Roses for Lucifer

Chapter 3

Author's note: My beta Cile did a fan(g)tastic job here! Thank you so much, you're great! I planned to wait with this chapter till my newest beta Kate's through, but I got it back from Cile this morning, and she hinted this might be the best chapter of RfL yet, so I decided to put it up now.

The sun was shining through Buffy's window when the witch awakened her.

"Good morning," Willow greeted, "It's ten already, and the weather's just great! Too great to miss the whole day sleeping. Ripper's invited us for breakfast, but I guess an ice-cold coke and a cigarette are not what you understand by the term breakfast either, so I arranged something else for us."

Buffy did not answer. Her eyes had to get accustomed to the bright sunlight.

Willow hardly noticed and chattered on. "Here, I got you another dress of mine. Thought you could use it, I wasn't sure if you made it home before the rain. Hey, you could have thought the end of the world was coming. You're not a morning person, huh? I'll wait outside so you can get dressed."

*

Buffy tried to walk straight, with no gestures indicating the pain her muscles were causing her. She was glad the dress Willow had chosen was not too tight, and not too transparent, so she could pass others without raising questions she would not have been eager to answer. Willow had led her to one of the large dining halls.

"Whom are we meeting?" Buffy asked, this being her longest sentence for the entire morning.
Instead of an answer, Willow opened the door.

"Hi," Faith greeted them with a bright smile, "What a beautiful sunshine we have today! Was helluva night yesterday, wasn't it?!"

*

Kennedy did not understand Willow's anxiousness. "Don't you think you're exaggerating?"

Willow shook her head. "No, it's untypical of Buffy to hang up without even saying good-bye- and she isn't answering either her phone, or her cell-phone. I'm afraid something has happened to her."

Kennedy laughed. "What could have happened? She's a Slayer, she knows how to take care of herself."

"I know," Willow admitted, "But that strange talk about an e-mail you told me about... maybe she got an e-mail which upset her, which made her leave the house again. I'll stop by her apartment."

"Now you're being ridiculous," Kennedy said, "It’s pointless! We might miss our flight for nothing. She's probably at work."

"No, she isn't," Willow replied, "Her secretary says she hasn't seen her the whole morning. Buffy missed an important conference today, without even calling in."

"Perhaps she's ill," Kennedy suggested.

"One more reason to take a look at her apartment," Willow insisted.

"Have you called David?"

"Of course I have! And he hasn't seen her since he took her home last night. We were the last people to hear from her."

"You sound like Inspector Columbo now."

"This is not funny. David told me they had a little... disagreement yesterday, maybe she was angry, went on patrol... and something happened. Nothing you can say will prevent me from seeing if everything's okay. You can come with me, or go to the airport."

"Whatever makes you happy," Kennedy sighed. Sometimes her girlfriend was even more stubborn than she was. At times like that it was no use arguing with her.

*

Buffy noticed with surprise how the minions gave way for her as she wandered through the endless corridors. They carefully evaded her, and none of them made a movement that could have given her insult. She could not really make sense of it and was still reflecting upon this unusual behavior, when suddenly a shadow fell upon her.

“So you’re not accepting my invitation for breakfast.”

Buffy sighed. Ripper’s advances were the last thing she could use now. “I’m not accepting ANY invitation of yours, you should really know me by now.”

However, he did not join in her provoking tone. “I’m sorry,” he declared to her surprise, “I’m sorry about yesterday, I didn’t mean it. It was rude and inappropriate. All I want is to support you every way I can.”

Buffy studied the expression on his face carefully. This is not about me, she thought, he’s afraid to interfere with Angelus and Spike, so he thinks it would be wiser not to make advances.

“I’m glad to hear you’re so… devoted to our cause,” she replied and continued her way. She had come to a decision, and it was time to set things in motion.

*

"Where are you going?" Dawn's harsh tone was not to be ignored. Buffy stopped in front of the door she heard her sister's voice coming from and stood to overhear her conversation.

"Just to the dungeon," Spike replied innocently.

"Sure," she retorted, "Playing with Sunday. Again. And don't think I don't know what happened between you and my sister last night! Doesn't she bore you yet?"

"Andrew doesn't seem to bore you either," he said.

Dawn gave him a wicked smile. "Jealous?"

"Jealous? Me? Of Andrew? You're kidding. I still have no idea what you see in him. At least it doesn't take me a Princess Leia action figure to climax," he added viciously.

"No, just a few chains, Holy Water, and a scared girl who can't defend herself," Andrew said from the bedroom door.

Spike went into game face without warning.

"Stop it, both of you," Dawn intervened, "I will no longer listen to your childish rows. If you want to keep me, you'd better learn to share."

Buffy had heard enough. 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' had never been this true. Her world may not have been perfect, but at least it was hers, and just now she desperately felt like returning home. However, as long as she did not know how the spell worked, she would have to stay, and survive, in this reality.
As she entered the hall, the talking stopped. Buffy was astonished to find everyone was respectfully giving way to her.

