//One week. A whole bloody week to find this place. And damn if it's not the biggest fucking abandoned hotel in the whole city. Should've known the poof would choose something like this.// Spike thought as he stood outside the Hyperion's front door.

His face was filthy and streaked with dried tears, his eyes swollen and damp. As he looked at the door, wondering how he would be greeted the tears spilled over again, the memories of what he had done to the people inside unleashing fresh pain and sorrow on the already tortured vampire.

The door opened suddenly before the vampire and he took an involuntary step backwards.

"Then we'll meet them at the beach." Wesley spoke over his shoulder to Lorne as he opened the door.

He stopped suddenly as he saw the blond man standing there with fear in his eyes.

"It's all right, come on in, whatever it is we can help."

"You're English?" //Must be the other ex-watcher. At least I never hurt him, not directly.//

"Yes." He smiled and led the way into the hotel.

Spike walked through the door and followed Wesley to a seat.

"I need Angel, I need his help."

"He's not here." Fred answered, coming from behind.

"I'm afraid he's... unavailable for the moment. I'm sure we can help you, we are his associates."

"No. I need my Sire. Not his pets."

Wesley jumped to his feet and backed away "Sire? You're William the Bloody?"

Spike lowered his eyes. "Looks like it." He muttered.

At this Gunn and Fred both pulled out stakes as Wesley produced a crossbow and quickly loaded a bolt.

"Kill me. It'll be better this way... At least..."

Lorne stared curiously at Spike for a few moments. "You're not here to hurt anyone... something is different about you."

Spike looked up at the green demon. "Yeah." He sighed. "You could say that."

"Could you hum a few bars of something for me cutie?" The others watched Lorne, willing to follow his lead for the moment.

Spike looked incredulously at Lorne. "Are you bloody serious?"

Wesley spoke up. "Just do it vampire, this may yet save your life."

"You can't be worse then Angel. He's bad..." Fred began to babble, but stopped at the look Wesley gave her. She shrugged and wrapped her arms around Gunn.

Spike shrugged and softly sang a few words of one of his favourites "I wanna be sedated."

Lorne smiled and nodded. "You have a soul."

Wesley turned and stared at Lorne. "Don't be ridiculous, only Angel has a soul, this is William the Bloody, he rivalled Angelus in his violence and sadism. He's currently restricted by a behaviour modifying chip in his skull but he is still a soulless vampire."

Lorne gave Wesley a look. "Have you ever known me to be wrong? Well ok I am on some things, but not when I'm reading someone."

Wesley shook his head and slowly lowered his crossbow. "How is this possible?" He turned to Spike. "Was it gypsies again?"

Spike snorted "Not bloody likely, we all learned our lesson about gypsies after the poof got his, no, this was my own fault." His face fell and he looked down again.

"I went to a shaman, wanted to be *what I once was* tried to get rid of the chip, but he gave me this living hell instead." He sighed. "I need Angel, he's the only one who can help me, and I think I can help him."

Gunn and Fred both put their stakes down as they carefully approached the vampire.

"You... you know about Angel? Do you? Something bad happened to him..." Fred babbled, shaking her head. "Can you help us rescue him?? We need your help, cause we have to hurry, he's been gone way too long and he might..." Fred broke off as Gunn put his arm around her.

Spike looked up at the sobbing girl. "What's your name lovely?" He asked sweetly. He may be miserable, but she looked so fragile and lost. She clearly needed reassurance.

Fred was weeping in Gunn's arms and couldn't answer.

"She's Fred." Gunn answered tenderly stroking her hair. "I'm Gunn. The green guy there's Lorne. Use to own a karaoke bar. 'til we accidentally destroyed it, then burnt it down... a couple of times."

Spike smirked. "Couple of times eh?" He asked looking at Lorne, and letting out a short laugh. "Sounds like you had fun."

"Well, fun's not really the word... more like we were lucky." Wes added.

"Lucky?" Lorne asked. "I don't call that lucky."

