Buffy strolled down the illuminated roads in Sunnydale Park. Everywhere people were chatting, laughing, enjoying themselves, oblivious to the danger. Buffy pouted. She was eager to stake her first vamp, release all that energy she felt coursing within her. Giles had been trying to follow her, but she had shaken him off pretty quickly. And someone else had had his eyes on her: that creepy voyeur Angel. Well, she had disposed of him, too. Now she had to concentrate on finding her first vampire. Buffy closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Now if I were a vampire, where would I be? She sauntered off, into the dark. And sure enough, soon she heard something.

It was a male voice, with an odd English accent. "Let's go get a place to stay. "A shiver ran down Buffy's spine. "There he is", she whispered to herself and stepped around to face this creature. "How about an ashtray?" she quipped.

"You are a vampire."

"Well- yes. I'm also adventurous, reckless, and spectacular in bed. And you?"

"I'm the one who kills you."

"You should at least try."

Buffy walked briskly, ignoring the pleading remarks.

"Buffy, please, stop. Look at me."

Buffy stormed on, but Angel's hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"What's wrong with you? You were nearly killed. Giles is not going to like what happened tonight. You stood face to face with a vampire – talking to him! And not just any vampire- Spike!" "Spike? You know hi- that thing?"

"He has killed two slayers. He is bad. We should kill him right away."

"So, you don't want me to talk to vampires, yet you want me to listen to you? Jenny's cousin? Please, I'm not stupid! I should kill YOU right away."

"Buffy- I am good. I have a soul!"

"My job description is pretty clear: find vampire, kill him."

"So why didn't you kill Spike?"

""I was –surprised. I was just getting ready when you stopped me. And how come you know him?"

Spike was fuming. Angelus, the old soft-gone wanker, had prevented him from killing his third slayer? He had been so close- a mere matter of minutes. But no, Angelus of all people had to play fucking shiny hero. He smashed his fist into the wall in pure frustration.

Drusilla watched her white knight muttering to himself. So it had come to what she had foreseen. She would need assistance in this battle. Angelus, daddy, I need you now. Pretty please.