Chapter 12

 

            Ice cold liquid poured over Spike’s head, and as he bolted up, he gagged and choked, struggling to get a breath around the fluid that deluged his nose and mouth.  His hand slipped in some loose dirt, and his left shoulder hit something with a painful jolt.

 

“Finally!” Spike heard himself say. 

 

No, wait. 

 

Not himself. 

 

The Spike from the other dimension. . . vampire Spike.

 

He shook his head and blinked.  The night’s cloak still surrounded them, and vampire Spike resumed talking, “I tried shouting at you, shaking you, shouting at you *and* shaking you. . .”

 

“Where’d you get the water?” Spike managed around a less violent cough. 

 

Demon Spike held up an empty Styrofoam cup that he’d found half-buried in the grass.  “The creek a few hundred feet that way.”  He tilted his head to indicate the direction. 

 

“Ah.”  Spike struggled to his feet, noting the sodden state of his clothing and rubbing his sore shoulder.  “Could’ve tried a less *wet* way to wake me up.  How much water was in that little cup anyway?”  Vampire Spike’s face blurred, and Spike clung to a nearby tree trunk, the bark rough beneath his palms.  Damned concussion. 

 

Spike could almost envision demon Spike rolling his eyes.  “Not important.  What *is* important is that Angel took Buffy away, and they have both pieces of the dimensional key.”

 

The aftereffects of shock and the fading dizzy spell slowed Spike’s processing. “Angel?  Which one?  And where’d they go?”  He slowly let his support go and stood swaying on his own.  “And what happened to the kranooks?”  Not that he stood a chance in hell of surviving any more attacks at the moment.

 

“Gone.  The Angel. . . from here. . . got rid of them with some sort of mind conditioning device.  He, Lorne, and Wesley took off with Buffy and your Angel.  They opened a portal, and they’re returning Stephan’s half of the dimensional key to Stephanie.  At least, that’s what I picked up on.”  

           

            “Bloody hell,” Spike breathed out. 

 

            “That’s the understatement of the year.”

 

            “Why didn’t you try to stop them?”  The ground seemed to be hurtling toward his head.

 

            Vampire Spike grabbed Spike by the arm before he fell.  “By myself?  With Angel having the powers of the kranooks to call down on me?  I may be rash, but I’m not suicidal. . . and I had to lay low anyway.  Angel here doesn’t see me as much of a threat.  Didn’t need him seeing me differently.”

 

            “I have to find Buffy.”  Spike shook off his counterpart’s assistance and staggered a few paces before realizing he had no idea which direction to go.

 

            Demon Spike chuckled at Spike’s attempts.  “Follow me.”

 

            Spike was skeptical and took a step back.  “Why should I trust you?”

 

            The other Spike huffed in response, “Should I leave you stranded in the woods?  I highly doubt you could make it out alive in your condition, what with kranooks lurking about.”

 

            Spike’s stomach was starting to churn, and he began to pace nervously.  “Look.  I don’t know how this world works.  I can’t differentiate the good guys from the bad.  I know it’s not black and white, but. . .”  He trailed off and threw his arms out in disgust.  “I just want to find Buffy and get back to the right dimension.  At least, there I know what’s real and what’s not.”

 

            “You feel grossly inadequate here,” vampire Spike surmised.

 

             The statement was true for both of them. 

 

            Spike’s head dropped.  “Yeah.  I don’t feel that way; I *am.*  Being human isn’t all it’s cracked up to be in the fight against supernatural forces.”

 

            Demon Spike was silent for several seconds.  Then, “Do you know why I’ve stuck around for so long. . . why I stayed around Angel and his cohorts after Buffy passed away?”

 

            Spike said nothing and merely waited, noting that for the first time, his twin didn’t sound jaded. . . just tired. . . as if he’d been at war with himself for a long while.

 

            “I stayed because I know something weird is going on with Angel and the rest of them, and although I don’t have a clue what it is, I want to make sure Celeste is safe. . .that she remains untouched by the darkness that surrounds them.  Buffy. . . her mother. . . wouldn’t want her to be tainted by evil.”

 

            Questions whirled in Spike’s head, and he had trouble deciding which to ask first.  “Why haven’t you looked more into this hunch you had about Angel?”

