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Rebel Prince by facingthesun
 
Chapter 14
 
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I stole a lot from ‘A New Man’ from season 4. I am following the season and every line that I borrow does not belong to me, in fact, nothing in this story does. Wow, now I’m depressed. Review and make me happy again. ;)

Chapter 14

“This is a surprise, especially after our last...talk.”

“I know. I’ve just been thinking and I want us to be friends, Riley.”

“What does Spike think about this?”

“Spike...well, he doesn’t exactly know that I’m here and I’m trusting you not to tell him about this little chat, okay?” Riley grinned and Buffy had to force back a glare. “I would like to know more about your group, if you’ll let me in on the secret, anyway.”

“Why the sudden interest?”

“It’s not sudden. I want to know how the professionals nab the bad guys because I think my stake is getting a teensy bit dated. You’ve got all those electrical thingies and those zappers...”

“You want new weapons?”

“I want a new way to approach my calling. I wasn’t lying when I said that I’d like to have more people on my side and I guess, what I’m trying to say is, I want to join the team if there are any openings.”
***

“What are your plans for Buffy’s birthday?”

“Well, the weatherman’s predicting a cloudy, stormy day so I figure I can take her out.”

“Are you sure that’s safe?”

“You worried about me, love?”

“You should be careful. Buffy would be crushed if something were to happen to you.”

“I don’t plan on turning into to dust. What’s with you Summers girls? I constantly have to tell you both that I’m not going away.”

“Think about it, Spike. Buffy’s father left and then Angel left. All the important men in her life have failed her.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“That’s good to hear. I hope you keep your promise.”

“I will, Joyce. You can count on it.”
***

Buffy took a deep breath before sitting in the chair in front of Maggie Walsh’s desk. I can’t believe she’s the head commando, Buffy thought, biting her lip. She’s so...old.

“So, the Slayer...”

“That’s me.” Buffy tensed up as Riley put his hand on her shoulder. She knew he was trying to make her less nervous but she moved out of his reach.

“We thought you were a myth.”

“Well, you were myth-taken.” Buffy smiled but it vanished when no one found her amusing.

“And to think all that time you were sitting in my class—when you graced us with your presence that is,” Professor Walsh said. “I always knew you could do better than a B minus. Now I understand your energies were directed to the same place as ours. It’s only our methods that differ. Riley tells me that you have an interest in learning of our scientific technology and state-of-the-art weaponry.”

“Yup, poking nasties with a stick seems so last year, although stakes are more effective than they sound.”

“Oh, eh, I’m quite sure of that. As I’m just as sure that we can learn from each other. I’m working on getting you clearance to come into the Initiative. I think you’ll find the results of our operation most impressive. Agent Finn, here, alone, has killed or captured—how many is it?”

“Seventeen,” Riley responded proudly.

“That’s...impressive, I guess.”

“And how many hostiles have you slain, Ms. Summers?”

“Um, do you have a calculator?”
***

“Wow.”

“Yup.”

“But you’ve killed a—you did the thing with that—uh, you drowned! And the snake! Not to mention the...daily slayage of...wow.”

“It’s no big really,” Buffy shrugged as Riley walked her home.

“Buffy, when I saw you stop the world from, you know, ending—I just assumed that was a big week for you. Turns out I suddenly find myself needing to know the plural form of apocalypse.”

Buffy smirked. “So does this mean I’ve scared you enough to leave my boyfriend alone for good? Because I have more stories where those came from; when you start slaying evil at fifteen, it has that affect on a girl.”

“Fifteen!”

“Yuppers. Well, this is where I get off. I’ll see you tonight around sunset?”

“Sure.” Riley grinned and patted her arm. “It’s nice to see you aboard and I know you’ll be essential to our mission.”

“That’s me. Bye, Riley.” Buffy turned on her heel and pushed open the front door to her house. “Honey, I’m home—Spike, hey.”

“Don’t you ‘hey’ me. What were you doing with him? Why was that sodding cub scout walking you home?”

Buffy tried not to laugh. “Shouldn’t the real question be: why are you wearing an apron? Feeling domestic, baby?”

