Neela had spent a week driving in whichever direction seemed best at the time. There were less logical ways to travel, she was certain. She just couldn't think of them at the moment Thanks to Mark and Emil back in LA, she had managed to avoid John at least a dozen times.

The blue van was currently parked outside another demon bar. Neela didn't even know the name of this one and she didn't much care. She didn't care about much any more. This place was in Sunnydale, she knew that much, which could be useful. Surely people living on a Hellmouth would have some knowledge of how to get to Quor'toth. Quor'toth might even be an improvement. But in case no one did, she might as well make an impression. A couple of dead demons would be a good place to start.

The bar was similar to any other demon bar. The music was loud, the drinks were simple and strong and humans were rare. Served rare, that is. In LA, where most of the demons had known her by reputation at least, Neela had never had any problems getting into places like this. In Sunnydale, she had to fight her way in, literally.

Leaving the doorman with a headache and a nice selection of bruises, Neela made her way to the bar. She ordered whisky and leant against the wooden counter, watching the room. There were plenty of demons, but none of the vamps looked over fifty years dead. Neela doubted even one in there that had been sired before the 1930s. The demons looked more hunted here than the other places she had been. She supposed that was the effect of Sunnydale having its very own Slayer.

The whisky, when it came, wasn't the greatest Neela had ever had. Liam would scoff at the idea of this even being whisky, but she had learnt to take what there was and pray it made her drunk. Neela swallowed it down in one and gestured for another. A part of her had missed this life.

But getting drunk wouldn't solve any of her many problems. Well, not any of the important ones. Neela threw back the new glassful and paid before the bar-demon could refill her glass again. She made her way through the crowded room to the back of the bar, where a small demon lounged innocently next to a door.

"What's the game?" Neela asked.

"Poker," replied the demon, speaking easily despite having three rows of teeth. He looked her up and down, taking in her very human appearance.

"Mind if I go in?"

"Go ahead, human," spat the demon. "Pathetic little kid."

Neela grabbed the demon and slammed him into the wall. "You talking to me?" she asked, raising one eyebrow. The demon shook his head and Neela reluctantly let him go. "Good."

She walked into the back room. Two demons and two vampires sat around a small table, a bowl full of mewling kittens in the middle. Kitten poker, one of the most ridiculous demon sports. One of the vampires was looking at Neela strangely, probably trying to figure out what she was. He seemed older than all the other vampires, dressed mostly in black with bleached hair. The other looked stuck in the '80s. Neela didn't know the precise demon breeds, but their teeth screamed 'meat eater.'

"Evening, boys," she said, smiling at them. "Who's winning?"

"What do you want, human?" one of them asked.

"Just to talk," Neela said, holding up her empty hands. "I'm new in town, need some information."

"We don't help strangers for free," another said.

"I'll pay. Just not in kittens, ok?"

"Fine. How do you feel about blood?" the '80s vamp said. The demons stood up, licking their lips, but the older vamp stayed where he was.

"Just to give you fair warning, I'm not human," she said, grinning.

Neela backed up slightly, until she was standing next to a crate of beer. She grabbed two bottles and as one of the demons jumped her, Neela smashed them against its head, holding onto the broken bottles and stabbing them into the second demon. She kicked the first demon in the head, just to be sure, and pulled out her pistol, aiming at the vampire.

"That won't kill me, human," he said, his face morphing into his game face.

Neela fired, hitting him in his heart. The vampire gasped in pain, falling to his knees and curling up.

The last vampire stood up and started to catch the kittens, packing them into a pet basket.

"Nice," he said, nodding to the pistol. "What's in the bullets?"

"Silver, garlic core, dipped in holy water and blessed by a friendly local parish priest. Or maybe the Pope," Neela said. "Doesn't kill vamps but certainly hurts." She stepped over the twitching vampire. "Why didn't you attack me?" She picked up another bottle of beer and opened it, swigging some down.

"Someone had to keep an eye on the currency," was the reply. "Got a name, pet?"

"Neela. You?"

"Spike."

Neela spat out a mouthful of beer. "The Spike? Bloody hell!"

Spike grinned. "At your service. What do you want to know?"

"Hang on. Spike is meant to be all badass and shit. How come you're not kicking my ass?"

"Got a chip, love," Spike told her. "Courtesy of the American government. I can't hurt any humans. Although, apparently that won't apply to you."

"The government put a chip to stop William the Bloody eating people?" She couldn't help but grin. "That's kind of cute."

"It's not cute! It's bloody annoying!"

"Well, that too."

"Anyway, you said you needed information?"

"Yeah. What's the Slayer like?"

"What, are you going to challenge her, or something?"

"Uh, no way, mate. I may be suicidal, but not that suicidal. Would the Slayer have any problem with me fighting on her turf?"

