Darien paced around the Magic Box, unable to stay in one spot for more than a few seconds. He hadn't felt this on edge since the last time he was in front of the judge, but there was nothing he could do that would stop this feeling. Willow and Anya were bent over various books as they searched for the spell for Angel, and Bobby was standing near the door, glaring out at the darkening streets as if he could protect Darien with the force of his glare alone.
"Darien, if you don't stop pacing, I'm going to tie you to the chair with chains," growled Bobby, his eyes flashing a warning.
"I'm sorry, but I can't help it," he sighed, running a hand through his hair again. "I've never been good at waiting for the bad guys to come get me." He walked over and stood next to Bobby, gazing out at the night. He leaned against Bobby, taking comfort in his sire's presence, and felt his nervousness slowly drain out of him when a strong hand reached up to rub his back. It wasn't so much the fact that there was a group of humans and vampires that were actively pursuing him, but his nightmare about Arnaud that had him tied up in knots of quivering tension. He only hoped that this was over with soon because he wasn't sure if he'd be able to go back to sleep if Arnaud was waiting for him in his dreams.
A familiar presence intruded on his awareness and with a bit of concentration, Darien realized that it was Spike and Angel approaching the store. < How do I know it's them? Spike I've known for a while but Angel I just met last night. > Darien thought for a few minutes before finally shrugging and chalking it up to a demon thing. Just when he reached this decision, the front door opened and the two vampires swept in as if they had never spent a day apart.
"Willie said that a group of vampires have rented several rooms at the Sunset Strip Hotel," began Angel, pausing in the middle of the room and gazing around at everyone there. Darien felt the last of his nervousness vanish under that calm gaze. "From what he can tell, there are about twelve that are stronger and seem to be in charge of the others but the final total is about thirty."
"Group of humans checked in a day later, 'bout fifteen in all," added Spike in a lazy drawl before his eyes focused on Giles and Claire. "An' all are English." If he was expecting a reaction, it didn't take long for it to happen. Claire sighed and leaned into Ebert's arms while Giles swore long and loud as he stormed over to the counter.
Finally, Giles managed to stop swearing after several minutes and leaned on the table, staring around at the mix of young adults and vampires scattered about the shop. "We'll deal with the Council after we get rid of the vampire half of this group," he remarked, his voice holding a trace of hostility that had Willow and Spike grinning. "Now, any suggestions?"
Angel frowned, thoughtfully. "Twelve master vampires can only mean that the Twelve Clans have decided to team up and come after Darien," he said. "Each clan probably sent a childe with minions." He shrugged. "The all we have to do is confront the childer and let them know that Darien is part of my clan and any attack against him will be an attack against the Order of Aurelius. After that, the Watchers can return to London because I doubt that they have enough courage to face the Scourge of Europe by themselves."
Spike snorted. "Not if they're smart, they won't," he agreed, leaning against the table. He glanced down at the books and raised his eyes to smile at Willow. "Find that spell yet?"
"Unfortunately, no," sighed Willow, running a hand through her hair as she stepped into Spike's arms. "I just can't find any spell that will let a bond go one way or even a couple of them to achieve that effect when combined." Spike pulled her close and nuzzled her neck in a comforting gesture as Darien looked around at everyone.
"So now what?" he asked, closing his eyes as waves of exhaustion washed over him. He still hadn't completely recovered from his injury from last night < Was it just last night? It seemed like days ago. > and now he just wanted these people to go away so he could just curl up with Bobby in bed and go back to sleep. Strong arms wrapped around him and pulled him closer to a firm body and he looked down, surprised, to see Bobby holding him close. Instead of wondering about this behavior, Darien shrugged and nestled further into the embrace, enjoying the comfort and safety that came from being in his sire's arms.
Walking over to the window, Angel watched as the few humans out hurried towards the safeties of their homes. "At this point, the only thing we can do is go on the offensive and give them what they want," he announced, turning around to face those in the room. Darien blinked and stared at the older vampire with a dawning sense of dread. He hadn't even heard the plan yet and already he hated it. "We will leave first, heading back to the mansion and then five minutes later, Buffy, Giles, and Claire will follow with crossbows while the others arm themselves with crosses and holy water. We'll try and draw them out, get them to attack us and leave their backs unprotected long enough for the rest of you to move in."
Darien groaned and buried his face in his hands. "I'm bait?" he asked in a soft voice that was muffled by his hands. He didn't want to be bait, but he logically knew that he was the best chance since the others were gunning for him anyway.