“That is none of your concern, missy. Upstairs with you. We’re going to talk this out. Joyce, tell me if something good happens on the telly.” Spike took off his apron and draped it on the corner of the sofa. “If you hear yelling, I’m just beating her to a bloody pulp.”

“Okay, have fun kids.”
***

“Don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad, I’m royally pissed off.”

“Oh, that’s better,” Buffy rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “You have a chip in your head.”

“What?”

“A computer chip is giving you the shocks. Come here and sit. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.” She stood and ran her fingers through his hair. “Give me your hand? Feel the scar?”

“So, there’s a computer in my head?”

“And it’s the Initiative that did it to you. I’m going to shut them down.”

“By getting cozy with captain cardboard?”

“I’m not getting cozy with him.” Buffy sat on the foot of her bed. “But there’s a pretty good chance that you could be sitting with Riley’s new second-in-command.”

“Great. Goodie for you.”

“Stop being an asshole. I’m trying to help you.”

“By sneaking in talks with the bloke who wants to get into your pants. Only I get that privilege, alright? I worked hard to get in those tight little numbers of yours.”

“I was going to tell you...”

“Yeah. Sure.”

“I was going to tell you this morning but you woke up cranky.” When he snorted, Buffy lost her temper and hit his arm. “You’re such a jerk!”

“Don’t I feel loved? Now you’re going to hit me?”

“No!” Capturing his face between her hands, she kissed him hard until they were rolling on her bed. “I’m trying to help you,” she panted.

“I hate him, Buffy.”

“He’s nothing compared to you. Stop being of jealous of him. It’s stupid and it should be insulting to you.” She kissed him again and slid her hands under his shirt. “Tell me...why are you covered in flour, honey?”

“I told her the bloody apron was useless.”

“Spike,” Buffy sang as she kissed his neck. “What have you been doing with my mother?”

“We’ve been making tasty treats for you and the female Scoobies.”

“Really?”

“It’s sad but true.”

Buffy grinned, “You...Spike, have I told you that I love you today?”

“Not sure, maybe you should just in case. She made me wear an apron, Buffy.”

“Awww,” she cooed. “It was pink too. She’s so cruel.”

“The lacy trim was nice though. Felt just like Betty bloody Crocker.”

Laughing, Buffy hugged him tightly. “Mom’s having fun with you, isn’t she? Want me to tell her to back off?”

“No, I can take her...I think.”

She rested her head on his chest and they laid in silence. “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about Riley. Cranky or not, you should’ve known. Don’t freak out, but I’m seeing him before the party. I have to kill things and my psychology teacher is going to watch.”

“Sounds kinky.”

“She’s creepy.”

“Be careful.”

“I will. What are you going to do while I party?”

“Don’t know.”

“Will you be hiding in the bushes?”

“Probably. You should sneak out and we’ll have a quickie.”

“Outside of my house?” Buffy said, wrinkling her nose. “Ew.”

“Don’t knock it until you try it, sweetness.”

“You’re always getting me to try new things.”

“See me around nine?”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Good girl.” Spike kissed her forehead. “Now about this chip, do you reckon I could just get the thing removed? Maybe I could get some guy to do a little operation...”

“It’d better be a highly qualified guy. One false move and who knows what could happen to you. I like my boyfriend with a fully functioning brain and let’s keep him that way please.”

“If you insist.”

“I do. A lot. But at least I have a new term of endearment for you, it just came to me.”

“What?”

“I shall tenderly call you — you ready— chip head. How’s that for creativity?”

“Funny, pet.”
***

“Professor Walsh would just like to see the Slayer in action. She’s got your clearance set and if you didn’t have plans, I would be able to take you inside the Initiative tonight.”

“Sorry, Riley un-duty calls.”

“Tomorrow then?”

“How about the day after that? Tomorrow’s my birthday...”

“Oh, it is?” Riley smiled, “I’ll have to find you a gift. Do you mind if it’s belated?”

“Um, you can do whatever you’d like. I’m not the kind of girl that turns down presents.”

They entered the cemetery and Riley quickly pointed out where Maggie and the Initiative team were hiding. “We’ll be here if you need backup. With us, nobody has to fight alone.”

Buffy forced a grin, “What kind of thing will it be? Vampire? Other demon?”

