"Let’s say we, by some chance, find Spike. What are we going to do about it? Buffy said he was stronger than the vampires we’ve faced," Oz said.

"We could kill him," Xander said.

"With?" Oz asked. It dawned on them then that they had absolutely no supplies.

"How did that happen?" Willow asked. She never forgot anything that obvious.

"Don’t worry about it. Do you really think we’d have found him?" Oz said taking Willow’s hand. They turned and headed to the school.

"Bloody hell!" Spike yelled. His car was in a ditch and pretty banged up. He wasn’t hurt of course, just incredibly angry. He groped for the empty vodka bottle that had been next to him before he crashed. Not finding it, he fell back against the seat and closed his eyes. "Oh Dru...," he sighed as he fell into a drunken sleep.

"Maybe it he’s not gonna show," Angel said. They had waited for hours, with no sign of Spike. Giles had come and gone. Dru had thrown her doll across the room and was now talking to herself.

"I’m thinking no," Buffy answered wearily. The thought of getting to school was like torture.

As if reading her thoughts, Angel said "You should go home. Get some sleep. I’ll stay here and watch Dru."

No. I should stay too. If he does show up..." Buffy protested, but knew he was right. "Okay." She kissed him, and went home. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow. It was nearly five a.m.

"Buffy. Buffy. Buffy," Giles said shaking her shoulders. She sat up looking around.

"Five more minutes." Buffy said putting her head back. She’d come into the library as soon as she got to school, expecting quiet. She only came because she had to talk to the Gang.

"Buffy, you just missed your first class. I thought you left with the others. You should have came in late. It’s good to be dedicated, but you do need sleep. You’re gonna have to go back tonight. You know that, right?"

"Of course. I just need a little more sleep. Please Giles. Write me a note for my next class. I just need a little more sleep and I’ll be in full Slayer mode. I promise." Buffy didn’t even raise her head. She knew he would do it.

"Yes. Of course."

Night came quickly. Buffy wasn’t sure if she should patrol at all, or go straight to Dru. She wished she knew where Faith was so she wouldn’t have to worry about patrols. They could only guess where Faith had gone.

"Wait for Spike. He could cause more trouble than most others. I’ll take Willow, Xander and Oz and deal with whatever comes up. Between the four of us, we should be able to handle it," Giles said. The mentioned three nodded.

"Right. Okay. I’ll go wait for Spikey Boy and hopefully he’ll show, he’ll die, and we’ll be back on schedule." Buffy said, getting ready to leave.

"And we party," Xander added.

"Right. Wish me luck," Buffy thought about that. "Though I don’t really know what for."

Angel was there when Buffy arrived, armed again with the crossbow and Mr. Pointy. He was getting very weak and needed blood. He thought he’d be able to go without any for longer, but that idea wasn’t cooperating. He’d gotten a few rats; the wildlife wasn’t to keen on Sunnydale. He could get someone’s dog, but that idea wasn’t very appealing. To some that would be like taking someone’s kid.

Buffy saw he was losing strength, but when she asked he said it was fine. She could tell it wasn’t, but didn’t press it.

"If he doesn’t show up tonight, he’s dead. Okay, he *is* dead, but you know what I mean," Buffy said, settling herself to wait.

After three hours of nothing, Buffy was getting frustrated. She started walking around, try to get rid of some energy. "Can he ever cooperate? You’d think he’d be right here, ready to try and kick my ass. But no. He’s probably drunk somewhere. Maybe it wasn’t him. Maybe he’s not even here."

"He is," Angel said, surprising Buffy. "Dru can sense it. She’s telling her doll he’s gonna save them."

"Tonight?" Buffy said hopefully. She was entirely focused on killing him.

"I don’t know. She hasn’t said." It was getting difficult for him to talk.

"God, Angel. You really need blood," Buffy said. Hearing him talk made her realize just how bad he did. He nodded. "Now."

"From what? The hospital’s not getting delivered. And the butcher’s less than helpful. You know that."

Buffy looked around, considering what she was about to say. "You can drink from me. Not alot, of course, but maybe it’ll help."

Angel was shaking his head before she even finished. "Buffy, I don’t feed off humans. I can’t bite you."

"You’re not gonna kill me. And you don’t have to bite me," she said, testing the sharpness of the stake she was holding.

