Some Kind of Wonderful By: Skyz

A/N: Hi all, hope you enjoyed my last story the prequel to this one Redefined. And to any new readers welcome and enjoy. I will start by saying any who have not read Redefined will be clueless as to what is going on. I will be referring to Redefined. Picks up right where I left off. Same characters minus two Wolfe and Grace but I have some new ones too. Different plot. This is a B/S story so any B/A people who don't like the thought of them together this may not be for you. Sorry. But to any B/S people there is an implied B/A relationship. There has to be, because in Redefined I left it wide open. I will say B/A will not be together in this story, so don't worry. I want to thank everyone who took the time to read Redefined and hope you find this as satisfactory as it. Enjoy. Skyz.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Btvs. It belongs to Joss Whedon and ME. I only own the characters I've created. Which are Delos, Mornay, and Rufus. Please don't sue, this is for entertainment only.

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Prologue:



Her sleep was restless; her eyes flickered continuously under her eyelids. Her feet shot out, tumbling her covers to the floor in a heap.

Her fingers clawed at the sheets and she moaned deep down in her throat.

Buffy was dreaming.

She was in the dark, no sign of light, all it was, was inky blackness and it consumed her, overwhelmed. Desperately she searched for any sign of a way out. In her hurry, she tripped over her own feet and fell heavily onto her hands and knees.

She moaned as pain laced through her at her scraped knees and palms. That got her attention. She had not noticed until then that she was naked. A startled gasp escaped her.

Her initial reaction was to cover herself.

"Don't," his voice a darkened whisper stopped her cold.

Her head shot up and she scrambled to her feet looking around wildly, heart pounding. Fear blooming.

"Who's there? Where am I? Where the hell are my clothes?!" she demanded as she struck a fighting stance.

"Slayer.......I will ask the questions. You are here for my amusement. And might I add you look delicious?" the voice asked coldly repressed.

Revulsion filled her and she scowled into the darkness. She reminded herself his perversion wasn't her problem; she needed to know what was going on! Now!

"What do you want? Who are you? When I find you I'm gonna make yo---"

"I can see it. Vaguely feel it. The power you have. The way you're able to seduce the fiercest of demons. How you corrupted William," he cut her off silkily.

Buffy stiffened as she realized whom he was talking about.

"Ah..didn't you know? What did you think happened? The man inside loved you and the demon wanted your blood? Seduced by your light William appeared?" he asked with a booming laugh that held nothing but mocking amusement.

Buffy refused to answer him and stubbornly kept her mouth shut, even though her mind was whirling.

"No..Buffy they both love you. The man and demon, the demon loved you first..which brought out the man in our sweet William. Infatuated he is, by your blood, your smell. Disgusting really. Much like Angel."

"Angel? Who-what are you?! What does Angel have to do with this? I've done no---?"

"You've done everything," he yelled light suddenly appearing dimly outlining his shape to her straining eyes.

She took a faltering step back and terror crawled down her spine. No, she thought. God no! It couldn't be him. It couldn't.

"Angelus," she whispered.

"Well done," he announced sarcastically.

She'd never slept with him, how was this possible?!

"How-I mean we never-the curse-"she stammered incredulously.

"Come here," he ordered dismissing her questions with his words.

Her mind and heart told her not to, but he had some kind of control over her and her feet moved her body ever closer.

"Buffy."

She stopped, turned.

"Buffy," the two voices spoke then at the same time their voices over lapping and merging.

Two demons. Beings she was sworn to kill. Two she loved instead. Two shadows in the dark on the edge of her light.

"Save me Buffy," they cried.

Torn, right down the middle, she looked from one to the other in despair.

"Who are you?! Why are you doing this to me?!"

"It's me Angel."

"It's me Spike."

Closing her eyes, she gripped her head and shook it back and forth, to block out their desperate pleas. She had no defense for this. For them. She was naked and unprepared for the depth in which they affected her.

What was this?

She'd already chosen Angel. Spike had walked away. What-how was Angelus involved?

"Stop it, what is this?!" she screamed.

"I love you," Angel's voice said then.

"He'll kill you," Spike warned.

She sank to the ground then, holding herself, forcing herself not to listen to them.

"I love you," Spike whispered.

"He'll kill you," Angelus growled.

The words from these two demons were interchangeable, but the meaning was the same no matter who said it.

They held her heart, her life.

Owned her soul.

"Save us," they screamed as the light disappeared and they were cast into the dark once more.

Buffy's eyes jerked open only to look into the yellow glow of Angelus's eyes.

Her hand automatically went to beneath her pillow searching for the stake she kept there.

In the blink of an eye, Angelus gripped her wandering wrist in a grip that threatened to break it.

"Angel," she pleaded searching his eyes for any sign of the man she loved.

"Angel," he mocked as he knelt over her; his face mere inches form her own. He inhaled sharply as his face nuzzled the side of her neck.

"His mistake was marking what was mine," he spoke softly, chillingly. His fangs scrapped Spike's mark, drawing blood. "His second was leaving you alone."

Buffy came out of her frozen state with a vengeance. Jerking up she kneed him in the groin, jerking her wrist from his grasp. But not fast, enough as Angelus howled his grip tightening on her wrist breaking it as she jerked free.

Buffy screamed as she rolled off the bed and landed painfully. Angelus cupped himself as he marched over to her intent on making her pay. She reacted to the sight of him by kicking out at his knees and sent him stumbling into the wall. The whole house shook with the force of it.

A wheezing laugh erupted as he rose.

"Who knew you liked it rough? You'll pay for this bitch," he hissed as slowly approached her.

"Angel...please not like this," she tried again to reach the man she loved. She just knew he was in there somewhere! She crouched down and with some difficulty snapped the leg off her desk chair.

"Don't you get it yet Buff? Angel is gone. It's Angelus now. And I'm gonna tear you apart," Angel said as he attacked.

Teeth gritted against the pain of her broken wrist she met him half way. A battle of fists and fangs waged.

"BUFFY!!!!!!!"

Her name being screamed made her pause and Angelus took full advantage of that pummeling her to the ground.

"Spike," Buffy yelled.

Crouched outside on the tree beside her window Spike sat his face a mask of rage. He reached out and shattered the window. Growling and snarling his yellow eyes glowed.

"Invite me in Buffy," he cried urgently as Angelus picked up the beaten Slayer by her hair, catching her into a chokehold.

Angelus turned so they both faced the window.

"Do it and I snap your neck Buff," Angelus threatened.

Spike growled.

He threw himself uselessly against the barrier in a rage.

"You bleedin' fucking bastard! I'll kill you. I'll rip you head of-"

"I've got the girl. I've got the invite. What've you got?" Angelus taunted as he lowered his head and eyes. Fangs bared.

"NO!"

