Hey faithful readers!  I'm truly sorry for the delay in posting.  RL has been spanking my butt lately (and not in the good way).  But I'm back now and RL has been behaving *keep your fingers and toes crossed*  Well, I have a few things to say before you start reading. First, big thanks to Minx and her eagle eye.  She noticed I had written in the first paragraph of Chapter 6 that Willow was in Miss Calendar's computer class.  THIS WAS A MAJOR BOO-BOO!  In this story Miss Calendar is not alive.  I've now corrected the mistake and I apologize if there was any confusion.  Secondly, big thanks to whomever nominated me and this story for Round 26 at the SunnyD awards.  I'm in total awe!  Lastly, big thanks to my awesome betas Sanityfair and Diebirchen.  Okay, I'm done.  Now, get to reading!!! 
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Without much of a choice, Spike watched Angel tighten the ropes on his wrists, binding him tightly to the wooden library chair.  All the while, the Watcher’s crossbow stayed firmly trained on him, and the Whelp stood off to the side wearing a pitiful look and holding an icepack to the sizeable lump on the back of his noggin.
 
Due to his positioning, Spike couldn’t see where the Slayer had gone.  Although it was crystal-clear, with the all-encompassing, heady scent and his raging hard-on, she wasn’t too far away.
 
With a final tug, Angel stood and stepped back, appearing to admire his handiwork.  Even with a soul, the bugger was compelled to bask in the awe of everything that was him and his doing.
 
Such a bleedin’ egomaniac.  Some things never change.
 
“So now with that out of the way, care to tell me what’s going on?”
 
Angel’s gaze shifted from Spike then locked with Giles’, as his prominent brow furrowed deeply.  In Angel’s piss-poor attempt at intimidation, he really just looked severely constipated.
 
“That was precisely what we were investigating prior to this impudent interruption, Angel.”
 
Unlike Angel, Giles appeared well past the threatening stage.  Everything from his callous glare to his finger hovering over the trigger of a locked and loaded crossbow that was lowered but now aimed more toward Angel, told Spike the Watcher meant business and wasn’t above dusting the big lug without a second thought.
 
Spike watched the beginnings of what was surely going to be a helluva pissing contest between the Watcher and his grandsire with great amusement.
 
“Now, I’ll ask again, what did you find out?” Angel volleyed back, his words dripping with an equally hearty dose of derision.
 
Spike was hoping the Watcher’s next move was finally being done with the big poofter and sending a bolt flying.  Fortunately for Angel, but unfortunately for everyone else, the Whelp put in his two cents, ending all too soon the standoff between the other two.
 
“Giles, do you really think we should be spilling the beans to Thing One and Thing Two?”  Xander hobbled forward and with a wince, removed his ice pack.
 
“Normally, I would be in wholehearted agreement, Xander.  However, Angel and Spike might yet prove to be an important asset in pinpointing the cause of Buffy’s incapacitation.”  Giles finally disengaged and placed the crossbow on the table.
 
“I don’t see how Spike is anything but a total nuisance and a complete hindrance,” Angel growled, his arms crossing his chest in I’m-in-charge manner.
 
“Honestly, Angel, despite your delusions of grandeur, we don’t rightly give a damn what you think.”  Giles’ hardened gaze fixed with Angel’s, the intent of his words unmistakable.    
 
“That’s right, Watcher, kick his arse!”  Spike’s outburst of mock support drew the others’ attention.  With three sets of eyes on him, his smug smirk grew to Cheshire cat-like proportions.
 
“Shut up, Spike!”  A chorus of male voices rang out.  Even though he was instantly silenced, his obvious delight never wavered.
 
“Look Giles, I know you don’t trust me or what I have to say, but right now we have to work together for Buffy’s sake.”
 
Giles appeared to ponder Angel’s words and then with a heavy sigh he conceded.  “You’re absolutely right.  Buffy’s wellbeing is paramount, and if this requires that we work together, well—”
 
Giles was cut off by his office door being flung open, followed by a clearly distressed Buffy running with an equally upset Willow following closely behind.  When Buffy pushed her way through the library doors and continued into and down the darkened hallway, Willow stopped at the threshold.  With her shoulders slumping in noticeable defeat, she turned toward the group.
 
