New Chapter! If I Knew Then... Ch. 13
Title: If I Knew Then...
Author: Shade
Pairing: S/X
Rating: PG to NC17
Disclaimer: All assorted characters belong to Mutant Enemy and Joss which is fine, because I suspect Buffy's high maintenance anyway.
Summary: AU-The African demon in Grave grants Spike's wish in a way he never planned. Flung back in time, he has to relive the previous three years with all the knowledge of what's to come.
A/N: Super double team beta by blinding_sight and 50ftqueenie. Certain bits of dialog are taken from the following BtVS episodes:
4:19: New Moon Rising
4:21: Primeval
Chapter 13: New Moon Rising
Two days after what Spike is starting to think of as “the incident,” the gang shows up at Giles’ house for a Scooby meeting. Spike’s asleep when he’s woken up by a loud voice.
“What are you doing here?” Buffy says, leaning over the back of the couch.
Spike sits up to glare at her, but he doesn’t reply. He can see Willow and Riley in the background talking to Giles, but it’s a honey colored head that makes him rise to his feet. He walks toward the shy girl to Willow’s right and takes her hand. It’s the first time he’s had a chance to talk to Tara since he first saw her at Lowell House.
“Glinda! Good to see you!” Spike says. She ducks her head in response, obviously surprised and embarrassed.
Willow frowns and says, “Her name is Tara.”
“I know what her name is, Red.”
Tara stutters out a hello and Spike sees her shoot him a curious look through the fall of hair over her face. He gives her a genuine smile in response. Buffy gives him a cross look and starts heading toward them, probably to defend Willow’s girl from the nasty vampire. Spike moves away and heads for the kitchen for some blood. He knows it’s best to stay out of their way. Plus, the boy will arrive soon enough. He’d rather be out of sight, out of mind for that confrontation. Sure enough before the microwave dings, Xander shows up. He sticks to Willow like glue, and refuses to look towards the kitchen at all. Giles keeps giving the two of them looks, but doesn’t bring anything up, thankfully. Buffy complains about the lack of slaying, which gets the meeting started.
“Yes, I expected this,” Giles says. “From what Spike has told us, Adam is recruiting demons. Those that aren’t recruited are being scared off.”
“Adam’s the bad guy,” Willow explains to Tara.
“The ones working for him are letting themselves get snatched by the soldier boys,” Spike supplies.
“That’d kind of defeat the point, wouldn’t it?” Riley asks snidely.
“Riley feels threatened,” Willow whispers loud enough for them all to hear.
Spike ignores the side commentary and confronts Riley. “That is his plan. He wants a demon and human war with a lot of casualties. It provides him with more parts for his monster mash.”
“That’s a metaphor,” Willow says.
Tara smiles and replies, “I got it, thanks.”
“I’m over helping, aren’t I?”
Tara laughs while Riley continues to argue about the Initiative’s intentions. Spike refuses to get into it with him. The boy’s been through drug withdrawal and attempted murder of his friends, and he still sings their praises. Spike just can’t understand it. From the look on Buffy’s face, she’s having a hard time understanding too. Giles is less reserved in his criticism. It’s only a knock at the opening door that stops their argument. Spike can’t see what’s silenced everyone from his position in the kitchen, so he moves around to the living room.
“Hey,” Oz says, staring at Willow from the doorway.
“Oz,” Willow replies as if none of them knew his name.
Spike looks over to see Tara’s face change subtly as she repeats, “Oz.”
There is a strong urge to smack Willow, but Spike understands what it’s like to get thrown by an ex’s sudden appearance. Instead, he remembers what happens to the mutt during his return to Sunnydale.
“When…when did you get back?” Willow asks.
The question stirs everyone into movement. Xander goes to greet Oz while the others move towards him as he fully enters the room. Spike holds back to give them their moment.
After Oz turns down Giles’ offer of tea and makes his date with Willow, Spike moves past them to stop the boy at the door.
“Wolfboy, wait up. Listen, I know you have no right to trust me, but I have to warn you. There’s a government group in town that’s collecting demons. They’re going to catch you and then experiment on you. Giles can back me up if you don’t believe me.”
“The Initiative gets Oz!” Xander yelps.
