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jesterladyficChapter Five:
Andrew collapsed onto a bed in a hotel room, still drained from his spell-casting and jet lag.
“You guys go look; I’m wiped. I just…need…sleep.” And he was out like a light. Spike chuckled and quietly covered him up before going to find Faith.
“Boy’s out for the count. He’s got guts; just not stamina.”
“Well, you gotta admit, we kinda won the supernatural lotto in the stamina category. Otherwise neither of us would be that strong either.”
“You literally did get the lotto, didn’t you?” Spike tilted his head to look at her. “Out of all the choices for Slayer in the world you get picked. Someone must’ve known you’d turn out all right.”
“Don’t get all mushy on me. Must be your bad writing streak coming out to play.”
“Give it up. Not telling.”
“Ok, ok,” she changed the subject. “You got picked too, you know. Maybe not for some grand purpose, but hey, What’s-Her-Creep could’ve chosen anybody.”
“Drusilla!” Spike said sharply. “So we both got picked. We’ll have a party after we find the other special Chosen One, yeah?”
“Sorry, boss.” Faith looked at him strangely as they walked. “Didn’t mean to hit a nerve there or anything.” He sighed before answering,
“It’s all right. Sorry, I-it’s nothing.” She was quiet for a minute.
“You sure you don’t wanna talk about it? No pushing; but I’m always here to make fun of whatever you’re going through.” He snorted.
“What bloody encouragement that is!” Then he went on. “Just, well, being here brings back memories. Best night, well, second best night of my life. Anyway, it was up there. Bagged me my first Slayer, showed up Grand-daddy, and me and Dru-well, it was special.”
“Dude, I do not wanna hear about you and the Morticia-wannabe.”
“You think I wanted to hear about the bleeding bullwhip?” Faith laughed loudly.
“Really? You looked quite intrigued about it to my recollection, Blondie.”
“You’re not quite as sweet as you think you are, pet.”
“You weren’t so stuck on B I’d make you eat that. But back to the story.”
“No story, just thinking about how we were and thinking how we ended up.
Wound’s still fresh.”
“I didn’t mean to pour salt in there, calling her names and all.”
“Kinda set me off. Anyway, what’s with the wannabe crap? People always do
that, they call me Billy Idol wannabe, call her Morticia and call Angel, I dunno, Brooding Hulk Man? When we’ve been around a lot longer than that junk! They stole the looks from us mostly.”
“Settle down there, cowboy. No one’s infringing on your look. You got the whole bad boy thing going on for ya, you got B, so let’s find her and the past can settle itself.”
“You better not be trying to be my bloody shrink, Rogue.”
“Na, it’d get too weird messing around in your brain. There’s been too much
government interference there anyway, not to mention all the peroxide. So, where we going?”
“Looking to find the building Miss Chinese caved in.”
“That was a hundred years ago!”
“Yup, might take awhile.”
***
It actually took a few days, during which Spike thought it must’ve burnt down that night, but no, it had been saved and was now an historical landmark.
“Whaddaya know? We’re famous!” Spike pointed to the marker that explained the historical significance of the site and was fortunately, also in English. “Says here this was thought to be one of the sites that were home to four dangerous criminals, two gents, two ladies, who were responsible for much of the rioting. They had been tracked across several continents, then one of the gents had been lost in Romania and they followed the other three here where he rejoined them and then they were never heard from again. That was sad that, the end of the Scourge. In a strictly nostalgic point of view and not an actual one.”
“Ooh, Spike! I have my camera! Let’s get a picture of you by it and then one of you pretending Faith is the Slayer you killed and the one of all of us…”
Andrew had fully recovered and joined in the search with a zesty spirit. Spike and Faith grumbled a bit, but they finally agreed after Andrew refused to budge another inch without them and he got all his pictures in all their poses, including one ridiculous one with all of them standing with their hands over their eyes as if they were searching for something. Both Spike and Faith insisted it be destroyed immediately upon development.
“Hang on one second!” Spike stopped them from going inside. “This here marker, it’s been handled recently.”
“Yeah,” agreed Faith upon closer inspection. “Looks like it was cut open and then resealed.”
Grinning, Faith brought out a knife and sliced it open upon the prior incision. Inside, behind the official document, was a white, embossed envelope with William the Bloody and Friends printed across the top. Faith handed it to Spike, who opened it and read:
“ ‘We are pleased to invite William the Bloody to bring his friends to this address on the next night at seven o’clock. We promise no harm to all at this time. We wish to discuss details of negotiations between our peoples. Dinner provided. Formal dress required.
Signed,
Nedahi of the Kenari clan of the Groxlar.’ “
Andrew whistled.
“Can we go?”
“Might as well. We haven’t been eating too good of late,” Faith said.
“Might be worth it,” Spike agreed. “I’ve never heard of this Nedahi, but I know the Kenari all too well. They’re all about honor and respect and such and they ain’t too happy with me over some territory squabbles we had back in the 20’s.”
“Do you think they’d double cross us?” Faith asked.
“Nah, they’d rather die. But they’re definitely planning on getting me somehow. They just want to be up front about it.”
