full 3/4 1/2   skin light dark       
 
Knowing and Watching by slaymesoftly
 
Four
 
<<     >>
 
Chapter Four

Buffy and Spike shared incredulous looks, his eyes flaring amber and his fangs elongating at the nerve of the man who’d led Buffy into an alley to what was supposed to have been her death. She held a finger to her lips, shushing the growl she could sense bubbling in his throat, and pointed to the bathroom. Spike stomped to the small room and stood just inside the door, glaring his lack of agreement.

“Just a minute,” Buffy said, waving him back out of sight and checking Johnny to be sure he was still breathing. Satisfied that the room was as non-threatening as one containing a bleeding man and a slayer could be, she opened the door and stared at the man fidgeting on the other side.

“Yes? What do you want?” Her eyes held no warmth as she waited for his answer. “And how did you know where I was staying?”

“I…” He looked around nervously. “I…could I come in? I don’t want to be seen talking to you.”

Ignoring the snarled “Bloody hell!” from the bathroom, Buffy met his nervous gaze.

“Why would I let you into my room?” she asked, her narrowed eyes widening in surprise. “And why would you want to come in here? Do you know what I am?”

He nodded vigorously. “I do. I saw you – what you did to…and then I called…and…I know who you are.”

“Then you’ve got to know that A – I could kill you, and B – that you aren’t on my list of favorite people right now. And, just in case you didn’t get it the first time…C -- I could kill you.”

“But you…they…I mean. You killed them. The vampires. All of them?” His voice rose in query and Buffy remembered that he’d run off at some point during the fight. “So, I didn’t really hurt you, did I?” He sounded genuinely anxious and concerned, but Buffy still stared at him with suspicion.

“You didn’t know I was going to be able to fight my way out of that ambush,” she said, still blocking the doorway with her hard glare and unforgiving stance. “You thought you’d led me to slaughter. Tell me, James, how many other girls have you led down that alley for those boys?”

“No…none. Never. I swear! I was sent to get you. Just you. I’ve never done that before. And I didn’t know they were going to be there – I thought--”

“Who sent you?” Her voice was sharp and he flinched, looking around anxiously.

“Please, I‘ll tell you everything, I promise. But I can’t stay out here. If he hears that I--”

“He who?” Curiosity piqued, Buffy stood aside and muttered a “Come in”. She watched as the man skittered across the threshold, coming to an abrupt halt when he saw Johnny lying on the bed.

“What happened to him?” he gasped.

“Another one of your little gangs of juvenile delinquent vamps,” Buffy snapped. “Now tell me what’s going on here or meet my newly dust-free stake.” She waved the object in front of his face, smiling with satisfaction when he cringed. “I’m guessing this will work just as well on you as any other vampire.”

“I’m not a real vampire,” he said, eying the stake cautiously. “I’m just a…a helper.”

“A helper?”

He nodded. “There are a bunch of us. We’re not vampires – well, we’re sort of like vampires, I guess -- but we can do human things. Go out in the daylight. Enter houses. Stuff like that. My heart beats, I breathe--”

“So, James. How did you become a ‘helper’? And why do the vampires here need helpers?”

“Vampires don’t have helpers in Winterset? Or in your world?” He evaded the question, while at the same time admitting that he knew more about her than she’d expected him to.

“Demons don’t need ‘help’ in our world.” The voice held all the menace and power of a descendent from the ancient line of Aurelius, and James cringed against the door, his face draining of all color as he watched Spike stalk from the bathroom. His eyes were riveted on Spike’s true face and he had no trouble understanding that this very different vampire might be the real danger in the room.

“Spike, stop it,” Buffy huffed, shocking the already awestruck quasi-human by walking over and fearlessly poking Spike on the arm. “You’re scaring him.”

“Kinda the idea, Slayer,” he grumbled, dropping his fierce mien and raising a disapproving eyebrow at her.

Buffy shook her head at his posturing and turned back to James. She gestured to a chair near the bed, and seated herself on the coverlet.

“Have a seat, James, and tell us about these ‘helpers’. What do you do besides lead unsuspecting women into vamp gangs?”

“I’m…I’m really sorry about that,” he mumbled. “I mean, I have to do what I’m told, but he’s never asked me for anything like that before. And I really didn’t know they were going to jump you. I thought I was just taking you to meet Mor--somebody.”

