"Spike, I need to talk to you."

Spike turned to see Ian standing in the doorway to his room. He knew it was only a matter of time before he and Ian had this talk. With the chip in his head Spike was useless in any battles that would come. Ian had told him once that most of his adversaries had been human. He had just wished that he could have maintained his delusion for a little while longer. "Whatcha need, mate?"

"Sit down." When Spike was seated Ian continued. "Please listen to me before you speak. You offer me a unique problem. I've seen you fight, Spike. I have seen few, mortal and immortal, who could stand against you, including myself. I have seen first hand how you became known as one of the most feared creatures on earth. You are truly one of the best fighters I have ever known."

"However, you are severely limited in what you can and can not do. Not being able to hurt men makes you a liability. I can not allow you to join us as you are. Before, when you allied with the blond slayer, almost all the enemies were demonic, which caused you no problem. Now, though, you will be faced with enemies who may be mortal. Monsters maybe, but still human."

"So, as you are now, you are almost useless to me." Tears were beginning to form in Spikes eyes. His greatest fear, that he would once again be nothing but a pathetic excuse for a man, that he would no longer be useful to those he cared about, was coming true. He couldn't be alone again, he just couldn't. Unlike many of his kind, Spike craved companionship. Where many vampires either sought a solitary existence of hunting, or making themselves leaders of clans, Spike enjoyed being among equal individuals. That was why he had enjoyed be part of the quartet of Angelus, Drusilla, and Darla.

"Lets not fool ourselves, Spike. We have two options, as I see it. One, we can keep you around for gopher work and the occasional demon killing. But I think that would be a waste of both your and my time. So that leaves me with the second option." Spikes eyes closed in resignation. "You can get that hunk of silicone out of your head." Spikes eyes flew open and his head whipped towards Ian, who had a grin on his face.

"Which will it be, Spikey?"

"You're a right bastard, you know?"

"So people keep telling me."

"Can you really fix this?" Hope was entering Spike's voice.

"When you arrived I realized that you would be a powerful ally. After you told me about the chip I sent out word that I was interested in learning more about it. Word came back that one of the scientists that put it in also knew how to remove it. He named a price, I met it. You and I will meet up with him when we arrive in LA, before we make an appearance at Wolfram and Hart."

Spike did something he rarely did. He grabbed Ian and hugged him. He hugged him so hard that Ian could feel his ribs start to bend. When Spike released him it took Ian a few seconds to regain his breath.

"There will be conditions."

"Anything, so long as I get this fucking thing out of my bloody head."

"Language." Ian scolded. At Spikes look, "Sorry. Long story. Anywho, the conditions are very simple. One, you can not free range hunt. You either feed off criminals or blood bag it. I really don't care."

"You have no problem if I kill?"

"You didn't really think I'd give you back your fangs, then not allow you to use them, did you?" At Spike's nod, "Spike, wouldn't that make me a bit of a hypocrite. I've spent years hunting and killing evil men. I have no intention of stopping. That's why I'm an assassin. I expect nothing different from you. I'm just asking that you keep from terrorizing the general populace."

Spike nodded. Ian didn't expect him to stop killing, merely change prey. "What else?"

"This remains between us for the time being. No one finds out. What our enemies don't know about us can only help. And last, when I tell you to kill, you kill. Any questions?"

"None."

"Groovy."

"Spike, the coming times are going to be rough. Sides will be decided, which sucks for us. I don't take sides, I am a side. I do what I feel is right, and fuck what others think. If you stay with me, I promise I will defend you to the death. You answer only to us. This applies to all of us. We protect each other above all others. Anyone who has a problem with this can take it up with me."

Ian extended his hand. Spike took it, not hand to hand, but instead grasping each others wrists. A warriors handshake.

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Ian hung his phone up. Everything was going as plan. Faith's school had been informed of a family emergency. The construction of the Jungle was being taken care of. And the Sunnydalians had returned to England to deal with their dead and figure out what had happened.

Their bags had been packed into the two tinted SUV's. Ian, Spike and Xander in one, Faith, Dawn and Ersus in the other.

"Just stay behind me and if we get separated just give me a call."

"Ian, I know how to get to LA. Don't worry."

Ian pulled Faith into his arms, claiming her mouth. Letting go he looked into her eyes. "Faith, I love you more than my life. This is all so new to me. Let me worry." After getting her assurance that she would be careful, he turned and got into the drivers seat of his vehicle.

Once everyone was in their respective vehicles Ian gave the signal. Dawn and he pulled out of the driveway and headed towards the highway. Next stop: Los Angeles.

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(Two days later)

Nothing had happened since they had left Miami. They were just pulling into the city limits when Ian decided to break the subject.

