Montoya walked into her apartment, shut the door, and immediately undressed. She stretched her hands above her hand, working her back muscles, then relaxed, sighing. Without hesitation, the young Puerto Rican woman walked into her bedroom and stood in front of her full body mirror. She ran a hand over her bra, then down to her well-toned stomach.

I'm wasting here.

...

No comment?

This isn't you.

Montoya laughed out loud. Oh yeah, this felt good. She felt hot, anxious, she needed to do something, someone.

Nathan.

Montoya strongly considered it, then shook her head. A bath sounds better, she thought, and walked into the bathroom. She started the water, letting it run over hand until the temperature was just right, then decided to turn the hot water on a bit more. She stood up and finished undressing.

When the tub was full she climbed in, the water scorching, but relaxing at the same time. She audibly moaned, arching her back.

This is not like you, Montoya.

What? The voices in my head are starting to worry now?

Montoya laughed again, then closed her eyes and fell someplace between sleep and consciousness.
Penelope and Tiesilead walked into The Master's lair at the abandoned factory. She smiled at the shocked look on The Master's face when he noticed the demon behind her.

"Tiesilead?" The Master said, astonished.

The demon made a sort of clucking sound the Penelope didn't quite understand the tone. "Master," the demon growled. "I had heard you died."

"I did," The Master said, approaching the tentacled demon. "I got better."

Penelope was sure that the clucking sound was laughter. "That is good to know. Imagine my surprise when you're little girl here caught me at dinner time."

The Master looked at the female vampire. "Penelope? How?"

Penelope smiled at her master. "I have researched your past, master. I was always admiring you ever since I was turned. I knew you and Tiesilead go back and when I heard he was in town, I felt a reunion was in order."

"This is a most pleasant surprise, my child." The Master lightly touched her chin. "I seem to be in fortunate company these days, Tiesilead. Xavier there restored me, the only of my children to still be around. And Penelope is so loyal." The Master clasped his hands together. "How is the old gang?"

"I spoke to Sarloch a few years ago," Tiesilead answered. "He is doing well. Still among the living at least. Rafferty I haven't heard from in ages."

The Master glanced back at Xavier and Packard, who stood over by his new throne. "Xavier," The Master said softly. "This surprise has given me an idea."
Network raised his glasses, rubbing his eyes, then placing them back on his nose. "I swear to God, Paul, I really am starting to dislike foreign companies."

Paul cocked his head. "You are troubled?"

Network returned his attention to his computer. "Nah. It just seems that companies from across seas want the most complicated programs. I never get an American company wanting a program like this."

"Perhaps I can assist you?"

"Perhaps." Network moved aside, allowing Paul to look at the monitor.

"This is way more advanced than my time," Paul said, his voice sounding more hollow than normal.

Network sighed, "Well, you tried, Paul. Thanks anyway."

"I said it was more advanced, Nathaniel. I did not say I couldn't help you."

"Oh." Network looked Paul's robotic frame over. "Yeah, I guess you were pretty advanced for your time, huh?"

"You would be correct."

Damien walked into the White Room. "What's up?" he asked.

Network stood and walked over to one of mainframes. "Nothing. Paul is just lending me a hand with that Eastern developer's program."

"Oh," Damien said. "Well, I'll go check on Montoya. She how she's doing." He turned and left, walking down the hall. He wasn't used to this downtime. It seemed that he was working nonstop since he returned from Cleveland.

It took Montoya a minute to answer the door. When she did, Damien say that she was in a towel and dripping wet. "This a bad time?" he asked, casually looking away.

Montoya looked down at her self. "Not really. I was just getting off..out! I was just getting out. Out of the bath."

Damien didn't appear to notice. "Well, Network and Paul are working. I mean really working. Company stuff. And I thought, maybe, we could get out. Maybe go see a movie or get some coffee. You know, just get out of here for a change."

Montoya glanced back into her apartment. "Sure. Uh...just let me get dried off and dressed and I'll be ready in a few, okay?"

Damien's expression changed from casual to concern. "You okay, Montoya? Something wrong?"

Montoya's eyes were wide. "Wrong? Nothing's wrong? Why would something be wrong?" Montoya finally realized why Damien would assume that and lightly shook her head, her dark hair brushing against her shoulders. "Sorry, Damien. I fell asleep while soaking. I'm not fully awake. But let me get dressed and I'll be ready."

