High

Chapter Four: The Shadow Owes It's Birth To Light

"It's torched."

Spike walked through the door to the Hyperion.

"You burnt the place to the ground?" said Angel.

"Yeah. All of Harry Potter's magic mumbo jumbo is dust. Watched the place burn, and called the Fire Department in to be safe. You get hold of Super Librarian finally?"

"He's sending one of his agents over with a team to collect Rayne."

"I really hope it's not Andrew again." said Spike. "I hate that little runt."

"We should know fairly soon. The team is being teleported over in the next few minutes."

Suddenly there was a ripping sound, as winds began to pick up around them, and a portal tore open in the middle of the hotel. From the portal stepped two watchers council operatives, both armed with shotguns. Behind them stood a very familiar face. Familiar, yet much different. The young man was much more muscular than the last time any of the group had seen him. He wore a black vest and combat trousers. On his left shoulder was a tattoo of a demonic skull. His face had become scored with lines and scars, and in his left eye was nothing but a burning intensity. His right eye was covered by a black eye patch.

"Xander." said Angel. "It's been a long time."

"Angel." said Xander. "You send for the trash collectors?"

"Yeah, we got Ethan bound and gagged downstairs. He's all yours. Any idea what's going to be done with him?"

"You don't need to know dead boy."

Xander brushed past Angel and walked over to Oz.

"Long time no see."

"Too long." said Oz, shaking Xander's hand.

"Still a werewolf?"

"Yeah, you don't actually get better from that.." said Oz. "Although I can control it now."

"Good to know." Xander turned to his team. "Go fetch the package. Giles wants him in the holding room by morning."

The two operatives made their way downstairs. A few minutes later they returned dragging the unconscious sorcerer behind them.

"Thank you for this Angel. You have made Giles very happy grabbing this piece of crap."

"Yeah," shouted Spike, "Thats why we did it, we like to make the librarian happy.."

Xander shot Spike a withering glance before motioning for the operatives to enter the portal. He followed closely behind them, and the portal sealed up after him.

"I guess Anya's death must have hit him a lot harder than anyone thought." said Faith.

"Anya died?" said Spike.

"Yeah. A Bringer killed her just after you went all pillar of fire."

"Why doesn't anyone tell me these things?" said Spike.

A few hours later, Oz was in his room, when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

Laura walked in, a serious look on her face.

"Oz, we need to talk. I know I hurt you but you need to know how sorry I am."

"I know."

The werewolf looked deep into the slayer's eyes.

"It hurt because I care about you. More than I have for anyone in a long while. You are the only girl since Willow that has made me feel happy, and content. And all I can think about right now is kissing you."

"Oz, wow. I didn't realize. I mean I thought there might be something, but.."

Laura's ramble was cut off as Oz stood up and kissed her. The two stood in the doorway for a few seconds in each others arms, and Oz reached past Laura to lock the door.

Two days later, in an undisclosed Council location...

Ethan woke up from the small amount of sleep he had. He had been tied to this chair for what felt like days. The rope was beginning to burn his wrists. The room had been pitch black all the time he had been awake. He had not been fed the entire time he had been there, and the only source of water was a steady drip that flowed onto his head. Suddenly a door creaked open.

A bright light flooded the room, blinding Ethan. He heard footsteps, but dazzled as he was he could only make a vague outline of the person.

"Who are you?" Ethan shouted.

"Is that any way to speak to an old friend Ethan?"

"Ripper? Is that you?"

"Of course it is Ethan. Did you think I would let anyone else deal with you?"

"Rupert, if this is about me turning you into that demon a few years back, I'm sorry. It was a joke! Surprise! April Fool!" Ethan stared intently at the figure slowly coming into focus. "That's not helping, is it?"

"This is the end of the line Ethan. This is where your spells, tricks, and games have brought you."

Ethan's came back into focus, and he immediately wished they hadn't. Giles stood before him holding a small silenced handgun.

"Ripper, you wouldn't.. you couldn't. What about the Slayer? Does she know about this?"

Giles flicked the safety catch on the gun.

"What Buffy doesn't know, can't hurt her..."

"Ripper, please.."

Giles took aim with the gun.

"Good bye, old friend."

Ethan's body slumped forward.