76. Shocking Revelation
Immediately,
Dawn felt the powerful connection
with her sister, as she stood there, her arm locked with Spike's – lost
to the rest of the world, for the moment. She could see the room around
her, was aware as her mother watched her closely, anxiously – but it
did not seem to matter to her at the moment.
All she heard and felt was her sister.
*Dawnie? Can you hear me?*
*Um, yeah – as weird as it is to say that. Or -- *not* say that...think
that...whatever. This is a little on the freaky side, Buffy,* she
informed her dryly.
*More than a little,* Buffy agreed, a bit apologetically. *But I need
you to listen to me. We don't exactly have a lot of time to work with
here.*
*Okay – what do you need me to do?*
*For now, you'll be waiting here, until Spike calls you to let you know
the ritual is finished. But when it's over – when the Slayer has
submitted to us – then we'll need you. You're the only one who can put
me back in my own body.*
*Whoa.* Dawn's eyes widened in surprise. *And – how does *that* work
again – exactly?*
*It's a really long story, but – let me just sum it all up for now and
say that you and me are a lot closer than most sisters would be. A
*lot* closer. It's like you're – a *part* of me, Dawn. That's why you
could pull me out when the Slayer was in control – why we can do this
now – because it's just natural for you and me to be drawn together.
It's almost like we're – the same person.*
*Okay, Buffy – this is getting a little scary,* Dawn said slowly in her
head. *I'm not really sure what you're talking about, but...*
*Dawnie, I know it's weird,* Buffy interrupted gently. *But it's true.
I've learned a lot about this whole situation from the Slayer's
thoughts. More than you might think. Let's just say – there are a few
advantages, after all, to temporarily sharing my body with this thing.
And I didn't get it at first – but she sensed it right off. I don't
know how it's possible – we'll figure it all out when we get home – but
for now, I just know it's true. We're like the same person, Dawn. And
when we're touching, it's like we're – double strong. That's why you
could help drive the Slayer back.*
She paused, waiting to be sure her little sister was not too lost in
the confusing subject matter.
*And that's why – why Spike said I couldn't hurt her now? Because with
you not in there, when I touch her, it's just like – you trying to
fight her all on your own – right?* Dawn guessed, trying hard to figure
it out.
*Exactly – neither of us, separate, is strong enough to beat her – only
together. So right now you need to stay away from her!* Buffy finished,
vehemently.
*Okay,* Dawn agreed in a slow, hesitant voice. *So – how am I gonna get
you back in your own body?*
*Once the ritual is done, and the demon is gone – my body should be –
empty,* Buffy went on cautiously, aware that what she was trying to
tell her sister could cause some seriously major wiggage to Dawn, and
wanting to put it as gently as possible.
The idea was even wigging *her* out.
*Almost as if I was...*
*Dead,* Dawn finished for her in a quiet, grim voice.
*Well – yeah,* Buffy admitted, sobered by the thought. She *really* did
not want to die again. *But I won't be – not really. I'm in Spike, and
I'm fine. So – you'll need to be touching my body – and Spike's – and
if everything works like I think it will, since you're basically me,
and you draw me out, I should be able to go through you back into my
body.*
She was silent for a moment, allowing her words to sink in, before
asking in a tentative sort of voice, *So what are you thinking?*
Dawn hesitated a moment before replying, *I'm thinking there's an awful
lot of 'probably' and 'should be able to' in what you just said – and
I'm wondering if maybe something could go wrong.*
*Honestly, Dawnie – something probably could...I have no idea,* Buffy
admitted honestly. *We don't know for sure about any of this. Only that
in theory – it *should* work. But – if you think it's too dangerous,
Dawnie – if you're too scared...*
*Of course I'm scared, Buffy,* Dawn interrupted matter-of-factly. *I'm
not a complete moron – so yes, I'm scared.*
There was a moment of silence as Buffy tried to determine how her
sister had meant her words.
Then, Dawn added softly, *But that doesn't matter. I don't think we
really have a choice here – do we? This sounds like the only way.*
*It probably is,* Buffy conceded quietly.
*Then that's what we'll do,* Dawn agreed. *Just – just make sure Spike
calls me as soon as the ritual's over. I don't want to wait any longer
than necessary. I'm gonna be freaking out enough as it is, waiting.*
*Okay,* Buffy agreed, her tone making it clear that the conversation
was nearly over. *Guess we've got it, then...*
*Buffy...* Dawn interjected quickly, in a nervous, uncertain voice. *How
– I mean – if I'm – part of *you* -- am I even – am I...*
She hesitated, and Buffy waited patiently for her to go on.
