0 comments/ 17027 views/ 0 favorites Out Of My Mind By: BlissfulZimZum666 In a graveyard at night Buffy was crouched on top of a crypt. She stood up, stake in hand. She looked around, and then leapt to the ground. Buffy ran through the graveyard, pausing, she looked around. A pair of arms burst out of a fresh grave but Buffy staked the vampire before it could finish coming out of the ground. Buffy straightened up, and turned as another vampire emerged from another grave. She ducked his swing, threw a few punches, kicked him in the chest. He did a back-roll and came up to his feet. Michael appeared out of nowhere and threw the vampire aside. “Michael?” Smiling, Michael said, “Buffy, what are you doing here?” “My job?” “Well, I just thought you were in the north sector.” “Watch out!” The vampire attacked Michael from behind. He kicked the vampire’s legs out from under him and threw him aside. The vampire hit a crypt and slid down. “Never mind.” Buffy said. Michael punched the vampire, and then staked him. Another vampire emerged from the ground. Buffy spotted him and started forward with a yell, raising her stake. Another person appeared from the left and tackled the new vampire, carrying him to the ground. Buffy looked bemused. “Why do I even bother to show up?” The two fighters got up; the newcomer was Spike. He blocked a couple of punches from the other vampire, then grabbed his arm. “Spike, what are you doing here?” Buffy asked. “Same thing as you and your Cub Scout here, I’ll wager.” He landed a few punches and the vampire went down. Spike turned toward Buffy with a big grin. “A spot of violence before bedtime.” Spike said. The other vampire punched him in the face and he went down. He got to his knees, wiping blood from his nose. The other vampire growled. Buffy rushed forward. Spike stood up, still wiping his nose with his hand. The other vampire attacked from the left. Buffy appeared from the right, shoved Spike out of the way, and staked the vampire. Spike exhaled loudly, and Buffy gave him a dirty look. “What? I softened him up.” Spike said. He wiped more blood from his nose, sniffed it, and then licked it from his fingers. “Better keep out of my way, Spike. I’m not gonna take this much longer.” Michael walked over to join them. “And I should do what in my spare time? Sit at home knitting cunning sweater sets?” “Would it keep you out of my way?” “She’s right. You shouldn’t be out here when she’s patrolling.” Michael said. Buffy turned to Michael in exasperation as if she was going to say something, but she didn’t. “Oh! I saw that. Looks like neither boy’s entirely welcome. You should take him home, Slayer. Make him stay there. I’ve got knitting needles he can borrow.” Michael looked annoyed. “Spike… I just saw you taste your own nose blood, you know what?” Spike grinned at her. “I’m too grossed out to hear anything you have to say. Go home.” She stalked off. Michael gave Spike a dirty look, then followed. Spike looked injured. Yelling after them he said, “It’s blood! It’s what I do!” Buffy walked along, looking tired and annoyed. Michael caught up with her. “Hey, hope I didn’t get in the way.” He put his arm around her. She gave a fake smile. “Of course not. I-I was just… startled. And, you know I don’t… love the idea of you patrolling alone.” “Not much for bench-warming.” “No, you made the squad. You… threw that vampire like he was a… teeny-weeny little vampire.” Grinning, Michael said, “Hey, wanna go again? Come on, I bet this place is just teeming with aerodynamic vampires.” Buffy looked around. “Nah.” She paused. “Unless you wanna go back and kill Spike for the fun of it?” Michael raised his eyebrows in a sort of shrug. They both turned and continued on their way. Spike stared after them. “I will know your blood, Slayer. I will make your neck my chalice… and drink deep.” He wiped blood from his nose again, turned, and tried to stride away purposefully, but he fell into an open grave. “Ow!” “You can’t possibly be arguing that Marat didn’t betray the French Revolutionaries.” Willow said. Willow and Buffy walking through the halls of a UC Sunnydale building filled with students walking around, talking, studying, etc. “This was the guy who declared the rights of man, and then the next thing you know he’s… killing Girondin like it’s going out of style.” “Will, you’re totally missing my point. Now, I agree that Marat wasn’t a real martyr, but the death in the tub… the neck wound, all that blood, just a little more fang-y than knife-y. I mean, Charlotte Corday wasn’t a real martyr either, but…” “Buffy!” Willow stopped walking and grabbed Buffy’s hand. “What?” Willow was smiling hugely, “Listen to us! We-we’re arguing! We’re having a debate about a college lecture! I have dreamt of this day since… forever!” Then proudly. “You are turning into quite the student.” Buffy smiled. “Should I be watching my occipital lobe?” “Your what?” Buffy asked confused. “Occipital.” Willow pointed to her head. “The lobe in the back of your brain. You know, like, ‘should I be watching my back?’ But, you know, the… back of your brain.” She sighed. “Apparently not. Don’t worry, Will, you still wear the smarty-pants in the family.” “I don’t know. You’ve been studying… really a lot.” “I’m trying. But they’re really piling on the reading, and Giles fills any free time I have with extra training… I’m starting to think this working hard is hard work.” “Isn’t it crazy like that?” “I thought it was gonna be like in the movies. You know, inspirational music… a montage, me sharpening my pencils, me reading, writing, falling asleep on a big pile of books with my glasses all crooked, ‘cause in my montage I have glasses.” Willow nodded. “But real life is slow, and it’s starting to hurt my occipital lobe.” Sympathetically, Willow said, “Aw. Poor Buffy’s brain.” She patted Buffy on the head. “Actually, I’m heading to training now. Do you wanna come with?” “I’m in.” They started walking again. “Maybe we can argue some more about the French Revolution. Hey! Wasn’t that Robespierre the coolest?” “Robespierre? You’re kidding me, right?” “I’m just gettin’ it goin’.” Xander was wielding a circle saw, cutting some wood, wearing safety goggles, standing in the middle of the magic shop. Giles was behind the counter wearing a dust-mask, painting something. Giles’ voice was muffled by the noise, “It seems the plans worked perfectly.” Xander stopped the saw and unclamped the piece of wood from the vice. “Yes, blueprints, not a bad idea. That, and getting straight ‘measure twice, cut once.’ You know, for the longest time I had it backwards. Mess-y!” Xander began fitting the piece of wood into the shelving that he was working on. Giles pulled mask down from his mouth, so it hung around his neck, “Well, I must say, I’m very impressed.” “Yeah, carpentry is pretty cool.” There was a knock on the door. Giles went to answer it. As he walked across the shop he passed Tara standing by a small round table, wearing a long skirt, holding a deck of tarot cards. Anya was moving stuff around on the shelves. “Oh! Who put the monkey heads near the Styx water? Do we want to pick exploded monkey out of our hair?” Anya picked up a jar and a monkey head, and walked across the room. Giles opened the door. Willow and Buffy stood there, smiling. “Trick or treat!” Buffy said. “Hello, you two, come on in.” Giles said. “Thank you, kind proprietor.” Willow said with a smile. They entered. “Hey, you.” Tara said to Willow. “Hey!” Willow said, then looking around. “Oh, wow, this place looks great. Oh, I feel like a witch in a magic shop.” She picked up a jar from a table. “Ooh. Are these real newt eyes?” Willow looked at Giles. “No, too… rich for my blood, I’m afraid. No, these are salamander eyes, it’s the… cataracts which give them their newt-like appearance.” Giles moved past her. “They’re really equally effective, though, it’s… just a matter of overcoming snobberies.” Buffy put her purse down, and Xander was looking at a blueprint, holding a pencil. “I’m telling you Giles. You gotta set up a blind taste test and prove once and for all that generic amphibian eyeballs are just as good.” Xander said. “I don’t know. If you ask me, the newt name still means something.” Willow put down jar and walked off. “You ready to train?” Giles asked Buffy. “You betcha.” “Shall we then?” “We shall then.” They walked off toward the back. Willow was sitting at the round table, with Tara standing beside her. There were a lot of tarot cards on the table. “I just… keep thinking how cool it would be, if we got a real psychic to sit up here and read fortunes and stuff.” Tara said. “You should do it.” Willow said encouragingly. “Not me. But, but I’d love to, to watch and learn. From someone who’s really good, you know?” “You’re really good.” Willow held out her hands. “I’ll prove it. Here, do me.” Tara nodded and sat down, putting down the cards, taking one of Willow’s hands. Willow watched her study it. “Hmm.” Tara said. “What do you see?” Willow asked. “Willow hand.” Tara replied. They both smiled. Giles opened the door to the back room as Buffy and Xander watched. Giles held the door for Buffy. Buffy entered, and looked around. Someone tackled her from the side, pulling her down. Giles and Xander looked surprised. Buffy fell to the floor on top of Michael, who had his arms around her waist. “Unh! Ow, Michael...” They got up. “Just keeping you on your toes.” “Or off them, as it were. What’s gotten into…” She stopped as she looked around the room and saw it for the first time. “Oh my God. Look at this place!” There was a punching bag hanging from the ceiling, a vault horse atop a set of mats, a stationary bike, and a scarecrow/dummy. At the far end there was something that looked like a mini-fridge. Against the far wall there was a set of weights. Symbols were painted on the floor and walls. Buffy gasped, “Thank you.” She looked up at Giles. “Thank you… so much.” Giles removed his glasses and then the mask that was still around his neck. “It’s just a start, you need a proper space to train, so…” “I love it.” Buffy said and Giles gave a small smile. Grinning, Michael said, “So come on, let’s test this puppy out. Think you can take me?” He threw a few fake punches at Buffy. She mostly ignored him, walking farther into the room. “What’s the matter, afraid of a little competition?” “It must have been so much work.” Buffy said. “I’m the dummy man.” Xander said coming forward. “I mean, I… made the dummy.” He gestured at it. “The thing that you hit that doesn’t hit back.” He shrugged, looking embarrassed. “That, I made.” “It’s great.” Buffy said to Giles. “I-it’s all great.” Putting his glasses back on, Giles said, “Well, you’ve earned it. Truly.” “Thank you guys so much. You’re like my… fairy godmother and Santa Claus and Q all wrapped up into one.” Michael looked confused. “Q from Bond, not Star Trek.” Buffy clarified. Xander nodded. “I’m gonna go change.” Spike sat in his crypt, that night, watching TV. “Oh Pacey, you blind idiot. Can’t you see she doesn’t love you?” Spike said to the TV. Suddenly there was a banging on the door. Spike jumped up and turned off the TV. There was more banging and Harmony came in, looking dishevelled and nervous. She shut the door behind her and pressed her back against the wall. “Well, well, well. Looky here.” Anxiously, Harmony said, “Is it safe? Has Buffy gotten to you yet? I saw her patrolling just now… with a stake!” Spike pretended to look shocked. “She won’t give up until she’s killed me to death!” Sceptically, Spike said, “Buffy’s looking for you.” “Of course!” Harmony walked forward. “That’s why I’m on the lam. Didn’t you hear? I’m totally her arch-nemesis!” “Is that right. I must have missed the memo.” “There was a mem-?” Harmony sighed. “Spike, oh my God! This is like a real emergency! Uhh!” Spike grinned. “I need a hideout so bad. You’re my only hope. We’re just gonna have to rise above… our petty differences…” she looked anxiously at Spike. “Listen, Spike… I’m desperate.” Still grinning, looking her up and down, “Desperate, are you?” Harmony gave him a cajoling smile. “Come on, Spike. Pretty please? I’ll do anything!” “Anything, will you?” “Yeah! I said I’ll do anything.” Spike raised his eyebrows. “Ohhhh. You mean will I have sex with you?” Harmony