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 Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 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.

Pairings-I finally figured out what the pairings are...Max/Spike, Jondy/Krit, and Faith/Alec. Buffy has yet to be paired off...

Chapter Ten-Revelations

Church (theday before)...

"I spy...with my little eye...something...that begins with...T," Andrew said, trying to sound mysterious.

"Tapestry," Spike replied, bored. Andrew's face lit up.

"Wow, how did you..." he began. Spike rolled his eyes.

"Tapestry's the only thing in the whole bloody room," he answered.

"Ah...so say you. But I say look deeper."

"I'll look deep into your jugular is what I'll look at," Spike retorted. Andrew sighed and rolled onto his back.

"We could play something else ya know..." he suggested. "20 questions, Kevin Bacon..."

"Andrew, does any part of your worthless brain understand what's happening?" Spike asked angrily. Andrew nodded slowly.

"Of course. We're waiting 'til nightfall so we can ride on your hog without you bursting into a big ball of fire," he replied. Spike rolled his eyes again.

"No you nit," he snapped. "While we're sittin' here playing bloody children's games..." Andrew looked at him, offended, but Spike just continued ranting. "Ma...er...the slayer and her troops are facing hell knows what." Andrew looked at him questioningly. "What?"

"Were you about to say Max?" Spike scoffed and didn't look at him.

"No..." he muttered lamely. Andrew's grin was huge.

"You like the transgenic leader, huh? Personally I like Al...er..." Spike gave him a weird look. "Max, huh? She's hot. Yeah. Definitely...smokin'." Spike glared at him. He smiled nervously. "Not that I'd...I thought you liked Buffy?" Spike ignored him. "Uh...Spike?"

"Shut up," Spike ordered, voice low. Andrew made a 'tsk tsk' noise.

"Now Spike..." he began. He immediately shut his mouth after Spike gave him another death glare and growled.

Buffy's House...

"You sure you want to come with me?" Buffy asked for the millionth time. Max rolled her eyes.

"Please, I live for action," she joked. Buffy smiled slightly.

"Listen, Max...I'm really..." she began.

"If you're about to apologize, don't worry about it. I've been punched by plenty of other people, half of which are either as strong as you or stronger. So don't sweat it," Max interrupted.

"I'm still sorry," Buffy replied. Max smiled softly at her.

"I guess your apology is accepted then," she said. A beat of silence passed.

"So...you and Spike...are...like..." Buffy couldn't get the sentence out. Max sighed.

"Don't have to sweat that either. We're not together. He's a little hung up on you still."

"He is?" Buffy asked, almost excited. Max gave her a look. "I mean...what a jerk..." Max laughed softly.

"It's okay Buffy. I know you like him. Hell, maybe you love him. But I'm guessing it's a little more complicated than that, am I right?" Buffy nodded solemnly. "Figured as much. What happened?"

"Besides the fact that he's a vampire and immortal...and I'm not?" Buffy countered. Max smirked.

"Who knows...maybe you're immortal and you just don't know it. Sure, you can still die from natural crap. But maybe if you never get shot or sick...you'll get to live as long as your vampire boyfriend," Max suggested. Buffy laughed.

"That's a nice thought..." she said. Max glanced at her.

"Ever thought of calling up your other vamp boyfriend? Angel?" she questioned, smiling slyly. Buffy laughed again.

"Don't know how that would pan out...he was my first love...I slept with him and he turned evil...What kind of relationship could that turn out to be?" Max shrugged.

"If you loved him so much...it doesn't seem like that would matter." Buffy scoffed.

"Try telling him that. He's the one that broke up with me," she explained, annoyed. "Said he wanted me to have a normal life. I'm the friggin slayer! What kind of normal life could I ever have?"

"Dunno."

"He's stupid."

"Sounds like it."

"I don't love him...I hate him."

"Understandable."

"Who does he think he is?"

"Dunno."

"A freakin hot guy that's who..."

"I thought you just said you hated him?"

"I lied. Who am I kidding? I'll always love him..."

"Bugger...I walked in on the wrong conversation..." Buffy's face brightened when she heard Spike's voice while Max immediately stiffened.

"Did you and Andrew just get back?" Buffy asked. Spike nodded, carefully avoiding Max's gaze.

"Found something useful too. Think we got a lead," he said.

