Chapter Two


60 minutes later Buffy and Spike hadn't made much progress.  Buffy had dusted one fledgling in about ten seconds once they had left the Magic Box but they hadn't seen anything remotely scary since.  So they had passed the time bickering, trading quips and insults.  Spike had bought them both an ice cream much to the slayers' surprise and they were now walking back to the Magic Box ice creams in hand.
"Mmmm.  Cowd!"  Buffy said as she took another lick of the chocolate ice cream.  Spike watched intently as her pink tongue darted out, it was taking all his restraint and then some to stop himself grabbing her and taking her right here.  *Maybe ice cream wasn't the best thing. *  He thought, saying aloud,  "Your welcome, slayer."  He said half sarcastically.  Buffy just smiled and said,  "Fanks!"
Spike pushed open the door to the Magic Box, gesturing for Buffy to enter first.  She did so, shaking her head slightly as she thought.  *A demon with manners, who'da thunk?!*  Spike closed the door behind him, the bell tinkling, though he didn't miss her movement.  "What?"  He asked, slightly perplexed.
Buffy came out of thoughts and turned her head to the vampire that preoccupied them.  "What?"  She responded.  Spike was about to ask when Giles spoke up, acknowledging their arrival.
"Ah Buffy, Spike.  I-I trust patrolling was uh fruitful?"  He smiled at his slayer as she sat down at the table next to Xander.
"Big no Giles."  She sighed, pushing away a nearby book; "Just one baby vamp gone poof so…" Buffy began but Xander's cry interrupted her,
"I'VE GOT IT!"  The zeppo got up and crossed over to the Giles, handing him the book.  The watcher hurriedly replaced his glasses and began reading the passage.
"The Golashai."  He stated, "A band of six powerful warriors, it was said that they were banished to another realm of existence four hundred years ago.  If memory serves, wherever in the world they resided great havoc arose.  They started some of the worst battles in history.  Their methods of destruction are unique to their band.  I-I-I don't k-know why I didn't realise it earlier."  Giles sent his slayer an apologetic look, but she simply smiled,
"Don't sweat it Giles.  How do I kill them?"
"I'm afraid there in lies the difficulty."  Giles began, removing his glasses gesturing with them as he spoke, "The warriors work as a group, the six of them make a powerful offence.  What we must do is separate the members and dispose of them individually.  Beheading is the wisest option, though it was said that one had his arm burnt off - so fire is another possibility. Th-though with, urm, Spike that may not be such a good idea."  The watcher glanced at the vampire, who just raised his eyebrows in response.  "They do however have at least one point in their favour - they are familiar with the site of battle.  So once we arrive there we shall have to make a brief scan of the area to attempt to familiarise ourselves with it as best as possible."
"How about a map?"  David asked from his position in front of the computer, "I could print off a plan of the woods if that would help?"  He began tying on the keys even as Giles responded, "Yes, thankyou David, that would definitely be most helpful."  He said approvingly, turning back to the others.  "Now, since there is nothing else to do I suggest that everyone goes home and gets a good nights sleep.  As soon as we arrive at the cabins we shall be keeping to a vampiric timetable, so that we can not only have Spike's assistance but also because I believe that it will be at night that the Golashai are most likely to attack."
"Okay G-man, come on Buff I'll walk you home - never know what you'll meet out there!"  Xander said smiling at Buffy.
"How 'bout I walk you home Xander?"  The slayer responded, smiling back.
"Yeah, that works too.  See ya tomorrow Dave - Bye Giles, dead guy." 
David flashed his face out from the computer to nod at Xander while Giles smiled briefly before returning to his book whereas Spike just snorted.
"See ya all tomorrow guys."  Buffy said, she glanced briefly at Spike who smiled before walking out the back of the shop.  The slayer sighed at the emotions running through her then left with Xander, grabbing her coat on the way.

** ** **

"So what's with you and dead boy junior?"  Xander asked suddenly in the middle of his dramatic tale of how he'd personally dusted a vampire all on his lonesome.
Buffy pulled herself from thoughts about said peroxide vampire at the use of Xander's nickname for him.
"Huh?"
"So…what's…up…with you…and dead…boy junior?"  Xander repeated slowly.  Buffy glared at him slightly.
"That wasn't a 'huh' of 'I didn't hear you' it was a 'huh' of 'where the hell did that come from'?"  Buffy explained.
"You and Spike - you know…How come he buys you ice cream and stuff on patrol and what's with all the smiling?"
"What?  I don't know, there was a guy selling it on side of the road - it was hot.  I don't know Xander why don't you ask him?"  Buffy asked irritably.  Xander held up his hands in a sign of timeout.
"Chill Buff!  I was just wondering why he's all amorous around you.  I mean he may have to help us but you were mortal enemies."
"Exactly Xander, were."  Buffy replied offhandedly. 
"You mean you're more now?"  He asked, his eyebrows rising in exclamation.
"NO! No, no…" Buffy faltered, unable to answer she retorted, "Look Xander if you want Spike to buy you ice cream just ask him." 
She looked up and found that they had reached his house.
"I'll see you tomorrow."  Buffy said stiffly then turned walking off back towards her home without waiting for a response.


