Willow's Ripper

A Very Ordinary Evil, Page 7

Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27

Part 25 Dr McKeon, I Presume
The following night. Ten pm.

Spike, Willow and Giles moved cautiously through the crowd at Willy�s Place. All had dressed somewhat differently from their norms. Spike was wearing his usual duster and ammunition boots, but was otherwise dressed in plain khaki combat pants, a woodland camouflage shirt and his flak jacket. Willow was in loose dark clothing, and carried a small pouch at her hip. Giles was dressed almost like he used to in his Ripper days. Heavy black leather jacket, jeans tucked into heavy boots and a loose flannel shirt.

The music, such as it was, was almost drowned by the level of ambient noise emanating from the multitude of conversations. Giles eased away from Willow and Spike to position himself near the entrance while leaving them to manoeuvre towards a table near the back wall. Spike paused and asked, �Want a drink luv?�

�Just water, I�m nervous enough as it is.�

�Okay pet.�

Spike led the little redhead deftly towards the bar, and eased up to the counter. Catching Willy�s eye he placed the order. �Glass of water, iced and my usual, but in a stein.�

Accepting and paying for them, Spike continued to deftly lead Willow through the crowded bar. Reaching the table he had mentally tagged, he saw it was occupied by a couple of fledgelings. �Move along boys, grown ups want to sit here.�

The two fledgelings, already in game face, glared up at the Briton who had spoken with such assurance. One looked carefully for a moment before he hissed �Spike!�

�Ooooh! Advanced cognitive facilities.� Willow said spitefully. �Use those facilities and move before he dusts you, or worse, lets me play with you.� The calm certainty in the tiny human�s voice was unnerving to the pair of fledgelings. That she seemed to be on equal terms with a Master vampire like Spike made them even more nervous. Quickly deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, they moved away.

With Spike ushering Willow to the now vacant chairs, they sat, side by side and watched the doorway discreetly. While they awaited developments, the pair made idle small talk which ranged over their usual wide variety of subjects. Compared to many of their discussions, however, it was stilted and shallow at best. Both were nervous on behalf of the other and Willow was also worried on Buffy�s behalf.

They looked anxiously each time the door opened. There were a surprising number of human, or at least human-appearing, customers amongst Willy�s rather mixed clientele. Spike and Willow looked at one another. �At least he�ll know us.� Willow whispered to Spike. She had moved in closer and closer, embracing him more fully as time went on and her nervousness increased.

After what seemed hours, they saw Giles escorting a rather nondescript man towards them. Giles and the other man sat opposite the vampire and his lover. Spike quirked up an eyebrow and asked �Dr McKeon, I presume?�

The psychiatrist smiled back, mirthlessly. �Yes, and you would be Willow and the infamous �Spike� I assume.� Both the blond and the redhead nodded in response.

�What can we do for you?� Willow asked, fighting to keep any hint of emotion from her voice. She was still scared that this meeting was some kind of trap.

�It�s fairly simple, really. I need to know a little about your relationship. Not details but just basic facts. May I ask these questions?�

�If, for each question you ask, we can ask one in exchange.� Willow�s tone, although polite, clearly indicated that if he didn�t agree, then the meeting ended immediately. McKeon nodded his understanding and agreement curtly.

�So, if I may start? What is the relationship between you?�

�We�re lovers.� Willow�s answer was direct and closed. Her distrust of McKeon was evident to see.

Spike fired back the return question, just as Willow dropped a crystal and murmured a word. �And are you currently a member of the organisation known as �The Initiative�, or any successor body with a similar agenda?�

�No.� McKeon had decided that he would respond in kind. The hand Willow had wrapped around Spike�s arm tapped once, below table height, letting Spike know that her truth spell had not indicated any falsehood. McKeon followed up with his second question. Looking at Spike, he asked, �Are you a real vampire?�

�Yes.� Spike�s answer was equally curt. �Have you ever worked for an entity such as �The Initiative� in the past?�

�No.� Again the single tap on Spike�s arm. �Why haven�t you killed your �lover�. You are a vampire, after all.�

�Because I choose not to. You�re stereotyping.� Spike�s voice was flat and emotionless. �If you�ve never been involved with the Initiative, how did you hear about it?�

�From treating former members as patients.� For a third time, Willow�s hand tapped Spike�s forearm once. �Don�t you worry about Spike feeding from you?� This question was fired directly at Willow, and without any kind of advanced warning.

