Once and Again

Chapter Five: Dancing, Karaoke and Vamps.OH MY!!

Randall knocked softly on his Master's door, fearing for his undead life as he heard him say 'enter'. Opening the door, he walked forward, unsure of his approach as he took in the site of his Master sitting in a large leather chair behind his over sized desk. The room was dark and smelled of cigars and Randall knew there was death waiting for him.

"Please tell me you have good news?" Trull asked as his minion came forward.

Randall swallowed the lump in his throat as he stopped in front of the desk. "No... sir. We've looked everywhere. No sign of the search party or Miss Ravyn."

Trull stood quickly and leered at Randall. "How hard can it be to find her?" he yelled. "She hasn't said a word or made a move on her own in twenty-five years! She couldn't have gotten that far away!"

Randall looked down, knowing it was only a matter of minutes before his dusty end would come. "I'm sorry Master. I will look again. I will not stop until we have her." he said, almost begging for Trull to spare his life.

Trull stood and watched his favorite minion. "Yes, I know you will. I want that bitch back here...now! You will find her and get my gold medallion she stole! I want her back by the end of the week! Now leave and don't come back without her!"

Randall was surprised Trull had spared him and left quickly before he changed his mind. He shut the door to Trull's office quickly as he heard a glass shatter against the wall.

Trull stood looking at the broken glass and the liquid it contained lying on the floor. *Bitch is going to pay for this* he said bitterly to himself. *Painfully*

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dawn knocked softly on Ravyn's door and smiled as she opened it.

"Hey Dawn" Ravyn said as she stepped back from the door so Dawn could enter.

"Hey...you busy?" she asked as she walked inside.

Ravyn giggled lightly. "Nope...nothing here to busy myself with."

Dawn smiled brightly at her. "Well, it's Friday night and we all have a ritual we get together and perform. Interested?"

Ravyn leaned her head sideways and grinned. "Depends on what this 'ritual' is" she said, more than interested.

Dawn laughed. "Well, there's this club down town. A demon bar..Karaoke Bar to be exact. We all hang out there and unwind. Thought maybe you'd like to join us."

Ravyn smiled big. "Karaoke?"

"Yep" Dawn said grinning at her. "Great for a few laughs...especially if we get enough alcohol in Angel to get him on stage."

"Angel sings?"

Dawn burst out laughing hard. "Yeah, he sings all right" she said through her laughter. "You've got to come. Get out of here for a while. It'll be fun I promise."

Ravyn smiled as she thought about it. She hadn't had 'fun' in so long, she wasn't sure she knew what it was anymore. "Yeah, think I would. What should I wear?"

"Oh, anything really. Maybe that new dress you bought. It's casual and flirty" Dawn said wiggling her eyebrows at her.

Ravyn laughed at her. "Not sure flirty is something I'm good at anymore, but we'll give it a try." she said as Dawn headed for the door.

"Well, we leave in about an hour. See ya downstairs." Dawn said as she left the room, pulling the door shut behind her.

Ravyn looked at the door for a minute before smiling big. *Fun* she thought as she walked to the closet. *I might be able to handle that* she said to herself as she pulled the dress from the closet and walked to the bathroom. Grabbing the bag with her newly purchased fragrances, Ravyn turned on the shower and started to get ready for a night out on the town.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So, is she going to go?" Jesse asked as Dawn came back down the steps.

"Yes, she's going." Dawn said smiling. "I'm going home to change. Be back shortly."

"See ya soon." Jesse said as he watched her leave.

"You know what's going to be more entertaining than Angel singing tonight?" Blake asked Jesse quietly.

"What's that?" Jesse asked him as they both turned and headed upstairs.

"Watching Angel and Spike fight over the fair Ravyn." Blake said laughing.

"So, you've noticed that to then?"

"How could you not? The looks Angel gives her are so obvious, and I know for a fact that Spike noticed it."

Jesse grinned big. "You know...this might just turn out to be more interesting than usual after all." he said as they got to there rooms.

Laughing, they entered their rooms on opposite sides of the hall each shutting their doors, grinning at what they knew was going to be 'fun'.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Angel walked into the lobby just as Spike walked through the front door.

"Well, if it isn't the singing Barry impersonator." Spike said grinning as he looked at Angel.

"Shut up Spike."

"Ah, come on peaches, you know you love Barry. Why else would you only sing his songs?"

"Because he sings mellow songs...not that junk you and the other's always belt out." Angel told him as they stopped in front of the sofa.

"Okay you two. No bickering, we haven't even made it there yet." Dawn said as she walked in the door.

Spike looked over at her and smiled. "Hey nib...new outfit?"

"Yep" she said grinning. "You like?"

"Yeah" Spike said. "Looks real....daring." he added, looking at the very short blue mini skirt she was wearing. "Think maybe you could have found something a little longer?"

Dawn laughed a little. "It's suppose to be this short." esseesse and Blake walked down the steps and joined the others as Rob came out of his office.

"Well, we ready?" Rob asked as everyone gathered around.

"Almost. Ravyn's going." Dawn said looking up the stairs wondering why she wasn't down yet.

"She is?" Angel asked, a little smile on his face.

"Yeah, let me go see what's keeping her." Dawn said as she turned to the stairs. As she reached the bottom step, Ravyn walked around the corner and Dawn's eyes went wide. "Wow...you look great." she told her as Ravyn started down the steps.

"Thanks Dawn."

The guy's standing in the lobby all stopped talking and stared at Ravyn as she walked down the steps. She was wearing a white dress that fell just above the knee with a small pink floral design on it. It had thin straps and was cut low in the front. The skirt was full while the bodice clung to her tightly. Her hair was hanging down her back and shining from the lights overhead.

"Is something wrong?" Ravyn asked almost shyly as she reached the bottom of the steps and looked at all the guy's.

