Lunchtime-
Liz walked into the bandroom and looked around. She had beaten her friends here for once but knew Michael wouldn't be far behind. If last night was any indication neither would Maria. She tossed her bookbag to the floor and lay down, leaning against it. She decided to wait to open her lunch and instead closed her eyes. They opened a second later when the door to the bandroom opened again.
"Hey Liz," Maria said somewhat leery, as she looked about the bandroom. She wasn't sure exactly what she thought would look different about it, but with all the new discoveries about Liz, she just wasn't sure what to expect.
"Hey." Liz looked at her friend and then beyond her. "Where's Michael?"
"He actually got caught up in a lecture we had in English. He stopped to ask the teacher a question." Maria said in amazement.
"Amazing." Liz sat up as Maria sat down. "So?"
"So what is it you actually do on these secret lunches of yours?" Maria asked.
"Talk, eat, spar, and lately heal wounds before hitting the showers."
"Ah!" Maria said nodding slowly, she wasn't able to wrap her mind around the idea of Liz physically fighting anybody.
"You haven't asked me the question yet you know." Liz said.
"What question?" Maria asked wide-eyed.
"The question that keeps popping up among our circle of friends. The thing I nearly killed Max over. Keep in mind we don't have a lot of time."
Maria grimaced, she had been dying to know, but hadn't wanted to bring it up. "Well, since you brought it up... WERE there any feelings besides friendship going on between Michael and yourself?"
"No. To tell you the truth since all this began Michael's become more and more like my brother then anything else. I love him the way I love Alex. He loves me the way he loves Isabel."
Maria released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "I knew that!" she said attempting to be nonchalant.
"Sure you did."
Both girls looked up. Michael was at the doorway.
"Okay now that they're done can we go in? I'm hungry." Alex's voice complained.
Maria gasped indignantly. "You were listening?!"
"Course we were." Isabel said as she and Max entered as well. "To tell you the truth I've been gnawing at the idea of those two for about a week now."
Liz gave them all a mock glare. "Well I am glad to set you all straight," she said rolling her eyes. It was really beyond her why anyone would thing she and Michael were romantically interested in each other. Absolutely no sparks. Now MAX, that was another story all together she thought with a slight grin.
Obviously he was having the same thoughts cause he sat down next to her and drew her to him in a long kiss.
"Hi." She said when the parted.
"Hi."
Everyone around them groaned and rolled their eyes.
"So... Ms. Parker... ready for a workout?" Michael asked as he did some lunges to stretch his legs.
"Tired." Liz muttered as she munched on her sandwich.
"Liz..." Michael said with disapproval.
"Oh, alright let's go. Alex turn on some music would you? I feel the urge for a beat while I beat the hell out of Michael." Liz said as she got up.
Alex just grinned as he set up the radio. He always loved the show they put on when they sparred. He was also curious to see how Maria and Isabel would react to it.
"You two sure you wanna stay for this?" Max asked.
Maria looked at him, "Yeah, sure!" she said brightly. I mean how bad could it really be? she asked herself.
"Is?"
"I think I have to see this to truly believe all of this is real." Isabel said resolutely.
"You heard them. Go ahead guys."
"Alright! Let's go!" Michael said as he and Liz proceeded to spar.
"Ow." Maria said as Liz delivered a particularly brutal looking punch to Michael. "That looked painful."
Michael heard her comment but made sure he didn't look at her. He knew that doing so would give Liz an extra edge on him. He needed to learn to focus out distractions for the true battles.
"How often do they do this?" Isabel whispered to Alex.
"Daily, usually twice a day." Alex answered cheerfully. Michael had given him such a hard time for a while there that he could still quite happily watch Liz beat him up.
"How come she doesn't beat up Max?" Maria asked.
Liz, who had managed to 'stake' Michael, answered. "Cause it goes against laws of nature to practice your demon killing skills on your boyfriend. On the other hand, beating up your surrogate brother is completely legal."
"Because I haven't convinced her to spar with me yet." Max answered also. "Key word being 'yet'."
"I have three words for you Max: Not gonna happen."
