“It doesn’t matter.” Buffy muttered, grabbing some clothes and shoving them into a duffle bag.

“But you know where Spike is?” The teen asked hopefully.

“Yes, Dawn, I know where he is.” Buffy said hastily.

Dawn’s eyes fell to the window, where the faint glow of moonlight crept through the blinds. “Buffy, it’s past sunset…”

Buffy stopped what she was doing and looked at the window. Both girl’s remained silent for a moment, taking this fact in. Buffy sighed and turned back to her sister. “Do you really care?”

“No.”

“Then get your things, we’re leaving tonight.” The slayer instructed, tossing an empty bag to her sister.

----------

“So you’re staying here?” Fred asked, a bit excited by the prospect of having another vampire roomie.

Spike shrugged, flopping down on the couch. “Dunno, pet. For the time bein’, at least.” He winced as he pressed an icepack to his head, a rather large gash present from his second tumbled down the stairs.

“I don’t get it. I thought Angel hated you and now you’re a houseguest?” Gunn shook his head, handing Fred a can of pop and opening one himself.

“He does hate me.” Spike said knowingly. “That’s the point.”

Fred and Gunn both stared at him, confused.

Spike groaned and pulled the ice pack away from his head. He was getting rather tired of cold things. “I’m here because the Poofter won’t hesitate t’kill me.”

“You want him to kill you?” Fred asked, becoming more an more confused by the second.

“Yes…no!” The blonde ran his hand across his forehead. “Only if he has to...”

“Has to? Why would he need to do that?” Fred continued, her face scrunching up. “I thought you said you had a soul?”

“Did,” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “til ‘bout twenty minutes ago.”

“Wait, you’re all evil now?” Gunn asked defensively.

Spike shrugged, not looking at them. “Guess so…”

The pair exchanged nervous glances before Fred spoke up. “So are you gonna kill us?”

He looked up at her and smirked, finding her inane little questions amusing. “No. hate t’burst your bubble, but m’not gonna kill you.”

“Well that’s good.” She said with a nod.

“Why not?” Gunn demanded. Trusting Angel had been one thing because he had a soul. He hadn’t minded Spike too much up until two minutes ago when he had decided to share this pivotal piece of information. Now he was just your run-of-the-mill blood sucker. One that he had heard some pretty gruesome tales about.

“Haven’t killed a human in two years, don’t plan on startin’ with you lot.” He said, tossing the ice pack to Gunn as he stood. “Now where’d the Grand Poof go to now?”

“He said he needed to think things out.” Fred explained. “He went for a walk.”

“‘Things’ referring too….”

“You, and Connor.” She said with a nod, her face falling. “He doesn’t know about Cordelia yet. I’m not too sure he’s going to take it very well.”

“What happened to her, anyway?” The vampire asked, sauntering past the counter and helping himself to whatever was in the fridge.

Gunn sat down at the counter, still a little wary of the vampire. “Don’t know. Last we knew she was meeting Angel. Neither of ‘em came back so we thought maybe something happened, but then you show up and play go-fish. Now we have Angel but no Cordy.”

“Do you think maybe she was in one of those boxes too?!” Fred asked, suddenly becoming frantic.

“Nah. That was meant as torture for a vampire.” Spike assured her, tearing a packet of blood open with his teeth. “Specially designed for His Greatness.”

“Do you ever call him by his real name?” Gunn asked incredulously.

“No.”

----------

“You have a quarter?” Buffy asked, digging through her pockets for change.

“Here.” Dawn said, handing her sister a coin.

“Thanks.” She said simply before shoving it into the payphone along with the change she had scooped from her pocket. She punched in the number for the magic shop and waited for an answer. “Anya? It’s me….No, tell Xander and WiIllow that me and Dawn are leaving….What? Of course we’ll be back…No, just tell them, alright? I have to go, I’ll call tomorrow. Bye.” Shaking her head, she hung up the phone.

“So where we going?” Dawn asked, following her sister through the bus station.

“LA.”

“….that was Angel on the phone, wasn’t it?” Dawn asked. Buffy looked at her, a bit surprised. Sometimes she underestimated the girl.

“…yeah.”

Dawn nodded slightly, looking a bit nervous. She didn’t much like the idea of going to see Angel. Not only because she didn’t really like him, but due to the fact that he was Buffy’s ‘first love’. What if he talked her out of her feelings for Spike? Hell, what if he dusted Spike?! “I hate Angel….” The teen muttered, earning a cross look from her sister as they continued to walk. “What? He’s all dark and sad all the time and he has stupid hair.”

Buffy couldn’t help but smirk. “You definitely hang around Spike too much.”

TBC….

----------

“He won’t be.” Buffy interrupted.

Dawn remained quiet for a moment. “…but how do you know? I mean, what if something is wrong? What if having his soul and then losing it again makes him evil?”

“It won’t…” the slayer said flatly.

“But Buffy…”

“Dawn.” She snapped, looking down at her sister. “He’ll be fine. He will…”

The teen wanted to continue the argument, but the despaired look in her sister’s eyes kept her form doing so. Buffy knew just as well as she did that he might not be okay. “Sorry…”

Buffy sighed, leaning her head back against the seat and shutting her eyes. “Just get some sleep, we’ll be there in a couple hours.”

----------

Fred and Gunn looked up from the couch as Angel walked back into the hotel, he hands lodged deeply into his pockets.

“Hey.” Fred offered, grinning.

“Hey.” He said halfheartedly, looking around the room. “Where’s Spike?”

“Room 143.” Gunn answered, returning his attention to the television.

“143? Isn’t that the room we took the bed out of because it had that purple demon goo on it?” Angel asked, confused.

“Yeah, but it’s the only room with a working TV.” Fred exclaimed with a shrug. “He said he didn’t mind sleeping on the floor.”

“What’s he doing here, anyway?” Gunn asked. “I thought you two hated each other.”

“We do.” Angel said, shrugging out of his coat.

“You see, that’s probably why I’m not understanding the whole him-staying-here concept.”

“I’m not sure I understand it either…” Angel muttered, looking around absently. “So… you guys don’t know where Connor is?”

“Nope. Haven’t seen him since you disappeared.” Gunn said with a shrug. Angel didn’t reply. “We looked.” He added, trying to sound a bit more caring.

“It’s alright, he’ll turn up.” Angel said, trying more so to reassure himself.

“We were going to turn in a missing persons report.” Fred stated. “But we couldn’t because Connor’s only legally 9 months old in this world. It wouldn’t do much good to have them looking for a baby that doesn’t exist…”

“It’s alright, he’s strong. He can take care of himself…” Angel muttered. Gunn and Fred nodded solemnly. The vampire sighed and walked towards the stairs. “I’m going to see what kind of trouble Spike’s getting into.”

“He’s watching TV, how much trouble could he get into?” Fred asked, giving him a strange look.

“You don’t know Spike.”

----------

Angel pressed his ear against the door, concentrating on the sounds he heard inside. Voices, obviously coming from the TV, but that was it. He raised his hand to knock and snorted. What the Hell? It was his hotel, he didn’t need to knock. Swinging the door open, he marched inside. His dark eyes scanned the room. The television was on a table in the corner but Spike was nowhere to be seen.

