The Past Returns

Episode 4

Rome, Italy, 1894:

            Angelus strolled down the dark street. He'd just enjoyed his first good kill since arriving in Rome a few days ago. His first victim had been a young woman that he'd met while exiting a bar. He had taken her into a nearby alley and began kissing her. Eventually, he vamped out and sunk his fangs deep into the woman's neck.

            As he walked away from the alley, he wiped the drops of blood from his chin. He wanted to find Spike and tell him of his first kill. The two, Spike and Angelus, had come to Rome with Drusilla and Darla. They had traveled everywhere together, hunting off the humans.

            "Spike!" Angelus called as he noticed Spike entering the building.

            The four vampires had found a nice building to stay in while in Rome. The owner and the guests were oblivious to the fact that four vampires were staying there. Angelus knew that he would kill everyone there before the week was out.

            "Ah…Angelus," Spike said, coming back out of the doorway.

            "I caught you just in the knick of time," Angelus said, "I killed my first girl today."

            "That's great," Spike replied, "I got a few myself. There were delicious little ones."

            "So where are you headed?" Angelus asked.

            "Back up to spend some of my time with Dru," Spike answered.

            "Well then let's both go up and surprise the girls," Angelus said.

            The two vampires walked into the building. Angelus smirked at the owner as they walked by. As Spike pulled open the door to their room, he stared in horror. There lay Drusilla in bed with another man.

            "Bloody hell!" Spike shouted in rage.

            He stormed in and stood in the middle of the room. Angelus walked in after him. He was chuckling to himself. The other man climbed out of the bed and stood in front of Spike, wrapped in sheets. He quickly put his clothes back on.

            "Who the bloody hell are you and what the bloody hell do you think you are doing to my woman?" Spike shouted in rage.

            The man didn't look frightened at all. He just smirked at the vampire. Spike was pissed. He was going to wipe the smirk right off the man's face…by killing him. He pulled back his fist and punched the man in the jaw. The man didn't flinch at all. He retaliated with a punch of his own.

            The blow sent Spike flying backwards. He landed on his back on the floor. Angelus just burst out laughing at Spike's misfortune. Spike slowly rose to his feet. The man strolled right by him and closed the door on his way out.

            Spike just stood there, staring at Drusilla. She just smiled and started dancing around the room in the sheets.

            "What do you think you are doing?" Spike questioned, angry.

            "I was having some fun while you were out, Spikey," Dru replied, "It was such fun! He has such…"

            "Enough!" Spike shouted, "I don't want to hear it!"

            Darla came walking into the room. She was dressed in a silky gown.

            "What's all the yelling about?" she asked.

            "Spike just caught Dru shagging another bloke," Angelus told her.

            "I cannot believe you just shagged another bloke, Dru!" Spike shouted.

            "He was just so tempting. I couldn't resist him," Dru replied, "Just the things he says and does. He's so…"

            "Magnificent," Darla added.

            "What?" Angelus asked in shock.

            "Oh what fun he was," Darla said.

            "You slept with him too?" Angelus asked her.

            "Of course!" she exclaimed, "Who could resist?"

            Angelus spun around and stormed off towards the door. He was pissed. It was time for a little vengeance.

            "Where are you going, darling?" Darla asked.

            "Out for a kill," Angelus replied, "Coming Spike?"

            Spike glared at Drusilla. Then he turned and headed out the door after Spike.

            "Just don't bother the Immortal!" Darla called, "He's got some busy work to do!"

            Angelus smirked as he closed the door. He had gotten the right information out of her.

            "What are we doing?" Spike questioned.

            "Getting revenge," Angelus replied.

            "But we don't even know what the bloke's name is," Spike said.

            "It's the Immortal."

Wolfram and Hart, Angel's Office, Present Day:

            "The Immortal," Angel said.

            "I hate that name," Spike said, "Every time I hear it, I think back to that night."

            "The night that he humiliated us," Angel added.

            "The night that he took our women from us," Spike went on, "We should have killed him when we caught him."

            "He was a powerful creature," Angel said, "Remember he knocked you around a bit."

            "How could I forget?" Spike asked.

            Angel and Spike were seated in Angel's office. Hamilton had delivered a note to Angel informing him that an old friend was in town. Angel wasn't too happy to hear the news.

            "Why would he be in town?" Angel asked.

            "Maybe he's allied with that Sebassis character," Spike said.

            "He might be, but I doubt it," Angel replied, "He was never big on working with demons."

            "Yeah, you're right," Spike said.

            "Well, looks like we got ourselves another mission on our hands," Angel said.

Wolfram and Hart Lobby:

            The elevator doors opened and Spike and Angel stepped into the lobby. They had to find the Immortal before he caused any trouble. They decided it best to leave Giles and Nina out of it. Angel told Spike that it wasn't the others' business; it was their grudge.

            "Is there a problem?" a familiar voice asked.

            Angel stopped in his tracks. Giles must have seen them enter the elevator. Now he had some explaining to do. Angel spun around.

            "No, Spike and I were just going out to patrol," Angel replied. 