“Hey, lucky us. Free dinner and notice of when they’re going to try and chop your head off.”
“Sympathy’s overwhelming. We better get us some snazzy clothes.”
“Shopping trip,” mused Andrew. “Not very heroic.”
“You’ll live,” Faith told him. “Let’s go.” They walked to find some cool new clothes, Spike asking Andrew,
“Where and when did you get that bloody camera?”
***
Faith opened the door at the insistent knocking.
“Ok, ok. I’m here, I’m ready. What’s the rush?”
Andrew’s mouth fell open and rushed to the ground so fast Spike was sure it would never get back up again. Faith, who was causing this display of awe, put her hand to her throat and exclaimed in mock admiration,
“You boys dressed up all for me? Which one wants to escort me?” Inwardly, she thought Andrew actually cleaned up rather well and Spike, as always, was a complete hottie, but his ego didn’t need to know that.
“Pleasure’s all yours, Andrew,” Spike said, stepping aside. Faith felt a twinge of hurt, but she didn’t show it and instead asked,
“Too much for ya to handle?” Spike stepped back in front of her.
“Don’t mean to imply you’re not desirable, pet. Just want to make it clear I won’t ever be one of your boy toys. And that’s a right smashing dress you’ve got on.” She rolled her eyes but felt better.
The dress was beautiful. It was blue with thin straps off the shoulders, gently clinging to every curve with grace and flowing out behind her. She twisted around, displaying her bare back to Andrew, and preceded them out the door. Spike fixed Andrew’s tie and they followed her, two black-clad, blonde men with very different personalities.
***
Spike knocked on the door. They waited a few moments and it was opened by a tuxedo clad man who ushered them into the room.
It was a private restaurant. The only people other than them were the waiting Groxlar. There were five, all standing to receive them. Spike walked to before the foremost and bowed low. Nedahi bowed back and gestured for them to sit.
“My esteemed enemy, we wish to give welcome for your presence.”
“Honored to be here, Nedahi,” Spike said for Faith and Andrew’s benefit and then
began speaking in a different, rougher, yet more graceful language. Faith arched her eyebrow and sat down getting comfy.
Nedahi switched to English for them.
“We shall eat. Please be at home.” The dinner was served, thankfully of the human variety, with a large goblet of blood for Spike. He sipped it appreciatively. Dinner was pleasant with everyone enjoying the delicacies provided though the three guests noticed the Groxlar were not eating as much as they were and apparently liking it even less. When Nedahi saw them noticing, he motioned for them not to worry.
“Please enjoy. We are on restrictive eating habits. A truce and trade negotiation of ours and it is difficult adjusting.”
“Angel got you to stop then?” Spike asked, grinning. Nedahi nodded.
“Exchange of their lives for other things. Very profitable, personally
uncomfortable.”
Spike leaned toward the other two and explained,
“They eat the heads of babies. Angel made a trade with them using his all-powerful resources.” Andrew’s eyes grew wide.
“Babies? Well, that’s very evil, of course.” Faith snorted.
“I suppose them being stereotypically evil makes it okay?” Andrew started to protest his innocence of liking the evilness of stereotypes and Spike rubbed his temples.
After dinner they retired to a smaller area where dessert was served. Nedahi turned the conversation to the matter at hand.
“William, you understand affairs are not settled between us after last we
encountered you?”
“You still have a beef with me cause I wouldn’t let you settle in a certain house in town cause Dru had taken a fancy to it and I killed one of your people.”
“Yes, that is the matter.” Nedahi twitched slightly at Spike’s casual reference. “We wish to offer for you to settle this matter now.”
“What do you want?” he asked. “I’m kinda in the middle of something here. Looking for the Slayer, you seen her?”
“We see many Slayers. We know of the search you make. We offer information for you to find her and for you to honor your trouble with our clan.”
“You’ll tell me where she is if I…?” Spike let his words trail away so Nedahi could fill in the blank.
“We do not know where she is. We only know how to look. You will enter the Duel of Honor to Justify and should you not fail, that you shall win.”
“Who am I fighting exactly?” Spike asked.
A younger looking Groxlar stood up. He was tall with a huge head and pair of arms. The perfectly shaped circle mouth-just the size of a baby’s head if one thought about it- and the beady, black eyes smiled like ice.
“I am Abriduah of the Kenari of the Groxlar. An honor to kill you. I claim right and honor for your death.” Spike smiled at him.
“Okay then, we’ll do that.” Nedahi smiled with polite courtesy in return.
“A day of preparation we will give. The house of history you passed earlier will be the site and weapons shall be had. Till then we say farewell.” Nedahi stood up in dismissal and so did the other Groxlar. Spike rose and after a look to his companions, they did also, and exchanging bows with the Groxlar, they left.
***
“Strange people,” whispered Andrew on the way out.
“You have no idea,” said a voice from behind them. They whirled around, Faith and Spike at the ready.
“Relax and quit the shoving. I’m here to help.” A short man, dressed in an urban leather jacket with a bright green shirt and a hat that was long out of style,
stepped from the shadows, hands up.
