California Trippin'
Disclaimer-I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Dark Angel, only the parts that I make up in this story.
Summary-This is a crossover with Dark Angel. Max, Alec, Jondy, and Krit leave Seattle in need of a vacation. Everything has blown over with the transgenics and familiars. The virus between Max and Logan is cured but they aren't together. The transgenics are free to roam around without the hate groups and so they decide to go to California, where Buffy and the gang are dealing with the First.
Time line-This story will take place in Buffy seventh season. Spike is out of the basement and no longer crazy. The gang knows they're dealing with the First and the potentials have started to arrive. It's, of course, after Dark Angel has ended. I know it's in the future but if I use those years in Dark Angel, I couldn't use the Buffy Time line.
Pairings-Some people might hate me for this but the final pairing won't be BS and MA. There will be a little as the story goes on but they won't end up together. I know Spike is in love with Buffy but I wanted to try something different. So it'll be Spike/Max and possibly Alec/Buffy. I'm not sure if Alec and Buffy should be together, let me know what you think. I haven't decided if I'll pair Jondy and Krit up, I probably will though...
Chapter Two-Secrets
"Bleached hair?" Jondy questioned Max as they ate breakfast. Max nodded, smirking.
"All slicked down and everything," she confirmed. Jondy shook her head, disbelieving.
"Why would someone pay a person to do that to them? I bet it was hideous..." she said. Max furrowed her eyebrows.
"I dunno...it didn't seem that bad..." she replied. Jondy gave her a questioning look. "I guess you just have to see it and then criticize it. Or love it."
"And his name was Spike?" Jondy asked. Max nodded. "Wow. Think he's a transgenic?"
"What makes you think he might be?"
"Only a transgenic would have that whacked out of a name," Jondy laughed. Max took a sip of her coffee and considered it.
"I don't think he was. Didn't exactly give off that kind of vibe," Max explained. Jondy smirked. "What?"
"What vibe was he giving off?" she teased. Max scoffed and threw her croissant at Jondy's head. "Little touchy this morning are we?"
"I'm not touchy...just considerate," Max replied.
"Don't think that's the right word here, honey."
"Shut up."
"Make me." At that command, Max sprung out of her chair and tackled Jondy, tickling her. This was when Alec chose to walk in the room.
"Whoa," he said simply. Both females looked over at him, confused.
"How'd you get in?" they asked.
"Key."
"You don't have a key..." Max replied. Alec gave her a pointed look.
"Beg to differ little lady," he teased as he wiggled the key in front of her face.
"Since when have you had that?" Jondy complained as she stood up. Alec rolled his eyes.
"Since I felt like having a key to your room," he answered.
"Perv."
"Masochist."
"Smart-ass."
Alec hesitated before replying, "Ugly-ass." Max stared at him.
"Creative," she said sarcastically.
"Thank you."
"You couldn't think of anything could you?" Jondy asked. Alec's face flushed slightly.
"Not a one. I need food for my brain to function properly. What have ya got?" he asked as he began to rummage through their mini-fridge.
"Get your own food," Max said before smacking Alec's hand away.
"What's this about food?" Krit asked. Jondy looked at him in surprise.
"Where'd you come from?" she asked. He grinned. Jondy groaned loudly. "Don't tell me you have a key too?" He shrugged and tossed her the piece of plastic cardboard. She caught it and put it in her pocket.
"If you guys want food why don't you just go out and eat?" Max suggested as she rinsed her cup and plate. Alec sighed and flopped down on the couch.
"The diner is too far away," he complained. Max stared at him in disbelief.
"It's right downstairs stupid," she said.
"I stand by my statement," he replied, arms crossed. Max scoffed and pulled him up.
"Come on, don't be lazy," she growled and dragged him out the door. "You and Krit go eat something while I take a shower and then the four of us will go out and do something, okay?" The males nodded their agreement and Max smiled sweetly. "Good." Then she shut the door in their faces.
"Moody much?" Jondy asked as she put on lip gloss. Max didn't answer and just headed into the bathroom. "Don't take too long in the shower. I wanna do something interesting today."
"No problem!" Max shouted over the running water.
45 minutes later...
"Oh, that wasn't long at all," Jondy muttered as Max came out of the bathroom, steam surrounding her. She inhaled deeply, smiling dreamily.
"Sorry, but I forgot how great hot water feels," she replied airily. Jondy rolled her eyes.
