disclaimer in part 1

Conduct Unbecoming

by: Mediancat and Danielle

Part 12

Cordelia Chase was shocked at herself.

Shocked at how ANGRY she'd felt at Drusilla. Her therapist would probably say she was working out some Xander-rage, but she didn't care. She'd wanted the troublesome bitch DEAD.

Shocked at how deeply she cared -- not for Xander, but for WILLOW. Funny how a year and a half ago Willow had just been a shy, geeky girl with no taste in clothes, makeup or men. And she was still geeky, still had NO taste in clothes (Cordy KNEW she could help Willow tremendously with three hours at a Neiman Marcus and her Daddy's platinum card), but it didn't matter as much any more. Those things were still WAY important. They just weren't everything.

Shocked at her love for Xander. She had this desperate fear that it wasn't returned; every time she tried to open up to him emotionally -- like she did at the pool when she thought he'd gone all fishboy -- he ignored it. But she loved him, how did the song go, truly, madly, deeply.

That had been the title of a movie first. Cordelia was proud of herself for knowing that.

And, finally, shocked that she hadn't even noticed the horrible disfigurement of her face until Willow had pointed it out to her. The doctor that had looked at her had said she was very lucky not to have suffered worse damage than a broken nose and all those stitches on her forehead. She could brush her hair to cover that, fortunately --

So, having been fixed up fairly quickly, she sat in the waiting toom to hear about Willow. Must've been the adrenalin, because by the time they'd gotten to the hospital she'd been whimpering in pain.

Cordelia'd called the library, and Giles, Oz, Xander -- and for some reason Joyce Summers -- were coming. She paced for ten minutes until she heard the familiar voices behind her. She rushed up to them and tried to explain what happened -- and noticed them staring at her face. In exasperation, she said, "People! I realize my face is bad, but it's not that big a deal, really. Now, what's going on? Why is Drusilla back in town?"

Xander looked at her very carefully. Then he turned to Oz and Giles and said, "It looks like Cordelia, it talks like Cordelia -- but it doesn't care how it looks."

"An intriguing mystery," Giles commented.

Cordelia realized she was being made fun of and stomped her foot in frustration, then said, "Come on!"

Nervously, Oz asked, "How's Willow?"

In frustration Cordelia shrieked, "I don't know! They won't tell me yet." So they ALL started pacing, except for Giles, who just stood there with a worried look on his face as he quietly explained to Cordelia about Spike and Drusilla and Spike's promise to Buffy. Majorly weird.

FINALLY an orderly pushed Willow out, accompanied by a doctor. Xander and Oz rushed over and said "Willow!" at the same time. They stopped and looked at each other, and Xander bowed and said. "You first."

Surprised, the guitarist muttered "thanks," and hugged his girlfriend. Then Xander moved in and squeezed her shoulder as Giles asked, "Are, are you alright? What happened?"

The doctor looked down at the pale -- now smiling, must be Oz -- girl and invited her to explain. "Rebroke my legs, all the healing of the last week and a half, poof! But nothing new --"

Everyone said variants on "Thank God." Nothing else was really necessary.

Xander watched Willow and Oz's happy reunion and Cordelia saw a bit of sadness in his eyes. He deserved it, but --

Not to her. She walked up, and carefully protecting her nose, kissed him on the cheek. "Penny for your thoughts. It's really more than they're worth, but -- "

He grinned at her lame insult and said, "Three things. One, I'm glad you and Willow are alright. Two,I'm really sorry for being such a colossal jackass." Leaning in, she kissed him again. She didn't even mind the pain it caused. When he broke free, he went "Whew! Three, I need to go look for Drusilla before she comes back to hurt any of you again." Calling over to Willow, Xander said, "Will!" She looked up. "I'm sorry for being such a jerk. To you too, hair -- Oz. I'm going to try to find Drusilla." Then he turned and made for the door.

She hurried after him. "Xander!" she said. Could she tell him that she loved him?

No. It might distract him too much. Looking for Drusilla by himself, he didn't need it. "Kick her ass." He looked stunned for a second, then guilty, then he turned and left.

Well, THERE was gratitude for you . . .

* * * * *

Buffy wasn't really sure how to react. A dozen thoughts flew through her head when she saw the Thesulan orb, ranging from the horrific unfairness of it all -- Spike and Dru cause ALL this damn trouble and get to go waltzing off into the sunset with souls, while Angel, her Angel, the man she loved, was trapped in Hell.

She almost said no just because of that.

Then, of course, she really and truly wasn't sure the two of them could cast it alone, and Drusilla certainly wasn't going to be much help when she woke up.

And, finally, a practical objection. She brought this up first. "Okay, Spike. Worth thinking about. But you're not really all that nice with your soul; what makes you think Dru still won't be in the mood to off my friends once she's souled again? Soul or not, she's still crazy."

Spike tensed, obviously not liking what Buffy was saying about his girlfriend. But after a second he calmed down and said, "A fair question, Slayer, and one I HADN'T thought about. It'll be a gamble either way. Best I can do is tell you what Angelus told me about Dru before he converted her -- that she was one of the sweetest, kindest people he knew. One of the reasons he took such pleasure in --" The disgust and displeasure must have shown on Buffy's face, because Spike suddenly broke off. In a gentler voice, he added, "The story bothers you, too? It was one of the reasons I despised Angelus, his callous treatment of my Dru. The way he drove her mad."

That was sweet, but really cold comfort for Buffy, who still wasn't sure whether it was either fair or worth the risk. She was interrupted before she could answer by a voice from the floor --

"Spikey, my Angel loved me. He would never have hurt me, ever," Damn! Drusilla awake -- With steel in her tone, the crazy vampire continued, "But YOU, good Slayer --- he would have hurt your friends. I will hurt your friends for helping you kill my Daddy. Can you hear his screams? Can you? I can -- he's screaming for you, Buffy. And you betrayed him. You sent him there."

Sighing, Spike told his love, "Now, Dru. That's not very nice of you. Here's the Slayer trying to help us, and you go and torture her like that."

Grinning, Drusilla looked at Spike. "What's wrong with you, Spike? You used to be like ice inside, all hard and cold. Now the ice is melting . . . I don't trust you any more. I was going to ask you to join me in killing the Slayer's friends, but you wouldn't do that, would you? No, not anymore . . ." She sprang to her feet and with a rush of horror Buffy realized that Drusilla was closer to the door than they were. "Say goodbye to your friends, Buffy." She smiled a smile of sheer evil and turned and ran for the exit.

Simultaneously Spike and Buffy swore and chased after her -- only to be shocked when she staggered backwards into Spike's arms. Not knowing, not caring, Spike said, "I seem to keep apologizing for this, love," and struck Dru with his right palm in the back of her skull. Limply she dropped to the ground.

Now time to find out who -- damn, damn, damn. Of all the people to find her here, now --

He came into the room, startled, then seeing Spike. "Oh. You got her. Well, guess I'll be --" then he saw her. "Buffy!"

She smiled briefly. "Hi, Xander."

CONTINUES