Yellow Skies

By:Isis

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, or anything related to, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Joss Whedon and ME do.

Summary: Takes place after As You Were. Spike leaves town so that Buffy can sort out her feeling. Thing is, you know Spike; he can't stay away from Buffy long. He comes back to town, only to find out that she and Dawn are missing. This all leads up to S/B getting back together- Spuffy will take place, I promise. Lots of it!

This is a S/B centered story, but other characters are also involved.

Rated: PG-13

Author's note: As always, special thanks to my beta, Madrog. Always giving me an idea, a reason to laugh, or a cyber kick in the right direction. (hugs)

Email: isis_fanfic@hotmail.com

Distribution: Yes, but only if you ask first and let me know where it's going.

Reviews: Thank you to the people that did review. That's really nice of you to take the time to let me know what you think. Being my first fic, I'm just now finding out, writing isn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. (not for me anyway). Your words are what keep me going.

************************************************************************

Chapter 5

A Friend's Resolve

Xander and Spike talked very little as they walked together. There was no argument that Spike's crypt was their destination, seeing that that was Dawn's last whereabouts, and where Buffy was headed to look for her. However, they also realized it was possible something could have happened to them on their way either to, or from it. So, they decided to split up and each take on separate halves of the cemetery, to make sure the area was fully covered.

With their adrenaline pumping, and senses fully alert, it didn't take long for them to meet back up at the crypt. Neither said a word as they walked toward each other; just gave a nod to indicate neither had seen anything. Spike put his ear up to the door, listening to see if anything unusual may be taking place inside. He didn't want to just jump into a situation that could involve getting the girls hurt, as a result of his hasty entrance.

Spike's eyebrow went up, and he put one of his fingers up as a sign to tell Xander to wait and be still. After listening a little more, he pulled Xander aside. "Something's going on in there. I heard some kind of growling. Didn't sound like a vamp."

Just then a noise in the opposite direction caught Spike's attention. "Someone's over there," he said as he pointed to a group of trees. They made their way over, and two vampires jumped them. The woman was only about half the size of Xander, so he figured he'd take her on. He shoved the stake he had been holding, in to his back pocket, and then quickly held up his right arm to block a kick that was aimed for his head. "Holy shit!" Xander cried, after the impact knocked him to the ground. This girl sure could stretch those legs of hers. He jumped back up, and threw a punch she easily avoided. But then he surprised her with a kick, right to the center of her stomach, which caused her to land on her back. She gave a growl as he ran over to her, stake ready. He more or less flung himself into the air, aiming at her heart, but she brought her legs up in time to push him back up and over her head.

Xander took a quick glance over at Spike, just as he staked his opponent. 'Shit, here comes the saving my ass part.' He thought to himself. Xander knew the woman was coming toward him again, from the back. He jumped up, held his right arm out straight, stake pointing backward. With feet planted firmly in place, he twisted his upper torso, and then hoped this would be his lucky night. The resistance of her flesh, met up with the tip of the stake, then he heard her go "poof". "Yes!" he said as he fully turned around, to watch her ashes falling toward the ground.

"Well, well." Spike's voice came. "What have we here? Finally don't have to help you, huh, Harris? And look, you didn't even wet yourself." Spike cut the sarcasm out of his voice for a second. "Good job."

What was this? Praise from Spike? Xander stood up taller. Spike started to walk away, but slightly turned his head while doing so, so that he could have one last word. Couldn't ruin his rep with the boy. "Even if it was a girl. Small one at that." Xander scowled and started to protest, but Spike shot him a look that told him to shut up. They were going back to the crypt.

Once there, Spike whispered, "On the count of three, I'm kicking the door in. It sounded like there was only one occupant, but the girls could be tied and gagged in there for all we know." Spike leaned his head against the door. The growling had stopped, but he heard a couple things thump against the wall, followed by glass shattering.

"When the door opens, I'm going for whatever is making the racket in there. You get the girls," Spike said.

Spike counted by putting his fingers up, and then did a side kick to the door. They both rushed in, with Spike in front. Xander's eyes darted around looking for the girls, but all he ended up seeing was Spike looking menacingly at Clem, who was half on the couch and half on the floor. Clem's voice broke as he talked, "I'm sorry Spike. I'll pick it up. Really." Spike backed off, his face now showing a bit of relief, mixed with puzzlement. Scattered around the couch were broken candles and a drinking glass. Clem was now on his hands and knees picking the pieces up, talking as he went. "I didn't know you were back...I ummm...couldn't get the TV to come in. Missing my favorite show." He looked up at Spike expectantly, thinking he would be the one to understand how tragic that was.

Xander had to ask. "So you got all growly and started throwing stuff?"

Clem placed the candles back up on a stone shelf, before turning back toward them. "Yeah, well..." Clem looked around, uncomfortable. "Do you think you could pick up the glass? If that stuff gets lost in-between my folds, I may not know for days. That's kind of risky, ya know?"

