The vampire charged Buffy. With one smooth motion, Buffy used the vampire's own momentum to throw him over her shoulder and into a gravestone. The vampire growled and sprung to his feet, charging again. This time Buffy rolled her eyes and stepped to the side, holding her stake out in front of him. The vampire exploded in a cloud of dust.

Is it just me, or are vampires becoming more stupid? a voice asked.

Buffy rolled her eyes and turned around. Spike, don't you have anything else to do tonight?

Buffy felt stupid herself. She had completely forgotten about the one vampire she couldn't dust out of her life. She had been so busy thinking about Angel that she forgot about Spike. Suddenly she hoped Spike hadn't seen Angel. She had been patrolling for almost an hour now and she hadn't seen him.

Spike looked at the slayer with blunt confusion. What do you mean do I have anything else to do'? Of course I don''t! Do you think I'd be doing a little one on one with the slayer if I did? Spike sounded a little agitated.

Buffy just sighed. Spike, I don't have time for this right now.

Don't have time for what? Spike looked at the slayer who just glared at him. Oh, I get it! You've had my love and now you found a cure so you're going to bugger off. Fine then! Be gone! I'll get my satisfaction elsewhere!

Buffy frowned. That's not what she had meant. She didn't want a confrontation between Spike and Angel. Before Buffy could explain, Spike was gone.

What's with men always leaving me? Buffy surprised herself by saying this out loud. The slayer was even more surprised when another voice spoke aloud, a voice she didn't recognize.

If they leave you, baby, they have bad taste. You're one hot looking chick!

Buffy readied her stake and slowly turned to face a good looking young man in a denim jacket. He was barely taller than Buffy and somewhat muscular. If he was a vampire, he would be really easy to take.

Excuse me? Do I know you? Annoyed didn't even begin to explain Buffy's attitude at the moment. If there was one thing she hated worse than vampires and demons, it was shallow men.

No, I don't think so. The guy grinned slyly and his eyes flashed with a nasty look. What's your name, honey?

In a weird way, Buffy suddenly missed Spike. She knew the vampire would not have let the man get away with those words. Then Buffy remembered the chip and frowned.

Don't call me that! she snapped.

Aww, come on, baby. I don't mean anything by it. The man took a slow step toward Buffy and grinned.

Buffy was beginning to get angry, but she didn't let her anger show. She didn't want to let this creep know he was getting to her.

Look, I don't know who you are, but I wouldn't mess with me if I were you. Buffy smiled with pleasure before the man could respond. Allow me to demonstrate.

Without a warning, Buffy got into her fighting stance and threw a kick towards the guy's head.

What the-? Quickly the guy ducked as Buffy kicked then lunged straight at him with her stake raised. A growling sound forced the guy to turn around just in time to see a pile of dust floating away.

The guy stared at the dust for a second before slowly picking himself up and brushing himself off. Much to Buffy's surprise, the guy was grinning widely. That was so cool! You know, I never expected a hottie like you to know Kung Fu.

Buffy rolled her eyes. Okay, I'm going to save us both a lot of time here. That huge cloud of dust? Vampire. Me? Vampire Slayer. I have more strength than you know and a temper you don't want to. You call me baby, or hottie, or chick one more time, and I'm going to kick your ass.

The annoying guy held his hands in the air in mock surrender and chuckled. Slowly he moved his right hand to a pocket inside his jacket.

It's a good thing I came prepared then huh, baby?

I thought I told you not to... Buffy's words trailed off as she saw what the guy pulled out of his jacket.

The name's Chris, he grinned. I've been watching you, Buffy Summers, for quite some time now and I just gotta have you. I didn't want to do it this way but I know you wouldn't have it any other way. You see, I already know what you are and what you can do. I also know you are still human which means you aren't immune to bullets.

Buffy stared at the gun with fear and disbelief. She was stunned! How could this be happening to her? This guy, Chris, was right. Buffy was human and very vulnerable to bullets. A gunshot wound would kill her as easily as anyone else. There was nothing she could do, slayer or not. If she charged him, the gun would go off one way or another and she couldn't risk it. She was at his mercy.

Just so you know, it really is loaded. So please don't try anything. I don't want to kill you. Of course, if you make a run for it I will shoot you. The way I see it, if I can't have you, nobody can have you.

Buffy looked at Chris with disgust and wonder. You are a very sick man.

Maybe. But so long as I have you, I don't care. Let's go. Chris motioned with the gun for Buffy to walk ahead of him towards the cemetery exit.

Not wanting to make Chris mad while she thought up a plan, Buffy did as she was told.

***

Angel walked quickly through the cemetery looking for Buffy. He couldn't wait to talk to her. Her death had forced him into serious thinking and he realized that he couldn't live without her anymore. He loved her---he needed her!

Voices caught Angel's attention and he recognized one as Buffy. She didn't sound very happy and Angel didn't recognize the other voice. Angel didn't worry. The other guy could be a vampire and Buffy sometimes talked to a vamp briefly before dusting them. It was something Angel liked about her, she was so casual about her job regardless of how dangerous it was.

Finally, Angel saw Buffy in a clearing surrounded by some trees and started towards her before stopping and quickly stepping back into the shadows.

A young man in a denim jacket held a gun aimed at Buffy who started walking ahead of him.

Angel tried not to panic. He had to help Buffy but he had to do it without setting the gun off. Slayer or not, she was still human and a stray bullet could kill her.

Suddenly Angel had an idea. Keeping to the trees and their shadows, Angel followed Buffy and the man and waited for the right moment.

***

Spike slammed the door to his crypt and threw his duster at the wall before picking up his half emptied bottle and drinking thirstily.

What does she think I am? She thinks she can waltz in here for a quick shag anytime she's in the mood, but can leave me in the dirt when she finds something else to do? Well she can bloody well sod off then! I don't need her! I can find someone else!

Spike took another swig from his bottle then stared at it as if seeing something other than a label.

Why do I feel like I shouldn't have left her alone like that then? Spike all but whispered.

Spike concentrated on the bottle for another second then quickly grabbed his duster from the floor and left.