Within the Demon
Rated R
by: Karen Jephson
Disclaimer: All characters below stated unless created by me belong to the produces of BTVS
Feedback: Yes please.
Spoilers: A New Man, sort of. Yeah, I got Jossed. But what the hey, I know some people want an angst version. This is it baby.
Summary: Giles has a night on the town, with startling repercussions.
Thanks to Gylzgirl for being so patient with her beta'ing
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
She glanced down as her foot slipped on the slick stone floor. It wouldn't do to come across the evil she was stalking as she slid down the cavern floor to who knows where. The sound of dripping water hitting the ground told her she was now below the sewers, very close to her destination. As she followed the twisting path, skirting through entries into other parts of this underground maze, she couldn't suppress a shiver. She'd been here before, only then she'd been the loser.
Gripping her crossbow in her hands more tightly, she moved on with a more determined step. She would not lose this time. The dim glow of the crystals within the rock wall ensured some lighting, at least enough to make sure she didn't bump into an immovable object. So she could concentrate on her target, her senses telling her it was near.
She wasn't sure how long she'd been tracking this particular beast. It felt like hours, most of which had been spent traipsing through this damp labyrinth. Now she was working on pure adrenaline. It had become a contest between the two of them. Not of strength but of cunning and perseverance. She'd almost given up a few times, but she sensed she was now winning.
The scrape of flesh against a stone behind her caused her to swing her head. Listening carefully, she couldn't discern any other noise. Side-stepping slightly, she pushed her slim body into a crevice, guaranteeing protection of her back. With any luck her quarry wouldn't realize she was there until it was too late.
A few minutes later her patience was rewarded. The shuffling of a lumbering body, some heavy breathing as if the approaching being was beyond their endurance notified her that the end was near. Timing her move perfectly, she stepped out onto the path, turned toward her surprised quarry and fired. Moving quickly to reload, in a matter of seconds she raised her primed crossbow to fire off her second shot and looked into a pair of pain-filled green eyes.
Holding his hand toward her, Giles was only able to whisper her name as he succumbed to the mortal wound.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Willow quietly pushed the door shut, glancing toward her roommate. Moving toward her chest of drawers she placed her towel and toothbrush on the top. Turning at a sound, she was relieved to see movement in the other bed. "At last. I thought you'd never wake up."
Too tired to respond Buffy stretched, considered rolling over and going back to sleep, then sat up. There wasn't much point in trying. She had a feeling Willow wouldn't let her sleep the day away. She pushed the hair back away from her face, a look of confusion coming over her face. The sun shone through the blinds, indicating exactly how long she had been asleep.
Willow tried to mask her concern for her friend. Buffy was never a morning person, but this was bad for her. "That was some dream you had last night." Buffy looked up sharply, surprise evident on her features. "I heard you cry out."
"Yeah, well it was pretty freaky." Swinging her legs over the side, Buffy levered her weight onto her hands, preparing to stand.
"Do you think it was a prophecy?"
"No!" At the look of shock on Willow's face, Buffy tempered her reaction. "No, it was just a nightmare."
"W-well maybe you should tell Giles."
"No." Buffy's voice was firm. "I don't want to bother him with it. And I don't want you to. It was just a dream Willow." She finally rose, gathering her toiletries. "Besides, I don't think he needs to be bothered right now."
Willow sighed as the door closed behind Buffy. Something in that dream really wigged her out. She was right about Giles though. Olivia wasn't coming back, so he didn't need anything else to upset him. She sighed again as she started to change. What was it with the gang and romance anyway? Giles and Olivia, her and Oz, Buffy and Riley. About the only couple that seemed to be doing okay was Xander and Anya. "And that's weird enough to not even go there."
Rupert Giles sat in front of his television, watching the morning news. Another gruesome murder, by person or persons unknown. One advantage of his purchase, he was able to catch up on all the happenings around town. Just about his only source now. He certainly wasn't getting much help from the others.
He closed his eyes as he attempted to drive the bitterness from his mind. He knew it wasn't Buffy's fault that Olivia wouldn't be returning. Or the others. It was just that he was so bored. At least when Jenny had died, he'd had something to do to take his mind off his pain.
