Chapter 2

Part 1

Meet You at Midnight

"How's it going?" Angel anxiously asked Wesley as the ex-Watcher prepared another spell.

"It's going." He replied as he placed all necessary items in front of him. "Have you had the chance to speak with Gunn yet?"

"Not yet. I think he's still talking to his cousin from Bon Temps."

At that moment, Gunn walked into Angel's office talking into his cell phone. He carried a couple white sacks in his other hand and the aroma of hamburgers and French fries filled the room. "Thanks Tara. No, it's cool. Yeah, I appreciate everything." He rolled his eyes. "Yes, I am sure I'm not mad. Yes." He chuckled. "Well, at least you're outta that hell hole."

Gunn placed the sacks on Angel's large oak desk and started to remove the contents. A pile of paper wrapped hamburgers along with a couple containers of fries were piled high on the desk along with a mountain of ketchup. A decent sized plastic tub of pig's blood was set gently down far away from the food. Gunn suddenly laughed. "Okay." He looked at Angel. "Some things never change."

Angel raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah, I gotta go too. You take care of that blood sucking sugar daddy of yours." He laughed. "Love ya girl. Take care."

After he slid his phone back into his pocket, he tossed a couple burgers to Wes. "She gave me the name of her best friend Sookie Stackhouse. Spike should be able to find her at Merlottes."

"Okay." Wes put the burger off to the side and closed his eyes. In front of him was a map of Bon Temps. He was attempting to repeat the spell they had performed earlier, only this time concentrating on the smaller area.

He had just barely begun the when he felt wind begin to blow around the office. "That's not supposed to happen."

Angel and Gunn stood and watched in amazement as Angel's memos started to blow around the room in a paper tornado. "What did you do?" Angel asked as the wind picked up. He reached out with lightning speed and caught a letter opener as it flew toward Gunn's left eye.

"I think he ordered a twister." Gunn replied as he instinctively ducked. "Thanks." Angel nodded in return, throwing the letter opener back on the desk.

"I don't know. This isn't the spell I was performing. This is something else entirely. " Wesley watched in shock as the debris picked up speed. He had to do something before the fake windstorm blew them out the glass windows. As Buffy would say, that would be of the bad.

Gunn ducked again, letting a large book fly over his head, just barely missing its mark. "Well, you've got to do something! Not like you got Dorthy and Toto standing here."

"Tell me something I don't know." Wesley retorted as he flipped through the blowing pages of his black spell book.

"If I get killed cause of this shit flying around, I am coming back to haunt your white ass."

A woman's giggle began to echo throughout the room and the mini tornado grew in strength. The three men ducked and dodged books and paperweights as they tried to figure out what the hell was going on. Something drew Gunn's attention to Angel's weapon wall. Swords and axes started trembling and shaking, threatening to be swept up in the storm.

"Oh damn!"

"That's not good at all." Angel stated as he looked in the direction Gunn pointed. "Wes, do something, now!"

"I'm trying! There's another force here and it is NOT in a good mood." He grunted in pain when the letter opener flew off the desk and stabbed him in the thigh. Wes could feel the rage as it rose through his gut. He latched onto that anger, using it to power his magick he recently acquired. He rose slowly to his feet, an almost feral look in his eyes as he surveyed the room.

"Wes, it's time for you to get on with the mojo!" Gunn eyes widened when Angel's throwing stars threw themselves in their direction.

"Oh yeah, this is gonna hurt." Angel muttered and prepared himself.

"ENOUGH!" Wes bellowed as he allowed his power to fill the room. It grew eerily quiet when everything suddenly stopped. Angel and Gunn watched as the throwing stars froze directly in front of their faces. Another breath and then, as one, the stars dropped to the floor with a THUNK.

The three men again heard the woman giggle again and watched helplessly as the map of Bon Temps suddenly caught on fire and burned to ash in a matter of minutes.

"New plan," Angel stated as he began to pick his throwing stars off the floor and replace them on the wall. He then reached out to straighten the battle ax, thankful it decided to stay attached. "There is no way Spike can do this on his own. He's gonna need help."

Wesley dug his wireless out of his pocket and began to dial. "I'll call Willow. I'm sure she can send someone..." He walked away as he waited for her to answer.

"I'll get a hold of Sookie." Angel said as he held his hand out to Gunn for Merlottes phone number. "She needs to know what's going on. I'll ask if she can help Spike."

