Surprise Innocence Twisted

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Surprised Innocence Twisted_6

“Is she possessed? Under his thrall? What the hell is going on with her? I mean…how could she let him touch her? How could she let Dawn…anywhere near the blood sucker. Especially when he doesn’t have a soul…” Xander ranted throwing himself down at the table, and running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

Giles looked around carefully making sure that Jenny was not within earshot. “I don’t like it myself. I don’t pretend to know what goes on in that brain of hers…we need to find a way to get rid of him. He will bring nothing but trouble if his past is any indication.”

“Maybe he will just…leave…he did it once before…”

“But now that he’s in Buffy’s good graces…I don’t think he’ll be so eager to run off…”

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“I’m gonna take a quick poke round the outside here. Don’t want any nasties sneakin up on us inside…” Spike said softly. At Buffy’s nod he parted for her and disappeared into he inky blackness of the night.

Buffy walked towards the warehouse, it was the only building within the perimeter of the fence. She shined the flashlight she was carrying over the shattered remains of a big bulky door. She stepped over the threshold, glancing around the debris-strewn room.

She caught sight of a man, semi-conscious and tied to a chair. “Whoa.” She ran to his aid and started to loosen his restraints. “It was you who planted the Dagon Sphere, right? I got it. Don't worry. I'm stronger than I look.”

All the while she was busy trying to loosen the ropes holding him in place someone approached silently from behind her.

“I have had experience with stuff like this before. Best of all...” Buffy whirled around and
grabbed the woman by the throat. “I'm not stupid.”

The woman glared at Buffy, she grabbed Buffy’s wrist and wrenched arm arm, freeing her neck, the woman then backhanded the Slayer with such force that she flew 50 feet across the room and impacted the cement wall so hard she cracked it.

Buffy fell to floor and looked up at the woman, stunned at her power.

”You sure about that last part?” The woman in the red dress asked conversationally, she grabbed Buffy and slammed her into the cement wall again, face first. The wall crackedagain under the impact. She grabbed Buffy by the shoulders. “And another thing? I just want you to know...” She slammed Buffy into a support pillar, punching her again and again. “The whole "beat ya to death" thing I'm doing? It's valuable time out of life that I'm never gonna get back.”

Buffy tried to fight back but the woman grabbed both her arms and wrenched them downward. Buffy cried out in pain.

”Wait, I've always wanted to try this. You know that thing with worms where if you have one, you rip it in half, you got two worms? Do you think that'll work with you?”

Buffy slammed her head into the woman’s face and broke free.

“You hit me! What, are you crazy?” She asked licking at the blood trickling from her nose.

Buffy punched and kicked, forcing the woman backward, but her blows seemed to be offending the woman more than injuring her.

”You can't go around hitting people. What, were you born in a barn? Fine. Be that way.” She easily blocked Buffy's next blow swunswung her around into the wall. She sent a blow for Buffy's head but the Slayer ducked at the last instant and she ended up punching through the concrete behind Buffy’s head.

She picked Buffy up by the throat and held her there, as she gasped for air.

”I just noticed something. You have super powers. That is so cool. Can you fly?” She hurled Buffy clear across the room.

Suddenly Spike was there. With an inhuman roar of rage he caught Buffy easily and set her gently on her feet. Fangs descending and ridges rippling he faced the woman who dared to put her hands on his woman.

Spike snarled angrily stalking the woman in the red dress. ‘Don’t give a toss if she is human, no one puts their hands on my woman.’

She was grinning at him manically. Spike rushed her, kicking her in the stomach she doubled over. Spike had rage and hatred on his side, lending him power. As she doubled over her brought his interlocked fists down on her back. She fell forward.

Spike growled angrily and grabbed her by the hair. He pulled her up to face him and lunged for her throat, teeth bared. ‘What the bloody hell?’ He felt the thick rich blood sliding down his throat; it was intoxicating, powerful, potent, violent, intense, robust, distinct. That’s what it was distinct. He had never tasted anything like it, he could taste the evil thrumming through the the raw power. He growled viciously, burying his fangs deeper, eager to make the blood pump faster.

Buffy realized the man in the chair beside her was in serious pain; she had to get him out of here. ‘He’s human, he needs help…a hospital.’ She helped him slowly stand.

The woman screeched in shock and anger when Spike’s fangs dug deeply into her throat. She clawed at him; catching him by the shoulder she threw him off. He landed gracefully on his feet, halfway between Buffy and the woman who posed a threat to her.

Spike felt the borrowed blood rushing through his veins, making him feel powerful, invincible. ‘Don’t know what the bloody hell she is but she’s not human. Blood’s too strong for that.’

“Hey! Hands off my holy man!” screscreamed, hand clutching the blood pouring from her neck.

Buffy picked him up and ran toward the window.

Realizing what Buffy is about to do, She charged after them. She was too late as Buffy crashed through the window, with Spike only a few steps behind, the three of them tumbled to the ground below.