Spike smiled at her. "No, nothing's wrong." he said as he walked over to her. "You look beautiful." he told her quietly.

Ravyn smiled while looking up at him briefly. "Thanks" she said, looking down, not able to keep eye contact with him. "You don't look so bad yourself." she told him as she took in his charcoal gray pants and tight white shirt. "I see you finally found the joy's of 'color'...kinda."

Spike laughed a little at her. "Yeah, well...had to do something with all those clothes you bought me. Just kinda got use to it after a while."

Spike and Ravyn were both drawn from their private conversation as Angel cleared his throat.

"So, we're ready then?" Angel asked, walking over towards the door.

"Yeah, let's go." Spike said as everyone headed for the door and what looked to be the start of a very interesting night.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The gang entered Caritas and moved along the crowd to 'their' table. There was a large, green and yellow slimy creature, no one exactly knew what it was, singing.. "The Rose" as they were all seated.

"Well, if it isn't my biggest group of misfits." Lorne said as he walked over to the group. "How are all you wonderful people doing tonight?"

"We're just fine Lorne..how are you." Dawn asked him with a smile.

"Well, I'm just wonderful sweetie." Lorne answered her before looking at the other's, stopping as he saw Ravyn. "Well, what do we have here?" he asked as he moved around the table where she was sitting in-between Angel and Spike.

"Lorne...this is Ravyn Sinclaire." Angel said, introducing the two.

Lorne smiled as he stopped in front of her. "It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Sinclaire." he said, taking her hand and giving it a small kiss.

Ravyn smiled up at the green demon, his bright white and purple suit making him the most flamboyant creature she thought she had ever saw. "It's nice to meet you to." she said.

Lorne stood up quickly and smiled weakly at her when she spoke. "Do you sing?" he asked her.

Ravyn giggled. "No..afraid not."

"Well, this is a Karaoke bar...care to give it a try?"

Ravyn continued to smile at him. "No thanks....I think I'll just listen, can't hurt anyone by doing that."

Spike and Angel both looked at each other as they saw Lorne studying Ravyn. They knew by the look on his face he was picking something up in her voice, thus his asking her to sing for him.

"Well, if you don't sing...can you dance?" Lorne asked, breaking from his stare and smiling at her.

"Yes, that I can do...well, I use to..it's been a while."

"Well, great!...shall we?" he asked her.

Ravyn smiled at him. "I'd love to." she said as she stood.

The gang watched as Lorne led Ravyn out to the dance floor and watched them talk briefly before Lorne motioned for the music to change. As the song started..they all sat, mesmerized as Lorne pulled Ravyn close to him...and they started to Tango.

Spike smiled as he watched her. She was smiling and laughing. She was more beautiful than he had ever remembered, and he was becoming lost in her again. Just watching her made him remember every detail of his time with her. The way she made him feel. The way she laughed. The way she smelled. The way...she loved him. Everything about her, that made her so unforgettable.

"You've got that look." Dawn said quietly as she leaned over to Spike.

"What's that?" he asked her, tearing his eyes off of Ravyn.

"That....'I think I love you' look." she said smiling.

Spike smiled at her and leaned his arms on the table. "Just thinkin is all."

"And let me guess about who." Dawn said giggling.

Spike looked back over at Ravyn. "I still can't believe she's here. I mean, I see her, and it's like a dream."

"A good dream?"

"Yeah, a good dream."

"So, you think you two will get back together? Or...is that something you even want?" she asked him, serious now.

Spike smiled at her and took her hand. "Dance with me?" he asked as he stood up.

Dawn stood and let him guide her to the dance floor. "You're avoiding my question." she said as they stepped up on the dance floor.

"Am I?" Spike said grinning.

"Spike?"

Spike wrapped his arms around her and laughed. "Nibblet...when I know what's going on...I assure you, you'll be the first to know."

"Promise?"

"Yes...I promise"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Randall watched from the bar as Ravyn danced with the green demon. He wondered what god had been looking down on him that night. Walking into the bar she was in had to be some kind of a sign.

He watched, hiding in the shadows so she wouldn't spot him. He wondered how Trull would feel knowing his favorite toy was having the time of her life. She was smiling and laughing and he almost hated taking it away from her.

He had witnessed the cruelty Trull had bestowed on her. Hell, he even helped...when he was made. There wasn't a vampire back at the complex that hadn't helped Trull exact his revenge on her.

Trull's favorite form of torture.....letting her know how big a tramp he thought she was and proving it by letting his men 'have a go' at her. He himself had had her. And not that he would admit it, but he enjoyed every second of it. She was soft and he loved the wae fee felt under him. But, he wasn't suppose to enjoy it, especially when he was being watched by everyone including Trull.

Throwing back the rest of his drink, he motioned for another and sat back to watch. Following her out and finding out where she was staying was his goal now.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lorne smiled and kissed Ravyn's hand as their dance ended. "That was wonderful my dear. I haven't danced like that in a very long time."

"Me either." Ravyn said as they stood on the dance floor. "It's nice to know I didn't forget everything I ever ned.ned."

Dawn looked over at Spike after glancing at Ravyn. "So...you gonna ask her to dance?" she asked him smiling.

Spike grinned at her. "You don't know when to quit do you?"

"Nope...gotta help you pitiful vamps out, seeing how you're all to helpless to do it yourselves."

Spike smiled and looked over at Ravyn. She was standing there talking to Lorne. Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly before walking over to her.

"Hey...dance?" Spike asked as he stopped in front of Ravyn.

Ravyn smiled at him. He looked nervous and she thought it actually looked cute on him. She had never seen him look nervous...well not like this. "Yeah...love to."

Lorne smiled as he walked over to Dawn. "Those two kids are in for alot of heartache before they realize what they've got." he told her quietly.

Dawn looked up worried at his statement. "What do you mean?"

"Just the perils of love sweetie. You never know what you have until it's gone."

