Once and Again

Title:"Once and Again"

Author: Zarrah

Rating: NC-17 for Language/violence and sexual situations in later chapters.

Disclaimer: Belong to Joss...not me

Summary: *Sequel to Lover's Walk*...Future...Year 2034...Eleven years after Buffy's death, Spike is living in LA helping Angel fight the good fight. How will he react when he comes face to face with ghosts from his past.

A/N: (This is 'NOT' a Buffy/Spike fic...you have been warned!) Also, this 'is' a sequel, so the story will make no sense what so ever if you don't read "Lover's Walk" first.

Chapter One: Runaway

The smoky bar was alive with laughter and conversation that died quickly as he walked into the room. The sound of his heavy boots hitting the floor caused the demons that were there, to slouch in their seats and hide their faces.

Piercing blue eyes stared at the demons crowded into the bar. Dark blonde hair adorned his head as the dim light cast shadows across his sculptured features.

Everyone in the place knew why he was there and no one wanted to be on the receiving end of his wrath. He was short tempered and killed quickly if he didn't get what he was after.

Stopping to light a cigarette, he inhaled deeply and gave the occupants a hard look before blowing the smoke out and walking to the bar. The bar tender immediately reached for a glass and poured his drink, knowing he didn't like to wait...for anything.

"Here you go Mr. Spike" the short stubby man behind the bar said as he handed Spike his favorite drink.

Spike threw his head back, swallowing the foul liquid in one gulp. "What you have for me?" he asked as he sat the glass back down and motioned for another.

The bar tender looked around nervously as he poured Spike another drink. "Not much. Hear there's a new Master in town." he said quietly, looking at the other customer's sitting around the bar. "Didn't get a name, bad news is all I heard."

"Is that right?" Spike asked, leaning his head to one side.

"Yeah....guy over there in the corner.." he said motioning with his head, "said his Master was going to be the strongest vampire alive. Not sure what he meant though."

Spike glanced over to the corner and almost laughed at what he saw. A red headed, freckle faced vamp, not much larger than a twelve year old girl was sitting there. He was laughing with the guy's sitting with him and Spike smiled slightly before standing. "This shouldn't take long" he said as he stubbed out his cigarette and walked over to where the guy was sitting.

The demon's sitting at the tables near 'red' moved away fast as they saw Spike approaching. They knew the look on his face and wasn't about to get caught in the cross fire. As Spike neared the table, 'red' looked up and grinned.

"Well, well...if it isn't the vampire killer himself. I was wondering when you were going to come over and grace us with your presence." he said to Spike as he stopped in front of his table.

Spike smiled down at him and leaned his head to the side. "Wouldn't be to happy to see me yet." he said looking at the other occupants at the table. "Hardly here for a social call."

"Oh really?" red said laughing lightly, "And just 'what' do you want then?"

"Who's your Master?" Spike asked him bluntly.

Red laughed at Spike as he stood there looking at him. "I think that's a question best left unsaid."

Spike smirked at him and pulled another smoke from his pocket. Sticking it between his lips, he flipped his lighter open and looked at red before lighting up. "And why's that?" he asked taking a long draw off his cigarette.

"Because you can't touch him. No one can. He's more powerful than any vamp alive." red said smiling. "And soon...he'll be invincible"

Spike stared at the younger vamp and wondered what his last statement meant. Throwing his freshly lit cigarette to the floor he ground it out with the heel of his boot before reaching out lighting fast and grabbed red, pulling him from his seat. Smiling up at him he leaned his head to the side before he spoke. "Tell me his name...or...I'll kill you."

Red looked worried at first then a slow smile played at his lips. "You're not going to kill me. Can't get the information you need from a dead man."

"Now see, that's where you're wrong." Spike said as he tossed 'red' across the room towards a Phlanger demon and he landed hard on the demons antlered head. Spike smiled as he slowly walked over to him. "Gonna tell me now?" he asked him as 'red' tried to free himself from his painful 'hanging spot'.

Red gasped as he looked down. Blood was pouring out of the various holes in his body as the demon he was embedded in just sat there, looking wide eyed at Spike. He looked up and caught Spike's intense stare as he stalked closer to him.

"Well, what's it gone be?" Spike asked, looking up at him.

