Sara sat pouring over the accounts of club. Yes the place was spruced up with magic, but as pretty as it seemed, something never came from nothing. She still had to pay for the supplies, and it was looking like good thing she learned how to invest early on her life. Something was scaring away all the business as of late and she didn't know what. Willow was sitting on the floor meditating; she looked peaceful, the first time in months since she hurt Dawn.

The door opened and in walked Tara, Dawn and Xander. "Hey guys, What's up?" she closed her books thankful for the distraction.

"Hey, Just coming by to pick up Willow, we're meeting Anya back at the shop and are going to see a movie." Xander ordered a coke and the glass appeared suddenly.

"What movie?"

"We haven't decided. We usually have a group spat then wind-up seeing a kiddie-movie, so probably Monsters, Inc." Tara sat next to Willow careful not to rouse her from meditation to quickly.

"I want to see Harry Potter, but Tara says she doesn't want to hear Willow complain through the whole movie." Dawn sat next to Sara

"Definitely nothing scary because then Anya complains how it is so unrealistic" Xander looked disturbed for a moment "Or says that demon doesn't act like that." He shrugged off the thought. "Hey, where's Methos? He's usually hanging out with you while you teach Willow."

"First of all, I am not sure if I like the phrase 'hang out' and second, I don't know. He is old enough to take care of himself, and with his wanderlust, you can't keep him one spot for very long. Hell come back, he always does." She helped Tara get Willow to her feet, she noted how deep into meditation Willow went this time and approved. "You are doing well, Wil, you are ready for the next lesson."

"Now?" Willow replied groggily

"Nah, next session, go have fun with the gang." Just then Sara's cell phone rang, "Hello, Yes, hang on a sec" She walked into her office and closed the door. A few minutes she emerged looking a bit shaken "Did Buffy get her cell turned on?"

"Yeah, I think so" Dawn looked questioningly "Why?"

"I need you guys to go to the movie, have a good time, and after I sort through this well have a Scooby meeting, ok?" she dialed Buffy's number and turned her back, physically dismissing them.

As they left she heard Willow "She very scared, I can feel it."

"This better be good, fighting now." The voice was irritated at the other end.

"Buffy, its Sara, haul your butt over to the club and bring Spike with you, hurry, this is important." Sara ended the call and placed her head in her hands. 'Where was Methos? With that Macleod boy again, to be sure.' She sighed, 'ok Watcher training mode kicking in now. '

She dialed again "Wesley, Its me Sara, Fine. They're Good. Are you sitting? I am going to have to spring Faith. Calm down Wesley, please. I need to ask a favor, a very big one. Can you drive her into town? Yes, Gunn will do. He may have to drive her back, so I am going to borrow him for a while. Is that ok? Good. Thanks, Oh and one more thing, if she's truly rehabilitated the council wants to reinstate her. I am searching for a candidate to become her Watcher now. Not you, you're not even a Watcher anymore, as far as they're concerned. Any suggestions? The council isn't exactly overrun with volunteers to sponsor the Renegade Slayer. Ok, I see, hadn't thought of that. Ok. Thanks again." As she hung up Buffy and Spike entered bickering, as usual.

"Look, Pet, we've been through this" he seemed adamant on making his point "Drusilla was all I knew for a very long time, I said I was sorry, what else do you want?"

By the smirk on Buffy's face she was dragging this on to torture poor Spike "Next time, remember my name is Buffy. You will pay later."

"Do I even want to know when this all occurred guys?" Sara eyebrows arched up as she listened to the argument, this one was a doosey.

Spike ordered his usual, then got a look of recognition across his face "No! it wasn't then. I might be pile of ash if that'd happened. We were fighting and she was reminding so much of how much alike in stubbornness she and Dru were and it kind of slipped out."

"So you're having a fight about a fight?" Sara shook her head. These two were always discussing adamantly something or another, and they both loved it immensely

Spike shrugged "Buffy doesn't like L'il Bits new boyfriend, so I decided to watch them, make sure his hands stay where they belong. They weren't from my point of view and I scared him away. Buffy says that was invading her privacy, but only after Dawn chewed her out for sending me to spy on her."

"I just think its funny that he's so protective of her. But, he should not have scared the poor boy away!"

"All right, guys, please don't start back up. There is something more serious than a fifteen year olds love life is about to happen. I need you both to sit. Ready?" She took a deep breath "I have to bring Faith back to town."

"What! No! Over my dead body." Buffy jumped out of her chair.

Just then Sara looked up, her hand fell to the hilt of her sword that always was by her even if it was not always visible to the casual observer.

Methos walked in followed by Duncan and Joe Dawson. Joe found a stool at the bar. "I told them what I knew, which was not much, you're more in the loop than I am."

"So its true, the council has decided that the Maciviljah prophecy is coming about now." Methos sat next to Joe.

"It seems fishy, like someone is making it happen." Sara mused "Someone who has knowledge of us and our organizational secrets."

"Can fill in us non-watcher types on what is going on, what is this Masivilha thingy anyway?" Buffy asked "And what does it have to do with Faith coming back to Sunnydale?"

"One day the three will become one, the immortal will perish, the Slayer be slain, the magic will fail" Methos quoted from memory.

"And all in Sunnydale" Spike chimed in darkly.

"How do you know who is The Immortal? Or who The Slayer is for that matter?"

"All indications, according to the full time seers, point to the good old Hellmouth being the center." She took a breath and waited for the questions. Dawson, with his clearance had no idea there were other branches of the Watchers, but council approved his being in the loop, under the circumstances. When none came she decided to elaborate. "The Hellmouth, Joe, Duncan, is where a lot of, umm," she was lost in how to phrase it.

"Big Baddies love it here" The turned to look at the bleach blond at the end of the bar, blank looks on their faces "You know, demons, vampires, evil witches, that sort."

"And who exactly is this nutcase" Duncan whispered to Joe who was seated on the stool on his other side.

"Spike is right, and Buffy is known as the Slayer, She has a watcher, had a watcher, named Rupert Giles." Sara faced Joe "This branch, unlike immortal watchers, must guide their slayers in training, where as you just observe."

"So what you are telling me is that there is a whole other branch of the watchers I have no knowledge of?" Joe looked incredulous "I doubt it."