"No." Angel was firm. "I might kill you. Once I start...," he said looking away. "I can’t risk hurting you."

"But you can do this? Let yourself get weaker and weaker?" Buffy said. She was suddenly aware of Dru looking at them. "You can drink from me, maybe risk killing me. Or you can sit there, and not drink, and die. Take your pick."

"I won’t drink from you."

"Angel! Why not?!" She knew why not, but hated seeing him like this. "Fine. I’m going to the butcher’s. It won’t be the first time I’ve broken in somewhere. No one will be there, so I’ll have no problem. I’ll be back soon."

Buffy stood behind the butcher shop, looking around. Seeing no one, she kicked the back door in. It was dark, but she had a flashlight. Buffy thought as she looked around. This was not her favorite job by far. She was fast, getting what she needed, and not thinking about it. She left with two Styrofoam cupfuls, no one ever seeing her.

"Here. Slayer comes through again," Buffy said, giving Angel the bag with the cups.

"Thank you," Angel said sincerely. He took out a cup and hesitated. Buffy saw, and turned around, smiling. Angel drank both cups, putting them back in the bag. Buffy was watching Dru, who smelled the blood.

"Do you think she’s still hungry? Maybe I shoulda brought her some too." Buffy said sarcastically.

"I really needed that. I can’t thank you enough. As for her, she’s had her last meal," Angel said getting up. The result blood had on his weak body was amazing.

"She sure has."

Spike shoved the door open and climbed out of the car. His headache had worn off, and he was hungry. The blonde girl in the backseat had hardly been a meal. As luck would have it, a car slowed down to see what Spike’s car was doing in a ditch. The middle age driver walked down the banking looking around. Spike was vamped out and ready. He grabbed the man and drained him. He tossed the corpse in with that of the blond girl’s and headed up the banking. He started walking in the general direction of the Bronze, with no particular destination. He stopped suddenly, thinking of Drusilla. In his mind’s eye he saw Angel and Buffy standing together. He saw Ms. Edith against a wall, and finally he saw Drusilla, wrists bound by chains. He saw Dru’s face, which showed she was waiting patiently, ready to be found. "I’m coming love."

It was eleven o’clock when Drusilla finally moved. She had been motionless for hours, ever since Buffy had returned from the butcher. When she moved both Buffy and Angel were on their guard. Drusilla was on her feet, moving against the chains. Buffy picked up the crossbow, just in case. Buffy heard something move outside and whipped around, crossbow raised at the entrance. Dru had stopped thrashing and was waiting expectantly.

"I think the guest of honor is here." Buffy whispered to Angel.

Angel put his arm out, gesturing for her to move back. They moved into the shadows and whispered "Just wait. We haven’t seen him in a while. Let’s just see what we’re dealing with."

Buffy nodded, her eyes glued to the entrance. Out of the darkness came Spike, his bleached hair contrasting sharply with the dark of everything else. He looked around like he expected to be attacked. Buffy and Angel remained crouched in the corner, our of sight.

"Drusilla!" Spike called happily as he saw her. He ran up to her and grabbed her. Not aware of onlookers, he lavished her with words of love. She stood calmly as he examined her chains. Looking around he picked up a large rock and hit the chain with it. He continued hitting it until the chain it broke, the sound echoing loudly. He did the same to the other chain and when she was free he hugged her, again saying how happy he was to see her.

"They’re here," Drusilla whispered cryptically.

"They? They who?" Spike asked looking to see who might have seen his display of affection.

"My Angel is here. And the Slayer."

"Not your Angel. You ‘have’ no Angel!" Spike said sharply. He’d finally found her, he didn’t want Angel getting to her. "Here? Inside with us?"

"Yes. I feel them. They’re waiting. Angel fills my head with song. I missed him."

Spike was hurt by that but didn’t let it show. He peered into the darkness, searching for the Slayer. She stepped out of the shadows and looked at him. "Slayer," he said. "It’s been a long time."

"Not long enough. Couldn’t you have stayed gone? and I can’t believe it took you this long to find her" Buffy said disgustedly, indicating Drusilla.

"Back off luv. I’m just leaving," Spike said arrogantly, taking Dru’s hand to lead her away.

"Not this time Spike." Buffy stepped in front of the entrance.