“What d’you want?” Came the aggravated British voice. Angel turned to find the younger vampire laying across the large widow sill, looking out the dusty window.

“What are you doing?” Angel asked roughly.

Spike rolled his eyes and turned to face him. “Well, seein’ as you’re a cheapskate and don’t have cable, I’m lookin’ out the window. Even this is more amusing than that fuzzy shit you call TV channels. S’that okay with you, Peaches, or should I do something a little less evil?” He asked snidely, glaring. Angel returned the glare, but didn’t speak. Spike snorted and rolled back over, his icy eyes staring out into the night.

“I still don’t get why you want to stay here.” Angel said flatly.

“Believe me, this ain’t the first place I’d go if I had a choice.”

“Then why?”

“Because you’d kill me if I tried anything, if I killed anyone…”

“Buffy would have…”

“No. I couldn’t do that to her.” Spike snapped, finally looked at his sire as he sat up. He scowled. Both stood there for a few moments, Spike looking cross and Angel trying to make sense of his childe. “Just get out.” Spike finally growled, running his hands through his hair.

“But I’m…”

“Please.” The blonde whispered. Angel froze. Please? Since when did Spike have manners? The a grim nod he turned and left the room, leaving the sulking vampire to his own.

----------

Buffy walked along the edge of a cliff, staring out into the ocean. Waves were crashing onto the beach below her and moonlight reflected off the unsteady water. She stopped and just stared out at the water, thinking.

“Buffy. Buffy?” Dawn shook her sister gently, trying to wake her. “Hey, we’re here.”

Buffy opened her eyes. Everyone was filing off the bus and out onto the sidewalk. The sun was just beginning to rise and the buildings outside had an eerie orange glow to them.

“You okay?” Dawn asked, giving her sister a concerned look.

“Huh? Oh, I’m fine. Weird dream, that’s all.” The slayer explained, shaking her head as she stood.

“Spike?” Dawn asked sympathetically, following suit and standing.

“Cordelia.” Buffy explained.

“….yeah, I think that would qualify as weird.” Dawn said with a nod.

----------

“You hungry?” Fred asked gently, offering Angel a glass of blood. The vampire was sitting at his desk in full brood-mode.

“I’m fine.”

“You sure? I mean, you were underwater for a pretty long time and you haven’t eaten much since you got back. It’s probably a good idea to eat something so that you get your strength back and….”

“Okay.” He said, taking the glass from her. “I’ll drink it.” He gave her a halfhearted smile before sipping some of the blood.

“Good, cause you don’t look very good. But I suppose being locked in a coffin underwater for four months would do that to anyone.” Fred said with a nod. “I mean, if that was me, well, let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be the person to find the box and open it.” She made a face.

“I’m glad I’ve already eaten breakfast.” Gunn chimed as he walked into the small office.

“Sorry…” Fred said sheepishly.

“…It’s really quiet around here.” Angel said matter-of-factly.

“Well, yeah, it’s only the three of us, well, four if you count Jr. upstairs.” Gunn said.

“No, I mean it quiet. Where’s Cordelia?” Angel asked, looking up.

Fred and Gunn exchanged looks, neither sure what to say. Gunn cleared his throat. “Well, Cordy’s….”

“Hello?!”

All three of the office’s occupants turned at the voice. Angel stood and headed quickly into the lobby. “Buffy.” He greeted, smiling at the figure in the doorway. His eyes drifted to the girl next to her. “And…Dawn.” Uh-oh, she wasn’t supposed to drag kid sis along for the ride. “You grew.” He said, trying to make conversation.

“Yeah, we humans tend to do that.” The teen replied.

Angel shuffled his feet nervously. He and Dawn had never really gotten along. His eyes drifted back to Buffy. “You look…good.”

Buffy looked him over and gave him a small smile. “Wish I could say the same about you. What happened?”

“Long story.” Angel said simply.

Buffy nodded. “Um, where is he?” She asked quietly.

Angel nodded towards the stairs. “Upstairs, room 143. But Buffy, he’s not exactly in a good mood.” The vampire warned.

“Neither am I.” She said simply, walking towards the stairs. Dawn went to follow, but Buffy turned to face her. “Dawnie stay down here.”

“But Buffy, I want…”

“Dawn, please. I won’t be long, I promise.” Buffy said softly. Angel gave her a strange look, she was practically begging her sister to let her go up alone. Dawn relented and nodded. “Thank you.”

Dawn looked at the ground as her sister disappeared, not really enjoying the company she was in. Angel and two other people she didn’t know, just great.

“So, how’s school?” Angel finally asked, trying to break the uneasy silence.

“Fine.” The teen answered simply. The uneasy silence fell again.

Gunn cleared his throat and extended his hand to the teen. “I’m Gunn, and this s Fred.”

Dawn gave them a small smile. “Hi.”

More silence.

“You hungry?” Gunn finally asked. “We have doughnuts.”

“There’s no more jelly one’s though, he ate em all.” Fred explained, nodding to Gunn.

Dawn smiled, following Gunn back behind the counter.. “That’s alright, I don’t care much for the jelly ones.”

When they were out of sight, Fred turned to Angel. “She doesn’t like you, does she?”

“Never has.” The vampire stated.

----------

Buffy stood outside the door to room 143, staring absently at the numbers. What exactly was she supposed to say to him? She had rehearsed a thousand things she could have said to him in her head, but none of them seemed right. She closed her eyes and sighed. She didn’t really care what she would say, she just wanted to see him, to make sure he was okay. Raising her hand, she knocked lightly.

“Go ‘way.” came the aggravated reply.

Sighing, she turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. Walking into the dark room, her eyes scanned for the blonde vampire. They fell upon a form lying curled up in the corner, a blanket wrapped tightly around his body, covering his face. She walked over quietly and knelt down beside him. She rested a hand gently on his shoulder, trying to draw his attention.

He growled, rolling over quickly. “Look Poofter, I said….” His hateful eyes grew wide as they locked on the Slayer. His voice caught in his throat. “…Buffy?”

“Hey.” She said softly, smiling as she brushed his hair from his eyes.

He sat up, his wide eyes still locked on her in disbelief. “What are you doing here?”

“Finding you.” She said simply, giving him a small smile. “You didn’t think I’d let you disappear again, did you?”

He closed his eyes and let his head rest against the wall behind him. “Go home, Slayer.”

“Not without you.” She said firmly, leaning against the wall beside him. “I’m not leaving unless you’re leaving with me.”

“Buffy, please, I can’t…” he whispered, not looking at her.

“Why?” She asked flatly.

“You know why…” He muttered.

“Spike, you know just as well as I do you loved me before you got your soul.” She whispered, shaking her head.

“But you didn’t trust me, I was dangerous….”

“I trust you, Spike, I do…”

“Well I don’t.” He snapped, glaring at her. His features softened at the shocked look she held. He shook his head. “I don’t trust myself…”

“But Spike, you…”

“Buffy, what I did to you before I left… it was wrong. Hell, I never meant to hurt you, but I did. What I did…. It didn’t seem wrong until I saw how I had hurt you. That’s when I felt bad, after I had hurt you. I can’t let that happen again.”

“And it won’t.” Buffy assured him, resting her hand on his arm. He tensed under her touch. “Spike, please, you promised you wouldn’t leave, remember?” She asked softly.