Buffy's eyes met Spike's and as she felt the first sting of Angelus's fangs pierce her throat, she whispered the words.

"Come in Spike," she whispered as Angelus ripped her throat out. The last thing she heard was Spike's scream of anguish.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

~*~*~*~*~



Buffy woke screaming and flailing about. Her eyes popped open and she searched her room for any sign of Angelus.

"Please no," she whispered as she jumped out of bed and grabbed her stake from beneath her pillow.

Shaking, she walked to her window and looked out. Nothing moved in the silence of the night. Her Slayer senses were quiet.

Moving on pure instinct and fear, she started to dress. She left her room and barged into her mom's.

Joyce jerked awake with a startled scream as the lights flicked on and her door was thrown against the wall.

"B..Buffy? What are you doing?!" Joyce asked in surprise and irritation.

"Get up," Buffy ordered going into her mom's closet and grabbing a suitcase. She started throwing item after item into it.

"Buffy?!"

"Mom, I've got something to tell you. I'm the Slayer. Vampire Slayer that is..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Buffy paced back and forth.

"Buffy, this is ridiculous," Giles finally exclaimed.

Buffy turned her cold gaze to Giles.

"You doubt me," she asked coolly.

Giles blinked at her deadly tone and whipped his glasses off to clean them.

"Of course not," he stammered.

"Good because this is how it is! Angelus is back. He's here and he'll be gunning for us all. This is how it's going to be, you all are leaving--- "

"Hey! I'm not going anywhere," Cordelia spoke up sharply.

"Shut up," Buffy spat. "You'll do as I say or you'll die! You fancy that? Cuz really I could care less about you. The fact you and Xander are involved is the only reason you are here. No other. Giles I need you to-I hate to ask this but..you need to get as much money you can get a hold of. I'll have my mom do the same. You all need to be gone in the morning. That's three hours til dawn and I want you all to stay here until then. But be out of town with only what you need-"

"Buffy! We're not leaving you," Xander snapped standing to glare at her.

"Yeh, we're the Scoobies," Willow piped up. "We stick together!"

"No. You're leaving. That's final. Giles?" She shot him a look that only had one meaning.

Shoving a hand through his hair he scowled looked away.

"We're going," he finally said.

The shouts of protest rang through the room as Giles bowed his head in defeat.

"Buffy.."

Joyce's voice quieted everyone. Everyone turned to look at Buffy's mom who seemed to have come out of her shell-shocked state. A state she'd been in when Buffy brought her over.

Buffy's gaze softened as she turned to face her mom.

"Yeh, mom?"

"You are coming with us right?"

Buffy looked away and shook her head.

"No. I'm not. I have to stay here. Protect the hell mouth, everyone here. I can't go!"

Another round of protests sounded.

"Enough," Buffy yelled. "Enough. I can't...fight Angelus if you are here. You know what he can do," she said pointedly looking at Giles, Xander and Willow in turn.

"What? What can he do?" Cordelia asked clueless.

"More reason you should come," Willow urged.

"More reason for me to stay. I need you to look for Spike," Buffy admitted.

"Spike?!" Cordelia and Xander cried in unison, shocked.

"Yes. He left last night. I need you to find him. I need him," she whispered brokenly.

Giles jerked his head curtly.

"Fine. Everyone, excuse us," Giles said as he led Buffy upstairs to his room. "Buffy how in God's name did this happen? You've had no time to..?" he asked leadingly.

"God no! There was no happiness between us. No kissage. The last time I saw Angel was last night in the cemetery. I ditched him when I sensed Spike---"

"You and Spike didn't..?"

"No....no, we just..kissed. Nothing more. I went home to bed. Had the Slayer dream and came here!"

Giles shook his head in confusion.

"Then how-"

"Who cares?! Leave Giles, take them. I want you to keep in touch by e- mail all right? Willow knows how. I'll be fine. Just bring me Spike and I will be fine."

"Why do you need Spike? Why is he important?"

Buffy glanced away frowning.

"I don't know," she muttered. She wasn't lying she told herself. She couldn't tell Giles she was in love with Spike. He wouldn't understand. She didn't even understand! She had once thought it was impossible to be in love with two people at the same time.

She'd seen it on soap operas and even read it in books, where the heroine was in love with two men at the same time. She had scoffed. Now she knew you could be. God now she knew.

"Just find him Giles," she said softly as she finally cracked.

Giles caught her as she fell and held his Slayer as she sobbed.

"I'll find him Buffy," he promised. "I'll find Spike."





Chapter: One

Three weeks later somewhere in the West...





"Hurry up," Xander hissed hunching forward, large drops of demon goop dripping from his head.

"I am," was the reply from a very irritated Giles as he shoved the key into the lock and opened the hotel door. Xander rudely shoved past him, and ignored the women who lounged around the room and stormed into the bathroom.

Giles slowly shut the door and leaned against it. He eyed the women who were silent looking anywhere but at each other. The vibes in the room screamed DON'T ASK. So Giles didn't, he merely focused his attention on Joyce.

"How are you Joyce?" he asked as he moved with tired steps into the room.

Joyce looked up, her face worn and drawn. Her eyes infinitely sad.

"How do you think Rupert?" she asked with an arched brow. "My daughter's all alone, while we're on the run! How do you think I feel?!"

Giles grimaced slightly as he took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Point taken. You are not the only one who is worried about Buffy I assure you. As her Watcher and friend I am in deep distress, but this is the only way."

Joyce didn't respond as she laid down on the only bed available and closed her eyes as if she could close off the situation, the mess their lives were.

"Giles what'd you find out?" Willow finally broke the uncomfortable silence.

Giles settled himself on the floor the only other furniture occupied by Cordelia.

"Not much. The demon world has very little news on Spike's whereabouts. The bars we went to only had information we've already checked out I'm afraid."

"Great! Wonderful! We're wandering around the country without a clue as to where we're going! Looking for Spike. Evil soulless Spike! Hello? Anyone else not see the reason in this?!" Cordelia erupted. "If Buffy hadn't done whatever she did we wouldn't be in th-"

"Don't you dare blame this on my daughter," Joyce spoke coldly. "She's out there now saving lives, risking her own. I know she's probably saved yours a time or too as well. Don't you dare speak as if you are better than she is. You aren't fit to be in her presence."

Cordelia opened her mouth a couple of times in shock.

"She's right. If you've nothing of value to say do be quiet," Giles agreed.

Xander strode back into the room then rubbing his now washed head furiously.

"Did Giles tell you what we found? Noting except for trouble. We ran into some slimy, demon-y thing with a thing for spitin' on people," he complained.

No one said anything to that and soon sleeping arrangements were made. The girls taking the king size bed and the men on the floor. Soon the lights were out.

Just another day on the road, Willow thought and another dead end. She was beginning to think they'd never find Spike. And if they didn't... She shuddered at the thought.