“Who are you?” Faith asked skeptically.
“The name’s Whistler. I have business with Mr. Short, Blonde and Soulful here.”
“Everybody has business with me lately.” Spike turned to Faith. “We should make a list.”
“Ooh, I can do that,” Andrew volunteered excitedly. “I’m very organized.”
“Yeah and look how far you’ve gotten,” Whistler told him. “But don’t worry;
you’re on the right track. Stick with these two. They’re edgy, short-tempered and reckless, but they’ll get ya home.”
“Look, I’m tired,” Faith interrupted, “And a little fist-happy, so get to the
point before I take the hat and make you eat it.”
“I guess most Slayers are that violent,” Whistler said to himself. “Look, I’m just here to encourage our vamp to keep going. The Powers wanna make sure he doesn’t give up or give in like some do.”
“The who?” Andrew asked.
“The Powers-big movers of good in this universe. Spike here’s their new poster boy.”
“Spike?” Faith snorted. Spike shot her a look and then turned back to Whistler.
“I don’t know you, but I’ve heard of you. You’re Angel’s little demon; picked him off the alleys and hoisted him off to Sunnydale.”
“Yeah that was my gig. Defining moment for him.”
“So what? Angel’s out, I’m in? You’re my new personal soul-coach?”
“No, Angel’s not out. But he’s got his own issues. As soon as what we’ve got
cooking heats up he’ll be back on track. You, however, need to get started and that’s where I come in.”
“Get started doing what exactly?”
“You’re taking over Angel’s old job. Actually you’ve been doing it unofficially for years, but congrats, now you’re official.”
“Official what?”
“Official helper of the Slayer. We know she’s not all Only One anymore, but
she’s got a bit more clout than the rest.”
“So do what I’m doing and know everything that’s holy and good is backing me up? Ok, bye now.”
“Hold it up there. All you vamps are way too jumpy.”
“What do you need now, Shorty?” Faith asked briskly.
“A job where people are polite,” he replied. “Anyways, this thing with the Slayer. You don’t need to be the big rescue knight. And she doesn’t need to do that for you either. This is a partnership deal. Angel was supposed to do it, but it just didn’t work out that way and when you took his spot with Acathla we decided you were the one.”
“Great, I’m the one what?”
“It’s not actually a title, Spike. It’s just who you are. Keep at it. So pep talk’s over, go win one for the team.” Whistler smiled and walked away.
“That was major weird,” Faith said.
“You have no idea,” he answered and they made their way back to the motel in
silence.
***
Andrew bounced up and down on his bed in his and Spike’s shared motel room.
“You nervous?” he asked. “About tomorrow night and that whole fight to the death thing?”
“Not really,” Spike considered. “I’ve fought Groxlar before. They’re tough but not all-powerful.”
“I used to be scared of you,” Andrew said conversationally. ‘When we first met. You were pretty awe-inspiring.”
“Really now? How’s that?”
“Anybody with nerve enough to bluff somebody into thinking he’d actually break
off the head of a classic Bobba Fett action figurine is worth a few shivers.” Spike laughed really loudly.
“I would’ve done it, you know. So that’s why I’m frightening, is it? My image; I can feel it crumbling.”
“Well, that and then next time you bit into my neck and started eating me after you Hulk-smashed your way through the wall.” Spike perked up.
“That was good, wasn’t it? Too bad I wasn’t really myself at the moment.”
“Trust me, Spike,” Andrew said reassuringly. “You’re scary.”
“Thanks,” Spike said dryly. Andrew quested down his comforter to find that especially comfy spot.
“So why didn’t you kill all of us that time? Once Warren got you your
information, I mean your chip worked, right?”
“Exactly,” said Spike. “My chip is what stopped me from being able to hurt
humans. Couldn’t even point a gun at one of you lot. Weren’t you listening at all last year during that cabub about my chip being out and all?”
“So that’s why you went after Bobba and not us. The mark of a desperate man.” Andrew was truly impressed. Spike shook his head.
“Told you, not why I did that. I probably wouldn’t have killed you anyway. Always been soft like that.” Spike sighed, not really wanting to talk about it any longer. “You should get some sleep, yeah?”
“But I’m not even tired.” After a pause, “So, you’re special with the Higher Power Whaddamacallits?”
“Guess so.” Spike lay down on his bed and crossed his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling.
“Wonder what that means?” Andrew replied, turning on his side to face Spike with his right hand supporting his head.
“Means? Nothing. Wonder-demon didn’t tell me anything I didn’t know already.”
“So everything’s fine then?”
“Of course everything’s bloody well fine,” Spike snapped. “Everything’s right,”
he whispered to himself. Andrew quieted and then said, sitting up,
“I’m thinking of something and it begins with a B.” Spike groaned.
***
The next night they gathered at the old, decrepit historical house where Spike had killed his first Slayer and he and Dru had spent some quality time together.
About thirty Groxlar were there and Abriduah was loosening up in the corner. Spike started to stretch and prepare as well. Nedahi approached them.
“Have you a second prepared, William?”
