"Please, please please!" Oh my Christ, why can't someone kill me? The slayer has come face to face with many horrors in the past, being physical, mental, or sexual torture; their was no end. She helped to destroy an entire hellmouth and dragged the devil out solo. But this, this could be the thing to trump her abilities. A clinging bottle blonde that she promised herself not to kill. I don't think I can make it out of this. Who knows how long this next apocalypse will take.

"Please! Pleasepeaspleaspleaspleaspleasplease!"

"Shut up!" Buffy refused to let her annoyance get the better of her. She turned to the begging Harmony, who now was pleading on her knees. Sighing she shook her head. "Why not?!" Harm jumped to her feet, eyes flashing to anger, "I can be super helpful!"

"You are not coming with, I need you alive." Buffy inwardly cringed at her own remark. She saw Harm's eyes turn softer, and hold a look of jagged...happiness. No, that wasn't the word for it. It was as if her eyes were reflecting wonder for the girl across from her. Then Buffy noticed her mistake, "Don't get the wrong idea, I still hate you,". Harmony's expression wilted, "But certain circumstances need you alive as a guide...of sorts."

Harmony glared at the slayer, "Which is why I should go with you! To be the guide thingy!" She grabbed Buffy's arm and tried to force the both of them out the door.

"Wha-no!" Halting, and abruptly stopping Harm as well, "You are not coming!"

Irritated is a funny word. One that Buffy would have used to describe herself before. By now, her mood has soured to the finish line. In the end, Harmony ended up tagging along in her investigation. Currently, the vampiress was chewing out her ear with nonsense.

"So the penguin goes, 'Dude, he's not an eggplant, he's retarded!'" Harm busted out into squeaky giggles at her own joke. Yep, the slayer might not make it through this one.

Luckily for Buffy, they soon arrived at their destination. Thanking the gods, she ran into the building; Harmony trailing not far behind. Looking around, the vampire realized they were in a demon bar, typical for violence to occur. A few of the creatures glared at the two, their gaze full of malice. Harmony tried to use the woman in front of her as a shield, feeling self conscious. Meanwhile, Buffy walked forward with confidence, emitting a cold and unfeeling aura. She wasn't even looking at any of the other demons as she made her was to the bar.

There, they saw a skinny blue mutant wiping glasses absently. Harm noticed he had gills on the side of his neck and was scaly all around. Buffy sat at the bar facing in front of him. When he looked up the mutate found a familiar girl and a separate one hiding behind her. He felt the corners of his lips turn up at the site.

"Lizzie! You're back!" At this statement Harmony felt the pricks of confusion in her brain. Lizzie? Buffy smiled in return at the mutants' happy tone. She did miss the old guy. Blatantly ignoring Harm, the slayer leaned forward towards the mutant. "Have you been holding up well without having me to throw out any trash?" She asked, voice good natured.

He laughed, his eyes lighting up. "Well I had to start spending quite an amount to keep this place decent."

"Sounds like you don't need me anymore."

"Well, I wouldn't say that."

She smirked, and her voice took on a little seriousness, "How have you been Zor?" The mutate waved off her slight worry, "Don't you fret, I'm good and well,". Zor gestured to the timid vampire that had been observing the entire exchange, "She a friend of yours?"

Buffy scoffed, "Hardly, we just have some business together." Harm stepped out from behind the slayer, and waved awkwardly, "Hi, I'm Harmony..I guess". Zor raised an eyebrow, and sized the other blonde up.

"You guess? Who else you'd be?" She could feel the heat rush to her face, but he continued, "You got more than one name like your pal Lizzie over here?" Buffy jumped at that, "We're not pals." She muttered irritability. He held up his hands and chuckled, "Now, now, no need to get defensive." Zor rotated his vision to Harm, "It's nice to meet you Harmony." He held his hand out to her.

The vampire blushed and shook hands. Buffy groaned at the embarrassing sight. It was then she realized the leer in Zor's gaze, and immediately got to the subject at hand. Wouldn't want to run into any mishaps; it would be inconvenient if Harmony were to show up for sale at a demon brothel. She liked Zor, but trusting him would result in some horrid hardships.

"Anyway, I need your eyes and ears for a bit." The slayer interrupted, forcing the mutant to give Buffy his attention. "Oh?" Clearly interested, he made eye contact with the brutish warrior. "Why? You getting into trouble already my dear?" His tone mocking. She shook her head, but she had the aching feeling he was correct.

