Spike made sure to stay carefully quiet, his senses reaching out for any bit of information he could grasp. He could hear the minions shuffling around at their tasks; from the sound of it, a few of them were chiseling into stone.

He could hear his poof of a grandsire talking with someone whose voice he did not recognize in the slightest.

“Not to mention…” The unknown voice continued to ramble, “you’re still in danger of being cursed. If the Slayer’s friends do have the curse the gypsies used on you, than it’s only a matter of time before they try again. I can make sure that their attempts are not successful.”

Spike had managed to catch most of what they had been saying since he was carried into the room. He knew that it would have done him no good to have everyone know that he was awake and aware. They certainly wouldn’t be so casual and open in their conversation if they did -- but then again, this was Angelus he was thinking about. He had always been a smug bastard, and would likely love the chance to brag about his scheme, whatever it was.

Still, it was probably best if he avoided drawing any unnecessary attention to himself at the moment.

The worst part had been listening to Drusilla’s screams. He couldn’t stand for his Dark Princess to be in pain, when he at least wanted to be able to comfort her. It was a relief to know that he wouldn’t have shackles holding him down; otherwise he might have been forced to act too soon.

Of course, once the ceremonial dagger began carving into his flesh, all his careful precautions went flying out the window.

“Ahhh! Bugger! Watch the knives!”

Luckily, he was able to bring his flailing limbs under control before anyone noticed that one of his legs had moved. Angelus was holding his arms down against the stone slab while the demon above him carved a careful design deeply into his chest.

“Willy, my boy, glad you could join us.” Angelus gave him a slight smirk as he tightened his grip on Spike’s wrists. “Don’t mind Zeffy, here.” He nodded toward the demon, who in turn gave him a slight glare at the unappreciated nickname. “He’s got a knack with chains and bloodshed that even Darla would admire.”

Spike decided it was wisest to feign ignorance of the things he had heard. “Where’s Dru?”

“Oh, our Dru, I do believe her visions overwhelmed her…” He turned to look at Drusilla.

Spike followed his gaze to the opposite slab. His heart ached to see her in such a way…her dress torn open, blood flowing from her chest, her bare breasts being ogled by every minion that passed. She also seemed to be out of it, her head lolling to the side, her eyes closed while she mumbled incoherently.

“Touch her again…” Spike couldn’t help the loud rumbling growl that came with his words of warning.

“Spike, my boy, I plan to touch her quite a bit before this is over, before she’s dust… wouldn’t be much fun to fondle dust, now would it?” He slapped Spike almost affectionately on the cheek, drawing another enraged growl from the younger vampire. “Don’t fret,” he told Spike. “You’ll be joining her soon enough. Well, in dust, not in my bed.” He grinned.

Zefferus ignored the two as he continued his task. Once the mark was finished he placed the dagger down on the slab before reaching into the bowl of poison, then spreading a handful across Spike’s chest.

The scent of burning flesh filled the air and Spike cried out in pain, almost ignoring his need for secrecy, but struggling hard to keep his body under control.

“Gee,” Angel said, looking down at his bloody and burned wound with false sympathy. “That’s gonna scar.”

“And so it must, before we begin the next stage of the ritual,” Zefferus informed him.

“You mean I have to wait to see him turn to dust?” Angelus tsked, a look of mock disappointment on his face. “Oh well…” He glared down at Spike, who had kept his venomous look of hatred directed at Angelus the entire time. “I suppose you can stay here, keep Dru company until I feel like having one last go with her. Calm her down a bit, and I’m sure she’ll coo you a bedtime story.” He laughed and ruffled Spike’s gelled hair, setting it into disarray, before motioning for Zefferus and the minions to follow him, heading down a corridor Spike did not recognize…

Come to think of it, Spike didn’t recognize their surroundings at all. But he waited until he could no longer hear footsteps, and until he knew that he and Drusilla were truly alone, before going into action.

“Ponce.”

Spike rolled off the stone slab, biting down on his bottom lip until he drew blood, so as not utter the sound of pain that fought so willfully to escape. He looked around him and found his duster lying on the floor nearby. He scooped it up and got to his feet, then went quickly to Drusilla’s side.

