Relentless Revenge ((COMPLETE))

Chapter 6, Just a Moment

A few minutes later, Xander poked his head out the exit leading to the alley behind the clinic and waved at Spike. Not needing a second invitation, the blonde vamp immediately jumped out of the SUV. Closing the door behind the flammable vampire and watching him pat out the few fires ignited by the sunshine, Xander started to explain, “Change of plans. I know we were just scouting now and attacking later, but we’ve got to do something ASAP.” Xander motioned Spike to follow him around a corner and quietly continued, “I just saw one of those tattoo guys telling a doctor to operate on ‘her’ immediately. ‘Her,” I assuming, is Buffy.”

Spike nodded and growled, “The buggers! I’ll tear their hearts out, still beating. Where is she?”

“Must be on the second floor. The doctor who was talking to Mr. Taeppeepped on the elevator after agreeing.”

Xander and Spike found a door labeled “Stairs” but had to stop when they realized this door required the swipe of a coded card to open. Xander glanced both ways down the hall, “Ok, here’s what we need to do…We find somebody, knock them out and take their…” Before he could even get the word “card” out of his mouth, he was interrupted by the sound of ripping metal and turned to see a smiling vampire holding the door open, pulled off its hinges. A vamped out Spike just casually shrugged, “Waiting is just not my style.” For once, Xander was glad to have Spike on his side.

Heading up the stairs, the pair searched the first two rooms but found only medical supplies. Xander was starting to get anxious, looking both ways down the hall when Spike tried the third door. Jack Pot! This door opened up to what appeared to be a small operating room with Buffy against the far wall, lying on a table, strapped down, fully restrained and gagged. An IV led from her arm to three bags of liquids on a slow drip hanging from a nearby pole.

“Now we know that she is definitely sedated.” Xander stayed by the door, letting the furious vampire go to Buffy. No way he was getting between this snarling vamp and his Slayer. He valued his skin way too much for that.

As he first touched her, Spike shifted back to his human face. “Come on now, luv, we’ve got to go.” But Spike couldn’t get a response of any kind from Buffy. Angrily, Spike thought that Jonathan had been right, and she was drugged to the gills. “Slayer, you’re making this whole rescue a bit difficult.”

Cracking the door open for a little quick recon, Xander whispered over to Spike, “Someone’s coming.” Growling again, Spike gave up any attempt at waking Buffy and began pulling out the IV and removing the restraints. All the while Spike kept talking in a low, soothing voice, almost a purr.

Noiselessly shutting the door, Xander stepped back and prepared to launch a surprise attack. After knocking the woman to the floor, Xander realized he had just attacked a nurse, a human nurse. Awkwardly trying to apologize, Xander helped her to her feet but was bumped by the door opening up again. He immediately recognized the doctor he had seen talking downstairs. Now this guy, Xander thought, he was comfortable fighting. Human, male, on the small side – go for it. Thinking fast, Xander reached up, grabbed the doctor’s head and slammed it down on his rising knees. The doctor instantly went limp and crumpled on the floor without a sound. Xander grinned at Spike’s impressed grunt of approval.

Turning to the nurse, Xander felt like he was suddenly in slow motion as he watched her reach out and press the emergency alarm button. “So much for the victory dance,” Xander said as the door opened again. Addressing the man who rushed in, Xander cockily said, “Next? Step right up to the plate.” Before it could even register, Xander found himself on the receiving end of a vicious bitchp, sp, sliding across the floor, only stopped by Spike’s legs. Belatedly he realized that this new guy wasn’t human. Catching Spike’s eye, Xander quipped, “Demon batter up - Send in the relief pitcher.”

Fully vamped out and furious, Spike swung around and squared off with the newcomer. This also brought him conveniently next to the nurse. “You silly bint, the alarm’s making my ears ring.” Without even looking at her, Spike’s fist shot out, knocking out the traitorous woman, eliminating any threat from that department. Keeping his yellow eyes fixed on his new opponent, Spike licked his lips in anticipation, but then recognition flickered in the back of his memory. Slightly tilting his head, deceptively calm, he asked, “Do I know you, mate?”

