Chapter Ten

As the shock wore off, Wesley's voice returned, and he was able to stutter out a welcome to the most infamous slayer there had ever been.

"Hello Buffy." He began. "This is a surprise. We didn't expect you to be coming."

"Of course you didn't. If it hadn't been for Dawn and I visiting Willow this week, I'm quite sure I would never have been involved."

"Lucky for us, isn't it? Otherwise we wouldn't have been able to come see Spike so easily. " The addition to the conversation made Wesley turn to see Dawn, and he was shocked at just how much the young girl had grown over the last 4 years.

" So that's why you're here." Fred began. "I was wondering just why you would be here too. After all, it's not like you had to come."

"If there's one thing I've learned about Buffy, it's that she's never one to do things unless she wants too." Kennedy added, jokingly. " Well, with the exception of fighting evil that is. Don't figure she had much choice there."

"My gosh, I'm being so rude. Wesley, Fred – this is Kennedy. Kennedy this is Fred and Wesley – they work for Angel."

"I prefer to think of it as working with Angel actually, though he is technically our boss." Wesley added, as he stepped forwards to shake Kennedy's hand.

"Don't I get an introduction?" Dawn asked. " I'm quite sure Buffy and I have never met Fred before."

"You wouldn't have." Fred added. "Angel only saved me from Pylea two years ago."

"Pylea?" Buffy questioned.

"It's an alternate universe, where people were slaves and Cordy was queen." Wesley answered, the last part causing a smile to cross his face. "We managed to rescue Fred, and she's been our resident scientist ever since. She heads up the labs here."

"It's an honour to meet you both finally, " Fred began, looking at Dawn and Buffy. "I've heard so much about both of you from Spike."

"And there's the reason we are here. Since it's daytime, I'm assuming they're waiting for us inside?" Dawn replied.

"Oh my. Spike doesn't know you're here, does he? Well this should be interesting." Wesley began, as he turned to walk off the plane. "Just follow me. And before I forget, welcome to Wolfram and Hart."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Spike watched as Wesley walked off the jet and onto the ground. Behind him followed Kennedy, and Spike was glad to see that she seemed to be exactly the same as she had been when he had last seen her. The only difference now was that she seemed happier, and that he was glad to see. Anticipation rose as he waited for Willow to follow her. Over the last few years, despite the fact that he had never admit it, he had grown quite fond of the Wicca. She had a personality that made her instantly likeable, and she was the only Scoobie other than Tara that ever seemed to understand him. However, nothing had prepared him for the shock at who he saw. Following Kennedy down the stairs was Dawn, and she was closely followed by someone who looked remarkably like Buffy. Surely it was simply his imagination, after all, what would they be doing here? As the group of people who had climbed off the plane drew closer, Spike's disbelief at what was happening diminished. It wasn't really that hard to comprehend. If Buffy had heard that he was alive again, she would no doubt have made sure she was here as fast as possible in order to fight with him over his return. Or more precisely, that he hadn't told her he was back. Knowing that a confrontation was going to happen sooner or later, Spike stood up straight and waited, as he watched the group moved ever closer to the building.

- - - - - - - - -

Max watched transfixed as the red-haired girl and her friends walked towards them. His alien senses were tingling, as he could feel the power that radiated from her. This was one dangerous human being, and he had no doubt that she would be more than a match for the Royal Four combined. If this was who they referred to as ' the big guns', then he could see why. She was powerful, and she was on their side. Knowing this gave him a massive re-assurance that everything was going to be ok. Whatever happened, Liz was in safe hands. Despite this however, he instinctively tightened his grip on Liz's hand. She may be safe, but she still needed to know that he was here for her. They all were.

- - - - - - - - - -

As Wesley held open the door in front of her, nerves filled Buffy's stomach for the first time since she had left Brazil. What was he going to be like? Would he have changed, or would he still be the same old cocky Spike she knew? How would he react to her shock arrival? In spite of her nerves, she was still angry. As she walked through the door, her eyes searched the small room until they found who they were looking for. Spike. Pain fuelled rage overtook her, and her instincts took over. She ran across the room towards him, and as soon as she was close enough, she punched him in the nose. As he fell to the floor, she shouted at him, in a hope of making him understand why he deserved it.

"How could you not call?? Was the telephone too good for you suddenly? Didn't you think we would want to know that…" A small snigger from the vamp on the floor made her stop.

"Well hello to you too." Spike began. "Since you're obviously in the mood for a fight, why don't we go somewhere else and let Red get on with the reason I finally called in the first place? Angel can fill her in on everything she needs to know." Since she realised this was a sensible plan, she turned to ask Willow if this was alright with her. The look on her face was all Willow needed.

"Fine by me." With Willow's approval, Spike stood up and began to walk out of the room.

Follow me, I know the perfect place."

As Spike and Buffy left the room, Max turned to look at Angel, shocked at their behaviour and everyone's casual acceptance of it . "Are they always like that, or was that unusual?" However, Willow was the one to reply to the question.

"That was pretty much the norm. with those two – they're either worst enemies or well….." She stopped as she saw the look on Angel's face.

"Or they're inseparable" Dawn finished for her.

"I get that. They remind me of Michael and Maria. " Max added, looking towards to door.

"So, in the absence of Spike, you need to fill me in. Why am I here?" Willow questioned.

"You're here because of me." Liz replied, in almost a whisper. " Because I need your help."

The reply made Willow turn to face the young girl and boy before her, and at once she was hit with a magical feeling that they weren't exactly normal.

To be continued….