Once and Again

Chapter Eleven: We Meet Again

Jesse and Dawn both smiled big when Ravyn bounced down the stairs in dangerously tight red leather.

"Well, someone look's like their in a good mood." Dawn grinned.

Ravyn smiled back as she looked at them and sat on the corner of Dawn's desk. "That's because I am." she told them.

"Good mushies then?" Dawn asked looking eager.

"Very!"

"What the hell's a mushie?" Jesse asked them confused.

Dawn and Ravyn both burst out laughing at him.

"What?" he asked at their laughter.

Jesse shook his head at the giggling girls and turned, leaving them sitting there, and still wondering what a mushie was. "Women" he exclaimed as he walked up the stairs.

"So, what was it this time?" Dawn asked when her laughter at Jesse had died down. "I know you have those poem memorized." she said smiling.

Ravyn smiled thinking of her last 'poem'. It was the best one she had received. "It just said 'I Love You'." Ravyn told her with a smile.

Dawn gave her one of those 'aww' looks as she smiled at her. "Well, at least he's original."

Ravyn giggled at her. "Yeah, short and sweet. Those are my favorite ones anyway."

"Well, good for you he hasn't written his own." Dawn told her.

"I don't think that would be to bad. Couldn't do any worse than some I guess."

"Well, you haven't read any of his poetry either." Dawn said giggling. "I found his notebook once, long time ago, in his crypt...really bad."

"What do you mean?" Ravyn asked.

Dawn just looked at Ravyn before smiling big. "You do know Spike wrote poetry when he was human...right?"

Ravyn looked at Dawn a little wide-eyed. "He did?" she asked her, a little smile playing on her lips.

"Yeah, he always said it was terrible and the ones I saw were."

"Huh" Ravyn said as her mind wandered back to the poems she had received.

"He never told you?"

"No, he's never talked about what he was like when he was human. All I know is his name was William and he died in eighteen sixty something."

"That's all he's ever told you?" Dawn asked her surprised.

"Well yeah, he never told so I never asked." Ravyn said shrugging her shoulder. "Just figured if he wanted me to know, he would tell me."

Dawn giggled. "You need to go talk to Angel. He could tell you things that would blow your mind. I mean, I'd do it myself, but he'd kill me...Angel's already dead." she giggled.

Ravyn's eyes lit up when she thought about it. Spike knew everything there was to know about her, yet she knew nothing about him. Smiling she stood up. "I think I'll go do just that. Where's he at?"

"Out back I think." Dawn told her as Ravyn turned to leave. "But don't tell Spike Angel told you anything."

"Oh, I won't."

Ravyn walked to the back porch where she found Angel sitting alone on the steps. She smiled as she sat down beside him. "Hey Angel."

Angel smiled big when he saw her. He had been avoiding her AND Spike...for weeks. "Hey Ravyn." he said as he looked her over. "You look....nice." not really being the word he wanted to use to describe her.

"Thanks" she replied. "So, why you out here all alone?"

"No reason." he told her looking back out at the city. He had been out there since the sun had set doing what he knew best....brood about his unlife and the things he wanted but would never have.

Ravyn just smiled at him. She could tell he looked a little depressed and decided she could find out about Spike some other time. "Well, I won't bother you. Look's like you've got alot on your mind." she said as she stood.

Angel reached up and grabbed her hand. "No...stay." he told her smiling. "I want you to."

"Are you sure?" she asked him smiling.

"Yeah, I'm sure." Angel told her before reluctantly letting go of her hand.

Ravyn sat back down and looked over at him. She never could figure out why Spike had such 'dislike' for him, she thought he was really sweet. All shy and quiet.

"So, did you want something?" Angel asked her.

Ravyn smiled. "Yes actually." she told him. "I was wondering if you could tell me about Spike. What he was like....before he was turned.

Now that wasn't what Angel was expecting. The fact that Spike had her bugged him enough without having to talk about him....to her.

"What do you want to know exactly?"

"Well, Dawn told me he wrote poetry. Is that true?"

Angel gave her a little chuckle. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. "That he did." he told her smiling. "Proper English Gentleman. Snotty upper class society, GLASSES" he said with a sly grin. "You should have seen him."

Ravyn smiled as she got a mental picture. Spike...her Spike...a man of 'society'.

"Didn't actually know him, when he was human that is, but once Drucilla turned him...he still had alot of William in him. Took awhile for that to go away."

"How so?"

Angel looked at her before answering. "Well, he hated William, he hated who he was so...with Drucilla's help, he came into his own. Turned into a right good vampire...well, as for the chaos and carnage kind of way."

"So, where'd the name change come from?"

