Disclaimer: Don't own… borrowed

A/N: In response to reviews: I do appear to have a love for getting everyone confused but I promise this does all make sense – you will understand I swear. Just to clarify some background, however, I'll give an extended summary:

Buffy died jumping off a tower three years ago. A new slayer was then called, although she shouldn't have been. After a month as a slayer she ran from her watcher and ended up in LA. You will find out why in the future, and how she has ended up in London, relying on, but still hating the council. She still slays due to her powers but she is not a 'bona fide' slayer since she should never have been called – even though Buffy died, Faith was still around. She had no idea about Spike's chip and therefore doesn't find it odd that he was able to hit her – you will find out about that later as well. Oh and as for Spike getting to and from Britain etc.… there's quite a bit of magic in this fic and since its slightly AU Spike knows how to use it.

Anyway… here goes with chapter 2 – pleeeasssse review cos it really helps me and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Flying

'This is the last call for Miss Eleanor Williams, Flight 4135 to Los Angeles… this is the last call…….'

'Shit, shit shit.' Muttered Eleanor as she ran towards the gate. She had checked in, bought some duty free, searched for a smoking area and then all of a sudden she had got the fear. She had no idea why she had let Spike talk her into this. It was a stupid idea. She was going back to a place and time of pain and there was no point, no point at all. From all she could tell Buffy was pretty much the best slayer ever and so why the hell did she need a semi-retired Brit to come and help her out?

Gasping she reached the gate just in time. Now all she had was hours of flying to think about how stupid this was. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. There was too much to think about. Too much to fear. Every time she closed her eyes, his face would float in front of her, clear as the day, taunting her. Every time she thought about it she had to blink back the tears… so what would it be like to actually see him again? Its one thing going to find your one true love before you save the world. But quite another when he also happens to be the person that betrayed you most in your whole life.

Shoving the memories aside she tried to concentrate on the film in front of her. Sighing, she settled in for the flight.

She wasn't expecting to be met at the airport. But as she came out of the departure gate, she saw a man holding up a sign with her name on it.

'Mr Giles I presume?' she said, eyeing him warily. A look which Giles took to be more of a glare of hatred,

'Um, yes… yes. Right, let me take your bags.'

'No thanks… slayer strength and all that' she practically snatched her bags away from him, her hostility hardly concealed.

'Oh right, yes… yes of course.' Giles checked himself and thought that he had best be cautious with this one… whether nerves or downright a-socialness she wasn't going to be easy to get along with.

Eleanor wondered if she was being overly hostile to the watcher. But then, he was part of the council… part of the organisation that she hated most in the world. Sighing, she realised that she may have to reassess a lot of things over the next few weeks. Embracing her newfound open mindedness, she decided to make conversation, plus there were a few more hours to fill before they arrived at Sunnydale,

'So, uh, I guess you could update me on the situation'

Eleanor wished she hadn't asked. Giles had pretty much told her everything she already knew except he had managed to make it last the whole journey from LA to Sunnydale and that includes rush hour traffic.

The car pulled up in Revello Drive and Eleanor drew a sharp intake of breath. This was it… facing her demons, her insecurities. Her legs felt like jelly, she really didn't want to get out of the car. Unfortunately, a combination of dusk and super senses led to Spike bounding out of the house, no doubt expecting her sudden balk. He hauled her out of the car, took tight grip of her arm, and led her up to the door.

'You all right luv?'

'You give a shit?' Spike looked mildly affronted,

'Well yeah actually pet,' then he smirked slightly, 'but not enough to let you get away'

'Great, good to know you care'

'Come on, they're not that bad.'

Entering the house, Eleanor couldn't believe how busy it was. There were young girls everywhere, people laughing, training talking. The house was full of noise. Eleanor suddenly realised why she had opted to live alone. She was a little bewildered. And she could just tell this place was going to get on her nerves. But, there was no backing out now. A particularly stubborn vampire appeared to have her arm twisted… almost literally.

Guiding Eleanor into the kitchen, Spike couldn't believe how tense she was. He could see it in her jaw, her muscles… hell he was surprised that her hair wasn't flexing. Buffy looked up as they came in,

'Hey, you must be Eleanor right? I'm Buffy. Uh, Welcome to Sunnydale… its not exactly a tourist attraction right now, but we are hoping to fix that.' Buffy gave the younger girl a wide smile, but the stress on her face was still obvious to all,

'Hi' mumbled Eleanor, Spike almost got the feeling that she was scared. He found this rather hard to take. She's always been intimidating, never intimidated. Well, he supposed everyone had surprises within them.

'So, how was your flight?' Spike could tell Buffy was feeling rather awkward,

'Fine' both girls looked around for inspiration and found none. Spike decided to take matters into his own hands,

'Well if you girls are finished with the scintillating conversation I wonder if I could ask where your poof of an ex is luv, cos I have a feeling he may wanna be re acquainted with our youngest slayer.'

