Brace Yourself by Enigmaticblue

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Chapter 9: Hunters

"...From the bottom of my heart/Comes a cold dark feeling/There is eminent death/to the promise I'm keeping./From the bottom of my heart/Comes an army  of one/Marching back up the steps/Into the rays of the sun...From the bottom of my heart/Comes a cold dark feeling/I have buried so much/In the layers I'm peeling/From the bottom of my heart/A battle will come/Marching back up the steps/Into the rays of the sun/From the bottom of my heart/Comes a cold dark feeling/Wrapped around tight/With no sign of leaving..." ~The Wallflowers, "From the Bottom of My Heart"

Willow wandered through the halls of Sunnydale High School, marveling at how different everything was now, how strange it all felt. The new building had just been completed at the beginning of the school year; until recently, high school students had either shared quarters with the junior high kids or been bused to the next town over.

Thankfully, no one had been stupid enough to build the new school on top of the Hellmouth again.

She managed to find her way to the library without too much trouble, peeking inside to see Dawn bent over her homework. Making her way over to the table, she whispered, "Are you ready to go?"

Dawn glanced up, then nodded. "Yeah, just a second."

Willow sat down across from the girl, waiting patiently for her to pack up her books. They didn't speak until they'd left the library, and then Dawn said, "Thanks for doing this."

"It's no problem," Willow assured her. "I'm happy to help."

"I still feel a lot better this way," Dawn insisted.

Willow wasn't sure if it was a good idea to ask, since no one would say that she and Dawn were close, but the question had been bothering her. "What about your friends? Surely one of them wouldn't mind hanging out with you after school."

Dawn shook her head. "Janice has been kind of weird around me recently, and no one else really understands, you know? I don't feel like I fit with anybody."

Willow could understand; if it hadn't been for Jesse and Xander—and then Buffy and Xander—she wouldn't have had any friends. "I get that."

Dawn gave her a grateful look. "It's not like I don't have anybody to hang out with," she hurried to explain. "There are people I talk to, just no one I'm close with. How is anybody going to understand my life?"

"You might be surprised," Willow ventured, but she knew that she didn't sound terribly hopeful. "People can do that sometimes."

Dawn shrugged. "Yeah, but it's generally not a good surprise."

~~~~~

Spike awoke to the sound of pounding on his apartment door, and as it penetrated that someone wanted him badly, he hastily rose and pulled on a pair of pants. He was just a little surprised to see Clem standing on the other side, looking anxious. "Clem? What's up, mate?"

"I had to talk to you as soon as I heard," he said. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah, of course," Spike replied, moving aside. "Is anything wrong?"

"You know Bob?" Clem asked obliquely.

Spike frowned, trying to figure out who the demon was referring to. "Horned demon that sometimes plays poker with us?" he finally guessed.

"That's the guy," Clem agreed. "We were talking today, and he mentioned that you'd been to Willy's last night, looking for a guy you think grabbed Dawn last spring." He paused. "How's she doing, by the way?"

"Not too bad," Spike said, used by now to Clem's occasional tangents. "What did he know?"

Clem shook his head. "Well, I had to promise that you wouldn't hurt him if I told you."

"I promise," Spike said impatiently. "If he's passin' along useful information, there's no need to hurt him."

"He said the guy you're looking for is named Ray, and that he's a human who sometimes does jobs for demons."

Spike frowned, vaguely remembering hearing about the man a time or two. "He know who this Ray is workin' for?"

"No, but he's working with the Koral demon. You know the one. He's usually in Willy's." Clem shook his head. "That guy is bad news; he's always looking for a fight."

Spike nodded. "Yeah, we've crossed paths a time or two. Thanks, Clem. This information might help us out. That wanker, Ray, was followin' Dawn the other day, and it frightened her. Wouldn't mind havin' a chat with him."

Clem didn't look too sure about that idea. "But what about your chip?" he asked. "If Ray's human..."

Spike shrugged. "I'll figure somethin' out. I'm sure Buffy wouldn't mind getting her hands on him." He gave Clem a sharp look. "Do you know of anybody—a doctor—who'd take this chip out for me? I've got money; I'd be willing to pay him."

The gentle demon frowned thoughtfully. "I can ask around," he offered. "I might be able to find someone. I have this cousin who knows a lot of people like that. She might know."

"I'd appreciate it," Spike responded. "It's not just this wanker; looks like someone from the Council is after the Slayer, and they're all human. They try somethin', there'll be nothing I can do."

Clem considered that. "Okay. I'll see what I can find out."

"Thanks, mate," Spike said. "You know where this Koral or Ray could be found?"

Clem shrugged apologetically. "You know me, Spike. I don't hang out with those guys."

"Yeah, you're a good one," Spike replied.

"How's that kitten working out for your friend?" Clem asked. "I still think they make better snacks than company, but to each their own."

Spike smiled. "She was right grateful. Think the little guy was just what she needed."

Clem looked pleased. "I'm glad it worked out for you, Spike. Let me know if you ever need another. I've been having a streak of luck lately."

Spike thought about Dawn. "We'll see," he said vaguely. "Might take you up on the offer." He glanced at the clock. "You're welcome to stay around for Passions, you know."

Clem brightened. "That sounds good."

Spike went back into his bedroom to get a shirt, thinking that he could probably wait until he met Buffy for patrol that evening before filling her in. There wasn't much they could do with the information at the moment anyway.