He stared into her watery eyes for a moment before turning away, unable to stand the pain he saw there. “And I promised I would never hurt you…”

“You don’t have to.” She whispered, taking his hand in hers. “Please, just come home…”

He turned back to her, studying her with watery eyes for what seemed like hours. Leaning foreward, he pressed his lips against her forehead, kissing her gently. Leaning back, he pulled his hand from hers. “Go home…”

TBC…

Part 16:

“You like cartoons?” Gunn asked, stopping when Bug Bunny appeared on the screen. He, Dawn, and Fred were seated on the couch, flipping through channels in search of something to watch. Angel was sitting at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for Buffy to come down.

“Whatever.” Dawn muttered, bored out of her mind. She wanted to rush up to see Spike, but knew that she’d be better off hanging out down here until her sister was through with him. Plus the fact that Angel was blocking her means of getting upstairs was a bit of a problem. She settled into the couch, doing her best to concentrate on the cartoon bunny in front of her.

“Buffy.” They all turned at the sound of Angel’s voice. He stood, staring at the girl descending the stairs. Dawn shot up and rushed over to the stairs.

“Buffy, what’s wrong?” The teen asked, not liking the look on her sister’s face. Angel remained quiet, feeling a bit uncomfortable by the whole scenario.

The slayer just shook her head and walked past them, not speaking.

“Buffy?” Dawn asked again, watching as her sister walked outside. She watched as Buffy leaned back against the door and slid to the sidewalk, pulling her knees up to her chest. The slayer remained like that, staring absently up the sunlit street. Dawn turned to find Angel staring at her as well. Her eyes drifted to the stairs. Giving her sister one last look, she dashed up them.

“Dawn!” Angel called, taking off after the girl. She hated him with a passion and he wasn’t as evil as Spike, he could just imagine how much the girl despised him. He raced up the stairs, ready to pull the girl from the room when she tried to stake Spike for upsetting Buffy.

When he reached the open door to the blonde’s room and peered in, he was caught off guard. Dawn was kneeling on the ground in front of the vampire, her head tilted slightly to the side.

“Spike?” She asked softly, trying to get him to look at her. Angel remained in the doorway, watching intently. “You’re staying here, aren’t you?” she asked when he didn’t speak.

“Go home, Bit.” He said quietly.

“No.” She said defensively, scowling. “No, Spike. We’re not just going to go home and leave you here. You left and we came after you, you’re coming back with us.”

“Nibblet, I left for a reason.” He said flatly.

“Yeah, you left. And you know what? You didn’t say goodbye again.” She shot back angrily.

He shook his head. “I said goodbye, Bit. Not directly, but I said goodbye…”

“In the living room…” she muttered, remembering how he had hugged her before he left. He nodded. “That doesn’t count.” She growled.

He looked up. “What are you talking about?”

“I didn’t know you were leaving.”

“I still said goodbye.”

“But I didn’t, you didn’t give me that chance.” She whined. “What if I never saw you again?”

“All the better…” He muttered.

“What? Not seeing you? Worrying whether or not you’re okay?” She spat back. “God, Spike, if you’re so worried about not hurting us stop this shit. Stop acting like you know what’s best for us because you don’t.”

“Watch your mouth.” He said sternly.

“What position are you in to tell me what the Hell to do anymore?! You left, remember!?” She shot, standing. “You’re the one who wants nothing to do with us anymore. You’re the one doing what’s best for us by staying here. In my book that revokes your right to tell me what and what not to say, to tell me when to do my homework, to tell me anything.”

“Nibblet…” He began, standing.

“No, Spike. You don’t want to be a part of our lives? Fine. Start now, start by not giving a shit what I do, not giving a shit what I say. Start by not caring what happens to us when we leave here. We don’t need you there when the world nearly comes to an end, we won’t need you there when some enormous demon emerges from hell and beats the living shit out of me and Buffy. No, Spike, we don’t need you there to protect us. We don’t need you to show you care, because that’s what you want, isn’t it? To leave our lives completely, to leave us on our own…”

“Nibblet, I…”

“Don’t call me that.” She growled. “Not unless you plan on coming home with us…”

He clenched his eyes shut for a moment before running his hand gently down the side of her face. “Dawn, I’ll always care…”

She felt tears slip from her eyes as he spoke her name. Her name, not some stupid little nickname he had given her. Her name. She shook her head. He wasn’t coming home… Pulling away from his hand, she stared at him in disbelief.

“I’m sorry…” he whispered, dropping his hand to his side.

She continued to stare at him for a few moments, tears continuing to streak down her face. “If you didn’t want to hurt us you’d come home…” she whispered softly.

“I can’t, Dawn.” He said, shaking his head.

“Please?” she asked softly, her eyes pleading with him. The vampire stood there, staring at the girl in front of him as she begged him not to leave her. “Spike, this hurts a lot more than any physical pain you could ever inflict on me or Buffy.” She added, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Please don’t do this…”

Angel stood there, watching in disbelief. Now Dawn was begging him to go back to Sunnydale? Don’t get him wrong, he wanted Spike out of his hotel as soon as possible, but he couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous over the amount of affection the teen was showing the vampire. She had never been like that with him, she’d always hated him and made that fact pretty clear. And then there was Buffy. Spike had said she loved him. How could that be? Buffy would never love him, would she? But then why would she come all the way to LA to try and get him to come home? He shook his head and started to walk back down the hall, trying to clear his head. This was all a bit much for him.

----------

“You thirsty?” Angel asked, offering the shaken slayer a cup of coffee. Buffy shook her head, slinking back further into the couch. She had been sulking for most of the day.

“No thanks.”

Sighing, he sat down on the opposite end of the couch. “Dawn’s asleep upstairs.”

“That’s good, she only slept for about an hour on the bus last night.”

“Yeah, she seemed pretty tired.” Angel agreed. “Her and Spike, they get along pretty well, don’t they?”

Buffy nodded. “Yeah, a lot better than me and him do most of the time.”

“You fight a lot?”

She snorted. “When don’t we?”

“Then why are you trying to get him to go back with you?” He asked, looking down at her. She looked up at him with wide eyes. “Oh…” Right, so Spike hadn’t been lying on the whole love issue.

“Yeah, ‘oh’…” She shook her head and looked up at the ceiling. “I’m starting to think someone up there really hates me.”

“Same here.” The vampire agreed, setting the coffee he had offered her on the table.

She watched him for a moment, thinking. “So…you’re okay? I mean, you’re not mad?”

“At you? No, but Spike’s another story.” He said with a small smirk.

She smiled slightly, “Just do me a favor and refrain from dusting him.”

“I’ll try, but I’m not making any promises.” He replied.

“That’s alright, I’d prefer you didn’t. Promises don’t seem to have much meaning to anyone anymore…” she said glumly.

“Buffy?”

The slayer turned her head to the stairs. Dawn was walking towards them. “I thought you were in bed.”

The teen shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.” Buffy nodded. “Do you care if I go for a walk?”

Buffy looked out the door where the sun was just beginning to set. “Dawn, it’s getting late.”

“I’ll be careful. Please? I won’t go far.” The teen argued, wanting to get out of the stuffy hotel.

