The air blowing in from the open window rushed through the car, swirling in the back seat and coming forward again in quick spurts. The radio played 90's rock in the background, fighting the white noise of the steadily passing highway.

A pair of headlights materialized out of the gloom and the driver squinted for a moment, getting used to the sudden illumination. The car passed, and the road was dark again.

Black-lacquered nails reached for the volume control on the radio, cranking it up to near-deafening levels. Rhythmic tapping on the steering wheel ensued for a minute or two before ceasing in exchange for a loud, exasperated sigh.

"All the way across the bleeding country to play babysitter to some little 'magical fluke' of Rupert's, and I'm not even being paid in advance. A man's got to have his supply of smokes, for God's sake."

Spike reached up and smoothed out his wind-rumpled hair, then placed his last cigarette in his mouth and lit up.

"I mean, how much magic can happen in Jersey?"

………………………

"Tonight was really great…"

The girl shifted uneasily in her seat at the words. Oh God, here it comes, and I don't even like him like that!

"You know how it could be even better?" the smooth, masculine voice asked.

She played with a fold in her silky, silver dress and cough slightly. They weren't even near civilization enough for her to get out and walk away without drawing too much attention. He had parked at the scenic overlook of the river off the highway after they drove home from the dance. Friendly-looking lights out here were few and far apart and those she could see danced on the slowly drifting water fifty feet down off the drop-off. Sounds of the highway were drowned out by the undertone of suggestive rap playing softly in the background.

Her eyes darted around, analyzing the situation. A few other cars were parked nearby, but their windows were steadily fogging up with the action of the occupants. No help there, and the last phone she had seen was almost two miles up the road at a shady-looking place they had stopped at for gas.

"Um, no?" she ventured, trying to avoid the almost inevitable. "Actually, I had planned on starting that chemistry project tonight, and-…"

"Shhh…" The boy edged closer and placed a finger over her lips, silencing her protests. He began to slowly pull her left shoulder strap over her arm.

"Hey!" she started.

"You're a big girl now, Brynn. Mommy and Daddy aren't out here; you can have a little fun."

"Yeah, but I don't want-…"

"Look, do you want to have a good time tonight or not?" he demanded, reaching stealthily behind him and locking the doors.

Brynn jumped at the automatic sound and narrowed her eyes. "Open the doors, Brad."

"Why? You're gorgeous, babes. You deserve to have a gorgeous guy."

"Don't call me that," she spat, glowering. "Now let me out, or I'll start screaming."

"Scream away, babes. There's nowhere for you to go, and I like my girls to fight a little bit," he grinned maliciously.

He was moving towards her and she threw out her hand to smack him when the entire passenger-side door was torn off its hinges with a deafening wrenching sound. Brynn whipped her head around and let out a quick, high-pitched screech in chorus with Brad's yells of petrified shock.

The glass and metal dust fell away to reveal a tall, blonde man in a leather jacket, holding the twisted car door in his left hand. He tossed it away casually and stepped forward.

"Come on, you," he said, grabbing Brynn's hand and pulling her out of the wrecked car. Speechless, her foot caught on the broken edge of the car's frame and she stumbled. Luckily she managed to hold her balance with something, and her heart dropped when she realized it was his arm holding her up, steadying her.

She released her grip instantly and looked up at the peroxide-treated, slicked hair and the pale face of her would-be savior. His gaze lingered on her a moment, as if trying to make sure she was real. Then, after what seemed like hours when it really had only been a few seconds, he turned back to Brad.

"The next time a lady says 'lay off', I'd suggest you keep your hands to yourself."

Brad remained tacit as the blonde man escorted the trembling Brynn to a sleek, black car that was parked at the end of the row of cars. Steamy, half-dressed teenagers poked their heads out of windows and sunroofs like so many prairie dogs, eager to see what all the commotion was about.

………………………

Spike ignored the onlookers and opened the passenger door of his car for the girl, who collapsed on the leather seat, exhausted.

"Wow, thank you so much for that. Brad's such a jerk. I don't know why I went to Homecoming with him. And with my parents at a party all night, I didn't know who I was gonna call to get out of that one."

"Think nothing of it," he returned, closing her door to go around and slide into the driver's seat. "You might actually come to regret that I saved you from that 'jerk'."

"I doubt that," she laughed as they pulled out of the overlook and back onto the highway.