Angel sat and answered every one of Ravyn's questions. As much as he hated talking about Spike, he loved talking to her just as much. If it was the only way to spend time with her...then he'd take it.

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

"How's my nibble today?" Spike asked as he breezed into the hotel.

"I'm fine." she said smiling as she noticed Spike was wearing the same silly grin Ravyn had been.

"Where's my girl at?" he asked, walking through the lobby and heading for the stairs.

"Oh...she's out back." Spike gavr a r a nod and headed out back. He was shocked and a little upset when he got to the door and saw Ravyn and Angel together, laughing and having a good time. He opened the door and reminded himself...*jealousy is not your friend*

"Hey Kitten..what 'er you and the poof up to?" he asked with a forced smile as he walked over to them.

Ravyn turned when she heard him and was up and in his arms before he could say another word.

"Nothing, just talking." she told him, giving him a tight squeeze and a big kiss.

Spike was pleased with that. No fears of the souled wonder taking 'his' girl, not with a welcome like that.

Spike looked over at Angel once Ravyn broke the kiss. He was glad Angel had seen how much Ravyn wanted him, but felt for the guy at the same time...well sorta. He knew what it felt like to watch from the outside. The feeling didn't last long though, not after he remembered how his grand-sire had waltzed back in and took Drucilla, right under his nose.

"I missed you." Ravyn whispered in his ear as she held him close.

"Missed you to." he told her quietly.

"So, where is it?" she asked him.

Spike smiled at her. "Where's what?"

Ravyn jerked his jacket open, pulling a deep red rose from his inside pocket. She smiled as she looked up at him, giving him another small kiss.

Angel tried not to watch but was having a hard time not doing so. Spike with roses wasn't something he was use to seeing. He wondered if he knew Spike at all. Maybe there was a reason, more than he could see, as to why Ravyn loved him so much.

Ravyn reached into Spike's pocket again, frowning slightly when she didn't find the cream colored paper she had been searching for. Spike tried his best not to smile at her but was failing.

Ravyn looked back up at him and smiled. He knew she was disappointed even though she had a big smile on her face. It was all in her eyes. He finally grinned at her.

"It's in the satchel on the bike." he told her, not able to stand her disappointment any longer.

Ravyn grinned and walked past him, back into the hotel. Spike finally noticed she had on the red leather she had told him about. He leaned his head a little to the side and watched her walk. The way her hips moved from side to side and the way the leather hugged every curve she had, caused a small groan to escape his throat. He shifted uncomfortably before glancing back over at Angel, who was watching him.

"What?" Spike asked when Angel just sat there staring at him.

"Just wondering if you knew how lucky you are?"

Spike gave him a long look. He could tell he was being sincere. "Yeah......yeah I know." Spike told him quietly.

Angel gave him a sad smile and a little nod and turned his attention back to the city. Spike watched him for a minute before turning, leaving him to brood in private.

~*~*~*~

Dawn had a big smile on her face when Spike got back to the lobby and he wondered where it had come from. There wasn't anyone there. "What's with the happy bit?" he asked her smiling.

Dawn looked up at him. "Hard not to when Ravyn's around. Her smiles are starting to be contagious." she told him.

Spike smiled back at her as he approached her desk.

"I'm really happy for you Spike. I'm glad you two found each other again."

Spike sat on the corner of her desk. He had wondered what she really thought about it. "So...you're not....upset or anything about it then?"

Dawn gave him a quizzical look. "No, why would I be?" she asked before it dawned on her why he had asked. She smiled as she looked up at him. "Buffy would want you happy Spike, just as I do, and if Ravyn makes you happy...then I'm happy for you."

Spike leaned down and kissed her forehead. That's what he needed to hear. How Dawn felt was important to him. He practically raised her, playing big brother for years. She was the only family he had and what she thought mattered.

"Thanks Nibblet." he told her. "Ravyn get back in yet?"

"Yeah, she just ran upstairs to put her new poem in the scrapbook."

"Scrapbook?"

Dawn giggled. "Yeah, what did you think she did with them?"

"Don't know, never thought about it." he said standing. "Well, if anyone want me...I'm not here." he told her grinning as he headed for the stairs.

Spike walked to Ravyn's door, knoc onc once before she flung it open and grabbed him by the front of his shirt and drug him in the door. She slammed the door shut as she slammed him up against the wall.

Spike was shocked beyond belief, especially when she threw herself at him, crushing her lips to his. He grabbed her tight, as she forced her tongue in his mouth, holding his head in place as she did. It only took seconds for his body to react to her aggressive behavior.

Grabbing her legs, Spike picked her up, grounding his hips into her as he turned, bracing her up against the wall. He kissed her hard, greedy for the taste of her.