Buffy stared at her for a moment before nodding reluctantly. “Don’t be gone too long.”

Dawn gave her a small smile. “I won’t.”

Angel watched as the teen disappeared before turning back to Buffy. “You’re letting her go out by herself? Buffy, this might not be the Hellmouth but there are still some pretty nasty things out there at night.”

“She’ll be alright, she can take care of herself.”

“You mean she…”

“Fights? Yeah. She’s pretty strong too. She can give me a run for my money if I’m having an off day.” Buffy said.

Angel shook his head. “Never would have pictured her fighting demons. She was always just your little sister, hiding while you fought away the monsters.”

“That’s what everyone thought.” Buffy agreed. “I think Spike’s still a little wary about the idea though. The second night he was back I offered to let Dawn go patrolling by herself. It was pretty quiet around town so I figured she’d be okay. Spike threw a fit and ended up going with her to make sure she was okay.”

“Spike’s the last person I would imagine Dawn getting along with, they don’t have much in common.”

Buffy shrugged, “Yeah, I guess they’re a bit different, but they do have at least one thing in common.” He looked at her questioningly. “They both really don’t like you.”

----------

Dawn shuffled along, listening to the sound of her footsteps echoing off the cold buildings. She shivered. She had found one vampire already and had made quick work of him, dusting him without much of a scuffle. She had wandered within a few blocks of the hotel, and having found nothing else, she had gone further into the city.

She froze when she heard a scraping noise behind her. Turning slowly, she came face to face with a hideous blue creature. It snarled, it’s massive jaws dripping saliva. Where had he come from? It swung at her with a massive claw, narrowly missing her face as she ducked down. She hopped backwards, putting some distance between her and the beast. It came at her again, snapping it’s jaws. Swinging her leg around, she connected her foot with it’s face. It staggered a bit, but came right back at her with even more force than before, knocking her to the ground with a sweep of it’s tail.

Uh-oh.

She rolled to the side, just avoiding it’s claws as it brought them down to the ground. She jumped to her feet and readied herself to swing at it again, but something grabbed the creature from behind, pressing a large blade into it’s throat. It growled and reached up, grabbing it’s attacker and pulling them over it’s shoulders. Dawn grimaced as it slammed the boy to the ground. Shaking it off, she used the distraction to her advantage and kicked the creature in the face again. It reared to the side, giving her a chance to pull the boy from the ground.

“Get out of here.” He ordered, pulling away from her as he stood.

“What? No way.” She shot back.

“Fine, then stay out of the way.” He ordered, pulling two more blades out. Dawn watched curiously as this kid, who was roughly around her age, started swinging at the demon with the blades. He landed a few blows, but eventually both of his weapons were knocked away. He jumped to the side, avoiding a kick from the beast. Dawn chose that moment to jump in, grabbing the creature’s arm and snapping it behind it’s back before it could swing at the kid. It roared in pain before throwing her to the ground.

----------

“You find her?” Angel asked, looking up as Buffy walked back in through the front door.

The slayer shook her head. “No...”

“I’m sure she’s okay, she hasn’t been gone that long.” He said, trying to reassure her.

“Angel, it’s been three hours.” She said flatly.

“Okay, so maybe she’s been gone awhile, but I’m sure she’s okay.” He stood, grabbing his jacket. “Come on, I’ll help you look.” Buffy nodded, but her eyes drifted to the stairs. Angel sighed before turning around and heading upstairs. “I’ll get him...”

TBC…

Part 17:

“Why the bloody hell would you let her go out by herself anyway? You know the girl’s bound to run into trouble.” Spike chided as he walked quickly ahead of them. He wasn’t very happy about the fact that Buffy would let Dawn wander around LA on her own.

“It’s not like you were there to tell me not to let her go.” Buffy shot back, glaring at him. “If I’m right you were upstairs brooding.”

“I was not brooding.” He said defensively, giving Angel a quick glare.

“Then what do you call it, Spike? Sulking, pouting, moping?” She spat, following the blonde vampire up the street at a quick pace. Angel walked behind them, not wanting to get in the middle of this. They looked about ready to scratch each other’s eyes out.

“You know what Slayer? Who cares what I was doing! The point is, you used bad judgment and now the Nibblet’s gone. Do you think maybe we could save the bickering for later when we got her tucked away safe in bed or do you really wanna do this right now?” He growled. He had to fight back the urge to apologize when a pained look crossed her face. “Let’s just find your kid sis and go home, alright?” He asked a bit more gently.

“That would be a plan… if you were coming home.” She said coldly before pushing past him. He clenched his eyes shut for a moment before going after her.

“Buffy, I didn’t mean…”

“Mean what? To go home? No, you meant to go back to Angel’s hotel so you could resume your brooding or whatever you want to call it. And don’t think what you’re trying to do is going to work.”

He looked confused. “What exactly am I trying to do?”

“You’re trying to make me hate you so I let you stay here.”

“I have to try t’make you hate me now? Bloody hell slayer, make up your mind!”

----------

“Get down!!” Dawn screeched as she tackled the boy, slamming them both into the ground as the demon swung again. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her up and away from the demon quickly.

“Come on, it’s too strong!!” He ordered, dragging her behind him as he began to run. He gave her a strange look when she gained her footing and managed to keep up with him as they ran. When she saw the look he was giving her she smirked. They rounded the corner of the alley and began to dash up the main street, the demon hot on their trail.

She continued to smirk as they ran. “What, you didn’t think…” She let out startled yelp as the demon lunged, grabbing her by the ankle and sending her rolling across the pavement. Her eyes went wide as it pinned her to the ground and prepared to strike her with a huge claw. She clenched her eyes shut, waiting for the blow.

It never came.

The demon was shoved brutally away from her. She looked up in time to see Spike pounding his fists roughly into the demon’s face. It roared and kicked him away harshly. He landed with a rough thud at her feet as the boy pulled her up from the ground once more. The vampire grinned before hopping back to his feet. “‘ey Bit.”

Dawn watched as he took to pummeling the demon again, taking quite a few blows himself. She went to help him, but as she rushed forward she became aware of a sharp pain in her ankle. She winced, nearly tripping.

“Spike, catch!”

The vampire reached up, grabbing the blade Buffy had thrown to him effortlessly. In one swift movement, he impaled the demon. It howled in pain as he twisted it and then pulled it back out. Buffy was on it’s back in a second and twisted it’s head roughly, snapping it’s neck. The creature slumped to the ground, motionless.

“Dawn.” Spike rushed over to the girl, who was supporting her weight on some kid’s shoulder. His eyes fell to her ankle, where a rather large and bloody gash was present.

“God, are you alright?” Buffy asked, looking her sister over for any other injuries.

“I’ll be fine.” Dawn assured her sister.

“Come on, let’s go get you fixed up.” Spike said, shoving the blade he was holding into Angel’s arms. “By the way, thanks for all your help Poofter, gland to see Your Righteousness can put up such a good fight.” He grumbled sarcastically, scooping Dawn into his arms.

“Hey, I can still walk you know!” The teen protested, not liking the prospect of being carried.

