FIC: Darkest Before the Dawn (2/?)

[~~Kimber <kacoe@xxxxxxx>]

*grin* Ask and you shall recieve!!!!

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TITLE: Darkest Before the Dawn (2/?)
AUTHOR: Kimber (kacoe@xxxxxxx)
DISCLAIMER: All BTVS characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

PAIRING: Multi-Slash pairings
RATING: R or NC17. . .mostly for language but there might be a few
naughty situations thrown in there for my amusement.
SUMMARY: This is set in an alternate universe. Two Wiccans have been
captured by the Initiative (theyre evil) and its up to the chosen two
to save them. Throw in a not-so-wacky vamp on a deserted island and,
well. . .read on to find out exactly what happens!
SPOILERS: Everything is fair game, including season 5 speculations.
DISTRIBUTION: Pat Kelly, Rodrigo, Gary Thompson, Syrenslure,
Serendipity and J&J Xena Site. Anyone else, e-mail me please.
AUTHORS NOTES: This is in response to a challenge Shadowlander offered
me. Be afraid, be very afraid. See what happens when you put the two
of us together for way too long? Ive been officially corrupted, but in
a good way. Any complaints about my decent into darkness can be
directed to her. *rofl*
<. . .> denotes thoughts. - ((. . .)) denotes dreams. - *. . .* denotes
emphasis.

-----------

Outskirts of Sunnydale, CA  Mid evening

A black Hummer with tinted windows rumbled down the one and only main
street of Sunnydale. Inside was a very pissed off Slayer. Not only had
she gotten a flat tire, but Drusillas damn minion forgot to fill the
tank. <Friggin Morons.> She should have been at Giles over three
hours ago. She called Buffys dorm room from the cell phone and
received no answer, so she assumed that the Scoobs were gathered at the
Watchers. A thought crept into her mind about the kind of experiments
the Initiative did on her and she shivered at the thought of Willow and
Tara enduring it.

Two short years ago, she found herself in the same position the Wiccans
were in now. Shed been captured and held in one of those antiseptic
rooms. They feed her well, but she refused after she discovered that
her slayer strength was fading. After a while, they began to do
experiments on her and inject all kinds of shit into her system. It
seemed like their favorite little concoction had a glowing blue tint to
it. She fought her hardest when they tried to inject *that* into her
veins. Thats when the dreams started. Dreams of chaos and mayhem,
blood letting and torture. She awoke in the middle of the night
screaming for a week, unable to close her eyes again to face it all.
Only from sheer exhaustion did she succumb to slumber  then the dreams
came again. She couldnt be sure how much time had passed  later she
was informed that it was about three months  but the one thing she was
sure of was that they wouldnt break her, she wouldnt give in.

As suddenly as she was captured, she was freed. A dark haired woman
hovered above her like an angel and she knew, somewhere in the back of
her mind, that she could rest again. Three days passed before she had a
coherent thought and was able to sit up on her own. There had been no
chaos or mayhem in her release  the woman, the Eternal Vampire  simply
slipped into the complex like a thief in the night and stole her away.
No fuss, no muss as Drucilla put it. Their time would come and theyd
pay and pay and pay.

She pulled up in front of the apartment complex, grabbed her backpack
and jumped out. Images from the previous nights dream still danced
around in her head. She was now more determined than ever to find the
two Wiccans and put an end to the Initiatives reign over Sunnydale. It
had gone on far too long.

-------

Hows she doing?

Rupert Giles looked up from the mass of papers sprawled across his
antique desk. Hed been writing notes and reading over old ones hed
collected over the past two years or so. What seemed like day was in
reality only a few hours. <How is she doing?> He closed his eyes for a
moment. <Shes more frightened than Ive ever seen her in her life.
She shaking, even in her sleep. Shes calling out the only name thats
been imprinted on her brain since she walked through the door  since
the attack last night. I dont know what to do, I dont know how to
help her.> He opened his eyes and looked to where the question came
from. Shes fine.

Are you sure Rupert? Shes awfully restless.

He rose to his feet and stretched. I can assure you Joyce, shes
fine. Shes had quite the traumatic experience and its taken its
toll. Let her have this time to rest now. Im not sure when shell be
allowed the luxury again. He tried to offer her a reassuring smile.

She seemed sated for the moment. Thank you. For taking care of her I
mean. When you called, I couldnt get away from the gallery and when I
finally arrived, shes sleeping. Some mother I turned out to be.

He gave her a sympathetic look. I understand your worry. I look to her
as the daughter I never knew. Im afraid you are in a position that no
other matriarchal figure has ever knowingly been in before. Youre the
mother of a Slayer  You must be given allowances. You do have your own
life.

