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jesterladyficChapter Six:
“Can’t we go clubbing or something?” Faith was close to her breaking point. “The non stop geek-a-thon is getting to me.”
“I resent that!” Andrew squeaked from his corner of the taxi where he’d been rambling about some science-fiction-zero-gravity-action-figure footballer or something like that.
“I swear I’m gonna snap his arms off if he doesn’t shut it!”
“I’m not your sodding marriage counselor!” Spike exploded. “Settle your own bloody problems!” Andrew leaned back to sulk and Faith winked at the young taxi-driver looking at them in the rearview mirror.
But Faith did get her wish. Spike agreed to find a night club so they could blow off some steam. Faith recruited the help of every male worker under thirty their hotel employed to select just the right place to go.
It was loud and smoky and flashing lights were everywhere. Just what she wanted. As they entered, Faith caught the attention of several male bodies and soon they were all raucously dancing to what Spike supposed could be construed as music. He and Andrew found a table and sat down and ordered some drinks.
Several girls came over and asked Spike to dance in charmingly halting English, but he refused all of them.
“Why don’t you dance?” Andrew asked. “I’m sure Buffy wouldn’t mind.”
“You never know what she’d mind or not,” Spike replied darkly. “Tells you
you’re through and that you have to move on and the second that you do, the wrath of Buffy falls on your head for following her suggestion.” He shook his head. “Anyway, not the point, kid. I don’t dance like this.”
“Like what?”
“Like the world will fall apart if I don’t shake my body as fast as I possibly
can.” Andrew smiled, then said excitedly,
“Here comes another one. Better get your no-face on.” Spike sipped his beer calmly.
“No, this one’s coming for you.”
“What?” Andrew about fell out of his seat.
A short, brunette, sweet-looking girl in a pink halter top stepped up to their table and leaned over Andrew.
“Hello, I am Amee.”
“A-andrew,” he stuttered.
“Do you wanna dance?” Andrew looked desperately to Spike for an answer, who grinned and nodded.
“O-okay,” Andrew replied. Amee took his hand and led him off to the dance floor. Spike laughed as he saw Andrew try to dance. But soon the vampire settled back and thought about their next move.
He knew who they would be dealing with. The Three. A complete joke, of course. There had been another trio of vampires called the Three, much deadlier and more dangerous. That is, before they were dusted by Darla, of all people, when they failed to kill Buffy. This group was muy different. Putting emphasis on the muy; they being a Spanish mariachi band.
Back in the 30’s, Dru had dragged him to hear some music with her and had fallen in love with a three-brother mariachi band. She said they made her head sing and the stars come out to play. To oblige her, Spike had jumped them out back and taken them to their current residence and turned all three of them to be her entertainment-minions.
Ari, Pedro and Gilberto were just that: minion material and fumbling ones at that. But because they had shared both human blood and now a common Sire, they were intrinsically linked in strength, able to communicate with one another telepathically and quite adept at thrall and knife-throwing for some reason. That could prove to be a danger here, though Spike still had to laugh at the idea of the Three being a serious threat.
Dru had quickly tired of their endless, although quite skilled music, and whined to Spike to make the colors stop spinning and the little men go away. He had done so, selling them to a rival Master vampire across town and then leaving the country at his Dark Princess’ behest.
Whatever happened here, Spike wasn’t seriously worried at all, but he still didn’t have time for any mistakes with Buffy counting on him.
Just then Faith sat down, breathless, with a drink in her hand, waving off her male companions.
“Be back later, fellas. Keep it warm for me.”
“Having fun, pet?” Spike inquired.
“This place is awesome.” She lagged back in her chair. “Who knew a Middle
Eastern country would be such a fun ride? Guess who’s here.”
“Who?”
“You’re supposed to guess.”
“Rogue!” Spike warned
“You’re no fun,” Faith complained, but then complied. “Oz!”
“Dog boy’s here?”
“Yup, up there on the stage, just like always.”
“Did he see you?”
“Don’t think so, why?”
“Well, last time he saw either of us, we were playing for the other side. Might not take our word for it that we are law-abiding, white-hats now.”
“Good point,” Faith considered. “Well, he doesn’t have to know we’re here.”
“Be nice to have him on our side,” Spike said, thinking of the long-range attack
possibilities. “Boy’s got good cross-bow action.”
“Your call, Blondie. You want him sticking those cross-bows in your back, be my guest.”
“We’ll figure that out later. Now, here’s Romeo back from the trenches.”
Andrew sat down, bewildered, clutching a piece of paper.
“She gave me her number.”
“Might want to tell your new bird that you’re just passing through,” Spike
pointed out.
“So is she,” Andrew sighed, lost in a world all his own.
“So back to Oz,” Faith directed.
“Where’s Oz?” Andrew came out of his daze. “We’re going to Oz?”
“Not the land, you git, the person.”
“Oh, who’s Oz?”
“Werewolf, old beau of Red’s. Ran off a few years back around Glinda-time.”
Andrew blinked, putting together Spike’s words.
“Willow’s old boyfriend.”
“Got it in one, Brain-trust,” Faith replied.
“Wait, we went to high school together then.”
“Probably.”
“So why are we talking about him? Is it reminiscing time? Did you guys start
reminiscing time without me again?”
“He’s here, squirt.” Faith gestured to the stage where a short, red headed
figure could be seen playing lead guitar.
“Let’s go say hi.” Andrew hopped off his chair and walked to the stage before
they could stop him and stood there like a groupie. The set ended and Faith and Spike watched Andrew accost Oz like a long lost brother, despite the fact that Andrew had never seen Oz before, and lead him over to their table.
Oz blinked in surprise, showing no emotion when he saw who was sitting there.
“Spike, Faith,” he said.
“Oz, old buddy, sit down, take a load off,” Faith invited. Oz sat down
cautiously.
“Coma wore off,” he stated. She nodded.
“So you two are working together now?”
“Not especially by choice,” Spike said. Faith hit his shoulder.
“Watch it there, Blondie. Who saved who in Africa?”
“Who bloody well saved who in Sunnyhell and in China?” he retorted. Oz looked
at them.
“Creepy combo, but it works.”
“Look, Dog boy, we don’t expect you to believe us or little Andrew here, but we
are the good guys now.”
“Really?” Oz was naturally skeptical.
“Really,” enthused Andrew. “Faith went to prison and reformed and then helped out Angel when he lost his soul and came to Sunnydale to help us with the First and Spike fell in love with Buffy and got his soul and saved the world and now we’re all looking for Buffy to save her from some unspeakable evil.”