*Am I really a *person* at all? I mean – I don't understand. How can I
be a *part* of you? Aren't I – well -- *me*?*
*Dawnie,* Buffy gently tried to find an answer to the same questions
that had been plaguing her ever since she had read the partial truth
about her sister in the demon's thoughts. *I'm not sure how it all
works. We'll need to figure it out when we get home, like I said. All I
know is – something about you – your *existence* was caused by magic –
and you're a part of me. That's all I know. I'm sorry – but as soon as
we get rid of this thing – we'll figure it out. Okay?*
Dawn's voice sounded small, and insecure, and not the least bit
reassured by Buffy's words. *Okay*.
*I'll talk to you soon, Dawnie. It's time to go,* Buffy told her
apologetically, adding after a moment's hesitation, *I love you.*
*I love you, too.* Dawn's response was automatic, as she deliberately
withdrew her hand from Spike's arm, though she was nowhere near ready
to.
As the world around her came back into focus, she looked between her
mother and Spike, blinking as if just waking from a deep sleep, before
sinking down into the chair beside Spike, across from her mother.
"Well. That was – weird beyond all weirdness, ever," she remarked
flatly, looking up at her mother with a serious expression on her face.
"What did she say?" Joyce asked, an anxious frown creasing her brow –
and Dawn remembered that she had not actually spoken aloud during her
conversation with Buffy.
"Um – she just told me – how to get her back into her body after the
ritual's over. It's – it's simple. Easy. Nothing to worry about."
Her words were technically true – "in theory" – but that was not the
part of the conversation that was troubling her. She could not bring
herself to tell her mother *all* of what Buffy had said – not yet.
She still had to figure it out for herself.
Was she even real? Even a person at all? Or just an extension of her
"sister's" personality?
It was all terribly confusing and frightening – and suddenly – Dawn
felt very, very alone.
"I'd better get dressed," Joyce said, grabbing some clothes and
hurrying about the room as she headed toward the bathroom. "At a time
like this it's best to be prepared for anything...."
"Yeah," Spike replied with a grin that was a little forced, and very
tired. "Wouldn't do to have the impending apocalypse catch you in your
nightdress!"
Joyce gave him a gently reproving smile – that suddenly faded as his
words registered. "Wait – apocalypse?" she echoed uncertainly.
"If the ritual doesn't go as planned," he shrugged, a bit too
dismissively for Joyce's comfort, "but it will. We'll win." He glanced
up at her, and stopped short when he saw the worry in her eyes. "Well,
Joyce, a demon like that gets control of a Slayer's body – no telling
what could happen. But those sorts of nasties usually are pretty intent
on doing as much destruction as possible. Wouldn't put it past her to
try to wipe out the whole world."
Joyce stared at him for a moment longer before rushing off to the
bathroom.
The next moment, Dawn was surprised to feel a strong, cool hand close
around hers. She looked up to see Spike's weary blue eyes focus on her
face in a look of compassion and concern, though he did not say a word.
She looked away for a moment, her eyes downcast as she asked calmly,
"Did you hear that?"
He nodded slowly. "Every bloody word."
"What – what *am* I, Spike?" Dawn asked, looking up at him through
troubled, tearful eyes. "Why am I even here?"
"You're a bloody brilliant, beautiful young woman, is what you are –
and my Little Bit," he assured her gently, raising his free hand to
push a stray lock of long, dark hair back from her face. "And as for
the second bit – can't rightly say for sure. I just know that if you
*weren't* here – I'd be dead right now – and so would your sister, for
that matter. Your existence is what's held the Slayer back so far – so
I'd say all in all it's a bloody good thing. So I can't say why you're
here – just that I'm bloody glad you are."
The tenderness in his voice brought fresh tears to her eyes, and Dawn
found herself leaning forward and allowing the vampire to hug her close
for a few minutes.
"There now, Bit – it's all right," he gently soothed her, running one
hand through her hair soothingly. "We'll get it all sorted."
Dawn nodded, pulling reluctantly away from him. She knew that they had
work to do, and did not want her tears to hold him back from doing what
he needed to do.
"You'd better go," she reminded him quietly, sniffing back tears as she
released his hand.
The subtle, but definite change in his expression at her words,
reminded her of the state of mind he had been in when he had entered
the room, and she realized how difficult it must be for him to face
what he was going back to, as he rose reluctantly to his feet with a
sigh.
"Right, then. Off I go. Be ready by the phone, Bit. I'll call you when
it's over."
"Spike," she spoke softly, following him to the door.
He stopped in the doorway, without turning, as he waited for her to
speak.
"Remember – it's not Buffy in there – okay?" she said quietly. "So – do
whatever you have to do."
He simply nodded, not wanting to allow his emotions to get the better
of him, not now, just when he was about to go back into the fight.
Without a word, he walked out the door and toward his own room.
