Harsh Choices

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Harsh Choices
Ripe Wicked Plum

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Prologue

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Many men had given themselves to her...eager to be one of her victims, lured in by the child-like innocence and the pull of her chocolate eyes, and her delicate, timeless beauty. Through many had heard of her former mate, his history written by blood, while hers remained obscure, she was by far the most deadly of the once fearsome duo, once part of a family that had struck fear into the citizens of all Europe and most parts of Asia.

To her everlasting sorrow, her family was slowly picked apart. Angelus, lost to Gypsies who punished him with a soul. Darla followed soon after, returning to the Master, her mate and favorite Childe gone forever, presumed dead. Then Darla was killed years later by her own Childe, for the protection of a Slayer of all things.

Her world had finally become whole when her daddy had returned to his lost little lambs, but the nasty, icky Slayer sent him to hell to protect the world...and her own blood, her own Childe, betrayed her daddy, helping the Slayer!

Everything was wrong in her world...the stars were covered with blood and Miss Edith cried all night and day, and had to be punished. She hadn't had cakes with her tea for nearly the whole two years since Spike had finally given up on her.
And then the stars had whispered wonderful news...if she helped the nice men with the suits, she could have her grand-mum back! And then her daddy and her Spike! But daddy didn't like grandmum being back...and he had burned them for being bad little puppies...woof woof...

And her Spike didn't love her anymore...didn't want his princess. Like Daddy, he only wanted the nasty, icky Slayer...and she had stolen her Spike away...eaten his heart, yum, yum, and kept him away from his dark queen. He belonged with her...he belonged to her. Just like the Slayer belonged to her pretty little boy. There would be no cakes for her Spike when she had him back. He had been a naughty, naughty boy...

Drusilla smiled as she poured 'tea' for her dolls, setting a cake in front of Miss Edith. She hadn't cried all day, so she was allowed to play with the others. Drusilla lifted a fine, porcelin cup to her lips and drank from it, her eyes sliding over to the form on the bed. Her lips lifted up seductively as her upper lip was stained crimson, and her tongue flicked out over it. For now, her boy was not ready to face the Slayer...but soon...soon it would all be over.

She would have her Spike back...and the nasty, bad Slayer that took her boys would be underneath the ground...burrowing like a wormie...she giggled madly as she shook her chestnut tresses. Soon, her family would be all together again, plus one little addition.

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Spike's fists clenched and unclenched as he watched Dawn and Buffy from the window of the apartment. They were across the road, burying the cat. He ran a hand over his eyes, glancing towards the clock, waiting for sunset.

He knew it was her...it had to be her...

He had felt it all night, the feel of her presence, tingling in the back of his mind, his Sire calling out to him, beckoning to him...telling him to return to her once more.

No, Dru...bloody, fucking hell...you had your chance...you blew it...so why can't you just leave me alone?!

He straightened as Buffy and Dawn started to return, sighing as he let the black drapes fall shut, and plopped on the couch, throwing an arm over his face. Life just couldn't get any better, now could it?

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Glory was incensed. For four days now, Ben had control of the body they shared. That had never happened before. Not for that long. A day at a time, at the most...hours even...but never for four days!

And the minions were telling her that the signs were accerlating...coming faster then they should have. Inconvient, but no need for panic yet...unless the vampire was telling the truth, and that Buffy was the Key...

Glory gritted her teeth together. There was a celestial fuck-up right there. Assuming too soon the vampire was the Key. If the Slayer...or anyone else close to the Slayer, had been in the house when it blew, then her Key may very be little tiny bits and pieces...

No...don't think that...Glory scowled as she turned, sensing intruders.

Drusilla danced into the room lightly, followed by a large, brown-haired boy, and Glory rolled her eyes in annoyance. She would never get used to the crazy vampiress, and she glanced at Riley, who was in game-face still, yet to have mastered the skill to keep his human mask in place.

"Well?"

"My Spike..." Drusilla started to say, and Glory glared at her, "From someone sane, please! I don't have time for effin' riddles!"

"Spike's not crazy," Riley growled out, and Glory beamed at him, slinking towards him.

"Really? Now...isn't that interesting...cause I brainsucked the little blood-sucker myself..." Glory glanced at Drusilla, "Now what that means, precious?"