“What happened to Buffy?” Oz focused on the important part of Andrew’s ramblings.
“You remember back when she lost all her strength and what not? It’s like that
only it’s being done by a whole lot of people who are pissed off at me and are using her to get to me. Here.” Spike dug in his pocket and tossed a cell phone he’d picked up in Cleveland to Oz. “The Watcher’s in there. Call him and ask.” Oz did so.
“Hello?” Giles answered. Spike could clearly hear the voice over the connection.
“Giles?”
“Yes, this is Rupert Giles. To whom am I speaking?”
“This is Oz.”
“Oz? Oh my, this is a surprise. How are you doing?”
“I’m pretty good. Listen, got a question for you.”
“Of course, what is it?”
“Got Spike and Faith and some other guy here. Just wondering, they still evil?”
“Sometimes I wonder that too.” Giles sighed.
“Hey! Dad, I heard that!” Spike called.
“They’re fine, Oz. Faith did do some time in prison and Spike has been helping
us out pretty much ever since you left and now they’re looking for Buffy who has disappeared. I assure you, there’s no chance of them doing any harm to you, just likely themselves.”
“Heard that too.”
“Just checking, Giles. Thanks,” Oz said into the phone.
“Of course, Oz, anytime. Goodbye now.”
“Bye.”
“Satisfied?” asked Faith, her words laced with double meaning as indeed most of
her words were.
“Yeah, so we gonna find Buffy?”
“You’re planning on helping?” Spike asked.
“Sure, memory lane and everything.”
“Reminiscing time!” Andrew cried excitedly. Spike ignored him.
“Right then, well, let’s go back to the hotel and do a spot of strategizing
then.”
“You go on, I’ll catch up,” Faith said, eying a new bunch of victims.
***
Andrew walked along slowly, watching and listening to all the sounds of the city, taking mental notes to write in his diary. He smelled food on the air and heard distant music, upbeat happy music, down the next alley. He stopped to listen and lost himself in the sound.
Spike and Oz noticed at the same time that Andrew was no longer with them, their sense of smell letting them know the scents around them had changed. They were walking along the street headed for the hotel and immediately turned around looking for him.
“Andrew!” Spike yelled. “Get out here, don’t have time for your games. Got work to do!”
“What? I’m right here.” Spike whirled around and there was Andrew, standing calmly behind him.
“How’d you do that?” Spike demanded.
“I told you, I am a Watcher now. I know how to conceal myself from the
vampyres. I’m practicing for when we meet up with your not so friendly old friends.”
“Well, cut it out. Let’s get back to the hotel and stay together this time.” Oz and Andrew fell quietly in line with the irate vampire.
“Where you staying, Dog boy?” Spike asked.
“Motel not too far from here, though not quite up to this scale of class.” He
gestured to the neighborhood they were walking in. Spike grinned.
“Never thought I’d say this, but it’s nice being on the Council of Wankers’ good side occasionally.”
Andrew loitered behind, snatching at things in the air and continually turning to stare behind him. Spike completely lost his patience. He’d begun to respect Andrew lately, to give him credit for not being a complete spazz, but now here he was, horsing around when he knew they had things to do. Important things.
“Andrew, get moving! What the bloody hell are you playing at?” Spike probably would’ve really started off on him, but his cell phone rang, interrupting him. Swearing, he answered it.
“What!” Faith’s voice replied on the other end,
“Listen, boss, got a sitch here.”
“Well?” Spike wasn’t too patient at the moment.
“I kinda need you to bail me outta jail.”
“You got arrested! Again!”
“Hey, that thing in Cleveland, not my fault. Anyways, turns out single gal
walking around with a bunch of guys at night ain’t allowed around here.”
“Bloody hell,” he muttered. “Just what I needed. Fine, where are you?” She told him and he hung up the phone.
“Now we gotta get Rogue out of jail. Night’s just too good for words.”
Andrew interrupted him, mid-grumble, as if anxious to make up for his former lapse of attention.
“I’ll go to the jail and get her for you! Just give me the money and you take
Oz to the hotel and tell him our secret plan. The Dark Ones-One! I mean- and I will meet you there.”
“Fine.” Spike threw a wad of money at Andrew and then stalked back to the hotel. Oz followed wordlessly.
“This here’s our room.” Spike unlocked the door and led the way inside, shedding his duster on a nearby chair, then flopping on the bed, breathing heavily from habit.
“Bad day?” Oz asked from the doorway.
“Nah, just lost my temper is all. I’ll apologize to him later. Buffy needs rescuing right now and all they can think about is bloody dancing and loitering. You can sit down, by the way.” Oz moved to sit on the back of the desk chair, facing Spike and commenting,
“Gotta admit, didn’t think you’d fall for her too.” Spike smiled ruefully.
“Girl’s got her ways, I’ll own up. Mostly being a royal pain and smart-mouthed, self-righteous, silly bint, but she’s got her good points. I don’t suppose you’ve ever seen her naked?” Oz shook his head.
“No, well, yes. But no.” Spike raised his eyebrow.
“Which is it?”
“Buffy was a rat. De-ratting comes minus the clothes. There were boxes though.”
“Oh well, good times. Seems I miss all the fun stuff. Anyways, it’s not just
about her body. The girl’s got more heart and tries the hardest to show it and hide it at the same time, than anyone I ever knew. And I’ve known quite a few.”
“She tries.”
“Yeah, she tries.” Spike shook his head. “Getting off-topic before I turn into
a nancy-boy, let me recap for you our various adventures before Lady Shag Me and Mr. Story-time come back.”
***
Andrew returned sans Faith.
“Where is she?” Spike asked irritably.
“They wouldn’t let her out. They took all my money and said that I was too American to know better and to come back in the morning. At least, that’s what I think they said.” Andrew sank onto the bed despondently and snatched at a nearby bug on the dresser. “I failed again.”
“Why wouldn’t they let her out? You had enough money right?” Spike sat up and rubbed his forehead. Andrew froze as if the question was much too hard for him to answer.
“I-I, they said, she was…an example for all…bad women,” he finished lamely. Spike stared incredulously.
“Bad women?”