“Dru, luv?” He leaned down over her and brushed her long, dark hair gently out of her face. “Can you hear me?”

She opened her eyes, obviously still in a daze. She smiled widely as she peered up at him. “My little Spike has found his strength again…”

Spike smiled, glad to see the pleasure on her face at the revelation, as he began to undo the bonds that held her.

Drusilla raised her hand once it was free, bringing a finger to her lips. “Shhh. It’s a secret, mustn’t tell. Daddy will be cross.”

“That’s right, Darling.” Spike undid the bonds that held Drusilla’s ankles, then used his duster to wrap around her so that her breasts were no longer exposed to the world. “Mustn’t tell, but they’ll know soon enough. But we’ll be gone by then. We have to keep quiet, though.”

He lifted Drusilla into his arms, cradling her carefully while moving swiftly toward the tunnels. He made sure to avoid the one that the others had disappeared into, then stretched out his senses, and soon caught the distinctly unpleasant scent of the sewers.

He ran quickly down the chosen tunnel, making sure to avoid most of the unpleasant liquids and slimes that filled it. He made good time, Drusilla cradled in his arms and wrapped in his duster. Surprisingly, she had remained mostly silent throughout their escape.

Spike switched to game face so he was able to see better in the dark, and peered down at his love. He found her once more in a fitful state of sleep, and at the moment, he was glad of it. He approached a ladder leading up to a sewer grate. He still wasn’t far enough from their prison to be satisfied, but he at least had to get his bearings before they went any further.

Climbing halfway up the ladder, he raised the grate. Some of the sunlight filtering through almost burned his wrist, but he held the grate up only long enough to take a quick look around before lowering it again.

They definitely weren’t anywhere near the mansion.

In fact, they had been brought back to the area of town where the warehouse had been, before an enraged librarian had burned it down. Spike could tell from his brief look in the direction that they had run from, that they were being kept right under one of the warehouses.

Deciding that he had wasted enough time, Spike turned a corner and set off in a new direction. He had to get to the mansion. He had to hope that the Slayer’s Watcher was still there, and still intact. Much to his dismay, he realized that he was going to need the Slayer’s help more than ever. The little blonde chit might be the only thing that could stand between him and his Grandsire.

…………………………………………………………………………………………

The mansion was eerily quiet. There were only a few minions left to putter around. Most wandered aimlessly, and one had fallen asleep at his post. It was easy for Spike to slip in unnoticed. He saw Acathla standing right where he had been before, and briefly thought of smashing the damned troublesome rock to bits, if he could find something heavy enough to do so.

But he had to worry about Drusilla first.

The only thing that was going to keep Drusilla safe from the Slayer’s stake was the Watcher. And just as he had suspected, the Watcher had been left bound, to stew in his own juices. Said “juices” was the blood that was keeping the fledgling minion guarding him in a permanent game face. The younger vampire kept glancing at the watcher, clearly debating whether or not to take a small sample.

Would Angelus notice?

Before he could consider it further, Spike had gently laid Drusilla down in the hallway, shushing her mumbled protests. He crept around the corner and watched the minion that was glancing back and forth before stepping into the room that the watcher was kept in.

By the time Spike stepped into the room, the minion was bent over the dazed and weary librarian.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, mate.”

The minion spun around, a guilty look on his ridged face. “Master Spi-!”

Spike had picked up one of the longer knives Angelus had used to torture Giles and decapitated the younger vampire before he could finish. The dust fell mostly across the librarian.

“Sorry about that,” Spike said. “Now you look even worse.”

Giles didn’t have enough strength to do more than glare at him. Even that was becoming a chore, and his head was lolling to the side as if he might drift into unconsciousness at any moment.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Spike grumbled. “I have to carry both?”

He shook his head, then stepped closer to Giles. He raised the knife, somewhat enjoying the way the other man flinched away from him for a moment, before he cut the bonds that tied him to the chair, though leaving his wrists bound. He didn’t want to run the risk of the watcher trying anything while he had Drusilla in his arms, especially when he was going to have to risk the sun to get them all to safety.

……………………………………………………………………………………………..


Buffy was approaching the mansion, sword in hand, and Xander in tow.

