FF: The Spiral Cage 5/?

[Carol.Clarke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Title: The Spiral Cage
Part Five: Had Enough
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Joss Whedon owns Buffy and Chris Carter owns the
X-Files. 
Rating: NC -17 
Pairing: Joyce/Dana the rest wait and see
Note: This story is in an alternate universe. It does not follow cannon
story lines. The people are different in places because they have lived
different lives. Dana Scully is a lot happier in this world. Dawn was there
from the beginning. And Buffy isn't the Buffy you know. Also there are many
kinds of vampires and demons, mixing them from the X-file world and BTVS,
and other myths. 
Thanks: I can't believe I forgot this: THANKS TO CHERYL HILL!

The Spiral Cage
Had Enough

Dana walked into there home and was berated by teenagers.

"Dana, Willow and Buffy used all the hot water." Dawn screamed from the top
of stairs still wet in her bathrobe. 

"We can't help it if there isn't enough hot water!" Buffy screamed from the
bottom of the stairs in her school uniform.

"Maybe we could take turns taking showers at night?" Willow tried to say
diplomatically as she straightened her uniform. All three girls were going
to a catholic high school. 

"Good idea Willow, Dawn get dressed you'll be late. And you come here I
missed you last night." Joyce said pulling Dana in for a long morning kiss.
All three girls moaned.

"Get a room." Buffy mumbled as she returned to the kitchen.

"They are still in the honeymoon phase, but its still wig-ie." Willow said
walking beside Buffy to the kitchen. 

As the newlyweds pulled apart, Dana whispered in Joyce's ear. "The perfect
way to get the kids out of the room, public display of effect. Thank you. I
was not up for teenage complaints." 

"Are you tired?" Joyce asked still holding Dana in her arms.

"A little, it was a long night. Oh I asked Liam and his lover over Tuesday
night I hope that's ok. His boyfriend is off that night." Dana asked feeling
warm and loved in Joyce's arms and not wanting to leave them. 

"Sounds like fun, I can't wait to meet your partner." Joyce replied leaning
back in for another long kiss. As they were kissing Dawn barreled down the
stairs and past them into the kitchen. 

"Geesh" Was her only comment.

"Mom where is the bread." Was screamed from the kitchen by either Dawn or
Buffy. 

"Come on, kids to feed." Joyce said pulling away from Dana. They both smiled
and walked hand in hand to the kitchen.

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Dana had gone to bed after the kids and Joyce had left. She was tired after
her allnight search that got them no closer to the killer. It was an oddly
peaceful sleep, something she enjoyed since she meet Joyce. Joyce had
completely changed her life and Dana was actually happy. A happiness she
never dreamed when she was working with Fox she could ever have. And Willow
seemed happy too, and that was more important to her. 

Well Dana had been happy until she was woke up to loud music and her
stepdaughter singing/screaming out the lyrics to some Who song from Dana's
youth.

You were under the impression 
That when you were walking forward 
You'd end up further onward 
But things ain't quite that simple. 

You got altered information 
You were told to not take chances 
You missed out on new dances 
Now you're losing all your dimples. 

My jacket's gonna be cut and slim and checked, 
Maybe a touch of seersucker, with an open neck. 
I ride a G.S. scooter with my hair cut neat, 
Wear my wartime coat in the wind and sleet. 

Love Reign O'er Me. 
Love Reign O'er Me. 
Love. 

I've had enough of living 
I've had enough of dying 
I've had enough of smiling 
I've had enough of crying 
I've taken all the high roads 
I've squandered and I've saved 
I've had enough of childhood 
I've had enough of graves... 

Get a job and fight to keep it, 
Strike out to reach a mountain. 
Be so nice on the outside 
But inside keep ambition 

Don't cry because you hunt them 
Hurt them first they'll love you 
There's a millionaire above you 
And you're under his suspicion. 

I've had enough of dancehalls 
I've had enough of pills 
I've had enough of streetfights 
I've seen my share of kills
The Who, Quadrophenia (1973)
I'm finished with the fashions
I've Had Enough
And acting like I'm tough 
I'm bored with hate and passion 
I've had enough of trying to love. 


Dana got out of bed and walked down the hall to Buffy's bedroom. The music
was playing full blast and Dana could still hear Buffy singing and dancing
around the room over the music. For a second she listened not so much to the
words of the song but the anger Buffy was singing them with. It seemed odd
to hear someone so young singing the words 'I've had enough of trying to
love' with such resolve. Dana knock on the door and then just opened it, she
figured Buffy wouldn't be able to hear her over the music.

"Oh, I forgot your home." Buffy said quickly turning the music down. She
really had forgotten Dana was home.

"It's ok, it's about time I was getting up, I have to get back to work."
Dana said but she didn't actually move away from the door. Instead she stood
in the door looking at Buffy carefully.

"How come you home so early?" Dana asked.

