Only Pain

Nothing made sense. There was nothing familiar about this place. It didn’t smell like anywhere he’d ever been. In fact, it didn’t really smell at all. That alone was reason for alarm. He couldn’t remember how he got here.

“Willow,” he whispered before he blacked out again.

“What’d ya shoot him with?” a shocked man asked.

“Nothing much. Just a strong sedative,” a second man answered.

“How long till he wakes up, Finn?”

“Depends on how strong he really is, Forrest. If it’s truly a warewolf…it might not take very long.”

The men took one last look at the boy before they walked away.

“The hostil?” a cross woman asked.

“Contained, ma’am,” Finn answered.

“Very good, Agent Finn. Once he’s awake, we’ll begin the research,” the woman said, “He’s the first warewolf we’ve caught. This may be our only chance.”

“I understand,” Finn answered.

“Make sure you do,” the woman said.

Back in the containment cell, the boy began to come to his senses. He still didn’t know where he was, but the haze of the drug they had injected into his system was beginning to fade. Slowly, it all came back to him.

He knew he’d hurt Willow. There was no way around that, and it was the last thing he’d wanted to do, but it wasn’t safe for him to be around her. The brief encounter with Veruca had proven how dangerous he was to everyone, no matter what precautions he took. He’d come back to her as soon as he could. She was his entire world.

So consumed by his thoughts, Oz didn’t smell the men until it was too late. They were dressed in camouflage and carried non lethal weapons. His joy at that assessment was short lived as a searing pain ripped through his body. He struggled to maintain his footing, but another shot sent him to the ground. He kept consciousness, but was unable to move so much as a finger. Even during a full moon, he’d never felt this helpless. This was his punishment for leaving. He never should have left Willow.

Sounds from outside his new cage jarred Oz from his memory. He saw more men dressed in camouflage. He assumed that these were the same clowns Buffy had seen a couple of times while patrolling. Something about them set him on edge, other than the being captured part.

“Call Finn,” a man dressed in a white shirt ordered, “The hostile is awake.”

Mere seconds later, Finn appeared in all his military glory. “Professor Walsh wants the tests run ASAP. No mistakes though. We can’t run the risk of tainting this one. It’s the only one we’ve got…let’s do this right.”

The man in white nodded and motioned for other men in white to join him. Oz heard the vents open and saw the white smoke fill the cage. He knew they were drugging him again. Only this time, he wasn’t sure he’d ever wake up.

“Tell Professor Walsh that he is ready,” Finn ordered.

“We’ve got a report on Hostile 17,” Forrest told Finn.

“This day just keeps getting better,” Finn said with a broad smile.

“Not so fast. It seems he’s being protected,” Forrest said.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Xander couldn’t believe his ears; he refused to believe his ears. There was no way Buffy would just give up on Willow. Buffy never gave up on anyone. Something could be done to help Willow. This was the Hellmouth, source of all evil…but also, the cure to all evil.

“I’m going home. I can’t deal with this right now,” Buffy said looking pointedly at Xander, “I’ll come by tomorrow, after some much needed sleep.”

Giles nodded. He had a great deal of research to do. Buffy needed time to deal with what she had seen. All of them did.

Buffy and Spike walked back to the campus in silence. There was nothing Spike could say to comfort his fiancé and Buffy so didn’t want to deal with reality right now. Reality could wait until she was in the comfort of Spike’s arms. Was it only two days ago she’d wanted this vampire to be dust? It didn’t seem possible. At the moment, she couldn’t imagine her life without him. Something at the back of her mind sent off warning sirens, but she chose to ignore them. She had enough to deal with at the moment.

At the entrance to her dorm, Spike stood just outside and waited to see what Buffy would do.

“Isn’t this considered a public place?” Buffy asked in amusement.

“Yep,” Spike answered.

“So, why are you standing in the hallway?”

Spike smirked at her.

Using her Slayer speed, Buffy crossed the distance between her and the vampire and dragged the unsuspecting creature into her room. “Stay with me?”

“Always,” Spike murmured.

