Mac was meanwhile stretched out on the ground, Cassandra kneeling on his legs and holding Holy Water. "Say uncle?" she offered and he just looked away. "Oh, that's right, you killed my uncle," she said, dripping some of the water over his chest.

Jerrie entered, scowling at the sight of Cass straddling Mac, "That's it then. Off to th' church."

Cassandra held out the holy water to him, a perfect picture of innocence. "It makes such pretty colors."

He shook his head slightly, as he moved to untie Mac from where he was bound to the foot of the bed, "I'll see 'im die soon enough. I've never been much for th' pre-show."

Mac had watched the exchange quietly, before smirking at Jerrie, keenly aware of how jealous the other was. "That's too bad, you know. Cassandra likes that bit the best."

The other vampire growled softly, "What's that supposed t' mean?"

Mac leered at Cassandra. "Ask her, she knows what I mean," he replied, playing up Jerrie's jealously and anger.

Jerrie's gaze darted to Cass, "Well?"

"Shhhhhh," Cassandra said, holding a finger up to her mouth. "Bad dog." But she was smiling while looking at Mac.

"You should let me talk," Mac continued. "Sounds like your boy here could use some pointers. He hasn't learned much in all his time, has he? Still the same old Jerrie." He turned now to Jerrie, grinning cockily at him. "She likes to be teased-"

Jerrie growled again, he'd heard enough. He elbowed Mac in the jaw as he yanked the last of the bonds off of the foot of the bed, "Keep your hole shut!"

Hurting, Mac continued. "You should take better care of her. The way she was touching me... I can tell when she's not satisfied."

The redheaded vampire snarled, hauling Mac to his feet and slamming him back against one of the bedposts, "I said, shut up!"

"Maybe you two just don't have the fire we did-" Mac continued to goad him with a faint smirk, even as his body ached.

One of Jerrie's hands closed around Mac's throat, holding him there, while the other reached over and snapped an arm off a candelabra, forming an instant stake. "That's enough!" He drew his arm back, prepared to dust the other.

"No!" Cassandra yelped, having been watching the boy fight together with rapt glee until that moment.

Jerrie froze, a look of realization spreading across his features, "Right...you almost got me." He grinned, dropping the stake, "Aren't you a 'throw himself to the lions' sort of sap these days. Well, the lions are on to you, baby. If I kill you now - you go quick and Cass hasn't got a chance. And if Cass dies, your little Rebecca of SunnyHell farm and all her mates are spared her coming out party.."

Mac's face twisted slightly and he looked down. Cassandra rose, putting her hands on Jerrie's shoulders and resting her chin against one of them. "Jerrie," she hummed. "The moon is rising. It's time."

Jerrie wrapped an arm around Cassandra's waist, possessively. He grinned at Mac again, "Too bad, Macavity. Looks like you go the hard way-along with the rest of this miserable town."

o.o.o.o

Admetus looked up when the door his bar opened. At least time the place was open, though it was still almost empty. Opening his mouth to greet the new comers, he paused. "Look," he told the two Slayers. "I really don't know where Mac is. Why does no one believe me?"

"I'm not here to ask about that. I want to know about the ritual going down tonight," Grids answered, moving over.

"Darling," he shook his head. "It's the New Moon in Sunnydale. Do you know how many rituals are going down tonight?"

"The one to heal Cassandra," she snapped.

"Well, what does that ritual need to go down?" Ademtus asked.

"A church, and her sire, and du Lac's cross. They have two of those three, I need to know which church."

He sighed. "A Church. That's as bad as saying they need a graveyard..."

"Damn it, I know that! I need a vague idea of where they'll be!" Her expression was bordering on desperate.

"Hold on, hold on," he said, raising his hands. "I'm trying to think okay?"

Kendra gave the entire scene a long look. Finally, Ademtus held out a hand. "Look, do you have a map handy or anything?"

Grids dug out a rough map of Sunnydale, handing it over.