Every fiber of Spike’s being demanded him to give chase, but the ropes and knowing full well he’d be dust before he released one tethered limb, held him still.
 
It was almost immediate; the constant buzzing of lust was lessening by the moment with the Slayer now gone.  Now, he might not know a lot of things, but one thing was certain: whatever was going on with him, the Slayer was definitely involved.
 
Now with the Slayer taking flight, Spike quickly decided it was best to take full advantage of his current predicament.  Even with her gone, he knew the Scoobies would start circling the wagons and eventually figure out what the hell was going on.  When that happened, he’d make his move.
 
He watched as the visibly gloomy witch walked over to the table, dropped into a chair, and after a soft, dejected sigh, explained what was going on.
 
“Giles, I tried to get her to tell me what was going on,  but the only thing she would say over and over was that she couldn’t explain what she was going through, and she needed to go some place that wasn’t, well, here.  Some best friend I am.”
 
“Willow, please don’t take this personally.  It’s obvious this issue has grown significantly from when Buffy first approached me.  Well, that settles it then, we can no longer remain idle.”
 
Giles hurriedly closed and collected the numerous books littering the library table.  Soon, both Xander and Willow joined him.  When this was done, Giles headed toward his office but stopped when Angel moved into his path.
 
“Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on?”  Angel’s eyes flashed gold, his teeth clenched.
 
“Angel, I don’t have time to elaborate.  However, we believe last week’s incident at the Magic Box is the cause.  In addition, it appears your mere presence considerably intensifies the affects.”
 
Everyone remained quiet while they appeared to digest this information.  Even though Spike knew Angel wasn’t the only one affected, he kept this to himself.   
 
Strangely, it really bothered Spike that, yet again, Angel got the girl.  True, he didn’t necessarily want the Slayer, well besides having her six-feet under, but it still stung all the same.  Since he couldn’t lash out in his usual way, fists and fangs, Spike used the only thing left—his words. 

“Oh, man, that’s priceless!  Mr. Casanova himself causing the love of his life to run away from, not into, his arms!  Bloody brilliant!” 

Spike laughed until Angel snatched a freshly whittled stake from the table and stormed toward his now nervous, wide-eyed childe.
 
“Oi, Watcher, a little help ‘ere!”
 
This time it was Giles who stepped into Angel’s path, successfully thwarting a clearly pissed off vampire.
 
“Angel, despite how clearly Spike merits a good dusting, we are unsure how this will ultimately affect Buffy. Mark my words, I am truly shuddering at the mere thought, but Spike might be the only one possessing the answers we require.”
  
“So to recap, tall, dark, and forehead, in case it didn’t get through that thick, meaty skull of yours, I’m important and should be treated as such.  Now, stop your brooding and get your poncy arse over here and untie me,’” Spike goaded Angel while their gazes were locked, and Spike shifted in his restraints.
 
After a brief visual standoff, Angel growled in frustration and stormed over to the other side of the room.  This distance allowed Giles to deal with Spike.  Despite his defending Spike not moments before, he appeared equally annoyed with the bleached vamp.
 
“Spike, if you care to remain your full-bodied pillock self, I suggest you shut your gob.”
 
“Oooh, the Watcher got him some spine.  Color me impressed.”  Spike narrowed his eyes, yet the twinkle of mischief remained.
 
“Um, so what’s the plan, Giles?”  Willow’s attempt at stopping any further acts of testosterone appeared to have worked when Giles turned from Spike and spoke to the rest of the room.
 
“Ah, yes.  Willow and Xander, you will accompany me to the Magic Box.  I’m hopeful the information we need is still present.  Angel, right now its best for you to return to the mansion, and by all means, please do not attempt to contact Buffy.” 
 
After Giles addressed the group, the four standing members collected their belongings, books, and weapons and exited the library.
 
“Oi, what ‘bout me?”  Spike hollered, as he struggled to get out in his bindings.
 
 
 
 
 
Author’s Notes:

Please take a brief moment to let me know your thoughts on this chapter.  Thanks! 

Xander reference to “Thing One and Thing Two” is a shout out to The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. They were two mischievous creatures that climbed out of the Cat’s box and started wreaking havoc around the house.  http://seuss.wikia.com/wiki/Thing_One_and_Thing_Two