"Oh, well, *yuck*! Yuck! *What* did I just land on? No! Don't tell me! I'm sure I don't want to know." Cordelia said as she placed her foot from the last ladder rung and to the floor. The floor that just went *squish* beneath her foot.

"You've offed a rat, is all, Cordy." Xander told her, his hands at her waist, as he helped her from the ladder.

"I *said* don't tell me!" She yelped, wiping her foot against the ladder rung and batting his hands away. "We *so* better find Angel!" She mumbled. She looked around. "Oh, my *god*! This is just *beyond* yuck!" She shuddered once she took a good look around.

The walls were slimy and wet and *dripping* with. . .something; she had no idea what. The smell was indescribable. And the very *air* was heavy with the stench and *feel* of the place. Cordelia began to gag.

Danielle crossed to her and placed an arm across her shoulders. Cordelia stiffened. Danielle smiled at her. "These sewer's aren't so bad, really, girl. I've been in worse. I'll help keep you safe."

"To have as dinner later on, I'm sure." Cordelia mumbled beneath her breath, pulling away.

Danielle grinned at her. "Nope." She lauged. "I grew up on a farm when I was human. My dad was forever serving my animal friends up for dinner, so now, once I *talk* to someone or something, I just can't *eat* it." She shrugged her shoulders and smiled. "So, while I hold no particular *fondness* for humans, I just can't eat anyone I've, well, gotten to *know*."

Cordelia turned to the vampire and thrust her hand out, flashing a big smile at her. "Hi! I'm *Cordelia*! Pleased to meet you! Have you been a vampire for long?"

Danielle laughed and took her hand, shaking it. "I've already taken you guys off my dinner list. I'm just here for the fun, really. Killer and the cute one caught my eye." She told her, nodding her head towards Xander and Wesley. She winked at Cordelia. "And it's *always* good to know Bleathvores. They really *do* have the best stuff sometimes."

Cordelia looked at the cloak-covered creature. "Really?" She asked doubtfully.

"*Yes*. I got a full length Armani leather coat for a bottle of scotch just last week."

Cordelia's eyes bugged a bit. "Yep. And an Anne Klien suite for a gun."

"Really? So what? They're like crack-heads?"

"Yep. Only you don't have to worry about them coming back to rob you."

"Cool."

"Come. We must walk, now." Bleathvore 1 told the group. He flashed his teeth. "I am soon to win the challenge. This is a good time. Let us all be pleased for my good fortune."

Xander looked at Danielle. "He said let's get moving and be happy. He's going to win something."

Xander nodded. "Fine. Whatever." He motioned for the Bleathvore to lead the way. Xander pulled the Glock out and held it. He *really* liked the little automatic weapon.

1 looked to Danielle. "Tell him not to send any projectiles my way. It would upset me greatly."

"Shoot him and he's gonna get pissed. Don't shoot."

"Yeah, yeah. Tell him I won't shoot."

Danielle did and the Bleathvore moved ahead of the group, leading the way. "Anyway, Killer, if you shoot them, they just spray out acid like slime. I don't know *how* you kill a Bleathvore, but shooting it won't work."

"What did you tell the human, vampire?"

"I told that you can not be killed by their weapons. How *can* you be killed?"

Bleathvore 1 laughed. "We are not killed. We die. When it is time."

Danielle didn't know how to respond. Her dealings with Bleathvores revolved around buying and selling and trading. She'd never gotten *personal* with any before now. "That is a good thing." She offered. It was the best she could do.

"Yes. It is very nice. We like it. Know many of us, do you?"

"I have had many dealings with the Ta'karta clan."

Bleathvore 1 threw up several tentacles, flinging slime. "Liars and cheats! You have been foolish in your dealings. But you are a vampire and not expected to know any better. I am of the Le'tish clan. We are good, honest, and most entertaining. The Ta'karta clan are bores, cheats and liars."

"They say the same of your clan."