“Yeah, and it’s bad. I had to help bust him out.”
Oz is looking at him with skeptical eyes. He looks past Spike’s shoulder, probably to get confirmation from the Watcher.
“I’ll be careful.”
“You’d better be more than that. Trust me, mate, it’s not somewhere you want to end up.”
“The Initiative wouldn’t do that,” Riley argues.
Spike shoots him a withering look over is shoulder. When he looks back, Oz merely nods and leaves. Tara makes a poor excuse and escapes while everyone is focused on Spike’s news. He feels like stepping out after her and offering his support, but she doesn’t know him, and he’s pretty sure he wouldn’t feel welcome. Spike merely watches her helplessly as she disappears out of the courtyard. He closes the door only to hear Riley arguing with Buffy about the Initiative again. The Slayer convinces him that Oz is a werewolf, but a responsible one. The meeting is pretty much over after the bombshell of Oz’s reappearance and possible danger. The others head home, Xander clinging to Red again. Whether to offer support or get it, Spike isn’t sure. He doesn’t bother looking at the boy as he takes his place back on the couch now that the noise is gone.
Spike doesn’t get too much time before Giles sets a rattling tray by his ear. He shoots the Watcher a dirty look, but the man is pouring him a cuppa, so he lets it slide.
“Are you really sure Oz is in danger?” Giles asked pouring some tea for himself.
Spike sits back up and takes his cup before replying, “I helped you lot bust him out. Of course, I was working for Adam at the time and it was mostly to gain your trust.”
“Yes, about that-“
“Save it, Watcher. I won’t apologize for being evil. It’s what I am. Not that it’s done me a bit of good since I met-“
Giles interrupts him, “Spike, do shut up. I think you’ve more than proved your intentions. Now while I’ll never trust you completely, I believe you are trying to help us, for your own ends, of course. Riley made a point a few days ago about how he can work the Initiative from the inside, and that got me thinking. We know that Adam is going to approach you.”
“You want me to be a double agent, with you playing M?” Spike asks, seeing the other man’s train of thought.
“Yes, you’ve provided us with good information, but how closely will Adam follow the plan you know of if you aren’t involved?”
“So I have to make my own self-fulfilling prophecy, is what you’re saying?”
“Indeed. I know tensions between you and Xander are strained right now, and rightly so.”
Spike sighs. He knew this was coming, but Giles only shakes his head.
“I’m not going to discuss it,” Giles says. “We both know there were strong magics involved. Xander is embarrassed, but these things happen.”
“You should know, eh?” Spike replies with a smirk. Giles gives him a dark look and continues.
“I think you should do what you did before. Let Adam come to you. We’ll get information and start turning events to our own ends. Plus, it will give the others a chance to cool off and accept your help.”
“Right send me to the guy they think I’m working for in the first place, bloody brilliant that is,” Spike says snidely.
“When they see that you’re willing to risk your life-and I have no doubt this will be quite dangerous for you-they’ll be more likely to trust you, Spike.”
Spike thinks about it a moment. Maybe some space is what he needs. It’ll give him a chance to get his head right about this boy nonsense. He says, “Right. I had this spot I was staying at before. I’ll get set up tonight. If I’ve got my timing right, Adam will show up in the afternoon.”
“I’ll give you some money. It might be a good idea to show yourself around Willie’s tonight. Make some contacts that might be sympathetic to Adam’s cause.”
“Not about to turn down some dosh, but I think I know my business, Giles.”
“Quite right,” Giles replies and goes to get the money.
Spike spends a few hours making some noise with some of the local boys, before returning to his old crypt. It’s more than depressing sitting on the slab. It’s probably why he didn’t bother to move in before. The last thing he wants is to have to redo all the work he did to get the place set up like he had it before. Granted it wasn’t too bad for a vampire bachelor pad, but he feels older than even his many years. Was this why Angel was such a wanker? Spike shakes his head at the thought. That poof was always a wanker even back when he was evil. Spike lies back on the concrete and almost wishes for the orange barcalounger of doom.
Adam wakes him sometime after noon from what he can see from the shape of the light outside the tiny mausoleum windows. He’s bigger than Spike remembers. Spike keeps his spot on top of the tomb, letting it lend him a little bit of height.