Jenny. Two years and the pain was still there. Not as fresh, but he doubted it would ever go away fully. How could it when he was constantly reminded of the circumstances? He didn't blame Buffy, truly he didn't. But a part of him could not forgive the way they all seemed to have forgotten her sacrifice.
Knowing that such thoughts would only lead him to a familiar state of depression, he rose and turned off the television. He considered calling Buffy. Unless things were dire, he wouldn't see her unless he made the first move. He even missed Spike. Not that the vampire wasn't a pain in the butt, but at least he was better than talking to oneself. And Giles had a feeling that wasn't far behind.
A knock on his door broke his reflections. Curiously, he went to let whomever it was in. It would be none of the children. They didn't bother to knock any more. After all, it wasn't as though they'd ever be interrupting anything important. Damn, there was that bitterness again. Get a hold of yourself Rupert. Pasting a polite smile on his face, he opened the door to his visitor. "Yes?" Something about the young man seemed familiar. "Yo-you're Buffy's friend aren't you? Riley?"
The young man nodded. "Hi. I was wondering if you knew where Buffy was."
"No, I'm afraid I don't." As he remembered his manners, Giles stepped back. "Won't you come in?"
"Thanks." As he walked past the older man Riley looked around curiously. His eyes lit on the books, itching to get his hands on them. From what Buffy had told him, there would be some information his organization would find really useful. "I thought Buffy might be here researching."
"Researching?" Head down, Giles followed Riley into the living room, his hands in his pocket. "That's right. Buffy said you'd discovered the truth. I'm afraid Buffy isn't much of a researcher. More of a doer."
"You do know about the attacks last night?"
"The murder? Yes, I've just heard it on the news. Is it demon related?"
"The victim was torn to shreds."
"Well, that's a nice image to swallow with breakfast." They both turned to look at the young woman standing in the doorway. "Hey Riley. I take it this is business?"
Riley nodded, his disappointment not showing. "Yeah. Looks like we've got trouble. Thought you might want to work together on this one."
"Together?" Buffy's look of surprise was laden with mockery. "And how together will we be when I try to kill the demon and you decide to protect it?"
"Hey Riley." Willow pushed past her friend, whispering, "Play nice."
"So this is the great Riley Finn." Xander sauntered up to the other young man, looking him up and down. "I hear you're pretty good with the old hand to hand combat."
Riley looked more confused than imitated. "Well, yeah. Have to be to fight the demons. They're usually bigger and stronger than me."
"Yeah. I can see the logic in that." Xander the brave backed off, making a beeline toward the kitchen.
Giles looked inquiringly at Buffy. "Counsel of war?"
She shrugged. "We heard about the murder on campus. Thought it might be demon related."
"It is. We have an eye-witness." Riley stepped forward. "Big ugly thing with a tail."
"Now why aren't demons ever good looking?" Nobody bothered to respond to Buffy's query. "So you got a description of the demon? Any idea what it is?"
Giles moved toward his books. "This should make it easier. Once we know the type of
.."
"Not yet. They're working on it back at the lab. I should have an answer when I get back."
"Buffy maybe this is related to your dream last night. Sorry." The last at the glare Buffy gave Willow.
"Dream?" Giles moved back to the couch where the girls were sat. "You had a dream? A prophecy?"
"No. Just a dream."
"Wait. You have prophecy's?" Buffy glance at Riley before turning back to Giles.
"You don't know. Sometimes your dreams don't appear to be related
"
"Giles, trust me. It isn't anything to do with the demon."
"I think you should tell me
."
"God, will you at least let me have my dreams to myself?" There was an awkward moment's silence until Buffy turned back to Riley. "You say your people will know who the demon is by now?"
"Yeah."
"Well we better go then." Rising she moved toward the front door. "Coming guys?"
"Civilians? I don't know
"
Buffy spun, almost bumping into Riley's chest. "We're a package deal. You want me, you also get Willow and Xander."
Giles tried not to wince at the lack of his name in her sentence. "I'll just get my jacket
"
"That's okay. We're onto it." Buffy glanced briefly at Giles before turning back toward the door. "No need for you to be involved in this one."
