Hotel in London


"Rupert, what took you so long? Are you okay? What did he say? What-"

"Joyce, please. Do calm down. No need to get-"

"Calm down? Calm down! How can you expect me to calm down? You're gone for much longer than you say you will, leaving me alone in a hotel in a foreign country all the while my baby girl is half way around the world and being chased by psychotic scientists. Excuse me, but I will not calm down."

Oh, he very much liked her like this. All angry and loud. It was quite exhilarating. Completely sexy. Oh, she's talking again.

".... something about it. Are you even listening to me, Giles?"

"What? Oh, um, yes dear. I believe Quentin, for the most part, will take care of it. I'm not sure on what he's planning, but it will certainly be most efficient. Buffy should be safe with Angel and Spike... You know, you are quite the beauty. Especially so with the fiery temper." he said as he moved closer to her.

There were two parts especially that she loved about Rupert Giles: straight laced, very proper Giles, and the now horny Giles who stood before her. Too bad they didn't have any handcuffs like their first time together.

Ah, memories.

"You know, I've been beside myself with worry. All alone with no one to keep me company."

"Well, you know I can provide excellent [kiss], sensational [nibble] company." She took off his glasses and kissed him on the lips.

"You sure they'll be safe?"

"Positive."

"Oh, Rupert, I hope so."

*****

Hyperion lobby


"So, you and Spike with the pelvis bumping?"

"Cordelia, were you always this crude? That was a rhetorical question, by the way."

"Do you love him?" Buffy's face lit up at the inquiry.

"Yeah. Totally. You know, in a non-tragic sort of way. Had enough of that."

"Right. In a non-fatal, Angleus sort of way."

"Exactly."

"So, you're like way over Angel then?" Cordelia was trying to go for casual, but she failed horribly. Buffy stared at Cordelia for a moment before answering.

"Should I be?"

"Oh god!" Cordelia was torn with shock, disgust and disappointment.

It’s not fair! She has radioactive vamp, can’t she just let Angel go?

"What?"

"Oh god. I mean, Buffy, that's just plain icky!"

"Relax. I was just joking. I get the feeling that you, uh, have feelings for Angel. Not that there's anything wrong with that."

"I do. It's just that sometimes he can be distant and secretive."

"Tell me about it."

"Just when I feel like I've gotten closer to him, it feels like he's drifting farther away. I feel retched."

"Gee, thought he would have grown out of that by now."

"It's just so, ugh! I don't know. I mean, I've had Luke warm, snuggly- wuggly feelings before- with Xander. But I don't know how to deal with this. It's just so damned stressful. How is Xander by the way?"

"Oh, he's fine. Seeing Anya actually, like seriously together."

"Wow, that's weird."

"But as far as the whole Angel thing, just tell him. I mean, he is kinda clueless most times."

"Yeah," she said with a dreamy look in her eye.

"Besides, he's available, right?"

"Definitely. I just hope he's alright. He's just more broody than usual. I mean with Darla and Dru back, and Wolfram and Hart..."

"He probably just needed to blow off some steam. I'm sure he's fine. Spike will probably find him. Or maybe, he's coming right now."

*****

An abandoned building on the streets of L.A.


"Ooh, Angel!"

After Darla came down from her up-teenth mind blowing orgasm, she looked at her lover expectantly.

"Angelus?"

"Not home, Darla," he said as he rolled off of her.

"But I thought... I mean, weren't you there with me? I felt it." Her face was an even mixture of confusion and utter horror.

"Yeah."

"But your soul is—"

"Still here, thankfully."

"What the hell do you mean thankfully?! That thing is a fucking curse. Why would you ever want to torture yourself? Don't you want to be free?"

"I am. I'm free from the mortal coil, and yet I still have a conscience. I'm fine."

"You weren't exactly preaching that a few hours ago." Her voice was full of venom.

"Yeah, well I wasn't exactly thinking with my-"

"What the bloody hell is this?" Spike yelled in outrage.

"Oh, William, dear. Long time, no see. Add Dru to the mix and we'd have quite the family reunion," Darla drawled from the bed.

"Well, well. If it isn't the Queen Bitch herself. Still undead and kicking I see. Thought you were gone for good. Guess prancin' away with the Master and suckin' him off wasn't as profitable as you thought, huh luv?"

"Fuck you, Spike," she spat derisively.

"Pfft. Been there, done that ages ago. Even when you were younger, you had cobwebs in your snatch. Besides which, you still must be a frigid bitch if you're shaggin' Peaches."

She said nothing and just glared at him. Ignoring them both, she got up in all of her naked glory and began to put back on her dress, tying the torn straps around her neck.

"What the hell are you doing here, Spike," Angel more demanded than asked as he hastily pulled on his pants and now button less button down shirt.

"I think it's fair that I ask you the same." He gave brunette vamp a smirk.

"It's none of your business." Angel gave him a deadly glare.

"It bloody well is when your actions endanger Buffy and our child. What if you lost you soul, you nit? The last thing I soddin’ need is to deal with bloody Angelus," he said menacingly.