"Three back at ya. 'Yes it will,'" he said with determination in his voice. "I need to practice fighting the best to be ready in a battle, and that's you."
"Has he always been this stubborn?" Liz asked Isabel.
"That would be a definite YES!" Isabel said. "Why else do you think he was chosen to lead us?"
"I always thought his name was picked out of a hat." Liz deadpanned.
Maria giggled, glad for her attempt at humor. "Okay Max. Time to heal Michael." she said quickly. She couldn't stand to see him in pain for any period of time.
"Yeah could you please? I thought we agreed that you wouldn't hit me in the kidney any more."
Liz cringed, "Oops, sorry! I just get kind of into it."
"Yeah I noticed." Michael cocked his head as the ache in his side went away. "Thanks Maxwell."
"No problem." Max replied.
"I'm gonna hit the showers." Liz said lifting her hair off her shoulders. "Maria come with me?"
"Yeah sure." Maria replied. Glad to have an excuse to be away from Michael for a little while. She needed to analyze what was happening between them. Was she really ready to get back with him?
"I'll come too." Isabel said getting up.
"See you guys later."
"Bye!" the guys said in unison. All looking at each other in mutual confusion about women's need to go to the restroom together.
"You do realize they're going to talk about us right?" Alex said.
"And you know this how?" Max asked.
"I've been Liz and Maria's best friend since the fifth grade. Liz took Maria with her so they could vent about you two. Isabel joined them so she could help them."
"Oh!" Michael and Max said.
"Alex? Do you think Maria will take me back now? I mean considering her reaction about the demon last night?" Michael asked, looking at the ground unable to meet Alex's eyes or keep the hope out of his voice.
"She loves you but you hurt her big time. Lemme ask you, have Liz's beatings gotten any less brutal since this whole thing began?"
"No, not really." Michael grimaced, remembering the pain he was feeling just a short time ago.
"Alright so that means that Liz wasn't taking out her anger at what you did to Maria out on you so that means maybe she could help you?"
"Maybe." Michael mused, "But I don't want to put her in that position. She is already on kind of shaky ground with Maria for the whole slayer secret business."
"What about me?" Max asked. "You think Liz is pissed at me?"
"Why? Because you want to fight her? No, I think that scares her more than it makes her mad. She can't stand to see you in pain, and the thought of being the one to inflict that pain? Too much for her to handle." Alex replied.
"Well there still is that small issue of trust." Michael said.
"Yeah, well, she was avoiding me, and you were always there, and my jealousy just took over." Max shrugged. "You would have thought something if I had been hanging with Maria a lot."
"I wouldn't have thought anything if you were hanging out with Maria. I just would've shot you."
Max blanched at the seriousness in his voice. "Then you understand." It was a statement, not a question.
"Perfectly. But lemme ask you this, have you apologized to Liz for thinking the worst?"
"I tried to a couple of times. But at the time she was very unreceptive to anything I had to say."
"Well she seems receptive now." Alex said as the guys left the band room and headed for the girl's locker room to wait for their females.
"Yeah, I guess she is!" Max said with a smile.
"I just hope Maria's feeling receptive."
hr
"It's not that I don't want to make up with Michael. It's just that I'm not sure I'm ready." Maria said as she and Isabel waited for Liz to get dressed.
"Well Maria, I am not trying to rush you into anything you aren't ready for. But let me just say, that the one thing this slayer business has taught me, it is that life is too short. We need to make our happiness while we can. Don't hold on to the pain." Liz said seriously.
"The pain is not a friend." Maria said.
"Do you love him?" Isabel asked.
"Yes." Maria said simply, knowing they would see right through her if she said any different.
"Then take our advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice." Liz said in all seriousness, as she quoted from M*A*S*H.
"Excuse me?" Maria said.
"I think what Liz is trying to say is get with the forgiving already, will you? Take a chance. Michael might surprise you." Isabel said.
"I'll think about it." Maria says, afraid to make any promises.
"I guess that's all we're gonna get from her. C'mon the guys are probably waiting." Liz said as she grabbed her bag. Isabel and Maria hurry to follow her out the door. "Told ya so. Hi guys." Liz greeted as she slid her arms around Max.
