Spike's Childe

Chapter 3

I was sitting on Spike's chair, and he was sitting cross legged on a coffin, painting his nails black. I flicked the t.v. to a different channel, sick of watching Spike's soap opera, Passions. We've actually gotten in fights over that damn show, rolling around on the floor.

"Oi, Theo! Turn it-"

I hissed as the door slammed open, cringing into my chair as the sun rays filtered in parts of the room. "What the-"

Spike cursed, hopping behind his coffin. "Bloody hell!"

I glanced over and saw it was the blond slayer, Buffy. I glanced over at Spike, figuring she was here for him. My shoulders slumped in relief as she closed the door, The one unfortunate thing about being a vampire. Spike hopped up, resting his arms on the top of the coffin and sending her a grin. "Hullo, Love."

But, too my surprise, she was sending that self righteous glare at me. I arched an eyebrow. "Yes, Slayer?" I haven't seen her in a couple of days, since I went to Amelia Harris' House. It automatically made me smile.

"What do you want with Amelia, Theo!?" Buffy snapped at me.

I was amused. "Ah, well. Whatever I want to I suppose."

I was still amused until Buffy came at me with a stake. I gave a yell of surprise, hopping off the chair and walking backward. "Hold on!" I ducked away and called over to Spike, dodging another swing of the stake and punching her in the face. "Get your woman away from me!"

"Ow! His what?!"

I swore as her swipes with the stake became more serious and she was running toward me. I heard Spike chuckling and I didn't bother looking for him, when Buffy lunged at me, causing us to roll. We rolled some more and I somehow ended up on the bottom. I sent her a smirk. "If you wanted to get me on my back, all you had to do was say so." I had nothing for the Slayer, but I figured it would annoy her.

I was right and I groaned at the hard and fast punch to the nose. "Ow, shit! You damn broad! You'se gonna break it!"

"Like I would want that! And I hope it is broken."

I growled, using my hands to stop the stake aimed at my chest. I glanced over to see Spike watching us with a curious look, but alert. I could kill her, possibly, but I didn't feel like risking it. Spike was the one obsessed with killing Slayers. And seemed obsessed with this one in a different way, so I didn't want to suddenly get on his bad side and deal with him. I pulled the stake upward away from my chest as she pushed down.

I spat. "Bitch!"

Spike called. "Love, stop trying to stake Theo and explain what's wrong."

I bared my teeth at her as she glared. She snapped. "Shut up, Spike." But, she did drop the stake. "Leave Amelia alone."

I rolled my eyes. "Playing the hero, Summers? I didn't even do anything and she was rude, she didn't even invite me in."

Buffy barked. "Good! She shouldn't!"

I rolled my eyes again. "Whatever, fine. Get off me."

With another dark look sent my way, she moved a leg and rolled off.

Buffy said, looking at the both of us. "I'm watching you!" She stormed out, the door to the crypt slamming shut.

I rubbed my nose with a growling curse, getting to my feet. "Slayer..."

I glanced at Spike, who was watching me in amusement. "Have fun, love?"

"Fuck off, Spike."

I walked off deeper into the crypt, ignoring his laugh.

Me and him were shit starters, it's how we got along in the first place.

Even if it was for the same reason that we annoyed the shit out of each other.


If I could, my face would of paled white. I swallowed a little, licking my lips. I felt almost frozen in place.

I saw him dust.

I jumped from the top stair to the bottom in a single leap. My boot slapped onto the crumbling floor, the other one was gone, somewhere in the mess. I saw Spike and Buffy, a light beaming out of his chest. I felt my chest drop. I roared. "SPIKE!"

The whole place was shaking, rocks tumbling from the ceiling, the noise harsh on my superior ears. Buffy and Spike were clasping hands. More rocks was smashing down and I noticed the look on his face, the resolve. I've only seen it a couple of times, most of them involving Buffy.

Spike called. "Go!" Assuming he was talking about Buffy, I jumped over to his side. "Spike, c'mon."

Spike gritted his teeth in pain. "Theodora Miller. My Childe." He never called me that. He never was one to care about things like that. Like how Dru was his sire.

I gripped his shoulder tightly. "Spike-we have to-you need-"

I grimaced as more rocks crashed about. "No, Theo, this is it. Go up there, make sure Buffy gets out safe. Can you-agh-can you do that for me?"