Strong fingers cupped his chin and forced him to look into possessive brown eyes flickering with demonic gold. "You are of my family and any who is foolish enough to harm you in any way will have their hearts handed to them while they still beat," Angel promised in a low voice that wrapped itself around Darien like a soft blanket on a winter's day. The threat of violence wiped away the little bit of concern that had threaded its way through Darien as the conversation had progressed and now he almost looked forward to seeing his family in action.
"So when do we leave?" asked Bobby, his impatience evident in his voice.
Angel released his hold on Darien's chin and stood up. "In five minutes." He grinned at Spike. "I think we've given them enough time to get organized and plan an ambush for us somewhere between here and the mansion." Spike grinned, his blue eyes flashing with excitement, and he released Willow long enough for her to grab a stake and a vial of holy water before gathering her in his arms again. Darien watched, amused, at the fact that Spike didn't seem to want to let Willow go and she particularly didn't appear to mind at all. He honestly hoped that nothing happened to the little redhead during the upcoming battle because he knew that it would destroy Spike.
Shaking his head to rid him of his macabre thoughts, Darien carefully extracted himself from his sire's arms and walked over to Claire who was quietly talking with Eberts. "Claire, I want you to remove the monitor when we get done with this," he announced.
Claire looked up at him puzzled before it dawned on her what he was talking about. "I can remove it now if you want." She shrugged. "It's not that far under you skin and would only take a few minutes." She stood up and grabbed a first aid kit, bringing it back over to the table that was cleared of books. Flipping it open, she pulled out a scalpel, a roll of bandages, and a small towel and neatly laid them on the wood surface within easy reach. Claire gestured for Darien to lay his arm on the towel and briskly wiped the still red tattoo with alcohol. Picking up the shining scalpel, she carefully made an incision and Darien hissed through his teeth as pain briefly flared up his arm. He closed his eyes and turned his head away as she worked.
"All done," Claire announced as she wrapped the bandage around his wrist. "You probably don't need this but it will help a bit more." Carefully opening his eyes, Darien looked to find a neat bandage encircling his wrist and Claire gathering up the stained towel and scalpel to be cleaned later.
"It's time." Angel's voice echoed through the shop, breaking the brief silence that had descended. Darien watched as he approached the swaying Drusilla and cupped her face so that she stared at him with eyes slightly out of focus. "Are you ready to protect the young ones and chase away the bad ones, Dark Princess?"
A soft giggle spilled over those delicate lips as Drusilla twirled her fingers in Angel's face like a little girl. "Mice scramble for the cheese but don't know that the cat is helping them," she cooed. "They want cheese but not enough to trust the cat. Tell the mice about the cat and many will leave."
A bark of laughter escaped from Spike, drawing everyone's attention to him. "The Watchers have teamed up with the vampires to get Darien," he explained. "But how much ya wanna bet that only one of the vamps knows that they're dealing with Watchers?"
"Well, we'll just have to rectify that small mistake when we first get the chance," purred Angel, a cruel smile stretching across his face. He glanced at his family, gathering the vampires and witch with his eyes. "Shall we go ruin someone's evening?" Not waiting for an answer, he turned and swept out the door with Spike and Willow, arm in arm, right behind him.
Bobby slapped Darien on his back as he made his way to the door. "C'mon partner. Time to get the job done." Smiling for what felt like the first time that evening, Darien followed Bobby out the door with Darla and Drusilla behind him.
As they walked, Darien noticed that everyone seemed to form a protective circle around him; Angel in the lead, Spike and Bobby on either side with Willow between him and Spike, and Darla and Drusilla behind him, watching everyone's back. < Anyone who tries to come after either Willow or I will have to go through my family first, > mused Darien before he stopped that train of thought and reviewed it. Yes, he had indeed acknowledged this strange group as his family and felt a contentment that he thought had been lost when Kevin had been killed. That contentment turned into iron determination. He had just really found this new family and he would be damned if he let it go without a fight. Those foolish enough to ambush them this evening was going to have a fight on their hands.
They had covered about half the distance between the Magic Box and the mansion when they found themselves surrounded by almost fifty vampires and humans combined, the humans carrying a collection of crosses and stakes while the vampires were in full game face. Darien tensed in preparation for an attack but Spike calmly lit a cigarette while Angel folded his arms across his chest, suddenly appearing much more massive and powerful.