"I need you to keep a look out for word about cloaked angels, and recent disappearances." He nodded, his new job going unquestioned. It was then that Harmony noticed how much authority Buffy had over people. Maybe it was because Zor and Buff were just friends. But she did come home yesterday saying that she had Amy's help too. Everyone seemed to fall under her confidence and intimidation. If Harm was in her place and wanted people to do stuff for her, she might have to sell herself out!

Why can't I have that...fearlessness? Why her and not me? It made no logical sense. If her mother were still here today, she'd slap Harmony silly. But she's not here, Harm may well continue to live in her denial until someone knocks sense into her.

Buffy bid goodbye to Zor and began walking to the exit, Harmony tailing behind. Faster than you could say, 'I fucked up', a humongous fyarl beast stepped in their field of vision. Harmony squeaked at its height, they were cast in his shadow. "You bitty yellow hairs are dumb. You not come back without fight!" Buffy sighed at the annoyance, others occupants shaking their heads at the fyarl demon.

Buffy pushed Harmony farther behind her, obtaining her usual fighting stance. I've been looking for a good fight; been feeling a little rusty. He glared with menace down at the feisty woman, "You are die-" Buffy didn't let him finish. The great dumb beast couldn't register until his head slammed into the pool table. She did it again, until the entire table smashed to pieces. Taking her focus away from the demon for a second, she ripped the table top from off of the bar. (Scaring Zor to no end). When the fyarl looked up in attempt to get his eyes working again, he saw table wood moving at lightning speed. As the demon flopped to the floor, Buffy lifted the slab over her head. It was like the wind got knocked out of him over and over again.

The slayer cast the table top away, grabbing a sharp remnant from the destroyed pool table. Using hardly any strength, Buffy sliced up the demons chest, decapitating him. She stood up, gazing at the other bar-goers. A sinister smile, "I'm sure you know what's at risk if you cross me, but don't hesitate. I like a nice fight." She stepped off the bloodied body with elegance, strolling out of the bar.

Harmony gasped at the wreckage. Of course she's seen Buffy fight before, and she knew the woman was lethal. But yet, this was the first time she's expressed terror of her housemate. It's the first time Harmony really observed the slayer in action. This was the same person that she lived with. Why had she not realized the impending danger that was Buffy Summers, or Lizzie? Why was she so scary; how can someone gain that? Perhaps it was experience. Which didn't make any sense, they were roughly the same age.

Upon coming to this conclusion, Harm noticed she was standing in the same spot since the fight started. That being said, Buffy left minutes ago. Oh damn! I don't remember how to get home!

"Buffy wait! Don't leave me behind!"

It's irritating when people try to keep their privacy. Not that Amy wasn't a hypocrite. It still ticked her off when she kept getting blocked out of the spirit world. This assignment of hers was not optional. If she got this done, and done well, then Amy could have her ticket back into Bohemian Grove. If not, then it was death.

The witch never feared death, as it was a trivial gateway that caused far too much grief for her liking. Amy couldn't count how many times she longed for her own demise as a rat. She was thankful to Willow for that, but not much else. The redhead was far too different from her. Even when she was apart of the scooby gang. Willow was either a noble white hat, or a deceitful villain; there was never a between. Not like Amy was. Not that she cared that much, as Willow never saw Amy as anything more than a flighty impulsive lower witch.

Amy reset the wards circling around her. She huffed and tried yet another variation of the summoning spell. As she continued to chant, a purple mist began to encase her form. Chanting louder in hope that it was finally working, a dribble of sweat formed on her brow. The mist grew larger and with a deep green lighting the base. Then it went 'poof'.

Huh? Oh-godammit! It was not successful. In fact it was rather pathetic.

Well, the night was going to tedious work and studying. Who knew it would be so difficult to contact the spirit of the infamous sorceress known for the annihilation of millions. To be completely honest, Amy was a walking contradiction thanks to that statement. She was sure that Buffy could get what she wanted, and as long as she holds that faith, Amy will refuse to falter. After much faltering first.

Preparing her next try, Amy heard a loud rapping on her door. Her head jerked to the left. It was odd for anyone to knock on her door. Perhaps it was Buffy, or angry thugs that wanted their valuables back. No, hardly anyone knew where she lived. Amy was almost surprised that the slayer managed to find her. Hesitantly, she stood up and stared at the door. Amy jumped when the banging repeated, this time more violent.