Bleathvore 1 laughed. "See? They *lie*."

"What are you two saying?" Xander asked.

"Nothing. Just a bit of clan hate going on."

"Ask him how much further." Xander told her.

"Do we have much longer to walk?"

"Why is this of concern? Will they not journey to the end?" Bleathvore 1 stopped. He would not continue if the humans were going to stop.

"Why'd he stop?" Xander's finger tightened on the trigger of his gun. He was really starting to *love* the Glock. He'd already decided to keep it. The weight of it in his hand felt *good*, and he loved the way the trigger felt all cool and smooth against his finger. He ran his finger along the curve of the trigger. Damn, but he wanted to shoot something.

"No, no. The question confused him. He won't keep going if you're thinking about quitting. But you're *not* right? I mean, if you have to walk a mile or more you'll keep walking, right?"

"Yes." Cordelia, Wesley and Xander all answered without hesitation.

"They will go to the end. Time was the question. How much time will pass before they reach the wares. They worry about the safety of their vampires is all." Danielle told Bleathvore 1.

Satisfied, 1 began to walk again. "As they should be. The shinny-headed one *bit* one of us. If they continue to be nasty they will have their heads cut off. It is our way. But it is of no matter. I have produced buyers. I will win, be the vampires headless or not."

"It's all good." Danielle told the others.

Cordelia rubbed her hand over her leather-clad arm. "You know, I'm really starting to *love* this coat. How much do you suppose it'd cost to get it altered to fit me?"

"We're trading the coats for Angel and Spike, Cordielia." Wesley reminded her.

"Oh, right." She frowned, walking in silence. Her face brightened. "But Angel has *lots* more coats, huh?"

********************************************

". . . not only do I *know* of it, I *composed* it!" Spike finished the joke.

All Bleathvores: Laughter.

Bleathvore 3: "Truly amusing. I will keep you, vampire, should my brother fail to find a buyer or trade for you. Your mate, however, is boring. Him I will have to kill."

Spike puffed at his cigar and looked at his cards. "Yes. I am displeased to agree, but kill him if you must."

"Spike?" Angel asked. He was leaning against the make-shift back rest, eyes closed, arms crossed over his chest. And the boredom was getting to him. *Killing* him. *Him*. Angel had always prided himself on his ability to be calm. Just be. But with Spike and the Bleathvores having so much fucking *fun* while he dozed and lay about on the stinking rot of the floor, the boredom was eating away at him. No *wonder* Spike wanted to always be killing and moving. This *sucked*.

"What?"

"What are you saying to them?"

"Just agreeing with them, mate. Keeping them happy. Oh, and, if they don't find a buyer? *I* get saved. You? They don't like you, Sire. You're a gonner, Peaches. It'll be heads off for you, luv."

"What of my baby?" Angel rubs his flat belly.

"Ha ha. Still sucking at the funny bone, eh? Nice try, mate. But they don't know what yer saying. You are gonna have to die." Spike snickered, not overly concerned with his Sire's potential headlessness. He lays down two cards, motioning for replacements. He has a possible flush.

Angel moves close to Spike and licks his ear. Spike slaps at him, ducking his head. "Stop that! I'm busy."

Angel moves his mouth to Spike's neck, licking and sucking and *biting*.

"What is it with you? You've turned into a bloody rapist! You know what the problem is don't you?"

Angel moves his head into Spike's lap and reaches his hand up to begin undoing the buttons of Spike's shirt. "What's my problem, boy?" He smiles up at this childe, enjoying the annoyed look on his face.

"Celibacy! It's not *right*! Curse, yes, and all that! Problem is you can still *fuck*! You *need* to fuck the ex-watcher and the cheerleader! Bet those two could get you off!"

Bleathvore 5: "You and your mate are going to engage in sexual intercourse now? Breeding? We do not mind. We will watch."