"You don't have to attend to me," she said, confused, "I didn't mean to disturb you."
As she looked at Willow questioningly, her friend remarked: "What do you expect? Of course we show you our respect. First, you're a Slayer. That is an honor in itself. And then, you are the King's..." she broke off, as if searching for a way to put it, then simply gestured towards the throne.

"What?" Buffy asked sharply. What has he done, advertised it in the papers?

"You have his... attention," Willow finally replied, "Makes you number three in the hierarchy."
Number three. After Faith. This was enough for Buffy. Ignoring the others, she stepped past the throne and entered the quarters behind it without knocking.

*

If she had expected him to be at rest at this time of the day, she was mistaken. He was seated in an antique armchair, the other slayer on his lap. The heavy curtains were closed to prevent the slightest spark of daylight penetrate the obscurity of the surroundings. He did not say a word, did not even acknowledge her presence with a single gaze. Faith looked up in surprise. "Buffy," she said, "What can I do for you?"

"Leave," Buffy replied, or rather, commanded.

Faith frowned. "What did you say?" Faith’s eyes darkened. How did Buffy dare…

Angelus rose from the chair, which made Faith slide down from his lap. "Please, could you join the others in the reception hall, Faithy? I'll be with you in a minute." He signalled Faith with his eyes to follow Buffy’s command this time. Faith did not like it, yet she had no desire to start a discussion with her lover while she had no idea which role he had intended for the other woman in his plans. he hhe held back the anger that was building up inside her and, not without casting him a conspiratory look, left the room walking upright like a queen.

Nothing in his face showed he had any idea why Buffy should want to talk to him. Again, she caught herself thinking what a poker player he would make. Angelus just looked at her for a moment. Then he took a seat again and leant back in the chair comfortably. "Well, lover," he said in the end, "What can I do for you?"

Buffy stepped behind the chair. "I'm here to warn you. You can fool the others. But never try to fool me. I know you better than you know herself, Angelus, and, believe me, I can make this a hell on earth for you."

Angelus looked up to her from the dark eyes of his human guise. "Can hardly wait."

Buffy turned the chair around for him to face her. "Don't underestimate me, you keep forgetting I'm The Slayer."

"No," Angelus said mockingly, "You are A Slayer." He sighed. "And you're Spike's whore, but that can't be helped right now."

Buffy shook her head defiantly. "I'm no one's whore. Not his, and not yours."

Angelus rose from the chair, fixing her with his gaze, trying to touch the marks on her neck. "Of course," he added in a mocking tone, "The thing is just... good girls don't have sex with two boys at once. Especially not in a cemetery. Faithy could tell you about that." He drew in her scent and closed his eyes for a moment. "I would so love to see you two getting it on."

Buffy evaded his touch, and before he knew what was happening, pinned him against the wall. "You're not getting the message," she said.

Now the vampire could see she was wearing a silver crucifix. Buffy, noticing he was staring at it, smiled inwardly. "We have a problem, you see..." she added seductively and slowly began to unbutton his shirt. "I don't mind boy-boy-girl, but you have to know..." Then she pressed her body against him, letting the crucifix touch him and burn itself into his skin. "...that I'm extremely jealous. And there isn't gonna be any girl-girl-boy."

He tried to force her away, but did not succeed. Buffy smiled at his attempt. "Nice try," she admitted, letting him feel the pain more intensely by increasing the pressure, "as I said before, I am quite possessive, and if I don't get what I want, I can be really mean." She decided it was enough for the moment and let go of the vampire. At least her other self seemed to have the same preferences as she when it came to jewelry.

Angelus did not seem impressed now that the crucifix was gone. He did not mind looking at one, but, hell, touching one without preparation was not a pleasure either. "This will heal in no time," he said.

"You won't even see it by tonight."

Buffy smiled enigmatically. "I don't think you want to see how mean I can be. Use your imagination."

"I had imagined you would see things in a different light this morning."

"Come on, you didn't expect me to turn into a devoted dummy just because of... a thunderstorm."

He winked at her. "Love your metaphors."

"I think I've said everything. Think about it. As long as I get what I want, you have nothing to fear."

He laughed. "I'm the Scourge of Europe, there is nothing I fear."

Without even the slightest trace of jest, she replied: "So far."

"We should join the others now," he suggested. "They're waiting for Faithy and me to announce the next steps in our fight."

"No," Buffy corrected, "They are waiting for us."

"Don't push this too far," Angelus warned her, "Faith has been a slayer for a longer time than you. She has been here before. I'm sorry, hers is the older claim."

"Which doesn't mean I have to accept it," Buffy declared boldly.

Angelus frowned with surprise."You really think you get everything you want."

Buffy paused. "I got you. So I've defied Faith's claim already."

The vampire did not seem to take her remark that serious. "We're not too worried about things like that. We're all friends here, we're on the same side, so we share."

"I told you I was possessive."

"But you'll have a hard time should you really decide to cross Faith. Don't you think there's room enough for two slayers?"

