Summary : An Alternate ending to the Series 5 Episode 'Tough Love' In which Buffy makes a deal with Glory to safeguard 3 people close to her while also restoring Tara's broken mind. In the end though the 3 of them will travel much further than they would have guessed.

Disclaimer: I do not own BtVS or any of it's characters, just these words.

Warning: This work is unbetaed proceed at own risk.

War Never Changes

By Fallen Gods

Chapter 3 : From the sorrowful desert

As the trio approached the two statues at the top of the hill it became apparent they were as much a part of this wasteland environment as anything else they had seen being built entirely out of scrap metal. Spike keeping alert was the first of them to notice movement, a guard patrolling the hilltop, then what sounded like animals further in and finally his heightened senses managed to pick out a sniper in position on a rooftop. While Tara was splitting her attention between both Spike and Dawn making sure they didn't get separated, Dawn rushed forward the last few steps to a sign near the base of the figures.

"Oh my god, guys listen to this," Dawn began reading aloud " In the year 2271 !" she paused to look at them both, when they didn't seem to be responding to what she said she decided to clear it up for them "2271 we're in the frickin' future" Tara not knowing what to say to this revelation just stepped forward and put her good arm around dawn in an awkward hug leaving it up to Spike to respond.

"Yeah bit can see that, just not sure it trumps another world is all." Spike spared her a small smile all the while trying to figure out how this changed their odds of survival

Dawn frowned as she considered this but then decided it didn't really make to much difference since everything was totally new to them anyway, but she was still a time traveler and time travelers are cool. As Tara disengaged from her Dawn decided to read the rest of the plaque "In the year 2271, the Desert Rangers of Nevada and the rangers of the New California Republic met at this spot to sign the Ranger Unification Treaty." She spared a quick glance around to make sure she had their attention, pleased that she did she continued. "Under this treaty, the Desert Rangers agreed to be absorbed into the NCR in exchange for NCR's protection of Hoover Dam, New Vegas, and southern Nevada against the forces of Caesar's Legion."

"What!" gently pushing Dawn aside so he could see it Spike checked the last line with confusion.

Dawn gave an indignant "Hey" then seeing what he was doing let out a more affronted "I can read y'know."

"Yeah bit I know it's just, is this a joke?." He looked up at the girls "Thought this was the future, yeah. So what the bloody hell is Caesar doing here."

"Ooh Maybe he time traveled too" Dawn interrupted, seeing the others disbelief she pushed on with her idea. " Maybe time's gone wrong around here and that's what's caused all the damage." She finished, beaming at coming up with an explanation.

Tara not wanting to burst Dawn's bubble was hesitant to speak up but thought she'd better stop this going too far. "Uh um m-maybe it's j-just someone else using the n-name." Seeing Dawns smile collapse made her hesitate again but surprisingly it was a look of support on Spikes face that made her continue. "I m-mean if there's a New California Republic then why not a new legion."

Seeing Dawn looking like she wanted to argue for her idea but unsure how Spike reassured her "If this were Sunnyhell bit, You'd probably be right. but here, without the whodoo, 'reckon Glinda's got it sussed." Seeing Dawn accept what he was saying he continued "It's like naming your gang the Goths or the Vandals or something." He was caught off guard when dawn snorted with laughter.

"What's your gang going to do, dye their hair black and graffiti depressing poetry on the walls?" she snorted again at her own joke

Spike realized that his choice of historical raiders might not have been the best but plastered a scowl on his face anyway, seeing even Tara trying to hide a smile at his expense he gave it up as a lost cause and turned towards the buildings "Come on we've likely as not drawn too much attention standing here as it is."

Moving towards the buildings the three of them tried to take in more of their surroundings without being overly obvious. A little over halfway to the first building their path brought them close to the guards patrol "Evenin'" Spike called out in his best 'nothing dangerous here' tone of voice.

The guard had jet black hair and a thick beard, he was wearing what looked like leather pauldrons over a padded canvas jacket that Spike thought looked vaguely like something from the US civil war. Defying the expectations created by his appearance when he spoke it was with a smooth, clear baritone "You three coming from the north? Must be crazy to brave those roads."

"Yeah well didn't have a lot of choice to be honest" Spike replied hoping it was vague enough to seem innocuous.