"Bye Giles!" Willow was too busy running to catch up with Buffy to notice Giles' reaction. Xander, still trying to prove his masculinity to the new player, hurried to catch up with the others. As the door shut behind them, Giles found himself not only alone once more, but suddenly not even wanted.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Just One Girl." As the elevator started it's downward journey, Riley turned to look at his fellow passengers. "Sorry about all the Cloak and Dagger stuff. Maggie'll kill me if I showed you where our headquarters."
"Maggie?" Willow's squeak was slightly muffled by the blindfold covering the upper half of her face to the top of her mouth. Buffy and Xander, also blindfolded, turned toward the sound.
"Yeah, you're gonna find out anyway so I don't suppose it matters. Maggie Walsh is the leader of this section."
"Can I take my blindfold off now, cause I'm feeling kinda silly. It's not like we can see anything in the elevator?" Xander raised his hands halfway to his mask in anticipation of the other man's response.
Riley sighed. "I suppose it won't hurt. But when Maggie asks, we waited until just before the doors opened, right?"
The others murmured their assent as they removed their blindfolds. Xander was right. There was nothing to see, just a square box taking them further down into the bowels of the earth. Into an area where none of them had any control over what would happen. The three friends looked toward each other with a little trepidation in their eyes.
The elevator slowed to a stop, the doors swinging open a few seconds later. Willow stepped back at the sight before them. Half a dozen young men stood facing them, guns drawn and at the ready. Professor Walsh stood before them, and by the look on her face Riley was not going to be welcome with open arms. What was truly shocking though was the activity behind the young soldiers. The corridor seemed to stretch for miles, and was at least half a football field wide. And all around was activity. Scientists, more soldiers, large transport vehicles. It was obvious that this wasn't a recent addition to the underground activities of Sunnydale.
"You better have a good reason for bringing civilians here Finn."
Riley saluted to attention, ignoring his companions completely. "The slayer has agreed to work with us, but she refused to come alone."
Professor Walsh looked toward Buffy with her eyebrows raised. Buffy returned the look, tilting her head slightly in defiance. "If you can't obey a direct order, then we may have trouble in the future."
"I haven't said there is a future." Buffy glanced at Riley before moving closer to the Professor. "I'm here to stop the demon, that's all. Riley thought we'd get better results if we worked together."
Professor Walsh nodded. "Fair enough. Let's get to work." She turned on her heel, walking past the soldiers now standing at ease.
Willow lifted her hand in greeting to the men she recognized before trotting to catch up to the others. Riley flanked Professor Walsh's right, whilst Buffy walked at her left. Xander stayed slightly behind Buffy, literally watching her back. As Willow moved beside him, Riley's friend Forrest joined her.
"There was a report last night of a mutilation
.."
"Severed limbs, blood everywhere, heads missing. Yeah I know." Professor Walsh was obviously annoyed at Buffy's interruption. "Do you know what caused it?"
"A demon of some kind. From the description the computer has narrowed it down to two possible candidates." She stopped in front of a large computer console, picking up a folder resting on the top. Passing a drawing to Buffy, she continued. "This one is a ravager demon. Moves into town, causes havoc, kills some people and moves on."
Buffy looked at the image before her. The blue scales on the demon added to the feeling of slime caused by the look on the monster's face. The red eyes looked almost maniacal, and the large protruding teeth appeared ready to bite anything that came near enough. A tale approximately two feet long dropped behind the demon, its forked tip resting on what would be the ground. "Well, it's ugly enough to scare people to death."
"This is the other one." Buffy took the second picture. Other than green flesh, the most remarkable difference was in the eyes. They looked almost sad. "There isn't much known about this one. It appears rarely, but wherever it is death follows. And there's at least one disappearance."
"So much for the sadness." At the querying looks of the others, "Never mind. Which one is it?"
Walsh looked uncomfortable. "The computer can't give a hundred percent answer."
"Maybe we should go ask," at Buffy's look Willow changed tact, "our friend. The one who has all the books."
"Who?" Professor Walsh looked toward Riley. He just shrugged, although he had a suspicion who they were talking about.
"Just somebody who collects books. And there's no need for them to be brought in." Buffy gave both Willow and Xander a warning look before returning to the Professor. "Well, can your computer guess?"
