Title: New Beginnings 12/25+Epilogue

Author: Forsaken2003

Pairing: Spike/Xander, Angel/Wesley

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon

Comments: Always welcomed!

Summary: Spike and Xander run from Sunnydale to LA

Warnings/Spoilers: Season 5 No Anya, Dawn or Glory.

Beta'd by: Unbeta'd

Bunny Plot by: Thephoenixandthedragon4ever: Spike and Xander run from Sunnydale to LA to for help from Angel, Wesley and Cordy. (Angel/Wesley) Wesley with his motorcycle and leather pants.

Part Twelve

Everyone was crammed into Angel's office. The only ones sitting were Angel and Mrs. Johnson. Wesley had provided her with tissues and Cordelia had her sketch book out to draw the description of the demon that kidnapped David.

"We were leaving the movie theater after seeing The Perfect Storm, we parked a few blocks from the theater. When we were a block away from our car this... thing came out from the shadows, hit my poor David in the head and just dragged him away," Mrs. Johnson tearfully explained of that nights events.

"What did it look like?" Cordelia asked, pencil in hand.

Mrs. Johnson took a deep breath. It was hard to think with all these people staring at her. "It was big, seven feet tall maybe? It was a burnt orange color and scaly, it kind of looked like the Creature from the Black Lagoon."

"Burnt orange, you say?" Wesley said confused. He had this look on his face as if he were trying to remember something.

"Yes," Mrs. Johnson answered. "Do you know what it is?" She asked as she nervously balled up the tissue in her hand.

Wesley was muttering to himself before speaking out loud. "It sounds like an Ascrikin demon but that's odd."

"Why's it odd?" Xander asked confused.

"Well... they are normally found in Europe, specifically England," Wesley explained. "I've never heard of them migrating from the continent."

Mrs. Johnson's eyes widened in bewilderment. "Europe? What would it be doing here?"

"I don't have a bloody clue," Wesley admitted.

"Where are they usually found in England?" Spike asked as he thought back to his human days and walking around London during the day with his mother to do shopping.

Wesley thought more about what he had learned about the demons with the Watcher's Council. "Usually in forests, near moss."

"Why would it take this specific guy?" Gunn asked. "I mean don't demons usually kill not kidnap?"

Cordelia placed a calming hand on Mrs. Johnson's shoulder when she started to cry again. She shot Gunn a dirty look. "Demons do a lot of different things." She paused and looked at Wes. "But this specific one usually does what?"

"They aren't immortal but close to it, but to stay that strong they need to have a sacrifice. They have a ritual that needs to be done every five years precisely. If not they will become vulnerable until the next sacrifice," Wesley said remembering all he knows about the Ascrikin. "Fire is one of the very few things they are vulnerable to."

"What's the nearest forest?" Xander asked. Besides the hotel, Cordelia's place, shopping and demon killing in the city Xander really hadn't been anywhere else.

"The closest forest is Angeles National Forest," Gunn answered being the only one born and raised in Los Angeles. "It's a two hour drive just north of here."

Angel nodded. "Gunn, you're driving. Cordelia, could you stay here with Mrs. Johnson?" he asked.

"And miss out on spending the next four hours crammed in the car with you guys?" Cordelia asked sarcastically. "Sure, I can give Mrs. Johnson a manicure while we wait for you. It will help relax you and it looks like you haven't had a manicure in, well ever." She looked down at Mrs. Johnson's feet who was wearing sandals. "I was going to suggest a pedicure but I think we should leave that to the professionals. Oh! I've also got cucumber in the fridge, I can cut some up and we can help those puffy eyes of yours. You want to look good when they bring your husband home." Cordelia completely missed the insulted look Mrs. Johnson gave her as she planned an entire make over in her head for their

new client.

Angel knew Cordelia was doing this to distract Mrs. Johnson from what was happening but she had a backwards way of doing it. "Wes, Xander pull the cars around into the alley while Spike, Gunn and I get what we'll need."

"The three of you can go in Angel's car," Spike decided for them. He was wanted some time with Xander make sure that he really was all right and not just putting up a front after the cryptic message they got from Lorne.

"Just remember we're on a job," Gunn said going into the room that held all the weapons. "No lagging behind because if you get lost we ain't coming back to find you two."

Spike flipped him the bird. He may be a soulless vampire but he knew the group depended on him to be there to help and he wouldn't let them down. He wouldn't let Xander down.

As they were leaving Cordelia could be heard grilling Mrs. Johnson as to how she would be paying.