"Alright," he said, looking it over and marking a couple places. "These churches? They tend to be the "go to" places for rituals. They've long since been abandoned. I heard stirrings about this part of town," he said, pointing to one in the left corner. "And it's accessible through the sewers. Check there first, and then these others. I can't tell you more because this is not a loop I'm in."

She took the map, nodding, "Thanks. I'll keep this favor in mind."

"Yeah, you do that," he sighed. "Good luck finding your guy. Mac's not a bad one."

Grids managed a faint smile at that, "I know. Thanks." She turned and headed out the door, starting in the direction of the most likely church.

"First, we must return to the Watcher," Kendra protested, catching up with her.

"Excuse me?" Grids barely glanced at her as she continued on her way, "While we run to Cori this whole thing could go down."

"But it's the procedure!" Kendra protested.

"It's brainless! If we don't go now, Mac'll be history."

"So that's all you're worried about then, your boyfriend," Kendra shook her head. "This is why emotions are a weakness for a Slayer."

"It's not all. But it's enough in this situation. And emotions aren't a weakness, they help me."

"Help you run off on a hopeless quest? We can't stop this alone."

"He'll die!"

"He's a vampire, he should die! Why does no one else in this town understand that?" Kendra snapped.

Grids finally paused, looking like she wanted to hit the other girl, "I'm going. With or without you."

"You're crazy," Kendra shook her head.

"Fine, I'm crazy, so go get help." She turned and made her way toward the church Admetus had recommended. Kendra gaped after her before turning her feet toward the school.

o.o.o.o

Jerrie stood before the altar of the abandoned church, swinging a censer as he read from the decoded tome, "Eligor, I name thee. Bringer of war, prisoners, pariahs, grand obscenity!" His gaze flickered to where Mac and Cassandra were bound face to face with leather straps, "Eligor, wretched master of decay, bring your black medicine. Come restore your most impious, murderous child!" He set the censer aside, withdrawing the cross of du Lac, thick leather gloves shielding him from it, and pulled at the base of the cross, unsheathing a hidden dagger.

He grinned, grabbing Mac's hand, which was bound to Cass' and raising it, "From the blood of the sire she is risen! From the blood of the sire she shall rise again!" he slammed the knife home through both of their hands, stepping back.

Mac cried out at that pain, though Cassandra just tilted her head back and laughed breathlessly at the pain.

Jerrie clapped his hands and pulled the gloves off, "Right then! Now we let them come to a simmering boil, then remove to a low flame and-" He was cut off as the doors to the sanctuary crashed open and two of his henchmen, along with the remaining two members of the Order of Taranta entered, dragging Grids with them. The vampire's green eyes widened and he moved swiftly over, "What the hell do you think you're doing, you idiots?"

The police woman paused. "She's the Slayer. Didn't you want her?"

"Dead!" He snapped, "I wanted her dead, nitwit!"

The worm man shrugged. "Well, she's here now."

"Great, wonderful. Y'know, for assassins y'd think I'd get a bit more for what I pai-" His gaze turned to Grids as she murmured Mac's name. He looked in the direction of Mac and Cassandra and shrugged, "Yeah, it bugs me too, seeing 'em like that. Another five minutes and Mac'll be dead though, so I forebear. But don't feel too bad for Macavity. He's got something you don't."

The slayer eyed him, "What?"

"Five minutes. Patrice?" He looked at the police woman, "Finish th' job I paid you for."

Shrugging, the police woman drew one of her many guns, aiming it at Grids just as the door flew open, Kendra standing in the space for a moment before throwing herself at the police woman, smashing her to the ground.

Jerrie blinked in confusion, "Who th' hell is that?"

Grids shook off the two vamps who were holding her, "It's your lucky day, Jerrie."

"Two Slayers," Kendra replied, grabbing him by the shoulders and kicking toward his stomach.

Jerrie doubled over. "No waiting," Grids finished slugging him in the jaw as he straightened.

Kendra moved forward to punch him again, as the police woman went after Grids. Jerrie ducked Kendra's swing and kicked out at her legs. Grids backed up, trying to get a good location for a fight with the assassin.

