***

Selene 's first thoughts as she awoke were for Michael. When he disappeared, she had cursed him long and loudly. Now she would give anything to know he was all right. Granted even that, and she would die happily. She was suspended in the air, heavy weights tied to her legs and feet. As she hung there, she looked at the surroundings. It was a slaughterhouse. She could smell the blood and offal from the many creatures that had met their end on the killing floor. She could feel her mouth watering. It had been sometime since she had fed.. Glancing down at herself, she saw that her coat had been removed. It was hanging on a chair. Then she realized something else, she was wet, very wet. The splashing of cold water on her had pulled her from deep unconsciousness. A hulking figure stepped into her line of sight. A large man, though not a Lycan or Vampire. The only thing unnatural about him was the sadistic gaze worn with disturbing comfort on his face. He tapped a long cattle prod against his shoulder and when he was sure he had her attention, shoved it into her side. Electrical surges tore through her, forcing a pain filled hiss from her body. Whenever he stopped jabbing her with the stun baton, she cursed him in two or three of the languages she had acquired in her long unlife.

Sarcastic clapping greeted her outburst and she looked up to see Kravan walking toward her. "Selene, every bit as spirited and beautiful as I remember. "

"Kravan, you vile bastard, where did you crawl from." She sneered

His tone was casual, almost joking "I have been seeing a bit of the world."

" Running for your life you mean. Running from the wrath of the elders must be exhausting."

"You would know, your life is just as much forfeit as mine. More-so really, unlike you I didn't cut down one of the Vampire elite and my sire, as my Lycan lover looked on."

Kravan looked much as he had when last they had seen each other. Tall handsome and pale with dark long hair that cascaded downward to surround his chiseled European features. His charms as a man and a seducer where obvious but Selene had never been attracted to the effete snobbish social climbing vampire.

For over six hundred years, he had convinced the vampire world at large he was the killer of the Lycan warrior prince, Lucian. He claimed they had fought long and bitterly before Kravan had slain the wolfen warrior cutting off a piece of Lucian's immortal flesh as proof, then fleeing the Lucian's burning fortress.

Selene had been the one to find the proof of Kravan's deception. That, along with his constant attempts to bed her, had given Selene a deep and abiding hatred of the immortal. "So what hole have you been hiding in. I know Marcus and the rest of the elders are looking for you." She asked defiantly

"Looking for me yes, I'll soon have the power to deal with them. I might even use some of that power to rescue you my dear. The price on your head is rather high I would think that all of the running you have been doing would have convinced you that the Lycan freak is more trouble then he is worth."

"Michael is twice the man you could ever be and that was before he became a "Lycan freak" as you so quaintly refer to him"

"He can never understand you the way I can, never--satiate your inner desires the way one of you own kind can. I have skills and more important I'm not completely beyond caring for you."

"Your exploits among the servant trash are legendary. My greatest joy came in knowing that your exalted position was the only attraction for most of them."

"If your lover is so great where is he? If you were mine, I would fly to your side without hesitation."

"Please, expose himself to this child-like effort to trap him. I've taught him everything I know about tactics and survival" Selene sneered outwardly at the combination of hurt and worry that flashed across Kravan's face. On the inside, she was worried though. It was true Michael was learning to use a gun and fight. In many ways, his progress in the lessons was remarkable but Selene had been a warrior long enough to realize Michael was relying too much on his strange new abilities. When pressed in a fight he was given to surrendering to his bestial inner self. Moreover, and perhaps most fearful of all, was that despite having the nature of two predatory beings running through his veins, Michael didn't like to kill. He would do so only in when he lost control of his animal side. When he did lose it he was impossible to control, unpredictable. His abilities made him a fearful opponent. She remembered being shocked at his speed and ferocious power. Nevertheless, she knew all too well, against a foe with experience that could keep their poise Michael would eventually fall in combat. He had almost been killed by her sire Victor.

Kravan had been a Death Dealer and although it had been centuries since he had fought; the fact was, you did not achieve that title without possessing combat prowess far in excess of that possessed by the average undead.

A beeping cell phone cut off Kravan's angry verbal riposte. He snatched it up and Selene listened for anything that might help her.

"Kravan, you're supposed to have checked in long before this. Do you have the package?"

"Everything is going as you wanted I have Selene and soon her lycan will be joining us"

"I 'm not helping you so that you can waste our time settling old scores.

"What about your agenda." Kravan whined. "Isn't this all so that you can get some measure of vengeance against those you blame for your downfall."

"I do my job. If, by doing my job, I effect the destruction of those who have wronged me that is a bonus but I don't endanger the plan by letting it get personal and neither will you."

"I understand -- perfectly. However, her lover might try to rescue her or bring help of some kind."

"Delay them, distract them, do what you must, but get her back here…Now move."

"But the Lycan…"

"How explicit must I be…no unnecessary wetworks." The voice cut the line and Kravan replaced the cell phone. Then pinked when he realized that Selene had heard him.

"So, had to attach yourself to a new master. One who keeps a tighter reign on you then Victor ever did. I'd almost pity them, with you to rely on as an ally their scheme is destined for failure."

