Queen Bee
by cathy nort
chapter 14
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"Feel up to a little chat, Dusty?"
Dusty had just come to to find Buffy sitting on the bed at her hip. It took her a few moments to clear her head, And to recall what had happened. She had been kissing Buffy when......."Where did you learn that move?"
Buffy ignored the question. This wasn't the time to be discussing just what martial arts skills she possessed.
"Dorie?" Dusty sputtered rasing her head to peer around the room. "What have you done to her?"
Buffy ignored that question too. "I want you to tell me how to get out of here. While you were napping I took a look around. That door at the top of the stairs is everything Dorie said. No way it can be busted down. Still I find what else she told me, that it could only be opened from the other side, a bit farfetched or..... Doesn't seem reasonable that you would wander down here and, in a sense, become a captive of your own device. If I have guessed right either you know how to get out on your own or there is someone up there you can contact to open it. Now which is it?"
Dusty answered by averting her eyes.
"Come on Dusty. Let's get down to business. You can't kill me. I'm too valuable to you. For the moment at least. I have a sneaking suspicion that in a few days that won't be the case."
"Not true Buffy. For God sakes all you have to do is share a little of your blood and you can be on your way. I freed your girl friend. And your sister. That was generous on my part wasn't it. I won't harm you either. Once this is all over you'll be free to go on your way."
"Oh come on Dusty. Don't treat me like a fool. Yes, you let them go because you thought I'd be easier to handle if you did." Buffy said. " That I'd be more apt to be accommodating. I'm sure you're aware I can be extremely irritable when pushed too far. You let Willow and Dawn go because they were no threat to you. Not worth their being held captive. Both were unconscious when you brought them here. And unconscious when they left. They haven't the slightest idea where they were so they won't be able to tell anyone where they were being held. On the other hand........" Buffy focused on Dusty.
Then she continued. "On the other hand that is not how it is in my case. I know exactly where I am and how to get here. I don't think that you can afford to let me go after I share my drops of blood with whatever you have planned. I don't for a moment think I am going to be alive for very long after."
"Buffy that's not true. I have nothing against you personably. I'm just trying to take care of my needs. And the other girls."
That Dusty was lying was so obvious Buffy had to inwardly laugh. The problem tho was how to get out of the basement. The drug was still tormenting her insides and Buffy had to fight the flashes of urges that kept popping into her head. Dusty was lying helpless before and Buffy longed to explore with her hands Dusty's ripe body. The thought of postponing her escape and to let herself disappear into a sexual bliss with Dusty was becoming extremely powerful.
Dusty was watching Buffy carefully aware, it seemed, of what emotions Buffy was fighting. "I know what you want Buffy. Take me. I'm yours. Kiss me touch me."
Buffy sprang from the bed. "Shut up!!" she cried. "I'm not yours to have. I'm Willow's. All of me is hers. Every inch. Every breath."
Buffy spun and left the room. in the corridor she gathered her wits putting thoughts of Dusty out of her head and returning to the problem of escaping. She, despite holding the upper hand, was no closer to freedom than she had been before. She had Dusty. She had Dorie. If she could lure the others down she could at least try to deal with them. They would have to, at least one of them, come down to see where Dusty was. But it dawned on Buffy that she had another weapon to use.
Buffy returned to the room Dorie slept in. If she was a Slayer she would have stakes. Lots of them. And Buffy found them. They were tucked in a small trunk in the back of the closet. Buffy carried it out and opened it. Buffy selected the sharpest one and then returned to the room where Dorie and Dusty were being held. Dorie had regained consciousness and was staring at the ceiling. She hardly seemed to notice as Buffy came in.
Buffy knelt beside Dorie banishing the stake for Dorie to see. "Time to play, Dorie. Show and tell." Buffy placed the point of the stake below Dorie's breasts directly over the heart. "Your life for my freedom."
Dorie's chest heaved as she looked fearfully at the stake, then at Buffy.
"Tell me how to get out of here. What's the secret? Who's up there to open the door?" Buffy asked softly.
Dorie remained silent so Buffy spoke more forcibly. "She's going to let you die Dorie. And trust me I will kill you. And her. She's going to die regardless of what happens here. She can't live without my blood. She'll shrivel up like a prune without it. And even if I have to kill myself she won't get a drop of it. Now here's the deal Dorie, Dusty is going to die and she knows it so I have no leverage with her. But you're still young and I'm certain even living a normal life span is preferable to dying in a few moments, now isn't it?"
Dorie nodded.
"I thought so. You tell me how to get out of here, I know there is a way and I'll let you live. Also, I don't want any unsuspecting surprises so is someone up there? And how many?"
"Jaunita. Just her. There's a code we use when we want to get out. three taps on the door then four more."
Buffy looked up at Dusty who had turned her head to the wall. She new it was all over and what she was thinking only she knew.
Buffy repeated what Dorie had told her. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Here's what I'll do. I'll have to take care of Juanita. When she wakes up she can come down and untie you. Do yourself, both of you, a favor and leave Dusty tied up. She's," and Buffy glanced toward the girl on the bed, "history. I wouldn't trust her if I were you. Get your buns out of here. I'll give you a head start. I have to tell you if I ever see you again I will have to deal with you. Got that?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now try to behave from here on in. Do you understand?''
Buffy stood and gave Dusty one last look. Dusty wasn't looking back but if Buffy had known what Dusty was thinking ........ which was that Buffy hadn't seen the last of her. Not by a long shot.