Buffy sighed contentedly as Spike pulled her into his arms. This was exactly where she wanted to be…always. Here she didn’t have to be the Slayer. She didn’t have to focus on the fact that her best friend was now a demon. Xander didn’t hate her. The world didn’t rely on her. Here, in Spike’s arms, she was just Buffy.

He could feel the pain and confusion coming from the beauty in his arms. His demon was outraged. He wanted to tear the head off the source of her discomfort. Unfortunately, eh couldn’t do that. She’d never forgive him. This was something she’d have to decide for herself. If she wanted him to kill the demon that took over Willow he’d do it, but if not…

“I can’t do this anymore, Spike,” Buffy whispered against his chest.

“Sure you can, luv,” Spike encouraged, “You’re the strongest Slayer I’ve ever met.”

Buffy sniffled and then the water works came in full force. The sobs began to wrack her body. In a matter of minutes, she’d managed to soak the top portion of his shirt. He didn’t mind, but he wanted to make her feel better, make her stop crying. That was always his weakness with women…tears…tore him up inside. Even as a vamp, Dru’s tears…sent him to his knees.

“I can’t kill her, Spike. I know she’s a demon, I saw it just like everyone else and I know that Willow is dead, but I just can’t,” Buffy rambled.

“Shh, luv. You don’t have to do anything tonight. You’ll do the right thing. Watcher boy will find something to help,” Spike said.

“You’re a terrible liar,” Buffy chuckled.

“I know, pet,” Spike said.

He rubbed soothing circles on the small of her back. He was elated beyond reason because she’d stopped crying. He knew she was on the verge of tears at any moment, but he’d take whatever peace he could have.

“Xander…what am I going to do about him? He’ll never forgive me if I kill the demon,” Buffy asked.

“Forget about the Whelp. You have a job to do. A bloody terrible job, but it’s what you do. It’s who you are, Buffy. Xander has the luxury of allowing a demon to run free, you don’t,” Spike said.

“I’ve never wanted to quit more in my entire life. This is too much,” Buffy mumbled.

An idea popped into Spike’s mind. It was a bad idea, he knew it, but that didn’t stop him.

“Buffy, luv, there might be something I can do to help you,” Spike said.

“What?” Buffy asked with interest.

“There’s a thing vamps do. It’s a vampire version of marriage,” Spike paused and took an unneeded deep breath.

“Spike?” Buffy asked. She was a bit concerned.

“I want to claim you. I’ve wanted to claim you for a long time. Even when I hated you, and wanted you dead…I wanted to claim you. It’s an eternal thing though. No gettin’ out,” Spike said in a rush.

“No exactly opposed, but how will that help me?” Buffy asked.

Spike looked at his feet. He knew this would not be easy, but it was a hard thing to explain to someone who wasn’t a vampire. He didn’t even know of any vamps to claim a human…he didn’t even know if it would work properly.
Pulling him with her, Buffy sat down on the bed and snuggled into him.

“It would allow me to feel what you feel. Read you emotions, tell if you were in danger. It also protects you from other vamps. They could still bite you, but they’d have to think about it before they did,” Spike said, “I’d be able to send you feelings too. Make you feel more calm or happy or whatever you needed.”

Buffy allowed his words to wash over him. There was something very appealing about what he was offering. Having someone to watch her back, even when she didn’t really need it. Some one she didn’t have to worry about saving herself. It was a nice feeling.

“Will I be able to feel you, too?” Buffy asked softly.

Awe crossed his face. There was no way he had expected her to even consider what he was proposing, let alone ask about returning the claim. He loved this girl.

“If you want to, pet,” Spike answered, “You can complete the claim. You’d be able to feel and sense me just as I’d feel and sense you.”

“How does it work?” Buffy asked.

A new wave of terror overtook the vampire. He had assumed she’d know about a claim. What did her Watcher teach her?

“It’s a blood exchange,” Spike said flatly.

“Y-you’d bite me?” Buffy asked a hint of fear in her voice.

“And you’d bite me,” Spike offered as an answer.

“Would it hurt?”

This girl never ceased to amaze him. This was the second time during this conversation that he’d expected her to be appalled at him, possibly even stake him. Here she was being level headed about this.