shrugged casually, like ‘duh’. “Well, yeah.” Spike grinned to himself as Harmony sat in his chair and took out a cigarette. She began flicking a lighter, trying to light it. She flicked it quite a few times before she finally figured it out and got the cigarette lit. “Taking up smoking, are you?” Harmony lent back in the chair. “I am a villain, Spike, hellooooo.” Harmony took a drag and started to cough. “I guess you are at that. What with the Slayer on your tail and all.” Harmony watched him warily. “She’s not the type to give up, either. She’ll hunt you down, day and night, till you’re too tired and too hungry to run any more. And then?” Spike lent down to grab a handful of dust. “Then…” dusting off his hands, “that is you.” Harmony looked upset. “I guess you’re gonna have to kill her.” Spike said. Whining, Harmony said, “I tried! It was all hard and stuff!” She sat up. “You do it.” Looking down at her, Spike said, “I’d love to. But, I can’t. Remember? I’ve got this cute little magic chip in my head.” Harmony sighed, “Oh, right. Guess it’ll have to be me after all.” She looked up at Spike again. “Can you help with the thinking?” Nodding, Spike said, “Yeah. I suppose I could do that.” Harmony smiled and sat back again, putting the cigarette to her lips. Buffy and Michael lay in bed, side-by-side. Michael was tapping his hands agitatedly on his chest. Buffy gave a contented sigh. “Yeah.” Michael said. “Mm, that was relaxing.” She turned onto her side as if to sleep. Michael continued patting himself, then looked over at her. “You, uh… wanna relax some more?” He turned onto his side and snuggled up against her. “Again? Right away again?” Michael was kissing her bare shoulder. “Maybe you’re too tired.” “Hey.” Buffy reached behind her to caress his cheek. “I have the endurance of ten men.” “Let’s make it women, okay?” Michael said and Buffy laughed. “Just for the imagery.” “Whatever. You know, it takes a lot to wear me out.” Buffy turned toward him. “Oh, I love a challenge.” “Mm.” Buffy turned back onto her back and Michael moved on top of her. They kissed passionately. “Well, wouldn’t you?” Dawn asked. Dawn was in the kitchen, pouring from a box of Sugar Bombs cereal. There were a number of bowls on the table in front of her. “Every kid tries to make the substitute cry. It’s like a rite of passage.” Joyce was cooking over the stove. “I certainly would not. Being a substitute is an extremely difficult job. Besides…” Joyce looked at the bowls. “Honestly, Dawn, how many bowls of cereal are you planning on eating?” “Oh, these aren’t for eating. I’m just trying to get the extra out of the way so I could…” Dawn stuck her hand in the cereal box, and pulled out a toy, “get this.” She smiled cheerfully at Joyce and sat down. “Anyway,” Dawn said pointing to Joyce, “I want eggs.” “You want the cereal prize, but you don’t want the cereal. You are growing up. All righty, half an omelette coming up.” Joyce said scooping the eggs onto two plates. “Oh, um, with ketchup if you please?” “Mm-hmm.” Joyce turned away from the stove, holding the two plates. Suddenly she stopped and blinked as if she was dizzy. Dawn looked up from unwrapping the prize. Joyce was confused, “Oh, what is the…” She looked at Dawn. “Who are you?” Dawn looked confused. Suddenly Joyce collapsed to the floor, the plates shattering. Dawn jumped up in alarm. Joyce lay unconscious on the floor, surrounded by pieces of plates and food. Dawn backed away, panting fearfully, and grabbed the telephone. She dialled 911. The double doors to a hospital emergency room burst open and Buffy pushed in past some people, followed by Michael. Dawn was sitting on a chair, fiddling with a stethoscope that was hung around her neck. Buffy rushed up to her. “Hey. How’s Mom? Are you okay?” Buffy asked and hugged Dawn. “I’m okay.” “And your Mom’s doing just fine.” Said a man’s voice. A young man in a white coat approached. Buffy let go of Dawn and stood up. Still sitting, Dawn said, “This is Ben. He gave me his stethoscope.” “Lent you his stethoscope. Buffy, right?” Ben held out hand. “I’m Ben, I’m an intern here. I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with the renowned Dr. Dawn here while your Mom’s being tested.” Buffy shook his hand. “So what’s goin’ on? What happened?” Michael asked. “Well, she’s doing okay now… the doctors don’t really know what caused the collapse…” Dawn put the stethoscope earpieces in her ears and tapped the end with her fingers. The voices faded out; Dawn could still hear them, but they were muffled by the stethoscope in her ears. “… it could’ve just been a dizzy spell, low blood sugar, that sort of thing.” Ben said. “But it’s nothing bad. I, I mean it’s not… serious, right?” Buffy asked. “Very unlikely. So your Mom doesn’t have a… history of fainting?” Dawn put the stethoscope to Ben’s chest. She heard a normal heartbeat. “No. I mean, not that I know of. She’s usually really healthy.” “Well, I think they’ll be running tests for a few more hours…” Dawn put the stethoscope to Buffy’s chest. Again she heard a normal heartbeat. “… then they’ll probably want her to come back for some follow-up tests in a couple weeks, but it really doesn’t look like anything too serious.” “Oh, thank God. I was freaking out.” Dawn got up and walked around them. “I think you’ll be able to take her home before too long.” “Well, that is definitely good news.” Michael said. Dawn put the stethoscope to Michael’s chest. She heard a heartbeat that was much too fast and irregular. Dawn’s eyes widened and she looked up at Michael’s face. In hospital exam room Michael sat on the exam table putting on his red velour top. “I know I’m repeating myself here, but I don’t know what else to say to convince you.” A female doctor said. Buffy was watching as the female doctor talked to Michael. The doctor was writing on her clipboard. “I have never in all my years of medicine let a patient with tachycardia this severe leave a hospital.” “You said you couldn’t keep me.” “Legally, no, I can’t force you to do a thing.” Michael nodded and resumed putting on his top. “But with that pulse, believe me, I’d get on my knees