Spike slaps at Angel's hand. "No we are *not*. My mate is mentally unbalanced. Slow." Spike tells them. He pinches Angel's cheek. Hard. "Cut it out!"

Bleathvore 2: "This is terrible for you! He is not balanced *and* he causes you great discomfort. It is better that we cut off his head. We have a weapon that will take is head off with one blow. It is wonderful. Very good. You may use it."

Angel is nuzzling at Spike's groin now. And Spike is, of course, getting hard. And that pisses him off. "One blow you say?" Angel is pulling down his zipper with his teeth now. His fucking cock is hard as a rock and looking forward to whatever it is Angel has planned for it.

Spike smiles at the Bleathvores. "Why don't you bring it to me? The weapon."

Bleathvore 3: "We would like to see you mate once again. It was most entertaining. Scary and good. We like that. Mate once more before your mate is killed. For us?"

Angel has his cock out and is licking at it. Fine.

"Yes. One more mating and then we kill him."

Bleathvore 2: "This is good and acc-"

And then the Bleathvores are gone.

Vanished.

Spike can't see them anymore.

He pushes Angel's head away from his cock. "Where'd the fuck they go?" He sits up on his knees, zipping his pants up and looks around.

No Bleathvores.

"Guys?" His hand grabs a bar.

ZAP!

"Fuck! Shit! Come *on* guys. This shit isn't funny! Where'd ya run off too?"

Angel sits up and *listens*. "Shh. Listen."

"Like bloody fucking great big cockroaches running off when a light comes on."

"Yes. Don't you hear it? Something is coming."

"Yeah. I hear it. Something is coming and these blokes have left me here. And they didn't even cut off your head, first. Bastards."

"Spike?"

"*What*?"

"You were going to let them cut off my head?"

"Hell, *yes*, I was, Sire! I was bloody well looking *forward* to it! Punks! Poofs!"

*****
Part 14:

Bleathvore 1 twitters his tentacles; they fill, expand and ooze. "We are close to my brothers." His teeth flash, and he speeds up a bit.

"Almost there." Danielle tells the others.

Wesley has moved to walk beside Danielle. Xander is right behind the Bleathvore; finger tight on the trigger of his gun, while Cordelia has her hand tucked into the back of Wesley's tight leather pants. She's been staring at the back of his head and singing songs in her head. She doesn't want to look around or down. Ever again. The few times she's looked down, she's seen *rats*,-big-movie-type-rats-, running along and over her feet.

They turn a corner and there they are.

Spike and Angel.

Angel and Spike.

Caged yes, but whole and *there* and Xander is so pleased he moves forward and grabs at the bars of the cage.

Spike's "Don't touch the bars, pet." Is too late.

Xander grabs hold and is zapped across the tunnel, hands burnt and smoking.

"Luv?" Spike asks. "Okay? The bars are electrocuted, pet. Don't touch."

Xander picks himself up and laughs, looking at his burnt hands. "Yeah. Don't fucking touch the bars, cause, fucking 'ouch', that shit *hurts*." And Xander *smiles* despite the pain of burnt hands. Spike is here. And fine. And its *Spike*. And isn't that all he wanted?

"Angel!" Cordy runs to the cage and stops short, having seen Xander's fate. "Are you okay? You *look* fine. You look *good*." She crosses her arms across her chest and steps back, *regarding* him. "You look just *fine* really." She tells him accusingly. "I stepped on a *rat* for you. *And* I went into a demon bar for you! And Xander *shot* vampires, and even a *human* for you, and you don't look hurt at *all*! Dirty and smelly, yes, but not *hurt*. You should at least be-well-*bruised*, dammit! Are you even a *little* bit hurt?"

Xander moves closer to the cage, reaching his hand between the bars to touch Spike's cheek.

He looks at Daneille. "Tell him I want Spike *out* of this cage."

"They were about to cut off my head." Angel tells Cordelia, trying to placate her.

"Really? Then I, like, *saved* you, huh?"