I grabbed his other shoulder, grimacing from the light. "Spike come on, ya know Buffy can take care 'a herself."

Seeing him in pain, I was shocked as he gripped the front of my coat tightly. "Go, Theo. You've changed so much. We both don't need to die here. Go find that pretty bird of yours."

He shoved me away. "Go! Now!" He let out a roar. "Go, a last request for your sire."

I hated the grief and tightness of my throat, as a vampire, I thought I was passed that. "...Okay, thank you, Spike!" I went back toward the stairs, finding a huge chunk missing, which would be no match for my leap.

"Theo!"

I turned back, feeling a sharp jab in my chest as I saw his face disappearing little by little. I couldn't help, but remember him as the strong vampire who turned me in 1907.

"I'm proud of ya, my Childe!"

I couldn't remember much else, as great as my memory was as a vampire. I ran into Buffy, who tugged me. "Theo! Come on." I could feel and smell the tears in her eyes, along with the gash on her forehead.

She tugged a coat over my head and I could feel myself smoking as I was basically thrown through the double doors of the school bus. I didn't do much to stop it. I landed near the front of the bus on my side.

"DORA!"

I turned on my back and caught Amelia, who jumped at me. She pressed her hands to my face, her thumbs pressing into my cheeks. "Dora, Dora! You're alive."

I smirked warily, still in grief from before, but Amelia always knew how to make me feel even a little better. "Alive." I gave a laugh. "Figuratively speaking, of course."

The other members of the 'Scooby Gang' walked around us.

Amelia smacked my arm. "Don't say that, don't you ever-I thought I lost-dammit Theodora!"

Blinking at her, I smiled. "It's alright, I'm hard to kill." But, Spike wasn't. The very thought hurt.

She pressed into me, her lips on mine. I automatically wrapped my arms around her, kissing back. Even with my soul and know she had someone else, I still kissed her back. I could help it. Love, that's what it was, Love. And that's why I let her go in the first place. When she wanted me to, when she truly did.

I couldn't help the smile that crossed my face, leaning back on my hat on the back of my head. I said lowly, just a whisper. "What was that for?"

"For coming back to me."

For my grief at loosing Spike, it was the only light I seemed to have.


I brought back to myself to see Spike panting and shaking. He looked over at us.

Harmony threw her hands on her hips, demanding. "What the hell are you doing here, Spike?!"

I felt a defensive snarl rip from my throat. "Watch it."

Wes said warily. "Harmony, please."

Gunn said. "This is Spike? The Spike?"

Fred exclaimed. "Spike? Whose-"

The green demon said. "Easy, Slim. No one's gonna hurt you."

Gunn snapped. "Speak for yourself, Green Jeans."

I let a deeper, almost guttural growl tear from my throat, squaring my shoulders and facing the human. "Try it, human! See where it gets you." My instincts were running wild and there were telling me to protect my now vulnerable sire.

Spike stared at me in disbelief, dropping his mouth. "Theodora."

I nodded seriously, tilting my head. "Sire." I couldn't say much else to him right now.

Fred said quickly, cutting off Gunn's reply to my challenge. "Okay, will somebody please me what's going on?"

Wes said in a soft tone."William the Bloody. One of the worse recorded. Second only to-"

Angel spoke. "Me."

Spike snapped around, staring at his own Grandsire. Angel said quietly. "But, you're dead."

I stopped the wounded sound that wanted to come up, I could feel a ball of relief in my chest. I didn't want to touch it. If any of them, any of them went about trying to kill my Sire, I would destroy them.

Harmony scoffed. "Well yeah, who here, isn't?"

I growled in annoyance, the young vampire's immaturity getting on my nerves. "Can it, broad!"

Harmony made a face (no doubt offended), but as my face twitched into Game Face, she shut her mouth. She's seen me enraged.

Spike suddenly lunged at Angel, going through him and being in the desk.

I let out a yelp in alarm. "Spike?"

I stared in confusion, along with Spike and Angel. Spike said, looking lost. "Bugger."

"You're in the middle of the table?" I said this slowly, a thought tugging the back of my mind.

Spike sent me a look. "Thank you, Pet. Didn't notice."

