Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I just get to make them dance for awhile

Distribution: go ahead, but ask first

Spoilers: none

A/N: Hello! Here's another chappy for all the faithful readers out there. I know I left it with Angel attacking Spike so here you go. Hope not too many people were on the edge of there seats. Oh and did everyone see Wednesday nights Angel? I won't spoil it for everyone, but I liked it. Spike's back! Yay!

Chapter 13:

Spike began to wonder if maybe he was destined to have permanent brain damage as he flew back and hit his head on the floor. How times do you have to hit your head before you start forgetting things? He wondered.

Angel seemed pissed and it was probably because he didn't know that Spike was pulling for the bad guys. Angel was just shaking him at this point, but Spike knew that punches weren't to far away. It was a brilliant time to start having one of the chip induced headaches.

"If you laid a hand on them I swear you'll be even deader then you are now." Angel said as he shook Spike again.

Why was he doing that? Shouldn't he be throwing me out only so I can come back in with the key that Buffy leaves around the flowerpot for Dawn? Angel thought. His crew had stayed out of the way and backed up on the porch.

"If you ever come near Buffy or Dawn again I will kill you. What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn't you be out killing some innocent people?" Angel asked not letting go of Spike's shirt. Spike couldn't answer because of the searing pain in his head.

"Aren't you going to answer me?" Angel asked in a low scary voice.

"Hey people are trying to relax over here. It would be nice if. hey who the fuck are you and why are you on top of Spike?" Maddy asked. She could hear the pounding in the basement and came upstairs to see what it was about.

"I could ask the same question about you." Angel said.

"Yeah well I'm a guest in this house. I don't think Buffy or anyone for that matter would approve of you beating up Spike. He's been through a lot." Maddy said.

"What are you talking about? Buffy would be happy that I helped her get rid of this piece of scum." Angel said pointing to Spike. He hadn't noticed that Spike didn't seem to be moving. Angel really hadn't hit him that hard.

"Actually she's quite right on the pissed off part." Buffy said. She was standing on the bottom stair slightly glaring at Angel. He had brought the whole cavalry that was for sure.

"Buffy what are you talking about?" Angel was very confused at this point.

"It's all right. I'll explain everything in a minute. Everyone can come in you know."

"I think they were a little scared and didn't want to get involved with the pounding that was going on." Maddy said.

"How bad is this one?" Buffy said trying to hide her worry for a little bit longer. Maddy could sense it coming of her in waves and knew why she was hiding it. She didn't want the other vampire to find out before she had a chance to explain.

"They're getting pretty bad. Not sure I can wake him up from this one. Those damn initiative guys need to get here fast. Won't be much longer before this chip problem gets too huge we can't handle it." Maddy said as she examined Spike.

"Okay well put him in bed and do the best you can. He needs to get his energy. Did he have any blood today?"

"A packet or two. He's getting a little hostile about the being babied."

"If you wake him up shove the blood down his throat if you have to. He needs his strength."

"Right Oi ma'am!" Maddy said as she picked up Spike and carried him upstairs.

Everyone who stood in the doorway was a little stunned. Well in all honesty they were completely stunned, especially Cordy, Angel and Wes.

"Okay so come in and I'll explain all the weirdness that has been going on in Sunnydale." Buffy watched as the group of people filed inside. Some she knew and some she didn't. There was even a big green demon dressed in a tacky suit. Finally Wes came in and Buffy saw her.

"Faith I didn't know that you'd be making a guest appearance." Buffy said.

"What can I say, B. They need my help so they broke me out of prison."

"Well isn't that nice. Angel failed to mention that on the phone." Buffy said turning to look at Angel. He was sitting in one of the chairs.

"Well there were a few things you managed to forget on the phone as well. Like this whole Spike thing." Angel said with his arms crossed over his chest. After a moment of calmness Angel smelled Spike all over Buffy. Sure he knew they hadn't slept together, but his smell was all over her and that doesn't just happen by accident.

"The Spike situation is very simple. The army put a chip in his head. He became a good guy then went and got his soul." Buffy said.

"Well everyone just has a soul now." Angel said in a voice that sounded like a pouting child.

"He's a good guy and he's going through a lot right now. His chip is malfunctioning causing him to feel a searing pain in his head. It's been happening more often now and we have generally avoided touching his head. Slightest touch sets it off." Buffy said.

"Well thank you for that lovely story, but mind telling us why we're here." Said a boy that Buffy didn't know. He looked Maddy's age.