�You�re making the same mistake that the Initiative did.� Willow�s voice was almost harsh as she spoke. �You�re assuming that vampires are mindless predators. They aren�t. They used to be human and retain all of their reasoning faculties, memories and intelligence.� She paused, thinking for a moment, before asking a question in return. �What�s the core of Buffy�s problem?�

McKeon paused and thought a moment before answering. �She�s suffering from a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It�s sometimes referred to as battle fatigue. The British Army used to refer to it as �lack of moral fibre�. Whatever it�s called, it�s really a form of nervous breakdown from excessive stress. Unimportant things become magnified for her, are blown out of all reasonable proportion. As a result of this, Willow, I�m afraid you are going to be put into an unenviable position once Buffy is released. She�ll demand that you choose between her and � Spike.�

Willow looked shocked. �She would really do that?�

�I�m afraid so. I believe she�s jealous of your success in a relationship with a vampire, while she and ... Angel was it? Were unable to make theirs work.�

Spike looked thoughtful and nodded. �I can see that. She is very egotistical, and feels everything should revolve around her. She�s got very little empathy for other people�s difficulties.�

�I must say, that you don�t seem to be at all like the Spike that Buffy described to me.� Spike merely shrugged in response to McKeon�s comment.

�Do you think she�ll try and kill Spike?� Willow asked the question clinically, trying to hold off the grief that was welling up inside her at the thought of losing her closest friend over what she could only call �boyfriend issues�.

�I think it highly likely, if you refuse to end your relationship with him.�

�In that case, Dr McKeon, you had better let her know that I think it�s in her best interests to leave Sunnydale, alone, as soon as she is discharged.� Spike was shocked, and Giles aghast at the cold-blooded venom in her words. �Of course, it�s her decision, Doctor, she might want to live out her life as a silverfish, or perhaps a carrot.�

McKeon gaped at her. �Y-y-you mean that was true!�

Willow nodded. �Yes, but it was only for a few seconds, and only because she was trying to kill Spike. Plus,� the little witch hurried on, defensively, �I really didn�t know she had a phobia about cockroaches. I thought it was just the girly thing.� She finished in a rush, looking almost embarrassed.

McKeon was still in shock as he gabbled �B-but how?�

Willow shrugged. �A spell. Transmogrification of living tissue.�

The psychiatrist blinked. �How can you accept that so casually?�

Spike looked hard at McKeon for a moment. �Why is it that you find it so easily to accept the existence of demons, but not witches? I�d guess you�ve had direct experience with them, despite your implied answer earlier.�

Slowly, he nodded. �Yes, that�s why I found treating the ex-Initiative members easier than other mental health professionals. Of course, I had to get fairly creative with the reports.� He grinned as he spoke, obviously reminiscing about what he had done.

The petite but determined redhead spoke again, looked at him levelly. �Trust me, Dr McKeon,� she said flatly, �if I say I can do something, I�m not kidding. And I can transmogrify living tissue, and I can also teleport people. If Buffy decides to go after Spike or I, she will regret it.� Although Willow was shocked at her reaction, she was aware that she would do whatever was necessary without a moment�s thought. She also knew that, if she did anything permanent, she would regret it her whole life.