"He'll kill me." red said, his voice rasping as he tried to hold his spewing blood in.

"No matter...I'm gone kill you anyways...might as well make yourself usefirstirst."

Red looked over at where his friends were and noticed they were all leaving quietly. He knew he was as good as dead. Closing his eyes tightly for a minute, he opened them back up and smiled. "Go ahead...do your worst." he said grinning. "I'll die knowing the Master ripped you apart."

Spike sighed loudly and shrugged his shoulders. "If you insist." he said as he reached up and grabbed 'reds' legs and gave he a hard jerk, ripping his body up the middle as the demons antlers sawed him half into. Spike watched as his ashes fell, once his heart had been torn from his body.

Looking around, he stuck his hands in his pockets and looked at the other occupants in the bar. "Anyone else know anything about this new Master?" he asked.

No one dare even look at him. The remaining demons in the bar knew no one gave information to Spike and lived to tell about it...so why bother.

Spike looked back over to the bar and smiled to himself as he saw the stunned faces of those who sat there. It felt good being the big bad...even if it was just for show nowadays. Walking back to the bar, he paid for his drink and gave the bar tender a hard look.

"You'll call if you hear anything else about this new Master...won't you?"

"Sure...sure thing Mr. Spike. You know I will" the bar tender said nervously.

Spike gave him a small nod before he turned and exited the bar. He smiled, as he hopped on his bike and started the engine. *Nothin' like a spot of violence before bed* he said to himself with a grin as he pulled away from the curve and headed home.

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

"Angel Investigations" a cheery voice said as Spike held the phone.

"What you still doin' there nibblet. It's late." Spike said smiling as he padded across the floor barefoot.

Dawn smiled as she heard his voice and shook her head. "Spike I'm 47 years old...don't you think it's time to stop with the baby names?"

"You'll always be my little nibblet...beside, you don't look a day over thirty." he said smiling. "Yeah well, that's beside the point, but to answer your question...I just had some last minute stuff to finish up. Was just about ready to leave." Dawn said as she fumbled around in her purse. "You back so soon from scaring the local demon population?"

"Yeah, just got in. The poof still up?"

Dawn shook her head and grinned. "Yes, Angel's still up. Hold on, I'll get him."

Spike walked into his bedroom and hung his duster up before throwing his boots in the closet. Reaching for some clothes, he made his way into the bathroom and leaned up against the counter as Angel picked up the phone.

"So, did you get anything?" Angel asked.

"Not much. New Master is in town. No name. Kid said he'd soon be invinciblehatehatever the hell that means." Spike said as he started to remove his pants.

"Well, it's a start I guess. You want to take Blake with you tomorrow night. You can cover more ground that way." Angel asked him.

"Sure...whatever." Spike said as he turned on the shower. "I'll see ya tomorrow then."

"Yeah, Night Spike." Angel said as Spike hung the phone up on him. He looked at the receiver and shook his head. "You'd think he would have learned some manner's by now."

Dawn laughed lightly as she pulled her purse onto her arm. "Um Angel...you do remember who you're talking about...don't you?"

Angel chuckled at her. "Yes...but I can always dream can't I?"

"Goodnight Angel" Dawn said smiling as she walked to the door. "I'll be back early tomorrow." she added as she opened the door and left.

Angle watched her go and ran his hands through his hair before walking to his office. Grabbing a few books, he sat down and tried to figure out who this 'New Master' might be.

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

Philip walked quietly into her room. She was crouched down in the corner, staring blankly at the wall. He sighed lightly before going to her closet and picking out a dress.

"How's this one?" he asked her, only to get no kind of response. "It's my favorite. I think you look beautiful in it." he said as he approached her and placed the dress on the bed.

Reaching down he picked her up and sat her on the bed. "Now, I know it's a big night for him, so please miss...please be on your best behavior. I can't stand it when he hurts you." Philip told her quietly as he removed her nightgown.

"Why you insist on behaving in a manner to make him angry, I'll never understand. He's going to kill you if you don't start behaving."

"Good" she whispered softly.

Philip looked up at her surprised. "Did you just say something?" he asked, looking into her eyes. They were cold and dead, just like her. He knew they held a pain he could never imagine.