"Well, we're not here to talk about your bar, Lorne... even though, we should try to make up for it... but for now, we must leave."

"If you're going to rescue the poof from wherever he is then I want in"

Fred smiled at Spike. "We need your help... and I'm sure they all agree with me... don't you?" She asked looking around at the three other men.

The others looked reluctant. Then Lorne spoke. "We could use all the help we can get. This gorgeous hunk of vampire isn't here to hurt us, I say we bring him along"

Wesley looked at Lorne then at Spike. "All right... but lets get moving. We don't have much time left before sunrise..."

The all began to move to the door, gathering weapons as they went. "So ya gonna tell me what the poof's got himself into or do I get to guess" Spike asked.

"We'll tell you all about it on the way honey, I think I know just how you can help" With Lorne's words the door swung closed behind them and the Lobby was empty.

*****
Part 7: Rescues

Xander and Gabby strolled down the darkening street, holding hands companionably. Xan was watching their surroundings for signs of danger, just as all those years as a scooby had taught him. Gabby seemed careless to the untrained eye, walking in the streets like nothing scary might come their way, but underneath this careless attitude, she was stretching her senses, aware of potential danger, but not wanting Xander to know. Both enjoyed spending this time together after so may years of forced separation.

"Is it still far away?" Gabrielle asked, breaking the silence.

Xander grinned at his friend. "No, it's just a couple of blocks away. Willow is gonna be so happy to see you, she really missed you, we all did." He fell silent as they both thought of their lost friend. Jesse would have been so happy to see her, he'd missed her so much when she left.

"I missed you all so much... just the thought that one day I'd see you again... that's what kept me going..." Gabby said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Xander squeezed her hand as they walked.

"But now... he's gone... and I..." She tried to hold her tears. "I won't see him again... it's...so hard..."

They stopped and Xander pulled her into his arms. They stood there for a while, just holding each other and thinking of what might have been.

In her mind, she knew she would be able to see Jesse's soul soon, but she couldn't go there yet, there was still work to be done here before she could bring in the others. Gabby wished she could bring Jesse back but knew it was impossible. It wasn't meant to be.

Xander pulled back after a while and looked at the face that had been pressed to his shoulder. He smiled and brushed the tears away with his hand. "We'd better keep moving, it's not safe around here after dark, not really safe anytime but, well, you know."

Gabby gave him a watery smile and visibly pulled herself together. "All right... lets go... I really wanna see Willow."

A few minutes later they were walking up the path to the door.

*****

"English, we're here." Gunn said stopping the car and pointing in front of him. They could see a ship in the distance, hopefully the one they'd hired to help them.

"Give them the signal." Wesley said to Gunn, turning towards the others. "They'll send a boat to get us... Most of them are demons... friends of Lorne's..." He said, nodding towards the green demon. "Don't worry" He added, looking at Spike. "None of them will try to hurt you, as long as you don't threaten them." He finished, glaring at the vampire.

"Don't worry mate. Not gonna happen." Spike said defensively. "Need my sire back, and if these chaps are the ones that are gonna do it, then I'm gonna accept it." He added whispering: "Don't wanna fight anyway."

Fred squeezed his arm, supporting him, and opened the door, as Gunn was signalling their presence with the car lights.

She got out, Spike and Lorne following her.

Wesley opened his own door, gathering all his papers and tools. Seeing as the watcher was overloaded, Spike went to his side. "Want a little help?"

Wesley looked at him in surprise then sighed. "Yes. Take that." He said, handing him the briefcase.

Finally, they all stood waiting on the beach.

"They're coming." Lorne said pointing out a little boat heading towards them.

Fred buried herself in Gunn's arms, shivering. "It's so cold around here... don't you think it's cold?"

Spike took off his duster and silently asked permission of Gunn. Gunn nodded and the vampire wrapped his coat around the shivering girl. "There you go lovely. All warm..."

Wesley growled silently, but forced himself to stop. Fred wasn't his to protect, if Gunn said yes to this, then he had nothing to complain about. And Fred did stop shivering... He shook his head. "Lorne, you really, I mean REALLY trust these friends of yours?"