Spike snorted in disbelief, earning another glare from Buffy before she turned her back and responded gently. “So, whatdo you do for them then? “

“Well…” He glanced nervously at Spike before replying. “We can go out in the daylight, so if it’s too sunny for them we run errands, do shopping, stuff like that. And I helped him with--” He stopped abruptly.

“Errands? Shopping?” Spike sank down beside Buffy with a groan. “We do away with old Batface and in a few years it’s come to this?”

James frowned. “Yes, errands. I can do things the real vampires can’t, like…like get close to the Slayer, without---”

“James, I knew you weren’t human. I didn’t know what you were exactly, but I knew it wasn’t completely human.”

“You did? But then, why…”

“I’m here to take care of the gangs. Staying away from anybody who gave off vampire vibes wouldn’t exactly help me find them, would it?” She grinned at James; then turned to Spike for confirmation. “He could pass for human if you weren’t a vampire, though, couldn’t he?”

Spike nodded. “They remind me a bit of the half-human, half-demons I’ve met back in our world. I imagine there’re more of those here where the demons don’t have to hide what they are and can mingle with the rest of the population.”

“Half-demons?” Buffy forgot about James as she stared at Spike. “Why didn’t I know about this?”

“It’s pretty rare, love. Most species are too different to produce children with humans, even if they do hook up. Usually takes a bit of magic or something to make it work. And I don’t imagine many of them would be seeking out the Slayer to show off their sprogs,” he added wryly.

She turned back to James. “Is that what you are? Half vamp and half human?”

He shook his head quickly. “No, no. I’m…I was…completely human. There’s…” He looked at Spike quickly. “There’s this guy who can do… I know it sounds silly…but, he can do magic.” He frowned, a keen intelligence shining from his uncertain eyes. “At least, he claims it’s magic. I’m not so sure…the things he asked me to explain to him…” His voice trailed off as he appeared to tune them out briefly.

“It doesn’t sound silly to us,” Buffy encouraged. “There’s a lot of magic back in our world. One of my best friends is a very powerful witch. And even Spike--” A shake of Spike’s head stopped her before she could mention that he reluctantly, if rarely, used magic when it seemed they might need it.

“Really? Wow, that’s just…really creepy,” he finished with an apologetic shrug. “I mean the guy I’m talking about is…evil…and mean…and you’re saying your best friend does magic?”

“Back on topic, James.” Buffy glared at him, offended on Willow’s behalf at his calling magic ‘creepy’. “What does this guy’s ‘magic’ do?”

“He… when you get bitten, if they take you to him before you…you…” He floundered for appropriate words.

“Die,” Spike said flatly. “The word you’re looking for is ‘die’.”

“Yeah, that. Before it happens, he makes you drink something – some magic potion that he invented and mixes with blood. It keeps you from turning into a complete vampire somehow.”

“This ‘guy’,” Buffy said. “Is he a vamp? Or some kind of demon?”

James shook his head. “I don’t know. I think…I think he’s one of us. But I’m not sure. I just know that the real vampires are afraid of him, and the rest of us have no choice if we don’t want to die. He stays pretty distant from everybody most of the time. He doesn’t talk to us much unless he’s giving orders.”

“And your orders were to bring in the Slayer?” Spike growled his question, causing James to shrink back again. He nodded and shot an apologetic glance at Buffy.

“He said she was alien - and evil, and that she would try to kill us…all of us. That she comes from a world where there aren’t any vampires left because the slayers have killed them all. He said it was important that he meet her and explain about us and how she should leave us alone because we aren’t really vampires.”

“Sendin’ a gang of minions to kill her seems like a bloody stupid way to convince her he’s harmless,” Spike growled.

James shifted his feet uncomfortably. “I didn’t really expect them to be there – or to jump us like that. I thought I was taking her to meet him so he could talk to her. I’m sorry,” he added with another apologetic smile at Buffy. “I really did think they were just there as an escort – if I’d--”

Buffy waved her hand. “No harm done,” she said dismissively. “They’re all dust and now he knows more than he probably wanted to about me.” She stretched and eyed the bed upon which Johnny was just now stirring. “I guess some sleep before I hit the sidewalks and start looking for this guy is out of the question…”

“You’re not going looking for that wanker without me,” Spike growled.