Gunn found a couple still wrapped burgers and eyed them hungrily. "I'm gonna finish eating. I'm starving." He plopped down on the sofa as he wondered what the hell they had gotten themselves into this time.

Willow Rosenburg smiled when she heard The Eagle's Witchy Woman coming from her cell phone. Xander put the ringtone on her phone years ago and she never had the heart to change it. "Hello?"

"Willow? It's Wesley."

"Oh, hi Wes!" she exclaimed as she gracefully sat down on her soft, white sofa. A slender black cat stalked across the back of the cushion and purring loudly; it pressed its face against Willow's long red hair and asked to be pet. "How's it going?" Willow ran her slender fingers down the cats back.

"Not well, I'm afraid. We have a situation."

"Uh oh. What happened Wes? Is Angel okay?" she then heard Angel in the background barking out orders. "I guess so. He sounds grumpy. He didn't lose his soul again did he? 'Cause that was supposed to be a permanent spell."

"Oh no not at all. Angel is fine. However Fred has been kidnapped."

"Oh my God!"

"Yes, we've been able to track her to Bon Temps, Louisiana. Spike's on his way to find her but he's going to need help. I'm afraid."

"Oh, sure I'm sure I can find…." Willow gasped. "Spike! Spike's alive? How?"

Wesley was silent for a moment.

"Yes, he's very much alive. Didn't Giles tell you? Angel called him a while ago and explained what had happened. Giles said he would fill everyone in on the information."

Willow felt her green eyes flash with her anger. "No, it must have slipped his mind." She sighed. "If he's alive, why didn't he contact us himself? Or at least let Buffy know?"

"He couldn't for a while. He was incorporeal. He managed to become corporal again, whether it was Wolfram and Hart or the Powers that Be, we're unsure but that was just recently. Spike considered calling you himself, but then he also thought Rupert would have told everyone. He misses you all very much, but he knows you have your own lives now-as does he. He knew it was time for everyone to move on."

Wesley paused for a moment to let the information sink in then continued.

"But, back to the matter at hand. Spike is on his way to Bon Temps now to find Fred and bring her home. I do believe he could use help, for I'm afraid he's in over his head but he doesn't realize it yet."

"Sure, I can make sure someone's there. It'll probably be Xander. Just give me the details and I can pass them along."

"Alright." Wesley gave Willow the name and place they were to meet their contact, along with important protocol. "How is Xander?"

"He's had it rough but I think he is doing better now. He's changed after losing Anya, and I'm not sure if it's for the better." Wesley could hear the sadness in her voice.

"Everything will work out for the best. Give Xander my regards when you speak to him."

"Will do. Take it easy Wes. It was good talking to you."

"Yes, you too Willow. Goodbye."

After Willow ended her call, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. One of these days, Giles was going to get someone she cared for hurt by trying to protect his Scoobies. And if that happened, she wasn't sure she would be able to forgive him.

Well, time to call her best friend. Willow sat in the floor and closed her eyes. She opened her mind and began to think of Xander.

Xander Harris lounged on the soft, comfortable sofa in the middle of his small apartment, or man cave as some of the younger slayers liked to call it, with a beer in one hand and the TV remote in the other. The lights were off and only the flicker of the TV screen provided a soft glow. He absentmindedly flipped through the channels, not really paying attention to what was on, instead his mind drifted elsewhere and he took another long tug from his beer can.

Xander was no longer the goofy kid in high school with a crush on the vampire slayer and having the knack for being the butt-monkey. He was more muscular now and he looked rougher with his long bangs softly curling in front of his left eye, hiding the eye patch. His right eye held the look of someone who had seen more death and violence than the average human should. For a young man in his mid 20's Xander had more scars than anyone his age should bear, physically and emotionally. He was hardened, like a soldier from battle, which wasn't exactly far from the truth.

He ran a large finger just under his eye patch, scratching a phantom itch as he allowed his other brown eye to slowly close. His body relaxed somewhat and he drifted to sleep, his mind trying to concentrate on happier times. After what seemed only a few moments, his eye fluttered open when the scent of strawberries filled the room, the look of annoyance crossing his dark features.

"XANDER." Willow's voice filled Xander's head.

