Chapter 3

She stepped out of her room bright and early, the sun had just come up, and Rowena decided to make her way to the training room where she had first appeared.

"Don't tell me," for some reason seeing him there had not surprised her at all, "vampires here don't sleep during the day."

The platinum haired vampire turned around, took in her lithe body, and gave her his sexiest smirk. "Just me. Held human hours for so long I haven't been able to get them straight again."

She lifted her eyebrow, decided to take advantage of the way he was eating her up with his eyes and sauntered over to him making sure to add a little extra swing to her hips.

"Why's that? Why'd you keep human hours?" Standing an inch in front of him she put her hand on her waist.

Amused by her antics he smirked and said, "Long story, tell you another time."

"I've got nothing but time."

His eyes trailed up and down her body once more, this time she didn't squirm, just stood there staring him down, running her tongue around her lips. "Look like you can handle yourself in a fight."

"I could stake you in three seconds flat." Her eyes held his gaze steadily.

"That right?" He winked at her and turned so fast she didn't have a moment to anticipate the kick he gave her. Before she knew it, she was flying across the room, her body coming to a stop when it slammed against the padded wall. She clutched at her stomach and tried to ignore the pain his kick had left as she used the wall to push herself up. He watched as a smile spread over her face and felt a thrill at knowing that she was readying to fight back.

"That was good," she told him, "but I can do better." She did a flip then threw some punches at his face. He was too fast and ducked them all. "You want to play rough? I'll play rough."

She threw a few more punches at him, this time landing two on the side of his face, then ducked from his grasp and threw herself on the ground managing to grasp him by the leg and pull herself back up. Once behind him, she punched his lower back making him turn around to face her.

"Let's see how you like it!" Taking advantage of his shock she kicked him in the stomach and waved as she watched his body fly across the room and out the door.

"What are you guys doing?" Angel looked down at where Spike landed in the hallway then back up at Rowena who was smiling and waving at both vampires.

Spike stood up from the ground and cracked his neck. "This bitch has bite." Without so much as acknowledging Angel, he ran back into the room to finish the fight. Angel followed and found Rowena held up against the wall by the neck kicking her legs wildly against Spike who smirked at her. "Thought you wanted to play rough."

"Spike stop! You're going to kill her!" Angel couldn't begin to imagine why Spike would be trying to kill her.

When Spike looked over at Angel, Rowena smiled and kicked him in the groin. Yelling out in pain, Spike released her from his grasp and cupped himself with his hands. Rowena took the opportunity to push him down to the ground and jumping on him she held him down by straddling his waist.

"Don't worry, Angel. I can take care of myself." Looking down at her captive she said, "Is that a stake in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

With a smirk, Spike pushed her off him and stood up quickly. He was just about to kick her while she was down when he felt Angel grab his arm and push him back.

"Spike, stop!" Spike growled at his grand-sire, but stood down. "You okay, Rowena?"

She stood up, rolled her shoulders back and walked over to Spike, her face inches from his, she answered, "Never better."

"I thought that we could go talk to Wes. Are you up for it?" Angel tried to ignore the way the two warriors looked at each other, but found himself fighting the urge to kick Spike's ass himself. How much more disrespectful could he get?

Rowena nodded, not moving her eyes from Spike's as she leaned in a bit closer. "Thanks for the work-out. See you around." She spun around and took Angel's hand. "Let's go find out what I'm doing here," she told him.

Spike was left alone with his thoughts, berating himself for being so completely turned on by the slayer. How could his body want to move on so quickly? He couldn't help himself, the scent of her arousal had been intoxicating, and a fight like that had always turned him on. This wasn't about Rowena, this was about the fight. He was not betraying the woman he loved; he was just being instinctual as most vampires always are. "I still love you, Buffy. You're still it for me." He whispered before going off to take a cold shower.

Rowena followed Angel into Wes' office not letting go of his hand until she walked in and sat down on the chair in front of the desk without so much as an invitation.

"Watcher." She greeted and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I've told you before, I am not a watcher." Wes was in no mood to be irritated. He spent most of the last night looking through his books for an answer to the slayer's presence and hadn't slept a wink. He'd been unable to find anything and only had his suspicions to go on.

"You can call me Roe, everyone else does at home. Everyone but Jonah." Wes and Angel both caught the bitter tone in which she said the last part. Wesley ignored it, annoyed by the way she had disregarded her comment.

"Who's Jonah?" Angel was curious to know as much about this girl as possible. She looked at him and he could tell she regretted having told him that much information.

"He's my watcher. I was with him right before I showed up here. We were –" she paused to blink her eyes as if trying to clear something out of them. "we were having an argument."

Angel nodded. He sensed there was something more to what she was saying, but decided to keep his mouth shut. Wesley, however, perked up.

"What were you arguing about? Your argument may have to do with your mysterious appearance here."

Rowan looked him in the eye. "That is not important. It's not why I'm here. Jonah would not stand for me to leave him, he's probably going crazy looking for me right now.

"Wes," Picking up on the slayer's anger, Angel decided to go to her rescue. "I don't think the argument they had is relevant."

Wes nodded his head. "Unfortunately, I have not come across any reason as to why you are here, Rowena."

"Roe," she practically growled at him.

"I have a theory." Ignoring her, he went on while making eye contact with Angel.

"What is it?" the vampire asked.

Wesley shifted in his chair. "I believe that Rowena has been called to be our next slayer."

"What? That doesn't make any sense. Why would a slayer from an alternate reality be called to come here?"

Wesley prepared himself for Angel's reaction, as he explained what he thought was happening. "Because the line ended with Buffy. When she died the first time, Kendra was called, then Faith. Due to Faith's unfortunate life choices no other slayer will be called. I believe that The Powers that Be have allowed this transfer in order for us to have a slayer."

Angel sank into the chair next to Rowena's. "Faith's no longer a slayer because the PTB punished her by taking her powers, and Buffy's gone. It makes sense."

"Who's Buffy?" Rowena raised an eyebrow and leaned in toward Angel.

Angel didn't look up; he was lost in thoughts and memories of the previous slayer.

"Buffy was the last slayer. She died in battle about a year ago. It has been a difficult time for all of us, we were all very fond of her." Wesley found himself having to explain for Angel, the vampire seemed to have retreated into his own world.

Rowan's eyes widened as she looked at Angel. "You loved her. But that's impossible!"

Angel's eyes shot up and made contact with Rowena's. "You don't get to say anything about it. Things here run very differently from your world. You should know that your little play vamp over there was also in love with her." He pointed out the door in reference to Spike. "They had a relationship far more involved than she and I could ever have. I would tread carefully when it comes to Spike, Roe."

"You and Spike?" Wesley was shocked. She had only been there a day.

"I can take care of myself. I've already told you and proved it. I don't need warnings about Spike, we were only sparing."

Angel kept his mouth shut. He had already said too much. Rowena stood up and walked away, leaving both the former watcher and Angel to stare at each other in wonder.