The older woman nodded. "Yes. The green one, with a sixty percent certainty. Not good I know, but the nearest we can get."
"Well," Buffy put the pictures back on the computer console, "let's go kick some demon butt."
.
The joint was hopping, or so they say. Trouble with the regular clientele of Willie's bar, that usually meant that somebody or something had ripped off another patron's leg. Not that Willie was gonna argue with them. Oh no, they could do what they liked as long as the tab was paid at the end of the night. No it wasn't the regulars that worried him. It was the guy, definitely of the human variety, sitting at the end of his bar that was his concern.
Wiping the top absently, the owner and bartender made his way to his new customer. The guy had rolled in just before sundown, already pretty worse for wear. Now, three hours later, he was sure gonna have a hangover in the morning. Trouble was, he thought he knew the guy. "Should you be here? I mean, it's not the wisest place for one of you to be hangin' around."
The guy lifted his head up, concentrating heavily on bringing the bartender in front of him in focus. It took a while to realize that without his glasses that wasn't going to happen. "One of me?"
"Yeah. You know," Willie leaned in closer, not wanting one of the regulars to hear, "one of the good guys."
"One of the good guys." The man straightened as enlightenment dawned. "Oh yes. One of the, um
Never mind." He shoved the glass at Willie. "Get me another one."
"Hey, I don't mind what you do. Honest." Willie looked around again. "But I don't want the slayer after my ass
"
The old guy laughed. "That's one thing you won't have to worry about." He pointed his finger at the sympathetic bartender for emphasis. "For the slayer to come after you, she would have to care. And she's made it quite obvious she doesn't care. After all, what am I to her now?" Unfortunately, he'd also increased his voice, ensuring that all the occupants of the room heard him. Even he noticed the deathly silence that followed his statement.
Willie swallowed audibly and knew he was probably about to commit professional suicide. Better than the slayer coming after him. Raising his own voice, he looked around as he spoke. "Well, you're her watcher an' all. I suppose she wouldn't like it if anybody came near you." As he expected, half the room emptied. The other half went back to what it was doing, keeping a watchful eye on the human at the bar.
"Watcher. Don't even have that hold over her now. Nope, have nothing to offer her. Nothing she wants anyway. Retired and thrown on the rubbish tip. And I'm not even forty five." At least this was said much quieter. "She doesn't want or need me. She's found somebody else to do the research now. And that was all I had left to do." He lowered his head as he went to take another drink.
"Do you know, there's nothing more depressing than a maudlin drunk." The newcomer walked up to the watcher, resting his hand on the other's wrist. He nodded at Willie. "That's alright, I'll take care of him. I'll make sure none of your other patrons kill him tonight." After a hesitant nod, Willie walked away. The newcomer looked down at Giles, who was staring at him open-mouthed. He smiled. "Hallo Ripper."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Ethan." Giles straightened up slightly, his stance and demeanor showing he wasn't as drunk as he projected. "What ill wind brought you in here? And why shouldn't I kill you right now?"
His former friend looked warily around the room. "I'd say right now the answer to the first is the same as the second. Our fellow patrons are not happy to have you here. Come on." Ethan grabbed the other man's arm and tried to pull him to a standing position. He grimaced as Giles collapsed back on the barstool. "You're going to have to help me here Ripper. You're not as light as you used to be, and I'm not as versatile. I can't carry you this time."
Giles shook his head as if to clear it. "Oh God," running his hand wearily down his face, he began to rise, "I'm a bloody fool. Lead on MacDuff." So saying, he turned and followed Ethan toward a door at the rear of the building, his step weaving only slightly. They paused only once as Ethan collected a bottle and two glasses from Willie, making sure Giles had enough to pay for it.
Giles stumbled into the small room, taking in the table and chairs, as well as the various magic paraphernalia. "I see you've been making yourself at home Ethan." He turned back to find the other man chanting and marking the closed door. "What are you doing?"