My lips twitched at his sarcastic reply, seeing that as something Spike would say.

Spike said. "What? What happened to me?"

I glanced around and saw Wesley glancing at the amulet on the ground. Harmony said. "I'm not a doctor, but you might be a ghost."

Spike started pointing at her. "I'm no-I'm no bloody ghost!"

I twisted my mouth to the side. "Well, Spike..."

His finger then pointed at me. "Not another sodding word, Theo."

Harmony retorted. "You're the one sticking out of the desk. And you can't talk to me like that. We're not going out anymore."

Gunn asked. "Where'd he come from?"

Wesley picked up the amulet off the ground. "What is it?" I didn't care about the amulet, it brought Spike back and I was grateful.

Angel said slowly. "Something I gave to Buffy before-"

Spike looked at Angel. "Buffy-is she-"

Angel's look stiffened. "She's okay."

Spike looked to be heaving, breathing deeply. "Where is she?"

Angel's eyes flickered to the side. "Europe. Last time I've heard."

Spike glanced down. "I see. I have to talk to her."

Angel said. "That's going to be tough."

I clenched my jaw, keeping my mouth shut. This had nothing to do with me. Looking at Angel, I'd tell Spike later that she was in Rome.

I noticed they started circling each other. Spike said. "You can't keep her from me."

Angel snapped. "She's not mine to keep...or yours."

Well, he wasn't wrong about that. Buffy wasn't the type you could keep.

Spike went up to him. "Says you! You have-you have no idea what we had."

Angel glared. "You never 'had' her."

"More than you! You poncy-"

Harmony ran forward, disbelief in her voice. "Oh my God! You and the Slayer actually...I mean, I know you had a twisted obsession with her, but-ugh! That's just-ugh!" Harmony ran off out the door.

I snorted. "Thank you. And trust me, they did. Over and over again." I wrinkled my nose at how many times I've heard them and how loud they were. I mean, where else was I going to go?

Angel glowered at me. "Shut up, Theodora!"

Spike face twitched in amusement before staring after Harmony in disbelief. "I must be in hell."

Lorne shrugged. "Uh, no, LA. But, a lot of people make that mistake."

Wesley was explaining Spike and Buffy to Fred and Gunn. Gunn asked. "He's like Angel?"

I snorted out a laugh.

Angel with his arms crossed said. "He's nothing like me."

Spike glared at him. "Got that right. What have you done to me? What is this place? Who are you people? What the bloody hell is happening?!"

I said calmly. "Spike."

He snapped to me. "Theo, what's going on? Why are you here with Angel?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Seriously? You think I'm plotting with the broody Angel?" As Spike's glare didn't move (And I gained one from Angel, the bore), I continued. "Spike. I'm just as surprised as you are." I couldn't help, but send him an annoyed look. Spike nodded a moment later. He knew how I was.

"Uh..." Me and Spike looked over at Fred at the same time. She jumped a little, saying. "You can come to my lab with me to check?" She looked a little nervous. I smiled a bit in her direction, fiddling with the brim of my hat.

Spike, glanced at Angel and then asked me. "Who's the bird?"

Angel scowled. "Spike." Wesley narrowed his eyes, filling me with amusement. Not here for long, but I could see the watcher's attraction for the young scientist.

Spike made a face at Angel and I chuckled, saying. "Alright, Spike. This 'bird' is Fred, you know our 'friendly' watcher, Wesley, he's a demon, Lorne and a hunter or something like that, Gunn. And you know Angel, unfortunately." I was grinning as I finished.

"Theodora! Must you, really?"

I sent him a snarky grin. "Of course."

Spike nodded his head. "Aright, Pet. Let's go then."

Angel crossed his arms over his chest. "Spike, you don't give the orders around here. Fred, let's go on to the lab."

I met Spike's eyes. We both rolled our eyes hard.

Same ole Angel. Had to get the last word.

I couldn't help the happiness that Spike, my sire, was still alive.


We all went down to her lab, which looked the same as yesterday, except it was basically empty, except for two scientists in the corner. Wesley was by that science scope, the microscope. Lorne, the demon was beside him. Angel was sitting and Gunn standing beside him. I eyed him, remembering his threat before.