Ravyn moaned as Spike's hands squeezed at her and his tongue dancing with her own. He pressed his whole body into her's and she tightened her legs around him, bringing him closer. She could feel what she did to him, pressing against her. She wanted him as much as he wanted her, but they never made it very far. Once things got to intimate, things got scary and dark. She couldn't get the images out of her mind.

Spike broke the kiss as his hands roamed her lower body. He kissed a trail to her neck, licking and sucking at her flesh. He pressed his painful erection into her, their clothing causing an uncomfortable discomfort.

Ravyn's breathing was coming in shallow pants as her arousal was becoming intense. She held his head to her as he nipped at her neck. "I love you" she breathed out, against his ear as he continued to press against her.

"Love you to." he said back, almost as breathless as she did as he kissed her neck.

"Do you really think I'm Exquisite?" she asked him, sucking on his ear.

"Yes" he replied, moaning as she stuck her tongue in his ear.

Ravyn smiled as she traced the contours of his ear with the tip of her tongue. "How do you always know the perfect thing to say?" she asked, biting at his neck with her blunt teeth.

"Just think of you" Spike said, as his hands roamed further up her body to her breast, kissing a line across her collar bone.

Ravyn smiled bigger. *gottcha* she thought. "Well, I think William Carlisle would want his name on his poetry...don't you?"

Spike froze, his lips against the hollow of her throat. He closed his eyes tightly and hoped like 'hell' she wasn't talking about what he thought she was.

Ravyn raised her head and looked at the top of his head. "Spike...why didn't you tell me you wrote those poems?"

Spike sighed. This was it. The humiliation he tried to avoid. Lifting his head he did the one thing he knew best. He lied. "Um..I didn't write those." he said smiling best he could. "Well, I mean I did, but I just wrote them from memory."

Ravyn leaned her head to the side and looked at him. She could see the fear in his eyes. "Then why do some of the poems have the author listed and some don't?"

"Well, uh...cause I...I couldn't remember who wrote them." he stammered.

Ravyn smiled at him and leaned her head down giving him a soft kiss. She lifted her head and looked him straight in the eye. He looked so scared. "I love them Spike. They're beautiful...just like the man who wrote them." she told him softly.

Spike just stared at her. He didn't know what to say. No one had ever liked his poetry before. But she did. He couldn't control it as his eyes teared up. He stood there looking at her, she was smiling at him, lightly rubbing the side of his face with her hand. Looking down briefly he took a deep breath before looking back up at her.

Ravyn wiped at the stray tear that fell down his cheek. "I love you so much....William Carlisle. You'll never know what you mean to me."

Spike buried his head in her shoulder, hugging her tightly as her legs fell away from his hips. She clung to him tightly and he wondered what he did to deserve her. He was lucky to have her love once...and now, thirty years later, a higher power brought her back. She filled a void in him, a place that had been empty for years and he knew he'd never be able to survive without her by his side.

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

"Ravyn, do you know what time Spike is arriving?" Rob asked her as she entered the kitchen the next evening.

She glared at him for a minute before answering. "No, I was just about to call him."

"Well, if you could, would you please ask him to hurry. Jesse and Blake found a warehouse; there were a massive amount of vampires there. We think it may be...um Trull's hideout."

Ravyn looked wide-eyed at him. "Trull?" she asked, her voice shaky.

Rob gave her a tiny small. "We're not sure, but it is possible. We won't know until we get down there."

Ravyn's mind drifted for a moment until she realized Rob was still talking to her. "Huh..what was that?"

"I said...I'm really sorry..about the other night. I shouldn't have acted that way."

Ravyn gave him a little smile and a nod of her head. "I'll go call Spike." she said as she left the kitchen and ran back to her room.

After getting her mind cleared of all 'Trull' thought's, Ravyn dialed Spike's number and laid down on the bed. After the eighth ring, he finally answered.

"'ello" he said sleepily into the receiver.

Ravyn grinned big when she heard him. "What are you wearing?" she asked him huskily.

Spike grinned big. "Nothing" he replied.

"mmmm....wish I were there."

Spike rolled over, his smile only increasing. "What are you wearing?" he asked her, visualizing her naked body.

"Just a smile." she lied, giggling quietly.

Spike laughed softly. "You can't call over here and get me all horny luv....much prefer you to a good wank."

Ravyn burst out laughing at him as he laughed along with her. "You're such a moron Spike."

"Yeah, but youryour moron."

"Yeah well, moron of mine...the cowboy's need ya over here. They think they may have found Trull" she said, the last part strained as she said it.