“B-bad women.” Andrew nervously drummed his fingers on his arm and spotting a
mosquito, moved over to the window, before turning and facing Spike with a plastic smile. “Don’t worry, Spike. Faith will be back in the morning, so our plans won’t fail-” he started to say, then jumped uneasily. “Our plans, meaning yours and mine, not mine and anyone else’s, like masters or anything. Cause, that’s just silly.”
“I’m going to check out my old haunts. See if your brain gets back while I’m gone,” Spike grabbed his coat and then said to Oz. “Watch him. Boy’s gone fruit loops.”
***
Spike couldn’t find any traces of the Three at the abandoned house he and Dru had laired in back in the day. Discouraged, he patrolled the streets awhile, even went by the dark jail, but without really trying he couldn’t get in to Faith and he didn’t want to make the effort, not tonight. He decided to go back to the hotel.
Riding the elevator, he kept hearing the strangest familiar sounds and upon entering the room, he saw the reason why.
The Three had set up shop in the middle of his hotel room and their music was playing loudly in his ears. Spike burst out laughing. He couldn’t help himself, the strain and ludicrousness of the situation took hold of him and he guffawed his way down to the floor, holding his middle and letting the tension of weeks drain away. The band kept playing and the middle man, Pedro, raised his head and asked grinning,
“Senor Boss, just like you like, eh?”
“We keep playing for you forever. Let you always keep us,” Gilberto agreed. Ari just kept strumming. Spike finally managed to check his laughter a little and noticed Oz lying on the floor unconscious, with Andrew standing over him, a bat in Andrew’s hand.
“What are you doing?” Spike yelled, still giggling a little.
“Couldn’t have him messing with the Dark Ones’ plans. Music
pretty.” Andrew grasped the bat firmly in one hand and strode
toward Spike through a particularly happy thread of music. Spike
grasped hold of himself and spun out of the way of the bat, grabbing
it from Andrew and throwing him against the wall.
During this time, Ari had stopped strumming and produced ten
knives which he threw at Spike in rapid succession. They forced his body
toward the wall and pinned him there with the knives’ points
through his clothes and hilt deep into the wall. Spike couldn’t move
his arms or his legs and blood dripped down the wall from where the
sharp blades had pierced his flesh. Spike struggled fiercely to get
free, managing to rip his left side, not all the way loose, but enough
that he could make a defense of some sort.
The brothers stopped playing and laying down their instruments, came toward Spike with more glittering knives in their hands. Over in the corner, Andrew roused himself off the floor and stared in astonishment at the scene laid before his eyes. Weighing his options, Andrew decided to run for it. He dashed out the still open door and disappeared down the hall. Gilberto laughed.
“Boy left you, huh? He was easy to take, mind so open to new things.” Spike closed his eyes and prepared himself. The Three surrounded him and easily dodging his weak and short blows, went to work on him with their knives.
“We good with knives, no?” Ari asked, chuckling. “Our new Master, he like knives.”
“He like us for knives,” Gilberto agreed. “We miss the bright lady and want to come home, but mis hermanos and I forced to stay away. Forced to play for him.”
“Dru was never your bright lady and I had the perfect right to get your bloody music out of my home. Not my fault you didn’t like your new minion job.” Spike turned his head to avoid a vicious stab and succeeded in pulling his left arm off of the wall. He grabbed Ari by the throat and slammed his head into the wall. Ari stumbled backwards, holding his head and muttering in Spanish. Gilberto and Pedro sent up twin cries of pain and redoubled their assault.
Spike bent his arm upwards and still struggling to free the rest of him, tried to pull one of the knives from the wall. They wouldn’t budge, sunk in by tripled vampire strength. Blood poured from him in multiple places and through the vision of it covering his eyes, Spike spied Ari’s dropped knife and with a desperate surge of strength, Spike pulled out his left foot from the wall, stomped on it and sent it spiraling in the air toward his hand.
Catching it, he swung it in such a fast arc that it sliced right through Pedro’s head, sending it and the rest of him crashing to the floor in a cloud of dust. Gilberto stopped cold and Ari’s head snapped upright. They shuddered for a moment and Spike used the opportunity to try and break himself free again to no avail. The remaining brothers opened their eyes at the same time and screaming an awful blood cry, confused and outraged, they came for Spike again.
And there was nothing he could do. They were weakened in their strength, but doubled in their fury and he had one arm and leg and a knife with no help, to fend them off. He screamed as well, when a knife pierced his chest and twisted in his non-vital organs that felt vital, nonetheless. Through the pain, Spike dropped his knife and Ari grinned maliciously.
In the corner Oz woke up and twisting around, saw what was happening. He leapt up and grabbed an abandoned guitar, which he hated to do, but he saw no other choice and bashed Gilberto in the head with it. Gilberto spun around and laughed in his throat,
“We play, you and I? Very, very good.” Gilberto walked toward Oz, who looked around the room for something to defend himself with, the guitar being somewhat destroyed. Gilberto launched at his throat and Oz turned so that fangs raked his arm instead. The pain sent him stumbling back and Gilberto advanced towards Oz again.
Another knife pierced through Spike’s shoulder. But it wasn’t a one-sided fight, Ari’s head sported two black eyes; the color scheme was quite interesting with the yellow eyes and bumpy forehead. Grabbing Ari’s knife away from him, Spike slashed it at Ari’s ribs. Ari dodged away and came again.
“You no get us this time. We have plans for you, milkmaid. Mis hermanos and I. Except no Pedro now. We just sell you at first, but now you stay with us forever.” Ari dragged his knife across Spike’s forehead and he could no longer see through the blood and pain.
Gilberto dropped Oz to the floor, banging his head against the bed on his way down. Oz put his legs together and kicked as hard as he could. Gilberto doubled over and Oz kicked again, getting the vampire’s head this time.
“No more games. Ari gets all the fun. I kill you now and go play.” Gilberto leaned over Oz and holding him down with one arm, brought the knife down with the other.
Faith burst into the room and jump-kicked Gilberto in the head, snapping his neck and sending him sailing limply across the room, banging Oz back into unconsciousness on the way. She turned her attention to Ari, who unstuck his knife from Spike’s belly and upon seeing the fallen Gilberto, sent up a war cry and prepared to face her. She feinted left and as he moved to block her, grabbed both his arms and flipped him over her head. The knife raked her cheek on the way over, but Ari landed hard on his back. Faith moved to Spike and helped him tug free.