I stood by Spike, still in disbelief that he was alive. Or unlife, whatever. I could still smell the soul on him, like I could Angel. It was like a brightness covered by shadows if that made sense. Obviously, I couldn't smell it on myself. But, Spike told me it smelt the same to him. Fred was scanning some kind of device down his body. Spike had his arms crossed over his chest tightly.

I fiddled with the brim of my hat as the device beeped.

Lorne said. "Honey of a story."

Wesley spoke up. "Story?"

"Yeah, the Vampire Slayer. Both men loved, both men lost. Oh, I could sell that to any studio in a heartbeat."

I rolled my eyes a bit. It was ridiculous when I thought about it. They were horrible vampires with that. Now, I didn't have a problem with Buffy, but back then, I was so confused. Hell, she was hot, wasn't going to deny that. Now, Amelia on the other hand...

Spike glanced over, but looked back at Fred. "So, what are you, then? Scanner Girl?"

My lips twitched into a smile. Fred spoke. "Like Theo said, I'm Fred. I head up Wolfram and Heart's Science Department."

Spike said. "Wolfram and Heart. Heard of that. Thought it was a law firm."

Fred knelt down. "It is, among other things."

Spike looked down at her. "Also, heard they represent the worst evil of the universe."

I snorted, letting go of my hat. "They do."

Spike glanced at me, but went back to looking at Fred.

Angel sent me a look. "It was, among other things. But, now I'm in charge."

I scoffed. "And what did that change? Remember Fries?"

Angel's look turned darker. "And we handled that." I just smirked at him. Angel was so easy to rile up. Something the soul in me didn't change.

Spike sent him a look, amused. "Are you now?"

Fred was looking at something on the desk. "Weird. I'm getting electromagnetic readings consistent with spiritual entities, but there's no ectoplasmic matrix."

I tilted my head in her direction. "You wanna speak English?"

Gunn said. "What she said. What does that mean?"

Fred explained. "Ectoplasm is what makes ghosts visible to the human eye. If he's a ghost, we shouldn't be able to see him."

I frowned. "So, he's not Casper?"

Spike narrowed his eyes in my direction. I sent him a grin.

Fred was looking at her clipboard. Those things always make people feel official-like. "And I'm detecting brain wave activity."

I smirked a bit. "Well, that's different than before." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Angel smirk.

Spike blinked. "Pet?"

I arched an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"Piss off."

I bit back the snicker. I missed this. Like I said, shit starters.

Fred was still looking down, concentrating.

Angel said. "On Spike? Huh, that's weird." I wrinkled my nose, agreeing with Angel wasn't fun.

Fred continued. "Also, ghosts generally absorb light and heat energy, making the area around them a few degrees cooler, Spike's radiating heat."

I tilted my head a bit, staring at him. Vampires didn't give off heat, we couldn't. With the no heart pumping and all.

Spike sent her a look. "You think I'm hot, do you?"

Fred sent him a look of her own. "Hmm, lukewarm. Just above room temperature."

I let out a grin. Fred wasn't as shy as she showed and it was pleasing to see...interesting.

Spike glanced away slowly, still hunched up. My grin disappeared, as did my amusement. He was still looking vulnerable, Spike didn't do that. It was messing with my vampire side, getting me all animalistically protective. I'll even admit the human and souled part of me was concerned.

Spike said stiffly. "Well, what the hell am I, then?"

I glanced at Fred, hoping she knew.

"Whatever he is, is clearly tied to this amulet." My eyes snapped over to Wesley, who was still studying that microscope. Everyone else was looking in his direction. He went on to say. "Spike's essence, for a lack of a better term, must've of been held within it. Do you have an memory of a strange sensation when it released it's energy."

I glanced back at Spike and he looked back at me for a moment. The memories of the Hellmouth exploding hit me and I don't doubt Spike was thinking of that day. With what happened. With Buffy.

Spike looked over at the watcher. "What? You mean my skin and muscle burning away from the bone? Organs exploding in my chest. Eyeballs melting in their sockets? No. No memory at all. Thanks for asking."

I felt a grimace pull at my mouth and tugged the brim of my hat over my eyes quickly.

Angel cut in. "Okay, he's connected to the amulet. Last I heard, it was buried deep in the Hellmouth. How did it end up here?"