"It would see-"

Bleathvore 1 raises all tentacles, except the ones he's standing on, over his head and calls out. "Come forth brothers. I have won the challenge. I have found buyers. And they are *humans*. And a vampire. A *good* vampire." He smiles at Danielle. Teeth oozing.

Danielle grins back.

And before Spike's eyes the Bleathvores return.

Out of nowhere.

Gone one minute and there the next. "God *damn* it. And fuck it all. *All*! You bloody *shits*! And just *where* the hell did you all *go*?" Spike demands of the now visible Bleathvores.

Bleathvore 5 smiles at Spike. "What are you speaking so loudly about?"

Oh. Right. He'd been yelling in English.

"You ran off and left. Why?" He asked, speaking their language. His anger mostly spent, his voice was quiet. He did manage to *glare* at Bleathvore 5.

Flashing several rows of teeth, Bleathvore 5 reaches a tentacle between the bars and pats Spike on the head, leaving a puddle of slime on his head. "Living is important to us, vampire." He flaps his tentacles. "We *hide* until we know what we face. Do you not hide?"

"Yeah. Sure. Let me out of this fucking cage! I've been *bought*!" Spike looks at Xander and smiles. "Is it true, pet? Did you *shoot* vampires and *people*?"

"Yeah. I shot stuff." Xander smiles a bit bashfully at Spike.

"Yum, pet. *Xander*, and I missed it? *Still* trying to keep me from having *fun*, damn you! That is just so-"

Bleathvore 3 pokes at Spike. "Get me out of this fucking cage!" Spike yells at the Bleathvore.

Bleathvore 3 is unconcerned with Spike's display of rage. He is, after all is said and done, still *caged*.

Bleathvore 1 walks to 5 and twitters. "Ha! I have found buyers! You *lose*! I have obtained tasty and good mind altering beverages for us *and* we will receive the skins the new humans wear. I have made a good deal. Say it is so."

Bleathvore 5 smiles. "It is true that you have made a good deal for *two* vampires, but we have *three* vampires!"

Bleathvore 1 looks at the cage. And into it. Closely. He snorts. "You have been into the mind altering beverages we have stored, I think. Or you are as stupid as your mother-in-law has stated you are. There are *two* vampires." He points at Spike and then at Angel. "One vampire. *Two* vampire. No more vampire."

All bleathvores *except* 5: Laughter.

"Yes. You are amusing, just as *your* mother-in-law says you are *not*. The dark-haired one is with *child*. So we must declare the challenge null and void."

Bleathvore 1 wraps several tentacles around Bleathvore 5 and squeezes. "Vampires do not breed, fool. They do *not*. You have said so yourself!" Bleathvore 1 turns his head to look at Danielle. "You! Vampire! Do you breed?"

"Um, no?" She looks at Spike. "Um, we *females* don't, but the *males*? Oh, sure. *They* breed. Yeah. Like, uh, bunny rabbits. The males breed like crazy."

Bleathvore 1 lets his tentacles fall. "Well. Fine. We will consider our deal null and void. I do not gain what I would have wished from you, but I am still pleased. You will not lay tentacles upon my mate, *nor* my daughter. And still I have obtained a good deal. This is pleasing to me."

"*What* the fuck are they saying?" Xander demands.

"Um. Well. Everything seems to be fine. The *deal*, however is sorta *off*, seeing as how the 'dark-haired' one is, uh, *pregnant* and the deal was only for two vampires, and not, um, two *plus* one."

"Huh?" Xander, Wesley, and Cordelia all ask.

"Well, like I just told you-" Danielle begins.

Spike cuts her off. "Peaches is knocked up. The deal will stand between *you* and *them* but not *them* and *them*, so give 'em whatever it is you promised and get ME OUT OF THIS FUCKING *CAGE*!"

Danielle smiled. "Yeah. It's like what *he* said."