“Couldn’t handle even three dweeb vamps without me? Face it, Blondie, you need me.” Faith winked at him and strode back out to Ari who was now on his feet. Spike assessed his physical status and decided he could still move, if not exactly fight. Gilberto still lay on the floor with Oz beside. Gilberto had started twitching and one hand still grasped his knife. Spike moved as quickly as a normal human could, across the room, and grabbing Andrew’s bat, did a fast dusting.
Faith and Ari were still moving, a blur of Slayer speed and vampire strength, though Ari was obviously more adept at playing mariachi than fighting and it showed. With several easy maneuvers, Faith had him up against the wall right next to the door. She held him there with one arm and sticking her hand out the door, yelled,
“Stake!” Like magic one appeared in her hand and she stuck it deep into Ari’s heart. As his face crumbled into dust he looked at his dusted brothers and sighed in relief,
“We one again.” And then he was gone.
Spike leaned over Oz and checked his stability, then sank gratefully to the floor beside him. Faith walked out of the room and then came back in, dragging a reluctant Andrew behind her.
“I’m sorry, Spike. It wasn’t my fault. I was under thrall. I couldn’t do anything about it and I knew I had to get Faith to help and she broke the jail window and then we were too late and don’t kill me, please?” Glaring slightly, Spike fainted.
***
When Spike woke up, all his wounds were bandaged and dressed and blood was sitting on the table beside his bed. He drank it all and felt strengthened. He wouldn’t be up to god-fighting any day soon, but he would be up to his full strength quickly, despite the multiple stab wounds and lacerations.
“Feeling better?” Oz walked into the room sporting a nasty bruise on his forehead.
“Oh yeah, it’s like being born again. The really painful part.” Oz smiled.
“Well, check out the upside. Your clothes are bearing that fashionable torn to
shreds look.” Spike looked at his duster and groaned, thankful that it was not too bad, but still, he would have to patch it up again. He hated that.
“Where’re the other two?”
“Faith is explaining not being in jail. Andrew: hiding under the bed.”
“Get out here!” Spike barked. Andrew crawled sheepishly out from under the other bed. “I’m not gonna eat you. Stop looking like a worm on parade at the national Fish Bait Fair. Thrall happens; deal with it.” Andrew looked up hopefully.
“You aren’t mad? I mean, I told them where you were and helped them keep Faith in jail and I hit Oz.”
“Course I’m bloody well mad at you. You caused the next clue to get dusted. My brain wasn’t working too well and I didn’t think to check el Gilberto there before I dusted the git. And I sure wasn’t trying to do a once over on Pedro.”
“Oh, clue’s found,” Oz said. “Pulled it out of the wreckage of a pretty nice
guitar.” Spike leaned back again.
“Good, okay, Andrew, you’re forgiven. Should’ve realized it was thrall anyway, the way you were acting. Though the difference wasn’t that noticeable.” Andrew blushed.
“I’m really sorry, Spike. It will never happen again. I promise never, ever to do those things again. I won’t fail our mission ever and will strive with all my being to uphold the noble code of the First Slayer Rescue Brigade…and always eat my vegetables,” Andrew concluded, trying to think of something else that was honorable he could aspire to.
“We have a code now? I hope I bloody well never have to hear…” and Spike sank back into unconsciousness.
***
The next time Spike woke up, Faith was checking his bandages and when she saw he was awake she handed him some more blood. Downing it, he sat up and felt much better.
“How long have I been out?”
“Two days. Quite some beating they gave ya, boss. Lucky I saved your ass.”
Spike smirked at her.
“Just doing my bit with the distracting, there. Nice to know little Andrew decided to wake up in time to fetch you.”
“Yeah, though I had a hell of a time explaining the broken window and twisted steel bars. Breaking out of jail is fun, but the clean up isn’t.”
“Why didn’t you just, you know, stay away from there?”
“Gotta do the right thing, Blondie. Remember, I pull for the good guys. Didn’t
want to get Giles all in trouble when I’m traced back to him through my record. He’s my keeper, ya know? Keeping me out of trouble.”
“Man’s a Watcher and a Keeper, next thing, he’ll be a bloody Taker or Mover,” Spike muttered to himself, still slightly off. “We should send him a postcard: ‘Hi, how are you? We’re fine, touring the sights, getting stabbed. By the way, congrats on making Watcher, Keeper, Librarian and what all else. Wish you were here.’ “ Faith laughed.
“Snark-man’s back. Guess he’s up to figuring out where to go next. Andrew, get in here.” Oz and Andrew walked into the room and sat on the other bed. “You got the slip, Andy?” Andrew pulled out a slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to Faith,
who read:
“ ‘You won the first round; now she can’t come,
Try to save the girl; we’ll make you undone.
One worshiper dead and laid at his door,
Ghosting’s not finished; come back for more.’
Wow, we got us a four-liner here. Whoever it is, they’re really stepping up to the plate, pulling out all the stops.” Spike’s head sank back onto his pillow in exhaustion.
“We gotta go to LA. Sod it all. Now I have to explain to Angel about this whole mess and he’ll try to take over and take her away and now Science-girl’s about to get into trouble and I don’t know who we’re dealing with except that they’re bleeding demon fanatics. Bloody perfect.”
“Rest a bit, boss. They never seem to do any damage till we actually arrive, so take it easy. I’ll tell Giles what’s up. Maybe we can stop over there before we hit the States again.” Spike nodded and went back to sleep.
***
This time when Spike awoke he was ready to get going and soon everyone was all in a bustle getting ready to leave. Oz came by to send them off.
“Thanks again, mate, for trusting us and the help and all,” Spike shook Oz’s pro offered hand.
“Despite the head bashing; this was fun.” Oz shrugged. “I miss it.”
“World could always do with a bit of help,” Spike pointed out. “Betcha Giles would have something for you to do.” Oz cocked his head.
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Well, you’re pretty good at unexpected arrivals. Come with us and we’ll drop you off.” Oz thought about it. He had nothing going on in Istanbul. Nothing to keep him and suddenly, he remembered the sense of purpose he’d always had while working with the Scoobies, even if a lot of that had to do with Willow. And this was more than that. It had been awhile since he’d checked up on Willow, as he liked to do from time to time, just making sure she was okay before moving on to someplace new. All things considered, it didn’t take much to convince Oz.
“I’m in.”
“Great, now we’re all best friends again,” Faith shoved in between them. “Let’s grab his gear then and get outta here.” Andrew picked up his bags and made sure Amee’s sure-to-never-be-used-but-always-wondered-at-number was inside. Faith helped Spike with his bags, as he was still a tad wobbly and they headed out.