"Holy Christ!" Xander exclaimed as he jumped to his feet, his body already in a fighting stance. "Willow! What the hell! You know I hate it when you do that!" he closed his eye and allowed himself to fall back into the sofa.

"We have a situation Xan. I need your help."

"What's up Wills?"

"It's my friend, Fred. She's been kidnapped. And it appears an old friend of ours has gone to find her. Our watcher friend has neglected to inform us Spike was back. In fact, he's looking for her as we speak."

"What? How? What?" Xander exclaimed as he jumped to his feet again. "Back? How can he be back? He died!"

"We should know by now, Xander, sometimes just because someone died doesn't mean they stay gone."

"Yet, sometimes they do." Xander said softly as he remembered his Anya. He felt Willow give him a mental hug. "I'm sorry, Xan."

"It's okay." He took a breath and shook himself. "So, why you telling me all this?"

Xander listened patiently as Willow gave him the rundown; suddenly his features hardened.

"No Will."

"Xander! He really needs your help! "

"No."

"But…"

"Spike's a big boy. He can handle himself."

"I know but…"

"In fact it's safe to say I hate the guy. So find someone else, Wills."

"Xander, there is no one else."

"Well, tough shit, cause I'm not going." Xander crossed his arms over his chest and glared into the dark room with his brown eye.

"Xander, think what Buffy would do."

The young man's eye hardened. "I already know what Buffy has done with Fangless and all can I say is oh hell no!"

Willow sighed. "Fine. Fine, whatever. I'll perform a locator spell and see what I can do." Her presence was suddenly gone, leaving behind the peaceful emptiness of his brain.

"Sorry Wills." Xander whispered before laying his head back and closing his eye once again, trying to fight off the pang of guilt nagging at his heart. He drifted into a deep sleep.

In the far corner of his room, a young blond woman appeared, smiled, and with the flick of her wrist, both of them disappeared from Xander's small apartment.

Spike was staring out of the windows of the jet, lost in thought…god, he really hated flying, but he sucked up his fear. He was the Big Bad for god's sake. Can't let a little fear of crashing and burning wreck that image. At least he would be landing soon, thank god, and then he could continue his search.

He wasn't sure where he should go first, but he knew Peaches would get a hold of him and shed some light. He also knew he would tear the bloody town apart if he had to. His cell phone rang, and he grinned. "Right on time."

"Charlie boy, you miss me?" Spike said when he saw who the caller was.

"You kidding? It's been so peaceful since you've been gone." Gunn lied as he walked around the rubble in Angel's office.

"Yeah, right." Spike grinned, "Peaceful? With all the complaining Peaches does? Good luck with that."

"Hey, I have some info for ya."

"Alright," Spike waited.

"Okay, you'll be landing at Monroe Regional Airport. Wes was able to get a hold of Willow, so she is sending someone to give you a hand while you're there. This is something way bigger than we originally thought."

"How much bigger?"

"Almost–got-our-asses–kicked-in-Angel's–office-with-his-own-damn-weapons bigger." Gunn replied. "You're gonna need to be able to play with the other kiddies if we're gonna do this."

Spike rolled his eyes "I don't play well with others, Charlie Boy. You know that."

"Well, get used to it. Big Red is sending someone your way.

"Yeah? Who's Red sending? It's not The Slayer, is it?"

"She said you'll know when you get there."

"Bloody hell."

Gunn continued. "You are gonna need to head to Merlottes and ask for Sookie Stackhouse. She will be able to show you around and give you guys a place to crash. She will also take you to Eric Northman, who happens to be the sheriff of that area. You need to get safe passage from him before you start looking for Fred. He may even be able to help with your search."

"Bloody hell," Spike cursed as he leaned his head back against his seat. "Fine, I'll play. But if anyone gets in my way of finding Fred, I can guarantee no one will be able to find the body. We clear?"

"Crystal." Gunn replied. "Well, I gotta run. We're trying to do everything we can. Get whatever you need, do whatever you can. But no matter what, bring her back."

"I will, Charlie Boy. You've got my word. I'll bring her back. I promise."

And Spike always kept his promise.

"You should have said yes." A familiar female voice whispered in Xander's ear. He relaxed under the comforting weight of a naked woman laying on top of him. His large hands lovingly stroked her bare back.

"No I shouldn't have." Xander answered, his eye closed. "Oh wait, that's right," a goofy smile pulled at his lips, "I didn't."