"Fairly simple as well. Willow went off the deep end with magic and is causing some very bad things to happen. We need the champions and according to the coven Angel is one of them."

"That would be right, Buff." Cordy said.

"So what do you want us to do? This sounds like it has a lot to do with magic. Not exactly our area of expertise." A black guy said. Buffy didn't know him either.

"Willow has joined forces with some very powerful demons. I think that she sent the one that came after you. Big rock looking demon." Buffy said.

"That'd be our guy." Angel said.

"I think it would be best to join forces on this one. We could use the muscle on this fight. There's going to be a combination of magic and demons and I have the magic front covered. We need some more strength which is where you guys come in. Research is barely getting done because we don't have the best lookers. Wes should be good with that." Buffy said.

"He can help out Giles and the others. Tonight shouldn't be about that though. Just get settled in and we'll go to the Magic Box tomorrow and do the whole 'how you been what's what thing.' I don't have much room. A spare bed and the living room are about all I can offer. You can try and see if you can bunk with Maddy, but I doubt she'd want you to." Buffy said.

"Well that should be easy. Cordy, Fred, and Faith can take the room. Us guys will sleep out here." Angel said.

"Fine I'll get you some blankets."

"Already accomplished. Figured you'd need them so I grabbed them when I was looking for towels." Maddy said as she jumped down over the banister.

"How."

"He's good. Up at least. Cracked a joke so I think he'll be fine. Had a nasty cut on his head though. Healed it right up."

"Good."

"So this the cavalry?"

"Yeah."

"Seem strong enough. Demon hunter, vampire, smart, Watcher, part-demon, slayer, and I don't know what's going on with the kid, but he's strong. And you're an anagogic demon aren't you. From let me guess. Pylea. Am I right?" Maddy asked Lorne.

"You know about Pylea?" Lorne asked.

"Yeah been there once. Couldn't stomach it that much though. Came in touch with a lot of clans there."

"Oh how interesting."

"Do you do magic?"

"I dabble."

"Interesting. Well I better get some sleep. See all of you at the Magic Box tomorrow." Maddy said as she made her way back to the basement.

"Make yourselves comfortable. Cordy, Fred, Faith follow me." Buffy walked up the stairs with the three girls following behind her.

"So Buffy there is just so much that we have to catch up on." Cordy said. She was glad to see Buffy again even though she pretended that she didn't care about her when they first meet. Those days were behind her. She was the new and improved Cordy now.

"Yeah I know, Cordy. Tonight is about sleep though. You guys must be tired."

"Yeah we are. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. She was such a cool, nice lady." Cordy said. She never got to tell Buffy that to her face. She remembered Angel going to Sunnydale to comfort Buffy about it.

"Yeah thanks. You'll be sleeping in her room. It used to be Willow's.well now it's not." Buffy said as she opened the door to the room that they would sleep in.

"Well good night. I have tomorrow off and we'll be heading to the Magic Box. Giles and Anya own the shop."

"Okay we really need to catch up." Cordy said.

"Sure, but right now I'm really tired and all that. Life of a working adult." Buffy said.

"Okay well we better let you get back to your business, B." Faith said. There was something in her tone that made it sound like going to bed was wrong.

"Yeah okay, Faith, um I'll be going now." Buffy said as she turned around and walked to her room. She walked in without looking back at the girls that were sleeping in her mother's old room. She looked over to her bed to see Spike sleeping. He always looked so innocent when he slept. Buffy felt like she was on autopilot as she walked over to their bed. He was rolled on his side of the bed.

It was funny how they had only been sleeping in the same bed for a week and they already had sides. He slept on the left and she slept on the right. She knew that he needed his sleep, but she so desperately wanted to shake him awake. She got dressed in pajamas and got ready for bed. After debating with herself on what she should do she decided to wake him up.

"Hey Spike can you wake up please?" Buffy whispered in his ear. He groaned and moved a little.

"Come on please wake up we need to talk."

"Wha' luv?" Spike asked sleepily.

"Are you okay baby?" Buffy said with her voice filled with concern that she had been keeping in

. "Yeah, Peaches was jus' shakin' me. Hit my head on the floor an' thas' what started the headache."

"Oh he shouldn't have done that. What was he thinking?"

"That I was a big bad vampire out ta kill you." Spike said propping himself up on his elbows.

"Well you aren't. Anyway I didn't straight out tell him that we're. you know, but he'll figure it out soon."