Spike's eyes flew open wide. "I'll be there in twenty." he said as he hung up on her.

Ravyn pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at it, shaking her head. "Love you to" she said smiling as she hung the phone up.

Ravyn stood up from the bed when the phone rang. "Hello" she said as she answered it.

"I love you" Spike said, then hung up again.

Ravyn giggled and hung the phone back up. "That's better"

~*~*~

"He's on his way." she told the guy's when she returned to the lobby.

"Well, we'll leave as soon as he gets here." Rob said as he loaded the weapon's bag.

Ravyn sat down, nervously watching them. They were loading every weapon they could find and the thought's of them going after Trull scared her. She knew what kind of a monster he was and the thought's of anything happening to 'any' of them scared her beyond belief...especially Spike.

Trull knew who he was and would take him just to get her back. She watched them, thinking of all the things Trull ever told her he would do to Spike if he ever caught him. He didn't really want him, he just wanted to make 'her' suffer and hurting Spike would accomplish that without much effort.

"Everything will be fine Ravyn." Angel told her softly as he saw her sitting there looking worried.

Ravyn looked up at him and gave him the best smile she could. "You promise?" she asked him, fear clearly etched across her face.

"I promise." he told her smiling. "He'll be fine."

Ravyn nodded her head at him as she went back to watching the other's. She felt like her inside's were turning the more she thought about it. Standing, she walked to the stairs, heading up to her room.

Angel watched her go. He knew she was worried, and he really couldn't blame her. She knew Trull better than any of them did. Sighing heavily, he turned to help the other's.

Ravyn laid down across her bed, trying to tell herself everything would be fine. She never really thought about them going after Trull. She didn't know what she thought at this point. All she knew is that if 'anything' happened to any of them it would be all her fault.

~*~*~

"Dawn....I need you to lock every door and window." Angel told her as they were almost set to go.

"Sure" she told him.

"And keep an eye on Ravyn, she's getting worked up about us going." he said, giving her a small smile.

Dawn just shook her head as she looked at him. She turned when Spike came through the door. She was getting worried herself. She couldn't loose Spike any more than Ravyn could. He was the only family she had left.

"Where's he at?" Spike asked as he walked over to the other's.

"Not sure if it's him. Just alot of activity."

Spike gave him a nod and looked around the lobby.

"She's upstairs. I think she's stressing. You might want to go up before we get ready to go." Angel told him quietly, as he saw Spike looking around. He knew he was looking for her.

Spike turned and headed up the steps. Stopping at Ravyn's door, he knocked softly before entering. She was laying on the bed, face down.

"Hey" he said quietly as he approached the bed.

"Hey" Ravyn said never looking up.

Spike sat and leaned down, propping himself up on an elbow.

Ravyn turned and threw herself at him, hugging him close to her, burring her face in his neck. "Please be careful." she said, her voice shaky with emotion.

Spike rubbed her back as he held her. "I will. Don't worry." he told her.

"Promise me you'll come back?"

Spike leaned back and looked at her. "Look at me Ravyn."

Ravyn finally leaned back and looked up at him.

"I'll be back. I promise." he told her smiling. "I promise."

Ravyn smiled best she could. She wanted to believe him...but this was Trull.

Spike leaned down and kissed her as she clung to him. He knew she was scared and there wasn't anything he could say to calm her fears.

"I'll see you later..okay." Spike said as he broke the kiss.

"Yeah." Ravyn whispered as she looked at him.

Spike smiled and gave her another quick kiss before he stood up and walked to the door. "I love you" he told her, opening the door.

"I love you to." Ravyn told him, forcing a smile.

Spike winked at her before he left, leaving her alone to worry. She laid her head back down and did the only thing she could think of....she cried.

~*~*~*~*~

Dawn walked into the kitchen, trying to find something to satisfy her nervous stomach as Ravyn walked in. "Hey" she said quietly, noticing Ravyn's red eyes.

"Hey Dawn."

"You want some ice cream?" Dawn asked her smiling. "It always makes me feel better."

Ravyn smiled at her 'friend'. "Yeah....can't hurt."

They sat and talked over their ice cream, trying to calm each other and their fears.

"Was he...I mean Trull...is he really as bad as his profile says?" Dawn asked, wanting to know what the guy's were up against.

"No" Ravyn told her, "He's worse."

That wasn't what Dawn wanted to know.

"He's the worst kind of monster Dawn. He enjoys hurting other's, gets immense pleasure from it." Ravyn told her quietly.

They both sat quietly for a moment, thinking.

"They'll be okay." Dawn said optimistic, "I know they will."

Ravyn smiled, wanting to believe her. "I know...if any....."