 

            Vampire Spike hesitated but finally answered, “For a long time, I’ve been the same way you are. . . never letting myself get too involved.  Didn’t feel worthy.  Buffy didn’t choose me, and she asked me to stay out of their business.  So, I stuck to the edges, avoided direct confrontation, listened.  Got involved only enough to know what was happening when.  I have contacts in the firm.  I knew when you and your Buffy arrived, and I knew you weren’t *together*. . .not really.  Angel here likes to keep me up-to-date about certain things. . . things he knows might affect me.  I’ve lain low too long.  Probably why I was so hard on you in the bar.  Saw too much of myself in you.” 

 

            In the minimal light, the two Spikes exchanged understanding looks, and Spike found that he was beginning to trust his alter ego.  

 

            The pounding in his head thrumming anew, he leaned sideways against the closest tree again.  “I get that.  And now’s your chance to do something different.” 

 

            “And yours.”

 

            There was a heartbeat of mutual quiet.

 

            “Got any ideas how we can get back to Vampire Villa?”

 

            Spike’s twin grinned, his teeth glowing white in the moonlight.  “As a matter of fact. . .”  He trailed off and bent to scoop something into the Styrofoam cup.  “I do.”

 

* * *

 

            “The SIT Academy.”  Trying not to let his exhaustion show, Spike lifted an eyebrow at vampire Spike after he read the sign.  “In Louisiana?”

 

            Spike’s counterpart shrugged.  “There’s a lot of supernatural activity in New Orleans.”

 

            “Creative name.”  Spike stared at the small professional sign with his arms crossed. 

 

            “It does the trick.  And most people think it’s just one of those new age meditation, spa places.  Come on in.”  Demon Spike held the door open for Spike, and they entered the tiny building together. 

 

            “It’s small.”  But, at least, the air conditioning was on max, and the carpet provided a cushion for his aching feet.

 

            They were standing in a tiny one-room facility, neatly arranged with two desks arranged in a zigzag fashion so that the room was divided into two work areas.  Hundreds of papers were taped up on every available wall.  Soft yellow light bulbs gave the space an inviting aura, and a door in the back led to a set of narrow stairs.  

 

            Vampire Spike tugged the door closed behind them.  “This is just the office.  There’re training gyms and field operations in several areas throughout the city.”  He scooted past Spike and went to the foot of the staircase.  Peering up, he called, “Jenn!  You up there?”  Pointing up, he explained in a quieter voice, “Supplies.”

 

            Spike nodded and heard a female voice with a strong Southern accent, “Spike, is that you?”

 

            “Yeah, pet, it’s me.”

 

            The voice got louder as Jenn descended the stairs.  “Long time, no visit.  You don’t write; you don’t call.  What gives, Mister?”  With the last syllable, a hand appeared, poking demon Spike in the chest with an index finger.

 

            “Hey, now.  I only get so much travel money.  You know that.”

 

            “Whatever.”  A teenaged girl with short dark curls bounced into the office with a mischievous smile playing about her lips.  Her eyes widened when she took stock of Spike.  “What the hell?”  She glared at demon Spike with accusing daggers in her eyes.  “You didn’t tell me that you had yourself cloned and turned all human!”

 

            Vampire Spike held up his hands with his palms out.  “I didn’t want you to be disappointed in case it didn’t work out.  Where is everyone?”

 

            Absently, Jenn replied, “Oh, out. . . training. . . the usual.”  She proceeded to stalk around Spike, looking him up and down as if he were a prize racehorse.  “Hmmm.  Hair out of place, clothes wrinkled, nasty gash on the head, circles under the eyes,” she ticked off.  Then, she spun on her heel.  “You didn’t do a very good job.”  With that, she gave the startled Spike a little hug and then hopped onto the nearby desk.  Addressing Spike, she asked, “So, who are you, hun?”

 

            Spike wasn’t sure how to react, and then, he smirked.  This little girl calling him “hun” reminded him of Dawn.  Jenn was playful, but he was betting that she’d borne a lot of hardship.  Most Slayers, even as Slayers-in-training, did.  “Spike.”

 

            “Uh huh.  And I’m Cindy Crawford.”  She cocked her head back to demon Spike.  “This isn’t a glamour?”

 

            Spike’s twin shook his head in amusement.  “Nope.”

 

            “Okay, then.”  She tapped her cherry-colored lips with her forefinger, and to Spike’s surprise, she was frighteningly accurate with her next observations, “Let’s see.  You’re not a clone or a glamour. . . sooo you must be the Spike of another dimension.  Aaand you’re human, so you must have gotten Angel’s shanshu.  Man, I bet he was royally pissed.”