“No, not really. There are different kinds of bites, pet. The bite I’d give you would be like a love bite. It would be for pleasure,” Spike said.

Buffy blushed, “Love bite? Does that mean blood isn’t the only exchange required?”

Spike chuckled, “Can’t hide anything from you, pet.”

If possible, her blush became more pronounced.

“Ok,” Buffy said with a hesitant smile.

* * * * * * * * * *

“What year is this?” Lilith asked.

“1999,” Ta’hoffern answered.

Lilith looked around in amazement. It had been far too many centuries since she’d been free. The young body she had acquired already housed so much power, it was intoxicating. This new world was sure to be full of new excitements for her. There would be much for her to learn. She would need to be able to fit in with the society of today.

“Tell me of this Slayer. She seemed to be quite powerful,” Lilith said.

“Yes,” Ta’hoffern began, “She has defeated many enemies. I’ve not seen her equal, but she is still mortal. Mortality is her weakness.”

“Mortality? Is that her only weakness?” Lilith asked.

“It appears to be that way, yes,” Ta’hoffern answered, “It would not be easy to defeat her.”

This was not good, not good at all. Mortality was not a weakness for some people. This Slayer had things that held her to this world. Ta’hoffern was right; this would be difficult. She’d never had the pleasure of dealing with a Slayer in the past, but she’d seen them in action. Most seemed predictable, almost like they were cloned. It really was a pity. You would think that the PTB would want their warrior to have a sense of style…individuality. If nothing else, to pose a changing face to her opponents.

“How long has she been the Slayer?” Lilith asked.

“Four years.”

“A long lived Slayer, how refreshing. I feel this will be quite the challenge.”

Ta’hoffern looked anywhere but at Lilith. He was still unnerved by her presence. She was a force that was long dead, but not as dead as she should be…thanks to him.

“I feel that I owe you a slight debt of gratitude,” Lilith said, “After all, it is because of you that I was brought back. What is it you wish of me?”

“Destroy this Slayer. She has taken my most precious creation from me. My Anyanka…quite the vengeance demon before the Slayer came into the picture. I don’t just want you to kill her…that is too nice. I want her to suffer greatly first,” Ta’hoffern said.

A cruel smile crossed her lips. This would be most enjoyable. Destroying people was one of her specialties. Although she had no personal interest in the young girl, destruction was what she was created to do.

“I thought you were banished, never to return. How was it that you were able to escape?” Ta’hoffern asked curiosity getting the better of him.

Lilith laughed, “Foolish priest thought he could contain me forever. I was banished. Banished to a place of eternal growth; everything I despise. His curse was rather solid. ‘You are bound and sealed, all you demons and devils and liliths, by that hard and strong, mighty and powerful bond with which are tied Sison and Sisin.... The evil Lilith, who causes the hearts of men to go astray and appears in the dream of the night and in the vision of the day, Who burns and casts down with nightmare, attacks and kills children, boys an girls. She is conquered and sealed away from the house and from the threshold of Bahram-Gushnasp son of Ishtar-Nahid by the talisman of Metatron, the great prince who is called the Great Healer of Mercy.... who vanquishes demons and devils, black arts and mighty spells and keeps them away from the house and threshold of Bahram-Gushnasp, son of Ishtar-Nahid. Amen, Amen, Selah.’ There was trouble between the great powers. The talisman was lost, thereby weakening their hold over me. I was still unable to release myself, but there was hope. If a vessel was found to be powerful enough and had the right kind of heart, I would be released into them. When this girl was summoned by you, I also heard her pain…her hate. That is what released me,” Lilith said with pride.

“Quite extraordinary, Lilith,” Ta’hoffern said.

“Quite,” Lilith agreed.

There were no doubts in either demon’s mind that they would be successful. The Slayer had faced many things, but she had never once faced anything as ancient as Lilith. She would be the downfall of the Slayer and Ta’hoffern could then move in to regain his wayward protégé.

“I am surprised by her ability to wait,” Lilith commented, “I would have attacked by now.”