“Shut your mouth. You’re not walking on that, you’ll just make it hurt worse.” He said, his eyes falling back on Angel. “What in God’s name are you staring at?” He asked, quirking an eyebrow. Angel was staring at the boy, not moving.

“Um, Angel? Are you okay?” Buffy asked, waving her hand in front of his face.

“Connor…” The vampire muttered, not dropping his gaze from the boy. Connor shifted nervously, not sure what to do. His father was supposed to be in the middle of the Pacific, not standing two feet in front of him.

Spike blinked. Once. Twice. “Wait a minute! This is your kid?! How long have you had ‘im? He’s all….big.” He exclaimed, looking back and forth between the two. He had been expecting a little baby, not some teenager.

“Your…kid?” Buffy asked, looking at him in disbelief. “Since when do you have a kid?!”

----------

Connor sat next to Dawn on the couch, watching the office his father had disappeared into nervously. He had tried to make a run for it earlier, but Angel and Buffy had caught up with him easily enough. After a quick chase and some coaxing from Dawn, he found himself once again perched in the lobby of his father’s hotel.

“Here.” Both teens looked up as Spike sauntered up behind them, offering Dawn some aspirin and a glass of water.

“Thanks.” She muttered, wanted more than anything to rid herself of the throbbing pain in her ankle. She downed the medication quickly and gulped down the water.

Connor looked up to find Spike staring at him, a contemplative look on his face. “You’re a vampire…” He said, giving the blonde a skeptical look.

“Yeah, and you’re dad’s a vampire, now what does that make you?” Spike asked, quirking his head to the side.

“I’m human.” Connor answered, glaring.

“How old are you, anyway? Fifteen, sixteen?” Spike asked, taking a seat on the other side of Dawn.

“Sixteen.” He answered, taking his eyes away from the vampire.

“Cool. Same as me.” Dawn said with a smile.

“Sixteen? Then why the Hell haven’t I seen you before? Like when Angel went all cuckoo and me ‘n the Slayer had t’stop him from destroyin’ the world, where were you then?”

“I grew up in Quortoth.” Connor answered flatly.

“Quor-what?” Dawn asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Quortoth, it’s a dark hell demension. I grew up there and when I came back to this world only a few months had passed.” He said almost shamefully.

Spike smirked devilishly. “Don’t worry ‘bout it, Nibblet here’s a two year old ball of energy made by some crazy monks.” He grinned and winked at the girl.

“Gee, thanks Spike.” She said sarcastically, smirking as she punched him in the arm.

“Don’t mention it.”

Buffy and Angel chose that moment to walk out of the office, Buffy looking rather pissed off. Connor stood up quickly, looking back and forth between the pair. Angel stopped in front of the boy, giving him a small smile. “I’m glad you’re still here. I guess we need to talk….”

“Yeah, I guess….”

“About what?” Dawn asked curiously.

“I tried to kill him.” Connor answered simply, nodding to Angel.

“Who here hasn’t?” Spike asked in all seriousness. Dawn sheepishly raised her hand. Spike smirked at her. “Okay then, who here hasn’t thought about killing him?” Dawn’s hand went down. He nodded and smiled at Connor. “See? Hatred for the Poof is mutual.”

“Spike, shuttup.” Buffy commanded.

“Like you have room t’talk. You’re the only one here who actually managed t’kill ‘im. Sent him to a nice hell demesion for quite awhile if I remember correctly.” Spike continued, a smug smile on his face.

“Can we not talk about killing me right now?” Angel asked, giving everyone an exasperated look.

“Aw, s’matter Peaches? ‘fraid your hair’ll get messed up if we all decide t’jump ya?”

Angel scowled. Dawn snickered.

“Spike, enough.” Buffy said sternly, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she tried to look cross with him. She couldn’t help it, watching Angel get all huffy over his hair was priceless.

“Oh this is too bloody good. Even the Slayer’s laughin’ at you now.” Spike exclaimed with a grin.

“Am not.” Buffy said, trying with all her might to keep a straight face. Connor couldn’t help but smile. Everyone one around him was either laughing or smiling, well, all except for his father, who just looked a bit aggravated. Buffy shook her head and gave Spike a small glare. “Come on Dawn, bed time.” She instructed, helping her sister to her feet. Dawn didn’t protest, she’d gotten only a few hours of sleep in the past few days.

Spike watched as Buffy helped her sister up the stairs. He then turned back to Angel, still grinning. “So, Poofter, what’d you do t’the kid t’make ‘im wanna kill your sorry arse?”

Angel went to speak, but Connor cut him off. “Nothing.”

Angel looked confused. “But I thought…”

“Justine said…Justine told me you killed my father, that’s why I came after you. Eventually the guilt got to her and she told me the truth. She killed him….” Connor explained, his eyes falling to the floor.

“Wait, your father? I thought Peaches was your dad?” Spike asked, looking confused.

“I am, he’s talking about Holtz.” Angel explained.

“That psychotic demon hunter?”

“He wasn’t psychotic.” Connor snapped.

“Connor, ignore him.” Angel said, glaring at Spike. The blonde vampire shrugged and settled back into the couch to watch the exchange. Angel continued to glare. “Don’t you have somewhere else you need to be?”

“No.”

“….” Angel growled.

“Take it easy, Ponce, I’m leavin’.” Spike said with a grin as he stood and made his way towards the stairs. “‘night Jr.” He said, casting Connor a small wave over his shoulder.

Connor watched curiously as the other vampire disappeared. “Who is he?” He asked, turning back to Angel.

“He’s your, um, uncle…or nephew, depending on how you look at it.” Angel answered, scratching his head.

“Does he have a soul as well?”

“He did.”

“So he’s evil, just like the others?”

Angel stared up the steps for a moment, thinking about this. “No, I think he’s just under the delusion that he’s still evil.”

----------

Spike sat in the corner of his room, his legs drawn up to his chest and his blanket draped over his shoulders. His eyes were locked on the television, where a rather fuzzy weather forecast was displayed. He could barely make out the words over the static. Groaning, he flicked the machine off.

“Spike?”

He turned as Dawn poked her head through the door, knocking lightly. “S’matter Bit?” She shrugged. He sighed. “It’s late, you should be in bed.”

“I couldn’t sleep and I figured you’d be up.”

“What gave you that idea?”

“You never sleep after you and Buffy have a fight.” She said knowingly, limping over and taking a seat next to him. “And I’d say this all qualifies as a pretty big fight.”

“Yeah, well I never meant for it t’be a fight.” He said, running his hand over the back of his neck. “I just wanted t’do what was best for you two.”

“And that was what? Leaving?” She asked softly.

He shrugged, resting his elbows on his knees. “Can’t hurt you if I’m not there.”

“But it hurts not having you there.” Dawn said simply.

He gave her a small smile. “And it hurts not being there with you, but I can’t risk hurting you or your sis again.”

“Spike, do you remember that promise you made to me and Buffy just before she died?”

He nodded. “I promised t’protect you ‘til the end of the world.”

“How can you do that from here?” She asked softly, not wanting to fight with him again.

“Easy, I’m protectin’ you from me.”

“Spike, if it ever came to that, I could protect myself from you. But I need you there to protect me from everything else. I mean, what if you hadn’t been there tonight? That demon would have killed me and Connor both. What if something like that happens in Sunnydale and Buffy doesn’t get there in time?”