"Hand over the Accursed One and you will be spared," announced a vampire with dark hair pulled back into a ponytail at the base of his neck. He had taken a step forward and appeared to be the leader of the vampires.
Angel glared at the vampire, an aura of menace surrounding him, promising a painful death to any who was foolish enough to cross him. "I had not realized that Miriam held you in so little regard, Martin," he purred, his voice sinfully dark and once more carrying a touch of an Irish accent. "After all, she sent you after my grand- childe."
Martin bristled under the insult and raised his fist, his amber eyes flashing dangerously. "Just who do you think you are to threaten the Most Favored of the Order of Thesulus?" he spat.
Angel grinned slightly. "I am Angelus, Master of the Order of Aurelius," he announced, his voice ringing through the cemetery with a power that none dared to argue. He gestured to the others as he named them. "My childer, Drusilla and Spike who is also known as William the Bloody, the lovely Darla, my grand-childer, and William's mate, the witch Willow."
Darien watched as a female vampire's human face replaced her demon's and she whipped out a cell phone. Quickly, the Oriental woman spoke into it in a foreign language that he couldn't identify. Whatever conversation was taking place only lasted a few minutes before she returned the phone to whatever pocket she had retrieved it from and stepped forward to face Angel. She bowed low with her short hair covering her face, her eyes firmly on the ground in a gesture of submission and respect. "Please forgive this unworthy one, Master Angelus," she apologized in a voice that was colored with the Orient. "My Most Honorable Sire did not know that the one we sought was part of your family. That most inexcusable error has been corrected."
"Give my greetings to your sire," replied Angel, obviously accepting her apology and explanation. The vampiress backed up, her eyes never leaving the grass, until she reached the circle once more. Then she stood up, turned and left the circle after barking an order in that foreign language. Almost a dozen vampires left the circle and followed her to vanish in the darkness. A few other vampires exchanged glances before two more nodded in respect to Angel and left, taking another dozen away from the circle. That still left a little over twenty people surrounding them, and Darien was wondering what trick Angel was going to pull out of his sleeve to lower the odds even more when the dark vampire spoke, his words directed at the remaining vampires. "I never thought I would see the day when vampires would willingly align themselves with the Watcher's Council to take out an enemy."
The other vampires exchanged puzzled glances while Martin continued glaring at Angel. "Martin, what's he talking about?" demanded one of the vampires, stepping towards the two vampires who were still facing off. "You told us that you had found some human help. You didn't mention anything about the damn Watchers."
"What does it matter?" snapped Martin, turning his glare on the vampire who had spoken. "We both want the same thing, the Accursed One dead and dust at our feet so why should it matter if we team up with the Watchers or even the Devil himself?"
"At least we'd know where we stood with the Devil," replied the vampire, firmly. He waved a hand at the humans. "The Watchers can't be trusted at all. They may fight beside us for the same goal, but for how long? How long until a stake accidentally finds its way into one of our backs or a vial of holy water is tossed in our eyes?" His words were beginning to affect the other vampires who were turning golden glares on both the humans and the furious Martin. "I doubt Miriam is going to be very pleased when she hears about this."
With an animal-like roar, Martin launched himself at the vampire, signaling a free for all. Darien gripped his stake tightly as he once more moved back to back with Willow and watched as some vampires attacked the Order of Aurelius while the others launched themselves at the humans, causing utter chaos. Darla, Angel and Spike moved with the precision of a well-trained team while Bobby stayed close to Darien, and Drusilla seemed to be oblivious to the chaos around her, dancing and swaying until a vampire would stumble too close when she would casually reach out and twist its head off.
Willow was chanting under her breath various spells that sent strange tingles racing up Darien's spine but had the desired effect. Humans became incapacitated while dust filled the air, and with a howl, Bobby dove into the fray, leaving Willow and Darien alone in the center of the chaos. Before Darien got a chance to slide into panic, a familiar blond rushed into the fight while three more figures stood at the edge of the fight, crossbows in their hands primed and waiting for their chance. The vampires began to fall faster with Buffy fighting and Darien breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that almost all of the vampires had been dusted while the humans were either frozen in place or sprawled on the ground unconscious.
Suddenly, there was a gasp behind him as he felt Willow bump into him and he turned around as a chilling howl split the night. Martin stood there with an insane grin on his face as he stared down at Willow, his hand wrapped around the stake he had buried in her stomach. Not even thinking, Darien growled and shoved his own stake through Martin's chest as he pulled Willow away from him. There was a startled look directed his way before Martin crumbled into dust and Darien caught Willow, gently easing her to the ground. Spike appeared on her other side, kneeling on the grass and ghosting his hands over her as if unsure what to do.
