This, he decided, had been a very bad idea.

His first mistake was agreeing for Bree to choose where they went. Her decision was the mall. At the suggestion, Spike's mind had run over the option, calculating it. The mall; he knew what that word meant. Mall; a large building or group of buildings which contained a variety of retail stores and restaurants.

Saying no had been his first instinct. A large building meant the possibility of more people and with it, a greater risk. Yet Bree was insistent, and Adam had seemed enthusiastic about it, which led to Spike's second mistake. He relented.

What other choice did he have? He could leave and go off on his own. It had been Spike's first thought, actually. Yet the other two had insisted they go somewhere together.

Besides, he thought to himself as they made their way to the car, he had no real idea on just where else he could go. His only real objective leaving in the first place had been to get out of the lab. Spike hadn't liked being told he couldn't go anywhere. The destination didn't matter, only that he was somewhere of his own decision.

The three piled into the car, with Adam driving and Bree in the passenger seat beside him. Spike climbed into the back, positioning himself directly in the middle. The setup allowed him to keep tabs on the other two equally. He eyed both doors as Adam turned on the car and pulled from the driveway.

Once they reached the road and began moving forward the locks clicked. Spike felt his gut stir. Unacceptable. Spike reached over towards one. His fingers could just reach it without him needing to lean over far as to draw attention to what he was doing. Keeping his eyes on the others he quietly flipped the lock back up so it was disengaged, then did the same with the other side's door. Satisfied he straightened up again, pleased that it seemed neither Adam or Bree had taken notice of what he had done.

Finally content in the arrangement, Spike allowed his eyes to wander out the side window, taking in the landscape around them. As homes and shops whizzed by, that uneasy feeling began building in his gut. Something was wrong, his gut told him; something was always wrong. Wasn't there?

Mentally Spike scowled his mind, trying not to focus on the thought. He was fine. He was strategically placed with enough space and a satisfactory escape route. He had eyes on what was happening around him. He let out a small sigh, allowing the lull of the car's motor and the small talk coming between Adam and Bree to occupy his focus in an attempt to appease the thought. Everything around him was calm. He was fine.

It didn't work. The longer they traveled, the more that thought dug itself into his mind, growing as it did. Something was wrong… something was always wrong, else he… He what? As always Spike's mind clamped shut before the rest of the thought could emerge. Forget it then. He would just focus on what was in front of him. Spike's eyes shifted to the rear-view window. He watched a moment. What he saw caused him to stiffen in the seat.

"What is it?" Adam asked.

Spike ignored the question, instead focusing on what had caught his attention. After another moment the others resumed their chatter, unaware of just what was happening. Spike kept his gaze in the mirror. His eyes narrowed as they took another turn, confirming what he had suspected.

"What is it?" Adam asked again.

"That blue car is following us," he reported.

"You sure?" Adam asked, daring to peak into the rear-view mirror as well.

"What?" Bree turned in her seat. "Where?"

"Don't," he hissed back. Did she want whoever was in there to know they were on to them? "Just look in the mirror. Navy blue, Ford, two cars behind us."

Things became quiet. Bree straightened herself and glanced into the passenger side window. He could see her frown in the reflection. "Adam, turn up here."

"The mall's that way-"

"I know. Just do it."

Adam did as he was instructed, turning the car at the next intersection. He had the sense at least not to turn on the blinker as he did. Spike kept his gaze in the rear-view window, waiting. He could sense the others doing the same. He waited, expecting the blue car to turn down the road as they had.

It never did.

Spike felt his frown deepen. He had been so sure.

"See? It's nothing," Bree announced after another moment. To Spike's annoyance she almost sounded smug about it. "You're just being paranoid."

The idle chatting continued between Bree and Adam as they began on their way again. Spike kept his eyes on the mirror, even as they turned on various other roads. The blue car never returned. Still, he stared, still watching as various vehicles came and went from view.

"-ike?"

Spike blinked, finally breaking his focus from the mirror to turn towards Bree. She was turned around in her seat again. There was a new look on her face; not the usual annoyance, but what seemed to be worry.

"We're here," she said.

Spike looked around again to find they were now in a large parking lot surrounded by other cars. Adam slowly pulled into a spot then turned off the car. The other two took off their seat belts; Spike did the same. Even as he climbed out of the car, he found himself scanning. The space was wide and open. The lot looked to be fairly full with several people traversing it.

The mall. This was the mall. Spike straightened his shoulders. He could do this. A new pressing thought entered his mind with something he needed to ask. "So, what are we doing here?"