McKeon nodded again, obviously thinking. After a moment he spoke up. �Now, I probably know more about �the slayer� than anyone not directly involved in all of � this. What I�m going to suggest to Buffy is that she approach the council and request a � transfer, I suppose, to allow her to recover fully. Operating away from this Hellmouth, and with a new watcher to allow her to recuperate properly. I�ll write a report for the Council to that effect.�

Giles, who until then had been silent, spoke. �Could I suggest that you send the report via me. The council will take the news better for coming via a Watcher. And I can probably make some suggestions to them to make the facts somewhat more palatable. For what it�s worth, I�m going to suggest to the council that they let Buffy retire and train new slayers, rather than continue in active service. She has the talent to become a very good teacher, and after her time as a slayer, may help influence the council towards a more pragmatic position.�

All three looked at Giles. Spike and Willow were well aware of how intelligent he was, and how compassionate. Nevertheless he continued to surprise all around him with his wisdom. Sending Buffy to the council to train other slayers was a clever and subtle solution to the problem, leaving only the question of Dawn to be resolved. McKeon, who had never encountered a watcher previously, was amazed at how quickly Giles had absorbed the information and improved on the original idea. And he was quite correct, McKeon knew, about Buffy finding solace in teaching.

The three Scoobies looked at one another, before Giles asked the obvious question. �Do we approach the council to arrange Faith�s release from prison, or do we work without a slayer?�

Willow and Spike both thought deeply before Spike answered, with a counter question. �Can you trust her? She�s done a lot of damage over the years mate.�

�I really don�t know Spike. Perhaps we could engage Dr McKeon here to make an assessment. I could include that in the recommendations to the Council, I suppose.� Giles took his glasses off for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose as he thought. Then, putting his glasses back on, he looked at McKeon and asked, �Are you based in Sunnydale, Doctor?�

�Yes, I live and work here now. I relocated from San Francisco after I started to treat the ex-Initiative members.�

�Good. In that case, we can contact you if Buffy needs assistance or if the Council gives approval for Faith to be assessed.�

�Ummm � Giles,� Willow paused, unsure of how to proceed. �Faith is in prison, how are we going to fix that?"

�Do you remember what the Council threatened me with, earlier this year?� Willow nodded and Giles continued. �Well, if they can bring that much pressure to bear, they can certainly arrange a simple prison release on parole.�

�I suppose so, but I don�t really like the idea of arranging it unless Faith has really changed.� Willow said, thinking the possibilities through as she spoke.

Giles nodded his agreement before he spoke again. �I�ll also ask the council if there really is a ritual to remove a slayer as was threatened with Buffy. If there is, and if Faith is still a danger, I�ll pressure the Council to perform it on her. However, if worst comes to worst, then we can continue here without a slayer. Between us we have a reasonable set of combat skills now.�

�I suppose so, but I�d still feel happier with a slayer present.� All three looked at Spike, surprised, to say the least. �What? A Hellmouth needs something to counterbalance it. A sane and organised slayer provides that. The only real request I have is that the next one has better dress sense.� Willow sniggered and Giles laughed openly. Even McKeon looked slightly amused. Somehow, the offhand comment helped the four cement an alliance, if not a friendship.

�So, is there anything else that we need to discuss?� Giles asked. �I know we have cell phone numbers for contact.�

�I can�t think of anything.� Willow said quietly. As Spike and McKeon nodded their agreement, they stood and began working back to the door, manoeuvering between the other customers. Spike reached the door first and opened it for the others.

As he did so, a massive flash occurred. They were all diving for the ground before the almost simultaneous thunderclap sounded. All four got up and brushed themselves off, looking sheepishly at one another. �Perhaps there�s a certain level of combat fatigue for all of us.� McKeon commented ruefully.

Giles chuckled wryly and looked around him as the heavens opened. �How about we run to the cars?�

The small group broke into a sprint, running for the cars. They all ran; McKeon in one direction, the Scoobies in another. As the three by now soaking Scoobies reached the car and dove in, Giles said, simply, �My place.�

Cordelia, mistaking their speed for pursuit, shot out of the car park as if all the demons of hell were after her. Skidding and squealing on the wet road surface, she got control of the DeSoto in time to avoid any collisions. �Bloody Hell, Huntress, what�s the rush?� Spike�s squawked question came out almost like a curse.