"Hey!" Max replied slowly and sexily, just for Liz's ears.
"Ladies." was Alex's greeting as he wrapped an arm around Isabel.
Michael just looked at Maria, unsure of what to do.
"You know we have class right Liz?"
"In about ten minutes, Maria." Liz said.
"Oh. Right." Maria said, feeling highly uncomfortable under the weight of Michael's stare.
"Max, I forgot my book in my locker. Come with me while I go get it?" Liz said.
"Sure." Max said, happy to be given a chance to be alone with her, and happy to maybe leave Michael and Maria alone together if Alex and Isabel took the hint.
Isabel did. "C'mon Alex let's go start cleaning out your locker. Maybe we'll find the bottom of it by Christmas."
"Very funny Is," Alex said as the walked out the door.
Maria was silently thinking of ways to get back at Liz for doing this to her when she felt Michael's hand take hers.
"Maria? Please talk to me!" Michael said pleading with his dark eyes.
"So what did your teacher say?"
"What?" Michael asked, unsure of what Maria was talking about.
"You had to ask the teacher about his lecture. What did he say?"
"Oh I just asked for an extra credit assignment. I am determined to actually make good grades this term."
"That's good." Maria said looking back at their hands. "So what is it?"
"I want you back Maria. I know I hurt you. And I am really sorry. I promise not to leave you again if you'll just come back to me." Michael said sincerely though uncomfortably.
"Michael I don't think I'm ready for that just yet. I mean I just found out that my best friend has been lying to me for more then a month and that she might not live past the age of twenty-five. Now's not the best time to be making romantic plans."
Michael gave a deep, sad sigh. "Alright, I understand," he said as he removing his hand from hers, withdrawing physically and emotionally. "Well, I'd better get to class."
Maria raised her hand in a small wave and whispered, "Bye." as she watched Michael walk away.
He didn't look back.
hr
"Oh Michael you're kidding me." Liz said in a sad tone of voice as she leaned against a row of lockers.
Michael just looked at her with a heartbroken expression.
"You know Maria's my best friend and I love her but she has got to be the single most stubborn person in this world. So you made a mistake, so what? Granted it was a stupid mistake but you're willing to do whatever it takes to correct that. Why can't she see that?" Liz started to rant.
"Liz, don't be getting all upset for me. If she doesn't want me, there is nothing we can do about it. And you are in enough hot water with her already without taking on my cause." Michael said.
"Michael she does want you. She admitted as much to Isabel and me today. But I gotta tell you, you really hurt her."
"I know I did." Michael said with pain in his voice, "But you gotta realize it hurt me just as much. I truly thought I was doing the best thing for both of us. That it would save us pain in the long run."
"And now?" Liz picked up her bag as they started out of school.
"And now I have learned the same lesson you did. Life is too short. Enjoy what you can while you can."
"Lemme work on Maria for a while. I'll ask Isabel to help me. Maybe if she listens to two people disgustingly happy and in love long enough she'll be willing to give you another chance even if it is solely to get us to shut up."
"Just don't get yourself in more trouble with her." Michael said worried, he stopped walking and touched her arm signaling her to stop. He took a deep breath, "I just want to say thanks. For defending me, for being my friend... I never dreamed I would be close with anyone other than Max and Isabel."
"It goes both ways." Liz gave Michael a hug. "I always wanted a brother." She whispered.
"Well, now you have one. Its always better to choose your family anyway." Michael said with a grin.
Liz grinned back. "C'mon Max and Is are waiting for us."
hr
"What took you guys so long?" Isabel asked as they walked into the door of the house.
"I couldn't find my bio book." Liz said after a short silence.
Max nodded, not believing it for a minute, but he knew she would tell him when she was ready. Or... He gave Michael a considering look. Maybe he was the one who should tell him.
"Hello?" Liz called.
"Hi Liz." Doyle said from the living room. "Hi Michael, Max, gorgeous girl I've never seen before."
"Hey!" Cordelia said coming in from the family room.
Doyle cringed and turned to look at her. "Princess, you know everyone pales in comparison to you!" he said sincerely, because to him, they did, and always would. Cordelia was the light of his life.
