Disclaimer: I owe nothing of the Characters or anything related to the TV-Series. I just like to use my imagination

Prologue

Rupert Giles blinked against the fine mist of rain that entered his eyes as he walked down the streets of London. He cursed himself for not bringing an umbrella. After all, he was an Englishman by birth, he shouldn't have forgotten its dreadful weather, not even after spending years in sunny California.

He sighed heavily, pushing down the pained memories of the town he had called home over the last couple of years and especially the girl he had vowed to protect, who was now lost to him forever. She was off somewhere, following Angelus into the depth of night, working for his approval, for his affection. He shuddered as he remembered her beautiful face transform into that of her demon.

She was the daughter he never had and she had been torn from his life in the most violent of ways by the vampire that was supposed to be trustworthy. Had Rupert known just how precarious the vampire's hold on his soul was, he would have never allowed his Slayer to venture so near to him and now she was paying the price for his mistake. His Slayer was now part of the species she had been chosen to destroy and with her Sire being the ruthless demon he was, Rupert was certain that his girl would become one of the most brutal killers out there.

His heart gave a violent tug at that realization, but he forced himself to keep moving. He had been called down to London for a reason and it wasn't just to relieve him of his Watcher duties, he knew that much. There had been a rumor going through the underworld that the Council had recruited the aid of an American professor and that since then there had been more disappearances than usual.

As he reached the unassuming building that housed the Council's offices he felt something prick at the back of his neck, as if he were being watched. Glancing around showed him nobody near, but still he felt uneasy as he entered the lobby and signed himself in.

The lift took him to the fourth floor where he was met by Mr. Travers and a rather unremarkable looking blonde in a lab coat. It was only when he was introduced to Dr. Walsh, that Rupert noted the complete lack of warmth in the woman's gaze.

"Dr. Walsh has been asked to join our ranks when we received word of her impressive research with regards to neutralizing the threat of vampires and the like," Travers informed the Watcher.

Rupert nodded his acknowledgment of the statement and numbly followed his superior and his new pet down several sets of corridors into a securely closed off wing. When they passed the soundproofed doors, his ears were assaulted with the animalistic screams of multiple demons and vampires, causing a shot of revulsion to tear through his body.

His companions did not notice his paled visage, nor his horrified expression and simply moved forward to what they had invited him here to witness. They halted when they entered a room that resembled an operation room of a hospital, but instead of healing people, this place was designed to destroy the creatures that were brought in here.

Rupert forced himself to look at the unfortunate sod that was tethered to the gurney in the center of the room and felt his stomach turn as he recognized the vampire that had been obviously tortured until he was on the brink of turning to dust. William the Bloody.

"What on earth did you do to him?" he gasped, unable to tear his eyes from the once proud member of the Aurelius clan.

"We have inserted a behavior modification chip into his cranium that prevents him from harming humans for their blood or otherwise. He proved, however, to be a rather cunning one and nearly escaped our guards a few days ago," Dr. Walsh murmured.

Her eyes held a peculiar gleam as she took in the various wounds that had been inflicted on him. Licking her lips she turned back to the man who had asked her for clarification.

"Coincidentally we've captured an ancient demon that was rumored to grant wishes. It is quite interesting to see his modus operandi and the effect of the wish that was granted has been most intriguing."

"What happened?"

"We pitted the demon against the vampire. At first it appeared as if they were merely fighting, but things turned really interesting when the demon summoned other creatures to fight for him. We were certain the vampire would be dust, but he battled on and in the end he demanded his reward."

Rupert gulped down the bile that rose in his throat as the vampire's wild untamed eyes turned to him. Never in his life had he felt pity or empathy for a vampire. He had tried to with Angel, of course, but he hadn't quite managed to feel anything remotely kind for the brunette vampire. Right at that moment, however, he felt overcome with grief for the vampire that had once been a man to be reckoned with and was now reduced to nothing more than an animal trapped at the hands of the cruelest of masters.

"What was the reward?" he whispered.

"His soul was returned to him. I'm sure it wasn't what he had thought would happen, but when we realized what had happened to him, we seized the opportunity to examine him and try to find answers about how his soul worked for him. I'm afraid we pushed him too far, though."

"Why is it that you called me here?"

"We figured that he was useless, but then the news reached us about your Slayer being turned by Angelus and we realized that this one still had some use."

Rupert shuddered at the undisguised glee in the woman's eyes.

"He can sniff her out for you and you can do what you need to."

"Which is?"

"Destroy her, of course."

The blood in his veins turned to ice. He had known of course that he would be expected to clean up the mess he had left behind in Sunnydale, but he hadn't expected this blatant order and especially not from someone who was more of a monster than any of the creatures she held captive.

His insides raged against the command, but his years of experience held him in place. He would accept the aid of this vampire to find his wayward Slayer, but he would handle the situation from there on at his own discretion.

"I couldn't agree with you more," he agreed, the words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. "When will he be fit for travel?"

A/N: Reviews will be much appreciated. :)

I intend to update bi-weekly until the story is finished.