Ethan didn't pause in his casting, answering Giles only when he'd finished. "Ensuring that demons don't have an open invitation to this room. I promised our patron I'd keep you alive tonight." He moved toward the table, placing the glasses upon the surface before opening the bottle. "Now then Ripper," he poured a generous amount into the first glass, "if memory serves me right you're a miserable drunk. But when you're plastered," the second glass received equal proportion, Ethan pausing as he placed the bottle on the table, "or receive other less inhibiting substance," he picked up both glasses, handing one to Giles, "why you become my old comrade in arms again. Ready to cause havoc upon the earth." Tipping his own glass in salute, he downed it in one swallow. Giles shrugged, then lifted his drink to his lips.
..
Buffy sighed for the tenth time in an hour, this time making sure her companion heard her. Riley's irritated look was reward for her effort, although he continued concentrating on the device in his hand. Lots of beeps coming from the thing, but nothing to show them the way. "So, what's this phosphorous thingy again?"
Riley opened his mouth to correct her pronunciation for the fifth time, then realised the futility of it. "It tracks down the creatures scent. Each living creature has a unique make up
"
"DNA. Yeah I know that one."
"But that's only part of it. There's also your scent, the way you walk, your lifestyle. They all add up to create a chemical mix that is uniquely yours. This tracks that formula. First we track on the known general makeup of the creature we're hunting, then we narrow it down as we get more samples of the creature's phosphor
." He hesitated as he realised he was going to use the same word as Buffy. "Well, that's the theory anyway."
"Too bad nobody told this demon that." Buffy's frustration was evident. Willow and Xander had gone with separate teams to search other quadrants, to no avail. The strongest tail had come from the area they were now patrolling, but that had also petered out. Even with their scientific know-how and technical gadgets, the Initiative hadn't been able to find this demon. Instead, Buffy felt as though she'd wasted a whole evening. "Look, it's getting late. I'm going to patrol the cemeteries for any stray vamps, and then I'll call it a night. Maybe we'll have better luck next time."
Riley nodded, knowing she was right. "I'll call off the other teams. See you tomorrow?"
"'kay. Night." They looked at each other a few seconds longer, before turning away and walking into the night.
.
The original bottle lay on the table, it's clear glass reflecting the stains and watermarks upon the wooden surface. Beside it stood a second bottle, already two thirds down. Two tumblers slammed upon the table-top within a few seconds of each other. "My win!"
"Was not!"
"Come on, Ethan. You were always a bad loser."
"Only when I don't lose. I finished first. You're getting slow in your old age Ripper." Both men slurred their words, their bodies weaving slightly as they spoke. Their skulling game had gone on for almost an hour now, and Giles was indeed beating Ethan. Just. Some things did not change with age.
At Ethan's words Giles paused, a look of melancholy on his face. Ethan swore to himself as he waited for what he knew would come next. "I am old. Just an old man who keeps getting in their way. They don't need me. Do they?" He peered myopically at his old friend, a look of hope in his eyes. "It's not my fault I'm not nineteen any more is it?"
Ethan sighed, then smiled as a thought came. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out the ingredients he needed. "Of course it isn't. And I bet if you were nineteen those kids wouldn't keep up with you." He glanced up to see if Giles was watching what he was doing, but the other man was lost in his melancholy.
"I guess they just don't think we have anything in common. And they're growing so fast. They've moved away from me now. They don't need me. She doesn't need me, not now she has the Initiative."
Ethan finished rolling the herbs into the paper, then licked the end down. Twisting one of the open ends slightly, he handed it over to Giles. "Here, this should cheer you up." Giles jerked up a little, then took the joint and placed it in his mouth. Ethan turned away slightly, muttering to himself.
Giles pulled the joint out of his mouth, wavering it about. "I bet she wouldn't even notice if I'd disappeared." He started patting the pockets of his jacket and pants, sighing in satisfaction when he extracted a lighter. He indicated it to the other man, who continued muttering to himself. "In fact," he paused to light the open end of the joint, drawing back until he saw the slight flare, "probably the only way I could get her to notice me is if," he drew in a mouthful of the drug, allowing it to fill his lungs as memories of other times reminded him of the rush he was about to feel, "I became a demon."
Ethan finished his muttering and turned around, smiling as he smelled the distinctive aroma of a good crop of marijuana. "No say 'I wish I was nineteen again.' Trust me on this."