"If you're fighting demons, course not. You hurt a human, though…"

"Figures. Is there much to kill in Sunnydale?" she asked, pulling a silver lighter and a battered cigarette packet out of her pocket. She offered one to Spike, who waved it aside, before lighting up.

"Those will kill you, you know," the vampire said.

Neela stared at him. "Thanks for the concern. If I live long enough for lung cancer to be an issue, remind me again." She took a drag of the cigarette.

"What are you?" Spike asked.

"What kind of question is that to ask someone?"

"A fairly sensible one, love."

"Well, I'm not your 'love'." She dropped the half-smoked cigarette and ground it with the heel of her boot. With a last nod to Spike, Neela left, leaving him alone in the backroom with a basket of free kittens. He looked around at the battered remains of his poker game. The girl could certainly fight, he'd give her that much. Maybe he should mention this to Buffy and the others. Maybe.

xxx

Liam came out of the airport, enjoying the bright sunshine. It put England's sunniest afternoon to shame. He squinted slightly and started walking. Neela had never been a low-profile girl. It shouldn't be too hard to find her.

xxx

Neela walked through the streets of Sunnydale, keeping her eyes and ears open. She refused to believe that a town with its own Hellmouth would ever run out of demons. The Slayer probably patrolled the graveyards, so Neela was sticking to the back alleys and side streets at the centre of town. It wasn't long before she came across a demon harassing a young couple.

"Please, we'll give you money," the man was saying, one arm around the woman and both of them were backing away. "There's no need for any violence."

"Oh, I don't know," Neela said, walking up. "It's kinda fun."

She pivoted and snapped one leg up to smash into the demon's gut. It roared as it staggered back. Neela crouched low, ready to fight, and realised the couple were still standing there.

"Oh, for- Look, you can go now," she told them.

Behind her, the demon shook itself and charged at Neela. She sidestepped at the last moment and it ran itself into the wall. The demon stood up and charged again, barrelling her over. Neela rolled away from a stamping foot and swung a leg into the demon's side before slipping back onto her feet. The demon howled in pain and stampeded at her yet again. This time, Neela grabbed its arm, twisted round and broke the bones. As it fell to its knees, Neela darted forward and snapped its neck. The humans were pressed against the walls, staring at her with wide eyes. Neela looked at them, waiting for the inevitable question.

"What… What was that?" said the woman.

"You don't want to know," Neela said. "Stay out of dark alleys, ok?"

"We can go?"

Neela rolled her eyes. People could be so dense. "Yes, you can go. In fact, you should go. Now."

The couple finally sprinted for it.

"You're welcome," Neela called after them.

"So much for common courtesy," said a man behind her.

Neela recognised the voice and spun round, smiling properly for the first time in weeks. "Liam! What are you doing here?"

He was standing a little way away, hands in his pockets. "I figured you'd be getting into some sort of trouble..."

"No fair, Liam."

"Since when is life fair? Anyway, I take it the situation in LA blew up in your face."

"Yeah. John showed up, some demon sent the twins to hell and now I think I've made it clear that I'm rogue and I think the Clan's trying to kill me. How are you?"

"Compared to you, I'm bloody fantastic. Although that demon sent ripples through the fabric of the dimensional walls that people could feel in South Africa. It nearly blew the coven into next week. Wasn't healthy. What about Angel?"

"Threw me out of town when John told him about my lack-of-soul situation."

Liam whistled in amazement. "Gotta love the bloodsucker. Guy lives for two hundred and fifty years, spends about half of that being the evilest son of a bitch you could ever hope not to meet, and still has the arrogance to take the moral high ground."

"He had a right to. I should've told him, Liam."

"Well, you didn't. So what's the new plan? I mean, you won't go back to the Clan again, will you?"

"No. I just want to get Angel's kids back from hell and then find somewhere where I can be kept safe and non homicidal."

"Want some help?"

xxx

Liam had left the coven, which had now moved to Devon of all places, in the hands of someone called Giles, which meant that Liam was probably planning to stick around. Neither of them had talked about it, but both of them knew that, for the moment, neither of them was going to leave. And, just as clearly, they both knew it would never last.

Neela was sleeping in her van. It was risky, as it didn't technically count as a home to vampires, but she had rigged up a couple of spells with Liam's help. In contrast, Liam was renting a nice apartment at some exorbitant price.

When he hammered on the van door one morning, Neela could only have been asleep for a couple of hours at best. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, as Liam sat down opposite to her.

"Liam, I'm nocturnal. A creature of the night. It's two a.m. for me," Neela told him.

"Well, my little creature of the night, John O'Neil is getting closer. We have to move," Liam snapped.

"What 'we'?" Neela said. "You're no part in this."

"Bull."

"I won't let another innocent get hurt here, understood? The Clan know nothing about you and it would be really good if it stayed that way. Especially with your unique connections."