Drusilla smiled, leaning towards her, "My Spike will stop you..."

"Not likely, toots," Glory glanced at Riley again, "That means my Key is still kickin' around, since he was healed after the house blew. So...any ideas?"

Drusilla and Riley didn't answer her, and Glory sighed, "Fine! Whatever...find my Key, people! That's what I hired you for! And then you get the bloodsucker back, as per agreement..."

"What?" Riley frowned, "What bloodsucker?"

"My Spike, my little boy," Drusilla cooed, running her fingers along his cheek, and Riley jerked his ridged face away, "What?! Why the hell would we want him?"

"Want him like me...so he can't ever run away again..." Drusilla smiled dreamingly, "So we can be one big family again..."

"Whatever!" Glory snapped, "Go! Get my damn key, and you better not come back without it!"

Drusilla glanced at Riley, who was still growling in anger, "What are you two talking about?!"

Glory rolled her eyes, "Quid pro quo, pretty boy. In exchange for my Key, I brainsuck the vamp again...why the hell anyone would want a fucking crazy vampire is beyond me..."

Drusilla scowled at Glory, beginning to weave back and forth, and the hell-goddess gave her a look, "Stop that and get out of my sight! I mean it! You two come back without the Key, I'll show you a few things I learned in my world!"

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Buffy washed her hands in the kitchen sink, glancing at Spike, who was hovering over a sulking Dawn like a hawk.

Ever since they had found the cat, he had been on edge, understandbly upset by the threat to his Slayer and Dawn, and went into full protective mode.

He came over to her briefly, nuzzling her throat briefly before moving away again, his fists clenching and unclenching as he glanced towards the door, letting out a low growl.

She sighed, drying her hands, then turned towards Spike, "Any ideas?"

"About what, pet?" Spike asked, only half paying attention as he continued to hover over Dawn.

Buffy rolled her eyes, and Spike glanced towards her, finally turning his attention to her, "I don't know..."

"Don't bullshit me, Spike..."

The blond sighed as Dawn glanced at him curiously, then looked down at his feet, "I think it's Drusilla," He muttered, then looked back at Buffy, "She musta knew I was going to take you to mate, and wanted to fuck with me some more..."

Buffy rubbed her arms with a shudder, "What are we going to do?" She asked softly, and Spike shook his head.

"If I see her, I kill her," He replied, and Buffy looked at him sharply.

"That easy?"

"No...it's gonna hurt like hell, Slayer...can't lie to you about that..." He saw a pained look cross her face, and he went up to her, wrapping his arms around her, "But for you and the Platelet...it's bearable. I love you, Buffy...more then anything...and if I have to kill Dru...so be it."

Buffy rested her head against his chest with a small sigh, closing her eyes, "I'm sorry, Spike..." She whispered, and he kissed the top of her head.

"Not your fault, pet. Dru's just can't let things be. She just doesn't get that I'm not going back to her...and if she knows what's good for her, she'll learn that nothing is going to entice me back...not while I have you and the nibblet and the gang. They'll always come first from now on...even before Dru."

Buffy lifted her head up in surprise to hear him pledging his loyalty to her friends, and smiled slowly.

"What?"

"I don't know...I just didn't know it was possible for me to love you even more," She replied, kissing the edge of his chin, and glanced towards Dawn, who was sitting on the couch, still sulking, sighing as she seperated from Spike. "What about her?"

Spike smiled as the doorbell rang, "Already got it taken care of," He replied, heading towards the door, looking through the peephole before opening the door. Xander and Anya were standing there, the boy holding a couple of pizzas and the ex-demon carrying a couple of movies.

"Hey," Spike greeted them, and Xander nodded at him a bit curtly and Anya gave him a big smile, holding up her movies, "I got a couple from Xander's collection," She told him, and Spike glanced at the titles as he took them from her.

"Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail...?" Spike looked towards Xander, who was grinning widely, making a slashing motion across his throat, and Spike smiled, turning towards Dawn. If Anya screaming her head off during the rabbit scene didn't make her feel better, nothing would.