"Right. You’re gonna stop both of us? I’d like to see that happen. You can’t take us both alone," Spike figured she was just trying to scare him. He thought he’d just make another promise and go.

"She doesn’t have to do it alone." Angel said coming out into view.

"Angel," Dru breathed.

"Oh ain’t this cute. But I think I’ll pass," Spike said moving by Angel. He looked at Buffy thoughtfully. "You’re the weirdest Slayer I’ve ever seen. Loves a vampire. Makes promises with her sworn enemy. Missin’ a few screws if ya ask me."

"Yeah well nobody did." Angel said, punching Spike. That was all that was needed to start the fight. Spike tried to defend himself while both Buffy and Angel attacked him. He had managed to kick the crossbow out of Buffy’s hands, and got a good kick in the knee for it. He was holding his own, but not for long.

Nobody paid any attention to Drusilla, who was standing a few feet from the fight. She caught Buffy’s gaze and held it. Spike and Angel were so busy throwing insults, and punches, at each other, they didn’t really notice Buffy walk slowing to Drusilla. Dru was my no means stupid. As she held Buffy in her gaze she thought for a moment. She give Buffy the most disturbing image she could. She wasn’t much in physical combat, but she had the upper hand in psychological games. She new this would be there last fight, and she wanted to make it memorable, whatever the outcome may be. "Be in eyes. Be in me. Let’s see what we can find."

_____ Buffy was at the mansion. She could see Acathla was getting ready to open. She lifted her sword to stab Angelus when something went through him. He was Angel again.

"Buffy? What's going on?"

She just looked at him, confused but not yet ready to lower the sword. He looked around a bit and gets to his feet.

"Where are we? I-I don't remember." Angel said.

"Angel?" Buffy whispered.

"You're hurt." Angel said, more concerned with her than himself.

She looked down at her cut and felt his gentle touch on her arm. She ignored her cut, looked back up at him and he hugged her.

"Oh, Buffy... God. I... I feel like I haven't seen you in months. Everything’s so muddled. I..."

Buffy cried into his shoulder, hugging him tightly. Behind them, Acathla started to open.

"What's happening?"

"Shh. Don't worry about it." Buffy whispered.

"I love you." Buffy whispered looking into his eyes. Eyes full of love and trust.

"I love you," he answered.

She gently touched his lips. "Close your eyes." He did, completely trusting. She lifted the sword and plunged it into his chest. His eyes flew open. They were full of hurt and betrayal.

"Buffy..." he said as Acatha took him to Hell.

"Get the hell off of me you bloody bastard!" Spike shouted as Angel pulled the stake out of his sleeve. Nearby Buffy stood locked in Drusilla’s hypnotic stare. Dru was smiling contently, thinking she was doing good. For a second Buffy was back, shaken, tears in her eyes, but okay. But only for a second.

"Game’s not done yet. Be in me..."

_____ Hell. There were minions all over the place, carrying out various tortures. In a rocky corner sat Angel. He was naked and chained to the wall. All across his back were thousands of scars. He was trembling and sweating, as if his body didn’t know if it were hot or cold. He was curled in a fetal position, praying for a loss of consciousness. Unfortunately, Hell didn’t answer prayers. Angel shrank away as he heard approaching footsteps.

"Angel it’s time to play," a voice said.

Angel didn’t answer just shook his head, his body trembling even harder. He turned to see what his torture would be this time. The demon was carrying a flaming cord. Angel thought desperately, tears filling his eyes. "Well, let’s see...you killed your family," the demon said cheerily, bringing the chord down across his back. He let it rest there, burning the flesh. "And their friends," he slid the chord upward. "And their children...Is this starting to sound familiar?" The demon continued until he lost interest.

Angel never said a word, never made a sound. He just sat there, tears running silently, wishing he could escape. Escape to Buffy. He couldn’t remember the last time he had seen her. He reached into a tiny hole in the rock and pulled out his claddaugh ring. The symbol of their love. Nobody knew he had it. Nobody was to have anything. He tried to block out the sound of the screaming. Only the ones new to Hell screamed. "Buffy," he said. Or maybe only thought it.

Spike suddenly stopped his attack on Angel. He kept getting really close with that stake, something Spike hadn’t counted on.