In obvious anticipation of the fight, the demon shrugged out of his jacket. Acknowledging Spike with a fractional inclination of his head, he answered, “I believe you’ve met my brother. I’m Beta. …”

“Don’t tell me…‘Alpha, right?’ Big, feathery bloke? Missing his head - now? Is there a little sis, ‘Gamma,’ rounding around somewhere?”

“Just us two, and I’m pleased you remember him.” Beta’s eyes narrowed to slits. “That bitch, the Slayer, will pay twice over for killing my brother. First with her ovaries and then with her life.”

“What’s with you blokes and eggs? Odd fetish to have, but you’re gonna have to get your own wench, you sick twit. This one’s more trouble that you could possibly know.” Grabbing the IV pole, Spike hit Beta but with pathetic results. Looking at the very bent pole, Spike re-evaluated Beta. The demon was not quite as tall as Alpha had been, but was still larger than Spike, very muscular, and looked much more human than his brother. He wasn’t sure if the human part was good or bad. Beta’s features still strongly resembled a falcon’s as had Alpha’s, but he had hair instead of feathers.
Beta extended his talons, slicing Spike’s upper arm deeply and blood flowed. Remembering back to London, Spike thought, ‘Well, those were the same as Alpha’s.’ Spike stepped back and squared off again, mirroring Beta’s movements, but still receiving another cut to his arm and one to his stomach that also bled profusely. Sensing an easy victory, Beta got sloppy and made a hasty lunge. The only problem was that he had forgotten Xander, but Spike hadn’t. Out of the corner of his eye, he had watched Harris grab a rolling chair and prepare. When Beta made his move, Xander slid the chair in the demon’s way, allowing Spike to side step to a nearby surgical tray and grab a scalpel. Spinning on his left foot, the vamp slit the demon’s jugular in the blink of an eye. Not even realizing his injury, Beta snarled and turned on Spike before feeling the warm flow of blood pouring down his shirt. Grabbing the wound, Beta stared back up at Spike still not fully comprehending that he was looking death in the face, even as he slumped to the floor in a pool of his own blood. All over in a matter of seconds, Xander was left gawking in amazement as the floor quickly turned from a drab grey to a bright red. “That puts a hole new meaning to a slider. Go team.”

Spike didn’t even acknowledge Xander’s reference to them play on the same team, despite how monumental it was coming from the Whelp, just scooped Buffy up and ordered Xander to get the door, and they unbelievably made their way to the exit without further incident. However, the vampire came to a quick halt in the frame of the exit, faced with the sunshine outside and no SUV in sight. Xander darted around him, searching for the missing vehicle.

Spike noticed people down the hall, rushing towards him, and his keen vampire hearing heard police sirens obviously responding to the alarm still going off. Looking back outside, Spike could see Xander frantically waving his arms at something around the corner, hopefully signaling their get-away car.

Upon hearing the alarm, Willow, Dawn, and Jonathan had exited the clinic when they had heard and returned to the SUV. When a delivery truck honked at them for blocking the alley they moved around to the side of the clinic, not wanting to draw anymore attention to themselves than possible. All three were very relieved when they finally saw Xander signaling.

Satisfied thaty hay had seen him, Xander turned back in time to see a smoldering vampire headed his way carrying the Slayer. Later, when Xander thought back to this moment, Spike’s selfless act of courage to save Buffy at all costs stood out as when he finally change his mind about this master vampire, seeing him as a person instead of a thing to be killed. This vampire had gone out into the deadly sun, letting the door automatically lock behind him, risking burns, risking his life all for the Slayer, his deadliest enemy. Rushing back to help Spike, Xander caught Buffy up in his arms, allowing the vampire to jump into the SUV screeching up next to them. Jonathan and Dawn immediately flung the door open, pulling and pushing Spike into the far back seat and then taking Buffy from Xander into the second row. Xander jumped into the co-pilot seat as the SUV started speeding away. Team work, nothing like it.