The soldier gave no sign of suspicion, just a small noise of what may have once been either sympathy or understanding but was now far too tired to be anything more than noise. "There's a lot of that these days, still if you've come from the north you can travel freer than most." He paused looking the three of them over just now realizing how strange they looked. "You don't look like you've come that far though your clothes look fresh on."

Spike could feel this soldiers suspicion increasing he wasn't hostile but he was becoming more aware that the three of them didn't fit in and that would only lead to more questions that they couldn't answer. "Yeah, well they are." The truth was the best lie he could come up with right now. "We made our camp down the bottom of the hill, when we saw movement we thought we'd come say hello."

A quiet "hi" from Dawn didn't seem to merit any response save Tara putting her arm around her.

The soldier continued as if she hadn't spoken keeping his attention on Spike "I don't think I've heard your accent before, you from Canada?"

With the exception of one eyebrow Spikes face remained impassive "Thereabouts, yeah"

"Fair enough there's a bar in the barracks if you want a drink. it's not much, but better than nothing. If your looking to earn some caps you might check the barracks too. If you can make it from that far north someone might want you to hoof it somewhere. Just be careful if you go up on the roof, got a sniper watching the road."

Seeing that everything seemed settled and friendly Dawn decided to take some initiative "Umm Excuse me but who are those statues of?"

Tara and Spike both had a moment of panic at the unexpected voice but the soldier didn't seem to think the question was unusual. "Those two? No one particular as far as I know. Represents unification. Mostly good for shade. Won't do much else when the Legion reaches us."

Before Dawn could ask any more questions or cast any suspicion on them Spike decided to end the conversation by thanking him for the directions to the bar and heading in that way. Tara quickly lead Dawn to follow and when they where out of earshot of the soldier she urgently whispered to spike asking him if this was really the time to visit a bar especially one that would likely not take their money.

His response was that that was the point, they had no recognised money and would need to get some if they were to survive here and that meant finding work. The thought of trying to find work in a world they new nothing about without doing or saying anything that would make anyone realize how out of place they were made Tara very nervous but she at least had comfort in the fact that Spike seemed unruffled by all this, she wondered if anything had ever dented his confidence. She would have been truly sick with worry if she'd known that Spike was doing what he always did, faking it until he could come up with a plan.

As the trio stand in the entrance to the bar/barracks they are all hit by the same thought, 'What a dump' even Spike is hard pushed to think of a place more run down than this. There are a couple of soldiers moving about the place and propaganda posters of some sort on the walls but otherwise the place doesn't seem military at all. The music seemed to be coming from a radio that looks to be twice as old as the girls and that's before you consider it's supposed to be the future. Spike frowns a little at the inconsistencies but decides it's better to focus on immediate problems first. still no harm in looking around and trying to figure things out a bit.

"Alright Glinda, want you and the nibblet to have a bit of a look a round the place, try to remember as much as you can and don't draw attention. I'll go see about some work. Okay?"

"OK Spike be careful." Tara replied less than reassured by his patented big bad smirk as he swaggered up to the bar.

With a nod from Dawn they split up and started to go about their tasks. Dawn and Tara stayed close together so they could whisper to each other without fear of being overheard. They turned to the right away from where spike was heading and walked past some beat up furniture to inspect the posters on the wall nothing really useful just typical pro-America propaganda fighting for your freedom that sort of thing it did have a picture of a Ranger which was useful as without it Tara and Dawn agreed they'd both have thought someone looking like that was hostile if they'd met in the wilds. Dawn also noted the radio was tuned to the same oldies station they'd found before.

As they made their way around the room they exchanged pleasantries with a woman who was clearly not military. They didn't say much to each other but the woman did mention that they should be careful of Primm as the settlement is having some problems with powder gangers ever since their sheriff was killed. After thanking the woman for her advice Tara and Dawn completed their circuit of the room and settled in by an unoccupied draughts board. As they started playing Dawn was trying to put into words what she wanted to say, eventually she just blurted it out "I'm sorry about before I didn't mean to upset you, I was just talking and thinking and I'm sure everybody really is OK dealing with Glory and Willow is like super witch so..."

"Dawn" Tara's voice sounded strained and her eyes were suspiciously shiny "please Dawn, I'm fine. I just don't want to talk about it"

"But Willow really is that powerful you should..." Dawn earnestly tried to reassure the woman who had been there for her more than anyone since her mom had died. In Dawn's mind Tara was closer to her than anyone even Buffy as Tara had always made time for her while Buffy was always running off somewhere. Dawn did know that some of Buffy's excuses were good ones but she also knew that sometimes her sister lied to get away from her, she'd told her she'd be with Giles, and Giles that Dawn needed her to stay home. Whereas Tara was always there and always supportive, how could she not feel closer to her than anyone else. She just wanted the person who had always looked out for her to stop being so unhappy.