 

            Demon Spike came around the side of Jenn and put his arm around her in a brotherly fashion.  Jenn swung her legs back and forth in response.  “She’s good, isn’t she?  I told you I had an ‘in’ in Angel’s world.” 

 

            Jenn winked at Spike.  “I provide services to them occasionally.  Anything I run across that’s fishy; I tell Spike here.  And of course, usually Willow.” 

 

            “Uh huh,” Spike commented.  He wasn’t sure what was more unreal: seeing someone who looked exactly like him interacting with a total stranger or witnessing his counterpart being overtly loving toward someone.  “And how can she. . . you help us?”

 

            “Well, in addition to being a second-year slayer trainee, Miss Jenn here is also a certified witch.”

 

            Jenn bobbed her head in agreement.  “Trained by Willow Rosenberg herself.  She discovered me when I was twelve; I was in an orphanage run by vampires.  Willow and Spike rescued me.  Now, what do y’all need help with?”

 

* * *

           

            With the level of confidence that reminded Spike of teenaged Buffy, Jenn breezed into the packed demon bar, a hole-in-the-wall pub nestled in the darker part of New Orleans.  Twin bleached blonde heads tailed her.  She’d changed from cutoff shorts and a tiny t-shirt into black leather pants, boots, and a white tank top. 

 

            She’d explained her outfit to the two Spikes who had threatened to send her to put on a muumuu.  “Now, we’re going to see someone who can help you two.  He likes leather.  I tend to placate him when I need something from him.”

 

            And that had ended the conversation. 

 

            Spike was grateful that her careful preparations had given him time to shower and clean up, eat something, and take a brief nap.  He’d been energized and was ready to knock down whole armies to rescue Buffy and Angel. . . his world’s Angel.  And vampire Spike had raided the SIT Academy’s storage for weapons and leather of their own.  Spike now had three beautifully carved stakes concealed on his personage, and the crisp smell of leather gave him an edge that he’d thought he lost somewhere during the current mission. 

 

            Now he was in the demon bar with his other self and a young witch, and he was feeling his confidence return.  Demons of all types gave him the once over, but he didn’t even blink.  Just let them try to dust him.  He was ready. 

 

            Jenn slapped both hands on the bar.  “Okay, Charles.  I need to speak to L’Gant.”

 

            Spike immediately recognized the name, and his blood sang.  This was just getting better and better. 

 

            Charles slung the white towel in his hand to one side.  “You sure about that, Jennie?”

 

            She jutted her chin up.  “I am.”

 

            “Even after last time?”

 

            “Even after.”

 

            Charles looked doubtful.  “Okay, if that’s what you want.”

 

            “Yep, it’s what I want.”  She pulled herself onto the barstool in front of her.  “Don’t mind if I help myself to an olive or two.”  She reached back and snagged a handful of green olives, popping one in her mouth.

 

            Demon Spike leaned over her shoulder, “L’Gant, you said?”

 

            Jenn smiled, her jaw working over an olive.  “Uh huh.”

 

            Spike’s twin grew his own smile and glanced at Spike who couldn’t resist, “Poker game L’Gant?”

 

            “The one and only,” a voice boomed from behind them. 

 

            Spike surveyed L’Gant’s massive form with a little bit too much disdain.  This demon could kill him with a flick of his wrist. . . now.  Of course, first, L’Gant had to catch him.  “Well, well, well, looks like the infamous L’Gant’s put on a few extra pounds.”

 

            “All muscle,” L’Gant growled.  He glared at Spike with his two pairs of violent eyes.  “Looks like you got yourself a soul and a bit of humanity.  Makes you weak.”  He noted demon Spike.  “Hmm.  Two Spikes.  And another with a soul but still demon.  You either got yourself split in half. . .or. . .”  He frowned at Jenn with a thin, twisted grey mouth, eyes narrowing.  “Is this your doing, witch?” 

 

            “Nope.”  Jenn sounded too perky as she leaned back on her elbows.

 

            He looked down his nose at her.  “You know, I haven’t forgotten what you did to me last time you entered this bar.”

 

            “Oh, yeah?  Remind me.”

 

            The giant demon snarled, “Gladly.”  And with that, he lunged at the trio, looking like he was ready to rip them apart.

 

* * *

 

What happened to Buffy and Angel? Stay tuned to find out where they are! Next chapter! ;o)