"If he already wasn't."

"What do you mean?"

"Vampires have a big sense of smell."

"And?"

"Buffy we've been sleeping in the same bed for quite some time now. My scent is all over you."

"And here I thought that I smelled like the Doublemeat Palace."

"So Peaches knowing that there's somethin' between us doesn't bother you?"

"Hello Spike remember that conversation we had this morning. I don't care what he thinks. That point in my live is over."

"Okay comin' in loud an' clear. So why did you wake me up from my joyous slumber?"

"Just had to make sure you were okay and I need to hear your voice."

"Well I'm okay, luv."

"Good because I don't want to have to beat up Angel.

"You would be up Angel for me?" Spike said with an incredulous tone in his voice.

Buffy looked at him. "Of course I would. No one beats up my boyfriend and gets away with it."

"'M your boyfriend?" Spike said with a shocked look on his face.

"Didn't your mother tell you if you keep making faces it will stay like that?" Buffy said outlining his brow with her fingers.

"Sorry luv, 's jus' a lot of information to take in five seconds." Spike said.

"It's okay. But you are you know that right."

"Are what?"

"My boyfriend silly vampire." Buffy said.

"Know that now. Come on pet why don't we go to sleep. I can get my smell all over you."

"That a good thing or a bad thing?"

"A good thing. Proves that you're mine."

"I'm yours huh?"

"Yeah right?"

"Yeah I guess I am." Buffy said as she lay down next to him. Spike pulled her close to him and her head rested on his chest. Her legs and arms wrapped around him while he held her with his right arm.

"Mmm nice Spike-smell." Buffy said as they drifted to sleep.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Why can't I go?" Spike complained. He had been arguing with Buffy about going to the Magic Box for at least ten minutes now.

"Because I don't think that there's room in the cars we are taking and you're still a little."

"You say weak and I swear I'll."

"What, Spiky, there's nothing you can do to me."

"I seem ta remember being able ta hit you."

"Now baby I know that you wouldn't hit me." Buffy said rolling her eyes at him.

"Oh really."

"Yes you big kitty cat. You love me too much."

"Full of your self much, Slayer."

"Oh come on, Spike both of us know that you wouldn't." Spike groaned in frustration and sat on the bed. He ran his fingers through his hair. God did he look so good when his hair was all up and spiky. She wished she could be his hands.

No Buffy! You are trying to calm him down and tell him why he can't go to the Magic Box. No sex thoughts. She mentally chastised herself.

Buffy walked over to him, grabbed his hand and sat on his lap.

"I just want you to be safe." Buffy said. Spike tried desperately not to put his arms around her, but he failed. In the end one arm was wrapped around her back and the other came to rest in her lap.

"If 'm gonna be in this fight I need to know the plans." Spike said.

"I know but don't you think that I could just tell you the plans? That way you don't go out and I don't have to worry about you."

"You're worryin' 'bout me too much. Let me live a little. I 'aven't killed anythin' in over four months. Gettin' cabin fever over 'ere, Summers."

"It's just if you go out then you run the risk of getting hurt. I can't be there to save you all the time. I just want to know that you're safe."

"Buffy I can take care 'f myself. I don't need my bodyguard around all the time. Demons an' such will think 'm gettin' soft. Already datin' the slayer. I need to hang on ta some of the Big Bad image. You know for my sake."

"It's just I don't want you hurt. Can't you just become one of those whipped boyfriends?"

"Buffy I think that I already am."

"Well then listen to me on this one." Buffy said. Now she was getting frustrated.

"Luv, I know this may upset you, but I should go. I need ta feel useful. Can you understand that?" Buffy thought for a second. She knew that people needed to feel useful and she understood were Spike was coming from. She just hated the idea of him getting hurt from anything.

"Yeah I guess. Can you understand that I don't want you to get hurt?"

"Yes, pet. 'S the same way I feel 'bout you. So where does that leave us on the whole 'me going ta the Magic Box'?"

"I guess, but like I said how are you going to get there. Not any room in Angel's car or your Desoto. Besides the sun is out." Buffy said. She was hoping that he would see the logic and be defeated.

"'S called the sewers, kitten."

"You are so not going down there alone."

"So I won't. Send someone with me."

"I'll go with you."

"Who's gonna guide the new guys ta the shop?" Buffy thought about it for a second and then her lips formed into a pout realizing he was right.

"All right then Maddy's going with you."

"Okay. Actually like 'er."