�I don�t know, bleach boy! You three dive in here like the hounds of hell are after you and tell me �Giles place.� So I�m going there.�

�Cordelia,� Giles gentle and even tone somehow permeated the whole vehicle as he spoke. �We were running to get out of the rain. You don�t have to speed.�

�Oh.� Cordelia�s response was somewhat abashed, and she slowed to the speed limit. �So, what did happen?�

�We�ll explain when we get everyone together.� Willow made it clear that she only wanted to talk about this once. Spike, sensing her pain, simply wrapped his arms around her and held her as Cordelia drove steadily through the pouring rain.

Part 26 Truths and Consequences
At Giles apartment, later that evening.

The small group entered the flat, dripping from the short trip from the car. Cordelia's hair dripped into her pretty face giving her a slightly bedraggled look. Giles immediately headed for the linen cupboard, collecting towels and passing them around with some of his dry clothing.

�All right everyone, lets get dry. I know these won�t fit, but they�re warm and it�ll preserve our dignity.� Everyone speedily complied with the very welcome instructions and they were soon as dry and comfortable as they could be. Cordelia took charge of the wet clothing, surprising all of them.

�Is there anything here that can�t be tumble dried?� She called out as she went in search of Giles� laundry. When no-one answered, she threw everything into Giles� dryer and returned. In response to the three questioning looks, she asked, somewhat defensively, �What? What! Oh, the clothes.� She sighed and explained. �Well, duh! It�s perfectly logical. Who knows more about clothes than the rest of you combined? At least I could work out what would shrink, what needed warm cycle, what needed hot. It�s just a sensible division of labour. Talking of which, who�s making coffee?�

They all blinked in response. Willow recovered first and answered. �I will Cordy. Giles can you ring Xander and Anya please, and get them to come over? I only want to have to explain this once,� she said, heading to the kitchen. Giles nodded and began to dial.

Spike walked over to the petite redhead. He simply wrapped his arm around her and kissed her neck gently. Then he began murmuring to her, in a voice so low pitched that no-one else could hear. He continued to comfort her, even as Giles spoke. �No, Xander, it�s not �important� it�s bloody vital. Now get your backside over here, and bring Anya with you. No, not tomorrow, NOW!� He slammed the phone down and then cursed. �Stupid bleedin� pillock!� He sat down, and leaned toward Cordelia, finally filling her in on all that happened; after cautioning her not to say anything.

Xander and Anya hurried into the apartment and the sight of everyone in Giles� clothes surprised them. �What�s so important it couldn�t wait G-man?�

�We�ve got some very important news about Buffy. I�ll let Willow explain it, and she wants to only have to do it once.�

Anya looked profoundly unimpressed. She sat on the sofa, sighing obviously and wrapped her arm around Xander�s. �So, what�s happened to the slayer now? And is it worth my valuable orgasm time to hear about it?� She asked acerbically, making it clear that she did not feel the inconvenience in rushing over was worth the effort involved.

Willow sighed as she began to explain. �Well � overall, she�s getting better. And they intend to release her shortly.� She was interrupted by both Xander�s statement of joy and Anya�s barely concealed sigh of boredom. She pressed on, concealing the gloom threatening to overwhelm her. �It�s not all good news though. Apparently, she refuses to accept that Spike and I are a couple. According to her doctor, who isn�t part of the Initiative by the way, she'll try to force Spike and I apart. Most likely by making me choose between Spike and herself. Though the doctor did imply that she could resort to more...extreme measures.�

Xander looked at her, puzzlement showing in his eyes. �Just what do you mean by extreme?� He asked with suspicion.

�Dr McKeon thinks that she may go as far as attempting to killing Spike. However likely that may be, she�ll most certainly try and drive a wedge between Spike and I. If that fails, then between us and the rest of you.� Willow paused to draw breath and also sip at her coffee before continuing. �I simply need to know where everyone stands on this. If Buffy does try to force Spike and I apart, how will you guys react?�

Everyone looked nonplussed for a moment, gathering their thoughts and considering the ramifications of what Willow had said. Cordelia was the first to speak. �Wills, I�ll go with you on this one. You�ve finally got a life and you seem to be truly happy. More importantly, you�re dressing so much better now.�

