Spike spun around in his office chair taking in the view. The once white walls where now black with red dripping from the ceiling. Behind Spike's desk was an old stone crypt with black Celtic designs on its side. Spike stood up and walked towards the front door; he grabbed his coat from the stone demon claw sticking out of the wall next to the door. Outside his office Spike looked at the active below. Illyria, Connor and Gunn where bringing in boxes full of books, some were from Angel's personal collection some from an unknown supplier. One of the theater rooms was gutted and turned into a library another was turned into a training room full of weapons and padding for the non--vampires. Spike jumped from the catwalk and landed behind the front desk, he ducked hopping not to be seen. Last thing I want is to be spotted and forced to do work. He thought as he made his way to the underground carport, he made it and headed to his car. There was this new bar in town and Spike as protector of this city was obligation to investigate this new area, and make sure the drinks were safe. Spike Smiled as he blazed out of the carport. The bar was about 3 blocks from the office with Vampire parking in the back. Spike parked and headed in. It was a small hole in the wall place. A stage with a karaoke setup, four tables stood in front of the stage with a bar lining the back wall. Spike headed to the bar and took a stool. As the night started in more people came in. Some took seats other stood around chatting about their day drinking their sorrows away. The bar tender was a human female Spike could tell from her smell and the face she gave when he asked for a bloody Mary without Mary. She walked to the back.

Suddenly a familiar voice filled the air. "If you don't know what kind of blood they want, then ask sweetykins."

Spike leaned over the bar and saw him. Tall and green, and still wearing awful colored shirts, it was Lorne.

Spike smiled and yelled, "Hey, Green Bean, I'm on a human free diet."

Lorne looked at Spike, he looked back at the girl and said something to her then when to Spike.

"Bloody human." Spike said as Lorne stood behind the bar across from him.

"Hey, what brings you here sunshine?" Lorne asked as Spike looked around.

"So this hoppin' joint is yours? Nice Music, alcohol, it's a chipper spot." Lorne moved uncomfortable as the bartender brought Spike a darkened beer bottle full of pig blood.

"I told Angel not to come looking for me it's over." Lorne said looking worried, all he wanted was to get sucked back in the game.

"Angel isn't looking for you. I head about this place from the street, looking for a close bar that I could get away to when I was feeling a bit peckish." Spike looked back at Lorne, "Angel is reopening his helping the helpless biz."

Lorne nodded as Spike took a drink, "So they're not looking for me…not mad that I ran off?"

Spike finished his drink and shook his demon face off. "It dose seem that way. At lest you told us you were going to chicken off."

Lorne pulled a smile, if Angel would have showed up to would have been ok. Lorne knew Angel couldn't hurt his friends but he knew Spike would in a second. Now that Lorne knew Spike wasn't sent for him he felt better. "So what's everyone been up too these days?" Lorne asked handing Spike another bottle of blood.

Spike took the drink and scoffed, "Same old. Helping people killing vampires and other baddies. Just finished revamping the new place…still looking for help—"

Lorne shot in, "I told you I was out. I just want to run my business not fight evil just heartbreaks and hard days at work."

Spike gave Lorne a what-are-you-talking-about look and Lorne shut up. "I know you made that crystal clear before the big fight. Angel would like a secretary. So if you happen to know a cutesy looking for some work."

Lorne looked up and smile, "I think I do."

Spike turned to see what Lorne was looking at. Then he saw her; her brown hair with black tips was about shoulder length. Spike caught a glimpse of blonde underneath the darker hair. Her hazel eyes showed determination that was familiar. She was healthy looking, something Spike would want to really sink his teeth into…if he still did that kind of thing. Something about her made Spike feel a strange feeling he had only felt around Buffy.

He looked back at Lorne, "Who is she?"

Lorne shook his head, "She a sweetie that comes in every night. I think her name is Meg or something like that."

Spike was about to get up when Lorne stopped him, "Where you going?" Lorne asked.

Spike looked at the girl, "If you think she's interested in working I want to investigate."

Lorne snapped his fingers to get Spike attention, "That's not going to work Sunshine. She may not look it but she is a tough cookie to get to know. And you being a…a vampire might not help."

Spike looked back at Lorne, "If she finds out I'm a vampire." Spike tried to get up again when Lorne stopped him again.

"She'll know before you get off this stool. I don't know how but she knows. Just last night a guy tried to talk to her and we spent the next hour getting him out of the carpet."

Spike looked at the girl she took a seat at one of the booths and ordered a drink from a bartender that was walking the floor. Spike turned to Lorne, "You think she'd really stake me?"

Lorne nodded, "Maybe more. But hey listen I'll talk to her and try and send her your way or to Angel what ever way it works out so…why don't you head back to the nest and tell Angel and the gang. But Spike please don't tell them I'm here I'm not hiding I just want to put my roots a little deeper before I trumpet my return."

Spike nodded and put his money down for this drinks. "Later, then." Spike got up and headed out. He turned and looked at the girl, don't worry, luv, I'll be back. He thought as he turned and headed towards his car.