Eliza stared up at the newly unsouled vampire and gave a small smile. "Welcome back Angelus." She said softly.

Angelus wrapped an arm around her. Eliza could feel her skin crawling at the very feel of his hands on her. "Knew you'd be happy to see me, Liz," Angelus said. "Think I missed you most of all."

"Oi, mate," Spike said wheeling up to them and pulling Eliza away from Angelus's grip. "Now that you're back with us does this mean your down to have the slayer killed."

"Kill her?" Angelus said. "I mean eventually, yes, she'll die, but this Slayer is tricky, not like the slayers you've killed Willie boy. No, to kill this Slayer – you've got to love her. Don't you agree Liz?"

"Yes," Eliza said automatically.

"Now you're not just saying that because your scared I'll dust you now, are ya?" Angelus asked. "Be honest now Eliza."

"I'm not."

Angelus smiled. "Good."

Eliza smiled tightly. Her hands clenched the handlebars on the back of Spike's wheelchair and it took every ounce of self-control she had not to shatter them. "I'm feeling a mite peckish, I think I'll take Spike out for some dinner before sunrise."

"Oh Eliza, you're not avoiding me now, are you?" Angelus asked.

"No," Eliza said. "I'm hungry."

"Surely you can hunt by yourself," Angelus said. "You don't need this…"

"Hunting is easy when you can make your prey sympathetic to you," Eliza said. "I just need a few well-meaning humans and Spike, and I will have our dinner."

Spike doubted that was why Eliza wanted him along. Spike could guarantee that what she wanted was not to eat but to get out of Angelus's vicinity.

888

The second they were far enough away that Angel wouldn't be able to hear them Eliza collapsed.

Spike was surprised that she had been able to keep herself together this long. "You alright?" He wheeled toward her and reached down to stroke her hair.

She leaned into his touch and Spike could smell the salt from her tears. "I guess that pesky curse had a loophole." She said.

Spike nodded. "Suppose so."

"We should have left town," Eliza said. "The second Mom was better we should have packed up and left. Sod painting this town red with blood, Angelus will paint every town red with our blood the moment he becomes bored with the Slayer."

"I know," Spike said. "I… I know."

Eliza took a deep breath. It had been a long time since she needed to breath, but she had always found focusing on her breathing to be immensely calming. Angelus and Darla had tried to break her of her human ticks but that had only made Eliza depend on them more.

It hadn't been until Angelus and Darla left, that Eliza really started to come into her own as a vampire. If Angelus stayed it would wreck Eliza, Spike could already see the wounds starting to open up again.

Spike pulled her up. "I can sneak you out of town."

Eliza's eyes widened. "No, I'm not leaving you to deal with Angelus on your own."

"I can handle him."

"Yes, you can when your legs actually work," Eliza said.

888

"You come, Liz."

Eliza gave a smile, "You know the saying." She said. "Three's a crowd. And You'll be far more intimidating looking if you don't have a child with you."

Angelus looked at her thoughtfully. "You know you have a point." She said, "You're a smart girl. Always looking out for the bigger picture." Angelus said punching her lightly in the shoulder. "Always know what will cause the bigger punch."

Eliza smiled tightly. "You know me. Nothing if not pragmatic." She said.

Angelus leaned down on her.: You're not just avoiding me, are you?"

"Course not," Eliza said flippantly. "Why would I do something like that?" She asked idly.

"I mean… I don't have to worry about you staking me with my back turned, do I?"

"Eliza tilted her head. "I didn't do that while you were ensouled. Why would I do it now that you're one of us again?"

Angelus smiled and then turned and walked away. The moment they were out of earshot she slumped forward.

Spike wheeled forward and she leaned against his legs. "Everything's going to change again, isn't it?" Eliza sighed rubbing her face.

Spike looked where Angelus had left. "I think so, sweetheart."

Aisling sighed and leaned against him. "Can we go?" She asked. She knew it was useless to ask him. "You and me? Just… just get in the car and leave." She said.

Spike shook his head, "I'm not left without Dru."