"Believe it." Methos looked into his glass before he took a swig.

"I was afraid of this, Methos, can you at least help a little?" she reached for the phone intending to call the head of Joe's branch who at least had knowledge that there was more to the organization.

"I thought I did." He smiled a big impish grin at her "I remembered the quote didn't I?"

"Wait, before you call in the whole bloody council down on us." Spike changed to his vamp face for proof "Now can we get on with the bloody impending doom that is coming to Sunnydale, this week"

"Holy ****" Joe stumbled back off his stool and almost to the floor is Methos hadn't steadied him, Duncan swore in Scots Gaelic, jumped up and readied his sword.

"Relax" Sara rolled her eyes at the scene "Back to business"

"Relax? Relax!" Duncan's accent was thick "You want me to relax when a creature of the devil is in the same room with me? You must be daft woman!"

"Duncan, please sit. This involves Arius." He face instantly sobered up, Methos gestured for Sara to continue as Duncan resettled at the bar.

"Arius is very evil, and very old. He has hooked up with an old friend of yours, apparently, Spike, a vampire by the name of Drusilla. She is bent on killing the slayer, he is bent on unleashing the power that is the Hellmouth." She looked distant for a moment "I had the pleasure of running with him during my dark years, he can do it, and no stake will kill him, only a beheading."

"This is fine and dandy, but what does this have to do with Faith?" Buffy demanded

"Arius is meticulous, he has been convinced that the slayer must die to ensure his victory, he has done his homework, killed a few immortal watchers, killed a few of the councils watchers, and voila he has knowledge of a slayer in jail. I guess Drusilla for got to tell him a new one will take their place after both are gone. A maxim strength prison will not keep her safe from him. According to Arius' watcher, who is now one the recently deceased, Drusilla has Harmony in tow with her."

"Great two of your ex-girlfriends are coming into town to kick my butt." Buff looked pointedly at Spike.

"Can't help it if I have animal magnetism, Luv." He winked at her.

"Give me briefing on the apparent ties here. Ex-girlfriends? Are they like him?" Joe was instantly business-like

"According to my records, this is how it goes." She pilled out a laptop. "Spike was sired by Drusilla. Drusilla was sired by Angelus. Angelus was sired by Darla, who was sired by the master. Harmony was from Sunnydale and was an unfortunate casualty in the war against vampirism, sire unknown. Drusilla and Spike ran with Angelus and Darla for decades. Lets see here, interesting," She was scanning the screen. "Dru sees Buffy all over Spike and dumps him for a demon. He shags Harmony for convenience." Noticing the shock on everyone's faces "What? I have really good sources. Arius and The Spurned Duo met in Mexico last year. Drusilla sensed great and ominous things in him, just like 'Daddy' used to be. Arius, being the insane jerk that he is, thinks Drusilla is just the most adorable thing he has ever seen. Her visions are really useful, if you can interpret them." She sighed "I know Arius from my Demonica days, he was my lover, we did some pretty awful things then. I am not proud of them."

"Ok, so why are the Scoobies not here for this meeting?" Buffy asked

"I let them go to the movie, probably the only off time they'll have for a while. I am going to need everyone on this. Why don't you two take the night off as well? There might be a subject you two haven't discussed yet." Sara smiled

"What is our role?" Duncan asked

"You, Mr. MacLeod maybe the only one who can take his head. Methos, no offense, but it has been a while since you've taken a head. Besides, everything around here dies if you take off its head, so you guys are actually very experienced."

"What wrong with you taking his head?" Methos was curious

"I made a promise, I may have been evil, but a promise it what it is. I can never take the head of Arius the Immortal while awake or asleep."

"He actually made you say that?" Joe chuckled

"At least twice a week, he's a little paranoid."

Buffy walked over to Spike from her spot at the table, "I guess we'll take your advice"

"Do you want to hold the meeting, or me?" Sara was hoping Buffy would fill them and they would come to her ready to ask questions.

"Ill tell them, then well come for a pow-wow tomorrow, say dinnerish."

"Make it six then. See you two then." Sara smiled as they left. The Powers That Be Are so funny sometimes. Making a vampire slayer fall in love with not one, but two vampires.

They left the club and headed for Spikes DeSoto. Spike put the car in gear and headed down the road. "Whats the matter, Pet?"

"Do you want her back?" Buffy was twisting a tress of her hair around her finger, staring straight ahead.

"Who back?"

"Drusilla"

"I could have left with her if I wanted to last time she was here, but I didnt, I stayed for you Buffy."

"Do you regret it?"

He stopped the car "Bloody Hell, Buffy. Have I not proved to you yet that you are my life?"

"Yes, Spike, but it has been too good lately. Its time for things to screw up."

He put his arm around her as best as he could in the front seat "I dont know how many times I have to tell you, how many times I have to show you, but I love you and I am not going anywhere unless you want me to."

"I know, but" she hesitated "can you kill her? If it came down to that?"

He pulled back "I dont know."

"Will you stop me?"

"I dont know. Buffy she was my life for a century and then some. I cannot tell you what I am going to do, other than stay with you."

"OK, but know that I am going to kill her."

"All this jealousy over Dru and none for Harmony?" he smirked

"Puleeeaze , like Sara said, she was a convenient shag, no worries here."

"Speaking of a good shag"

"Im hungry, pull into Dennys over there" she ignored him

They went in and were seated at a window booth. Buffy ordered and Spike watched her as she ate. It kind of unnerved her so she attempted a little conversation." A movie sounds good, want to see one?"

"Rent or theatre, because Dru and I used to love going to the shows, people in the back rows were easy pickings"

Buffy choked on the salad she was eating and stared at Spike. She slammed her money on the table and stormed out of the restaurant. Spike, bewildered, followed.

"What? What did I say?"

She was leaning up against the car, glaring at him, and tapping her foot. "One you DO NOT mention your ex-girlfriend on a date with your current girlfriend. Second, I dont want to know about easy pickings in reference to innocent moviegoers. AND yes, I know youre a vampire, it does not mean I want it thrown in my face. I accept it and you, I love you, BUT I do not have to even LIKE your past." She was staring daggers at him, nostrils flaring slightly with each breath. It struck him how sexy she was, oh, he heard her, he even understood her point, but she was so sexy right now. His focus was on her lips that were in thin tight line at the moment.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Did you hear anything I said?"