“You’re the one known as Spike. I want you to come with me.”
“And why would I do that then?”
“You’re going to help me with my problem.”
Spike snorts and lights a cigarette. Adam just looks at him impassively.
“Still not seeing why I should listen to you,” Spike says when Adam fails to elaborate.
“I’m going to help you with your problem.”
“Are you now.”
“That chip in your head. I can help you get it out.”
Spike tries not to let his sarcasm show when he replies, “Well you have my vote. What do you want in return?”
Adam squints. “I need you to help me get to the Slayer.”
Spike pauses as if to consider it before he says, “I’ve heard about you. Been causing a bit of a ruckus about. Not sure if I want my insides on the outsides today, ta very much.”
“You’re smarter than I was led to believe.”
Spike sits up straight at that. Adam holds up his hand to stop any tirades. Spike settles down as the monster continues.
“I have a plan. The humans from the Initiative are inferior. I want to help them. I want to make them like me. In order to do so, things must get…messy.”
“I like messy. I’m good at messy, or at least I used to be.”
Adam nods and continues, “Yes, and when we are through, you will be good at it again. You have knowledge of the Slayer. Her part in this plan is crucial. She will be my instrument.”
“Anything to get rid of that bitch. I’m in, say no more. Hell, you get this chip out of me, and I’ll bring you her head on a pike.”
“Good. Much needs to be done. But first, you will have to gain their trust.”
“Because that’s easy.”
“Tonight, it will be.”
After Adam lays out his plan, Spike waits impatiently for the sun to set. He walks in to Giles’ to see the group already there. Buffy is on the phone looking frantic. The others look worried.
“They have him, don’t they?” Spike asks. The looks he gets in response are enough of an answer.
“Riley is still not answering his pages. I left him another message.”
“He’s already tried to get Oz out. They’ve got him locked up.”
“What?” Buffy yells. “You didn’t mention that before.”
“That’s because I thought the wolf would have enough sense not to get caught after I warned him!”
“What are they doing to him?” Willow asks quietly from the couch.
Spike steps over and lays a hand on her shoulder. He doesn’t even glance at Xander sitting next to her.
“Nothing good,” Spike finally replies.
“We have to do something!” Buffy says. “What did we do last time?”
“We’ll go in the back way. Adam’s got things set up for us.”
Buffy explodes again, “What?”
“You’re working for Adam? After all we’ve done-Nah, I can’t even act surprised,” Xander says harshly.
Spike flinches and turns his back on them. The last thing he needs is for them to see how much their accusations hurt. He closes his eyes and wonders when he started needing them. After everything with Xander, it’s time to pull himself back together, and be the big bad. It’s always easier to play the bastard.
Giles comes to his rescue by saying, “I asked him to go to Adam. He’s working for us in Adam’s camp. We’re using Spike’s knowledge to guide the thing right where we want him.”
“Yeah, because if we can trust anyone, we can trust Spike,” Buffy says sarcastically.
“Considering his mind hasn’t been clouded by a two bit tin soldier whose job is likely going to get us all killed or thrown into jail, yes.”
Spike turns to Giles in surprise. The others look as equally shocked, and Buffy’s face is filled with hurt. Giles softens after his outburst.
“Buffy, you have to understand, we’re not just dealing with Adam. We’re going up against the United States Government. I’m amazed that we haven’t been detained or arrested. We could have just as easily vanished one evening never to be seen again. The Initiative is nothing like anything we’ve fought before. We’re all playing a very dangerous game, and so far the only ones that have been taking it seriously are Spike and myself. I mean, my God, you’ve almost been killed and Xander has been shot. Oz is now likely being experimented on. We have to face facts. Spike is the only way we’re going to get information on Adam. He’s risking his life to help us.”
“Never thought I’d see the day when you defend me, Giles,” Spike says softly.
“Yes, it’s not one of my better moments.”
“I can’t believe you’re supporting Spike,” Buffy says. “You never supported Angel.”
Giles takes off his glasses and looks at her before saying, “Yes, well you aren’t dating Spike.”
Buffy and Spike both cringe. Spike is sure it’s not for the same reason.