"Will you put up a third throne?"

The vampire laughed. "Of course not!"

"Does that answer your question?"

Without a further comment, Angelus headed for the door to the hall.

*

“Looks pretty normal,” Kennedy remarked, “Now you’ve seen she’s not here, can we go? If we’re lucky, we might even catch the flight!”

“Is the flight all you can think about?” Willow complained, “If anything has happened to Buffy, we might be the only ones who can help!” She rushed into the study room. “Here. Her computer’s been left on.”

Kennedy laughed. “That’s ridiculous, everyone leaves their computers on twenty-four seven.” Willow checked the e-mails.

"Have you ever heard of a right to privacy?" Kennedy asked.

Willow shook her head. "An e-mail from Sam, and another one from Dawnie. About a pashmina scarf."

"That's probably why she was in a hissy, she hadn't gotten it!"

"That’s not at all like Buffy," Willow rejected the assumption.

Kennedy looked over her shoulder and scrolled down. "What is that?"

"Spam?" Willow suggested impatiently.

Kennedy frowned. "It’s supposed to be from her provider, but it isn’t. Did you send her an e-mail over an anonymous server?"

"Why am I always the first suspect???" Willow asked. Willow's face went pale as she read the text.

"Look at this," she whispered.

Kennedy turned the screen around and read:

I MISS YOU, LOVER.

She found another message:
I MISS YOU TOO, PET

She shrugged. "Well, looks as if there was more between Buffy and David than we thought."
"Think for a minute!" Willow chided, "There’s nothing between her and her Watcher. And this mail must be the reason for Buffy’s disappearance. Doesn’t this ring a bell? Who used to call her 'pet'? And 'lover' was Angelus's favorite name for her!"

Kennedy thought about it for a moment. Then she shook her head. "That’s impossible," she said, "Spike wouldn't do such a thing, and Angelus can’t have been released."

"We’d better check. I’ll call Wesley."

"What, now? It’s two o’clock in the morning there! I have another idea. We get to the airport. I am due in L.A. tomorrow anyway. If my theory is correct and it's nothing but a joke, then it doesn’t help anybody if we stay here and call off my appointment. I can’t change my work schedule any time a vampire shows up on the horizon. But if you are right, and I’m not saying that you are, then Buffy is on her way to Los Angeles anyway."

That made sense. "All right," Willow said, "Let’s go."

*

Buffy felt the tension and the questioning looks as she entered the reception hall with the vampire. Faith had taken her seat on the second throne. Buffy had no intention to leave Angelus's side. She had made her decision and gone too far already, there was no turning back now. If she wanted to be credible and respected as The Slayer in this world, she would have to establish her position, which would inexorably mean crossing Faith. Which would also imply claiming her throne. Angelus was looking at her, asking her with his gaze to take her place among the other warriors. Buffy did not make a move.
Willow caught her breath. If Buffy did not turn back now, it could result in an open fight with Faith.
Dawn thoughtfully curled a strain of her blond hair around her finger. Buffy's just a fool. Who does she think she is, his equal? If he looked at me but once, I'd gladly be number three. Spike exchanged a meaningful glance with Dawn. That would be fun. Too bad Buffy would get killed soon. Faith followed the scene with interest. Does she really think she could challenge me? If she claims my throne, I'll kill her before she can reach for her weapons. Angelus remained where he was. What was he going do?
After a seemingly endless moment of hesitation, he took Buffy's hand and led her towards the thrones. Slowly, one step after the other. Faith's eyes widened. If he tells me to get up, I'll send both of them to hell. A thousand thoughts were running through Buffy's head. If he tells me to submit to Faith, I'll send both of them to hell. Spike pushed Xander aside to have a better view of what was going on. They had reached the end of the catwalk. Two thrones, and three people. Good. Now Angelus would have to make a decision.

He felt the eyes of everyone in the room resting on him. "Obviously, we haven't got enough seats," he announced.

Spike smiled viciously. So what?

"And since it's two Slayers, and one vampire…" Angelus walked towards his own throne and let go of Buffy's hand.

Buffy felt a sudden chill. He would let her down. He would support Faith, and she would have to face both of them.

"… and vampires don't get tired easily, I prefer to stand." He stepped behind the throne and gestured Buffy to sit down next to Faith.

Willow sighed with relief. That was close. Too close. For the moment, however, the danger was over.
As Buffy sat down, she felt a brief triumph. Though she knew a confrontation with Faith would be inevitable in the long run. She wished she could read Faith's mind right now. The other Slayer smiled politely, but she was sure to resent this new rival, and she would be determined to rid herself of Buffy as soon as possible. So whatever she was planning to do, she had better proceed cautiously and quickly.

Faith leaned over to her. "Welcome to the team," she said in a low voice, "I know everything about you."

"Really," Buffy replied calmly. Could Faith have realized who she was?

Faith smiled knowingly. "It's the rain. He loves the rain. I remember it was raining as well when --- that's another story. Hey, you gotta tell me what it was like, as the best part of an Angelus/Spike sandwich. Anyway, I'm glad you're back again. He was already getting obsessed." Faith giggled artificially. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, sister."