He lay in a soft warm bed, white covers and a mountain of pillows surrounded him. There was a soft glow coming from the dozens of candles that lit the otherwise dark room. The woman on top of him straddled his hips and her soft breasts pressed against his scarred chest. Her face remained near his neck, her warm breath comforting against his ear. He ran his finger tips across her shoulders before moving up and down her back again. He frowned when he came upon a deep diagonal scar he didn't know she had. He opened his eye and looked at her.

"Ahn, when did you get this?" he asked, confussed, tracing the raised tissue. It was as if someone tried slicing her in half diagonally.

Anya only raised her head and smiled down at him. With one hand against his chest for support, she placed her other hand on his face, gently cupping his cheek. Her thumb caressed the stubble shadowing his jaw. "You need to go help Spike." Her blond hair fell toward his face and he could smell her shampoo, something fruity and flowery.

Wait a minute, Anya? He began looking around the room in a panic. All white, everything. His nude form lay under hers, yet their clothes were nowhere in sight. Where was he? How the hell did he get here?

"I brought you here." Anya answered his unasked question. "It was much easier than me trying to just 'appear' down there and scare the crap outta you." She ran her fingers across his cheek as she repeated herself. "You need to go help Spike."

"Why?"

"You're the White Knight. It's what you do. You save people." She leaned down and kissed the corner of his mouth softly, and he could almost taste her lips.

"But I couldn't save you." He whispered, full of sorrow.

"Even if you were there, you couldn't have. I'm 11 hundred years old, for god's sake. It was my time. And it's not so bad. I get to watch you every day. Well, I get to watch everyone, but none of them are as important as you. And they're not as sexy either. Why didn't you look like this when we were engaged. I would have said yes a lot sooner." Anya stopped her rambling and let her eyes soften. "And look at all the people you did save, Xander, and all the ones you are going to save. You need to go." Anya repeated.

"But why?" For some reason Xander could feel the air in the room getting thicker, heavier.

"It's your destiny? God Xander, I don't know. I only know I'm supposed to tell you that you're supposed to go." Anya sat up and looked down at him, frustration in her big eyes. "Why can't you just say 'Okay Ahn, I'll go'? Do you have to make things difficult?"

During her little rant, Xander noticed something out of the corner of his eye.

"Um, Anya?" He asked in a worried voice as a light purple mist began to surround them.

"And I'll have you know it's not easy becoming messenger girl for the Powers That Be. I just sit in here, all bored out of my mind until they have a "purpose" for me." She rolled her eyes. "The least they could have done was given me some good magazines or something to read. Preferably Playgirl, but I'll even settle for a Better Homes and Garden's at this rate."

"Anya!" Xander repeated, his voice more urgent as the mist became much more dense. It was getting hard for him to breathe but Anya seemed unaffected.

"At least they let me watch you," she rambled on. "And I'll say this, you look damn good in the shower. Not that you didn't before but now, wow!"

"Anya!" Xander finally yelled her name, getting her attention.

"What?"

"Is this supposed to happen?"

"Is what supposed to happen?" she asked confused.

He ran his hand through the thick mist beside her head.

"Well, it looks like Willow decided you don't really have a choice. You're going." Anya looked happy, then annoyed. "Of course, she would be the one to butt into our little moment wouldn't she?"

"What! No, Will wouldn't do that."

Anya gave Xander a pointed look.

"Well, okay, maybe she would."

"She's performing the teleportation spell." The air in the room had the heavy scent of strawberries. "At least this way you don't have to go through customs."

Xander raised his eyebrows.

Anya smiled down at him again and leaned in to kiss him softly on the lips. He felt her breathe into his mouth, almost like forcing air into his lungs. "You have a purpose, Xander Harris, even if you have to travel all the way to Louisiana to find it."

"What…" He felt something inside him awaken and stir. "What did you do Ahn?"

"I just evened the playing field a little. But don't worry; it's not going to be like it was. You have much more control now."

Xander felt a presence in his mind he hadn't felt since High School, but this time it was different. Instead of the presence trying to take over, it became a part of him. His eyes flashed green for a moment and a hyena like giggle escaped his lips.

"I love you Xander Harris." Anya whispered as her body seemed to disappear and he found himself missing the comfortable weight.

"I love you too." He whispered back, closing his eye once again.

The air around him began to shimmer and then Xander winked out of sight, leaving behind an empty white room. A single thought raced through his mind as he blacked out.