"Don't worry sweetie, I'd trust them with my Sea Breeze, so I've no problem trusting them with Angel's life." Lorne grinned and winked at Wesley.

Wesley smiled, but it faded fast. "All right then..."

The boat finally reached them. The five of them climbed on and headed towards the bigger boat.

Fifteen minutes later, they were all aboard the trawler and heading towards the coordinates Justine had given Wesley before vanishing.

Lorne wander over to where Spike was leaning against a rail, smoking. "So how you doing gorgeous?"

"Not really good mate... these bloody memories... they're eating me inside." He paused, not knowing why he was telling the demon that. "I'm gonna be alright I s'pose, just want to get this over with." He gazed out over the water. "What did ya mean when ya said you knew how I could help?"

"You're going to be our radar, you can sense your sire when he's close, yes?"

"Yeah, that I can. Can't feel him yet though"

Lorne smiled at the vampire. "You will, we just need to get you close enough honey. While we wait for the captain to do his thing, could I interest you in joining me in Las Vegas. With you on stage every night my new club would be a hit. There isn't a man, woman or demon who'd be able to resist that voice combined with that delicious body."

Spike looked at the demon in shock "You've gotta be kidding me. Sorry mate but no, need to be with me sire. Besides, not really up for that kinda thing anymore, it's just..." He trailed off, overwhelmed with feelings again.

"I know you're feeling a lot of pain right now. But you've got to keep in mind. It wasn't the soul that did those things, so no need for the soul to feel guilt. Will you think about that sweetie?"

Suddenly, Spike's head shot up.

"Angel, he's close"

Lorne looked at the blonde, "Can you tell where he is? How far?"

"More east I'd say." Spike said looking at the ocean. "Don't really know how far, not more than a mile away, but he's deep"

Lorne quickly told the captain to turn the boat then went back to Spike with the others. Spike was focussed inward, pulling on the link he felt with his sire.

Fred touched Spike's arm. The vampire turned towards her slowly, not wanting to lose the link he had with Angel. "Yes lovely, what is it?"

"Does... does Angel knows?? I mean... does he know we're coming to get him? He should right? If you can sense him... then he can sense you right?" She asked, twisting her hands in front of her.

"He knows I'm close, not that you're all here, but yeah. He'll be able to feel me gettin' closer, he knows"

Fred smiled. "That's good... right? He'll know you're here to help... right?"

Spike wasn't sure, but nodded nonetheless. "Yeah, lovely... he will..." 'At least I hope...'

Fred hugged Spike. "Thank you." She whispered. "He must feel so much better knowing he's not alone down there"

Spike turned back to the black water, concentrating on the distant sensation he was getting from Angel. It was getting stronger the closer they got. "Not far..." He said to the others without turning to them. "we're nearly on top of him"

Wesley nodded and went to see the captain. Lorne leaned on the rail. He was sensing something too.

They stood in silence watching Spike as he concentrated. After a few moments he gave a shout. "Here, stop now."

Gunn ran to the captain's cabin.

The boat slowly came to a halt. Wesley and Gunn came back to the others with the captain.

"He's right here, but deep." Spike said.

"All right." The captain said. "Bring up the crane!" He yelled to his crew.

Half a dozen big blue horned demons with three feet started running to their task. In about fifteen minutes, a large crane stood proudly in the middle of the boat. A long chain was attached to it, clearly what they intended to use to lift Angel out.

Spike looked at it and asked. "You sure you got enough length? And how're you gonna fix it to the coffin he's in?"

The captain walked to him. "We got swimmers... two of 'em." He said, waving to two demons that had stood aside during all the preparation. "They're. your fairy mermaids if you like..." He smirked.

Fred opened her eyes wide. "You mean mermaids are real?"

Gunn grinned at her. "Not really a surprise love."