Got the message, Buffy thought, You're nothing special, I'm not afraid of you. Same for you… sister.

Buffy had been alone before. She had always been used to making lonely decisions, and she had never complained. Yet she felt panic stealing over her, the desperate longing for her home, the friends who supported her, and even her job and the occasional annoyances of everyday life. She would give anything to flee this place, not having to confront the other Slayer, not having to live through the nightmare of Angelus's presence and her complicated relationship with Spike again. Buffy had to fight back those feelings of fear and despair. She would need all her determination and quick wits to get out of this world.

"… and so, I expect each one of you to concentrate on our cause," Angelus concluded, "the other side is strong, and there is no overcoming it if we do not stand together as…" He was about to finish his sentence, when the hinges of the heavy gates to the hall started creaking.

"She's back," Buffy heard the minions whisper in awe.

And then, as if drawn by some magic, the gates flew open.

The woman was dressed in a tight dress of velvet, patterned like a tiger's fur, which revealed the curves of her body rather than hiding them. She wore high heels. Jewelry of different kinds were hung about her neck, and two rings glistened on each of her fingers. But the most striking thing about her were the two black panthers following her around on diamond-spotted leads. Buffy's blood froze in her veins as she saw the features of a familiar face distorted in a look that was equally vulgar and wicked. Harmony, she thought in a shock.

"My dear Harm," Spike greeted her.

She walked up to him with a broad smile. "I've been dying to see you again, boss. Hey, no, I'm already dead!"

One of the panthers thrust forward to the thrones. It stopped for a moment at Buffy, then it began to growl, first silently, then loud and angresssive.

"Hey, what’s come over you, baby?" Harmony said soothingly, then she saw Buffy. "They've brought you back," she commented. "Hey, baby, don't you recognize our dear friend Buffy?"

But the panther did not calm down. The other one strolled near, scented Buffy, and began to join the other one in its unsual behavior. Their eyes were glowing, and they gave the warning sounds Buffy knew from her own cat back home. These 'cats', however, were highly disturbed.

Angelus noticed it as well. "Can you explain that?" he asked Harm.

"I can't," she admitted, "They've never behaved like that before… it's almost like they'd never seen Buffy before… as if they were afraid of her. But they've never been afraid of anyone who is…" she stopped abruptly.

Buffy felt more than uneasy. Evil, she finished the sentence in her mind. Were Harmony's pets the ones to blow her cover?

"Welcome back, my dear Harm," another voice broke the uncomfortable, threatening silence. It took Buffy no second to recognize it belonged to Riley Finn. Yet she barely dared to look up. What would he be like in this reality. In the end, Buffy did look up. And had to struggle not to burst into laughing. Riley Finn's appearance reminded her of an old movie she had seen with Dawn years before. He was dressed in black, the pants tight around his thighs, but falling wide around his ankles, but his feet were in riding boots. To top it off, he wore a huge cowboy hat on his head. He looked like the prototypical western villain. Harm, however, did not seem to mind. Buffy was not yet sure whether she liked the Riley of this universe, but for the time being, his unexpected arrival had saved her. Or maybe it hadn't? She caught Faith's gaze by coincidence. And she did not like what she saw there. Distrust. Suspicion. And, above all… rage.

*

They raced into the office at Wolfram & Hart without knocking. "Anyone here?" Willow shouted.

"Buffy? Buffy!!!!"

"Slow down," Kennedy tried to stop her, but she did not succeed and had no other choice but to follow her.

The desk was orderly, as usual. None of the gang seemed to be there. Something Willow found not at all reassuring.

"Buffy!" she yelled again, making no effort to keep the panic out of her voice. She wildly searched the rooms for any sign of her friend, when suddenly the sound of her name made her startle.

"Willow."

She whirled around and saw Angel, who had just entered the office.

Willow backed away and pulled a stake from her sleeve. "Stay where you are," she said.

"I don't quite understand," he replied.

"I'm sorry about that," Kennedy explained, "There was no way to keep her from coming here. I'm Kennedy, I'm Willow's..."

"Stay away from him," Willow ordered, the memories of Angelus were still too vivid in her mind. "We don't know yet what's going on." Her voice trembling, her eyes wide, Willow inquired: "Angel, who is
the President of the United States of America?"

Angel frowned. "Are you okay?"

"Answer. My. Question," she said, stressing every word.

"You sure you're alright?"

"I am," Willow said, "I just want to see if you are. Angel, what year do we have, and who is President?"
Angel shook his head in disbelief. "Everyone knows, Willow. It's the year 2011, and we are just having another tax reform under the blessed government of our forty-fifth president Mr George…"
Willow held her breath.

"… Clooney," Angel finished the sentence, and the wicca sighed with relief.

She hurried into the shadows and embraced the vampire. "Thank God it's you," she said, "I had feared you were Angelus!"

Still a little confused, Angel returned the embrace.