His eyes fell to the floor and he didn’t answer. After a moment, he sighed. “Go get some sleep, Bit.”

“Can I stay in here?”

His eyes darted to hers. “Nibblet, I don’t think…”

“Please?” she asked quietly, staring at his with wide eyes.

He sighed. “Come on.” He lifted the blanket and covered the girl as she curled up next to him, her head resting on his arm. He rolled his eyes and smiled. “‘night, Lil’ Bit.”

----------

Buffy gave Connor a small smile as she walked into the lobby. The boy was sitting on the couch, munching on what appeared to be a Ho-Ho. “Hey, you seen Dawn?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“You sure? She wasn’t in her room…” Buffy said, a little worried.

Connor shrugged. “I’ve been down here all night, she didn’t come down at all.”

“You didn’t sleep at all?” She asked.

He shook his head. “No. Me and dad we’re talking.”

She smiled slightly. “Where’s he at?”

“In his office with Fred and Gunn. They just got here a little bit ago.” He explained.

Buffy nodded. “ kay, if he asks tell him I’m upstairs looking for Dawn. She’s probably snooping around.”

“Want me to help you look?” He offered, finishing off his oh-so-nutritious breakfast and standing.

“Why not? It’s something to do, right?” She said, giving him a smile as they began to walk towards the stairs.

He nodded. “So what are you, anyway? I mean, you’re human, right?” He asked as they climbed the stairs.

“Yeah, I’m human.”

“But you’re strong. Last night with that demon…”

“I’m the Slayer.” She said simply. “Well, one of them. I kinda screwed the whole thing up when I died and now there’s more than one of us.”

“You died?” He asked curiously, glancing up and down the hall for any signs of the other teen.

“More than once.” She said with a grin, pushing one of the doors open and glancing about the room.

“What’s it like, dying?” He asked, looking at her curiously.

“Well, the first couple times it was just, I dunno, over. One minute I was there and the next I wasn’t. But the last time…” She looked to the ground, shaking her head. “The last time I went to Heaven, or something like it at least. All I know was I was happy, safe.”

“But now you’re here again.” He said, giving her a grim look. “It’s like being sent to hell, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, something like that…”

“If it makes you feel any better, I grew up in a Hell demension.” He said with a shrug.

She laughed. “It helps a little bit. Thanks.”

He smiled, looking down the hall. He pointed. “There’s a door open down there.”

The pair walked down the hall towards the room. It was Spike’s. The Slayer pushed the door fully open quietly, peering in. She smiled. Dawn was curled up next to the vampire, asleep. He was asleep as well, his head resting against the wall behind them

“They’re friends?” Connor asked quietly as Buffy gently shut the door.

“Yeah.” She said, leading him back down the hall and towards the stairs.

“He’s not a normal vampire, is he? I mean, my father has a soul and that’s why he helps people, but he doesn’t.”

“No, Spike’s anything but normal. He’s probably the weirdest person I’ve ever met.” She agreed, walking back down to the lobby.

“Why does he help you?” Connor asked curiously, not sure why his ‘Uncle’ would be helping this girl fight the good fight if he was evil.

“He loves me.” She answered simply.

He remained quiet for a moment, thinking about this. “Do you love him?”

She smiled. “That’s why I’m here. And that’s why I’m not going anywhere until he comes with me.”

TBC…..

Part 18:

Buffy looked up as Spike walked into the lobby. She gave him a small smile from behind the counter where her and Angel were seated. “Morning.”

He glanced at the clock and smirked as he sat down on the opposite side of the counter. “It’s lunchtime.”

“Good point.” She said with a nod.

“What can I say? Sometimes my intelligence scares even me.”

“Or lack there of.” Angel added.

Spike glared at him for a moment before brushing it off and returning his eyes to Buffy. “So where’d Nibblet get to?”

“Fred and Gunn took her and Connor to get some food. Seems all that they have around here is some pig’s blood and a hefty supply of ho-ho’s.” She said, holding up a wrapper from one of the chocolatey deserts.

“Nice nutritious breakfast, eh Slayer?” He questioned with a smirk.

“Of course. I wouldn’t eat anything unhealthy, now would I?”

“You know, I think I saw you eat a salad once…no wait, that was just me watching some demon kicking your face into the grass.”

“He was smashing my face into the ground so you watched? Ah yes, my night in shining armor.” She said, rolling her eyes at him.

“Personally, I can’t picture Spike in anything shiny.” Angel chimed.

“‘ey, speaking of shiny, do you have any idea where Chase is at?” Spike asked, looking at Angel.

“Cordy? What do you mean where is she? She’s probably at home…”

“Hold on, ‘shiny’ made you think of Cordelia?” Buffy asked, confused.

Spike shrugged. “Fred ‘n Gunn said she can do some weird glow-bug thing now. Well, could, ‘fore she disappeared.”

“Disappeared?” Angel asked, sitting up a bit.

Spike turned to look at Angel. Bugger, his little friends hadn’t told him yet. “Um…no.”

“Wait, Cordelia’s gone?” Buffy asked, suddenly remembering her dream. She had neglected to tell Angel about that, hadn’t she?

“You know, you’re probably right Peaches. She’s probably tucked away safe and sound at home, nothing to fret about. So why don’t we all…”

“Spike.” Angel growled. Spike had never been very good at lying to him.

“Fine.” He said defeatedly. “Your little cheerleader-gone-demon’s missing, alright? Your little crack team of investigators told me she disappeared the same night you did. I figured you two went off on some hot, steamy affair but them your arse turns up in the bloody ocean.”

Buffy snickered. “Ha, Angel and Cordelia? Come on Spike, get real…” She continued to laugh until she saw the look on Angel’s face. She stopped laughing. “…oh.”

“s‘not like me n’ you were a match made in heaven either.” Spike said with a smirk. “Well, ‘least not me, anyway…”

“Are.” She said simply.

“What?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You said it wasn’t like we were a match made in heaven, I said it’s not like we are.”

The blonde vampire sighed. “Buffy, we aren’t…”

“Spike, you fought me for this for so long and now that you have it you’re gonna say ‘no’? It’s me and you, Spike, and that’s why I’m not leaving unless you’re coming with me…” The slayer whispered. They sat there for a moment, neither speaking.

“Can we please get back to the fact that Cordelia’s missing?” Angel huffed, his eyes darting back and forth between the two.

Buffy gave Spike a small smile before turning back to Angel. “She’s not missing. She’s fine, I know…”

----------

“Hey.” Dawn said with a smile as she walked through the door, followed closely by Connor, Fred, and Gunn.

“Hey ‘Bit.” Spike said from his seat on the couch. “How’s your foot?”

“Better, it doesn’t hurt as much now.” She said, flopping down next to him.

“That’s good.”

“Where’s Buffy at?”

Spike nodded towards Angel’s office. “In there with the Poof.”

Dawn’s face scrunched up. “What for?”

Spike’s eyes fell to Gunn and Fred. “They’re talking about your missing-in-action seer. I’d really like to thank you lot for tellin’ him bout it.”

“He knows about Cordelia?” Fred asked softly.

“Does now, only because I have a big mouth.”

“So why’s he talking to Buffy?” Connor asked, sipping some pop through a straw.

