Wend Their Ways Together: Chapter Eighteen

[jesterladyfic]

“That is so wrong. I cannot believe you think that. It’s like you had your eyes closed the entire time.”

“Excuse me, who was the one who kept getting up to go to the bathroom? You missed half of it. How could you possibly make such a crucial judgment based on partial information?”

“I make the most of what is, not what you would make it out to be, dorkwad.”

“Listen, Jerk-athan, don’t mess with Admiral Viet! He could whup General Veers any day.”

“Would you listen to yourself? Viet lacked initiative, he was too freaked that Vader would vaporize him if he took a wrong step.”

“Viet lasted longer than everyone. Do you see Veers after the snow battle, I don’t think so! Vader kept Viet around because he understood the objective and didn’t question orders.”

“Oh please. Viet was a wimp; did you notice the twitching as Vader’s helmet went on? Veers would’ve stayed calm and cool, just like he did in the snow battle. Who got the Rebel shields down? Was it Viet? I don’t think so.”

Jonathan and Andrew walked down the steps toward the open area before Giles’ doors, still arguing, but they were quickly stifled when they opened the door and saw all the busy work at hand. Willow was busy at her laptop, decoding something. Oz was at her side, separating the papers she printed. Xander sat at the kitchen counter, whittling stakes and handing them to Anya who placed them in a finished box. Buffy and Spike were sorting weapons on the floor and Tara and Giles were on the couch with a mound of books beside them, researching something or other.

“What’s happening, noble fellow evil fighters?” Andrew asked in concern. Jonathan rolled his eyes and followed Andrew into the room. Anya looked up where she had been watching Xander in boredom.

“We’re gearing for battle; that should be obvious. Spike got some discs that will tell us what Adam is doing and they’re looking for spells that will kill him. I am stuck watching Xander whittle, which is interesting only for the first few minutes and then gets terribly
boring.”

“I’ve got it!” Willow cried in triumph. “Sort of, it got itself. But I have the decryption done.” Buffy hurried over to look.

“What does it say?”

“Well, there are maps and grids on the Initiative base, some info about the program that we already know.” Willow clicked the mouse several times. “Oh, Maggie Walsh’s journals!”

“Adam wants me to know what his mother wrote in her journals?” Buffy looked genuinely puzzled.

“Not quite regular journals,” Willow said, excited. “They were her plans for Adam. He’s doing them for her.”

“Well, what are the plans?” Xander asked, looking up from whittling. “I’m guessing…not a tea party for two.”

“You’re not wrong. Maggie wanted to develop a superior race in a secret lab that is located in the Initiative. Is this Hitler-ish or what? Only she didn’t kill off everybody but herself, she made something out of everything she thought was superior and she was going to make more. But Adam killed her before she could. Now he’s doing it. I bet that’s why he wants all those demons in the Initiative.”

“So he can break them free and have them fight with the soldiers under his terms and then have loads of demon and human parts waiting around to be put together,” said Buffy, taking up the tale.

“Does anybody else miss the Mayor, ‘I just wanna be a big snake?’ “ Xander asked, creeped out.

“Pity I missed out on that, sounds like good time.” The four original Scoobies looked at Spike with irritation. “What? Used to be evil here, enjoy a good spot of violence is all,” he said in defense.

“I guess why he wants me there is to even the ratio of dead demons to soldiers,” said Buffy thoughtfully.

“Doesn’t sound like he’s worried about you killing him,” said Anya.

“No, I guess not,” she replied. “Spike, see if you can ferret out when this little showdown is going to take place.”

“Won’t have to ferret, love. He wants you there, so he’ll probably tell straight out where to lead the lamb to the slaughter.”

“You’re right, Spike,” Giles said musingly. “But the question remains, how can Buffy hope to defeat him when his only vulnerability lies inside his skin?”

“Any spells seem good?” asked Jonathan. “I find spells are good for getting what you want done.”

