Part 38:

"Stay where you are," Riley commanded in a deep voice. Buffy's eyes opened wide and Riley got a good look at whom he had found for the first time. "Buffy?" He whispered.

"Riley, don't shoot," The Slayer said.

"What are you doing here?" The agent asked, "Are you on a mission from the mayor?"

"Kind of," the Slayer replied. As soon as the words were out she mentally cursed herself for not just saying yes.

"Kind of…." Riley said, trailing off in an unspoken request for Buffy to clarify. Sensing the Slayer didn't know what to say, Spike spoke.

"Finn, listen to me. Slayer and I are trying to help people. Fight demons and what not. You're trying to help people, fight demons and what not. That man in the cell," Spike said, pointing to Giles, "he's not a demon. He's an ordinary guy. Now you have too choices. You can question Slayer and I about our intentions, or you can believe me when I say that we're on the side of good."

"It's true, Riley. I swear, we're trying to help people," Buffy whispered urgently, searching Riley's eyes for understanding. Riley nodded once and then turned around.

"I think I hear something over there," the agent said, pointing down the hallway, "I'm gonna' go check it out. Be gone when I get back." Buffy smiled at Riley's retreating back and then at Spike.

The vampire wasted no time in sliding the mayor's ID card through the slot in Giles cell. The glass door opened automatically and Buffy rushed in and knelt in the corner, where Giles was sleeping, hunched against a wall.

"Giles," the slayer whispered urgently, "wake up." The watcher opened his eyes slightly and then let out a yelp when he found himself staring into his slayer's hazel eyes.

"Buffy, you nearly gave me a heart attack," Giles whispered, taking the slayer's outstretched hand and rising to his feet.

"Come on Giles, we don't have much time." Buffy said, leading Giles out of his cell and then motioning for him and Spike to follow her. The slayer set out at a run, heading down the corridor in the same direction Riley had, going towards the elevator. As the threesome passed Riley the slayer paused for a second and leaned up to give Riley a quick peck on the cheek before whispering "thanks." She then joined Spike and Giles in the elevator.

"Should I be worried that Riley is competition?" Spike asked playfully. However, Buffy detected a hint of worry underneath his nonchalant tone of voice.

"Are you kidding?" The slayer asked, arching an eyebrow, "Could that guy be any more of a cardboard cut out?" Spike smiled at the slayer before pulling her into a deep kiss that she and Spike stopped only when Giles cleared his throat loudly.

"Sorry," Buffy whispered meekly.

"It's alright. I suppose I should be getting used to all these public displays of affection," Giles muttered as he took off his glasses and reached into a pocket for a hankerchief. After a moment of silence the elevator hit the sewers and the door opened. However, the opening of the door was accompanied with the sound of a loud alarm going off. Buffy looked at Spike nervously. The vampire took Buffy's hand and began running through the sewers, listening to their footsteps to make sure the watcher was still behind them.

Up in the corridor where Giles cell was the mayor, Professor Walsh, and another agent were questioning Riley.

"What happened?" The mayor asked.

"They took the man out of that cell and ran. My stun gun didn't help and they got away before I could stop them." Riley answered.

"Which way did they go?" Professor Walsh asked.

"Up through ceilings," Riley lied smoothly, "Then to the left."

"Thank you. Good work Finn," Professor Walsh said. Riley smiled and touched his cheek where the slayer had kissed him.
"What can I say, Professor. I'm a good guy."

"I would rather have one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than an eternity without it. ONE!"

from City of Angels