"Gorgeous girl's name is Isabel, Doyle. She's Max's sister." Liz said as she took a seat and Max, Michael and Isabel made themselves comfortable.
"So I'm guessing your Scooby Gang's grown by one?"
"Try two. Maria and Alex will be here soon."
"Maria? Another gorgeous girl?" Doyle asked with hope in his voice.
Michael growled deep in his throat.
"Oh it's like that, now is it?" Doyle said musingly.
"Wait is this the Maria?" Cordelia asked. "The best friend in the world and the ex of Michael?"
"That would be the one." Michael answered quietly.
"Think Angel's awake?" Liz asked. "I wanna tell him and Wes separately."
"Give Angel another half-hour or so, and he'll grace us with his presence." Cordelia replied, "But Wesley is upstairs ensconced with his awful books in his office.
"Better get it over with Liz. Take heart you can beat him up if he gets mad." Michael teased.
Liz smirked, "Thanks Michael, you're a lot of help!"
"Anytime." Michael said.
"Wish me luck." Liz squared her shoulders and went upstairs.
hr
"I don't know why I said that to him. I just opened my mouth and out it came. I'm brainsick."
"Oh Maria!" Alex said sadly. He had managed to see past Michael's devil-may-care attitude in the last few weeks, and he knew how much that must have hurt him.
"I know, I know. I'm just scared I guess. I mean what if he gets spooked again and runs for the hills? I can't take it again Alex." Maria said sadly. She didn't want to hurt Michael but at the same time she didn't want to be hurt by Michael.
Alex sighed, "Maria, I know you are scared. And I can understand that. But let me tell you, I have gotten to know Michael in the last few weeks. And he really loves you. He didn't break up with you because he wanted to. He did it cause he thought it would save you pain in the long run. And he has learned the hard way that life doesn't work like that. He doesn't want to waste any more time."
"Nothing he could do to me physically could hurt as much as him leaving did to me emotionally." Maria said sadly.
"You know I have never been Michael's biggest supporter." Alex said, "But I truly believe Michael will do everything in his power to keep you from being hurt again. By anybody, including himself."
Maria shook her head as they approached the house. "So this is slayer central huh?"
"Yep, pretty cool, huh?" Alex asked, glad for a happy change of topic.
"Incredibly. Since a vamp lives here do we have to be invited in?"
"Nope, works the other way around." Alex said opening the door and walking in. "Hello!"
"In here Alex." Michael's voice called and Alex hung a right into the living room.
"Hey guys. Have you given Izzy the tour yet? If not, we could all go together!" Alex asked upon entering the room.
"We're still waiting for Liz to come back down." Cordelia said. "Hi I'm Cordelia."
Maria had to look up at this tall woman. She was gorgeous! Maria felt a twinge of jealousy thinking of Michael spending time with her.
"I'm Doyle."
Maria looked to the guy standing next to Cordelia and noticed that they were holding hands. Hmmm..... Maria smiled, relieved, "Hi! Nice to meet ya!"
"You too." Doyle gestured for Maria to take a seat and looking around she saw that the only seat left was next to Michael.
She debated on staying standing, but figured she had hurt Michael's feelings enough for one day.
Michael looked at his hands till he felt Maria sit down next to him. Then he looked at her. She gave him a small smile before asking Cordelia, "Where's Liz?"
"She is facing the wrath of Wesley at the moment." Cordelia rolled her eyes to show she was not worried about it at all. "She has to tell him about you and Isabel." she explained.
"Why aren't you guys supporting her?" She asked of Michael and Max.
"We'll support her when she tells Angel."
"Why then?" Isabel asked, curiosity getting the better of her finally.
"Angel doesn't like us." Max said indicating himself, Michael, and Alex. "He thinks we distract Liz."
"It's not that he doesn't like you!" Cordelia protested, she felt it was her job to protect Angel from the wrong impressions other people formed of him. She was the only one who could criticize him. "He is just a very moody guy. He's been around long enough to know that too many complications can get in the way. Not that you are complications!" she hurried to add. She looked to Doyle for support.
"Delia's right you guys aren't complications. You all are big helps in Liz's fight against the forces of darkness. Especially Michael."