"Yes, Pet, I did, and I am sorry." He stepped in close "Do you forgive me?" He gave her what he hoped was his best puppy dog eyes.

They were kissing, after a few minutes Buffy pushed him away "Youre so evil!" she giggled, "Get in the car and drive." She jumped into the passenger seat.

"Where to, Kitten?"

"Your place"

He must have made some kind of record getting there. Once inside it seemed as though they could not get their clothes off fast enough.

Afterward Spike reached over and lit a cigarette, while Buffys head rested on his chest. She traced his abdomen muscles with her finger. "Were supposed to be resting tonight."

"Yeah, well, you know what they say," he crushed the butt out. "No rest for the wicked."

"So what you're telling me is that I have to take this Slayer to Sunnydale as back up for the dead but not dead Slayer. How'd I get elected?"

Wesley was working on some papers, he stopped to address Gunn's question. "Let's look at the options shall we? I could take her, but then there was a bit of tension between as she tried to kill me last time we met. Cordy could take her but then it would be like asking you to take Lila somewhere. Angel could take her, but then who would protect Connor while he is gone?"

"Ok, I get it, but why can't the odd couple out there just take her back themselves?" Gunn gestured to the Lobby where Cordelia was showing off Connor like she was the proud mother.

"Angel trusts you, She trusts Angel. You are to keep an eye on her to make sure she isn't getting a raw deal. You are sort of like a temporary watcher to her."

"Isn't that what you did and she almost killed you?"

"I made mistakes, Gunn, mistakes I am sure you won't make."

"So, do I get paid hazard duty for doing this extraneous activity?"

Wesley signed the paper he was working on "Sara has asked for my advice on this, and I have voiced my opinion. She has deferred to my judgment." He pushed the paper towards Gunn with the pen he gestured. "Just sign here"

"What is it?"

"As soon as you sign this, for all legal purposes, you are Faith's watcher. Duncan in there is going to teach her some management exercises, and what little combat he can teach in the time allowed. The other man is Duncan's watcher."

"Is he a slayer?"

"No, but he is another subject of the watcher community, I am unable to fill you in anymore than that, Sara can answer questions pertaining to Duncan and Joe if she feels you need to know."

"How is it that you have the authority to sign any watcher paperwork? You're not even a watcher anymore." Gunn asked as he signed

"Not officially, but I do hold status in the hierarchy of the Watcher council, Sara told them knowledge that I held cannot go to waste, and that Angel needed to have tabs kept on him."

"Does Angel know?"

"No"

"We gonna tell him?"

"Maybe, after the prophecy is fulfilled and we are sure we don't have to stake him."

Gunn headed for the office door.

"Watch yourself, Gunn."

"Always do."

He came out to hear Duncan comment, "My cousin was named Connor, it is a fine name for this lad."

Cordy was positively beaming. "You ready Gunn? Be careful, oh, and don't sleep with her."

"What?"

"She has a track record. She even slept with Xander after I dumped him."

Gunn walked to the door "You guys coming?" He grabbed his duffle bag and his special axe

"He's Mr. Personality isn't he?"

"That's what makes him perfect for the job." Wesley commented emerging from his office.


Faith was nervous, she was pacing in her cell when it was time for lunch. She headed for the lunchroom and after getting her tray headed for a table where she could be reasonable alone. She was getting released today and did not want any trouble. She was out of luck. Ginger sat down next to her. "Hear you're leavin' us today."

Faith was so sick of the posturing but she turned to face the woman "Yeah, so you want me to kick your ass to remember me by?"

Ginger bristled "There's a bet you won't make it on the outside, so when you make it back, things'll be different, I'll be top dog."

Faith smiled her fakest smile "You were when I showed up, I guess that's all you'll ever be, 'cause you're certainly never seeing the outside again."

"So why are you getting out anyway? Those Government types that pulled the strings for ya need a ho that can kick ass?"

Faith's first impulse was to beat ginger with the food tray. She fought hard not to just go with it. "At least I'm good at both, according to Stacey you aren't good at either."

Ginger's face went red with anger; she pulled back her fist to hit Faith but was stopped by two other inmates as the guards walked up to collect Faith for processing.


She met the three men at the front door of the prison, she eyed Duncan up and down then said. "Which one's Gunn?"

"I am." He noticed she was well muscled from all those days of training in the prison gym. Her top left nothing to the imagination and accentuated her jeans.

As they walked out she glanced back at the prison and swore she would do everything to never see the inside again.

Gunn stopped. "You guys go ahead, I have to tell Faith something." As soon as they were out of earshot "Let's get one thing straight, up front. Don't mess with me, or my friends. Angel says you're ok, but my man Wes has filled me in on what you did to him."

"How is Wesley? Is he doing better? No wheel chair or cane anymore?"

"He's fine. How'd you know about..?"

"Angel's been keeping me informed, he came to visit once a week. I can't get over the fact that he's a dad now."

"So we clear on the not hurting part?"

"We're 5 by 5"

She couldn't help it, she liked the fact that he was not pulling any punches with her. He was playing it straight. It hurt, but she knew where she stood. They climbed into the back seat of Macleod's car.

They started the trip back to Sunnydale, when Joe noticed they being followed. Duncan checked and sure enough the same Kia Sephia had been following them for the past 10 miles or so. He took the next exit, and the car followed. They stopped at the rest stop, the Sephia also stopped at the rest stop.

Duncan stepped out of the car and pulled out his sword, Gunn and faith looked at each other then scanned to make sure the rest stop was deserted. It was. They had no idea what this nutcase was doing, but thought it best to stay put. A woman with bright red hair stepped out of the other car. She pulled a sword also.

"I am Duncan Macleod of the Clan Macleod." Duncan faced her his sword ready.

"Good, I want to make sure I take the right head."

In a flash there was a clashing of metal, to fast for the rest to follow, about fifteen minutes into the fight she gutted Duncan and he fell to his knees. She raised her sword to take her prize, and Duncan buried his sword into her calf. She stumbled and fell back onto the ground. Duncan instinct over took the pain and he jumped up and took her head. The blood was everywhere he was blacking out, but the quickening was coming. Energy slammed into his body, lightening hit a nearby picnic bench and a set of pay phones and they both were destroyed.