"Willow? Luv?" Spike's voice cracked as bloody tears streamed down his demonic face.
Willow reached up a bloodied hand and touched his cheek, her other still wrapped around the stake protruding from her abdomen when she had automatically clutched it. "Spike," she gasped, desperately trying to pull air into her damaged body. Darien winced and realized that the stake must have injured her diaphragm, preventing her from breathing correctly. Spike leaned into her hand, pressing it against his cheek with his free hand. "You have to turn me."
Darien watched as the fear lessened slightly in those demonic eyes and Spike gathered his mate in his arms. "Are you sure?" asked Spike, gazing at Willow. She nodded once and he struck, his teeth entering her vulnerable neck. Cocking his head, Darien could hear her heart slow farther and Spike pulled away, tilting his head slightly. Angel knelt behind Spike and pierced the pale skin with his own fangs, releasing a font of thick, dark blood. Spike put Willow's mouth at the injury and Darien breathed a sigh of relief when she swallowed her first mouthful of blood. After a few minutes, her heart beat its last and she fell limp in Spike's arms.
*************************************
Gently, Spike placed her on the ground, her pale skin already taking on the deathly white tone of a vampire, and with a savage jerk, he ripped the stake out of her. He knew that he would have to turn his love some day, but Spike had hoped that they would have had more years together with her warmth. He reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair off of Willow's forehead, almost expecting her to wake up and smile at him like she had so many times before. Yet the skin under his fingers was rapidly cooling and that more than anything else reminded him that Willow was dead and turned. He raised his blue eyes to the vampire that was kneeling next to Willow. "Can you restore her soul?"
A distant look appeared on Darien's face as his hands reached out to caress Willow's face. "A gentle touch for a gentle soul," he murmured, leaning forward with his hands cupping her face. Softly, Darien touched his lips to hers as if preparing to wake the fairy tale princess with a kiss, but before Spike could protest, a red light surrounded them briefly before vanishing. Darien sat up and blinked a dazed expression on his face as he looked at Spike, confused. "What just happened?"
"You just restored Willow's soul," remarked Spike, carefully watching her face for the first sign of life. A large hand gripped his shoulder, reassuringly, and he looked up to find Angel gazing at him with sympathy and support. It was rare for sires to assist their childer in turning another, but when they did, it showed their support and approval of the act. It was also a way to welcome the new childer into the family, and the fact that Angel had actually extended that gesture healed a bit more of Spike's scarred heart.
A soft whimper finally dragged Spike's attention away from Willow and he looked over at the scattered humans with disgust curling his lips. "Look, Sire, my Willow has a feast waiting for her when she awakens," growled Spike, eyeing the watchers with a hungry light in his eyes. "I hope she shares." He licked his lips and watched with delight as three humans fainted while another two lost control of their bladders.
"Now Will, we can't be killing off the Watchers," purred Angel, casually strolling over to one of the humans. "After all, if we killed them, who would take our warning back to the Council?" Spike watched with delight as the dark vampire seemed to study the Watchers with the same indifference a person would give to a menu at a restaurant, and his hand shot out, grabbing a slightly pudgy man in his forties with brown hair that was turning grey. "I think you will do nicely."
Hauling the man to his feet, Angel shoved the man towards the center of their group where he fell to his knees. "Now, you will answer all of my questions completely, honestly, and quickly because each time you fail to comply with my simple request, I will break a single bone in one of your companions until I run out of questions or they run out of bones," he announced as the rest of the group closed in around them. Buffy casually held a knife in one hand, flipping it with a cold look on her face, while Claire and Eberts kept their crossbows trained on the man. "Do you understand?"
The man nodded so hard Spike thought he was attempting to remove his head the hard way and grinned slightly. Angel folded his arms across his chest and started asking his questions in a hard, emotionless voice. Within minutes, they learned that the man's name was Samuel Blokesdale and that he had been sent by the Watcher's Council to kill the vampire known as the Crimson Child. He had also been the one to drive the stake into Darien's chest and that little revelation was met by three low growls. Soon, they had learned all that they could from Blokesdale and Willow was starting to show signs of coming around.