"Dawn enough!" Tara's voice was loud enough to stop all conversation in the bar and turn the two of them into the main attraction but it was the hint of never heard before anger in Tara's voice that shocked Dawn into silence. Realizing she was the subject of such scrutiny Tara couldn't stop the blush overwhelming her face, so she turned as if considering the frankly sexist poster next to her seat. Hearing conversation resume now the bar had figured there wasn't going to be a show Tara turned back to Dawn who was staring at her with wide eyes and a hurt expression, she reached out for Dawn's hand but Dawn pulled it away. They just looked at each other for a moment before Tara spoke. "Dawn please stop, I know you're trying to help but you're hurting me. Please just let it go."

Dawn had never heard Tara raise her voice and that it had been directed against her was devastating for the teen but what was even worse was the idea that she'd hurt the last person in the world she'd ever want to. She felt a tear slide down her face tasted it's salt as it fell across her lips. She didn't think she could feel so much and yet feel so calm at the same time, a part of her noted that if it had been Buffy she'd have had a fit and stormed out but she couldn't with Tara. She spoke without planning to and with absolute sincerity." I'm sorry Tara I just wanted to make you feel better and I just made a mess of it. I promise I won't mention Glory again. Please don't hate me. You're like my best friend or a sister. Please" Dawn's breath came out ragged as she fought for control.

"Oh Dawn of course I don't hate you sweetie I promise I could never hate you. "Tara reached out for Dawn's hand and this time Dawn didn't pull away Tara squeezed her hand before giving her a reassuring smile and lifting her hand to Dawns face to wipe away the last of her tears

After a moment Tara took a breath and tried to put what she was feeling into words "I just, I'm not, I'm so afraid." It wasn't even close but nothing had wanted to come out as if speaking the words would make her fears more solid.

Dawn careful to not upset her friend again paused before answering and even as she began to speak she was sure she was getting this wrong but couldn't find another path to try. "It's okay to be scared, I mean" Dawn stumbled over what to say that wouldn't break her promise or make things worse, she smiled as she remembered the books Tara had been reading to her this past month "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is pretty scary."

Tara couldn't help but smile a little at the pleased look on Dawn's face but it faded immediately she didn't want the misunderstanding to continue to cause problems between them, she needed to do this. "It's not Glory that scares me." Even as she stopped talking she knew it wasn't enough but she truly didn't know how to go on. Dawn was just looking at her with a little frown on her face but waiting because she trusted that Tara would find the words. She tried to think how to explain how desperation can push people sometimes in ways that are ultimately more damaging than the original problem. "I'm afraid of Willow." Tara's words even shocked herself, she'd never really spoken them aloud before. She'd told Willow that her power had frightened her but that was a half-truth at best.

Dawn was looking increasingly concerned and confused but didn't really have any words.

Tara tried to explain her concerns about Willow's magic use over the past few months but she could tell Dawn didn't really get it which was fine but it meant she would have to talk about the last few days spent out of her mind because of Glory. "Dawn I remember Willow making her plans to attack Glory. I know what magic she was thinking about using. Willow is powerful but to get the power to directly hurt Glory she was calling on Higher and Lower powers, using dark magic. That always comes at a price."

"But she did that for you." Dawn pleaded "Because she loves you."

"I know and that makes it worse because it's the last thing I'd have ever wanted. There's a reason she's never used those spells or weapons before, it's because they're dark magic. Giles had most of them locked away, I don't even know where she got the others and that scares me even more. Dark magic isn't called that because it can hurt people lots of magic can be used that way there's nothing wrong with using magic to protect. It's called dark because it twists and corrupts the caster. Dark magic can be a quick and easy way to power, you just open yourself up to something else and it fills you with it's power but it will also take something from you or leave something behind. That's not something you can undo no aura cleansing or chakra adjusting will ever heal the damage."

Tara could see dawn starting to get it at least a bit, enough that she could stop but now she'd started Tara found the words were just pouring out of her.

"It also makes a huge difference what your motivation is especially when your reaching soul deep and working with so much power let alone other powers."