"Okay,' Damien agreed. "I'll meet you out front."
Montoya closed the door and let the towel fall to the ground. Her body was still dripping wet. She arched her back, stretching the muscles in her back again, then walked to her bedroom.

Going to burn some of that energy tonight, girl?

Maybe. What happened to the shy girl I used to torment?

I left her in the Ogrellan's mouth.

Please, girl, this attitude didn't start until a few days ago.

You just haven't been paying attention.

Montoya grabbed another towel and finished drying off. She quickly found the sexiest outfit she owned: a short skirt and a revealing blouse. Coupled with the sexiest bra and panties she could find, if Damien didn't make a move on her he wasn't male. Or heterosexual.

She spent a few minutes brushing her hair, making it look as best as she could in the time she had. She sprayed a light mist of perfume on her and hurried out the door.

Montoya saw Damien talking to Rick, the security guard for Croaton Computers, near the front door. Rick was an older man, slightly overweight. Montoya had only really seen him a few times, and only talked to him when she first met him. He seemed nice enough, but somehow, just didn't really exist to Montoya.

Damien noticed her and stood up straight. Cute, Montoya thought.

"Ready?" Damien asked as she walked over to him. He looked her over. "I suddenly feel very underdressed."

Montoya bit her lip. "Might not be a bad thing," she muttered.

"What was that?" Damien asked, a smile on his face.

Montoya shook her head. "It was nothing. So where we headed?"

Damien smiled and offered his arm to Montoya. "Ladies choice," he said, waving to Rick as they exited the building.
Xavier approached The Master, unsure if he should interrupt his conversation with his demon friend. After taking a deep breath, he figured The Master would want to an update on his task.

"I have contacted the wizard J. Sarloch, master," Xavier informed him.

The Master turned towards Xavier. "Very good, Xavier. And Rafferty?"

"I left messages with a few of his contacts, but haven't heard anything, master."

The Master turned back to Tiesilead. "So like Rafferty."

Tiesilead moved his head in a way that Xavier assumed meant he was agreeing with The Master. Xavier left The Master with the demon and returned to Penelope.

"Where is Packard?" he asked.

"Went to 'check in' with the hunters," she answered.

"I don't trust him."

Penelope laughed. "You don't trust me, Xavier. You don't trust Tiesilead. You don't trust anyone who has standing with The Master. You really should talk to somebody about these feelings you have."

Xavier growled at Penelope which only made her laugh more. "You are young and foolish, girl, while I have served The Master loyally for decades. One day I will stand over your ashes and we will see who is laughing then." Xavier turned and stormed off.

Penelope still wore her smile. "Someone is feeling a little tense."

There was a bright flash, followed by fire and smoke. Xavier spun around, ready to defend his master and Penelope jumped back, startled. The Master glanced at the clearing smoke, then turned to the demon that stood at his side.

"Always had to make a flashy entrance," the ancient vampire said to Tiesilead.

As the smoke cleared, a figure stood in the center. He wore a cloak, with the hood up, making him look more like a Franciscan monk than a wizard. His face could barely be seen, but what could was pale and skeleton-like. Red eyes glowed from pits of blackness. He surveyed the room, his stare finally stopping on The Master and Tiesilead.

"Heinrich?" the new figure asked. "Tiesilead?"

"Long time, Johann," The Master said, walking towards the wizard.

The wizard smiled. "I heard you were killed by the Slayer," he said. "And I just go by Sarloch now."

"I told you," Tiesilead whispered to The Master.

The Master ignored the demon. "You should have known that not even a Slayer could stop me for long."

"Where's Rafferty? Is he here, too?" "Haven't been able to reach him," Tiesilead informed the wizard.

The Master noticed Xavier and Penelope watching the three. "Come, Sarloch," he said, motioning to the younger vampires. "This is Xavier and Penelope. They are young, but very loyal."

Penelope nodded her head towards the wizard. Xavier just looked at him. "I am the one who summoned you," he said.

"Ah," Sarloch said. He turned to The Master. "I remember you having a rather large gang before. What has happened?"

"The Slayer in that cursed Sunnydale saw to it that they were slain. Luke, Darla, The Three, all of them save for Spike and Drusilla. And from what I hear Spike went the way of Angelus."

"Slayers," Sarloch spat. "Who needs them?"

"They taste yummy," Tiesilead commented.

"I agree," The Master said. "So, my friends, let's...catch up."