Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot and some of the characters. The characters that I own are those who aren't in the Buffyverse, a term I don't own either.

Chapter 1

The sewer was dark and dank. It stank of urine and vomit. The only movement came from the rushing sewage water and a lone, dark figure, walking through the tunnel. No man would be caught dead in the sewers of London but then again, Spike was no man. He was a vampire but most just say he's monster.

The vampire walked through the ankle deep sludge, not giving a damn about what he was stepping in. His platinum blonde hair was slicked back. It almost blended in with his chalk white complexion. His face was framed perfectly by his taunt cheekbones that could probably cut glass. Crystal blue eyes finished off his face. He was tall and toned and walked with long strides. He wore black from head to toe and his ebony leather duster almost swept the floor and touched the dirty water. The only light came from the glowing embers of his cigarette that hung stiffly from his lip. He hummed as he trekked through the polluted waters.

His vampire eyes saw the graffiti that couldn't be scrubbed off. He didn't understand what he was doing down there. The old Spike wouldn't have bothered and went on his merry little way. But he was a changed "man" and following orders was part of the persona. It was the orders he followed that confused him.

He threw the butt of his cig into the water. He sensed others around him but the only entrance to the sewers was the way he came in—a manhole near an abandoned building, as he was instructed—the other manholes throughout the city. But his entry was so far away from the city that it was the only manhole within a fifty mile radius.

These must be the welcoming party, Spike thought and chuckled to himself when he came up to the other beings in the sewer. There were two of them. One of them was tall and lanky and looked like he had thrown up a dozen times previously. His hair was stiff and dirty blonde. His companion was a head taller than he and much larger in build. His face a strong and square and his nose looked broken. His hair was shaved into a crew cut.

"Welcome, William the Bloody. My name is Marcus Hamilton and this is Bartholomew York." The tall, lanky one began. "We are the representatives of the Watcher's Council. Welcome to London."

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"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Danica Ronquillo muttered loudly. She had tripped over the steps for the third time and all the contents of her bag spilled. She had like three minutes to get up to the third floor and across the school building. "Why the hell do they make the school so damn big!"

She began shoving things maniacally into her schoolbag. It wasn't a good way to start the day. Thank god for soccer, she thought to herself as she sprinted as fast as she could up the stairs and raced around the school building to find her classroom. She stumbled through the door just as the bell sounded. She picked herself up and brushed off the dirt from her pants.

"Glad you decided to join us, Ms. Ronquillo" her teacher grinned.

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The threesome continued down the murky path of the sewage. Spike's new companions took the lead as Spike brought up the rear, smoking as they walked. Since he became corporeal, the habit sort of faded. But after the supposed "end of the world", he needed something to remind him of who he use to be.

His companions walked on in utter silence. The only sound came from the sloshing water at their feet and Spike's incessant humming. The eerie silence annoyed him so he started a conversation.

"Feels weird to be home." Spike started "It's been, what, over a century since I was here last."

The pair exchanged glances and continued down the tunnel. They seemed bored with what Spike had to say and looked down.

"You don't talk much, do you?" Spike lit another stick and began smoking again.

"I'm sorry if we don't amuse you, Mr. Will—"

"Spike, you pounce. You'd think that after the first century you'd know my name." As Spike harshly retorted, Bartholomew turned and eyed him menacingly. "No offense, mate."

Marcus got between the two and pushed Bartholomew away from Spike. The large man gave a grunt and began moving ahead.

"I'm sorry about Mr. York, Will- Spike. A few years ago, a silencing spell went wrong and he's remained mute. He's great company, don't get me wrong. Just because he can't talk doesn't make him enjoyable to be around."

" uh huh… well that's… that's what's that?" Spike pointed into space then dashed behind Bartholomew before Marcus processed that he was pranked.

The rest of the walk was done in silence, much as it did before. They stopped before a brick wall. A dead end. York walked up to the wall and rapped on it several times. He then took his umbrella and began tapping specific bricks.

"uh… hate to burst your bubble mate, but that" Spike began pointing to the wall "is a wall and doing whatever you're doing won't help."

But as Spike said this, the brick wall started to shudder and quake. It opened diagonally, revealing a passageway and a flight of spiral steps. Spike stood looking in what can only be described as awe.

"no… I think that's exactly what it needed." Marcus Hamilton smirked and looked at Spike. "Close your mouth, Spike. It's rude to gawk."