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It was also decided that, since Buffy would most likely not stick around to chat after finding out she’d been duped, some sort of trap was needed. He worked with Xander on that. The plan was that the Scoobies would come just before dawn, Willow using her magic to let them out, thus giving Spike enough time to get back home. Xander suggested giving them a few days, but Spike decided against that. It was too risky- what if the First came up with something before then? No, one night would have to be enough.
Xander made bad dead vampire jokes as they rigged up the trap. He also discussed his current relationship with Anya. To Spike’s relief, the construction worker had gotten over the whole ‘Anya and Spike sleeping together’ thing, understanding that they had both been hurting and had taken comfort in each other.
That’s odd, Spike mused. I think the boy is actually maturing. Huh.
It seemed that Xander and Anya might just get back together after all. She, too, had matured, especially since her incident when she was a vengeance demon: killing those men, then offering to give herself up body and soul to save them, only to have her best friend taken in her place. She seemed to slowly be coming to the realization that Xander hadn’t married her for what he honestly thought was her own good, and that he truly loved her.
Xander had actually started seeing a therapist, discussing his issues. It was pretty standard: he feared that he and Anya would turn into his parents. That fear was slowly starting to dissipate.
But outside of therapy, Xander wanted another guy to talk to, preferably one who understood about his and Anya’s past. Riley wasn’t the same guy he’d been, still too traumatized over having to kill his wife. He was dependable for training the girls, but not for talking to. Giles was too much of a father-figure, Xander didn’t even know Connor, and Andrew- well, that was an obvious no.
So that left Spike, which, oddly enough, was fine with Xander. Admittedly, the only real relationship Spike had ever had was with an insane vampiress, but he’d managed to make that work for about a century. Plus the vampire was useful for insights into the demon mind.
Once the trap was set, the two men headed to their homes, each thinking about his girl.
******
Buffy came home from work that evening, tired as usual. She was greeted by a worried looking Giles (who had been practicing that expression all day in front of a mirror).
“Oh! Buffy, thank goodness you’re home. Something’s come up.”
“What is it this time?”
“It’s a nest of Molashnak demons. They could become quite a threat.”
Repressing a sigh, Buffy told him, “All right, I’ll go round up the troops.”
She started off, but Giles intercepted her. “No! I mean, no, that won’t work. You see, Molashnak demons are very dangerous. The only real chance you’ll have is if you catch them by surprise. But their senses are supernaturally good, which means only people skilled in stealth will have a chance.”
General Buffy frowned thoughtfully. “Maybe I should go get Faith...”
“I don’t think she is the best option. She tends to be a bit, uh, rash. Perhaps you should take Spike. He knows where the cave is, as well.”
She’d been trying to avoid Spike for the past several weeks, but Giles was right, he was her best bet for work like this. And slaying always comes before personal feelings, she reminded herself.
“Tell him we’ll leave as soon as the sun’s down,” she ordered as she headed upstairs to change into something more suitable for slaying.
Giles headed into the kitchen.
Willow grinned. “I take it Phase 1 is complete?”
The Watcher sighed. “Yes... I do hope this turns out for the best...”
“It will, Rupes, it will,” Spike assured him, unwilling to mention his own misgivings.
******
Spike was standing by the door nervously waiting, ax in hand, by the time the sun set.
Buffy came down the stairs. “Spi-” she started to call, stopping when she saw him. “Oh. All right then, let’s go.”
He followed after her mutely, for once actually glad she wasn’t as perceptive as usual, else she would have picked up on his unusual silence.
******
Unlike in years previous when they patrolled together, the silence between them was uncomfortable as they headed towards the cave.
Buffy decided that perhaps talking would solve the problem. Keep the conversation on business, she told herself.
“Spike.”
He jumped at the unexpected sound. “Yeah?” he said, trying not to sound too hopeful. Her starting a conversation could only be of the good, right?
“I haven’t had much of a chance to talk with you lately.”
His unbeating heart leapt up. Maybe this wouldn’t be as hard as he’d feared...
General Buffy continued. “We need to discuss the girls’ training. I’m a little worried about Meghan.....”
Oh, bollocks! I knew that was too good to be true... she wants to discuss her army, of course... ah, well, that’s something I guess...
Buffy’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “I think maybe she’s just not strong enough. Maybe we should do some more weight-training-”
“Not strong enough? Slayer, that’s completely not the problem.”
As opposed to being upset with Spike for contradicting her, she cooly asked, “Oh? And what do you see as the problem?”
“She lacks self-confidence. It’s as simple as that.”
As they continued towards the cave, they argued over the girls. To Spike’s disappointment, Buffy kept her cool throughout. No quips were exchanged, no insults... to Spike’s way of thinking, this didn’t count as an argument.
He thought about saying, Oh, you’re no fun anymore... but then decided against it. Wouldn’t do any good anyway. Besides, silly American chit would never get th’ joke...
*****
Finally, they neared the cave. He warned Buffy, and the two crept stealthily towards the entrance.
Just inside the entrance, Buffy paused, listening. She couldn’t hear a thing, and wanted to ask Spike about it, but realized that would be foolish if the creatures were indeed there. Perhaps the Molash-whatevers are out...
They proceeded farther and farther in through a tunnel. Still the silence remained. As they entered a cave, the sounds of a rockslide came behind them.