Dawn glanced over at Spike and Ravyn before looking back at Lorne. "I think he already knows that."

Lorne never said anything, just watched the two of them. He got alot out of Ravyn's voice, she was in alot of pain, more than she should be. Giving the couple a sympathetic smile he turned his attention back to Dawn.

~*~*~

Spike and Ravyn just stared at each other for a minute before stepping closer. Spike wrapped his arms around Ravyn's waist and closed his eyes briefly as the feeling of her arms going around his neck washed over him. He moved closer to her and was relieved when she hung on tighter. He had missed this. The way she felt. It was like coming home.

Ravyn had her eyes closed as her and Spike swayed softly to the music. She had to keep her tears from falling as she was once again reminded of all the things she had missed out on. She wrapped her arms around Spike's neck, hugging him close to her. He still smelled of cigarettes and leather and she had missed it. The way his arms felt around her. The way he made her cold dead heart flutter...it was all like a dream. One she had had for more years than she cared to remember.

~*~*~*

Angel stood from the table and stretched his legs. "Anyone want a drink?" he asked, looking at the other's.

"Naw man..I'm fine." Blake said as he watched him.

Angel watched as everyone else shook their heads no before he turned and headed for the bar. Once there, he sat on the stool and ordered his drink, keeping his back to the rest of the group.

"Here ya go Angel" Chad said as he handed him his drink.

"Thanks" Angel said, taking the drink, swallowing it quickly.

"Who's the hottie with Spike?" Chad asked as he poured Angel another drink.

"Ravyn" Angel told him, trying not to look back.

"Yeah, where'd he find her at?"

"I think she found him. At least that's the way I heard it."

Chad shook his head. "Some guy's have all the luck."

"Yeah, Spike's the luckiest bastard I know" Angel said quietly to himself.

~*~*~*~*~

Randall sat at end end of the bar, not believing what he just heard. *Did they just say Spike?* he thought to himself as he looked out to the dance floor at Ravyn and the man she was dancing with. *Now Trull was going to love that piece of information* he though as he remembered how often his Master had used that name. He had thrown that name up to Ravyn as much as he could. *Wonder how he's going to react when he finds out she escaped from him, only to run right back to the one man he tried to keep her from.*

~*~*~*~

Lorne walked over to the bar where Angel was sitting, his head hung down. "What's with the long face?" he asked as he took a seat beside him.

"Nothing" Angel told him as he looked up.

"Doesn't look like nothing to me. Come on Angel....I know you, what's wrong?"

Angel sighed and turned in his seat. "It's nothing ...really" he said before glancing out on the dance floor.

Lorne looked to see what Angel had looked at and smiled when he saw. "Well, well...are my eyes deceiving me or have you gone and fallen for that lovely lady there?"

"NO." Angel said loudly and unconvincingly.

Lorne smiled and gave his long time friend a pat on the back. "Nothing wrong with that friend."

"Yes there is" Angel told him. "She belongs to Spike."

"Belongs?" Lorne asked, not sure of what he meant.

"They're mated."

"Ahhhh...I see."

"Well, they were mated 'before' him and Buffy. Does that even make it still 'legitimate'?"

"Well, I haven't a clue, not up on my vampire lore. You'd be the best judge of that."

"Well, she's still here and so is he. As far as vampire claims go...they're still mated." Angel said as he finished up his drink.

Lorne gave Angel a long look. "Have you told her?"

"Told her what?" Angel asked him.

"That you like her you ninny"

Angel looked wide eyed at him "Are you crazy?"

Lorne laughed. "No... Not at all. You can't ever tell what's in a person's heart."

"Well, Spike's in hers. I can see it every time she looks at him." Angel said giving Spike and Ravyn another look. "The same way she's in his."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike leaned his head down further as Ravyn laid her head on his shoulder. He closed his eyes as the familiar scent he always associated with her came back to him. Burying his face in her shoulder he inhaled deeply, letting the sweet smell of wildflowers overflow his senses.

"What are you doing?" Ravyn asked he softly when she felt him rub his face along her neck.

"Smelling you." Spike told her grinning.

Ravyn chuckled slightly. "And you're smelling me.why exactly?"

Spike pulled his head nd lnd looked at her. "You smell like flowers again. You didn't the other day...only soap then. Now, you smell the way I remember you always smelling." he told her quietly.

Ravyn smiled big at him. "It's called shampoo. Does wonders for the hair."

"Yeah, well.....I like what it does for you." Spike said grinning back at her. "I missed it.....I missed you." he added, softly, pushing her hair off her shoulder.

Ravyn looked down briefly before looking back up at him. "I missed you to Spike."

Spike and Ravyn both stood looking at one another, both lost in each other's eyes. Neither one realizing the music had stopped until Dawn walked over to them.

"Um guys...there's no music." she said smiling at them.

Ravyn turned to look at her and smiled before removing her arms from around Spike's neck. She looked around the room before glancing back at Spike. He was giving her that 'look'. The one he used to get when he looked at her, the one that made her want to grab him and throw him on the nearest flat surface and show him how much she loved him. Smiling at him she turned and walked back to the table and left him and Dawn standing alone.

"Come on Mr. Obvious." Dawn said grabbing his hand and smiling as she led him off the dance floor.

"What's that suppose to mean?" he asked her grinning.

"Oh nothing...you may want to be a little more subtle with the looks though, either that or just grab her, kiss her and live happily ever after already." she said as they approached the table.

"You know...just because you're a fourty-seven years old in a thirty year olds body doesn't mean I can't take you over my knee." Spike said as they stopped infront of the table.

Dawn laughed as she looked at him. "I'd like to see you try."

Spike chuckled at her before taking his seat. He looked over at Ravyn who was talking to Blake and Jesse and he knew she was having a good time. The sparkle was back in her eyes. He didn't know how he was going to do it, but he knew he wanted it to stay there. Seeing her in a 'dead state' of living was enough to make him want to keep her happy for a very long time and he'd do everything he could to see that she stayed that way.