"Why does the weird shit always happen to me?"

Sam Merlotte kept a close eye on Sookie as she worked her way around the crowded bar. That poor girl had been through so much in the past couple weeks it wasn't even funny.

He hated Bill Compton for breaking Sookie's heart, he hated Eric Northman for working his way into Sookie's life, and he was angry with Sookie for caring for them both.

Sam sighed when he heard his phone ring. It better not be Arlene about her kids again. He understood it wasn't easy being a single parent, but a job's a job. They couldn't keep rescheduling every time her kids pissed the babysitter off.

"Merlottes." Sam answered as he wiped his counter off.

"Hello. My name is Angel and I am calling from Wolfram and Hart law firm from Los Angeles, California. I need to speak with Miss Sookie Stackhouse please. It's urgent."

"Sure, hang on a minute." Sam held his hand over the mouthpiece and called for Sookie.

"What is it, Sam?" Sookie asked as she approached the bar.

"Phone call for you, some lawyer from L.A. I'm gonna transfer it to my office."

"Okay, thanks." Sookie smiled at Sam then walked toward the back of the bar. Her heart began to beat rapidly, and she had to concentrate on keeping her breaths even so she didn't hyperventilate. What on earth would a law firm from California want with her?

She walked into Sam's office and picked up the receiver. "This is Sookie Stackhouse. How can I help you?"

She wished she could read minds over the phone.

"Hello Sookie. My name is Angel and I am CEO at Wolfram and Hart Law firm in L.A. Don't worry, you aren't in any trouble. As a matter of fact, we are, and I am hoping you would be able to help."

"Me? How would I be able to help you?"

"An associate of ours, Winifred Berkle, we call her Fred, was kidnapped this afternoon. Our sources informed us she was taken to Bon Temps, Louisiana, however we don't know who took her or why. I have an associate on his way to find her, and he has someone to help him. He is coming to meet you. I would appreciate it if you would help him around the area, take him where he needs to go, and make sure he has a place to crash. I will be able to pay you for your service and provide you with whatever you need."

"Um, okay." She answered, bewildered. "I will help as much as I can."

"Excellent. His name is Spike and he will be arriving in the next 45 minutes or so. You'll know him when you see him. Thanks so much for your help."

"You're welcome. I will help as much as I can."

After they said their goodbyes, Sookie stared at the receiver for a moment in total bewilderment.

"Spike? His name is Spike?" She shook her head as she went back to the bar and motioned for Sam. Her life was just getting too weird.

"Everything okay, cher?" Sam asked quietly.

"Not really. That law firm that just called, they had an associate kidnapped this evening and they found out she was brought here to Bon Temps. They have an associate coming out to find her, but they asked if I could help him, show him the area, stuff like that. His name is Spike and he will be here in about 45 minutes or so." She looked at her watch. "So, that would be at midnight."

"Kinda puts new meaning in I'll Meet You at Midnight, doesn't it?" Sam asked. He glanced over at Sookie's confused look. "It's the title of a song."

Sookie just nodded.

"They sent a lawyer named Spike?" Sam asked as he changed the subject.

"He didn't say if Spike was a lawyer, he just said an associate."

"Wow," Sam looked at her. "LA's got some weird people, huh?"

Sookie nodded as she thought to herself, an associate of a law firm who could only travel at night. Gee, let's take a guess at what he might be.

"Well, better get ready for this Spike character." Sam said as he looked around the bar. "Where'd your brother go?"

"He left to see his girlfriend. He probably won't be back tonight." She noticed a new couple in her section. "I'll let you know when Spike gets here."

"You do that." Sam said quietly as he went back to wiping down his bar. He had to wonder if their lives could get any stranger.

Xander felt as if his insides were turned upside down. He hated magick, and more often than not, found himself on the wrong end of one of Willow's spells. He tried to move his body, but found he couldn't quite yet.

What the hell? What was going on? He then heard footsteps hurrying around and the sound of hard soled shoes echoed off the tile floor. A multitude of too many people talking at once and the sharp smells of food, perfume, and floor cleaner pierced his senses. A voice came on over the loudspeaker announcing boarding for the flight to Pittsburgh.

Ah, an airport. He raised his head, slowly opened his eye and after shaking his head clear he groaned when found himself looking up into a very familiar face that mirrored his own confusion. Bright blue eyes stared back at him as an all too familiar smirk began to grace the sharp features.