"Okay then that solves it. I'll tell her that she's doing. Get dressed."

"Kay."

Buffy stepped out of the room and Spike looked for some clothes. He decided to put on some black jeans, a black muscle shirt and a red dress shirt to go on top of it. He put on his combat boots and duster and was ready for Buffy and Maddy to come up to the room.

Buffy walked down stairs and searched for Maddy. There were just too many people in the house. Dawn had already gone to school. Of course she pouted, but Buffy put her foot down. Buffy walked into the kitchen and saw Gunn and Wes sitting on the stools that surrounded the island in the middle.

"Have you guys seen Maddy?" Buffy asked.

"I think that she was in her room. Buffy it seems that we have a problem. The sun is up and Angel doesn't know how to get around in the sewers." Wes said.

"Well now this is going to sound a little weird, but he can go with Maddy and Spike." Buffy said.

"Why is Maddy going?" Gunn asked.

"I don't want Spike to go alone and Maddy is very powerful." Buffy said.

"Well how do we keep Angel and Spike from killing each other?" Wes asked.

"Well Spike won't kill Angel, but I don't know about Angel." Buffy said.

"You could always use a spell." Maddy said. She was standing in the doorway to the basement.

"What kind of spell, because Spike doesn't."

"Like magic I know. Simple confining spell. Keeps the two from touching each other and if I put a little oomph to it it keeps the sun from getting to them."

"You're going to use magic?" a voice from the other side of the kitchen said. Everyone turned to see Connor standing there.

"Yeah no big."

"Magic is dangerous. Hasn't anyone learned that from this little fiasco?"

"Hey I've been doing magic since I was like two. No harm in it. Magic's in my blood so don't be afraid of me going of the deep end."

"Whatever magic's a bad idea."

"Yeah okay whatever yourself kid. Just get the two in here and I'll do a quick spell." "Sure now if I can find Angel. Shouldn't be too hard. Not a very big house." Buffy said as she wandered around to look for Angel.

"So coffee made or what?" Maddy said as she took a seat at one of the stools.

"No I don't think so. Donuts though." Gunn said.

"Why don't you explain to us your magical line." Wes said.

"Nothing much to tell. My mom came from a long line of wiccas and she passed it down to me." Maddy said looking for a glazed donut.

"Why did you go to Pylea?" Gunn said.

"Just a visit. As part of the coven." Maddy said as she took a bit of her donut.

"Couldn't pay me to go there again. Hated it." Gunn said.

"Well it was more of a 'gather information thing'. We didn't stay that long." Maddy, Wes and Gunn continued their conversation while Connor stood in the doorway listening in.

Something about Maddy didn't rub him the right way. She was pretty, but there was something about her. He looked at her. She was wearing black Dickies, a white wife-beater shirt, Converse shoes, and black leather jacket. Her hair was dyed all different colors and it was straightened. She wasn't wearing any makeup. She seemed like a normal girl, but there was just something about her.

"I better go see if I can find out what is taking Buffy and the vampires so long." Maddy said getting up and finishing her third donut. She got up and walked to the doorway only to be stopped because Connor was in the way.

"Okay move kid."

"Why are you calling me that?"

"Calling you what?"

"Kid. I'm as old as you."

"Because technically if you didn't go to a hell dimension you'd be like a year old. Any more questions?" Connor answered by moving. Maddy walked up the stairs and looked around. She spotted Angel and Buffy in an argument.

"Buff, I don't want to go with him."

"Angel you sound like a two year old. Face facts."

"Buffy I know that you two are seeing each other or something like that. It hurts too much."

"Angel there's no way that you can get to the Magic Box without going with them. You won't have to talk to Spike, just follow him and Maddy. Angel I know that this must be hard for you, but we were over a long time ago. I have to move on with my life."

"But with Spike. He's tried to kill you."

"So have you. Look Angel you may not approve, but it isn't your decision to make. You aren't the person who makes my life decisions." "Buffy I know that, but I don't want you to make a bad choice."

"Mistakes are what life is all about. Besides Spike loves me and would never hurt me. I know that. Just accept that soon or pretend like you do."

Angel had a defeated look on his face. There was no way to convince Buffy that Spike was a bad guy and not the one for her. Although neither was he so what did he know. He knew that he loved her, but it wasn't that same kind of love. Maddy saw that they were done fighting and decided to announce her presence.

"Hey there you are. Geez that cavalry is getting restless. We told Giles we'd be there at ten and it's already ten past ten."