and beg you if I thought I could change your mind.” “You can’t. I’m going home.” “And your friend here can’t convince you to…” Michael held up a hand to stop her. “I’m going.” Buffy looked very concerned. “All right then, but you’re leaving against my recommendation.” The doctor left. Michael looked at Buffy, and then stood up. “What’s going on? What are you doing? What if you have a heart attack?” Michael put his hands on her shoulders, “Listen to me. Calm down.” “Me calm down? I’m not the one with a pulse of a hundred and fifty.” “My heart’s different than yours, Buffy. It works differently now, but it’s okay.” “But you’re still a human, Michael. You could still have a heart attack.” They looked up as the door opened. Joyce and Dawn entered. “Hi.” Joyce said. Out Of My Mind “Hey. How are you?” Buffy hurries over to hug Joyce. “Oh… embarrassed, mostly. I’m sorry to put you through this. But, no more tests, so you can take this pincushion home.” “Yes.” Michael came forward. “Let’s, uh, get outta here.” He held the door for Joyce and Dawn. Buffy gave him a concerned look, then exited as well. Michael followed. Joyce was lying on the sofa, sipping from a mug, with Buffy and Dawn sitting by her. Willow stood beside the sofa. “What about a crossword? Some people say feed a cold, I say puzzle it.” Willow said. “Oh, no thanks, Willow.” “I like chicken fingers with mustard when I’m sick.” Dawn said. Joyce put her mug on the coffee table, “I know you do, sweetie. I can make us some later.” “Oh, uh-uh. You are sitting right here on this couch today.” “I feel silly lying here like a lump!” “You could make a game out of it. A-a very quiet game, about being a lump.” Willow said. “I feel fine. Honestly, I’m more concerned about Michael than I am about me.” “You shouldn’t even be thinking about that. He’s not worried, so I don’t think we should be.” Buffy said. Buffy was pacing in her room. Willow lay on the bed while Dawn sat on the floor, leaning against the bed. “I don’t get what he’s thinking.” Buffy stepped over Dawn as she paced around the bed. “Why isn’t he worried?” “Maybe he thinks his body can handle it. He is in really good shape.” Willow said. “Nobody’s body can handle a heart attack.” Buffy stepped over Dawn to pace the other way again. “I know. I’m sorry, Buffy. I’m trying too hard to make it okay.” Buffy sighed, “I just keep coming back to magic, he used to be in that Luna Cult. I mean what if he found some spell that like made him strong or something.” Dawn watched her pace back and forth. “Well, there are spells like that, but Buffy, I’ve never heard of one making someone’s heart go haywire.” Willow said. “But what if Michael wasn’t ready for it? What if it worked too well…” “Buffy, if you think this has something to do with magic, and the Lunar Cult then maybe you should go talk to Kaz.” “I gotta go. Uh, see you guys later.” Buffy grabbed her bag and left. Buffy entered Michael’s room. There was a punching bag hanging from the ceiling. It was dark. “Michael?” Buffy called. No one was there. Buffy walked in, closing the door behind her. Buffy began searching Michael’s room, looking for something that might indicate that he’d been doing magic to make him strong, after several minutes of searching she found a magic book and some magic supplies. Buffy put the stuff on the bed and was about to start looking in the book when the door opened. Buffy looked up startled and saw Kaz come into the room. Buffy crossed the room quickly and slammed Kaz against the wall. “Ow, Buffy, what…” “Magic.” “What?” “What magic did you do in the Luna Cult?” “We only did levitation, summoning the four elements, glamours, hexes, curses and stuff like that.” Buffy shook Kaz. “There’s more.” “Ow! No, that’s all.” “WHAT ELSE.” Buffy slammed Kaz against the wall again. “Uh, I think I’m gonna boot.” “Kaz!” “I swear that’s all we did. Will you let go of me now?” Buffy reluctantly let go of Kaz. “Something’s wrong with Michael.” Buffy said. “What?” “I don’t know. He has had a lot more strength and stamina lately, and when we were at the hospital Dawn kinda discovered a pulse rate of a hundred and fifty.” Kaz raised her eyebrows, “And you think this has something to do with the magic we did in the Luna Cult?” “I-I don’t know. I just found this spell book.” Buffy picked up the book. “Do you think there’s a spell in here that could increase his strength?” “Possibly, but… I’ve not seen that book before.” Kaz took the book and began to flick through it. After several minutes of searching she stopped on a page and read more thoroughly. “Here this spell matches Michael’s ‘symptoms.’ Damn it.” “What?” “It’s an advanced spell, it may be too advanced for Michael, that could explain the heart rate. Shit, I thought Michael would have more sense than that.” “Can you help him?” “I don’t know this kind of magic.” “You have to help him.” Buffy was getting very agitated. “However, I do know of a guy who’s still part of the Luna Cult, he might be able to help.” Michael was playing basketball with a bunch of his friends. They were all yelling. Michael was clearly playing very well. His friends shook their heads as the game ended. “No way, man.” Twigs said. “I’m out.” Michael said. He threw the ball to Twigs. He was very sweaty. He turned and walked off. Michael walked past a bench where a girl was sitting. He glanced at the girl, then away. “Kaz.” Michael said and kept walking. “Michael.” Kaz was sitting on the bench, talking over her shoulder. “Can we talk?” Michael bent over a water fountain and drank. Kaz got up. Michael walked toward Kaz. “So talk.” Michael said. “What’s goin’ on, man?” Michael shrugged. “You gotta get this taken care of immediately. We gotta get you into a warlock. “Very convincing Kaz.” Kaz stared Michael down. “Michael, I’m tellin’ you, you need help.” Michael shook his head, “I’m fine. Never felt better.” “You don’t want this.” “You’re sure you got the fix for it?” Michael said, “If I want it?” “Yeah. I know a guy, still on the inside of the Luna Cult. He’s gonna take care of you, and we’re going to him now.” Kaz said and Michael nodded. “I’m not givin’ you a choice.” “I