The woman stumbled to a halt when the heel on her shoe broke off. She removed it and glowered at it in frustration. She whipped her shoe across the room in a fit of rage and stomped her foot. The tremendous force from her blow cracked the floor. She looked up as the support beams shattered and the ceiling came crashing down on her. “Oh, shi” A cloud of dust rolled out of the shattered window above.

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Buffy and Spike held the man between them, helping him escape across the lot.

”Stop. Please.” The critically injured man begged. He was badly bruised, bloody and extremely weak.

“No. We have to keep going.” Buffy said dragging him along. She glanced at Spike. Still in his demon visage, he had a little blood on his mouth, She could feel the tension in him and he looked kind of wild eyed.

“Spike?” She asked, trying to pull him from the daze he appeared to be in.

Spike glanced at Buffy, shaking his head his features melted back to their more familiar human visage. “Sorry Slayer…I…her blood…”

“It’s ok Spike…she’s…I donno what she is but…definitely not human.”

“No…she’s not. Got really powerful blood…”

“She’s not…I mean she can’t be a slayer…right?” Buffy asked

“No. No bloody way. I could taste the evil in her blood Luv, even a rogue slayer couldn’t be that evil.”

They stumbled across the lot to the chain-link fence surrounding the property. The man threw himself out of their grasp and collapsed against it, gasping. “My journey's done, I think.”

”Don't get metaphory on me. We're going.” She tried to lift him again but he stopped her.

“You have to... the Key. You must protect the Key.” He rasped.

”Fine. We can protect the Key together, okay, just far, far from here.” Buffy said taking a step closer to him.

“He’s dying Buffy…nothing you can do…” Spike said softly placing his hand against the small of her back. He could hthe the man’s life force ebbing away.

“Many more die if you don't keep it safe.” The man rasped again, getting their full attention.

“How? What is it?” Buffy asked ull ull slayer mode.

”The Key is energy. It's a portal. It opens the door...” He rasped. Coughing he tried to lean further into the fence to ease his pain.

”The Dagon Sphere?” Buffy asked, unconsciously her hand reached out to Spike.

“No. For centuries it had no form at all. My brethren, its only keepers. Then the abomination found us. We had to hide the Key, gave it form, molded it flesh... made it human and sent it to you.”

Buffy stared at him in shock as the realization of what he was saying sank in.

”Dawn...oh god…my baby…”

”She's the Key.”

“She’s not! She can’t be…”

“We knew the Slayer would protect…”

“You couldn’t have…”

The man began to cough, he was fading fast. “You cannot abandon.”

”I didn't ask for this! I don't even know... what is she?”

”Human... now human. And helpless. Please... she's an innocent in this. She needs you. You are still her parents…”

”My baby…” Buffy sobbed, tears leaving fat wet trails down her cheeks.

“She mustn’t die…” He said as he exhaled one last time before dying at their feet.

Buffy was stunned, her life turned upside down. “Spike…oh god…how can this be happening…” She turned tear filled eyes to him.

“She is ours Buffy… Dawn…she’s yours and mine. We made her. You’ve been there through earaches and fevers and learning to walk and talk. Can’t take that away from you even if they tried.” Spike pulled her closer, She didn’t resist, laying headhead on his shoulder she asked an important question. “You’ll stay?”

“Only way I’d leave you is as Dust.” Spike said huskily, rubbing small circles on her back. “Come on let’s get a move on yeah?” Spike clasped her hand tightly in his and they made their way out of the warehouse district.

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Spike and Buffy walked quietly into the house. She was clinging to Spike’s hand desperately, as if she was afraid to let him go.

“Where’s Dawn?” Buffy asked.

“She’s in her room…asleep…” Joyce said softly getting p from the couch. “What’s wrong?” She asked, noticing her daughter’s peculiar behavior, clinging to the man she wouldn’t even let into the house yesterday.

Buffy ignored her mother and pulled Spike along behind her into Dawn’s room. She walked silently to her bedside, her vampire still in tow. She let go of his hand only to pick Dawn up and clutch her to her chest. She turned to Spike and pressed their daughter between them, being careful not to squish her.

Silent tears rolled down her face as Spike wrapped his arms around them both. “I can’t lose her Spike. I can’t” She whispered bringing tear filled eyes to meet his.

“You won’t. I promise you Buffy you won’t.”

Joyce stood outside her granddaughter’s room watching them hold their daughter between them. “Buffy... what... is going on?” She asked quietly stepping into the room.

Buffy turned to her mother; she let Spike keep his hold on Dawn as she reached for Joyce’s hand. She motioned for her to sit on the chair beside Dawn’s bed. Once Joyce sat down Buffy knelt before her and looked into her eyes. “Mom... I'm a Vampire Slayer.” She said softly. “I save the world, I fight evil, and now…” She felt the tears start again and sobbed before continuing. “Now…I have to save my daughter from…I don’t even know what yet.” She laid her head on Joyce’ lap seeking her mother’s comforting touch.

“This is crazy…”

“No…it’s not mom…it’s true…I’m the slayer…” Buffy said looking up into her mother’s shocked face.

“Well, I just don't accept that!” Joyce said shrilly.