“Can’t we go clubbing or something?” Faith was close to her breaking point. “The non stop geek-a-thon is getting to me.”
“I resent that!” Andrew squeaked from his corner of the taxi where he’d been rambling about some science-fiction-zero-gravity-action-figure footballer or something like that.
“I swear I’m gonna snap his arms off if he doesn’t shut it!”
“I’m not your sodding marriage counselor!” Spike exploded. “Settle your own bloody problems!” Andrew leaned back to sulk and Faith winked at the young taxi-driver looking at them in the rearview mirror.
But Faith did get her wish. Spike agreed to find a night club so they could blow off some steam. Faith recruited the help of every male worker under thirty their hotel employed to select just the right place to go.
It was loud and smoky and flashing lights were everywhere. Just what she wanted. As they entered, Faith caught the attention of several male bodies and soon they were all raucously dancing to what Spike supposed could be construed as music. He and Andrew found a table and sat down and ordered some drinks.
Several girls came over and asked Spike to dance in charmingly halting English, but he refused all of them.
“Why don’t you dance?” Andrew asked. “I’m sure Buffy wouldn’t mind.”
“You never know what she’d mind or not,” Spike replied darkly. “Tells you
you’re through and that you have to move on and the second that you do, the wrath of Buffy falls on your head for following her suggestion.” He shook his head. “Anyway, not the point, kid. I don’t dance like this.”
“Like what?”
“Like the world will fall apart if I don’t shake my body as fast as I possibly
can.” Andrew smiled, then said excitedly,
“Here comes another one. Better get your no-face on.” Spike sipped his beer calmly.
“No, this one’s coming for you.”
“What?” Andrew about fell out of his seat.
A short, brunette, sweet-looking girl in a pink halter top stepped up to their table and leaned over Andrew.
“Hello, I am Amee.”
“A-andrew,” he stuttered.
“Do you wanna dance?” Andrew looked desperately to Spike for an answer, who grinned and nodded.
“O-okay,” Andrew replied. Amee took his hand and led him off to the dance floor. Spike laughed as he saw Andrew try to dance. But soon the vampire settled back and thought about their next move.
He knew who they would be dealing with. The Three. A complete joke, of course. There had been another trio of vampires called the Three, much deadlier and more dangerous. That is, before they were dusted by Darla, of all people, when they failed to kill Buffy. This group was muy different. Putting emphasis on the muy; they being a Spanish mariachi band.
Back in the 30’s, Dru had dragged him to hear some music with her and had fallen in love with a three-brother mariachi band. She said they made her head sing and the stars come out to play. To oblige her, Spike had jumped them out back and taken them to their current residence and turned all three of them to be her entertainment-minions.
Ari, Pedro and Gilberto were just that: minion material and fumbling ones at that. But because they had shared both human blood and now a common Sire, they were intrinsically linked in strength, able to communicate with one another telepathically and quite adept at thrall and knife-throwing for some reason. That could prove to be a danger here, though Spike still had to laugh at the idea of the Three being a serious threat.
Dru had quickly tired of their endless, although quite skilled music, and whined to Spike to make the colors stop spinning and the little men go away. He had done so, selling them to a rival Master vampire across town and then leaving the country at his Dark Princess’ behest.
Whatever happened here, Spike wasn’t seriously worried at all, but he still didn’t have time for any mistakes with Buffy counting on him.
Just then Faith sat down, breathless, with a drink in her hand, waving off her male companions.
“Be back later, fellas. Keep it warm for me.”
“Having fun, pet?” Spike inquired.
“This place is awesome.” She lagged back in her chair. “Who knew a Middle
Eastern country would be such a fun ride? Guess who’s here.”
“Who?”
“You’re supposed to guess.”
“Rogue!” Spike warned
“You’re no fun,” Faith complained, but then complied. “Oz!”
“Dog boy’s here?”
“Yup, up there on the stage, just like always.”
“Did he see you?”
“Don’t think so, why?”
“Well, last time he saw either of us, we were playing for the other side. Might not take our word for it that we are law-abiding, white-hats now.”
“Good point,” Faith considered. “Well, he doesn’t have to know we’re here.”
“Be nice to have him on our side,” Spike said, thinking of the long-range attack
possibilities. “Boy’s got good cross-bow action.”
“Your call, Blondie. You want him sticking those cross-bows in your back, be my guest.”
“We’ll figure that out later. Now, here’s Romeo back from the trenches.”
Andrew sat down, bewildered, clutching a piece of paper.
“She gave me her number.”
“Might want to tell your new bird that you’re just passing through,” Spike
pointed out.
“So is she,” Andrew sighed, lost in a world all his own.
“So back to Oz,” Faith directed.
“Where’s Oz?” Andrew came out of his daze. “We’re going to Oz?”
“Not the land, you git, the person.”
“Oh, who’s Oz?”
“Werewolf, old beau of Red’s. Ran off a few years back around Glinda-time.”
Andrew blinked, putting together Spike’s words.
“Willow’s old boyfriend.”
“Got it in one, Brain-trust,” Faith replied.
“Wait, we went to high school together then.”
“Probably.”
“So why are we talking about him? Is it reminiscing time? Did you guys start
reminiscing time without me again?”
“He’s here, squirt.” Faith gestured to the stage where a short, red headed
figure could be seen playing lead guitar.
“Let’s go say hi.” Andrew hopped off his chair and walked to the stage before
they could stop him and stood there like a groupie. The set ended and Faith and Spike watched Andrew accost Oz like a long lost brother, despite the fact that Andrew had never seen Oz before, and lead him over to their table.
Oz blinked in surprise, showing no emotion when he saw who was sitting there.
“Spike, Faith,” he said.
“Oz, old buddy, sit down, take a load off,” Faith invited. Oz sat down
cautiously.
“Coma wore off,” he stated. She nodded.
“So you two are working together now?”
“Not especially by choice,” Spike said. Faith hit his shoulder.
“Watch it there, Blondie. Who saved who in Africa?”
“Who bloody well saved who in Sunnyhell and in China?” he retorted. Oz looked
at them.
“Creepy combo, but it works.”
“Look, Dog boy, we don’t expect you to believe us or little Andrew here, but we
are the good guys now.”
“Really?” Oz was naturally skeptical.
“Really,” enthused Andrew. “Faith went to prison and reformed and then helped out Angel when he lost his soul and came to Sunnydale to help us with the First and Spike fell in love with Buffy and got his soul and saved the world and now we’re all looking for Buffy to save her from some unspeakable evil.”