Wesley smiled at Fred's innocence. Even with all that had happened to them, she hadn't lost it. He looked at Gunn. The black man was smiling at him and he couldn't help but return the smile. They were close to their goal. Wesley felt his stomach tighten. What would happen when Angel was back? Would he turn Wesley away again? Looking at Gunn and Fred, Wesley knew he really didn't want that to happen.

He looked at the captain and nodded. "Merrish... right?" The two demons nodded at him and Wesley felt a thrill run through him. They were really rare and quite impossible to study, and now two of them were helping retrieve Angel from deep under. "You should follow Spike's advice. He knows where Angel is." Wesley said waving at Spike.

The vampire looked at him, then at the two Merrish. "I should go too."

"WHAT?" Wesley exclaimed. "What do you mean?" He added more calmly.

"Don't need to breath, do I? and I'll be able to get to him faster... they follow me... I get 'em there... we're back in fifteen minutes... or twenty depending on how deep me sire is."

The Merrish nodded. Wesley sighed. "All right... do it your way."

The captain looked at them. "There two chains to attach. I don't know how this 'coffin' is made... but you should be able to do it without any trouble."

"What your name mate?" Spike asked him.

"Lprroogle." The demon answered surprised.

"Well 'Proo, thanks." The vampire said smiling. He took off his duster and shoes. He signalled to the Merrish and dived in the water. "OI! This is freezing cold!" He yelled.

The other laughed. The Merrish took the ends of the chains and went to follow Spike. The captain stopped them. "When you're ready, just press this button." He said handing them a small magical device. "It'll let us know you're ok."

The two demons nodded and dived in.

The three in the water looked up at the boat one last time then disappeared from view as they began to dive.

*****

Xander knocked lightly on the front door, knowing that Willow wouldn't be coming down anyway.

He opened the door and let Gabby in first. "So this is La Casa de Buffy... and Willow and Dawn and Giles for the moment... Seems like I'm the only one not living here..." Xander said smiling at Gabby nervously. "I think I should go upstairs and see how Willow is... you should wait..."

Gabby nodded and watched as Xander walked up the stairs. She heard him knock on a door and she felt his nervousness and Willow's fear. //Why is she so afraid of him?// She silently climbed the stairs and sat at the top.

Gabby strained to hears Xander's soft voice through the slightly open door.

"Hey Wills." He said calmly.

Willow looked up at him, fear in her eyes, but said nothing.

"Why are you scared of me Will? Please... tell me..." Xander asked, tears in his voice.

Willow shook her head and looked more closely at her friend. "I... don't know... I just... feel like it isn't safe..."

"What isn't safe?"

"To... care..." She said, tears flooding her eyes.

"Oh Wills..." Xander said gathering his sobbing friend in his arms. //I think I'm gonna have an overdose of tears tonight.// He thought to himself. "Shhh, it's ok Wills... Caring is good... it's always good..."

"But... I'll lose you if I care too much... that's what happens all the time..."

She sobbed. "And then... I'll... go crazy... and maybe even..."

"Shhh, stop thinking about that... I'm here... not leaving you, and I don't intend to die anytime soon."

Willow looked at him with tear filled eyes. Looking in his friend's eyes, Xander knew what she was gonna say.

"Every time... I have a very good friend... they die... Buffy... Jesse... and..."

"Stop right now... I'm not going to die... Buffy's here... and..." He said holding her face in his hands and looking into her eyes. "Gabby's not dead."

Willow opened her eyes wide. "How do you know? You saw her??? Where is she????" She asked frantically.

Overhearing this Gabby realized it was time. She stood and moved over to the door. Gently pushing it wide she entered the room and saw Xander sat with Willow in his arms. The sad redhead looked up and gasped.

"G... Gabby??? Overwhelmed, Willow dropped into a faint, collapsing into Xander's hold.

Gabby instantly rushed to her friend's side. Crouching down beside the unconscious redhead she grabbed her shoulder and shook gently. "Willow? Wills come on, it's me Gabby. It's okay, it really is me."

Willow groaned quietly and shifted in Xander's arms. "Mmm...what happened?"