“Guess that’s me.” Faith raised her hand.
“Excellent. Would you come to me and receive instructions?”
“See yas.” Faith went to the group of Groxlar marking out a circle in the
ground.
“How are we in here without getting in serious trouble?” she asked Nedahi.
“We have arrangement with officials to use the space in sacred moments.”
“Ah,” she said.
Spike continued to prepare with Andrew keeping up a stream of mostly useless advice.
“Please to enter the circle,” Nedahi said. Spike and Abriduah entered the circle and Nedahi stepped out. Faith and another Groxlar came forward and presented two swords to the combatants. The circle was cleared of all except the two duelists and then the line of the circle suddenly lifted and rose to hover about waist-high in the
air, shimmering clearly.
“Why’s it doing that?” Andrew asked nervously.
“It prevents any to enter until the Duel is finished,” Nedahi answered. He raised his voice. “Please it to begin.”
Abriduah bowed low and then lunged at Spike who ducked under the blow and returned thrust for thrust. It went on that way for a time; the clanging of metal upon metal rang out sharply. Both were skilled and matched in their skill. Time would decide the victor in the one who did not tire first. The odds were with Spike. While Abriduah was about equal to him in strength and stamina, he needed to breathe whereas Spike didn’t.
Spike waited until he saw Abriduah take in a fresh gulp of air and then started to press his attack, driving Abriduah to change his position and leave himself off guard.
Then suddenly that changed. Abriduah pressed in and Spike pushed for defense. Blow upon blow rang against his sword until Spike’s fingers felt numb. He decided to do this the old fashioned way and leaning backward to avoid a thrust at the throat, grabbed the flat of the blade between his two hands and pushed it forward, knocking Abriduah in the head.
“Don’t think Buffy’d mind me using her moves,” he muttered as he grabbed hold of Abriduah’s outstretched, startled hand and swung him to fall on the ground. Spike reached for his sword which he’d dropped and hopping astride the fallen Groxlar, put his booted foot on Abriduah’s sword hand and stuck his own blade into his opponent’s chest.
The circle’s barrier lowered. Spike had won.
Nedahi stepped in again and raising his hands, called for silence.
“William the Bloody has the honor and the wrath of the Kenari is pleased. We are grieved no longer.” Groxlar came and picked up Abriduah and carried him away. Nedahi handed Spike a piece of paper and the Kenari clan walked out of the building and into the night air. After a few minutes, Spike, Faith and Andrew did the same.
***
When they were back at the hotel and Faith was cleaning a gash in Spike’s side, Andrew quietly said.
“You killed him. I know he was trying to kill you and all, but you just did it.” Spike raised his head and smiled slightly.
“Didn’t kill him, mate.” Andrew started.
“What? But, but, I saw you-we saw you.”
“Come on, Andrew. You should know more about the demon world than that.
Groxlar can’t be killed that way. That’s what makes it so tough to kill them.”
“Then how’d you win this fight to the death if there was no death going on? Other than you being a walking corpse, that is,” Faith asked.
“I saved a life to repay for the killing of a life.” Andrew was confused.
“So, the only way to win was to not kill him?”
“No, if I’d killed him I’d still have won.”
“Then why didn’t you? If you’d have been trying to kill him, I probably wouldn’t be putting your side back together.” Faith finished dressing the wound and sat down on the bed relaxing. Spike put his shirt back on and leaned against the headboard.
“I just kept thinking about this whole prophecy/Higher Power stuff. I don’t want any of it!” Andrew looked at Spike in surprise.
“Like I told His Royal Poofness, I don’t care about atonement and I hate the
thought of some Higher Up Being messing around with my unlife, mixing things up to get it the way they want it. The only destiny I ever cared about was being with Dru.”
“So what’s the deal with that being so big with the not killing of the Groxlar
dude?”
“Well, mostly to piss off Angel I looked up this prophecy of the vampire with a soul. Yada, yada, bloody boring. Didn’t really impress me all that much, but I don’t mind being back and destined and all that if it’s for a good reason So when Demon-boy comes along and says, ‘hey, you got a destiny and a mission,’ I say, ‘fine, but I’m gonna do it my way.’ “
“What’s your way, Spike?” Andrew lay on his stomach facing them, with his head cradled in his hands, leaning on his elbows with his legs swinging in the air behind him.
“My way? Let’s say not Captain Forehead’s way. I know what he would’ve done.
Killed him and said it was necessary for a Higher bleeding Purpose. That his sacrifice would be remembered. I know about sacrifice and saving the world, but I did it myself. It was my life I was playing around with. Angel likes to talk about free will, about how he stopped that big Nasty who’d taken over the cheerleader, but all he’s talking about is his own free will, his right to choose for others. Anyways, not what I’m after. Just wanna get done, get Buffy and get going.” He ended with a leer. Faith rolled her eyes and Andrew swallowed.
“On that note, boss, where we going now?”
“Oh right,” Spike pulled out the note and read:
“ ‘Dark Princess wants music; music she gets,
Dark Princess tires; away they are sent.’
We, kiddies, have won a fabulous trip to the lovely city of Istanbul.”