Spike spoke quietly before anyone else could. �I don�t like the idea of people taking sides pet. I�d much rather just convince the slayer to ignore us and let life go on.�

�She won�t Spike, my love. She�ll punish us by forcing us away from our friends or forcing us apart. In all honesty, what worries me is what may come after that.�

Giles entered the conversation. �You should also be aware that Dr McKeon has strongly suggested that Buffy be removed from active service as a slayer. He feels that she won't recover sufficiently to return to active duty. We did look, very briefly, at other options open to us, but we haven't been able to decide on anything quite yet. Furthermore, I won�t permit Buffy to split this group, and if she tries, I�ll have the council take her to England. I love Buffy like a daughter, but I will not permit one of my children to tear the family apart.�

Everyone except Spike looked shocked at the vehemence in Giles� voice. Willow was tearing up as she thought about what he had said. Xander looked confused at the intensity with which everyone was speaking. �But Buffy�s the slayer!� Xander began, trying to work out what everyone was saying. �We can�t leave her alone.�

Willow sighed. �Xander, no-one is suggesting that Buffy be left alone. But she can't be allowed to dictate to us who we're allowed to love. How would you feel if she told you to choose between her and Anya?�

Xander pondered this for a moment, and then nodded slowly, realisation dawning. �No, that would be wrong. Anyway Wills, You�ve been there forever and I love you,� glancing quickly over at Anya, �Like a sister.� He added hastily. I wouldn�t let Buffy do that to you. Or, if she did, I�d stay with you.�

Anya nodded slowly. �She shouldn�t do this. I don�t care who or what she is, forcing a happy couple apart is wrong. For over a thousand years punishing the people who did that was my sole reason for existing. Of course I was very good at it, but still ...� She gave Xander a loving look. �I know how good the real thing is now. I didn�t then.�

Spike looked over the group, one by one before he spoke. �Are you certain you want to do this? You�ll be committing yourself to a demon, in the face of the slayer. She�ll be more than angry She�ll be furious and feel abandoned and betrayed. Furthermore, she�s not stable. If you do oppose her, she�s more likely than not to see you as enemies. In particular Giles and Anya; Giles because she will see it as a betrayal, and Anya because you are a former demon. The way she appears to be at the moment, it won�t be a great leap for her to conclude �once a demon, always a demon�.�

Xander looked confused again. �Why would she do this? Buffy isn�t like that.�

Giles looked over at Spike and Willow, raising his hand slightly to get everyone's attention before taking over the explanation. �Buffy isn�t the same anymore. McKeon described it as a form of combat fatigue. I still remember my grandfather. He suffered from combat fatigue, or shell-shock as it was called then, after the Great War. Even when he was elderly, he would still react to cars backfiring, or suddenly �see� gas clouds. A certain level of delusional behaviour will remain with Buffy for many years, if not forever. Her refusal to accept Willow and Spike�s relationship is symptomatic of that. That�s why I�m going to investigate whether or not the council can retire her and let her train potential slayers instead.�

�But that means that she�ll have to go to England,� protested Xander. �That�s not fair.� Giles and Spike both looked highly offended. �Er � that didn�t come out quite right,� Xander acknowledged. �What I meant was she shouldn�t be sent away just because she�s sick.�

�I know.� Spike surprised everyone. �What?� He responded to the looks directed at him. �I don�t think anyone should be sent off like that, but what other option is there? She�ll try to kill me when she discovers that Will and I won�t be broken apart. The only other option is Red and I moving away. Is that any fairer? Whatever we do, someone�s going to be hurt. The main difference is that, for the slayer, she can go somewhere she�s accepted for what she is, have people who know of and understand her situation.�

Cordelia simply shook her head at Spike. �You�re being far too forgiving, Blondie. She's gonna destroy your relationship with Willow if she can. And if that doesn't happen? She's going to try to kill you. This is just me, of course, but I wouldn�t be offering her tea and sympathy. I�d tell her to get the hell out of Dodge.�

�Err, Willow�s already taken care of that side of things, via Dr McKeon.� Giles spoke to Cordelia, explaining. �She made it absolutely clear that if Buffy tried to interfere between her and Spike in any way she would regret it. Profoundly.�

�Ah, good.� Cordelia�s satisfaction was written openly on her face. She grinned at Willow. �Way to go girl!�

Willow sighed. �I wish I didn�t have to though. This really boils down to her resenting me for having what she can�t; a vampire as a lover. It�s so � childish.� The look of genuine pain on Willow�s face brought an automatic response from Spike, he embraced her tightly and began, once again, to murmur very quietly in her ear.