"Whatever." Xander takes off Angel's coat and hands it to Bleathvore 1. "Tell him to open the cage."

Danielle does.

Bleathvore 1 takes the coat and smiles at Xander. And then he smiles at Danielle. "No."

Danielle blinks. "*What*?"

Bleathvore 1: "No."

Pissed off, even though it's not really her battle, Danielle rages. "And just why is it *no*?" She lets loose a string of her, admittedly, limited amount of Bleathvore expletives. "*We* kept our part of the deal! What are you trying to do?"

Limited they may be, but the Bleathvores are impressed buy her string of curses.

Spike, doubly so. "Where'd ya pick her up, pet?" Spike asks Xander.

"Bar." Xander tells him.

Spike nods. "Best place to get women, Xanpet. Good pick, luv."

Bleathvore 1: "Calm down and rest your vocal cords, vampire. The deal is set and good. The vampires are free. I wish only to have the rest of the skins."

"Oh. Okay." Danielle smiles and fans her face with her hand. "My! I didn't even know I *knew* all those bad words." She tells Bleathvore 1.

"It is, no doubt, the cause of the Ta'karta clan. Bores, liars, cheats and filthy mouthed also. You are not to be blamed."

"Of course, I'm not. I never am."

Spike and all the Bleathvores laugh.

"I'm getting *so* tired of not knowing what's going on!" Xander yells out. "I'm going to start *shooting* again."

"Shoot Angel, pet. Go on. It won't hurt him much, and if it makes you feel better? Do it."

Xander giggles and it makes him feel better. Less like shooting.

"Just give them the coats." Danielle tells the group.

Bleathvore 3 has already made off with the case of 'mind altering and tasty beverages.'

Cordelia strips off her coat, unwillingly really, carefully removing her weapons. Angel watches, wide-eyed, as she begins to store weapons in various and unlikely places on her body. Wesley does the same thing. Angel takes a close look at Xander and notes that he, too, has guns and knives shoved in his clothes.

Spike notes Angel's goggle-eyed look. "What? You don't think my Xander knows how to go to war? He can prepare the troops, mate. He's got all *kinds* of nasty secrets."

The coats are handed over without fanfare.

All Bleathvores bow.

Bleathvore 5 speaks: "We have had a good and entertaining time with the shiny-headed vampire. We would take him with us. Will you journey with us?"

"No. I must stay. They would surely die without my guidance."

Danielle translates and the others laugh. Spike gives Danielle a dirty look and she stops her translation. No need to *die* over it, she thinks to herself.

Bleathvore 5: "Most surely they *would*. We are saddened by your unwillingness to join our journey, but so what? We will get over it, yes? Yes. And you have won many treasures from us. And lost many treasures. This marks a good time. So be it. We will take the skins and beverages and leave you with what you have won and with your *lives*, also won. *And* because we like you so, we will leave you with our weapon, so that you may kill the dull one. As you see fit. We ask only that you wait until after the child is born. It may be a child of great worth. Worry not that its host is dull. The child may glow bright."

Spike smiled. "Yes." He nodded his head at Angel. "*He* may be dull as yesterday's cleaning water, but his *children* are usually bright as sunshine."

And the Bleathvores leave.

Without turning off the cage.

"God damn it! Come *back* here!" Spike snarls.

Cordelia walks around the cage. When she comes to a rug, she kicks it over. "What's this?" she asks, leaning down to pull out a cord attached to the cage.

The edge of the cage.

The very *accessible* edge of the cage.

She reaches a confident hand to the bars and grabs one. Nothing happens. No shock. No zap. She grins, wagging the cord in her hand. "You guys *suck*! Some vampires *you* are! I stepped on a *rat* for you guys! I shot *vampires* for you guys! I let that *coat* I wanted go for you guys!"

Spike and Angel both reach out and grab the cage bars. They duck and turn the cage over them. They are free. Just that easy. They look at each other. They look at Cordelia, twirling the cord around.