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Buffy and Spike cleaned up the pizza boxes and plates after their small get together, and Buffy glanced down at Dawn, who was sprawled across the couch, sleeping, with a small smile on her face.

Xander and Anya had already left, with the ex-demon slapping her boyfriend upside the head, making Dawn laugh so hard that coke had shot out of her nose. Buffy glanced at Spike as he picked up the sleeping girl, smiling softly. He really knew how to cheer her up.

He brought the girl up the stairs before joining Buffy back downstairs as she prepared for patrol, looking worried, "Shouldn't I come with you?" He asked, but Buffy shook her head.

"No...I'm fine. I'll stick to the graveyard tonight..."

Spike nodded slowly, "Yeah...she doesn't like the graveyard...says the dead talk to her."

Buffy rolled her eyes, socking him playfully on the arm before kissing him, "No worries, okay? I'll be back soon."

"Yeah..." Spike watched as she went out the door, then sighed, plopping down on the couch to wait.

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Buffy backhanded a newly risen fledgling, the fifth one of the night, and knew, without a doubt, that Drusilla had to be the one turning them.

She sighed as she plunged her stake forward, easily dusting him, and glanced around, looking for more vamps.

Her Slayer sense started to tingle in a big way, and she tensed as she turned, seeing a large group of at least ten vampires charging her, and fell into a fighting stance.

She suddenly tensed, whirling when she felt another vampire behind her, and then her heart leapt into her throat as Riley, in full-gameface, shot out a fist, clipping her in the chin and sending her sprawling on the ground.

He leered at her maliginantly as she gaped at him, and before she could move, the other vamps had her arms and were dragging her to her feet. "Ri-Riley...?" She gasped out, and he stalked towards her dangerously, his eyes narrowed.

"What's wrong, Buff? Don't you miss me?" He taunted before backhanding her, and her head carried with the blow, and her eyes narrowed as she kicked her foot out, but Riley's arm shot out, grabbing it and keeping it suspended above the ground, keeping her from being able to manuver. "Thought you didn't need some Superman, Buff...and well, well, well...look who's dating Spike now..."

He leaned towards her, his blood scented breath wafting in her face, and she closed her eyes as her heart seemed to constrict, "I'll let you watch when Drusilla punishes him...if your sanity survives that long. Maybe you can even watch Glory drive him insane again once she has her Key..."

Buffy's eyes widened, and Riley smiled before striking her in the face, and knocking her unconcious. He tied her hands and draped her body over his shoulder, glancing towards the minions. "You know what to do," He said before turning, and striding from the graveyard.

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Spike stared at the telly, trying to pay attention to what was going on when he heard something moving upstairs, and he muted the TV, glancing towards the stairs.

A sleepy Dawn came downstairs, and she smiled at him tiredly as she got a glass of juice, and started back up the stairs.

"You better bring that down tomorrow," He said as he turned on the tv again, "If I have to wash another hairy dish, I'm never feeding you again."

Dawn rolled her eyes at his lame threat, saying good-night before disappearing, and Spike smiled as he turned his attention to what was going on the TV.

He heard something thump upstairs, and he shook his head as he glanced towards the stairs again, "Nibblet...stop knocking about and go to bed!"

It quieted down, and he turned up the volume on the tv, looking towards the front door, then sighed as he glanced at his watch.

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Dawn frowned as she went up the stairs into darkness, sure she had left the hall light on before. She shook her head, then tensed when she felt an hand clamp over her mouth in the dark, stifling her scream as she was jerked against a hard chest, her eyes wide.
She struggled against her captor as he lifted her into the air, catching a glimpse of gray, scaly skin and she kicked furiously, knocking over a table.

She heard Spike shout up at her to quiet down, and she tried to scream his name, but the demon was already dragging her out of the fire escape and into the night.

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Drusilla was clapping her hands as her prizes were brought before her, spinning about the deserted warehouse, Ms. Edith clutched to her chest. She held up the blindfolded doll, showing her the unconcious Slayer and silently weeping Dawn, both chained to the wall before her. "Look who's come to tea!" She cooed madly, peering closely at Dawn and smiling as she reached out to touch the girl.

Dawn flinched back as Drusilla began to stroke her soft, brown hair, and the vampiress giggled, "She's all pretty and green, isn't she Miss Edith? Like a sparkly necklace..."

