Chapter 10

“You had the gem in your possessions all along?”

Buffy nodded. “Just for safe keeping, I never thought I’d actually need it, but this works in our favor. Logan will never be expecting it.”

Eric agreed. “Should I perhaps be the one to wear it? Logan is my responsibility, if anyone should have the pleasure of killing him, it would be me.”

Spike shook his head. “I don’t bloody think so. No offense, mate, but we don’t trust you enough for that.

“I have a plan,” Buffy continued. “Spike and I will go up against Logan, we’re hitting the mansion as soon as the sun sets, he probably won’t be expecting us to come to him. When he’s distracted, you two go inside and free everyone, we’ll handle the rest.”

Eric didn’t love that idea. “You want me to be out of the battle?”

Buffy knew this would be difficult. “I have another secret weapon. Trust me, Logan won’t get away this time. I need you to protect Sookie, and I know that’s really what’s most important to you. We won’t be able to get this done if we’re worrying about you two.”

Eric was about to object again, but was stopped by a calming hand on his arm.

“If you go up against him, it’ll only be about vengeance. You won’t be thinking clearly. I’d rather you be with me,” Sookie explained. “I could use your help to free Logan’s prisoners, including the man who rescued me.”

He knew there was no arguing his way out of this one. Eric was too far lost when it came to Sookie Stackhouse, at this point; he would have done anything for her. “All right, lover, we will do this your way. I have complete trust in the Slayer. You are quite a legend, Miss Summers. I have no doubt that you will succeed. Both of you,” he finished, glancing at Spike.

Buffy smiled in satisfaction, things were finally going her way.


* * * * *


“I don’t know about this, Buffy. I don’t have it quite right yet,” Willow explained.

“I have complete faith in you, Will. I need you with me.”

The red head nodded. “Okay, I talked with Tara. She’s fine with me doing this without her, even though I’m not too sure. She said she would stay behind to watch Dawn.”

“That’s great,” Buffy responded. “This is going to work, I just know it. We’ve managed worse before.”

Willow had to agree, even though the thought of going up against Logan terrified her, there was nothing the Slayer couldn’t handle.


* * * * *


They headed to Angel’s old mansion later that night.

Buffy shuddered at the thought of going back to that place, but she didn’t have much of a choice.

Spike took her hand in his, knowing exactly what she was thinking.

She squeezed his hand in response, then nodded to Eric.

“Danworth!” he yelled. “Show yourself!”

Logan appeared a moment later, looking stunned to see them there. “Well, isn’t this a surprise? If I knew I was going to be having guests, I would have prepared myself more. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Buffy twirled her stake. “We have what you want. If you let everyone go, it’s yours.”

He thought about it. “Why do I not believe you? Give me the gem first, and I shall do as you say.”

“I’m done negotiating,” Buffy claimed, throwing the stake at him with perfect aim, but his power deflected it as the weapon fell to the ground.

Logan chuckled. “Is that the best you can do? I’m very disappointed; I thought you would be more of a challenge.”

While he was talking, Eric and Sookie slipped inside the mansion.

“I’m not finished yet.” Buffy attacked then, throwing kicks and punches, which didn’t even seem to faze him. She was thrown to the ground, glaring up at him.

“You are adorable, I’ll give you that. You must realize by now that you are no match for me.”

“Maybe not,” Spike spoke up, “but I will be.”

Logan’s laughter was cut off as Spike came at him, stronger than their last fight. He was starting to tire, which was not something that happened often. Logan threw everything he had at the vampire, but it didn’t seem to be doing any damage. He pushed him away, finally realizing why that was as a scowl formed on his face. “You have my gem. Give it to me,” he spat in a surprisingly calm voice.

It was Spike’s turn to laugh. “Why the bloody fuck would I do that? The only way for you to get it is if you kill me, and we know that won’t be happening.”

Logan was angered, a smile suddenly forming as a thought occurred to him. “Maybe I can’t kill you, but I can kill her.” He grabbed for Buffy, holding her up by the neck, squeezing the breath out of her.

Spike moved forward with a growl, stopping when Logan held a hand up.

“One more step, and I’ll snap her pretty little neck. Give me what I want, and I will let her live. I’ll leave this pitiful town, you won’t hear from me again. My fight was never with you.”

He gazed in to Buffy’s terrified eyes, pulling the ring off without hesitation.

“Spike, don’t do it,” she pleaded with him.

He gave her a soft smile. “I’m sorry, pet, you’re more important.”

Logan grinned. “The love of a vampire for a human, I’ll never understand that, but you made the right decision. Now, give it to me.”

Spike was about to hand the gem over, but Logan’s body unexpectedly convulsed, a cry ripping from his throat as Buffy was flung back to the ground.

They both watched as Logan ignited in flames, until there was nothing left but a puddle of blood.

Willow smiled down at them from behind what was left of the ancient vampire. “I did it! Did you see me? I can’t believe that worked.”

Buffy smiled as well. “Yay for instant sunshine,” she said, right before passing out in Spike’s arms.

“Love, are you okay?”

She nodded, looking up at him. “It’s been a long week.”

He chuckled, kissing her forehead tenderly. “That it has, I think we could use a vacation after this.”

Eric and Sookie walked out of the mansion then, several people behind them, who looked up at the sky as if it’s been a long time since they’ve seen the outdoors.

“I take it Logan is no more,” Eric said, dusting himself off from the numerous minions he had to kill in order to free the servants, not used to them turning to ash.

“See for yourself,” Buffy replied, pointing to Logan’s remains.

Eric was pleased with the results, taking Sookie’s hand in his. “I suppose we could return home now. It was a pleasure doing business with you, Miss Summers.”

“Oh, we’re not done yet,” she claimed, standing up with Spike’s help. “You two should stick around another night; let us show you the one thing our small town has to offer.”