Kennedy coughed.

"Oh, sorry," Willow apologized and decided to get back to work. "This is my girlfriend Kennedy, she's a Slayer."

Angel nodded. He had felt what Kennedy was before he even entered the office.

"Angel, we think Buffy is in trouble, and we need your help." She handed him a copy of the e-mail they had found in Buffy's computer. "She has disappeared, and these e-mails must have something to do with it," she closed her report.

Angel studied the e-mail closely. "Believe me, we're going to find out if Spike has got anything to do with it. That one does sound like Angelus," he confirmed thoughtfully, "But there is no way of his being active without my knowing immediately. That doesn't make any sense… I can call Wes and Fred, and I also could use some help from the Council. But you know Buffy best. Willow, Kennedy, do you have a few hours to spare to help me with research?"

Kennedy sighed. Her boss would kill her. "All right," she sighed.

"We'll be here," Willow confirmed.

"Thanks. And, by way way, Willow --- Angelus usually knows what I know, he could have told you who is president."

"Of course," the witch laughed, "I know! It's just – I love when they ask that question in the movies! Adds to the dramatics, doesn't it?"

*

The dungeon was pitch black. The thick walls drowned out every scream of the creature emprisoned in the darkness, and it reduced her agony to mere whimpers. Since her torturer had painted the walls of her cell with crucifixes he had learned how to resist and bathed her clothes in garlic brew, her silent cries had stopped. She still saw his sadistic grin before her when he was not there, she shrank with every noise on the steps that would lead him to her - coming ith ith new ideas to torture her, to break her will. He was a heavy smoker, and he never brought an ash tray with him. He had her, didn't he?
She no longer knew how long she had been here.
In the first days of her imprisonment, she had still thought Dru and the others would come to rescue her. Then, she had hoped the Master would be looking for her. Finally, she had realized nobody would be coming. They probably thought she was dead. And Spike would never get tired of the games. He used her as an outlet for his anger about Dawn's affairs, his suppressed yearning for freedom of Angelus' rule, whom he hated because of the power symbolized by the throne he never bowed before. Spike was a rebel, he never knelt before the other vampire or the Slayer. Yet he could not hope to seize power himself as long as either of them lived. And he wanted power, more than anything, so much Sunday had understood. They all followed Angelus, but not because they respected him --- because they had no ways to rebel against him. Faith's vengeance would be horrible. And the more frustrated Spike got, the more she had to suffer for it. Sunday felt weak, and every day she felt less able to go on. If she ever got the mercy of one unattended moment, she would walk out into daylight, she would walk proudly and calmly, as it would mean the end of the pain for her. She startled. There were steps on the staircase. What would he have in store for her this time? But these steps were lighter. Sunday cried from relief as she recognized a female figure entering the dungeon.

"Shhh, not a sound," Buffy whispered, "I'm here to free you."

"What?" Sunday asked behind her tears.

Buffy kicked the heavy barred door open with her leg. Then she tore at the chains around Sunday's ankles.

"No," Sunday whimpered, "It's a trick, he sent you to torture me. I'm supposed to think I can flee, and then he throws me back in the cell." Tears were streaming down her face.

"No," Buffy tried to calm her, "It's not that way. Follow the passage over there, keep to the left, it leads into the sewers. If you keep on the right as soon as you reach them, they will lead you exactly to Hope. I need you to take a message to Drusilla. Tell her she can count on me. Will you?" She broke the lock, and the chains went rattling to the floor.

The vampire was still crying, Buffy's words did not reach her. Her body shook with sobs.

Buffy slapped her. "Will you?"

Sunday was too flabbergasted to resume her weeping. "I will," she whispered. Then she pressed Buffy's hand hard. "Thank you."

"Hurry," Buffy said.

As she watched Sunday running off into the night, she realized what people used to call the point of no return. And she knew she had passed it. The moment she tried to sneak back to the staircase, the slow clapping of hands in applause sounded from behind her. It sent chills down her spine. No need to ask who had followed her.

"Bloody brilliant," he said, "Who would have suspected it? Oh, Buffy, I know you too well, you can't fool me."

Buffy took a deep breath and turned around to face him with dignity.

*

Angel looked around, watching the people scattered about his office.

Willow held the magical crystal over the maps, slowly swinging it in circles over every square inch of the paper. She had often found people this way. She had always started with a map of the world, and then, once she had found a direction, gone deeper into more detailed maps. Yet this time, the procedure proved incredibly difficult, she could not even get a glimpse of the Slayer's presence, though a personality that strong should have been outstanding among millions of mortals. Herself and Giles had been taking turns in performing several tracing spells, leaving both of them exhausted, and no further in their search.

Faith was sitting on the stairs to Angel's apartment with a huge tome, half of which she could not possibly comprehend. She had never done so much research and preferred the action that followed.
Spike was seated next to her. "Bores you to death, huh?" he asked her. "Why don't you go and get some fresh air, luv?"

Faith nodded gratefully. "Thanks, boss," she added humorously.