"That was *not* the cord." They both state.

But it didn't matter, really.

They were free of the cage.

Xander grabbed hold of Spike and pulled him close, kissing him.

Spike pulled back with a grin. "Is that a gun in your pants, pet, or are you just *happy* to see me?"

Xander kept his body close to Spike's and held out his hand, still holding his newly beloved Glock. He grinned at Spike. "Here's my gun, Spike. I must just be *happy* to see you."

"Eww." Was Cordiela's contribution to the romantic moment.

*****
Part 15:

"Well, yes. I'm pleased that everyone is safe and sound, but did you obtain it?" Wesley asked.

"What?" Spike asked, squeezing Xander's ass and sucking at his neck.

Wesley bent to tuck a hunting knife into his boot. "What you two *came* for."

"*Angel* didn't get anything." Spike snickered. He pulled away from Xander and went to his pile of goodies. "Me? I got all *kinds* of good stuff. The slayer-saving-bowl among them." He looked through his pile. "Hey! Where's me bowl?"

Angel gave a low laugh, holding up the coat-covered bowl. "I have it. And I wouldn't say I didn't get *any* thing, boy. I got your a-"

"Marvelous! You have the bowl." Spike said, cutting Angel off. The poof. The nonce. The effin fuck-n-tell *bastard*. Spike began rummaging through his pile again, throwing items about with unnecessary force. If Angel mentioned the screwing he'd just deny it. Xander wouldn't believe Angel. Spike laughed a little beneath his breath. He'd just tell Xander Angel was trying to make him jealous. He looked over at Xander and smiled. Xander smiled at him in return. Oh, yeah. He was fine.

"Good. Can we get *out* of here now? I don't wa-Ooo, what's *that*, Spike?" Cordelia asked, her eyes on a velvet pouch Spike had picked up.

"This?" Spike grinned at her, swinging the small bag from his hand. "*This* is a sack-full-o-diamonds."

Cordelia's eye's widened and she stepped closer. "Can I *see*?"

"Sure, pet." Spike grinned and opened the pouch onto his open hand. Sparkles fell out. Lots and *lots* of them.

Cordy gasped out loud and stepped even closer. She kept her eyes on Spike's diamond filled hand. "Can I have some? Please?" She asked, seemingly entranced by the diamonds.

In fact, *everyone* had moved in closer to Spike and his handful of sparkles.

"Sure, pet." He held out his hand towards her.

Cordelia reached out. . .

. . .And Spike closed his hand and snatched it away. "Nope." Spike laughed. "I'm just fucking with you, pet. I'm not gonna share *diamonds*. Are you *daft*?"

Cordelia's head shot up. She was abruptly snapped from her diamond-induced-trance. "You *jerk*!"

"When did you win *those*?" Angel demanded.

"When you were napping, peaches. I won all *kinds* of goodies." He pulled a cigar box from the pile and opened it, holding it out to Cordy. "Cigar, pet? It's the good stuff. Cuban."

"No *thank* you. I would, however, like a diamond." She stamped her foot. "Or more."

"I'll take one of those." Danielle spoke.

"I wouldn't mind one, either." Wesley said, stepping to Spike.

Spike passed out cigars. Even Angel took one. Danielle pulled her Zippo out and lit the smokers up.

"What else, besides diamonds, tires and my shoes, did you win?" Angel asked, puffing.

"*Lost* yer shoes, Sire." He pulled a pair of bright red Converse high tops, circa 1980, from his pile and tossed them at Angel. "Here, put these on."

Angel looked at the shoes with disdain and then at the floor.

He put on the too big sneakers.

