*****

~*The accessory is priceless*~

The back of Angel�s neck tingled unpleasantly, the way it always did whenever someone was staring at him. He looked over his shoulder, frowning in confusion when he saw no one.

Which usually meant there was someone lying in wait somewhere.

~*Renders it's wearer 100% unkillable if he's a vampire*~

Feigning nonchalance, Angel swung on his heels and continued his walk down the deserted parking lot, all his senses on the alert. He casually walked to his car and reached for the door handle, pretending nothing was amiss. He paused for a while. If someone really was after him, this would be the right time show up.

But the lot remained empty.

Angel shrugged and was mentally berating himself for being overly paranoid just as a familiar smell to hit his nostrils. His heart twisted. He wasn�t sure why.

~*Not stakes, not fire~*

Angel immediately tensed, his grip tightening on the door handle of his car. It couldn�t be. It just couldn�t be. Not here, not now. But another sniff of the air told Angel otherwise.

~*Not even sunlight*~

Loosening his grip on the door handle resignedly, Angel knew he�d better get ready for a fight.

Because only one person had that smell.

�Spike.� Angel hissed. �Show yourself, you murderous waif.�

Sniggering, Spike swaggered out from behind a column, his handsome features contorted in game-face. He clucked his tongue in mock disappointment. �Smelt me out, did you?� He drawled sarcastically.

�I thought I smelt a rat.� Angel replied curtly. �What do you want, Spike?�

Spike lips lifted in an evil smile, pleased that Angel had asked him outright. No point beating around the bush. �I believe you have something I'm looking for - a shiny, little bauble?" He asked innocently.

Angel snorted, already turning to leave. �Might as well go home, Spike. I don�t feature you being unkillable. The ring of Amarra stays with me. "

He didn�t expect the sudden blow across his back, and he spun around in shock and anger to find Spike clutching a large wooden board. Spike swung at him again, but Angel was ready this time, catching it with his large hands and breaking it in two before knocking Spike to the floor. Spike immediately swung to his feet, his fists flying towards Angel�s face. For a full five minutes the car park was filled with sounds of flesh tearing and vicious punches, until Spike decided to break the silence.

~*My anger's violent
But still I'm silent
When tragedy strikes�*~

He slowly got up from the floor where Angel had just landed him, wiping at the blood on his chin. �Why? Because you are a vampire detective now? What's next? Vampire cowboy? Vampire fireman? Oh, vampire ballerina.� Without warning he charged at Angel, who easily grabbed an overhead pipe and swung both feet into Spike�s chest. Spike crashed to the ground again, tears invading his vision. He picked himself up roughly and sprinted towards Angel, pounding into him viciously.

�Give.� *beat* �Me.� *punch* �The.� *hit* �Ring.� Spike repeated. Using all of his effort, Angel threw Spike off him in one fluid motion, picking himself up.

�Fuck off, Spike.� He spat in disgust.

Something in Spike snapped at Angel�s harsh words, and the tears streamed down his bloody face as he lost all control and started screaming madly. �How DARE you! Give me what you owe me, you fucking bastard! Don�t you make promises you can�t bloody keep! � Angel stared open-mouthed as Spike staggered back in exhaustion, his laboured breath echoing through the car park. �You promised me�� He shook his head bitterly.

~*He whispered softly
To tell a story
About how he had been wronged*~

Spike�s despair disappeared as soon as it had made its appearance. Within a second the deep-seated hurt in his eyes had dissolved to nothing but pure hatred.

~*But do not hide your tears
Cause they were sent to wash away those years*~

He pointed a warning finger at Angel, who was still unable to speak. �I promise you Angelus, this isn�t over until one of us is a pile of dust. And I always keep my promises.� His eyes pierced into Angel�s.

~*You are not alone*~

�Even if you don�t.�

With that Spike took off into the dark night, slamming the car park door behind him.

Alone as always, Angel stood very still, his face ashen.

He remained that way for quite some time.

~*Remember you are not alone*~

End