Joyce glanced at her watch. Speaking of which. She put her coat on
and grabbed her briefcase. I have to get going. I only had an hour
for lunch and Ive been gone for two. Please keep me updated and thank
you again.

He smiled at her as she closed the door. He moved to the kitchen and
put on a pot of water. Just as he was about to sit down again, a knock
came at the door. He opened it and stood speechless for a few moments,
then finally found enough composure to greet the visitor. Faith.
Hello. What brings you to. . .

She pushed past him and set her backpack on the floor. No time for
making nice G-man. Wheres B? She folded her arms across her chest
and waited for a response.

Can you, um, tell me what this is about?

You know damn well what this is about. She sat on the back of the
couch and removed her jacket. Dreams, Giles. And Im not talking
about the fluffy pink elephant romping around the forest kind either.
Slayer dreams. Big bad, piss in your pants, flee in terror dreams.
She looked around the room. Wheres Willow? She noticed his mouth
moving but there wasnt any sound coming from it. Suddenly, she jumped
up from the couch and yelled. I knew it! I fucking knew it. Those
bastards are using her and her little witch friend as guinea pigs,
arent they? When were they taken? Wheres B? Answer me damn it!

---------------


The Initiative compound beneath Lowell House - the exact same moment. .
.

The first thought that came to her mind was to lay completely still.
That way, if they came back, maybe theyd think she was dead and they
would leave her alone. That way, when they were carrying her dead,
lifeless corpse out she could spring up and run at the first intake of
fresh air. So much for plan A.

She chanced a peek through slit eyelids at her surroundings. She was in
a completely white room on what felt like a very large bed. It was your
basic rubber room set-up, complete with two way mirror on one of the
walls. She tried to normalize her breathing as much as possible so as
not to be detected. She heard some rustling come from behind her and
automatically stiffened.

A more-meek-than-usual, familiar voice whispered to her from behind.
Willow. Are you awake?

<Tara.> Yes. Where are we?

Tara breathed a small sigh of relief though you wouldnt have detected
relief in the tone of her trembling voice. I dont know. Another
sigh. I-Im so scared.

Willow reached her hand out slowly and found that the other girls hand
met her half-way. Itll be okay. Buffy will find us. Well be
okay. She said it for herself as much as the girl trembling beside
her.

Images that were once murky and unclear suddenly shifted into focus.
Riley. Buffy was on patrol and Riley came looking for her. Willow
thought it was odd because they usually did patrols together and he
*knew* shed be out. He charmed his way into the room, making some
excuse about leaving a weapon there. Willow began to look for it  she
didnt even know what she was looking for  and the moment she turned
her back he jumped on her. She could tell he didnt use all of his
strength, probably because he expected her to give up and go willingly.
They struggled. She finally got her hands on the tweety bird alarm
clock Oz had given her back in high school and smashed him over the head
with it. Before she knew what was happening, she was being chased
across campus by what looked like half of the Initiative. She managed
to cut through town  very smart considering that they were in fatigues
and she knew they wouldnt risk exposure. Her mistake came when she
decided to go find Buffy in the Peaceful Rest cemetery. They cornered
her. Buffy came running at full tilt when she heard the commotion but
it was too late, there were too many of them. They knocked the Slayer
around like a rag doll and dragged Willow away kicking and screaming.

Absentmindedly, she reached for the pentagram necklace Tara had given
her as a gift. It was gone. She must have lost it in the struggle.
The next thing she remembered was cold tile, probably the floor of the
room she was in now. That changed quickly when more Agents of the
Initiative came to drag her away. Again she put up a fight but was only
knocked unconscious for her trouble.

Now she lay here, her hand clasped with her equally frightened Wiccan
friend and they were in a heap of trouble.

Are we being watched? Tara whispered.

Probably. Thats a two way mirror over there. Willow pointed to the
wall opposite them. And theres a security camera over there in the
ceiling.

Tara sighed again. So it doesnt matter what we do or say. Theyre
gonna hear and see us anyway.

Willow nodded. Which, in hindsight, probably wasnt a good idea
considering the screaming protest that came from lump on the back of her
head. Ouch!

Thats a nasty bump. I saw you put up a fight with them. Tara
squeezed her hand. You were, um, very brave.

Willow smiled despite the gravity of the situation. Remind me how much
brave hurts next time I try to be brave.

The minutes ticked by in silence.

Um, Willow?

Hmm?

Would you. . .look at me? Id feel better if you, I mean if I could. .
.

She stopped speaking when Willow began to turn over to look at the other
girl. Once positioned somewhat comfortably she smiled. Better?

Tara stared at her for what seemed like an eternity. She slowly shook
her head and a tear escaped from the corner of her eye. Oh, Willow.
She reached her hand out and lightly touched the redheads cheek. What
did they do to you?