"Well, let's get this party started." Lorne said loudly into the microphone as he stood on the stage. "I know you all love him, and he's back again tonight for your listening pleasure, now help me by giving him a big round of applause and hopefully he'll grace us with one of his outstanding renditions of his favorite artist.......my friend and yours.....Angel!"

Angel turned in his bar stool when he heard Lorne say his name. His face went pale white as applause erupted from the crowd.

"Looks like they want you man." Chad said smiling as he watched a sickening green and white color cover Angel's face.

"I don't think so." Angel said looking as he watched the crowd turn and face him, clapping loudly. He looked up at Lorne who was grinning at him before looking over at the table. Everyone was grinning like idiots, knowing they were about to get another round of 'watching Angel humiliates himself'...everyone except Ravyn. Angel looked at her as she sat there smiling at him. She wasn't expecting anything from him, not like the others....but still the look on her face made him wish he 'could' sing.

Looking around, Angel sighed heavily before standing up and making his way to the stage.

"I'm so going to kill you" Angel said lowly as he passed Spike, knowing he had put Lorne up to this.

Spike chuckled at him as he walked by. "Don't worry poof, we'll keep the laughter down to a low roar this time."

Angel walked up on the stage, hands clammy as he took the microphone from Lorne. "So, how much they pay you?" he asked, covering the microphone as he did.

Lorne smiled big at him. "What...you know we all love you Angel cakes."

"Yeah,...how much?"

Lorne grinned and chuckled before looking out at Spike and the other's. "Sixty bucks...couldn't pass that up now could I?"

"Oh no..sixty dollars is well worth my humiliation." Angel said disgusted that his friend had sold him out for money.

"Don't worry, I've picked the perfect song for you." Lorne said as he loaded up the machine and flipped on the monitor for Angel. "Just sing it like you mean it. I'm sure it'll make the perfect impression."

Angel sighed heavily as he looked down at the monitor and the song Lorne had picked for him. *Great* he thought to himself before rolling his eyes slightly.

Lifting the microphone he looked out at his 'friends' and gave Ravyn a little smile as she sat there looking at him, smiling brightly.

As the music started, Angel readied himself for the one thing he never wanted anyone to know......

'You know I can't smile without you' 'I can't smile without you'

The gang started giggling lightly as Angel's 'very bad' rendition of the song started. Ravyn looked at everyone, smiles on their faces and watched as a few snicker's were being cast at Angel. She looked up at Angel smilsmiled at him as he continued and listened to the words of the song.

'I can't laugh and I can't sing' 'I'm finding it hard to do anything' 'you see I feel sad when you're sad'

Spike watched as Angel sang his song, the smile that was on his face moments ago, now gone as he realized Angel had not taken his eyes off Ravyn. He glanced over at her and saw her watching Angel, a smile on her face. The lyrics to the song reaching Spike's brain made him realize....that Angel was singing to her.

'I feel glad when you're glad' 'if you only knew what I'm going through' 'I just can't smile without you'

As Angel finished the song, he smiled weakly at the club occupants and exited the stage quickly, one thing on his mind. Find Lorne and ring his green neck!

Angel made his way to the bar where Lorne was, bypassing the gang and his table. Walking up to Lorne, he growled softly as Lorne looked at him.

"I told you that song was perfect."

"What have you done? Do you have 'any' idea?"

"Now come on sweetie....I did you a favor."

Angel laughed at him as he sat down heavily. "A favor? How in the world do you figure that?"

"See for yourself" Lorne said as he motioned with his head towards his table.

Angel turned and looked over his shoulder and saw Ravyn walking towards him. He swallowed hard and smiled as she sat down beside him.

"Hey" she said softly to him.

"Hey Ravyn"

"I just wanted to let you know that I really liked your song." she told him smiling.

Angel smiled at her as she sat there. "Thanks, but you know as well as I and all them..." he said pointing to the table, "that I can't carry a tune in a bucket." he added laughing.

Ravyn smiled bigger at him. "It doesn't matter. I liked it."

Angel leaned his head to the side slightly and looked at her. He could tell she was serious. "Thanks Ravyn."

"You're welcome Angel." Ravyn said still smiling. "So, you gonna ask me to dance...or what?"

Angel grinned and stood up. "Would you like to dance?"

"I'd love to." Ravyn said as she stood and took his hand.

Lorne smiled as he watched them step on the dance floor. "Well done Angel cakes...well done."

~*~*~*~

Dawn watched Spike as he watched Angel and Ravyn. She could see the look of concern on his face. Moving her chair closer to him she grabbed his hand and smiled.

"You know she's just trying to make him feel better because we were all laughing at him...right?"

Spike looked over at her. "Yeah...I hope your right."

"I am right Spike. I saw the way she was looking at you."

Spike sighed as he turned his attention back to Angel and Ravyn. He needed to decide what he wanted and fast before Angel stepped in and made his decision for him. Just because Ravyn was back didn't mean she was still in love with him...did it? And how did he feel about her?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ravyn walked into the hotel and pulled her shoes off as everyone else pilled in. She hadn't stopped smiling all the way back from the club. It was the best time she had had in...well, she couldn't even remember the year.

Turning to face everyone she said goodnight and went towards the stairs.

Spike followed her. He knew she was avoiding him. It was his own fault, he knew that. Him not talking to her after her and Angel had returned to the table after their dance was enough for him to know that jealously did not suit him.

Walking to her room he stepped in front of her door just as she was about to shut it.

"Hey.Ravyn?" Spike said as she turned, hand on the door.

Ravyn saw him and smiled. "Hey.did you need something?"

"Yeah...well no, not really." Spike said fidgeting a little.