Faith tried to jump out of the back seat to help, but Gunn pulled her back, shaking his head.

The quickening stopped and Duncan fell to the ground. A man emerged from the other side of the building. He walked over to Duncan's car. "Joe Dawson?"

"Yes. You must be the lady's watcher."

"Yeah, her name was Marinda Macauley. She has been working for Arius, she walked after his new girlfriend killed her about six times in an hour. "
The man ran his hand through his jet black hair "She must have thought to get back into Arius' good graces by bringing him the head of MacLeod."

"Can you call the cleaners and do the paperwork on this one?" Joe asked "We're kinda in a hurry."

"Yeah, sure."

"Love the fact that you two are so casual about this, but what the hell just happened? And do you realize there are two dead people over there?" Faith interrupted their conversation.

Just then Duncan sat up and groaned. Joe ran to his side to help him up and then asked Gunn to help him get Duncan in the car.




============================

The man wondered why he was back here, back here in Sunnydale. He knew she didn't love him, she never would. He wasn't man enough for her, or was it that he wasn't vamp enough for her. He didn't know. He was confused, and this seemed the only place he could call home now. He continued on his way to rent an apartment and get settled. Maybe his thoughts would clear after a night sleep. He heard familiar laughter as he walked down the street, it was hers. He had to see her, just a glimpse, nothing more. There she was sitting on a bench, having a good time with. . .NO! Now she kissed him. She betrayed him with yet another vampire. He had warned this one to stay away.
He seethed as he watch Spike and Buffy waiting for action in the cemetery. his blood boiled and he got tunnel vision staring daggers at Spike. He then shook his head. He would get answers tomorrow. Everything can still be alright.
-------------------------------

"You shoulda seen the look on her face, Luv. It was priceless." Spike flicked his cigarette butt into the grass and stepped on it. "Niblet thought I had gone bonkers or something. I had shown up early enough to make her breakfast before school, and didn't want to get anything on my clothes. So I put on that apron you got in the pantry."

"i..I..I can't picture it, Spike. Mr. It's-gotta-be-balck-or-nothing-at-all." She was laughing so hard she could barely get the words out.

"I had make it up to her, for chasing away her boyfriend."

"so you put on my mom's apron and burnt her some eggs?" She burst out laughing again.

"Told ya 'bout that part too did she?" he was laughing to now. This was great. Even on patrol they could have fun. Just then he froze and looked toward the road. On instinct she jumped off the bench to face what had gotten his attention.

"What? I don't see anything." she asked him in a hushed voice.

"Musta been nothing, but I thought I saw movement over there." He shrugged "Let's call it a night and I am sure you and L'il Bit would like to laugh it up at my expense somemore.

Faith settled into her room. It was a small 2 bedroom apartment she and Gunn shared until the 'crisis' was over. Sara had set it up for them, saying that it was better that Faith never be alone. There was a meeting later that day at the bar. So much was different. B was seeing Spike, but 'Once you vamp, you can never go back.' she thought wryly. Angel was going to freak when he found out. Gunn and the gang knew, but were reluctant to let him know. Giles was gone back to England. There was only one watcher in town, Sara. Faith had never met her, from what Gunn says she's a real piece of work. Like that guy in the car. Immortal without being a demon or Vamp.
But it felt good to be free. If she had to face the scoobies later, she was going for a walk outside in the park.

"Where do you think you're going?" Gunn looked up from his paper he was reading.

"Out." Faith grabbed her jacket and opened the door.

Gunn got off the couch and went for his coat. "Wait for me. I know what you're going through, had a few friends that just wanted to sit outside after they left the joint."

Faith appreciated his company. She would never tell him, but this town held a lot of guilt for her, and she did not want to be alone in it.

They ran into a very distraught man, all wild eyed and frantic, in the elevator. Faith recognized him, but barely. It looked as though he jhadn't eaten in a month. He mumbled "Excuse me" but it was barely audible. He was mumbling to himself as he walked down the hall.

"What's up with that Guy?" Gunn pushed the button for the first floor.

"Beats me, but that's Sunnydale for ya." Faith shrugged.'What the hell was he doing back?'she thought as she chewed on her lip.

====================

One hour earlier. . .

He decided to get his answer for what he saw last night. He knocked on Buffy's door and waited. 'At ease, solider.' he thought and tried to loosen the tension in his body.

Dawn opened the door. "Hi. . ." Her eyes were wide with surprise. "Riley. . .Come in please. Wait here while I get Buffy. Who's upstairs. In her room. Alone. Getting Buffy who is alone in her room now." she ran up the stairs.

Willow came out of the upstairs bathroom, drying her hair with a towel. "Who was at the door, Dawnie?"

"Riley. Riley's downstairs waiting for me to get Buffy out of bed for him."

"Riley's here?!" Willow pushed past Dawn "I'm going to give him a piece of my mind for hurting Buffy that way!"

Dawn got in front of her. "Maybe we should let Buffy handle this? She's not the one I'm worried about waking up. . . Oh, Hi Buffy, did we wake you?"

Buffy opened the door of her room and stood in the hallway, her arms crossed across her chest. "No, I always get up after 3 hours sleep to my sister and my bestfriend yelling at each other outside my door."

A masculine voice came from the room. "Come back to bed, Pet. Let Red and L'il bit fight it out."

"Buffy, shut the door!" Willow motioned for her to come closer.

"Be back in a second." she said into the room. When she was far enough away. "What IS it?"

"Riley's downstairs" Dawn said quietly.

Buffy's face drained she turned around and went back into the bedroom without a word. A few minutes later she was dressed and Spike was right behind her. "Why do have to talk to G.I. Joe, Luv? Soldier Boy left you remember? You don't owe him anything."

She spun around "Spike. STAY. Here." she headed for the stairs and without even turning around. "And don't smoke in the house." Spike dropped his hand from the pack he was subconsciously reaching for. He started pacing the hall.

"Hi.."she said when she saw him.

"Hi.." He tried to think of a way to break the uncomfortable silence.