“I’ll be fine,” Buffy snapped. “I thought we were long past that watching every move I make stuff. I’m the Slayer. I can also walk around in the nice sunny days this place is famous for. I won’t put myself in any danger; I’m just going to try to find out where he is and maybe reason with him.”

She turned her attention back to James. “You do know where he is, don’t you?”

He shook his head. “Not really, no. I was unconscious when they took me to him to be...saved--” Spike’s snorted “Saved?” earned him another glare from Buffy. “It was underground somewhere – like in a big cavern, only with lights and furniture. I’ve only been back once to help him with some chemistry stuff; and I was blindfolded.”

“Are there any caves around here?” Spike asked, remembering Clem’s comfortable home near Winterset. “Looks a bit flat for that.”

James shook his head again. “I didn’t think so. This is a beach town – all flat and sandy until you get pretty far away from it.” He gave Buffy another apologetic shrug. “He usually meets us in an old school if he wants to tell us something. The only other time I was in the cavern was when he wanted me to help him with some kind of chemical experiment.” He gave Buffy a quick glance. “That’s why – not that I’m saying you’re lying about your friend – but that’s why I’m not sure it’s magic he’s using. He had formulas and books, and he was asking me to check his math, and…”

“Why would he ask you?”

James shrugged and shuffled his feet uncomfortably. “Well, I…we kind of…we went to the same high school and college. He’s older than me, and we weren’t ever friends, but he knows I know a lot about some stuff. Just not caves,” he added, seeming embarrassed to admit it. “My field was more chemistry than geology – I know the sea used to be much bigger, but--”

There was a strangled sound from the bed and all eyes turned to Johnny, now sitting up and clutching his throat.

“There are caverns underground,” he managed to choke out. “On the north side of town, away from the beaches. They were carved out of rock a long time ago when the sea was bigger and came further inland. I don’t know how you’d get into them, though. I don’t think the entrances are visible anymore.”

Buffy gave Johnny an impressed smile, asking quietly, “How do you feel?”

“Like I’ve been hit by a truck,” he admitted. He glanced at Spike. “Am I a vampire now?”

“Hah,” Spike scoffed. “Not even close. All you were was lunch.”

Looking slightly offended, Johnny turned his gaze back to Buffy. “I can show you where the caverns are probably located,” he said. “Maybe not right this minute, but…”

“That’s okay,” she assured him. “We’ll get some food and more liquids into you. You can show us as soon as you feel better.”

She stood up and stretched. “In the meantime, if I don’t have to go looking for this guy right now, I think I’m going to have a nap and then investigate the beach.”

“Investigate it for what?” Spike’s sharp question was echoed by the curious expressions on the faces of the younger men.

“Um…sand? Sunshine? Warmth? You know, all those things we don’t get much of in Winterset?”

“Ah. You can take the slayer out of California…”

“But you can’t take the California out of the slayer,” Buffy finished for him. “Since I don’t need to go searching around randomly for the bad guy, I might as well soak up some sun while we’re here. Maybe by tonight Johnny will feel up to showing us where to start looking.”

“In the meantime, Slayer, what are we going to do with these gits? I can’t say I fancy all four of us sharing our bed…” Spike glared at the two suddenly nervous men.

Johnny raised his hand weakly. “The hotel has a dorm for employees who need to get some sleep in between shifts. You know, like if you work a big party that doesn’t end until sometime in the morning, and you have to be back to work by noon? It’s just easier to stay here and sleep than it is to go home and come back.” He fumbled at the bandage on his neck. “If this has stopped bleeding…”

“It hasn’t,” Spike said flatly, reminding them all that he was one of the creatures they hunted. “Can smell it from here – all fresh and…”

“I can go home,” a pale-faced James said quickly. “I don’t need to be here anymore, do I?”

Spike turned amber eyes on the clearly frightened ‘vampire helper’. “And why would I let you do that?” he inquired softly. “You were taking my mate to somebody who wants to kill her. Why would I let you walk out?”

