Previously...

Harmony carefully put up her hand again.

“Yes?”

“Shouldn’t you also be rescuing your little sister?”

“Dawn? No, she left the building with Fred before all this went down.”

“Yes, they did leave, but when I was down at reception I saw them both come back in ten minutes later.”

Buffy suddenly felt very sick.

***

Reaching out blindly for the edge of the heavy table, Buffy gripped it, praying that her legs wouldn’t give way. All this time and Dawn had been here all along. While she’d been laying in William’s arms - and speculating about Spike’s - in their little hideaway, Dawn and Fred had been at the mercy of monsters. She didn’t doubt her sister’s bravery and resourcefulness, and knew that Fred had a brilliant head on her shoulders, but they were both fragile humans. Just as she was.

Buffy had William and Spike, who did they have?

The young woman who’d managed to hold it all together so far could feel her courage unravelling, faced with no answers to a barrage of unasked questions.

Where is she? Is she safe? How can I find them?

Through the pulsing blood rushing in her ears, Buffy fought to stay upright. William was staring at her in concern, sharing her fears, and no doubt adding a few of his own. Spike was cursing loudly. A hard boot lashed out and a chair flew into the wall, bursting in a shower of splinters and stitched leather.

Harmony shrank back. Disturbed by the noise, Liam stirred from his position on the floor and tried to sit up while clutching at his head. Angel hovered sorrowfully, already accepting the worst.

William took a step forward but it was the Slayer who reached Buffy first - wise eyes filled her teary vision, understanding everything. The Slayer gently pressed a palm to her heart and, with a voice hoarse from lack of use, said just two words.

“Sister...Strong.”

Whether she meant that Buffy was her sister and was strong enough to deal with this, or whether she was referring to Dawn, Buffy didn’t know, but she was grateful for the words nonetheless.

Buffy rested her hand briefly over the Slayer’s and gave a weak smile of thanks before standing straight to face the others.

Given their predicament it was clear that they couldn’t stick together, so it was decided that Harmony and Liam would have to be taken somewhere safe; they would only be a liability in any search. William and the Slayer would escort them to the gym where Wesley, and the less evil employees, had set up their base. Buffy and Spike would go and find Dawn.

William had initially wanted go with Buffy but, as she pointed out, Wesley would be more likely to trust him than a demon version of him, and she wasn’t going to risk Spike being dusted on sight. They also needed the Slayer’s strength in case they met any nasties on the way, so she was elected the group’s protector.

Spike knew the building and he would watch Buffy’s back while the two of them went to the science labs, one of the few areas that had been blanked out in the surveillance room.

Angel had tried to stop them going off on their own. Although he didn’t say outright that she shouldn’t trust Spike, it was clear that he was dying to.

Buffy gave him a look, daring him to open his mouth.

As the larger group headed off, supporting the barely upright Liam between them, Buffy turned to Spike.

“I do trust you.”

With a wry smile he caught her hand and, with a little bow, placed a kiss on her knuckles.

“You can always trust me, Buffy,” he murmured. Raising his head a little he gave her a wicked look. “But when Dawn’s all rescued, safe and sound, then all bets are off.”

A startled look, a pause, then laughing, Buffy released his hand and walked ahead.

“I’m counting on it,” she threw back.

With an expression of disbelief followed by the inevitable smirk, Spike followed... an extra swagger in his step.

***

Knox had chased after her for several long minutes, calling out to her every so often in an increasingly jumbled mixture of panicked pleading and threats. Luckily, his white lab coat hadn’t been concealing the body of an athlete, and he didn’t seem to be gaining on her. If there was one thing she was good at it, it was running away. Well, that and screaming, and running seemed like the best choice right now. She dimly heard an unearthly roar followed by a very unmanly shriek, which gave her an extra burst of adrenaline, her boots fairly flying down the passageways. Dawn kept on going until a stitch in her side finally forced her to stop to catch her breath. Slumping forward, feet splayed apart with hands gripping knees, she willed the pain to go away.

There was silence, except for the pounding of her heart, her ragged breathing.

Finally, raising her head, she looked around. The outside windows revealed only a fuzzy grey mist. She felt trapped. Rows of identical offices, another corner, another set of stairs, no people. It was like being in a giant mausoleum, and why would she think that? This led to thoughts of Spike’s old crypt with its tatty furniture, soft shadows and designer cobwebs. Funny how a tomb could make her feel safe, but then it was home to one of the two people who she knew would willingly die for her - and that made her feel both sad and incredibly grateful.

The sound of a door closing and a key being turned penetrated her rather scattered thoughts. Slipping quickly into the nearest room, Dawn dropped down below the frosted glass panel.

The tap of expensive shoes drew nearer...

Holding her breath, she waited. The steps stopped. A shadow filled the glass and paused.

Just as Dawn thought it was all over and that she’d been discovered in the inevitable way that nightmares always worked, the shrill ring of a mobile phone nearly made her jump out of her skin.

The figure flipped open the device and listened for a long time.

Finally he started speaking. It was Hamilton, as she knew it would be.

“You’ve managed to get through! That’s good... You already know? Alright ... No, sir, I haven’t got any answers out of her yet... I know... seems her mind was more fragile than expected... but if anyone can sort this out it’s her. Yes, no more Mr Nice Guy, I’ll see Knox and if he’s still useless then I’ll end the worm. Angelus? Can we trust him? Alright, that might work; he can deal with the white hats before they try anything stupid. At least that much went right in this fucking fiasco... Another codex? Great, that’s all we need... No, it’s no problem, I’ll get it. Yes, sir... I do know what will happen to me if I screw up... Goodbye.”

An audible snap and the shadow hovered for a long moment before moving away.

Dawn waited until she heard the familiar pinging noise of a lift door closing before she dared peek outside.

He was gone.

Moving silently she tried each door until she found one that was locked. Again, the lock-picks were proving to be the best present ever. God bless Spike, the vampire boy scout. Not that scouts are known for their breaking and entering skills but he did say he’d eaten one once, and he’d look so cute wearing the uniform. Shaking those absurd thoughts out of her head she concentrated on the lock until it gave up its secrets, allowing her to enter the room.

***

Buffy and her demon moved swiftly. Still not daring to take the elevators they raced up each staircase towards the science labs. Spike kept all his senses on full alert while Buffy just concentrated on keeping up, ignoring the burning in her calf muscles. At times her companion had stopped, seemingly concentrating for signs of danger, his hand loosely encircling her wrist until she realised that he was surreptitiously monitoring her pulse rate with his fingers.

“Spike, I’m not an invalid,” she snapped, pulling her arm away. “Let’s go!”

“Easy now, Buffy, don’t doubt your determination, but your body can’t take its usual punishment. You’ve got to pace yourself as a human would.”

“I’ll take all the breaks you want after we find Dawn.”

“Suit yourself.”

Another few twists and the now silent couple reached the lab; the door was ajar.

“Dawn’s scent is strong, stay here - and that isn’t a request,” Spike growled softly.

Buffy glared at her bossy protector but wisely kept her mouth shut and gave a slight nod.

Spike silently slipped inside.

After a few seconds Buffy followed him in.

He was standing in the middle of the room, clawed hands flexing by his side, nostrils flaring and a very dangerous look in his eyes.

Taking in the details of the empty room Buffy saw the opened cage, the disturbed mattress and upended tray of food. There had been a struggle. On a nearby counter lay various pieces of scientific equipment. Moving closer she could see a blackened disk on the end of a chain, faint wisps of green flowed in and out of the filigree patterns. It was the amulet she’d given Spike, the same one that had destroyed him.

Green?

“Dawn?” Her heart stopped.

“Wait, no Slay… er, Buffy, her girl scent is strong in here and I can tell that Fred has been here very recently, that weasel in a white coat too. Knew he was taking too much interest in her, should have snapped his neck straight away.” He paused. “There was someone else. A human, no, that’s not right. A demon, but masked somehow, it leaves almost no trace which means it’s probably powerful. We’ll have to watch our step.”

“What else can you tell?”

“Fear and blood. Fear from the girls and the boy, Fred’s blood, but only traces. We need to find them and quickly.”

“What about this?” said Buffy, pointing to the amulet.

“Well, that would be mine, wouldn’t it? A token from the fair maid to her black knight.”
“Spike, I didn’t, I mean I’m sorry…I didn’t know, I wouldn’t have…”

As Buffy’s vision filled with tears, Spike stepped close and wrapped her in his arms.

“Hush now, you did the right thing, made me a hero you did. I can’t complain, not many demons can claim to have saved the world, can they? Besides, I’m back and you’re here, what could be wrong with that?”

He stepped towards the glowing trinket and carefully picked it up by its chain.

“To be on the safe side I won’t put it round my neck.”

Slipping it very gingerly into a front pocket of his jeans he looked down, slightly anxious.

“Dawn, if that’s you in there, do me a favour and don’t go exploring. Oh, and please don’t fry anything important.”

“I thought you said...”

He grinned. “Oh, our niblet is out there sweetheart, am just teasing. C’mon, let’s go, I can track her from here.”

Taking her hand they hurried to rescue Dawn and Fred.

***

Dawn found herself in another office just like the others, the only difference being that the whiteboards on the wall were covered in what appeared to be mathematical equations and formulas. A faint movement caught her eye and she could just make out the toe of a shoe sliding out of sight behind a large desk.

“Fred?”

Tiptoeing forward she moved until the crouching figure came into view.

It was Fred. Her hair was dishevelled and a large bruise ran down one side of her face, lower lip split and puffed up at one side. Her clothing was torn at the shoulder revealing more bruises. She gazed at Dawn but didn’t speak. In her hand she clutched a marker pen.

“Fred?” she tried again.

Still no answer, but the slight flicker of her eyes as she looked past Dawn betrayed her.

“It’s okay, he’s not here.”

Fred gave a wonky smile, wincing as the cut reopened a little.

“Am so glad to see you, Dawnie.”

“What did that bastard do to you?”

“The man has women issues, I think. Wanted me to find a way of harnessing the power of ‘The Key,’ which I take it has something to do with you.” She looked pointedly at Dawn. “Anyway, I faked a breakdown before I went nuts for real. Had some practice at that in Pylea, long story, have to tell you sometime.” She made light of it, but the way she repeatedly swallowed while talking showed that she’d been truly frightened.

“So what’s with all the numbers and squiggles?”

“Had to appear to be workin’ on something.” She brightened up at the question. “So far I’ve written down the formula for toothpaste, my Momma’s recipe for tequila chicken wings, and a discredited theory for cold fusion. Didn’t want to put down my own ideas as they might just work.”

Laughing, Dawn took her hand and helped her to her feet. Fred swayed a little until her head stopped swimming. “Well, pardner, I think it’s time we hightailed it out of here before the bad man returns, don’t you?”

“Couldn’t agree more,” said Dawn.

***

It happened so fast. One minute they were tracking Dawn and the next Spike and Buffy were staring into the eyes of an enormous creature blocking their way. Covered in black fur, the beast reared up to tower several feet above them, its massive jaws opened wide, displaying powerful long teeth and strings of saliva.

“What the f...! I don’t believe it, you made another bloody bear!”


***