"How was the assignment?"

"Classified." They said in unison.

"Riley why exactly are you here, now, in my house?" She wanted to know.

"I don't know Buffy," He stepped toward her and reached for her shoulders. "I seem drawn to you. You were all I thought about the whole time I was gone. I had to see you."

"Ok, you see me, now what?" She backed away from his touch.

"Buffy, I missed you so much, I know I hurt you, but. . ." He was rambling, this is not going how he planned. She always did this to him.

"Riley, I'm seeing someone." She didn't want to hurt him, he looked so sad, but straight and to the point seemed the best.

"Who?" He tried to keep the picture of the blond vampire touching his Buffy out of his head.

"None of your business, Riley. You lost that right when you left." She was getting mad. Why was he here? Did he really think they could pick up where they left off?

"I saw you in the cemetery with Spike last night. Is he vamp enough for you?" He was boiling again.

"What?! You were spying on me? How long have you been in town Riley Finn. What gives you the right?"

"Answer my question, Buffy. Does he give you what I could not?" He was holding her upper arms now squeezing hard.

"Get you hands off of her you bloody Poof!" Spike flew down the stairs and tore them apart. The pain slammed through his head as the chipped activated upon touching Riley. He was fighting not to don his game face.

"I told you to stay away from her." Riley was by the door now. "Watch your back Hostile 17." he left and slammed the door behind him.


She helped Spike over to the couch. She kissed his temple. "I told you to stay, but thanks for not listening this time."
===============================================

"What's the scoop on this woman who attacked Duncan?" Sara stirred her cocoa.

"Seems she met Arius before he went to Mexico in Argentina. She was born in 1820 in Ireland and had a penchant for blood. Before she met him she took 60 heads of her own and was becomming very powerful in her own right. She left a blood trail behind her where ever she went, mortal and immortal alike. She was pushed aside once they got to Mexico and he hooked up with Drusilla and Harmony.
According to her watcher she figured if she took Duncan's head it would maybe put her back ahead of Drusilla.

Duncan and Methos where practicing katas on the floor. Not that Methos enjoyed that sort of thing, but Sara convinced him he might need to brush up for the upcoming battle.

"How many other immortals are there with him?"

"Looks like about six total and the women have recruited a sizeable army of vamps from the surrounding region." Joe sipped his beer.

"Define sizeable"

"About 50 or so, when talking vamps working together that's a lot."

"Why don't we find out what lots or avaiable buildings there are for lease. When one of them gets bought, we can investigate and see if it is them." Duncan threw a towel over his shoulder as her walked over to them."

"Good idea, Joe can you get on it?"

Joe snorted. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to check the missing person reports, as soon as there is a major jump, we'll know their in town. " the blank stares meant she had to clarify. "All those vamps gotta eat."
==================
"I hope Faith isn't terrorizing Gunn." Cordy mused out loud.

"I wonder how Buffy and the Scoobies are handling her return to the Hellmouth" Wesley sipped his coffee.

"I am sure Buffy is doing o.k. with it. She has a job to do. Then there's having to take care of her sister Dawn. Oh and Spike to keep her occupied and on track." Fred strung her thoughts together as best she could.

Angel walked in the door cradling Connor, stood infront of the desk and ask Fred. "What's that about Spike and Buffy?"


Fred ignored Wes and Cordy's bad sign language telling her to stop. "You know, Spike being her new boyfriend and all."

Angel handed the baby to Cordy and approached Fred. "Excuse me?! Did you say Buffy and Spike are dating?" He turned to Wes and Cordelia. "Did you two know anything about this? When were you going to tell me?"

"We were gfoing to tell you. . . " Wes started.

"But it wasn't the right time." Cordelia finished.

Angel raced out the front door, 2 1/2 hours to Sunnydale. 'Wait.' He ran back in "Can you guys watch Connor for me tonight?"

"Sure"

"Ok"

They were in the back room of the club. Music drifted through the walls. "Sober" by Tool was the current song and Sara fought the urge to go see who the misguided soul was. They all sat at a huge wooden table in high backed cushioned chairs.

'Let's begin shall we?" Sara stood up to be visible. "I am assuming that Buffy and Spike filled everyone in, but I want to do a recap anyways. First we have a prophesy..prophesies are funny things. They are not always accurate, not interpreted accurately. So we have a sing-song rhyme, that may come true in one form or another. Second, We have a very powerful Immortal allying himself with powerful vampires. Building a close network of six Immortals and an army fifty vampires. This Immortal is known to be a powerful warlock. Anything else?"

"Riley's back in town." Dawn offered ignoring Buffy urgent attempt to hush her.

"It's nothing really just an old boyfriend who came back from the jungle in South America." Buffy didn't think it pertained at all.

"An ex-boyfriend of yours shows up from where in South America?" Sara did not think this was coincidence.

"I. . I. . I don't know." Buffy stammered at being cornered.
"It was classified."

"The woman who tried to kill Duncan the other day met Arius in Argetina. Are you sure you don't know, Buffy?"

"He just said South America."

"Did he act out of the ordinary?" Sara was adamant.

"He was very intense. Pushy. Not exactly like Riley, but not enough to set of alarms or anything."

"I don't know, Pet, he sounded spot on when he threatened me as he was going out the door." Spike cracked. "Hostile 17." he snorted "If I didn't have the soddin' chip in my brain I'da shown him a thing or two."

"It was him and his buddies who put it in there in the first place. Remember Spike" Xander offered.

Spike held up two fingers in a sign of contempt. "Sod off, Harris. Soldier boy also staked me with a plastic stake, knowing full well I couldn't hurt 'im and warned me not to go near Buffy or it would be real next time, the git"

"When did he do that?" Buffy was concerned now.

"Right before he flew away in his bleedin' chopper and broke your heart, Kitten." Spike fiddled with his unlit cigarette.

Willow I need you to get with Joe and see if you can track where Riley was in South America. Duncan, I need you to. .

Just then the door slammed open and there stood a very upset Angel. The song "Jealousy" by Natalie Merchant was playing.

"Buffy, Spike, can I talk to you guys ourside please?" A very fake polite tone.

