"She didn't make it," April says quietly.
Spike freezes.

"What?"

"The girl didn't make it. Died in the ambulance." April lowers her head and wipes at her eyes.

Spike's shocked expression screams the thoughts swirling in her head.

Spike sinks down on a bench, staring in front of her.

"Spike?" April whispers. "You okay?"

Spike stands abruptly and kicks the hospital wall. "She should have lived!" she bellows, hands going to her head. She grabs fistfuls of her own hair. "I shoulda shot him when I had the chance!"

"That would've put you at the same level," April says softly. "Don't blame yourself."

"How can I not?" Spike's shoulders shake. "She coulda been a wife. She was a mother, for all I know. And if she was," she raises her head and fixes her eyes on April. "It's my fault. If she has kids, they don't have a mother anymore. No mom. If she had a husband, he's gotta live without a wife. And why?" Spike's eyes grow cold. "Because I hesitated. I coulda blown his head off-"

"That's murder," April puts a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I understand you're upset. I am too. But there's nothing we can do now."

Spike nods. "You're right." She turns. "'Cept one thing."

~Trouble Strikes Again~

Spike slams her hands down on the table separating herself and the Purple Dragon and bores her eyes into his.

"Who are you?" she grates.

He leans back. "My name is Xever." He raises an eyebrow. "And you must be Batman."

Spike glowers. "No. But I have a friend who can stand in for him." She stands straight. "Who are your 'connections' anyway?"

Xever smiles unhurriedly. "Ah, you first. Who are yours?"

Spike barks a laugh. "You wouldn't believe me."

"Wouldn't I?"

She turns. "Probably not." She leans forward. "Who are you working with?"

"The Purple Dragons, of course." He leans back. "I am a bit of a freelancer, though."

Spike grits her teeth. "Who are your 'connections'?"

He doesn't answer.

Spike's eyes go hard. "A woman is dead because of you."

"Another one?" he asks carelessly.

Spike's hand shoots forward and closes around his neck. "Listen to me. I can gather that that wasn't your first kill."

"And I won't be yours," he says quietly. "Will I? You've killed before."

She lets go of him and snaps back like she's been burned. "No. Well…..not in cold blood. I may have killed, but it was in battle, and for a good cause. You killed a woman for no reason. Tell me why she's dead, and you're alive."

"I was simply making a withdrawal," he smiles thinly. "You got in the way. I may have let her live."

Spike clenches her fists. "Liar."

He shrugs. "Ah, well. You know." He glances at her. "You were with April O'Neil."

Spike remains stone faced.

"Oh yes, I recognized her," he says. "Tell her this: The Foot is rising. We have lost once. Never again."

Spike turns and signals the guard outside the door to let her out, trying to hide her surprise.

"I look forward to our next meeting," he calls. "Next time I shall not underestimate you."

Spike shakes her head and leaves.

Another chapter!

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