Note to Spikeaholic101 - Very very good point! What can I say? Guess I was having a blonde moment. You know, where you go to write something and something else turns up on the screen coz you're not concentrating or whatever. I must have been having a bad day when I posted this fic. Hope it doesn't put you off the story to much!

The Princess06 - you'll just have to wait and see what happens

I should warn you that this is only a short story as it is my first one, so there will only be a few more chapters. If you guys want a sequel after it's finished give me some ideas and let me know.

Chapter six

2003

"Well, I have to say it," said Vi, one of the potentials who had stayed behind. "I was wrong. That film was great. So much better then the first two!"

Xander nodded happily, but Andrew cut him off. "You can't always be the one to say I told you so. But I will. I told you so!"

"Hey Giles. Kennedy. We were beginning to worry about you…" said Dawn.

"Oh great, the movies over. Can't believe I missed movie night again," muttered Kennedy.

Willow smiled at her sympathetically. "Well, it is on DVD. You can always watch it later."

Kennedy narrowed her eyes. "what if there isn't a later?" she pointed out unhelpfully.

"Well, that's not a great way to look at things……" started Dawn, when suddenly the lights went out.

"As I was saying…." murmured Kennedy.

………………………………...

1999

Buffy looked in from the outside. It looked so warm and inviting in there. Her mother pottering around in the kitchen, making tea, reading the newspaper, cleaning. Waiting for me to come home, Buffy realised. Every night had been like that for Joyce. Never sleeping until she heard the reassuring sound of the key in the door. And she herself had taken it all for granted. Oh mum, she thought, tears streaming quietly down her cheeks. I'm so sorry. If I had known what was to come I would have stayed with you all the time, really. But instead I'm out there worrying about being the slayer and having a life…whatever that means! She realised she was shaking.

………………………………...

"A soul?" whispered past Buffy. Giles sat down on a nearby chair and Wesley stared with his mouth open.

"Angel - are you sure?" asked Willow, eyes wide.

"You mean, he's just like Angel is in the future?" asked Cordy.

"No way!" Spike protested. "I'm not into all that help the helpless crap - well, except that I help you guys out, but you ain't exactly helpless are you?"

"What help the helpless crap?" asked oz calmly, though his eyes spoke in volumes. He was equally as shocked as the rest of them.

"I think we all need to know why the hell, when the hell, and how the hell," said Xander.

"All in favour?" He, Will and Cordelia raised their hands.

"Look, I can't tell you, alright? But I have to stop Buffy - future Buffy - right now. How about Angel comes with me? Just to be sure I don't - you know- go on a murder spree or anything?"

Angel sighed and nodded. "You guys keep up the research," he said, looking at past Buffy helplessly. She nodded reluctantly and glanced away.

………………………………...

"So, why'd you really want me along Spike?" asked Angel edgily as they walked. "You could have asked anyone else."

"Coz you're gonna have to help me convince Buffy this is a bad idea - much as it kills me to admit it. She listens to me sure, but we've only just reconciled over what happened last year - never mind," he finished hastily at Angel's dark look.

"Stop her from doing what Spike?" Angel continued moments later.

Spike sighed. "From trying to save Joyce," Spike replied.

"Something happens to her mum?"

"Yeah. Look, she dies, alright? A few years from now."

"You're lying to me," said Angel, deceptively calm.

Spike could see the shock and hurt and anger deeply hidden. He shook his head. "Nope. From a brain tumour. Buffy's gonna try and warn her mum I guess. I suppose it could be a good thing - but it could be equally bad. I'm not good with this sort of thing, it sounds crazy but…maybe her and Dawn need to go through this."

"Who the hell is Dawn?" asked Angel. "I wish you hadn't opened your mouth Spike. You realise I'm gonna have to keep this from Buffy now?"

Spike looked away. "It's a long story. Dawns' Buffy's sister."

"Great. Anything else you'd like to clue me in on? Since we're sharing?"

Spike rolled his eyes. What was the point in not telling Angel anything else? He might as well. Angel knew how to keep a secret. Besides, he could always get Giles or Red to cast a spell so he'd forget later. Besides, it would be hilarious to see the look on Angel's face.

"Well, let's see…." he said, clicking his fingers and grinning. Some of the things he revealed would be shocking and painful to Angel - like the fact that he would leave Buffy soon. Although Spike had a soul, that didn't mean he was all good. Especially when it came to Angel.

"You move to LA and set up a detective agency with none other then miss Cordelia Chase and Wesley. You defeat several apocalypse's. Darla comes back to life and attempts to drive you crazy. You also have a son apparently. That's something I have to keep from Buffy too, by the way. Willow told me. Did I leave out anything?"

Angel stared at Spike for a moment. "OK, I need to sit down!"

Spike couldn't help but laugh. What was the rush to get back to their own time again? He could get used to this!