- T h r e e Y e a r s O n -

[Three Years On III]

...She'd been sent. Sent by the Slayer. God she was gonna pay for this...

~~~

Drusilla continued to stare at her ex in dis-belief. He couldn't love. She cocked her head to one side. This kind of fitted into the rumour she'd heard about Spike being gay.
"Look, it doesn't change anythin'," he protested "I still want to love y', pet...It's just I can't." Dru let a solitary tear drop down her cheek. This was her fault. She was his Sire, she should have looked after him. But what did she do instead? She ran off with the first demon who showed an interest.
"I don't like it." she whined. "I don't like it one bit." Spike went to say something, but she was already out the door and into the cemetary. He thought about going after her, but decided against it. She could take care of herself.

~~~

"It's not fair." she spoke to the emptiness around her as if it were an old friend. "I liked my Spikey like he was before. When he wasn't - "
"Gay?" Harmony offered, appearing at her side. Drusilla studied the blond's face and felt a shock of recognition. She was the vampire who'd been with Spike the last time she'd visited.
"He's not really gay." Dru defended him quietly. "Is he?"
"Well, he doesn't look at me, he doesn't love the Slayer anymore, I haven't seen him bring anyone home recently, and by the looks of things, he's just dumped you." Harmony nodded "So, he's gay."
Drusilla suddenly felt angry. This blond bimbo was accusing her Spike of being gay! How dare she?!
"Shut up!" she screamed "Shut up! Shut up!" Harmony stepped back. Dru was going off her head. She was now clawing at the other vampire's face and screaming abuse at her. Harmony eventually broke away, and before running yelled back.
"God, you're probably the reason he's gay!"

~~~

Spike sat in the darkness and sighed. He couldn't get anything right. He couldn't keep Dru, he couldn't stay sober for more than a day, he was addicted to Dawsons and Passions. His life was a wreck. Suddenly he stood up. He was brooding. That wasn't good. That was Angel's thing. *His* thing was killing, he decided. And that was what he was gonna do. Go and kill a few people, cheer himself up. Spike smiled faintly, grabbed his long leather coat and left his crypt. As soon as he set foot outside, he was surrounded by seven, huge demons, at least twice his size.
"What?" he demanded rolling his eyes. Why did everyone want to fight him?
"We know your secret." One of the bigger of the group announced in an amusingly high voice.
"And what might that be?" Spike sniggered.
"Oh, you know." The largest one implied, his voice even higher.
"No," he was really struggling not to laugh. "I don't, so enlighten me."
"There's a rumour going round," another demon, another high voice "That you are..." he looked at the runt of the litter to continue.
"Gay." the smallest boomed. Despite what had been said, Spike burst into laughter, pointing at the smallest. All the others had voices like six year old choir boys, and the little'un had a voice as low as thunder. As the implication set in, he managed to control himself and looked around the group menacingly.
"Really," he drawled, all the while praying he wasn't interrupted or he'd lose it again. "And who might've started that?"
"We heard it from Darwin," the littlest informed him, causing Spike to bite his lip "Who heard it from Sunjav, who heard it form Willie the Snitch, who heard it from Harmony, who heard it from the Slayer."
He might have guessed it. "The bloody Slayer's tryin' to stitch me up. God, when I find her I'm gonna grab her by the throat an - "
"Er, excuse me," One demon interrupted "Is it true?"
"What are y'? Little girls in year six? No it's not bloody true! Now get the hell outta my face!" Spike yelled at them all. One took offence to his tone and stepped forward.
"I challenge you t -"
Spike growled and ripped out his tonge before impaling him with the first sharp object he could get hold of. The rest of the clan fell silent.
"Well, bye!" the runt smiled and ushered everyone away. Spike kicked the dead body. He was gonna go and see the Slayer and give her the biggest arse-kickin she's ever experienced.

