Faith stared at the figure in the doorway. Buffy was leaning against the frame with her arms crossed as usual. Her lips were curled into a grim smile, however, and her eyes flashed with mischief. She looked like the cat who swallowed the canary.

Get away from us! Spike snapped.

Now now, Spike. Buffy pushed away from the frame and walked towards the vampire. That's no way to speak to your lover. She reached out with her hand and moved a stray strand of blonde hair from Spike's forehead.

Faith saw Spike shiver.

You are not welcome here, Spike growled. Get out!

But I could make you so happy--

Spike screamed making Faith jump.

Buffy smile widened and her voice quieted to a whisper. You know you want me. You can have me, you know what I want.

I don't want any part of you Spike reached behind him and took Faith's hand in his own. I will never want you again.

Faith's fingertips tingled as Spike gently pulled her behind him, exiting the room and walking down the hall toward the stairs.

So you and B' were getting it on, huh? I have to admit she has real good taste. So why are you two fighting exactly? She didn't give you what you wanted so you had to look elsewhere? Faith suddenly felt funny holding the vampire's hand. She was used to taking control of a situation instead of hiding from it. She felt like she was a little girl hiding behind Spike.

On the other hand, his cold skin felt refreshing and energized her. It felt good. She wanted to scream.

Vampire and slayer stopped when Buffy appeared in front of them again. This time she wasn't smiling.

You cannot run from me, William. I will always be there, hunting. Devouring you until there is nothing left. I am inside you, running through your blood, a part of you. In a blink she was replaced by Spike. Don't deny it, you crave me--

I loathe you! Spike growled through clenched teeth.

You crave me and it feels good. You know there is nothing you can do but accept it!

He was gone.

When Buffy had morphed into Spike, Faith had slipped her hand out of the Spike that was holding it and backed away. Now she stood staring at the Spike that was left. She secretly wishes she was a little girl hiding behind something. Something vampire proof.

Okay, what the hell was that? Faith asked with a tinge of anger in her voice. She rarely showed fear because she believed it was a weakness. Instead, she replaced the fear with anger which now welled up inside her replacing the fear. What's with Buffy?

Spike faced the slayer. I told that wasn't Buffy.

You're right--it was you! What is going on?

The First. Spike turned and headed for the stairs once more.

The first. Faith thought for a second before following Spike. The first what?

Faith followed the vampire down the stairs and into the living room. She stayed a few steps behind and expected the unexpected.

The first evil. Didn't Red tell you anything? Spike stopped and stared into the living room.

The newest big bad. yeah, she told me some. It can only take the form of the dead and it can't touch you. She said she wanted Giles to give me the full heads up. Faith was still suspicious.

Well since he ain't here, it'll be my job then won't it? Spike was getting slightly frustrated now and the slight sarcasm in him voice showed it.

Suddenly a cool rush of wind blew through the room and past Spike. It was a strong wind, yet nothing moved.

Wot the bloody--

Faith finished for him and pointed to the reddish glow that now filled the room.

Come. Come. Come!

The voice made Faith jump and Spike moved closer to her.

What was that? asked Faith. The voice was like nothing she had ever heard before. It was scratchy and eery. It felt as if the voice grated against her bones and stung her flesh. It terrified her and she hated it.

Spike gently took the slayer's hand again.

She trembled.

Slowly he pulled her to his side. He was not leaving another slayer alone until he knew she was safe. Spike looked deep into Faith's eyes.

No matter what, don't let go! It was an order.

Faith wanted to make some witty remark in regards to a vampire needing to hold a slayer's hand, but seeing the seriousness in his eyes, the warmth and the caring, she thought better of it. Instead she nodded. He squeezed her hand.

Come. Come!

Faith shivered and tightened her grip on the vampire. She secretly hoped she wasn't breaking any bones.

Spike pulled her with him as he cautiously moved towards the wall. The two gasped. The wall was on fire! Red and orange flames engulfed the wall and licked the ceiling. However, there was no black smoke, no ash, and no sound. There was no crackling of the flames and the wall, from what they could tell, was untouched.

Before Faith could protest, Spike reached out and stuck his hand into the flames. They were cold as ice.

It's a portal. Spike's held less tension and Faith felt him relax a little. Spike moved towards the fire.

Whoa, blondie! You are not going in there. I've heard of walking through fire, but this is different. You might make it through, but you might not come back!

Spike turned and looked at the slayer. He was touched that she cared. I have to go. Buffy and Dawn are in there. Maybe even Red and Xander! The potentials have to be in there to. We have to help them.

Yeah and if they are, they obviously can't get out! How can you help them if you are stuck with them? Faith asked.

Spike didn't have to answer. On any other day, Faith would have fought for an explanation. Faith knew that it wasn't just coincidence that everyone disappeared and a mysterious hell type portal appeared. They had to be in there and they probably needed help. But what if they did go through the portal and they got stuck there to?

Maybe there's a spell we could do or something. We could do some research. They used to do that all the time. It can't be that hard.

We might not have the time Spike replied. We'll do more good with them than without. Spike pulled toward the fire again.

This time Faith let the vampire pull her.

Spike felt a cool rush go through his body as he stepped through the flames. Everything was red and orange and there was a nother wall of flame ahead of him. He tried to walk toward it but the slayer held him back. Turning to the portal he just came through, he swore. Faith was still on the other side and her hand still held his. Her hand had come through the portal with his, but now it was stuck.

Spike tried to pull the slayer but he didn't want to hurt her. He felt her hand slipping from his and he grabbed her hand with his other one. I said don't let go, remember?

A faint echo filled the red and orange nothingness. I can't get through! The portal is closing.

It was Faith. She began to pull away again but Spike held her firm.

I'm not leaving you! Spike pulled again.

Go find B and her sis! Don't worry bout me, I can deal. Faith pulled again and her hand almost slipped free.

Spike cried and grabbed her hand again. Let her in! the vampire screamed at the colored nothingness.

Spike pulled again. A sound like rolling began to roll and the ground started to shake beneath his feet. Spike pulled. The thunder grew louder and the shaking more fierce. Spike pulled. There was a flash--a bolt of lightening--then another. Spike pulled.

I will not leave her! Spike screamed as he pulled one last time.

Lightening flashed and struck Spike knocking him to the ground. Spike grunted as the Faith landed on top of him. There was another flash and all became still and quiet.

Silence.

Well that was fun. Faith grinned. The feeling of Spike's cold, firm body felt good beneath her. His hand still held hers tightly.

Spike grinned back. Yeah. I've never been struck by lightning before.

The two stared at each other for surrounded by the red and orange nothingness. For a moment they forgot who they were and the mission they were on. For just a moment they were a man and a women embraced by the touch of each other.

A cry echoed through the colored nothingness and the clang of metal brought the two back to reality.