"Remember I am the dumb one. Dawn is at Chess club; Willow is at Computer
club. And well I am home not doing my homework yet, because Dawn and Willow
aren't here to help me with it." Buffy replied as she put the headphone jack
into the stereo.

"Your not dumb, and you could have tried out for cheerleading when you
changed schools." Dana said quietly, still studying Buffy.

"Been there, done that, dating cheerleaders in far more fun the being a
cheerleader." Buffy said trying to get her normal rise out of Dana. 

"I'll take your word for it." Dana answered; she was use to Buffy's attempts
at shocking her. 

"Do you want something?" Buffy finally asked when Dana continued to stand in
the door.

"Dr. Webber wants to do another blood test on you next Thursday, The first
one he did, the lab messed up." Dana said slowly.

"That is not my fault, I let you test me for drugs." Buffy almost screamed
at Dana. The FBI agent could actually feel the girls anger as she screamed
the words out. Thick enough to cut the air.

"You were very fair. And your mother and I were impressed at how
professional you were at Dr. Webber office. But I still would like you to
show up for the second test." Dana said carefully trying to bring Buffy's
anger back down. It was like facing down a wild animal. Not really Buffy's
behavior as much as the feeling in the air of the small bedroom. 

"I am not on drugs!" Buffy screamed and flopped on the bed, only to remember
her sore bottom. She quickly jumped up and crossed her arms and glared at
Dana, in a Mexican stand off. 

"I actually believe you. But there is still something wrong. Buffy, this is
more then just teenage angst. And your mother and I are not making you do
this because we don't trust you. It's because we love you." Dana said
carefully. It was the first time she had told Buffy she loved her. She had
always been careful not to say much to her stepdaughters. She didn't want to
push them too much or make them feel uncomfortable. 

"You don't even know me. Look Dana I get that your good to mom. And I like
having Will around. But just leave it at that." Buffy replied crossing her
arms the other way across her body but Dana could feel Buffy's temper
easing. She no longer felt like the girl would at any second ripe out her
throat. Dana then took a good look at her stepdaughter. A long hard clinical
look and she slowly realized what it was she was not seeing. Or rather
something she had heard the girl say to a friend over the phone. 

"How far 'in the life' are you?" Dana asked suddenly. Buffy paled and her
body stiffed enough to let Dana know she was on the right track. 

"That is none of your business." Buffy finally replied as she flopped down
on the bed and pulled the headphones on and started to sing again. Dana just
closed the door and left the room. 

She walked down the hall and back into her bedroom. Picking up her cell
phone she dial Liam. 

"Connor." The vampire answered.

"It's Scully." Dana replied.

"Glad your awake, I didn't call you earlier. Knew you need some sleep. Our
boy murdered again last night. The coroner is still at the sight. 3455
Walbash. Lockley is the LAPD, contact. They moved the body about an hour
ago, but you can look the crime scene over. I asked them to hold the body
for you to do the autopsy. Hope that's ok."

"No jurisdiction problems with that?" Scully asked. Dana knew the LAPD
normally hated FBI interference on a case.

"Kate is in charge and she was the one who asked for the FBI occult unit.
Kate is easy to work with, an she knows about the masquerade, so she is glad
for us to do the dirty work." Liam explained. 

"I really have only met her once or twice. I'll do the autopsy around 8
tonight if she wants to be there; first I want to visit the crime seen. Liam
can I ask you a favor?" Dana asked the last part slowly.

"Sure, what do you need?" Liam replied. He actually liked working with Dana;
she normally was all business.

"Your friend, Tara. You said she is a good healer?" Dana asked carefully.

"One of the best. Why?" Liam replied a little worried.

"My stepdaughter is doing something as Tara said last night 'in the life.'
When Tara said it, I remember hearing Buffy talking on the phone. She is
bisexual. Has both, a boyfriend and a girlfriend, so I just thought it was a
reference to that. Some club teens go to, or something. She really is a good
kid, normal teenage rebellion but a good kid. But there is something odd
going on with her. I had a blood screen done for drugs, and it was off the
map. Counts all over the place. Her doctor said it was a lab mistake, but I
don't believe that. I was wondering if Tara would be willing to look at
Buffy. Do a consult. I would pay her of coarse, I am not asking for a free
be. I just don't know any healers other then my sister Melissa. And she is
more the new age wannabe, I don't... Well until I worked with Fox, I didn't
even believe any of this." Dana replied frustrated. 

"I take it, you also don't want Joyce to know." Liam asked. Somehow he knew
part of her reason for not asking her sister was that she would tell Joyce.

"No, Melissa thinks I am nuts as it is, and your right she and Joyce are
good friends, it's how we met." Dana answered carefully.

"I'll ask her. Tara is funny about her work, but if she won't do it, then
she will at least give me the name of someone who will. Tara has an office
by the way. You could bring Buffy there." Liam added the last part just
above a whisper. 

"That would be great. The sooner, the better. And Liam thanks." Dana
replied, then added, "I am on my way. I should be at the Walbash address in
an hour."

