Spike groaned and tried to force himself to sit up. His head felt as if he had been pummeled with a sledge hammer. The room began to spin and he closed his eyes to shut it out. Exhausted and aching from top to bottom, Spike gave up trying to sit and just lied on his back wondering whether he should just give up and sleep for a bit. A sharp pain in his chest changed his thoughts immediately. Opening his eyes again he strained to look at his body. For the first time he saw a sharp piece of wood protruding from his chest mere centimeters from his heart.

Bloody hell, he growled in a raspy voice as he tried to move an arm to remove the wood. His arm, however, did not want to cooperate and he instead continued to inspect the damage done to his person. A very large wooden beam sat across his midsection blocking off sight to his lower extremities.

Are you okay? Give me a sec and I'll have this thing off you. Angel was suddenly at Spike's side, his own body looking very beat up with dried blood dotting his clothes and face. After checking over the damage, Angel gripped the beam.

Come again? Spike asked bewildered. First you want to kill me and now you want to help me? Confusion wracked his brain, Make up your bloody mind.

With a grunt Angel hefted the giant sized beam and threw it away from its victim. Spike winced as the weight left his body and more pain flooded in.

Explain to me why you did that again? Spike gritted his teeth.

In response Angel knelt beside the downed vampire, looked at the wooden stake in his chest, and with a tight grip ripped it out of it's hold.

Spike hollered in fury as the pain overwhelmed him for a moment before slowly subsiding.

Angel apologized, It would have hurt more if you expected it.

Spike eyed his dark enemy with unbelief. What in bleedin' hell is going on? First you attack me, then you decide to stick around and watch me heal? Spike paused for a sec and got a grim look on his face, This isn't some new form of torture is it? Because I can handle the beating as well as any vampire but the cute Angel coddling will lead this bloke to permanent ruin. Unless that's what you want, in which case you are a very disturbed man with a very good taste for torture. Spike glanced at the surprisingly calm face of his enemy and his eyebrows shot up. You've turned back into Angelis haven't you?Yes and no. Another voice replied.

Spike slowly turned his head and sat up staring behind him.

I have turned into Angelis, but that lap dog beside you is hardly him.

Spike glanced at Angel kneeling beside him with great confusion then at Angel standing a few feet away near the opening where an entire wall had collapsed. There were two of them!

That filthy ingrate fouling himself by helping you would be your Angel. The standing Angel glowered and grinned.

Right then. I take it you are the great Angelis, Spike was still confused.

Angelis drawled in exaggeration.

Spike began to slowly make his way to his feet, being very careful not to wince and show his weakness. Angel reached out to help but Spike shrugged him off, all the while keeping eye contact with Angelis. So what of it then? You're Angelis and he's the pouf. What's that supposed to mean to me exactly? Spike cautiously felt his way around the conversation. The last thing he wanted to do was set Angelis off in a rage. He was not feeling so hot for another fight at the moment, his broken bones constantly grinding against each other reminding him of his recent bout with his grand sire.

An ominous grin cut the evil vampire's face in half. I have a very important job for you. I'm going to let you tell the slayer that I've come for her.Uh, yeah, that. Look, you incorrigible git Spike's hands flew up in surrender as the smile faded from Angelis' lips and a growl replaced it. Whoa there, Peaches

Angel interrupted by tapping Spike on the shoulder, No, I'm Peaches. He's Fang Breath.I don't care! Spike took a deep breath as a sharp pain molested his insides. The point is, you twit, the slayer's dead! Gone! Playing her little harp on her little cloud!Right. And I suppose you drained her dry, Angelis mocked in a sarcastic tone.

Aa a matter of fact, I did. Spike quipped and attempted to stand straight again. His head was beginning to pound.

Both Angel and Angelis howled in laughter leaving Spike with a disgusted look on his face.

YouYou drank the slayer! Angelis pointed and laughed heartily.

Spike rolled his eyes and shook his head. Right, then, you two get your giddies out while I go find a cross to lie on. Throwing his hands in the air with frustration, Spike limped towards where the door had been and slowly made his way out to where the road had been. The laughter faded behind him. Bloody imbeciles, he growled under his breath as wave after wave of pain exploded over his body making him catch his breath. He quickly decided against breathing at all since there was no use. A shuffle behind him made him sigh loudly and turn around. What on the hellmouth do you want?I want to come with you. The brooding darkness had returned to Angel's face and there was no sign of the laughter from before.

You what? Spike was aghast.

I want to come with you, to protect Buffy. Angelis won't rest until he finds her. Angel was quiet and Spike swore there was a touch of emotion in his voice.

I told you she's dead, Spike said with a sigh and continued walking with exhaustion.

She can't be dead. She's the slayer. SheShe's Buffy! Angel retorted in disbelief.

Spike stopped and turned around. Taking a painful step closer to the brooding vampire he stared into Angel's eyes harshly, There are two of you! Somehow your evil twin has separated from your body and there are now two of you bloody gits to torment me! In case you haven't noticed, that slightly impossible event has happened! Whether you want to believe me or not is your choice, but I assure you she's quite dead! Now if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting with some vengeful people and some rather large pointy objects! Go! Away! With that, Spike turned on his heel in a growl of pain and started towards Buffy's house and her obviously pissed of friends. He was certainly not in the mood for a fight which would make their chore so much easier. He killed their friend and he was going to die if was the last thing he did!

Spike raised a weary hand and pounded on the door. It wasn't too long before the door opened a crack and a very miserable looking Willow peeked out. It was a moment before it registered in her brain who had come calling, but before she could slam the door shut Spike had jammed his foot in the way.

Trust me, you do not want to be here! Willow's voice was ice.

Spike nodded I know, and you have every right to hate me. But we have bigger fish to fry. Angelis is loose-We trusted you! You came into our house and killed her! Have you no shame? Willow's voice cracked.

Spike looked at her dumbfounded, Uh, vampire remember? We do what we wanttake what we wantwhen we wantoh bugger this! Look! Angelis is free! If you wanna stake me I won't stand in your way! But first we have another vampire to hunt and stake before all hell breaks looseliterally! Spike huffed.

Willow now looked as if Spike had slapped her in the face. Suddenly her eyes flashed over Spike's shoulders. Then what is he doing here?

Spike glanced over his shoulder at Angel. Yeah, that's a complicated story. He's Angel so you have nothing to fear, pet. After a cold look from Willow Spike nodded, Right. I get it. I told you I'm all for the staking after we kill the Irish whelp. Spike followed Willow's stare back to Angel who was now smelling what was left of flowers in the driveway. Spike rolled his eyes, Not that Irish whelp the other Irish whelphis bloody evil twin! Under his breath Spike muttered, This whole pathetic situation is going to be the death of me. Suddenly realizing what he said, Spike rubbed his temples. Look, can I come in? At least give a bloke a moment to heal before you take him on?

Willow gasped in shock, What is with you? You are absolutely insane! You killed my best friend and you want me to let you in toto heal!

Spike nodded,

Suddenly, Willow was pulled back and the door closed. Before Spike raised his fit to knock again, the door opened and Willow peeked back out. You both can come in, but only for a minute. Her voice was still cold as ice.

The door swung wide and Spike reluctantly stepped in. Angel shuffled in behind him and the door clicked shut. Before you say anything, Red, Spike turned to face the young witch, I just want to say Before he could finish, a hand swung out and slapped him hard across his face causing his teeth to rattle. Bloody hell! He hollered then blinked.