Previously: It was a system that worked. After we had finished we both walked out into the main part of the shop where everyone was waiting for us to say their goodbyes.

After the goodbyes, it was time to patrol.

Chapter 16

'Dru dear, I'm going out for a while ok? I'll be back as soon as I can' Ally called.

Drusilla was busy entertaining her new pet, a small child about the age of five, in another room. Dru was cradling the small girl in her lap, singing softly.

'Dru did you hear me?' Ally poked her head around the corner. Drusilla stopped singing and looked up at the other vampire.

'Where are you going?' she asked.

'To meet an old friend, who may just have the information we need' Ally explained.

Drusilla looked thrilled.

'Information so we can go paint the town red?' she nearly squealed.

Ally smiled 'Yes, exactly that Dru' she glanced at the child, 'Don't do anything to nasty ok?'

Drusilla looked at the child.

'Don't worry Ally Belly, we'll be good girls, wont we?' she said to both the child and the vampire.

Ally smiled. 'I'll be back soon' and with that she glided off into the oncoming night.

Ally headed down the main street of Japan. She was on her way to meet her mother, who had insisted on 'popping' over to see her beloved daughter. Her mother, Bonnie Cross, was a powerful witch who could do just about anything. She would be able to tell that something was different about her daughter, but hopefully would turn a blind towards it. Ally hadn't seen her mother since the day before she was vamped. She wondered how different her mother must look. It had been years after all.

In front of Ally was a small café, and sitting there, was a small slender woman with the most beautiful shade of red hair. Ally took an un-needed breath to steady herself and hoped her mother wouldn't dust her, she was capable of that. Bonnie saw her daughter standing outside, stood up and waved to her. Ally smiled and waved back as she made her way inside. The café was small and cosy, a place her mother would feel very at home, there were bright colours all over the walls. Either as pictures, or tapestries or rugs. Bonnie seemed to fit into the place very easily, with her bright purple dress and black stiletto heels.

'Ally! It's so good to see you!' Bonnie embraced her daughter.

Ally could feel the blood pulsing through her body. She had to keep it under control for just a few hours and then she'd be fine. She'd find some poor sucker to snack on later.

'It's good to see you too mom. How have you been?'

'Can't complain, yourself?'

'Life's been… interesting' Ally answered. She didn't want to let on too much.

Both women sat down, ordered something to drink, and began to catch up.

Patrol had been rather uneventful unfortunately. I was really looking forward to hitting something tonight. Not quite sure why. Might have been because of the way Anya was being tonight.

Buffy and I walked along the street towards home in comfortable silence. I was silent because I was fuming from lack of punching things, but Buffy was silent for some other reason. The look on her face told me that she was having trouble to come to a decision on something.

'What's wrong pet?'

'Nothing' was the reply

'Buffy.'

'Well it's just, the whole time we've been here, Angel hasn't spoken to any of us. It's like we all died or something'

'Maybe he thinks we did pet'

'Well he should at least try to contact!'

Buffy truly seemed annoyed at the poof. I couldn't blame her if I was in that position, but I hated the guy so I didn't really care.

'Maybe you should try and contact him and say something along the lines of thanks for all your help, just to let you know we're all fine. But in a sarcastic tone all right pet?'

'You know what? Maybe I will' Buffy looked dead serious.

After Buffy's little outburst, we continued to walk in silence. In order to give some comfort to the hurt girl, I wrapped my arms around her shoulders as we walked and she snuggled into my side.

We got all the way to the elevator in the hotel before Buffy shrugged out of my embrace. She then explained she would like to be alone tonight and told me I didn't spend enough time in my own apartment. She was going to talk to Dawn about her first day at school, her friends Candice and Carly, the fact that both of them were demons, etc.

Taking the hint, I said goodnight, kissed her on the cheek and headed down to my 'not so lived in' apartment.

Ally was half way home. She had just drained three teenagers who had been loitering in the nearest park. All of which tried to hook up with the hot red head, only to make a run for it five seconds later. None of which, were lucky enough to get away.

The evening with her mother had been enjoyable, almost as natural as it had been when she was human. Her mother had picked up on the something different, but as Ally has predicted, turned a blind eye. They had spoken of many things; what Bonnie had been up to, how her father was, what Ally had been doing, had she met anyone?, etc.

And after what seemed like forever, her mother finally revealed just what Ally wanted to know.

Ally entered the house and looked around for any signs of a riot. The only thing she saw however, was a content Drusilla was napping on the couch, a drained child in her embrace. Dru awoke with a start as the door closed.

'Did you get what you wanted?' she asked sleepily.

Ally smiled and stroked Dru's face. 'Yes I did indeed honey. Did you enjoy yourself?' she asked observing the dead child.

Drusilla looked down; 'we had a wonderful time until I got hungry and she wouldn't stop crying' she pouted, but then grew excited. 'The moon whispered to me, it told me you would know where to go'

Ally wasn't the best at Drusilla's weird ramblings, but because of the frequency of them, she was getting better.

'Of course it did Dru Dru'

'Where are we going Ally Belly? Is your sister there?'

Ally smirked 'Oh yes she's there. Drusilla my dear, pack your bags, we're going to Cleveland.'