"Just get out of that robe and get dressed. Krit and Alec are probably waiting," she said. Max sighed and went into the bedroom.
"Oh, we couldn't possibly have that now could we?" Max's voice came out muffled as she got dressed. Jondy laughed softly.
"Guess they would deserve it, since they do the same thing all the time," she agreed. Max opened the door and stepped out. Jondy smirked when she saw that she was wearing low-rider jeans and a baby blue tank top. Her wavy hair was done up in a messy bun. "And you're dressed all nice because..." Max gave her a look.
"Because this is California and in California you dress nice...And if you're trying to get over a guy and you'd like to get a little attention...what's wrong with that?" Max asked as she grabbed her wallet. Jondy held up her hands in a peace gesture.
"Nothing's wrong with it," she said innocently. "Let's just get outta here, okay?"
"Agreed," Max mock saluted as they headed down the hall. A young man was already in the elevator as Jondy and Max walked in it. Max smiled sweetly at him and he visibly gulped. Jondy bit her lip to keep from laughing.
"W-What floor are you going to?" the man asked.
"Down to the lobby, please," Max replied. He stared at her for a second before hitting the lobby button. "Thank you."
"M-My pleasure."
The rest of the ride was deathly silent, with the man simply staring at Max.
"Later," Max waved as she and Jondy stepped out into the lobby. The man could only nod back.
"You are so cruel," Jondy laughed as they met up with Alec and Krit.
"What'd she do now?" Alec questioned. Max punched his arm. "She punched a random guy?" Jondy rolled her eyes.
"No, she's dressed all pretty and then made some poor geeky guy think he might stand a chance," she explained. Alec looked down at Max, as if suddenly noticing her outfit.
"Whoa," he and Krit chorused.
"Since when do you dress girly?" Krit asked. Max folded her arms across her chest.
"Since when does everyone question what I wear?"
"Since you made with the flirty last night with the bleached blonde," Alec replied. Max's eyes widened.
"I was not flirting with Spike!" she argued. Alec laughed.
"Yeah, your eyes were just roaming over his body 'cause you wanted a new punching bag," he said sarcastically.
"Why would I do that when I've got you?" Max said before punching his shoulder. He winced.
"Yeah, I'd hate for you to get a replacement," he muttered. Max smiled before linking her arms through his and Jondy's. He only looked mildly surprised and allowed her to drag him out the door. Jondy linked her arm through Krit's so he wouldn't get left behind.
Buffy's House...
"Why can't I watch the potentials train," Andrew complained. "I might need to learn something to defend myself incase we're under attack." Xander rolled his eyes and continued to ignore him. Andrew scowled. "Fine. But if I'm captured and tortured against my will, I might be forced to give up valuable information that could lead..."
"Shut up Andrew," Xander interrupted him. Andrew made a pitiful noise and stalked into the living room. Suddenly the door to the backyard burst open and an angry slayer entered the kitchen.
"Something wrong Buff?" Xander questioned. Buffy held out her shirt for him to see.
"One of the potentials needs a little help with aim when throwing knives. She nearly cut my arm off," Buffy complained, cradling her torn shirt. Xander smiled slightly.
"It's why they need you, help strengthen their skills," he said, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"They better hope their necks are strengthened then because if they ruin another one of my shirts..." Buffy trailed off, making sure Xander got the point.
"Maybe you should take a break, you sound stressed," he offered. Buffy exhaled slowly.
"I can't exactly afford a trip to the mall. These girls need me too much," she pointed out. Before Xander could respond, Willow came up the stairs.
"Don't worry about it, Buffy. If you need a break, take one. I think Kennedy's got it under control for now," she explained. Buffy gave her an exasperated look.
"And I think we all know how comfortable that makes me feel," she replied sarcastically.
"Okay, you're being all irritable-Buffy. I prefer calm, relaxed Buffy. Go take a nap or something. You seem like you need it," Willow said, trying to usher Buffy out of the room.
"Fine, don't need to tell me twice," she muttered, heading down the basement.
"Right...uh, Buffy?" Xander began. She turned back to look at him. "Isn't your room upstairs thataway?" She nodded.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" she questioned. Xander frowned.
"Then why are you going to the basement?" he asked. A beat passed and Buffy blushed slightly.
"I need some non-torn clothes. Mine are in the dryer," she explained lamely. Xander and Willow nodded slowly and gave each other knowing looks. Buffy ignored them and headed down the basement.