guess you’re not.” Suddenly Michael punched Kaz in the face and ran off. Buffy was talking to Kaz amid a crowd of students in the middle of a UC Sunnydale building. Kaz’s face was bruised. “So you messed up and now he’s gone and when are you even gonna tell me what’s exactly is wrong with him?” “He did this spell called Vires Amplificare, basically it means is he was way stronger than he oughta be and feeling no pain. His heart can’t take it.” Buffy sighed. “The warlock’s waiting at Sunnydale General, fourth floor neurology. Get Michael there. If you don’t…” “I’ll get him there.” Kaz nodded, “I’ll tell the warlock.” Buffy turned to walk off. Kaz watched her go. “Buffy.” She turned back. “If you tell me to hurry… I’ll kick your ass.” Buffy walked off as Kaz watched. That evening Michael walked through the Sunnydale woods, approaching the entrance to a cave and entered it. In the magic shop Willow and Tara were sitting at the round table Giles stood behind them. “Poor Michael.” Willow said. “Could he have simply gone back to his apartment?” Giles walked toward them, Buffy was standing beside the table. Xander and Anya were sitting across from Willow and Tara. “No, he’s not at his apartment, he’s not at the gym, he’s not at the library… he’s gone somewhere where he doesn’t wanna be found.” “So basically he’s gone AWOL.” Anya said. “Basically exactly.” Buffy said. “Poor Buffy.” Willow said. “Maybe he just needs some time alone. Like, I had this friend once, who really liked this girl, and… he got all worried that maybe she didn’t like him back…” Xander said, Buffy and Giles look confused, “and maybe that made him act like a total jerk. Maybe Michael reminds me of that friend.” Anya smiled. “What are you talking about?” Willow asked. “Then again, maybe not. Maybe he just wants attention.” “Well, here’s a hot tip, if you want attention? Be there so people can give it to you.” Softly, Anya said, “I care about you, Xander.” Xander smiled confusedly, “Thanks.” “Don’t be insecure.” Anya said smiling. Xander shrugged, and shook his head, “Thanks… I won’t.” “And, I also have this ‘friend’” Anya said making air-quotes, “and, uh, I have it on really good authority that she really likes that guy, your ‘friend’” air-quotes, “… and, by the by, my friend…” “You guys, enough!” Buffy said. Anya and Xander look embarrassed. “Okay, Michael is in real danger here.” Buffy sighed. “Anya, Xander, why don’t you guys check the docks.” Anya and Xander nodded. “Aye aye.” Xander said as a kinda joke. They got up and left. “Tara and I can scope out the burned-out school. Michael hid there once. Maybe he… feels it’s homey or something.” Willow said. Thoughtfully, Buffy said, “Homey. You know what else he might find homey in a… dank, unpleasant evil sort of way?” Giles sat in Xander’s vacated seat. “The Luna Cult caves.” Giles looked confused, “The Luna Cult caves?” “They did magic there… I don’t know them too well.” Sipping his tea, Giles said, “We do have an associate who knows those caves like the back of his… melanin-deprived hand.” Buffy sighed, “I so don’t want to deal with Spike right now. That guy is really starting to bug me in that special ‘I wanna shove something wooden through his heart’ kinda way.” “He does seem extra twitchy lately. Maybe the whole not killing is gettin’ to him.” Willow said. “Plus hanging out all day in that mouldy crypt, you just know he’s doing something nasty.” Spike sat with Harmony in his crypt. “Okay, is it bigger than a breadbox?” Spike asked. Smiling, Harmony said, “No. Four left.” “So it’s smaller than a breadbox.” Spike said. Giggling, Harmony said, “No! Only three!” Quietly annoyed Spike said, “Harmony… is it a sodding breadbox?” Harmony clapped and laughed, “Yes! Oh my god! Someone’s blondie bear is a twenty-question genius!” Suddenly there was a loud banging on the door. Harmony stopped laughing and looked scared. “She’s found me!” She jumped up and ran over to a coffin, and climbed into it. Spike followed and slid the lid onto the coffin, and then he sat on top of it trying to look casual. Buffy busted the door open and strode in. “I’ve got a proposition for you.” Buffy said. Jumping off the coffin, Spike said, “Funny, I’ve got a proposition for you, what about knocking?” Buffy ignored him, pulled out a wad of cash and unfolded it. “Seems only fair since we vamps can’t enter your flat without an invite, you could at least… say, look at those pretty pieces of paper.” “Michael’s sick with some magic thing and he’s missing. I think he might be in the Luna Cult caves. You find him, bring him to the fourth floor of the hospital, the warlock gets to him in time…” Buffy held up the money, “…you get the cash.” “Oh, dear, is that androgynite sick? Tell me, is he gonna die?” Buffy slapped him across the face. “He is not the only person that can die.” “Hey. I’m just saying, if it’s really that important to you, I think I’ll get half now.” Buffy looked at the money in her hand. She ripped the bills in half, slammed one half against Spike’s chest, and strode out. Spike watched her go, then looks down at the half-bills in his hand. Harmony pushed the coffin lid aside and peeked out. “So? What’d she say about me?” In a hospital corridor the double-doors opened and Kaz walked through, she walked down the hallway, past a security guard who nodded at her. Kaz went through another set of double-doors and enters a lab. The warlock Otega was there. “Any word?” Otega asked. “They’ll be here any minute.” Kaz said. Otega looked at a book in his hand. “That’s soon enough, right? I mean, if we bring him in now?” Kaz asked. “I’ll be honest. I’m not sure it’s soon enough if you brought him in yesterday.” There was a knock on the door, Kaz turned. “Finally.” She opened the door to see the security guard apparently standing there. Then the guard jerked forward, his head hitting Kaz’s. Kaz fell back and the guard fell on top of her, Harmony walked in behind the dead guard. Otega looked up in alarm. Spike followed Harmony in, carrying a crossbow. He tossed it to Harmony, who caught it and pointed it at the warlock, letting the tip of the arrow touch his cheek. “You got