            "All right," Giles replied, "Be careful."

            As Angel turned around, he came face to face with someone totally unexpected. Both he and Spike had a look of shock on their faces.

"Angelus," The Immortal said, "It's so nice to see you again."

"It's Angel," he replied in a hostile voice.

"It has been quite a few years," the Immortal said.

"It has," Angel replied.

"What are you doing here?" Spike questioned, stepping forward.

"Ah, William the Bloody," the Immortal said, "You look great."

"Shut your bloody mouth!" Spike shouted.

"I suppose these hostile attitudes have to do with what I did to the two of you last time," the Immortal said.

            "Wow," Spike said sarcastically, "Good guess; you got it on the first try."

            "Be quiet, Spike," Angel said, "What are you doing here in LA?"

            "I hear that you have gained control of this place," he said, "I'm quite impressed."

            "And what's that have to do with you being here?" Angel asked.

            "I learned that all your colleagues were killed a few months ago," the Immortal said, "And I suppose you have some spots that need to be filled."

            "How did you learn about that?" Angel asked.

            "Word spreads quickly in the demon community," he replied.

            "Why would you want to work here?" Angel questioned.

            "This place has everything that a man could want," he answered.

            "You're no man," Giles said, stepping forward, between Spike and Angel.

            "You must be the Watcher," the Immortal said, "I've heard so much about you."

            Giles just glared at the vampire. He had heard about this legendary creature from his books, but he never thought he'd run into him. There was no way that the Immortal would work at Wolfram and Hart if he had anything to do with it. Giles knew it was some kind of trick.

            "We'll have to talk about this," Angel said, "Stop by tomorrow night and we'll let you know."

            "Okay," the Immortal replied, "I will be here."

            The vampire turned and walked out of the lobby. Angel and the others just stood there and watched him leave.

Angel's Office:

            "There's no way in bloody hell that he's working here!" Spike shouted.

            "And why not?" Angel asked.

            "Have you lost your mind?" Spike asked.

            "No," Angel replied, "I just think that having the Immortal work here wouldn't be that bad of an idea. He'd be a powerful asset to the team."

            "Angel, I smell trap all of this idea," Giles said, "He'll kill us all, first chance he gets."

            "And how can you even consider this?" Spike asked, "You remember what he did to us in Rome last time."

            "Yes, but I'm willing to forget the past in order to gain a powerful ally," Angel said.

            "You're crazy!" Spike shouted, "You might be able to look past what he did, but I can't."

            "He's a vampire, Angel," Giles said, "He can't be trusted."
            "I'm a vampire," Angel replied, "And so is Spike."       

            "But we have souls," Spike said, "It's different."

            "He could be planning to take over Wolfram and Hart for his own purposes," Giles said.

            "He could be, he might not be," Angel said.

            "But the chance is there," Giles said, "Can we risk it?"

            "Are you willing to risk the life of your girlfriend?" Spike asked.

            "What are you talking about, Spike?" Angel asked.

            "Nina."

            "She's not my girlfriend!" Angel shouted.

            "You've gone out with her several times," Spike said, "How can you say that?"

            "Can we please get back on topic here?" Giles asked.

            "Right, sorry," Spike apologized.

            "The point is…are you willing to risk all our lives in order to allow this man to work here?" Giles asked.

            "Yes," Angel said.

            "Then your on your own here," Giles said.

            He stood up and left the office. Spike stood up as well.

            "Think about Nina," Spike said.

            With that, he turned and left the office. Angel just sat there alone. He was angry at the both of them. They were willing to give up the opportunity for a new ally. And he wasn't about to just pass it up.

Giles's Office:

            "You called for me?" Spike asked.

            "Yes," Giles replied, standing up from his chair, "Angel is making a big mistake."

            "I know," Spike replied.

            "We have to prevent the Immortal from being hired," Giles told him.

            "And how do you plan to do that?" Spike asked, "The last time I fought him, he whooped my ass."

            "You must keep a clear head," Giles said.

            "My head was clear," Spike said, "I was just pissed because he was sleeping with Dru."

            "Anger affects your performance," Giles said.

            "Oh, right," Spike said.

            "The Immortal is no ordinary vampire," Giles said.

            "What do you mean?" Spike asked.

            "He's compared to Dracula and the Master," Giles informed, "Except without all those powers. He's just very strong compared to a normal vampire."

            "Then how do you suggest I fight him?" Spike asked.

            "Who said anything about fighting him?" Giles questioned.

            "I did," Spike said, "I need to prove myself."    

            "I don't think it's such a good idea, Spike."

            "I don't care," Spike said, "I'm going to fight him whether you like it or not."

            "This might not scare him away though," Giles informed him.

            "It's worth a shot."

Downtown Los Angeles, the Next Night:

            Spike was hiding in an alley. He had caught up with the Immortal an hour ago and had been following him ever since. He'd discovered the Immortal's path and got ahead of him and hid in an alley that the Immortal would walk by shortly. Then Spike would jump out and attack him. It was a foolproof plan.