Dawn's eyes widened, remembering that only crazy people could see her, then moaned into her gag, dropping her head. So, now Drusilla knew she was the key...this could get bad...

Drusilla straightened as Riley came in, and Dawn started to sob in earnest when she saw him, seeing he was a vampire. The gray demon that had broken into their home was standing near the back, awaiting payment for his services.

Riley glanced at Dawn, scowling, "Why is she here?"

Drusilla giggled, going up to the ex-soldier, and snuggling against him, "She took my family...so I'm going to have hers..." Drusilla whispered to Riley, smiling as Buffy began to come too, and the Slayer's head suddenly shot up, looking towards Dawn.

"Oh God..."

Drusilla smiled as she knelt in front of Buffy, rubbing her cheek against the Slayer's, making the blond shudder in revulsion, "Be a good little Slayer and scream for me...or I'll have to play with her instead..." Drusilla turned her mad eyes on Dawn, and the girl felt sickened at the glittering orbs staring through her. "She'll be a good screamer and she'll cry...she'll cry in pain and fear..."

"Leave her alone!" Buffy snarled at her, jerking at her chains, but they were too strong to break, and Drusilla giggled, then reached out, slashing her nails across Buffy's face, opening up the skin, and she leaned forward, lapping up the blood spilling down the Slayer's face.

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Spike was dozing on the couch, and suddenly jerked awake with a start. He glanced around, then looked down at his watch. It was nearly seven in the morning. He stood up, somewhat annoyed, wondering why Buffy hadn't woken him up when she had gotten home.

He stretched, sighing as he started up the stairs to bed. He almost immediately tripped over the table that Dawn had knocked over the night before, and he froze, staring at the piece of furniture, then at the glass lying on the carpet, orange juice having soaked into the fabric.

"Dawn..." He muttered, then his head shot up, "Dawn!"

There was no answer and he jumped over the table, yelling her name as he looked in her bedroom, and seeing it was empty, swore profusely. He searched the entire upstairs for both Buffy and Dawn, but there was no sign of them, and his blood ran cold as he raced back down the stairs and called Giles.

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Silent tears were steadily leaking from Dawn's eyes, and the girl tried to look away as Drusilla and Riley worked her big sister over, but the minion watching over her held her head, forcing her to watch as Drusilla oohed and aahed over the powerful Slayer blood that was covering her hands.

The mad vampiress glanced towards her with glinting eyes as she slowly licked up a dripple on her fingers, then glanced towards Riley as he stood over Buffy, leering down at the nearly unconcious, nude Slayer lashed to an alter-type base of stone.
Buffy frantically tried to not let herself give way to the comforting darkness that beckoned her, knowing that if she passed out, Drusilla would get bored, and turn to other pursuits, such as the girl chained to the wall, her eyes wide and haunted looking.
Buffy hissed, biting her cheek, the inside of her mouth already shredded from the Slayer trying not to scream as knife after knife bit into her skin. She had nearly bit her tongue in half when Drusilla had chained her up and used her wide assortment of whips, pausing only long enough to shred the clothes from Riley and fuck him right in front of her, delighting in the pain in the Slayer's eyes, but Buffy forced herself to harden against her attempts at pain.

Drusilla gestured for the minions to lift the Slayer off the slab and chain her up, her feet hanging off the ground, and Buffy grunted against the strain on her already sore arms as blood trickled down her naked skin.

Drusilla caressed Buffy's cheek in an obscene imitation of a lover's touch, looking towards Riley, "Does it burn to know he belongs to me now? " Drusilla purred in her ear, "That he doesn't want or need you anymore...?"

"No...not really..." Buffy answered, somewhat truthfully. It didn't hurt her that Riley didn't want her anymore...it just hurt that he had finally became what he had hated most. Christ...Riley...just had to have one more suck-job...didn't you...?

She hissed as Drusilla probed her finger into a cut she had made on the Slayer's abdomen, and she slammed her eyes shut, gritting her teeth together. Once more, the darkness beckoned her, but she forced it aside, trying to focus on Dawn...and Spike. She had to get home to him...he'd be frantic with worry...