"But that's good isn't? I mean at least she was doing it for the right reasons, right?" Dawn was spinning at the revelations, she was trying to grab hold of the only shred of positive information she had heard, but Tara's face didn't give her much hope though.

"She wasn't trying to help me, she was trying to hurt Glory. It was payback nothing more, Glory hurt her so she'd hurt Glory. There wasn't anything else that that power could do, whether what she allowed into herself drove her to focus on revenge, or if it was just her own anger I don't know. But I know it has pushed her further down a path she shouldn't have even started, and." Tara paused before continuing. "And a part of me wishes we'd never even met so she would never have had that push."

At some point in the conversation Dawn and Tara's hands had linked up again Dawn tried her best to offer some reassurance through them but was at a complete loss for how to help, her mind couldn't come up with a single thing to say.

"Bollocks"

The girls both jumped, Tara turned her head away to rub her eyes and discreetly make sure she didn't look a complete mess while Dawn tried to mask embarrassment with indignation "Jesus Spike, are you trying to kill us."

Spike didn't react at all to the easy line Dawn had sent his way, his focus never leaving Tara.

"Glinda that's absolute bloody bollocks." He gently reached out and turned her head towards him "Isn't anybody responsible for red's actions other 'an red. An even if there was it'd be that skank not you." He guided her to her feet.

"Spike I." Tara just trailed off not sure what she wanted to say, she was mortified at how much of her outburst he must have overheard, a little angry at him for listening in, which she knew was unfair as vampire hearing could hardly be helped, and mostly she was worried about what he'd say. Whether he'd blame her, tell her that she was no good, that she just brought strife to the people she cared for. Or worse if he'd make light of it with some flippant remark which she honestly and truly wasn't sure she could bear right now.

As his words found their way past her distress she realized he apparently didn't blame her and wasn't smirking or mocking her. He was being kind and it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her. She took a deep breath and despite the stink of stale beer and smoke, she thought it really did wonders to settle her.

"S'alright luv." Spike hadn't even considered doing either of those things she feared, he just asked her if she would be ok to move and didn't judge her or do anything other than try to show his support. After all Tara was one of the few truly nice people he had known in his life and in almost one and a half centuries he could still count those on one hand.

Tara felt herself regaining control and nodded the three of them started towards the door no one speaking until they'd past the two statues and started down the hill. Feeling uncomfortable with the silence she tried to pretend none of the last few minutes had happened. "S-so d-did you find anything?"

Spike gave her a sideways look before answering, he could see her attention fixed forwards and if he didn't know better he think her entirely focused on their surroundings and disinterested in what he had to say. Personal experience however had taught him how vulnerable and exposed she was feeling, and how brittle someone in that state could be. A thoughtless act, an unkind word, and it feels as thought the ground under your feet has given way, as if you've shattered like glass into a thousand jagged pieces and can never be whole again.

'You're beneath me'

Spike pulled himself out of his thoughts and started to tell them about the job he'd got. The barracks had been a bust despite what the guy outside had said but the bartender had told him to check with Jackson in the other building or with the sniper on the roof. Seeing no harm in popping out for two secs while the girls explored he went next door.

Seeing Tara had started to listen intently to his story he decided to stretch it out a little while longer. "So I get in there and there's this guy called 'Knight, Major Knight,' seemed an alright sort, bit of a paper pusher but that seems to be going 'round here. Anyway he told me this place is a border guard station on the edge of NCR territory that Legion they're worried about is east of here by the Colarado. Meanwhile this lot are responsible for patrolling the I-15 and Highway 95 and generally keeping the caravans safe." He paused as he lit up a cigarette to check he still had his audience but he needn't of worried as the chance to learn anything more about this new world was captivating them. Taking a quick drag he continued. "Except of course they aren't."

Dawn took the hook without hesitation "Aren't what?"

"Patrolling, Jackson got orders from the higher ups saying to keep his men here on the border. Not that he's got any men most everyone here's barely out of nappies everyone else is being sent elsewhere or to the front. A place called 'Forlorn Hope' reckon we'll give it a miss if that's fine with you two." Spike's teasing tone and smirk were back in place and Dawn was once again willing to spar.

"Gee Spike why wouldn't we want to visit such a cheery sounding place."

"Don't know bit but I'll bet it'll be just like home sweet hellmouth." as he and Dawn had snarked he'd noticed Tara relax a little at least enough that he wasn't worried about her snapping like an over wound spring. They were near the bottom of the hill now heading back to the RV without really deciding to. "So." Spike spoke up to bring them back on track.

