Oh My Patient Prisoner

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Buffy, Joss Whedon and his lovely friends created them.

Genre: Angst, Thriller.

Rated: R for strong swearing and sexual content.

Summary: Spike finds himself imprisoned in lift in a dangerous high-tech building controlled by an unseen voice alone. He is joined by a woman called Tess, as he questions why his back on Earth and why his been
captured all whilst dealing with a group of irritating humans and attempting to escape, wondering if Buffy will come and rescue him once again.

Feedback: Yes please, seeing as this is my first Buffy fiction, remarks, reviews, criticism is all welcomed email me at outforawalkbitchuk@yahoo.com

Note: This is set post season seven and is semi based upon the possible spoilers for the finale that have been floating about the net.

Finally the title and chapter names come from the singer Bright Eyes. This fiction is based upon a dream I had and is dedicated to all Spike fans who are going to miss Buffy when it ends.


Oh My Patient Prisoner

Chapter One: Your Eyes Won't Open Wide Enough

He tried again, but it spent all his energy up attempting to see where he was and he just couldn't do it. He felt severely out of it, like he was drugged and his eyes were shut tight, unable to open. None of this made sense but the situation was bringing back bad memories. Times he spent captured by those goddamn nancy Initiative bastards. 'Shit' he considered 'what of they've got again, put another sodding chip in my head, muzzled me, took my bloody edge away'

"Whoever you are I'm not a killer you stupid buggers!" He exclaimed shifting in his bed, still not strong enough to open his eyes but getting severely pissed off "I saved the frigging world you assholes, bet you didn't know that!"

No response, no fucking surprise, still the vampire continues ras rant, he needed to get it out of his system.

"Look where I am? I have some rights you know" He paused and shock his head 'rights whatever, he was a bloody vampire no Geneva Convention on rights for the undead' he scolded himself.

He had no idea what to do, how had he even ended up here? He was dead, not just vampire dead but ally lly deceased. He had been burning up from the inside. He had been realising that his path, his destiny was to die for humanity, die for her the sweet slayer. She had even told him she loved him before she had left. He hoped she was alive, all of them, even that damn Principal who had tried to kill him. He had closed his eyes as his life slipped away, as the Hellmouth closed around him, as everything collapsed and Spike knew it was time to die. He had known he was going to be the champion not Angel who had wanted to, had come back to Sunnydale hoping to get in the good books of the Slayer. Nope his former adopted sire had left, gone back to LA, it was Spike, the other vampire with the soul who saved the day.

It had just become clear to him that wearing the amulet was his path. That the reason that bastard The First had been torturing him for so long was that he knew how Spike, of all the bloody creatures in the world could stop the ends of days. Yes as stupid as it sounded as the white light engulfed the basement of Sunnydale High, as Buffy, fled for her life with Faith and all the newly called Slayers, Spike, William the fucking bloody saved the world.

And it was fine. He learnt to cope with the fact that within moments he was going to die. It happened, and it felt like slipping into a dream, everything was silent. He died, once and for all.

Until now, was he in hell? Well if he was it seemed fucking ungrateful of God or whoever to send him to hell when he had defeated The First evil, had had been the hero. Surely he deserved more than this. Not that going to heaven filled him with joy, be a bunch of do gooders there and whilst he was or rather had been redeeming himself for his past 'activities' and murderous tendencies, that didn't mean he wished to spend eternity in the land of the boring, in a mind numbingly unexciting place.

Yet when he thought about it logically, this couldn't be hell. Hardly fires and bellowing voices, hadn't seen good old Lucifer and where was everyone else? The only other explanation he could think off was somehow he was back on Earth, back in the world of the living. He was still a vampire, he had no doubt about that, also he still had his soul that had once sent him mad with guilt. Possibly knowing his damn luck he had a new chip that would give him damn headaches. He had no idea how it had happened, would have thought that the giving up your life thing would be permanent. Truthfully though he was willing Buffy to come to his rescif sif she had survived he could really do with her help.

So for everything he didn't know, including what country he was in, what year even, Spike was determined to find out what his surroundings were. He may have felt weak, may be craving blood, may be feeling like he was in a lot of trouble but still he managed to roll on his side bringing his hands to his face and forcing his eyes open.