*****

Other than making a quick stop on the side of the road so that Xander could take over the driving from Willow, the gang drove as fast as they dared back to Sunnydale, straight to Revello Drive. Having seen Spike sizzle enough for one day, Xander pulled the SUV right up into the front yard, as close to the front door as possible. Willow was out of the vehicle, up the front steps and through the front door before the SUV had come to a complete stop. She returned with a throw off the sofa as protection for Spike. With Jonathan’s help, Dawn was quickly out guiding Buffy’s limp body out of the back seat and back into Spike’s waiting arms once the vampire had made his way up onto the shaded porch.

Noting with a smile that Dawn never lost physical contact with her sister, no matter who held Buffy, Willow’s gaze followed Spike and Dawn making their way slowly up the stairs until their were out of site. Turning back to Xander and Jonathan, Willow took a deep breath and collected her thoughts, “We are going to need a few supplies. Go to the butcher shop first. There is no telling the last time spike was able to feed, and he needs his strength to heal. I also need you to go by the health food store. I want to mix something up to heuffyuffy purge as quickly as possible whatever garbage those creeps put in her system…Here, let me write down what I need.” As Willow went to make her list, Xander turned to Jonathan who was still standing on the porch, unsure what to say or do. “Can I give you a ride home?”

“Sure, that would be great. Maybe I could help you with the medicinal stuff. I know some about herbs and natural meds.”

When Willow returned, she gave a small smile of thanks to Jonathan and sent them on their way. After watching the SUV roll out of the yard, Willow headed upstairs to check on the injured. She found all three lying on Buffy’s bed. Spike must have just walked in and sat down on the bed still holding Buffy in his arms. Buffy was now cuddled up on his lap, sleeping, while Spike leaned against the headboard, also sound asleep, head nestled against her hair. Dawn was lying at their side with her hand resting in Buffy’s, softly snoring. Willow stood for a minute and enjoyed the scene, then gently closed the door and left them in peace. Peace - a rare event in their world and a moment to be savored.

The next time the door to Buffy’s bedroom opened, night had fallen, and Xander followed Willow into the darkened room. As Xander approached the bed, without opening his eyes, Spike stared a low growl that increased as Xander got closer. Xander stopped and raised up his hands, “Fang Face, don’t bite the hand that’s just trying to feed you – literally. I just wanted to let you know that we’ve got some blood downstairs for you.”

Spike stopped growling but opened his eyes to glare a challenge at Xander, visibly tightening his arms around Buffy. No way he was moving away from his Slayer anytime soon. Dawn was awake now and watching with owlish eyes, concern obviously growing.

Willow touched Xander on the back, “Xander, why don’t you bring some up to him?” Xander wasn’t happy to be the vamp’s errand boy but left to do as asked.

Spike turned his glare to the mug in Willow’s hand. Dawn spoke up while trying to see into the mug, “Gross…What’s that?”

“This is for Buffy, to hopefully help get the yucky stuff out of her syst Wil Willow stepped up to Buffy, speaking softly, “Let’s see if we can wake her up enough to drink.”

Spike protectively growled at her proximity. Willow stepped back and turned on the lights, “Spike, I know you are just trying to protect her, but since I’ve been trusting you with her, the least you could do is trust me now.”

The sudden transformation in the vamp from anger to concern was lightening fast and astounding. With soft words and a little gentle shake, Spike slowly coaxed Buffy to consciousness. Everything was still foggy but she slowly recognized the blue eyes above her. Of course, she would have recognized those gorgeous blue eyes anywhere. “Spike…I knew you would find me”

Her smile and obvious trust in him, even if not stated in so many words, warmed Spike from the inside out. “It’s Willow, you should be thanking, love. It was her plan, not mine.”

Buffy focused on her best friend’s face, weakly returning Willow’s smile. But a frown quickly appeared on Buffy’s brow, “Where’s Dawn?”

“I’m here,” Dawn moved around so that Buffy could see her more easily. “How are you?”

