Chapter 16
Beta by Spikeslovebite
A/N: Much love to all my very patient and understanding readers - Slinky, Jesse, MaryP, Verda, Athene...and those I've forgotten to mention...thank you!

(Rome, Italy)

No one paid any attention as the short young man entered the Hotel Caprice Rome in the Via Veneto section of Rome. He'd learned over the years how not to be noticed when he wanted. Of course, it helped that a gaggle of tourists were registering at the time.

The normally short walk from the café near the Trevi had been made longer due to retracing his steps, looping twice around some streets - all in the effort to cover his tracks. Not that he expected anyone had been following him, but one never knew when dealing with Wolfram & Hart. So, he'd taken the necessary and extreme precautions in making his way back to the hotel.

He resisted the urge to check on the pocketed glass taken from the café once he entered the elevator. People might notice such an action. It was better for him to act completely bored with it all - allowing any wayward eyes cast in his direction to pass by quickly.

Exiting the elevator, he made his way to his room that had been registered under an alias. Joe had given him a list of names from which he could choose, so that when Joe needed him, he could start at the top of the list. Each name matched a specific hotel. Now, he stayed in the third on the list. The situation had escalated, and that had prompted the risk of being caught at the Trevi.

Once in the room, the man quickly divested himself of his jacket and placed the glass, which he'd placed in a Ziploc, on the table. He first checked to make sure no bugs had been planted by sweeping a device around the room. Then he switched on his computer, entered the passwords for three screens, and checked his hidden cameras. Briefly scanning the videos, he assured himself that no one had entered the room after he'd left.

Then he began his work.

********************
(England)

Spike found himself itching to leave Watcher's HQ sooner rather than later. The longer they stayed here, the more likely he'd run into Rupert Giles. A part of him wanted to face the Watcher down and remind him that Spike wasn't so fangless anymore. However, the more he thought over the events of the past few months, the more his inner voice cautioned him.

If the Italian branch of Wolfram & Hart had somehow 'replaced' Andrew with whomever it was he spoke to in Rome, then how farfetched would it be for them to also have replaced Giles? If that had in fact taken place, it would explain a lot of things, including Giles' apparent blessing over Buffy's involvement with the Immortal. Additionally, Methos had explained how Joe Dawson had already been planted as a mole in the Italian branch months before when subtle changes had started to take place at HQ.

Therefore, Spike told himself that, at least for now, the Watcher or whoever was playing his part would be none-the-wiser of Spike's whereabouts.

Willow and Cassandra were in a huddle bestowing blessings and beseeching the Goddess for protection and wisdom in the coming battle. Willow had been miffed that she wouldn't be able to join the cavalry; however, she agreed that her departure from HQ would be noticed the most. She needed to maintain the status quo.

During the hours the group had been together, Willow and Cassandra had discussed several spells and devised some workable strategies for disabling W & H's security measures. Most interestingly, Spike had noticed that Illyria had joined the women. Apparently, Blue felt the urge to use hers and Fred's combined knowledge to assist in strategy. Making war plans suited and appeased Blue greatly.

Xander and Methos were keeping a close eye on Connor and Dana. Spike chuckled at how Xander was acting like a nervous, overprotective father who worried that someone would take advantage of his little girl. Yet, Connor seemed to be the one who needed protection. While Dana remained immature in some ways, that sparring session had awakened the woman in her. The psycho Slayer had spied a potential mate and she liked what she saw.

"I think everyone's ready," Willow announced to the group. "Spike, Cassandra and Illyria can go over some of what we planned with you. For your own protection, they will not be able to tell you everything."

"Not sure I like the sound of that, Red," Spike asserted.

Blushing furiously, Willow countered, "Oh, it's not like that, Spike. See, before Angel became CEO of Los Angeles, and then you joined there, of course, certain measures were installed at all branches of Wolfram & Hart to alert security when either of you entered the building. So, part of what we have to do will be to protect you. I can't say more in case their seers pick it up."

"I thought we were safe here, Wills?" Xander said.

"Oh yeah, here, I've got my mojo running big time. But once you are outside of HQ, their seers and who-knows-what-else might be able to pick up your thoughts or conversations. So, do I have to tell you, Alexander Lavelle Harris, to watch what you say and think?" Willow said, effectively instituting her resolve face.

