The Viking Hunter

Part 6

The following day found the group back at the Magic Box. Giles was somewhat concerned when Anya didn't show up for work. The fact that neither she nor Xander had shown up for the meeting the night before wasn't a big concern as they all figured they had probably just gotten home rather late or were other wise occupied in the bedroom. But for Anya to miss a chance to make money was almost unheard of. He left a message on the answering machine and waited for her to either call or show up. Buffy had gone down to the construction site to check up on Xander and find out if maybe Anya was sick and unplugged the phone.

Willow and Tara had an early class that day but came by afterwards, they were currently explaining the many spells they had thought might help to Giles. Spike was sitting on the stairs enjoying his fourth mug of warm human blood of the day.

Buffy came back from Xanders work looking rather freaked out and motioned for Giles to follow her to the back room. Giles asked the girls to watch the shop for a few minutes and followed Buffy. Spike looked as though he were ignoring the lot of them but he was listening intently to the conversation going on in the back.

"Buffy, what is it?"

"Xander never showed up for work today."

"Oh. That's rather strange. Perhaps they didn't make it back from their trip last night."

"No. I went by their apartment. The car was there, and when I knocked on the door no one answered."

"Perhaps we should see if we can get inside. Have a look around."

"Willow has a key, Xander gave it to her for emergencies. I just don't want to freak her out."

"I understand that Buffy, but we need to go over there and make sure everything is okay."

"I know. I'll ask her for the key. Maybe I should take Spike with me just in case. You know all those vamp senses could come in handy."

"Yes of course, just don't mention that to Willow, find some other reason to get him to go with you."

"What, like he's not listening in on this whole conversation? Please."

"How very silly of me. Of course he is."

Out in the other room Spike smirked and finished off his mug. Buffy and Giles walked back into the room and Spike winked at them. The slayer and her watcher exchanged an amused knowing look and then smiled at Spike. It was enough to slightly throw him.

"What?"

"Oh nothing."

"Bull. What are you smiling about slayer."

"Just that I've got you figured out. I know all your sneaky little tricks."

"Not all my tricks luv, but anytime you want a demonstration, you just let me know."

"Ewww! Spike you are such a pig!"

Spike just nodded at her and left the room to rinse his mug. Buffy took a deep breath and approached the counter where Willow and her lover were talking softly about some spell they had found.

"Hey Wills? Do you still have a key for Xanders place?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Could I borrow it? I just want to pop over and check on Anya. She must be really sick to miss out on making money and inappropriate comments to others."

"Oh, okay. Do you want me to come with?"

"Nah, you stay here and work on the spells, I'll ask Spike to join me."

"Why?"

"Uh, Anya and him have some strange demon friendship thing going on, maybe he can cheer her up describing some of his bad old days."

"Bleeeck! Not what I'd want to hear when I'm sick, but then this is Anya we're talking about."

Buffy got the key from Willow and Pulled her car up out back in the alley. Spike grabbed his blanket and lied down in the backseat under it. When they got to Xanders Buffy parked in the shade as close to the door as possible. The two of them then made there way up to Xanders door. After knocking once to be polite Buffy put the key in the lock and opened the door. Spike scented the air.

"I don't smell any blood, but there's no heartbeats either."

"Okay, maybe they aren't here."

"Only one way to find out."

Buffy walked into the apartment and looked around. When she was out of sight Spike stuck his hand through the doorway. There was no barrier. He had never been invited inside Xanders new place. He pulled his hand back just as Buffy reappeared.

"Spike, why are you still out there?"

"Never been here before luv, can't come in."

"Oh. Xander will probably kill me for this, but come in Spike."

"Ta luv, don't mind if I do."

They searched the apartment and found nothing. Spike suggested that Buffy search the car as well. See if their luggage was still in it. They locked up and went back downstairs. Spike was able to jimmy the lock on the passenger side door as it was in the shade and Buffy climbed into the car. Other than the usual soft drink cans and twinkie wrappers there wasn't anything in it. She popped the trunk and climbed back out.

In the trunk were two large suitcases. She dragged them out and over into the shade. Spike opened one while she did the other. The suitcases were full of clean folded clothes. Nothing had been worn. This left Buffy with the obvious conclusion that Xander and Anya never made their weekend away. Whatever had happened to them had been three days ago.

Spike already knew of course that the ex-demon and the boy were dead. He wouldn't have been able to enter the apartment otherwise. He had a bad feeling about the whelp, one he wasn't up to sharing just yet so he kept his mouth shut. Buffy put the suitcases back in the car and locked it up. They got back into her car and she dropped Spike off at the shop before heading to the school to pick up Dawn.

Three days her friend had been missing. Anything could have happened in that time. She was scared for Xander and Anya. To be missing in Sunnydale for three days was a sure sign of trouble. She only hoped that when they found them they were still alive.