Michael glanced up and smiled, blushing slightly. It felt good to be appreciated.
"Feeling a little bit like chopped liver over here." Max said.
"Well... I know that Liz and Michael think you are infinitely useful to them, but they haven't shared with us what you actually are doing for them." Doyle said, giving him a questioning look.
Maria looked at Alex. He had told her that Giles and Buffy had known what Michael and Max were but he hadn't mentioned that Doyle, Cordelia, Wesley, and Angel didn't.
Liz cleared her throat as she walked in. "Max, Michael, Alex and I decided it should be up to you if you wanted to tell them. You didn't exactly get a choice when we told Buffy and Giles." she said in explanation.
"Tell us what?" Cordelia asked.
Max glanced at Michael, needing to see what he thought.
Michael nodded his assent and they both looked at Isabel.
She looked at them, still uncomfortable with all these new people, and the idea of telling them their secret scared her senseless. But she trusted Michael's instincts. If MICHAEL trusted someone, then they had to be trustworthy. She nodded also.
Liz sat down next Max and took his hand. She nodded at him encouragingly.
Max took a deep breath. "Michael, Isabel, and I aren't from around here."
Michael rolled his eyes; he just wanted to get this over with. "What Max is tip-toeing around is, well, we are aliens."
"Aliens?" Cordelia asked.
"Then all those stories about the crash are true?" Doyle said.
"Yes, they are." Isabel affirmed, "We were in incubation pods of some sort until 1989."
"When they came out they looked like six year olds." Liz said.
"And we have aged just as humans have." Max continued, "The only difference is, we have powers that humans don't have."
"Powers?" Cordelia asked in disbelief.
"Yes," Liz said, "I know you must have noticed that Michael never has any bruises or anything after sparring with me."
"Max heals me." Michael said quietly.
"He heals you?" Doyle asked. He had known there was something strange with him, but he had had no thoughts of aliens and healing powers.
"This might be a little easier to understand if we show you. Doyle c'mere." Liz said.
"What? Why me?" Doyle said as he reluctantly walked over. "What are you gonna do to me?"
"Close your eyes."
Doyle looked around nervously, his eyes finally falling on Cordelia. She gave him an encouraging smile, even though she was nervous herself. He took a deep breath and felt himself calm, he closed his eyes. The next thing he felt was Liz's fist connect with his nose. "OW!"
"Sorry, Doyle. It'll only hurt for a couple more minutes, I swear." Liz sympathized, "Now open your eyes, and look at Max."
Doyle opened his eyes and found Max staring at him as the younger man put his hand on Doyle's nose.
Cordelia gave a little shriek as Max's hand started to glow.
"Oh wow!" Doyle said, reaching a hand to his nose. "Good as new Cordy!" he said, grinning at her.
"I don't believe it."
"What's going on in here?" Angel asked, walking in the room. "And who are our new guests?" he asked with disapproval in his tone.
"Angel take a pill." Cordelia advised.
"Angel this is Isabel and Maria. They are the newest members of the Scooby Gang."
Angel turned to look at the girls.
Giving each of them a thorough appraisal. Alex and Michael both bristled at his looking at their girls. As for the girls, they didn't know whether to be frightened of the look on his face, or attracted to his gorgeous looks... they both shivered.
"Liz why don't you just take out a billboard ad?" Angel said grouchily.
"Oh buck Angel. I mean you're a vampire and we let you in on my secret."
"And Angel, you'll never guess what they can do!! Or at least what Max can do..." Cordy exclaimed, "What can Michael and Isabel do?" she asked the group.
"Uh well I could I guess if I tried. My powers are more emotional. I can dreamwalk."
"Wait a minute. Dreamwalk?" Angel asked, suspiciously. "Are you a witch?"
"No. No Wicca in this group." Liz said. "She, Max, and Michael are aliens."
"Aliens," Angel nodded in disbelief, he looked at Cordelia and Doyle to see their reactions.
"It's true. Liz hit Doyle again." Cordelia said.
"No!!" Doyle yelled, then more calmly, "Let's have someone else be the guinea pig this time, shall we?" he suggested, not eager to get another broken nose, no matter how short the suffering would be.