Xander closed his eye as he heard the other man chuckle wickedly and tried to wish for the floor to swallow him whole. Unfortunately that didn't happen.

The blond vampire took a seat in front of him and cocked his scared eyebrow.

"So Harris, a new form of travel these days is it?"

Xander sighed and let his head fall back to the tile floor with a thud.

Willow was in so much trouble.

(A/N I changed Xander's appearance and demeanor a bit. Just trying to mix things up. *grin* The lyrics come from Marilyn Manson's This is the New Shit)

Part 2

Surprise

In the one hundred fifty human and demon years he had walked the earth, Spike thought he'd seen it all. Of course, it would be Xander bloody Harris who would prove him wrong. Appearing out of thin air in the middle of the airport was one thing. Smelling like a shape shifter was something completely different. And Spike decided to get to the bottom of whatever was going on.

So, as he sat in the semi-crowded airport, he ignored all the different sounds and smells that surrounded him and instead concentrated on the ruggedly handsome man seated in front of him, giving him an annoyed glare. It appeared Xander Harris was all grown up. He was dressed in a pair of comfortable blue jeans, a green tee shirt stretched across his very broad chest, and a black leather jacket. His shaggy hair was longer, and his dark bangs fell over one eye, the one that still had the ragged black eye patch. His strong jaw had a five o'clock shadow, which added to the new look. All in all, gone was the goofy high school kid and in his place was a badass. Spike was impressed.

Xander slumped in his seat and stretched out his long legs, crossing them at the ankles. He folded his muscular arms over his broad chest and stared right back at the vampire. Something moved behind his eye, it was only a flash, but Spike caught it. Oh yeah, there was something inside the boy alright, something feral and dangerous, like him. So Spike came to one very important conclusion. Monkey boy had a hell of a lot of explaining to do.

"So, Fangless, how's the unlife been treating ya?" Xander asked in a bored yet friendly conversation voice.

"I was dead. Then I got better." Spike deadpanned. "And you, Monkey Boy?"

"Same old, same old. Ran into my dead ex-girlfriend who acquainted me with a long lost Hyena spirit."

Spike just looked at him.

"So, we done?"

"Yeah, I think that covers everything."

"Good. Let's get the hell outta here. I've got a lotta shit to do."

Both men stood gracefully and stalked toward the exit, Spike automatically falling into place on Xander's right side. The young man didn't even look at him when he started babbling.

"So, you do have a car, right? We don't have to take a cab do we? I hate cabs. They always smell funny and I swear to god the drivers are demons in human costumes…."

"Well," Spike sighed as he glanced over at the still babbling Scooby, "here I thought it was just the bloody Hellmouth that made ya babble on like an idiot. Turns out you really are an idiot. Color me shocked."

"Fuck you."

"Not in this lifetime, Monkey Boy."

"Cut the shit and let's just go get your car."

"As you wish." Spike grinned and led the way out of the terminal.

A few hours later, Xander found himself in the parking lot of the airport, wondering how it was he ended up being look out for a neutered vampire who was intent on stealing a Hummer.

"You wanna tell me what we're doing here again?" Xander asked a very cranky Spike.

"We need a damn car." Spike's muffled voice came from the driver's side floor, beneath the steering column. Black jean clad legs stuck out of the vehicle and two feet in black Doc Martins rested on the pavement spread wide apart. The black duster lay across the passenger seat.

"Yeah, I got that much, bloodbreath, I mean why didn't we just rent a car?"

All Xander got for his comment was a blond head with a pair of icy pair of blue eyes that raised from the floor and glared at him as if to say, "are you serious?" before the vampire shook his head and went back to hotwiring the beautiful black Hummer.

"So, what, we're just gonna steal somebody else's car?"

"Hello, vampire! Go where I want and take what I please. It's like a rule." He growled softly to himself "Fucking hell, just keep watch and make sure no one's comin'. Think you can do that?"

Xander held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, no complaints here. Just clairifying the situation." He looked down at the pair of Doc Martins sticking out of the vehicle. "Besdies, I thought you were all soul having now. "

"Just cause I have me a soul doesn't mean I've turned into a bloody law abiding citizen. It just means I don't drain an annoyin' two bit wanker who talks too bloody much for his own soddin' good! " an electric shock went through his fingers. "Bloody hell!"