Shaking his head, he slipped the light red and pink flowery dress on over her head and smiled as he stood her up and pulled it down over her body. "There...beautiful as ever." he said, admiring the way the dress hung to her body. "Let's get up fixed up." he said as he walked her over to the dressing table, her ankle chains clanking as she scuffled alone.

Philip brushed her long hair and pulled it up high on her head. He curled the long tendrils that hung down her back and knew she deserved more than his Master ever gave her. He wished so many times he could take her away. He had spent the last twenty-four years caring for her and had deep feelings for her. He had stood by and watched as his Master beat, raped and tortured her. He hated the Master as much as he knew she did...but was to afraid to do anything about it. Sighing heavily, he finished her hair and stood back to admire her.

"There...I think he will be most pleased with this." Philip told her smiling.

Focusing her eyes, she looked up at him. Philip was surprised when she did. She never looked directly at anyone. "Help me." she asked him, her voice a crackling whisper from years of miss use.

Philip stared down at her his mouth gaped open. He bent down on one knee to be eye level with her. "Help you what?" he asker qer quietly.

"Kill me" she whispered, tears springing to her eyes.

"What...NO!" he whispered back at her terrified at the thought. "I could never. Don't even talk like that." he told her, taking her hand in his. He watched as tears rolled down her face. He hadn't seen her cry in more than fifteen years. His dead heart immediately went out to her. "Please miss...it'll be okay. I'll take care of you." he almost begged at the desperate look in her eyes.

She shook her head no at him. "I can't do this anymore. Please help me"

Philip looked down at her feet to the ankle shackles she had worn since he had been assigned to watch her. Her ankles were black, as they always were from the constant rubbing of the metal. He looked at the bruises on her arms and chest that always were replaced with new ones as soon as the older ones started to fade. He knew he was just holding on to her for his own selfish reasons. He loved her. He had spent the better part of twenty-four years caring for her...only to let a monster slowly kill her by his constant humiliation of her. Sighing lightly, he raised his head and looked at her.

"I will help you." he said sadly. "Only because I love you so. The Master will surly kill me. But for you, I will gladly die a thousand deaths."

She smiled best she could as tears fell down her cheeks. "Thank You" she said.

Philip reached down and pulled a key from his pocket. He looked back up at her and smiled. "I cannot kill you, but I can help set you free." he said as he placed the key in her hand. "Please choose your escape wisely."

Looking down briefly, she looked back up at him before closing her hand around the key. "You're a good man...I'll never forget you."

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

Spike walked into the Hyperion and strolled into Angel's office. He sat in the chair across from Angel and threw his feet up on the desk.

"Spike...how many times do I have to tell you not to put those dirty boots on my desk?" Angel asked, never looking up from what he was reading.

Spike smirked at him. "Now peaches...you should know by now that I would never listen to you."

Angel put his book down and smiled at Spike. "Well, if you expect to be paid....then you are going to learn."

Spike rolled his eyes and lowered his feet. "There...happy?"

"Not yet...have a job for you."

"Wow...the wonders never cease" Spike said sarcastically. "Thought you wanted Blake and I to hit the demon bars?"

Angel shook his head and tossed a notebook across the desk at Spike. "These are the list of possibilities. Go check them out. I've listed the last know whereabouts'. Should keep you busy for a while."

Spike looked over the list of names and cites before raising an eyebrow. "You tryin' to get rid of me?" he asked, noticing he would have to travel half the country to look up the Master's Vampire's Angel had listed.

"No...why would I want to do that?" he asked, grinning.

Spike gave him a hard look. "You a right ole bastard, you know that right?"

Angel laughed slightly at him as he sat back in his chair. "Yeah, well...that'll teach you who the boss is around here."

Spike stood and walked to the door. "Guess I'm right to assume I'm a loner on this trip?"

"You would assume right."

"Right then." Spike said as he exited Angel's office.

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

Spike packed his bag and grabbed his duster. The new one didn't fit as well as the one he had...but leather wouldn't last forever. Closing the door to his cottage behind him, he walked around the side of the house and laid his bag down.