“Willow,” Xander said. “Uh, she told me to tell you…”

Buffy stopped and turned back to him again. “Tell me what?”

He hesitated for a moment, unsure. Finally, he made a firm decision. “Kick his ass.”

Before either of them could turn to continue toward the mansion, they both heard rustling in the trees. Buffy turned immediately, raising her sword. “Geez, did all of you decide to play cavalry?”

Keeping to the shadows, Spike burst through the trees and bushes, breathing deep, unnecessary breaths. Buffy’s eyes widened as she took in the sight before her. Xander stepped forward as if to take Spike on himself, but she put an arm out and quickly stopped him.

Spike’s face was covered in bruises from Angel’s beating. His bare chest was covered in blood and a bit of ash from his burnt skin. A ritual marking was carved deeply into his flesh, and there was a bound man draped over his shoulder, and Drusilla in his arms, wrapped in his duster.

“Slight change of plans, ducks,” he managed to mumble, as he leaned down and set Giles fall onto his own feet. The Watcher swayed unsteadily, and for a moment had to lean on the Vampire to keep from falling.

Buffy took in the site of her bleeding and battered father figure before running toward him. “Oh, god, Giles!”

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

“But…but Spike? And Drusilla?” Willow looked at her like she had grown a third eye in the middle of her forehead. “Buffy, Drusilla killed Kendra!”

Buffy sighed and rubbed at her temples. She looked around at her friends, who were gathered in Willow’s room at the hospital. “I know, Willow…believe me when I say that I don’t like this any more than the rest of you -- but we don’t have a choice.”

“Sure we do,” Xander stepped in. “We shove something wooden and pointy into Morticia and Dead Boy Jr.’s hearts, and call it even.”

“If we do that than all their power will go to Angelus. Look, I don’t know what to do with them, all I know is we can’t kill them. If we do, Angelus becomes as powerful, if not more powerful, than the Master. He’s also got a serious ally on his side, which means we’re going to need some on ours.”

“How do you know Spike didn’t make this demon guy up?” Xander insisted.

“Well, I doubt the two of them carved up their own chests like Christmas turkeys!”

“And it would kinda explain why the spell didn’t work,” Willow put in. “If Spike said this demon guy was protecting Angel from the curse…”

Buffy frowned. “What spell?”

Willow’s eyes widened. “Didn’t Xander tell you?”

Xander was suddenly looking wide-eyed and cornered.

“I sent him after you to let you know,” Willow went on, “I tried the curse again.” Buffy finally noticed how much paler Willow looked. Oz was constantly at her side, one hand always holding hers, though he stayed mostly silent. “But for some reason it didn’t work…not only did it not work, it kinda sent a shock wave right back at me. It was like there was something blocking me.”

The Slayer took a moment to process all of this. Her gaze suddenly turned to her friend, whose face bore a trapped expression of guilt. Xander tried to avoid her eyes at first, but then reluctantly raised his gaze to hers. It sent a chill down his spine to see not anger, but cold contempt in her expression.

“’Kick his ass’, huh?” Her voice was hard.

“Buffy…” Xander began to explain himself.

“How’s Giles?” Buffy turned to Cordelia, who was standing by the door.

“Cut up and nasty looking,” she said bluntly. “They’re patching him together right now. At least we know he’s awake and aware, ‘cause he was bitching the whole time.”

“He’s not going to take this well, either.” Buffy sighed. “Look, guys, I don’t trust Spike. But one thing I do trust is his instinct for self-preservation. The guy’s like a cockroach.” Buffy pouted for a moment. “Only worse. Him you can’t even kill by squashing.”

“What did you do with the two vampires?” Oz finally asked.

Buffy looked a bit sheepish for a moment. “I kinda…left them at the school and told them if they killed anyone I’d stake them, power transfer be damned.”

Willow’s eyes grew larger. “The school?”

“What?” Buffy looked down as if her shoes were suddenly very interesting. “I had no where else to put them…”

………………………………………………………………………………………….

“You made a deal with the Slayer.” Drusilla had a narrow-eyed look of contempt that she hadn’t had on her face since Dalton lost her box of Judge parts and she had threatened to poke out his eyes.