Spike couldn't believe Clem had such a temper. It almost got him to laugh, but the girls weighed heavy on his mind. "Have you seen Dawn or Buffy?"

Clem's ears visibly stopped shaking, glad for a turn in the conversation. "Ah, yeah, sure, the Slayer. Met up with her this evening. She was looking for Dawn. Told her I saw Dawn, and that she had gone back here to get something."

Spike was happy to get some kind of lead. "Ok. So you talked to Dawn? Did anything sound suspicious?"

"Well, let me think." Clem scratched his side. "Nope, nothing out of the norm. Except that she mentioned picking your place up for you, and that isn't normal of a teenager. At least that's what I've heard."

Spike looked around. The place was quite tidy. "So last you knew, Dawn was coming back here, and after talking with Buffy, she was headed here, also?"

Clem was back to fidgeting with the TV. "Huh? Oh, yes, back here."

"Bloody Hell, Clem. This is important!" He grabbed the rabbit ears away from him. "Since you have been back here, you haven't heard anything from them?"

Clem let out a sigh and sat back down. "One of my poker friends saw Buffy being taken by a demon. He remembered her from that poker game you brought her to." Clem watched Spike to see if there was any indication he remembered that night, but Spike just stood still as a rock. "Anywho, he was on his way over here through the sewers, when he saw it happen. Said where it happened was pretty far back. Thought if he brought her bag back that got left behind, then at least if I ever saw her again, I could give it to her."

Spike could hardly hold himself still. He wanted to throttle Clem. "You couldn't have told me that part first?" Spike paced back and forth a couple of times, his left hand holding his forehead. "Did he say what kind of demon?"

"Yes, it was of the Paricee variety. There are three different types, but this one was of the worst kind. It is over six feet tall, has acidic blood, and also has a duel claw that detaches itself in its victim's neck. Knocks 'em right out. That way they can leave them where they want, until they are ready to eat. Usually they start with the he-"

Xander was dumbfounded and cut him off. "You didn't go try to find her?"

Clem looked down at the floor, while itching behind his ear. "I couldn't do anything if I did find them. They really like my kind for snacks. Besides, my show was on." Clem looked up at Spike. "Plus, couldn't risk having someone come in here and steal my winnings." It wasn't until then that Spike and Xander heard all the mewing.

Spike walked over to the weapons bag, and searched through it for a flashlight, at the same time talking to Clem. "Go over to Buffy's house and tell Willow about what happened to her. I'm thinking the same thing must have happened to Dawn." Spike turned around, flashlight on and poised in his hand. He had to make sure Clem was paying attention. "Tell them about the demon, and tell them not to leave the house. We are going in to search the tunnels for them." Spike softened up a bit. "If you do that, I'm sure they will let you watch their TV, and they have cable."

It took no time for Clem to get out the door.

****

It was raining harder now, than when they had left the house. The tunnels were quite wet, more so than usual, with steady streams flowing down the middle. These conditions hindered their attempt at following footprints, and they had to walk slower than they wanted.

"Spike, we've been walking for half an hour now, and we have no idea if we are even heading in the right direction."

Spike stayed silent, studying the ground that passed by as he walked. The lack of response bugged Xander. "Come on, there has to be some other way. Can't we find someone that kno-"

Spike suddenly stopped and picked something up. He held it up to his nose, and sniffed.

Xander was curious. "What is it?"

"Hair," he said, and then looked up at Xander, who had come to stand to his left. "Buffy's hair."

Xander scrunched up his face, and looked at him like he was crazy. "You mean to tell me you can smell one strand of hair, and know it's Buffy's?"

"Yes, it's hers," Spike said in a matter-of-fact tone. "We are going the right way. This has to be where Clem's friend saw her."

"Spike, you have gone beyond scaring me."

"Scares me, too."

"I mean that you know her that well." Xander took a second to study the vampire's face.

Spike looked around, only half pretending to be distracted by his surroundings. "We better get a move on. No telling where they are now."

****

The vampire and his unlikely companion walked until the tunnel forked again. Both sat down, resting their backs on the wall, where the opposite tunnels formed a junction. Neither could decide what way to go, and their compatibility was dwindling fast.

"Can't you find another hair, or something?"

Spike let out a sound that let it be known that Xander was bugging him. After the moment of silence that followed, he tossed the flashlight to the pouting git across from him. "There, why don't you see if you can do any better?" Spike stood up and paced for a while, then walked closer to Xander. "On second thought, if Buffy knew I just handed her fate off to Nancy Boy Drew here, she'd stake me."

Xander stood up. "All the more reason."

"You'd like to see that, wouldn't you? Boy can't take competition around, cause then he's stuck in the shadows."