Grabbing a water hose he turned it on and watered his garden. He gave his mind a minute to reflect on all the things his little garden meant to him. He smiled while looking at the roses, knowing they were a constant little reminder of Buffy. She had grown them and he didn't have the heart to leave them in Sunnydale when he left, so he dug them up and brought them along.

Turning, he flipped the nozzle to shut the water off and smiled as he gave his little garden a good look. He walked back over to the deck and picked up his bag and looked out over the rolling waves as the ocean tossed and turned.

He surrounded himself with a lifetime of memories. Knowing that as long as he had constant reminders of those he loved near by...they would never be far away.

Making his way to his bike...he strapped on his bag and readied himself for a trip he knew would be long and boring.. *I'm gonna kill peaches for this* he said to himself as he started the engine and sped off into the night.

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

The shadows of the LA skyline provided shelter as she hid herself from her pursuers. Running for her life, she hide in an alley beside an old Hotel as the sound of laughter drew near. Drawing herself into a corner, she waited for he path to clear to once again try and make her escape.

~*~

"At the Copa...Copa Cabana" was sung off key as Jesse and Blake made fun at Angle's attempt at Karaoke.

Gut wrenching laughter erupted as Angel's growls at their mocking, reached their ears.

"It wasn't that bad." Angel spat out angrily. "I told you I couldn't sing that song. I can do Mandy much better"

"No man.... I think Spike was right...you sound like a dying Wathory beast in heat." Blake said laughing hard as they approached the hotel. "I wish he would have been here. He would have loved that."

"Yeah, like hearing Barry do those songs aren't bad enough, but Angel.man.Please, I think even Lorne was ready to shed blood on that last one." Jesse said as their laughter at him continued.

"Now, come on...give Angel a break guy's" Rob said giving his friend a pat on the back. "Don't listen to them Angel, I think you were much better than that Felora demon."

Jesse and Blake continued to snicker as Angle pouted at their constant jabs at him.

"See the things is...you'd think after being around for 270 years, you could have at least learned to sing on key." Blake told him as they stepped up to the front door of the hotel.

"I'm a vampire...I had better things to occupy my time..."

Angel's words were cut short as the screams of a woman came from the side alley.

All four men turned and ran towards the sound. As they rounded the corner, they saw a group of six men holding a woman as she struggled to free herself.

Running to her aide, Angel and Crew threw themselves at her attackers.

Grabbing the arm of the large man holding her, Blake was struck as the man vamped out and backhanded him.

"Their vamps!" Rob yelled as stakes were drawn and the fight got underway.

Throwing the woman to the side, all six vamps rushed them as Angel grabbed one and staked him quickly.

Fist flew as the fight continued. No one saw the shaggy headed vamp slink into the shadows and escape as his fellow comrades were slowing disposed of. Hiding across the street he watched, as the four rescuers slowly approached the woman he had been sent to retrieve.

Angel made his way over to where the woman was laying. She had a big cut on her forehead and he figured she must have hit her head pretty hard. She was out cold. Picking her up, he turned to face the others. "Let's get her inside." he said as he walked out of the alley.

The vamp across the street watched as his Master's favorite toy was taken into the old Hotel. He knew he would need to hurry and report back, but he also knew his fate was sealed. The Master would surly kill him for failing to bring her back. Deciding his own neck was to precious to risk...he turned and ran, determined on getting as far away from the city as possible.

~*~*~

Angel carried the woman inside the hotel and carried her up to the second floor. Opening the door to a room, he gently laid her down on the bed and turned to the others. "Go call Dawn. I'm sure whoever this is, she will feel more comfortable with another woman here instead of a room full of men." he said as he looked back down at the unconscious woman laying there.

Rob and Blake left the room as Jesse walked closer to the bed. "Wonder what they wanted with her?" he asked as he looked at her.

"Not sure...she's a vampire. She may have belonged to one of them." Angel said, looking her over for anymore cuts.

"How you know?' Jesse asked him.

Angel stood up straight and looked over at Jesse. "I'm a vampire...she has no heart beat. Not real hard to tell another vamp when you see one."

"Oh...right. She must be pretty important for men men to be after her." Jesse said as he watched Angel walk to the bathroom.