On the verge of sleep, the booming knock startled them awake. Xander and Giles motioned for the women to grab their belongings and headed cautiously towards the door.

Giles looked through the peek hole and his heart gave a giant leap as he saw who it was. A vampire they'd seen in one of the bars earlier that night.

He cursed silently, having been sure they had not been followed.

"Watcher," the vamp called out.

Giles frowned and stepped back from the door. Dread formed in the pit of his stomach and he turned to face the others.

"We have to get out of here. To the bathroom," he ordered. No one protested as they hurried to the bathroom.

Giles stood guard as one after the other went through the window of the bathroom. Finally, it was his turn and he shimmied through with a grunt and landed deftly on his feet as he hit the ground. Looking around he saw no one, the others having been taught the drill to disappear and meet at a certain place within the hour. Pulling his ball cap on he slipped into his over coat and head ducked, disappeared into the night.

A terrified desk clerk opened the door to the hotel room. He was instructed to invite the group of men in and he did so. They searched the room and found nothing, thoroughly upset they set about destroying it.

The lead vamp a large beer bellied Hispanic growled low in his throat as he pulled out a cell phone and dialed.

"Sir? They're gone," he said.

"Really?"

"Yeh, they was here but a minute ago, they took off through the bathroom window. What you want us to do?"

"Try blocking all exits next time! I want them found do you understand?! I won't have them ruining this," the man snapped.

"Yes Mr. Travers," the vampire said to a dial tone.

"C'mon, we gotta find them. Tonight," he ordered and after disposing of the clerk, they left the hotel to search fruitlessly for the Scoobies.

~*~*~*~*~

Rufus Travers clasped his hands together and stared at the picture of his dearly departed brother.

"Quentin..you never had the iron fist needed to run the Council. Rogue Slayers who do as they please. Dating vampires. Tsk, tsk. When you died, I had to take over and now I have to clean up your messes. Granted hiring those foolish vampires was a mistake but I shall rectify that. But soon..soon I will have all the power you could only imagine and I will survive them all!"

Laughing quietly to himself, he reached for his phone and punched in an extension.

"Yes this is Rufus. I have a task for Special Projects, it involves one Rupert Giles said Watcher of rogue Slayer Buffy Anne Summers..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 

Chapter: 2 It had been said once before, Elias Aurelius mused, that in order to obtain great power one had to use any means necessary.

Today was one of those days. Today would be the end of William the Bloody. It would be a shame really. He of all the Masters line had held the promise of being great. He had done what no other had before him. Killed two Slayers by himself. That in itself was a feat.

But he was loyal. Loyalty in a vampire was hard to find. He had stayed with Drusilla for over a hundred years, until recently that is. The Slayer had a hand in his current state.

Her name he was told was Buffy Anne Summers. She was like no other before her. Had the power to tame the fiercest demons, an unheard of thing actually.

Elias studied the small crowd gathered below in the great hall of the Aurelius keep. Today was a day to mourn. The death of a brother, a warrior. As much as today would bring great sorrow to his dead heart, he would celebrate as well. For with his plans there would be a new era borne in the Order of Aurelius.

They would be all powerful, no one would stop them. Much less a bit of a girl who happened to be the Slayer. He would destroy her and anyone else who threatened to take what was rightfully his.

Including that rat of a man Rufus Travers. As of now, he was useful though, but soon he would dispose of the fool.

~*~*~

He had always wondered what his defeat and ultimate death would be like. His future self had died honorable in battle. At his Slayer's side. He had always hoped it would have been in battle, perhaps with a Slayer. But in all he had thought to go down fighting.

Now he wished it had been like that. Wished he had fought, at least tried to escape. He hadn't and now his death was minutes away. Spike tried to rest his battered body and close his mind off. It was a useless task.

His mind kept drifting, latching onto the one thing he hadn't spoken about. No matter how many times they'd beaten him.

The Slayer.

This was all for her and he couldn't make himself regret a minute of it. He thought back to that night weeks ago. The night he'd begged her to ask him to stay. She'd been vehement in her answer. No, she'd wanted him gone. So he'd left, went to the factory and gathered Dru and her things and fled.

That had been his first mistake, he mused. Taking Dru, he had debated whether to kill her. He couldn't bring himself to do it though. Instead, he had packed her and her dolls and headed for Europe. He had known where he was going could very well be the end of him.

Now it was.

But he'd made the trek nonetheless. He couldn't kill her but that didn't mean they couldn't. That was what they were there for after all. It had taken him a good two weeks to reach the remote island off the coast of Corfu. As he had docked, they had been surrounded and brought to the main house on the island.

From there he'd been separated from Drusilla. Locked in the dungeon for two days before they finally came. The questions had started then. Of course, he had refused to speak.

His second mistake.

Not killing Dru. She had told them everything. How he was going to kill her, for the Slayer. Betray the Sire/Childe bond for their worst enemy. She'd trickled the truth with lies. Accused him of things he had yet to do. Challenged his loyalty.

The torture had come only when Drusilla finally spoke up about the claim. Accidental though it was the fact remained he had claimed a Slayer. They had demanded he kill Buffy, destroy the claim and they might let him live. They reasoned they could understand wanting to rid himself of Drusilla. She was insane and a hundred years was more than enough time spent with her.

Kill the Slayer and we let you live.

His third mistake was leaving said Slayer in the first place. Leaving Buffy. If he hadn't of left her, he wouldn't be on his way to his death.

His fourth and final mistake had been forgetting from whom he came. Whose blood flowed freely in his veins. The blood of Aurelius. Coming here, to the compound of Aurelius to beg mercy from the Order had been more than a mistake. It had been a fatal error.

The Order of Aurelius tolerated little of the antics of Heinrich Nest, the Masters line. They were generally looked down on, except for him and Darla and since Darla was dead, he was the only one they had almost accepted. Now that was gone, he had been cast aside no better than mortals they said, riddled with humanity.

His cell door opened and he didn't open his eye as they dragged him to his feet and led him to his fate.

He heard the dim buzz of voices before he was brought into the main room of the great hall.

His eyes opened abruptly and he looked neither left nor right as he marched arrogantly to the center of the room where a large crucifix stood.

The eldest Elias lifted a hand for silence amongst the whispers of the crowd.

"William the Bloody; Spike of Heinrich the Master's line, great grand childe of Darla, grand childe of Angelus and childe to Drusilla. Slayer of Slayers, the Scourge of Europe, stands accused of conspiracy to commit the murder of his Sire. The unlawful claiming of a Slayer, the refusal to kill said Slayer. His refusal to proclaim his allegiance once more to the Order of Aurelius has marked him for death. What say you to these charges?"

Spike looked up. Into the pale green eyes of executioner and smirked.