“She does seem to be quite capable of great strategy,” Ta’hoffern said.

“This might be the most worthy opponent I’ve ever faced,” Lilith said.

“Well, it is a change from you usual targets,” Ta’hoffern said with a grin.

Her lips pursed, “Yes. A full grown woman endowed with superhuman strength is a step above defenseless infants. However, she is not the first enemy I’ve faced.”

“Of course not. Anyone with you power and history is bound to have countless enemies,” Ta’hoffern stated.

“Mmm,” Lilith said, “Yes, countless.”

Ta’hoffern knew her mind was elsewhere and used it as an opportunity to leave the demon in peace. He had many things to prepare. A new vengeance demon was his initial want, but now…he wanted Anyanka back. The death of the Slayer alone would not be enough to bring her back to his service. She had experienced the life of a mortal, this time around, she was happy. It would take more to persuade her this time around. However, he was not one easily deterred from a goal. He would see this through to the end…whatever that end might be.

“I need a viewing portal,” Ta’hoffern ordered.

“Yes,” a minion said with a bow, “As you wish, sir.”

A smile touched his lips as he watched the young demon scurry away to do his bidding. It was a cruel start, the demon life. Always a footstool to whoever created you until you were able to gain their respect or kill them. Anyanka had been ingenious. Instead of killing her master, she killed everyone between herself and her master. That left her the strongest, and the only. “Soon, Anyanka. Very soon.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Attending classes was the last thing Buffy Summers wanted to do, but it was necessary for her to go. She needed to keep up pretenses. Willow never missed class. Explanations would need to be offered before questions could be raised. Questions Buffy couldn’t and wouldn’t answer.

She took her seat in psychology and removed her notebook. She would have to take notes today, no Willow. She paused, tears threatening to overcome her. She’d have to take notes for…forever. Eventually people would catch on to the Willow lackage, but she was hoping that would be a long time away.

“Miss Summers?” Professor Walsh called.

Buffy stopped just short of the exit, “Yes?”

“I noticed Miss Rosenburg was missing today,” Professor Walsh began, “I hope everything is all right?”

“She’s not feeling quite like herself at the moment,” Buffy answered. She was proud of herself, it wasn’t a complete lie.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Professor Walsh said.

Buffy nodded and ducked out of the classroom before the inquisitive professor could conjure up anymore questions for her.

“Find out what you can, Riley,” Professor Walsh said, “You heard the hostile ask for Willow. Buffy must know something useful.”

“Do you think she’ll talk?” Riley asked.

“Why wouldn’t she?”

“Buffy isn’t the worlds most trusting person,” Riley said.

Professor Walsh faced her best agent and placed her hands gently on his shoulders, “I have the up most confidence in you, Finn.”

Riley nodded and followed the path he had seen Buffy take moments before. He saw her talking to another girl and moved as close to them as he dared. Luckily he was able to pick up on their conversation.

“I-is s-she going to b-be alright?”

“I’m sure she’ll be her Willowy self in no time, Tara,” Buffy said.

“Can I d-do a-anything to help?” Tara asked.

Buffy wanted to cry, not exactly a change in emotion for her, but it was for a different reason. This girl was so sweet, and so innocent. She had Willow’s best interest at heart. At this moment, Buffy wanted nothing more than to take this girl into her confidence and tell her all about the terrible things that happened last night, but she couldn’t. Any chance she had at saving Willow depended on keeping things manageable.

“Not right now. She just needs time to herself,” Buffy said, “Won’t even listen to what I tell her.”

“Ok, Buffy,” Tara said, “T-thanks.”

“Sure. I’ll let you know as soon as she’s Willow again,” Buffy promised.

Tara ducked her head shyly and continued down the hall.

Riley stepped out of his hiding place. Things were definitely not right. From what Buffy had said, things with Willow seemed long term. Perhaps the boy really was a warewolf and he had bitten Willow by mistake. That would explain Buffy saying she didn’t feel like herself. However, that only brought more questions like why was Buffy Summers protecting hostiles? Did she even know her best friend was a dangerous monster? Riley rushed off to tell Professor Walsh everything he’d discovered.