Hey Readers it's getting to the good bits so keep reading. I apologize in advance if i dont write Spike well, i may have said bloody one too many times but i had to put him in somewhere, what's a season 4 story without Buffy and Spike bickering?

thanks for reading, Telescapist

p.s. I implore you again to write reviews, i really love the feedback.

Buffy and Riley linked hands as they wandered through the park, taking their time to find the scene of the attack. Night had fallen quickly and what few stars that could be seen shined brightly. The moon was a silver sliver on the horizon.

"Sometimes it's so peaceful at night you know" Buffy sighed as she looked up at the stars.

"That is until some monster jumps you in a graveyard or a deserted park" Riley added wryly.

"Can't you let me squeeze the teensiest pit of pleasure out of my sacred slayer duties" Buffy scolded, wrapping her arms around him.

"Maybe just a little" Riley smiled as she leaned against him. "It really is a nice night" he agreed looking up as well.

"Well aren't you two a bloody picture."They turned around.

"God Spike could you have worse timing if you tried?" Buffy groaned. "What are doing here? Hunting rats?"

"Oh very funny slayer. But unlike your boy Angel I live on a more sophisticated diet."

"Pigs?"

"Oooh very funny, make jokes about Spike the vampire with a leash. He can't hurt humans without splitting his skull so we get to say whatever we want. Well I've got news for you slayer there are plenty of ways I could AAAAARRRGGHH!"

"Something wrong?" Riley frowned with false concern as Spike bent in pain, clutching his head. "Maybe I should take you in for a checkup, the Vets are always really busy this time of year though. Lots of new puppies that need to be...neutered."

"I'll neuter you; you bloody git if you so much as breathe in my direction."

"Now now" Riley stepped forward "let's not get rowdy."

"Oh sod off you wanker, I'm sick of your Nancy boy restraint. If you wanna have a go then have it already." Riley stiffened. "Come on, let's dance."

"That's enough" Buffy walked between then. "Come on Riley, he's not even worth the thought". She glanced at Spike. "It's too easy."Spike gritted his teeth.

"Let's go" Riley relaxed as he grabbed her hand "It's getting late anyway."

"Ooooh Nancy can't stay out past ten o'clock, mummy will be getting worried."

"Shut up Spike" said Buffy as they walked away. "And take a shower once in a while, you smell like crap."

"In case you've forgotten Slayer I live in a crypt without a bathroom and secondly I don't give a toss what you think so...Hey!" Buffy and Riley were already gone.

"Bloody Hell" he stomped away, lighting up a cigarette as he moved.



- "So what are we looking for?" Riley asked as they reached the scene.

"Uh... anything suspicious or shiny?"

"So anything that has 'I'm a clue' written on it?"

""That's it" she agreed as she combed the grass.

"Remind me why we can't kill Hostile 17 again."

"Despite his lack of usefulness in any shape or form he's, how did you put it...neutered. It's like killing a really stupid, annoying, chain-smoking puppy that can't defend itself."

"You're right. Doesn't mean we can't smack him once in a while though."

"Just to keep him quiet" she agreed as they moved toward the playground. "Hey" she looked around into the shadows untouched by lamps "Do you feel that?"

"What?"

"Oh nothing I just thought..."

"Hey come look at this" Riley called as he knelt over something.

"What is it?" Buffy hurried over to him.

"Looks like blood, but definitely not human. It's about a day old, maybe some clue to what your demon was doing here last night."

"Do you think it's their own blood or a different demons?"

"Can't be sure."

"Well we should get a sample of it...any volunteers?"

"I might have a hanky in my pocket or something" Riley grimaced and started searching his clothes.

"You use hankies?"

"Everyone back home does. It's better than going through a box of Kleenex a day."

"Sure they're great if you wanna spread germs and blow your nose on the same scrap of- are you sure you don't sense anything?"

"Riley looked up. "I think so" he slowly scanned the area. "Why do you think there's something out there?"

"Nah, I'm probably just being crazy."

"You're not crazy" a soft voice said behind them.

Buffy didn't have to turn around. "Angel?"