again I’ll let him kill you,” Buffy growled as she tossed Maggie from her, and raced to the car where Spike stood stiffly.

     Glancing at him she brushed past him and swept up Dru hurrying away.

     “Come on Spike,” she called over her shoulder.

     Maggie watched the trio disappear into the night.

     Shock would be a word too miniscule as to what she was feeling at the moment.

     Because through the dim light of the car’s interior before Buffy had scooped Dru up she’d seen…

     Dear God she’d seen…

     Maggie laughed with a slight hysterical edge to it, and shaking her head she gathered her strength and gained her feet.

     “It worked,” she mumbled to herself. “It worked. It worked!”

      Now more than ever they needed William the Bloody back. If what she’d seen was accurate then he was a rare breed indeed.

     He was the way…

     A vampire who could mate and have babies… Special babies who would be stronger and smarter than the average man.

     Babies that would make the ultimate soldiers…

     Pulling out her cell phone she dialed quickly for backup.

     Drusilla was pregnant and it looked to be only a matter of time until she had the baby.

     Maggie was determined once she got Spike, Drusilla, the baby and the Slayer under her control more experiments would be needed.

     The possibilities swirled around her.

     If two vampires could make a baby more powerful than any before, then how powerful would a baby of a vampire and a Slayer be?

     They could run, she mused but they couldn’t hide. She would find them and once she did…

     They could either live or die by her rules.