Faith had meant it as a joke, but Angel clearly looked pissed. Boss. Who did he think he was? It still made Angel feel sick to see him in his territory. Now that the blond vampire had a soul, there was obviously not that much of a difference between them – except that Spike's soul was not a curse and therefore did not put any restrictions on him. If they ever saw Buffy again, now, after a few years had passed, she might make the choice he was so afraid of. She might choose Spike.

Spike, feeling he was being watched, suddenly looked up. His eyes met Angel's. The dark part of Spike’s soul that still existed planned to cast him a triumphant glance, but seeing the melancholy in the other vampire's eyes, he could manage nothing but a compassionate nod of the head.

Angel looked away.

Xander was having his fifth jelly donut, carefully avoiding doing any harm to Wesley's books and papers with his sticky fingers.

Dawn was asleep on the sofa in Angel's office.

The vampire himself felt no need for rest, but Fred had insisted he take a break from his research and had placed the protesting vampire in a comfortable armchair. He stayed there to please her, but he could not take his mind off the matters at hand.

Angel still turned the paper around in his hands, brooding over the one sentence. His thoughts returned to the moment he had first seen his Slayer, still very young and unaware of the burden that lay before her. And she was a Slayer even then. He smiled inwardly when he remembered their embarrassing first conversation. He wished he could have spared her what she had gone through since. He wished he could have spared her meeting him and all that darkness he had brought over her life. And yet she had never complained. While he was thinking, that probably the same darkness was about to consume her, luring her away with his own dark side, though how that was possible, he had no idea. He was here, wasn't he. He could still feel the demon's presence, as always, but it was Angel who was in control, his evil side suppressed in the recessses of his heart and mind.

Wesley's words suddenly came back to him. One day, when your destiny has been fulfilled, you will live.

In his dreams, it was always Buffy who would one day free him from the shadows, from the devil lurking beneath the surface, keeping him away from the woman he loved. It was supposed to be Buffy who would make him Shan-shu. Him, not Spike. Because it felt right this way, and only this way. And now she was gone, disappeared… Was he again the one who had got her into trouble?
Willow put the magic crystal away and shook her head in resignation. "I've searched everywhere. Wherever Buffy is, she is not on the surface of this earth. I can't find her with my normal witchcraft."
Angel nodded, absent-minded.

Dawn stared at Willow, terror speaking from her eyes. "Is she… dead?" she asked anxiously.
Willow sighed. "I don't know. I can try to contact her spirit, but I can't guarantee it will work."

*

Sunday's hands hammered against the back door of Hope. She had run all the way from Angelus's headquarters, anxiously looking around if she was being followed, haunted by the idea they might catch her now, so close to the safety she had longed for all these endless nights. Her hair hung loosely into her face, her legs barely carried her. She was gathering all her strength despite the mental and physical exhaustion she had experienced.

With a last effort, she sank into Drusilla's arms.

"Sunday!" The dark vampire embraced her long lost friend and burst into tears immediately. "I thought I'd never see you again."

"Neither did I," Sunday cried.

Drusilla led her into the refuge. "How did you escape?"

"It was the Slayer," Sunday whispered, "She's on our side. She freed me. You must help her," she entreated Drusilla, "She's in danger there. I heard… Spike talk about the suspicions they have about her. The panthers of the Lady Hellfire almost attacked her because they sensed her goodness! Not long and they will know."

"Don't worry about that now," Drusilla said soothingly, " Take a rest, love. We will take care of matters." She gestured towards Lindsey. "Contact our spies. I need more information at once."

*

Giles's eyes were closed. His hand held Willow's in a firm grip.

"Hecate, Mother, hear your daughters and send us your blessing," Giles chanted slowly.

Willow, now clearly in a trance, replied, "What is it you're asking, Child?"

"Let me have access to the spirit world. Let me pass the barriers of space, time and dimension to get in touch with those who are gone before us."

"Step forward with Dawn," Willow said.

Dawn felt uneasy watching the séance, but she trusted both of them and guessed they knew what they were doing. Giles gestured towards the others to enter the circle and join hands. "Let us walk into the spirit world together," he said.

Dawn realized Giles was slipping into a trance as well. She found the whole situation a bit scary, yet it was so unlike the show séances usually shown on TV and in films, she decided to concentrate and support Willow's magic with her own, though very limited, spiritual force.

Willow had the feeling she stood at the beginning (or the end?) of a long corridor, with doors on either side. She felt the others in the group backing her as she proceded into the realm of spirits. She opened the first door.

"Who is it you are looking for?" a friendly voice asked. Through the echoes and chants of the afterworld, it was impossible to distinguish a male or female spirit.

"The Slayer, the Warrior of the People, Buffy Summers," Willow replied.

"Why do you come to disturb her peace?"

"My God, she's here. She's dead," Dawn whispered.

"That would depend on your perspective," the voice replied.
Willow was shivering in the presence of a power too great to comprehend. "We do not want to disturb..." she began, but Angel cut her off.