Giles smiled, and duly repeated, "I wish I was nineteen again." He then took another drag on the joint before passing it onto Ethan.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Giles groaned as he slowly turned over. Waiting a few moments for the sledgehammers pounding against his head to ease, he took stock of his surroundings. Last thing he remembered was leaving Ethan for a visit to the loo, and then being overcome by a wave of dizziness. Now, he was lying in a dark alley, the air redolent with an aroma he didn't even want to think about, the ground covered in fifth and litter.
Praying that the sledgehammers had finished their work for the night, he slowly moved into an upright position, wondering vaguely why his body felt so heavy. Deciding it was a side-effect of the excessive drink and drugs he'd taken, he made his way gingerly out of the alley.
A dim streetlight illuminated the empty road before him. He recognized part of Sunnydale's commercial district, a ghostlike aura about it without any of the businesses open. He noticed some were also boarded up and secured by steel gates. Did the owners really think that would stop the evil that would do damage just for the fun of it? Using the walls of the buildings for support, he made his way down the road, and towards the park a few blocks down.
He'd just reached the edge of the woods when he noticed a figure weaving its way through the trees ahead. Recognizing the blond tresses of the slayer, he walked toward her, knowing that there was something definitely wrong with him.
Noticing she was moving further away from him, he called her name. "Buffy! Over here!" He sighed in relief when she turned toward him. Too eager to speak to her to wonder why she was running toward him, he rushed to tell her his news. "Something seems wrong. I'm afraid I might be pois
oof." He doubled over as her fist connected with his stomach. Before he could recover, he felt her foot on his chin, knocking him back on the ground. "Buffy what
?" She came at him again, spinning in a move he'd always admired before kicking him in the ribs. He roared in pain.
Buffy'd worked herself to a fury as the roar echoed over the park. "Go ahead. Scream. It isn't like anybody will come to help you. Do you know how much of my time you've wasted?"
Giles twisted away from her approaching foot, only his knowledge of her fighting method saving him from another beating. Fighting through the pain where she'd already made contact, he let his rage take control. Roaring once more, he swung out, his arm knocking Buffy back. Taking advantage of the momentary respite, he rose and limped out of the park. By the time Buffy had recovered he'd managed to evade her.
Panting, Giles made his way along the street, hoping to reach his apartment safely. Not only was he in considerable pain, he was confused and hurt. Why had she attacked him like that? It didn't make sense. But then, nothing about their relationship made sense any more.
A reflection to his right caught his eye. Turning slowly, he looked into the storefront window. His roar, "Ethan!" echoed loudly through the deserted streets. Before him stood one of the things he feared and loathed. The blue scales of the demon shimmered in the dim lighting, its eyes glowing back at him. But what was most terrifying was the image was of himself.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
She knew it. As soon as the demon had gotten away the previous night, Buffy had known that Walsh would ride her. And she was right. Walsh spent five minutes telling Buffy why one of her teams would have succeeded where she'd failed. And for the past fifteen minute debrief, several mentions of her 'letting the ST go' had ensured the rest of the team got it too. She looked toward Willow and Xander, both of whom were giving her sympathetic looks. She shrugged. The only other option was to go to see Giles, and she couldn't do that. No matter what they thought, she had her reasons. She shivered as she remembered the main reason.
"Buffy, if you've finished your day-dreaming, perhaps we can start our search for the day?" Walsh put as much condescention into her voice as possible.
Buffy sat up straighter in the chair. "Sorry."
"Now, same teams as before. Agent Finn will assign you to your appropriate areas. Keep alert people. Buffy has confirmed which demon we're after, and it's dangerous."
Buffy almost felt like adding a 'Yea me," but knew it wouldn't be appreciated. Shrugging, she joined Xander and Willow as they waited for Riley and his team to get ready. "Well that was only slightly more fun than getting your teeth pulled."
"Without anasthetic." Buffy smiled briefly at Xander's contribution.
"Buffy, we could always
."
"No we can't." Buffy knew Willow well enough to anticipate what she was saying. "Trust me Willow, this is the best option."
"Right," Riley walked up to the three friends, "we're doing sector 5A." At their blank looks, "near the old High School, through the sewers."
"Where the cave formations are?" Buffy tried to keep the tremor from her voice. She knew she wasn't successful by the looks of concern she received.
