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Las Vegas May 14th 2 p.m.

Spike was happy he couldn't see himself in the mirror. The last time he dyed his hair black was back when the Nazi's where trying to conquer the world. He knew the women still loved it, just not as much as when he was a blonde.

"Look at who's the blondie now." He teased as he looked at Angel's son. "Me thinks your Dad would be brooding over this one. Wantin' to be like me and all."

Conner glared as he looked at himself in the mirror. "Not sure I like this plan much."

"How do you think I feel?" Lorne asked, standing before them in human form. He stood looking at them with a forlorn expression. Sporting short dark hair and brown eyes that looked sad and afraid. "Couldn't he have found me another demon disguise?"

"I think ya look rather dapper, mate. The women are going to swarm all around ya, like bees to honey." Spike tried to reassure him. "It could've been worse; it could have been some kind of slimy lookin' demon."

"True." Lorne agreed with a sigh as he turned to stare at their once blue skinned demon who now was back to looking like Fred, but with shoulder length red hair. She too would be looking her human self on a consistent basis until the spell was reversed.

"Well, now we get to take our pictures and assume our new identities." Spike looked at them all and said. "Blue, I guess you're not blue anymore."

"No, it would seem I'm now Mary Margaret Clark." She replied reading off the name on her identification.

"I'm Clark Thomas Kent." Connor read off his name.

"Better then Lawrence Henry Small," Lorne reluctantly divulged his.

"I'm Alexander William Luthor." Spike said as he rolled his eyes. "Anyone else watch Smallville?"

"No, why?" Lorne asked.

"Superman sound familiar?" Spike asked as he caught on to the humor this all provided.

"Hey, Lex." Conner addressed Spike with a goofy smile as he said, "too much hair, don't ya think?"

"Nope, he was my evil brother. The bloke had a 'hate the world complex 'cause he lost all his hair." Spike laughed as he gave his answer, happy someone else was able to pick up the similarities.

"How about Aidan?" Conner asked.

"I guess we'll change it to Aidan Quinn Luthor." Spike answered and then added, "You didn't think I was going to add Jonathon to his name did ya? No way, and not Lionel either."

"Now we just have to find you a Lana." Conner joked.

"I need a Lois, and I know just where to find her, well maybe." Spike replied as he turned to look at Oz. "So you changing your name or staying with Oz."

"Oz."

"Good, I need to you do something for me." Spike agreed, knowing the wolf boy would be able to move in more circles under his own name.

"What?"

"I need you to go to Cleveland. I hear it's where Faith is and she'll know what Buffy is up to." Spike answered, knowing in his heart his slayer was coming to the states.

"I thought she's in Rome." Lorne added, wondering what was going on.

"Could be she might come to the states to make sure everything with Angel is on the up and up." Spike suggested. "I don't want to go one place and find she's somewhere else."

"So you think we need to see Buffy?" Oz asked.

"Yeah, they'll go after her next." Spike explained, as he started to make sense of the dream he had. The only thing that didn't make sense was the fact Giles was the only one in the dream that was still alive.

"On it." Oz agreed, knowing if anyone would know about Buffy, it would be Faith. "What are you going to do?"

"Follow you. It's just you can travel faster on your own." Spike answered, as he continued to think things out.

"We could fly him there." Conner suggested.

"No, too many cameras. Best he drives and keeps a low profile." Spike countered, thinking the less any of them are seen the better.

"I could leave now." Oz offered. "I will call when I get there."

"Good, check in when you feel it's safe." Spike instructed. "Don't let them know wr're comin', or that anyone survived. I'm sure the baddies are goin' be keepin' their peeps on them."

"Gotcha, will make like I just happened to drop in." Oz shared his possible makings of a plan.

"Sounds perfect." Spike agreed. "Be careful, and be safe."

Oz chuckled as he leaned in and whispered, "What have you done with Spike?"

The vampire smirked as he winked as said, "If I told ya, I'd have to kill ya."

"I guess I'll see you in Cleveland." Oz said with a smile, feeling fortunate to have Spike on his side.

Osborne couldn't help but be thankful he'd packed a few things, just like Ernst had told him to do. Since the man had not wanted him to return to Las Vegas. His friend and now ex-boss had explained it would be best if he left town and kept a low profile. What little he owned that he couldn't bring with him, he put in storage. He was sure he'd get them one day when it was safe to return to Vegas.

"We'll only be a day maybe two behind you." Spike told him as he looked at his rag tag team. "If anyone wants out, now is the time."

The room was silent as they looked at each other, causing Spike to say, "All for saving the world raise their hands."

Without hesitation all in the room hands went up. Even Illyria's hand was up without a second thought. She kept to herself, that yet again she could feel Fred's presence inside her, telling her they needed to do this. Deep in her heart she also knew her actions had something to do with a man who happened to touch something inside of her. Wesley's face appeared before her as she silently vowed to die protecting those in this room.