“What happened to Buffy?” Oz focused on the important part of Andrew’s ramblings.
“You remember back when she lost all her strength and what not? It’s like that
only it’s being done by a whole lot of people who are pissed off at me and are using her to get to me. Here.” Spike dug in his pocket and tossed a cell phone he’d picked up in Cleveland to Oz. “The Watcher’s in there. Call him and ask.” Oz did so.
“Hello?” Giles answered. Spike could clearly hear the voice over the connection.
“Giles?”
“Yes, this is Rupert Giles. To whom am I speaking?”
“This is Oz.”
“Oz? Oh my, this is a surprise. How are you doing?”
“I’m pretty good. Listen, got a question for you.”
“Of course, what is it?”
“Got Spike and Faith and some other guy here. Just wondering, they still evil?”
“Sometimes I wonder that too.” Giles sighed.
“Hey! Dad, I heard that!” Spike called.
“They’re fine, Oz. Faith did do some time in prison and Spike has been helping
us out pretty much ever since you left and now they’re looking for Buffy who has disappeared. I assure you, there’s no chance of them doing any harm to you, just likely themselves.”
“Heard that too.”
“Just checking, Giles. Thanks,” Oz said into the phone.
“Of course, Oz, anytime. Goodbye now.”
“Bye.”
“Satisfied?” asked Faith, her words laced with double meaning as indeed most of
her words were.
“Yeah, so we gonna find Buffy?”
“You’re planning on helping?” Spike asked.
“Sure, memory lane and everything.”
“Reminiscing time!” Andrew cried excitedly. Spike ignored him.
“Right then, well, let’s go back to the hotel and do a spot of strategizing
then.”
“You go on, I’ll catch up,” Faith said, eying a new bunch of victims.
***
Andrew walked along slowly, watching and listening to all the sounds of the city, taking mental notes to write in his diary. He smelled food on the air and heard distant music, upbeat happy music, down the next alley. He stopped to listen and lost himself in the sound.
Spike and Oz noticed at the same time that Andrew was no longer with them, their sense of smell letting them know the scents around them had changed. They were walking along the street headed for the hotel and immediately turned around looking for him.
“Andrew!” Spike yelled. “Get out here, don’t have time for your games. Got work to do!”
“What? I’m right here.” Spike whirled around and there was Andrew, standing calmly behind him.
“How’d you do that?” Spike demanded.
“I told you, I am a Watcher now. I know how to conceal myself from the
vampyres. I’m practicing for when we meet up with your not so friendly old friends.”
“Well, cut it out. Let’s get back to the hotel and stay together this time.” Oz and Andrew fell quietly in line with the irate vampire.
“Where you staying, Dog boy?” Spike asked.
“Motel not too far from here, though not quite up to this scale of class.” He
gestured to the neighborhood they were walking in. Spike grinned.
“Never thought I’d say this, but it’s nice being on the Council of Wankers’ good side occasionally.”
Andrew loitered behind, snatching at things in the air and continually turning to stare behind him. Spike completely lost his patience. He’d begun to respect Andrew lately, to give him credit for not being a complete spazz, but now here he was, horsing around when he knew they had things to do. Important things.
“Andrew, get moving! What the bloody hell are you playing at?” Spike probably would’ve really started off on him, but his cell phone rang, interrupting him. Swearing, he answered it.
“What!” Faith’s voice replied on the other end,
“Listen, boss, got a sitch here.”
“Well?” Spike wasn’t too patient at the moment.
“I kinda need you to bail me outta jail.”
“You got arrested! Again!”
“Hey, that thing in Cleveland, not my fault. Anyways, turns out single gal
walking around with a bunch of guys at night ain’t allowed around here.”
“Bloody hell,” he muttered. “Just what I needed. Fine, where are you?” She told him and he hung up the phone.
“Now we gotta get Rogue out of jail. Night’s just too good for words.”
Andrew interrupted him, mid-grumble, as if anxious to make up for his former lapse of attention.
“I’ll go to the jail and get her for you! Just give me the money and you take
Oz to the hotel and tell him our secret plan. The Dark Ones-One! I mean- and I will meet you there.”
“Fine.” Spike threw a wad of money at Andrew and then stalked back to the hotel. Oz followed wordlessly.
“This here’s our room.” Spike unlocked the door and led the way inside, shedding his duster on a nearby chair, then flopping on the bed, breathing heavily from habit.
“Bad day?” Oz asked from the doorway.
“Nah, just lost my temper is all. I’ll apologize to him later. Buffy needs rescuing right now and all they can think about is bloody dancing and loitering. You can sit down, by the way.” Oz moved to sit on the back of the desk chair, facing Spike and commenting,
“Gotta admit, didn’t think you’d fall for her too.” Spike smiled ruefully.
“Girl’s got her ways, I’ll own up. Mostly being a royal pain and smart-mouthed, self-righteous, silly bint, but she’s got her good points. I don’t suppose you’ve ever seen her naked?” Oz shook his head.
“No, well, yes. But no.” Spike raised his eyebrow.
“Which is it?”
“Buffy was a rat. De-ratting comes minus the clothes. There were boxes though.”
“Oh well, good times. Seems I miss all the fun stuff. Anyways, it’s not just
about her body. The girl’s got more heart and tries the hardest to show it and hide it at the same time, than anyone I ever knew. And I’ve known quite a few.”
“She tries.”
“Yeah, she tries.” Spike shook his head. “Getting off-topic before I turn into
a nancy-boy, let me recap for you our various adventures before Lady Shag Me and Mr. Story-time come back.”
***
Andrew returned sans Faith.
“Where is she?” Spike asked irritably.
“They wouldn’t let her out. They took all my money and said that I was too American to know better and to come back in the morning. At least, that’s what I think they said.” Andrew sank onto the bed despondently and snatched at a nearby bug on the dresser. “I failed again.”
“Why wouldn’t they let her out? You had enough money right?” Spike sat up and rubbed his forehead. Andrew froze as if the question was much too hard for him to answer.
“I-I, they said, she was…an example for all…bad women,” he finished lamely. Spike stared incredulously.
“Bad women?”
“B-bad women.” Andrew nervously drummed his fingers on his arm and spotting a
mosquito, moved over to the window, before turning and facing Spike with a plastic smile. “Don’t worry, Spike. Faith will be back in the morning, so our plans won’t fail-” he started to say, then jumped uneasily. “Our plans, meaning yours and mine, not mine and anyone else’s, like masters or anything. Cause, that’s just silly.”