Those simple, surprisingly vital words echoed in his mind as he opened
the door, to see the Slayer lying still on the bed, her eyes closed in
the appearance of sleep. But his sharp hearing had picked up on the
slight increase of her heartbeat as he had entered the room – and the
tension in her bound body made it clear that she was awake, despite her
best efforts to disguise the fact.
"Oh, come on, now, love!" he scoffed lightly, his confident, subtlely
menacing demeanor instantly back in place. "You don't really think I'm
*that* stupid, do you?"
The Slayer realized that she was found out, opening her eyes and
smirking up at him mockingly. The door he had just left open for her
was just too easy to pass up. "No, Baby – I *know* you are!" she
sneered.
A tight, grim smile came over the vampire's lips, as he sidled slowly
nearer to the bed. "I was hoping you'd say that," he informed her in a
low voice of dark menace – just before delivering a vicious backhand
blow across her face. Grabbing her hair, he jerked her head back to
expose the twin puncture marks on her throat from his earlier attack,
his features shifting as he leaned in to growl near her ear, "Just keep
giving me reasons, pet – because I'd bloody *love* to keep beating the
bleedin' daylights out of you!"
"You really are no different from me!" she declared, glaring defiantly
up at him. "You can say all you want about me liking a helpless
opponent – and yet you had to weaken *me* before you'd try to fight me
again!" she accused him. "Knew you couldn't take me at full strength!"
"Yeah, well," he shrugged, unfazed by her taunts. "You at full strength
versus me at full strength, with no soddin' claims in place to
complicate matters – we'll never know how *that* match would have
turned out, will we, pet? You're the one had to spend the evening
systematically wearing me down."
He shrugged again, tilting her head slightly and leaning in nearer to
her throat, glistening fangs extended. "Way I see it," he continued in
a low, almost seductive whisper, "a bloke's got to compensate somehow!"
"Yeah!" she laughed – but there was an almost hysterical note to the
sound. She was desperately trying to conceal how utterly terrified she
was. "You're definitely compensating for *some*..."
Her words were cut off by his hand over her mouth, as he leaned in to
bite her for a third time. She fought him for a few brief seconds – and
then relaxed, her body gradually going limp beneath him.
Spike drew back, studying her slack face. It had only taken a few sips
of her blood this time to bring her to the edge of unconsciousness. Of
course, he *had* just bitten her a very short time ago, draining her
until she passed out, right before going to Dawn's and Joyce's room.
She probably had not quite recovered yet – which was a good thing.
Of course – there was always the chance that it was a trick.
But then – did it really matter?
She had been robbed of her blood three times in the space of as many
hours – and he was feeling incredibly strong, the Slayer's blood
pumping through his veins suffusing him with a renewed vigor and power
like he had not felt in years.
There was no way to be *completely* sure that she was not faking her
extreme weakness and near unconsciousness.
But there never would be – and he would never be more ready to take her
on than he was at this moment.
She moaned softly as he reached for the chains that bound her to the
bed, freeing her wrists and ankles in turn, though she did not get up.
"Rise and shine, love," he said with a bit too much cheer. "Time to get
this bloody show on the road!"
With those words he grabbed her arm and dragged her forcefully off of
the bed, and onto the floor beside it. She pulled herself up to a
sitting position, gasping for breath, shaking her head slightly as if
to clear it, as Spike stepped back for a moment to regard her, before
leaning in closer.
"This is gonna be easier than I thought," he smirked, moving in nearer
to her, drawing his fist back to strike her again.
His plan was simple – dish out enough pain, and the Slayer would cave,
accepting his dominance – and her own doom.
However, the Slayer had plans of her own.
As he reached her, towering over her menacingly, she struck out in a
lightning quick move, grabbing his ankle with more strength than she
had appeared to have, and yanking it out from under him, knocking him
flat onto his back on the floor.
As she pounced on him with a feral, gleaming grin, a sadistic delight
in her eyes, she shot back, "You read my mind -- *Baby*!"
The use of the name infuriated Spike; his eyes narrowed in anger. He
had no idea how she had recovered so quickly, or how long she had been
pretending to be weaker than she was. Perhaps Buffy's not being in her
body had given the Slayer a bit of an advantage – her demon power not
hampered as much by Buffy's human frailty.
This fight could turn out to be a bit more difficult than he had
planned – but it was not one he intended to lose.
"I told you, love," he smiled boldly up at her, before suddenly raising
his head to crack against hers in a brutal headbutt, using the few
dazed moments he had given her to reverse their positions, pinning her
under *him* instead. "*Stop* calling me that!"
The Slayer glared up at him defiantly, rage and malicious intent in her
eyes – and he knew that she had no intention of losing this fight,
either.
But one of them was going to have to – and there was no turning back
now.
The Slayer and the vampire were both at the peak of their strength.
And the fight was on.