"Yeah? Well I didn't. So get off my back."

"Wait a minute- your child? What the hell are you talking about Spike? You're not human, are you?" Darla asked, not detecting a heartbeat in the room.

"No, and it's a long story I'd rather not explain now," he said tersely, all the while glaring at Angel.

"Well, well. Here I thought you were killing Slayers, not screwing them. But it's good to see you boys still sharing. Nice of Spike to take your leftovers again, huh Angel?"

Spike instantly morphed into game face and attempted to leap upon the vampiress, but Angel intercepted and knocked Spike to the floor.

"Get off me!" Spike yelled, pushing Angel off of him.

"Fuck you, you lousy cow. And fuck you too, Angel. Next time you decide to put any of us in danger again by doing something stupid and selfish as getting yourself laid, I'll make you dust myself." Spike spun on his heel and began to exit. He then abruptly stopped at the door and looked back at Angel.

"Oh and by the by, news like this'll break the poor cheerleader's heart. But being the nice bloke that I am, I won't tell. So, how does it feel to be in my pocket, Angelface?" he said in a syrupy sweet voice.

"Get out now, Spike." Angel took two steps toward him before pausing, clenching his fists. Spike remained silent and smirked at him before finally leaving.

"Bloody ponce. Stupid bint. God, I need a smoke." Spike decided it was best to blow off some steam before heading back to the hotel. Wandering the alleyways of LA, he tried to clear his head.

Well, isn't this a twist. Thought Angel was supposed to be the one with the level head.

"Bastard," he muttered to himself as he walked through an alley.

"Tsk, tsk William. Shouldn't bad mouth Daddy." Spike’s head snapped up, and he turned and saw Drusilla behind him.

"Dru. Fancy that— running into you in an alley, again. But hey, I'm already dead. So what do you want?" Drusilla had a giddy look on her face.

"Ah, but I know what you want! Something glowing, and glistening, and effulgent... Right my luv?"

"Talk about deja vu."

"My sweet, dark prince. I know what you've been up to. The fairies told me you are to make me a grand mum. With the Slayer. I told you she was all around you," she said with a sly grin.

"Yea. You were right. No real surprise there," he said somberly.

"He'll come for you, you know."

"Who?"

Dru got a far away look in her eyes, then began to pace around him.

"The master of the tin soldiers. He has a green glow."

"Does he now?"

"Yes. He isn't whole, though. A blank canvas. Different pieces of different puzzles hold him together. When he wakes, he'll want you, and he'll find you." She finally stopped pacing and stood before him.

"He'll give you the heat, but not the spark." She placed her pale, slender hand over his undead heart. "He'll use all kinds of nick knacks to make you feel, dear heart."

"Uh huh. Care to share when and where this all takes place?" he asked with a look of confusion written on his face. She placed her index finger over her lips in a 'shushing' motion.

"Wouldn't want to ruin your surprise."

"Damn the surprise, Dru. Is Buffy in trouble?" She gently cupped his cheek, giving him a little frown at his look of concern for the Slayer.

"You are really lost to me, aren't you? You’re her brave knight now?"

"Yeah, ‘spose I am. She makes me feel... alive. Like a man. And she has so much passion, and heart, and-"

"Really, that's quite enough," Drusilla said crossly.

"Oh, sorry."

She tilted her head to the side as if listening to something.

"I have to go. My daughter needs me."

"Does she now? What about me?"

"You don't need me. You have your Slayer," she said as she began to walk away.

"Yea, I know. Just trying to figure out what the soddin’ hell you were yammerin' about! Dru!" he yelled at her. But she ignored him, turned the corner, and disappeared from sight.

*****

One of Sunnydale's cemeteries...


Faith walked along the many rows of gravestones, alone, contemplating how much her life had turned to shit. Everyone had a habit of leaving her one way or another— her mother, her Watcher, Wilkins... Not even the joys of hot, sweaty sex could make the pain go away; the loneliness always prevailed, consuming her.

But then, there was Riley. Sweet, dependable, reliable Riley. Or so he seemed.

Turns out he was just like the rest— another beef stick lookin' for a lay. Sure, it was nice. Not mind blowing, but nice, and sweet...

He made her believe it was something more, and she hated him for it. Or maybe she hated herself for believing his line of bullshit.

Fucking asshole! Can't believe I actually deluded myself into thinking—

"Ugh!"

The strong force of electricity coursing through her body caused her to topple backwards over a headstone. Her entire body was numb. Then someone just casually began to drag her away.

Well, isn't this just my fucking night? Everyone wants a piece of the Firecracker. But they're sure as hell are gonna pay when I get out. Stupid soldiers. I'll kill Maggie Walsh for this.

*****
The Initiative


Jonathan Levinson was ecstatic when the Initiative offered him an internship. He finally felt as if he held some type of importance in the world. They valued his opinion and his intelligence. After nineteen years of existing and never truly being noticed, it was refreshing for people to actually acknowledge him as a human being and to ask him questions and respect his opinions. It was pure heaven.