I shrugged when I felt Angel's pointed stare. "What, I dunno. The Hellmouth was caved in...when-when it happened." If I could blush, I would. It was embarrassing. I was over 100 years old and basically a Master Vampire. I needed to get a hold of myself. I stared back at Angel, who was shooting me a suspicious glare.

I scowled in his direction, about to go off on him when Fred cut in. "Maybe he's here for a reason. You know, some higher purpose or something he's destined for sent to us by the Powers That Be or-"

I arched my eyebrow in her direction, knowing that would piss him off. Hell, it would piss me off. Soul or no soul, I do what I want, no superior power controlling me.

Spike snapped, eyes narrowed in a glare. "Who gave them the bloody right to do that?" Spike let out a harsh scoff before turning away, his arms still wrapped around his upper body. "Can't a man die in peace without some almighty deciding it's not his time. Let's have a little more fun with him, eh?"

I mean, I know Spike was pissed off, but I knew I was happy to have him back, just had to find a way to make him a normal vampire again. That was the selfish part of me. Once you've been around someone for about a century, it was hard being away or loosing them.

Spike was still ranting. "You'd think saving the sodding world would be enough to earn me a rest. You'd think-"

My eyes widened in horror as I watched him fade. "Spike!" I spoke over Fred.

Spike looked over at me. "Theo, what-oh." He glanced down. "Oh, balls." He faded completely.

We moved around the room, but I went over to Fred quickly, hovering over her. I noticed the others moving over to where Spike was, but I didn't pay it much attention. Fred was waving her little gun around. I figured out of everyone, Fred would know the most of what was going on.

Gunn asked. "What now?"

I was still hovering over Fred. I said sharply. "Fred, where'd the hell he go?"

She winced, stepping away from my larger frame. "I-uh, don't know. He just-" She looked confused. "What did he mean, save the world?"

I glanced at her, still looking around. "What's there to be confused about?"

Gunn looked just as lost and they looked at Angel.

Angel was looking a bit awkward. "Oh, that? Well-Buffy did most of the work. Well, he helped-"

I scoffed loudly and harshly, the sound ripping from my throat. "Seriously, Angelus?"

I just got a glare for my use of that name. I ripped my hat off so my stare could be more effective. "I'm gonna say this in Spike's words. That is a load of 'bollocks'. Spike literally exploded into a pile of ash while you were kickin' it in LA and ignoring a apocalypse. What? Don't want to be the only heroic vampire?" Truthfully, I didn't even know if I was just talking about Spike or if myself was included. Since getting the soul, don't know with all the bad I've done, if I could ever think about being Good.

Angel growled a bit, sending me a deeper glare. I jutted out my chin, scowling deeply at him. It's like he could never admit to anything. Always that same brooding personality, thinking he knew all.

I heard a sound and turned, only to be met with Spike arched eyebrow in my direction, the scarred one. "Thanks for the ringing endorsement, Pet."

I could feel relief in my chest, only to be replaced by anger. He glanced at all the stares he was getting. "What?"

I barked. "Where'd the hell you go off to?"

Spike stared at me. "And you think I bloody did that on purpose?"

I threw my hands up. "I dunno!"

Angel called out. "Hey!" We turned to look at him. "Stop it. What happened?"

Spike looked confused and I tugged my hat on my head. Fred asked. "Don't you know?"

We all looked at him and believe it or not, Spike stammered. "I-I was-you! This is your fault!" I watched as he pointed at Angel.

I moved back a step or two and watched them.

Angel demanded. "Mine?"

"You brought that bloody amulet to Sunnydale! You would've been the one to use it until you chickened out." It was always a thought that came out. That it was Angel's first.

Angel angrily rounded the table. "What did you-"

"You heard me! You left town in the nick of time, didn't you!? Before the death and mayham. Hell, ask Theo how bad it was."

I shrugged at the looks aimed in my direction. "It was pretty destructive." I usually loved destruction and disaster.

Spike went on, aiming a dirty look in Angel's direction. "And on top of that, abandoned the woman you claim to love."

I smirked a bit, I knew that was about to trigger Angel and I was right. He said through gritted teeth. "She made the call. It wasn't my choice."

Spike snapped back. "And this bloody hell wasn't mine."