"Any volunteers?" Liz said.
Cordelia rolled her eyes when no one volunteered. "Well, if I can handle those visions, I am sure I can handle this," She said bravely.
Angel grabbed her arm, "What are they gonna do to you?"
"I'm gonna break her nose." Liz said.
"What?" Angel exclaimed. "No, you're not. You'll just have to break mine." This was the best way to see what they were up to anyway, he thought to himself.
"I don't know it that would work." Liz said. "Can you heal the undead?"
"I don't see why not." Max replied. "I mean it is just moving things around a bit. It isn't curing cancer or anything."
"Okay. Angel this might be easier for both of us if you close your eyes."
"You're probably right." Angel agreed. He was already tightening his control on himself. He needed to be sure he didn't lash out in retaliation by reflex.
"Uh Angel what about your game face?" Liz asked.
"I can control it." Angel said simply.
"Game face?" Maria asked.
"I'll tell ya later." Michael said.
Maria nodded reluctantly. "Okay."
"Ready Angel?"
"Ready." Angel said as he closed his eyes. The next thing he felt was Liz's fist hit his face with direct accuracy.
"Ow!" he said, clinching his fists, he kept them by his sides though.
"Sorry." Liz said. "Okay open your eyes and look at Max.
Angel opened his eyes, disconcerted to see Max staring into them.
After a few minutes of Max's hand touching it Angel's nose felt normal again.
"Wow!" He said.
"Convinced now Angel?"
"Um yeah." he said, though he still gave them odd looks.
"They're nice people Angel." Maria assured him. "A little on the stubborn side but who isn't?"
Liz looked at Angel. "I've known Max, Michael and Isabel for a year now. I would trust them with my life. In fact I have! I've known Alex and Maria even longer, same trust there."
"And on the plus side they won't turn into a homicidal maniac if they experience a moment of pure happiness." Cordelia said.
Angel gave her a dark look, but let the comment pass.
"So you guys want a tour?" Liz asked.
"Absolutely!" Maria exclaimed, "I have always wanted to see the inside of this place!"
"C'mon I'll show you Cordy's room first. You will not believe it." Liz said
Isabel and Maria rushed to follow Liz out the door.
"So aliens huh?" Angel said.
"Yeah." Michael said almost defiantly.
"And you're a vampire right?" Max asked. "A vampire with a soul. That's gotta be a bitch to deal with."
"We're all dealt our hands." Angel said firmly, he didn't want to discuss this.
"Are they gonna start hitting each other?" Alex asked Cordelia.
Cordelia smirked, "No, as much as the testosterone is overflowing at the moment, they know it wouldn't be a fair fight."
"Well then I'm gonna head upstairs and see if Wes needs any help." Alex said as he left.
Max looked at Michael. "Well, since I haven't convinced Liz yet, will you spar with me?"
"Yeah sure. But tell me something Max why do you wanna fight with Liz so bad?"
"I want to be her equal in a battle. Or as close to an equal as I can be. I want to be able to, not protect her really, but watch her back. The only way to get good enough is to fight her." Max explained
"And you want to make sure she trusts you enough to really fight you, right?"
"That too. I also want her to feel comfortable enough with my skills that she won't put herself in danger to protect me. We've already seen what she will sacrifice for me. I don't want the next sacrifice to be her life." Max said seriously.
Angel gazed at him with a new respect. "Why don't you spar with me then?"
Michael blinked. He'd seen Angel fight before. His game face always came out. Max had never seen it before. "Uh Angel we can handle it."
Angel stared at him until Michael almost felt like backing up a step. "No, you can't. I am on par with Liz in skill, and that is what Max needs. Plus it will give the added benefit of knowing what it is like to fight an older, stronger vampire. Not like those ones fresh out of the grave you have come across so far."
"You mean like your daughter/lover, Druscilla? You like keeping it in the family don't you Angel? Giles told me about Darla."
"Michael!" Max said sharply. "I don't think you really want to be getting into it with him."
"I'm going upstairs." Michael said.
"He's a little hot-headed." Max said, feeling the need to explain Michael to the vampire.