Although, it should be noted that his first time in the Initiative was all because of a drunken frat boy (who happened to be one of the soldiers) showed him in on the eve of a party. He was put on suspension of course for his recklessness, but once Maggie Walsh checked Jonathan’s background and gave him some tests (of the mental sort), he was a shoe in.

She totally let the 'gun in the high school' thing slide. Hey, we all make mistakes.

He kinda felt bad for the other guy (Dave or something) but was also very grateful for his slip up.

For the past two week, he had done some intense studying on demonology and got up close and personal with some of the hostiles. He had always wanted to do this— especially to join up with Buffy and her friends. Sure, that one time with the snake Mayor but, it never happened. No regrets. He was happy where he was. But who new? Maybe he would cross paths again with his high school friends, well, not so much as friends, but maybe since they were now (officially) on the same team, they would maybe become more acquainted in time. Yet, they haven't been around so much on campus the past few days. Maybe one day, he'll be one of those high ranking scientists- respectable and looked up to (metaphorically speaking of course) where people beyond the Initiative will take notice of him as well.

Maybe someday...

*****

Riley was tired. All around he was getting no respect. Running around for Maggie, running around looking for Faith; it was exhausting. He decided to find some relief at one of the local bars. He never thought he would ever result to drinking, but what he soon discovered was that though it may not solve his problems, but it surely eased the pain of it.

Chasing - the story of his life.

Chasing for his parents approval, chasing after good grades, chasing for Maggie's good graces, after demons, after Buffy, after Faith, and now finally for relief; for freedom. Now, it could possibly be the alcohol talking, but did it really matter?

Maggie's a grown woman, and Faith's a slayer. Surely they could look after themselves?

When the hell was someone going to chase after him?

"Hey there. You look about as lonely as I feel about now. Mind some company?" the pretty and leggy brunette asked as she sidled up next to him.

"Sure. Why not?"

It's about time, he thought.

*****

The sons of bitches wouldn't let up. Faith sat slumped against the wall in the tiny, all white cell for hours, immobile. She figured it had to have been less than three hours, and so far she hadn't had to use the bathroom.

Until about now. Damn. Probably shouldn't have thought about it.

She was very much aware of what was going on, but her mind and movements were incredibly sluggish. They kept her on tranquilizers of some sort that refused to put her to sleep. It was incredibly boring and she had nothing but her thoughts to keep her company. She couldn't help but wonder if dear ol' Riley knew where she was, because if he did, he damn sure better be doing something about it!

Just when her eyelids were finally drooping closed for a quick nap in spite of the slightly uncomfortable sensation in her bladder, Maggie decided to give her a visit. Apparently, her capture was no mistake.

Surprise, surprise.

"Well, well, Faith my dear. I am quite pleased to have you here. Though I did prefer to study Buffy during her mysterious pregnancy with a most peculiar vampire's child, it was recently that I decided it best to see what would happen during the pregnancy from conception to birth. Therefore, you are to be my new test subject,” she said in a clinical tone.

Faith could feel the once rhythmic pattern of her heart speed up a great deal in her chest. The woman was obviously unstable, even more so than herself. Pain and torture, sure. But to try and knock her up with some vampire's child was fucking insane!

"Oh, don't worry. We'll take good care of you. After all, you are now a prized patient, being the Slayer and all. Tomorrow we will test your blood and the like, potency of your ovaries, etcetera. Then we will proceed to mate you with one of our top vampire hostiles." Maggie continued with a particularly evil glint in her eyes. "When I say 'mate', I mean it in the most literal sense. Not only will the vampire claim you, taste your blood, whatever else it is they do, we will then commence the pregnancy the old fashioned way. Give it the old college try, shall we? Oh, not to worry. I know what you're thinking. I would never let it drain you. You wouldn't be of much importance to me as a corpse."

Faith screamed on the inside. She would die before she let any one of them touch her. Better yet, Maggie would die before anyone touched her.

Hey, it was all gonna be five by five.

She would get out of there before... Where the hell was Riley?!

*****

The Hyperion

"So, major convo with Angel when he—" Buffy stopped with a pained expression on her face.

"Buffy, you alright?"

"Fine, Cordy. Maybe indigestion or something..." But Buffy didn't look so sure. She looked up as Spike came in through the door.

"Hey, success in finding Angel?" Cordy asked.

"Yea. Said he just, uh, needed to blow off some steam. He should be back soon." He looked at Buffy and sensed something was wrong. She wasn't looking too good.

"Luv, you alright?" he asked with concern as he walked over to her. Her eyes were rapidly becoming watery.

Something was definitely... oh, god no.

"Cordelia, call an ambulance, quick," Spike commanded as went to Buffy's side. He wasn't sure if Buffy knew, but he was certain he could smell blood.

"Oh god, Spike. It hurts so much. What's happening to me?" she cried.

"S'alright, luv. I'll take care of you."

Please let them be okay, please let them be okay... he pleaded silently in his head.