The two vampires were finally recovering from the blows Grids had landed on them and started toward the fights. One of them froze and turned to dust as a crossbow bolt hit him from behind. Cori worked quickly to reload the weapon, nodding to Tugger who stood next to him, "Your turn."

"Oi, Larva boy!" Tugger called out, Mistoffelees trying not to smile from where he was flanking Cori with his own crossbow.

The man in question turned, recognizing Tugger. "That's right!" Tugger called. "I'm so talking to you!" The worm man started for him, and Tugger turned and ran tail. Slamming the door closed behind him, he grinned at Bomba as the man dissolved into worms that were quickly getting caught in the glue they'd spread out behind the door.

Bomba smirked, setting to work on stomping the worms.

Jerrie had to admit the new slayer was skilled, but he had years on her, and he was strong. He landed a couple of very specific blows, putting her on the defensive.

The police woman meanwhile was going strongly against Grids, fighting her with two knives know. Grids was hard pressed to avoid the blades, she glanced at Kendra, "Switch!"

Kendra nodded, backing up against Grids so they could grab each other's arms, doing a tandem flip to switch opponents.

Grids landed in front of Jerrie, and the vamp shrugged slightly, "Rather be fightin' you anyway."

"Mutual," came her reply as they set to.

Meanwhile several vampires were going after Mistoffelees and Cori, one of them knocking the crossbow away from Coricopat and unable to come up with any other plan, Mistoffelees threw himself on the vamps' back, pulling at his throat to keep him away from the librarian.

Coricopat withdrew a stake, careful to avoid hitting Misto as he staked the creature. Mistoffelees dusted some of the ash off himself, offering Cori a smile. He scooped up the fallen crossbow, handing it back to the librarian. Cori took the crossbow back with a slight smile, turning the weapon on the nearest vamp and firing.

Meanwhile Tugger and Bomba were going at the worms.

Bombalurina seemed to have gotten over the mincing steps she'd first been using to kill the larvae and she was killing them with relish, "Die! Die!"

"I think he has," Tugger told her, giving her a half awed and half frightened look.

She looked down, stilling and finally nodded, "Looks like."

"Really dead," Tugger added.

Bomba blushed slightly, brushing a lock of hair out of her eyes, "Wanted to make sure. I don't like worms."

"I kinda was picking up on that," Tugger informed her. "But the bad worms are dead now."

She glanced at him and then back at the closed doors, "Should we see if they need any help?"

"We could," Tugger sighed. "Or we could triple make sure this guy is dead."

The redhead considered for a moment, "I think I saw another worm move."

"Let's squish it," Tugger grinned. Bomba returned the grin, feeling at ease around Tugger for the moment, now that they were away from everyone else.

Kendra was still fighting the police woman, a few rips from the knife in her shirt but she was ignoring that, instead coming at the woman with a fury of kicks and blows.

Grids threw Jerrie back against one of the walls. It took him a moment to gather his wits again, and in that space of time she'd reached the altar and was trying to pull the knife out of Mac and Cassandra's hands. Jerrie snarled, tackling her away from the pair. They grappled for a long moment before he landed a stunning blow. He glanced around, seeing exactly how outnumbered he was.

"Damn it..." He scrambled to his feet and yanked the knife out, cutting the bonds and catching Cassandra as Mac fell to the floor, "Sorry, Princess. We gotta go, hope that was enough..." He picked up one of the torches from near the altar and hurled it toward Mistofelees and Cori, it landed a good distance away, but caught a curtain, setting the cloth on fire. He carefully carried Cassandra along the other side of the blaze toward the organ loft.

Mistoffelees yelped, already attempting to try and get the fire put out. Coricopat joined him, but the fire was quickly getting out of control, there was too much old wood and cloth, "We have to get out of here."

Grids got to her feet, her entire body tense. She picked up a censer and swung it over her head to get up some momentum before throwing it. It slammed into the back of Jerrie's head, causing the vampire to stumble right into one of the support beams for the organ loft. Unfortunately for Jerrie, the beam had already been weakened due to age and the battle had worsened its condition. It gave out bringing the entire loft down on him and Cassandra.

