Chapter 4

Cagney went with her mother to the police station. They then went back home and cooked a breakfast that neither could eat. She stared at homework that she couldn't concentrate on.

As soon as night fell, she headed for the impound where her father's car had been taken. In one fluid motion, she jumped the chain link fence and headed towards the office. Looking through the files, she found what part of the yard her father's car was in. She ran quickly towards the car. The closer she got, she could hear voices. Ducking down, she hid behind a car and crept closer. She could not see their faces in the dark from this distance, but she could distinctively hear what sounded like bickering.

"Do you see anything?"

"I can see that the car has clearly been vandalized, genius."

"I meant besides the obvious, you ponce."

"Well, I can smell that demons have been around this car."

"Why would they take this fellow? Didn't the newspaper say he was a teacher?"

"He apparently was in some extracurricular activities."

At this, she rolled from the car and jumped up, stake in her hand. "Either one of you want to tell me who the hell you are and why the hell you're here?"

Spike cocked his eyebrow and tilted his head to the side with his trademark smile. "It's not to get staked by you, love."

"We're here to help," Angel said. "Now who are you?"

She came closer, grabbing the stake tighter. "The car you're poking around belongs to my father. Do you know where he is?"

Spike scoffed. "If we knew where he was, we wouldn't be sniffing around a bloody car."

Her heart nearly stopped. "There's blood on the car?"

Angel nodded. "Yeah. Who was your father? Is he a witch? Demon?"

"No!" she nearly shrieked. "He teaches advanced sociology at a prep school. He could be awarded Nerd of the Year. Annually."

"Okay, so what about you?

"What about me?"

Angel started to roll his eyes. "Who are you?"

She looked at him dead-pan. "Mary Freakin' Poppins. Nice to meet you."

Angel started to get frustrated. "Look, we're trying to help. It would be a lot easier if you cooperated."

"My name is Cagney. I'm a Slayer."

"Who isn't these days?" Spike said on a grumble.

"That may be the case," Cagney said. "But it still means that I can kick your ass."

She stepped closer again and as she came from behind the shadow of a large truck, the moon finally shown on her face. Angel's body jerked as he saw her. If he would have had breath, it would have left his body. She looked so much like—

"My sainted aunt," Spike exclaimed. "Angel, are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

Angel stubbornly shook his head. "I don't care what you're seeing, Spike. We don't have time for it."

Spike pointed at Cagney. "But, mate, the girl looks just like—"

"She looks like no one."

Spike laughed. "You're bloody well lying. The bird could be her twin."

Angel growled. "Spike. Knock it off."

For once, Spike obeyed but Cagney was now interested. "What are you talking about?"

Angel waved his hand. "Nothing. Spike and I've known a lot of people. You just happen to look a little like one of them."

"A little my pale ass," Spike mumbled. Changing the subject, he said, "As the idiot in front of you just alluded to, my name is Spike. His is Angel. We are at your service."

It was her turn for her mouth to drop. "You two chuckleheads are Spike and Angel? Why shouldn't I be putting my handy stake through your hearts right about now?"

Angel blinked. "Because we have souls."

She raised her eyebrows. "You've managed to keep them?"

Spike raised his hands. "I'm not the one that loses my soul when I shag a beauty." He leaned closer and deepened his voice as he said, "You are quite the looker by the way."

"Spike, don't start," Angel said.

Spike straightened up again. "Don't worry, mate. There's only been one kick ass little betty that I've stolen away from you."

Cagney's face scrunched in disbelief and confusion. "I've known you both for fifteen minutes. As if."

Spike chuckled. "You know it's her."

Angel ignored the comment. "Cagney, I think we can track where the demons are if we start from where he was taken. Can you take us there?"

She put her stake back in her bag. "Sure. But if either of you do something that remotely makes me grumpy, you'll both be dust."

Spike walked past her with a smirk. "Fair enough."

TBC