Chapter 15

Because no one knew what to expect from the new version of Buffy, it was decided that Angel and Spike would search for her.

As the helicopter landed outside of the construction area, Angel and Spike jumped out.

"Can you smell her?" asked Angel

"Not even a little, how do we know that she's even got the same scent?" Spike said running a hand through his hair.

"We don't but she's human, we can track her that way, just try not to scare her."

Spike grinned," Well, you'd better stay with the helicopter then mate, one look at you and the poor girl will be runnin' for bloody cover."

Angel growled as he vamped out, "Just find her."

Spike vamped out and took off in one direction leaving Angel behind to search else where, he desperately hoped to find her first. After waiting so long for her to come back, he wanted to spend a few moments with her before she was put under Fred's microscope.

Angel stood at the entrance to the forest and sniffed the air, something was definitely here, or someone. Entering the forest he switched back to his human face, not wanting to scare her off if it was Buffy that was in the forest. The announcement on the TV said she had been seen here but she could have moved on already. He sniffed the air again and proceeded with his search, there was more than one someone in this forest.

Straining his ears Spike paused in the middle of a clearing, he could hear voices; it's the coppers, lookin' for their 'wild woman'. Spike growled as he rushed off in the direction of the voices, he would tear their limbs off if they'd found her first and hurt her. Soon the voices became louder and he let his vamp face disappear. Stepping into a second clearing he found angel talking with a police officer.

Angel nodded as the police officer told him off for entering the area during a police search, "This girl is dangerous and probably scared; we don't need civilians getting in the way."

Angel saw Spike at the edge of the clearing behind the officer and signaled with his hand for the vamp not to come any closer, "Yes Sir, I do apologize for this, I heard voices and just came to check it out, I'll be leaving now." he turned away from the man and headed out of the forest.

Spike backed away and dashed off into the forest when he caught his Grandsire's hand signal. Now it was all up to him. He had to find Buffy before the police and with Angel out of the picture it would make the search twice as difficult.

As he reached the edge of the forest near the coast, Spike paused when he heard the sound of some one squealing. It was dark in the forest and he vamped out again to see clearer. As he exited the forest the smell of salty ocean water and the sound of slapping waves met him.

He listened intently, another wave crashed onto the shore and then he heard the squeal again, running in the direction of the sound, Spike's vamp guise disappeared.

Down at the edge of the beach, playing in the sand was his slayer, she squealed again as another wave hit the shore, and the water rushed towards her. If she had been wearing clothes they would have been drenched but alas, when you are reborn again the powers that be don't normally supply you with the latest fashions.

Spike slowly made his way over to where she was sitting in the sand but immediately stopped when she stood up and sniffed the air.

Turning around she took a step back when she saw him standing there, fear etched on her face.

Spike slowly approached her talking in a soft, soothing voice, "No worries Love, not here to hurt you."

Frozen like a deer in headlights she watched as he sat down in the spot where she had been playing, "I'm just gonna sit here for a bit, and watch the ocean, you're welcome to join me if you want Pet." Just as he was turning to face the ocean, a wave came and soaked him.

Meanwhile she was howling with laughter as he jumped up shaking himself off and cursing under his breath. When he looked up at her, she was walking towards him and smiling.

She grabbed his hand and pulled him back down with her so that they were facing the ocean again, Spike smiled at her and shook his head, "Sorry love, but I've had enough ocean for one night," Standing up he took off his duster and put it around her and watched as she sniffed at it before standing up and hugging him tightly.

"Oi love, not so tight, breakin' my bloody bones, "he laughed before realization hit him, stepping back he looked at her, "That's not right though, you're supposed to be all weak and first femalish, not Slayer strong, think we best get you to the helicopter." He put an arm around her and began walking back in the direction that he'd come, and she grinned happily up at him.

"The name is Spike, by the way, think I forgot to introduce m'self, not sure what to call you though, want to call you Buffy but I don't think it's your name anymore what with you being a new person and all."

Back at the Helicopter, Angel paced furiously waiting for Spike to return with Buffy, what is taking him so long, for sure he's scared her off and she's gone scampering off frightened straight into police custody. How could I have been so stupid as to let that idiot go after her alone!

Angel stopped mid pace as he caught a whiff of the younger vamp and something else.

Turning around he saw Spike walking towards the helicopter, Buffy wearing his duster and holding on to him.

"What took you so long?" asked Angel as the two approached.

"Well what did you want me to do, knock 'er over the head and carry 'er over my shoulder? Had to make peace with the girl first, show her I wasn't dangerous and such." he smiled down at her, "Pet, this is Angel, ugly bugger but he's harmless as a kitten."

When she looked up in Angel's direction he stepped forward and she squealed hiding behind Spike.

Spike chuckled, "Told you she'd be scared to look at you, personally I say it's the forehead but maybe it's just you in general that scares her."

Angel growled at him and turned around climbing into the helicopter, "Shut up and help her in."