"A bleeding lift" he mumbled, that was what he was in and laying on a small metal framed bed that was pushed against one of the sides. As far as he could make out the machine was immobile and had no control panel.

"Shit" he cursed trying to get out of his cot but failing, drained he felt devoid of energy, hedededed to feed.

"So what are you damn lift demons! Ooo so scary, capturing vampires, putting them in these bleeding things" He sighed, was trying to sound all tough and mean but in reality he had no idea what to do. Gaining no reply, he slumped her her onto the mattress burying his head in the pillows. Hoping if he blocked it out, the reality of his life everything would be fine.

Maybe she would know he was back, maybe she really did love him and was going to search all seven continents of the world for him. After all she wasn't The Chosen One anymore, not even the chosen two. Whilst he was dying all those potentials had become Slayers. She didn't have to be alone in her mission, could devote some time to finding the creature she claimed to love. Probably not he conceded miserably, if she had retired Buffy would be attempting a new life, probably with her sis, no doubt with a nice normal man, Spike stood no chance of being saved be her.

Just as his eyes fell shut again the lift made a jerking movement and began to move upwards.

"Hey so you are listening to me" he managed a smile, couldn’t move properly but someone would be waiting when those doors opened and he would be fine.

He waited for the machinery to stop, for some kind soul to let him out, perhaps even give an explanation for his capture. 'Come on, come on' he silently willed and on cue it came to an abrupt halt.

"Finally" He shouted

The doors opened wide and he scrambled to his feet, his optimism had provided a bout of energy for him as in front of the vampire stood a girl, no a woman, hands stuffed in the back of her pockets. Green eyes locking with his blue.

"Go on then" an unseen male figure urged.

"You bastards" she scolded looking to her right, Spike continued studying her wondering what was going on, she was about 5ft 8, pretty slim and good looking, yeah he could see she was attractive.

"Who are you?" He managed to say before staggering back to his bed and falling into his previous position.

"Nice to meet you as well" she muttered lingering in the doorway.

"Jesus Christ girl we voted on it, you get to go in with that thing" A female stated pushing at her arm.

"You have 30 seconds left before we obliterate you all" a computerised voice blared.

"Tess accept your fucking fate, we don't want you, you've done nothing but make this situation worse" The original male shouted.

Spike tried regaining himself, he couldn't figure out what was going on, only that this Tess girl looked at him terrified, close to tears his guessed.

"Do you want all of us to be killed, you selfish bitch!" A younger outspoken woman yelled "Do as the voice tells you!"

Tess looked right then left, presumably at her 'companions' Spike couldn’t see before she stepped in. He noticed how her whole body shivered as the doors shut behind her.

"Care to tell me what that's all about?" Spike questioned, he was trying his best to stay awake unsure if he could trust her but he shifted in his bed anyway making room for his new 'guest'

She didn't answer, in fact she had turned pale and walked over to the opposite corner, where she leaned against the wall facing him, a coldness radiated from her eyes.

"Don't hurt me, please, I just want to get out of here" She finally spoke running her hands through her shoulder length black hair.

"And where might here be?" He quizzed, noting that she and her fellow companions each had British accents.

"It feels like hell"

*******

She wished they would be quiet, arguing about their circumstances wasn't doing any good. She had been putting up with the group's snipping and general dislike of her for the last five hours. In that short space of time she had seen two of them murdered, sliced to pieces by what seemed like laser beams, all because they had enough of the bullshit and had attempted scapscape. After witnessing their deaths she wasn't keen on going against the orders of the mysterious cold computer voice that told her what to do. She was barely an adult, a mere 18 years old, she wanted to live, get out of this nightmare.

How it had all started was strange, but everything about this building was odd to say the least. She had been thrilled when a letter had arrived at her parents house two weeks earlier. It told her she had made it through to the interview stage of 'an exciting position in an up and coming media firm'. Perfect, wonderful, she needed a job, couldn't keep living with her family for the rest of her life. She knew now that coming here today was a big mistake. She was berating herself for not listening to her instinct that kicked in as soon as she walked into the foyer. It was the nagging voice in her head that had grown over the last year that said 'Why would a company, even a small up and coming one have no one at reception, not a secretary or security guard in sight'. All she had been greeted with was 10 men and women looking around bemused before the trouble had began. It was now eight of these people that she was losing her patience with.