"She's not going to leave Angelus," Eliza said. "You and I both know that." She gripped his hands tightly. "Please. Just… let's just go. Before they come back. Please—"

Spike smacked her, hard. Eliza blinked surprised at the smack. Her expression darkened and she backed away.

"Fine." She said her expression cool. "Fine. Stay." She said. "Good luck getting food from Angelus and Drusilla." She said before she turned and stalked off.

"Eliza!" Spike said wheeling forward, but he couldn't get far before he was stopped by the stairs.

She paused as she started up the stairs before she looked around, she flitted back to Spike and rolled him down the side.

"What are you—" Spike stopped as he heard what she did.

Just then the Slayer and her friends entered the factory.

"Should I…" Eliza whispered.

"Shh." Spike said, "Let's see what happens."

Eliza furrowed her brow before her eyes widened and she looked back at the three.

888

"The mall," Eliza said stepping out of the shadows. "Momma and Angelus are at the mall."

Buffy looked at her warily. "Why are you telling us this. Is this a trap?"

"No," Eliza said. "In this case, you and I have the same desires. If humanity dies. Vampires get weaker."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Let's go." She said disgusted. "You get a freebie today." Buffy hissed. "But if I see you again."

"Yeah. Yeah." Eliza said. "You'd be more threatening if I hadn't already broken your legs."

"That was you?" the boy with her said as he stepped forward.

Eliza gave a half smile. "I'm stronger than I look.' She turned back to Buffy. "Now, shoo. You have a big bad demon to kill." She said.

Buffy narrowed her eyes. "If I find out you lied to me? Or this is a trap…"

"Yeah. Yeah." Eliza said. "You're gonna stake me." Eliza gave a wide smile. "You're welcome to try."

888

"Aww," Eliza said as Angelus and Drusilla hurried in. "Let me guess. The Slayer stopped you?"

Angelus turned and glared at her. "You sent her there, didn't you?"

"Mmmhmm," Eliza said. "Hey, hey." She said when Angelus reached out and gripped the back of her hair. "I didn't know she had a way of stopping you." She said. "I thought she'd get there just in time to be BBQed."

Angelus narrowed his eyes at her.

"Come on now," Spike said wheeling forward. "Dru, love, you don't honestly believe Eliza would try and honestly hurt you?"

"Princess ruined my party," Drusilla said. "But Angelus has broken Sunshine's heart." Drusilla chuckled. "She can't kill him. Not yet. Still in love."

Eliza grinned. "Her heart wouldn't be nearly as broken if she hadn't been at, the mall to witness your cruelty up close."

Angelus narrowed his eyes at her and pushed her away. "You're alive because your strength is an asset," Angelus said. "Keep pissing me off, and I'll overlook how much of an asset it is. Understand."

Eliza resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Yes. Angelus."

Angelus grinned and put his arm around Drusilla's shoulders guiding her away.

Spike wheeled up to her, "You ok, Princess?"

Eliza rubbed her hair. "Ow."

He gently patted her head.

"Least Mama's happy." Eliza sighed leaning against Spike's legs. "Is it terrible that I'm low-key hoping that the immortal shows up?"

Spike growled and wheeled away from her so fast that Eliza nearly fell.

"Okay. How about Uncle Sam?" She asked. "Haven't seen him in decades."

Spike gave a soft smile. Uncle Sam was an interesting case. Didn't take pleasure from the killing, saw it as something that needed to be done even still he was a fun bloke to have around. If only because he hated Angelus as much as Eliza and Spike did.

"Uncle Sam is a good choice."

Her eyes widened as more people came to mind. "Oooh. Ok. I know you dislike the guy but, Dracula Vs Angelus."

Spike laughed, "That would be an interesting battle. Especially since Dracula's magic would probably mean that Angelus is killed first."

Eliza chuckled and she stood, "Sun's coming up." She said.

"Time for bed for you."

Eliza sighed. "Yeah. I suppose." She looked up at the windows where a little light could be seen. "Is it wrong that I miss the sun?"

Spike sighed. "I do too little one. I do too."