Truth and Myths
Chapter 2
late December 2003
Los Angeles, California

"Where is Buffy?" Spike felt like he was at the end of his rope. He had done Internet searches, made an attempt to search for her in Europe, had even called Harris when he located his number in San Diego, but no one seemed to know.

Oh that call to Harris yesterday had been fun... it was entertaining for about 10 seconds to hear him squawk in surprise, but then it got boring. Surprisingly other than a "deadboy" Harris had been cordial. Spike now knew more than he ever wanted to know about Red and that Kennedy girl were doing, what a "comic con" was like, how to remodel a bedroom, and what it is like to have to deal with divorcing parents.

The only information Harris knew about Buffy was that he received a call from Red shortly after he had settled in San Diego two months ago. Buffy had suddenly become very ill, and Giles had to take her to some "super duper hospital" and that no one, not even Dawn, had contact with them since. That sent a chill down Spike's spine. He no longer trusted Rupert with Buffy's well being. What was wrong with her, and where had her Watcher sent her?

Spike's only source that he hadn't checked out was Andrew, who had arrived here, around a month ago. He'd heard the boy's "job interview" with Angel via a little electronic spying. The boy had been with Giles up till recently because he mentioned some training he'd had. Angel had worn his patronizing smile through the charade then had told the boy he was hired. Andrew was easy to intimidate and likely would know something about Rupert. Spike had observed Andrew's daily routine since then and it looked like he finally had the moment he had been waiting for. Andrew was unloading groceries at his apartment.

"Hello Andrew."

"S- Spike! H- hi." Andrew stuttered nervously.

Spike grinned in his I'm a badass style and looked at Andrew dead on, "So you're working for Angel nowadays."

"Y-yeah. He hired me. And hey don't you work for him too?"

"Sort of."

Andrew became more confident, and announced in a bit of bravado "Well I'm an official employee- name tag, security clearance and everything"

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, and Mr. Giles taught me how to fight now, so I'm not scared of anyone now"

Spike smirked, the boy's fear mixed with a strange adoration was coming off of him so clear that a newly risen fledgling would pick up on it. He wouldn't press it yet though. "So how long has Rupert been training you?"

Without thinking it through Andrew bragged, "7 months."

A million emotions surged through Spike at that moment, but the dominant one was rage. In an instant Spike had Andrew pinned against a wall.

Andrew shrieked "Don't hurt me!"

In game face Spike growled "Then tell me now where Rupert is."

Andrew blurted out, "He's staying in some secret hideout place in Wolfram and Hart. I don't know where, I think only he can get in, some sort of secret code. You'll never find him, he won't let you." Andrew started to cry, "Now he'll probably kill me because I told you. He said it was 'imperative' you didn't know!"

Spike slid out of game face and loosened his hold on Andrew. "He won't hurt you. I'll not allow it" Spike didn't realize his face had taken on a compassionate cast and his speech style had altered to that of his youth's.

Andrew blubbered a thank you and sank to the ground in relief.

"I'll make it look that I found out another way."

A couple of hours later at Wolfram and Hart, with some help from Fred, Giles' location was hacked out. Before the Watcher could find out his security measures had been breached Spike headed for the location. Again Fred helped cover his tracks.

When the doors opened and he saw his Slayer helpless on a hospital bed and quite pregnant he nearly trashed the place to get her free. As it was he ripped the door off it's track and had his fist ready to smash the machine when Angel stopped him, by yanking his arms back.

"Don't do it that way Spike. You'll hurt her and your baby."

"My baby? Buffy's baby is mine? I'm the father?"

Angel sighed as he released Spike's arms. "Yeah. Giles told me the whole story. I guess you were right, she did love you."

"Does! I'm getting her and the baby out of here!"

"I'm afraid that is impossible Spike." Giles said behind them, then there was a click of a crossbow...