~~~~~

Giles was grateful that he still had friends on the Council whom he could trust. He didn't like what he'd heard from Travers, and he was worried about Buffy. Although Giles had every intention of heading back to Sunnydale at the earliest possible date, there were things he could do only from England.

Thankfully, his work visa no longer depended on the Council's pulling the strings, since he was a reputable business owner. He hadn't planned on going back to Sunnydale on a permanent basis, but circumstances had obviously changed.

"Hello, Nigel," he said, sliding into the booth across from the other man. "Thank you for seeing me."

"Travers has gone too far this time," Nigel replied. "Someone needs to stop him."

Giles frowned. "He might be the head of the Council, but he is still subject to its rules."

"The Council is ruled by a majority," Nigel reminded him. "For now, Travers has enough votes on his side to control the outcome. Besides, his message is one of fear, and there are a number of Watchers who have spent their lives in books and not in the field."

Giles knew how true that was. There were many members of the Council who had no idea what it was like to be in charge of a Slayer, and what kind of flexibility was required. They were hidebound and highly reluctant to change.

"What is he planning, Nigel?" Giles pressed. "You haven't told me anything concrete yet."

"My understanding is that he's going to put pressure on your Slayer to terminate the pregnancy, or at least to allow the Council to have control over the child until it's clear that it presents no threat." Nigel grimaced. "You can see why there are a number of us who are concerned."

Giles' eyes widened. "He's mad!" he exclaimed. "Buffy would never allow it, nor would Spike."

Nigel's expression was rueful. "Why do you think there are a few of us who are not happy with the state of things?" He sighed. "Until Travers oversteps his bounds, or until we have a majority again, there's little we can do. You do realize that as the head, Travers has control over the more secret aspects of Council affairs."

That was what had Giles concerned. Most Watchers, no matter how hidebound they might be, would refuse to carry out an order they felt was illegal; there were those who worked for the Council who had no such compunctions. "If someone takes over for Travers, who is the most likely successor?"

"Me, I believe," Nigel replied modestly. "I have the field experience and the credentials, and I'll have the support, particularly from those who dislike Travers' methods."

Giles nodded. "You have my support."

Nigel nodded. "Are you going back to Sunnydale?"

"Without the Council, there's nothing keeping me here," Giles replied. "And I think my Slayer might need me."

"Be careful," Nigel cautioned him. "There's no telling what Travers will do."