Ravyn turned her head towards the kitchen door when she heard a noise.

"What?" Dawn asked her quietly when she stopped talking.

"Shhh.....Be quiet" Ravyn whispered as she stood up from her chair.

Ravyn walked over to the door and listened. She thought she heard someone speak but knew they were the only one's there.

"Stay there." she told Dawn as she turned to look at her. Opening the door a crack, she looked out. She was holding her breath and let it out slowly when she didn't see anyone or hear anything. She pushed the door open, and stepped out, relieved no one was there.

Ravyn turned and looked back in the kitchen and smiled. "Must just be nerves....has me hearing things." she said giggling nervously.

Her smile fell away quickly as she saw Dawn's eyes go wide as saucer's and scream. Ravyn turned quickly, only to catch a fist in the face.

"Get them" Randall said with a huge smile.

Dawn was screaming loudly as two vamps came for her. Ravyn was jerked up from the ground by two men, her fear was in overload as she looked at Randall.

Her tears came without warning as she looked at the faces of the five men standing before her. She knew this was it......

"Well, it's nice to see you again." Randall said smiling as he approached her. "We've.....missed you" he told her, roughly grabbing at her breast.

Ravyn closed her eyes when he grabbed her. She would surly die if they took her back. As images of Spike came to her she cried, she knew she would never see him again, this time she was sure.

______________________________________

Chapter Twelve: Houseguest

"Come on guy's...how were we supposed to know?" Jesse asked, pleading for the other's to talk to him.

Angel, Spike and Rob hadn't said a word all the way back from the warehouse. Pulling up in front of the hotel, they all exited, still not saying a word.

"Look, I'm sorry...okay?" Jesse said.

"Just drop it Jesse." Rob told him. "It was an honest mistake."

Spike chuckled at Rob's statement. "Yeah, surprised all the loud music didn't give it away yesterday." he said, upset he had wasted all night for nothing.

"Well....how was I suppose to know vampire's had Rave's. I mean.....they're vampire's....who knew they partied."

Angel and Spike looked at each other and smiled a little. "Human's" they both said together.

Jesse and Blake walked towards the front door of the hotel as Angel and Spike grabbed all the gear. They were both feeling pretty bad, and embarrassed that they had gotten everyone so worked up.....only to have stumbled on a vampire 'club'.

"Move it along" Spike said as he walked towards them. "I might still be able to salvage what's left of the evening."

Jesse sighed heavily as he opened the door, well..he tried to open the door. It was blocked by something.

"The door won't open." he said, pushing on it.

Angel stepped forward and gave it a little push. He peeked in the small crack they were able to see through, but it was dark. Stepping back, he rammed the door with his shoulder, causing it to swing open enough for them to squeeze in.

"Hit the light's." Angel said as they crowded in close to the door.

Jesse walked over towards the light switch and fell before he got there. "What the hell." Righting himself, he reached up and flipped the switch.

What the guy's saw had them all speechless. There we tables and chairs broken everywhere. Furniture was knocked over, paper and broken glass littered the floor.

Spike dropped the weapon's bag, running through the debris towards the stairs. "Ravyn!...Dawn!" he yelled as he took the steps, two at a time.

The other's ran through the hotel, looking in various rooms, all yelling out the names of the missing girls.

Spike ran into Ravyn's room, only to find it empty. He hurried along the hall, checking every room on the second floor. His mind was whirling with the thought's of what may have happened to them. Running back down the hall, he reached the top of the stairs

"Anything?" Spike asked, worry etched across his face as he started back down the steps.

"No" Angel told him, just as worried.

"They're not up there." Spike said as he made his way back to the lobby.

Spike started pacing, kicking broken furniture as he came to it. He had one hand on his neck, trying to squeeze the tension away. He wanted to scream and cry and tear things apart all at the same time. He was scared.....for both of the girls.

"Found 'em!" Blake yelled from the basement.

Spike looked up when he heard Blake yell and ran, tearing down the basement steps as he did.

"In here. I forgot about this room." Blake said from the entrance of the storage room.

Spike walked around the crates that normally blocked the entrance to the room. Looking inside, he let out a breath he hadn't realize he was holding in.

"Spike" Dawn said as she started crying.

"Shhh...don't cry bit." Spike said as he knelt down where she and Ravyn were sitting on the floor.

Dawn was holding Ravyn's head on her shoulder as they leaned up against the wall. "She's hurt." Dawn said through her tears.

"Ravyn" Spike said as he turned her head so he could see her. She had a few cuts and bruises on her face and he smiled at her when she looked up at him, glad she was okay.

Reaching out he grabbed her, only to hear her scream a little when he did.

