Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 82

 

In Sunnydale.

Buffy and Willow are reading the Monday morning paper.

Buffy: Damn it. I swear Spike. This is ridiculous.

Willow: What is it?

Buffy: There were six murders at the Bronze Saturday night. All the victims experienced strange stab wounds in the neck.

Willow: Vampires?

Buffy: Willow.

Willow: Okay, Willow brain is not at full charge.

Buffy: Willow, can you access the files and see what else you can find out.

Willow: Computer hacking. Think I can manage, even with one hand.

Buffy: I can try to help.

Willow: No my fingers work. Just have to find the best position. Want to get my laptop?

 

Buffy: Of Course. Want to go in the living room.

Willow: Might be better.

Buffy gets the computer.

Willow: Just give me minute.

Buffy watches.

Willow: Got it. There were six victims. Actually, they were three couples. All the victims suffered severe lacerations to the neck. And all appear to have bleed to death. But no blood on the scene. They said it is similar to the deaths last weekend and Thursday night

Buffy: I knew it. Well Spike is about to get thrashed. How could he have not put a stop to this?

Willow: He can’t be everywhere. Uh oh. But he can at least be somewhere.

Buffy: What?

Willow: There were similar incidents at the bus station on Tuesday. The Espresso Pump Friday night. And two teenagers were found on the basketball court at the park on Monday night.

Buffy: Looks like they went hungry Wednesday.

Willow: Or the bodies haven’t been found.

Buffy: You are probably right. And it looks like they knew I was not around. Damn it.

Willow: You can’t blame yourself.

 

Buffy: What else does it say?

Willow: Nothing, just the detective in charge, Lockley, is going to give a public request for leads at noon.

Buffy: What time is it?

Willow: Almost noon now.

Buffy: I want to see what he has to say.

She turns on the set.

Buffy: When I see Spike, he won’t know what hit him.

Willow: Buffy, can we wait the two weeks? Maybe we need someone else in the meantime.

Buffy: Who? Angel has too much to do and I can’t. And you are out of commission. No way am I sending Xander and Anya out alone. Damn him

Willow: I think it is on.

Buffy turns up the volume.

Reporter: Detective Lockley will be addressing us soon. She is suppose to give us the latest on the series of murders that have plagued our city in the last week

Lockley: Hello, as you are all aware there has been a rash of murders here in Sunnydale during the last week. We are working on a number of leads but we need the publics help. First and foremost, we need the citizens of this town to make themselves aware that anyone of us could be a victim. Everyone must avoid being in secluded areas. So far all the victims were found in pairs and located away from the crowds. And the suspects are very strong. Two of our victims were young athletic men over 6 feet. They were not the type to be easily subdued. So we need all of you to be extremely cautious. Now we need your help. We need anyone who may have any information regarding these cases to please call. Please anything. Even if sounds crazy, it may give us the lead we are seeking. I am sorry folks but I don’t have any time for questions. You can talk to Officer Jacobs .

Reporter: Well that appears to be it. The citizens of..

Buffy turns off the television.

Buffy: I can’t believe this.

Willow: We will find them and they will fit on a swiffer cloth.

Buffy: Oh, uh not the vampires. I will make sure they are taken care of. I am talking about the detective. I kinda met her. She use to work in LA. And she knows all about vampires. She knows what she is looking for. She just did that to scare the public into staying home.

Willow: How do you know her? From when you lived there?

Buffy: No, from when she arrested Angel. I have to call her. She maybe able to help me find the nest.

Willow: Uh, when did Angel get arrested?

Buffy dials the phone.

Buffy: Detective Lockley please. ……..Buffy Summers.

Lockley: Detective Lockley here.

Buffy: Detective, you don’t remember me but I think I can help you with this case but I need you to come here to the house.

Lockley: Like I would actually do that.

Buffy: Tell you what. You come over here right now and I will meet you in my front yard. Would that make you feel safer? It is such a sunny day and all.

Lockley: I see, you seem to understand the case.

Buffy: Does the name Angel mean something to you?

Lockley: It does. Do you know him?