"You have no idea of the scope of our plans or the part you have to play."

"I'll play no part in any folly you've become entangled in."

"You should join us willingly. This scheme will make them forget all about Victor and Amelia. By the time I'm done, they'll even forgive your transgressions in bedding the Lycan." A nasty tone came to his voice as he thought of another way to hurt her. "I know what's keeping him, no doubt he has already found himself a new bitch to rut with."

"I doubt it, unlike you, Michael understands loyalty. A quality that makes him a better choice as a lover, even if he were still human."

"We will see what you say when the power of The Antediluvians is unleashed" turning he retreated into the shadows.

The hulking man stepped forward smiling and began torturing her with the Cattle Prod. As painful as it was, Selene's real pain was in wondering where her lover might be. She feared he might be trying some futile rescue that would deliver him into Kravan's hands. Kravan's lust for Selene was surpassed only by his desire for Michael's death. But, even more painful was the thought that even now Michael might be in the arms of another. She had faith in his level of devotion but they had said some pretty mean things to each other the last time they spoke.

***

Kravan fumed in the darkness "How could she still choose him before one of her own kind."

"Well I'd say that Michael not treating her like a kewpie doll - slash- door prize had something to do with it." A figure stepped out of the shadows to where Kravan could look upon the vital and powerful Lucian. The powerful Wolfen Lord in his prime was a sight that would send most vampires scurrying for safety, not Kravan. Lucian had died at his hands with almost a clip of ammunition emptied into his carcass. This was a being that was very old, but with a very modern sense of humor. It called itself The First

"She should be glad of the chance to be with her own kind." The Vampire outcast whined "What kind of hold does this Lycan have over her."

The being that was and yet was not Lucian chuckled and mimed petting Kravan condescendingly on the head. "You are dim, when he was human he was handsome and helpless now he has the powers of both vampire and Werewolf but he still needs her. It appeals to the mothering instinct in her. Of course, the fact that he remains handsome has to be a draw. Plus he saved her life, brought her back from the dead.

"Impossible."

"Trust me, I know from dead. She was gone, solid gone and he snatched her back from the brink with nary a thought of his own safety. Only that he had to save her; be with her…Chicks have a real jones for that kind of action. " FirstLucian spoke to him dressed in the blacked shiniest leather he had ever seen.

"Must you wear his face?"

"There is something about Lucian's face that bothers you which means I don't have strain to get your attention. "

"What do you want?"

"Follow your instructions and the means to avenge yourself on Michael will magically appear."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that if you used that snake pit of deceit you call a brain, you would see that you have a chance for a big score that makes a lot of people happy."

"I don't understand."

"Hardly surprising, not enough you lack subtly, you went for the old triple threat of lacking creativity and foresight as well."

Kravan would have killed anyone else who said that to him but The First had already demonstrated that flailing away at a non-corporeal body was a waste of time.

The First continued. " Your precious Michael has found himself some allies as goody-two shoes like him always do. This particular group of allies is not to be underestimated. They can be beaten, but only if you are in control from the moment the game begins."

"This is not a game."

"Yes Kravan it is, a very old game but I'll soon end it and guess what, you are key to helping me make the next big move."

Contrary to popular belief Kravan was not a complete fool. He saw immediately what The First was hinting at. "If I take Selene away from here Michael and his friends will have to come after me. Thus exposing themselves to traps and danger of my devising rather then leaving them free to lay siege to the place thus having to fight with Selene in here and them out there."

"Good boy, now if you'll excuse me I want to say hello to an old friend." The First blinked out leaving Kravan alone with his thoughts.

Cutting deals with Shadowy Figures and playing games with the First Evil, Kravan had to admit he was running with a slick crowd these days. He had a greater potential for power then when he was ruling Victor's manor house. No, not ruling the manor, keeping the sit warm until Victor emerged to snatch it all away. That was what was bothering him. He had been a puppet then and he felt deep inside even more like a puppet now.

***

Xander's Tale

I was just scanning the area and coming up blank when Michael perked up. I turned to look at him and he twitched his hears around until he could hear whatever it was he was listening to

"What's going on… what are you listening to?"

"A voice, whispering my name, coming from over there" He pointed to spot that was closer to the warehouse then I wanted us to be right then.

I was suspicious but figured anything that shed light on our situation was helpful. He rushed down a side street toward a cul-de-sac. I had to run to keep up with him. It didn't take long. We emerged into the light where I saw a beautiful girl dressed in a gossamer white dress. she stood in the moonlight. When he saw her, Michael cried out "Lisa, what are you doing here?"

"Michael my love, they said I would be able to speak with you."

"I'm so happy to see you."

"I'm waiting for you on the other side Michael we could be together again."

"Together again, how your dead and i…"

"The world is a strange place Michael things aren't always as straight forward as we would like. "

"Tell me how, I want you back, I need you back "

"Let the vampire die Michael let the people take her away then I'll be able to visit you and soon more then visit."

Now I have done stupid things, said stupid things and even thought stupid things but believe me Mama Harris, didn't raise a total fool. Besides even if she had, Joyce Summers and Rupert Giles did a danm good job fixing the damage

"Michael get back, whoever you think that is, it isn't her."