She slowly opened her eyes and gazed straight into her old friend's face. "Gabby? It's you?" She burst into tears again and pulled out of Xander's hold only to throw herself into Gabby's. They sat there like that for a long time, sobbing and rocking each other while Xander watched, tears streaming down his own cheeks.

******

Spike and the two Merrish dove for a long time, the demons helping Spike to swim faster, rather than leaving him behind. Spike could sense they were getting closer to his Sire.

He looked at the Merrish and pointed to their left. He could feel Angel and he knew his sire could sense him too. They finally spotted the rectangular, coffin shaped box and dove towards it.

Spike looked in the little window and smiled sheepishly at Angel. For once, the older vampire seemed really happy to see him.

The Merrish quickly attached the cables to each sides of the coffin and nodded at Spike. The vampire smiled at Angel and gave him a thumb up, securing himself to the coffin. He nodded back at the Merrish who secured themselves too and pressed the button on the device the captain had given them. Slowly, they could feel themselves being lifted from the ocean bed.

Spike continuously smiled at Angel, his eyes glistening with happiness. Good how he wished his Sire could understand it all just by looking at him. Angel's eyes stared back at him, filled with equal amounts of happiness and sadness.

Finally, they could feel the pressure easing and they knew they were near the surface. Spike nodded at his Sire and pointed up, willing him to look at the stars that were beginning to show through the water.

Angel looked up and sighed in contentment. Spike could feel his Sire's relief through their bond and felt the same. They were brought out of the water and lowered onto the bridge of the boat.

Fred, Gunn and Lorne ran to them and hugged Spike in relief. Wesley stood aside, while the three-legged demons were busy trying to open the coffin.

"LORNE!" Lprroogle yelled. "This thing is really well sealed... you have any idea how to open it?"

Lorne left Spike's side and waved at Wesley to follow him. "I don't know, honey... don't know how they sealed it... Do you Wes?"

"Justine didn't say anything about... damn her for vanishing!" He cursed. Angel had seen him and he could hear the vampire's growl through the casket.

Spike could feel his Sire's anger and left Fred and Gunn to their activities. "Hey Ponce!" He screamed towards the coffin. Lorne and Wesley looked up at him. "Not you twats! Him!" He said pointing at Angel in the box.

He leaned over and looked in his sire's eyes. "The ex-watcher here saved your undead ass. Dunno why you're getting your fangs in a twist, but keep 'em to yourself and stop growling."

Angel looked at him quirking his eyebrows. "And don't look at me like that... I know you understood me!"

Wesley and Lorne laughed lightly and continued to examine the sealed coffin. "I think I have an idea..." Wesley said looking up at the captain. "You and your men are extremely strong, do you think you may be able to remove the lid yourselves?"

"We can try..." The captain answered. "But... this is really well sealed..."

He yelled at his men and Wesley asked Lorne and Spike to step away. The seven demons took a grip of the lid and the captain began counting. "One... two... three... up!" And all of them pulled on the lid together. Nothing happened.

"Doesn't work mates." Spike said to the now sweaty demons, after their tenth attempt.

The demons looked at him and nodded. Spike could feel his Sire getting frightened. "Damn!" He exclaimed.

Wesley looked at him worried. "What is it?"

"He's scared... thinks we won't get 'im out..." Spike said shaking his head. He could feel tears threatening to fall from his own eyes. He felt so stupid and worthless. //Get him here and not even able to get him out!// He thought mentally slapping himself. He felt the growl start again. //What's he angry at?//

He stalked towards the coffin and looked in his Sire's eyes. Angel held his gaze and smiled tenderly. For the first time, in all Spike's many years as a vampire, Angel smiled at him tenderly.

Spike smiled back at his sire and steeled himself. There was no way he was going to let him down this time, he was gonna rescue Angel and his sire was gonna be damn grateful to him.

"Wesley?" He shouted, the beginning of an idea coming to him. "You can do spells right?"

"Erm, yes, I can perform simple spells, nothing particularly complicated though." Wesley answered, a little confused.