"I could say go fuck yourself, but really that's not appropriate is it? No. Well I could say...long live the Queen but as she's never ever going to die what's the point? Lay a hand on the Slayer and I'll come back to kill you all? I do mean that, death won't stop me. But I digress and merely have this to say...Right then, let's get to it," he said jerking his head toward the crucifix.

"I proclaimed leader of the New Order of Aurelius, Elias sentence you to death."

Elias gave a nod to the guards that held Spike. The hall was silent as the large enthralled humans lifted him and bound his hands and feet.

"His shirt," Elias ordered.

The guards ripped his dirty t-shirt and naked down to the waist, the guards, two large enthralled mortals lifted Spike and bound his hands and feet to the cross.

"Mornay?" Elias called.

Spike closed his eyes against the pain that seared through him as his skin began to slowly burn.

Mornay a petite Asian woman stepped forward, her brown eyes cold in her beautiful face.

"Yes?"

"You shall have the honor of the first watch, let us adjourn to the feast I had prepared for this blessed day," Elias announced as he rose from his throne and left the room.

Slowly the crowd with furtive glances thrown at the slowly burning Master vampire trailed out, leaving him alone with Mornay.

"So we meet again Spike. It looks like I'll make good on my threat after all," she said in amusement.

"Mornay," Spike whispered raggedly, his head lolling as smoke curled ominously around them both. "Not like this luv. Let me down! Let me die with some kinda honor. You and me. C'mon!"

Shaking her head, she circled his hanging form.

"No. I want to see you suffer. I want to see you hurt Spike. I want to see you die. So I think I'll stand right here and watch."

Spike closed his eyes and pictured what his life could have been like. What he had hoped it would be like someday. Just him, Buffy, and the tyke. Wolfe, the son he'd never known he had wanted. A smile formed as he imagined all the things they could have done. He was so absorbed in his thoughts he didn't realize he wasn't alone with Mornay any longer.

"Angelus lives," Dru's whispered words reached his ears and his eyes popped open. He looked around wildly. The words had just only come out of her mouth when the doors were thrown open and one lone figure stood there.

"Dru pet let me loose," he whispered his focus on Dru who stood a good distance away. "Let me free."

She merely shook her head and began to twirl a smile of pure joy on her face.

"The pixies told me a secret Spike...Angelus shall rule with me at his side. We shall rule the world..but first we must destroy the Slayer!"

"No! Drusilla please-"

"How dare you set foot in here," Mornay yelled as her eyes focused on the figure that was slowly coming into the room.

Delos Neary merely smiled as he inclined his head in a silent greeting. His eyes rested on Spike a moment before they settled on Drusilla.

"Well, well, well.. Drusilla alive and well how are you? Good I hope. Mornay release him," he ordered never taking his eyes off Drusilla as she shrank back from him and hissed.

"Bad...bad...man. STAY WAY," she shrieked as she continued to stumble backwards.

Mornay stood rooted to the floor as she stared in disbelief and fury at the man who had once been her Sire.

Spike ignored them all then, as he struggled with the ropes that bound his wrists, his lack of strength a direct effect of lose of blood and little nourishment for the past week. Groaning as his raw back scraped against the wood and added to the pain he was in he tugged and tugged.

"Do as I said Mornay," Delos ordered slowly advancing on Drusilla. His voice had lost his usual amusement and gone cold, a voice he used only for his childe.

Mornay struggled valiantly against the urge she had to do as he bide but failed miserable as she found herself moving and untying Spike's feet and hands, burning her own in the process. He fell heavily into her arms and they toppled to the ground.

"If anyone gets to kill young William it will surely be me. Drusilla come here, I won't hurt you, I've little use for you. I must ask you a question though..." Delos purred as he cornered Drusilla and lowered his head to her ear. His whispered words had Drusilla going rigid and still. She screamed then.

"Just as I thought," Delos said as he stepped away from the terrified vampire and headed for Spike.

Kicking Mornay aside, he gently picked up Spike's unconscious form and slung him over his shoulder.

"Tell Elias I was hurt and dismayed to learn I was not invited to this fine event. Tell him as long as I live he will never win Mornay. He can take what's mine but I will never let him win. And by the way..I'd make up an excuse as to why his prize is gone and how you did nothing to stop me," Delos called as he slipped from the room.

Mornay stared after him furious with herself and him as she growled.

"Bad..bad man..bad man..bad...man," Drusilla's silly ramblings got under her skin and before she was aware of it Mornay had stalked over to the younger vampire and ripped her head off.

She stood alone in the room Drusilla's ashes clinging to her and thought about what lie she had to tell to get herself out of this mess.

~*~*~

Elias stared absently at the Aurelius crest signet ring he wore proudly on his pinky. The soft knock on his door alerted him to the arrival of his guest.

"Come in," he called out, smoothing his thinned hair, he straightened his shoulders as his door opened and Rufus Travers strode in.

"I hear you had some trouble," Rufus said as he took a seat facing Elias.

Elias smiled slightly as he eyed the short, stocky head of the Council of Watchers. His posture as well as his voice perfect, but it did nothing to hide the dark core hidden within. The man was ruthless. Evil. That was why he made for a wonderful partner, Elias thought.

"Same could be said for you as well," was all he said.

Travers acknowledged that with a small tight-lipped smile of his own.

"Well, none I can't take care of on my own I assure you. I came because I heard you were in possession of William the Bloody. I see you are not in that position any longer. What happened?"

"In one word; Delos."

Rufus's eyes widened and he blanched as he sat back.

"Well, really," he murmured. His brow arched and a smirk appeared. "Need any help with that?"

"No," Elias replied sharply.

They were silent as they regarded one another.

"This won't affect our plans will it?" Rufus finally asked. Elias narrowed his eyes slightly as he shrugged.

"I don't see how, but now.now that Angelus is back and Delos has Spike your plans may have to be put off. When Spike set foot back in Europe we were certain all we needed was him now...We would do well to get rid of them all. The circle has been destroyed. We should start anew---"

"No!"

Elias frowned slightly at Rufus's yell. His mind whirled with the implications of it. He decided to think about it as soon as Rufus left.

"Fine. The plan is still workable. Now it would be wise if you left. Do not come back, until I tell you other wise. Is that clear?"

Rufus stiffened in indignation and anger. How dare this vile creature tell him wh---

"Of course," he replied in a civil voice and a slight nod as he rose.

Rufus left the compound and settled into his waiting helicopter. He hadn't liked the way the meeting had gone at all. He suspected his vehement protest on keeping things as they were had caught Elias's attention. Rufus did not intend to let Elias in on his real plans. He would use the Order to obtain his power, and then he would destroy them.

~*~*~

Elias studied Mornay carefully.

"You are aware you have ruined Mr. Travers plans?" he asked gently.