"Okay we're going." Buffy said. She walked inside her room. Maddy wasn't sure what to say to the vampire. He seemed so distraught. Maddy decided that it would be better to just stay quiet. Buffy came out dragging Spike by the arm.

"Pet, I don't need magic to get to the sewers. Jus' a good blanket."

"It's not only a spell to keep the sun from getting to you, but also to keep anything from hurting you."

"You're babyin'."

"Yes and so. Just do it if you love me. Besides Angel's going with you and I so don't need you two fighting."

"All right do the bloody spell."

"Okay, Maddy."

"All right well I hate to do this, but Angel and Spike have to."

"Have to what." Angel said with a dangerous tone in his voice.

"Have to hold hands."

"What!?" Angel yelled

"No! No! No!" Spike screamed.

"It's only for a couple of minutes."

"No! What part of No don't you get." Spike said.

"Yes I'm with Bleach Boy on this one."

"All right well if you don't do it on your own accord then," A bright green light shoot out of Maddy's hand. It turned into a rope and tied Angel and Spike together.

"Hey untie me." Angel said.

"I told you that I would do this the hard way if I was forced to." Maddy said in an 'I told you so' voice.

"This is jus' great." Spike mumbled.

"It's no better for me." Angel said loudly.

"Both of you stop acting like two-year-olds or I will turn you into toads. Quit your jabbering I have to concentrate." Maddy said in a serious tone that dared anyone to argue with her.

Maddy closed her eyes and started to mutter words in Latin. A blinding white light shone through the hallway for about a minute before dissipating. The four people in the hall blinked a few times before their eyes readjusted to dim hall light.

"Well that was. bright." Buffy said.

"Did it work?" Angel asked impatiently. He didn't want to be tied up to Spike any longer then he had to be.

"I don't know. We could check." Maddy said walking down the stairs

. "Well how s'actly are we gonna do that?" Spike called after her.

"Follow me." Maddy said.

"We're still tied together." Angel said. Suddenly the ropes became lose and untied on their own.

"Well I guess that solves that problem." Angel said as he made his way down the stairs as well.

Buffy came over to Spike and wrapped her arm around his.

"Do you feel okay? No weird spell after effects?"

"Everythin' feels the same. Don't know if the spell worked yet." Spike said.

"Maddy doesn't seem like the type to have a mix up with magic." Buffy said trying to reassure him that he had done the right thing.

"Yeah she really doesn't, but still." Spike said getting lost in thought. Magic had never been very good to him.

"Well I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Buffy said leading him down the stairs to join the others. As soon as they got to the last step Maddy ran over to them.

"There you guys are. We were about to do the test." Maddy said as she pulled Buffy away from Spike.

"Stand right here, Buffy. Spike don't move." Maddy ordered as she picked up a small battle-axe and twirled it around.

"What're you gonna do wif' that?" Spike asked looking at Maddy curiously.

"Buffy call the Calvary over here. Tell them we're just about to take off." Maddy said. Buffy looked at Maddy with the same curiosity, but did as she said. Within minutes everyone was assembled in the doorway of the dining room.

"Kid come here for a second." Maddy said motioning to Connor.

"I have a name you know." Connor said as he walked over to Maddy.

"What do you want me to do?" Connor asked.

A devious look passed over Maddy's expression for just a second. Anyone who wasn't looking at her wouldn't have noticed it, but Spike was. He suddenly realized what kind of stunt she was pulling. He smirked in kind and went back to listening to her talk.

"Well I would like you to hit Spike with this axe." Maddy said in a matter- of-factly tone.

"Why what did he do?" Connor asked in a skeptical tone.

"Nothing at all. We're checking his reflexes after his chip episode. To see if he's strong still and alert." Maddy said lying easily.

"Okay." Connor said shrugging and picking up the axe. He advanced towards Spike, lifted the axe in the air and was about to swing when some unseen force knocked him backwards.

"Well I guess the spell worked." Maddy said barely containing her laughter. She and Spike were wearing identical grins.

"You set me up?" Connor said picking himself up from the ground.

"Well I had to check if the spell was working." Maddy said innocently.

"Still that wasn't very nice Maddy." Buffy said.

"Yeah I would say that it was bad." Spike said trying to look serious when he was on the verge of cracking up.

"I'm sorry. I just had to see if it worked." Maddy said.

"Yeah well you didn't have to use Connor as a demonstration." Angel said angrily.

"It was really low." Connor said brushing himself off.