Andrew collapsed onto a bed in a hotel room, still drained from his spell-casting and jet lag.
“You guys go look; I’m wiped. I just…need…sleep.” And he was out like a light. Spike chuckled and quietly covered him up before going to find Faith.
“Boy’s out for the count. He’s got guts; just not stamina.”
“Well, you gotta admit, we kinda won the supernatural lotto in the stamina category. Otherwise neither of us would be that strong either.”
“You literally did get the lotto, didn’t you?” Spike tilted his head to look at her. “Out of all the choices for Slayer in the world you get picked. Someone must’ve known you’d turn out all right.”
“Don’t get all mushy on me. Must be your bad writing streak coming out to play.”
“Give it up. Not telling.”
“Ok, ok,” she changed the subject. “You got picked too, you know. Maybe not for some grand purpose, but hey, What’s-Her-Creep could’ve chosen anybody.”
“Drusilla!” Spike said sharply. “So we both got picked. We’ll have a party after we find the other special Chosen One, yeah?”
“Sorry, boss.” Faith looked at him strangely as they walked. “Didn’t mean to hit a nerve there or anything.” He sighed before answering,
“It’s all right. Sorry, I-it’s nothing.” She was quiet for a minute.
“You sure you don’t wanna talk about it? No pushing; but I’m always here to make fun of whatever you’re going through.” He snorted.
“What bloody encouragement that is!” Then he went on. “Just, well, being here brings back memories. Best night, well, second best night of my life. Anyway, it was up there. Bagged me my first Slayer, showed up Grand-daddy, and me and Dru-well, it was special.”
“Dude, I do not wanna hear about you and the Morticia-wannabe.”
“You think I wanted to hear about the bleeding bullwhip?” Faith laughed loudly.
“Really? You looked quite intrigued about it to my recollection, Blondie.”
“You’re not quite as sweet as you think you are, pet.”
“You weren’t so stuck on B I’d make you eat that. But back to the story.”
“No story, just thinking about how we were and thinking how we ended up.
Wound’s still fresh.”
“I didn’t mean to pour salt in there, calling her names and all.”
“Kinda set me off. Anyway, what’s with the wannabe crap? People always do
that, they call me Billy Idol wannabe, call her Morticia and call Angel, I dunno, Brooding Hulk Man? When we’ve been around a lot longer than that junk! They stole the looks from us mostly.”
“Settle down there, cowboy. No one’s infringing on your look. You got the whole bad boy thing going on for ya, you got B, so let’s find her and the past can settle itself.”
“You better not be trying to be my bloody shrink, Rogue.”
“Na, it’d get too weird messing around in your brain. There’s been too much
government interference there anyway, not to mention all the peroxide. So, where we going?”
“Looking to find the building Miss Chinese caved in.”
“That was a hundred years ago!”
“Yup, might take awhile.”
***
It actually took a few days, during which Spike thought it must’ve burnt down that night, but no, it had been saved and was now an historical landmark.
“Whaddaya know? We’re famous!” Spike pointed to the marker that explained the historical significance of the site and was fortunately, also in English. “Says here this was thought to be one of the sites that were home to four dangerous criminals, two gents, two ladies, who were responsible for much of the rioting. They had been tracked across several continents, then one of the gents had been lost in Romania and they followed the other three here where he rejoined them and then they were never heard from again. That was sad that, the end of the Scourge. In a strictly nostalgic point of view and not an actual one.”
“Ooh, Spike! I have my camera! Let’s get a picture of you by it and then one of you pretending Faith is the Slayer you killed and the one of all of us…”
Andrew had fully recovered and joined in the search with a zesty spirit. Spike and Faith grumbled a bit, but they finally agreed after Andrew refused to budge another inch without them and he got all his pictures in all their poses, including one ridiculous one with all of them standing with their hands over their eyes as if they were searching for something. Both Spike and Faith insisted it be destroyed immediately upon development.
“Hang on one second!” Spike stopped them from going inside. “This here marker, it’s been handled recently.”
“Yeah,” agreed Faith upon closer inspection. “Looks like it was cut open and then resealed.”
Grinning, Faith brought out a knife and sliced it open upon the prior incision. Inside, behind the official document, was a white, embossed envelope with William the Bloody and Friends printed across the top. Faith handed it to Spike, who opened it and read:
“ ‘We are pleased to invite William the Bloody to bring his friends to this address on the next night at seven o’clock. We promise no harm to all at this time. We wish to discuss details of negotiations between our peoples. Dinner provided. Formal dress required.
Signed,
Nedahi of the Kenari clan of the Groxlar.’ “
Andrew whistled.
“Can we go?”
“Might as well. We haven’t been eating too good of late,” Faith said.
“Might be worth it,” Spike agreed. “I’ve never heard of this Nedahi, but I know the Kenari all too well. They’re all about honor and respect and such and they ain’t too happy with me over some territory squabbles we had back in the 20’s.”
“Do you think they’d double cross us?” Faith asked.
“Nah, they’d rather die. But they’re definitely planning on getting me somehow. They just want to be up front about it.”