“I’m going to check out my old haunts. See if your brain gets back while I’m gone,” Spike grabbed his coat and then said to Oz. “Watch him. Boy’s gone fruit loops.”
***
Spike couldn’t find any traces of the Three at the abandoned house he and Dru had laired in back in the day. Discouraged, he patrolled the streets awhile, even went by the dark jail, but without really trying he couldn’t get in to Faith and he didn’t want to make the effort, not tonight. He decided to go back to the hotel.
Riding the elevator, he kept hearing the strangest familiar sounds and upon entering the room, he saw the reason why.
The Three had set up shop in the middle of his hotel room and their music was playing loudly in his ears. Spike burst out laughing. He couldn’t help himself, the strain and ludicrousness of the situation took hold of him and he guffawed his way down to the floor, holding his middle and letting the tension of weeks drain away. The band kept playing and the middle man, Pedro, raised his head and asked grinning,
“Senor Boss, just like you like, eh?”
“We keep playing for you forever. Let you always keep us,” Gilberto agreed. Ari just kept strumming. Spike finally managed to check his laughter a little and noticed Oz lying on the floor unconscious, with Andrew standing over him, a bat in Andrew’s hand.
“What are you doing?” Spike yelled, still giggling a little.
“Couldn’t have him messing with the Dark Ones’ plans. Music
pretty.” Andrew grasped the bat firmly in one hand and strode
toward Spike through a particularly happy thread of music. Spike
grasped hold of himself and spun out of the way of the bat, grabbing
it from Andrew and throwing him against the wall.
During this time, Ari had stopped strumming and produced ten
knives which he threw at Spike in rapid succession. They forced his body
toward the wall and pinned him there with the knives’ points
through his clothes and hilt deep into the wall. Spike couldn’t move
his arms or his legs and blood dripped down the wall from where the
sharp blades had pierced his flesh. Spike struggled fiercely to get
free, managing to rip his left side, not all the way loose, but enough
that he could make a defense of some sort.
The brothers stopped playing and laying down their instruments, came toward Spike with more glittering knives in their hands. Over in the corner, Andrew roused himself off the floor and stared in astonishment at the scene laid before his eyes. Weighing his options, Andrew decided to run for it. He dashed out the still open door and disappeared down the hall. Gilberto laughed.
“Boy left you, huh? He was easy to take, mind so open to new things.” Spike closed his eyes and prepared himself. The Three surrounded him and easily dodging his weak and short blows, went to work on him with their knives.
“We good with knives, no?” Ari asked, chuckling. “Our new Master, he like knives.”
“He like us for knives,” Gilberto agreed. “We miss the bright lady and want to come home, but mis hermanos and I forced to stay away. Forced to play for him.”
“Dru was never your bright lady and I had the perfect right to get your bloody music out of my home. Not my fault you didn’t like your new minion job.” Spike turned his head to avoid a vicious stab and succeeded in pulling his left arm off of the wall. He grabbed Ari by the throat and slammed his head into the wall. Ari stumbled backwards, holding his head and muttering in Spanish. Gilberto and Pedro sent up twin cries of pain and redoubled their assault.
Spike bent his arm upwards and still struggling to free the rest of him, tried to pull one of the knives from the wall. They wouldn’t budge, sunk in by tripled vampire strength. Blood poured from him in multiple places and through the vision of it covering his eyes, Spike spied Ari’s dropped knife and with a desperate surge of strength, Spike pulled out his left foot from the wall, stomped on it and sent it spiraling in the air toward his hand.
Catching it, he swung it in such a fast arc that it sliced right through Pedro’s head, sending it and the rest of him crashing to the floor in a cloud of dust. Gilberto stopped cold and Ari’s head snapped upright. They shuddered for a moment and Spike used the opportunity to try and break himself free again to no avail. The remaining brothers opened their eyes at the same time and screaming an awful blood cry, confused and outraged, they came for Spike again.
And there was nothing he could do. They were weakened in their strength, but doubled in their fury and he had one arm and leg and a knife with no help, to fend them off. He screamed as well, when a knife pierced his chest and twisted in his non-vital organs that felt vital, nonetheless. Through the pain, Spike dropped his knife and Ari grinned maliciously.
In the corner Oz woke up and twisting around, saw what was happening. He leapt up and grabbed an abandoned guitar, which he hated to do, but he saw no other choice and bashed Gilberto in the head with it. Gilberto spun around and laughed in his throat,
“We play, you and I? Very, very good.” Gilberto walked toward Oz, who looked around the room for something to defend himself with, the guitar being somewhat destroyed. Gilberto launched at his throat and Oz turned so that fangs raked his arm instead. The pain sent him stumbling back and Gilberto advanced towards Oz again.
Another knife pierced through Spike’s shoulder. But it wasn’t a one-sided fight, Ari’s head sported two black eyes; the color scheme was quite interesting with the yellow eyes and bumpy forehead. Grabbing Ari’s knife away from him, Spike slashed it at Ari’s ribs. Ari dodged away and came again.
“You no get us this time. We have plans for you, milkmaid. Mis hermanos and I. Except no Pedro now. We just sell you at first, but now you stay with us forever.” Ari dragged his knife across Spike’s forehead and he could no longer see through the blood and pain.
Gilberto dropped Oz to the floor, banging his head against the bed on his way down. Oz put his legs together and kicked as hard as he could. Gilberto doubled over and Oz kicked again, getting the vampire’s head this time.
“No more games. Ari gets all the fun. I kill you now and go play.” Gilberto leaned over Oz and holding him down with one arm, brought the knife down with the other.
Faith burst into the room and jump-kicked Gilberto in the head, snapping his neck and sending him sailing limply across the room, banging Oz back into unconsciousness on the way. She turned her attention to Ari, who unstuck his knife from Spike’s belly and upon seeing the fallen Gilberto, sent up a war cry and prepared to face her. She feinted left and as he moved to block her, grabbed both his arms and flipped him over her head. The knife raked her cheek on the way over, but Ari landed hard on his back. Faith moved to Spike and helped him tug free.