Kendra blinked at her, having finished her battle with the assassin. "You're good." From where he'd fallen, Mac groaned.

Grids moved over to his side, "Shh, it's going to be okay." She glanced up at Kendra, "I need help getting him out."

Swallowing, Kendra nodded, helping her lift Mac who blinked blearily at them. "Grids?"

"Shh, you're going to be alright," the girl murmured. She and Kendra managed to get Mac out, the others following as the fire quickly spread through the rest of the church.

o.o.o.o

Kendra walked out to the curb with Griddlebone during the next school day, before school had started. "Well, Sunnydale has been... quite the experience."

"Day in the life," Grids replied, holding out a plane ticket.

Kendra accepted it. "I still do not believe that this counts as traveling undercover, you know."

"It's not supposed to. It's not in your name though."

Kendra raised her brows. "Whose name is it in?"

"My mom's."

That got Kendra's brows higher but she accepted it. "Alright. I'll leave that one the way it is then."

"Wish I could say it's been good to meet you, but we both know that'd be a lie."

Kendra narrowed her eyes for a moment before shrugging. "It is what it is. Your methods as a Slayer are unorthodox and I worry for those around you. Nor do I think I shall tell my watcher about Mac... it is too strange for a slayer to love a vampire."

"Tell me about it." She paused, "But you were a great help. Thanks."

Kendra shrugged. "There are two slayers now. We should help each other out."

"Well, call us to warn us if you're coming again, hm?"

That finally got a small chuckle out of Kendra. "I will look into it."

Grids finally grinned a bit, "Well, have a good flight. Take advantage of the free peanuts."

"I will try," she replied. "Good luck here."

"Thanks. You too."

Kendra nodded, before turning and getting into the taxi toward the airport. Grids watched the taxi pull away and then headed in for class.

o.o.o.o

Coming down the hallway, Tugger paused when he saw Bomba. They noticed each other at the same time, both abruptly turning to go the other way. However, after a spilt moment's hesitation, Tugger turned and jogged down the hallway to catch up. "We need to talk."

She scowled, "You've got to be kidding me."

He scowled back, hustling her into an empty classroom and standing a good ways away, posture wary. "Okay, so, here's the thing. There's no reason for us to turn tail and run every single time we see each other."

"Right. Okay," she nodded. "Wait...why shouldn't we run?"

"There's totally an explanation for what happened-" Tugger started.

"You're a pervert?" she offered as that explanation.

"I'm a what?" he gaped, voice going high and a little funny. "Kissing you is not the act of a pervert, besides which I recall being the jumpee here."

"As if! You've probably been planning that for months!"

Tugger just gaped at her. "Right. I hired a bug man to kill Grids just so I could get the chance to kiss you. I hate to burst any bubbles here," he said, advancing slightly. "But you don't inspire me to spring for a dinner at the local fondue hut!"

She looked at him for a long moment but finally grimaced "Fine. Whatever. The point is, don't ever try it again."

"I didn't try it the first time!" he protested. "Just the thought of your lips on mine sends a shiver down my spine that bug man just cannot match."

"So help me, if you breathe a word of this to anyone..."

"Like I would want anyone to know! I wouldn't even tell Misto here," he snapped in reply.

"Then it's erased?"

"Never happened," he declared.

"Good."

"Good!" he declared just as loudly and the next instant they fell into another passionate kiss. Bomba's hand moved to tangle in his hair again, as her other wrapped around his neck. He leaned into the kiss, hands rising to her waist and holding on.

They broke away after a moment, Bomba's eyes wide. "Augh."

His own eyes widened in horror. "Ahhhhh...!"

"God what is with this?"

"Don't look at me!" he said, taking a step back.

"Well it's not my fault!"

"You think it's mine?" Tugger demanded, voice hitching high again.

"Yes! Maybe?"

"Sure as hell ain't, princess," Tugger crossed his arms over his chest.

She glared at him, "Well it's not all mine!"

"Look, we just... walk away and never talk about it?" Tugger offered.

"Right. Good plan."

"A brilliant plan," Tugger offered and didn't move.

"You should go," Bomba suggested.

