Global Disclaimer: All BtVS characters belong to FOX and the marvelous Mr. Joss Whedon. This story is for entertainment purposes only. The author intends neither profit nor defamation herein. This is just for fun and frolic, folks.

Feedback: Yes, please. I live for reviews, sad but true. I know there must still be some Spike/Drusilla fans out there. Drop me a review. Show me the whole world hasn't joined the "Spuffy" club. If reviewing on the site is not your style, you can also drop me a line at my email center geekwitch@1witch.com. Anything letting me know other people are reading what I write is greatly appreciated.

A/N: This fiction was written for Misled Youth, who got the better of me in a game of wits. (Good on you.) Never let it be said I don't honor my word. You never said what kind of story other than the basics. So, you get Drama. I hope you like it. Also, I always figured Dru would have to know something was up.

Summary: Spike and Dru are still together and in love in the Wish-verse. (As they darn well should be, ME!) This is what the show left out. Might be a little AU.
 

Chapter 4 - Translations and True Love

Dalton stayed up all day working on the translation. The text, so close to Latin as to be confusing in its similarities, slowly revealed the necessary ceremony to restore Mistress Drusilla to full strength. The ingredients list for the spell was the worst part. Realizing finally it did indeed call for Sire's blood, a feeling a doom overtook him.

A trip to the Bronze could easily make what Mistress Drusilla had said to him become the truth. He saw no way to avoid the event. Seeing the translation, Master Spike would certainly insist they attempt to get Angelus from the Master's keeping. Dalton, had he still been in a position to pray, would have done so. For truly, their only other hope would be far more difficult to obtain.

Leaving Dru to finish dressing for the night, Spike went downstairs right at sunset determined to get the ceremony Dalton should have finished. His worry for Drusilla overwhelmed any other thoughts or feelings. She grew steadily weaker by the day, and only marginally better again at night. Something needed to be done, and soon.

Dalton looked up from the papers on the coffee table. Spike snatched the paper from the top of the pile. "You manage to make yourself useful enough to sort this thing out?"

Dalton tried to take the paper back but Spike moved away with it instead. "It isn't quite finished."

Spike read over the text, brow furrowing as his eyes scanned the page. "That's it, then. We go tonight."

Dalton stammered, "But, Master Spike, the factory is to open tonight."

Spike smiled tensely. "Exactly. We slip in when the crowd is large. That way, no one will notice our arrival before we slip back out, Angelus in tow."

Drusilla came down the stairs slowly, both men turning to watch her arrival. She stopped next to Spike, who put on arm loosely around her waist. "They said to hurry or I would miss the party. Are we going?"

He put a hand to her forehead, as if measuring a temperature that would never be any higher. "Are you feeling up to it? Maybe you should stay here."

She smiled, eyes closed. "I want to see the pretty red blood flowing like satin."

Battle raged in the factory. Called by the head of the white hats, the watcher known as Rupert Giles, the Vampire Slayer, Buffy, had finally arrived in Sunnydale to wage war against the Master. Her deflected arrow, aimed at the Master's dead heart but finding the shoulder of his childe Xander instead, started the skirmish.

Angel, formerly known as Angelus until gypsies gave him back his soul, broke out of his cage to rush to the Slayer's aide. He immediately began freeing the humans, who moments earlier had seemed destined to die at the hands of the Master using his new invention, the bloodletting machine.

Xander and the Master's other favorite, the red headed Willow, headed to engage the Slayer. She fights them both off without managing to kill them, leaving Xander free to find a weak spot when he recovered. The vampire went after the Slayer again.

Angel ran past her to punch Xander in the face. Xander in turn lunged at Angel with the crossbow bolt that he pulled from his shoulder, and impaled Angel. Angel, the vampire with a soul, crumbled to dust muttering, "Buffy."

Two blocks from the factory, Drusilla fell to her knees, wailing as loudly as she could. Spike went to his knees at her side, removing his coat and wrapping it around her shoulders to lessen her shivering. She grasped at the lapels of the leather as they rested against her. "We are too late. The angel has flown away."

Spike didn't quite understand. Maybe he simply hoped he misunderstood. He ventured the more positive guess. "He's escaped? That's not a problem, poodle. We'll track him down. It'll just take a little time."

She shook her head sadly. "No time. Chronos has abandoned us in our quest. Time has flown like never before. Just as my angel has flown, becoming dust on the wind." She put a hand up to cup Spike's cheek. "The bravest knight in all the land cannot same me this time."

Spike's eyes filled with tears he tried not to let spill, a thing rarely seen in the vampire world. "Dust?" He pulled her into his arms, losing the fight to hold back the tears. "That can't be. You need him."

She wiped away his tears. "Shhh. It's alright, Spike. I would rather be weak and with you in this world than strong and alone in the other."

He said, "I just wish..."

She placed her fingers across his lips. "Wishes are not horses."

Dalton stepped toward them. "What of the Master?"

Spike couldn't even find strength to show the anger he felt at the intrusion in his voice when he asked, "Heinrich? What does he matter now? We've failed!"

Dalton held up the translated page. "It's about the translation, Master Spike. Sire's blood could be taken another way."
 

THE END