Subject: [BA_Gutter] Dream Once More 22 Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 04:23:46 -0000 From: "Tracy" Dream Once More 22 Author T, Claybourne Disclaimer, Fox ME, Joss and the others they do not endorse this but it's only for entertainment so please no suing guys. Spoiler of Angel up to Destiny Buffy comes to LA, but it may be too late: Spike is with some one else, and Angel is not the same as she remembers. NC-17 eventually but mostly less Feed Back: Very needed , very welcome!! _________________________________________________ Part 22 "Spike, what are you doing here at this hour?" asked Gunn. "Well, Charlie boy, just here to kill your boss." Gunn chuckled. "Not you too. He's got enough people wantin' to do that." Spike took off his duster and threw it on the chair. "Blood?" asked Angel, seeing and smelling it. "Emma's, like you didn't know." Angel was confused. Emma's blood? What did he have to do with Spike wearing it? "He didn't, doesn't," announced Lorne at the door now. Spike looked from the demon to his grandsire. "Cream puff, Peaches there called me to come read him, seems he's gone and lost some hours tonight." Spike looked a bit suspicious. "And, I am sorry you lost Emma; she was a special one." Spike sank into the chair opposite Angel's desk. "How many?" "What?" Angel asked in alarm, picturing the girls in the cars. "Hours, you git!" "Sunset to midnight. If I hurt Emma I don't remember it." Angel watched as Spike tried to control his anger. "Killed her." The shock and surprise on Angel's face told Spike his grandsire had no idea. Taking an unnecessary deep breath, he spoke. "Bloody hell, it's gotta be the First, has control of you. We saw it at the hospital. Last year it happened to me; I was killing even with the chip and didn't remember. Buffy helped me." "That thing that nearly got me to kill myself while I was in Sunnydale? But how?" "Sleeper trigger, mine was a little ditty my mother used to sing." Panic was rising in Angel. The First had controlled him before and for a first Spike may be right. He had actually killed Emma and god knew how many others. "It's got to stop!" announced Angel, standing. "Not so easy, big boy. Giles used some sort of stone, got my memories to show me my trigger." Angel looked a way for a moment. "Gunn, find Wesley and that stone and call security; I need to be locked up right now." Spike sat there, not one sarcastic remark. That alone was enough to scare Angel. * * * * Buffy checked the other girls and Wes made some phone calls. Buffy joined him in the office and he handed her the phone. Giles's reassuring voice was there on the other end. "Buffy, dear, I am dreadfully sorry about the loss of your friend." "Thanks, Giles. Did Wes fill you in?" "Yes, and he may actually have a book to help. The First- however did it grow the strength to do what you've said?" "I don't think it is that strong. We only saw it the one time and it was a short visit, nothing near the power of last year." "One call and I can be there tomorrow night." "No, Giles, Wes is here and if we can't figure it out well then maybe... but thanks for the offer. How are Dawn and the others?" "Well, everyone is well. Xander has yet to quit complaining about the cold; I would be more than happy to send him if you want." "As if Xander would help Angel or Spike! Don't tell him too much or I'll feel his gloat all the way over here." "I'll have Willow contact the coven; maybe they will be able to help in some way." "Thanks, see ya." "You know that better be true." "It will be." * * * * Lorne couldn't stand the silence. He got up and went to the bar in the conference room. He handed Spike a healthy-sized drink on his way back to sit on the desk. "Thought you weren't psychic, needed someone to sing?" Spike asked, raising his glass. "Please, Blondie, no one needs to be psychic to see you need a drink. So I'm thinking maybe you should talk?" "No." "Want me to call Fred?" "NO." "I should do that anyway. Fred will be upset but would like to know; she cared for Emma." He got on the phone and told a sleepy Fred the situation. After he hung up, Spike started speaking. "I wanted to bloody well kill Angel. Thanks to the First that won't happen; gotta return the bleedin' favor Buffy gave me last year." "You said the First controlled you with a song; which one?" "Early One Morning." Lorne hummed the tune and Spike sighed but joined him humming for a brief moment. "That's it." "Shame the First Evil could do that with such a lovely song." Spike stood then. "I'll be getting back, need to..." Spike felt his emotions well up and paused a moment. "Tell the girls what happened" Lorne could see the pain in Spike's aura without any singing. * * * * Fred rushed into the office as Buffy and Wes entered through Angel's private entrance. They had used it to avoid security. Lorne noticed how tired both the little blonde and Wesley looked. "You've heard, then?" asked Wes. "Yes," both Lorne and Fred said at once. "Angel?" asked Buffy. Gunn entered then. "Locked up tight, security and all personnel will be told he isn't to be let out on anyone's word but yours, Wes. How'd you get by security yourself, Buffy?" "I brought her. Buffy has firsthand knowledge of dealing with the First and she will be a help," explained Wes. "Is it really true, Wes?" asked Fred, holding back tears. "Buffy and Spike saw the First as Emma; the only form it can take is that of a dead person." They discussed the procreat stone and Wes made a call to obtain one. At three AM Buffy announced, "We all need some rest. Angel is secure and the threat contained so how about we meet up, say at the Hyperion tomorrow noonish. That way I don't have to sneak past security and..." "The senior partners maybe kept in the dark," added Fred. "Charles," started Wes. "The cell Angelus was in, is it still there at the hotel? Perhaps we should consider moving him?" Gunn nodded. "Might be better, him being in familiar territory," commented Fred. "Yes, very astute of you, Fred; we will move him tomorrow." Buffy had been silent and suddenly blurted out, "That's Spikes duster; he just left it?" Spike wore that duster through so many things, and it was his security blanket of sorts though Buffy could never mention it to him without provoking a fight. His leaving the coat here was not a good sign. Fred picked it up. "I'll bring it tomorrow." * * * * It was so late when Spike got in he decided to talk with the girls the next day. Maybe then he'd know what to say. A slayer's life was a short one, but it was not easy to see that firsthand. Entering his rooms, he smelled Emma again. To think, less than 24 hours ago they were shagging and now...Spike fell to the bed without undressing. The scent of Emma was comforting. He rolled up in the blanket from her side and tried not to think at all. It was the thinking that was hurting. Finally, the day's strain took its toll and he fell asleep. * * * * Buffy had been silent on the drive until they came to the turn to her place. "I just can't go there tonight; feels wrong." Then she fell silent again. Wes just turned the vehicle around and took her to his apartment. He parked and turned off the motor, then faced the silent girl. "Wes, someone will have to deal with the...oh god..." Buffy's voice dropped. "Emma's body tomorrow. Spike shouldn't have to but I have no idea..." The tears came then. Her mother's death was fresh in her mind; Tara and the others' as well. All the tears she'd held back being the strong one finally fell. Buffy leaned against the passenger window. The former Watcher rushed around the SUV to her side and carefully opened the door. Buffy fell into him, her sobs silent but racking her body. Wesley carried her in and placed her on the bed. He sat next to her, rubbing her back to comfort her. Finally she calmed. Her cheeks and lashes were wet with her tears. Wesley handed her some tissues and stood to leave. "No, Wes, I don't want to be alone. Stay." He hesitated. "Could you just hold me?" He nodded. Taking off her shoes, he then toed his off . He got on the bed and curled behind her, holding her small frame. TBC