I felt the grief wash over me again. And guilt swirled in my chest at his pain at being alive. I swore in my head. There were times like these I hated this damned soul. It was forced into me. I was fine, I didn't want any of the grief, the guilt, the conscience that tugged at me with every memory and thought and action I had. I hated it.

Spike said. "I'm not you. I don't give a piss about atonement or destiny. Just because I got me a soul doesn't mean I'm going to let myself be led around-"

I could see that. With the guilt or not, I just did what I wanted to do at the time. Atonement, a bit, but I never believed in that destiny crap and never will.

I quirked an eyebrow as they all looked interested and glanced at Angel. Fred said. "Excuse me?"

I gave a wide smirk once I realized why they were shocked. "You don't know?"

Wesley turned to me. "That-what? Spike has a soul?"

Spike scoffed. "And me and Angelus aren't the only ones."

Fred gasped. "Theo?"

I shrugged, ignoring their looks with a derisive laugh. "Yeah. I joined the souled vampire party. Yay."

Angel was looking more disgruntled by the second.

Wesley looked even more confused. "You never said Spike or Theodora had souls?"

Angel made an uncomfortable look. "I didn't seem worth mentioning."

Gunn's eyes were hard as they looked at Angel. "There seems to be a lot of that."

I heard Spike's smug tone. "Or maybe Captain Forehead was feeling a little less special." He walked closer to Angel with his hands on his hips, grinning. "Didn't want me crashing his exclusive club."

I couldn't fight my grin. "Or knowing said club was expanding to three. Not the special vamp any longer."

Spike let out a chuckle of amusement, his grin wider in Angel's direction. We were good at that. Playing off each other and the mood. Knowing someone for so long will do that. "Another two vampires with souls in the world."

I just watched by my perch of leaning against the wall. It was entertaining.

Angel snapped. "You not in the world, Casper."

I let out a snarl of warning. Angel turned away and walked off.

Spike said lightly. "Ease up, Theo. The Ponce's buttons just got pushed, that's all."

We went through the wall and I watched Angel's team stared at us. I gave a shrug, following them.


I saw Spike followed Angel and figuring it was best to stay close, I followed. Spike glanced back, but didn't say anything. We were in the front, where Harmony was.

She said. "Angel, you have a meeting at 3-"

Angel raised a hand. "Not now, Harmony."

I drawled. "Now, that's not nice."

"Shut it, Theodora!"

I rolled my eyes. So predictable.

Spike raised a hand up. "And here you even managed to get my ex-tumble-a vampire-fetching coffee for you. Nice perks for the sellout."

I rolled my eyes again. "Spike, we're all sellouts to the demon world."

Spike turned his head to send me a look. "Not helping my point, Love."

I arched an eyebrow. "Well, it's true."

See them in a face off and not wanting to see them argue again, over and over, I wandered off, still hearing bits of it as I went back to the lab.

I'd catch up with Spike later.


Spike said. "You can try your little law fir-" He stopped and looked around. "Where'd Theo go?"

Angel also glanced around. "I don't know. I figured she would've followed you." He couldn't help, but feel relieved. Dealing with Spike was enough, he didn't want to deal with Theo too.

Spike gave a slow shrug. Since coming back and seeing her, he figured she'd follow him. "It's probably your fault."

Angel rounded on him with a glare. "How is that my fault?!"

Spike sent him a smirk. "That's because you're a poof."

Angel rolled his eyes, walking off.

Spike followed.


I wandered over to the lab to see Fred in there alone. Lorne, Wesley and Gunn disappeared somewhere. I walked over. "Fred."

She turned quickly with a surprised noise, stumbling a little on her heels. "Oh, hello, Theo."

I tilted my head as her elevated heartbeat hit my ears. Feeling the tightness in my throat, I reminded myself to go to the butcher's. "You don't have to be scared of me, y'know."

Fred blinked. "Oh, I'm not. You just seemed angry before."

I walked around a bit, looking around the lab. "Ah, right. Sorry 'bout that." She seemed like a nice girl. I said what was on my mind. "So...Spike's a ghost."

Fred said. "Not exactly. He has a paranormal-"

I waved a hand. "Nah. He's a ghost." I turned to her to see her watching me. I asked. "You're smart, right?"