“Hey, lucky us. Free dinner and notice of when they’re going to try and chop your head off.”
“Sympathy’s overwhelming. We better get us some snazzy clothes.”
“Shopping trip,” mused Andrew. “Not very heroic.”
“You’ll live,” Faith told him. “Let’s go.” They walked to find some cool new clothes, Spike asking Andrew,
“Where and when did you get that bloody camera?”
***
Faith opened the door at the insistent knocking.
“Ok, ok. I’m here, I’m ready. What’s the rush?”
Andrew’s mouth fell open and rushed to the ground so fast Spike was sure it would never get back up again. Faith, who was causing this display of awe, put her hand to her throat and exclaimed in mock admiration,
“You boys dressed up all for me? Which one wants to escort me?” Inwardly, she thought Andrew actually cleaned up rather well and Spike, as always, was a complete hottie, but his ego didn’t need to know that.
“Pleasure’s all yours, Andrew,” Spike said, stepping aside. Faith felt a twinge of hurt, but she didn’t show it and instead asked,
“Too much for ya to handle?” Spike stepped back in front of her.
“Don’t mean to imply you’re not desirable, pet. Just want to make it clear I won’t ever be one of your boy toys. And that’s a right smashing dress you’ve got on.” She rolled her eyes but felt better.
The dress was beautiful. It was blue with thin straps off the shoulders, gently clinging to every curve with grace and flowing out behind her. She twisted around, displaying her bare back to Andrew, and preceded them out the door. Spike fixed Andrew’s tie and they followed her, two black-clad, blonde men with very different personalities.
***
Spike knocked on the door. They waited a few moments and it was opened by a tuxedo clad man who ushered them into the room.
It was a private restaurant. The only people other than them were the waiting Groxlar. There were five, all standing to receive them. Spike walked to before the foremost and bowed low. Nedahi bowed back and gestured for them to sit.
“My esteemed enemy, we wish to give welcome for your presence.”
“Honored to be here, Nedahi,” Spike said for Faith and Andrew’s benefit and then
began speaking in a different, rougher, yet more graceful language. Faith arched her eyebrow and sat down getting comfy.
Nedahi switched to English for them.
“We shall eat. Please be at home.” The dinner was served, thankfully of the human variety, with a large goblet of blood for Spike. He sipped it appreciatively. Dinner was pleasant with everyone enjoying the delicacies provided though the three guests noticed the Groxlar were not eating as much as they were and apparently liking it even less. When Nedahi saw them noticing, he motioned for them not to worry.
“Please enjoy. We are on restrictive eating habits. A truce and trade negotiation of ours and it is difficult adjusting.”
“Angel got you to stop then?” Spike asked, grinning. Nedahi nodded.
“Exchange of their lives for other things. Very profitable, personally
uncomfortable.”
Spike leaned toward the other two and explained,
“They eat the heads of babies. Angel made a trade with them using his all-powerful resources.” Andrew’s eyes grew wide.
“Babies? Well, that’s very evil, of course.” Faith snorted.
“I suppose them being stereotypically evil makes it okay?” Andrew started to protest his innocence of liking the evilness of stereotypes and Spike rubbed his temples.
After dinner they retired to a smaller area where dessert was served. Nedahi turned the conversation to the matter at hand.
“William, you understand affairs are not settled between us after last we
encountered you?”
“You still have a beef with me cause I wouldn’t let you settle in a certain house in town cause Dru had taken a fancy to it and I killed one of your people.”
“Yes, that is the matter.” Nedahi twitched slightly at Spike’s casual reference. “We wish to offer for you to settle this matter now.”
“What do you want?” he asked. “I’m kinda in the middle of something here. Looking for the Slayer, you seen her?”
“We see many Slayers. We know of the search you make. We offer information for you to find her and for you to honor your trouble with our clan.”
“You’ll tell me where she is if I…?” Spike let his words trail away so Nedahi could fill in the blank.
“We do not know where she is. We only know how to look. You will enter the Duel of Honor to Justify and should you not fail, that you shall win.”
“Who am I fighting exactly?” Spike asked.
A younger looking Groxlar stood up. He was tall with a huge head and pair of arms. The perfectly shaped circle mouth-just the size of a baby’s head if one thought about it- and the beady, black eyes smiled like ice.
“I am Abriduah of the Kenari of the Groxlar. An honor to kill you. I claim right and honor for your death.” Spike smiled at him.
“Okay then, we’ll do that.” Nedahi smiled with polite courtesy in return.
“A day of preparation we will give. The house of history you passed earlier will be the site and weapons shall be had. Till then we say farewell.” Nedahi stood up in dismissal and so did the other Groxlar. Spike rose and after a look to his companions, they did also, and exchanging bows with the Groxlar, they left.
***
“Strange people,” whispered Andrew on the way out.
“You have no idea,” said a voice from behind them. They whirled around, Faith and Spike at the ready.
“Relax and quit the shoving. I’m here to help.” A short man, dressed in an urban leather jacket with a bright green shirt and a hat that was long out of style,
stepped from the shadows, hands up.