"Okay, I understand why Dawn had to leave Sunnydale. I understand why Spike had to. What I don't get is why you had to leave, Xander."

"A few weeks before the incident between Dawn and the Initiative, Buffy made me make a choice; I could either help her and the goons, or I could stay with Dawn and Spike. I made my choice, so when they left I left."

"So you left with the woman you love and your best friend. Kind of poetic. How long have you and Dawn been knocking boots?" This got a laugh from Spike.

"We've been together for just under six months. Before that we were good friends."

"I sensed that there is little love lost between her and Buffy. Not that I'm one to talk, but don't siblings usually get along better."

"Slayers lost it. Ever since she hooked up with GI Joke she seems to have stopped caring. Power went to her head, it did. Nothing matters except keeping herself and GI happy."

"So if you guys fall back into their hands, things won't be too good for you three."

"More than likely they'll leave me alone. I was never much of a threat." Xander answered. "Spike'll be staked first chance."

"And Dawn?"

"Thrown to the wolves."

"Hey, I happen to like wolves."

"The fact is, they'll get them over my dead body."

Ian looked over. Xander looked no different, save his eyes. In them was a determination, a oath that he would protect Spike and Dawn, even if it meant his life. 'Perfect' Ian thought, grinning. 'This is working quite nicely'

"Xander, I've already talked to Spike about this, and now it's your turn. The future is not going to be easy. We do not take sides. We destroy evil in all it's forms, human and non. We do it on our terms. Many will call us vigilantes. They'll be right. Many will say our methods are too extreme, that the men we go after need to be incarcerated. I say that some people can not be redeemed. Harris, if you stay in for the long haul, you won't be alone. You answer only to the group, no body else. Anyone comes after you has to deal with all of us. Is this something you can live with?"

"Count me in." Xander answered.

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Once they checked in to a nice hotel about two miles from their target, Ian and Spike left. The decision had been made to deal with the law firm the next evening, when, according to an informant, a board meeting was planned.

When they reached the warehouse the doctor operated out of, Ian pulled out a briefcase. Walking up to the door, the doctor invited both of them in.

"You got the money?" the rat like doctor asked.

"Two million, like promised." Saying this Ian opened the briefcase, showing crisp hundred dollar bills. "You want to count it?"

"Yeah, I do." The doctor took the case to a table, where sat a bill counter. He began feeding bills into it. After a few minutes he rejoined Ian and Spike, both of whom were looking very bored.

"You ready, mate? Or would you like a bathroom break?"

The doctor sneered at Spike, like he was inferior. He turned to Ian. "I have your assurance that you won't kill me?"

"You have my most solemn word. However, know this." Ian got eye to eye with the man, giving him a look that had made soldiers almost crap their pants. "If you double cross us, or anything goes wrong, I will make your last minutes of life as painful as possible. Even if it truly is an accident, you will suffer."

Gulping, the doctor backed up. "Let's begin."

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(one hour later)

Ian held the chip in his hand, turning it. How could such a small item cause so many problems. It was just unnatural. Hearing a groan, he turned to see Spike sitting up.

"How do you feel?"

"Like someone cut into my head."

"Appropriate." Ian walked up to Spike. "Hit him." He motioned to the doctor. When the doctor started to protest Ian glowered. "We have to make sure it works, and I'm not human enough. Try not to hurt him too much, Spike."

Spike shot his fist at the doctor, holding back. Even so, the man flew over a table.

"Any trouble."

"Not a bit, mate."

"Spike?"

"Yeah."

"Kill the doctor."

"But I did what you said." The doctor protested. "You promised."

"I know. But we can't take the chance that you'll come back and screw with us. Plus, we want to keep this on the down low for the time being, and I'm pretty sure you'd squeal."

"But you promised...." Anything else he might have said was cut off as Spike's fangs entering his throat. HE began to feed. The red liquid flowing down his throat was so incredible that he almost came in his pants. Letting the limp body fall to the ground, he turned to Ian. The grin that was on his face vanished as he saw Ian pointing a small crossbow at his chest.

"Now, am I going to have to worry about you going on a killing spree now that you're unrestrained? Or can we remain friends?'

"Friends forever, wanker."

"Cool. I'm hungry. Let's go get some Chinese."

As they left, briefcase in hand, Spike turned to Ian. "You know, that was kind of cruel."

"What was cruel?"

"You telling me to kill him after you promised we wouldn't. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. You just seem to be someone who stands by his word."

"And I do, Spike. My word is very important to me. However, I promised I wouldn't kill him. Never said you wouldn't." he said with a grin.

Spike threw back his head and let loose a laugh. "I like your style." 

The most evil nice guy in the world, Dark Jester