"Yeah, hopefully she'll be able to tell us when she wakes up." Angel said as he returned with a wet towel. He sat down on the side of the bed and gently blotted at the blood on her head. He noticed all the bruises on her body. "She's pretty beat up. Looks like she's been someone personal punching bag for a while now."

"Yeah, look at her ankles." Jesse said, wincing lightly at the black, bloody state they were in.

Angel looked down briefly before returning his gaze back up at her face. He pushed her hair away from her face as he continued to stare at her. "Can't imagine anyone wanting to hurt her." he said softly as he looked at her.

Jesse grinned slightly. "Don't go getting all mushy old man."

Angel looked up at Jesse and grinned sheepishly. "What, I'm dead...not blind." he said looking back down at her. "Nothing wrong with having a pretty face to look at every once in a while."

"Yeah, I'll agree with ya there. Just hope Spike doesn't see her, or you'll be out of luck."

Angel rolled his eyes. "I'm sure that smart mouth of his will distract from his natural charm before he can lay the moves on her." he said chuckling lightly.

"Dawn's on her way" Blake said as he walked back in the room. "Wow...pretty thing, isn't she" he added as he looked down at her.

Angel and Jesse both grinned at each other. "Yeah, we were just discussing that."

As Rob walked back into the room, all three men turned to look at him. "Angel, I found this in the alley." he said holding a gold triangle shaped piece of metal. "I think it's real gold." he added as he handed it to Angel.

Angel studied the piece and rubbed his thumb over it lightly. "Any idea what it is?"

"No, not until I get out my books. Whatever it is...it's old. Those markings are a very old form of Grytlack writing, I do believe. It's a demon language that dates back eight hundred years or so." Rob said taking the piece back from Angel.

"Well.see what you can find out. If she dropped this, it may explain what those vamps were after her for."

Rob shook his head as he turned and started out of the room.

"Did Dawn say when she'd be here?" Angel asked as he looked down at his watch.

"Yeah, she said she'd be right over...not sure what's taking her so long." Blake said as the woman on the bed started to wake.

Angel looked over at her when she moved slightly. He watched as her eyes slowly opened and she turned her head to the side. They went wide as she saw the three men looking at her and she frantically crawled across the bed, and hid herself beside it as she threw herself in the floor.

"Hey...were not gonna hurt you." Angel said softly as he stood up. "You're safe here."

All three men watched her as she scooted back against the wall and slid herself along it to the corner.

They didn't know what to make of her behavior. She looked scared to death. "Don't make any sudden moves." Angel told the others as they all watched her.

"Hey...sorry I'm late Angel...my personal tormentor called right as I was leaving." Dawn said as she entered the room. "He made me promise to tell you that...he hate's you and hopes you dies a long painful death for sending him on a wild goose chase and that he'd be back at the end of the week." she finished up smiling...looking at the three men staring at the corner.

Turning her attention to the corner to where they were all looking, Dawn blinked a few times before walking slowly to the woman crouched in the corner.

"Dawn...don't" Angel said softly. "She's scared, don't make any sudden moves."

Dawn's eyes widened as she looked at the woman. She approached her slowly as the woman sat there with her head against the wall, a blank look on her face. Her eyes were unfocused and she was staring off into space.

"Oh my god" Dawn said softly, covering her mouth with her hands as she stared at the near catatonic state the woman was in.

"CALL SPIKE NOW!!" she said urgently, as she bent down in the floor in front of the woman and reached out with a shaky hand, pushing her hair away from her face to get a better look at her.

Dawn couldn't believe what she was seeing. She blinked a few times and looked at her from head to toe, taking in the bruised, beaten state she was in before turning to look back over at the three men still standing there staring.

"NOW DAMIT!! CALL HIM NOW!!" Dawn yelled, frantic at what she knew was going to give her oldest and dearest friend a major case of Wiggins.

Angel rushed out of the room as Dawn sat in front of the trembling woman. "Don't worry...your safe here." she told her smiling as she lightly ran her hand up and down her arm. "Spike's on his way...everything's going to be just fine... Ravyn."

___________________________________________

Chapter Two: Her Own Little World

Angel walked back into the room he had left Dawn in. He moved slowly over to where she was sitting on the floor. "Dawn...Spike's already checked out. We'll have to wait for him to call back." he said quietly as he knelt down beside her.