“Couldn’t handle even three dweeb vamps without me? Face it, Blondie, you need me.” Faith winked at him and strode back out to Ari who was now on his feet. Spike assessed his physical status and decided he could still move, if not exactly fight. Gilberto still lay on the floor with Oz beside. Gilberto had started twitching and one hand still grasped his knife. Spike moved as quickly as a normal human could, across the room, and grabbing Andrew’s bat, did a fast dusting.
Faith and Ari were still moving, a blur of Slayer speed and vampire strength, though Ari was obviously more adept at playing mariachi than fighting and it showed. With several easy maneuvers, Faith had him up against the wall right next to the door. She held him there with one arm and sticking her hand out the door, yelled,
“Stake!” Like magic one appeared in her hand and she stuck it deep into Ari’s heart. As his face crumbled into dust he looked at his dusted brothers and sighed in relief,
“We one again.” And then he was gone.
Spike leaned over Oz and checked his stability, then sank gratefully to the floor beside him. Faith walked out of the room and then came back in, dragging a reluctant Andrew behind her.
“I’m sorry, Spike. It wasn’t my fault. I was under thrall. I couldn’t do anything about it and I knew I had to get Faith to help and she broke the jail window and then we were too late and don’t kill me, please?” Glaring slightly, Spike fainted.
***
When Spike woke up, all his wounds were bandaged and dressed and blood was sitting on the table beside his bed. He drank it all and felt strengthened. He wouldn’t be up to god-fighting any day soon, but he would be up to his full strength quickly, despite the multiple stab wounds and lacerations.
“Feeling better?” Oz walked into the room sporting a nasty bruise on his forehead.
“Oh yeah, it’s like being born again. The really painful part.” Oz smiled.
“Well, check out the upside. Your clothes are bearing that fashionable torn to
shreds look.” Spike looked at his duster and groaned, thankful that it was not too bad, but still, he would have to patch it up again. He hated that.
“Where’re the other two?”
“Faith is explaining not being in jail. Andrew: hiding under the bed.”
“Get out here!” Spike barked. Andrew crawled sheepishly out from under the other bed. “I’m not gonna eat you. Stop looking like a worm on parade at the national Fish Bait Fair. Thrall happens; deal with it.” Andrew looked up hopefully.
“You aren’t mad? I mean, I told them where you were and helped them keep Faith in jail and I hit Oz.”
“Course I’m bloody well mad at you. You caused the next clue to get dusted. My brain wasn’t working too well and I didn’t think to check el Gilberto there before I dusted the git. And I sure wasn’t trying to do a once over on Pedro.”
“Oh, clue’s found,” Oz said. “Pulled it out of the wreckage of a pretty nice
guitar.” Spike leaned back again.
“Good, okay, Andrew, you’re forgiven. Should’ve realized it was thrall anyway, the way you were acting. Though the difference wasn’t that noticeable.” Andrew blushed.
“I’m really sorry, Spike. It will never happen again. I promise never, ever to do those things again. I won’t fail our mission ever and will strive with all my being to uphold the noble code of the First Slayer Rescue Brigade…and always eat my vegetables,” Andrew concluded, trying to think of something else that was honorable he could aspire to.
“We have a code now? I hope I bloody well never have to hear…” and Spike sank back into unconsciousness.
***
The next time Spike woke up, Faith was checking his bandages and when she saw he was awake she handed him some more blood. Downing it, he sat up and felt much better.
“How long have I been out?”
“Two days. Quite some beating they gave ya, boss. Lucky I saved your ass.”
Spike smirked at her.
“Just doing my bit with the distracting, there. Nice to know little Andrew decided to wake up in time to fetch you.”
“Yeah, though I had a hell of a time explaining the broken window and twisted steel bars. Breaking out of jail is fun, but the clean up isn’t.”
“Why didn’t you just, you know, stay away from there?”
“Gotta do the right thing, Blondie. Remember, I pull for the good guys. Didn’t
want to get Giles all in trouble when I’m traced back to him through my record. He’s my keeper, ya know? Keeping me out of trouble.”
“Man’s a Watcher and a Keeper, next thing, he’ll be a bloody Taker or Mover,” Spike muttered to himself, still slightly off. “We should send him a postcard: ‘Hi, how are you? We’re fine, touring the sights, getting stabbed. By the way, congrats on making Watcher, Keeper, Librarian and what all else. Wish you were here.’ “ Faith laughed.
“Snark-man’s back. Guess he’s up to figuring out where to go next. Andrew, get in here.” Oz and Andrew walked into the room and sat on the other bed. “You got the slip, Andy?” Andrew pulled out a slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to Faith,
who read:
“ ‘You won the first round; now she can’t come,
Try to save the girl; we’ll make you undone.
One worshiper dead and laid at his door,
Ghosting’s not finished; come back for more.’
Wow, we got us a four-liner here. Whoever it is, they’re really stepping up to the plate, pulling out all the stops.” Spike’s head sank back onto his pillow in exhaustion.
“We gotta go to LA. Sod it all. Now I have to explain to Angel about this whole mess and he’ll try to take over and take her away and now Science-girl’s about to get into trouble and I don’t know who we’re dealing with except that they’re bleeding demon fanatics. Bloody perfect.”
“Rest a bit, boss. They never seem to do any damage till we actually arrive, so take it easy. I’ll tell Giles what’s up. Maybe we can stop over there before we hit the States again.” Spike nodded and went back to sleep.
***
This time when Spike awoke he was ready to get going and soon everyone was all in a bustle getting ready to leave. Oz came by to send them off.
“Thanks again, mate, for trusting us and the help and all,” Spike shook Oz’s pro offered hand.
“Despite the head bashing; this was fun.” Oz shrugged. “I miss it.”
“World could always do with a bit of help,” Spike pointed out. “Betcha Giles would have something for you to do.” Oz cocked his head.
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Well, you’re pretty good at unexpected arrivals. Come with us and we’ll drop you off.” Oz thought about it. He had nothing going on in Istanbul. Nothing to keep him and suddenly, he remembered the sense of purpose he’d always had while working with the Scoobies, even if a lot of that had to do with Willow. And this was more than that. It had been awhile since he’d checked up on Willow, as he liked to do from time to time, just making sure she was okay before moving on to someplace new. All things considered, it didn’t take much to convince Oz.
“I’m in.”
“Great, now we’re all best friends again,” Faith shoved in between them. “Let’s grab his gear then and get outta here.” Andrew picked up his bags and made sure Amee’s sure-to-never-be-used-but-always-wondered-at-number was inside. Faith helped Spike with his bags, as he was still a tad wobbly and they headed out.