"Shut the hell up all of you" she shouted and stopped on the stairs that they had been told to climb up ten minutes ago. Each person stared at her.

"Why should we, your not the leader" A woman named Julie remarked, she gained nods of approval. Tess shrugged her shoulder's, no she wasn't their leader but she aimed to survive this bullshit.

"I know I'm not but your giving me a headache" Tess tried to express her feelings, she knew they wouldn't care or listen. Ever since they all met in the lobby they had taken a strong dislike to her. She was the youngest, she was also apathetic, unwilling to attempt escape because she was petrified. She was a coward and she knew it but the whole thing was numbing her senses.

"Who cares, you just follow the orders of that voice thing, I bet you’re a spy for whoever is doing this crap" a middle aged man, who had introduced himself as Mr Daniels accused.

"I, I'm not" Tess stammered, she wanted to lean against a wall but like all the others in this place they were armed, protected by red laser beams, it was like they protected a rare diamond in an art gallery. Tess figured it was more than setting an alarm off that those beams were for, they killed people, they were dangerouse kee kept well away.

"His right, look at you thinking your so great, your leading us to our deaths and you know it." Julie interrupted, she was a bitch that's all Tess could think of to describe her, dressed like a tart, she knew words that would hurt even the most spiteful of people.

"I don’t want to be killed, I'm following orders because I don’t want to die like Michael and Katie did" Tess explained, the images of their diced up flesh made her stomach twist and her body wanted to heave her breakfast up.

"Because your a chicken" A new voice entered the conversation, she was Shirley, rarely spoke simply agreed with Julie and Kurt, the ringleaders of the troupe.

"If you're so keen on creating a mutiny go a head and do it" Tess pointed her finger, yes she was a coward but fuck she could get angry at people and her rage had been building for over five hours now "See if I care, I really don't, this I don’t get it, I really don't"

"I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say we don’t care about you Tess, your nothing to this group" Kurt scolded poking her in the shoulder.

She sighed and turned back round ignoring their hurtful comments, as if she wanted to be part of their 'gang'.

"Carry on humans, if you don't get te nee next floor measures will be taken"

It was the damn voice, cruel and calculating kept popping up with its orders and threats. Tess continued her ascent up the stairs remembering how she came to be in this situation.

After she had entered the building and before she had a chance to ask the others if they were here for the interview and if so where was everyone else the automatic doors had closed and metal shutters had dropped down covering the exits and the windows. Immediate reaction from her was to scream, as did the others, then shout and most of them had reached for their phones. Didn't work, no reception, no surprise.

Panic, anxiety, rage as everyone darted round the lobby trying to find a way out or a phone that would work. Nothing. They were trapped and then the orders had begun. They were welcomed by it, not told why they were here but what to do. Move into the nearest lift. Go into this room, walk down the corridor. No explanations just do it or you will all die. Michael and Katie only an hour into this twisted 'game' had decided to make a run for it, within seconds dead.

Tess wondered what sick person was controlling this, and what they wanted her and the others to do. All that had happened so far, apart from two murders was them been shifted back and forth in the building, they hadn't be told to perform any tasks other than go here, do this. No this wasn't a battle of the wits rather a game of follow lea leader, or Simon says.

The latest command was almost completed as Tess reached the door marked level 14 and opened it up, she knew the rest of them were talking about her, she wish she knew why. She conceded maybe it was because she was the one that was closest to the doors and should have stopped them from closing on them all as they stood in the foyer, that she had failed them. Or alternatively they just didn't like her because she was young and thought she had a chance of beating them to the job. For they had each told their stories of being sent a letter saying they had made it through to the interview stage. They were all here for the same reason.

She went out into the corridor noticing a lift, 'fucking hell we walked all this why when a lift was that close' she complained to herself and waited for the others to join her.