"Got this." Spike was on his knees rummaging. "My wat-the *slayer's* watcher will like this." He held up a leather-bound book and set it aside. "Oh, and *this*." Another book. "I'll give this to the witches. It's a book of love spells. This'll make Giles' piss his pants." Spike snickered and tossed away a handful of wigs. "Now *this*. *This* is pretty. You can have this, pet." He tossed a two shot, pearl-handled derringer pistol at Xander. "Can't have my diamonds, but this'll do you, Cordelia." Spike tossed a strand of pearls at her. Cordy caught them with a squeal of joy. Spike tossed a piece of garden hose away, and then another, larger piece of garden hose away. Some baby clothes followed. And some IV tubing. He came up with a pair of alligator pants and was about to toss those when he looked over his shoulder at Danielle. "Think you can fit these?"

Danielle stepped forward and took the pants. "Jesus. These are *real* alligator skin!" She mumbled, looking at the tag. "A size too small. Hell *yes*, I can fit these! You're like, fucking *Santa* Clause, Shiny Headed One."

"Here, this is for you." Spike handed Wesley a heavy leather bound book.

"This is. . .this is the *complete* works of the Feliand Oracles." He whispered relevantly taking the large book. "This is, Spike, this is-"

"What? Can I get *money* for that?" Spike demanded.

"Ye-um. No, not really. You'd never be able to find a buyer. And, I dare say, you'd mostly likely be unable to *read* it. It's best that you give it me." He ran his hand over the binding. He looked at Spike, and smiled. "Thank you, Spike."

Spike raised a brow and turned back to his pile. "Me, me, me." He placed items in a pile next to him. "This for me, too. More for me. Garbage. Me. *Angel*." Spike tossed a copy of the Karma Sutra at his Sire. "Garbage. Garbage. Xander." He tossed a Colt six-shot pistol encased in a leather holster at Xander. He pulled out a large leather case. "What the fuck?" He opened it. Silverware. A complete set. "Oh, right. *Joyce*. What's this, then?" Spike pulled a garment out and handed it to Cordelia. "A never been worn *original* I was assured." He told her as he kept rummaging through his pile.

Cordelia unzipped the bad and took a look inside at the perfect little black dress. "Oh, my *god*!"

"Naw, just me, pet. *Spike*." Spike muttered, not looking up.

"This is a Karan *original*. *Spike*! You-evil-soulless-Angel-trying to-kill-Xander-boffing-*sweety*! I love you now. I do. I have to go out now. I have to wear this dress and my *pearls*. I *must*."

Danielle looked at the dress Cordelia was holding in front of her. "Very nice. I told you Bleathvores have some *really* nice things."

"Wanna John Tesh CD?" Spike asked, from his pile.

"Along with a *lot* of trash." She continued, taking the CD and tossing it over her shoulder.

"Hey! *Angel* might have wanted that."

"If so you should go ahead and kill him."

Spike sat up on his knees. "Yeah. Kill him." He looked around. "Anyone see an Angel-killing thing around? I was promised one."

Xander looked up from tying his gun holster to his leg. He tried a quick-draw, grinning. He did a passable gun twirl and replaced the Colt in the holster. He thumbed back an imaginary hat. "I'll have a look around, folks." Xander walked into one of the side tunnels.

"I'm sure we don't need an Angel killing machine." Angel said.

Cordelia looked up from her dress. "That's only 'cause you're *Angel*. Maybe it's a really *cool* thing. Like my pearls."

FUMP!

"Cool." Came Xander's voice. "I think I found it."

The others walked to the side tunnel.

Xander stood next to a guillotine. "Nice, huh? Can we keep it?"

"*This* is my 'kill him with one blow' weapon?" Spike asked, hands on his hips. "Does anyone have *any* idea how hard it is to get someone to place their heads into one 'o them things without an army backing them up?"

Xander raised the blade again and let it drop.

FUMP.

"So, what? We can't keep it?"

"If you can carry it, pet, you can keep it."

"Can we *go* now? The sun will be up soon." Angel asked, rolling his eyes.

"Sure." Spike said. "Yeah, lets go. Oh! Wait! I wanna take some o' those wigs back, you know, for the Slayer."

*****