Drusilla's eyes clouded over a bit, then cleared as she smiled maliciously, leaning towards Buffy's ear, her eyes on Riley. "Me and my Spike used to have fun for hours...torturing people...just...like...you..."

Buffy gasped as she emphazied her words by thrusting her fingers deeper inside her wound, and Buffy looked towards her, gritting out, "He's mine, now...you...crazy bitch!"

Drusilla reeled back as Buffy spat in her face, then scowled as she swiped at the saliva on her face, then leaned towards Buffy, her eyes boring into hers, and Buffy felt herself fall under her spell.

"Be in me..." Drusilla whispered, "Be in me, Slayer..."

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Spike paced the Magic Shoppe worriedly, watching as Willow and Tara prepared a locator spell, but they were taking way too long.

"Can't you hurry it up?!" He nearly snarled, and Willow glanced at him sympathetically, "It takes time, Spike..."

"Well! Take less time, dammit! If Dru has them..." An involuntary shudder ran up Spike's spine, and he closed his eyes, "Just hurry...please..."

"You're...certain that it's Dru?" Giles questioned the vampire for the umpteenth time, and Spike growled in annoyance, "Yeah!

Pretty damn sure!" He snapped, glancing towards the store window, willing darkness to fall faster. The sooner he was out on the street, trying to find his family and Sire, the better.

If the wait was killing him, he knew it was a thousand times worse for Buffy and Dawn. Christ...all my fault...all my fuckin' fault! Goddamn you Dru!

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Buffy's body jerked in the chains, going rigid one second, then slumping backwards or forewards another, as if an electrical current was running through her body. Her body suddenly relaxed completely, and her chin dropped to her chest, her mouth slack.

Buffy felt like she was falling into a deep, unfathomable abyss, Drusilla's black eyes dragging her down and away from her physical self.

One moment, she was in unbreakable darkness, and then a scream shattered the void, plunging her forward into hellish visions.
Spike, his hair a longish, honey blond was falling over his eyes, his face in game face as he ripped out the throat of a woman, her blood flowing over his face, covering it in a obscene black sheen that glimmered in the moonlight.

His eyes were cold and dead, showing her nothing of the passionate man she knew and loved, and she drew away from in terror, as if afraid he would see her and rip her throat out.

She had scarcely blinked before she was plunged into the next vision, gasping as flames surrounded her, staring at Spike and Drusilla, who were fornicating on the floor, next to the body of the slain Chinese Slayer.

They snarled and growled as they tore at each other's clothing, attempting to be rid of it so that their cool, marble-white bodies could entwine together, and Buffy shook her head, muttering his name beneath her breath.

Another eye flutter, and she was watching as he drove a railroad spike through the temples of a well-dressed man, an ugly sneer on his lips as he turned towards Cecily, who Drusilla was holding against her, the young woman's face twisted in terror.

"William..." She pleaded tearfully, "Please...don't kill me..."

"Beneath you, eh?" The vampire taunted the woman, stepping up so that his lips were almost brushing hers, his voice dropping into a low, seductive pitch that made Cecily shudder as her eyes met his. He suddenly pulled away, glancing at Drusilla, "Let her go, pet..."

Drusilla's lips formed into a pout as she did, and he glanced at Cecily, "Run..." He told her, and Cecily stared at him in confusion before whirling in a flare of skirts and tried to run as fast as she could.

Spike casually strolled back to the her fiance's body, removing the spike from his head, then looked down at the weapon, running his fingers over it lovingly before peering in the direction Cecily had disappeared into. Then he hefted it like a javelin, and let it fly.
Buffy gasped when she heard Cecily's scream, seeing her sillouhette on the wall of the alley as the spike pierced her in the chest, sending the woman flying to the ground in a bleeding, dying mess of limps and skirts.

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Drusilla stepped away from Buffy, watching as the Slayer's eyes stared unfocused at the wall in front of her, tears pouring down her face. Drusilla smiled maligantly, pleased with her work as she turned towards Riley, clapping her hands happily.

"My Spike shall soon be coming to tea!" She announced to the ex-soldier happily, "We shall leave him a surprise, if he's a good vampire..."