“She said something about a dream.” He said with a shrug, returning his eyes to the television show he had been watching.

“A dream?” Gunn asked, not quiet understanding.

“Yeah, Buffy has these weird prophetic dreams.” Dawn explained. “She said she had a dream about Cordy on the bus, but she didn’t tell me what it was about. She just said it was weird.”

“Any dream with Cordelia in it would be weird.” Spike said matter-of-factly.

“Wait, if Buffy’s dreams are prophetic, does that mean she knows where Cordelia’s at?” Fred asked hopefully.

“Doubt it. Hell, she didn’t even really get the fact that Chase was missing ‘til I said something.” Spike said with a shrug.

“Oh…” Fred mumbled, her face falling.

Spike rolled his eyes. “Look, evidently it wasn’t anything major if she’s just now bringing it up. I’m sure your little friend is just peachy and whatnot.”

“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” Gunn said, acknowledging Spike’s attitude.

“I don’t have a bed.”

“Well now I just sound dumb, don’t I?”

“Yup.” Spike said with a nod.

“You and Buffy fighting again?” Dawn asked knowingly.

“Not fighting, per say, more like disagreeing.”

“Disagreeing on what?”

“Us. Well, on whether or not there is an ‘us’. We’ve kind of switched sides on the whole issue.”

“So, what, you like broke up with her?” Dawn asked quickly.

“I think leaving Sunnydale qualifies as breaking up.” He said flatly.

“No it doesn’t.” the teen said simply.

“Does in my book.” Spike replied. Fred and Gunn exchanged looks, not really wanting to be part of this conversation. They slipped away into the hall, muttering some excuse about needing to organize weapons.

“But why?” Spike and Dawn both looked up to find Connor looking at them questioningly. “Buffy told me that you loved her and that she loved you. Why would you want to leave her?” The boy asked.

“Because I’m a vampire.”

He shrugged. “Yes, but you’re different from the other vampires I’ve met…um, killed. My father has a soul and that’s why he helps people, but you seem to have a genuine concern even without one. I’ve never seen that characteristic in any demon I’ve encountered.”

“Yup, you’re definitely the Poof’s kid, what with all the nancy boy speeches and what not.”

“Spike, Connor’s right. You’re different.” Dawn agreed. “I mean, it’s not like I went out and made friends with everyone of my sister’s arch enemies, right? Hey, I didn’t even make friends with Angel when they were dating. You’re the only vampire I’ve ever really trusted, Spike, soul or not.”

“Your sister dated my father?” Connor asked, looking a bit surprised.

“Let’s not go there.” Spike said before Dawn could answer. “It’s a long story that no one feels like hearin’ right now.”

Connor shrugged. “Just curious.”

“Curiosity killed the cat.” The vampire muttered, earning a confused look from the boy. “Never mind. Now come on, let’s go find something to kill, I’m bored.”

“Spike, it’s the middle of the day.” Dawn pointed out.

“LA has some pretty big sewers. ‘sides, Passions is a rerun.”

TBC…

----------

Part 19:

“Buffy?” Dawn quipped, poking her head into Angel’s office. “Me and Connor are gonna go for a walk with Spike, okay?”

“Dawn, it’s the middle of the day.” Buffy pointed out. “Taking a walk with a pile of dust sounds splendid.”

“We’re taking the sewers.” She said informatively.

Buffy rolled her eyes and looked to Angel. “You want him to go?”

“Not really, but I’m not going to say no. We’re sort of working on this whole ‘trust’ issue. I don’t want him to think I’m trying to control him.” Angel shrugged.

Buffy sighed. “Fine, but stay with Spike, you don’t need to be wandering around.”

Dawn rolled her eyes. “Got it, so basically you’re saying ‘no fun’?”

“Basically.”

Dawn smirked and shook her head before walking out of the room.

----------

“Well, granted LA does have some pretty big sewers, m’afraid they’re lacking in the demon department.” Spike stated, shuffling along in the shallow water.

“Can’t even pick up anything to track one.” Connor muttered.

“Eww, you can track things? Like a dog?” Dawn asked.

“Like a vampire.” Spike chimed. “Kid’s got daddy’s skills, only he’s mortal.”

“So you’re like a living vampire?” Dawn asked, looking at the boy in question.

“I don’t drink blood.” He said quickly. “But I guess I’m strong…”

“No guessing there, you put on quite a show with that demon last night.” Dawn said with a grin.

He shrugged. “I didn’t kill it…”

“Me neither. But you did kick some major ass.”

“Dawn, language.” Spike said warningly.

“Sorry.”

“You better be.” He sighed and looked up as they passed under a sewer grate. “Here.” He halted and dug into his pocket, producing a few bills. “Go get yourselves some ice cream or something, there’s nothin’ for you t’do down here.”

“But Buffy said we had to stay with you.” Dawn pointed out.

“Since when do you listen to everything your sis says?” He asked with a smirk. “‘sides, it’s three in the afternoon, you’re not gonna get jumped by some demon in the middle of the city. Go get your ice cream and meet me back at the parking garage near the hotel in an hour. Buffy’ll never know you left my side.”

“You sure?” Dawn asked, feeling a bit guilty for leaving him.

“Positive. Now get goin’.”

She grinned. “Thanks, Spike.” The blonde vampire watched as the two teens climbed up the rusty ladder and hefted themselves to the street above. “You want us to bring you anything?” Dawn called back down, putting the cover back in place.

“Nah…well, unless they have some really strong whisky and they’ll sell it t’ya.”

“I’ll check.” Dawn said with a grin, rolling her eyes. “See you later.”

“Bye Bit.”

----------

“So you’ve never had rock road ice cream?” Dawn asked with a smirk.

Connor shook his head. “No.”

“Man, I would have seriously gone crazy without ice cream.” Dawn said, licking the large strawberry cone she held.

He shrugged. “It wasn’t that bad, I mean, I didn’t even know it existed until I got here.”

“And now you’re a junk food junkie, right?” She asked, smirking.

He grinned. “Yeah.”

“Okay, we have like a half hour to do whatever. Where to?” Dawn asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Oh come on, what do you usually do during the day?”

“Look for demons.”

Dawn stared at him for a moment. “That’s a night time job, buddy. Well, unless it’s something really serious and end-of-the-world envoking, then it’s okay to look for demons during the day. But other than that, day time is when you get to pretend to be normal.”

“You seem normal.”

“Ha, me? Hardly. Remember what Spike said? I’m a two year old ball of mystical, universe destroying energy turned human.” She looked to find him giving her a confused look. “It’s a long story.”

“That’s all everyone around here seems to have.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone keeps saying ‘It’s a long story’. I know who people are now, but I don’t know why they are who they are. I don’t know why Gunn fight’s demons, I don’t know how Cordelia became a demon, I don’t know anything about what happened between your sister and my father, I don’t know why Spike….”

“Okay, I’m getting the idea.” Dawn said with a smirk, shaking her head. “They’re all probably some pretty interesting stories, too. Well, okay, which do you wanna hear about, me being The Key or about Buffy and your dad?”

Connor grinned.

----------

“Right then, if you wanna fight then get your arse out here and get it over with.” Spike called down the empty tunnel, stopping. He had picked up on someone fallowing him through the tunnels, but they had yet to show themselves. “Hello? I’m bored, get out here already.”