"Now what?" Mark quizzed, he was the only one who didn't seem to have an issue with her, in fact he had told her a few hours ago that he admired her for keeping a clear head.

Tess turned to him "No idea, maybe this is the end of it" she knew she was in denial over that, no way would this end so quickly, something was going to happen.

"This is your next assignment" the voice began "There are two lifts, 8 of you will go in one, the one of your right and one of you in the other"

"What's in both?" Kurt demanded.

"You have to chose who will go it alone" The voice continued not answering the question.

"What's the catch?" Patrick queried. Tess looked to him, he had a good point bound to be a fucking catch to it all.

"The left lift has a serial killer it in, a man who has murdered 100s of people. The choice is yours; you have five minutes to make it" The voice finished.

Tess didn’t need to look to know they were going to decide on her, it was obvious, her heart pounded in her chest, a serial killer, shit she would die at this man's hands, what sick fucker was doing this, why her? The group mumbled away, Tess sat down on the floor, head in her hands, she wasn't going to cry, she wondered if the killer would have weapons, or if his hands would be enough. Would he rape her first, torture her for his own pleasure? The thought occurred to her that these men and women were as twisted as the 'voice', they would send her to her death and she had a feeling not one of them would lose any sleep over her.

A figure sat down beside her resting his hand on her shoulder, it was Mark, would he turn against her?

"I'm not going to vote for you" he promised

"Thanks, it won't make any difference, if you get out of this, tell my family I love them, I'm sorry for never making anything of my life" She found herself welling up, it was nice to know she had one friend left.

"Hey your not going to die" Mark placed his arm around her shoulder, he was gaining looks of disgust from the others but he was trying his best to hold onto his principles.

"I think I am" She stated "I know I will"

"We'll find a way out of here, we will and I will make sure we take you with us" Mark smiled and rose from the floor.

"Thank you, who you going to vote for?" Tess asked following his path.

"Wait and see" He sighed and then it began, the voting.

Mr Daniels went first, Tess he decided, then Shirley, Julie and Kurt of course it was lucky old Tess again. Patrick and Peter followed suit and she knew it was too late to be saved.

"Tess" Karen stated resting her hands on her hips, she had a smug expression across her face, cow, bitch murderer Tess thought.

"Popular girl you are" Kurt smirked "your turn Mark"

"Myself" Mark stated folding his arms firmly across his chest

"Yourself?" Julie snorted.

"Yes" Mark confirmed backing away from the group, Tess gave him a wry smile humanity still had a conscious it seemed.

"Well I think it's too late for you Mark" Julie laughed turning her attention away to him and back to Tess "not that it matters but Tess who's your choice?"

Tess smiled, she knew she was dead but she wasn't going to descend to their level and her decision was much better "The voice, I vote for the voice"

"Very good, think your clever" Shirley mocked and gave a little wave "have a nice time with the serial killer"

"I'm sorry" Mark whispered coming up to her, Tess closed her eyes, the full intent of what was going to happen had yet to sink it and she brought her only sympathiser in for a hug.

"Its okay, at least I don't have to put up with them anymore" She released him "I hope they don’t make you their target"

Mark shrugged as the doors to the lift opened. She took a deep breath and waited to met her maker. Who she saw didn't look like your average serial killer, in fact he could hardly stand straight as his body swayed slightly. She didn't want to go in but Peter shouted at her telling her to

"You bastards" she scolded, she began shaking face to face with a killer, her death probably only moments away. He finally spoke.

"Who are you?" he questioned, a thick London accent shinning through as he stumbled to a bed, a bed why was their a bed in this lift? Oh shit she thought he was going to fuck her, rape her, Jesus.

"Nice to met you as well" she muttescarscared to death.

A few moments later and being pushed into the lift she was stood cowering in the corner telling him, this stranger that she didn't want to die, that she was in hell. He cocked his head and his eyes gleamed at her, she felt a strange comfort in this but it didn't stop her body from collapsing on the floor everything was too much.

"Hey kid, guess your not part of the rescue party" he tried to joke as he scrambled from his bed over to where she sat now crying as she realised she was going to die.

TBC....