Riley scowled, "Don't see why we need him when you've got me," He growled petuantly, and Drusilla tittered as she brushed her lips over his before biting hard on the bottom one, causing it to bleed, and Riley jerked back with a growl.

Drusilla looked off dreamily into the distance, "My Spike will be coming home to mummy..."

@>----'----,--------'-------,----<@

As soon as darkness set, Spike was racing out the door, not even bothering to wait for the witchs' spell to finish.

He didn't know how...but he could almost hear Dawn screaming for help...she was in pain, emotional pain. He had to find them, and he couldn't wait around for the Scoobies to plan.

As he neared the warehouse district, the pull of Drusilla's influence growing stronger, he started to wish that he had at least waited too grab some more weapons, besides the enchanted knife that Willow had given him a few weeks before, and the stake in his pocket. He was going to be some major duty fighting, since Drusilla was always big on the whole minion thing.

But he couldn't go back now...not when Buffy was so close.

He turned down an alley, looking up and down it, then swallowed heavily. He knew Drusilla already knew he was coming...and probably had the place staked out. However, she probably wasn't expecting him to be straightforward about it.

He drew up his shoulders, then kicked down the front door, glancing around the empty warehouse with a frown. She was here...he could feel her, but she was hiding from him.

He heard a girlish giggle, then followed the sound, freezing when he saw Buffy hanging from the ceiling.

His instincts were screaming trap, his mind telling him to stop and think...but his Slayer was naked, bruised and bleeding...

He told his instincts to shut the hell up as he sprinted towards her side, seeing she was barely concious. He laid his cool hand on her cheek, tilting her head to look at him, and she jerked away from him, her eyes widening in terror.

"Shh...Buffy...pet...it's me..." he said soothingly, "Where's Dawn?"

"You killed her..." Buffy muttered, and Spike gaped at her.

"Buffy...where's Dawn?!" He asked again, panicked, but Buffy only could shake her head, looking at him in dazed betrayal.

"You killed her...you killed Cecily..." She whispered, tears starting to pour down her face, "You told me...Drusilla..."

"Buffy!" Spike gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him, "Listen to me...did Dru get in your head? Plant images there?! Don't believe them, dammit! I didn't kill her, Dru did. I swear it, Buffy. Do you trust me...?"

Buffy stared at him disjointedly, and he shook her roughly, "Dammit, Slayer! Please! Where's Dawn?! We have to help Dawn!"

Buffy's head lifted up as she looked over his shoulder, and Spike tensed as Drusilla giggled, slowly turning around, making sure to keep himself between her and Buffy. "Dru..." He greeted her calmly, his eyes sliding over her numerous minions before resting on her once again. "Nice gig you have going here...now...I'll just collect the Slayer and her sis...and we'll be gone..."

Drusilla smiled at him, her head cocking to the side as if she was eyeing her prey and not her former lover and Childe, and Spike glanced over her head as Riley dragged in a struggling, bound Dawn, and Drusilla took her from him, placing the edge of one french tip against her throat, and Spike tensed, his eyes narrowing.

"Stop it, Dru...let the kid go..."

Drusilla shook her head as Dawn looked at him, her eyes pleading for help, mumbling through her gag, but he couldn't make out her words. He tried to concentrate his attention on Drusilla, knowing as of that moment, she was still the greatest threat, even more so then Riley.

"My Spike..." Drusilla sighed out sadly, "You could've come home with me...all forgiven...but you went and did bad, naughty things with the Slayer..."

"That's none of your cocern any longer," Spike growled at her threatening, "You gave up our mating status by fucking that Chaos Demon. You left me, if you remember."

Drusilla ignored his reason, pulling Dawn closer to her as her lips curled up in a smile, and Dawn closed her eyes as the tip of

Drusilla's nail cut into her throat, tears streaming down her face. Buffy weakly moaned behind him, and Spike knew he was severely fucked.

"Soon, my Spike...we will be a family again..." Drusilla crooned, "And then you can help me kill the Slayer...and we'll be together again..."

Spike glanced over his shoulder at Buffy, who was fast slipping into unconciousness. "Let the kid go, Dru..."

Drusilla giggled, "But Glory wants to play with her..." Drusilla kneeled down, careesing Dawn's hair as she whispered quietly,

"Wants to make her insides out...beautiful, glimmering little girl..." Dawn was trembling, her wide eyes on Spike.