"What is it?" Max asked. Spike finally met her eyes. The sheer coldness of them shocked him. "Well?"

"You were right," Spike turned back to Buffy. "Caleb's hidin' something. I think it's at the vineyard." Max scoffed.

"Great detective work there Spikey," she replied. Spike glared at her while Buffy seemed to be having mixed emotions. "But we kind of already knew that. Buffy and I are going to the vineyard in a few hours. Along with Alec, Faith, Jondy, and Krit. You can go sleep in your dank little basement now. It's daytime. Aren't vampires supposed to sleep during the day?"

"I'm not actually that tired, but thanks for your concern," Spike replied sarcastically. Max's face was still blank.

"Concern wouldn't be the word I'd use for it," she retorted before turning back to Buffy. "I'll go pick out weapons and whatever with the others...See ya in a bit?" Buffy nodded and Max left the room. Spike rolled his eyes and grunted in exasperation. Buffy just smiled sadly.

"Go talk to her already will you?" she said. Spike looked at her in surprise. "She's obviously still pissed at you for kissing her but still being 'hung up on me'." Spike's eyes widened.

"How did you..."

"Apparently Amanda told everyone after you left," Buffy replied. Spike winced. "Guess it's not about me anymore is it?" she joked, reminding him of what he had said when the First had been trying to control him. He groaned.

"Buffy, I..."

"Just go talk to her alright?" Buffy repeated, not wanting him to know she was close to tears. Spike groaned again before leaving and Buffy let the tears fall.

Spike found Max in the basement, working out without a shirt, just a sports-bra. He gulped.

"Max..." he began tentatively as she punched and kicked the punching bag. She didn't look at him.

"What do you want Spike?" she asked.

"Guess you got the punching bag back up. That was a bloody good kick that last..."

"I said what do you want?" Max repeated curtly.

"We need to talk."

"No, we don't," Max replied as she turned to face him, arms crossed. "I'm not ready to talk to you yet, alright?"

"But..." Spike began.

"No. When I'm ready to talk, you'll know," Max interrupted. Spike frowned.

"And why exactly do you think you get to decide when we get to talk? You kissed me first, ya know," he said. Max rolled her eyes.

"Because you're the one that didn't continue it," Max explained. Spike gave her a questioning look. "I think you know I didn't want it to stop. But you obviously haven't gotten over Buffy. Until you do...no talking between us unless we have to, alright? I just need a little time...which I'm sure you need as well." She smiled softly and then walked upstairs.

"Bollocks," Spike muttered as he flopped down on his cot.

"Ooh, this axe will do nicely," Alec commented, grinning as he twirled it around. Faith smiled.

"Yeah, works great for chopping off demon heads," she replied. Alec's smile faltered slightly.

"Lovely," he muttered. Faith's grin widened.

"What? Don't be telling me a trained-soldier-since-birth gets the wiggins towards some common slimy demons," she said. "It'll ruin my fantasy life." Alec raised an eyebrow at her.

"Really? Fantasy life?" he questioned, obviously interested. Faith nodded.

"Oh yeah. There's this thing about slayers. It's so weird but after every stake, I just get this craving," she explained seductively, enjoying the way Alec's eyes almost seemed to pop out of his head. "Slayin' just always makes me hungry and horny. I've always wanted to know if it was the same for males." Alec coughed loudly.

"Hungry and horny, huh?" Faith nodded, grinning coyly.

"You better be telling the truth Faith. You don't want to destroy little Alec's fantasy come true. Trust me," Jondy commented. Faith laughed.

"Maybe that's the old me talking but...you grant me mine, maybe I'll grant you yours," she whispered in Alec's ear. Jondy and Krit heard it anyways and rolled their eyes.

"They're freaking perfect for each other, aren't they?" Max said as she entered the room.

"Something the matter sis?" Krit asked as Max stretched out on the couch. She smiled sadly and shook her head.

"Nothing worth talking about," she mumbled as she stared up at the ceiling. Her view was disrupted when both Alec and Faith's heads appeared.

"Has Maxie been hit by something other than the love bug?" Alec joked.

"Perhaps the fist of a hate influencing preacher?" Faith added. Max rolled her eyes.

"I think we all know the answer to that one," she replied. "Now stop leaning so close over me."

"Can't help it," Faith said, grinning.