"Of course it's me, Michael; I mean who are you going to believe, the girl you let die in a car wreck cause you were too stupid to know how to stem a simple flow of blood. Or the sidekick so pathetic he had to run off on his lonesome cause Buffy couldn't make the boo-boo in his eye all better."

I gave The First points for finding the things that bothered you so much you didn't even like admitting it to yourself.

"What the hell are you -- who the hell are you "

"That Michael, is the First Evil"

"The First what?"

"Please, not just evil; fear, anger, despair, I was there when they made their debut and I'll be there when they are all that exists in this pathetic little world." Firstlisa said kittenish-ly at him.

"He, she, it likes to think it's the biggest bad-est evil around cause it's the old boy on the block but me and some friends beat back your plans and handed you and your army a gourmet serving of ass."

"Charming aint he" the girl changed and It was FirstAnya in front of me. "and what exposition boy will eventually tell you is I like to mess with your head… Excuse me, communicate by appearing as someone from your past usually dead and if possible someone you have issues with concerning your relationship with them before they died."

"My god, what is all of this."

"Yes, poor Michael just sit there, wait for the end. You aren't strong enough to deal with what's coming. If you think Patch Adams here is going to help you, he used to barely avoid tripping over his shoelaces. Now he thinks he can last five minutes out from under Buffy's little wing."

The words of the First rocked me but I wouldn't be broken by a shadow with attitude. "Lets see, you are here, the crazy ex-boyfriend is here I'm thinking that someone's looking for a rematch."

"Rematch, Harris, that campaign could not have gone better if I tried. Chaos is running rampant and soon the next stage will be ready to begin."

Michael's pliable rage cut us off. "I'm not listening to this anymore I'm going down there and I'm getting Selene." He rose off the ground and headed for the slaughterhouse. FirstAnya vanished and an older more powerful looking man appeared in front of him. The old guy was dressed like old fashioned royalty with a pair of knives at his belt and a wicked long sword at his side. "That's right boy give into the beast, the impulses you feel are the only truth you really need. The world could be your personal cat-toy with me guiding you every step of the way."

I realized the game plan, The First was trying to anger Michael. "Michael listen, what would Selene tell you. She was a warrior for hundreds of years would she tell you to rush into danger or proceed calmly using the resources you have."

Michael 's shoulders sagged and the FirstOldguy sneered "Even if you had avoided becoming a lycan I would never have allowed a weak, spineless, dog like you to be with her. Who do you think you are?"

Michael's' shoulder twitched as if he had been whipped then he turned to face The First or whomever The First was pretending to be.

"You made her a vampire after you slaughtered her family like cattle and then lied to her, you left her at the mercy of a drooling sycophant for hundreds of years. And to top that off when she figures out your greatest enemy is alive and she tries to save your putrid ass and you were going to hand her over to be judged and killed. You want to know who I am…I'm the best danm thing to happen to anyone who ever had the misfortune of having to call you father in almost a thousand years." He walked away head held high. Then he stopped and tuned "and you hit like a doddering old man, if you weren't already dead I'd want another chance to kick your ass for all the crap you did to Selene." He turned and stalked away.

"That was dramatic." The FirstOldguy sneered

"No, that is love." I countered

A swirl of change and it was Anya's accusing finger pointing at me "And when did you ever say anything like that about me." she screeched

"The night Riley left. Buffy was lashing out and Anya came up in the rant. I spoke from the heart."

"Too bad you didn't have the guts to follow through." The First hissed

"You will forgive me if I have difficulty taking an insubstantial archenemy seriously when they make cracks about me lacking guts." I said casually even as I turned my back to follow Michael and leave my self-doubts behind.

***

I caught up with Michael as he neared the slaughterhouse he had a look on his face that promised extreme pain for anyone that got in his way.

"Was that really Selene's father."

"No that was the guy who turned her into a vampire. Victor killed her father along with the rest of her family."

"Ouch, well you obviously have your focus back. How do you want to do this."

"March in the front door wait for them to piss me off, then kill them all."

"Nice plan, could I point out the minor flaw in that if you are still in berserk mode when we reach your lady fair you might unintentionally rip her to shreds."

"No I won't, You are going to go for Selene. Everyone will be concentrating on me. so I will draw them off which gives you your chance."

"What if they take you down before I get her out."

"They won't, you will have all the time you need but if the worse happens you and Selene can rescue me. Should be a nice bonding thing for the both of you "

He was developing my sense of humor "Why is it all my friends inevitably want me to be friends with vampires " I whined.

"They're sexy and look great in leather or didn't you notice." He deadpanned

"How could I not. All right Cyrano I'll make with the rescuing you make with the sound and light show."

"Cyrano --wouldn't Romeo make a better comparison?"

"You remember what happens at the end of Romeo & Juliet."

"Oh yeah -- but Cyrano dies at the end too. As an old man who spent years pining away for a girl who never noticed him."

I nodded "Ah yes, but he had something Romeo never had, Style, now let's get moving. "

***