"The thing is some beasties have moved into the area, making the road north too dangerous for the caravans and without any soldiers to spare everyone's getting stuck here. He ain't exactly keen on getting us civilian types involved but if we clear out the critters just north of here he'll misplace some supplies to pay us with"

"What k-kind of c-critters?" Tara speaks quieter than usual and keeps her face down but she is making the effort to take part.

"He's not sure but best guess is some sort of giant insect."

"You mean like the scorpions you fought before?" Dawn tries not to show how excited she is to be doing this with them, and trying to pretend that it's not fear making her heart race.

"He didn't think so, course he hasn't been able to look into it even but he reckoned radscorpions, it's what they're called by the way weren't behind it."

"If he hasn't been able to investigate how would he know?" Tara feels far calmer than anytime since they'd arrived now that there was something immediate she could focus on and it wouldn't be the first time she'd had to ward of pests.

"None of the people that have reported seeing the wreckage said anything about people being stung, Jackson reckons it's ants that done 'em in."

Even with their knowledge of the larger insects on this world both girls turned to Spike with perfect flat whats on their faces.

Spike takes another drag before finishing "Giant Ants of course, 'bout half-a-dozen of them all the size of a big dog. At least that's his best guess, I figure we won't even need the guns but we'll keep 'em handy just in case. Then we get paid and maybe spend some time in that bar seeing what else we can learn about this world.

As they approached the underpass where their RV and current home was Dawn asked "How come you didn't talk to the sniper about the other job?"

"Coz bit, when Lacey was telling me about her said to be careful of her since she was..." Spike tried to find a more suitable word for Dawn's ears. "Not the sort of person you'd invite out for a drink."

"Lacey?"

"The bartender."

"Got to know each other did you?"

"Shut up!"

"Hey don't..."

"Quiet!" Spike punctuated his exclamation by drawing his gun alarming both of his companions. After a moment he turned to them "We've got company some kinda creepy crawly not sure how many but more than us that's for sure. Tara stay with Dawn keep your distance but be ready in case they get by me I'll head down and clear 'em out."

Before he could take a step Tara stopped him "You can't do this alone Spike we can help." Seeing he was about to argue she kept talking "We'll stay up top," she gestured to her left "and that way we can provide support and stay out of the way."

Spike noticed she had her in hand already and with just a brief hesitation, checked along the top but didn't see any danger. "Alright but stay close and stay together, and Dawn I don't want you shooting down there until you know what your doing with that thing just keep your eyes open so nothing can surprise us yeah?"

receiving two affirmatives he moved out into the open and got his first look at what was down there. Ants. Bloody fucking huge ants and they weren't dog sized they were more like bears. One of them noticed him and charged with remarkable speed aiming for it's head Spike fired four times until the last shot caused the top of the beasts head to cave in and the ant to fall dead less than two meters in front of him.

The next three were approaching together but as they passed out from behind the RV precise gunfire from the side struck the middle one taking off two of its right legs and the rest smashing into the side of its head causing it to collapse twitching for a while but out of the fight and soon to be dead.

The front runner came at him just like the previous one he lined up his shot and put two into the head one hit and eye and went right through. The ant started staggering and lurching obviously badly wounded but not dead yet, a third shot put it out of it's misery.

The third one as it turns out is dog sized Spikes shots are less accurate putting three holes into it until it goes down with blood leaking out over it's carapace. Spike moves deeper into the underpass as he passes the last ant he hears some sort of scritching, clicking sound from the smaller ant behind him and puts another bullet in it to be sure.

The final ant visible is on the far side past the rubble behind their RV as Spike moves past it he is painfully aware that he can't see either Tara or Dawn over the RV's roof. This ant comes at him just like the first but four shots to the head overcomes it's armour and makes a gory mess. Spike keeps his weapon on it as he approaches until he's sure it's dead.

Think the encounter over Spike lets out an unneeded breath and relaxes only to be startled a moment later as a soft scratchy sound is his only warning before another of the smaller ants emerges from behind some fallen masonry. Leaping back it's only his vampiric reflexes that saves him from a nasty bite. He brings his gun up to fire but before he can he hears three shots ring out and the last ant drops dead oozing blood onto the roadway.

Looking up he sees Tara and Dawn keeping watch he gives them a mock salute before checking the underpass is now lifeless again and yelling to them "Ta luv s'all clear if you wanna come on down." receiving a nod in response he gives the critters another quick look then moves back to the RV.