�Is there anything more to say?� Spike asked, �because, if there isn�t, I�d like to get Red here home.� There was a moment of silence before a chorus of negatives greeted his question, as once again, the rest of the group was taken aback by his concern for his petite and emotionally fragile lover.

As they walked into their apartment, the blond looked over at Willow and asked, very simply, �What do you need pet? Is there anything I can do?�

The redhead looked at her lover as she replied. �I need you, Sir. In the basement. Please.�

Spike nodded and immediately moved to the concealed trapdoor. Rolling up the hall runner, he opened it and they descended together into the security of their playroom. Spike flicked on the lights and pulled the door shut. Looking down, he saw Willow, kneeling on the floor. �I�m ready Sir, would you begin?�

Part 27 Follow the Lieder
The following evening, preparing for surveillance at the Bronze.

Spike looked down at all the equipment that Xander had �requisitioned� from the military. �Bloody hell Chubs, you don�t do things by halves, do you.�

Xander grinned tightly in return. �Well, it�s really all mine anyway. My taxes paid for this, it�s only fair that I get to keep some of them, right?�

Willow laughed. �Goddess Xand, that�s twisted, even by your normal standards of logic.�

The brunette grinned at his closest friend saying, �It�s always been far more advanced than your Earth logic Wills, just deal with it.� The grin widened for a moment and the petite redhead joined in, remembering the first time that Xander had used that line. �It�s okay. We�ll always have these little moments, remembering the old Buffy.�

Spike looked blankly at them, and Willow explained. �Xander first made that joke just after you had kidnapped us to get the love spell done. It just brought some memories back.�

�Oh, pet. I�m so sorry. About the memories, not the kidnapping.� Spike grinned and then winked at his lover as he continued. �In fact, re-enacting half of that could be a lot of fun. The half where I kidnap youI wouldn�t kidnap Chubs again if you paid me.�

Willow laughed joyfully, while Xander looked simultaneously relieved and offended. Anya appeared rather put out. �Xander�s not good enough for you nowadays?�

�He never was. I wouldn�t eat him if I was starving. I�d get diabetes.�

The look on Anya�s face grew decidedly offended. �He works hard, he needs carbohydrates. Anyway I think he looks more than delicious enough to eat.�

Giles looked at the playfully squabbling quartet, and then grinned over at Cordelia. �Should we leave the children to play, while we work out the plans?�

Cordelia flashed a dazzling smile back at Giles. �Let�s. Assuming, of course, that Xander and Anya run to tea and a teapot. I couldn�t cope with teabags. We need something to get our brains working and relax our nerves after that little performance.�

�Do you think they�d also run to some biscuits? Bourbons would be nice.� Giles was joining in, utterly oblivious to the flirtatious nature of the interaction. �Y�know, Cordelia, I haven�t had a Bourbon for years.�

Spike couldn�t resist the opening. �Nor�ve I, Ripper. The last one was a cadet member of the Orleans line back in � 1912 I think it was.� Giles looked at Spike, shocked, and Xander was openly appalled. Cordelia seemed oblivious while Willow and Anya began to giggle. Spike just grinned at his little redhead and winked.