“I don’t want to fight you.” Came a female voice from behind him.

Spike spun around. The footsteps had come from the direction he was facing, so how had she gotten behind him? “Well that’s a shame, innit? What do you want then, t’have a tea party?”

“I want your help.” Came the reply, once again from behind him.

He spun around once more. “Would you stop doing that!”

“Will you help me?”

“Um, usually you inform someone about what you need help with before you ask them t’help.” He said, getting rather annoyed.

“I’m going to kill her.”

“Kill her? Who?” Spike asked, confused.

“Will you help me?”

“Right, I’m gonna need a bit more information other than ‘I’m going to kill her’.”

The girl giggled. “Come on, William, a tea party sounds swell right about now.”

He spun around once more, coming face-to-face with a girl, probably only a little bit older than Dawn. “What the…”

“Let’s play.” She said sweetly before punching him the face, knocking him to the ground. Kneeling down beside him, she grinned. “It’s an honor to finally meet you, William.” With that she stood, kicking him roughly in the head and sending him into unconsciousness.

----------

“Ugh, I’m going to kill him, he was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago.” Dawn groaned.

“Maybe he ran into a demon.” Connor said with a shrug.

Dawn stared at him. “Thanks for making me feel better about the whole Spike-being-late-issue, and is that all you think about? Demons?”

“I guess. I lived in a Hell dimension, all I knew were demons...”

“Sorry…” she muttered.

“It’s okay. I didn’t mean to make you worry, I’m sure he’s fine.”

Dawn sighed. “I hope so…”

“Should we go look for him or wait?” Connor asked, looking over at her.

“We’ll give him ten more minutes, if he’s not back we’ll get Buffy. It takes a lot to take Spike down and if something got him then we’re not going to be able to take it alone, we’ll need her help… and your dad’s, if he’ll help.”

“Why wouldn’t he?”

“Because him and Spike have this mutual hatred for each other spanning over quite a few lifetimes.” She said, rolling her eyes.

“So Spike hates him because he has a soul.”

“Partially, but personally I think Spike hates him more without his soul.”

“Makes sense, I mean, he would be evil without it. It makes sense to hate him.”

“Not with Spike. Spike likes evil things, well, he did. He didn’t like him because he had this whole ‘I’m the world’s most bad-ass vamp, fear me!’ motif. That was kinda Spike’s gig and Angel tried to take it away.” Dawn said with a smirk

“So he likes him because he has a soul?”

“Nah. He used to hate him either way, but I’m not too sure he does now. I think he’ll tolerate him, but I don’t ever think he’ll actually like him.”

----------

“Bloody hell…” Spike muttered, a sharp jolt of pain shooting through his head. His lip was split and he could taste the blood in his mouth. He went to wipe it away, only to find that his hands were bound together above his head. “Well that’s just peachy…” He muttered, opening his eyes. He was seated against a wall in what appeared to be an old factory, his hand bound to a large pipe in the wall above his head.

“You’re awake.” Came a cheery voice from the other end of the room.

“Who the hell are you?” Spike asked impatiently, not really liking his predicament.

“Well, some books refer to me as Matticks, others as Martyef, but my friends just call me Matty. Well, they would, if I had friends.” She said with a grin, walking out of the shadows. He had been right, the girl appeared to be only around seventeen or eighteen. She was about Buffy’s size with raven black hair falling down her back. She wore a tight fitting pair of leather pants, a skimpy red shirt, and a knee-length leather jacket.

“Matticks…. Why do I know that name?”

“Ahh, so you’ve heard of me.” She said with a grin, walking over to where he was seated. She knelt down, swinging her legs on either side of him and sitting in his lap. She trailed her hand down the side of his face, grinning. “You’re a pretty little thing, you know that?”

“And I’d be even prettier if you hadn’t kicked me in the face, now get off.” He growled, trying to throw her from him. She grabbed him roughly by the shoulders and slammed him back against the wall, grinning all the while.

“Calm down, William, I don’t want to hurt you.”

“A bit late for that.” He said flatly.

“Mmm, that was only to get your cooperation.” She said, wiping away some of the blood from his mouth.

“Right, good way to gain trust, go around kicking people in the head.” He spat as she stood back up. “What are you?”

“M’not human.” She said softly.

“Well I got that when you bloody kicked my face in.” He shot.

“I’m a Slayer.” She said, her back to him.

He stared at her for a moment, stunned. “You can’t be a Slayer, Buffy’s not…”

“Not Buffy.” She said, spinning back to face him. “And I’m not that kind of Slayer.”

“Faith… she’s dead.” He said, looking back up at her questioningly.

She nodded. “Aye, you’re quick.”

“Matticks…” He repeated her name, trying to remember where he had heard it. Then it hit him. “No way, you’re a bloody myth.”

“So I’m told.” She said, sitting down Indian-style in front of him.

“That’s impossible, Matticks was just some stupid story started by those bloody watchers as an excuse for dead Slayers. They blamed her for killing the girls so they wouldn’t look like they had failed.”

“Hmm, you know your demons, I’m impressed.”

“You’re mad.” He said simply.

“No, I’m Matty, The Slayer….”

“…of Slayers.” He finished, glaring at her.

She grinned widely. “Yes, The Slayer of Slayers. So, are you going to help me?”

“Why would I help you?” He growled, trying to loose his hands.

“Well, seeing as you have killed two slayers yourself I thought you might enjoy coming along for the ride.” She said with a shrug.

“I don’t play that game anymore.”

“Is that so? So you’re going to tell me that you don’t yearn to taste the blood of another Slayer, to feel that power coursing through you once more?” She whispered, crawling towards him. “Are you going to tell me you don’t want to kill that pretty little thing and drink her for all she’s worth?”

“You touch her and I’ll kill you.”

She frowned. “And I thought you’d be happy to find I was real. I guess it’s true what they’re saying then. You, William the Bloody, have fallen head over heals for the Slayer.” Her grin returned. “The same Slayer I’m gonna kill next.”

“I’m gonna….” He began menacingly, but was silenced as she clasped her hand over his mouth.

“Shhhh. You know what you’re going to do, William?” She asked innocently, crawling into his lap once more. “You’re going to sit here, and when you’re little girl comes to save you, you’re going to watch as I shred her to pieces.” He went to protest again, but she backhanded him. His head snapped to the side. He turned back towards her, glaring, but said nothing. She smiled innocently. “Now, seeing as she’s the oldest living Slayer in history, my guess is she’s going to be quite fun to fight. I mean, sure, Faith was fun, seeing as I had to break into the prison to get to her, but she wasn’t too much of a challenge. I guess prison food doesn’t do too much for your health.”

“She’s going to kill you…” He growled.

She patted him on the cheek and stood. “Yes, that’s what they all say before they die. ‘I’m going to kill you’. But guess what, I’m still standing, aren’t I? And I have the deaths of twelve slayers under my belt. Your little Buffy will be lucky thirteen.” She walked over to a small table where she had a few candles burning. Turning back to face him, she grinned, holding up a dagger and a small bottle of holy water. “Now what do you say we have some fun until she gets here, aye?”

TBC…

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