"What do you mean?" Adam asked back, putting the keys in his pocket.

"What's our objective?"

"To hang out, walk around." Adam offered.

"You said you wanted to leave the house," Bree added.

He did. Still Spike frowned. What part of his question did they not understand? He decided to try again. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why walk around? What's the objective?"

"For something to do." The edge was back in Bree's voice.

Spike's frown deepened. They were answering his questions, yet only on the surface level. Words were failing in conveying exactly what he was asking in the first place. But how else could he convey it? His mind ran over the information again. They were here to walk around and for something to do. But to do what exactly? Walk?

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Bree asked, once again snapping Spike from his thoughts. He looked at her yet her gaze was on Adam.

Adam just grinned. "Sure as rain."

Bree rolled her eyes. "Come on then."

Adam and Bree headed towards the door. Spike followed suit again. His instinct insisted on being the one to lead the way, wanted him to take charge. He pushed it to the side, even as the urge gnawed at him., allowing instead the other two to determine their path.

As they walked along, Spike studied each of the shops in turn. The doctor's words circled in his head. He was doing what he needed to, right? This was what she had meant, to go out and do normal things, be around familiarity.

There was only one problem. Try as he might, none of it felt familiar. An idea came to him. "Did we just move here?" he asked to no one in particular.

"No," Adam answered. "Why?"

Spike frowned. Well, there went that. "No reason."

As always, silence followed. He should have continued the conversation. He should ask if he had ever been here, demand clarification. Yet again, he wanted to remember on his own. Much like at the house, his mind remained blank as they walked. Had he ever been here? Bree and Adam seemed to know this place based on their behavior. They felt comfortable here. They were at ease. Why wasn't he?

Spike looked around. The building was huge and open. The large patches of sunroofs above them made it feel much more spacious. Still his mind wasn't at ease. What concerned him was the amount of people walking around the walkways. His eyes scanned for available exits, ways to get out.

He didn't like it. Too many people, too many variables, too much that could go wrong. They turned the corner and suddenly he was hit with the full extent of exactly where they were at the moment. This building had two stories. The walkways, while not filled fully, certainly had a number of people. He stiffened as he saw them. Something clicked in his brain, urging him to take them all in, to access and judge. Yet there were too many. His eyes couldn't follow them all, couldn't discern the faces quick enough as each passed.

What was that man in the corner doing, the one holding the phone to his ear? He was giving them slight looks as they passed. Was he watching them? Waiting for their backs to be turned?

That girl at the counter, the one who gave Adam a slight smile. Did she know them?

The man carrying the backpack who was walking two, maybe three paces behind them. Was he following them? What was in the backpack? Why was he wearing sunglasses inside a building?

On and on his mind went as they walked, sizing up those they encountered. Spike closed his eyes and pinched his nose, letting out a deep breath. Stop it, he urged. Bree and Adam were continuing their idle chatter. They were calm. They were at ease. Again, he wondered, why wasn't he?

Something hit him rather hard, knocking Spike off his course. He turned to find a young man beside him.

"Hey, watch it," he hissed, clinching his fists.

"What's your problem man?" the man before him asked, his mouth agape. Spike studied his face, his mind wracking once more to access. The man towered a few inches above him, yet he was thin. One swing and Spike could have an easy advantage.

"It's fine." Bree stepped between Spike and the man. "Don't mind him. He's just sensitive."

"Maybe this wasn't-"

"Bree!" a female voice called. The trio turned to see a young woman around his age in bright clothing and with blonde hair coming running at them, her arms outstretched. Spike bristled a moment as she tackled Bree.

"Caitlyn!" Bree responded slightly less enthusiastically. The two hugged. Only then did Spike find himself relaxing, if only a little. Bree's response still had him slightly on edge. "What are you doing here?"

The blonde girl frowned, hands on her hips. "I could ask you the same thing. You told me you couldn't hang out. What gives?"

"Plans changed," Bree answered quickly. "We can't stay long though. I was about to text you actually and let you know-"

"Uh huh. You saying you'd rather hang out with your lame brothers than with me? Oh, hi Adam, hi Chase."

Spike frowned. "I'm not-"

"Course not." Bree interjected quickly. "I'm hanging out with you right now, aren't I? How-"

"What happened?" Caitlyn gasped, taking hold of Bree's bandaged hand.

"Oh this?" Bree waved her off. "Nothing really. Carpel tunnel."