"Her shoulder's out a place." Dawn told him as he pulled back from her.

Spike pushed Ravyn hair away from her face as he looked at her. "Are you okay?" he asked her quietly.

Ravyn just nodded her head yes, the pain in her shoulder to unbearable to speak.

"We need to fix this." Spike told her. "Dawn help me sit her up."

Dawn sat Ravyn straight up as Spike slid in behind her. He placed his arm under her's, trying to ignore her cries as he did.

"Shhhh.....don't cry, it'll be over in a minute." He hated this. He knew how painful it was.

"Ravyn....I need you to hold completely still....hear?" he asked as he wrapped his other arm around the front of her shoulder's. "I'm gonna count to three, okay?" he told her.

Ravyn shook her head, and waited for the pain she knew was coming.

Spike looked up at Dawn for a second before looking back down at Ravyn. He kissed her head and took a deep breath.

"Okay...one...two..."

Ravyn screamed as Spike jerked, snapping her arm back in place.

"Shhhh...it's all over now." Spike whispered as he pulled Ravyn back against him. He held her as she cried, cradling her body close to his.

Dawn stood up and walked to the door where the other's were, pushing the door shut slightly as she left.

"What happened?" Angel asked when he came out.

"Trull's men I think." Dawn said shakily.

"Are they gone?"

"I think so, I wasn't sure if anymore would be back, so we hid. Ravyn wasn't able to fight them anymore." Dawn told him.

"You did the right thing Dawn. Is she going to be okay?" Angel asked her, looking into the room.

"Yeah, I think so. She just has a few cut's and her shoulder was messed up. I think she'll be fine once the shock wears off."

"Yeah, I'm sure you're right." Angel said as he turned. "Let's leave them alone." he added as he put an arm around Dawn and led her to the steps.

Spike turned Ravyn as he sat down, leaning up against the wall. He pulled her up into his lap and rocked her back and forth as she continued to cry. He wasn't sure if her tears were for the pain or from fear. Probably both he assumed. Either way he wanted the men who did this.

"I love you" he told her softly.

Ravyn just buried her head in his shoulder, nuzzling her face against his neck. Spike could feel her wet tears on his neck as he ran a hand down her back, smoothing out her long hair as he did.

As her cries slowly died to a few whimper's he pulled his head up. "Ravyn....was Trull here?"

"No" she answered him, her voice shaky from crying. She lifted her head and looked at him. "It was Randall, Trull's lackey. He's the one Trull always sent to do his dirty work."

Spike wiped her tears away as she spoke to him. Held sld see the fear still in her eyes and knew she wasn't safe there anymore. "Where'd they go....the men?"

Ravyn smiled a little as she looked at him. "What Dawn and I didn't kill, left."

Spike smiled big at that. "Kicked their asses then?"

"Yeah, only because they were expecting coma girl." she told him grinning.

"Well, guess they'll think twice before messin with my girl now 'eh." Spike said as he leaned out, placing a small kiss on her lips.

"Yeah, hopefully they won't be back." Ravyn said as she laid her head against his. "But they will."

Spike wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight for a few minutes, thinking of what to do next. If he couldn't find Trull...then he needed to get her somewhere safe.

"Well, let's get out of this stinky hole in the ground." Spike told her.

Ravyn sat up and tried to stand, Spike helping her as he himself stood.

"Come on." he said as he wrapped his arm around her and led them to the basement steps.

~*~*~*~*~

"They got the medallion!" Rob yelled as he walked into the lobby.

Everyone turned as he came stomping back in the room.

"Now what are we going to do?" he asked.

Spike and Ravyn walked into the room as Rob was pacing the floor.

"Hey...you okay?" Angel asked Ravyn.

She smiled at him as Spike tightened his hold around her waist. "Yeah, I'll be fine."

Dawn walked over to them. "Come on, let's go take care of those cut's." she told her, taking her arm and leading her away.

Spike watched her leave and waited until she was out of site before turning to otheother's.

"They'll be back for her." he told them. "I'm taking her to the beach house."

Angel looked up, shocked. "What!....you can't protect her by yourself. If they found her here, they'll find her there."

Spike gave Angel a long look before leaning his head to the side. "Well....it took 'em almost two months to find her, I think that gives us enough time to find them before they find her again."

Angel just shook his head. "You're crazy Spike! She's better off here, where we can watch her."

"You mean where 'you' can watch her." Spike said, knowing exactly why Angel was so dead set against it.

"This has noting to do with....Just forget it." Angel spat out angrily. "Do what you want. You're going to anyway." he said as he stomped oowarowards his office.

"You know...he may have a point Spike." Rob said quietly.