"I... right," he tried.

"Or...I could go."

"Could do that," he murmured. She still didn't move. Tugger finally went to take a step, only to take three more forward, kissing her again before consciously realizing what he was doing.

Bomba stiffened before melting into the kiss. They stayed that way for a while before Tugger jerked back again. "Oh, god, what are we doing?"

"Kissing," was the unhelpful answer. "What are we going to do?"

"Don't look at me," Tugger muttered.

"We have to go, and not say anything."

"Right," he started. "Didn't we just try that?"

"...We didn't get started on trying that."

"Right," he said. "Your turn to leave then."

She hesitated and then nodded, turning to go. She reached the door and paused. He watched her, unsure what to do. Bomba straightened her shoulders and finally left the classroom.

Tugger ran a hand over his face before hefting his bag up and finally leaving as well, going the opposite direction.

o.o.o.o

Mistoffelees paused as he noticed Pounce at one of the vending machines before approaching. "Hey."

Pounce looked up, his arm was in a sling but he smiled when he saw Mistoffelees, "Hey." He paused for a moment before holding out a box of snacks, "Animal cracker?"

"Oh," Mistoffelees nodded, accepting one out of the box. "Thank you. How's your arm doing?"

"Suddenly painless," came the reply.

"Really?" Mistoffelees asked, arching a brow but grinning. "How'd that happen?"

Pounce shrugged his good shoulder, slightly off-balancing his book bag but quickly remedying that, "Couldn't say. Must be the company."

Mistoffelees half moved forward. "I can carry that bag, if you like," he offered.

"Nah, I got it. Thanks."

"Alright," he said. "Can you still play guitar?"

"Not well, but not worse," the other teen admitted.

Mistoffelees nodded, following him down the hall. "You know, I never did really get to thank you," he started.

"Please, don't." Pounce cut him off, "I don't do thanks. I get all red and I have to bail. It's not pretty."

"But, there's this whole deal where I sorta owe you my life..." Mistoffelees started, determined to get this said.

Pounce dug around in the animal cracker box, pulling one out and holding it out, "Look. Monkey. And he has a little hat. And pants." He was very much not dealing with the thanks thing.

Mistoffelees gave him a long look and smiled at that, figuring he could let it go. "Alright. Yes, he has a very adorable hat and pants."

"Did you know that the monkey is the only cookie animal that gets to wear clothes?"

"Really?" Mistoffelees asked, still smiling. "He must be a very special animal then."

"I've always wondered if the other cookie animals feel ripped off. I mean, what about the hippo?" Pounce offered a cock-eyed grin.

"I'm sure the hippo is crushed and very offended he doesn't get pants," Mistoffelees attempted to say seriously but couldn't help but grin.

The other teen laughed a bit, "Oh, before I forget..." He paused and slung his backpack around to brace it on his knee and against the wall as he unzipped it and dug through it.

Mistoffelees blinked, moving forward in an aborted motion again. "Are you sure I can't help you with anything...?"

"I got it," came the answer. He finally pulled out what he'd been looking for. It was a block of sharp cheddar cheese, which he offered to Misto, "Here. For you."

Mistoffelees blinked, accepting it. "Oh, it..." he paused and grinned. "Sharp cheddar cheese?"

Pounce nodded, grinning as he zipped his bag back up and slung it onto his shoulder again, "Yeah, you said you liked it, right?"

"Yes, very much," he replied. "Thank you."

"Y'welcome. I should get to class."

"Right, yes, of course," he said, offering him a smile. "Really, do I get to thank you for this or is it going to be another red and bailing situation?"

"Red and bailing," Pouncival confirmed.

Mistoffelees laughed. "Alright. I won't be too profuse then. But I can promise I'll probably enjoy the cheese."

Pounce grinned, "Good." There was a brief pause before he spoke again, "You have the sweetest smile."

Mistoffelees' eyes widened, flabbergasted. "I, I do?"

The older boy nodded, "Well, I gotta get to class. See you later?"

"Alright," Mistoffelees said, still shocked. "Have a good day. I hope your arm continues to feel painless."