“Who are you?” Faith asked skeptically.
“The name’s Whistler. I have business with Mr. Short, Blonde and Soulful here.”
“Everybody has business with me lately.” Spike turned to Faith. “We should make a list.”
“Ooh, I can do that,” Andrew volunteered excitedly. “I’m very organized.”
“Yeah and look how far you’ve gotten,” Whistler told him. “But don’t worry;
you’re on the right track. Stick with these two. They’re edgy, short-tempered and reckless, but they’ll get ya home.”
“Look, I’m tired,” Faith interrupted, “And a little fist-happy, so get to the
point before I take the hat and make you eat it.”
“I guess most Slayers are that violent,” Whistler said to himself. “Look, I’m just here to encourage our vamp to keep going. The Powers wanna make sure he doesn’t give up or give in like some do.”
“The who?” Andrew asked.
“The Powers-big movers of good in this universe. Spike here’s their new poster boy.”
“Spike?” Faith snorted. Spike shot her a look and then turned back to Whistler.
“I don’t know you, but I’ve heard of you. You’re Angel’s little demon; picked him off the alleys and hoisted him off to Sunnydale.”
“Yeah that was my gig. Defining moment for him.”
“So what? Angel’s out, I’m in? You’re my new personal soul-coach?”
“No, Angel’s not out. But he’s got his own issues. As soon as what we’ve got
cooking heats up he’ll be back on track. You, however, need to get started and that’s where I come in.”
“Get started doing what exactly?”
“You’re taking over Angel’s old job. Actually you’ve been doing it unofficially for years, but congrats, now you’re official.”
“Official what?”
“Official helper of the Slayer. We know she’s not all Only One anymore, but
she’s got a bit more clout than the rest.”
“So do what I’m doing and know everything that’s holy and good is backing me up? Ok, bye now.”
“Hold it up there. All you vamps are way too jumpy.”
“What do you need now, Shorty?” Faith asked briskly.
“A job where people are polite,” he replied. “Anyways, this thing with the Slayer. You don’t need to be the big rescue knight. And she doesn’t need to do that for you either. This is a partnership deal. Angel was supposed to do it, but it just didn’t work out that way and when you took his spot with Acathla we decided you were the one.”
“Great, I’m the one what?”
“It’s not actually a title, Spike. It’s just who you are. Keep at it. So pep talk’s over, go win one for the team.” Whistler smiled and walked away.
“That was major weird,” Faith said.
“You have no idea,” he answered and they made their way back to the motel in
silence.
***
Andrew bounced up and down on his bed in his and Spike’s shared motel room.
“You nervous?” he asked. “About tomorrow night and that whole fight to the death thing?”
“Not really,” Spike considered. “I’ve fought Groxlar before. They’re tough but not all-powerful.”
“I used to be scared of you,” Andrew said conversationally. ‘When we first met. You were pretty awe-inspiring.”
“Really now? How’s that?”
“Anybody with nerve enough to bluff somebody into thinking he’d actually break
off the head of a classic Bobba Fett action figurine is worth a few shivers.” Spike laughed really loudly.
“I would’ve done it, you know. So that’s why I’m frightening, is it? My image; I can feel it crumbling.”
“Well, that and then next time you bit into my neck and started eating me after you Hulk-smashed your way through the wall.” Spike perked up.
“That was good, wasn’t it? Too bad I wasn’t really myself at the moment.”
“Trust me, Spike,” Andrew said reassuringly. “You’re scary.”
“Thanks,” Spike said dryly. Andrew quested down his comforter to find that especially comfy spot.
“So why didn’t you kill all of us that time? Once Warren got you your
information, I mean your chip worked, right?”
“Exactly,” said Spike. “My chip is what stopped me from being able to hurt
humans. Couldn’t even point a gun at one of you lot. Weren’t you listening at all last year during that cabub about my chip being out and all?”
“So that’s why you went after Bobba and not us. The mark of a desperate man.” Andrew was truly impressed. Spike shook his head.
“Told you, not why I did that. I probably wouldn’t have killed you anyway. Always been soft like that.” Spike sighed, not really wanting to talk about it any longer. “You should get some sleep, yeah?”
“But I’m not even tired.” After a pause, “So, you’re special with the Higher Power Whaddamacallits?”
“Guess so.” Spike lay down on his bed and crossed his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling.
“Wonder what that means?” Andrew replied, turning on his side to face Spike with his right hand supporting his head.
“Means? Nothing. Wonder-demon didn’t tell me anything I didn’t know already.”
“So everything’s fine then?”
“Of course everything’s bloody well fine,” Spike snapped. “Everything’s right,”
he whispered to himself. Andrew quieted and then said, sitting up,
“I’m thinking of something and it begins with a B.” Spike groaned.
***
The next night they gathered at the old, decrepit historical house where Spike had killed his first Slayer and he and Dru had spent some quality time together.
About thirty Groxlar were there and Abriduah was loosening up in the corner. Spike started to stretch and prepare as well. Nedahi approached them.
“Have you a second prepared, William?”
“Guess that’s me.” Faith raised her hand.