That wasn't Buffy.

If it was, she would have already let herself in. Maybe it was the landlord, but she was up to date with her rent. So, why? Why was she so worried, she was a powerful. Hardly anyone or anything could scare Amy, excluding a certain mother of hers. So unless she summoned her momma instead of Willow by accident, she should have no fear. But this pounding, it sounded like she was in dire danger. Her nerves were up the charts.

Her gulp was audible, and she warily inched toward the door. Going slow, the knocking bounced in her brain. Soon enough, she found herself upon the door. If one looked close, they could actually see the wood on the door begin to splinter. Amy felt cold sweat on the back of her neck. What kind of sinister enemy was on the other side? Willing enough courage, the witch set her hand on the doorknob. Almost hyperventilating, she yanked open the door with great force.

Not realizing she had her eyes squeezed shut, Amy peeked at the offending other.

The rest of the night had Buffy roaming around looking for answers, while Harmony searched all New York City for the slayer. Buffy felt beat, and a lost vampire was extremely disgruntled. So, she took to waiting outside at a bus stop until Buffy miraculously appeared before her.

She blew out some unneeded air, brow furrowed. It had been hour since Buffy left her behind, and Harmony was beginning to lose hope for her nice new apartment. She might never even see it again. She would be stuck on the streets until those angels caught her; most likely killing her. Then Buffy would be sorry.

Wait. No she wouldn't.

That woman hates Harmony more than her own bubble butt. Why would she care about a thorn in her side? Buffy has no reason to take time out of her day for some ditzy, shallow vampire. Why did I even go to her for help? I'm so stupid...

A pressure of hopelessness weighted on her chest. Harm stood up and attended the bus with a few other occupants.

She sat at the nearest window seat and watched as the vehicle lifted off the ground. There was a scarce amount of people on the bus today, shocking for New York, not that Harmony noticed. She sat down and plopped her forehead against the glass, ignoring the breif shot of pain. Looking out the window, she watched the blinding lights wiz by, as she traveled to the next city.

She doesn't even care that I was there...

Buffy reeled left on the street. Upon some careful observation, she discovered activity near Central Park. After that, yet another disappearance occurred there. The one who went missing just so happened to be a familiar face to Buffy. After a check up with Erin, it became clear that these kidnappings have been going on far before her escape.

"What do you mean?" Buffy questioned, not sure if she wanted to hear the answer. Erin looked back, eyes cold and gaze downward. "Buffy..." She paused, "all the people that went missing...all have met or had some connection..to you."

This new information had her racing to Amy's apartment in hopes that she'd be there to help. Buffy bolted down the dingy hallway leading to the witches hovel.

She turned and without restrain kicked open the flimsy door. The place smelt of herbs and slight body oder. Wrinkling her nose, she bustled through the home.

"Amy!"

Rummaging in some of the rooms, Buffy came up empty. "Amy! You better not be trying to weasel out of our deal!" A hint of worry laced her voice. Denial is your friend until the end. She scolded herself for her recklessness. Buffy needs Amy! For business!

She was about to leave the small apartment when she stepped in something liquidy. Liquid...bloody. Buffy's face contorted in anger and frustration. She kept running into dead ends no matter what she did!

How am I supposed to move forward if I have nothing to go on? Then it hit her like she gave a brick wall a face high-five. There was one person that was so insignificant that they weren't on the charts. One person that has communicated with the slayer recently and may not be in danger of going missing.

"Harmony!" Damn! I left her back at the bar! Buffy left the building in a hurry, not wanting her last piece of solid evidence to go to waste. Running up the tops of skyscrapers, the slayer eventually reached the lowdown demon club. Though, knowing her she wandered off like a stray...

Letting herself in, Buffy rushed to the bar where the scaly mutant had remained. "Zor!" He jumped at the sound and jerked his head to meet Buffy's eyes. "Liz? You were just here, did you miss me that much?" A knowing smirk in his eyes.

"No time, have you seen the vampire that was with me?"

"Oh you mean Harmony, she followed a little bit after you."

"Weasels."

"Wasn't she with you?"

"No!"

Buffy hustled out of the pub, scouring for the idiot. You moron, where could you go? The city lights illuminated her pale skin, as the wind combed through her hair. New York. The city that never sleeps. Or, at least until you die.