"Yeah, we love you Maxie. Can't stand it when you're in pain," Alec added with a pout as he picked Max up.

"Whoa, whoa, what are you doing?" Max questioned as he put one arm under her knees and the other behind her back. She shrieked in laughter as he spun around, still holding her.

Buffy grinned at the sight as she came down the steps.

"Sorry to interrupt but are you guys ready to talk strategy?" she asked. The others looked over at her, still grinning.

"Yup," Max replied as Alec put her down.

"I think that cheered her up, don't ya think?" Faith said to Jondy, Krit, and Alec. They nodded. Max glanced at them.

"For a little while," she replied before turning back to Buffy. "So what's the plan?"

"Pretty basic, I guess," she began. "You and Alec distract Caleb while Faith and I help in any way we can as well as try to find that thing he's hiding. Jondy and Krit can do look out."

"Perfect," the others chorused.

"One problem though," Jondy said. "What if he's not the one fighting us? What if he sends out his Bringer buddies?" Buffy bit her lip, thinking.

"Guess we're just hoping against it," she answered.

"Good enough for me," Krit commented. The others nodded their agreement.

"So when we heading out?" Alec asked. Buffy shrugged.

"Whenever we feel like it, as long as it's before nightfall. It's not a battle, just basic break in, mangle, and steal," she said.

"I'm starved. Can we have something to eat first?" Jondy questioned. Buffy winced.

"I really would like to get this over with..." she pointed out.

"How 'bout in an hour, we leave?" Max suggested. Buffy sighed.

"Alright...just eat quick," she ordered.

"Will do..." Jondy and Krit chorused as they rushed off to the kitchen.

"I'm gonna go check up on the others..." Buffy said before leaving. Alec, Faith, and Max all faced each other silently.

"Are you guys hungry?" Faith asked. The transgenics shrugged.

"Not really..." Max answered.

"Well, I'm gonna hang out in the basement, ya know...catch up on my work out. I'm naturally fit but I like to forget that. Takes the fun out of the muscles achin' and the body sweatin'..." she trailed off as she headed towards the basement, enjoying Alec's eyes watching her every move. She smirked. "Catch ya in an hour."

Max sighed and sat back down on the couch. "Whattya wanna do?" she asked. Alec's eyes were still fixed on the spot Faith had just vacated.

"Huh?" he said absentmindedly, still not facing her. She rolled her eyes.

"Yo Alec!" she yelled. Alec jumped and faced her.

"What? What?" he asked, startled. Max just laughed.

"You really like her don't you?" she questioned. Alec averted his gaze.

"No..." he mumbled.

"Since when is the great Alec McDowell afraid of admitting he's got the hots for a girl?" Max teased. Alec rolled his eyes.

"Since the girl in question is a slayer and could possibly kick my ass if I ever gave her the chance," he replied. Max smirked.

"I doubt a 'slayer' could kill us, Alec," she said. Alec gave her a questioning look. "Trained soldiers since birth, remember? Don't tell me you've forgotten all that?" Alec's expression turned dark.

"Believe me, I've tried," he muttered. Max sighed and patted the spot next to her on the couch. Alec sat down and they leaned their heads together, sighing. "Think we'll ever be able to forget?" Max bit her lip.

"I don't think we're meant to..." she replied. Alec groaned.

"Guess not..." he mumbled. A few minutes of comfortable silence passed between them before Max broke the silence.

"So you like Faith, right?" Alec glanced at her as he stretched himself out on the couch, putting his legs in Max's lap. She didn't even bother to move them, curious to know what his answer would be.

"Yeah..." Alec sighed, looking up at the ceiling.

"So why don't you make a move?" Max asked. Alec scoffed.

"Considering how your kiss with Spike went, I don't think now's the best time to be makin' with the smoochies." As soon as it left his mouth, Alec wished he could take it back after seeing Max's hurt expression. "Oh Maxie...I'm sorry...I didn't mean..." Max smirked humorlessly.

"Please, it's not your fault. Or Spike's for that matter. He's just been in love with Buffy for like ever and I guess he's not ready to move on," she replied as she leaned her head back. "No matter how much I want him to..." Alec watched her with concern.

"He will," he said. "Get over Buffy, I mean." Max rolled her eyes. "I'm serious. Why would he want a blonde with issues when he could have a perfectly hot, strong, sexy, independent, smart, did I mention sexy? Woman?" Max laughed.