"No, there isn't," Giles agreed, "but I plan on being prepared."

~~~~~

Buffy frowned. "That doesn't sound good. What do you know about this other demon?" They were sitting on the couch in her living room, Spike having come over to meet her for patrol. Spike had been filling her in on his conversation with Clem, and it was only serving to make her that much more anxious.

"The Koral?" Spike asked. "Nothin' good, and that's about it."

"That's probably enough." Buffy really didn't like the sound of things; she wanted to know exactly what was going on, and exactly what this demon wanted with her sister. "Are you up for another night of hunting?"

"When am I not up for a night of hunting?" Spike asked with a smile. "Yeah, we can go. Who's staying with Dawn?"

Buffy made a face. "That's the problem. I don't want to ask Willow, because she's been walking Dawn home from school every day, and I haven't been able to reach either Xander or Anya."

"Anya's havin' dinner with Xander tonight," Spike explained. "That's why."

Buffy raised her eyebrows. "How is it that you know these things, and I don't?"

"Went by the Magic Box before I came over here to get burba weed," he explained. "Anya was there, an' so was Tara. Glinda was goin' to watch the shop tonight."

That didn't leave anyone to stay with Dawn, and Buffy knew she'd never get away with asking Spike to stay at the house; he was more and more reluctant to allow her to go out on patrol by herself these days, with the pregnancy and the potential threat from the Council. There was also the fact that he might have an easier time getting the information than she would.

Buffy didn't much like letting Spike go out on his own either; she worried about him.

"You could go by yourself," she said slowly. "I don't like it, but..."

"There aren't a lot of other options," Spike said. "Unless Dawn wants to stay at the Magic Box with Tara."

Buffy shook her head. "She's got a paper to work on."

Spike nodded. "Then I'll see you later?"

"You'd better, mister," Buffy replied. "I'll want a full report."

"You'll get it," he said.

Buffy watched him go, sighing. They still hadn't discussed when he was going to move in, but at least she'd talked with the social worker, who hadn't seemed terribly surprised that Buffy was pregnant. She wondered if she came off as a slut or something, because the pregnancy had certainly been a shock to her. Of course, she and Spike weren't supposed to be able to get pregnant.

At least the woman hadn't said what she'd been thinking; instead, she'd been very encouraging about Spike's moving in to give Buffy a hand, particularly when Buffy had explained how well Spike and Dawn got along, and that they were planning on getting engaged, just as soon as they purchased a ring.

Then there was the issue about turning her old room into a nursery, although there was no telling when that would get done, between figuring out what kind of threat this demon presented and wondering what the Council might do.

When the phone rang, Buffy didn't bother holding back a groan; every time she got a phone call recently, there had been an emergency on the other end. "Hello?"

"Buffy, I'm glad I caught you." Giles sounded out of breath, which was decidedly odd.

"Spike's taking patrol tonight," she said. "There wasn't anyone to stay with Dawn. What's up, Giles?"

"I spoke with one of my friends who's on the Council," Giles replied. "He's concerned that Travers might try something."

Buffy really didn't like that sound of that. "What kind of 'something?'"

"The same sort of methods he used to try to deal with Faith," Giles responded. "I'm boarding a flight to New York shortly, and I should be in Sunnydale tomorrow afternoon, your time."

Buffy knew it was serious, if Giles was rushing back to town. "I have a class, but someone should be able to pick you up. If not, I'll just skip it."

"I'm planning on renting a car," Giles responded. "I can go to the Magic Box if there isn't going to be anyone at your house."

Buffy thought about it for a minute. "Spike can be here. He's coming back tonight after patrol, and I'll just have him stay."

"That sounds fine."

"Are you okay, Giles?" Buffy asked. "The Council isn't coming after you, are they?"

"I don't believe so." Giles hesitated. "Be careful, Buffy. I don't know that Travers will be so foolish, but..."

"Better safe than sorry," Buffy responded. "I'll be careful. We'll see you tomorrow."

As Buffy hung up the phone, she started laughing, unable to help herself. When it rained, it poured. She was just glad that she wasn't contemplating fighting one of her friends; at least they were all on the same side this time around.

~~~~~

"What do you mean, she's never alone?"

Ray gulped nervously. The last time he'd followed the girl around for a while, there had been plenty of occasions where she went off on her own. He and Don had just waited for the right opportunity, when there was less chance of getting caught.

Dawn Summers hadn't been alone since she'd spotted him following her, however—not that he was about to tell the Koral that.

"She's never alone," Ray repeated. "I don't know what's going on, but she's always with someone, like that witch or one of the Slayer's friends."

The Koral did not look pleased. "We have a deadline, human," he growled. "Our buyer wants the girl within the week; if you do not deliver her, I'll be sure he knows who's responsible for the delay."

Having met their buyer, Ray had no desire to be the one whose neck was on the line. "I'll take care of it," he assured the demon. "No one's ever complained about my work in the past."

The Koral turned, heading for the mouth of his cave. "Wednesday, human. You will bring the girl here, as that is when our buyer will arrive."

Ray winced, wondering if it was too late to get out of town, particularly since he'd heard that the Slayer and her pet vampire were looking for him.