Once they were outside. "Angel what are you doing here?" Buffy demended

"Buffy what are you doing with him?" he gestured at Spike who was lighting up a few paces away.

"I've already had to justify Spike and I once today, don't make me do it again." she pleaded him.

"Explain it to me, Buffy. Spike is evil. I know. He was evil enough to stay in the family. Mine and Darla's family. He tried to kill you, me, your friends. . ."

"So did you, Angel. You succeeded in taking away someone very precious to Giles. Are you still evil?" Buffy countered. She did not feel good, her stomach was in knots. She had dreaded the moment from the get go.

"Buffy, I have my soul back. He has never had one."

"That's where you are wrong, Mate. You see, to hear Darla tell it, her Boy, Angelus was an evil doer even as a mortal man. She was attracted to his evilness and that's why she turned him. I on the other hand was a. . .well a wanker, a loser. I never made it with the ladies. Was as pre-Anya-Xander as I could be. I have no idea what Dru saw in me, must have been potential. I earned my name and reputation, but I did it all for her. It wasn't enough for Drusilla in the end."

"You're telling me this isn't a scheme Spike? To know her is to love her is easier to kill her?"

Spike glanced at Buffy. "Might of been, in the very beginning. Then I started having dreams and well I realized I loved the Slayer. Now I was on top of the loser list, the A-one loser. A vamp in love with the slayer, it was so rich I laughed till I cried some nights. I was still with Harmony, before the chip. No game, Pops, I love Buffy, and not even you can stop me." Spike flicked his cigarette on the ground and turned away. To face Riley and a hevy duty crossbow. "I recommend you two come with me, or you're new boyfriend is going to be dust in the wind, Buffy."

Buffy tensed but Angel held her back. "We'll co-operate."

"Just don't kill him, Riley, please." Buffy pleaded with him.

Riley nodded his head and a mass of vampires emerged from the darkness to surround and urge them to the location of Riley's choosing. "Crap. That's why my stomach was so messed up, this has got to stop." Buffy was insensed.

Faith was chuckling, "B's in trouble now." then suddenly stopped and she doubled over in pain. It took her only a second to recover though. "There is a ton of them outside, let's go." She had forgotten how intense the feeling got when there was more than one vamp around. And judging by what just happened, there was an army out there. She headed the group of people that ran out the back door of the club. she only had a glimpse of Buffy being escorted around the corner by a handful of vampires. She was immediately jumped by a group of vampires.

Gunn was right behind her and staked one that slipped past her defenses. She dusted two more. Xander fought with one and finally took her down. Willow and Tara took out a couple. Gunn took out two more with his axe. Faith finished off the last two as they tried to run away. Anya yelled for Xander to be careful.

The Immortals and Joe leaned against the wall and watched the fray, pushing the occasional stray vamp back into the fight.

Joe looked at Sara "Aren't we going to help them?"

"Everyone has their strengths, Joe. They do this almost on a daily basis. When was the last time you killed a vamp?"

"We are here for Arius, Joe." Duncan answered quietly.

"Care to explain to me what happened back there then?"

"Cramps. That's why the slayer is always female. She has cramps everytime a blood sucker is near." Sara pushed a ragged looking vamp into Willow's reach.

"Buffy doesn't do that when Spike is around." Joe observed.

"I guess over time you get used to it, but remember, Faith's been in lock up and away from mass vamps for a while now. It probably just took her off guard."

The fight took only ten minutes and soon the air was thick with the dust of ten vampires. Faith ran to the corner she saw Buffy disappear behind, but they were gone.

"I don't see them, I couldn't get there in time. I wasn't fast enough." Faith was upset, she blamed herself.

"You saw them go?" Sara asked. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"I was kind of busy, with some bloodsuckers trying to kill me." Faith lashed out.

"Ok, we'll find them. they can handle themselves. Gunn take her home, clean her up, try to get some rest. I'll call you when we get a lead." Sara suggested.

"Working for a witch is just as bad as working for a vampire. Come on Faith, let's blow this joint." Gunn headed out of the alley way, Faith in tow.

"You really want to go back to the apartment?" Faith sounded as though she didn't.

"No, but you something better in mind?"

"Yeah, when I was with the Mayor," A hurt expression flashed on her face for second and was gone. "we had contacts, people we could shake down for information. Maybe we could do some 'research' on our own."

"Ok, but if we find something out, we get the others. As much as I love the fight, looks like we are outnumbered."

"Five by five, Gunn. Five by five." She was surprised to find out that he had thought that was exactly what she was going to do. I was her fault B got taken. Although it did look as though she went willingly. Faith didn't see her two vamp boys though either. She led Gunn to a seedy bar that you had to give a password to enter. She hoped the password still worked, or that they recognized her. The Mayor didn't like her in these places, but she checked them out anyway. Never know when you might need a 'favor'. She knocked on the door. The viewdoor slid to the left and eyes squinted at her.

"What!" Growled the voice from the other side.

Faith swallowed. "Rin Tin Tin"

"Old password. No entry."

"Why don't you try Lasiie or something?" Gunn fiddled with his ax. "Can we break the door down?"

"Let me give it a try." She ran at the door and kicked it as hard as she could. "Ow!" The door did not budge. Faith fell to the ground nursing her leg.

"Guess that plan wasn't very good, you ok?" Gunn ran to see how badly she hurt her leg.

"It's nothing, I'll shake it off in a minute." She was embarassed by his concern.

The door suddenly slammed open and four demons marched out ready to mop up whoever tried to enter the club forcefully. Faith jumped up and planted a kick so hard it sent one reeling against the wall. Then she pounced on him, puching him repeatedly in the face. She stepped back and knocked him out with a roundhouse to the head. Gunn readied and swung his ax, connecting with the shoulder of one and elminating him from the the fight. Two more were closing in on him and he gave ground ready to block the first attacker.
Faith saw he was in trouble and jumped on one of the Demons back.

The crowd that had gathered just inside the door let a few of thier own out to pull the wounded back in.

Steadying herself on the deamon back, Faith pulled out two stakes from her belt jabbed them into opposite sides of his neck. He threw her off and ran away screaming in pain. She picked herself up and stood next to Gunn. They looked at each other, then grinned at the demon, who then follow his screaming counterpart as fast as he could.