“Why are you doing this?” Xander asks, not looking at Spike.
“Because Adam is a robo-wanker that needs taking down, and I don’t have anything else,” Spike replies honestly.
“We need to save Oz!” Willow pleads.
Spike nods and starts gathering up some weapons. “We will, Red. We’ll go in the back and grab the head guy. Hell, I’m in a generous mood. We’ll even bust out Captain Cardboard too.”
He leads the group of them minus Giles and Tara who elect to stay behind, supposedly to be working on the computer to hack the Initiative’s systems. Before Spike and the others used the pretense of lab coats and uniforms, but there’s no point in pretending now. In the woods, they find the back entrance. The doors are unlocked.
“They just leave their stuff unlocked?” Xander asks skeptically.
“No, Adam’s doing his computer mojo to help us get in. This is all so that you guys will trust me, remember?”
The boy mumbles as he passes Spike and steps inside, “Good luck with that.”
They’re not inside long before the power goes out. In the blue emergency lights Spike gives them an ‘I told you so’ eyebrow raise. He lets Buffy take the lead when they jump the Colonel in his room.
“You know who I am?” she says pointing a crossbow at him threateningly. When the Colonel nods she finishes, “Then you know I'm pretty good with this thing. You’re going to take us to Riley and to our friend Oz.”
“You came here for the wolf?” the man asks surprised.
“We’re all about the two for one,” Xander quips.
Buffy practically growls, “Get dressed.”
They go after Riley first because the brig is closer. There’s one guard outside. They use Willow as a distraction. She rushes past him but before the man even realizes there’s someone else in the hall, Buffy attacks. He’s out cold before Spike and Xander can turn the corner brining the Colonel up the corridor. Buffy uses the guard’s keycard to open the door. Riley seems surprised to see them.
“How’d you get in?” he asks.
“Talk later. Stealthy escape now,” Buffy tells him.
“If I leave now, I can never come back.”
The four of them look at Riley like he’s dense. He blinks for a moment before saying, “I just wanted to hear that out loud.”
The Colonel starts in on soldier boy the moment they head for the containment area. Riley mostly ignores him. Finally, Spike has had too much.
“Finn, you know I can’t shut him up, so how about you step up to the plate, eh? We’re trying to be sneaky here.”
Spike’s only reply is a yelp behind him.
“Thank you,” he says.
The voice that replies is not Riley's, but Xander's. “You’re welcome.”
Spike peeks over his shoulder and smirks at the boy, but the moment is quickly lost when Xander rushes past him to a cell where Oz is huddled in a corner. Guards quickly surround them and Buffy pulls the Colonel in front of her as a shield. Buffy starts to open her mouth, but Spike quickly interrupts.
“All right. We’re in charge, so drop the guns or the cute little girl is going to make sure your Colonel is a nice bit of shish kebab for the demons you’ve got down here.”
Buffy looks back at him with surprise and a bit of annoyance, probably at the little girl quip. He shrugs.
“I’ve been doing this longer than you have, ducks. Leave the threatening to the professionals.”
Buffy pokes the Colonel with the tip of her arrow for good measure and the Colonel nods to his men. They slowly put down their weapons and one comes forward to free Oz. Xander is still closest to the doors, but Willow quickly steps forward. The boy’s arm starts to go hairy the moment she’s near.
“Will, get back,” Oz says in a strained voice.
Red looks devastated and moves away again. Xander hands Oz some clothes and helps him out of the cell. They head for the elevator keeping the Colonel between them and the soldiers. It’s a short trip back up they all get out and wait. Riley disables the elevator controls and stares the Colonel down.
“You’re a dead man, Finn,” the Colonel says.
“No sir, I’m an anarchist,” Riley replies and punches the Colonel in the face.
“Yeah!” Spike hoots. “We’ll make a man of you yet, Sonny Jim.”
Riley rolls his eyes but he does turn to Spike.
“You were right, Spike, as much as I hate to admit it. I didn’t think we-they could stoop to harming innocent people. I don’t regret what they did to you because you’re a killer, but I can admit when I’m wrong. I’m sorry.”
“Um, right,” Spike says at a loss for words. He merely nods and pushes past the others to take point. As he passes Xander, he gets a small smile from the boy. It’s enough.