Buffy: You could say that. Come over and I will explain it all. But only to you.

Lockley: Okay, I guess, but I would like to meet outside. Since it is so sunny.

Buffy: Not a problem. I assume I don’t need to give you the address.

Lockley: No, We have it. I will be there in say fifteen minutes.

Buffy: I will be out front.

 

Out in front.

 

Detective Lockley pulls up. Buffy meets her in the yard.

Lockley: Are you Miss Summers?

Buffy: Mrs. Summers.

Lockley: Sorry, but our records showed you as single.

Buffy: That changed five months ago.

Lockley: Okay. Now what do you have to tell me?

Buffy: We can stand out here. Sit on the porch. Or go inside where it is cool. Your choice.

Lockley: Nice necklace.

Buffy: My husband gave it to me. Actually the first time we met. It is my favorite.

Lockley: Who all is inside?

Buffy: Just my best friend who is recuperating from a car accident and my six-month-old son. My sister is still at school.

Lockley: That would be Dawn.

Buffy: You did check, good. Now can we go inside?

Lockley: I guess.

They enter and sit in the living room.

Buffy: I am going to have some apple juice, do you want anything?

Lockley: Juice would be fine.

 

Buffy walks into the kitchen but continues to talk.

Buffy: So why did you relocate from LA?

Lockley: How do you know about me?

Buffy: I guess you don’t remember me. I was with Angel, the day you arrested him.

Kate starts roaming around the living room.

Lockley: I don’t, oh yeah I do. You were the one with the temper.

Buffy: Well you were threatening to kill him.

Kate picks up a framed picture of Conner

Lockley: Is this your little boy?

Buffy walks out with two glasses.

Buffy: Yes that’s Conner. He looks just like his father, well except the blonde hair.

Lockley: He is cute.

Buffy hands her a glass. Kate continues to explore around.

Buffy: Well I guess we should get to why I called you.

Kate picks up another framed photo and stares at it.

 

Lockley: What is this?

Buffy: Oh that, that is my wedding picture. He can’t take a bad picture. I on the other hand. But that day I was at my best.

Lockley: But this is Angel.

Buffy: I know.

Lockley: I am not sticking around here.

Buffy: Okay, but you are not going to stop them without the slayer.

Lockley: The slayer? You are not referring to the vampire slayer?

Buffy: Yes I am.

Lockley: I should not be surprised that she is real, since everything else is.

Buffy: So do you want help or do you want to leave.

Lockley: So you know the slayer.

Buffy: Actually, there is technically two slayers at this time.

Lockley: Oh, but from what I read one has to die before here is another, Right?

Buffy: Why don’t we sit down and I will explain.

They take their seats.

 

Buffy: Now first of all, you are right, it takes the death of one slayer to have the next one called. But in 97, something unique happened. It seems that even if the slayer is only dead for a minute, the next slayer is called. Even if the first slayer is revived.

Lockley: Oh. I guess that makes since. So we have two slayers. Lets get one and get rid of the problem.

Buffy: Slight problem. But we are working on it. Seems the younger slayer got her self in a bit of trouble a few years ago and landed herself in jail. I think you know who I mean.

Lockley: Faith. She is a slayer. That explains a lot.

Buffy: Well she is suppose to be released in two weeks but that is not going to help us now.

Lockley: Well what about the other slayer? The older one.

Buffy: Well see the problem there is, well I just found out I am pregnant.

Lockley: So? What does that have to….wait are you trying to say you are the other slayer?

Buffy: That I am.

Lockley: The older slayer? The one who died?

Buffy: I drowned and Angel and another friend Xander found me and Xander performed CPR. So I lived to fight another day.

Lockley: So you have known Angel, a long time.

Buffy: Five years. I was sixteen when we met and first fell in love.

Lockley: How can you love him? He isn’t even human.

 

Buffy: Looks pretty human to me. But my love life is not what we are here for. We need to figure out how to handle this. I thought we had it under control but my part time backup seems to have failed me.

Lockley: Backup? Another slayer.