"Well can ya come up with something to get this bloody lid off then?"

"Ahh, I'm not.." Wesley stopped as a thought hit him and he smiled excitedly, why hadn't this occurred to him earlier? A simple release spell should do the trick in these circumstances. He ran to his briefcase and took a small book out.

Spike looked at Lorne. "Guess he has an idea then..."

Lorne grinned back and nodded. "He's so cute when he's excited!"

Hurrying back, Wesley began frantically leafing through the spell book he'd brought until he came to the right page.

He began an incantation, sketching out arcane symbols with his hands as he spoke. His voice rose steadily until he was almost screaming out the spell. On the last word he yelled "Release!" and a loud crack sounded as the lid of the coffin shifted.

Everyone stood still for a moment, stunned. Then Spike ran to the coffin and pulled the lid clear. The restraints that had held Angel motionless for all that time lay loosely around him.

"Sire." Spike whispered as he helped Angel to sit up.

Looking into deep blue eyes Angel opened his mouth and spoke his first word in a week. "Childe"

*****
Part 8: Revenge

Somerset, 1570

The two brothers laughed companionably as they walked down the street arm in arm. They made a beautiful sight together, sandy blonde hair and blue eyes, tall with broad shoulders. They were identical in every way apart from the small scar on Nathaniel's left cheek, earned when he fell from a tree as a young child.

The moonlight glinted off their hair as they made their way home from the local tavern. They had had an enjoyable evening with friends but were ready to go home, the hour was late and the next morning brought hard work in the fields.

As the turned the corner onto the lane Thomas looked up. "Did you hear that brother?"

Nathaniel laughed. "Dear brother it is simply the wind in the trees, you are inebriated and imagining things, I swear you fear your own shadow at times."

"No. listen Nathaniel, do you hear that sound?"

Nathaniel cocked his head to one side and listened hard, then he frowned. He had heard the faint sound of a twig breaking as it was stepped on. "Is someone there? Show yourself and you will come to no harm."

A tall dark figure appeared on the track in front of them. "You cannot harm me child, but before this night is over you will be made anew." The strange man had an unusual accent, nothing like their own Somerset drawl.

Nathaniel moved closer to his twin and put an arm around his shoulders, subconsciously protecting him from this unnerving creature. "I warn you sir, my brother and I are quite capable of protecting ourselves, you will not hurt us and we will not hurt you. Now, step aside if you please and let us continue our journey, the hour is late and we are expected."

The stranger chuckled and the sound sent a shiver down the brothers' backs. He stepped forward and removed the hood from his cloak. The young men both stepped back, gasping in horror. It wasn't human, it couldn't be. The face was deformed with strangely pronounced brows, yellow eyes and fangs. The eyes seemed to glow through the night as it approached them, growling softly.

Thomas began to whimper as the creature reached out a hand, but not a normal hand, the fingers were almost claws. The brothers couldn't move. The strange yellow eyes bored into theirs and seemed to wrap invisible ties around them, holding them still as the creature's and stroked over the scar on Nathaniel's cheek.

"Pretty children, I will make you more, you will be mine. Come to me boy, give yourself to me."

Nathaniel moved forward into the creature's embrace in a trance, he didn't want this but at the same time, felt completed as the vampire enclosed his arms around him. He could hear his brother sobbing with fear as if from a great distance. All he could see was the face before him, the fangs approaching his skin. He tilted his head back and offered his neck to his new master.

Thomas watched as the fangs penetrated his beloved brother's neck, still unable to move. He felt sick to himself as he realised the sight was making him hard and attempted to look away. The yellow eyes looked into his appearing to read his thoughts and the creature made a strange sound. It almost sounded like purring. He heard Nathaniel groan and realised that his brother had been affected by this creature in the same way.

After a few moments the vampire withdrew his fangs from Nathaniel's neck and drew a claw across his own. Blood welled up in the narrow cut and thin white hands pulled the helpless human's lips to the cut. The elder brother groaned again as he felt the fluid seep into his mouth, it was almost as if the creature was pouring impure thoughts and feelings into his body with the blood.

