Ethan Rayne sat at the table of the private room, sipping at a fairly tolerable glass of whiskey. The stuff was okay when drunk, but when sober it left a lot to answer for. Still, there were a couple advantages to staying where he was. One, no demon could enter the room without his express invitation. And there were some upset demons out there. And the second, oh the second. And the best. Ripper would come looking for him here. He couldn't wait to see his old mates face when he realised Ethan's gift for him. In fact, Ripper was late. He should have been back before this. Ethan checked his watch once more, trying not to let his concern turn to worry.

A knock at his door broke his reverie. Ah, at last. "Come in." The door opened, but no footsteps could be heard. Turning in irritation, he addressed his visitor. "No need to stand on ceremony, old...Oh my god!" Instead of a nineteen year old Rupert Giles, before him stood one of the most terrifying demons he'd seen. Taller and much heavier than him, the green skin seemed to shimmer in the light. What was more terrifying however were the eyes. He'd never seen such rage and anger in his life. And it was all directed at him. "Wh-what do you want? Willy!"

The demon began to growl, the sound guttural and dangerous. It appeared to think that Ethan could understand it, and began to beat on the invisible barrier in frustration. It's growl turned to a roar and Ethan heard the sounds of patrons vacating the bar behind it.

"G-go away. Whatever you want I can't help you. "Besides, you can't get in. Demons aren't allowed. Willy!!!"

At last the bartender appeared behind the demon. "Whoah! Ease up there big guy." When the demon turned to glare at him, Willy backed up. "It's no use making a noise like that. I can't help you and," he pointed toward Ethan, "he won't. My advise. Get out of here before the slayer turns up." Both men noticed the pulling up of the demon. "So you know the slayer. Well she'll hear about the ruckus you made, and she'll come over here to skin you. If I were you," he leaned in closer as if to relay a secret, "I'd get out of town. She's a tough one this slayer." The demon growled at Willy before turning back to Ethan. Giving the Englishman a malevolent stare, it growled once more before turning and shuffling away.

The two men stared at each other in silence. "I suppose I should thank you."

"Hey no problem. Think of it as payback for saving my life from slayer's revenge last night when you took care of the watcher." Willy started to turn away, but hesitated. "Hey what did you do to get that demon so angry anyway?"

Ethan shrugged. "I don't know. Never seen it before." He turned back to the table. "Oh, you haven't seen."

"No. And I told you when he turned up, I'd let you know."



Buffy turned the corner hesitantly, her crossbow at the ready. She was tense she knew. And it wasn't just because of the demon they were hunting. She hated this place with a vengeance. Moving a few feet further on, she hesitated, wondering if she'd truly sensed something, or if it was her nerves going overtime. At the sound of a footfall behind her she spun around, ready to fire.

Riley froze, then sighed in relief when it was obvious she wouldn't fire. "You can relax, it isn't here."

Buffy lowered her crossbow. "Are you sure?"

He nodded. "The pheromone trail is all over the place. It was here, and pretty restless, but it's moved on now. Besides there was a sighting at a place called Willy's Bar."

Her hand slipping down to her side, Buffy moved past Riley. "Figures. Any lowlifes in town eventually find their way to Willy's. At least it gets me out of this place."

Riley turned to look at her as she passed him. "What is it about this place? I know you said bad memories, but what could have happened here to make you so jumpy?"

She looked around the cavern. "Oh nothing much. I just died."