Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. The characters all belong to their respective studios and creators. I am just borrowing them for my story.
Author's Note: This story is set after the end of season 2 of Roswell (after Tess has already left) and in the beginning of season 6 of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer- after Buffy and Spike have gotten together, but before Willow was addicted to magic and before Willow and Tara broke up. Also, Giles hasn't left yet. Sorry for the confusing time lines, but this worked best for my story.
I know, I know, I need to update more often. I promise I will try to have quicker updates in the future. Also, this may not be up to the caliber of the other updates. Sorry about that, but this is the difficult part of the story- getting the details set up so that the action can begin. So if you'll just bear with me, I hope that you'll enjoy it.
Chapter Five- On the Road to Beautiful
Sunnyhell
Max, Liz, Isabel, Maria, Kyle, Jim Valenti and the Michael-imposter were all riding down the highway in a van that Valenti had rented. Maria had filled the gang in on her phone call with Michael and now they were all on their way to go find him and bring him home.
Spike sat in the backseat moodily staring out the window. He couldn't believe these little buggers had forced him to come along on their stupid quest. Trying to find their friend- aw, how bloody sweet. If he could discover where they were going, then he could figure out a way to get back to Sunnydale. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed the bloody Scoobies' help- he didn't want to be stuck in this horrendous body forever.
"How many miles is it to this Sunnydale," Max asked Valenti, who was holding the map. (Valenti had insisted on coming on their little adventure, especially with their little Vegas vacation still fresh in his mind.)
At the mention of Sunnydale, Spike was instantly alert. They were going to Sunnydale? He felt an odd sensation in the pit of his stomach; somehow this was just too much of a bloody coincidence. Then again, maybe it was just hunger- after all how could he remember what a damned "human" hunger pain felt like. Oh well. He then began wondering just what the vulgar boy normally ate, anyway, and how soon it would be before he could fill up his stomach.
"About 50," Valenti answered him.
"Maria," Max then called to her, "We're meeting Michael in the cemetery, you said?"
"Yeah, he told me that for some reason he couldn't travel by himself and that that's where he is, so we needed to go pick him up."
Spike was beginning to feel very strange-maybe it wasn't just his bloody stomach. Maybe there really was something wrong here. First of all, he had woken up in this poof's body and now he was hearing that this Michael (he'd learned that that's what his body was called) fellow was in Sunnydale cemetery. This couldn't be a coincidence- something had to have happened. Whatever it was, he was going to keep his mouth shut until he could talk to Buffy; he still didn't know if he could trust those soddin' morons, not even the blond goddess. Hell- he'd even talk to bloody Giles if that's what it took to get him home, back to his own, perfect body. Until he talked to Buffy, he was going to keep his theories to himself. Besides there were other ways he could amuse himself for the moment, he thought, looking at the leggy blond sitting in the seat in front of him.
Isabel had been quiet the entire trip. She still could not stop blaming herself for kissing Michael and hurting Maria that way. She had apologized to Maria and Maria had seemed to forgive her, but she could not help but feel guilty. Even though she now knew that this wasn't Michael, or rather her Michael, she couldn't stop blaming herself. Besides she had been unfaithful to Alex, even if it was just to his memory. She would never forgive herself for that. She vowed that she wouldn't let it happen again, for Alex's sake.
Thinking of Alex just brought back memories, beautiful memories of the times they had been together. Though she hadn't always treated him the right way, she had still loved him, with all of her soul. And to honor him and the exquisite way he had made her feel, she would be loyal to him- which meant no more "Michael" kisses- no matter how great that one kiss had been.
Just as she made her mind up, she felt a hand on her shoulder. "You want to slip into the back for a minute, love," Spike leans over and asks her. "We could really have some fun, pet."
"Get off me," Isabel said, trying her best to sound annoyed, even though his touch was sending shivers down her spine. She ignored them, though. "I don't want to play your silly games." She was keeping her word.
Isabel looked up at the rearview mirror and met Maria's eyes. She smiled at her and was relieved when Maria smiled back.
"You know, I can't wait till we get the real Michael, my Michael, back," Maria said, shooting a look of annoyance at the fake Michael in the backseat. She had seen his pass at Isabel, and although she knew it wasn't the real Michael, it still irked her to see it. She had felt a lot better, however, when Isabel had rebuffed him.
"You and me both, lady," Spike answered her with contempt. "I can't wait to get away from you stupid gits."
Everyone in the van chose to ignore his comment. From the several hours they had spent with him, they had learned to disregard everything he said. This was just one of many great lines he had come up with so far. They just hoped that he wouldn't make the rest of the trip hell. (If only they had any idea what they were getting themselves into!)
Spike, used to being ignored, just hunkered down in the backseat for the rest of the ride. He couldn't wait till they got back to Sunnydale.
Thanks for all of the great reviews. They have really kept me writing this story, even when I have had my doubts. Sorry this chapter is so short, I am having problems with the second half of it and I have just decided to put up this half for now (since it's been so long since my last update) and I'll try to get the other half up as soon as I can. I'll keep writing. Keep reviewing.