"Glory...you're working for Glory? That's a new low, Dru. You never answered to anyone but Peaches before...what changed?"

"She'll give you back to me..." Drusilla stood, her gaze faraway, "Make you like me...and we'll be together again..."
Fuck! Spike bit his cheek, feeling the blood gush into his mouth as he desperatly tried to think. My fault...fuck...how much does the Hell bitch know?!

"Together again..." Spike murmured, his eyes sliding over to Riley,who was glaring at him jealously, and his eyes shot back to Drusilla as he opened his mind to her, and Drusilla beamed as images of her and him making love, their bodies crashing together in frenzied ecstacy.

"Just you an' me, right pet? Like it's meant to be. What say we go back to Europe, pet...screw Darla and Peaches...remember how much fun we had last time in London?" He purred at her, taking a step away from Buffy, "Remember how the streets ran with blood? No Peaches to tell us not to make a scene if we wanted too...making all those beautiful...wonderful messes?"
Drusilla's eyes glimmered madly as she gazed adoringly at her Childe, loosening her grip on Dawn a bit, "My Spike..." She whispered as he came within touching distance of her, and he smirked as he offered her his hand, and when she took it, he jerked her against him, crushing his lips to hers.

They kissed with a savage ferocity that drew blood from their lips, the red liguid coursing down their faces and over their chins. She had let go of Dawn, and before the girl could be caught, she had slipped behind Spike.

Drusilla realized his betrayal, and began to pull away, only to feel his stake being pressed against her chest.

She looked up into his cold, blue eyes in surprise, her eyes welling up with tears, "Spike...?"

"Stay back!" He ordered the minions, whirling Drusilla around, and keeping the stake firmly against her chest, "You fuckin' move, I'll stake her!"

Riley glared at him, then looked towards the minions, "You heard him! Don't move!"

Spike looked towards him, "Glory! What does she know?!" He asked, and Riley gritted his teeth together, "All she knows is that we have the Key . She doesn't know it's Dawn..."

"Good..." Spike still held Drusilla as he glanced around, his eyes narrowing slightly when he saw old oil drums in the corner, a bit of fuel leaking out onto the floor. He took a deep breath, then kissed the top of Drusilla's head. "Sorry, pet..." He murmured, removing his lighter from his pocket.

She glanced at him, then her eyes widened when she realized his intentions, but he had already lit her dress ablaze and sent her careening towards the oil drums. Riley shouted, and the minions went to put their mistress out as she fell against them.
Spike whirled, breaking the ropes that held Dawn and screamed at her too run before snapping the chains that held Buffy, and she slumped forward into his arms.

He started to sprint towards the doors, but he was tackled from behind and Buffy's body went skidding from his arms, and he kicked backwards, smashing Riley in the knee as the younger vampire clawed at his back, snarling and spitting like a deranged cat.

Spike rolled away from him, scrambling up as he looked towards Drusilla, paling when he saw the fuel start to smolder, and Riley was leaping on top of him, punching him in the face as he pulled out a stake. "SHE'S MINE!" Riley snarled at the blond as he stabbed the stake downwards.

Spike jerked to the left, the stake burying itself in his shoulder instead of in his heart, then smashed his forehead into Riley's nose, breaking it before flipping the boy over and smashing his head against the concrete, "Correction, mate," Spike growled as he ripped the stake from his shoulder, and roared as he plunged it into Riley's heart, dusting him. "She's mine."

He glanced up as there was an explosion, then was back on his feet, scooping up Buffy and making it out the doors just as the rest of the drums exploded, and he hit the pavement, covering Buffy's body with his as a fireball blasted over them.

He felt his hair start to burn, and he batted out the flames, waiting for the heat to subside before rolling off Buffy, and looking towards the burning warehouse, where Drusilla finally met her end.

He swallowed heavily, then pushed away his sorrow as he stood, removing his duster to wrap around Buffy's nude body, and he cradled her to his chest. He saw Dawn stand up from behind a parked car, her face streaked with soot, and the girl sobbed in relief when she saw Spike, and ran up to him, and he dropped to his knees as she threw his arms around his neck, sobbing in relief.