~~~

Angel and Buffy had long since been silent after he'd told her what Cordelia had seen in her vision.
"So," the Slayer sniffed "I'm gonna make Slayer number three for Spike? Lucky him. And anyway three's my lucky number."
"Buffy, I'm here now. And I'm gonna protect you. We can prevent what Cordy saw. That's the whole point of a vision." Angel lifted her chin so they were eye to eye. "You're not gonna die for a very long time."
"But Dawn!" Buffy cried "What about her? She isn't the Slayer! And worst of all, she actually *trusts* him."
"I'll do everything in my power to protect Dawn." Angel promised and looked at the only woman he'd ever truly loved with utter conviction "Spike isn't killing anybody while I'm around."
The door suddenly burst off it's hinges and Drusilla stood at the threshold. Unable to come in because she was minus that all important invitation.
"You." she glared at Buffy, looking straight past her Sire. "You've been telling tales. You're responsible for the magick." The Slayer frowned at two things, one: magick? and two: why wasn't she out distracting Spike?
"Drusilla, I don't have a clue what you're talking about." Buffy sighed and picked up a stake. She was about to advance when Spike burst past Drusilla.
"Oi! Slayer! I - " he paused and looked around him "Dru? Angel?! What the Hell is goin' on?"
"You're naughty," Dru pointed at Buffy, beginning to compile a list "You're not supposed to be here, Angel and *you're*," she turned to Spike "Gay!"
Angel frowned "Spike's gay?!" he exclaimed.
"NO!!" he shouted, thoroughly exasperated "I'M NOT BLOODY GAY!!"
Buffy remembered what she'd said to Harmony and kept quiet. This could get confusing.

~~~

"You started the rumour off, Slayer," Spike accused "And don't try and say any different."
"Who told you?" Buffy asked suspiciously
"Well, these demons heard it off Darwin, who heard it off Sunjav, who heard it off - What? I mean - Shut up! Jesus!" Spike's head was beginning to hurt. The Slayer had that affect on people. Angel tried to hold back a laugh.
"And what are you sniggerin' 'bout?" Spike demanded, turning on him "You aint got room to talk, you actually *are* gay!" Angel growled and stepped forward. But Buffy held him back.
"What does it matter if someone's gay or not? There's nothing wrong with it, you know." she lectured the strange group.
"Yeah, whatever, I'm not gay." Spike muttered under his breath. Suddenly Drusilla spoke up. "Why is no-one fighting?" she queried innocently.
Then the room burst to life. Everyone flew at each other. Spike fought Buffy whilst Angel kept Dru busy. Halfway through, the Slayer got bored. She grabbed Drusilla and smiled. "I've got your girlfriend." Dawn poked her head round the door to check out the situation, only to be seized by Spike.
"I've got your sister." he teased, grinning evily. Everybody froze. Dawn was now their top priority. Drusilla beamed with pride as Spike held onto his terrified hostage.
"Spike, please!" Dawn cried "I thought you liked me!"
"Yeah well, things change, get over it. Now you're my official hostage for the evening." He looked down at her "How does that suit y', Niblet?"
Without warning, the Slayer's younger sister began to cry. Buffy released Drusilla and opened her arms. "Right," she conceded defeat "You win, now let her go."
"Are you mad?" Spike laughed "And give over the upper-hand? No, I think I'll be hanging on to little Dawnie for a while." Buffy stepped forward and watched in horror as her enemy's face changed and he leant in towards Dawn's exposed neck. "Careful," he warned "Or we might end up with a tragic fatality on our hands." Buffy gulped. She couldn't let her sister die.
"Don't kill her!" She pleaded as a last resort "Take me instead."
"Oohh!" Spike smiled, showing gleaming fangs "I'm likin' that idea quite alot. I'll tell y' what. I'll give you Dawn by passin' her to the poofter, then Dru passes you to me and - " Suddenly he broke off and began to tear down the street with Dawn in his arms. This was either going to be very fun, or very fatal.

~~~

Buffy launched into action, running after Spike at full speed. Angel prepared to follow suit, but Drusilla held him back, wanting to give her childe the biggest chance possible. The Slayer's muscles ached and her heart throbbed, but she had to run. So far, she was keeping Spike in her sight, but whereas she was slowing up, he was only getting faster. The vampire panted with effort, even he had no reason to breathe, what with him being practically dead and all. He loved a good chase. Especially when he knew he could win. Dawn continued to cry and was struggling in his arms. "Listen, kid," he growled in her ear, struggling for breath he didn't need "This'll be a hell of a lot easier if y' stop strugglin' and shut up, 'k?" As a reply, she wriggled about and kicked his shins as hard as she could. Spike bit his lip. Telling himself sternly not to bite the little brat. After all, that would only make the Slayer angrier and would probably result in him being turned into a big pile of dust. Meanwhile, behind them Buffy was ready to collapse. Plus, she had just about lost sight of Spike. But even as the world began to grow darker, she carried on running. She couldn't let Spike run off with the only family she had left. Eventually, the Slayer fell to the cold, hard floor, battling to stay conscious. A battle that she inevitably lost.

~~~

Angel waited anxiously for Buffy to wake up. When he'd first found her, collapsed on the ground, he'd thought she was dead. But then he'd seen her breathing and brought her back to her house. He'd called Giles and the others and they were on their way. On cue, Giles ran into the house and knelt beside his Slayer. "How did she faint?" he asked urgently
"She must've been chasing Spike for too long and ran out of oxygen." Angel provided his version of the events.
"Chasing Spike?" Giles ventured, Angel had only mentioned Buffy on the phone.
"Yeah," the vampire sighed with regret "He took Dawn and ran. I couldn't stop him, Drusilla - "
"Drusilla?!" The Watcher repeated. That must have been the distraction Buffy brought in. He rested his head in his tired hands. "Right," he decided to take action "As soon as the others get here we split up, try to find Dawn, but only after Buffy's awake and ready." Angel nodded. Now all that was left to do was wait, and watch time roll by which they desperately needed.