�That really was a ghastly pun Spike.� Willow spoke somewhat scoldingly to her lover as Giles' head snapped around to look at Willow. He quirked an eyebrow, as if to ask �are you sure he�s joking?� Willow looked levelly at Spike as she sought the confirmation. �It was a pun, wasn�t it?�

��Course it was pet. I hate France. Wouldn�t go there for love or money.� Willow�s answering smile was in a minority. Giles exasperation, Xander�s distaste and Anya�s disappointment outnumbered it. Spike looked puzzled. �What? C�mon people. I�m �evil� remember. Plus, it wasn�t like I was joking about real life individuals. I was joking about the French! And French royalty at that!�

Giles looked at Spike and blinked a couple of times, then, in spite of himself began to giggle. At the looks he received from the others, he explained, somewhat shamefacedly. �I�m sorry, you have to be English to really understand that joke.�

�Be that as it may,� Willow said sternly, �I think we should change the subject entirely. Xander, do you have enough radios for everyone?� In response to Xander�s nod, she continued. �How many sets of night vision goggles did you get Xand?�

�I couldn�t get any, sorry Wills. They didn�t keep them in stock at the depot.�

Willow nodded, thinking hard as she replied, somewhat absent-mindedly. �That means Spike�ll have to trail her in the dark. Did you get any tasers?�

�Not a hope, I didn�t know what they were, even when I was �soldier-boy�.� Xander�s answer carried a certain amount of chagrin. He knew now just how efficient they were as immobilising weapons.

�So, we just have radios then. We�ll have to make do.� Spike�s tone was flat, almost chilling in it�s implied ruthlessness. �I want this over,� he continued. �As long as Willow�s in danger, either directly or because she�s with me, I�ll be on edge. So let�s do it.�

* * * *

Willow and Spike lurked just outside the entrance to the Bronze. Cordelia and Xander, both being able to recognise Holly, each covered one end of the alley, Xander with Anya, and Cordelia with Giles. Looking at her lover, the little redhead sighed. �Y�know, at this rate I�ll never learn how to fight properly.�

Spike grinned down and pulled Willow in close. �Don�t worry at it pet, we�ll get a break soon, and we can start then. And, don�t forget you promised you�d teach me to hack as well.�

�I hadn�t. I just didn�t get that far in my thoughts.� Willow curled in tight against the blond vampire, wrapping her arms about his waist as a defence from the chilly night. Just as she did so, a stretch limousine pulled up opposite the club entrance. From the angle they were at, they could not tell who had just gone inside, and Willow decided to follow them. Leaving Spike with the radio, she headed inside, mingling easily with the crowd and sliding in undetected.

Willow manoeuvered skillfully through the crowd, pleased that her �Not Here� spellwhich she had termed it for want of a better namewas serving her well. It took her some time to reach the small coterie that had left the limousine, but when she eventually did, she was shocked. She saw Holly Charleston, surrounded by two very tough looking vampires, a smaller, ruddy complected demon with four vestigial horns and, lastly, two large men who appeared human but also looked exceptionally violent. Carefully, she memorised the positions of the group, noting that Holly was in the centre and also acting very much as the group leader.

The smaller ruddy-faced demon leaned over and whispered something to Holly. Both she and the demon started to scan the crowd, appearing to search for something or someone. Hoping that they would remain there for a while, Willow slipped away. Once outside again, she spoke to Spike. �They�re in there. There�s Holly, two big vamps, two guys who look human and really tough and a smaller demon, four horns, red face. Oh, and the tops of his ears flopped over.�

�Bloody hell pet, next time, at least tell me what you�re up to!� Spike was shaking with a combination of anger and fear.

The little witch looked up, suddenly apprehensive, at her Master. �I�m sorry Sir!� Her slip into the speech pattern went unnoticed by either. � I didn�t even think. It just crossed my mind that we couldn�t see who that group were. And I was right, thank the Goddess. Now, let�s call the others in and talk about what to do.�

Spike sighed and nodded. �Okay pet. But � if you ever do something like that to me again, once I�ve calmed down, I�ll take to you in a way that�ll guarantee you won�t sit for a month. Is that crystal clear?�

�Y-you aren�t going to punish me this time?� Willow�s voice was trembling with a combination of relief and disappointment.

