Chapter Five
 
 
As Faith had suggested, they parked some distance away and let the girls make their slow way to the compound. Giving each other boosts to the top of the wall, the slayers quickly and quietly dusted the vampire guards, giving the victory sign when they were sure the walls were clear. As the slayers converged on the gate and dropped down on the guards there, Angel and Spike brought the vehicles up and through the opening.
 
There was no alarm raised as the demon lord depended on his vampire employees to keep watch during the night hours. Even though night was a relative term in the always-dim light of LA, old habits died hard and nighttime belonged to the vampires who were still assimilating. 
 
Spike pulled the bus up to the entrance to the factory/dormitory and opened the door.
 
“After you, love,” he said, gesturing for Buffy to precede him down the steps.
 
“What’s that?” She peered over her shoulder at the box he was carrying.
 
“Bit of insurance that the factory won’t be open for business tomorrow,” he said as he set the box down outside the door of the building.  “Let’s get those people out of here.”
 
They ran to the dormitory and began waking people up. Spike let Buffy go first, fearing that the sight of him might frighten them into screaming. She whispered to each group that they were there to rescue them, and that Spike was on their side. He led the dubious people to the door and pointed at the bus, holding a finger to his lips for silence.
 
“What about the guards?” one man asked, casting a worried eye at the wall.
 
“Not a problem.” Spike pointed to one of the slayers who waved back as she used her crossbow to pick off a vampire walking toward them. Reassured, they all got on the bus, where they were quickly joined by the next group of rescuees.
 
“Is that everybody?” Buffy ran through the dorm area, checking beds and shower and toilet areas. She crept to the door of the factory, but could hear or see no one in the pitch-dark building and the door appeared to be locked.
 
“They shut it down at night,” one girl explained. “We’re locked in here, so we can’t go in and sabotage anything.”
 
“Okay, lets go then.” They ran out to where Spike already had the bus engine running.
 
“Time to go, Slayer. The natives are getting restless.” As he spoke, some minor demons and a few more vampires came out of the main building, shouting for the guards.
 
“You go. Take these people to the Hyperion. I’m going to stay here.”
 
His growl had everyone in the bus cringing, but he ignored them. “I’m not leaving you here to fight alone.”
 
“Spike. I have Faith and six other slayers with me. Plus Angel. Just get them to safety and come back.”
 
“We’re gonna be discussing this later,” he growled. “It could get loud….”
 
Buffy just waved and went to intercept the vampires heading for the bus. Faith was already at the gate, making sure it remained open while Spike squeezed the bus through it and gunned the engine.  He drove several blocks in the direction of the hotel, then stopped and stood up.
 
“Anybody here know how to drive a bus?”
 
One man raised his hand. “I was a bus driver until the… event.”
 
“Good. Take over here and go to the alley behind the Hyperion hotel. There’s an entrance to our garage. It’s hidden, but you should be able to find it. Just sit tight there till we get back. Demons can’t get in, but vamps can if they stumble across it, so stay alert.” He showed them where the extra weapons were stored.
 
“Where are you going?”
 
“I’m not about to miss a fight playing bus driver – no offense. I’m going back to help out and then I’m going to blow the place up.  Should be fun.” He gave a toothy grin and jumped down the steps. “Off you go.”
 
He waited until the bus was speeding toward the Hyperion’s neighborhood, then turned and ran toward the compound, from which he could hear sounds of battle. He arrived just in time to decapitate a demon trying to escape through the still –open gate.
 
“Bout damn time,” Faith said, grunting as she ran her sword through another fleeing demon. “These guys would rather run than fight.”
 
“Thought most of them probably would. Not all demons are all about ruling the world and what not. Most of ‘em would just as soon be left alone.”
 
With both Spike and Faith guarding the gate, the lessor demons began milling around in the middle of the compound, not sure where to go or how to get there.
 
“What d’ya, think? Let ‘em go and join the fun, or stay here playing clean up?”
 
“You can do whatever you want, pet. I’m gonna join the party.”
 
 Spike whacked his way through the milling demons, not really caring if he hit anyone or not. They quickly got out of his way; dodging Faith as well as she followed him toward the sounds of battle.  As soon as they realized the gate was undefended, they began to trample each other trying to get out.
 
