Chap 3

"Another." A glass is slammed down on the front of the bar.

"Miss, don't you think you've had enough?" The barman smiles kindly at the blonde while drying another glass.

"Well obviously not because if I had enough then I wouldn't be asking for more!" Her green eyes, flared with fire.

And so the barman obeys, topping up the glass with yet more vodka and coke.  She is so going to pay for that in the morning.

"Mind if I join you?" The barman looks up and notices the blonde man, seat himself next to the blonde woman and smiles.  Maybe he can cheer her up.

"Whatever" She doesn't even look up from her drink, she hasn't even looked at his face.

"Never thought I'd bloody hear you say that." The young man scoffs and instantly the woman's head shoots up, her gaze meeting the young mans.

"Spike?"

******
I need to numb the pain. 

I demand another drink and after a bit of banter, the barman gives in and another is handed to me.  It's been 2 months and still the pain is fresh like a newly cut wound, over a scar that's trying to heal.

And I thought Slayer's healed fast.

In 2 months I have travelled across the country and have finally rested in New York.  I have to keep moving, for I know eventually they will find me.

I swirl the coke and vodka around in my glass and wince at the disgusting aroma that proceeds to circulate around the glass.  Never liked vodka, only ever drank it to send me into such a stupor that I couldn't feel the pain.

Another swig is taken and I feel a guy seat himself next to me.   I roll my eyes and avoid looking at him.

"Mind if I join you?"  His voice is deep and husky, one that rings a bell far back in my memory but I am too drunk to notice.

"Whatever" What harm could he commit?  I am the slayer for gods sake even if I am drunk.

"Never thought I'd bloody hear you say that."

Fuck.

I recognise that voice now.  Thick with malice and cockiness, a strong English drawl, echoing inside my head.

"Spike?" What the hell is he doing here??

"Hello, slayer." He smiles and takes a sip of his whiskey.

"I should kill you."

"No Shit Sherlock" He rolls his eyes and shrugs.  Time passes and still we are silent.  I choose to break it.

"So what brings you to New York?" I ask casually.  Why the hell I'm being nice I have no idea, but maybe it's the fact that I haven't see a friendly face in a while.  Spike? Friendly?  Fuck I'm drunk.

"Could ask you the same question pet."

"I don't want to talk about it." I bottle up straight away. 

"Well neither do I."

******

"Hi Giles." Willow mutters quietly into the room, as she searches for the watcher.

There's a flurry of movement from the corner of the library and a muffled grunt as Giles sits up suddenly, causing a pile of books to cascade to the floor.

"Whoa there G-man, lack of sleep much?" Xander smiles bemused at the watchers new look.

"Yes, well, quite." Giles re-adjusts his glasses that are half hanging off his face and smoothes down his sleep-ridden hair.

"Any news?" Willow shrugs and lets out a slight laugh, trying to shrug off the obvious worry that crosses her face.

"None I am afraid." Giles answers, his face void of any expression.

"It'll be ok Willow, she'll be back." Xander places a comforting hand on his best friends shoulder.

"Yes, I'm sure." Giles joins in, trying to convince himself at the same time.

"What about the new demon, anything about that?" Xander takes charge of the conversation, trying to be strong for Willow.

"W-Well, I've looked up various beasts but nothing seems to add up." Giles frowns and picks up a book from the pile that lies on the floor.  "See, there's the Kakoushka demon, that kills its prey by snapping its neck and then ripping open its throat, but it is very solitary and would never work with a vampire."

"Well, could it just be some sort of Vampire killing?" Willow asks, deciding its best to throw herself into the work rather than face the pain of her best friends departure.

"Well I was thinking that but one killing was made literally before sunrise, no vampire would risk such a kill." Giles answers, his brow furrowing in puzzlement.

"Well I suppose we should all get on researching then." A calm voice emits from the double doors of the library.

All 3 Scooby's, cast a glance towards the door in amazement.

"What? So now I can't research with you?" Cordelia Chase, barges past Willow and takes a book from Giles.

"Cordelia? Research? Am I dreaming?" Xander asks bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

"No Dumbass, I'm just trying to make sure its not my ass that gets ripped off next time I'm out shopping.  The faster we find the demon, the safer my ass will be."

******
"And then she has the decency to leave me for a slim ball of a demon! I mean, what the hell is wrong with me?" Spike mutters, slurring slightly and almost toppling off his stool.

I gasp and laugh as he regains his balance using the bar to steady himself.  "What do you mean what's wrong with you? More like what's RIGHT with you Spike."

He glares yet I continue my drunken speech.

"You're a vampire.  What is right with that?  Also you're a drunk as proven tonight.  You're sarcastic, stubborn, English, have really bad hair and dress sense."

He scoffs in protest.  "Dru's a vampire too! Why would she leave me?  She craved the violence and horror factor that I carry."  He thumps his head loudly on top of the bar.

"Don't worry I'm sure she'll come crawling back for more once she's bored of the icky demon." I raise my glass once more and take a swig of the alcohol inside.

"Really?  You think?" His deep blue eyes light up at the thought of Dru's return.

"Yeah probably.  Everyone else seems to get the fucking luck around here." I sigh inwardly and suddenly wish I wasn't in the bar any longer.

******
She never heard the silent thud behind her.

She never felt the hot breath on the back of her neck.

She never sensed it following her.

She never knew what hit her.

She never saw it till it was too late.

She felt the pain rip through her body before she could avoid it.

She heard the growl as her blood seeped from her flesh wound and pooled at her feet.

She cried out in fear as she felt the teeth break her skin and whimpered as she felt her life leave her.

Her body fell like a stone to the ground, pale, lifeless eyes, staring up at the beautiful moonlit sky. 

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