Somewhere in Sunnydale, California

Buffy wrinkled her nose in distaste. She was bound and gagged very securely. Obviously who ever kidnapped her knew of her super-human abilities. She was sat in a chair, in the middle of a room, in the dark. The door was locked and there were no windows. They must be somewhere by sewers, she detected, because there of a maddening drip that was coming from one of the corners in the room. No-body had come to see her yet. No-body had pushed any food through either.

Straining her eyes she make out a few boxes around the sides of the walls and pipes along the skirting boards of the ceiling. A wave of claustrophobia came over her. Panicking she rocked viciously back and forth, wiggling her arms and ferociously trying to tear at her gag with her teeth. Nothing working. Afraid and feeling for once very alone she slumped in her chair and closed her eyes, hoping it will all be a dream.

Meanwhile at Angel's mansion

Willow was getting fidgety. Angel has taken 10-15 minutes getting ready so far.

"Angel! Come on! This is of great urgency!" Willow giggled. She was spending way too much time with Giles; she was starting sound British.

Just as she stopped chuckling to herself the soulful vampire appeared, full dressed complete with hair gel. Thinking of poor Oz who was still in the van, Willow dragged the 242 year old in fast haste.

Oz was just mellowed out in the van, listening to music, eating some chips. You could tell when Willow was coming just by looking at him. His eyes lit up and (if possible) he seemed to relax even more. Then when they share their simple 'Hey's' a loving smile would grace his features. Nodding a hi at the well groomed Angel, they sped off to Library. There was silence in the van; only the fain rustle of the potato chip bag could be heard. Finally, when Willow thought she couldn't take the silence any more they arrived.

"We're here." She said brightly, stating the obvious. Hurriedly they rushed through the empty corridors and halls until they reached the Library doors. It had a notice on it, it was the notice they often used when researching: Do Not Disturb! Willow inwardly chuckled; it was so simple yet it always worked.

Flight 285, Airport; New Mexico

The plane was quite nice with comfortable chairs. As the Tess planned, they managed to get seats next to their partners. Tess smirked; it also helped by flirting with the ticket guy. She was used to being in planes because of Nasaedo's constant need to move around. Looking out side she wondered how Nasaedo was doing, shutting down the FBI investigation and the rest. Tess let her gaze wander over to the roman god like guy next to her. Over this holiday, she's definitely going to make sure Kyle never sees her as a sister or buddy.

"Would you like a drink sir, ma'am?" That annoying bubblehead hostess was here again, she never seemed to leave them alone.

"I would like a soda please." Kyle answered, his eyes never leaving her chest. The blonde Courtney look-alike giggled, twirled a piece of obviously bleached hair between her fingers and handed Kyle his soda, her hand staying longer than it should be. Tess quietly growled,

"I would like a bottle of water," Tess turned her head slightly, addressing Kyle, "honey, are you sure that's all you want? It might be a long flight." Tess gave Kyle her heart-melting smile and looked at the woman with steely, silver blue eyes, challenging her. The airhostess nervously lowered her eyes and moved on to the next couple. Kyle was just oblivious, not noticing the looks the two ladies gave each other.

Aw man this is just great! Michael grumbled to himself, I get seated next to Maria! Damn it! How the hell am I going to control myself if I'm with her practically 24/7!

Maria, trying to put on the old Deluca charm had decided to put on her lilac halter-top and short blue denim skirt, along with sandals, at the moment she was stretching, exposing the smooth ivory expanse of her stomach. Her hair was long and curled, her lips in her usual pouty state with strawberry tasting, ruby red lip-gloss. She quickly glanced at Michael and immediately met his eyes. He blushed a little bit for being caught checking Maria out.

His eyes sent shivers down her spine; the intenseness of those deep brown eyes rocked her right to the core. He looked dammed fine today! His hair in his usual unruly sexy spikes, wearing his tight charcoal coloured top; his muscled chest showing through. His soft lips looking extremely kissable. He did have on his leather jacket but in the place of that were his large and strong arms, Maria had a flash of those arms. Holding her when she was upset, running up and down her back in the Eraser room, saving everyone's lives, wrapped in a cocoon when he was sick, she remembered when she tried to care for those arms after they were bruised and beaten by his drunk foster parent Hank. Maria stared into Michael's eyes unflinching, and then smiled ever so slightly as if to say I know.

Alex looked over at the blonde goddess next to him, she was brushing her soft beautiful hair. Now why can't a girl like her like me? He thought to himself. Duh, because I'm a nerd and she's….Isabel. As if hearing her name Isabel turned her perfect face over to Alex and smiled a little hesitantly. Alex smiled his big goofy smile back at her. Isabel laughed softly and picked up her bottle of still mineral water, which she bought from that annoying airhostess. Suddenly, the airplane rocked a little as it got ready for take off. Isabel's water flew out of her hands, luckily Alex caught it before it could splash the guy in front of them. Isabel gave the most brilliant smile to Alex that he had ever seen and he swore that his heart stopped for a few seconds.

"Quick reflexes." He said sheepishly. Isabel smiled back again and took the water from him. A sound came over the plane's speakers as the Captain was ready to make an announcement.

"This is the captain speaking, we have now taken off. Please ensure that your seatbelts are securely fastened, the air hostess will attend to any of your needs, please sit back and enjoy your flight." Both Isabel and Tess smirked to themselves knowing that the air hostess really will at least tend to any of the guys' needs. I bet, they thought to themselves, she had already attended the captains needs a short while ago.

Isabel looked at Alex, he was again listening to his headphone, head bobbing at the tune. She knew that Alex would not be able to resist what she's going to throw at him over he holiday. Oh boy he will be putty in her hands.

Max looked at Liz. Liz looked at Max. They hadn't said a word since they sat next to each other. Just gave one another nervous looks and small smiles. "So..." Liz started. She couldn't think of anything else really to say. Its not like she could just say; So the newest alien in this group has turned out to be your wife and Queen on your old planet, you probably had children and she is Michaels' sister who just happens to be your second in command who was married to your twin sister Isabel. That's great. Liz knew that Tess wasn't after Max but she still felt jealous that they shared this whole life together and managed to get reborn together onto this planet. Tess is a more important asset in the group than she will ever be by a mile.

Max stared at Liz, you could tell she was in deep thought because her brow furrowed and her lips tightened in concentration. He thought it was cute. Liz sighed and laid back on the chair. "I'm going to go to sleep okay? I'm so tired."

"Yeah, I think I might do the same actually." Max felt a little disappointed, he had hoped they would be able to talk during the flight. Ah well, he thought to himself, I really should get some rest anyway.

So the two dreamers slept, unaware to the small smiles sent their way from the rest of the group.

tbc...