Spike put on his sweetest voice, grateful that he had years of experience with Drusilla to help get him back into her good graces. “I know you’re upset, sweetheart. But it was all for you. I knew Angelus was up to something.”

“I miss Daddy…”

“Your ‘Daddy’ just tried to kill you!”

For the first time since she had awakened, Drusilla had a hint of a familiar pout on her face, instead of just anger.

Sighing softly, Spike pulled Drusilla into his arms. She looked like she was going to struggle for a moment, but she relaxed after a few moments of his cool fingers stroking her cheek lovingly. “I’m sorry, Dru,” he spoke softly, “but do you have any idea how angry I was? When I saw what he was going to do to you…” He nuzzled his face into her hair, breathing in her scent, which always seemed to include the flowers she loved. “You know I couldn’t live without my Princess.”

Deciding that distraction was the best way to keep her from her anger, Spike put on a wide grin and pressed himself closer to Drusilla. He whispered in her ear in a singsong voice, “I heard somebody killed a Slayer…”

Drusilla suddenly had a mischievous glint in her eyes. Spike pulled back just enough to see I,t and his grin widened.

“And you didn’t even tell me.” He took on a slightly disapproving tone, before taking both of Drusilla’s hands and raising them to his lips, kissing the backs of each before giving small kisses to each knuckle. “Have I told you lately how amazing you are?”

If Drusilla could have blushed she obviously would have been; there was no mistaking the pleased look on her face from Spike’s compliments. He kissed slowly up one arm, making sure to pay special attention to her mood. If she was still angry with him, he wouldn’t be able to get close enough to *really* distract her.

“You never stop surprising me. You’re my incredible…” He kissed her wrist. “…beautiful…” He kissed the inside of her elbow. “…black goddess.” He kissed her near her shoulder, then waited for her to either grant him permission or push him away.

Drusilla placed a hand on the back of his neck, her small mewls of pleasure all the encouragement he needed. Spike kissed her shoulder, then moved to her neck. He scraped blunt human teeth across her flesh and drew a gasp from her. He traced his fingers through her long dark tresses and nipped at her earlobe “Do you remember how we celebrated my first Slayer?”

A suspicious light came to her eyes, as if she had just been reminded of their current situation.

Spike sighed, then pulled back a bit from her, massaging her shoulders while looking into her wide, haunting eyes. “Listen, pet,” He nipped at her earlobe again. “When this is all over, and the Slayer has helped us take care of Angelus and his new pet demon…what do you think we’re going to do with her? Shake hands and say ‘well, that’ll be that?’” He smirked, then whispered enticingly into her ear. “You and I are gonna have a hell of a time killing her…we’ll spill her blood together, drink it up like ambrosia, before we make snacks of all her little friends, one by one.”

A delightful shiver went through Drusilla’s body, and she cooed out loud. Her hand moved over his hair, stroking him like a favored pet. “Then we’ll have that party,” she finished for him. “With songs, streamers, and so much blood. All the little children will bleed for us while we take our pleasure under the stars, and make everything here ours.”

“Yeah…” His grin was downright wicked as he growled into her ear. “You see?” He gave a slight pout of his own. “And you doubted me. I’m hurt, Dru.”

They both turned their heads at the same moment and their lips met in a passionate kiss, as they clutched at one another with longing. Soft lips and cool tongues did a familiar dance, Drusilla’s bare breasts pressing against Spike’s wounded chest, and the tattered remains of his t-shirt. He brought a hand between them to cup one breast and gently pinch a nipple, his kisses becoming almost brutal before he moved his mouth from her lips, along her jaw and down onto her neck. His face changed and his fangs lengthened. He pierced the skin of her neck so that she gasped out loud, the pain sending her into instant arousal, and the scent of it nearly drove Spike wild.

He wrapped both arms around her and lifted her up, pulling her dress up as he did, and Drusilla wrapped her legs around Spike’s hips. Spike looked around them, annoyed that there weren’t many private places to take their romp in the school library. He saw the office that belonged to the librarian and carried Drusilla inside, kicking the door closed behind them.
He intended to fuck the memory of Angelus right out of her.