"Kate will be there, waiting. I have some other leads to run down. I'll meet
up with you at the morgue." Liam replied and they both hung up. 

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Dana hadn't expected the multi-million dollar address. It was a beautiful
mansion. She also had forgotten the beautiful but often rude detective that
was Kate Lockley. 

"You're the dyke?" Kate asked as she led Dana through the house to the
murder scene.

"Just an observation, or was it personal interest?" Dana shot back. 

"Gossip mostly, Red headed Febbie that just married the ex wife of a Wolfram
and Hart asshole. The Red Head also has Washington ties, the kind that make
things disappear. Or so the story goes." Kate replied watching Dana as she
led the way through the whole house.

Dana knew the method Kate was using, a kind of baiting for information. You
say something shocking, throw out a few hazy facts, and wait for the person
to set the record straight. "My Washington ties, are not that good. If they
were I would still be in Washington, not LA." Dana answered. 

"And the wife and 3 kids?" Kate asked.

"Oh Yeah, and a 20 year mortgage, two car garaged, and no idea how we are
going to get 3 kids through college." Dana answered back. "So how did he get
in?"

"Don't know, but the best guess is he was let into the house. Still going on
a repairman concept, but it doesn't fell right. The victim was watching TV,
that or the murder propped the body up and turned the TV on. Corner said the
body was killed on the coach. It had to have been fast, he had popcorn in
his left hand, and some in his mouth. As far as we can tell, he was just
sitting there watching TV, eating, and then someone drank his blood. Sorry
someone took his blood. There is a drop or two on the coach, but no other
signs." Kate explained.

Dana walked into the TV room. She could see the popcorn and remote on the
coach. "Remote in his hand or on the coach?" 

"Coach, we would have bagged it with his hands had he been holding it. Got
nothing but smudged prints on the remote, butter popcorn smeared them. But
they're looking to be the victims."

"Who was the victim? Since there is a lack of media, I am guessing he wasn't
Hollywood." Dana asked. 

"Tom Larson, retired software guy. No friends. Dumped his stock when he sold
his company. As far as his housekeeper knows, he spent 90% of his time in
front of the TV watching 1950's Sci Fi. If you looked up geek in the
dictionary you would find Tom Larson." Kate replied.

"Was his housekeeper here?" Dana asked, as she looked over the two drops of
blood on the coach.

"Day off, I was thinking maybe the prep came in as a prostitute. Lonely guy
with lots of money. It would explain why the security cameras were turned
off." Kate stated.

"Wrong kind of vampire. Or a smart vampire covering, leaving the wrong
clues. Look at the change on the table neatly lined up. His shoes untied.
Were the ones in his closet untied too?" Dana asked. 

"All the standard stuff from our guy. Shoes untied. Books shelved, we
brought the housekeeper back through to see what he moved. I'll have a
report to you tomorrow, but it's the guy." Kate said firmly.

"So why Larson? This case just doesn't make any sense. The victims have no
pattern." Dana said in complete frustration as she looked around the room.
Everywhere she looked there we small signs of the obsessive-compulsive
vampire. It was really just a feel about the place, but to those looking it
screamed his presents.

"Which is why I called in the Feds. I don't think LA was his first stop on
the killing fields." Kate replied slowly.

"No, we have him, we think in San Francisco and Denver, but it's hard to
tell for sure. And I think he may have been in Santa Fe. Your right Kate,
this needs to be federal, just don't expect a public trail." Dana admitted.
Ten years ago when she was with Fox Mulder she would never have been so open
with someone she didn't know this well. But she was a different person now. 

"Angel said when you look at the body tonight, you know a way to stop him
from raising if he was infected?" Kate asked carefully.

"I cut a small nerve on the back of the brain steam. If he were going to
rise, it would stop him. If I am careful no one will see the mark. It's why
I get all the fun autopsy?" Dana admitted. Even if Kate were taping her for
some reason, Dana knew her so called Washington contacts would take care of
the evidence. Washington would do anything to keep the masquerade from the
public. 

"And a vamp like Angel, uh Liam, how would you stop him?" Kate asked.

"Stake through the heart. But if you mean someone Liam infected, a soulless
Liam, That seems to be very important to the infection. Well before they
rise, placing a toothpick in the heart works very well. It takes 3 day for
most of blood transfer vampires to rise. The toothpick works just like a
stake. Poof no evidences. Well actually Wellspring vampires leave bones, but
the Dracs, Toronto's, and I don't know six or seven more types leave nothing
when staked, not even cloths." Dana answered, "Why you want to kill Liam?"

"I tried to once, shot him. Didn't work very well. Angel's ok. Not as evil
as I once believe he was, still I like to know how to kill them." Kate
answered serious.

"Personal reasons?" Dana asked as she looked around the room.

"Vampires killed my father. Still not sure what kind. Angel helped me kill
them. I owe him. But were not friends. Right now I am working on not being
enemies with him." Kate replied before walking out of the room.


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