“Let him go, Spike,” Buffy said with a weary sigh. “He’s the least of our worries right now – and no harm was done. We dusted a whole gang of vamps that we probably wouldn’t have found without him.” She turned a flinty stare on the visibly relieved man. “But don’t think I’m going to forget that you lied to me,” she said. “You could have just told me what you were and what you were supposed to do.”

James nodded vigorously. “I know. I know. It was wrong of me. I see that now. But he would have killed me if I hadn’t followed orders.”

Spike’s snarl reminded him that there was at least one vampire in the city who wanted to kill him because he had, and James cringed against the door, wondering if he was fast enough to get out of it and away before Spike could catch him.

“He would have killed you? You’re sure?”

James kept one eye on Spike while he responded to Buffy. “He controls his minions – they aren’t allowed to live at home anymore after they join his gang. And they’re afraid of him, so he must have some kind of a hold over them like the one he has over us. I don’t know what it is, but he’s got something.”

“Are you sure he would have killed you if you hadn’t followed orders? Maybe he’s just got everybody fooled into thinking he’s dangerous.”

“Well, he could kill me in the sense that he has the magic potion that keeps me alive,” James admitted. “If we don’t get it at least once a week, we’ll keep slowing down until we can’t move anymore. If that happens, people will think we’re dead and we’ll be buried alive.” His face made it very clear what he thought of that scenario.

“No,” Spike said in disgust. “You’ll be buried dead, you stupid git. And then you’ll dig your way out of the grave just like a proper vampire would.”

Spike looked at Buffy and curled his lip. “Sounds like our big bad has found a way to arrest the process and convinced these wankers he’s the only thing keeping them alive.” He shook his head. “Not a bad scheme, as evil schemes go, I guess…”

“You mean…I ama vampire?”

Buffy nodded sympathetically. “I’d say so, James. That’s why you set off my radar. This guy you’re so afraid of has come up with a way to keep you almost alive – for as long as he needs you. But he’s probably just postponing the inevitable.”

James looked even paler as he listened, finally mumbling, “I’d like to go now, if you don’t mind,” as he opened the door. “I have to tell my…family.”

When Spike made no move to stop him, he quickly squeezed out the partially open door and ran off down the hall, not even pulling it completely closed behind him. With a disgusted look, Spike slammed the door shut and turned his glare on Johnny.

“Think you can make it to this ‘dorm’ by yourself?” he asked, his tone much less gruff than his words.

Johnny nodded and stood up, swaying for a few seconds before catching his balance.

“I…I think so,” he said, taking a few tottering steps.

“Spike…”

“I’m on it, sweetheart. Why don’t you get that nap you wanted and I’ll let myself back in when I’ve seen to lunch here.”

“Let us know when you feel strong enough to take us to the area with the caves,” Buffy said kindly.

Johnny nodded and whispered, “I’ll have to take a day off…”

“I’ll take care of that,” Spike said. “You just get your strength back and don’t be worrying about work for awhile. Your boss owes us.”

With a whispered, “Goodnight”, Johnny followed Spike to the door, pausing before he followed him out of the room. “I’m not sure,” he said slowly, looking back and forth between the two, “but I think that guy might be the mayor’s oldest son. I saw his picture in the paper when he graduated from high school.” Spike and Buffy exchanged looks as Spike led Johnny out the door and down the hall to the elevators. The vampire’s quick support when Johnny seemed to be swaying again, made it clear that he really was planning to escort the boy to safety and Johnny relaxed as they made their way to the room behind the kitchen where the staff could crash whenever they needed to.

As soon as Spike had ascertained that the area was fairly busy and that Johnny wasn’t likely to be alone often, he said goodnight and hurried back to Buffy. He paused only to instruct the night manager that his head bellboy would be helping them for a few days and was not to be fired or docked if he wasn’t at work. The man assured him that the entire staff was at their service if necessary and that he would leave notes for the other shift managers to that effect.

Spike slipped quietly into the room, undressing silently when he saw that Buffy was already asleep. He groaned mentally as his internal sense of time told him that daybreak was only a couple of hours away, then remembered that Buffy would be the one going out during the day. He could remain comfortably in bed with the dark curtains on the windows blocking the sun. Feeling much happier, he slid into bed and wrapped himself around the girl sleeping there. He smiled when she automatically snuggled back into his body, and he drifted off to sleep with his nose buried in her hair.



 
<<     >>