"Spike? Wha happen?" slurred Willow as she tried to coordinate her limbs in an attempt to sit up. Easily, Spike caught one of her hands and helped her sit up, supporting her back with his other hand. He waited, knowing that she would understand what happened in a few moments. She blinked fuzzy green eyes a few times and he watched as they grew clearer. "Spike? What happened?"
He caressed her cheek and she leaned into the gesture like a cat seeking attention. "There was a fight, remember?"
Willow nodded with a frown. "Angel had chased off a bunch of vampires and that arrogant one, Martin, was still trying to bluster his way..." her voice trailed off as her hands drifted down to the bloodstain on her clothes, the wound completely healed with her turning. "He stabbed me." Her eyes were wide with the implications and they flew to meet his concerned blue eyes. "You turned me, didn't you?" Spike nodded once and she smiled, a soft twitch of her lips. "And since I'm not feeling the urge to start munching on the city, Darien restored my soul." She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Darien's cheek. "Thank you." Looking at Spike, she grinned and pulled his head down, meeting his lips in a passionate and claiming kiss. Spike groaned and clutched her to him as he tasted the change in his little red head for the first time. She still tasted of apples and spices but there was a new taste, a dark wildness that reminded him of brandy. If he thought she was addictive before, he was certainly lost to her now.
Soft whimpers of fear managed to break through the pleasant haze that had enveloped him and Spike managed to tear himself away from Willow's mouth to gaze dispassionately at the Watchers. "Are ya hungry, pet?" he purred, glancing down at Willow and winking. He knew that the Watchers were in no permanent danger from the vampires, but they didn't know that and these wankers had caused the death of his beloved witch.
Willow looked at him confused before she smirked and he watched as her face rippled to that of her demon's for the first time. Bloody hell, she was gorgeous and his pants quickly grew uncomfortable. Smoothly, she rose to her feet with the grace of a stalking panther and stretched, her bloodied shirt rising to expose the bloodstained but unblemished skin beneath. "Bored now," she purred strolling over to the terrified humans. Spike stood and glanced around to notice Buffy had clenched her knife even tighter while all color had drained out of her face and even Giles, who had definitely let the reins slip on his Ripper persona when Willow had died, was looking a mite green. Shaking his head, he decided to ask them later what was wrong. Now he just wanted to watch Willow work because he just knew it was going to be a sight to see.
"Giles, did you ever get the chance to send the Council an account of what happened during our senior year when my vampiric twin was summoned from another dimension?" inquired Willow and Spike's ears perked up at that. This was one thing that she had never mentioned and he looked at her, expressing his surprise with his eyes and she shrugged. "Sorry, love, it never came up."
The librarian cleared his throat rather uncomfortably and removed his glasses, nervously wiping them with a cloth. "Ah, no I never really got around to it," he apologized. "And once she had been sent back to her home dimension, it didn't seem worth it."
Willow nodded, absently. "Let me tell you a bit about her," she offered, still slinking though the immobile men. "She was actually sired by the Master and was one of his favorites when he emerged from his prison in the Hellmouth. Her world was one where the Slayer never arrived and the demons ruled the night." She trailed a finger across a pale cheek, causing the man to flinch and her smile grew even more predatory. "She told me that in her world, they rode people like ponies and she even had a pet she named 'Puppy' that she had completely broken into a whimpering mass." With this, Willow sent an apologetic look at Angel who nodded once in understanding. "Y'see, her pet had another name, one that was well known and even feared still." This time the look she tossed Angel was full of mischief. "His name was Angelus." Spike could only stare at Willow as she wove her story as easily as she moved through the men, snaring everyone with her words and he swallowed around the lump in his throat. He knew his Red was hiding darkness in her, but to have completely broken Angelus...
< Wait, there has to be more to the story than that, > objected a logical voice in his mind. Pursing his lips, Spike studied Willow as she continued talking about the cruel and cunning vampiress that had made such an impact on the town and the few humans that were gathered around. From the looks, it was obvious that she was telling the truth to a certain extent, but he had to wonder what she was exaggerating to push the Watchers even farther into fear's clutches. Glancing over at Angel, he noticed the humor in the older vampire's eyes as she talked about "Puppy" and how much fun it was to break the Mighty Angelus. That's when it struck him. It hadn't been Angelus that the other Willow had broken but Angel. And Spike was willing to bet his fangs that the souled nonce hadn't been as stable as Angel had when he had first offered Xander to Spike as a greeting. < Of course. Telling these idiots that she had broken the spirit and mind of Angelus is much more impressive than telling them she broke Angel. >
Casually, Spike strolled over to Angel and stopped next to the dark vampire. "I can't wait to hear this story when we get back to the mansion," he murmured. "But then, I figure the Souled Nonce that Willow broke was probably less steady than you were when we met in the school."