“All I know is, it’s going to be one of our own HSTs. Good luck!”

“Thanks,” Buffy grumbled as Riley dove into the bushes. ‘I usually know what I’m up against,’ she complained silently. The hair on the back of her neck prickled at the sound of a loud growl.

“Great, now all that pent up anger is going to be taken out on me.” With her bag of various weapons in hand, she waited for the monster to find her. By the sound of heavy feet stomping the ground, Buffy knew that she wouldn’t have to wait for very long.

***

Gritted her teeth, Buffy jumped with all her might, giving the mammoth demon a kick in the stomach. As she punched its disgusting face repeatedly, she used her knowledge of slaying to guess the demon’s weak spot.

“Eyes are usually good. But then others don’t like their heart poked and then there’s always the unique ones that you have to get in the knee... Hell, I’ll give each a stab.”

Panting slightly, Buffy scrambled to reach for her sword as the enemy charged at her. Due to its size, the demon wasn’t very fast moving and Buffy used that to her advantage. As she ran circles around it, it slobbered and waved its arms at her.

“This is almost embarrassing. He’s kinda cute, if you ignore the drooling— because purple saliva? Not attractive.” Wanting to show off her Slayer superpowers, she exaggerated every move, adding flips and fancy moves that would impress even Giles and definitely the Initiative’s cronies.

“Can I go home now?” Buffy said, after easily cutting off the demon’s head.
***

“Forgive my tardiness.” Buffy came in through the back door and waved to her friends. “Did I miss anything fun?”

“No. This party is very boring.”

“Hi to you too, Anya.” Taking food from the full coffee table, she sat on sofa. “Eat the munchies. My boyfriend made them.”

“I helped,” Joyce said, passing out drinks. “Spike’s a whiz in the kitchen.”

Buffy grinned and slipped off her shoes. “Mom, sit down. We can get our own stuff.”

“Yeah, Joyce,” Willow agreed. “We’re about to start the movie, but first I want to introduce you all to Tara.”

“Hi, Tara, I’ve heard so...much about you.” Buffy watched as Willow and the blonde girl held hands and sat close to each other on the floor. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Thanks for inviting me.” Tara looked Buffy in the eye for a few seconds but then averted her attention back to Willow.

“Um, the more the merrier.”

“Can we start the movie now?” Anya said, still sounding bored. “I miss Xander. If Xander were here I wouldn’t be as bored. At least I could sneak my hands in his pants a few times.”
***

Spike headed back to his stalking post after running to get more cigarettes. He stopped, seeing a green horned demon. “Well. What do I spy with my little eye? A demon. That would be—oh, right—one of the things I can kill.”

“Spike. Wonderful. A perfect end to a perfect day. Go on, then.” The demon turned around and held up his fists. “Let’s get on with the fighting.”

“Giles?” Spike frowned, taking a step forward.

“You understand me?”

“Of course, I understand you.”

“I’m speaking English?”

“No, you’re speaking Fyarl. I happen to speak Fyarl and— by the way, why the hell are you suddenly a Fyarl demon? You just come over all demon-y this morning?”

“As a matter of fact, I did.” Giles followed Spike and held a blanket around his shoulders. “Thanks to Ethan Rayne. You have to help me find him. He must undo this and then he needs a good...being killed.”

“You and your bloody obsession with undoing spells. And I’m just supposed to help you out of the evilness of my heart?”

“Y-you help me and I-I don’t kill you.”

“Oh, tremendously convincing. Try it again without the stutter.” Spike laughed as Giles continued to sputter. “I’ll help you, just for Buffy. She’d kick my ass if I didn’t.” Lighting a cigarette, Spike quickly took a drag. “So what’s first? I run and tell my Slayer what you’ve gotten yourself into?”

“No. When I find Ethan I can clear all this up without Buffy ever having to find out that anything happened to me.”

“You keeping secrets from Buffy?”

“No, no. I just don’t want to bother her.”

“She is having that party...I guess you’re right. I hate to say this but we’ll need your car...”
***

“If you can't find third gear, don't try for third gear!”

“I'm doing my best. You let Buffy drive this thing? I don't know if I'm driving this thing or wearing it.”