"Ah, Wills, did ya have to say my full name? Dana's right here." Xander held his head in his hands. He mumbled, "She's never gonna respect me now."

Spike laid a comforting hand on Xander's shoulder. When Xander looked up, Spike teased, "What makes you think she does now?"

"Shut up, Spike," Xander huffed, with a smile on his face.

Methos coughed, interrupting the moment. "I've contacted Joe. We will be meeting a trusted contact of his at the Coliseum. He said that you would know the man, Xander."

"More cryptic stuff, cool," Connor commented.

"Yeah, cool," Dana repeated. "Why's that cool, Connor?"

"'Cause we'll be all cloak and dagger and super spy. Hasn't Xander introduced you to James Bond?" Connor asked.

"007, licensed-to-take-your-woman-and-kill-you?" Dana proffered.

Everyone laughed at Dana's confused look, except for Xander who blushed. "Dana, you know what I was telling you about not repeating everything I say?"

"But Mr. Xander, isn't that who Bond is?"

"That he is, ducks," Spike answered her and placated the girl by patting her on the head. Dana smiled appreciatively at his gesture.

Connor threw an arm around Dana's shoulders and moved her away before Xander could react. "Come on, D. Let's head to the van. Gotta let the ol' folks have some time."

"Who is he calling old?" Xander asked the room.

Methos, Cassandra, and Spike raised their hands in jest. Illyria, seeing that offense was not intended, raised hers as well.

"He really didn't mean us, Xander," Willow placated.

"Still." Xander pointed a finger at Spike. "I blame you."

"What? I've only known the bugger for a day!"

************************
(Flying over Europe)

"You know, Cassie, I'm not sure I'm liking the sound of your plan. Magic has consequences, always," Spike huffed.

"Cassie? Don't call me that," Cassandra asserted.

"Too late," Xander replied. "Once you said those fatal words, the name's a keeper."

"Too right, whelp," Spike responded.

"See what I mean?"

"Oh well," Cassandra sighed, looking over at Methos. "He may call me that, but you certainly don't have permission to, understood?"

"Yes, Cassandra, perfectly," Methos said, not looking up from his laptop.

"What are you doing, Methos?" Cassandra asked.

"E-mailing Amanda, my dear," Methos casually replied.

"Methos!"

"Oh, I apologize." Methos hazarded a glance at her frosty stare.

Illyria grabbed Spike's arm.

"Yeah, Blue?"

"My pet will not be harmed. It would not please me if it is so," she announced.

"Unless you are the one doing the damage, right, Blue?" Spike teased.

Illyria nodded and tilted her head. "Yes, you make funny noises."

Xander snickered. "I better go back and check on the kids."

*******************
(Rome, Italy, entrance to the Colosseum)

Methos, Spike, Cassandra, and Xander were standing relatively close together but milling about the square. Following Spike's request, Illyria was keeping 'the kids' safe at their hotel. Cassandra elected to come along in case a cloaking spell was needed.

Spike suddenly sensed something and got Xander's attention. He'd not smelled it in a long, long time - several years in fact. The last time had not been a pleasant memory, nor had it been a cool wardrobe choice.

From Xander's reaction, his mouth agape in disbelief, Spike knew it was whom he thought he'd sensed.

The short young man from the café and Joe's contact emerged from the crowd. One minute he wasn't there and the next he was. He took in the reactions of Xander and Spike and noted the curious glances of those whom he knew only from surveillance photos as Methos and Cassandra.

He watched as Methos and Cassandra started looking around suddenly and knew the other had arrived as well. Joe hadn't told them. Spike had placed a hand on Xander, keeping him from running up and greeting him. Xander got the message.

Methos and Cassandra relaxed as they saw the woman stand beside the young man.

"So, Methos, is that the way you greet me?" Amanda said, feigning disappointment. "Oh, I see, you can't because she's here. Oh well, another time."

Cassandra shifted a curious look at Methos, the briefest appearance of jealously flashed through her eyes.

Amanda threw her arm around the young man. "I thought you said they knew you."

"They do," Oz replied. Nodding his head slightly, he added, "Hey, guys."