Curious brown eyes turned to regard him and Spike smirked. "Glad to see you figure it out, m'boy," congratulated Angel. "An' I'll tell ye this, yer gonna have yer hands full because I honestly think that this Willow was listenin' rather closely ta what her counterpart was tellin' her." Angel studied Spike curiously and the peroxide blond shifted under the gaze. "What are you going to do now?"
"Dunno," confessed Spike, returning his gaze to Willow who was nuzzling another man's neck much to the man's dismay. "It's up to Willow and Buffy."
"Well, you'll always have a home with me," stated Angel with a small smile that sent shivers of warmth racing through Spike. "And since I now own a hotel, I have more than enough room for the entire family." He straightened slightly and turned his gaze to the still prowling Willow. "Willow, I think they've learned their lesson. Besides, you must be getting hungry."
Willow heaved a sigh of disappointment at having been called away from her fun but winked at Spike and Angel when she turned around. The men seemed to wilt with relief when she wandered over to Spike's side and wrapped her arms around his waist. However, they had forgotten about the humans that were gathered there.
"I can't believe the Council was dumb enough to send these morons here," drawled Buffy as she casually tossed her knife between her hands. She glanced at Giles. "Think we can use them as an example to not screw around with my friends?"
Giles smiled, a cold chilling one that told Spike Ripper was out to even the score a bit. "I'm not sure these wankers would understand that message," he said, his voice cold and flat. He fingered his crossbow and many of the Watchers shifted nervously. "Perhaps if we were to return them to the Council. In pieces."
Darla snorted. "I don't think even that will get your message across," she stated shaking her head as she stepped forward. "In four hundred years, the Council has remained the same; stubborn and not willing to conceit the fact that they might be wrong." Cocking her head, she stared at the men with a contemplative look on her face. "Actually, the only change that I can place is that they've let a few women grace their hallowed halls. Rather ironic that all the Slayers are female and yet they're trained by old men who refuse to change at all and those that question them are unconditionally thrown off the Council."
"So what do you suggest we do about this?" Xander's question hung in the air around them and they glanced at each other, unsure about their next act. Spike knew that they wouldn't be killing any of them, but sometimes a descent threat was more effective than violence. A shrill ringing broke through the night and Angel quickly searched through Blokesdale's suit. Finding the cell phone, he opened it and Spike could clearly hear the voice on the other end.
"Blokesdale, status report on your mission," demanded an unfamiliar male voice over the speaker.
Angel grinned at Spike. "Your compatriot is unavailable at the moment," he purred. "And I have a message or you regarding his so-called mission."
"Who is this?"
"This is Angelus and you will listen unless you want your men back in pieces," warned the dark vampire. The man ranted and raved at Angel, threatening everything from dismemberment to a slow death where he would beg for mercy, and with each word, Angel's smile grew even more chilling. "Interesting how you are willing to threaten me but not because I have threatened your men."
"What do you mean?" asked the man, his voice worried and Spike just shook his head at the stupidity evident.
Angel laughed, a rich sound that sent shivers down peoples' spines. "In the past few minutes, you have not once mentioned the safety of the men that I hold," he remarked in a thoughtful voice. "Rather interesting who you consider important."
"Now listen here.." began the man only to have Angel interrupt him.
"No, you listen. The Crimson Child is part of my family and any attack against him is an attack against me and unless you want a visit from the Order of Aurelius and the Scourge of Europe, you will cease all attacks against him this minute." Angel's voice held no room for argument and Spike shivered in delight at the promise of violence that underscored those words. Without waiting for a reply, Angel hung up and tossed the phone back to Blokesdale who barely managed to catch it before it hit the ground. "You have twelve hours to be on a plane back to England. After that time, you will become fair game for any vampire who wishes to take their aggression out on you." He glanced at Willow who nodded and released the men with a few brief words. The Watchers took one look at the group and fled into the night, heading in the direction of their hotel.
Giggling, Willow leaned back into Spike's embrace and he held her close, inhaling her scent. His gaze strayed to Angel as he raised an eyebrow, silently asking 'Now what?'. Angel cocked his head as his eyes replied 'Now what indeed.'