Spike woke up and heard Angel talking with someone, he got up and got dressed as fast as he could. Maybe she changed her mind and is considering working in the agency again, he thought as he walked out of his room, only to see, to his dismay, that it wasn't Scarlett, but some old man; and for the type of conversation Spike realized this was Andrew's contact. He grabbed a beer and went back to his bedroom.

An hour later, when he heard the man leave the flat, Spike went to the living room. "We got the office available now, it's already furnished, so there's very little that needs to be added," Angel said as soon as he saw Spike. "That's nice and all, but it's not what I'm here for, mate," he replied. Angel crossed his arms and asked, "then what is it?" Spike lit a cigarette, "you knew she didn't want to work with us, yet you tried to play dumb. Actually, mate, you did play dumb. I want to know how did you know she changed her mind and why she did, and you better not bullshit me or I'll get really violent."

Angel considered his options, not that he felt intimidated by Spike, he was only trying to find the best course of action. He didn't want to tell Spike how and what he knew, because he had promised Scarlett; but on the other hand, if he remained silent, Spike would go after her and bug her to no end until he got an answer. So Angel decided to tell the half of it and lie about the reasons, "we arranged a meeting to discuss the agency and simply said she was not interested because of monetary reasons and that she liked being her own boss."

Spike knew Angel was lying, he knew it bloody well. Not only because of what he overheard in the park the previous night, but also because he knew Scarlett wasn't after money when it came to helping people. He knew how much she liked helping and fighting, she had told him so the night they slept in her place. So Angel's lie confirmed what he had been fearing, it's because of me, because she has feelings for me. And Spike also realized that Angel lied to protect her.

Later that night he decided he would try talking with her, but so far, she was not answering her phone. He checked the graveyard and finally went back to the bar, he sat on a table and waited. When he was on his second glass, he saw her walk in and go to the counter, and for split second they locked eyes, but Scarlett quickly looked away and leaned on the counter. During the second that it took her to see him and turn around, Spike could see without actually seeing how all her muscles tensed. He didn't see, he simply knew it, felt it. He could read her body language easily. Scarlett was having her drink at the bar, she didn't even try to get a table, so Spike decided to approach her. "Can we talk?" he asked and she sighed, "I don't really want to, but you won't give me a choice, right?" she replied before gulping her shot of whisky. He signaled her to follow him to his table, but she refused, "don't see why we have to sit if this isn't gonna take more than five minutes." Spike nodded, "fair enough."

He hesitated for a moment before asking, "what made you change your mind?" Scarlett scoffed and raised an eyebrow, "what? A girl cannot decide when to put an end to something?" "No, I'm not referring to that, I mean the agency. I know we didn't get to talk about it, pet, but I know you were interested and then changed your mind. And knowing you, it seems weird because you like helping people and imparting pain to demons," Spike said, and for a moment he could see her lowering her guard, but she didn't, "you don't know me. You think because we slept together and I shared stuff with you that you actually know me? You don't know what I'm going through."

Spike pressed on, "you still didn't answer, pet, why you changed your mind about the agency?" Scarlett shot him an angry stare, "because I don't want to see you, I'd love to help out in the agency, but not if I have to see you everyday, ok?" Spike drank his whisky, "fair enough," he said and left.

It was clear for Spike that she was in an awful position, she was developing feelings for him and it was getting in the way of what she wanted to do, and more importantly, it was hurting her. He didn't want that for Scarlett, she didn't deserve it, so Spike knew what he had to do.

Angel couldn't believe what he was hearing, "say what again?" Spike took a drag, "I'm going back to America. What's the point on staying? The bird wants to work in the agency more than I do, and since she doesn't want to see me, this is for the best," he said while picking up his stuff. Angel was still looking at him with a confused look, "she doesn't want me around, mate, and this is her first chance in two decades at having someone to socialize, to not feel completely alone, even if that someone is an obnoxious brooding sod like you. I'll be calling from time to time," he added. "I feel flattered," Angel said sarcastically, and Spike replied, "not you, you git, gonna be checking to make sure she is fine. You'll make sure she's fine, ok?"

Six months later

"God, I hate slimey demons, they are disgusting and icky and they stain my clothes."

"Well, maybe you shouldn't dress like Catwoman, maybe you should wear something more suitable for a fighting situation."

"Catwoman was a fighter, you dope, so your point is moot. Besides, the important point here is that the client was totally ogling at you. You should ask her out!"

"Shut up."

"Aw, come on, she was kinda hot, you liked her, don't deny it," Scarlett elbowed Angel's ribs.

"I'm not gonna date a client," Angel replied.

"Keep acting grumpy and broody and I swear to Yoda I'm gonna get a crow, throw it at you and pop behind you and spook you with a 'hello brother'." She said and started laughing hysterically.

"What? I don't get it." Angel said with hopeless confusion in his face.

"Bah, of course you don't get it, you don't watch enough TV."

Spike followed as far away as he could without missing their conversation. She looks happy, she's laughing, she's making jokes and, hell, I almost forgot how bloody hot she is. Spike wanted so badly to talk to her right now, to kiss her, to feel her, but he wasn't ready, not just yet, not until he spoke with Angel. Spike needed to know if Scarlett still had feelings for him, it would be painfully ironic if she didn't.