"Ahhh, wrong, you are the one in the shadows, Spike. And I'm *not* a boy, so knock it off."

Spike snickered and stuck his hands in his front pockets, slightly leaning back. "Ohhhh, hit a sore spot did I?"

"You know, you are really pissing me off."

"Well, as much fun as it is to piss you off, I'm more concerned with the current situation, then I am about kissing your boo boos."

Xander, for once, decided to let this annoying fly just buzz, and step up to what was really important. And hating to admit it, he was on Spike's side. "How about we split up. You can see alright down here, and..."

Spike rolled his eyes. "First thought that should have come to that bloody, brilliant brain of yours- you in the dark, alone, with evil lurking about."

"Oh, yeah. Right."

Spike patted him on the back. "Actually, it sounds like a good idea, don't let me stop you."

Xander gave Spike a nudge to push him away a bit. The two of them started walking together again, not caring what direction they were heading now.

"Why are you doing this, Spike? What's in it for you? Cause I'd think by now, you'd realize Buffy is never going to have any sort of relationship with you."

Spike mumbled under his breath, mostly to himself, "Believe me, I know it'll be little in the way of gratitude. Slayer never had much use for me, except for-" Spike had to bite his tongue to keep from finishing. Then he talked a little louder, but kept his sight on the appending darkness up ahead. "I care about the two of them, whether you want to believe that, or not. But I do, and I'd do anything to keep them safe."

It was Xander's turn to hold his tongue. His mind thought of many ways to tell Spike he had no chance in hell of ever winning Buffy over. But, for some odd reason, he did believe Spike. That sudden realization caught him off guard, and his mouth spoke as if on it's own accord, "I know."

Spike stopped walking and tilted his head, as if confused, and then he looked at Xander. He waited, his face expressionless. Thought the comment would be followed with some kind of joke. But it never came.

A small whimper was heard by the both of them, and so they soon forgot the awkwardness that had just passed between them. Instead, they ran toward the sound. Spike picked up pace. "It's Dawn," he said over his shoulder.

Xander tried to keep up with him. He tried to make the flashlight's beam go further, but he guessed Spike's vision could see beyond its limits.

Dawn was huddled into a ball, with the huge jacket encasing her, down to her feet. Spike knelt down beside her. "Dawn." Spike said, a little worried that she was so unresponsive. Dawn looked up just as Xander made it to them, out of breath. He was at her other side, rubbing her back.

Dawn gave a slight smile. "Hey, it's you. So glad."

Spike looked back toward the darkness, and then back at Dawn. "Where is Buffy?"

Dawn leaned on Xander. "I'm tired. It's not out of my system yet. And I'm thirsty. Do you have any water with you?"

Xander saw the mark on her neck and gave Spike a worried glance. "Where is Buffy?"

Dawn tried standing, but ended up mostly cradled by Xander's arms. "Some kind of demon. It put something in our necks...Buffy took mine out while I was asleep."

Spike held her hand. "It's ok, Bit. We've got you now." He swallowed hard. "So, Buffy is ok?"

She picked her head up and looked at Spike. "She had the same thing, but got it out on her own. I think she's really sick though. She threw up a couple of times, and said she was dizzy. But I didn't get to talk to her for very long before she was taken away. I was still mostly asleep...fading in and out." Dawn sounded like she was on the brink of crying. " I only heard Buffy moving around, and saying stuff, but I couldn't get myself to wake up enough to help. Last thing I heard was her saying, "No, Warren. What are you doing?" Then I didn't hear anything. I fell back to sleep I think. I don't know if it was just for a few minutes, or an hour, or what. But when I did come to, I knew I had to try to get home, and get some help."

Spike put his hands over his bowed head for a minute, and then sighed as he moved them away and placed them on her shoulders. "You did good," he said, as he looked into her eyes. Then he stood up and helped the both of them up at the same time. "Do you know about how long you've been walking?"

Dawn moaned a little, like it was a bother to think, but he knew she wanted to help. "I guess for about fifteen minutes. I was really slow though, because I couldn't see anything really; but it was strait all the way, so you should come across where we were, soon."

"Xander, bring her home." Xander was about to say something, but then Spike interrupted as soon as something crossed his mind. "No, bring her to the hospital. We are only about a block from it. I go to the hospital via this route sometimes. No need of you carrying her all the way home, just to run into something without me around. Probably best to get her checked out, anyhow." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Back where the tunnel splits is a ladder. Think you can carry her up that?"

Xander bent his knees, and then swooped Dawn up into his arms. "No prob. What about Buffy? How-"

Spike was getting agitated by the second. Not because of Xander, really. Just because he wanted to get going, and find Buffy. "I'll find her. You can hold me to that. Now go."

Xander gave a nod, and then took off in the opposite direction of Spike.

****

Continue

Back

Back to Fanfiction