The Viking Hunter

Part 7

Spike slipped silently into the shop and hid in the back room. He needed some time to think. He knew that the boy and his ex-demon bint were dead but what he was unsure of was if they were they walking around dead or rotting corpse dead. He was willing to place bets that at least Xander was among the walking around.

He tried to recall every image of the previous night, it was kind of hard considering he was having the piss beaten out of him at the time. He thought about the brunette who's face he never saw. The fact that he had been released after the brunette whispered something to the blonde vampire. And then there was the striking similarity between the vampire and Xander. He couldn't be a hundred percent seeing as he had no idea how being turned would have changed the whelps scent, not to mention how the younger vampire was literally covered in the scent of his Sire. But it was just too bloody convenient not to be true.

"Soddin hell. Xander's a vampire! And he ain't mine! God damn friggin soldiers, I'd have turned the boy and red years ago if it weren't for this bloody chip. Angelus gave that boy to me and now some friggin Viking has him. It's bloody unfair I tell you."

Spike continue to mutter curses about the unfairness of his predicament, and the initiative soldiers in general. Giles came into the back and caught him muttering.

"Oh, Spike. I hadn't realized you were back here."

"Yeah, just needed some time to think is all."

"How did things go at Xanders?"

"Not good mate, bloody bad to tell the truth."

"Oh. Were they ah. There?"

"No. Place was empty. We checked the car, suitcases all nicely stored in the trunk. None of the stuff had been worn Rupert. They've been missing since Friday night I'd wager."

"Oh dear."

"There's more."

"Are they..."

"Yeah, but the slayer don't know that."

"Then how....?"

"I've never been invited into the new place. Today I put my hand through the doorway, no barrier. Buffy didn't see me do it. I played stupid. I couldn't tell her."

"I understand Spike but she needs to know."

"There's one other thing watcher. I'm pretty sure that Xander is the vampire from last night. The brunette Childe I described to ya. This is gonna tear them apart."

"Dear lord. How am I going to tell them?"

"Don't. Not yet anyway, let's wait 'till we know for sure hey."

"You're right. We need to be positive before we say anything. Perhaps you could patrol tonight. Maybe get a better look without getting caught?"

"I'll give it a go. You want to inform Peaches? See if his bint has had any helpful visions?"

"I'm sure he'd have called but it can't hurt to try."

Spike left the room so Giles could call in private. He wandered into the front area of the shop just as Buffy and Dawn came in. Buffy looked at Spike in question. He shook his head sadly and she sighed. She went to Willow and slid the key across the table to her. Willow looked up at her and Buffy nodded toward Dawn before shaking her head and heading for the training room. Willow squeezed Taras hand and then got up and followed her.

Spike and Tara sat at the table with Dawn while she started on her homework. Tara looked up at Spike and he gave her a sad look. Then they heard Willow start to sob loudly from the rear of the store.

"Best go see to your girl, luv."

Tara nodded and barely succeeded from running toward her lover. Dawn looked at Spike and knew something was wrong.

"Spike what's going on?"

"Yer sis will explain it to ya in a minute nibblet."

"It's bad isn't it?"

"Yeah luv, It is. Go on and talk to her pet. I'll hold down the fort."

Dawn wearily headed toward the rest of the group in the training room. She spared one last look at Spike. He looked as though some one had kicked his puppy, or his best friend had died. Well the only way she was going to find out what was going on was to walk through that door. The part of her that wanted to be one of the grown ups demanded that she do it while the part that still wanted to be a little girl wanted to go home and climb into bed with mom and believe the world was a safe and happy place. Unfortunately her mom was dead and she knew the truth about the evil that lurked in the dark. Preparing herself for more bad news she pushed the door open and stepped inside the room.

Giles had just hung up the phone with Angel when he heard Willow start to cry. He hated this. He never wanted children, had never married to ensure that he was never tied down with more responsibility than his slayer. Funny how life throws you curves. He ended up with four children that he considered his in every way that counted. Buffy, Willow, Xander and Dawn. They were his world now. And now he had lost one of them. He felt the loss of Anya as well, her and Tara had earned their place in his family and his heart as well. In truth even Spike was family to him now, like the brother who never grew up and camps out on your sofa and drinks all your beer and never goes away. Still family no matter how annoying he is. Angel had been saddened as well, once again offering to come to Sunnydale. Giles had reassured him that his presence was unnecessary. That there was nothing he could do for Xander or Buffy for that matter.

He had inquired as was his purpose for the call, whether Cordelia had perhaps had any visions pertaining to this matter. He was informed that no, unfortunately they knew nothing more than what he himself had told Angel. They exchanged promises to keep each other informed of any new developments and then rung off.