Spike and Faith quickly moved into the open courtyard of the main house, where the slayers were decimating the remaining vampire and demon guards. Buffy was working her way toward Angel, standing by a locked door, behind which they assumed the demon lord was hiding. Skipping the remaining guards, which the slayers were having no trouble eliminating, Spike joined Angel at the door and sized it up.
 
“Pretty big.”
 
“Brilliant observation, Spike.”
 
“Thick, too.”
 
Angel rolled his eyes, then swore as Spike pulled out a slender piece of metal and began working on the lock, which responded in a satisfyingly short period of time. The door still didn’t open, indicating there was a barrier of some sort on the other side.  “Bloody hell. Okay, we do it the fun way, then.”
 
“Fun?” Buffy joined them.
 
“Yeah. I’ll be right back.” Spike took off at top speed and was back almost before Buffy and Angel could ask each other what he was doing. “Okay, get out of the way.” He knelt down and packed something between the doors at the top and bottom, using a tool to push it in as far as he could. He stood up and gave Angel a shove, pulling Buffy with him.
 
“Wasn’t kidding about getting out of the way,” he said. “Mind your ears.” As he spoke, he was covering his own ears with his hands, just in time to protect them from the small explosions that knocked the doors open.
 
“Shall we?” 
 
“Show off,” Angel muttered as he followed Spike and Buffy through the doors. Faith and most of the slayers crowded behind them as they all moved into a big room where a huge, mostly fat, green creature was sitting, surrounded by smaller versions of himself, all armed.
 
“Look,” Faith said. “It’s Jabba the Hutt and all the little Hutts.”
 
“You’ve been hanging out with Xander, haven’t you?” Buffy said as she began slashing through the crowd toward the quivering mound of green skin.
 
“Hey, even poor kids got to see Star Wars,” Faith said indignantly. “I saw all of them. Who doesn’t know who Jabba the Hut is?”
 
“I’m guessing this guy doesn’t, or he’d know that Jabba got his ass kicked by a little girl with a chain.”  Spike stopped in admiration to watch Buffy start chopping away pieces of the demon’s anatomy until she could reach his head and cut it off. Which proved difficult until Angel joined her and started sawing on it from the other side. Eventually, with a loud sigh and the expulsion of disgusting smelling slime, the head came off and rolled down the big body to the floor.
 
The remaining members of his offspring set up a collective moan and began falling on their own swords. In very little time, the room was empty of anyone but the small group of rescuers.
 
“Our work is done here,” Angel said. Let’s go home.”
 
“Almost done,” Spike said. “I’ll catch up.”
 
Remembering the box Spike had brought in, Buffy smiled. “I’ll wait with Spike. We’ll walk back.”
 
“Be careful,” was all Angel said as he led Faith and the slayer squad back to the van which had somehow remained mostly unharmed throughout the battles.
 
Buffy and Spike stood at the still-open gate and watched them drive away.
 
“You’re going to blow it up, aren’t you?”
 
“You know me too well, love.”
 
“Xander will be sorry he missed this.”
 
“I’ll blow up something with him some other time.  He’s the one what taught me how to use explosives, you know.  But we didn’t have any of this fancy stuff back in Sunnydale.”
 
“Why do you have it here?” Buffy asked as she trailed him to the box he’d left near the dormitory.
 
“Nicked it from Wolfram and Hart before it all went down. Took whatever we could move easily and stashed it in the hotel.”
 
He began taking packets of the same stuff he’d used to blow the doors and handing them to Buffy.
 
“Here, let’s get these put out.”
 
“Where?”
 
“Anywhere you want, love. We just need enough of them to bring the factory down. If we have leftovers, we’ll throw some into the house.”
 
Buffy eyed the packets with suspicion. “They aren’t going to blow up in my hands are they?”
 
“Nope. I’ll set them off when we’re ready to get out of here.” 
 
They separated and Buffy put a packet anywhere it looked like an explosion would have a destructive effect on the building.  She met Spike back in front of the gate.
 
“Okay, this is the tricky part.  I have to be far enough away not to get blown up, but close enough to set them off.”
 
Buffy looked up. “How about from the top of the wall? We can jump down and run away before it falls down.”
 