"It is my fault she's here, isn't it," he said.

The voice laughed. " That would as well depend on your perspective."

Angel's voice was cool and determined, but his borrowed blood was boiling beneath the surface as he replied: "What about a change of perspective, then?"

"What do you want?"

"I just want to find her."

"It is not a small thing you are asking."

"If it was my fault, I have the right to ask. I have the right to know."

The voice murmured unintelligble words.

"Where can I find her?" the vampire demanded.

"She will find you."

Then the vision broke off, leaving them reduced to fear and confusion.

*

"It was nasty to take my toy away from me!" Spike was leaning against the wall, playing with the keys to the cells of the dungeon. "What a show," he continued. "Joining Faith for a massacre, gaining her trust. Giving Angelus the opportunity to turn you, gaining his trust. Just teal eal away like a thief in the night to Hope. What did you do there, Buffy, shake hands with Lindsey? Oh, sorry, forgot that's hardly possible." He shook his head. "Buffy, Buffy, you had planned it so well. And then the panthers. Bloody nervous, weren't they?"

"I would be nervous, too, if I were at Harmony's mercy," Buffy replied coldly.
He smirked devilishly. "Well, last night you didn't seem to mind being at my mercy, did you, pet? However, releasing Sunday at this crucial stage of your conduct here ---" His face showed triumph, amusement, and destructive sarcasm was in his voice with every word he spoke.

"What do you want?" Buffy asked.

"Don't get me wrong, Buffy. We've been friends – " he smirked – "and more than that for years. I have no interest in betraying you to Angelus, just to take the position of number three in the hierarchy. That would be a waste of my talents. I have higher aspirations. I believe the two of us want the same things. We would be better off without Faith. She can't pour her poison in Angelus's ear. And without her, his secured position in the hierarchy is vulnerable. Especially if there was an ambitious, good-looking platinum blond vampire to take his place… We could be valuable allies, luv."

Buffy shook her head in disgust. "Who says I WANT to be your ally, Spike? I could as well tell Angelus you released Sunday yourself. You made the panthers nervous to make me suspicious in his eyes. Vampires don't exactly adore competition. Angelus would welcome any excuse to rid himself of you."

The vampire did not seem insulted. On the contrary, he seemed almost amused. "You are mistaking your position. I know who you are, and at the moment, I am the only one who does. You do not belong to this universe, pet, and I can prove it!"

The superior smile froze on Buffy's face. "How…"

Spike shrugged with an all-knowing, all-wise look on his face. "Willow is a powerful witch, but she's unfocused. I simply thought her unable to perform such a complicated spell without failing. I mean, we're talking about Willow! And you are behaving strangely. Forgive my being blunt, but the evil Buffy, my Buffy, would not have returned readily to the bed of someone who killed her. And then, there was that cute little vision we shared when I bit you last night."

Buffy shivered. She remembered it as well. Spike had looked inside her soul, her memories. She stared at him, wondering if he understood what he had seen.

He lit a cigarette. "You really like 'im. The Spike of your universe, I mean. Bloody saint, he is." He spoke in a high-pitched voice, imitating Buffy. "'I love you!'" He lowered his voice, speaking in a mock-heroic tone. "'No, you don't, but thanks for saying it!' Oh, pleeease." He blew out a cloud of smoke. "As much as I love fucking your brains out, I think it's better if you get your pretty ass back where you came from before Angelus finds out who you are and rips you apart."

Buffy tried not to show how hurt she was and reminded herself that this was not Spike. Not the Spike she had known and lo... known. And yet... in this dimension, vampires had souls. His evil deeds and words were the work of a chip implanted in his brain. "You don't understand anything," Buffy snapped.
Spike smirked. "I understand you better than you think, luv. You shouldn't turn my offer down lightly. What I offer you is a pact. You help me assume Angelus' position --- and I help you to get back to your dimension. You wouldn't survive for long in this one, anyway." His voice became a shrill and petulant whine as he started mimicking her: "No, stop it, don't, no! Bloody hell, Buffy! You didn't think that would stop the bloody poofster, and admit it, pet, you enjoyed everything he did to you, now, that's disgusting!" He lit another cigarette.

"No," Buffy said heatedly, "He's disgusting, I hate Angelus, I'm in love with..." She stopped abruptly.
Spike's steel blue eyes met hers. "Yes?"

"... my Watcher," Buffy hurried to say.

"Bloody awful liar, luv," Spike said scornfully, looking away. "I don't know what you women see in him. You can take him with you, if that's really what you want, or stake him for all I care, as long as he's be gone when I bring back my Buffy from the dead."

"What makes you think you can succeed where Willow failed?" Buffy asked.

"Gypsy magic," Spike replied, "I have friends in high places. Or rather, one friend. Her name's Jenna. Angelus tried to kill her a couple of years ago, I saved her, much to his dismay --- well, I was one of the good guys then, she turned out to be evil, so she wasn't much use before I got my useful little chip... let's just say, she owes me one. She'll make sure my slayer returns safely. And this time I'll take care he doesn't kill her again."

