Chapter 15

Buffy jerked in her bed, sweat and tears pouring down her face. Her eyes remained closed, knowing they would burn otherwise, but she wouldn’t sleep. A cry wanted to break from her throat, but no sound would come out. She couldn’t budge; it was only when someone grabbed her that she finally let herself succumb to unconsciousness.


* * * * *


Spike knew something was wrong the second he entered his crypt. He was hoping to find Buffy waiting for him, but instead felt a presence that he never expected to see again.

“Show yourself, I know you’re here.”

She came out of the shadows, smiling at him seductively. “My William always could feel his princess.”

Spike kept calm, his fists clenching at his side. “What are you doing here, Dru?”

“I came to make everything all better.”

He laughed humorlessly. “Why now? You haven’t given a damn about me in two years, but you know what? I don’t even bloody care, you’re not welcome here. Get the fuck out of my town, or I’ll make you regret ever turning me.”

Drusilla giggled, placing a finger to her lips. “Shush, bad dog, you mustn’t say such things. The naughty girl has turned you against me, but she won’t be a problem much longer.”

Spike’s eyes widened, a look of fear on his face. “What are you on about? If you’ve done anything to Buffy…” his words trailed off, a sharp pain suddenly stabbing him in the abdomen. He clutched his stomach, taking a deep breath of unneeded air, gazing back up at the twisted smirk his ex was now gracing him with.

“It won’t be long now.”

She left then, and Spike was able to stand up once the pain passed, but he knew it wouldn’t be the last time. Buffy was hurt, and Drusilla was the diversion. She wanted him out of the way, but he had a feeling she wasn’t working alone.


* * * * *


“Are you sure about this?”

Spike nodded. “She was taken, I can feel it. Someone is hurting her.”

Joyce didn’t understand, but Faith spoke up for her. “How do you know that?”

He rolled his eyes. “We’re claimed, all right? It happened about a week ago. I can feel what she’s feeling, and it’s not pleasant. Don’t give me that look, Slayer. You can yell at me later, right now we have to find Buffy.”

Faith didn’t like the idea of her sister belonging to a vampire, even if that vampire was Spike, but she would deal with that another time. “Hurting her how?”

“Magic, I think we’re dealing with Rack. She’s been having nightmares about him coming back; I should have bloody listened to her.”

Tara placed a comforting hand on his arm, giving the Slayer a nod. “He’s telling the truth. I don’t know when Rack returned to Sunnydale, but I can feel his power. It’s strong, like nothing I’ve felt before. More so than it was, it’s like he managed to recharge or something.”

Joyce picked up the phone, dialing a familiar number. “If magic is involved, I know of someone who can help.”

The pain was back, Spike would have probably fallen over if it wasn’t for Tara. “He’s torturing her.”

Tara led him over to the couch, carefully sitting him down on it. “Can you focus on her, Spike? You might get a sense of where she is.”

Spike nodded, shutting his eyes to do just that. He found her chained to a wall, dark energy surrounding her, she was so scared. The place wasn’t recognizable at first, but he would know it anywhere. “Hold on, baby. I’ll get there as soon as I can,” he said, hoping that she could feel the reassurance he sent her through the claim. Spike broke out of his trance, turning back to Tara. “That old mansion on Crawford Street, that’s where he has her.” He stood up, heading for the door. “Can your friend meet us there, Joyce?”

She was about to respond, but a pop sounded in the room, an older man now standing before them.

“Sorry I took so long, my teleportation skills aren’t what they used to be.”

Joyce hugged her old friend, relieved to see him again, but wishing it was under better circumstances. She pulled away, glancing at the others. “This is Rupert Giles; his coven was the one to help me with my husband. We go back a long time, if anyone can help you with this Rack person, it would be him.”

Spike nodded to the other man, glad to have him on their side. “Let’s go, I want this bugger to get what’s coming to him.”

Joyce stopped him before he could leave. “Be safe, and please bring my baby home.”

He smiled. “You can count on that.” Spike walked out then, closely followed by Faith, Tara, Willow, and Giles. Another sharp pain stabbed him, but he didn’t give in. Spike would find Buffy, and make this bloke pay for ever hurting her.


* * * * *


She screamed, the pain getting harder to bear, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her weaken.

“You’re stronger than I thought; my influence really must have done wonders for you.”

Buffy glared at him. “You did nothing for me.”

Rack shrugged. “Maybe so, but you’ll be doing plenty for me. I have so much power inside of me, it’s intoxicating. Once I have every last bit of yours, I’ll be unstoppable. This town will be mine for the taking, and soon enough, the entire world. No worries, though, you won’t be around to see it.”

“What about Amy and Michael? Did you suck them dry, too?”

“I found them to be very useful for once in their lives. I took their powers, which were rightfully mine to begin with. They are no longer an issue,” he explained.

Buffy felt her eyes tear up, she fought them before now. They were no friends of hers, but for a brief moment, they were there for her when she needed someone. “You killed your own kids?”

He scoffed. “Why do you have to say it like that? Sometimes sacrifices have to be made, they would have only gotten in my way. I sent them on a nice trip down the river, I’m sure it was to their liking, but you don’t have to worry about them being alone. You’ll be joining them very soon.”

A woman clapped her hands behind him, cackling in pure enjoyment. “Yes, the bad sunshine must be punished.”

Rack groaned. The annoying vampire did her part, now it was time to do his. He pulled the stake out of his back pocket, throwing it with perfect aim at her heart, watching as she exploded in a cloud of dust. “It is so hard to find good help these days.”

Buffy shut her eyes, the tears streaming down her face.

God, Spike, where are you?


* * * * *


He heard her, as if she was standing right next to him. His girl was terrified, and that just wouldn’t do. Spike didn’t even acknowledge the fact he felt his sire dust as well, that was just one less problem to worry about.

I’m coming, sweetheart, hold on for me.