“I knew there was a reason I loved you,” he said, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Let’s do it.”
 
They scampered up the narrow stairway to the wall’s walkway.  “Ready, love?”
 
Buffy nodded and Spike did something with the device in his hand, set it down, and nodded to the ground.  Buffy jumped out into space, landing easily in a crouch. Spike landed beside her, even more lightly. “Damn vampire flying crap” she snorted as she stood up and took the hand he was holding out. Behind them a dull rumble was building and the ground began to shake.
 
“Time to go, Slayer.” He kept hold of her hand as they sped away from the compound that was now crumbling with a louder and louder noise of things breaking and falling, as well as occasionally bursting into the air, only to fall back.
 
They ran with speed no one but another vampire or slayer could have hoped to match, not stopping until they were within a few blocks of the hotel. Buffy slowed to a walk, still holding on to Spike’s hand as they continued their return. Rather than going in the door, Spike led her down to the garage where Angel was just explaining to the bewildered former slaves that they were soon going to be out of the city,
 
“You mean the whole world isn’t like this? It didn’t end?”
 
“Nah,” Faith spoke up. “Most of it’s still there. And when we get through here, maybe LA will be dragged back into it.  Don’t know though, so you need to get through the portal when it opens and find yourself some relatives or something to stay with until you can come home.”
 
“Hell, I was at work when it happened. I live outside the city.”
 
“Good for you. Looks like you might have house guests…” Laughing at the look on the man’s face, Faith walked up to Buffy and Spike.  “So. Did it all go boom?”
 
“Um, more like rumble, rumble, crash, but yeah. No more factory.”
 
A cheer went up from the humans and Spike took a bow, causing Buffy to push him hard enough to make him stumble. “Jackass,” she muttered, but she was smiling.
 
XXXXXXXXXX
 
After Jeannie had been messaged, a time fixed for the portal to open, and the rescued humans shoved through it, everyone adjourned to the kitchen, where Faith once again complained about the lack of food.
 
“Who’s up for stealing from demons?” she asked, looking around the room and focusing on Spike. Buffy shook her head, poking Spike when he seemed about to volunteer. He pouted, but shook his head and settled back on his stool.
 
*cough*whipped*cough* Faith stage-whispered as she turned back to the girls, all of whom were holding up their hands. “All right! Let’s go.” She turned to Angel. “Where’s the nearest demon-owned store?”
 
“They’re all demon-owned. Take your pick. The closest one is probably about two blocks from here.” He looked at Spike and growled.  “Spike wouldn’t have done you any good there… he’s not allowed in that store anymore. They caught him stealing too many times.”
 
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Faith said while Buffy rolled her eyes. “I doubt they’re gonna want any slayers in there after this either, but it won’t matter if we can shut this place down. Angel, you need to follow us with the van. I don’t plan to leave much behind.”
 
Grumbling about slayers coming into his city and acting like they owned it, Angel went down to the garage to get the van.  Faith and her slayers left by the loading dock door, which Spike locked behind them.
 
“How are they going to get back in?” Buffy frowned as he put the bar in place.
 
“Angel has a key to the door in the garage.” He seemed unconcerned, so Buffy reluctantly followed him back to the kitchen.  She gave a yawn, which reminded her that she’d been awake for almost twenty-four hours. 
 
“Sorry,” she said. “It seems like we’ve been here forever, but I know it’s only been a day.”
 
“Time feels like that here sometimes,” he said. “But we’ve all been up for a long time. I could do with a nap myself. Care to join me?” He wriggled his eyebrows at her.
 
“Seriously? We haven’t seen each other in over a year, and we haven’t even….. We’re in the middle of a demon city, and I’m still deciding if I want to kill you, for cripes sake!” 
 
He looked abashed but nodded. “I’m sorry, love. You’re right, of course. Time and place.”  He touched her cheek. “I’m just so glad to see you… it went right to my—”
 
“I know exactly where it went. Get over it! We have work to do.” In spite of her words, she blushed and leaned into his hand just a little. “That body part has no conscience and no sense of duty.”
 
“Not when you’re around it doesn’t. Never has. Even when I hated you… or thought I did.”  He caressed her cheek, rubbing his thumb over her lower lip. “But you may as well take advantage of having some down time to take a nap. Thisis a hotel, you know.  Lots of rooms and beds in it that aren’t mine.  Let’s find you one, yeah?”
 