"How did he manage?" Buffy asked. "Angelus, I mean. How did he manage to kill me... the other Buffy?"

Spike shrugged. "How do slayers get killed? To kill a slayer, you need just one good day."

Buffy frowned. "Nothin' new there..."

Spike extinguished his cigarette. "We had this conversation before?"

Buffy nodded. "Yeah, we..." Then she shook her head. "No. I had this conversation with Spike before... the... the real... the other Spike." It was too confusing for Buffy to follow this train of thought any longer. Her voice was low when she asked: "How did she die, Spike?"

He did not look at her. "She made the wrong choices. Just like you."

Buffy walked up to him and forced him to look at her. His eyes were fierce. Buffy did not have to her him say the words to know what had happened. "She chose Angelus over you, didn't she? He betrayed her, you didn't help her, he killed her."

Spike did not reply. "Think about it, luv. The best thing you can hope for the way things are is to be his second mistress. And if you support the demons, you will be in my way, which means I would have to turn you over to Angelus. But if you accepted my very few conditions, you would not only free our people from a tyrant,…"

… and give them a new one…Buffy thought.

"… you would also make sure he depends on you forever. You find a wo fro free him from his curse; he gets his sodden soul back, happily ever after." He spit on the ground as if to rid himself of a foul taste in his mouth.

Buffy hesitated. "I don't know," she said.

Spike smirked and started singing in a low voice. "Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong…"

"Stop it," Buffy commanded. "Don't... don't do that. So what are your terms?"
A wide grin showed on Spike's face. "My lips are sealed, I will keep to myself what I know, and officially Sunday died in one of our games. Regrettably. And I will take care Angelus is put under a spell so he never suspects you. Meanwhile, I will prepare everything for your ticket home."

"And I?"

"You kill Faith." Spike held out his hand. "Do we have a deal?"

Buffy held his gaze. She took his hand. "Deal." The touch of his hand sent an electric current through her body. She tried to ignore it. "Spike... can you answer another question for me?"

He sighed. "Do I look like a bloody encyclopedia to you?"

"I'll take that as a yes," Buffy replied dryly. "If the other Buffy was so horrible to you, why do you want her back? Don't you think she'll hurt you again?"

Spike went into game face without warning. "She can't hurt me," he snarled, "I have a chip, I'm a monster."

Buffy shook her head. "You're a vampire. You have a soul. The chip is what you're capable of. The soul is who you are."

Spike gave her a strange look from golden eyes. "I bet he wished you'd figured that out back in Sunnydale." He backed away. "Take your Angelus, or Angel, or whatever you call him. He's what you deserve."

*

Same time, another universe...

David did not expect any visitors. As a member of the Watchers' Council, he had been trained to be suspicious of every unexpected event, and especially now Buffy had abandoned contact temporarily.
The knock at the door became more vehement. David opened.

"Hi," Buffy said shyly, her eyes cast down.

"Buffy!" he exclaimed, "Where WERE you?"

"I needed a change of surroundings," she replied.

"Are you okay? We were worried. Willow was looking for you, and I felt alarmed as well."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I'm okay. You're not angry with me, are you?"
David shook his head. "I'm just glad you're back." He felt relieved and reached out to embrace her, but he restrained himself. He did not want to put pressure on her. He would have to accept they were nothing but friends.

Buffy looked up. "Don't you want to embrace me?"

David frowned with surprise.

Buffy smiled. "I've made up my mind. Sorry I left you waiting for so long." With these words, she flew into his arms and involved her surprised watcher in a passionate kiss.

"Why," David burst out, breaking the kiss and struggling for breath, "yesterday you said you needed time, and now... why this sudden change of mind?"

Buffy smiled. "One could say I... woke up." With these words, she pushed him into the apartment and slammed the door. They never made it to the bedroom.

*

"What were you THINKING?" Faith's dark eyes showed a dangerous glare.

Angelus pretended he did not understand her excitement. "I thought you agreed it was a good idea to allow Willow to bring Buffy back."

"I changed my mind. Angelus, she's dangerous, she betrayed you once, and she'll do it again!"

The vampire gave her a knowing smile. "May I guess what brought about your sudden enlightenment?" His voice assumed a soothing tone as he added: "We are jealous, aren't we?" He put his arm around her waist possessively.

Faith pushed his hand away and laughed scornfully. "How could I possibly be jealous of Buffy? That's ridiculous!"

"So why do you see her as a threat, then?"

"If she collaborates with the enemy, then that is what we usually call a threat!"
Angelus seemed relaxed and not in the least concerned. "Even if she was working with Drusilla --- let her have her fun. I can control her."

"You're underestimating the instincts of a slayer."

Angelus smirked. "And you are underestimating the instincts of a woman."

Faith assumed a challenging gaze. "We will see who is right. Fifty bucks says she'll try to kill you before the night is over."

Angelus smiled. "Fifty bucks says she'll try to kill you."
TBC...