Ravyn giggled a little. "Just spit it out Spike." she told him as she saw how nervous he was.

Spike looked down and smiled before he looked back up at her. "Yeah, well...I was just wondering if...well, if you wanted to do something...tomorrow...."

Ravyn smiled at his terrible attempt to ask her out. "Are you asking me out on a date Spike?" she said loving the way he was acting. Spike getting jittery around her, who would have thought that would happen. It was usually her getting nervous around him.

Spike took a deep breath and let it out, smiling at her as he did. "Yeah.....guess I am."

They both stood looking at one another for a minute before Spike couldn't take the silence anymore.

"So....yes, no...never?" Ravyn walked closer to him and leaned up, kissing him on the cheek. As she stepped away, she smiled and leaned her head to the side. "Not sure...." she said grinning slyly. "Depends on what this 'date' will entail."

"Anything you want pet. Anything at all." Spike said, loving the 'hard to get' attitude she was playing at.

"Well, anything? That just leaves the whole world open then...doesn't it?"

"Yeah, guess it does."

"Well, since you asked so nicely and looked so cute doing so....."

"Hey, I told you I wasn't cute." Spike said grinning at her.

Ravyn giggled as she remembered the last time she had called him cute. "Oh, sorry....what was it again?" she asked him, grinning.

"Oh, something about devilishly handsome..sexy..." Spike started before she cut him off.

"Yeah, yeah...I remember. Boy your ego's still larger than my wardrobe." Ravyn said laughing.

"Well?"

"Well what?" Ravyn asked him.

"Bloody hell woman...thirty bleeding years and you're still the most irritating thing I've ever know." Spike told her, knowing she was playing with him now. "So, you want to go out or not?"

Ravyn stepped back a few steps and put a hand on the door. "Oh, I don't know Spike...I'll need to think about it." she said grinning at him. "I know what kind a vamp you are....ask me again and we'll see." she added as she winked at him and shut the door, leaving him looking confused on the other side.

Spike smiled as the door shut. "You think that's funny?" he asked her through the door.

"No, but the look on your face was." she said back to him.

Spike shook his head, grinning. "Goodnight Ravyn" he told her, as he stepped back away from the door.

"Goodnight Spike" Ravyn said, knowing things had just taken an interesting turn.

____________________________________

Chapter Six: Moonlight Stroll

Ravyn listened as Spike walked away from her door. The big grin on her face was slowly fading as she walked across the room. Her head was spinning at the fact that he had asked her out on a date. 'A real date'. Something they had totally skipped the first time. Maybe taking things one step at a time would be the best way, this time around.

Ravyn slowly came to a stop when she realized what she was doing. She was getting sucked back into the painful world of heartache. Just like she had the first time. No rhyme or reason for it, just because it was him. The way he made her feel was something even she couldn't explain and even though Buffy was no longer in the equation, she still had her ghost to contend with and the 'revelation' she had come to after seeing the two of them in Sunnydale after she had escaped Trull.

As she heard his motorcycle, she walked to the window and peaked out. She saw him look up at her window before he drove off. How could she subject her heart to this again? Would things be different now? Had enough time passed for him to really see her this time or would she fall right back into the same trap and take whatever he offered her?

Sighing lightly, Ravyn let the curtain fall shut before walking over to the bed. As she sat down she looked around her room, before falling back on the bed. *What are you doing to yourself?* she asked herself. *He's only going to break your heart again.*

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Yes Angel, I am well aware of that, but we 'have' to get that fifth piece." Rob said as he followed Angel into the kitchen. "If she knows where the last two pieces are, then we need to get moving and fast."

Angel looked up at Rob briefly before setting his mug in the microwave. "Rob, you're not telling me anything I don't already know. I just don't think we should rush in there unprepared."

"We won't be. If the fifth piece is here in LA, we need to concentrate on getting that one first. Then, we can plan a trip to Brazil."

Angel picked up his mug and studied it for a minute before looking over at Rob. "Find out where the piece here is, and I'll see what I can do about Brazil. I still don't think going after that piece is necessary if we have one piece already. He can't do anything without it."

"Yes, but what if he finds her, what if he gets the piece we have? Then what?"

Angel gave Rob a long look before walking out of the kitchen. *He won't*

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ravyn zipped up her jeans and grabbed her shirt. She had been almost excited about Spike coming back and dreading it all the same. She wanted this...more than anything, but only if it were real this time. As she brushed her hair, she heard the loud roar of his bike and smiled as she stood and headed downstairs.

Spike walked in just as she made it to the bottom of the steps.

"Hey" he said to her smiling as he took in her bouncy step.

"Hey Spike." Ravyn said grinning as she passed by him, heading through the lobby.

"Someone's in a good mood" he said as he looked at her.

"Well, that's because I...have a date!" she told him grinning madly.

Spike's smile fell as he looked at her. He had been looking forward to spending time with her without everyone else being around. Now she had made plans without him.

Smiling slightly at her he stuck his hands in his pockets and looked around the lobby before looking back over at her.

"So, a date is it?"

"Yeah, last minute decision." she told him as she left a quick note on Dawn's desk telling her where she had gone.

"So, who's the lucky guy?" he asked, a little more defensively than he had intended.

Ravyn turned and looked at him. "Just this guy I know. You'd probably like him. He's 'cute'....." she said grinning at him, "and thinks highly of himself...."

"Sounds like a real winner." Spike cut her off sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Ravyn walked over to stand in front of him. "You're not jealous are you?" she asked him.

Spike fidgeted around for a minute before looking down at her. "Maybe"

Ravyn smiled big at him. "Glad to hear it" she said to him, loving the look on his face, "now......where you taking me?"

Spike leaned his head to the side slightly and looked at her. He could see the mischief in her eyes and grinned when he realized she had just played him....again....and he fell for it.

"You're not nearly as funny as you think you are." he said, smiling at her.