She smiled a little, flushing. "I'd like to think so."

I chuckled a bit. "So, can you fix Spike?"

"What?"

I tugged my hat off, running my fingers through my hair with my other hand. "Well, make him a un-ghost, I guess." I looked her in the eyes. "I'll owe you one. I'm over 100 years old. I got things and know people."

Fred nodded. "No, that's not-I-I was think of looking into it."

I gave her a bright grin. "Ah, thanks, darlin'."

I waved my hat in her direction before throwing it on my head walking out of the lab. It was going to be interesting dealing with Angel's people.

"Theo!" I turned and saw it was Spike 'walking' over. "Ready to leave?"

I immediately nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's go." Unless something else I wanted stopped me, I'd follow Spike.

We walked out of Wolfram and Heart, walking down the street. I said. "Hold on."

I turned right and headed toward the Butcher's. Spike followed behind me. "Where are we going?" I ignored him and walked down the street, ignoring the few people around and turned left. I heard Spike bark. "Theodora, where the hell are you going?"

I turned and arched an eyebrow in his direction. "To the Butcher's."

Spike rolled his eyes, following. "Great, so you're going to drink blood in front of me?"

I gave him a grin. "Sure am."

I ignored the growl that came from him.


As I drank down my blood, we were finally headed out of LA. I was amused, ignoring Spike's glares. I wiggled my eyebrows in his direction. "Taste's good." I tilted my head. "Or...okay, don't know what animal it comes from."

I felt a slight shiver as he went to smack me over the head and it just went through. "Don't do that."

We were walking for a bit and Spike was talking, he usually did. He can't usually keep quiet. "So, where is Buffy? Angel said Europe?"

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, in Rome."

Spike had an unreadable look on his face. Though knowing him, I could recognize the emotion. "Okay, then-"

I stopped walking when he cut himself off. I turned in confusion. "Spike?" I turned some more and looked around, but could not see him. I could feel the alarm hit me again.

I let out a growl of frustration. "He needs to stop doing that!"

Catching an idea, I went back to Wolfram and Heart.


Figuring it would be the most likely place, I headed to Angel's office.

I saw Spike standing in the middle of the room. Wesley and Angel were there.

"-bound to this place. And since Spike's is connected to it-"

Spike snapped. "Hey! I'm nobody's bloody property, Percy."

"Theo, you too?"

I nodded at Angel's question, walking also into the middle of the room. "Yeah, turned back when Spike disappeared.

Spike said. "Well, it wasn't by choice."

I rolled my eyes. "Obviously."

Spike's eyes narrowed. "So, what? I'm stuck here forever."

I tilted my head, remembering what I asked Fred, but kept it to myself.

Spike pointed at Angel. "I bet your loving this, aren't you?"

I walked around and sat in the chair, tugging my hat off and flipping it between my fingers.

Angel's tone was dry. "Knowing you'll be haunting me until the end of time. Mm, it's a dream come true."

I said. "Sure we'll figure it out, Spike."

"Don't really need the positivity, Pet."

I waved a hand. "Yeah, Yeah." It's not like I was usually like that. The grief didn't go away, but it did lessen by a wide margin.

There was a knock on the door. I knew it was Harmony more by smell than by voice. "That Novak lawyer that you sent to dump the client? Well, he's back."

Angel said. "Okay, send him in."

I wrinkled my nose in disgust at the smell as two identical clothed men in suits came in with buckets of rotting blood and flesh. I can see bloody rags hanging on the side of it.

Wesley stared and I was a bit amused at his reaction, even with the smell. This looked like it was Angel's fault, whoever Novak was. The buckets were placed on the desk. Angel had to be loving that.

They left, silent as they came. I didn't get up as Angel and Wesley leaned over to look inside.

Spike said, voice tinted with mirth. "You guys are doing a bang up job."

I let out a chuckle of amusement. "Ah, I see the CEO of Evil Incorporated is doing great. Getting the people who work for you killed one at a time."

Me and Spike were given a dark look that didn't bother us at all.

Angel gotten that stiff brooding look on his face, storming out of the office.

Wesley glanced at both of us, his face expressive, before he walked out.

I smiled a bit, and Spike sent me a smirk. I tossed my hat back on as we laughed.

That was just Angel for you.