They had not gone very far when their prisoner made a pathetic attempt to escape. Needless to say, the attempt was not only unsuccessful, but also rather embarrassing, as he found that he could not break Spike’s hold on him.

“Tryna go somewhere?” Spike asked, arching his left eyebrow. “Or were you maybe hoping to snap your own neck and save me the trouble?”

“Perhaps he is trying to impress you with his attempts?” Methos said in a wry voice.

“What would impress me is if the bugger would quit squirming.” Spike shook his prisoner roughly. “He’s starting to piss me off.”

Methos paused and wrinkled his brow in thought. “I just had a rather disturbing idea run through my head.” He locked eyes with Spike. “What if they went after more than just you and Giles?”

Spike looked at Methos with a blank expression and then his eyes widened. “You don’t think they’d go after Joyce and the Nibblet do you?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say they won’t, but based on past experiences with the other end of the Council; I’d say anything is possible.” Methos said with a grimace.

Spike growled deep in his chest, his eyes flaring to a demonic yellow. “If those bastards know what’s good for them, they won’t even think about going near Joyce and Dawn.”

Methos dug out his cell phone, “I’ll give Joyce a call, and warn her.”

Spike nodded, “Best give the watcher the heads up as well.” Spike rattled off Giles’ number as he turned his gaze to the man he was holding captive. “Now what should I do with you?”

The man started to squirm and utter high-pitched squeaks through the gag he was wearing. His eyes were huge, looking almost ready to pop out of his face and he was rapidly shaking his head.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Joyce pulled the Jeep into the driveway, laughing at Dawn’s antics. “I’m sure Spike would never say something like that dear. He does have better taste than that!”

“Well, sure. Not about the poodle. But c’mon mom, you must admit he does like looking, and commenting about women!” Dawn exclaimed, bouncing in her seat.

“Alright, alright! I will admit he does like looking at women. However, you should not be talking about things like that. Especially about Spike. You know how he gets.” Joyce looked over at Dawn and winked.

Dawn laughed, “Yep!” She deepened her voice and adopted a very bad English accent. “Bloody hell, can’t you bleeding females find something else to do besides torment a man?” Resuming her normal voice she continued, “He’d rant and rave like that for hours.”

Joyce laughed aloud at her daughter’s semi-accurate portrayal of the erstwhile vampire. “Let’s get in the house, and get supper started shall we?”

Dawn bounced out of the Jeep and ran to the back door. “Hurry up Mom! I’m hungry!”

Joyce followed at a more sedate pace, “You know, you still need that shower before I even think of letting you sit with me at the table young lady.” Joyce unlocked the back door and ushered Dawn into the house. “Upstairs and into the shower, I’ll start supper.” Just then, the phone started ringing. “After I get the phone.” Joyce picked up the phone, “Hello?” Her eyes took on a decidedly worried look. “Yes, she’s right here. What’s going on?” She reached out a hand and grabbed Dawn before she could leave the kitchen.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As always when faced with something beyond his control, Angel went on the offensive. “You stabbed me you fucking bitch!” he snarled, being careful to stay out of her reach.

Buffy laughed at Angel’s posturing. “Why don’t you tell these lovely people just why I stabbed you? Or are you afraid it might tarnish your image?”

“I don’t have to tell anyone anything,” Angel shouted. “I am the Chosen Champion of the Powers that Be. Everything I do, I do with their full approval.”

Buffy stopped laughing and looked at Deais. “So, he has your approval to lurk outside the bedroom window of underage girls? To watch them undress? I find that hard to believe.” Buffy turned to Tannis, “Since you are the one who wanted him in Sunnydale, I’m assuming that you at least approved of his actions?”

Deais gasped in outrage. “There is no way that any of our number would approve or condone what you have accused him of.”

Tannis shook his head and muttered, “No, that’s not why I wanted him there.” He sighed softly. “I wanted him there to keep an eye on the Watcher. I’ve suspected that something isn’t right with regards to his being on the Hellmouth without a Slayer present.”

Buffy looked at Tannis with something akin to skepticism and reluctant respect. “Did you suspect the watcher of something, or were you merely trying to ensure that nothing untoward happened?”
“We have known for some time that he consorts with a soulless vampire. I was concerned that he was allowing that association to lure him from his chosen path,” Tannis said, a sheepish look crossing his face. “In retrospect, I should have shared my concerns with the rest of the assemblage, but I felt it was the right thing to do.”

Deais nodded, “Yes you should have discussed your concerns with the rest of us, but we can understand why you did what you did.”

Buffy nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I can understand it. I can even agree that you did what you thought was best in that regard. But why in hell did you send Whistler to jack Angel from getting what he deserved?”

Tannis looked confused, “I didn’t send Whistler to prevent Angel from being justly punished.”

“So you are saying that Whistler acted on his own?” Deais asked with a wry twist of her lips. “I suppose it wouldn’t be the first time he did that.”

“Very well, I shall leave it up to the assemblage to deal with Tannis’ lack of communication skills. And I shall trust that it won’t happen again.” Buffy stated with a stern look at Tannis, and signaled the ceatric to let him go.

Angel, annoyed at being summoned, insulted and then ignored, snarled, “Who gives a flying fuck about that. I suggest you start explaining to ME why you saw fit to stab me and have my tongue cut out! Not to mention chaining me up in a goddamned bathtub and sleep-spelled!” He started pacing, gesturing randomly. “How dare you do that to me!”

Deais and Buffy shared a look of amused intolerance at Angel’s theatrical ravings. Deais shook her head and said, “Do shut up Cursed One. Before steps are taken to ensure your silence.”