Buffy and Angel's plane landed in Sunnydale around 8pm that night. It was a long quiet ride. Buffy refused him every time he attempted a conversation. He finally gave up and sat frustrated in his seat. Letting his thoughts drift back to LA and Cordellia. After checking baggage they hailed a cab into town to the Magic Shop where they found the gang sulking around the table.

Xander was playing with some marbles that came in the shipment today. Anya was counting the money out loud, annoying them all to no end. "Anya! Will you please count to yourself? Some of us don't care about money the way you do" Willow yelled so unexpectedly that she made Xander jump. Anya thought to react to Willow but the ringing of the doorbell stopped her. In walked Buffy and Angel.

Willow jumped up. "Buffy, hi! We didn't expect..."

"I know." Interrupted Buffy. "But I had to come. I think... I think that Spike is in trouble."

Everyone just stared at her. "Is anyone with me when I say SO?" said Xander. "Yes Buffy I agree with Xander on this one. After what Spike has done to you I should think you�d be quite uncaring as to his currant status." Giles added. Angel rolled his eyes. "That�s what I've been trying to tell her. She won't listen to me." Buffy looked back and shot Angel a look that asked him to stay out of it. "I didn't even invite you along Angel."

Willow went over to Buffy. "Yea Buffy looking after Spike should probably be the last thing on our mind right now." Buffy gave them all sore eyes. "I don't care what any of you say, he needs me. I have to find him. You can all just stay here. I'm checking the crypt first." Buffy headed for the door. Angel went to follow her when she whipped around fast. Her eyes glowed an odd color and her voice was deeper. "No, you stay here. I'm going alone." "Buffy I can't let you do that...." He tried to get out. Unfortunately for him she knocked him off his feet. "I said you stay here." Buffy left the magic shop. Leaving them all stunned.

Angel got to his feet and looked at the group. "We have to get her to see reason. This isn't really Buffy. It's just her connection to Spike as her.... sire." He spat the word as though it had left a foul taste in his mouth. "When a sire is in trouble, the Childe will be compelled to come, beyond reason or thought."

Giles nodded. "Yes, I've heard that that is the case. I just don't understand it though. Buffy has a soul. Shouldn't she despise Spike for what he did to her? And ought not that hatred to give her pause?"

"It's likely that she does hate him. But she just can't help it. I can't explain it. It's just something that happens." he frowned. "I'm going to kill Spike. I really, really am."

Just then, Willow piped in. "Um, shouldn't we find out where Buffy went? And you know, follow her?"

The others nodded their agreement, and they headed out to look for her.

Meanwhile, Darla had returned to Spike. She was smiling evilly, staring at him. She put one soft hand on his cheek. "How long has it been Billy boy? Since you and I had a good chat?"

He frowned, remembering that their "chats" had usually involved Darla being mad about something and torturing him for it. "Not long enough you bint."

"I know what that means you know, and if I were you I'd keep a more civil tongue in the presence of a lady."

"Alright. If a lady comes around, let me know will you?"

She snarled angrily and backhanded him viciously across the face. "You always were a trial on my nerves. I never liked you."

"Oh, well there's a shock."

She slashed her nails down his cheek, and the skin tore, making him bleed. He hissed a little in pain, but continued to glare at her.

"You're going to wish that Dru had never turned you, you sorry excuse for a vampire."

He rolled his eyes in pretended impatience. "Look. We both know that either you are pissed about something, or you want something. Just tell me what the bloody hell it is, and we can get on with me not giving a damn." Darla whirled around and slapped him. "You'll give a damn when I have that Buffy of yours for breakfast." She smiled then, making circles on his chest with one slender finger. "I want my boy back, and your going to help me get him."

Spike laughed. "Sure thing. Like he always listened to me." He ignored the bit about Buffy. She was far away from him, but at least she was safe. Or so he thought. Darla blew Spike a kiss from the palm of her hand. �I�ll be back. Do try to behave until then.�

Buffy entered the crypt calling out his name. Everything looked the same. In fact she decided, it looked like he never had come home. "Spike?" "Buffy dear, have you lost something?" Darla stood in the doorway smiling at her. "I believe I can help you with what you�re looking for." Buffy strode over to Darla. "What do you know about Spike? Where is he?" Darla smiled even more twisted and settled a hand on Buffy�s shoulder, which Buffy promptly shrugged off. "Patience little one. All good things come in due time. First you have to help me." Buffy stared warily at Darla. "Tell me why I should help you? Or better yet why I would even want to?" Darla smiled. "Because it involves your new bo my dear."

Buffy glared at Darla's comment. She quickly retorted, "Spike has never been my bo!" Darla grinned. "Could have fooled me the way he talks about you. Why him now being your sire and all. He did it all out of love you know." Buffy shook her head. "No, he�s a monster. He never loved me." Darla picked up on her tinge of sadness there and thought it better to use it a little later. So instead she walked to the door and smiled. Beckoning with her finger and vampire mind powers, she called Buffy to follow her. And Buffy followed; there was no choice in the matter.

Darla led Buffy to the dank basement she was holding Spike in. The women stopped walking just in front of him. Buffy stared, angry and confused. He, shocked, stared back. She'd come for him? She wasn't in Los Angeles with the Great Poofter? If his heart could beat, it would have been pounding. He was utterly amazed that she'd returned. The look she gave him however, told him that he ought not to say one word to her about it. Darla sauntered over to Spike and ran her finger along his cheek. Disgusted he growled at her. "So Buffy my dear, this is what you came for right?"

Darla continued to ravage Spike with her eyes as she talked. Buffy gave her a serious look. "Unchain him Darla." Spike grinned at Buffy, eyeing up towards the wall where he had been working the chains loose since Darla had left him. Without expression on her face, he still knew she understood.

"Right after you deliver my boy to me." Darla purred.

"And if I don't?"

"Then I turn your boy into a pile of dust."

Buffy quickly crossed her arms, pushing her hip to one side.

�So? What do I care? I hate him."

Darla let out a long evil laugh. "Oh and you think I'm what? Daft? I believe that like I believe that one-day those sorry mortals will find world peace! I heard that little sad note in your voice earlier. You can�t deny it for long." Spike laughed himself. "Well I have to agree with that one." "No one asked you!" Darla hissed. "Buffy dear, just bring me my Angelus. If you don't not only does your only tie to what you now are dies� She glanced over at Spike with mock love in her eyes as she spoke. �Your mother and sister will die as well. Do you think they are a match for me without you around?" Darla's voice continued to soar as she spoke.

"And you being a once Slayer now vampire. Do you honestly think you can survive the world of the undead without your precious Spike?" Her words finished and hung in the air until broken by the sounds of chains breaking free from stone. As Darla whirled around on her heel Buffy took the time to drop kick her to the floor. Spike quickly made haste, wrapping the chain around Darla's neck.

"Where are the bloody keys for these things?"

"Over on the mantle" She managed to squeak. Buffy smiled. �What happened to all the tough talk Darla?� Darla hissed at Buffy making Spike tighten the chains. �Get the keys luv, quickly.� Buffy regarded him for a moment. �Don�t call me luv.