Author: Shade
Pairing: S/X
Rating: PG to NC17
Disclaimer: All assorted characters belong to Mutant Enemy and Joss which is fine, because I suspect Buffy's high maintenance anyway.
Summary: AU-The African demon in Grave grants Spike's wish in a way he never planned. Flung back in time, he has to relive the previous three years with all the knowledge of what's to come.
A/N: Super double team beta by blinding_sight and 50ftqueenie. Certain bits of dialog are taken from the following BtVS episodes:
4:19: New Moon Rising
4:21: Primeval
Chapter 13: New Moon Rising
Two days after what Spike is starting to think of as “the incident,” the gang shows up at Giles’ house for a Scooby meeting. Spike’s asleep when he’s woken up by a loud voice.
“What are you doing here?” Buffy says, leaning over the back of the couch.
Spike sits up to glare at her, but he doesn’t reply. He can see Willow and Riley in the background talking to Giles, but it’s a honey colored head that makes him rise to his feet. He walks toward the shy girl to Willow’s right and takes her hand. It’s the first time he’s had a chance to talk to Tara since he first saw her at Lowell House.
“Glinda! Good to see you!” Spike says. She ducks her head in response, obviously surprised and embarrassed.
Willow frowns and says, “Her name is Tara.”
“I know what her name is, Red.”
Tara stutters out a hello and Spike sees her shoot him a curious look through the fall of hair over her face. He gives her a genuine smile in response. Buffy gives him a cross look and starts heading toward them, probably to defend Willow’s girl from the nasty vampire. Spike moves away and heads for the kitchen for some blood. He knows it’s best to stay out of their way. Plus, the boy will arrive soon enough. He’d rather be out of sight, out of mind for that confrontation. Sure enough before the microwave dings, Xander shows up. He sticks to Willow like glue, and refuses to look towards the kitchen at all. Giles keeps giving the two of them looks, but doesn’t bring anything up, thankfully. Buffy complains about the lack of slaying, which gets the meeting started.
“Yes, I expected this,” Giles says. “From what Spike has told us, Adam is recruiting demons. Those that aren’t recruited are being scared off.”
“Adam’s the bad guy,” Willow explains to Tara.
“The ones working for him are letting themselves get snatched by the soldier boys,” Spike supplies.
“That’d kind of defeat the point, wouldn’t it?” Riley asks snidely.
“Riley feels threatened,” Willow whispers loud enough for them all to hear.
Spike ignores the side commentary and confronts Riley. “That is his plan. He wants a demon and human war with a lot of casualties. It provides him with more parts for his monster mash.”
“That’s a metaphor,” Willow says.
Tara smiles and replies, “I got it, thanks.”
“I’m over helping, aren’t I?”
Tara laughs while Riley continues to argue about the Initiative’s intentions. Spike refuses to get into it with him. The boy’s been through drug withdrawal and attempted murder of his friends, and he still sings their praises. Spike just can’t understand it. From the look on Buffy’s face, she’s having a hard time understanding too. Giles is less reserved in his criticism. It’s only a knock at the opening door that stops their argument. Spike can’t see what’s silenced everyone from his position in the kitchen, so he moves around to the living room.
“Hey,” Oz says, staring at Willow from the doorway.
“Oz,” Willow replies as if none of them knew his name.
Spike looks over to see Tara’s face change subtly as she repeats, “Oz.”
There is a strong urge to smack Willow, but Spike understands what it’s like to get thrown by an ex’s sudden appearance. Instead, he remembers what happens to the mutt during his return to Sunnydale.
“When…when did you get back?” Willow asks.
The question stirs everyone into movement. Xander goes to greet Oz while the others move towards him as he fully enters the room. Spike holds back to give them their moment.
After Oz turns down Giles’ offer of tea and makes his date with Willow, Spike moves past them to stop the boy at the door.
“Wolfboy, wait up. Listen, I know you have no right to trust me, but I have to warn you. There’s a government group in town that’s collecting demons. They’re going to catch you and then experiment on you. Giles can back me up if you don’t believe me.”
“The Initiative gets Oz!” Xander yelps.
“Yeah, and it’s bad. I had to help bust him out.”
