Disclaimer: don't own them, Joss does

Buffy hurried 'home' hoping it took them a while to realize she'd taken their purses… but no such luck as she saw the common one following her. She'd just have to shake him. But that was when he made his presence known… he jumped down in front of her and held his hands up in a peace offering. "What do you want?"

"Just to talk, love."

"Swear?"

"On me mum's grave." They nodded in agreement, "It'd be a lot easier if you'd join, pet."

"Oh, and you're on their side?"

"They're a bit up on the cuffs and collars crowd, but the nancy boy'll have everyone you know if you don't join up."

"There's only me." She whispered, looking down.

"My orders were to kill you, but I'll take you there if you changed your mind."

"Why should I believe you?" She looked up into his deep crystal blue eyes.

Spike shrugged, "Because I'm just a bloke tryin' to get by in the world… like you." He grabbed her hand and pulled her with him.

Angel was talking to Dru, she was on his lap. When they saw Spike approach they separated. For some reason they thought he and Dru were a 'thing', even though they weren't. Spike didn't like any of the women in the gang… they were all too prim and proper. "Got you a present." Drusilla clapped her hands together and squealed like a child. Spike pulled Buffy out from the shadows, " Brought her, she changed her mind."

Angel's eyes flashed at the boy, "And you brought her here?! She refused once, there's only the one chance to accept the offer… Willow," the redhead comes forward. "Take our guest to… the special suit." An evil grin spread across his face. Willow came over to her and hit her over the head with a book.

"Silly little Spike," Dru scolded, "You'll remember who your mummy is now." She waves her finger at him.

Spike's face turned red… but he caught Angel eyeing the girl, "Like what you see, do you?" He smirked. Angel scowled back at Spike. He was so irritating at times. But Angel put on his best smile and went over to his lover… Spike would be sorry in the morning, he always was

Spike wasn't homosexual in any way… he just sat there and let Angel do what he wanted while he waited for it to be over. He was more afraid of what would happen if he didn't let Angel do it. Drusilla was a good fuck, but that was it. Angel spent most nights with Darla, but sometimes got tired of her, that's where Spike came in…

Angel bent over and kissed Spike hard, right in front of his gang. The kiss left the girls whimpering… if Angel was in a good mood, he'd sometimes let one of them share the bed with the two men. Xander was jealous… it was one thing to be with the woman. But the two alpha males were only 'together' as a sign of power. Angel was proving Spike's rank, it was meant to be a reward. But Xander feared that someday Spike would take over… and then he'd never have a chance on top. Spike wouldn't share his bed with a man unless forced to. Everyone knew he only fucked Angel because he had no choice. If it was meant to be a reward then Angel wouldn't be the one who was enjoying it. Everyone could tell that none of them got Spike off. If Spike was a good boy, maybe Angel would give him the new girl. Xander didn't want that, he wanted the new girl for himself.

Buffy pulled against the bonds that held her to the wall. They'd only bothered to chain her arms, big mistake. The slim red headed girl came over to her. "Sorry about that, it's just Angel being himself. You should get used to it." Willow took off the shackles that had held Buffy in place. "He said we can take you to your room now. You'll be inniciated soon."

"What'll happen?" Buffy stared at the girl while rubbing her wrists.

"Well, you start at the bottom rank and work your way up until you have a steadier rank." Willow smiled, she liked Buffy. "Actually, some of us think Angel isn't what he used to be. He's got a passion for the job, a certain style, but Spike has better self control… most of the time."

Willow led Buffy into her room. The poor blonde didn't know what she was up against. "You don't know how a gang works, do you?"

"Nope, I'm the sort of person who… is just a person."

"A loner?" Buffy nodded her head.

"Never felt inclined to, 'til Spike talked me into it."

Willow looked at the blonde in wonder, "SPIKE! Spike told you to join the gang?"

"Well, yeah. He said if I didn't you'd kill me."

Willow shook her head, "He would have gone after your family first."

Buffy bowed with flourish, "Now presenting the only child, and orphan."

"Oh…"

Spike stepped forward to the head of the gang. "Spike, I'm afraid I've been rather disappointed with your work."

"But…" Spike was confused, what had made Angel change his mind?

"Since when do we converse with people we're supposed to be killin?" Angel leered at Spike, Willow came out from the shadows and sat on Angel's lap. Great, he knew he'd forgotten to tell the girl to keep her mouth shut. Angel grinned wide, "So, you want her here so much… you go through the ranks with her. She's your charge… don't mess it up, boy.

Spike ground his teeth together, he was 23 bloody years old! Not a sodden child anymore. Angel was only 21! "What can I say, I've always been bad." He threw Angel his best smirk before he left the room. "I'll keep your girl comfortable."

"Now he's startin' to irritate me." Angel said, tightening his grip on Willow's waist.

Spike knocked on Buffy's door. "Hello." Buffy answered the door in a new dress. Most likely something Angel picked out.

"Thought you didn't need the cuffs and collars?" He asked her.

Buffy blushed, "I have to wear this until I can have my own clothes made." She gestured for him to come in.

"I'm supposed to train you." Spike told her, without looking up.

Buffy frowned, "What for."

"You have to beat the people in the fight for your rank."

"Really?" Buffy leaned against the wall.

"That's what we get when we give aristocrats too much free time, they decide to fill it." Spike joked.

Buffy laughed. "So, what do I have to know?"

"You can challenge any member for their place, or to knock them down a rank. But you won't have to worry about that, Xander's already challenged you."

Buffy snorted, "That fool?"

"He's a lot better than he looks, pet." Spike finally looked up at her. "He puts his game face on and no one can tell what he's thinkin."

"And you don't think I've earned my own? I've been on the streets my whole life. For 16 years I've begged and stolen and fought. I'm damn good at what I do."

"Sure you are," Spike slowly moves towards her, "Care to test that theory?" he whispered in her ear.

"Where to?" she grinned.

Angel sat across the table from someone, "And why should I do that for you?" A bag of gold coins was thrown onto the table. "Pleasure doing business with you."

"The pleasure's all mine." Ethan Rayne grinned in the shadows.