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Heros: Episode Two: Choices

Hold on,
Hold on to yourself,
For this is gonna hurt like hell.
-Sarah MacLachlan

He was running. The wind rushed against his cheeks, and pulled his hair as he sped through the stones. He was close now. He could smell his quarry; no more that 30 feet ahead of him. He slowed his pace, as he changed from a sprint to stealth mode. The vampire didn't even see him coming, and the fight was brief. The hunter sat back on his heels. He was not even breathing hard.

A clock chimed in the distance. 'Damn!' he thought. It would be morning soon. How in hell was going to explain this one to his parents again?

He fled so quickly from the scene that he didn't notice the man with the camera behind the tree.
It had taken them about two hours to leave Los Angels after their decision at Denny's. First, Gunn had to go back to his apartment, and get supplies and cash. And then there was the little matter of finding a ride. It had to be large enough for four people to travel, plus special accommodations for Spike's sunlight problem. In the end, they had settled on Gunn's old truck. It was outfitted with a top on the cab, so Spike could hide out in there during daylight hours.

So by the time they got on the road, it was almost dawn. That created a problem. Spike couldn't drive during daylight hours, Gunn was too exhausted to drive, never mind Illyria, who had never been behind the wheel of a vehicle before, and then there was Layla, who explained she couldn't drive either. Apparently angels and technology didn't mix.

So barely two hours away from Los Angeles, Spike pulled the truck over at a motel so everyone could rest for the day. While Gunn went to the front desk to pay, Spike sat on the hood and smoked. 'Not a bad little town,' he thought to himself. 'Kind of quaint really.'

Illyria sat waiting in the truck. She had decided to amuse herself by reading the manual for the truck. Layla was wandering around the parking lot. Spike shook his head as he watched her. She was a looker, he gave her that. Not in an exotic way or anything, but she just shone with viberance. But he just didn't understand her! And more than that she completely befuddled him, and great...now she is doing headstands in the parking lot!

He opened his mouth to say something, but caught site of Gunn coming out with a key, and decided to just let it go. Illyria too, had spied him and came out of the truck.

"Did you obtain lodging for us?" She asked.

"Yup. One room for all four of us though. Better to save money. There are two beds, but since two of us don't sleep, I figured it didn't matter."

They walked up the stairs to the room. They reached the door with the number 2H. Gunn opened the door, and ushered everyone inside. Spike entered, and flopped down on the bed furthest from the door. Gunn closed the shades, and collapsed onto the nearest bed. He was asleep in seconds.

Spike lit another cigarette, and flipped on the television. Illyria explored the small motel room quickly. From her movements, Spike could tell she was thinking of weaknesses in the room, and defensive strategies.

Satisfied, she turned to Spike and Layla. "I will guard this place while you rest." She announced. Then took up a position by the door, and remained there.

Layla sat on the edge of Spike's bed, and started looking at the television. She seemed particularly interested in the commercials. After ten minutes though she was looking back at Spike.

"You should be resting." She admonished with a grin.

Spike rolled his eyes. "Don't you angel types ever hear of unwinding? Now if there was beer here, then life would be great."

"Are alcoholic beverages necessary in relaxing?" She looked at him with interest. "Mortal behavior is fascinating. I don't understand it though. You strive to make decisions with all relevant facts and a clear head, but then you seem so eager to dull your mind at the first available opportunity." She shook her head. "I don't understand the appeal."

Spike looked over at Illyria, who simply was watching them with interest, but offering no help or desire to join the conversation. Sighing, he looked back at Layla. "So what do you lot do for fun then? How do you relax up on high?"

Layla frowned. "Well, we don't need to. I don't think I have ever been stressed or frustrated before. Actually, we don't really feel much of anything."

Spike's eyebrow rose. "No feelings...at all? How's that then?"

Layla looked down at her hands as if trying to formulate words. "There is peace...contentment...and love...but love not as you think of it. There is solace and joy. But no real...passion. I guess that is one of the reasons I am here. To learn." She looked Spike in the eyes, and sighed. "It's hard to explain."

Spike shook his head, and stubbed out his cigarette. "Well, if you ask me it sounds like you guys got the bum end of the stick. Life with out passion is not really worth living. Now I must get some sleep. Want the TV on?"

Layla shook her head, and Spike flicked it off. She watched him roll over, and go to sleep.