Oz is looking at him with skeptical eyes. He looks past Spike’s shoulder, probably to get confirmation from the Watcher.
“I’ll be careful.”
“You’d better be more than that. Trust me, mate, it’s not somewhere you want to end up.”
“The Initiative wouldn’t do that,” Riley argues.
Spike shoots him a withering look over is shoulder. When he looks back, Oz merely nods and leaves. Tara makes a poor excuse and escapes while everyone is focused on Spike’s news. He feels like stepping out after her and offering his support, but she doesn’t know him, and he’s pretty sure he wouldn’t feel welcome. Spike merely watches her helplessly as she disappears out of the courtyard. He closes the door only to hear Riley arguing with Buffy about the Initiative again. The Slayer convinces him that Oz is a werewolf, but a responsible one. The meeting is pretty much over after the bombshell of Oz’s reappearance and possible danger. The others head home, Xander clinging to Red again. Whether to offer support or get it, Spike isn’t sure. He doesn’t bother looking at the boy as he takes his place back on the couch now that the noise is gone.
Spike doesn’t get too much time before Giles sets a rattling tray by his ear. He shoots the Watcher a dirty look, but the man is pouring him a cuppa, so he lets it slide.
“Are you really sure Oz is in danger?” Giles asked pouring some tea for himself.
Spike sits back up and takes his cup before replying, “I helped you lot bust him out. Of course, I was working for Adam at the time and it was mostly to gain your trust.”
“Yes, about that-“
“Save it, Watcher. I won’t apologize for being evil. It’s what I am. Not that it’s done me a bit of good since I met-“
Giles interrupts him, “Spike, do shut up. I think you’ve more than proved your intentions. Now while I’ll never trust you completely, I believe you are trying to help us, for your own ends, of course. Riley made a point a few days ago about how he can work the Initiative from the inside, and that got me thinking. We know that Adam is going to approach you.”
“You want me to be a double agent, with you playing M?” Spike asks, seeing the other man’s train of thought.
“Yes, you’ve provided us with good information, but how closely will Adam follow the plan you know of if you aren’t involved?”
“So I have to make my own self-fulfilling prophecy, is what you’re saying?”
“Indeed. I know tensions between you and Xander are strained right now, and rightly so.”
Spike sighs. He knew this was coming, but Giles only shakes his head.
“I’m not going to discuss it,” Giles says. “We both know there were strong magics involved. Xander is embarrassed, but these things happen.”
“You should know, eh?” Spike replies with a smirk. Giles gives him a dark look and continues.
“I think you should do what you did before. Let Adam come to you. We’ll get information and start turning events to our own ends. Plus, it will give the others a chance to cool off and accept your help.”
“Right send me to the guy they think I’m working for in the first place, bloody brilliant that is,” Spike says snidely.
“When they see that you’re willing to risk your life-and I have no doubt this will be quite dangerous for you-they’ll be more likely to trust you, Spike.”
Spike thinks about it a moment. Maybe some space is what he needs. It’ll give him a chance to get his head right about this boy nonsense. He says, “Right. I had this spot I was staying at before. I’ll get set up tonight. If I’ve got my timing right, Adam will show up in the afternoon.”
“I’ll give you some money. It might be a good idea to show yourself around Willie’s tonight. Make some contacts that might be sympathetic to Adam’s cause.”
“Not about to turn down some dosh, but I think I know my business, Giles.”
“Quite right,” Giles replies and goes to get the money.
Spike spends a few hours making some noise with some of the local boys, before returning to his old crypt. It’s more than depressing sitting on the slab. It’s probably why he didn’t bother to move in before. The last thing he wants is to have to redo all the work he did to get the place set up like he had it before. Granted it wasn’t too bad for a vampire bachelor pad, but he feels older than even his many years. Was this why Angel was such a wanker? Spike shakes his head at the thought. That poof was always a wanker even back when he was evil. Spike lies back on the concrete and almost wishes for the orange barcalounger of doom.
Adam wakes him sometime after noon from what he can see from the shape of the light outside the tiny mausoleum windows. He’s bigger than Spike remembers. Spike keeps his spot on top of the tomb, letting it lend him a little bit of height.