As he gulped helplessly he felt his member swell and pulse and moaned loudly as he slid to the ground, no longer supported by the deadly embrace of his master. He crumpled to the dirt as the last of his orgasm coursed through his body, pushed by the final beats of his heart. Then, all was silent.

The Master watched as the boy at his feet breathed a final breath, then looked up at the other. "Now young one, you will become my childe as your brother has, come to me."

Thomas was terrified as he unwillingly walked those few steps into the embrace. As he looked up into that frightening face he whimpered.

The Master smiled. "Don't fear me little one, you will be reborn, you will be faster and stronger, you will live forever with your brother at my side. Come now, offer yourself to me." As he whispered these words he stroked his hand over Thomas' hair gently, as a parent comforting a child.

Thomas was overwhelmed by his emotions, terror, grief and a strange sense of anticipation. He felt those alien eyes compel him again and tilted his head back as the Master moved slowly towards his throat. The fangs slid silently into his flesh and he was surprised to feel no pain, just a slight tugging as his life's blood left his body.

The night seemed to darken as he got weaker and he could hear a loud thumping in his ears, becoming slower and slower. He felt the sharp teeth leave his neck and moaned in loss at the sensation, he was so tired and thirsty, he just wanted to sleep.

A voice came from far away and slowly penetrated his mind. "Drink my childe, drink and be with me."

Thomas became aware of liquid trickling into his mouth and gulped greedily, it was nectar, soothing his savage thirst. He could feel his master's presence in the blood and knew he was safe and loved.

Again he moaned his loss as his mouth was eased from the wound on his master's neck and he heard that beloved voice again. "Sleep now my childe, sleep and become strong." He slipped to the ground and slept.

*****
Iceland, Present Day

"What?" Nathaniel exclaimed at the minion's words. "That bitch is back? You told me Angelus dusted her!" The minion looked down.

"I swear master, she was alive... Not... turned, alive."

"What else?" The old vampire asked angrily at his informer.

"She... dusted herself..." The minion said, waiting for the blow.

"WHAT?" Thomas put a hand on his brother's arm, trying to calm him. "You just told me she was human!" He said more calmly.

"Drusilla turned her back... and Darla got pregnant, with Angelus' child. She dusted herself so her child could live." The minion said hastily.

"Ok... this is just hilarious." Nathaniel burst in laughter. "You wanted to make me laugh didn't you? Now... tell me the truth, or you're dust." He said threateningly.

"No master. I'm sorry, this is the truth. Angelus and Darla have a child. The miracle child..."

"Dust him..." Nathaniel ordered one of his other minions who obeyed quickly.

"Mast-" And the minion was dust.

"Now... You!" He yelled pointing at another vampire. "Any news on our Sire?" He asked, squeezing his brother's hand.

"Master... I'm sorry, the news is bad." The minion said, walking reluctantly towards the twin vampires.

"How bad?" Thomas asked calmly.

"Very bad I'm afraid..." The minion bowed his head in fear. He knew that as soon as he had delivered the news, he would be dust.

Thomas waved at him to continue, while Nathaniel was doing all he could to keep a hold on his temper.

"He was brought back and he nearly succeeded in opening the mouth of Hell... but there was a slayer... He killed her, but she was revived and..."

"I'm sick of these bitches ruining things!" Nathaniel yelled.

"Calm down Nathan... let him finish." Thomas waved again. "Go on."

"She... she... defeated him. Closing the portal..." The minion didn't even have time to finish. Nathaniel stood by in his place while the unfortunate vampire's dust settled on the floor.

The vampire roared. "Bloody fucking bitches!"

"Nathan! Calm down brother." Thomas went to his twin's side and squeezed his arm. "We'll have revenge." He said firmly, his eyes glowing yellow. "We will have revenge on that bitch slayer *and* on Angelus at the same time..." He turned towards the remaining minions and childer. "Start packing. We're going to California."

*****
TBC in Chapter 9: Questions. coming soon.