Once again, Spike felt his face turning into a scowl. He knew there had to be a reason Bree was lying to the girl, yet her body language was telling another story altogether. He looked at the blonde before them. Tiny, unassuming, not much of a threat. She seemed totally at ease. The others on the other hand seemed to be uncomfortable.

Caitlyn suddenly stopped, staring him right in the eye. "Seriously, Chase, what is your problem?"

"I told you, I'm not-"

Bree interjected again, pushing herself between the two. Caitlyn looped her arm with Bree's and the two began walking. Adam motioned indicating he wanted to follow and wanted Spike to as well. As much as he didn't want to Spike did, unsure exactly why.

What was going on? Clearly Bree didn't want Spike to say anything to this girl. He listened to her yammer on, watching Bree's body language become more and more uncomfortable. Why was she putting up with this? She didn't like this girl. Why put up with it? Any time she answered a question, Bree's voice raised to an annoyingly fake sounding pitch of happiness.

"Can't you take a hint?" he finally spat back. He pointed to Bree. "She doesn't want you here."

Caitlyn's face fell. "Is that true?"

"Of course not." Bree whipped her head around to face Spike, her face an icy stare.

"You didn't have to." Spike responded. "It's all over your body language. You stiffened when she came in you've been lying to her-"

"Stop!" Bree spun around again. Her face was now beyond anger. He couldn't read it. "Why did you tell her that? God, you ruin everything!"

Spike watched her leave, calling out to the fleeing Caitlyn. Spike frowned, still unsure just what he had done which had warranted such a reaction. It wasn't that he necessarily cared, not really, but more that he genuinely couldn't understand. He had told the truth. Bree's reaction to the girl had not indicated the two were friends, and lying to her hadn't helped.

How had he ruined anything?

"Caitlyn, wait!" Bree called again, turning a corner. Spike watched as a few of the surrounding people began looking their way.

"Come on," Adam urged, tugging Spike's shoulder. He didn't want to, not really, yet Spike still followed. He could see the blonde girl ahead of them. Even as Bree called her name again she didn't turn. Spike scowled. Enough of this. He pushed ahead of the others.

"Caitlyn, stop." Bree called. Still no response.

It only took a moment for him to catch up with her. Still Caitlyn didn't turn or acknowledge anyone was talking to her.

"Hey!" Spike reached out a hand, yet his momentum was too much causing him to smack his entire body into Caitlyn's. Both tumbled to the ground. Now more onlookers were stopped and turned to face them. Spike didn't care. He'd done what he was supposed to do.

"Oh my god!" Bree exclaimed as she and Adam rushed to catch up to them. Only when they arrived did Spike get off the girl, assisted unnecessarily by Adam grabbing at his shirt. Bree's face was red, although by anger or embarrassment Spike couldn't tell. "Why did you do that?"

"You're welcome," Spike responded simply in an effort to keep his annoyance down. How was he supposed to know he would knock her over like that? Maybe if she had actually been paying attention…

Bree huffed and reached to help the girl up. "I'm so, so sorry."

Adam still had ahold of his shirt. Spike pushed him off. He then looked at the girl who finally made her way off the floor. It wasn't Caitlyn. He had failed. Then where was she? Spike began looking around.

"You jerk! Why would you do that?" The girl slapped his arm, causing Spike to become rigid and clinch his fists.

"Spike," Bree hissed, making him abort his effort. She motioned to the girl. What was she expecting?

"What is going on here?" They all turned to see a man in a security uniform approach them. He turned to the young lady who Adam was helping up. "Miss, are you alright?"

"He tackled me," the girl said, her voice shaking.

"Any reason as to why you did that?" the man asked.

"I'm sorry, sir," Bree injected. "Our brother, see…"

Spike didn't hear the rest. A small crowd had formed around them, and as Bree spoke, he began looking around at the various faces. One had stood out to him. He had caught sight of the man for only a moment. Something about him, dressed in a jacket and dark ballcap, had stood out from the crowd, almost as he didn't belong. Something about the way he was staying out of the crowd, watching, made Spike's mind spark. His body language was what gave him away; he wasn't a curious onlooker who had stumbled upon the scene. It felt deliberate.

The man slipped out beyond the crowd. Spike's eyes followed him. He couldn't yet make out the man's face. Why was he here? What did he want? Then for one fleeting moment the man turned, lifting his head just enough for Spike to catch a good look. Their eyes met for a moment, and Spike felt his heart beating in his chest. He knew that face.

It was the man from the waterfall.