Mornay shrugged, running a hand through her chopped locks.

"In the heat of the moment," she said. "I forgot."

Elias sat back and smiled widely.

"Delos...did you know he was coming? Did you intentionally let him take Spike from us Mornay?"

"Of course not! My allegiance is with the Order and Delos is not the Order Elias. I had no idea he was coming. I certainly did not just let him take Spike! You know the kind of power he has. He turned Dru against me and I was busy fighting her while he escaped with Spike."

"Good, I knew you would not betray me. Your loyalty is no longer in question. Since you have removed Drusilla a vital piece in Mr. Travers plan, I want you to remove the rest of Heinrich's line. They have proven repeatedly how little they respect the Order and I'll be damned if I let Mr. Travers gain control over them while I live! The whole filthy lot of them are tainted, bad blood and the sooner we get rid of them the sooner I can rid myself of Mr. Travers. He has become quite the problem of late...his brother was never such a threat."

Mornay didn't say anything as she watched Elias. She knew deep down that the only reason he wanted to rid the Order of the Masters line was that he knew that if they banded together they had the power to overthrow him and control the Order as they saw fit. That was one reason he had ousted her sire, branded him a traitor and taken out a bounty on his head.

She had turned, along with most of Delos's childer from him and had been embraced by the new Order. It was an act that warranted death and she knew once Delos saw her again he would kill her. She relished the challenge.

"You want me to kill Angelus and Spike?" she asked.

"I want them both dust. Anyone else who gets in the way too. While you are at it take care of the Slayer. That little girl has some kind of power over the Masters line and I need her taken care of. I want them gone. Do you understand?"

Mornay nodded.

"Kill Spike and Angelus. Get rid of the Slayer as well. I won't be able to do this alone though. Who shall I bring along for the ride?" she asked standing.

"Of course you aren't expected to do it alone child! Pick the best warriors we have and head for the Hell mouth I'm sure Spike and Delos will be headed there."

Mornay nodded again and walked towards the door.

"Oh and Mornay?"

She looked over her shoulder at him.

"Don't fail me."

~*~*~

"I say, I would love to meet this Slayer of yours. She has destroyed almost an entire line of the Order in some form or another," Delos remarked hours later as he sat watching Spike rest on his private plane.

Spike ignored him as he slowly sipped the blood he'd been given through the twisty straw the flight attendant had given him.

"Better yet...how is she in bed? That must be it. She must be something wonderful to turn two demons like yourself and Angelus into lap dogs. I heard how you would not say one word about her."

Spike lifted his face to stare at Delos through yellow eyes.

"How's Mornay, Delos?" he asked coldly.

Delos grinned as he shook his head.

"Touché. What is this I hear about Angelus being back?"

Spike lowered his head as he took his last gulp of blood.

"I wasn't aware Angelus was around. He goes by Angel now," he muttered, trying to come to terms with the fact Angel was now Angelus! The last he'd heard in order for that to have happened he had to have that perfect moment of happiness. This meant Buffy had to sleep with him.

She wouldn't have though, he thought fiercely. She could not subject herself to Angelus not after what Wolfe had told her. She couldn't have gone from his arms to Angel's!

"Angel? Does he believe himself to be one of God's warriors?" Delos asked truly puzzled as to why Angelus would do such a thing.

Spike grinned slightly as he looked up and into Delos's brown eyes.

"Probably. You know how big his head is, hasn't gone down at all," he complained.

Delos cocked his head as he thought about it.

"No matter the name Angelus is the Devil's own. Angel? I find that quite amusing."

Spike frowned. It had been decades since he had last seen Delos and he had changed very little. For all the years he had known him, he had never seen Delos lose his friendly and amicable attitude. Except for that one night---Spike cut that thought off.

"Why'd you rescue me Delos," he demanded.

"Why not?" Delos asked as he shrugged.

"I won't name all the reasons you've got to hate me. I need to get to Sunnydale, if what you've said is true and Angelus is back I have to help the Slayer!"

"You have no idea what is going on William. Before you go off half-cocked let me tell you this---"

"Of course I do! Angelus is back and he will kill my Slayer, I will not allow it. It matters little what else is going on and what I don't know!"

Delos studied the agitated blond. Arched one black brow and settled back, getting comfortable.

"What was your boy's name? Wolfe wasn't it?"

Chapter 3:

She had never in her life met a vampire like Angelus before. Wolfe had told her, of course what he was capable of but to see it..

Live it.

She was now hard pressed to find the fine line of Angel and Angelus. The Angel she had known, loved, was gone. Perhaps for good.

Buffy strode determinedly through the grocery store, pushing her cart hurriedly. She was restocking her supplies. A number of gallon jugs of water littered her cart as well as cloves of garlic.

She rolled her eyes as she thought of this. She'd become a regular pan handler, except instead of asking for money she handed out crosses, garlic, these soon to be blessed jugs of water.

At least the people in Sunnydale were not as stupid as she had once thought to disregard the proffered items. She had been running out almost immediately every time she was out, which was every Tuesday and Thursday. She was beginning to wonder why they didn't just go out and by their own. This technically was not part of the job description.

Her thoughts shifted abruptly back to Angelus. She had no idea what Angelus was up too and she was beyond worried.

These past weeks there had only been skirmishes between them. Nothing she hadn't come out of alive and now-now she was beginning to freak out.

Purchasing her items, she exited the store and glanced around for Oz's van. She was very much in Oz's debt. He had declined the invite to hit the road with the Scoobs and instead had stayed. To help he said. She would be forever grateful. She missed everyone---even Cordelia's snobby attitude. Much to her shock.

Oz had helped her patrol and watched her back. He was staying with her. He had been there when the body parts began to showing up.

Buffy shuddered as Oz's van pulled up beside her and she began loading the van. Oz hopped out glancing at her, shading his eyes from the suns glare with his hand.

"Got everything?" he asked jerking his head towards the entrance of the store.

"Yep, let's go," she said as she slid into the van. Oz nodded and followed suit.

He pulled out of the parking lot and her thoughts drifted once again to Angelus.

The bodies...

What he'd done to them..She'd been sick every single time she found the pieces he left on her door step. A hand here, a foot there. A head. Torso. Fingers. And once...God help her a brain! As of yet there hadn't been a heart, but she was sure she hadn't seen the last of internal organs.

She had notified the police of course. Wanting the victims families to be given the closure of knowing their loved ones weren't out there hurting or..worse than dead.

In retrospect, she thought maybe the not knowing would have been kinder. Angelus had not merely cut his victims to pieces, he had tortured them before hand. The evidence had been clearly visible.

Oz had commented after the third body part, that Angelus was like a cat, bringing his prey home to his master as some sort of gift. Showing off.

She had agreed.

In some sick way, he wanted a reaction from her; she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of one though.