He needed the money, though, so he'd do the job, and collect his payment, and then he'd head to more friendly climes, where they'd never heard of the Slayer, or a girl made of energy.

Ray had heard Mexico was nice this time of year.

~~~~~

Patrol was quieter than he might have liked; Spike would have preferred to find Ray or the Koral demon, or at least some other nasty. He was in the mood to do some damage.

After a few hours, with only a few dusted fledglings to show for his troubles, Spike headed back to Revello Drive. He fully intended to present Buffy with the ring if she was still awake when he arrived; there hadn't been an opportunity yet, and it was beginning to burn a hole in his pocket.

He let himself into the house, still a bit in awe of the fact that he had a key, and could come and go as he pleased. Spike had lost hope the summer that Buffy had been in her grave; he hadn't expected her to return. Once she had, however, Spike had thought he might have a shot at proving his love for her.

Spike hadn't been able to bring himself to believe that Buffy would love him, however, just that she might one day accept his love.

"How did patrol go?" Buffy asked as soon as he slipped inside the room he'd begun to think of as theirs.

"Quiet," Spike replied. "Was a bit disappointing."

Buffy made a face. "Don't I know it. Giles called after you left."

Spike frowned. "Something wrong?"

"He thinks that Travers might try something stupid," Buffy replied. "He'll be in town tomorrow afternoon."

That bit of news just caused Spike's concern to grow. "Why's he comin' back?" he demanded. "Is there somethin' he isn't tellin' us?"

Buffy gave him an odd look. "I thought you liked Giles."

"I don't mind him," Spike said, not willing to admit that he liked the Watcher. "Think about it, Buffy. The man leaves, and just a week later, he's high-tailin' it back here? This is something serious, an' if all he's tellin' you is that the Council wankers 'might do something stupid,' that's not nearly enough information."

Buffy sighed. "I'm sure there's more to it than that, but he was out of breath when he called, Spike. I wasn't going to grill him. Maybe there were things he didn't want to say over the phone."

"Maybe so," Spike allowed. "Seems to me that things are heatin' up a bit, though. I don't like not knowing what's coming."

She laughed shortly. "Welcome to my life."

"Been around for long enough that I should know better, yeah?" Spike asked ruefully, sitting down next to her on the bed. "You want me to stay tonight?"

"I always like it when you stay," Buffy admitted candidly. "You don't have anywhere to be tomorrow?"

Spike shook his head. "I'm all yours, if you like."

"Actually, I was hoping you'd be here to let Giles in. I have class, and Dawn will be at school; he said he was just going to rent a car, as long as someone was here."

Spike gave her a mock-sigh. "So, it's not my skills as a cook you want, it's my skills as a butler."

"Now you're getting the picture," Buffy teased. Sobering, she added, "I really would appreciate it."

He shrugged. "Not like I have anything better to do during the day."

Buffy made a face. "We're going to have to start thinking about turning the guest room into a nursery."

Spike raised an eyebrow. "'Fraid I won't be much help there, luv. Don't know anything about babies."

"Like I do," was her rejoinder. "We're really doing this, aren't we?"

"Far as I can tell, yeah," Spike said. "You still in?"

Buffy hesitated, then admitted, "If I was at all unsure before, just the fact that Quentin Travers doesn't want me to do this would have convinced me."

Spike didn't know how to respond to that, since it still appeared as though he was the one who was more excited about this new prospect. Changing the subject seemed the only thing to do. "Got something for you."

She straightened. "What is it? Am I gonna like it?"

"Hope so." Spike pulled the small black box out of his pocket, opening it to reveal the contents when Buffy didn't move.

"Oh."

Spike tried to hide the hurt that her less than enthusiastic response caused. "Was hoping for something a little more positive."

Buffy shook her head. "No, it's just—" She glanced up at him, a sly smile curving her lips. "I was actually expecting a skull ring."

Spike frowned, not understanding what she was referring to immediately. When the memory came, an answering smile graced his face. "Figured since I had more time to prepare, I'd try for something a little more your style." Taking her hint, he dropped off the bed and onto one knee. "Say yes, Buffy, and make me the happiest man on earth."

She grinned impishly. "Oh, Spike, of course it's yes."

Spike really was the happiest man on earth, at least for that moment.

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