"They know where she is!" Spike said loudly. "They'll be back for her!"

"Yes....but she'll have a better chance if we're all here to see that she isn't taken again."

"So, are you suggesting we sit by and baby sit her twenty four hours a day? Maybe Trull won't send half the vampire population in LA back over here? Is that what you're saying!" Spike continued to yell and pace around the room. "He Will Come For Her! Don't you understand.....if he wants her, he'll stop at nothing to get her!"

Rob, Blake and Jesse all looked at him before looking at the broken remains of the room. They knew she wasn't safe there anymore, but didn't know if her leaving was safe either.

"He's right." Angel said quietly from the doorway of his office.

Everyone turned to look at him as he walked back out into the lobby.

"It'll give us time to locate Trull......before he has time to find her." Ang Angel gave Spike a fleeting glance before turning, going back into his office. He didn't want Ravyn to leave, but knew Spike was right. She couldn't stay there.

Spike stared at Angel's retreating form before he himself turned, heading for the kitchen where Dawn had taken Ravyn.

Walking into the kitchen, he was surprised to find the girl's laughing. Neither one looked to be seriously hurt, and he was glad. "Hey....what's with the happy faces?" he asked them, taking a seat beside Ravyn.

"Just replaying the way we kicked some vampire butt is all." Dawn told him with a smile.

"Is'at right? And how exactly did you do that?" Spike asked her.

"Oh man Spike, I wish you could have seen it. Ravyn was awesome." Dawn said beaming at her new friend. "Those guy's didn't even see it coming."

Spike looked over at Ravyn, a smile on his face. She was staring at Dawn, looking pleased with herself.

"She was so cool. That Randall guy was giving order's, and being a complete jerk...then Ravyn elbowed the two guy's holding her and kicked their asses!" Dawn continued happily. "It was amazing. Those guy's were in complete shock." she added laughing.

"Coma girl had an advantage then?" Spike asked grinning at Dawns enthusiasm.

"Definitely! They were to stunned to react. I broke a chair, making a few stakes out of it after Ravyn pulled the guy holding me away....and we kicked butt."

Ravyn and Spike both chuckled at Dawn. She was almost hyper as she retold the story. It took Dawn twenty minutes to recount the whole evening....the smile never leaving her face as she did.

"So, after that, I helped Ravyn to the basement and we hid in the old store room and waited for you guy's to come back."

"I'm glad you're okay...both of you." Spike said as Dawn finished.

Ravyn looked over at Spike and smiled. She still hadn't said to much, the adrenaline rush of her first 'real' fight long gone now, only leaving behind the 'what ifs' in it's place. She knew how lucky they were. Dawn played it up, but Ravyn knew....if those men wouldn't have still thought she was scared, poor harmless Ravyn...they'd BOTH be at Trull's right now...starting the rest of their lives in his version of a nightmare.

Dawn finally left Ravyn and Spike, intent on helping the other's clean the mess out front. She knew they needed time alone.

"You okay?" Spike asked her after Dawn had left.

"Yeah...I'm okay."

Spike stood from his chair and walked over to her. He squatted down in front of her chair, smiling up at her when he did. "We need to get you out of here. I'm gonna have Dawn bring you to the beach house once the sun rises."

"Why can't I just go now?" she asked him quietly, eager to get away from there.

"Because, they may still be watching the place. Can'tord ord for them to follow u

Ravyn looked down a minute before looking back at him. "What if they follow you?"

"If they can keep you, then I guess we'll just move you again." he said smiling at her. "Sides...I know a few back roads to through them off track, they'll never figure out which way I went."

Ravyn just shook her head at him and looked back down.

"Come on...let's go pack your things up." Spike told her as he stood.

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

Ravyn stood at the back door waiting for Jesse to bring the van around. She hated going anywhere at daylight. She knew Spike did alot.....but it just made her to twitchy. She knew, one wrong move and bye bye vampire.

"Okay...you ready?" Dawn asked her once Jesse parked the van close to the door.

"Yeah, ready as I'll ever be." Ravyn told her.

"Okay...let's go then."

Ravyn turned and looked back at the other's and smiled. "Thanks....for everything you've done for me." she told them all, smiling as she did.

"Don't mention it." Rob told her.

Ravyn gave each one a look, before looking over at Angel. He looked almost sad, even though he was smiling at her. She knew he had feeling's for her and was sorry he had to live his life wanting something he couldn't have....she had done it for thirty years...she knew the feeling and as painful as she knew it was, she also knew he'd learn to live with it....just like she had. She gave him a big smile, one that brightened his face immediately. Turning she grabbed the blanket and draped it over her head and hurried out to the waiting van.