            He could smell the Immortal as he drew closer. The moment to ambush him would arise very soon. Just as he walked into view, Spike leapt from the alley and attacked. He tackled the Immortal to the ground. The Immortal tossed him off and both quickly rose to their feet, ready to fight.

            "William the Bloody?" the Immortal questioned.

            "That's right mate," Spike said.

            "What are you doing?" he asked.

            "I can't let you work at Wolfram and Hart," Spike replied.

            "And why not?" the Immortal asked.

            Spike didn't reply with words, but with a fist. The Immortal stumbled backwards as Spike's fist connected with his face. He quickly came to his senses and gave Spike a nice blow to the jaw. It didn't seem to faze Spike though, for he followed up with a front kick to the chest.

            The Immortal fell backwards on his back. He looked confused as to why Spike would fight him.

            "Why are you doing this?" the Immortal questioned.

            "First off, I hate your bloody Italian accent," Spike replied, "And second, you slept with my woman!"

            "So you're still holding that against me?" the Immortal asked.

            "Of course," Spike answered.

            "You are pathetic," the Immortal said, kicked Spike in the chest.

            This distraction gave the Immortal time to stand up. He followed up the kick with several punches to the face. He then did a roundhouse kick that sent Spike flying into the side of a building.

            "You cannot defeat me," he told Spike, "I am the Immortal."

            "We'll see about that," Spike said, slowly standing.

            He charged the Immortal. Unfortunately, the Immortal was prepared. He grabbed Spike by the collar and swung him into the street. Spike landed on his side, wincing in pain. As he rose to his feet, he stared in horror at the headlights right in front of him.

            There wasn't enough time to get out of the way. The van smashed right into him, crushing him beneath its weight. The Immortal chuckled to himself as he saw Spike's body lying in the middle of the road. The pathetic vampire had failed miserably to kill him.

            He turned to the direction that Wolfram and Hart was. He would have no problem obtaining a job from Angel. It was cake. He knew that Angel wouldn't give up the opportunity to have a powerful alley. And that's what made him a fool. It would be his downfall.

            As he was about to walk away, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Wondering who it could be, he spun around. Spike's fist connected with his face.

            "Impossible!" the Immortal shouted, "You should be too weak to move."

            "Come on, mate," Spike said, "It takes a little move than a speeding van to kill me."

            Spike punched him a few more times in the face. Blood was now dripping from the Immortal's nose. Bruises were beginning to form on his face. The Immortal was definitely showing signs of weakening.

            With one final punch, Spike sent the Immortal to the ground. Spike stepped forward and stood over the Immortal.

            "Leave LA," Spike said.

            "No," the Immortal replied.

            "Leave LA now!" Spike demanded.

            He gave the Immortal a sharp kick to the side, cracking a few ribs. The Immortal winced in pain.

            "Not so immortal now, are we?" Spike questioned.

            "You have lost your only chance at having a powerful ally," the Immortal said, slowly rising to his feet, "When the time comes for the Senior Partners to crush you all, you will wish that you hadn't defeated me."

            "Shut your bloody mouth!" Spike said, punching him across the face.

            "I bid thee farewell," the Immortal said, turning and slowly walking away.

Wolfram and Hart: Angel's Office:

            "Maybe he decided to pass up the opportunity," Giles said, offering a suggestion.

            "Why would he do that when he asked to work here in the first place?" Angel questioned.

            "Well then, maybe he changed his mind," Giles said.

            Just then, Spike came limping into the office. His face was bloody and bruised, yet he looked happy.

            "What happened to you?" Angel asked.

            "Got in a bit of a tussle with…" Spike said.

            He didn't mention the name for Giles had glared at him.

            "With…?" Angel asked.

            "With…a…umm…gang of vampires," Spike lied.

            "Right," Angel said, not believing him.

            "There was a bunch of them," Spike said, "Like ten or so."

            "And would one of these vampires happen to have been the Immortal?" Angel questioned.

            "No," Spike replied quickly, "Why would you think that?"

            "No reason," Angel said, "Just that he hasn't showed up yet."

            "You know what!" Spike yelled, "I did get into a fight with him."

            A look of anger quickly spread across Angel's face. Giles was shocked that Spike actually told the truth.

            "And I whooped his bloody Italian arse too!" Spike shouted.

            With one swift move, Angel rose from his desk and tackled Spike to the ground.

            "Why would you do something like that?" Angel questioned, extremely pissed.

            "He'd betray us in an instant," Spike replied.

            Angel didn't respond to that comment. He just stood there, towering over Spike. It finally hit him. Spike and Giles had been right all along; the Immortal was evil and he would betray them.

            Angel turned and walked out of his office. Spike sat up and turned to watch him go. Giles turned and watched as well. Angel rode the elevator to the lobby and walked out onto the streets.

            "Where are you going?" someone asked.

            Angel turned and came face to face with Nina. She had a big smile on her face. She hadn't seen him all day and was finally glad to.

            "Out to clear my head," Angel replied, giving her a slight smile.

            "Can I come with?" she asked.

            "Sure."

            Nina came up beside Angel and the two walked off into the night; Angel's arm around her waist.