“We haven’t found anything that will work yet,” said Tara. “We’ll keep looking of course, but a l-lot of the spells have really nasty side-effects. We’re trying to find one that won’t make us really sorry the next morning.”

“Maybe all of us with our combined efforts infused together can foist the malevolent Adam and bring down his forceful reign over the hapless soldiers,” Andrew suggested with an impressive tone in his voice.

“Don’t be silly, Andrew,” Anya said, “All that will do is get us all killed. I don’t want to be killed, so bad idea.” Giles stood and went to a bookshelf in the corner and pulled out a slender red volume.

“Yeah, we’d just take Buffy’s strength and Giles’ mind-blowing mind and Willow’s witchy wiles and Spike and Oz’s noses and boom! Superhero!” Xander laughed at the idea.

“That will work just fine,” Giles said in triumph.

“What!” came several simultaneous voices.

“There is a spell I know of. It calls forth the essence of the First Slayer’s power by combining several people into one. And we have the four people we need. I speak Sumerian, the language needed, Willow is a witch so she has the spirit required, Buffy is strong and can provide the strength and be our vessel, Xander, you have the heart.”

“Really, the heart?” he asked cheekily. “The heart, that’s me.” He nudged Oz with his elbow.

“Congrats. Knew you had it in you,” Oz replied, grinning.

“Back up here, Giles,” said Buffy. “What are we doing again?”

“We will go to the Initiative at the time Adam specifies. I imagine there will be battle between the demons and the soldiers, so we will need protection and that is where Spike and the others come in. The four of us will perform the spell and essentially what will happen is the three of us and our powers will go into you, Buffy, and ignite the essence of the First Slayer that resides in you and you will be able to destroy Adam.”

“A plan! We have a plan,” said Willow happily.

“A good plan,” said Buffy, agreeing.

“What about the inevitable and oh so not happy side-effects,” said Spike wearily, as if he
had to remind people not to do bad magic every day.

“There could be dire consequences,” Giles agreed. “But the alternative spells are far worse. This has the best chance of success and I believe, will be most effective.”

There came a rapping at the door. Jonathan opened it to reveal Riley who strode in looking harried.

“Buffy, did you find out anything? Things are really bad out there.”

“As it just so happens, we have a plan, in which I am a pivotal heart figure,” said Xander jauntily.

“Huh?” Riley was genuinely confused.

“We have figured out a way to defeat Adam,” Giles said. “It requires a spell in which Xander will have a part. He is excited about it, so pay him no mind.”

“Hey!”

“Spells. Like magic?” Riley asked.

“Exactly,” said Willow excitedly. “It will be great. Giles, can I see the spell?”

“Certainly, look at the ingredients and the history behind it. Part of your training.”
She took the book eagerly.

“Tara, will you look at this with me and explain anything I don’t get?”

“Of course.” Tara moved to Willow’s side and the two of them moved into a corner with the book.

“So what’s the plan then other than the spell? How’s it all gonna work?” Riley asked.

“We’ll go into the lab and kill Adam, there will probably be battle between the demons and us, so we’ll need all the help we can get,” Buffy told him.

“The vampire isn’t coming, is he? He’ll turn on us. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in cahoots with Adam right now.” Riley looked scared to cross Buffy in this area again, but spoke up anyway.

“You’re not wrong,” Spike chuckled. “I met with him last night. Great bloke, that.
Really appreciated his leadership qualities. Touched me deep down.” Riley glared at Spike and turned to Buffy.

“He might be joking, but I doubt it.”

“I’m not joking,” Spike said firmly with his tongue in cheek. “I really did and I told him that I’d make sure the Slayer was right where he wanted her.” Riley whirled around and took steps toward Spike.