Fifteen minutes later they were on the road. Spike made sure to stay close behind Angel's car because the last thing he wanted was for him and Xander to get lost. That would be down right embarrassing. "Are you sure you're all right, Xan?" Spike asked his eyes staying on the road the entire time. He was glad that Xander had the windows tinted to the point of it almost being illegal.

"I don't know, Spike. Why can't things just be normal for us?" Xander asked sounded exhausted even though he had a good long nap.

"Because we aren't normal," Spike reminded him.

Xander shot him a sideways look. "I know that, but that doesn't mean we can't have normalcy in our lives. Not always worrying about what's around the next corner waiting to try and tear us apart."

"No one is going to tear us apart," Spike said sounding so sure of himself. "We can beat anything that anyone throws at us. We're stronger than anything out there." He blindly grabbed Xander's hand with his who squeezed it hard for reassurance. "We're going to be fine but Angel and the others are counting on us to help them. Are you up for this?"

Taking a calming breath Xander answered, "yeah, I'm good. Let's kill this bastard and get Mr. Johnson back to his wife."

"That's my boy!" Spike exclaimed. He brought Xander's hand up to his lips and kissed it.

Two hours later the group made it to the forest. They drove as far as they could into the forest to lessen any walking time. Both cars would most likely need a paint job but if it saved them time it was worth it. Climbing out of the cars Wesley popped the trunk of Angel's convertible. There were swords but also a flame-thrower. Spike had called dips because he wasn't going to trust any of them including Xander on not accidentally setting him on fire.

Xander helped Spike get the flame-thrower pack onto his back. "So what's the plan?"

"The area is huge but what will help us find the Ascrikin is that they like to stay close to large rocky areas. It keeps them cool in the heat and warm in the cold," Wesley explained.

"Follow me," Gunn said. The walk would be long but he had no doubt they could make good time.

When it got darker Xander, Wesley and Gunn pulled out flashlights. They kept the beams to the ground so they didn't attract any unwanted attention.

Angel and Spike lead the group using their keen sense of smell to track the demon. Neither enjoyed nature and preferred urban areas and wanted to kill the demon save Mr. Johnson and get home as soon as possible.

"Do you smell that?" Angel asked.

Spike wrinkled up his nose in disgust. "Smells like... Sulfur."

Wesley stumbled closer. "We're getting closer. That will be for the sacrifice. We need to hurry."

Deciding since he had the flame-thrower Spike ran ahead leaving the others in his dust. He barely heard Xander whisper loudly at him to get his ass back there. It only took him a few minutes to finish tracking the Ascrikin. There was a small fire going, just enough to give off a light. Spike saw Mr. Johnson bound, gagged and dirty. He sat close to the fire as if the demon wanted to make sure he stayed warm.

Before seeing the demon Spike heard him creeping up from behind him. As swiftly as he could Spike twirled around and just before the Ascrikin was in sight he blasted the flame-thrower. The demon squealed and cried out in pain. It's arms waved around trying to put the flames out but it was unsuccessful. Spike watched as the skin turned from burnt orange to black prior to the demon falling to the ground dead.

By the time the others reached Spike, he was already untying Mr. Johnson and helping him to his feet.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" Xander yelled before punching Spike in the face alarming everyone. "You never go after a demon by yourself. That's how you get yourself kill, you asshole!" He went to punch Spike again but Spike grabbed him immobilizing him.

"I'm fine, luv," Spike reassured Xander. "I got him before he could make a move. It tried sneaking up on me and didn't even make a move before I roasted him."

Wesley walked up and bent down to inspect the burnt body. Something was strange. "Spike, help Angel get the Ascrikin into the back of Xander's truck."

"Why?" Gunn asked glad he didn't have to carry the corpse all the way back to the cars.

"Excuse me," Mr. Johnson interrupted when he realized he had been forgotten about. "But who are you people?"

Angel stood up tall in hero mode. "We're from Angel Investigations. You're wife hired us to bring you home."

"Are you okay?" Xander asked pushing himself away from Spike. He looked the man over seeing no injuries. Not a single scratch. Mr. Johnson had no idea how lucky he was.

Mr. Johnson was a bit shaken. "I think so. What is that thing and why did it take me? Is Sara all right? Where is she?!"

"She's fine, Mr. Johnson," Wesley comforted him. "She's back at our business with an associate. Which is where we'll be headed as soon as we get back to our vehicles."

On the way back to the cars Xander ignored Spike who kept shooting him apologetic looks with those gorgeous blue eyes of his. That wasn't going to work. Not this time.