"I am not letting you go off and get hurt again!" Liam yelled. "I'm not going back until you're safe. I won't let the Clan get close to you again."

From anyone else, the statement wouldn't have managed to convince Neela for a second. From Liam, her creator in a way, it was as real to Neela as two and two making four.

"How can we stop them? They're a part of me. I'm a part of them," Neela said. "And there's John. I don't think I can fight him."

"Why not?" Liam asked. "He's not-"

"I know he's not really my brother. He's Erin's brother. But I don't want to kill him."

"Neela, you don't have to fight him. We can leave, now. Let Angelus deal with his own problems. I can find a way to protect you from them, I promise."

"I can't leave Connor and Caitlin in hell. They don't deserve that."

Liam groaned. He knew she was right and he wanted to help the poor kids as much as she did, if he just thought about it for a moment. "If only we knew what you're meant to do."

"Hey, don't look at me. I'm a fighter, not a messenger."

Liam suddenly grinned. "Neela, you're a bloody genius."

xxx

"Ok, this is silly," Neela said. "I know that the Oracles in LA were under a post office. But here? It's so cliché."

They were standing in a graveyard. Liam sighed.

"No, there's a vampire living here. He should know where the Oracles are. So don't stake him, all right?"

"Great. Now I need to get directions from a vampire," Neela muttered, following Liam. "Isn't there anyone else you could ask?"

"No. The Slayer doesn't know and even if she did, I doubt she'd want to chat with the host of Jo'Nekra. Did you take your serum?"

"Yes, Mother," Neela said.

Liam ignored the sarcasm and took hold of Neela's hand and led her through the graveyard, stopping in front of a small tomb.

"Voila. The best in vampire accommodation," he said.

Neela looked at it. "And I thought my apartment in LA was bad."

"Yeah, I keep meaning to do it up," said Spike, walking up behind them. "Not much with a view, but…" he shrugged.

"Spike, I assume?" said Liam, doing a passable imitation of a man who had not just leapt two feet into the air.

"Come on, Liam, who else would it be?" Neela said. "Enjoy your kittens?" she asked the vampire.

"Oh, it's you," he said. "Well, you might as well come in."

As they followed Spike into his crypt, Liam caught Neela's arm.

"You know Spike?" he whispered.

"I met him just before you turned up," she whispered back. "He seemed ok, for a vampire. Said something about a chip."

"Yeah, Mr Giles told me about that. Play it safe."

"Word on the street is you know how to reach the Oracles," Neela said to Spike.

"There's nothing as nice as Oracles in Sunnydale," he replied. "I might be able to get you to the Guides to the Old Ones."

"Liam?" she asked.

"Um, dark Oracles," he said. "Don't much care about who wins and will advise just about anyone. I thought they were driven out by the Oracles."

"Most of 'em," Spike agreed. "But what with the Hellmouth-"

"Of course," Liam said to himself. "The negative energy would hide them from the Oracles. Why didn't I think of that?"

Spike and Neela shared a glance. "Who is this guy?"

"Liam, an ex-Watcher. Or maybe an actual Watcher, not sure," Neela said. "Will you take us to these Guides?"

"Sure, but I want to be paid and you have to have some darkness in you to talk to 'em these days," Spike told her. "Can't see how a pretty little thing like you-"

"Trust me, darkness really isn't a problem," Neela said. "As for payment, how about five pints of blood?" Neela waited for Spike to nod and turned to Liam. "Liam, I'll call when this is over."

The Irishman looked like he was about to argue, then sighed. "Watch your back," he said. "Especially around the bloodsucker."

"Hey!" said Spike. "I have a name, you know."

Liam shrugged in a vaguely apologetic way and left as Spike walked to a hole in the ground.

"You live above the Guides?" Neela asked.

"Nope, but it's easiest to take the tunnels."

Neela let Spike lead the way through the sewers. She was happy not to talk, but he had other ideas.

"So, what kind of name is Neela?"

"What kind of name is Spike?" she retorted.

"What's your darkness?"

"I don't have a soul," she said quietly.

"Well, that would do it," Spike said. "You seem human, though."

"Human host, soul was destroyed when demon rammed in at speed," Neela said shortly.

"Which demon?"

"Jo'Nekra."

"Ok, I don't want to know what your mother was doing with a Granok."

"That's disgusting."

The vampire stopped walking. "Think we're here. Did you bring an offering?"

"Uh-"

"Give them your watch. These guys love time."

"Where are they?"

"You got a light?" was the only reply. Neela fished an old lighter out of her pocket and passed it to him. Spike took a piece of paper out of his pocket. He lit it. "Open up, guide us, blah blah," he muttered.

Neela watched as a portal spun into existence in front of them. "Well, that works."

"Well, come on then," Spike said. Neela hesitated and he grabbed her hand.

"Hey!" she yelled as he walked through the portal, pulling her after him.