Buffy: No another vampire. One who can’t harm humans because of a chip in his head. Gift of the US government. But he can do damage to demons, so he helps. This past week I was in LA, with Angel and Spike was suppose to be handling patrols but it looks like he didn’t. Now I am heading to his crypt and to beat the crap out of him. Well I would if I wasn’t pregnant. But if you go, you can do it. He can’t hit back remember.

Lockley: You want me to beat up your vampire sidekick.

Buffy: Spike is not my sidekick. He is just a vampire who kills other vampires in order to stay alive. Because if Angel finds out that he has not been doing what he promised, then he is dust.

Lockley: I am not going to a vampire’s, did you say crypt?

Buffy: Yes, you have to know Spike. It fits his personality.

The computer ring out.

Buffy: That would be Angel.

She heads for the dining room and activates the computer.

Buffy: Hey handsome.

Angel: Hi, where is Conner?

 

Buffy: Napping. It is nap time.

Kate walks in and watches from behind the monitor.

Angel: And why aren’t you sleeping too.

Buffy: Three reasons. One I am not tired. Two I have company. Three I am talking to you. Any more questions?

Angel: Yes, who is there?

Buffy: An old friend of yours, a blonde.

Angel: Spike? What the hell is he doing there?

Buffy: No, not Spike. This is a blonde female. Detective Lockley. She is with the Sunnydale PD now.

Angel: Kate is there. Why?

Buffy: I called her. We have a bad vampire problem and she is the detective in charge.

Angel: Let me talk to her.

Kate walks over.

Angel: Kate. It is you. So you moved to the hellmouth. Not enough demons in LA?

Kate: Actually, I needed a job and they had an opening.

Angel: So what is the deal on the vampires.

 

Kate: We have 12 bodies in one week.

Angel: Buffy, what does Spike say?

Buffy: As soon as Conner wakes up I am taking him to the shop so Anya can watch him while I go talk to him. If he can’t satisfy me, I will be satisfied with a pile of dust on the ground.

Angel: You are not slaying anyone. Remember?

Buffy: Excuse me. Spike made an agreement, and he refuses to live up to it.

Angel: I agree, but you are in no shape to take on Spike. I guess I will drive down tonight.

Buffy: No. I can’t have you coming here.

Angel: Why not?

Buffy: Because it is too hard to have you leave.

Angel: I know.

Kate: This is all sweet and stuff, but I have 12 bodies and will have more if we can not find them and stop them.

Buffy: Agreed. Angel we need to go. I need to see Spike.

Angel: Ring me when you get back.

Buffy: I will. Maybe I will lie down for a nap after Dawn gets home.

 

Angel: Then I hope you have sweet dreams.

Buffy: I hope to.

 

Buffy and Kate walk into the magic shop.

Kate: A magic shop?

Anya is helping a customer

Buffy: Yes. Hey Anya.

Anya: Hi. Now Mrs. Freedman, I can order the sea urchin dust but it may take a few weeks. Or you can try the sand dollar powder. It should work just as well and we have it here.

Kate: What kind of magic shop is this? I was expecting top hats, magic wands and decks of cards.

Buffy: This is a real magic shop. The kind with stuff for real spells.

Kate: Like witchcraft. So you are telling me that your friend is a witch.

Buffy: Anya? No she isn’t a witch. She is an ex-demon. Willow is the witch. Well not anymore I guess, she kind of gave it up. Uh can you help me get the playpen out of the back room?

They walk into the training room.

Kate: What is all this?

Buffy: My work out room. It is where I do my training.

Kate: So you do have to train.

Buffy: Always striving for more. Never can be too prepared.

Kate: Do you work out alone?

Buffy: Mostly. Except when Angel is in town. Then we spar. But I guess Faith will use it when she gets here.

Kate: You are pretty confident that she will get out.

Buffy: Because it is a done deal. She is released in two weeks.

Kate: I am pretty up on the case seeing I was the arresting officer and it involved a murder here and she has not even had a parole hearing.

Buffy: It is in two weeks and then she will be here. Trust me.

Kate: So now you are psychic.

Buffy: No, I just know powerful people.