"Then let's get a move on, we have the human race to save and baddies to slay." Spike announced right before Aidan made everyone aware he needed some attention directed his way.

*******

Cleveland May 14th 5 p.m.

Andrew stepped out of the cab and looked at the two-story house that the rogue slayer and her boyfriend lived. After becoming more acquainted with the area around The Spy Club, he'd returned back to his room. He thought about calling Giles, just for the hell of it, but decided not to unnecessarily upset his boss.

He found it funny that Faith and Robin lived on a street called Fullerton. The oddity was the fact it had an elementary school, as well as a funeral home located down the street from one another. Instead of a high school, it was Fullerton Elementary that lay over the Hellmouth. Just thinking about the symbol that lay somewhere in the dark basement of the educational institution brought back bad memories he'd rather forget about.

He wished he had more he could tell the dark haired slayer, but everything pointed to the fact Angel had went evil. The one thing he also hoped was that she or Robin would know more about this Nino Biggs and the silver woman who worked for him. He wanted to talk to Lorne to find out why he wasn't seen fighting with Angel by the surveillance photos. Maybe he could shed some light on Wesley as well.

The front door opened as he walked up the front steps. Before he stepped his foot on the porch Faith said, "You squirt had better be the bearer of good news."

Andrew stopped and said, "Why, hello Andrew, so nice too see you. How have you been? Was the flight smooth or did you have a lot of turbulence. You know it's been so long, have you found a girlfriend yet?"

Robin chuckled at the younger man's antics and could see he'd struck his girl's funny bone as well as he replied. "Hello, Andrew. Why don't you come in and have a seat. We can catch up on things and you can tell us what brought you here."

"Now, that is a more hospitable welcome. I could use something cold to drink." Andrew replied as he entered the house.

Faith turned and glared at her significant other as she sarcastically said, "Just make yourself right at home, Andy," as she followed Andrew into the house.

"Thanks, and it's Andrew, please." The newly appointed watcher answered as he walked over and took a seat on the recliner. "Now I can just tell you all I know so far, or you can ask specifically what it is you want to know."

Robin let his wife pass him and followed her example, sitting next to her on the couch. For now he decided to keep quiet, so Faith could find out all she wanted to know. Then he'd start asking questions he needed answers too.

"Angel or Angelus?" Faith asked the first question that came to mind.

"To be honest, other then hearsay it's Angelus. I'm trying to put some feelers out for a member of his group that appeared not to be directly involved. He's some green demon."

"You must be talking about Lorne." Faith practically whispered, neither man, barely heard her. "He's more a lover, not a fighter best to my understanding."

"Well any who, he's missing. Not sure if friend or foe for either Angelus or us, which brings me to another question. What do you know about a Nino Biggs?" Andrew asked, and noticed how Faith rolled her eyes and Robin just shook his head. "I take you know of him."

"We've met on a few occasions." Robin replied and then asked, "Why do you want to know?"

"I had checked around in L.A. about Lorne and this Nino's name kept popping up."

"Would make sense, Biggs and Sliver had a few clubs in the City of Angels." Faith enlightened him, "For some reason they pulled up stakes and moved here. Have a few clubs and run a few other legit businesses here."

"I would love to talk to him."

"Not sure he will let someone from the counsel come knocking on his door." Robin informed him, wondering what Nino could possibly tell them.

"Well, he does have my number." Andrew decided to share. "I went for a little walk before coming here, and a lady with silver hair answered the door when I found the club."

"How do you think he will help?" Robin asked.

"I figure he might have heard more then we did, since it was really a demon thing between Angelus and the Partners." Andrew answered.

"Could be your right, why do you think he will tell you if he does?" Faith asked, wondering if maybe she should have a chat with Silver.

"Don't know really, but it's worth trying." Andrew replied, "But won't know unless he calls me and agrees to meet with me."

Faith leaned back feeling tired, "I will give Silver a call and see what she says."

"You know her?"

"Not really, but we've been friendly on the occasions we've met. But it will have to wait until later." Faith offered, but feeling suddenly very tired.

"Go lay down for a while, baby. I'll wake you up in an hour or two." Robin suggested, having noticed how tired she looked all of a sudden.

"Yeah, sounds like a plan. Wake me up in about an hour." She said with a smile as she stood to leave; only stopping to assure Andrew she was okay. "Don't worry mini watcher man; we'll get to the bottom of things."

"Are you feeling okay?" Andrew asked, feeing nervous at how pale she had become and ill looking.

"Just tired is all, not much sleep lately." She covered, not wanting the pregnancy to be on the watcher wire until she wanted them to know.

"Oh, right. Then get some rest and you can call me later." Andrew said as he stood to go.

"No, stay for dinner, Robin's cooking so it will be eatable." Faith reassured him as she turned to leave. "I will call Silver when I get up. Maybe you should report off to Giles sometime."

