Chapter 2

Author's Note: I know this is a little short, but it's necessary. I hope that you like it and that you tell me what you think! Thanks!

"She really means it, doesn't she?" Spike paced to and fro like a caged lion. "You do, don't you, Slayer? You finally accept that I'm a man, yeah, but what of it? Now I'm a man you scorn, not some bloody demon you have your will with!" By this time he'd already devastated much of his already scorched downstairs, overturning heaps of debris in his wake.

All around him he smelled her. Her scent haunted him. That and her denial. "I'm using you and it's killing me..." Her words came curling back to him.

"Bloody right." He growled as his anger and pain mounted. "You hide it, Buffy. That's what's killing you!"

He turned and glared at the wall of his underground abode with distain and heartache. In his mind, the petite Slayer gazed back at him, sardonically and unwavering. Something about that grin ate at him, made his still blood boil. His jaw tightened as his demon took charge. Enraged, he threw his clenched fist into her condescending smile.

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"I really can't believe him sometimes." Buffy Summers was making the long trek home from the Victorian Vamp's dwelling. "I told him 'no.' I told him 'no more.' I told him..."

She was interrupted by three vampires that decided, she supposed, that it was time for their demise. "Ya know, really not a good time here, guys. I'm in the middle of a rant."

Their leader, a big, ugly guy, didn't seem one for small talk. He lunged at her, but Buffy made short work of his offense, bending low and sending him careening into a statue.

"Ya know guys; " She addressed the other two. "Violence really isn't the answer." They replied by advancing with their game faces on. "Oh well, screw philosophy!"

She met them halfway, pulverizing the first before the other could even touch her. After dusting him, she turned to the second, forgetting and turning her back to their leader.

He crept up behind her as she engaged the other, the detached arm of a statue held aloft above his head. He brought it down upon the unbeknownst Slayer's pretty head and she fell, never knowing what had hit her.

The Big Ugly smiled in satisfaction and nodded to his eager associate, who grinned and grabbed her wrist. Just as the leader bent over her neck and was about to sink his teeth in, there as the thin ring of a drawn sword and the soft thud on the damp earth as the other vamp's head landed and then the fluttered away on the evening air.

The remaining vamp looked up the blade of a sword the likes of which he'd never seen to meet the eyes of a very similar man. He was tall; at least from this crouched vantage point and well muscled. He was clad all in black and had short-cropped hair the color of raven's feathers. His deep blue eyes glittered with merriment and a playful smile tugged the corners of his lips.

"Who are you?" The vampire managed to croak.

"You may call me Mischieff," was the stranger's reply. "And I wonder how you figure you can foil my plans."

The vamp seemed confused. "Oh, well." Mischieff continued. "It's no matter. Goodbye." With that, he swung swiftly and the vamp was decapitated.

Finally along, Mischieff nodded approvingly and again took out the stone. He tossed it into the air where it spun for a moment before disappearing. "Well," he said simply. "That's that."

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So, I what didja think? I like it but I don't know if you do! Anyway, tell me what you think and sorry again that it's sooo short! More soon! Buh bye!