Kate: Oh.

They set up the playpen and install Conner and his toys.

Kate: There is not denying who his father is.

Buffy: I know. Hey An, I am leaving the keys to the van. Just in case. The car seat is inside. Call me on the cell if you need me.

Anya: Bye. Now Mrs. Freeman…..

They walk outside and get in Kate’s car and drive to the cemetery. Buffy leads the way to Spike’s crypt. She opens the door and walks in. She shoves the lid aside with one hand. Kate watches in amazement. Buffy skips the steps and jumps into the bedchamber.

Kate follows using the steps.

Buffy: Spike, get you ass up. I want answers and I want them now.

Spike: What the hell? I’m sleeping here. Or at least I was.

Buffy: Sleeping? I think you have been doing a bit to much of that. Cause you sure ain’t been working. You know the only reason you are not a big pile of dust is you agreed to cover for me.

Spike: Right. Well I have. What is bloody problem?

Buffy: Not sure. I think it is the 12 dead bodies found around town.

Spike: Huh? What you talking about?

Buffy: If would bother to watch something other than Passions, you would know what I am talking about. Now get up and get dressed.

Spike: I would, but I seem to have not one but two little blondes in the room. And I am not a free peep show.

Buffy turns around and Kate copies.

Buffy: You better hurry up.

Spike: Fine, I have my pants on.

Buffy and Kate turn around.

Spike: What’s with the new sidekick? Don’t believe I’ve seen you before.

Buffy: Kate this is Spike. A royal pain in the ass.

Spike: Hi there Kate. Do you drop in men’s bedrooms often?

Kate: All the time. But usually just to take them into custody.

Spike: Man, she has attitude. Give the ole Buffster a run for her money I imagine. Buffy, where you find this one?

Buffy: The police station. She is trying to find our killers too.

Spike: And does she knows what she is looking for?

Kate pulls out a stake.

Kate: Oh I know, and I know what to do with them. Wanna see?

Spike: I think you need to be putting that thing away.

Buffy: Spike, why have you not been on patrol.

Spike: But I have, every night. But I have to tell you the streets are quiet.

Buffy: Then why are their not 1, not 2, and not 3, but 12 dead bodies in one damn week. All the victims of vampires. Want to explain.

Spike: I don’t rightly know. I go out. I patrol. I see nothing. I have not seen another vampire since the day Red and Little bit left for LA.

Buffy: You killed a vampire that night?

Spike: No, I threw one out of my bloody crypt. It was that idiot Harmony. She was all scared. She said you were after her. But I told her you were out of town and to get the hell out.

Buffy: You threw her out? Have you not understood the concept. You are suppose to kill them.

Spike: But it is Harmony. She ain’t no damn threat to anyone.

Buffy: She is a vampire and she kills people. And we kill vampires. Now if you want me to show you how its done. (she pulls out a stake) I can give you an active demonstration.

Spike: The what good would I be to you.

Buffy: You ain’t been a hell of a lot of good to me lately. So what’s the diff?

Spike: Hey, I am trying. Sorry if I ain’t found your big bads. I ain’t come across them.

Buffy: Well we need to find where they are hiding? Any ideas?

Spike: No, only thing I know is Harmony said you kicked her out of the mansion and she needed a place. But I told her to go back there. I suggest you go talk to her. Maybe she knows something.

Buffy: The mansion. Place to start. Put your shirt on.

Spike: I’m not going.

Buffy: Oh yes you are.

She tosses a blanket at him.

Buffy: Now move it, while I am still in a good mood.

Buffy and Kate climb up the steps.

Kate: He acts afraid of you.

Buffy: He better be.

They stand in the crypt.

Buffy: You take the tunnels, we will meet you there. And you better be quick about it

Kate: Where we going?

Buffy: Angel‘s old house. The mansion on Crawford.

Kate: Angel lived in a mansion?

Buffy: Hey he likes a lot of space. He lives in a 68 room hotel now. He spends a lot of time indoors.

They arrive at the mansion and Buffy leads Kate down the garden steps. She peeks in and sees Spike in the basement doorway.