“I’m sorry, Buffy. He is dangerous and if you won’t do something about it then I will.”
Everyone backed away as Riley bore down on the grinning Spike. A look from Spike to Buffy told her to let him handle this one. Riley pulled a stake out of his pocket and plunged it toward Spike’s heart. Spike bent back and dodged the blow, then reached out his hand and lifted Riley off the ground by the neck.

“Sorry, Captain America, defender of the innocent, but I’m not a neutered puppy anymore. Adam is very helpful that way. But guess what? I’m still good and tolerant. I’m willing to let you live, even after attacking me. Which is more than I could say for you. Jon, ol’ boy, open the door.”

Jonathan opened the door. Spike threw Riley from the opposite end of the room, out the door and into the fountain.

“Now don’t do that again. Or I might not be so lenient. You got off easy compared to most of my minions. You could ask them, but then with their tongues out they probably couldn’t communicate with you and you’d likely just dust them, but Buffy will take care of any staking of me, thank you so much.” Spike adjusted his ruffled duster and reclined on the couch. Riley got up, dazed and soaked and rushed back into the room. Buffy stopped him with a hand to his chest.

“You see! You see! He’s chipless and dangerous!” Buffy shook her head and laughed. Spike shook his head wryly.

“I think I’ve memorized this next thing coming up. Getting sick of it to tell you the truth.”

“You know, Spike, people would be a lot more willing to believe you if you spoke with more sincerity and less Big Bad bluster,” Tara said softly. He looked at her seriously and considered her words.

“Probably. But I get sick of them using the same old lame excuse to try and stake me. I’ll be better, promise.” Spike winked at her and she smiled back. Buffy, meanwhile, was restraining Riley.

“Spike is with us. Are you with us too? Stay or go, we could use your help. But I personally will make sure Spike is safe.” Riley relaxed and nodded, but the look in his eyes was anything but compliant.

“I will agree because there are bigger things here, but I am not convinced.”

“That’s fine for now,” she said, releasing him. “Sit down and we’ll get started.”
Buffy moved to the center of the room and got into General mode.

“Okay, here’s the way it is going to be. Giles, Willow, Xander, you will do the spell.
I’ll be heading to find Adam. Riley and Oz will go with me in case I need back up. Spike, you, Tara and Anya will guard the three doing the spell. Concentration is key for them, so you need to make sure they aren’t interrupted. There will be fighting all around, so everybody be on alert. Take a weapon that you know best.”

“What about us?” asked Jonathan. Buffy hesitated, but then thought of something.

“I need you guys to be our last defense to the outside. You’ll be at the door to the underground, just in case anything breaks out. I don’t think it will, but be ready just in case. Everybody has their assignments. Giles, Willow and Tara, get the stuff ready that we’ll need for the spell. Spike, you let us know when Adam is ready for us to move.”
Spike drew Buffy to one side.

“I want to be with you when it all goes down. Let Captain Cardboard stay and protect them. It’s a worthy job I know, but I’d rather protect you.”

“Spike, I don’t need as much protection. These are people I love and I know that if I don’t make it out of there, you’ll make sure they do. I had to say that to Giles about my mother the first night you tried to kill me. Now show me you’ve changed by doing this for me and pay me back for that worry. It will be hard for you and for Oz being away from Willow, but I know these are the best spots for everybody. Tara will be with you for magic support and just in case you don’t know how to kill something, Anya is usually a good source. I’ll have people that know how to fight with me and I’ll know that everyone else is safe because you’re taking care of them. Please, don’t fight this.” Spike sighed and looked into her eyes,

“You better not be thinking I’m whipped, Slayer.” She smiled.

“I seem to recall a certain vampire telling me in a magic shop that he was and he was man enough to admit it.”

“Don’t go rubbing it in, pet. Yeah, I admit it, though there was a slight word change as I recall. But it doesn’t mean I can’t stand alone.”

“Sure, you’re the original Big Bad Stand Alone vampire always out for being on his own, all right. You could stand it so well that the first time Dru wasn’t there, you hooked up with Harmony.”