As Buffy travelled the short journey to her home, made shorter by cutting through a cemetery, she forced her thoughts from the blonde vampire.  And all the complications he was making in her short life.  As she walked towards the back door she noticed Spike and her mother drinking cocoa in the kitchen.  She was about to sneak in her window so as not to have the promised parental talk about eating right when her eyes locked with Spike's.  The slayer felt her heart quicken but she raised a finger to her lips to indicate not to acknowledge her presence.  Spike nodded the movement only perceptible to the slayer's keen eyesight, before turning his gaze to Joyce.
"Well, thanks for the cocoa Joyce but I better be off."  Spike smiled, placing his cup on the counter as he stood.
"It's been lovely speaking with you Spike, maybe you could pop by the gallery and I'll show you those dolls you were interested in."  Spike nodded politely as she continued, repressing a shudder at the thought of more lifeless porcelain girls.  "I suppose you'll be her to pick up Buffy…uh tomorrow?"  At the vampire's inquiring look she explained, "Mr. Giles rang earlier telling me of your departure to um…Redrock Forest is it?"
"Oh, yeah - some new demon.  Anyway I'll see you tomorrow then."  HE walked to the door, "Goodnight."  Spike said as he closed the door behind him, walking towards the slayer's bedroom.
"Goodnight."  Joyce returned to the closed door before picking up his cup and adding it to the pile of waiting dishes.  "Tomorrow."  She murmured to the plates and pans before beginning the nightly routine of locking up.

Spike quickly scaled the tree outside the slayer's bedroom window and silently moved to the roof.  If he'd had any breath to take it would have been stolen from him at the beauty that was presented before him.
Buffy was wearing a thin silk midnight blue chemise, that barely skimmed her tanned thighs.  Her golden hair was pulled up in a clear clip, a few tendrils having escaped the band fell down, framing her face.  The only light in the bedroom was that of the vanilla scented candle that burned by her bedside, the small light from it casting shadows on her features.  Soothing music flittered out from her stereo, loud enough to be heard but not so loud that it would disturb her mother even with her locked door.  She was facing the window, packing her overnight bag for the following day's trip on her bed.  Various items of clothing had been neatly folded amongst stakes and battle knives.  Buffy was just reaching over to retrieve her toiletry's bag from behind the case when her spider senses kicked in, informing her of the vampire's presence.  She raised her head and looked up towards her open window, Buffy gasped at the desire she saw burning within his eyes.  Her own never leaving Spike's she raised her self to her full (though petite) height.
*Bloody Hell! *  Spike whispered in his head as Buffy gracefully stood, removing his view of her tantalising breasts.
At the sound of her mother's door being shut down the hallway, Buffy was snapped from her trace-like state she had been reduced to from the hold of his piercing blue eyes.  Spike watched as her desire filled eyes changed to the scowl he was so used to seeing.
"What are you doing here Spike?"
He replied with a grin, mock hurt within his voice, "Why slayer, I just wanted to see if you were alright.  How could you be so cold?" 
Buffy just raised her eyebrows in response and crossed her arms, waiting for the real reason he was here.  Unbeknownst to her, her actions increased her cleavage.  Spike shifted slightly, his jeans constricting painfully over his erection.  He sighed, then answered in as normal a tone as he could muster as he attempted to reign in his arousal.
"What time do you want me to pick you up tomorrow?"
When she didn't respond he frowned, her face looked paler than normal.
"Slayer?"  Still nothing.  Spike quickly climbed in her window and carefully crossed her bedroom to where the slayer was standing unmoving. 
"Pet?"  He moved closer still, his frown deepening at her lack of response at his being there.
"Buffy?"  He whispered, concern evident in his voice.  Buffy raised her head slightly at the use of her name and gave him a wavering smile before fainting.  Spike caught her before she fell to the ground, scooping her up in his arms.  Holding her in one arm he removed the suitcase, laying her gently down on the bed.  As he attempted to wake her fear pierced his heart and he felt his throat constrict slightly.
"Buffy, love, wake up."
Spike was at a loss what to do; she'd seemed normal earlier today.  He shook her slightly and tapped two fingers against her cheek.  When she didn't even move he shook her with more vigour.  "Buffy…please."
As the slayer swam back into consciousness she saw a worried looking vampire staring down at her with cobalt eyes that reflected fear, caring and lo- *No, I can't think that. * 
Buffy stared back at him, her hazel eyes luminous and unreadable.  His unguarded emotions were quickly concealed and he stepped back from her side, fumblingly slightly his hands in his pockets.
"What the bloody hell happened to you?" 
At his rough words Buffy snapped back from her thoughts, "I don't know…I…I'm just tired."  She ended irritably.  The slayer took a deep calming breath, looking up to the ceiling then back to Spike.  "Look Spike, what do you want?" She asked, fatigue evident in her voice.
The vampire looked down to the floor then shrugged; his hands thrust low in his duster's pockets.  He took his own deep breath and asked again, his voice void of any emotion, "Tomorrow, pet, what time do you want me to come for you…for the trip?"
"Oh…well, I guess we'll leave at nine?" She asked, not really sure of how long they'd need.
"Okay."  The vampire agreed quickly, anxious to be gone.  "Bye, love."  Within seconds he was gone without waiting for a response.  The cool air displaced by his speedy departure making Buffy's skin tingle pleasantly.  Or maybe it was the vampire that caused it.
"Bye."  She whispered, sighing she threw her small bag into her suitcase and reached down and closed the lid.  Slipping under her comforter she retrieved her diary and began to write as the calming music filled her brain.
*Mi vida loca…my crazy life! *


Part Three