Spike was sleeping soundly on his bed. Buffy noticed his chains were still dangling from the wall.
Guess he's still afraid he'll hurt someone, she thought to herself. She crept quietly by him to get to the dryer. Now that she was down here, she might as well actually get some clothes. The little door on the machine creaked loudly as she opened it. Hopefully he's still not a light sleeper...
"What are you doin' luv?" she heard him say.
Guess he is...she thought. "Just getting a change of clothes," she said aloud. "A potential kinda had an accident involving mine."
"Hmm." An awkward minute passed as Buffy got a fresh shirt. She turned to face Spike but didn't say anything, just fidgeted with her clothes. "Something else you wanted?"
"Actually, yeah. I was wondering if you'd like to go patrolling with me tonight," she asked. He silently stared at her.
"Sure now's the best time to be doing that? With the new big bad and all?" he questioned. Buffy shrugged.
"Yeah but I can't ignore the basics. Every little staking makes a difference," she pointed out. Spike nodded.
"Guess so. Count me in. Always nice to get a spot o' violence when you can," he replied. Buffy rolled her eyes.
"Right, see you tonight then," she said and hurried up the stairs, trying not to think too much about the fact that he still sleeps without a shirt.
Nighttime...
"That actually wasn't boring," Alec commented as he and the others exited the Sunnydale Mall. Max and Jondy rolled their eyes.
"Good to hear," Jondy replied sarcastically.
"I live to please," Alec retorted, smirking. Krit laughed.
"Then why aren't you dead by now?" he joked. Alec just waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.
"Ooh, check it out, a cemetery," Jondy exclaimed.
"Right, 'cause I've never seen one of those before," Max muttered sarcastically. Krit scoffed.
"Come on big sis, live a little," he encouraged, linking his arm through hers and dragging her towards the entrance. "Help us explore." Max sighed butproceeded to follow him.
"Fine, but if any zombies rise from their graves, I'm holding you guys responsible," she replied.
"I think we can live with that burden," Alec said.
"All this talk about living," a voice interrupted behind them as they wandered into the graveyard. "Really makes me hungry." The transgenics turned to the man/thing that had spoken.
"Dude, your face is kinda messed up," Krit pointed out. "Have a little disappointing trip to the plastic surgeon?" Max stared at the vampire.
"You aren't breathing, your heart isn't beating," she suddenly commented. The vampire quirked his head to the side.
"How can you tell?" he asked, an ugly smirk crossing his face.
"Because I can't hear it," she replied, shock visible on her face.
"Well good for you little lady. That's quite a set of ears on you. I'll enjoy eating them," the vampire began to stalk towards her. The transgenics were still frozen in shock at the idea of no heartbeat. Max snapped out of it first.
"Well, whatever the hell you are, no way are you getting your overgrown buckteeth on my ears...or neck," she added after seeing his gaze drop.
"You don't smell likethe slayer. What damage could a little girl like you do?" the vampire said disbelievingly. Slow smiles crossed the transgenics' mouths.
"Lot more than you think," Krit commented. The vampire scoffed before lunging at Max. She sidestepped quickly and he fell flat on his face. She giggled.
"Nice reflexes."
The vampire growled as he stood back up and swung at her. She blocked it and landed a hard right hook to his jaw. She then dropped and swept his feet out from under him. He fell hard and Alec rolled him over before he could stand again.
"Now, be a good thing and tell us exactly what the hell you are," he ordered as he placed his knee on the vampire's back and yanked his arms backward. The vampire yelped in pain.
"You aren't slayers, why are you so strong?"
"Nuh uh. We're asking the questions. And what the hell is a slayer?" Jondy questioned as she yanked his head up off the ground. The vampire just growled. "Fine." Krit picked him up and tossed him to Max, who quickly knocked him down again with a roundhouse kick.
"I'm getting the feeling that you're a vampire, am I right?" she asked as he got back up. None of the transgenics noticed the two blondes running towards them.
"What gave me away?" the vampire replied sarcastically. Max shrugged.
"Dunno. Probably the teeth, bumpy features and the whole lunging for my neck thing," she explained before engaging in another fist fight.
"What the hell are you?" the vampire questioned, fear slipping into his voice as he clutched his wounded stomach. Max smiled coyly.
"Don't tell me you haven't heard of us sweetie," she replied before blurring behind him. He twirled in confusion.
"How'd you do that?" his mouth gaped open. His wasn't the only one.