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

Spike was pacing the floor waiting on Ravyn. He had yet to go to bed and sleep was calling him. The long exhausting night before had had his mind in overtime wondering if Ravyn would ever be safe. As long as Trull was walking the earth, Spike knew he'd always be looking for her...if nothing more than to kill her for esng hng him.

As the van pulled into the drive, Spike heard the horn and sighed softly, relieved they were finally there. He waited by the door until he heard them run onto the deck and pulled the door open, careful to stay away from the beam of sunlight that filtered in.

Jesse pushed the front door shut as he came in, carrying Ravyn's bags. He dropped them and let out a sigh of relief. "How much stuff does one vampire need?" he asked, exhausted from hauling her things in.

Ravyn giggled at him as she removed her blanket and saw his face. "Girl never knows where she may be going. Need just the right outfit just in case."

Jesse just shook his head as he smiled at her. "Women" he said quietly as he looked around.

"Well, you guy's have fun." Dawn said as she grabbed Jesse's arm. She knew Spike was looking forward to having Ravyn there, so the sooner they left, the sooner he could enjoy their privacy.

"No needrushrush off bit." Spike said as he walked over to Ravyn.

"Ah...you don't need us around. I know it's way past your bedtime anyway." she said as she pushed Jesse towards the door.

Ravyn just grinned at Dawn as they got to the door. "Bye Dawn, Jesse." she said as they opened the door.

"Bye guy's" Dawn said as she pushed Jesse out, pulling the door shut behind her.

"She was in a hurry." Spike said as he turned to Ravyn.

"Seems so." Ravyn said as she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder.

Spike encircled her form, wrapping his arms around her tightly, just happy she was there and safe for the time being. "How you feel?" he asked her, wondering if the previous night's events still had her jumpy.

"Sleepy." she told him quietly. "Not use to staying up till noon."

"I meant about last night."

Ravyn sighed and held him tighter. "Don't wanna think about it." she told him. "I just wanna curl up with you and sleep."

"Well, that we can do.....let's go." Spike said as he pulled away from her, leading her down the hall to his room.

"I need my bag" Ravyn said as they got almost to Spike's room.

Spike turned and gave her a quick kiss before going back to the living room and getting her things. When he returned, she was in the bathroom.

"Here ya go luv. Which one you need?" he asked her through the .
.

"The blue one."

Spike picked up the blue bag and walked to the door, opening it and wig heg he hadn't.

Ravyn turned and saw his face. "Now why do you think I came in here to change?" she asked him with a smile.

"So.....I wouldn't have to see you half naked?" he asked with a grin.

"Exactly." Ravyn answered him with a smile and walked over to him, taking her bag.

Spike just stared at her as she took her bag, placing n thn the bathroom counter wearing nothing but a red lace bra and underwear. He shifted uncomfortably as his erection slowly grew, pressing on the material of his jeans.

"Spike....the longer you stand there gawking at me the worse that's gonna get." Ravyn said grinning as she looked down at the bulge growing in his pants.

"Can't help it." he said walking over to her.

Ravyn sighed lightly as he wrapped his arms around her. She hated doing this to him. She wished she could give him what she knew he wanted...what he needed, but she couldn't. Wrapping her arms around his neck she kissed his cheek as he rubbed his hand over her back, his head tucked tightly into her neck.

"I love you" Spike told her softly.

"I love you to Spike." she told him. "Maybe I should sleep in the other room." she said,wingwing he didn't stay with her at the hotel because he couldn't stand being that close to her all night and not having her.

Spike raised his head and gave her a soft kiss. "Nope....want you with me tonight." he said, running his hands through her hair. "Just cover that up..." he said looking down at her grinning, "I'll be fine."

Ravyn smiled up at him, glad he was so understanding. "Well, go away." she said releasing him and grabbing a pair of shorts from her bag.

Spike turned to leave, giving her one last look and winking at her before leaving, shutting the door behind him.

Ravyn slipped on her shorts and a T-shirt and knew she needed to find a way to get over her fear. *Maybe that demon guy knows someone who can help* she thought to herself as she turned out the bathroom light.

Spike had left the room and she wondered where he had gone. *Maybe he went to sleep in the other room* she thought as she crawled into bed, wiggling in the silk sheets as she did. *No wonder he likes this* she thought to herself with a smile.

He returned a few minutes later, sliding in bed behind her, spooning himself close to her. Wrapping his arm around her, he nuzzled his face close to her neck.

"Where'd you go?" she asked him as she pulled his arm close to her.

"Just lockin up."

"Ummm.....goodnight." she said sleepily.

"Night luv." Spike said, as he snuggled up to her, a big smile on his face.