So much for the beasties being on the north road, if it was the RV that drew them here they might need to move on before too long.

Moments later Dawn joins him inside smiling widely with Tara right behind looking far more pensive, she's barely through the door before she speaks. " Spike We've got a problem all those dead ants are going to attract predators if we don't bury them."

"We were paid to kill 'em pet not provide a whole bloody funeral service."

She's frowning at his remark but before she can say anything Spike continues "Don't think we're being paid enough to try burying them in this ground, probably better to just move the RV."

"What, are you sure? I mean you said we're well concealed here if we move it'll be easy to see us from anywhere."

"I know luv, but we can't stay here much longer anyway we need to move on to find someway of supporting ourselves, the ants just put a rush on it is all."

"Alright Spike, you've got us this far. We'll do it." Tara smiles at him with total confidence

He looks to Dawn to make sure she feels included in the decision she smiles trustingly too. "Sounds good, so when do we go?"

"Dunno I'm gonna head back up to the outpost and get paid, might try talking to that bird on the roof see what she's after before we head out if her jobs not too much hassle we can probably get it done first otherwise we'll go when I get back."

"Umm are you sure you should go alone, maybe I should come with you or Tara could I mean with your you know wouldn't it be best." Dawn's worry for Spike warms his cold dead heart as much as anything but she stops talking and just looks up at him worriedly as he puts his hand on her shoulder.

"Hey there bit it's nothing to worry about, just getting paid and if any of them try anything it'll be with guns and I'll leg it back here. Promise." Spike reassures her with a smile but Tara's not so easily convinced.

"Be careful Spike. We need you." She's completely sincere

Any banter Spike might have offered is silence by the look in her eyes and the emotion in her voice. "I will. I'll be right back."

Spike had no problems getting back up to the top of the hill and in to see Jackson but when Spike brought up payment for a second he thought he was about to get screwed but the guy came through with some 'mislaid' items a rifle and some ammo was nice and something Spike was looking forward to trying out some fresh food and weapon servicing supplies. When he also handed over a bag he promised contained hundred caps Spike almost cheered, instead he kept up his tough guy image and left feeling pretty pleased with himself.

A quick trip up to the roof then and he'll be back in the RV with almost an hour to go until sunrise. He climbed up the rickety ramp and paused seeing the sniper up close for the first time. Ghost wasn't what he was expecting she was at least fifty with shockingly white hair and body language that screamed danger to him. She spoke without turning or giving any indication she'd heard him coming.

"You a courier, Might have some work for you if you don't mind walking a ways, and if your eyes are good." she spoke in an even tone completely inscrutable.

"Might be, depends on the work now." Spike couldn't help being cagey this woman hadn't made a single threatening move but his instincts were screaming at him.

"I think there's trouble in Nipton, No traffic from there for awhile and while I can explain that away, the smoke from the town I can't. I'm sure it's been hit, what I need to know is if they survived it. Might be Powder Gangers with all that smoke in the air. If there's anybody left they'd be in the town hall. Go there, check it out, let me know what you find."

This was sounding a hell of a lot more dangerous than some overgrown ants "Well I'll have to think about it but if I'm in the area I'll give it a look yeah."

"Well that's better than nothing but close to it. Listen, I don't want you getting killed for this, so if you head there and run into trouble, I'm asking for eyes and ears, not your life. All right?"

That at least sounded better but did leave one important question unanswered. "What about the pay?"

"The pay? The pay is the good goddamn thanks from the heart of the republic!" Ghost spoke with fervour and a zeal that Spike was sure didn't belong outside propaganda films. Before he could start backing away from the loony bint her body language relaxed minimally she developed a small smile.

"Just shitting you with the NCR line, done wonders for morale around here. President Kimball keeps saying getting shot at is its own reward."

Trying not to sigh too loudly with relief Spike only managed a noncommittal "I can imagine."

"Do this job for me though, I'll do what I can. People know I hate most everyone, so if I put in a word for you... that's gold."

Spike realized that was effectively the end of the conversation. he'd have to bring this up with the girls but the lack of solid reward was a tad off putting and the idea of Powder Gangers substantially more so, unfortunately they weren't in possession of an abundance of alternatives. Spike headed back returning to the RV with plenty of time to spare but he doubted today would be any more restful than the last one spent in Sunnyhell.