“You’re the one known as Spike. I want you to come with me.”
“And why would I do that then?”
“You’re going to help me with my problem.”
Spike snorts and lights a cigarette. Adam just looks at him impassively.
“Still not seeing why I should listen to you,” Spike says when Adam fails to elaborate.
“I’m going to help you with your problem.”
“Are you now.”
“That chip in your head. I can help you get it out.”
Spike tries not to let his sarcasm show when he replies, “Well you have my vote. What do you want in return?”
Adam squints. “I need you to help me get to the Slayer.”
Spike pauses as if to consider it before he says, “I’ve heard about you. Been causing a bit of a ruckus about. Not sure if I want my insides on the outsides today, ta very much.”
“You’re smarter than I was led to believe.”
Spike sits up straight at that. Adam holds up his hand to stop any tirades. Spike settles down as the monster continues.
“I have a plan. The humans from the Initiative are inferior. I want to help them. I want to make them like me. In order to do so, things must get…messy.”
“I like messy. I’m good at messy, or at least I used to be.”
Adam nods and continues, “Yes, and when we are through, you will be good at it again. You have knowledge of the Slayer. Her part in this plan is crucial. She will be my instrument.”
“Anything to get rid of that bitch. I’m in, say no more. Hell, you get this chip out of me, and I’ll bring you her head on a pike.”
“Good. Much needs to be done. But first, you will have to gain their trust.”
“Because that’s easy.”
“Tonight, it will be.”
After Adam lays out his plan, Spike waits impatiently for the sun to set. He walks in to Giles’ to see the group already there. Buffy is on the phone looking frantic. The others look worried.
“They have him, don’t they?” Spike asks. The looks he gets in response are enough of an answer.
“Riley is still not answering his pages. I left him another message.”
“He’s already tried to get Oz out. They’ve got him locked up.”
“What?” Buffy yells. “You didn’t mention that before.”
“That’s because I thought the wolf would have enough sense not to get caught after I warned him!”
“What are they doing to him?” Willow asks quietly from the couch.
Spike steps over and lays a hand on her shoulder. He doesn’t even glance at Xander sitting next to her.
“Nothing good,” Spike finally replies.
“We have to do something!” Buffy says. “What did we do last time?”
“We’ll go in the back way. Adam’s got things set up for us.”
Buffy explodes again, “What?”
“You’re working for Adam? After all we’ve done-Nah, I can’t even act surprised,” Xander says harshly.
Spike flinches and turns his back on them. The last thing he needs is for them to see how much their accusations hurt. He closes his eyes and wonders when he started needing them. After everything with Xander, it’s time to pull himself back together, and be the big bad. It’s always easier to play the bastard.
Giles comes to his rescue by saying, “I asked him to go to Adam. He’s working for us in Adam’s camp. We’re using Spike’s knowledge to guide the thing right where we want him.”
“Yeah, because if we can trust anyone, we can trust Spike,” Buffy says sarcastically.
“Considering his mind hasn’t been clouded by a two bit tin soldier whose job is likely going to get us all killed or thrown into jail, yes.”
Spike turns to Giles in surprise. The others look as equally shocked, and Buffy’s face is filled with hurt. Giles softens after his outburst.
“Buffy, you have to understand, we’re not just dealing with Adam. We’re going up against the United States Government. I’m amazed that we haven’t been detained or arrested. We could have just as easily vanished one evening never to be seen again. The Initiative is nothing like anything we’ve fought before. We’re all playing a very dangerous game, and so far the only ones that have been taking it seriously are Spike and myself. I mean, my God, you’ve almost been killed and Xander has been shot. Oz is now likely being experimented on. We have to face facts. Spike is the only way we’re going to get information on Adam. He’s risking his life to help us.”
“Never thought I’d see the day when you defend me, Giles,” Spike says softly.
“Yes, it’s not one of my better moments.”
“I can’t believe you’re supporting Spike,” Buffy says. “You never supported Angel.”
Giles takes off his glasses and looks at her before saying, “Yes, well you aren’t dating Spike.”
Buffy and Spike both cringe. Spike is sure it’s not for the same reason.
“Why are you doing this?” Xander asks, not looking at Spike.