"I will when I have more to tell him. I just want to exhaust all my avenues before I really close the chapter on this. I just can't help but think there's something more going on." Andrew sighed. "I mean, I think someone would've been able to contact us."

Faith sighed as she looked at her lover and offered. "Maybe you can find out all you can about Lorne and see if you can find anyone who was friends with him. Could be he might try and contact one of them for help, that is if he's still alive."

"I'll see what I can do." Robin agreed, thinking more and more that things were about to become more complicated. "Now go and get some rest and me and Andrew will see what we can find out."

"Love ya, baby."

"Love you too." Robin replied as she kissed his cheek. "How does soup and grilled cheese sound?" He asked knowing she might now want a whole lot to eat.

"Sounds great, actually." She said before going into the house.

"So, I take it me and you are going to surf the watcher's information central?" Andrew asked.

"Let's go to the computer room and see what we can come up with." Robin suggested, as he stood up.

Andrew followed, hoping they would find something that would lead them to this Lorne fellow. He was sure the green demon held all the important answers they were looking for. Plus, it meant he could email Giles a report of what he knew so far and what he planned to do to find out more. You can't hang up on an email he thought to himself.

*******

Amsterdam May 15th 12 a.m.

Buffy leisurely walked through the Amsterdam airport on her way to where her connecting flight would be. There was the six-hour lay over before her direct flight to Cleveland, Ohio would depart. She really wished she'd been able to talk to Giles before she left. But looking at the time, it was too late to call him now.

She decided to just wander around and see what little eateries were close to her gate. The plan turned in to having a bite to eat and finding a book to read during the wait and on the flight, if she couldn't find a place to sleep. She felt it was a waste to get a hotel for only a few hours. Buffy knew deep down if she hadn't left when she had, she never would have.

Since leaving Rome, she felt more like her old self, more in control of her life. She wondered if it had anything to do with the fact she and Dawn just was not getting along. Then there was the subject of Nick, and just not knowing what he wanted from her. Wondering how and why she ever ended mixed up with him in the first place kept picking at her brain.

The bookstore she noticed had all the recent best sellers out on display as she walked in. The smell of the books made her smile, for some reason they made her think of Spike. Several books caught her attention all of them romance novels. The one that really called to her had a handsome man with blue eyes wearing a cape pictured on the cover. The title, 'The Claiming', beckoned her to pick it up. After reading the summary she knew she had to have it. It was a tale of love, betrayal, and forgiveness as the once evil vampire fought the forces of evil for the love of a mortal woman.

She picked that one and one other to have at her disposal during her trip. She paid for her books and placed them in her carryon. Her stomach gurgled letting her know she needed to eat, when the aroma of something wonderfully tempting teased her senses. She followed the delicious smell down to a pub that was just a short distance from the bookstore.

As she entered the pub she noticed someone that looked somewhat familiar. The hair was longer, and the scruffy making of a five o'clock shadow was something she'd never associate with her old friend. Just the thought of seeing Xander right now was good and bad. Good, cause no matter what he was still one of her oldest and dearest friend. Bad, cause he like Dawn had a tendency to judge her and make her feel unworthy at times. He would not understand her pain right now with Angel and might even do the 'I told you so' routine on her.

*******

Xander sat and scanned the menu, wondering what he wanted to go with his ale. He couldn't help but think he should have called ahead to tell Robin he was coming for a visit. But thought he'd call them from the hotel once he got into town. He still laughed when he thought of the neighborhood the couple lived in. Who would've thought they would have settled in a community called Slavic Village.

He looked up at the doorway having felt as if someone was staring at him. He noticed a petite blonde that resembled Buffy. At first he was about to brush it off when it hit him, it was Buffy.

"Buffy!" He said as he stood up.

"Xander?" She replied, recognizing him under the scruff and giving him a welcoming smile.

"Summers, what the heck are you doing here?" He ask as he met her halfway, both of them hugging the other tightly.

"I needed to get away for awhile." She replied, feeling relaxed having her friend near. "I've missed you."

Xander smiled and relaxed at hearing her whisper, 'I've missed you', and said, "I've missed you too."

Buffy leaned back and asked, "So, where are you heading?"

"Thought I would drop in and visit Mr. and Miss Hellmouth and see what's been cooking over the doorway to Hell." Xander joked, feeling a little like his old self again.

She placed her hands on his cheeks and as she looked his face over, "Nice job, I like." She said, noticing the great job someone had done with his new eye.

Xander chuckled, "Yep, can't tell it was a window, or a marble, in its last life, can you?"

"Nope, and it looks really good." Buffy reassured him only to have her stomach demand attention.

"Looks like someone hasn't eaten in a while?"

"Nope, me need food." She said in her cavewoman tone.

"Just stay away from the ale, cavewoman." Xander chuckled as he did the courteous thing and pulled out a chair for her. "So what flight are you on?"





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