"No, but I can't resists those 'cute' faces you make." she told him giggling.

Spike growled softly at her. "I'm not cute." he said, trying to sound mad, only failing miserable as she looked up at him.

"Yes you are." Ravyn said as she took his arm and led them to the door. "So, where we going?" she asked as he opened the door for her.

"Where ever you want to go."

"How about back to the beach...didn't get a very good look last time." she said smiling.

Spike smiled back at her. "The beach it is."

~*~*~*~*~

Angel watched as they left from behind his half closed office door. He sighed heavily before shutting the door and walking back over to his desk. He knew he didn't have any chance with her, but it still didn't stop him from wanting her.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ravyn stepped outo tho the curb in front of the hotel and watched as Spike walked over to the motorcycle. She then realized....that 'that' was what he was driving...and 'that's' what she was going to have to ride. "Um....do you not have a car?" she asked as he sat down.

Spike looked up at her and grinned. "Nope...this is all I have, now come on." he said, patting the seat behind him.

Ravyn looked down the street before looking back over at him. "Can't you borrow one of the guy's cars?"

Spike cocked his head to the side and looked at her hard. "Why?'

"Well, it just...those things are dangerous" she said pointing to the bike.

Spike chuckled at her. "You're not scared to ride a motorcycle are you?"

Ravyn crossed her arms over her chest as she looked at him. "Do you know how many people 'die' riding those things?"

Spike had to laugh at that. "Ravyn...you're already dead! Now get your ass over here."

Ravyn watched him for a minute before she let her hands fall to her side. "Nope...changed my mind" she said quickly as she turned and headed back for the hotel. "Ask me again when you get a car." she told him, looking back over her shoulder.

Spike jumped off the motorcycle and grabbed her arm just as she reached for the door. "I'm not going to wreck." he said quietly, smiling at her.

Ravyn looked up at him and he could see the fear in her eyes. She looked back over at the bike briefly before looking back at him. "Promise?" she asked with a shaky voice.

Spike smiled big at her. "Yeah, I promise. Won't even go fast."

Ravyn smiled weakly at him before giving him a nod and turning back towards the bike. As she watched Spike climb on the bike, she had a sudden urge to run.....very fast. Motorcycles scared her to death..or deader. She had never been on one and never had any intentions of doing so.

Giving Spike another look, she stepped forward and threw her leg across the seat. Spike grinned at her as she scooted around, trying to get comfortable.

"Put you feet there." he told her pointing down to the foot rest.

Ravyn looked down and saw where he was pointing. She could feel her insides quivering as her fear was staring to escalate into an enormous tidal wave. Placing her feet where he had told her to, she looked back up at him. "If you kill me deader on this thing...I'm gonna haunt you for all eternity." she told him, her voice shaky and unsure.

Spike grinned at her over his shoulder. "I think I can live with that." he told her as he reached behind him and grabbed her arms and placed them around his waist. "Now hold on."

Spike started the engine and he felt Ravyn go stiff behind him. He grinned to himself and looked back at her over his shoulder. "You ready?"

"No"

Spike chuckled at her. "Just hold on tight and you'll be fine."

Ravyn bent her head down and closed her eyes tightly as they started to move. She hadn't had the urge to throw up since being vamped....*first time for everything* she thought as they took the first curve, heading for Spike's beach house.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The ride back to the beach house was long as Spike drove extremely slow. He knew Ravyn was scared and didn't want to freak her out more than she already was. Not that he was complaining. She had a firm grip on him and he liked it. It had been way to long since he had had any physical contact with anyone...well, other than the occasional one night stand...but those didn't count.

As they neared the ocean, he felt Ravyn lift her head. She had had it buried the whole ride over in his back. As she looked up she was amazed at how pretty the area was. There were stars everywhere and the moon was full and looked as if it lit up the world. She inhaled deeply and could smell the ocean. She smiled as she shut her eyes and laid her cheek against Spike's back. She loved the way the air smelled as it breezed over her...and more importantly...she loved the way Spike felt.

Holding him a little tighter, she let herself enjoy the feel of him and smiled. After thirty-two years of being separated from him...she realized that no amount of time could ever change what she felt......she was 'still' in love with him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike pulled down his drive and stopped the bike. Killing the engine he glanced over his shoulder at Ravyn. "See, made it in one piece."

"So I see." she said as she sat up and looked at him.

Spike just looked at her for a minute before smiling and removing the key. Ravyn swung her leg and stood up, glad to finally be off that death trap.

"So, what happened to your car?" she asked, curious.

"She finally laid down on me." he told her as he got off the bike. "Had that car forever, bout killed me having to let it go."

Ravyn chuckled at him. "Well, why didn't you just buy another one?"

"Well, got use to the bike....more fun to drive anyway." he said grinning as they started walking towards the house.

Ravyn walked up onto the back deck and heard the roar of the ocean. "I love that sound." she said more to herself than to Spike. "Feel's like...home."

Spike stopped and watched her as she stood by the banister and stared out at the ocean. She had the look of pure bliss on her face. He had never seen anything like it.

"You really love it don't you?" he asked her quietly.

Ravyn turned her head to look at him smiling. "Yeah. Can't even begin to tell you how much I've missed it."

"When's the last time you saw it?"

Ravyn shook her head slightly. "A long time....twenty-eight..twenty-nine years.....can't really remember." she told him sadly. "Trull had us living on some no name little island a few years after we left Sunnydale. I was allowed to go as I pleased there, as long as someone was with me. Once he realized how much I enjoyed the beach...he took it away from me. Kept me locked up after that."

Spike smiled sadly at her as she turned her attention back to the ocean. He knew she had missed out on alot and he planned on giving it all back to her. Stepping up to her, he took hold of her arm and smiled. "Come on.....can see it better from down there." he said as he led her to the steps.