'Oh, well he's doing some training in the basement right now. So Spike, why don't you show Eleanor where she can sleep,'

'Right luv. This way pet.'

As Spike and Eleanor left the room, Giles came in, having deposited one very small suitcase at the bottom of the stairs.

'Is that all the stuff she has?' asked Buffy in amazement.

'Hmm? Oh, well, yes'

'She seems kind of quiet.'

'Well, Buffy, I think it's safe to assume that she is absolutely terrified. She has been out of the scene for almost three years now and I have to say that I never even had any idea that she existed so she can't have done much in her time.'

'Why do you reckon we never heard anything about her? I mean, surely the council would have said something to you… you being all watchery and all.'

'As far as I can tell from my contacts in England there was some kind of scandal that was quickly hushed up. Very few people know exactly what happened but it would seem that this Eleanor girl disappeared for over a year until the council found her again. It would also seem that they are paying her to keep quiet since I have heard that they give her a monthly allowance and pay for her accommodation and bills in London.'

'Wow, sounds like she got herself a good deal.'

'Hmmm, well I think it probably came through a bit of hardship. From the looks, she was giving me I doubt it would be presumptuous to assume that she hates the council and anything that represents it.'

'Oh, my kinda girl then.'

'Hmm' the watcher mumbled as both he and Buffy wondered what it was that the council wanted kept so quiet.

Upstairs, Spike showed Eleanor a very comfortable looking mattress in the corner of what seemed to be a guestroom, filled with about six other mattresses.

'You never told me it'd be like going back to school' she joked

'S'not that bad is it?'

'Nah, it's fine.'

'Okay, so now we dumped our stuff will you tell me what's up?'

'What?' she said absent-mindedly

'What's with the monosyllables? I mean, it's usually a task to shut you up. Since when has one of your most used muscles been obtained by a feline?' She chuckled slightly at this,

'Very cute Spike… you almost sound like me. Look I'm fine, but this is all a bit overwhelming. Not only is my short life about to end quite soon, but I have just met the girl that I was lectured about, watched films of and trained to become and I am soon to be re united with a group of people that I cut out of my life for a very good reason. So excuse me for being a little introverted Spike but I think its my prerogative.'

'Okay, okay… you want to be left alone?'

'Nah, I'll come downstairs and be sociable.'

'Yeah, may even bump into oh ye broody one' laughing Eleanor followed him down the stairs, wondering what the hell she was going to say when she did see Angel.

She didn't have long to wait. He was leaning into the fridge in the kitchen, obviously looking for some blood,

'God, Buffy you got ham here that went out of date in October 2002'

'Deal with it'

'Well I don't care, I'm not the one that has to…' as he turned around he caught sight of Eleanor,

'El?' He sounded a little incredulous, 'I didn't think you'd come'. He looked at her steadily, but her eyes avoided his.

'Yeah, well it wasn't exactly the holiday that I'd planned but I guess there's still sunshine,'

'You've got so… old'

'Gee thanks, way to make a girl feel good about herself. And anyway, look who's talking buddy – I'm not pushing 250.' To Eleanor the situation was almost laughable, she was standing awkwardly on one side of a kitchen while one of her best friends was staring at her intently and neither of them were speaking. She couldn't think of anything to say.

After about five minutes of awkwardly looking at each other Angel crossed the room and enveloped her in a hug. Noticing the tears streaming down her cheeks Buffy and Spike took their cue and left the two alone, the latter muttering quietly to himself,

'Jeez, what is it with that vampire and slayers?'

Left alone, Angel leant back and looked at Eleanor properly,

'I meant that you look wiser, not that you've gone wrinkly or anything,'

'Ya think I care?' she laughed up at him,

'How are you?'

'Oh you know, peachy' He looked at her, letting her know that he could see the pain and trouble in her eyes.

'Look, I never got an opportunity to say… well… I'm really sorry how things ended with you and… well, you know. I mean none of us knew what was going on… still not sure actually… it's not the most productive topic of conversation'

'Angel, it's fine. Look, it was almost two years ago. I think we can say its water under the bridge.'

'You do know that he's here don't you?'

'Well I assumed'

'He doesn't know you're here.'

'What?!' Her eyes opened in amazement. She had assumed he'd been prepared or something but… oh shit, she thought to herself.

'Sorry, but none of us have been able to tell him. Maybe we're all just cowards but some of us didn't expect you to actually make it and… well… we've spent almost the last two years avoiding the E word so…'

'Oh God' Eleanor had started pacing 'well, one of you guys have to tell him before I see him. I don't want to see the look on his face when he sees me'

'El, Gunn is big enough to deal with this himself you know,'

'I'm big enough to deal with what?' asked the familiar voice before he entered the room and looked at the two by the sink,

'Oh,' was all he could say.

TBC

Hope you didn't see that one coming! All very angsty I know… sorry bout that but I love writing angst – it's just so much fun! Will try to get some fluffiness into this fic as soon as possible.