"Nuh uh. I'm not telling my secrets to a vampire that just tried to kill me," Max waggled her finger at him. "Didn't your mama teach you manners?" She twirled in the air and landed a powerful kick to his head, effectively knocking it off his body. He burst into dust. "I'll take that as a no..." she muttered as she dusted some remnants off her shirt.
"This chick's got moves," the transgenics heard a voice say. Max recognized it instantly. She smiled as she turned to face him.
"Spike," she stated simply. "What's up?" He locked eyes with her.
"Who are you?" he asked, obviously very serious. Max's smile faded.
"Got a little Alzheimer's working for ya there? You know who I am," she replied. Buffy's face was full of shock.
"How'd you do that? You kicked that vamp's head clean off," she sounded slightly dazed. Suddenly her eyes hardened. "What are you?" The transgenics frowned.
"Excuse me?" Jondy growled.
"What are you?" Spike echoed the question before lunging forward and grabbingMax's arms.She scowled and with one arm, pushed him away. He flew back into Buffy.
"Little rude don't ya think?" shequestioned through gritted teeth. Spike and Buffy looked at her in amazement.
"Do you work for the First?" Spike asked softly. Max crossed her arms across her chest.
"The first what?" she asked.
"Evil," Buffy answered. The other transgenics looked her in confusion.
"Evil?" Alec questioned. The blondes nodded. "There's evil here? Geez Max, guess it follows you everywhere."
"Shut up Alec," Krit interrupted, eyes focusing on Max and Spike, who were in the middle of another staring contest.
"You just threw him like rag doll," Buffy commented. "How the hell did you do that?"
"Government training," Jondy supplied.
"No way, I know what the government fights like. Riley could never throw Spike like that in a million years, no matter how much he wanted to," Buffy replied.
"And Riley would be..." Alec questioned.
"Old poof of a boyfriend," Spike answered before Buffy could. She shot him a look.
"So you don't know who the First is?" Buffy asked. The transgenics shook their heads. "I'd still like to know how you learned to fight like that."
"Special training," Max said curtly. Spike quirked his head to the side, observing her. "Why do you care so much anyway?"
"Got a little battle going on," Spike answered. "Helpful to know who's on what side. 'Specially a strong little girl like you." Max's smile returned.
"Nice to have fans," she replied. Spike smiled back. Buffy was visibly annoyed.
"I don't think the cemetery is the best place to have this conversation. We should go back to my house," she offered.
"Sounds great," Max answered, not taking her eyes off Spike. Buffy discreetly elbowed him, breaking his and Max's eye contact.
"Stop ogling the girl with superpowers," she hissed under her breath. Spike smiled sheepishly.
"It's okay Buffy, I don't mind. And I wouldn't call them superpowers exactly," Max called out from behind them. Buffy and Spike whirled around.
"How did you..."
"Excellent hearing," Max replied curtly, winking at Spike. He raised his eyebrows but didn't respond in fear of getting another elbow in the stomach from the slayer.
"Stop flirting with the bleached blonde," Jondy joked as she fell in stride with Max. Max glanced at her. "Don't give me that look, I know flirting when I see it."
"Yeah, yeah," Max waved her hand. She looked towards Spike, finding him looking right back.
If he's gonna flirt then I'm in no position to deny him a positive reaction...she thought to herself, smiling coyly.
A/N-This also turned out longer than expected...hope you enjoyed it. Review please! ;o)
Alexandra Bruderlin-I probably will pair them together. I'm glad you like the story. I'll try to add more description ;o)
Sky Angel-Thanks. I normally pair Max and Alec together for a Dark Angel fic but I just felt like trying something else. And Spike's my favorite character on Buffy...
ontheDL-I'm glad my writing skills haven't disappeared like I thought they did. (My English teacher's been criticizing it a lot...)
LadyV77-Wow, I didn't notice it related to Spike too ;o) I'm glad you like the story. The idea just kept nagging at me.
Angel Of Darkness231-I'm glad you like the pairings. I might end up changing the Alec/Buffy pairing though...depends on what you guys would prefer to read.
big red-Thanks. I'll try to write whenever I get the chance ;o)
knocky7-I hope this was soon enough for you. They're my favorite shows too. Is degrassi the name of the fic?
Lozz422-I didn't think they'd find it too surprising considering the fact that they were made in a government lab.
RavynJensen-Nobody'll kill you ;o) She wasn't exactly my favorite character either. I just liked the others more, especially Spike ;o)