~~~

Dawn watched Spike smoking a disgusting cigarette as he inspected their hide-out. "It's not perfect," he was saying "But it'll do." He turned to her and sighed, kneeling infront of her. "I'm sorry to do this to y', Nib," he informed her, blowing acrid smoke into her face "Y' know how it is, though. Some people just get caught in the crossfire."
"Oh save it for someone who cares, you walking corpse." Dawn spat viciously.
"Well that wasn't nice, was it?" Spike shook his head "Now I'm gonna have to gag you." Dawn's jaw dropped.
"You are *not* gagging me!" she yelled incredulously. "Isn't it enough you've kidnapped me and got me chained to a crumbling wall in an abandoned - whatever this is?!"
"Unfortunately," He paused and brandished a gag "No." he tied it around her mouth and enjoyed momentary silence, before she began to scream abuse. It was muffled, but it wasn't exactly quiet. A nerve in Spike's cheek twitched. This was very irritating. He waited another minute or so before turning on her in full vampire form. "Unless you fancy bein' my main-course I suggest you shut your massive gob!" he shouted in her face. Dawn was immediately hushed and Spike smiled. He decided he liked holding people hostage. Now all he needed was a good plan for keeping the Slayer at bay until the time was right.

~~~

Buffy shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind. She didn't feel 100%, but what did that matter when Dawn's in trouble. Infront of her, Giles was busy giving everyone instructions.
"Xander," he was saying "You go to the East of town with Anya, Willow and Tara, you take the West, I'll take the South alone and Buffy and Angel, you go North." The group nodded and stood up slowly. Buffy rose to her feet and was glad to be steadied by Angel.
"You find Dawn, you save her," she commanded "You find Spike, you tell me and I beat the Hell outta him." Another wave of silent nods and each group went on their way. "Be careful." she told her Watcher as he left.
"Don't worry," he smiled weakly "We'll get her back safe and sound."
For some reason, Buffy just couldn't believe him. She and Angel marched outside and began to head North into the bad side of town.
"We can drop in on Willie." Angel suggested. The little guy was well known for being a snitch and with the right amount of pressure applied, would tell you anything. They headed there first.

~~~

Drusilla crouched behind a low wall and listened to the demons in the nearby bar chat idley. She took in a deep breath and entered. She was met by interested looks, probably because everyone recognised her as "Spike's bird, the crazy one." The vampire glided silently up to the bartender and watched him sort out some bottles with his back turned away from her. "Willie." she whispered sharply. He yelped and twisted round, clutching a bottle to his chest. "Oh, h-hey Drusilla." he greeted nervously. "W-what can I get y'?"
"Where's my love taken his little hostage?" Dru asked purposefully.
A number of demons and the like turned around, and mutters of "Hostage?" and "Spike's got the thing outta his head?" could easily be heard.
Willie shrugged. He could tell her, after all, her and Spike had been going out for, like, forever. "There's a club in the South of town, been abandoned for years, called 'The One', you'll find 'em there." he informed her. Dru smiled, thanked him and left. She couldn't wait to see him again. Especially since she'd found a way to keep the chip the way it was *and* let him love. She was going to have him back, whether he liked it or not.

~~~

"So what was Spike like before the chip?" Tara asked her girlfriend as they wandered cautiously down a quiet street. Willow shrugged.
"Like an especially evil vampire." she answered bluntly. She didn't particularly want to go into the details about how he'd kidnapped her and Xander, nearly killed everyone and all the other terrible things he'd done. Tara understood and shivered. Willow had seen a lot in her life, and if she couldn't talk about Spike, he must be one Hell of "an especially evil vampire." She twisted a finger round her hair and the pair walked in silence. "I hope the others are okay." she said quietly. Willow nodded, so did she.