Travelling through portals was never fun, and Neela didn't even like flying. She forced down the urge to either scream or be sick, but couldn't stop herself from keeping a firm hold on Spike.

At the other end, Spike managed to keep them both on their feet. Neela angrily wrenched her hand away.

"That wasn't very nice," she snapped.

"Vampire, remember? Just because I can't snap your spine in two doesn't mean I'm going to play nice."

"There are such things as manners, you know," she said. "And why am I having a conversation with a vampire?"

"Because I'm a handsome devil who makes you laugh?"

"Whatever. Can I have my lighter back?"

Spike put his hand into his pocket and pulled the lighter out, throwing it back to her.

"Thank you. Where are these Guides, exactly?"

"Down there," Spike said, jerking his thumb towards a dark corridor. "I'll wait here for you."

"Thanks," Neela said and started walking. She took the watch off her wrist and twirled it in her fingers as the light behind her faded. It was definitely a long corridor.

Then she was standing in a brightly lit chamber, with a shadowy presence in front of her.

"Are you the Guide?" she called.

Yes.

"I brought this for you." Neela held up the watch. It shot from her hand into the shadow.

Thanks to you, my child. What do you wish to know?

Neela hesitated, biting her lip. "It is possible to recover Connor and Caitlin from Quor'toth?"

Yes.

"Can I do it?"

That depends on how far you are willing to go.

"Figures," Neela muttered. "What about John? Can he help me?"

He believes that you are nothing more than the demon you carry inside you.

"Will he kill me?"

That is why he came. He wishes to set his sister free, release her from the torture she is suffering. But if he kills you, he will kill all that is good inside him. He will be just another tool of the Clan.

Neela winced as a vision of John flashed through her mind. He was standing in front of a pile of fresh corpses, magic lancing his hands and fingers. Blood stained his face and Neela realised with a sick stomach that his eyes were pure black, with no pupils or whites.

"Was that his future?" she asked, rubbing her eyes to clear them of that awful sight. "Is that what he'll become?"

Yes. Unless you can save him.

"How can I save him?"

Again, that depends on how far you are willing to go.

"If I get the twins back, will the Clan come after them again?"

No. The girl will be too old for them to use her.

"Too old? How long will it take me to get them back?"

Time moves differently in the dark worlds.

"Can you tell me anything about the next Hunter then? If it's not Caitlin, who is it?"

I cannot tell you that.

"Why not? I thought you could answer any question."

I can't tell you everything. You should know that.

"Brilliant." Neela swallowed, more than a little afraid, before asking the next question. "What am I?"

You are Neela.

"Can I ever have a soul?"

You were not meant to walk on this world, Neela.

Neela bit her lip, frowning slightly. "You said that Erin was suffering?"

She is trapped and alone.

"Can I... can I bring her back? Give her back this body?"

Maybe.

Neela jerked as the Guide dumped some information straight into her brain. Then she realised what it meant for her and sighed. "You can't tell me any more?"

The outcome of this conflict is unknown to all. You are a most difficult person to influence. And that is a compliment.

Neela looked up, but the shadow had already gone. She stuck her hands in her pockets and left, slowly walking back down the corridor to Spike.

He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. "Find any answers, love?"

"I think so. A bit cryptic," Neela said. "Can we get out of here now?"

"Sure," he held out his hand. "I can't bite," he added when she didn't take it. Neela sighed and put her hand in his as the room faded out, the sewer tunnels rushing back to take its place.

"I'll bring the blood round in a day or two," she said, pulling her hand back. "Thanks."

"Anytime."

Neela started walking away when he called her back.

"Who's John?"

"No one you need to worry about."

"Well, if he kills you too soon, I might not get paid," Spike said nonchalantly. "And I'm just dying for a good fight."

"You'll get your blood, and he's human. You wouldn't be able to hurt him," Neela told him. "And I'll keep him away from the Slayer and her little gang, I promise."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Spike asked.

"Demons do talk, you know. The underworld was buzzing about you two," Neela said. "And I'd really appreciate it if you didn't get them or anyone else involved, ok?"

Spike stepped forward, smiling again. Neela felt herself blush slightly. "How appreciative?" he whispered, bringing his face close to hers. "You know, some of the talk of me and the Slayer is just talk."

"Well," Neela whispered back, letting a little smile into her eyes and stroking his hair back. "Let's call it seven pints."

Spike missed a beat and then burst out laughing. Neela grinned and started to walk away.

"Take care, pet," he called after her.

"I intend to," was the reply as Neela turned the corner.

Spike paused for a moment, watching her go, before heading back to his own crypt. He hoped the kid wouldn't get herself killed too soon. Spike had the feeling that things might get pretty interesting with the carrier of Jo'Nekra in town.

xxx

Reviews would be hugely appreciated, hint hint...