Ravyn walked with Spike down the path to the ocean. As they walked down the couple steps leading from the path, she smiled as she stopped and took off her shoes.

Spike grinned at her as she stepped off into the sand and walked out to the water. He just stayed behind and watched her.

Ravyn inhaled deeply as she stepped to the water's edge. Bending down, she pulled her pants legs up as far as they would go and walked forward. As the cool water hit her feet, she smiled and had the urge to strip and jump right in. *Maybe later* she thought with a grin.

Turning, she looked back at Spike who was still standing on the steps. "Aren't you coming?" she yelled out to him.

Spike smiled and started walking towards her, watching her shake her head at him the whole time. As he approached her, she smiled up at him. "What kind of a person walks out onto a beach with their shoes on?"

"The kind who didn't take them off." he told her grinning.

"Well, take them off." she said looking at him.

"Why? Don't plan on getting in the water."

"Do you always walk out here with your shoes on?" she asked as he stubbornly stood there, making no effort to remove his shoes.

"Can't say that I've ever came out here."

Ravyn looked at him, her eyes a little wide. "You never come out here? Why not?"

Spike shrugged his shoulder a little. "No reason to."

"Why in the world would you buy a beach house if you had no intentions of coming out to the beach?"

Spike bent his head a little before looking at her. He gave her a little smile before answering her. "It reminded me of you." he told her softly.

Ravyn just stood there staring at him, no emotion showing on her face. He was looking at her like he was seeing her for the first time. She almost felt like crying and running all at the same time. A slow smile played on her lips as she realized...he never forgot her.

"Everytime I look out here...I see you. There hasn't been a day since that warehouse fire that I haven't thought about you." he told her. "You've always been with me."

Ravyn wasn't fast enough to catch the tear that spilled from her eye as she looked at him. All those years she spent agonizing over the thought's of him moving on with his life, never giving her a second thought, were for nothing. He never forgot.

Spike smiled at her and reached up, brushing her tear away. "Didn't actually think I'd forget about you...did you?" he asked her.

Ravyn smiled as she looked at him. "Yeah, actually I did." she said quietly.

Spike shook his head at her. "Not bloody likely. If you weren't here, I'd still be thinking about you."

Ravyn brushed her hair away as the wind caught it and wiped at the tears on her face, "See, now you've went and made me cry like some whiny girl." she said grinning.

Spike laughed softly at her. "S'alright pet. Don't mind you being a whiny girl."

"Yeah, well...don't much remember how to be anything other than that. Haven't been in a good fight in....oh, I'd say...close to thirty years." she said laughing at her own misfortune.

"Is'at right?" Spike asked her grinning. "If I remember correctly you owe me a good whipping....guess it's bout time you collected."

Ravyn chuckled at him. "Yes, and I also remember you saying something about 'foreplay'."

"Nothin wrong with that."

Ravyn just smiled bigger at him and shook her head. "You're still a moron." she said as she turned and started walking away from him.

*Still your moron* Spike thought grinning as he started following her.

As he caught up with her, she looked down at his feet. "You can't walk on the beach with shoes on Spike."

"Why's that?"

"Cause it's....un-American." she said laughing as they continued to walk.

"Newsflash...I'm NOT American."

"You've been here long enough to be an American by default. Get with the program." she told him, grinning.

"Never liked playing by the rules, to much fun to make 'em up as I went."

"So I see." Ravyn said smiling.

Spike and Ravyn walked silently for a while, glancing over at each other occasionally. It was still so surreal to have the other one there. Neither ever thought they'd be in this place again.

"So, did they stop making hair bleach, or did you just finally get tired of all the maintenance?" Ravyn asked as she looked up at Spike's hair smiling.

Spike grinned over at her and ran a hand through his dark blonde locks. "Well actually...I lost a bet to the nibblet."

Ravyn chuckled softly. "Lost a bet?"

"Yep....haven't bleached it in over twenty years."

Ravyn studied him for a minute, taking in the color and the way it curled slightly on top. It was his 'bed' hair she had always remembered. She always thought it looked much better that way than straight back. More natural. Made him look 'softer', not the 'bad ass' big bad he always liked playing at. She knew that really wasn't who he was. She could always see through him.

"I like it" she told him, "It suits you."

Spike looked over at her and continued smiling.

"So, what was the bet?"

Spike wasn't sure if it was safe to mention Buffy's name around her so he fidgeted around a little until she realized why he wasn't speaking.

"You can say her name. I'm not gonna go all psycho on you." Ravyn told him quietly.

Spike looked over at her and could tell she meant it. He gave her a small smile before he began to tell her the 'stupid' bet he had lost.

"Well....," he started, grinning as he did, "Kinda stupid really...Buffy was always after me to stop smoking, so nibblet bet me I couldn't go a whole month without one. Was actually doing pretty good till that annoying whelp decided to have a little go at me and see 'how far you can push Spike till he blows his top'." he told her smiling. "Lot of arguments over the bickering between me and that git, but anyways, knowing I could hit him and NOT get a migraine, knowing damn well Buffy'd have my head in a vice if I ever did, he just kept giving more than I could take. Snuck out, went back to the crypt where I hid my stash....and she caught me."

"You stopped bleaching your hair over a cigarette?...Now that is stupid." Ravyn said laughing.

"Yeah, well...told ya it was."

"So, did you have to not 'ever' bleach it back?"

"No.....Buffy liked it, so I left it." he said quietly.

Ravyn shook her head a little as they continued walking. "So, you were happy with her?" she asked him quietly.

Spike stopped walking and turned to face her. "Ravyn, I know how you felt about her and...."

"And I'd hate to think you spent that last thirty years of your life as miserable as I've been. The only reason I didn't like her was.....because she was the one thing that stood in-between me and you." Ravyn told him, walking closer to him.

Spike smiled at her. "Well, in that case...yeah, I was."