"I thought you preferred blondes," she replied. Alec smiled.

"That was before. This is now," he retorted. "A man would have to be blind not to find you attractive."

"Are you saying that you find me attractive?"

"I got one question for ya...am I blind?" Max shook her head, still smiling. "Then there ya go."

"You're not so bad looking yourself."

"Stating the obvious Maxie," Alec joked. Max laughed.

"You find Faith attractive, right?" she asked. Alec hesitated before nodding. "Then what are you waiting for? For her to make the first move?" Alec sighed heavily. "Don't be such a baby. Go talk to her."

"Can't right now. She's busy gettin' all sweaty in the basement with your future boyfriend," he joked. Max's eyes widened. Alec laughed. "Don't worry Maxie, I told you already, Spike's got his eyes set on you." Max exhaled slowly, calming down. "And Buffy apparently." Max swatted his leg. "Ow..."

Faith walked quietly down the steps to the basement.

"Don't need to bother, I'm already awake," Spike called from his cot. Faith looked over at him. He was still wearing the same clothes he had come home in and was laying down with his hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. Faith smirked.

"So I see..." she muttered. Spike glanced over at her.

"You want something? Or just come to stare at the friendly neighborhood vampire?" he asked. Faith rolled her eyes and sauntered over to him. She pushed his legs aside so she could sit by him on the cot. He sat up and eyed her warily. "Or are you lookin' for a heart to heart? 'Cause I'll tell ya right now...that conversation ain't gonna last long...with me not technically having a beating heart." Faith rolled her eyes again and faced him.

"Do you like Max?" she asked bluntly. Spike cocked an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Faith sighed. "Do. You. Like. Max?"

"Why. Should. I. Tell. You?" Spike countered in the same tone. Faith scoffed.

"Because Ihaven't knownher for very long and yet I don't like it when she's obviously in a lot of pain," Faith replied. Spike's expression turned to one of concern.

"She's in pain?" he asked softly, looking down at his hands.

"Well of course she is, dumbass. You kissed her and then said you loved somebody else! It's really not something a girl likes to hear," Faith answered. Spike's eyes shot up to meet hers.

"I didn't actually mean for it come out like that...bloody hell...the kiss just took me by surprise, a'right? I just wasn't thinkin' clearly..." he tried to explain. Faith's expression hardened.

"Are you saying it was a mistake?"

"No! Of course not...it was...bugger..." he sighed heavily. "It was a bloody perfect kiss."

"Then what's the problem?"

"Buffy. That's the problem. I've loved her for so long...how can I suddenly just meet another woman and have everything change?"

"You didn't just 'meet' her. You kissed her, Spike," Faith reminded him. Spike leaned his head against the wall behind him.

"I know..."

"You've got to talk to her," Faith said softly. Spike growled in frustration.

"I tried! But she's just as bloody headstrong as Buffy is! And I can't push her...the last time I tried that strategy..." he groaned. "I can't do that. I won't. Max said when she's ready to talk..."

Faith gave him a look. "Did she give you any hints as to when that'll be?" Spike smirked humorlessly.

"When she thinks I've gotten over Buffy," he said. Faith nodded slowly.

"Are you?"

"That's the million dollar question innit?" Faith just continued to look at him.

"Are you over Buffy?" she repeated. Spike glanced at her and then at the floor.

"Yes..." his voice was barely above a whisper. "I think I am..."

Buffy stepped out onto the porch, watching the potentials train. Willow, Xander, and Giles were waiting for her.

"Everything okay?" she asked. Giles didn't look at her, but nodded. Buffy sighed. "You guys still think I should have left, don't you?"

"No! No, no, of course not!" Willow immediately assured. Buffy smiled slightly.

"It's okay Will. I don't mind."

"No, it's true Buff. You have no idea how sorry we are," Xander added. Buffy rolled her eyes.

"I think I have some idea," she replied, giving him a pointed look. He smiled sheepishly. Buffy turned to Giles. "I take it you're still Mr. Cranky-British-Man, aren't you?" Giles finally looked at her.

"Buffy...you know I have great respect for you. But..."

"You're worried I might be leading myself, Faith, and the transgenics into a trap," Buffy guessed. Giles sighed.