"Yeah, is there anything wrong?" Riley was worried. Buffy was usually so confident.
"No, no. Just a bad memory from that area." Yeah, like dying.
..
Giles moved further into the cavern, his movements more comfortable now that the bruises were healing. One advantage of being a demon; fast recuperative powers. He had an idea he'd be grateful for that before his time in this form was over.
At first he'd wanted to rush back to Willy's and make Ethan turn him back into a human. The knowledge that Buffy and her new friends would be looking for him was one of the reasons for his decision not to do that. Also, Ethan may have been waiting for him, and he didn't want to walk into a trap. So, he'd decided to find sanctuary, at least until nightfall. Which had led him to this damp, miserable place. The one place Buffy wouldn't search for him. It was the only place she never ventured. The place where she'd died.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ethan Rayne sat at the table of the private room, sipping at a fairly tolerable glass of whiskey. The stuff was okay when drunk, but when sober it left a lot to answer for. Still, there were a couple advantages to staying where he was. One, no demon could enter the room without his express invitation. And there were some upset demons out there. And the second, oh the second. And the best. Ripper would come looking for him here. He couldn't wait to see his old mates face when he realised Ethan's gift for him. In fact, Ripper was late. He should have been back before this. Ethan checked his watch once more, trying not to let his concern turn to worry.
A knock at his door broke his reverie. Ah, at last. "Come in." The door opened, but no footsteps could be heard. Turning in irritation, he addressed his visitor. "No need to stand on ceremony, old
..Oh my god!" Instead of a nineteen year old Rupert Giles, before him stood one of the most terrifying demons he'd seen. Taller and much heavier than him, the green skin seemed to shimmer in the light. What was more terrifying however were the eyes. He'd never seen such rage and anger in his life. And it was all directed at him. "Wh-what do you want? Willy!"
The demon began to growl, the sound guttural and dangerous. It appeared to think that Ethan could understand it, and began to beat on the invisible barrier in frustration. It's growl turned to a roar and Ethan heard the sounds of patrons vacating the bar behind it.
"G-go away. Whatever you want I can't help you. "Besides, you can't get in. Demons aren't allowed. Willy!!!"
At last the bartender appeared behind the demon. "Whoah! Ease up there big guy." When the demon turned to glare at him, Willy backed up. "It's no use making a noise like that. I can't help you and," he pointed toward Ethan, "he won't. My advise. Get out of here before the slayer turns up." Both men noticed the pulling up of the demon. "So you know the slayer. Well she'll hear about the ruckus you made, and she'll come over here to skin you. If I were you," he leaned in closer as if to relay a secret, "I'd get out of town. She's a tough one this slayer." The demon growled at Willy before turning back to Ethan. Giving the Englishman a malevolent stare, it growled once more before turning and shuffling away.
The two men stared at each other in silence. "I suppose I should thank you."
"Hey no problem. Think of it as payback for saving my life from slayer's revenge last night when you took care of the watcher." Willy started to turn away, but hesitated. "Hey what did you do to get that demon so angry anyway?"
Ethan shrugged. "I don't know. Never seen it before." He turned back to the table. "Oh, you haven't seen
"
"No. And I told you when he turned up, I'd let you know."
Buffy turned the corner hesitantly, her crossbow at the ready. She was tense she knew. And it wasn't just because of the demon they were hunting. She hated this place with a vengeance. Moving a few feet further on, she hesitated, wondering if she'd truly sensed something, or if it was her nerves going overtime. At the sound of a footfall behind her she spun around, ready to fire.
Riley froze, then sighed in relief when it was obvious she wouldn't fire. "You can relax, it isn't here."
Buffy lowered her crossbow. "Are you sure?"
He nodded. "The pheromone trail is all over the place. It was here, and pretty restless, but it's moved on now. Besides there was a sighting at a place called Willy's Bar."
Her hand slipping down to her side, Buffy moved past Riley. "Figures. Any lowlifes in town eventually find their way to Willy's. At least it gets me out of this place."
Riley turned to look at her as she passed him. "What is it about this place? I know you said bad memories, but what could have happened here to make you so jumpy?"
She looked around the cavern. "Oh nothing much. I just died."