Looking her sister up and down, making sure she was alright, Buffy nodded, “Better now…just sleepy.”
Willow help up the mug, “Try this and see if you don’t start feeling better.” She brought the drink to Buffy’s lips, but Buffy jerked away, scrunching her nose up at the foul smell. “Major ick factor.”

Spike took the mug and tried, “Come on, kitten, just a little sip.” Willow and Dawn watched Spike gently cajole Buffy into drinking, sip by sip, the whole mug. By the time Buffy was done, Xander had returned with a mug of warmed blood for Spike, which the vampire quickly downed with a thankful nod.

Xander was very relieved to find Buffy awake at last. Hovering beside the bed, still some what worried about his friend, he asked, “Buffy, is there anything else we can get you?”

“Sleep…now.” Buffy’s eyelids were already drooping again.

Stepping over to the other side of the bed, Willow whispered to Dawn, gently stroking her hair, “Dawnie, you need to eat something soon.” Dawn only nodded noncommittally as she started to doze off also.

After Xander and Willow left and silence fell once again in the room, Spike listened to the two Summers girls’ heartbeats and breathing, the respective rhythms beginning to slow back down. Just as he was falling asleep himself, Spike felt Buffy’s eyes on him again. He opened his eyes and was drawn into her hazel gaze, “Spike, are you going to leave?”

Sure that he knew what was coming after that question, Spike answered, “As soon as I can crawl out of this bed, but I couldn’t move if I wanted to right now, pet. Need a little time to heal up some first before heading back to the Magic Box.”

Thoroughly enjoying the feel of her cheek against his cool muscles, Buffy sleepily shook her head against his chest, “No, I meant leave Sunnydale. Are you going to leave town again?”

Where the hell was this going? He was just too tired for games now, so he settled for noncommittal. “I’m not sure yet.” He knew he couldn’t leave again, couldn’t bring himself to leave her or her little sis again, but he also did not want to upset her now. Not to mention, she felt too good holding her in his lap, and he didn’t know if or when that would ever happen aga Und Undecided, he looked over at the window, avoiding her gaze. He could feel the Bit stir, listening intently, all her teenage curiosity focused on her sister and her friend.
Buffy looked at his face, trying her best to see it as clearly as the drugs in her system would allow. Taking a big breath, Buffy linked a free hand with his, “Someone once told me that I’ve survived so long as a Slayer because of my friends and family, my ties to the world. He also told me to get over the martyrdom and live.”

Recognizing his own words, Spike chuckled at Buffy’s failed attempt at an English accent.

She smiled up at him and dropped her miserable accent before continuing, “I’ve thought about it for months, and no more being the martyr for this Buffy. But I’ve also come to realize that I need help from my family and friends to stay alive.” After a pause, she laid her head back on his chest, squirming to find the best possible spot. “But it doesn’t work so well when one of my friends lives in London now. And, no, just for the record, I don’t mean Giles.” Looking back at Buffy, Spike was in time to see Dawn lay her head back down with a smile on her face.

Buffy’s groggy voice drifted up to him, “How can you help if you’re not here?”

“Slayer?...” Spike started but was silenced by a firm kiss on his lips. “Stay, blood breath, we…I need you here.” With that stunning bombshellffy ffy snuggled back down and fell asleep before Spike could gather his thoughts enough to speak. He looked over at Dawn, who was now grinning, and saw her squeeze her sister’s hand. How the word echoed in his head, one precious word, “Stay.” Spike had never noticed how wonderful that word sounded until that night and awed by how much life could turn around with one simple word. So many times she had used it in the past to wound, stay away or stay out of my life. But not tonight, things had changed. The Slayer had asked him to stay in Sunnydale. He had been wrong when he had told Buffy that he was waiting for that one good day to kill her. How incredibly wrong he had been. It wasn’t just one good day, but any day he could spend with Buffy was good. Hope blossomed at her words, ‘Stay….I need you here.’ Now he could bring himself to hope for many more ‘good’ days to come.

TBC

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MadRog :)
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