yourself a new patient.” Spike said. Buffy walked into the woods, holding a flashlight. It was dark. She found the cave entrance that Michael used earlier, and walked in. The door to a college building room, with several tiers of chairs, opened. Spike entered, followed by Otega and then Harmony with the crossbow. “Look, you don’t understand. This is a complicated neurological procedure and I’ve never performed it before. I do healing spells, it’s too advanced for me to reverse.” They walked down the steps, past rows of seats, into a surgical theatre. “Little performance anxiety, eh?” Spike asked as he took off his jacket, sat on the operating table. “Butterflies in the old belly? Harm, do us a favour. Shoot the nasty butterflies for the good warlock.” Otega looked from Harmony to Spike and moved toward the operating table. “There you go. It’s not so complicated. Just do whatever those warlock monkeys did, only backwards.” Harmony sat on a nearby counter. “This is a medical school, not a proper operating facility, these instruments…” Otega gestured at the tray of instruments. Spike sighed, “They look pointy enough. They’ll do.” He lay back on the table with his hands behind his head. “You’re not listening. That chip is deeply imbedded in your cerebral cortex. Removing it could leave you a vegetable.” “That’s not gonna happen, mate. Besides I’m sure you could remove it with magic… if you really wanted. See, I have faith in your survival instinct.” He looked significantly over at Harmony. Otega looked too. Harmony smiled and lifted the crossbow. Spike smiled, “Yeah. You’ll have me up and killing before the night’s over.” Otega looked apprehensive. Spike continued to grin. “Come on!” Spike nudged the doctor with his foot. “You’ll do me right. Nothing bad’ll happen to you.” Suddenly an arrow flew across the room, narrowly missing the warlock, and lodging in the wall opposite. Spike and Otega looked at it, startled, then looked over at Harmony. “Oops.” She grinned apologetically. “String was slippy.” “Michael!” Willow called. Willow and Tara walking through the rubble of the burned-out old Sunnydale High School building. “This place kinda creeps me out.” Tara said. “You shoulda been here when it was a school.” Then she called. “Michael!” They walked on, very slowly, looking nervous. “Oof. Darkness.” Willow said. “Piles of it. We shoulda brought a flashlight.” Tara said. “Ooh! I know!” Willow reached into her bag. “Better to light a candle than curse the damn darkness.” She smiled and pulled a small bottle out of her bag. “A little spell.” Willow showed it to Tara. “Fiat lux!” Willow threw the bottle at the ground. There was a big burst of flame and then the entire area was lit with a soft diffuse light. “Wow!” Tara exclaimed “There, that’s better.” Tara stared at her in amazement. Calling, Willow said, “Michael! Come on out!” She began to walk again. Tara followed, still staring. “How’d you do that? With the light?” “Oh, you know. You taught me.” “I taught you teeny Tinkerbell light.” “Okay, so I… tinkered with the Tinkerbell. It was easy. And besides, isn’t this better than… using a flashlight like some kind of doofus?” Buffy was walking through the caves, with a flashlight, calling out. “Michael? Michael, answer me.” She muttered softly. “Please.” Buffy walked on, she looked at the rocks, with vines growing on them. Buffy heard a repetitive knocking noise. “Michael?” Buffy rounded a corner and found Michael punching the rock wall. There was a large cavity in the wall where he had clearly been punching for some time. He was shiny with sweat and looked tired. Without looking at Buffy, he said, “You know, this doesn’t even hurt.” “Your hand is bleeding.” Michael looked at her, “Don’t feel a thing.” He moved to punch the wall again but Buffy stopped him. Buffy said, “This stops now. I’m taking you to the warlock.” “I don’t trust him.” Michael backed away. Buffy moved toward him, “He’s the only one that understands what’s wrong with you. He’s the only one that can help.” “What’s wrong with me? I’m more powerful than I’ve ever been, Buffy. Most people would kill to feel this way.” “Yeah, and this feeling is going to kill you. Michael, your body was not built for this kind of strength…” “I can handle it. This is my deal, Buffy, just… back off.” Michael walked past Buffy. She turned to watch him. “What is this?” Buffy asked. Michael stopped walking, and turned back to her. “What’s happening to you?” “I go back… let this warlock get whimsical with my innards… He could do anything that… Best-case scenario, they turn me into Joe Normal, just…” Michael sighed. “Just another guy.” “And that’s not enough for you?” Buffy asked. “It’s not enough for you.” “Why would you say that?” “Come on. Your last boyfriend wasn’t exactly a civilian.” “So that’s what this is about? You’re going to die, all over some macho pissing contest.” Michael shook his head, “It’s not about him. It’s about us.” Buffy shook her head, not understanding. “You’re getting stronger every day, more powerful. I can’t touch you. Every day, you’re just… a little further out of my reach.” “You wanna touch me?” Buffy walked toward him. “I’m right here. I’m not the one running away.” “Not yet.” “So you have this all figured out? I’m bailing because you’re not in the super club.” Michael shrugged, “It’s human nature.” Buffy spoke angrily, “Don’t Psych 101 me.” Michael looked away “Not now. Not after everything that… Nobody has ever known me the way you do. Nobody.” Michael didn’t look at her. “I’ve opened up to you in ways that I’ve never opened up to… God, you’re just sitting back there thinking that none of this means anything to me.” Still not looking at her Michael said, “I never said that.” Teary-eyed, Buffy said, “Because it obviously doesn’t mean anything to you. Do you really think so little of me…” “Buffy.” “No! No. Do you think that I spent the last year with you because you had super powers? If that’s what I wanted, then I’d be dating Spike.” Quietly, Buffy said. “Michael, I need you.” He looked at her, he looked apprehensive. “I need you with me… and I need you healthy. But if you wanna throw