The police after losing their third man on guard at her house had called off the surveillance altogether.

It had been a waste and she'd warned them, spoken to the chief himself. He had ignored her request to leave it be and had paid the price with his officers lives.

Oz helped her carry the groceries into the house and once everything was put away, Buffy fell onto the couch.

Oz headed directly to the computer.

"We got anything?" Buffy asked tiredly.

"Yeah. Hold on," he replied.

Buffy closed her eyes and sighed deeply.

"We've got two new e-mails since last week's. I'll read the first one. They sent it this morning. Here it is; 'We've been found. Followed, contact you later. Giles'."

Buffy sat up, eyes opening wide.

"Read the second one," she ordered.

Fear gnawed at her. She had sent them out alone and now---if anything happened to them! She would never forgive herself. Never!

"This second one is longer and sent an hour ago. They're on their way home. They should be here by tonight. Giles has found some startling information. They haven't found Spike yet. But they're tired of running and their place is here."

They sat in silence.

"This should be nice for you. Willow's coming home," Buffy said absently, her mind working furiously.

Oz shot her his patent steady eyed look. Which having spent so much time with him, she now understood.

"I'm scared. Oz this is nothing like I had anticipated. When we met Wolfe and he described Angelus, it was nothing like this. Now the gang wants to come home. I don't..I don't know if we can handle this. I feel...I know this is bigger than we could even imagine."

Oz nodded.

"But that's why they are coming back. They want to help and they have information. Don't you think its odd how no one has heard about Spike?" he asked suddenly.

Buffy looked up briefly.

"Yes. Usually the demon mill's pumpin' non-stop. Now...now it has run dry. This only adds to the list of things that don't add up here. I wish we knew what the hell is going on," she exclaimed as she jumped up abruptly.

Oz merely watched her as she paced.

"I gotta get some sleep. You should too Oz. We're gonna have a busy night."

She left the living room and headed for her room. She was exhausted. The non-stop method she was using didn't do her any good.

Undressing she slipped beneath her covers and tried to sleep.

But her mind kept moving around and around in circles. They finally focused on two things, Spike and Angel. She was afraid for them both. That dream...the first night had made very little sense to her. Even now, it still confused her. She had shared it with Giles and he had told her it was probably her sub conscious playing tricks with her torn feelings for the two vampires. She had readily agreed. Now she wasn't so sure.

Save me, they had cried. From what? She wondered. For Angel it was easy to guess. He needed to be saved from Angelus.

But Spike?

What could she save him from, why would he need rescuing?

Then there was the whole I love you, he'll kill you spiel. A true statement for both she assumed. Angel loved her, but Angelus wanted to kill her. Spike..showed signs of loving her and it was his nature and specialty to kill Slayers.

She was so confused. Angelus wasn't--- she could not comprehend how he had come back. The oddest and scariest thing was when Giles and Willow had insisted doing the spell to permanently replace his soul she'd happily agreed. She had thought they could nip Angelus in the bud so there would be less damage.

They had completed the spell, only to find his soul was gone. There were no remaining pieces; it was as if he had never had a soul. Giles had assumed the soul would have been pushed so far back the demon could easily over look it.

He had told them when you did a re-souling spell it was possible to pull back the soul from its hidden place. Pieces had remained making it easier to recall the soul.

This had been a sobering and upsetting experience. The Scoobies had all demanded to stay but she had gotten them all out of town as decided.

That was only one among many things that made no sense. She knew deep down that the news Giles carried could not be good.

Forcing her mind to a complete blank, she closed her eyes and was soon fast asleep.

~*~*~

Giles sat pensively facing the window of the Grey Hound bus the Scooby gang currently occupied.

"What did you find out that was so upsetting Rupert?" Joyce asked as she retook her seat next to him, after checking on the children.

Giles glanced up and debated whether to tell the truth or if it would be better to lie. As Buffy was her daughter, he knew she deserved a heads up.

"Buffy's life is in danger Joyce," he stated.

Joyce took a deep breath.

"From Angelus you mean?" she asked.

"He is the least of her problems at the moment. I don't know why it occurred to me so late, but I put a call into the Council. Spoke to a trusted friend of mine. I wanted to know who else could be after us. I thought to ask about Quentin Travers-"

"The man from the future? I thought he was dead?" Joyce cut in.

Giles nodded quickly.

"Precisely. He is. Here and in the future. When he died in the future, he died here as well. Since we've been on the move since returning, I gave it very little thought. A horrendous error on my part," Giles moaned.

Joyce frowned as she reached out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sure it can't be that bad Rupert. So this Travers is dead, that means he won't kill Buffy and...Spike like in the future!"

"He might not, but that doesn't mean his brother won't..."

~*~*~



"Did Giles tell you why we're going home?" Willow asked Xander.

Xander opened one eye.

"No," he answered shortly.

"I'm glad though! This means we can see Buffy again! Oh and Oz---I hope he's okay. Xander---what do you think is wrong with Angel?"

Xander sat up, all pretense of sleeping gone from his mind.

"Willow..you did the spell remember? Giles said Angel's soul is gone. No pieces left hanging around there. No siree! Angelus is here to stay," Xander growled.

Willow sighed.

"I hope not. I mean what's Buffy going to do? What if she has to kill him? She's in love with him. I'd never wish that on-"

"So she's still in love with him? Cuz really I was beginning to doubt that Wills. I mean the whole Spike thing...We've been on the road nearly a month looking for him, for no other reason than Buffy wants him there with her. You guys never did answer my question about Buffy and Spike. Are we going to let her be with him, if Angel never comes back?"

Willow was silent a moment.

"I...I guess. I mean you saw Wolfe. He was their son, he was really nice," Willow chirped happily.

"Yeh," Xander admitted grudgingly. "My future self said I had to put a stop to this prejudice. It almost ruined my life. I'm gonna try Wills. But this is Spike!"

Willow placed her head on his shoulder and smiled.

"Yeah. Spike who tried to kill us once and then not really. We have a chance to start much earlier than our future selves did! Even then, it was a struggle. Willow---how weird is that? Anyway, she said we alienated Buffy so much she felt the need to hide her relationship with Spike from us. Granted Buffy had been using and abusing Spike but still! We don't want that."

Xander nodded in agreement.

"Of course we don't. Xander told me that killing Angel made Buffy closed off emotionally. It took years for her to finally bring the walls down. I don't want that for Buffy. I want her to be happy you know? Killing Angel is going to destroy her."

"Maybe she won't have too. Maybe we-"

"Don't get your hopes up. If she kills him, we have to be there for her. We can't let her run off for the summer. She has to stay and deal! Okay?"

"Okay."

Xander shifted slightly

"Wills..I'm worried about this whole Cordelia thing," Xander finally admitted.

Willow lifted her head and glanced up at him curiously.

