~*~
Chapter 29
~*~

Lorne was as good as his word. He called Spike with the information as soon as he managed to convince his one-time client Henley that he really was the ‘mean green demon who gets talent seen’.

"Spikey, my sweet, frothy cappuccino. I talked to Don Henley about his song. He is so much easier to talk to when he’s straight, let me tell you! I’m so glad he’s cleaned up his act. Seems the song was the result of a drug-induced dream while he was camped out at the W & H offices. He seems to have channeled into the Senior Partners’ wavelength. Scared the pee pee out of him, if you get my meaning. Anyway, he saw this blonde cutie in the dream and it sounds like your Slayer. She’s a regular dancing machine, this charmer. The whole Tiffany thing’s the son’s stuff, not daddy. The stained glass maker—not the jeweler -- they were father and son. There’s something weird about this stained glass thing that affects the mind of this blonde. It’s, like, hypnotic or something. Henley wasn’t really sure. He was trying to write things he saw and it was kind of surreal. You know, heavy with the Dali, light with the Lama. It was definitely the Partners’ dimension though. Henley is still spooked about it; said if it hadn’t been a dream, he’d have never gotten out of there. It was one of the experiences that made him decide to get sober."

"So Buffy’s in some kind of trance or thrall. That makes sense. My girl wouldn’t just be sittin’ about, waitin for a rescue. Anythin’ else important in the bleedin’ song, mate?"

"No way of knowing ‘til you get there, I’m guessing. My friendly Eagle thought it was just bad cocaine until my little jingle. He got the whole evil vibe, lots of the imagery picked that up. You might want to avoid knives though, in case you’re the beast. I may know you’re Buffy’s yummy lemon meringue, but if you were making with the bumpies in Henley’s little peek into the future, he might call you a beast."

"Oh, thanks again for keeping those luscious lips sealed about my gig here. I like my life now and my being a demon isn’t even an issue with my new friends. I wish Angelcakes well. It would even be fine if you kept in contact on the sly. You can even give my number to my Chocolate Cupcake, too, but I just can’t see Angel wanting anything from me except favors that will put me right back in the war zone again."

"What is it with you and the food names, Kermit? Spend ten minutes talkin’ to you and put on twenty pounds." Spike laughed at the choice of pet names Lorne was prone to giving everyone. Spike could almost see the grin on Lorne’s face as he tried to answer.

"I never thought about it. I wonder if there’s a bit of evil demon in me after all? Nothing like tempting people with yummy, empty calories to live up to these horns, right?"

"Take care of yourself. I’ll drop in to hear you blow the roof off and not even be wantin’ any favors. Bring Buffy by when I get her back. You’ll like her, just don’t ask her to sing. She can carry a tune, but her voice is kinda reedy. Likes those bleedin’ boy bands, too. You think the Poof was bad with "Mandy", you should hear her crucifying "Wind Beneath My Wings." Spike got a warm feeling in his belly remembering Buffy singing that number to him while under Red’s ‘my will be done’ spell years ago.

That spell was when he became utterly lost in her, Spike knew that now. He may have loved her before, Dru said he did, but that spell was his undoing. He’d give all he had, all he was, to hear her singing that bloody song again right now. Long as she was safe in his arms, he’d even listen to her mangle some damned New Kids On The Block crap.

"Slim? You don’t even have to sing for me to be sure you’re going to get her back. I’d put all my red chips on it. It’s the power of love and you’ve got it. Listen, this demon’s got a rehearsal, so I’ve gotta motor. Keep in touch, Spike." Lorne rang off after Spike offered the traditional "break a leg."

Spike smiled to himself. Vampires weren’t supposed to hang about with other demons. It just wasn’t done. That was one of the tip-off’s of something rotten afoot with the whole Adam mess, all the vamps and demons workin’ together. It was like watchin’ cats and dogs all lollin’ about sharin’ food bowls!