As much as it hurt for her to hear it...she really was happy for him. All she ever wanted was for him to be happy and if that Slayer was what did that...then how could she really complain.

Ravyn smiled at him, a genuine smile, happy in the knowledge that he had finally had a chance to know what it felt like to love his Slayer and have his love returned. Reaching out, Ravyn took his hand in her's and turned, walking back towards the beach house.

"So, tell me about your life while I was gone. Even the Buffy parts."

Spike felt relieved that she wasn't being defensive about Buffy and gripped her hand a little tighter as they continued to walk. "Well...where should I start?"

"The beginning."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ravyn and Spike were sitting on the beach, staring out at the ocean as the waves gently rolled in. He had been talking for close to an hour, telling her everything that had happened to him since she had been gone. She couldn't believe how much had changed. Or how much he had changed.

He was still Spike, but the Spike she knew was hiding under this new man she saw. This man was gentle, caring and concerned for other's feeling. Not that she didn't think he was always like that, but he never openly admitted to it before. He always kept that side of him to himself, never letting it out much.

Leaning back and propping herself up on her hands, Ravyn stretched her legs out and looked up into the night sky.

"Am I boring you?" Spike asked as he saw her looking straight up.

"No, why?" she asked, looking over at him.

Spike smiled as he watched her. The full moon lit up everything, even her. She was almost shining, and he could almost see the girl from the photo of her in sunlight.

"Do I look bored?" she asked when he didn't answer her.

Ravyn just watched him as he stared at her. She sat up and dusted her hands off. "What?" she asked as he continued to stare at her. "You're freakin me out." she told him smiling.

"Just don't ever remember you being this beautiful is all." Spike told her softly.

Ravyn cast her eyes downward. How he always made her feel like a shy school girl, she would never figure out. Looking back up at him, she gave him a little smile.

"I think your eyes are just playing tricks on you in your old age...you're what two-hundred by now?" she said jokingly.

Spike chuckled at her, "NO...I'm not two-hundred." he said as he watched her smile get bigger. "I'm only a hundred fifty." he lied.

Ravyn laughed. "Yeah, blind AND can't add."

"Well, math skills might not be what they use to be, but my eyesight is still the same."

There it was again. That little jittery feeling. Just the way he was looking at her made her want to run and laugh, scream and hide, all at the same time.

"See, there you go not looking at me again." Spike said still smiling at her. "Thought we got past that."

Ravyn pushed her hair away from her face. The wind was picking up a little and had it everywhere. "Yeah, well...that was a long time ago." she said quietly, still not looking up at him.

Spike leaned back and propped himself up on his hand and lifted her head with the other. Smiling as her eyes finally met his. "Now, don't look away." he said grinning.

Ravyn looked him straight in the eyes. They were so blue, almost the color of the sky she remembered seeing when the sun was shining, lighting the world she use to love so much. Her stomach was twisting in knots as she stared at him. She had to force herself 'not' to look away. All those old feelings she had buried for him for so many years, came flooding back.

Spike watched her. He could tell she was having to force herself not to look away. He never could figure out why she had trouble looking at him. As he looked into her eyes, he slowly saw the one thing that had always been there. Shining in her eyes, just for him.

*come on girl..don't cry* she kept repeating to herself over and over. She could feel the tears stinging at her eyes as she sat there, eyes fixed on Spike. She knew he could see it. He always did before. Just one look into her eyes and he was always able to tell what she felt, and now...he'd know.

As the first tear fell, she could see the realization of her feelings for him reflect on his face. He knew. After all this time, she still loved him...if not more now than she did before.

Spike moved his hand from under her chin and wiped at the tear that fell down her cheek. He left his hand on the side of her face, lightly rubbing his thumb over it as he continued looking at her.

Leaning in, Spike pulled her forward and continued looking at her as their lips were mere inches apart. Lightly touching his lips to hers, he closed his eyes as the softness of her took hold of his senses.

Pulling back slightly, he opened his eyes and looked at her. More tears were rolling down her face and he could feel her breath coming in shallow pants over his lips.

"I missed you" he told her softly, his lips once again moving to her's.

Ravyn felt like she was going to fall to dust, right then and there. She couldn't stop her tears from falling as Spike's word's played against her lips. Moving in, she returned his small kiss, moving her lips against his, closing her eyes as she did.

It felt like heaven. A place she had never known, but was sure 'this' is what it felt like being there.

Spike moved his lips, covering hers as he held her head closer to him. As she returned the kiss, he extended his tongue, licking her lips softly, waiting for her to signal his entrance. As her lips parted, he ventured in, wanting to taste everything she was and everything he had missed.

Ravyn moaned slightly as his tongue entered her mouth, it dancing slowly with her own.

Spike sat up, pulling the arm he had been propping up on around her waist. He wanted to feel her in his arms again. She was soft and small, almost breakable.

Ravyn felt his arm go around her and knew 'this' was her favorite place on earth. Not at the ocean or in some exotic location. But in his arms.

As the kiss slowly intensified, Ravyn lifted her arms, wrapping them tightly around his neck, holding on to assure her, he was there...really there.

Soft moans were heard from both as tongues and lips danced and nipped with the soft flesh of the other. Spike held the back of Ravyn's head tightly to him as the arm around her waist tightened it's grip.

They were both almost breathless and panting for unneeded air as thirty years of need for each other came crashing threw, drowning out the sounds of the waves crashing along the shoreline in front of them. The whole world had vanished, leaving nothing behind but them, and all the emotions they had both been holding in since that night.

As the kiss slowly ended, they pulled apart reluctantly, lips still lightly touching. Spike opened his eyes and smiled. "That was worth the wait." he said softly against her lips, trying to catch his breath.

Ravyn smiled back at him. "Yeah, but let's not wait that long again." she said as she moved in, giving him another small kiss.

Laying his forehead against hers, Spike smiled as he looked at her. "Yeah, let's not."