�Wouldn�t be right pet. Firstly, I�m too angry to do it properly at the moment. Second, I�d never given you any instruction or order that covered the situation. Now, seeing as you weren�t breaking any rules, I can�t punish you for it. On the other hand, if you felt a need to be punished, then you could always ask me. For now though, little one, call the others in.�

Willow lifted the radio to her lips and spoke, as she had been shown, slowly and clearly. Finishing, she shut the radio off, and pocketed it. �So, what�s the plan?�

�Dunno yet pet. All I can tell you though, is that impromptu reconnaissance you did worries me. There�s something about that little demon you saw which I just can�t remember.� Spike�s brow furrowed intensely as he racked his brain.

Once the others had arrived, Spike asked Willow to fill them all in on what she had seen. Cordelia looked at them all. �We�ve got a hell of a problem then. That demonI can�t remember what the species is calledis empathic. He would�ve sensed Willow looking for Holly.�

Giles nodded, ruefully. �I�ve heard of them too, Cordelia. They�re called � errrr � damn, I can�t remember either; but yes, they�re empathic.�

�We�ll just have to deal with it then.� Spike spoke decisively as he continued to think whilst collecting information. �Huntress, how good are they at reading feelings? How close do they have to be? How strongly can they do it? Can they read thoughts as well?�

Cordelia looked overwhelmed by Spike�s demands for information. She drew a breath as she thought how best to answer. �Well � the one who abducted me � could pick my feelings up well enough to guess at my thoughts pretty well. He could do it from across a room, too. Does that help?� Cordelia�s head quirked to the right as she answered. A gesture, Willow thought, that she had not seen since high school.

Spike considered this, and as he looked around, he began to turn ideas over in his head. �I wonder if we can use this somehow? Use the fact that they detect people seeking her by their emotions?� He spoke more to himself than to the group, but aloud, tacitly encouraging input.

�Lover,� Willow began cautiously, �I didn�t have a chance to tell you yet, but I used a new spell I�ve been working on. I call it �Not Here�, and it makes me sort of � forgettable, I suppose. It meant that I could get inside unseen, and although he looked for me, he didn�t see me.�

Spike began to smile slowly, and started to sketch a plan out in his mind. �Did anyone get the number plate of the limo? Bugger!� Spike cursed mildly at hearing the joint answers of no. �Never mind, we can find out easily enough. How about we retreat for the night and make some plans?� A chorus of agreement met him, although he suspected that the unseasonably chilly night may have had something to do with that, rather than wanting to plan further.

* * * *

Spike led a chilly group into the apartment. The gang had gathered at his and Willow�s residence, it being the closest to The Bronze. As he ushered them in, he took on the mantle of host. �Please, all of you, sit down. Willow and I will fix drinks very shortly.�

Giles accepted Spike�s behaviour without batting an eyelid, the others, however, were openly agog. They had never seen the urbane nineteenth century gentleman that Spike could be when he chose.

In short order, Spike had everyone ensconced in chairs or on lounges, with drinks, cold or warm, in their hands. �Now,� Spike began, a little uncertainly, �we�re going to have to make a plan for this. I do not like the sound of her bodyguards. I have some ideas for dealing with the empath demon already. It�s the rest I�m more concerned about. Recapping what Red here saw, there seem to be two humans and two vamps. Being members of the Order, they�ll be tough, cunning and mean.�

Giles cleared his throat quietly and began to speak. �We need to divide their forces, take the vampires away from the humans. Spike can probably deal with the vampires, while the rest of us handle the living. Before we start making plans though, Spike, what�s your idea for dealing with the empath?�

�Red told me earlier how she managed to avoid the empath. She�s been working on a new spell; it�s not invisibility, but a way of being inconspicuous, unnoticeable. She said the empath couldn�t see her although he did sense her desire to find Holly, so I�m thinking she should perhaps lead him on a wild goose chase, taking away their early warning system. I�d want someone tagging along with Red though. Just in case.�

The whole group began to think. They had a number of tasks to complete simultaneously; they had to distract the empath, separate and defeat both the vampire and the human bodyguards and also quietly capture and abduct Holly Charleston. Four tasks to carry out, approximately simultaneously. It was not an easy thing to do for a small group of six.

Back

Back to Willow/Spike
Back to Fanfic

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws