ABC Series, Part 9
Frau Hunter Ash
Rating: Strong
R – kidnapping and torment..
* * *
She knew Giles
was right and she shouldn't be angered or offended because the spell kept her
out of Buffy's room.
The vampire calmed herself and moved to the row of pay phones and quickly looked up the number she needed.
"Buffy Summers' room, please," she said calmly.
"Summers’ room," a voice answered after the first ring.
"Dawn?"
"
"Downstairs.
I can't come in the room so I thought I'd call and let you know I'm here for
you guys,"
"Hang on, Buffy is trying to grab the phone!" Dawn giggled.
"Will?"
Buffy's voice sounded so wonderful in
"Hey,
Buff,"
"Oh God, I'm glad you did," Buffy whimpered in her ear. "Tara and Tracy didn't mean to cut you guys out."
"I know,
Buffy,"
"Dawn?" Buffy's voice was a question.
"You share
the same blood, Buff,"
"You think
Spike might be able to hurt Dawn because he can hurt me and we're kinda alike?" Buffy repeated and
"It's
possible,"
"Will…" Buffy hesitated. "He tried to hurt me."
"I know,
Buff,"
"I love you, Will," Buffy said softly, her voice cracking. "Don't get hurt."
Noises filled her ear and then Dawn's voice came through.
"She's, uh…"
"It's okay,
I understand,"
"Yeah, Buffy is really clinging to her," Dawn said softly. "You sure Faith is alright and safe?"
"Yeah, she
was just confused like I was,"
"Oh," Dawn hesitated. "Okay, Buffy explained about that."
"Sometimes
we screw up in life, Dawn,"
"I know and it's okay," Dawn said slowly. "I can't believe it about Spike though! He…he was good to me and even protected me!"
"I
know,"
"Don't get hurt, Willow," Dawn demanded. "I want a very very long talk with you!"
"Okay," Dawn said softly and hung up the phone.
* * *
With her Slayer
senses, Faith too heard both Dawn's question about her and
The tension from Faith was because Dawn hadn't existed at the time and had no memories of the young girl.
Faith could only shake her head, there was no changing history or Dawn's memory of it. All she could do would be to keep proving herself to everyone, especially Buffy and Dawn.
Faith smiled slightly as she held Buffy in her arms, almost lying on the bed with the blonde Slayer. After waking up from Spike's attack, Buffy had been totally unlike herself, Faith reflected. Almost as if Buffy was afraid and that wasn't something Faith ever thought she would see. Buffy had faced death with a calmness that had worried everyone and had stopped the end of the world numerous times with a joke on her lips and fashionable boots on her feet.
Now she seemed really afraid since Spike's attack and it confused Faith. Not that she minded. It felt really good to be seen as the strong one for once and it felt even better to have Buffy turn to her for comfort.
Tara and Tracy finished casting a minor sleep spell and Buffy drifted off in Faith's arms. Faith looked up at the witches with a grateful smile. It was the first time Buffy was really sleeping peacefully since Riley's death.
"Come on, gang," Cordelia said softly. "Let her get some sleep. With Faith and Dawn here, no one will touch her."
Tara and the others nodded and followed the former society Queen out into the hall where Gunn still kept guard.
"Let's grab some dinner and find the vamps for planning," Xander suggested.
"Angel said
"Cordy, call your boyfriend back," Xander growled. "We don't need everyone going off half cocked."
"Amazingly, Xander, you're right," Cordy teased and pulled her cell phone out and dialed. "Angel, get your butt back to the hospital and we'll have a planning session over horrible food in the cafeteria."
"Hey!" Anya growled as Cordelia laughed
and then frowned. "What do you mean
you're outside the hospital looking for
Everyone became quiet as they waited.
"Damn!" Cordy snapped, shutting the cell phone. "Giles and Angel said that when they got off the elevator that she wasn't at the phones or in the lobby. The receptionist said she saw a gorgeous red-head following some woman outside and now they can't find her."
Gunn muttered
something under his breath that was probably physically impossible with one's
self and
"Okay," Gunn snapped. "Xander, you armed?"
"We're all armed with stakes, crosses, and pistol," Cordy snapped.
"Hook back
up with Giles and Angel and find
"Sounds good," Xander nodded, letting Cordelia lead the way to the elevator.
The group: Tara, Anya, Xander, and Cordelia caught up with Giles and Angel in the parking lot, both vampires were frantic and nearly in a frenzy.
"Okay, I'm are going to see if
"She's going crazy at the house with you here at the hospital," Xander grumbled.
"How about she drive over with Jesse and see Dawn and Buffy, we could keep them all safe at the hospital," Anya suggested.
"She's safer in the house, a vampire can enter the hospital freely but not the house," Giles reminded the boy's mother.
"He's right, An," Xander said softly.
"With Gunn and Faith there, Buffy and Dawn should be okay," Angel said thoughtfully. "I suggest that Xander and Anya go and protect Tracy and Jesse. A police officer or someone might talk their way into the house and it could be a trick."
"Okay, what about you guys?" Xander asked.
"With Giles,
me, Cordy, and
"You are going to kill him, right?" Xander demanded. "Nobody's conflicted about this are they?"
Everyone looked at each other and saw the same resolve.
"No conflict
here, especially if he's got Will,"
"He hurt
Buffy, he might have my
Cordelia turned to Angel, knowing he was the only one really that might be conflicted. Spike was his Childe and one time lover after all.
"No conflict here," Angel said firmly. "I want to break his goddamn neck!"
"Good," Xander growled, nodding in agreement. "Come on, Anya, I want to be with Jesse. You call the minute you know anything!"
"Yes," Cordy nodded as
"I suggest Giles stays here and protects the hospital from down here," Angel said. The vampire wasn't surprised when Giles turned to face him with an incredulous look on his face.
"I'm going
after
"Giles, you're almost out of control," Angel said slowly. "You'd run head long into a trap. You're too young and I can't risk you losing it and endangering everyone."
Giles looked angry but nodded in agreement. "I don't like it but you'd better bring her back."
"Why would
he take
"I'm not sure, maybe he's hoping she can use magic to short out the chip," Angel pondered.
"Or he's gone totally insane and is attacking any Scooby member he can," Cordy suggested.
"Being a
vampire, that means me, Giles, and
"You know,
before Buffy came to Sunnydale, I never appreciated being just human," Cordy smirked as they watched
Angel's eyes brightened. "They've got something!"
* * *
Spike smirked and
Dru looked at
"I hate this soul thing, Spikey," she whined.
"Me too, pet," he nodded.
"That gag mars her beauty and the composition of the picture she creates on the bed," Druscilla complained.
"I know but without it she could cast a spell, get rid of those bindings and zap us, luv," Spike pointed out.
"So how do we get rid of that soul so she can play with us properly?" Dru whined.
"You're the one the stars speak to, Dru," Spike countered.
"Well," Dru purred, stroking the hair of the doll in her arms. "Miss Edith says if we torture her and put her into a frenzy, killing humans might just send her soul into darkness."
"Well, pet," Spike grinned. "I can't do the human part."
"No, but the boys I brought along can and already have two silly humans waiting," Dru said cheerfully.
Spike grinned and looked down at the captive vampire.
"Always liked you, Little Tree," he said softly, moving closer to the bed. "Once we get you back being a proper vampire, maybe you can fix this chip thing and we can be one large family. Dru, you, me, Angeleus and Buffy. What do you think of that?"
"Remember how it felt when you fed from me?" he whispered, taunting the vampire. "Do you remember how you ripped my shirt off and clawed at my belt? I do and we never did finish that little romp."
"Miss Edith says we don't have much time," Dru said in a sullen voice.
"Damn," Spike muttered. "Oh well, fast and hard then. Come on, pet. Join in the fun."
* * *
"Oh God," Angel muttered as they approached the darkened house. Cordy looked up at her lover, alarmed.
"What is
it?" she demanded as
"Dru," he whispered. "Druscilla's here with him and there's more in there with them."
"What? Dru? That crazy bitch is back?" Cordy demanded.
"Yes," he nodded unhappily.
"Angel,"
"They'll be expecting us and we're outnumbered by vampires," Angel countered.
"What do we
do then?"
"Can you set up a magic alarm in case they try to leave?" Angel asked.
"Yes,"
"We'll go back to the hospital, get Buffy and Faith and then attack this place tomorrow night in full force!" Angel said firmly.
"You know
Giles is going to kill us if we know where
"Yeah, that's why I left him behind," Angel explained. "I had a feeling someone was behind Spike. If we go in there right now, they'll capture all of us. All of you will be turned, without the benefit of keeping your souls. They might just torture and kill me. Odds are they want to force me to lose my soul again."
"Can they do
that?
"Anyone can lose their soul if pushed too far," Angel commented. "If any of us were to start killing humans and doing evil things, there's a good chance the demon could push the human soul aside and take command."
"Can he do
that before we get to
"I don't think so, it would take a hell of a lot to cause one of us to lose their soul," Angel said, shaking his head.
"The
Watchers kept her almost in a frenzy for two
years,"
Angel closed his eyes and then opened them slowly.
"Yes,
"Lover, we go into danger all the time," Cordy pointed out.
"Not like this, they know I'm here," Angel pleaded.
Cordy frowned and looked at the house.
"He's
right,"
"What about your magic stuff?" Cordy demanded.
"Druscilla's psychic, I don't know if we can surprise
her,"
"We need Slayers," Angel said firmly.
"Then let's
get Buffy out tonight," Cordy snapped. "I don't want to leave
"I understand," Angel said, pulling Cordelia into his arms. "More than you know."
"Why the hell did Wesley go back to LA now," Cordy whined.
"Let's go back to the hospital, either the Slayers and the rest of you take on this place during the day or we come back at sundown," Angel growled as Cordy began to cry.
"We can't
leave
"I don't
like this, Angel,"
"We don't
have enough weapons or people for this," he snapped. "There are at least four servant
vampires and Druscilla. Spike can't hurt the three of you but he can
kill
"We don't
leave one of our own behind,"
"Let's get out of sight," Angel growled. "Cordy, call Xander and Faith. Have them grab Giles and Gunn and meet us here with more weapons. Send Tracy, Anya and Jesse to the hospital to stay with Buffy and Dawn. We go in within the hour."
* * *
"Repeat that
again, Queen C," Faith said softly.
"They've got
Faith moved off the bed, trying not to wake Buffy as Dawn turned in the chair to watch the dark Slayer closely.
"No, I'm not going to wake her up," Faith protested. "Buffy nearly died last night! Frickin vampire was going to rape and turn her, she's in no condition to play super hero!"
"Faith, what is it?" Buffy asked as she opened her eyes and Dawn saw Faith's jaw tighten.
"Something that me and the gang can handle, Buff," Faith said firmly.
"You said
"I'll be
there with the others in a bit, Cordelia," Faith
snapped and hung up the phone, turning to face Buffy. She looked into Buffy's stern blue eyes and
sighed. "Spike and Druscilla have
Faith wasn't surprised when Buffy sat up on the bed and swung her feet over the side.
"You're not going, B," Faith said firmly and almost stumbled back under Buffy's glare as the Slayer looked up.
"
Faith merely nodded as Dawn's eyes widened, watching them.
"Xander's on his way over with more weapons," Faith explained. "Tracy and Jesse are going to stay here with Dawn."
"Okay," Buffy nodded, grabbing her clothes out of the wall closet.
"I'm 18 now, I can fight," Dawn protested. "I was taught by Buffy."
"Look, Dawnie," Buffy growled, standing behind the closet door to change. "I know you can fight but I want you to protect Tracy and Jesse. With Druscilla involved, who knows what the plan is with that crazy vampire!"
"You're just saying that to keep me here," Dawn protested.
"No, I'm not," Buffy countered, stepping out from behind the door. "You can defend yourself, I know that. I also know that you don't have Slayer strength but you make up for that in protectiveness. It's Tracy and little Jesse you'll be protecting and you're the only one left."
"Okay," Dawn agreed reluctantly.
"Angel thinks they're going to torture Red to make her snap and lose her soul," Faith muttered as Buffy bent over to put on her shoes.
"Damn, that
must be the plan," Buffy growled. "Make Angel, Giles and
"Two Slayers turned vampire? A powerful vampire witch, Angeleus, Druscilla and Spike?" Faith said thoughtfully. "Oh God, not much could stop that lineup."
"I know," Buffy nodded. "If they think about it and turn Tara and Tracy, they could end up opening the Hellmouth again."
"Are you up for this? It was pretty rough on you last night," Faith asked.
"I'll fill you in on everything after this is over, Faith," Buffy promised. "Including the fact that I died for several months. I suffer from PTSD a bit."
"Months?" Faith whispered and noticed Dawn looking away. "That's not a joke, is it, B?"
"No, no
joke," Buffy said, shaking her head sadly. "I died and
"No kidding," Faith muttered.
"Let's rock
n roll, Faith," Buffy said firmly. "I owe
* * *
"How's it
going, Dru my love?" Spike asked as
Druscilla smiled and struck another match and watched the flames for a moment.
"Careful you don't set the bedding on fire," Spike warned. "Last thing we want is to burn her to ashes."
"Don't worry, Miss Edith says we're careful," Druscilla said in a child voice, dropping the lit match on a bare thigh. "Just a little bit longer and we'll take Red Willow to her first real meal."
Spike smirked. "God, it's good to have you back, Dru. I almost feel normal again."
<<
* * *
Angel wasn't surprised to find Buffy jumping out of the car, confident and impatient. He knew Buffy well enough to know that she'd do whatever was necessary to get things done and then collapse later.
Just like when she ran away after sending him to Hell, he reflected.
"Where's Will?" she demanded.
"I think
she's in the basement," Angel said slowly as they looked at the house from
up the street. "It's hard to tell
with Druscilla and Spike there.
"Game plan?" Faith asked, surprising Angel. He expected her to just bust in the door, bang heads and figure out strategy later.
"I suggest
the Slayers go in as a team with
Buffy nodded in agreement and turned to Faith as the others arranged their weapons from the trunks of the cars.
"Faith, we haven't had time and I've been an emotional wreck," Buffy said softly. "Nothing about the past matters, it died when I died. I want to see if we can still love each other when this is over."
"I…I love you, Buff," Faith said softly. "I won't disappoint you in there."
"Even though Will is a vampire now?" Buffy teased lightly and Faith blushed.
"No, you're right, she almost died a bad vampire death to save you," Faith said thoughtfully and then growled. "I just don't like you getting horizontal with her!"
Buffy laughed lightly, pulling out a crossbow and a glock pistol from the trunk of Angel's car.
"A pistol?" Angel questioned.
"Some of them are human, right?" Buffy asked.
"I thought Slayers didn't kill humans," Cordy frowned and Faith looked away quickly.
"I'm not a Watcher's Slayer anymore," Buffy pointed out. "If someone tries to kill me or my friends then I think it's called self defense."
Angel turned to Giles but didn't find any support from the impatient vampire.
"Don't kill them, Buffy," he said in a flat voice.
"I will try my best not kill a human," Buffy compromised.
"Let's do this!" Giles snapped, almost growling.
"He's right, let's rock n roll," Faith grinned.
* * *
"Miss Edith says they're coming," Dru frowned. "All of them!"
"Damn, I'd thought they rush in, not wait for reinforcements," Spike growled. "Both Slayers are with them."
Spike watched as the group walked confidently down the street, weapons in hand. Both groups knew the LA and Scooby members were walking into a trap so the good guys were marching right in with confidence and arrogance that unnerved the young vampires and human ghouls watching at the windows. They began glancing at Spike with worried expressions.
"Right," Spike said softly. "This is not a win situation, Dru."
Druscilla curled up in a chair and began whining, holding Miss Edith close to her chest.
"Okay, boys," Spike snapped loudly. "The deal is this, anyone think they want to take on the Slayers, stick around. I'm taking Dru out the back."
"What about the red one?" one of the vampires asked.
"Leave her where she is, they can deal with her," Spike growled. "Almost as good a deal. Scatter and meet at the crypt tomorrow night."
The blonde vampire walked over and stood over his insane vampire lover and frowned. "We'll come back when there aren't so many of them and pick them off one at a time, Dru."
"Miss Edith says Daddy is mad at us," Dru whined as Spike lifted her into his arms.
"Yeah, maybe even enough to kill us this time," Spike muttered. "Especially after they see Red."
"The stars say we should leave for a season," Dru whimpered. "I want the Slayer's blood!"
"I know, luv," Spike whispered. "We'll be back and I won't have this damned chip either."
* * *
The group from
Sunnydale and
"What the hell?" Faith demanded.
"We scared them off?" Xander asked softly.
"Looks
like!" Buffy grinned and then frowned. "
The group broke into a run and split into groups, still keeping to the assault plan just in case the running vampires and humans had been a diversion.
Once inside the house, Buffy and Faith rushed through the place looking for the door to the basement and kicked it open.
"
"Hang loose, tweed type," Faith advised. Buffy flipped the light switch and the two Slayers moved slowly down the stairs, eyes watchful for any movement or traps.
Buffy and Faith moved down the stairs slowly.
"Oh God, no, please," Buffy begged, stopping on the steps.
"Buffy?" Angel called from the top of the stairs.
"Angel, we need you down here," Buffy called, slowly continuing down the stairs, watching the vampire carefully. "Giles, you stay up there!"
"What's wrong?" Giles demanded.
"
The Slayers moved cautiously, both stunned at the sight of the red-haired vampire in full vampire face and claws. She was chained to the brick wall and lunging at them with blood lust in her yellow eyes.
At the feet of the vampire were two dead bodies, young teenage females, their throats ripped out.
"Oh
God," Angle muttered as he caught sight of the enraged
"Can we help her?" Buffy demanded. "Has she lost her soul?"
Angel walked down the stairs slowly and walked up to the vampire confidently, allowing his own face to shift to vampire. Vampire Willow screamed and tried to attack the vampire but the older, taller, and stronger Angel grabbed her shackled wrists and held her tightly, staring deeply in her eyes.
"She still
has her soul but she's like I was when I came back from hell," he said
softly, releasing her and moving back.
"What do we do?" Faith asked, her voice soft and troubled.
"Feed her bagged blood, talk to her and hope she comes back," Angel said sadly.
"Buff, she killed two people," Faith said slowly.
"She was also tortured into it," Buffy countered. "Want to go up there and tell Giles we're staking her?"
"No," Faith shook her head and looked pained. "I know what it's like to have killed somebody and mine was accidental."
"We'll get her through this," Buffy said firmly. "Angel, can you deal with Giles?"
"Yeah,"
the vampire nodded and trotted back up the stairs as vampire
"At least she doesn't seem to be thinking rationally," Faith said softly. "I'd hate to think of a soul-less vampire with magic abilities."
"Me too," Buffy said wearily. "Can't we slow things down for awhile, for everyone?"
"I don't know about you, B, but I'm not sure it ever slows down for us," Faith said softly, wrapping her arms around Buffy.