"What can I say. I'm the Queen of Low."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Are we almost there?" Angel asked for what seemed like the millionth time.

"Almost, Peaches." Spike said in an irritated tone.

"It seems like we've been down here for hours. Are you sure you know how to get there?" Angel asked.

"I've only been there a billion times. Don't question me. I know what 'm doin'." Spike said looking back at Angel. Maddy was trailing right behind him.

"Can't you two just get along a little bit?" Maddy asked

. "No we can't." Spike said as he kicked an empty soda can.

"Yeah what he said." Angel said.

"You guys are like two year olds. Never mind I'm insulting two year olds." Maddy said.

"Can we jus' get there wifout talkin'?" Spike asked.

"Geez Mister Grouchy. Buffy really needs to let you out more." Maddy said.

"S'not her choice 'bout when I get ta go out. I've jus' been. weaker then usual." Spike said.

"Sure whatever you say. Look I just don't see why you guys hate each other so much." Maddy said nonchalantly.

"Maybe because he's annoying and has to have everything that's mine." Angel mumbled.

"Vamp hearin', Peaches and I think you got that the other way around." Spike said.

"Right that's why you're with Buffy." Angel said bitterly.

Spike turned around and glared at Angel. If looks could kill then Angel would have been very dusty by now.

"If you think for one second that 'm wif' Buffy ta get your knickers in a twist you are sadly mistaken. 'Sides I wasn't the one who stole the girl from you. She hasn't been yours in a good long while Peaches. Dru on the other hand was mine when you took her away from me. 'S always been that way, Angelus." Spike said turning around and continuing his journey to the Magic Box.

Angel stood there a little dumbstruck before Maddy's voice shook him out of it.

"Well I guess he told you, huh?" Angel glanced over to her then back to Spike's back.

"Yeah I guess he did." He said continuing to follow Spike.

"So what's with the cold shoulders you two give each other?" Maddy asked when she caught up to Angel.

"It goes back very far. Stuff I really don't feel like discussing." Angel said walking a little faster.

"Hey I'm all for secrets. Secrets make things a lot more interesting, but it would seem to me that you do a little too much brooding." Maddy said as she practically ran to keep up with him.

"It's my thing." Angel said.

"Yeah that and hair gel." Spike hollered to them. He was a good five feet away from them.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you that listening to other people's conversations was rude." Angel said snidely.

"Yeah, but what do I care 'bout rude." Spike said.

"See what I have to put up with?" Angel asked turning to Maddy for support.

"Oh she won't support you. Your logic is on'y half cocked." Spike argued.

"You're both nuts. Come on your like at least a hundred years old and yet you act like five-year-olds. Blaming everything on the other one. That's kindergarten and I would say children after that, but I'm only eighteen and you guys are like a century older then me so it wouldn't be right. Get over it already. What ever pent up regression you have towards each other just let it freaking out already. It's getting annoying listening to you bicker. It's not good to leave things bottled up for too long." Maddy said.

"It's his fault." Angel muttered under his breath.

"Oh my God! I can't believe you two. I need to be around some real grown- ups." Maddy said as she walked past Angel and Spike.

"S'not my fault." Spike said.

"Yes it is."

"S'not."

"Is too."

"Whatever, 'm gonna go ta the Magic Box." Spike said as he threw his arms up in the air and strutted off. Arguing with Angel was pointless. They would never reach an agreement in this lifetime or any other for that matter.

Angel walked as Spike walked off. He wasn't sure what it was about Spike that made him act the way he did. It was a competition thing that didn't go away. It didn't help that he and Buffy were some sort of item. In the back of his head he had always thought that he and Buffy would live the happily ever after. So far that was not happening. Not that Angel had been complaining before.

Angel knew, if not consciously then subconsciously that he was over Buffy and had been for some time know. He didn't hold those same feelings that he used to hold. Things were different and he had been content in keeping them that way. Until he came back to this town. Maybe it was the town or the Hellmouth or maybe he just didn't like to see Spike happy. Whatever it was he would have to get over it fast.

"Hey wait up. I don't want to get lost." Angel called out to Maddy and Spike as he ran after them.

A/N: Okay now this is something for everyone before I get questions about it. This is an Angel friendly story. I don't know if I've said that before so here you go. The only bashing will be on Riley. I don't like him and that's that. After the next chapter the Spuffy might take a backseat. I know everyone's asking why, but that's how it goes. It won't be gone for too long. Trust me on that one.