The only real friend Spike had in Sunnyhell had been a demon named Clem. Then there was the welcoming and highly social Lorne after Spike got his body back. He was the first to include Spike when pub crawling. Even if Spike didn’t go with them often, he appreciated the invitation. Something to be said for some demon races, in Spike’s opinion. He missed Clem and would try to look him up when Buffy was safe and sound. Maybe she’d like a trip Down Under to visit Clem, too.

His skin-challenged buddy was working with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service in Australia. Got all ecologically minded when he saw his first hairy-nosed wombat and found out there were only a hundred thirteen left and going extinct quickly. For some reason, the little marsupials would actually let Clem feed them when the natural food supply was scarce. No one else could get them to eat. Clem liked it near the Epping Forest Station and the Aussies accepted him without question.

Buffy’d like it in Australia. Be just the ticket after this whole nightmare was finished. Spike could just picture her in a little bikini, sunning her perfect body on a beach while he watched from a cool and shady porch. He felt himself harden at the image of his golden goddess slick with tanning oil and sated from lovemaking. "Damn, gotta stop that. Still don’t know where I stand with Buffy. Last real communication were those last few nights before I turned into the Disco Ball of Death. Have to take it slow and let her set the pace. I’ve got forever, after all. Not getting any older."

~~~
Xander heard the commotion coming from the gym before he even got near the door. Lots of squealing slayers and shouting people. He opened the door, peered inside and took in the latest diplomatic mission for the XanMan.

Illyria had Kennedy by the neck and had her lifted at least a foot off of the floor. Kennedy was as blue in the face as the demon god. Giles was sputtering and trying to wrest the mouthy slayer from the hands of the deceptively strong, tiny body that housed a sincerely pissed off demon god. "Illyria, you really must not kill Kennedy. The girl may be a twit, but she is our twit. Strange as it may seem, she is of value." Giles was getting nowhere fast.

"Your greatness, please let the annoying little girl down. Believe me, we’ve all wanted to do what you are doing at one time or another, but it isn’t good for the senior officers to kill off the troops, right?" Xander hoped to placate the demon enough to save a burial.

Illyria tilted her head and regarded the humans around her before looking at Kennedy again. She came to some conclusion and the tossed the slayer against the wall as if she were a rag doll. Caridad got to Kennedy’s side just before Giles. "Are you alright, chica? Maybe I should help you to the infirmary, no?" Kennedy was gasping for breath but appeared all right otherwise.

"What in blazes brought this on? I had half expected something on this order, but with Spike, not Illyria. Have you no sense whatsoever?" Giles was glaring at the young slayer, more angry than worried over her health. He quickly noted that she appeared to be in much better condition than the situation warranted.

"This child annoys me. She shows no respect for her betters in battle or rank. She is wild, unskilled in battle and of little use. I should crush her like an insect for her attitude alone. My pet has shown her patience and more courtesy than deserved by such as she. I am not so indulgent. Who is she to give orders to a god? She thinks to impress me with her nonexistent power and amateurish battle moves. She would have lasted but seconds in war in my world. She will cause the deaths of others. I will no longer deal with her." Illyria spoke calmly and with coldness.

"Gotta agree with you there, Bluebell. Bint’s lookin’ for an early grave. I’m thinkin’ we need to do without her services, Rupes. Got a Hellmouth that needs attendin’? Hell, I’ll pay her way." Spike had come onto the scene and caught the drift quickly. Kennedy had obviously said the wrong thing to the wrong being at the wrong time. Lucky for her there were others around.

"Yes, I suppose it would be for the best. I had hoped that Kennedy could learn some useful lessons during the course of this training. It appears I was incorrect." Giles turned to Kennedy and shook his head as he gave his order. "In the morning, I expect you to be on the next flight back to Cleveland. The Hellmouth needs to be guarded and Faith is of assistance here. I expect you to use great care in the discharge of your duty there and not put any of the other slayers at risk. I think when this emergency is over, I may arrange for some anger management classes for you. You are dismissed."

Willow couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy for her former lover. Kennedy didn’t take criticism well at the best of times. This public humiliation wouldn’t sit well with her. Willow started to move towards the slayer when Spike put a hand on her arm to prevent her leaving.

"Not such a good idea, pet. Don’t want to become an enabler, now do you? Besides, you’ve got that lovely little colleen you’re just startin’ to get to know. Don’t put a spanner in the works because the twit couldn’t keep her mouth shut. Let her learn from this. You’ve got a soft heart and Tara would be proud of you, but let it go. Let her go. Best all round." Spike spoke softly as he sought to reassure the witch that she didn’t owe anything to her ex.

"Come on, luv. ‘Sides, think you’d want to know what Lorne came up with about the codes in the song, eh?" Spike tempted Willow.

"Ooh, yeah, our secret project. Anything helpful from the covert agent?" Willow understood the need to keep the demon’s name out of it.

"Might be. Won’t really know ‘til I get there. Looks like a spell on Buffy. Nothin’ new there. Nice it’s not one of yours for a change though." Spike gently teased the blushing girl.

"Yeah, maybe it won’t have any weird side effects that way. I’m a really good witch, but when it comes to me, Buffy and spells, not so much. It just isn’t mixy. Gee, I finally learned that lesson. Yay, me!" Willow smiled slightly.

"Well now, some of those mistakes of yours are right pleasant memories for this vamp, Red. Kinda glad they happened. Doesn’t mean I want any more spell casting on my person, mind you, but no regrets either." Spike smirked a bit, reminding Willow of the old Spike they all knew from years gone by. This time, however, she returned the grin and didn’t think, ‘evil vampire up to no good’. Funny what getting to know someone could do to your perspective.