it all away because you don’t trust me, then…” more firmly, “…then I’m still gonna make you go to that warlock.” Michael looked at her, then looked away. He sighed. “Take me to him.” Buffy nodded. “We have to hurry.” She strode past him, but he grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. “Loving you is the scariest thing I’ve ever done, Buffy.” “I don’t know why. With your lifestyle that’s hard to imagine.” She gave a small smile and put her hand over his heart. “The warlock said we didn’t have much time.” They walked off. Spike lay on the operating table. A sheet lay vertically over the top of his head, and his eyes were closed. The warlock was wearing rubber gloves, working on Spike’s head. Harmony walked behind Otega. “I read in a magazine that some women think a man’s real sex organ is his brain.” She lent next to the warlock and looked at Spikes brain. “Yecch! No contest. I mean, look at it. It’s so… grey and wriggly-looking.” She grinned suddenly. “Can I touch it?” Spike’s eyes snapped open. “No!” Spike and Otega said in unison. Looking over at Spike’s face, Harmony said, “Oh my God, you’re awake?” “Local anaesthetic.” Otega said. “Wow, Spikey, how does it feel?” “Like someone’s cutting into my brain with a knife, you silly bint.” Harmony looked back at Spike’s brain. To the doctor Harmony said, “You know what it means that he can’t hurt any living thing? It means he can’t even pick flowers.” Out Of My Mind “What? Yes I can!” Spike said a little panicked. Softly, Otega said, “Please be quiet.” Everyone was quiet for a moment. Then Harmony pointed at Spike’s brain again. “Is it supposed to do that?” “Please. For god’s sake, please, be quiet.” “Listen, buster. I don’t see a crossbow in your hands, okay?” “Harmony, if your incessant prattling bolloxes up this operation, I’m gonna personally yank out your pink and wriggly tongue.” Spike said. Otega looked at Harmony. “What are you looking at?” Michael and Buffy went through the double-doors of the hospital room and found the security guard and Kaz on the floor. “Uh-oh.” Buffy said. Buffy bent over the guard while Michael went to Kaz. “Kaz. Kaz.” Michael helped her sit up. Michael held up four fingers. “How many fingers I got?” “Two.” Kaz said groggily. Michael and Buffy exchanged a concerned look. “Two v-vampires, S-Spike and H-Harmony.” Buffy sighed, “Spike and Harmony, together again.” Michael helped Kaz stand up. They looked around. “Where’s Otega?” Michael said. “Uh, Spike must have taken him. What would Spike want with…” The clue hit. “The chip. He’s gonna force the warlock to remove the chip from his brain.” Michael bent over and put his hands on his knees, panting. He was pale and sweaty. “Michael?” Buffy said concerned. Michael straightened up, breathlessly, “I’m okay. Okay.” To Buffy, Kaz said, “We’re running out of time. We don’t find the warlock soon, he’s not gonna make it.” Thinking fast, Buffy said, “Okay, okay, brain surgery. He, he’s gonna need a medical facility, he-he’s gonna need, uh, uh, equipment…” “This is a big hospital.” Kaz said. “No, uh-uh, he wouldn’t do it here. It’s too risky. We’ll split up. Kaz, get on the horn, or the… pipe, or whatever, I-I want you to check animal hospitals, doctors’ offices…” Kaz walked to the door. Michael stopped her. “Hey, about before…” “We’re good. Apologize later, if you’re not dead.” Kaz left. Michael looked nervously at Buffy, and she walked toward him. Firmly, Buffy said, “You are not going to die.” “Bet you say that to all the boys.” “No. There is one peroxided pest whose number is up.” They started to walk off. “When I get my hands on Spike, I’m gonna rip his head off, I’m gonna…” Spike was still on the operating table. “… bathe in the Slayer’s blood. Gonna dive in it.” With relish. “Swim in it.” Otega and Harmony were behind the sheet, staring at Spike’s brain. Harmony was smoking another cigarette. “I’m gonna do the bloody backstroke.” Harmony blew out smoke, which drifted toward Spike’s face. She began to jump up and down. “I see it, Spikey! I see the chip! It’s nestled in there like… a pretty little Easter egg with your brain all around it like that green plastic grassy stuff… only this is more a gray, like…” “Would you please put out that cigarette? It’s really not allowed.” Otega said. “Oh yeah? Says who?” The warlock turned to look pointedly at the NO SMOKING sign on the wall. “Oh God, sorry! Didn’t see the sign!” She turned away to put out the cigarette. The warlock turned and dropped something into a dish. It made a metallic clinking noise. “The chip’s out.” Otega said and Harmony squealed excitedly. “Didn’t think I could do it, I just… it’s out.” “Yeah?” Spike asked. Jumping up and down, clapping, Harmony said, “Yay! Yay for Spikey!” “Right then.” Spike said determinedly. “Stitch me up, doc. Got places to go. And Slayers to kill.” Harmony stood holding the crossbow. Spike was sitting up while the doctor put a few last stitches in his head. “Listen to me. My stomach’s growling, I’m so starved.” Spike said. The warlock looked nervous, and began to apply a bandage. “I’m afraid I’m gonna have to have me a little snack.” Spike said. Otega looked very nervous. Spike turned his head to speak over his shoulder. “Oh, don’t worry. I won’t fill up on the bread. I’ll still have plenty of room for the main course.” The door opened and Buffy walked in, followed by Michael. “Slayer!” Spike said fiercely. Spike jumped off the table and Harmony moved to stand beside him, holding the crossbow. Buffy and Michael stood side-by-side. They faced-off. The warlock tried to sidle around toward the door. Spike morphed into his vampire face. “Suit up, Harm.” Harmony morphed into her vampire face too. Buffy turned to stop the warlock as he tried to leave. “Stay here”. She pushed him so he fell to the floor. “We’re gonna need you.” “Buffy. I swear I was just thinking of you. I wanted to tell you the great news. My head’s all clear now. No more bug-zapper in my noggin.” “That means I get to kill you.” “You get to try.” The standoff continued. Suddenly the crossbow went off and the arrow flew, landing in Michael’s leg. Buffy looked over at