“I could literally bite your tongue for that.” He slowly blinked his way down to her mouth.

“Try later,” she said, bringing his head down for a kiss and went back to being General Buffy. “Will, where’s that lab?”

***

That night Spike went to Adam’s cave to report and scrounge for information. Adam met him at the entrance.

“Does the Slayer know what will happen?”

“Sure thing. Those little discs of yours gave up after a quiet tussle with Red.”

“While the witch is quite adept, it was I who allowed the information to be
accessed.”

“That right? Well, pat on the back, mate. They know all about your master plan. Quite ingenious, really. When’s it happening?” Adam eyed him curiously.

“I wonder why you wish to know.”

“Slayer’s gotta be there, right, in order for this thing to work? I gotta be the
one to get her there. Amazing conclusion is I gotta know when to get her there. Got it, Frankenstein?”

“It will happen tomorrow. I will arrange for the demons to break free of their cells and once the Slayer is in, I will shut down everything so that no one can escape. You show the Slayer in and make sure she does her job.”

“Right-o, boss.” Spike saluted grandly and left the cave. Adam followed him.

“Do not fail me in this, Spike, or the pain the chip brought you will seem insignificant compared to what will happen to you.” Spike nodded in understanding and went home.

***

Buffy was brushing her teeth when Spike got there. He leaned over her and wrapped his arms around her middle, looking into the mirror at the lone image of Buffy looking blissful and content with toothpaste foam over her mouth.

“You look bloody funny, love,” he told her, laughing. She retaliated by turning and kissing him, smearing foam all over his mouth too.

“There, now you do too,” she retorted. “Add red paint and the blood of the innocent is all over you.”

“The blood of the innocent is all over me, Buffy,” he said quietly, but without remorse.

“I know,” she said. “But not again.”

“So long as you’re around and your boy doesn’t hack me off too bad,” he told her, his tone teasing. She nudged him away.

“Go to bed, scoundrel. I’ll finish here and join you.” He took one of her hands in his.

“You like me because I’m a scoundrel,” he whispered roughly, making her bones turn to jelly.

“Stupid quoter-guy,” she murmured as his lips came on hers.

A little while later, teeth brushed and quite happy, they lay in bed together, deciding to play a game, since battle was on the morrow and they could use some fun. Buffy went first.

“Ok, I love the way you look absolutely gorgeous with bleached hair and without and that it can be curly or slicked back with gel and is still as soft as mine.”

“I love the way you notice all my physical aspects before my inner ones,” he teased her.

“I love the way you always turn serious compliments into ridiculous comments.”

“I love the way you play with your victims before dusting them. The puns and all.”

“I love the way you are always contrary to anything I say, just to prove me wrong.”

“I love the way your hair shines like sunshine and spun gold.”

“I love the way you always see right through everyone. The most perceptive person
I know.”

“I love the way you pout when you don’t get your way.” He nibbled her lower lip
as he said it.

“I love your cheekbones. They’re so high and defined, chiseled and they leave
sexy indentations.”

“I love your right uppercut. A real powerful punch, love.”

“I love your accent and the words you use that I don’t understand half the time.”

“I love the way you speak, where half of the words aren’t even words.”

“I love the way you don’t stand down to anyone, even when you’re totally
outmatched and defenseless.” She played with his hair.

“I love your total devotion to your Calling and to your friends.” He kissed her
forehead.

“I love your passion and the way you’ll do anything for someone you love.”

“I love your body, the way it moves when you’re fighting. Like dancing.”

“I love the scar on your eyebrow, makes you look all rugged and rakish.”

“I love the way you throw around anyone who doesn’t like me.”

“I love the way you can stand up for yourself and for me, but let me do what I
want instead of trying to make my decisions for me.” She kissed him with the passion that
was behind her words, because this truly meant a lot to her. He responded in like kind and the game was forgotten for one that was a bit more lengthy and far more fun.