The crowd at the door parted to let them in. As they passed they heard money changing hands and grumbling about the outcome of the fight.

"Well, Well. If it isn't the Rogue Slayer. I thought you were in the slammer in LA." A fat, greasy looking demon with yellow eyes sat in the corner smoking a cigar.

"Sedit. I thought you choked on your own vomit and died." Her fake grin displayed proudly.

"Wishes don't come true my dear." he set down his smoke. "Why are you here bustin' up my bar?"

"I tried the password, but Grentch wouldn't let me in." She shrugged. "Old password, been outta the loop for a while."

"So you tried to knock in my door? You coulda asked for me."

"And you woulda run out the back door. I was looking for you."

"Whatcha need?"

"Information. I know you've got ears all over this town."

"I don't 'know things' for free, what's my benefit for helping you?"

Faith glanced at Gunn who promtly slammed the blade of his ax into the table. "Next time I might not miss your head."

"Hired muscle. Not that you need any, but nice touch." He picked up his cigar ad examined it. "What is it that you need to know?"

"The other slayer and some of her friends were taken earlier tonight by a mob of Vamps. Know anything? Like where they might take her?" Faith turned the chair around and sat straddling the back.

"Yeah, actually I do. Some of the clients have been complaining about there not being enough people in the are to support a vampire gang that large. Some foreigner brought tham in from across the border. They camp out in the old Slayer's Blood bar behind Fred's bait shop on Sioux street. If you take them out you'll be doin' me a favor,so I did get something after all." He held out his hand for a handshake, but she ignored it. "By the way which of the slayer's friends did she take? The witch, the whiner, or the ex-demon?"

"Her two vamp boyfriends." Gunn couldn't stop the disgust in his voice.

"You're going to save the Traitors? Angel and Spike? GET OUT of my bar now!" he was turning shades darker in the face.

"I think we can go now" Faith strolled out of the bar with Gunn in tow. When they got out of site of the bar they took off running towards the apartment buildng. After a few minutes they stopped and just started laughing uncontrollably.

As soon as they could catch their breath, they headed for the apartment once again. She wish the had rented a car earlier like she suggested. She was tired and horny. Well they be home soon. Gunn wsn't half bad looking and it had been a long time since she had male companionship. Maybe she could work up the charm and get her second problem taken care of too.

Gunn caught her checking him out, not that he minded, Faith was hot. Cordelia was worried about this very thing, but something about kicking evil's ass made him feel jazzed. Besides, what kind of man would he be to turn down a good roll in the sack with a good looking woman?

When they got back to the apartment, Gunn headed for the shower first. He turned the water on and just enjoyed the heat for a moment Faith knocked on the bathroom door.

"Want company?"

'Boy was she bold.' he thought. 'I kinda like it.' "Sure"

Buffy tried to figure out a way to get out of the situation, but all of them endangered Spike's life. She settled for glaring at the back of Riley's head. That's when she noticed the tattoo on the back of his neck. She tried to get Angel's attention but he was deep in thought.

The were herded in a back alley and into a dank room. They were shackled to the wall. Buffy resisted, the memories were to fresh, but Riley threatened Spike again and she gave in.

Riley clicked the last cuff over Buffy's ankle. "Stay here until my boss arrives."

"Like we have a bloody choice, Captain Cardboard." Spike muttered.

"Riley, why are you doing this? Why are you trying to hurt me again?" Buffy was trying a different approach to reach the Riley she once cared for.

"Buffy, this" he gestured to the three of them "is not natural. You can never love a man, only these perversions of men. I do not blame you, you were a child when you were tainted. But HE should have know better to stay with his own kind. Riley was agitated now.

"A child! I had been killing vamps for a while before I met Angel" Buffy protested.

"You do not choose who you fall in love with, Riley." Angel said levelly.

"You just need to be quiet, you're the whole reason she can't love me."

"Come off it, Soldier Boy. There are other girls, you sound worse than I did when Dru left me. Do you think that by chaining her to a wall you can make her love you? It doesn't work, I know I tried that." Spike strained against the chains testing them.

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

"Lovely little chat, I hate to break it up but Riley you must go away now and let Dru do he thing." A tall thin, well dressed man with a cane interrupted Riley's little tirade.

"What did you do to him? What is that tattoo on his neck?"
Buffy demanded.

"Yes, nice art work isn't it? Well you see I wiped out his whole little party in Argentina. He was the last one standing and as I went to rip his heart from his ribcage, he prayed. He prayed for Buffy to be happy. You see I had heard the name Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A contact of mine had dated Drusilla. I was on my way to see her, I had heard of her visions. I had some associates of mine burn a rune into his neck. The rune brings out all his hatred, all his biases. All redeeming qualities in my eyes."

Dru glided in and headed straight for Spike. "I smell the Slayer all over you William. Please bring my Spike back. Such a face." She placed her hand on his check ,caressing. Then raked her nails down to his chin. "Tainted by the Slayer. The filthy dirty Slayer!"

"You left Your bloody Spike for for a Demon remember?" He tried to get at her.

"You were supposed to kill the slayer to appease me, to prove that you still loved me. Instead you fell in love with the harlot!" Dru slapped him hard across the other cheek.

"Stop it! Leave him alone you. . you . ." Buffy was mad she couldn't think.

Dru was on her in less than a second, she held her face in one hand. "Harlot! You stole MY Spike!"

"As I seem to remember you threw him away. One woman's trash is another woman's.." Slap! A hand print began welling up on Buffy's cheek. She spit the blood out.

"You have my Spike all over you know, through you, apart of you. Didn't you watcher teach you to kill vampire's, not sleep with them." Drusilla got close and grabbed her hair and pulled her head back. "Maybe, Spike, Luv, I will kill my second Slayer. Then I will present you with her head, so you can have her always." She gave a crazed look to Spike.

"Stop it, Dru!" Angel couldn't stand it any more.

"Ahh yes, My sire." She let go of Buffy and glided over to Angel. "The first one tainted by the misguided whore. Grandmama was so angry when she found out you had been with the slayer. She threw many things and yelled a lot. Just like the old times. We were family Angelus. Until you killed her. You staked Darla. She came back by those tasty lawyers. I made her mine, I sired your Sire. Then you tried to burn us. Bad, Bad Angelus. With a nasty soul. Grandmama is dead now. I felt her go." Drusilla circled him like a wolf after her prey.