"Why?"

"Well...for one she ended up with Angel! I mean sure you and I had our little...thing but she ends up with Angel!"

"But you can change that! Don't you want to?"

Xander shrugged half-heartedly.

"I don't know. See, I was happy with this Anya woman. An ex-vengeance demon. Will I even be happy with Cordelia if I try? I mean I like her a lot but-"

"Why not try? Wasn't that your problem? You never tried to make things right? Never worked on th-"

"Okay! So you're saying I should try and make it work?"

"After all if you weren't with Cordelia you would never have met Anya, whom you married. Keep your options open. I'm not one of them mind you......but keep 'em open kay Xan."

Xander nodded and closed his eyes settling back down for his nap.

"So...we're really letting Buffy be with Spike?"

~*~*~



Buffy fell heavily to the ground a groan coming forth as she wrestled with the large vampire she was fighting. This was one of the first fights she'd actually had trouble with. Usually it was wham bam thank you ma'am. Angelus didn't count, they hadn't even fought more like a game of tag, she thought now as the vampire lowered his head and tried to get a piece of her neck.

The vamp froze as he neared her neck. She glanced up into his confused yellow eyes, arched a brow as she flipped him over her head, and staked him a second later. Rising to her feet, she rolled her shoulders, easing the kinks.

"What was that about?" she asked Oz who had been lounging near by watching her fight.

Oz smiled slightly as he fell in step with her. He jerked his head to her neck.

"It's the claim," he stated quietly.

Buffy's steps faltered.

"What?" she asked.

Oz stopped too as he glanced at her.

"Are you saying you didn't know?" he asked his brows rising in surprise.

"No! I mean I'm not stupid, contrary to popular opinion. Giles mentioned something or another but what does Spike's claim have to do with anything?"

Oz shrugged and tugged on her arm to get her moving again.

"Let's take this discussion home and I'll explain what I know."

Buffy nodded and she was extremely relieved to make it home without an incident with Angelus or any other vamps.

They settled comfortable in the living room and Buffy urged Oz to continue.

"So Spike's claim, what's up with that?" she asked.

"Buffy I don't know too much but I do know a little. Spike marked you as his own."

"Like property or something! I can't believe him," she yelled angrily.

"From what you said Spike accidentally bit you, it wasn't intentional. The claiming though was. He bit you and in the relatively short time, the space is open to lay a claim he did. It protects you, repels off the othe-"

Buffy sighed loudly and lowered her head to her hands.

"So..is this why Angelus hasn't come after me?"

Sagely Oz nodded.

"Yep. He can't. At least not yet."

That caught Buffy's attention.

"Not yet?"

"Not yet. The claim... When he bit you it was not a full on claim. The claim won't act fully or last forever. In fact it won't last for another week."

"What?! Okay so you're saying the claim is void after only a month?" she demanded.

"Well one that wasn't completed or reciprocated. Yours was not."

Buffy frowned.

"I'm not letting him bite me again!"

Oz just looked at her.

"Why do you want him with you Buffy? You said you told him to leave. Which means you don't want to be with him right?"

Buffy opened her mouth to agree but nothing came out. She didn't want to say yes. She wasn't sure. Confused wasn't even the right word to describe her state of mind. She swallowed and glanced away from Oz's perceptive gaze. She wanted Spike here with her; she knew he could help her get through this. She didn't question the knowledge but embraced it.

It was the only thing keeping her grounded. If Spike were here then she-

"Of course not! It would be wrong," she muttered.

"Would it?" Oz countered.

"Yes! Besides I'm in love with Angel," she mumbled unconvincingly.

"I think Angel ceased to exist the minute you found out about your life with Spike. About your son Wolfe. Saw that you could have that normal, or close to normal life, you dream about. It helps that if you ever sleep with Angel his demon will come out, that really isn't normal now is it?"

Buffy laughed a slight hysterical edge to it.

"That's ridiculous Oz! I mean Angel didn't cease to exist! He was there I mean okay so he was old. And bitter. And mean. And married to Cordelia!!! But he was there! Alive, human, in love with Cordelia! Can you believe that?! What the hell is up with that!!!!" she yelled jumping to her feet.

"Some one is upset," Oz announced with a small smile.

"No, I'm not. So Angel married Cordelia. I'm fine with that. I come back, send Spike away and Angel turns into Angelus. Okay with that too! But what I am not okay with is the fact I'm...I'm in..." she couldn't even say it. She collapsed next to Oz.

"Is that you're in love with Spike?" he prodded gently.

Buffy moaned into her hands.

"It's wrong."

"If it's how you feel it can't be wrong," Oz murmured comfortingly.

"You know they wouldn't let me be with him. Not now since Angel's all evil."

"Listen it's not all bad. So Spike's soulless, less soul to lose in my book. He's semi evil so how worse could he get? He turns out good in the end though. Now we all know he'll be good...at some point."

"But how can this be love? I don't understand! And if I don't understand, how am I supposed to explain myself? Not even a month ago I was all with the hate, now it's love! I d-"

"You don't have to understand Buffy. Just go with it."

She glanced up at him.

"So you really think they'd let me be with him?" she asked perking up.

"Sure, unless Angelus ends up killing you both first," he commented deadpan.

Buffy couldn't help herself, in some twisted way she found his words hilarious.

"That is highly probable! He'll kill Spike and me! Dance in our blood! But failing that?"

Oz joined her in her laughter as he answered.

"Yeah. They'll let you be with Spike Buffy."





~*~*~





"I told you. You don't understand what is going on," Delos snapped abruptly as he lifted himself to his feet and leaned over Spike.

Spike's shocked gaze followed his movements.

"Who told you about him?! How do you know about my son," he growled as he tried to rise but Delos pushed him back down. A hand firmly placed on his burned back.

Spike screamed as Delos twisted his hand into a fist and ground it into the burnt flesh.

"What the hell is this?!" he yelled as he gasped for unneeded breath.

"This? Well this is me making you listen William. I know all kinds of interesting tidbits. Really I do. But I'm sure none will interest you more than the one about your son huh?"

Spike gritted his teeth and managed a curt nod.

Delos lifted his hand from Spike's back and pulled out a silk handkerchief. He wiped off his bloody fist and retook his seat.

"Did you think things would remain the same?" he asked conversationally.

Spike declined to answer.

"I suppose you did. That you would return, home and things would be the same yes? Except that now you knew you had loved a Slayer and had a child with her. Is that the natural order of things William? But I suppose it is with you yes? You betray everyone in the end don't you?"

Delos studied Spike's lowered head with a look of barely contained glee. A smile tugged at the corner of his thin mouth. He leant back and extracted a thin cigar. Lighting it he inhaled deeply.

"Forgive my rudeness William. I mean you no harm. But I need you to see the truth."