Buffy rested her hand on his for a moment, then shook her head. “Let’s figure out where everybody else is going to sleep, so when they get back with the food, they can eat and get some rest. I’m no more tired than anybody else.”
 
“And there’s my sweet girl, always putting others first. Alright, love, come with me.”
 
“They probably won’t all sleep at the same time, anyway,” Buffy said as they looked for reasonably clean rooms with made beds. “We still need to keep an eye on the portal, in case they have messages for us.”
 
 
XXXXXXX
 
By the time Angel and Faith got back with a van full of food, Buffy and Spike had identified several first-floor rooms that would work fine for the squad to use to get some rest. And he’d shown her where he slept and offered her the room with no strings attached. 
 
With all of them helping, the day’s haul of groceries were soon in the hotel refrigerators and freezers, or the huge pantry off the kitchen. After a quick meal, the yawns indicated the hours spent in LA were catching up to everyone, and Buffy showed them to the rooms – allowing the girls to work out who would be sharing with whom.
 
“So,” Faith said, cocking an eyebrow at Buffy. “Are we roomies, or do you have somewhere else in mind?”
 
Buffy glared at her, then sighed. “Okay, yes, I’m sleeping it Spike’s room. But he’s going to be watching for the portal, so….”
 
“Whatever you need to tell yourself, B,” Faith said with a laugh. “I’ll be here if you need me.” She entered the last room and closed the door, still laughing.
 
She went back into the kitchen in time to see Angel and Spike glaring at each other.
 
“Did I miss something?”
 
“Why aren’t you sleeping like everyone else?” Angel demanded.
 
Buffy’s eyes narrowed. “You mean, why am I not sharing with Faith?”
 
“You need to rest.”
 
“We know that, you git,” Spike said. “She’s gonna use my bed and I’m gonna be outside watching the portal.  Not that it’s any of your business,” he added with a snarl.
 
“I’ve still got this,” Buffy said, patting him on the arm. “Go watch for any messages from the other side. Jeannie said they were working on undoing the spell or glamor or whatever the hell it is keeping everything in here. Wake me up if you get anything.”
 
“Yes sir, ma’am,” he muttered, shooting another glare at Angel before leaving the room.
 
Buffy sighed and shook her head, gazing at Angel with a mixture of anger and affection.
 
“Look, we have a job to do here. And we need your help. Yours and Spike’s. You’re the experts on what’s going on. But if I have to waste a lot of energy keeping you two from fighting….”
 
Angel rolled his eyes and shrugged. “I doubt the Powers themselves could keep us from arguing. We’ve been doing it for over a century – any time we’re in the same place together. It doesn’t affect our ability to battle real enemies, and it doesn’t mean we don’t have each other’s backs.”  He met her dubious expression with sad eyes. “Having you here makes a difference. I can’t pretend it doesn’t. But you’ve made it pretty clear who you’re here for, and I accept that. I do, really.  I just don’t want to have to hear…. I don’t want to be in the same position Angelus put Spike in years ago. And I know he’s got every right to do that to me if he wants to.”
 
Buffy’s expression softened. “I love you, Angel. I do. I always will. But it’s the remains of a sixteen-year-old’s crush that has mellowed into friendship. What Spike and I have – twisted as it has been from time to time – is different. And more.” She sighed when he flinched. “Neither one of us is out to hurt you, no matter what Spike says or does when you’re listening. And we’ve got some issues to thrash out before we start ripping off each other’s clothes, so even if we end up sharing that bedroom sometimes, it’s going to be because we love each other and because together on a bed is where we were the last time we were together. It’s where we’re at peace.”
 
She got off the stool she’d been occupying during the uncomfortable conversation.  “And just so you know?” she added as she walked towards the room Spike had shown her, “I’m here to save my city.  You and Spike are just… what’s the word for collateral save-age?”
 
“Beneficiaries,” Angel muttered.
 
“Beneficiaries,” she repeated. “That works.”  She went down the hall to Spike’s room and shut the door behind her. She briefly considered taking a shower, then shrugged and fell face down on the bed.