~~~

Giles tip-toed into the abandoned club and froze. He could see Dawn. She'd been chained to a wall and gagged. He prayed that Spike had just 'nipped out' for a snack or something. "Dawn!" he whispered loudly. The girl's head snapped up and she spotted him. "Is Spike in?" The Watcher asked, creeping forward. Dawn shook her head and Giles thanked the Heavens. He reached for her gag to untie her, but suddenly, he saw a terrified look in her eyes and knew that he was back. Giles stood quickly and turned, ready to run for his life, but was met by Spike's grinning face.
"I see a search party's been organised," he observed "Well, thats good, 'cause that means that the Slayer'll be here soon." Giles stood absolutely still. Spike took a small step back. "Aren't y' gonna run, old man?" he asked, unable to hide the disappointment in his voice. The Watcher remained frozen. So Spike shrugged and delivered one hard punch to his jaw. Giles went reeling backwards and fell to the floor. He didn't remember the vampire being as strong as that. "Bloody Hell." he complained and passed out as Spike loomed over him.
"Well," Spike turned to Dawn "That's two down." Dawn narrowed her eyes.
"I can't believe I used to have a crush on you." she said without thinking. Despite the gag, he'd understood her and fixed her with an amused smile.
"You liked me?" he teased her "Well I'm touched, I really am." He then laughed at her and Dawn felt herself turn red with embarrasment. She really hoped Buffy got here and killed him soon. Her hopes rose as the door opened. Only to be crushed when she recognised the intruder.

~~~

"Dru?!" Spike exclaimed, genuinely happy. "What are y' doin' here? How did y' find me?"
"The little man with the bottles told me." Dru sang. Spike's shoulders dropped. He knew that in Dru-Speak that meant 'Willie'. How the Hell did that guy know?! "I've come to help you." she continued.
"With what?" he asked. Didn't she think he could keep a hostage by himself?
"I've got a magick trick which'll help you." she told him, giggling insanely.
"Magick? How will magick help me?" Spike frowned, until he sudenly realised what she was going on about. "You can make me love again?"
Drusilla nodded and squealed with delight as he picked her up and twirled her around in his arms. He couldn't love her, but he still fancied her like anything. The couple smiled at each other and, for a moment, the rest of the world fell away. Then the hostage in the corner began to shout out muffled protests. Spike growled.
"Shut - the - Hell - up!" he yelled, so loud it hurt her ears. Dawn gulped and decided to follow his advice. But Spike was angry at her for interrupting him and Dru. He gave her a swift punch which knocked her out cold. Then he tied Giles up a few feet away from her.
"Now," he turned back to Drusilla when he was satisfied with the hostages. "Where were we?"

~~~

Willie cursed as Angel lifted him into the air. The bar had cleared out at first sign of the Slayer and the famous vampire.
"Now I'm gonna ask one more time before I get angry," Angel threatened "Where's Spike taken Dawn?"
"The hostage's Dawn?! Whoa! He bagged himself the Slayer's sister!" Willie exclaimed, before realising what he'd said. Angel drew back his fist, ready to slam it into Willie's face, but the snitch broke.
"Stop!" he pleaded "I'll tell you!" Angel dropped him and he re-adjusted his collar. Buffy put her hands on her hips.
"We're waiting." she prompted impatiently. Willie nodded. Maybe if he told her she'd kill Spike, so then he couldn't kill *him*.
"Okay," he breathed "In the South of town, this club called 'The One', he - "
The pair left the bar before Willie could finish. He wiped his brow. That was twice in one evening. Spike was popular that night.

~~~

Dawn cringed as she watched Spike and his Sire cuddling in the corner. This was another thing on her list that she just didn't want to see.
"I love you." Drusilla whispered to him. Spike grinned. He knew she did.
"I l-" he began, but the words stuck in his throat. He looked to the ground.
"Sorry." he apologised sincerely. Dru lifted his chin.
"Don't worry, my sweet," she lent against him "I'll have you cured in a little while. Then we'll be together forever." Dawn rolled her eyes. Yeah, before she goes off with another demon. She shifted in her chains.
"How come you can't say it?" Dawn asked curiously. Giles, beside her had apparently taken a vow of silence. Spike, who was now in a decidedly good mood, turned to her and took the gag away.
"Y' what?" he queried, just as curious.
"I said," Dawn sighed, glad to have her mouth free again "How come you can't say it?" Spike frowned. If she wasn't careful, she'd ruin his mood.
"'Cause in order for me to get my chip out, I had to give up my ability to feel love." he replied truthfully. Dawn felt an unwanted wave of pity sweep over her. That was awful.
"But *I'm* going to cure him." Dru announced, joining her lover at his side.
Dawn looked accross at Giles, who was carefully watching the vampires.
"Listen!" Drusilla suddenly snapped and gave Dawn a vicious slap.
"That's my girl!" Spike grinned and gave her an affectionate hug. He couldn't wait until she unveiled her brilliant scheme to let him love again. But, he had to. He drew himself up and began to prepare for the Slayer's imminent arrival, starting with using the phone.

~~~

Angel spotted the abandoned club first. It loomed over himself and Buffy, casting a large shadow onto the dark street. He checked his watch. It was just past 1am, plenty of time until sunrise. He nudged Buffy and they advanced slowly.
"I'm going in." the Slayer whispered once they were directly outside and she bolted inside. Angel had been instructed to follow in exactly five minutes, and not a second before. He was already counting down. Willing time to speed up so he could join her. He knew how dangerous Spike was. After all, he himself had trained him.