”Open your eyes, Mom. What do you think has been going on for the past five years? The fights, the weird occurrences. How many times have you washed blood out of my clothing, and you still haven't figured it out?” Buffy’s tears had stopped temporarily; trying to convince her mother she wasn’t crazy couldn’t be done while she was crying.

”Well, it stops now!” Joyce said angrily getting up from the chair and pacing the length of her granddaughter’s room.

Spike watched her carefully for any signs of threat to Buffy or Dawn. ‘Maybe that woman whomever she was has gotten to Joyce already.’ He thought narrowing his eyes at her.

”No, it doesn't stop! It never stops! Do-do you think I chose to be like this? Do you have any idea how lonely it is, how dangerous? I would love to be downstairs watching TV or gossiping about boys or... God, even studying! But I have to save the world... again.” Buffy said passionately.

”No. This is insane. Buffy, you need help.” Joyce said slowly placing her hands on Buffy’s shoulders.

“Spike Show her.” Buffy said softly, glancing at him. He still held Dawn gently in his arms, being careful not to wake her. Buffy watched him inhale her scent. She smiled. ‘I know he loves her.’ Shocked that she realized the truth she decided to put thoughts about Spike and his feelings away until she had dealt with her mother.

“Show me what?” Joyce questioned.

“You sure about that slayer?” Spike asked, almost growled. He knew what Buffy wanted him to do but he didn’t want to show Joyce his demon. She was the only one except Dawn that looked at him like he was a man, not just some evil creature that wanted to eat them for lunch. He wasn’t so sure he wanted Joyce to think less of him.

“It’s the only way she’s gonna believe me, and I need to protect Dawn. I don’t have time for her to be second-guessing us and trying to get me institutionalized. I need to explain everything.” Buffy said softly.

Spike placed Dawn gently in Buffy’s arms and turned to Joyce. “I’m sorry…she’s right, there is no other way…” Spike said tears rising to the surface of his eyes before he allowed his demon to emerg
J
Joyce gasped at the sight, but instead of runningy scy screaming like Spike half expected her to she walked closer, her hand coming up to explore the ridges that made up his demon face.

Spike stood stock still not wanting to scare her. Joyce ran her fingertips feather-light across his brow. They explored further, into his hairline. She looked right into his demon eyes. Slowly, ever so slowly she pushed gently against his chin. Knowing exactly what she wanted to see Spike opened his mouth showshowed his fangs. Joyce gasped but didn’t back away. She placed the pad of her thumb against one of his incisors, and didn’t even flinch as it broke the skin. With the same deliberate slowness she pulled her thumb away and wiped the blood away on her pants. She looked up at him with wide incredulous eyes. “It’s true?”

Spike nodded. “You need to listen to Buffy, Joyce. She has a lot to explain in a short time…”

Joyce closed her eyes, taking a deep breath she looked back into his eyes. “Ok. Let’s go and talk…” She said softly.

Spike’s demon was leaping for joy inside his skin. ‘She’s ok. She’s not going to flip out and keep me away from Buffy and Dawn.’ Spike was elated that Joyce had been so calm about the whole thing. What had shocked him the most though, was the fact that she continued to look at him like he was a man, even while she sliced her thumb on his sharp incisor.

Buffy tucked Dawn back into bed. She placed a soft kiss to her daughter’s forehead. “Love you baby.” She whispered before following her mother downstairs to tell her everything.

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Buffy explained when she had been called, that she had died, and some of what she had gone through in the past four and a half years.

“And now you need to protect Dawn from something?” Joyce asked.

Buffy nodded. Spike’s arm along the back of the couch, fingers softly stroking her shoulder stopped the tears that were threatening again.

“In light of what you told me…I have to tell you something…do you remember how I told you is ths the rain that kept me up?” Joyce asked.

Buffy nodded and Joyce continued. “Well it wasn’t just that…there were these dreams…well ... not-not a dream ... exactly, more like I had this ... knowledge, i-it just came to me like.... truth, you know?”

Buffy frowned and looked up at Spike. Joyce didn’t notice and continued on. “Even though it dt set seem...possible, even though I shouldn't even think such things.”

”What?” Buffy asked. Spike heard the fear in her voice and pulled her closer to him. He wrapped his arm tighter around her, turning his body to slightly face hers. She didn’t register exactly what he was doing, she just knew the closer he got to her the more comforted she felt.

”Dawn...She's not ...she’s not fully yours, is she?”

Buffy was startled for a moment. ‘How the hell can she know that?’ She stared at her mom for a moment, looking down she came to a decision and looked Joyce in the eye.
”No. She’s not.”

Joyce absorbed this for a moment. “She's ... she does belong to you two, though.”

”Yes, she does.” Buffy said softly leaning further into Spike.

”And she's important. To the world. Precious.” Buffy nodded. “As precious as you are to me…”

“Yes mom she’s the most precious thing in the world and she’s mine and Spike’s…”

Joyce nodded and smiled. “She always will be Buffy, you are her parents…”

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TBC…Please let me know if you have quesquestions. Az.