Spike's head jerked up and he glared up at Delos.

"What truth?! What don't I know? I'm sick of this Delos. You say you know all kinds of rot but won't tell me what! You know about my son and it seems to amuse you. I want answers! NOW!!!!"

"We all want something William," Delos whispered as he leaned down and crushed out his cigar in Spike's back. Spike's howl was music to his ears.

"Have you not noticed it yet? Did it not register the minute you returned William? Set foot in Europe? Do you remember what I told you? Do you?"

"Yes," Spike gasped out.

"What did I tell you?"

"Never come back."

"See I knew you remembered! I see you just ignored it and thought I meant never come back to see me. Alas, that was not what I meant at all. I thought I had taught you a lesson with the mob in Prague. I see it failed to sink in. You came crawling back, only this time it was to dispose of Drusilla. I laughed aloud when I heard! Spike kill Drusilla?! The woman he loved more than anything in the world. More than family, more than blood. More than loyalty itself. I---"

"Look I don't see how you blubberin' on 'bout this shit that happened in the past Delos tells me a thing! It's history, I did what I had to do and I'd do it again! Shut the fuck up or get on to what you have to say you bloody pillock!!!"

"Such language William. You always had a mouth on you. You know what I asked Drusilla," Delos asked suddenly switching gears. He cupped Spike's head and looked him in the eyes. "I asked if she had seen her death. If she had known what was coming. She knew. She was always more sane than people gave her credit for really. Angelus made sure to ruin her for anyone else though didn't he? He always ruined people's plans. You know...before Dru turned you..I was in the process of doing it. As I was the elder of my line it was time I took a childe. Angelus ignored that you were mine and let Dru make you. He stole you from me! Just like, you stole my childer from me! An eye for an eye."

Spike's head jerked from Delos's grip and he struggled to get away from him.

"What are you doing?" Delos asked in amusement as he watched Spike scramble away.

"Stay away," Spike, mumbled as he managed to get to his feet. He swayed and almost fell down as he brought his hands up in front of him.

"Stay away? What is it you think I am going to do William?"

Spike looked around wildly, for any escape. His breathing was ragged a testament to how upset he was as he moved slowly along the wall. His eyes never left Delos as his hands clenched and his eyes flashed gold.

Spike closed his eyes and when he opened them, again Delos was in front of him.

He jumped and let out a muffled scream.

He had forgotten. God he had forgotten the most important thing about Delos! He wasn't to be trusted. He seemed so nice and friendly but underneath he was a demon. One of the worst. Spike had forgotten Delos was no ordinary vampire. Forgotten that he was at his deadliest when your guard was down.

"Don't be frightened," Delos whispered as he lifted Spike's face.

"M'not," Spike choked out as his jaw clenched and he blinked away his sudden tears. "Just don't...don't do this. Please."

"I never thought I'd see the day William the Bloody Awful poet would beg for mercy. Perhaps on his sire's life but his? How the mighty have fallen William. How the mighty have fallen...."

Spike trembled in fear as he tried to force himself away from Delos. However, Delos had a firm grip on him and he wasn't getting anywhere.

"Let me go.." he whispered.

"Let you go? Me thinks not," Delos purred as he smiled his game face falling on.

Spike twisted his head away, tried to wiggle away. All failed and Delos lowered his head.

"I think it only fitting don't you William that I shall be the one to take your life? That I shall be the one to take your child from you as well?"

Spike's body went if possible even more rigid.

"What?! You leave the Slayer alone," he screamed as a surge of power shot through him and he tossed Delos away from him.

"The Slayer? You mistook me William. I'm not concerned with her, as Mornay will dispose of her in due time. I said your child William. Wolfe. Quite the little half-breed you have there William. It will be a pleasure I can assure you. Now come here and-"

As the words left Delos's mouth Spike pounced jumping forward and taking them both down in the process. Spike pounded on Delos with a rage he had never known.

"You leave him alone Delos!! I'll hunt down Mornay and kill her too. How about that? First, born childe of Delos taken down by Spike, William the Bloody?! I'll do it I-"

Spike was so caught up in his speech he never noticed the stewardess sneak up behind him and knock him over the head with a silver tray. He slumped down on top of Delos.

"Thank you Mary," Delos said as he hefted Spike off him and Mary scurried out.

"Well...well..looks like we are back where we started huh? Have you realized it yet?" Delos asked as he lifted Spike so he lay across his lap. He lifted Spike's head and bared his neck.

"No..please. Don't...don't, don't," Spike whispered brokenly. "Don't hurt my son..."

"Awwwww... how pathetically sweet. Don't hurt your son...well first, to get to him we'll have to go on a little journey William. Not too far, mind you. But a little journey. Filled with perilous threats and death. Do you like the sound of that?"

"Please.."

"More begging...how appropriate. I'll never let you go William. Never let you go back," Delos growled as sunk his fangs into Spike's neck.

Spike's scream echoed loudly in the silence.

It took no time at all before Delos had nearly drained Spike dry. He placed him on the seat opposite him and licked his lips as he unbuttoned his cuff and bared his wrist.

"You only have so much time before I destroy them both Slayer. Your son and William..." He said as he looked up a smile firmly in place.

He placed his now open and bleeding wrist to Spike's mouth and his smile grew wider as Spike began to drink.

"Do you see? Don't you realize it yet? Angelus..you see I've taken them all from you. If you want William, you will have to come get him. Follow the yellow brick road...Follow the yellow brick road and you might just find us..."

"But let me warn you.. William is mine and I will not give him up without a fight. You have one month Slayer..Angelus. One month to save one or the other. Wolfe or William. Choose wisely."



~*~*~



Buffy woke screaming and crying. Things had just taken a turn for the worse and she wasn't sure if she could help Spike. If she could choose.

Buffy knew without a doubt now.

Knew she wasn't home. That they had never been home. Question was though just where the hell were they? And why?

How was she going to rescue two of the three men closest to her heart?

~*~*~



Angelus let out a howl of rage as he woke from his dream, which had not been a dream at all. He threw off the covers and jumped to his feet.

"How dare he?!" he screamed as he paced. How dare that bastard Delos betray the bond of blood and make Spike his?!!!

And Mornay. That little bitch thought she could kill Dru and he'd let her get away with it? He'd make her pay, make her bleed. Delos would pay for making this mistake. For taking what was rightfully his and marking it.

Anger raged through him. An anger that matched only his anger for Spike at daring to touch the Slayer. It mattered little that mere minutes ago he had been ready to kill Spike himself, now his only thought was of saving Spike and then killing him. No one else was going to take that from him, not even Delos!

The only way he knew to do this though was to get help. And the help he would need came from a place he was unlikely to get it. But he would make then listen and he would make them help him or else!

He would find Spike and kill him and then he might even kill the son Delos had harked on.

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