~~~
Connor was more than adequate as a replacement in the training. In fact, the boy had some pretty good moves. He was quite the dirty fighter, thanks to growing up in the Quor-Toth dimension. You learned a different sort of skill coming of age in a hell dimension.

The boy had integrated his true memories over the past year and was back to full fighting form, just in time for his being called upon to help.

"I don’t want to be that hate-filled person I was. I don’t want to lose the person the Reilley's thought they raised. Still, this is important. I like Spike. He was really good to me after Dad disappeared. I want him coming back from that place." Connor was talking with the youngest Summers, Dawn.

They discovered many similarities between their existences and had bonded a bit over them. Both were the products of mystical agencies, living prophecies. Both had questionable memories so tampered with that reality was relative to them. They were both intelligent and resourceful as well. Neither had a real childhood, Connor having spent his in a hell dimension with a different time flow and Dawn existing for millennia as pure energy before becoming an instant teen.

While not attracted to one another in a boy/girl sort of way, they had forged a close friendship since meeting. Dawn might have found the guy cute in a boy band kind of way, but Connor had an eye for older women so it would have been pointless anyway. Dawn noticed how Connor’s eyes followed the older slayers and decided to find out if the child of two vampires wanted to actually meet one, perhaps Caridad. What sort of friend didn’t play matchmaker from time to time, she asked herself.

Dawn was quite content to be the single girl for as long as she could stay that way. Buffy’s love life had been enough to scar even a seasoned veteran. From what Dawn had witnessed, love made Summers women stupid and pigheaded, when they weren’t crying all the time. Nope, love could wait until Dawn was a woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go get it.

She only prayed her big sister would return with half the maturity that last thought indicated. Dawn didn’t want to live through another bout of ‘Buffy swims the Nile’. Eventually even Spike would have to get tired of that crap. From the looks the slayers had been giving him for weeks now, Buffy could have competition if Spike ever noticed.

~~~
Giles sat alone in his study, drinking a soothing dram. He rarely drank any more, but there were occasions that called for it. He was preparing to approach the team with his belief that it was time to take action. He had watched Spike grow ever stronger. There didn’t appear to be any area of preparation, mystical or otherwise, uncovered. Enough time had passed to perhaps lull these Senior Partners into a false sense of security. Giles had taken Wesley’s advice to heart about not rushing in, but one could delay too long as well.

Tomorrow Giles would have a talk with his key players, begin to stock up on a blood supply for their champion and start putting things into motion at last. Soon his dear girl would be home where she belonged. Soon.