"So was Buffy's white knight. So am I."
Max just nodded. "I think I'll take you up on that offer if it still stands."
"Okay." Angel nodded.
Hr
"So how's the nose?" Michael asked as he sat in Wesley's office. Wesley was downstairs in the kitchen making tea.
"Probably better than before Liz punched me to tell the truth!" Doyle answered with a grin.
"I know how that feels. I never knew how badly I could ache until Liz and I started beating each other up on a regular basis."
"Yeah, I just bet!" Doyle said, "And I thought fighting the occasional demon was bad, I wouldn't want to fight the slayer day after day!" he shuddered dramatically.
"Tell me about it." Michael said before looking back at the book he was reading. "That's one nasty looking thing."
"What's that?" Doyle asked curiously.
"This vampire." Michael said showing Doyle the picture he'd found.
"Definitely unique!" Doyle answered, "So you and Maria, huh?" Doyle asked, trying to get away from talking about that particular vampire, who happened to be someone Doyle had met.
"Not exactly." Michael said getting a grim look on his face. "We used to be, I broke up with her, and now I want her back. Age old story: Boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy acts like an ass and loses girl, by the time boy realizes what he's lost girl is too scared he'll hurt her again and refuses to come back, so boy is miserable."
"Oh!" Doyle said sympathetically. "Well, we'll help ya win her over," he said with a wink.
"Yeah Liz already offered but I-" Michael was cut off by a crash of breaking window from down the hall and several screams. "What the hell?"
"Cordy!!" Doyle yelled, as he took off down the hall.
"Maria! Liz! Isabel!" Michael shouted as he followed. As he passed the stairs Max, Angel, Alex, and Wesley joined him.
They skidded into the room to find Liz stomping out a fire by the window. Maria was pacing around muttering, "I KNEW I should have brought extra cypress oil." Isabel looked shaken up, and Cordelia, well Cordelia just looked livid.
"Look what they did to this carpet!" she yelled angrily.
"Are you okay?" Angel got to the point. "What the hell happened?"
"Looks like Dru's moving up in the world. She got a henchman that delivers during the day." Liz said showing Angel the unscratched note.
"So what does it say?" Wesley asked.
"Just a little note to let you know I was in town." Angel said.
"Cute!" Michael said, rolling his eyes.
"Angel as much as I hate to say this, we need help and there's only one person I can think of that might be able to give it to us." Liz said.
Angel groaned, "No.. Please tell me you don't mean Spike."
"I don't like it anymore then you do."
"Wait Spike's in town? Why didn't anyone tell me?" Wesley said looking annoyed.
"Wasn't relevant to anything at the time." Liz said simply, "Actually, basically forgot about him. Besides popping up for blood every week or so, he's been pretty quiet."
"Wait. Who's this Spike person?" Isabel asked.
"He's not exactly a person Is." Michael said.
"He is a vampire, a most annoying one at that." Cordelia said.
"You're going to a vampire for help? Aren't you supposed to be staking his ass?" Maria asked.
"Normally, yeah. But Spike is... um... a unique case. Plus he has history with Druscilla that maybe we can get him to use for our benefit." Liz explained.
"Spike's been fixed." Michael translated. "And he used to screw Dru."
"Oh nice explanation, Michael! Could you be a little more tactless?" Maria asked.
"I could try. But only for you." Michael said with a smirk.
"Ok guys, that's enough. We have a crypt to find and a vampire to beat information out of." Liz said.
"I am coming with you. Seeing me might just be the advantage you need to get information out of him." Angel said grimly.
"Or piss him off to the extreme, but okay." Liz said before she looked at her friends. "Guys go home and lock the doors okay? But don't stay alone."
"I'm coming too." Michael said.
"No. Michael it'll be better if it's just Angel and me. I'll call you when I get home, okay?"
"Alright." Michael gave Liz a hug. "Be careful."
"Always."
Liz turned to Max. "You're not coming either."
"Fair enough. Do you mind if I wait at your house till you get home?"
"No I don't mind. Just stay inside and keep out of sight okay?"
"I will." Max pulled Liz to him. "I love you."
"I love you too."
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