him. Michael didn’t react. “Oops.” Harmony said. Michael stormed toward Harmony, she moved toward him. He brushed the crossbow out of her hands. Buffy punched Spike in the face. Michael threw Harmony down on the operating table, picked her up and threw her against a wall full of equipment. Buffy punched Spike in the face a few more times; he stumbled back against the operating table. Michael punched Harmony, threw her across the room, lent against a counter panting. He turned as Harmony shoved a wheeled chair toward him. He tripped over it and went down. Harmony kicked him in the face. Spike jumped up onto the operating table and grinned down at Buffy. Michael and Harmony were still exchanging blows. “At long last.” Spike said. He leapt on top of Buffy, carrying her to the ground and landing on top of her. He pinned her hands down and bent to bite her neck. Buffy struggled. Spike gave a yell of pain and jerked backward. Buffy punched him, then shoved him off her so he landed next to the warlock. Spike looked angrily at Otega, who looked scared. Michael punched Harmony in the face; she kicked him away. He started toward her again but stopped, grabbing his chest and groaning in pain. “Michael!” Buffy said. Michael stumbled against a metal table and fell down with it on top of him. Harmony looked at her fist, then ran off. Buffy crawled over to Michael and put her hands on his chest. “Michael.” Spike got up and opened the container where the warlock supposedly put his chip. He took out a penny from inside it. Looking at the doctor, Spike said, “A penny?” Getting up, Otega said, “I told you I couldn’t do it.” “Oh God. Doctor! Doctor, we need you now!” The warlock rushed to lift the table off of Michael as Spike and Harmony moved to the door. Spike grabbed his jacket and paused to look back, then turned and left. Buffy and the doctor lifted Michael up to a sitting position. Spike and Harmony ran between trees and gravestones. “Buffy, Buffy, Buffy! Everywhere I turn, she’s there! That nasty little face, that… bouncing shampoo-commercial hair, that whole sodding holier-than-thou attitude.” “Well, aren’t we kinda unholy, by the…” “She follows me, you know, tracks me down. I’m her pet project. Drive Spike round the bend. Makes every day a fresh bout of torture.” He stopped running, picked up a headstone and threw it against another. Harmony cringes as the dust showered her. “Spike!” “You don’t understand. I can’t get rid of her. She’s everywhere. She’s haunting me, Harmony!” He grabbed her upper arms. Harmony looked very scared. Spike stared at her, and slowly calmed down. Quietly, Spike said, “This… has got to end.” Michael was lying on the operating table, with the last of the warlock’s magic fading away. Buffy walked in. “All ‘patched’ up.” Otega said. Otega exited and Michael sat up. Michael was wearing half a pair of black jeans; the other pant-leg had been cut away to help get the arrow out of his leg. A bandage was wrapped around his thigh. Buffy put one hand on Michael’s good leg and lightly touched his chest with her other hand. “How’s it goin’ in there?” Buffy asked. “Good. Back to normal.” Buffy lent her head against his chest to listen to his heartbeat. “Yep.” Michael stroked her hair. She lent back and took his bruised hand in hers, pulling his hand to her heart. “And see… I’m still touchable.” Michael nodded, “Give me a couple of days to heal, and… I’ll take full advantage of that fact.” Buffy smiled, still holding his hand “Are you gonna be okay? ‘Cause I should really go check on my Mom.” Michael looked up at her. “Yeah. Yeah, go ahead. I’ll be fine.” “I’ll talk to you later.” Michael nodded. She leaned up and kissed him softly, then turned away. Buffy pulled her hand out of Michael grasp and left. Michael watched her go, looking pensive. Michael and Kaz walked down the hall in a frat. building. Michael had a noticeable limp. Kaz’s face was still bruised. “It’s a good thing Buffy found you when she did, ‘cause you were about to detonate big-time. Always said she’s pretty impressive.” “You know, she really is.” “I’d like to get my hands on her and find out.” Michael looked at Kaz, surprised for a second, they then both grinned at each other. “Sorry, you know how hot I think Buffy is.” “Yeah, I don’t blame you.” Spike was sleeping in his chair, in his crypt. There were banging noises on the door. Spike opened his eyes and got up as the door flew open and Buffy walked in. “Should have known it’s you. Been nearly six hours.” “Well, it would’ve been less if I wasn’t busy cleaning up your mess.” “My mess? I just borrowed the warlock. The mess is yours, Slayer. Yours and the boy’s.” “I’m done.” She took a stake from her back pocket and walked toward Spike. He looked surprised. “Spike, you’re a killer. And I shoulda done this years ago. Spike looked her in the eye. “You know what? Do it. Bloody just do it.” “What?” “End… my… torment. Seeing you, every day, everywhere I go, every time I turn around. Take me… out of a world… that has you in it!” He yanked off his shirt and threw it aside. “Just kill me!” Buffy stared at him, then raised her stake and lunged. Spike winced, but she stopped at the last minute. They stared into each other’s eyes. Suddenly Spike grabbed Buffy by the upper arms and kissed her passionately. She returned the kiss. It went on for a moment and then Buffy pulled back with a little noise of dismay, bringing her hand to her mouth. She stared at Spike and he stared back, both panting. The stake was gone from her hand. Slowly Buffy dropped her hand from her mouth and walked back to Spike, putting both her hands to the back of his head and pulling him down toward her. They kissed again, very passionate. Spike brought his hands up to clutch her back, kissing her cheek and the side of her neck. Panting, Buffy said, “Spike… I want you.” Muffled against her neck, Spike said, “Buffy, I love you.” He pulled back and Buffy stared at him. “God, I love you so much.” Spike sat up in bed with a gasp. Harmony was sleeping in the bed next to him. Spike sat in the bed, looking horrified, while Harmony continued to sleep. “Oh, God, no. Please, no.”