Buffy spun around, staring at the wall of rocks. Since their cover was clearly blown, she realized there was no sense in trying to keep quiet.
“Shit! Spike, c’mere and help me move these... or is there a different way out?” she asked, slightly panicked.
Being trapped was not one of her favorite things. Ever since awakening in her own coffin, she had a slight case of claustrophobia. She’d only been able to handle the tunnel by remaining concentrated on the mission. Plus, the tunnel had been pitch-black; here, slits in the ceiling of the cave let moonlight through.
She scrabbled desperately at the rocks, unable to move them. Buffy turned, ready to demand Spike’s help, when she saw he was casually lounging back on the ground.
“What!? What the hell are you doing?” She could hardly speak for the anger, surprise, and worry she felt.
He smirked. Looks likes th’ Slayer’s gettin a bit upset already...
“Calm down, ya daft chit.” He nonchalantly waved a hand, dismissing her fear. “We’re fine.”
Buffy was about to explode. Only through her recent exertions to contain her emotions was she able to control herself.
Through gritted teeth, she said, “What do you mean we’re fine? Spike, we’re trapped! We’re going to die!” As she regarded his complacent expression, a sudden horrible thought came to her. “Oh, God, no.... you’re... you’re in league with the First!” She backed away as far as she could, both trying to spot something wooden and keep an eye on Spike.
He felt a flash of hurt at her easy conclusion, but quickly calmed himself down. Easy, mate, she’s not herself, that’s the whole point of this little jaunt...
Instead of denying it vehemently or attacking her, as she’d suspected he would, the vampire merely chuckled.
Buffy was surprised at this unexpected sound.
He continued chuckling, pleased at how off-balance it made her.
“No, Buffy, I’m not in league with the First.”
She clearly was torn between wanting to believe him and her natural suspicion.
“So why did you set up this lovely trap?”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “You think I set this up by myself?”
She walked closer the wall of rocks. Looking carefully, she could see where the trap had been set. It did look a bit sophisticated for just Spike, but then again, even after all the years she’d known him, she still wasn’t really sure what he was capable of.
She shrugged. “Fine, I’ll bite. Who helped you?”
Spike grinned. Oh, she’s just gonna love this! “Well, the trap itself, that was Xander, of course. He’s got the skills.” Buffy’s mouth opened to reject his assertion, but he spoke over her. “But the idea for the trap itself, and for me bein’ the one here with you, well... that was a combo of Willow, Xander, Dawn, Anya, me.... oh, and Giles.”
He saved the best for last, figuring the fact that her Watcher was in on it would make this whole thing have more weight with her. If she believed him...
“I don’t believe you!”
He rolled his eyes. Of course, that would just be too bloody easy, wouldn’t it.
Without warning, she attacked, thinking to catch Spike off-guard.
However, the vampire had fought with and against her too often to fall for that. He’d seen her body tense up a moment before she sprang, and jumped out of her way, leaving her to fall to the ground.
He stood there, arms crossed, looking both amused and annoyed. Buffy quickly jumped to her feet, ready to continue the fight.
Instead of lunging at him, this time she aimed a high right kick at his head. He smoothly ducked, and, in the same motion, swept her left leg out from under her.
The Slayer landed on the floor with an “Ooomph!” She lay for a moment, stunned; the impact had knocked the breath out of her.
Spike stood back, admiring his handiwork. “You ready to listen?”
Once again, Buffy bounced to her feet, not bothering to respond. She’d decided that her quips, once such an important part of her fighting, were merely distracting. As Willow had pointed out, she fought silently now.
Again she attacked the vampire, with similar results. She tried a multitude of attacks, but each time she ended up sprawled on the cold cave floor.
Finally, the Slayer did something she’d told herself she’d never do again: she gave up, and remained on the floor where she’d last fallen.
Eyes closed, breathing heavily from her recent exertions, she waited for the bite that she knew would come. She’d tried her best; that’s all she could do, right? Her only fear (or was it her only hope?) was that he would change her. It seemed so wrong, and yet to live without a conscience sounded so very nice...
Spike regarded her curiously. What kind of trick was this? As she remained still for several more moments, he realized that this wasn’t a trick. His Slayer had given up, given in to her death wish at last. He sighed sadly. It was just as he and the other Scoobies had suspected: her trying to suppress her emotions could very well be the death of her.
Time to bring her back to life, the undead vampire told himself. Now, how the bloody hell am I supposed to do that...
Spike waited a few more minutes before saying, “Slayer, what’re ya doin’?”
Buffy opened her eyes to see him standing just where he’d been, about a yard away from her. What was going on? It must be some kind of trick... no, that’s not right, he could have had me... She shook her head in confusion.
“Ar-aren’t you going to bite me?” she asked weakly.
Spike sighed and sat down by her side. Running her hair through his fingers, he smiled sadly at her and said, “No. I’m not.”
Her curiosity got the better of her. Pushing his hands away (even though, oh, they felt so lovely!), she sat up and looked him in the eye.
“You’re not working for the First?” she asked.
He shook his head.
“And you’re not evil?”
He shook his head again
The Slayer pondered matters for a moment. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what was going on. As much as she hated admitting that to Spike, she didn’t really have a choice.
“Ok, Spike, tell me what’s going on. Why am I here?”