"Drusilla," Arius interupted. "I need my answer, which one does the Slayer love?"

"Both, my master. Both. She has embedded herself into both my sire and my love."

"I need only one." He rubbed his temples in frustration. "Decide slayer. We will give you time to think. Come Drusilla, you can play with them later."

"Oohh goody. Can I torture them first?" she clapped her hands in delight.

"They will be yours after I get what I need."

After they had left. "Are you guys ok?" Buffy sat on the floor.

"Are you? I've had to deal with Dru's tirades before. This one was kind of mild." Spike sat as close to Buffy as the chains permitted.

"Do you love us both Buffy?" Angel

"Yes, I guess I do." She was thoughtful for a second. "I love you, but I can't have you, I have accepted it. I still love you though. Spike I love differently, more wholly. I have no idea why I am saying this, but it is not that I love him more. It's just stronger. I am babbling." She leaned her head back against the wall.

"Faith, Gunn and the others will come for us." Angel said after a period of silence. "I am sorry I came Buffy, I just. . "

"Had your jealous testosterone all worked up. Ready to come and save little Buffy from Big Bad Spike?" She sighed. "That's it exactly Angel, you always want to protect me, to save me. I am not a child. Spike treats me like a woman. You tried, but you always see yourself as the savior. The knight saving the damsel in distress. This damsel can take care of herself. She needs someone to stand beside her, not in front shielding her." She reached out for Spike's hand. "I thank you Spike, for helping me stand on my own two feet."

"You did it on your own, Luv. I just nudged you in the right direction a little."

Angel did a little snort laugh.

"What's so funny?" Buufy looked over.

"I could hear Cordelia." In a falsetto voice.'Oh please, get a room you two. Gag Me!'

They all luaghed a little, it relieved the tension.

Willow searched the web for about 4 hours, and with Joe's help found out how to crack the intiative database.

"We've got it! It's says here that riley was stationed in Argentina..and. Oh No! the whole company was killed in a brutal attack, Agent Finn was MIA. His was the only body not recovered." Willow looked sad then confused. "If he's back in town, how'd he survive? It says her that most of the bodies they did recover were mutilated beyond recognition and had to be identified by Dna and dental records. Crap! We got shut out. But we got the information we needed."

"Great. Riley survived the attack. We know he's good. Maybe he can shake Buffy of her 'Love-spike addiction'."
Xander brightened a little.

"Yeah, maybe Spike'll stop EXERCISING with her. Xander, stop honey, you know they're happy. I can't believe you didn't see it. Most of us saw it coming a mile away." Anya tried to sooth him. she didn't understand why he hated Spike so much, but loved her so wholly. But he did love her and that's all that was important.

"You just had to bring that up, now I have to go scrub my brain free of that image." Xander scolded her.

Gunn and Faith walked in. "We got a handle on where their holding B and the others." Faith placed her hands on her hips. "So we going to rush in like the calvary and save the day or what?"

"Where?" Sara phoned the apartment upstairs to let Methos and Duncan the show was on.

"The old Slayer's Blood Bar behind Fred's Bait Shack on Sioux." Gunn was fidgeting, he was ready to bust some more heads.

"Oh, that's a horrible name for a bar." Willow started shutting down her lap top.

"So what's the plan?" Methos came down the spiral stairs, followed by Duncan.

"We get 'em." Sara said Quietly but firmly and marched out the front door.

"You heard the lady, let's go crush some evil skulls." Gunn was trailed by the rest of the group.

=========================

"Can you pull your chains loose?" Buffy asked the vampires as she yanked on hers.

"No, Luv. Sorry." Spike gave his a good yank btu it didnot yeild at all.

"No, they won't budge." Angel tugged on his restrains than stopped "Shhh...someone's coming, pretend like you're sleeping."

Harmony snuck in and went stright for Spike. She nudged him a little to wake him form his 'slumber'. "Blondie bear, I have the key to your chains and you have they key to my heart."

Both Buffy and Spike rolled their eyes under their shut eyelids. Spike slowly opened his eyes and smiled. "Why thank you, Harm." He held out a chained arm. She started to unlck it when she suddenly stopped. "You have to promise you'll go away with me, and be my Blondie Bear forever. I forgive you for trying to kill me."

The lights came on. "The harmony is in discord and is trying to lure My Spike away. Bad, naughty Harmony. We girls should always stick together, you, me and Miss Edith.
You now have to be punished." Drusilla sprang on Harmony and threw her into the opposite wall, knocking her unconscious.

Angel quietly grabbed the dropped key and slid it into his pocket.

Drusilla turned her attention to Spike. "My Spike, you used to have eyes only for me. Now every blond with space between her ears takes them from me, Maybe I should remove them from your skull and make them only look at me." She raised her claws to his face.

"Back off Psycho Bitch!" Buffy strained against her chains. "I like my boyfriend's eyes right where thay are thank you very much."

"He is mine, Slayer." She moved over to Buffy. She got an inch away from Buffy's face. "I am going to so love letting Miss Edith watch while I make you scream in agony until grow weary of them and cut your throat open. Remember he Is MINE!!!" She turn in a sweeping gesture and strode out of the room angrily.

"You ok, Love?"

"Right as rain. . . Blondie Bear." Buffy couldn't stiffle the giggles.

"So you gonna run away with your love, Harmony?" Angel asked, chuckling himself.

He looked at the limp form across the room" I told her once before, I love syphillis more than her."

"Ouch. And I thought I was mean to you." buffy winked at him.

Now it was Angel's turn to roll his eyes. He reached up and undid his chains.

"What's this? Got the keys? Maybe you are good for something besides brooding and moping." Spike watched Angel finish freeing himself. Angel moved toward Spike to unlock his chains when he backed away behind some boxes to the left of the remaining prisoners.

Arius walked into the room with Dru following close behind. "Daddy has gotten away, but not very far. I can still smell his filthy soul."

"He is of no consequence. This actually makes this easier. Riley, unchain the prisoners and make sure the Slayer doesn't try anything."