That move caught Angel by surprise. He followed Spike’s gaze which landed on Buffy. She was shaking violently, tears streaming down her face. Angel growled, vamping out. He was outraged. Angel mentally punished himself. He turned, taking him completely by surprise, kicked Spike in the side of the head. Spike groaned and fell to the floor. Wasting no time, Angel flew at Drusilla. The grabbed her and shoved her to the floor. Dru didn’t struggle, just stood up.

"I was just playing a game. I’ll let you play to, if you want," Drusilla said. Buffy was out of the trance, but still crying. She was confused, and the pain of what she just saw, what she had ultimately been the cause of, was to much and she just sat down. She wasn’t very aware of her surroundings, the images of Hell still fresh in her mind. Dru continued to stare at Angel. "You don’t want to play with her?"

Angel glanced at Buffy, wanting to go to her, to comfort her, but he had something to do first. He rushed Drusilla, shoving her against the wall. She was startled, but didn’t resist much. Without a second thought, he raised Kendra’s stake and embedded it in her heart. She looked stunned, but she knew it was going to happen. Her dust hadn’t even settled on the floor when Angel reached Buffy’s side. She clung to him, sobbing.

"I’m so sorry Angel. I’m so sorry..." she cried into his neck, unaware he wore his game face, which was quickly fading. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway. He held her, wondering what she saw, not asking because she was to worked up to answer. The whispered words of comfort seemed to have no effect. She just kept telling him how sorry she was.

Spike sat up dizzily. he thought, trying to make the room stop spinning. He saw the crossbow, Buffy crying in Angel’s arms, a pile of dust, a stake... A pile of dust. Angel was alive, he was alive. That meant... "Drusilla!" He scrambled over to the pile of dust. "Oh luv..." Then he turned to Angel. He had killed her. He vamped out and silently rushed Angel. Angel was taken by surprise, and the impact tore him away from Buffy and onto the floor. Out of instinct, Spike went for Angel’s neck. Spike’s madness made him even stronger and Angel was starting to lose the battle. Buffy saw what was going on and it put her into full Slayer mode. She ran and lept at Spike, kicking him in the chest with both legs. He fell backwards under her weight and she landed in a forward roll. Spike hissed and slammed her against the wall. He had her wrists pinned, and she tried to kick him but didn’t have room. His grip tightened and she waited to hear the snap of bones. She could see Angel coming with the stake.

Spike heard him coming and released Buffy, turning on Angel. "That stake’s not gonna do you any good," Spike said as he kicked it out of Angel’s hand. "No stake! No defenses now! You can’t touch me! You have nothing," Spike raved. He was crazed, not thinking straight. A memory flashed in Angel’s mind.

Buffy looked around, searching for a weapon. Her eyes landed on the crossbow. She ran to it and put in a bolt. She tried to aim it on Spike, but he was moving to much. She couldn’t get a clear shot. She could try, and risk shooting Angel. She couldn’t risk that. Angel was now facing her and saw her holding the crossbow. He looked at Spike and back to Buffy, motioning slightly to the side. Buffy shifted the crossbow slightly, waiting.

"This all ya got Angel? Big bad Angel. Mr. all hat no cat. I thought you were gonna kill me. Why am I still bloody fighting then? You think you can kill me? I’d love to see you try." He turned to see what Angel had motioned to. He saw Buffy holding the crossbow just as Angel kicked his back, sending him forward, into Buffy’s line of fire. Spike gave Angel a murderous look and opened his mouth to say something.

"Not today Spike. I’ve had enough of you." With that Buffy let the bolt fly. It hit Spike directly in the heart. He was shocked she had acually done it. He nodded and silently cursed himself for being beaten by the Slayer. He fell to the floor, turning to dust.

Buffy slumped against the wall, exhausted. Angel went over to her, wiping the blood off off his upper arm where Spike had managed to cut him with a sharp rock. "I’ll walk you home," he said. Buffy nodded, she was glad that was over. She wasn’t likely to forget it soon.

"I’m, sorry," Buffy said again as they walked to her house.

"For?"

"Everything," she said, not able to bring herself to say exactly what. "But I..."

"Don’t worry about it." Angel had figured out what Drusilla had shown her, and was glad he killed her for it.

Buffy unlocked the front door and went in, Angel following. She contemplated calling Giles to tell him what happened. It was late and she was tired. It could wait untill morning.

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