Spike kissed her forehead, then stood, glancing around warily, "Come, pet...we gotta move...no tellin' when Glory and her group will get here," he said, and they hurried down the street as fast as they could, heading for home and safety.

@>----'----,--------'-------,----<@

Glory was bedecked in splendid robes, surrounded by her minions as they headed towards the warehouse, where Drusilla and Riley were holed up.

Glory was estatic. Not only did they have her Key, but Mousy the Vampire Slayer as well! She would pay for almost ruining everything for her, and for hiding her Key from her as well.

Jinx was striding beside her, standing tall and proud, since he had been the one to recruit Drusilla and find Riley. Glory had even gone as far as to say that he had pretty much saved her life! He would know many rewards once Glory was free from her earthly, mortal counter-part's body.

Glory frowned suddenly, holding up her hand as she sniffed the air, then glanced towards Jinx, "Do you smell smoke?"

Jinx nodded as they turned a corner, and all froze in their tracks as they stared at the blazing warehouse.

Glory's scream of fury and Jinx's wail of pain could be heard all through-out Sunnydale.

@>----'----,--------'-------,----<@

Buffy felt cool water bathing her fevered skin, and she shivered in the darkness of oblivion, her eyelids heavy as she forced them open, seeing a pale, blurry face above hers.

"Buffy...?" A concerned, faraway face called her name, and she felt as though she was submerged in deep water, struggling to reach air.

"Buffy...?"

She blinked a few times, and her vision cleared enough to ascertain that Spike was looking at her very worriedly, and she moved her head, then hissed in pain when it sent waves of agony flowing down her back.

Spike's hand rested against her lower back as she closed her eyes, trying to get her breathing and nausea under control, and felt a tiny bit better as she opened her eyes. When she shifted on the bed, the rough material of her bandages that Spike had used to dress her wounds rubbed against the bedsheets, making a low, whisking sound. She closed her eyes again, forcing the pain from her mind, then opened them again to stare up at her mate.

Spike's face was streaked with dirt and blood, and his clothes reeked of smoke. He smiled at her in relief when he saw she was at least aware of her surroundings somewhat, and he knelt down by the bed beside her. "Dawn's fine, luv...she's staying with Anya and Xander...Riley and Drusilla are dead...and Glory still doesn't know who the Key is..." he told her off the bat before she could panic, and she nodded slowly.

He moved to kiss her forehead, but she jerked away from him, the move causing fresh pain to course over her, and he looked hurt, "What's wrong?"

"Cecily..." She murmured, and Spike closed his eyes, breathing deeply.

"Buffy...I didn't kill her...I swear to you. Drusilla was just messing with your head..."

"But...that man...with the spike..."

Spike opened his eyes again, his hand cupping her cheek as he stared down at her, honesty shining in his eyes, "Luv, you know I did things in the past...but you have to know...I would NEVER do them now. That part of my life is long over. I gave it all up...for you. Hunting...killing...hell...even Drusilla...and I would do it all over again, if the path led me to you...'

This time, when he kissed her forehead, she didn't shun away. "I love you, Buffy Summers...and I will never lie to you..."

"Promise?" She asked, tears standing in her eyes, and he smiled as he stripped out of his dirty clothes and slid into bed beside her, spooning himself against her back, and nuzzling her throat.

"Always, Slayer," He murmured, stroking her hair with his fingers, "Sleep, luv...you need it to recuperate..."

"Can't..." Buffy muttered, pressing her body closer to his cool one, and he wrapped his arms around her.

"It's all right, Slayer...I got you now...go to sleep."

She nodded slowly, and her breathing evened out. She was almost asleep before she asked him softly, "Do you miss her?"

"With all my being, pet..." Spike answered truthfully, then felt her tense against him, "But never, in a million years, even I was given the chance over and over again, would I change my decision. I loved Drusilla...but even she doesn't stand a chance against my love for you," He whispered in her ear, "Now sleep..."

Buffy's lips turned up into a tired smile as she closed her eyes, finally sleeping as Spike held her close, keeping a careful eye over her as she slept. "Love you, Buffy..." He murmured, closing his eyes a few moments later and following her.

The Forgotten