The Hart of L.A.

Spike emerged slowly from the basement letting the information he had just received sink in. He was going to share most of the information with the group, but he was going to save the part about not civilians for Buffy and Angel only. He still didn’t know why Whistler felt he needed to tell Spike this information, and frankly he didn’t care. He was part of it again, he was going to take full advantage of it. He walked up to the crowd, and Dawn was the first one to see him. She walked up to him and gave him a soft smile. She was the only one out of the group, except maybe Talia, that he could stand. She was one of the only ones who didn’t look at him like a monster.

" Hey spike, are you okay?" He grinned and nodded at her.

" I’m fine, niblet, and how are you?" She shrugged.

" I guess I’ll be alright. I’m a little worried about this new Demon, though. Did you see what it did to Talia in her dream? Majorly creepy if you ask me."

Spike couldn’t help but chuckle at her.

" I understand completely. That must have been a traumatic experience. Listen, I’ve got to have a chat here, okay? I’m going to address the whole group." Dawn nodded at him. Everyone was just about to leave the room, when Spike spoke up.

" Okay, I know everyone wants to leave, but I’ve got a bit of news. I was downstairs working out, and I got some news for you. The Demon can no longer be killed by the head. Since it didn’t kill the girls in their sleep, the Senior partners have changed it. You have to stab it in the eyes, which makes it almost impossible. Also, we should only take who we need to. He said the Slayers, the vampires, red here, and that’s about it. He specifically said, no civilians. Okay, now I’ve said my peace, you guys can make up the plan, and tell me where you want me." Wesley piped up before Spike could make his big exit.

" Would you mind telling us exactly how you got your information? All you keep saying is ‘he’, and I would like to know who ‘he’ is." Before Spike could say anything, Buffy spoke up.

" He’s talking about Whistler, aren’t you, Spike? Was he just downstairs with you?" Spike nodded his head.

" Yeah, said he doesn’t usually divulge so much information, but he needed to tip the scales to our side. Said the powers really didn’t know who was going to win this big finale of a fight. I just hope this doesn’t take long to find this thing. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’d like to get in this thing." Angel was nodding, but before he could say anything, Gunn spoke up.

" What was that comment about no civilians? I have a definite problem with that. I have no intention of staying on the sidelines, because I will be in the thick of this." Angel sighed, and looked over at Buffy. She nodded in agreement to their silent look. Angel then faced the entire group.

" Okay, we know where this Demon is, and we’re going hunting. All we need to do is go get weapons. So, if everyone will come downstairs, we’ll pick our weapons." Without letting them realize it, Angel and Buffy made sure that certain people went down first. When Wesley, Giles, Dawn, Oz, Xander, Lorne, Gunn, Andrew, Fred, Cordelia, and Lindsey were all in the basement, Buffy stepped forward.

" Okay guys, I know you’re about to be mad at what I’m going to do, but it has to be done. You all are going to stay down here, until we get back. We’re locking the doors, so you won’t be able to get out. I hope you realize that this is for your own good. We don’t want any of you get hurt, because we care about you. If you have a problem with this, than please see us after we kill this thing. Does anyone have any questions." Xander spoke up first.

" Yeah, I have big problem with Talia, and Willow going. I know Talia has Slayer strength, but she’s not as trained as you guys are. Willow is very powerful, that’s not in question, but should she really go into combat?" Oz was nodding in agreement with what Xander was saying. Gunn was trying to inch his way towards the door, without Buffy realizing it.

" I understand your concern for them, but we need them. They’re both very powerful, and I assure you, they’ll be a big help. I can’t say they’ll be safe, because I’m sure they’re gonna get banged up. Gunn, if you continue to move in this direction, I’ll make it so you can’t walk for a day or two, got it? We have to go now, just please remember, we’re doing this because we care about you guys." Without saying anything else, Buffy moved back, and closed the door. The group in the basement, heard the lock click. Gunn ran up to the door, and tried to open it, to no avail.

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Buffy looked at her group when the door closed. She had no idea how they were going to pull this off, but it had to be done. This was going to be hard work, and there was no getting around it. She only had seven people going with her. It was herself, Faith, Angel, Spike, Talia, Willow, and Connor. She just hoped it was enough. When they were going out the front door, they were stopped by a small group of girls. Kennedy walked up to Buffy.

" I know I’m not your favorite person right now, Buffy, and I don’t blame you there. The girls and I know you’re going into battle, and we want to help." Buffy looked at the girls, and saw Kennedy, Rona, Vi, and a few new faces. All in all it gave them twelve people strong. Buffy’s spirits lifted tremendously at this thought. Buffy smiled at Kennedy.

" Kennedy, I told you once that I have no problem with you. I’m really glad you’re here, because we’re going to need your help. Lets go hunting." They all started walking towards the local Cemetery, because that’s where the locator spell put it. When they got their, they didn’t find anything at first. It was very quite, and it was frankly disconcerting. They heard a girl scream a good distance away, and they started running in the general direction of the sound.

Kennedy didn’t know what she was about to face, she just had a feeling that she was needed here. She’d had a dream that she’d be fighting here with Buffy and the others, and that’s why she came. She’d been in Cleveland, and felt she needed to be here. She was completely pumped, and ready for action. Buffy had the scythe that’s she’d taken from Caleb. She just hoped that she could be of some help really.

Talia was running with the others, and for once she wasn’t that nervous about going into battle. Sure, she was a little scared, due to the dream. It also gave her an edge, though, like she was after revenge. She wasn’t going to lose Xander to this ugly oaf, so she was prepared for battle.

Faith was on edge, and it was if she was just itching to get into this thing. The dream that she’d had about this thing, only pissed her off. She hoped that she was the one to take this thing out. She loved her sleep, and she wasn’t about to be forgiving on something that stole that from her.

Angel didn’t really have a thought in his head, except he hoped he made it through this. He really wanted a future with Buffy, and he didn’t want to die, or for her to get hurt again. If he’d had his way, Buffy would be in the basement with the others, but she’d have just kicked the door down. He felt kind of bad for locking his team down there, but he understand the need to do so.

Spike was running easily with the others, not really thinking about anything. He was kind of bored with the whole thing, and wanted to get it over with, so he could leave. He hadn’t really thought about where he’d go, he just knew he wanted to leave.

When they got the destination of the scream, they stopped cold in their feet. The reason for this was because the Demon was a lot bigger than they’d imagined. They were going to try and sneak attack it, but it turned around faced them, leaving only Spike to make a comment.

" Bugger me."