After a few minutes, the sound of a Hummer starting cut through the silence. Spike grinned in triumph as he gave it some gas and revved the engine. The big, bad looked like a kid on Christmas Morning. He motioned to Xander. "You comin'?"

Xander shook his head and stalked to the passenger side door. Climbing in, he started talking to himself. "This must be one of those bad idea moments Will's always warning me about."

"It still amazes me how many of those damn things I have in a day."

"You sleep during the day."

Giving Xander a sideways glance as he tore away from the curb, Spike grinned. "You'd be surprised, Whelp."

A deep, feral growl came from the passenger side, accompanied by a bone chilling sound that was much like a hyena laughing and Spike was surprised to find a pair of yellow green eyes staring back at him. Yellow green eyes that reflected the light of the nearest streetlamp and that were definitely not human.

"I'm not a pup," Xander said in a voice octaves lower than normal, "You'd do best to remember that."

Spike snorted, despite the chills he had from the raw power radiating off the younger man. "Yeah, well the lot of you is pups compared to me, so get over your damn self and rest a bit. It's gonna be a while before we get there."

The power disappeared, as if it were sucked back into Xander body, which it probably was. The younger man leaned his seat back and closed his eyes. "Oh, let me know when we come upon a store or gas station or something. I'd kill for a Twinkie right about now."

Spike shook his head and enjoyed the temporary silence.

Fred's eyes snapped open when she heard what sounded like an explosion going off under her feet. The car suddenly tilted to the side and the sound of metal scraping pavement made her clench her teeth.

She was tossed about the trunk and could feel the driver of the car try to maintain control as he pulled off to the side of the road. Finally the vehicle jerked to a stop, which caused Fred to slam hard into the interior wall with a grunt. She stifled her moan when she heard the two goons open their car doors and slam them shut.

"Fuck!" The werewolf exclaimed as he kicked the car. "This is your fault!"

"My fault?" The heavy Cajun accent argued back. "How dis be my fault? De tire go pop while I drivin'. Ain't no fault of mine, couillon."

"Yeah, whatever," A pause. "What the hell are we supposed to do now? We're still got over good half hour to go." He kicked the car again for good measure. "Dru ain't gonna be happy. And when Dru ain't happy, hell seems to reign on earth."

"I ain't heard nothin' from de trunk. You think she still out? You could get de spare and tire iron." The Cajun suggested.

"Yeah, I could. But I really don't wanna. You should do it."

"Fils de putain." The Cajun grumbled as he walked to the front of the car to fetch his keys.

Fred wrapped one hand around the tire iron and gripped the cold metal with all her might. She then tucked a vial of what she assumed was holy water in the other hand, prepared to throw it at the vampire. She stuffed her pockets with a couple of the holy water vials earlier in hopes to arm herself as best as she could.

She heard the heavy footsteps fall on the pavement as the vampire walked back to the trunk. Then she heard the sound of the keys clinging together as he fished the right one from the key ring. Fred tensed but remained absolutely quiet.

Every muscle in her body was ready to spring her surprise attack. All she could do now was hope she had better luck here than she did in the dark alley in LA. She closed her eyes and held her breath as she heard the key slide home in the lock, then a very loud click before the trunk was opened.

"Merde, look at de shiner ya gave her."

"It's not like I fuckin' meant to. Bitch wouldn't hold still. Had to do somethin'."

Suddenly, Fred's eyes snapped open and with a primal scream, she smacked the werewolf across the head with the tire iron and threw the holy water vial at the vampire.

The vial just bounced off the vampire's forehead and made the creature look at her with confusion.

"Why ya keep tossin' shit at ma head for, pute? It be getting' annoyin'."

"Always works when Angel does it." Fred said softly with a shrug.

For just a moment, the trio stared at each other still reeling from Fred's surprise attack, then almost as one they moved. Fred turned the tire iron in her hand and stabbed the vampire through the throat. She tried to ignore the pitiful, wailing sounds that flowed out of his mouth, along with the blood that flowed from his lips and throat like a fountain.

She withdrew the weapon from the vampire, and screamed again as she stabbed the werewolf in the private place no man, supernatural or human, wanted to be stabbed. She ignored the howls of pain and stream curses as she leapt from the trunk of the car and ran for all she was worth.

TBC

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