"Precisely. And I have reasons for my doubts," he said. Buffy nodded and glanced away. Giles sighed again. "But I promise to stand by any decisions that you make." Buffy smiled gratefully at him.

"Ya mean it?" Giles returned her smile.

"I mean it. I told you I'd do anything to win back your trust. If agreeing with your reckless yet...believable...plans, then so be it," he replied.

"Thanks."

"You're very welcome." Willow and Xander exchanged happy looks.

"So you need any more back up at the vineyard?" Xander asked, but Buffy could tell he didn't actually want to go. She patted his shoulder.

"It's okay Xan, you don't have to come. I got all the back up I need," she assured. Xander let out a sigh of relief.

"Wimp," Willow teased. Xander stared at her in mock-pain.

"I'm not a wimp," he protested. "Excuse me for not wanting crazy preacher man to brutally gouge out my eyeballs." Willow looked away, obviously not wanting to think about it. Buffy sighed.

"It okay, guys. Hopefully once we get what's in that vineyard...it'll be Caleb's eyes that are gouged out," she paused as they all pictured that image. "Anyone else for just a quick beheading?" The others mumbled their agreement.

Jondy and Krit sat at the counter, eating ice cream out of the bucket.

"Are you worried about what we're gonna do?" Krit asked. Jondy shook her as she licked the ice cream off her spoon.

"Not even. I didn't get the chance to fight this Caleb guy. I'm looking forward to kickin' his ass," she replied as she took another scoop. Krit gave her a questioning look.

"Uh Jon? We're doing lookout, not fighting," he reminded her. Jondy just shrugged.

"Well, from what I heard, Alec and Max might need a little of our help if history repeats itself," she said.

"True. But I'll bet they can handle it," he replied beforetaking another bite of ice cream. Jondy mock-pouted.

"Ruin my fun why don't you," she joked. Krit smiled.

A speck of ice cream was on the corner of Jondy's mouth. Krit reached out and lightly brushed it away. He lifted his gaze to meet Jondy's eyes. She was watching him intently. He brought his lips down to meet hers. The kiss was sweet and soft. When they finally broke away, Buffy walked into the kitchen.

"Sorry to interrupt guys, but are you ready to go?" she asked, not knowing they had just kissed. They were still staring into each other's eyes.

"Yeah," they chorused softly. Buffy gave them a weird look.

"Okay, the others are waiting outside. Let's go catch ourselves some hidden teasure," she joked before walking out. Krit gave Jondy a quick peck on the cheek before following her. Jondy smiled happily and headed after him.

A/N-Sorry it took longer than usual for me to update. I got the stupid flu and then something went wrong with my computer and I couldn't go to fanfic...But now I'm back to writing. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Review please ;o)

Angel Of Darkness231-Thanks for the offer ;o) I'll keep it in mind and I'd love to know your opinion on upcoming chapters or stories. I think I pretty much have this one figured out but I've been racking my brain for an idea for my sequel to Reliving Manticore. Do you have any ideas? To answer your question, I was born in America but I am part Spanish.

Alexandra Bruderlin-I hope I didn't make you cry too much ;o) If you want some S/K action, my other story has that pairing.

Sky Angel-Sorry for the slower-than-usual update, but it'll be quicker now that I'm over the flu.

Katherine-I'm glad you agreed with Buffy not getting kicked out. I do like her, I just like other characters from the show more than her.

cora-I hated that episode too. Thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to read her work ;o)

LadyV77-Sometimes ranting is justified...hehe. I didn't like it when she got kicked out so I had to change it. I decided to write a little bit of when Spike and Andrew are in the church. I liked the interaction between them in that episode ;o)

nights-ether-I decided to only put the 'tapestry' part of the episode in because not much else would have changed if I added in the trip and when Spike finds that little sign about 'it is for her alone to wield'. I hope it was still enough ;o)

Lozz422-I'm glad you like that pairing too ;o) I'm still not sure who Buffy will end up with. I'm kind of leaning toward Angel...

Tap Dancing Widow-I agree. Her relationships with Oz and Tara were so cute. Sometimes I wonder, though, what it would be like if she was with Xander or Spike or Wesley, etc.

Doza-I'm glad you're enjoying the story ;o) But sorry, that pairing's gonna stick. I'll try to bring in more transgenics.