“It's perfectly serviceable and as for Buffy’s driving abilities...”

Spike gave Giles a sideways glance, “It’s funny hearing a Fyarl demon say, ‘serviceable.’ Had a couple of them working for me once. They're more like, ‘Like to crush. Crush now?’ Strong little buggers though. You won't meet a jar you can't open for the rest of your life—what was that? Did you growl?”

“No. Listen, about this Fyarl demon. Do-do I have special powers? Like setting things on fire with my sizzling eye beams?”

“Well, you got the mucous thing.”

“What? Mucous?”

“Paralyzing mucous. Shoots out through the nose. Sets on fast. Hard as a rock. Pretty good in a fight.”

“Are you making this up?”

“Maybe. But hey, you feel a sneeze coming on, you warn me.”

“Turn here,” Giles growled, slamming his arm against the passenger door. “Down shift! Down shift!”

“Calm down, will you?”

“I'm not sure I can. I feel like I'm changing. I really like this feeling. Sort of mindless need to destroy. This anger and rage."

“Oh great. Won’t Buffy be happy,” Spike rolled his eyes. “You’re turning all Fyarl now.”

“No! I refuse to become a monster because I look like a monster. I have a soul! I have a conscience! I am a human being!”

“Right, whatever you say.”
***

“Let me do all the talking.” Spike leaned against the bar and beckoned a waitress forward. “Hey, love. Do you remember two guys that got smashed here last night? Two of them. English like me. But older, less attractive. One of them gave you his number...”

“I threw the number out. I mean, I took one look and saw that he was staying at that rattrap—.”

“Which rattrap?”

“The one by the highway. The Sunnydale Motor Inn.”

“Thank you,” Spike said smiling.
***

Buffy looked at the clock and at five minutes past nine, she tiptoed out of the house. “Spike?” she whispered. “Spike, where are you?”
***

“How you feeling, mate?”

“Like snapping necks until everyone is dead.”

“Now that sounds like a Fyarl demon--oh fuck!”

“What?”

Spike squinted, a set of bright lights pulling up behind Giles’ car. “We’ve picked up a tail. Hummer. Military—fuck!”

“Well speed up. Lose them.”

“I got it floored! Why'd you buy this car?”

“Do something! If they catch us, we'll both end up in a lab!”

“It's getting closer.” Suddenly a second vehicle swerved to the right of their car. “And it's got a friend!”

“Damn!” Giles cried, crashing his arm into the window.

“Oh, sure! Dismantle the getaway car. That'll scare them!”

“Then slow down and I'll jump out. They'll follow you.”

“Hold on. These commandos. They're the same guys that are after me too! That’s a bad—.” Before Spike could finish, Giles jumped from the car and rolled onto the street. “Oh, don’t do that!”
***

“Sorry, but I’ve got to find him.”

“So, you were supposed to have sex outside and now you think he’s been kidnapped because he never showed up?”

“It’s good to know you were listening, Anya.” Buffy zipped up her jacket and shoved a stake in her pocket. “You guys can come with if you’d like.”

“Sure! Tara, see I told you we’re like Buffy’s sidekicks.” Willow jumped up and searched through the weapon chest.

“Just keep an eye on her. I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

“Maybe he just decided that he didn’t want to have sex,” Anya said and then shook her head. “Never mind. I bet he was stolen again by those commandos. He’s doomed.”

“Anya, shut up,” Buffy demanded, hoping that she was wrong.
***

“Giles! Spike’s...oh, my God.” Buffy froze after taking a step into Giles’s wrecked apartment. “Oh, no.”

“Maybe they got Spike and Giles?” Willow asked. “But who would want both of them?”

“Maybe, uh, maybe they were together?”

“I don’t know, Tara. Spike and Giles aren’t exactly buddies.”

Buffy panicked, looking for clues among the damaged objects in the house. “Not both of them. I can’t lose both of them.”

The phone rang and the girls looked at each other. “I’ll get it,” Willow announced. “Hello? Xander—.”
***

“So it had pointy things. What kind of pointy things?”

“The pointy kind,” Xander answered. “And tufty ears. Oh, and it might have a sauce pan shape bruise.”

