Right, I don't own em and indicates thought. And also, heatwave suck and make computers go wonky, Grr...

The next morning, Buffy learned that Jack and Kate were going into the Jungle to try and find the cockpit. Charlie volunteered to go and she followed suit. So now, she found herself trucking through the jungle, listening to Kate and Charlie talk about some band that he was in.

"You all everybody!" He sang to Jack and Buffy hoping to see some recognition in them.

"Sorry." Buffy shrugged. "I was really busy that year, didn't get much of a chance for radio." Plus I was underground for three months, no weekly top forty there.

Jack didn't have a clue either, so they continued on.

It wasn't long before they saw the wreckage of the cockpit, and by that time it had started to rain. The Cockpits' hulking form was angled against a tree, and as Buffy peered inside, she could see the bodies of the first class passengers still in their seats.

The four survivors clambered up the steeply inclined aisle, used to dead bodies, Buffy didn't feel particularly squeamish, but she noticed the grimaces from Kate and the sickened look Charlie wore. Upon reaching the doors to the cockpit, she turned around and helped the others up.

"Alright so what does this transporter-thing look like again?" She asked Jack.

"It's a transponder, and it should look something like a walkie-talkie."

"Oh right. I knew that." She shrugged and began looking. She saw Charlie go into the bathroom and thought that was a little odd.

Her search was interrupted by a gasp from inside the cockpit, as Kate and Jack realized the Pilot was awake. Buffy squeezed into the cramped quarters to hear what he was saying.

Unfortunately what she heard was not good news. They pilot informed them that they had lost radio contact and were thousands of miles off course.

Buffy sighed, looks like she might not be getting home after all.

Suddenly the jungle was flooded with noise. Whatever they had heard last night was back and it was close! They tried to see what it was as the pilot stupidly stuck his head out the window to take a look around.

"No!" was all Buffy had a chance to yell as the Thing seized the pilot and he began to scream. Jack and Kate grabbed wildly for his legs but it was too late. He was pulled up and out of the window and was lost.

Kate looked at Jack, Jack looked at Kate, and Buffy continued to peer at the window.

"Guys, we have the transceiver we should get going. Now." said the Slayer on full alert.

As she spoke the Cockpit was wrenched from it's perch and thrown to the ground. The four of them ran out as fast as they could.

Mid-Dash Buffy turned around. She was going to face this thing.I'm not going to run! I have beaten the master, Angelus, the mayor and even bested a GOD- Okay well I kinda died on that one but..- This thing can't be any worse than the First. She stood her ground.

Jack who had just helped Charlie regain his footing saw what she was doing. He raced up and pulled at her arm. "What are you doing! Come on, we have to go!" he yelled

She considered. She was unarmed, and had no idea what this thing was. Her decision was made for her as Jack managed to push her down and into the bushes, just as the thing went past them.

Pinned underneath Jack Buffy Glared at him. "Did you see it?" She growled.

"No- I-there's to many leaves" he said gasping.

Buffy grunted and pushed him off. "Don't. Ever. Do that again."

"What were you gonna do? We don't even know what it is!" He was astonished that she was apparently mad at him for saving her life.

"Exactly! If you hadn't pushed me down I would've seen what it was!"

"You would've been killed just like the pilot!" He screamed at her.

"Ya think so!" She challenged and stared at him.

"Yes I do, Buffy!"

Their argument was interrupted as Kate and Charlie came up behind them. Kate was visablly relieved to see Jack, and Charlie was looking at them as if they were crazy.

"Uh...Guys." He said pointing up.

Jack and Buffy broke eye contact and looked up, only to see the mangled Carcass of what used to be their pilot.

"What could do something like that?"

"Oh, you'd be surprised." Buffy said stalking off in the direction of the beach.

TBC