Dark Moon: Pt One - Waxing Moon

“I don’t get it,” Willow said quietly, as she punched in the security code for the back door of the Sunnydale and District General Hospital morgue, “If Angel could survive getting hit by a crossbow bolt, why couldn’t Ciorstaidh survive being staked by Drusilla? If she’s not a Vampire, then she should have recovered...”

“Her wound was severe,” Giles replied, “It looked as though the stake penetrated her lung, and likely her heart as well. Had she been a Vampire, she would have been reduced to nothing more than a scattering of dust.”

The red light on the security panel changed from red to green, and the lock disengaged, allowing Giles to pull the door open without alerting security. He entered the building, following by Xander, while Willow remained behind momentarily to give Oz a quick kiss on his lips. He was designated as external look-out and getaway driver, while Willow would move to the interior of the morgue as internal look-out. Giles and Xander prepared to search the morgue itself, and recover Ciorstaidh’s body.

It was important to keep her secret from the rest of the world.

Once Willow had joined Giles and Xander inside, she stood in the hall, keeping an eye out for the guard that patrolled the area every fifteen minutes. Giles moved into the adjoining room, and began opening the refrigerated drawers that held the bodies of the various people who had died the few days previous.

Ciorstaidh was not among them.

Xander had began searching the autopsy room, but also found no sign of her.

“This is ridiculous!” Xander exclaimed, “Do they no have any sort of decent security at all in this hospital?”

“If they did,” replied Giles, as he flipped through the admittance log, “We would not have been able to gain access, would we?”

“I guess not,” Xander grumbled.

“Here it is!” Giles exclaimed, tapping his finger forcefully against the page, “Jane Doe, admitted August fifth, at 0213 hours... Scheduled for autopsy August sixth, at 1430 hours... They haven’t performed the autopsy yet, so her body should be here. It says drawer seventeen... which is empty.”

Xander began to pace, scuffling his feet as he walked back and forth. His foot hit a stray object on the floor, and it clanged noisily across the floor, coming to rest against Giles’ foot. He reached over and picked it up, and studied it. It was silver, a pocket watch on a chain, as though someone wore it around their neck.

Like Ciorstaidh did.

“It’s hers, isn’t it,” Xander croaked, upon realising what it was.

Ciorstaidh wore only three pieces of jewellery; the pocket-watch on a long chain around her neck, the locket that Angel had given her, and a silver claddaugh ring on her left hand.

“I can’t say for certain, but it could be,” Giles said slowly, pondering the implications of the discovery.

“All I can say,” said Xander, moments before he headed out the door, “Is that this hospital has a serious problem keeping people where they’re supposed to be.”

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Buffy shoved the snarling Vampire against the side of the dumpster and demanded, “Where is Drusilla hiding out these days? You’ve got ten seconds to answer, buddy, or you’re toast!”

Faith stepped up beside Buffy, and said, “Ten... nine... eight... it looks like your time is up!” With one precise and ruthless motion she revealed her stake, and thrust it into the Vampires chest. Moments later, he exploded into dust.

“You do realise that if we want to learn anything, we’re going to have to give them a chance to speak before we dispatch them.”

“I know that,” said Faith with a lop-sided grin, “But what fun would that be? Besides, do you know how long it’s been since I’ve done that? Weeks!”

Buffy almost smiled, but she was dead serious about completing the task at hand.

“Let’s get the info first, slay later. The sooner we find Drusilla, the sooner we can get on with the old routine.”

“B, if it weren’t for you, I don’t know how I’d ever stay focused,” Faith smirked, “You’ve got a point, so let’s get on with it.”

“You can count me in too,” growled a voice from behind.

Both Buffy and Faith whirled around, as ready as ever to defend themselves. From the shadows stepped another Vampire, the hatred more than visible on his face.

“I should have stopped her long before now,” Angel snarled, “Drusilla was my mistake from the beginning, and I shouldn’t have let it continue on for as long as I did. How Drusilla knew Ciorstaidh, I don’t know; but at this point, I just don’t care anymore. The deed has been done, and now she must pay.”

“Angel...” Buffy said softly, “Are you sure you want to get involved? I know how much the last week has hurt you.”

“I couldn’t save her. I was there, and I held her in my arms, and I still couldn’t save her. If only...”

“Angel babe,” Faith cut in, “You can’t exist on ‘if only’s.’ For someone who has to live as long as you do, that kind of thinking only leads to endless torture and way too much brooding.”

Angel only sighed.

“On second thought,” said Faith wryly, “I guess you’ve been living on ‘if only’s’ for a real long time, haven’t ya, Babe.”

“Angel,” said Buffy thoughtfully, “You haven’t been home much lately... is there any chance that Dru is still hanging around your place? I mean, before yesterday, she hadn’t seen you since Angelus... maybe she still thinks...”

Angel lifted his head and locked eyes with Buffy. “There’s always a chance,” he replied.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

“Spike darling... I’ve been a bad girl,” Drusilla said softly as she wrapped her arms around the other Vampire’s waist from behind.

Spike folded the newspaper he was reading, and turned to face Drusilla, who planted a light kiss upon his brow. Settling into one of his own haunts felt as comfortable as Drusilla embracing him and kissing him.

“Decided to come back, did you,” he replied, “You must be in some bloody big trouble to come crawling back here. Won’t you’re new boyfriend protect you? Or did the bloke finally wise up?”

Drusilla deftly ignored the reply, and continued.

“I did away with one of Angel’s own, and now he wants to punish me. I guess even after over two hundred years of thinking she was dead, she was still one of his favourites.”

Spike threw his newspaper to the floor, and glared at Drusilla.

“If you’re referring to Ciorstaidh, you’re going to have more than just Angel wanting to punish you,” he said harshly, his eyes growing cold.

Drusilla began wringing her hands in distress, and whimpered, “But I saw you touch her, and it made me want to hurt her. She was your favourite too, wasn’t she. Now you’re going to punish me too, aren’t you.”

Spike grabbed Drusilla violently and gave her a shake. The Demon within was revealed, and he growled at her in anger.

“Ciorstaidh was like a sister to me. If you did anything to hurt her, I’m going to have to hurt you rather badly.”

A small smile spread across Dru’s face, and she whispered, “I took the Slayer’s stake, and I put it into her.”

Spike slapped her across her face, causing Dru to bite her lip. Blood welled up at the corner of her mouth, and trickled down her chin. Her tongue darted out, and tasted it.

“She wasn’t normal. She wasn’t one of us.”

Spike slapped Drusilla again, then grabbed her by her hair, and yanked her head towards his own. His tongue lapped at the remaining blood trickling from her mouth, then he kissed her lips hungrily, tasting the remaining blood.

“Dru Dru Dru...” he taunted her as he pulled away, “I suppose I must forgive your frailties. But I can’t always save you from your sins.”

“Are you going to hurt me?” she asked with a shy smile.

“Well, I suppose someone should punish you.”