Buffy: Spike is already inside. Let’s go. I guess I don’t have to tell you to keep your guard up.

They slip through the door and start checking the rooms. Buffy stands outside the only closed door in the house.

Buffy: Well the master bedroom door is closed and there is only one way in. Spike, want to do the honors?

Spike opens the door. The room is vacant. Buffy looks around. The room is in shambles. Two bodies lie on the floor.

Buffy: Looks like they have been here. I just can’t understand why they tore the mattress up like that. And trashed the room. She walks around examining the scene. She picks up a woman’s shirt.

Buffy: This is Harmony‘s style. I suspect she was here.

Kate has also been looking around. She locates a balled up piece of paper and opens it.

Kate: (reads) My dearest Angel. You were sleeping so soundly I couldn’t bear to wake you. I have to get home before mom wakes up. Do not need her worry more than she does already. I will meet you at the Bronze tonight at 8. Forever and Always, love, Buffy.

Buffy: That has to be at least three years old.

Kate: So this was his room?

Buffy: Uh, huh.

Spike: Can I head back home? I need to sleep if I am patrolling tonight.

Buffy: Go. But you better be out there tonight. And make sure you sweep by here

Spike: Aye Aye. Commander.

Buffy: Commander works for me. Kate, are you ready?

Kate: I guess. I need to call head quarters about the bodies.

Buffy: And how will you explain finding them?

Kate: Not sure. But I can’t leave them here.

Buffy: Your call. Just take me to the Magic Box first.

They leave.

 

Buffy gets Conner and returns home. Dawn has just gotten home.

Buffy: Hey, how were the exams?

Dawn: Hard, but I don’t have another till Wednesday.

Buffy: Really. Then could I talk you into watching Conner. I could use a nap.

Dawn: Where have you been?

Buffy: Trying to find a vampire nest. Seems there have been a rash of deaths this week.

Dawn: Any luck?

Buffy: No, but we found signs they have been at the mansion. But it was empty now.

Dawn: Well don’t tell Angel you have been off patrolling alone. He will have you back in LA so fast your head will spin.

Buffy: I was not alone. I had Spike and a police woman with me.’

Dawn: Oh. A police woman? What did you tell her you were doing?

Buffy: She knows about vampires. She actually knows Angel. But that is not important. Will you watch Conner?

Dawn: Sure, go get some sleep.

Buffy: Do me one more favor, call and tell Angel, I am going top take a nap after I get a shower.

Dawn: You want me to call long distance to hell him you are taking a nap?

Buffy: You can use the computer and yes I do.

Dawn: Okay. Sometimes you are so weird.

Buffy stands in the shower. She starts remembering the night before. The way Angel in his dream made her feel. She was anxious to see if she could connect with him again. She took her time washing her hair, hoping she was giving him time to fall asleep. She enters her room and lies down. She relaxes and proceeds to control her mind while slipping into an unconscious state. She enters the dream stage of sleep and sends her thoughts out searching for Angel. Her Angel. She finds herself in the dark. She turns around trying to figure out where she is. She starts walking

Buffy: Angel?

She keeps moving through the dark. It is so dark she can not even see her hands.

Buffy: I think I am lost.

DA: Not lost, just can’t see me, but I can see you.

Buffy: Vampire sight, works in dreamland too?

DA: Oh yes. Now before I let you see me. I want you to loose the clothes.

Buffy: Just like that?

DA: Just like that.

She moves toward the voice.

DA: (from a different direction) Nope, not till you strip.

Buffy: Fine, but I prefer you to undress me. It is half the fun.

DA: I have lots of fun stuff planned. Now are you going to cooperate.

Buffy: No problem.

She quickly disrobes.

Buffy: Better?

DA: Much, now come here.

Buffy: Where is here?

He suddenly appears before her. His body towers over hers. She quivers under his gaze.

Buffy: Please.

DA: Please, what?

Buffy: Love me.

DA: Oh I intend on doing just that.

He pushes her gently backward until she feels the edge of a bed against her legs. She collapses backwards.

© 2005 Tara