“Excellent. Would you come to me and receive instructions?”
“See yas.” Faith went to the group of Groxlar marking out a circle in the
ground.
“How are we in here without getting in serious trouble?” she asked Nedahi.
“We have arrangement with officials to use the space in sacred moments.”
“Ah,” she said.
Spike continued to prepare with Andrew keeping up a stream of mostly useless advice.
“Please to enter the circle,” Nedahi said. Spike and Abriduah entered the circle and Nedahi stepped out. Faith and another Groxlar came forward and presented two swords to the combatants. The circle was cleared of all except the two duelists and then the line of the circle suddenly lifted and rose to hover about waist-high in the
air, shimmering clearly.
“Why’s it doing that?” Andrew asked nervously.
“It prevents any to enter until the Duel is finished,” Nedahi answered. He raised his voice. “Please it to begin.”
Abriduah bowed low and then lunged at Spike who ducked under the blow and returned thrust for thrust. It went on that way for a time; the clanging of metal upon metal rang out sharply. Both were skilled and matched in their skill. Time would decide the victor in the one who did not tire first. The odds were with Spike. While Abriduah was about equal to him in strength and stamina, he needed to breathe whereas Spike didn’t.
Spike waited until he saw Abriduah take in a fresh gulp of air and then started to press his attack, driving Abriduah to change his position and leave himself off guard.
Then suddenly that changed. Abriduah pressed in and Spike pushed for defense. Blow upon blow rang against his sword until Spike’s fingers felt numb. He decided to do this the old fashioned way and leaning backward to avoid a thrust at the throat, grabbed the flat of the blade between his two hands and pushed it forward, knocking Abriduah in the head.
“Don’t think Buffy’d mind me using her moves,” he muttered as he grabbed hold of Abriduah’s outstretched, startled hand and swung him to fall on the ground. Spike reached for his sword which he’d dropped and hopping astride the fallen Groxlar, put his booted foot on Abriduah’s sword hand and stuck his own blade into his opponent’s chest.
The circle’s barrier lowered. Spike had won.
Nedahi stepped in again and raising his hands, called for silence.
“William the Bloody has the honor and the wrath of the Kenari is pleased. We are grieved no longer.” Groxlar came and picked up Abriduah and carried him away. Nedahi handed Spike a piece of paper and the Kenari clan walked out of the building and into the night air. After a few minutes, Spike, Faith and Andrew did the same.
***
When they were back at the hotel and Faith was cleaning a gash in Spike’s side, Andrew quietly said.
“You killed him. I know he was trying to kill you and all, but you just did it.” Spike raised his head and smiled slightly.
“Didn’t kill him, mate.” Andrew started.
“What? But, but, I saw you-we saw you.”
“Come on, Andrew. You should know more about the demon world than that.
Groxlar can’t be killed that way. That’s what makes it so tough to kill them.”
“Then how’d you win this fight to the death if there was no death going on? Other than you being a walking corpse, that is,” Faith asked.
“I saved a life to repay for the killing of a life.” Andrew was confused.
“So, the only way to win was to not kill him?”
“No, if I’d killed him I’d still have won.”
“Then why didn’t you? If you’d have been trying to kill him, I probably wouldn’t be putting your side back together.” Faith finished dressing the wound and sat down on the bed relaxing. Spike put his shirt back on and leaned against the headboard.
“I just kept thinking about this whole prophecy/Higher Power stuff. I don’t want any of it!” Andrew looked at Spike in surprise.
“Like I told His Royal Poofness, I don’t care about atonement and I hate the
thought of some Higher Up Being messing around with my unlife, mixing things up to get it the way they want it. The only destiny I ever cared about was being with Dru.”
“So what’s the deal with that being so big with the not killing of the Groxlar
dude?”
“Well, mostly to piss off Angel I looked up this prophecy of the vampire with a soul. Yada, yada, bloody boring. Didn’t really impress me all that much, but I don’t mind being back and destined and all that if it’s for a good reason So when Demon-boy comes along and says, ‘hey, you got a destiny and a mission,’ I say, ‘fine, but I’m gonna do it my way.’ “
“What’s your way, Spike?” Andrew lay on his stomach facing them, with his head cradled in his hands, leaning on his elbows with his legs swinging in the air behind him.
“My way? Let’s say not Captain Forehead’s way. I know what he would’ve done.
Killed him and said it was necessary for a Higher bleeding Purpose. That his sacrifice would be remembered. I know about sacrifice and saving the world, but I did it myself. It was my life I was playing around with. Angel likes to talk about free will, about how he stopped that big Nasty who’d taken over the cheerleader, but all he’s talking about is his own free will, his right to choose for others. Anyways, not what I’m after. Just wanna get done, get Buffy and get going.” He ended with a leer. Faith rolled her eyes and Andrew swallowed.
“On that note, boss, where we going now?”
“Oh right,” Spike pulled out the note and read:
“ ‘Dark Princess wants music; music she gets,
Dark Princess tires; away they are sent.’
We, kiddies, have won a fabulous trip to the lovely city of Istanbul.”