“I can’t believe this. Spike’s gone, Giles is gone and Xander’s been attacked.” Buffy paced as Willow, Tara, and Anya researched. “This can’t happen.”

“I think they were eaten.”

“Anya, you’re not helping.”

“Buffy, did you see that shirt?” Anya pointed to a scrap of fabric lying on the floor. “It’s been clawed up. I don’t know about Spike, but it’s clear that Giles has become demon chow.”

“That’s it. You guys continue to research. If you learn something, call me on my cell.” Buffy stormed out of the house and headed towards the university campus.
***

Spike drove the car with his foot pushing the pedal to the floor. He cursed as the military trucks followed and tried to run him off the road. “Oh, Buffy’s going to hear about this.”

Making a sharp turn, Spike lost control and closed his eyes as the car went speeding towards a tree.
***

Buffy and Riley crashed through the door of the hotel room. “Ethan?”

“You've got to stop it! It killed Ripper and now it's trying to get me!”

“You know that guy?”

“Yeah. Don’t let him go anywhere,” Buffy said before charging at the Fyarl demon. “Where’s my boyfriend? Where’s my Watcher?” She slammed it against the wall and was knocked across the room. “What did you do to them? What did you do?” Buffy yelled, getting back on her feet.

She dodged the Fyarl demon’s blows and continued to beat him until she had him on the floor. He tried to get up, but Buffy had him straddled and banged his head against the floor. “That was for Spike!” Taking a letter opener out of her back pocket, she stabbed the demon in the chest. “And this is for Giles!”

The demon moaned in pain and opened his eyes wide.

“Oh, God! Giles!”
***

Grabbing his head, Spike hissed, seeing that his hand was covered in blood. Shaken from the crash, he was slow to respond when the door of the car was ripped open. “Could this day get any worse?”

Spike swallowed, as a gun was pointed in his face. “I guess so.”
***

“God, I’m so, so sorry, Giles. I had no idea.” Buffy stroked his hand, happy that Ethan had reversed the spell and that he was human again. She was worried about Spike but afraid to know the truth. If he’s gone... her heart fell at the thought. No, he can’t be gone...

“Buffy, may I talk to you...alone?”

She looked at Riley and he grinned, saying that he needed some air. “Thanks, Riley.”

“Buffy, about Spike...”

Tears prickled Buffy’s eyes and she sighed, “He’s not okay, is he? Did...did you eat him?”

“No! He helped me! He led me to Ethan but then we were being followed by the commandos and we spilt up...”

“He’s still alive? The commandos...damn it! Riley! Get in here now!”
***

“Buffy—.”

“I need to know if any of your men were tailing Giles tonight. There were two Hummers--.”

“I can’t—he’ll know...”

“Giles knows about your secret identity.” Buffy knocked Riley’s head against the wall again with more force, “Tell me what you know!”

“Why should I?” he yelled. “You didn’t tell me that your boyfriend was Hostile 17!”

“Who?”

“Hostile 17! The vampire that broke out, Buffy! When we find him, our orders are to exterminate him!”

“That is not going to happen, Buffy said dangerously. “Call them off.”

“I can’t.”

“You can and you will.”

“The order came from Professor Walsh. I have no authority to intervene.”

“Giles,” she called sweetly, “Can you give me my sword?”

“I have no authority to intervene!”

“Thank you.” Buffy flashed Giles a smile before pressing the blade to Riley’s neck. “I usually don’t kill humans, you know that Riley? But for you, I’m going to make an exception...”
***

Ignoring the pain that was shooting down his arm, Spike ran, knowing that the soldiers were following.

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!” he growled, not understanding why he couldn’t lose them. All he could do was keep moving.
***

“We’re tracking him by a device that has been lodged into his skin,” Riley grumbled. “He’ll be caught and killed—for good.”

“So he’s this blinking light?” Tapping on the electrical device, Buffy waited for an answer.

“Yes.”

“Ok, I’m going to find him. He’s moving fast. Giles, listen to his radio and once they lose Spike, let Riley go.”

“Alright. Be careful.”

“You too. Use this if you need to.” Leaving Giles with her sword and Riley tied to a chair, Buffy ran into the night.
***
 
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