"I think it will. Have a good day!" Pounce offered him a grin before heading to class. Mistoffelees watched him go before turning his own feet toward class.

o.o.o.o

Grids was sitting outside the school at lunch, enjoying the sunshine and letting it banish away the fears she'd had over the last couple of days. She was relaxed, finally and she offered Misto a bright smile as she saw him approaching.

Mistoffelees sat down beside her, green sweater more subdued than some of the fuzzy numbers he wore, but still looking rather cuddly. "Hey, you feeling better?"

She nodded, "Yeah, quite a bit. How're you doing?"

"Well, I have cheese," he said, still trying to sort that in his mind.

"Cheese?" she repeated in confusion.

"Sharp cheddar," he replied, smiling. "Pounce gave me cheese."

"Pounce?" She blinked in mild confusion at that.

"The cute senior?" Mistoffelees offered. "The guy who came over and promptly ended up shot for his trouble?"

"Oh, right. Wait...he gave you sharp cheddar cheese? Like...the kind you find at the supermarket?"

Mistoffelees nodded. "Yup."

"Wait, so he gave you supermarket cheese as a pre-date gift?"

Mistoffelees blinked. "It's a pre-date gift? Since when was it a pre-date gift? Besides, he knows I like it."

"It's supermarket cheese!" She exclaimed, her voice going a bit squeaky. "And he gave it as a gift, right?"

"Yes, it was a gift, and it's not like Sunnydale has a specialty cheese shop," Mistoffelees said, trying not to grin in her face.

"But...but, it's supermarket cheese! That is not an appropriate pre-date gift!"

"But he knows I like it," Mistoffelees protested as Tugger finally approached, looking spacey.

Grids looked up, "Hey, Tugger, would you give someone supermarket cheese as a pre-date gift?"

"Huh?" Tugger asked. "Cheese? Pre-date gifts? I have no dates and no pre-date gifts to give," he rattled off.

She just blinked at him, "Why am I asking you anyhow?" The girl turned back to Mistoffelees, "Supermarket cheese!"

"Yes," he replied.

"I am so confused," Tugger managed.

"A cute guy gave me cheese as something Grids as termed a pre-date gift," Mistoffelees told him, glancing up. "Apparently Supermarket cheese was not actually acceptable."

"It's not! It's supermarket cheese!" Grids affirmed again.

"But it's something he knows I like!" Mistoffelees repeated as Tugger sat down beside him.

"Okay, I'm still confused," he declared.

"Pounce gave Misto supermarket cheese as a pre-date gift," Griddlebone tried again.

"Who's Pounce?"

"Cute senior. Got himself shot during the incident with the Order," she clarified.

"Right," Tugger said, still not placing him but alright with that. "Cheese?"

"Yes," Mistoffelees replied. "And I'm very happy with it."

"Alright, so you're happy with it." Grids shook her head, "It's still supermarket cheese."

"Yes, it is," Mistoffelees laughed and paused. "So what do I get him back?"

She shrugged, "What does he like?"

"Well, cheese, he plays the guitar, appetizers..." Mistoffelees considered.

"Guitar picks? Or fudge. That's always a good fall-back," Grids suggested.

"Right," he said, nodding. "I'll work on that. Since, saving life, giving me cheese... figure should do something back."

"Yeah, just don't give cheese back. It's not a good idea to re-give the same thing," Griddlebone said, wisely.

"No, of course not," he said, leaning back against the wall. "I'll think of something. At least I get to worry about something other than the end of the world for once."

"Yeah, and you could maybe get a date out of this whole thing too," she grinned.

"Maybe," he agreed, tilting his head back into the sunshine. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves here."

She nodded, but spoke decisively, "It was a pre-date gift, I know it."

"I'll work on believing you," he replied, offering her a smile. "And we'll see where life takes us."

Proving, once again, that Pounce is a much healthier relationship that Coricopat could really hope to be. That being said, we hope all our readers enjoyed this latest chapter, and we would love to hear from you! Leaving a review is a quick and easy way to let us know you've been reading, and we adore hearing specifically what readers think of our work.

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