Willow scrunched her eyebrows and felt a tightness in her skin. She
reached up and felt around her face, wincing slightly every inch or
two. How bad is it?

Not that bad. I guess. Was all Tara managed to squeak out, albeit
unconvincingly.

Willow brought her free hand down from her face and studied it, turning
it around and around for inspection. There were bruises and cuts all
over her hands. . .her wrists had taken on what would have been a pretty
shade of purple had it been anyplace *but* on her body. She closed her
eyes in pain when the salty tears began their decent down her face.
Ouch. . .again.

A trap door in the ceiling suddenly opened and a small white package was
dropped into the room. Tara got up to retrieve it and sat down next to
Willow.

She didnt even bother to open her eyes. What is it?

Its ay-a first aid kit.

Willow opened her eyes and was almost physically pained by the
expression on Taras face. <Be brave, Rosenberg. Youre not the
Slayers best friend by chance.> Hey, Ill be okay. Yeah, it kind of
hurts but. . .Im sure Ill feel much better after you clean me up.

Tara put her head down and shook her head in protest. N-No. . I might
hurt you. I couldnt.

Tara. Willow forced herself to a sitting position. You have to, I
cant see what Im doing and if you dont then the cuts are sure to get
infected. I know you would never hurt me intentionally. She placed
her hand on Taras.

The blond witch thought about this for a few moments and finally
relented. Okay, but Im sorry. . .because I *know* Im going to hurt
you and. . .I just wanted to say that right up front. She opened the
kit and rummaged around until she found what she was looking for. How
about I start with your hands first?

Willow nodded. She watched as Tara opened the bottle of iodine and
placed the first drop on her hand. She watched as it seeped into the
first of many splits in her skin. She winced and clenched her teeth.
Ooooooh! I *so* felt that!!!

----------

Back at Giles' apartment

Son of a bitch! Faith was pacing around the room, unable to contain
her anger or frustration any longer. When I got a hold of that Finn
bastard hes not gonna know what hit him!

Faith, as much as I can appreciate your frustration, profanity isnt
going to help the situation at all. Giles rubbed his temples. And
your giving me a terrible headache.

Buffy walked down the stairs quickly at the sound of the other Slayers
voice. Faith.

Nice to see you up and adam, B. What the hell took so long? Ive been
ranting and raving down here for about an hour.

An hour and forty six minutes. Giles mumbled under his breath.

Buffy crossed the room and stopped in front of the dark Slayer. So you
know then. Did Giles call you? She glanced over at her Watcher.

Hell no, B. I woke up bathed in sweat from head to toe. . .and it
wasnt from screwin.

Buffy was used to Faith-speak by now, so she was non-pulsed by the
reference. She did however chuckle when she saw the shade of red Giles
was turning. Lets go grab something to eat and Ill fill you in.
She grabbed her jacket and turned to Giles. Give us about an hour and
well be back. You gonna keep going through the notes?

He nodded. Yes, Im glad I saved everything from our first suspicions
of the commandos. And Buffy?

Hmm?

Thank you for um. . .taking Faith. Away. He rolled his eyes.

She smiled. No prob. I know how abrasive she can be. She almost put
Will into a coma when she told the story about the alligator.

Alligator? He shook his head. Never mind. Im much better off not
knowing.

---------------

The Initiative Compound  two hours later.

Status report soldier.

No change. Minimal conversation. They did use the first aid kit.
Other than that theres been no activity.

Carry on.

Riley walked down the corridor and stood outside room three. He needed
to get them to communicate with each other. . .but how? He was now an
obvious threat to them, he knew theyd never trust him again.

He watched for a few more moments then a thought struck him and he
smiled. He strode over to the phone on the wall and punched in an
extension.

This is Agent Finn. Send Miller down here. Immediately. He hung up
the phone and waited.

To be continued. . .


--
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http://www.kimbers-corner.net
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Your humble bard,
~~Kimber
(sig thinks it's a comedian. . .)
"One out of every ten people is born to give the other nine trouble.
Guess what number I am."

"Seduce my mind and you can have my body but find my soul and I'm yours
forever" -- "To be loved is to be fortunate, but to be hated is to
achieve distinction." -- "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and
it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems
like a minute. That's relativity." -- "Love is friendship set on
fire." -- "Everybody is somebody else's weirdo." -- "I refuse to
enter a battle of the wits with you. It's against my morals to attack
an unarmed person." -- "I'm like a mosquito in a nudist camp; I know
what I should to do, but I dont know where to start!" -- Reality is a
just temporary illusion caused by a lack of alcohol in the
bloodstream." -- "I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have
been more specific." -- "I like long walks, especially when taken by
people who annoy me." -- "Madness takes its toll. Please have exact
change." -- "There is a fine line between the sane and the insane. I
walk that line. Walk with me."