“Because Adam is a robo-wanker that needs taking down, and I don’t have anything else,” Spike replies honestly.
“We need to save Oz!” Willow pleads.
Spike nods and starts gathering up some weapons. “We will, Red. We’ll go in the back and grab the head guy. Hell, I’m in a generous mood. We’ll even bust out Captain Cardboard too.”
He leads the group of them minus Giles and Tara who elect to stay behind, supposedly to be working on the computer to hack the Initiative’s systems. Before Spike and the others used the pretense of lab coats and uniforms, but there’s no point in pretending now. In the woods, they find the back entrance. The doors are unlocked.
“They just leave their stuff unlocked?” Xander asks skeptically.
“No, Adam’s doing his computer mojo to help us get in. This is all so that you guys will trust me, remember?”
The boy mumbles as he passes Spike and steps inside, “Good luck with that.”
They’re not inside long before the power goes out. In the blue emergency lights Spike gives them an ‘I told you so’ eyebrow raise. He lets Buffy take the lead when they jump the Colonel in his room.
“You know who I am?” she says pointing a crossbow at him threateningly. When the Colonel nods she finishes, “Then you know I'm pretty good with this thing. You’re going to take us to Riley and to our friend Oz.”
“You came here for the wolf?” the man asks surprised.
“We’re all about the two for one,” Xander quips.
Buffy practically growls, “Get dressed.”
They go after Riley first because the brig is closer. There’s one guard outside. They use Willow as a distraction. She rushes past him but before the man even realizes there’s someone else in the hall, Buffy attacks. He’s out cold before Spike and Xander can turn the corner brining the Colonel up the corridor. Buffy uses the guard’s keycard to open the door. Riley seems surprised to see them.
“How’d you get in?” he asks.
“Talk later. Stealthy escape now,” Buffy tells him.
“If I leave now, I can never come back.”
The four of them look at Riley like he’s dense. He blinks for a moment before saying, “I just wanted to hear that out loud.”
The Colonel starts in on soldier boy the moment they head for the containment area. Riley mostly ignores him. Finally, Spike has had too much.
“Finn, you know I can’t shut him up, so how about you step up to the plate, eh? We’re trying to be sneaky here.”
Spike’s only reply is a yelp behind him.
“Thank you,” he says.
The voice that replies is not Riley's, but Xander's. “You’re welcome.”
Spike peeks over his shoulder and smirks at the boy, but the moment is quickly lost when Xander rushes past him to a cell where Oz is huddled in a corner. Guards quickly surround them and Buffy pulls the Colonel in front of her as a shield. Buffy starts to open her mouth, but Spike quickly interrupts.
“All right. We’re in charge, so drop the guns or the cute little girl is going to make sure your Colonel is a nice bit of shish kebab for the demons you’ve got down here.”
Buffy looks back at him with surprise and a bit of annoyance, probably at the little girl quip. He shrugs.
“I’ve been doing this longer than you have, ducks. Leave the threatening to the professionals.”
Buffy pokes the Colonel with the tip of her arrow for good measure and the Colonel nods to his men. They slowly put down their weapons and one comes forward to free Oz. Xander is still closest to the doors, but Willow quickly steps forward. The boy’s arm starts to go hairy the moment she’s near.
“Will, get back,” Oz says in a strained voice.
Red looks devastated and moves away again. Xander hands Oz some clothes and helps him out of the cell. They head for the elevator keeping the Colonel between them and the soldiers. It’s a short trip back up they all get out and wait. Riley disables the elevator controls and stares the Colonel down.
“You’re a dead man, Finn,” the Colonel says.
“No sir, I’m an anarchist,” Riley replies and punches the Colonel in the face.
“Yeah!” Spike hoots. “We’ll make a man of you yet, Sonny Jim.”
Riley rolls his eyes but he does turn to Spike.
“You were right, Spike, as much as I hate to admit it. I didn’t think we-they could stoop to harming innocent people. I don’t regret what they did to you because you’re a killer, but I can admit when I’m wrong. I’m sorry.”
“Um, right,” Spike says at a loss for words. He merely nods and pushes past the others to take point. As he passes Xander, he gets a small smile from the boy. It’s enough.