Dawn looked over at Angel briefly before turning her attention back to Ravyn. "He is so gonna flip when he sees her." she said, knowing how hard Spike had taken her death. "I wonder where she's been?"

"Who is she...how do you know her?" Angel asked her.

"Her name is Ravyn Sinclaire. She died thirty-two years ago...well, we thought she did." Dawn said looking over at Angel. "She was Spike's girlfriend before he and Buffy got together. She supposedly died in a warehouse fire in Sunnydale."

Angel studied the girl in front of him. The fact that her physical condition was so bad he also wondered where she had been. "Dawn, do you know anything about the fire?"

"No, not much. Buffy didn't talk much about the Slayer stuff back then. All I know is they were trying to get rid of some vamp and Ravyn went in by herself and blew the place up."

Angel looked at her surprised. "Really? How so?"

"Explosives I think. Spike told her not to, but she went anyway." Dawn told him. "That's why he took it so hard. He gave it to her pretty good for going in the first time and when she went back and didn't come out....." she said, trailing off from her thought. "From what I remember of her, she pretty much did and said what she wanted."

"A female version of Spike then?" Angel asked smiling slightly.

"Yeah...exactly, only way more leather." Dawn said returning his smile. "He was pretty torn up about her dying. I don't know how he's gonna deal with this."

Angel stood up and stretched his legs. "Well, I'm gonna get her something to eat. Maybe we can get her to snap out of this daze she's in." he said before he turned and left the room.

Dawn looked back at Ravyn after Angel had left. She cupped Ravyn's chin in her hand and turned her head to face her. "Ravyn...Ravyn, it's Dawn...can you hear me?" she asked her, looking into her eyes.

Ravyn didn't move or blink. She just sat there, looking at nothing.

Dawn sighed lightly before releasing Ravyn's chin. "Come on Ravyn...I know you're in there." she said as she looked at her. "What's Spike gonna say when he gets back and finds you like this?"

Ravyn slowly fixed her eyes on Dawn. She moved her head slightly and Dawn smiled when she saw Ravyn focus her eyes on her. "Hey there...you remember me?" Dawn asked her smiling.

Ravyn blinked her eyes a few times and Dawn's smile faded as she watched Ravyn zone out again. She didn't know what had caused this or who was responsible, but the one thing she did know...Spike was not going to be happy about it.

Angel walked back into the room with a warmed mug of blood. He walked over to Dawn and knelt down in front of Ravyn. "Anything?" he asked as he looked at her.

"No, what's wrong with her Angel?" Dawn asked him quietly.

Angel leaned his head to the side and gave Ravyn a long look. He had seen a lot of torture in his time and knew she was probably a victim of years of it. Sighing lightly he looked over at Dawn briefly before he returned his gaze back to Ravyn. "Let's see if we can get her to eat." he said as he placed the mug near her lips.

They both watched as she just sat there doing nothing.

"Strange." Angel said looking at Ravyn.

"What?"

Angel shook his head slightly. "Most vampire's will vamp out at the smell of blood." he said as he looked at Ravyn's human mask.

"Maybe she's not hungry." Dawn told him.

"Doesn'allyally matter. I have to hold back at the smell of it to keep my features human. If she's...like this, she should have already vamped out by now."

"Oh" Dawn said. "Maybe she doesn't really want it, or they force feed her."

"Possible. I guess we'll just wait and see if she comes around. Maybe she'll get hungry later." Angel said as he laid the mug on the bedside table. "You think we should get her in a tub, wash this blood off of her?"

"Yeah" Dawn said as she stood up. "Let me go downstairs and get her that spare change off clothes I keep here."

Angel nodded his head as Dawn turned and left the room. He sat and looked at Ravyn before reaching out and turning her head to look at him. "Hey...you in there?" he asked her softly. "If you can hear me...know that we are going to do everything we can to keep you safe."

Dawn returned with clothes in hand and walked into the bathroom. She started filling the tub before walking back into the bedroom. "See if you can get her to stand Angel."

Angel stood and grabbed Ravyn's arms and was surprised when she stood up. "This way." he said as he led her to the bathroom. "Well, she does what she's told, seems like."

Dawn gave Ravyn a sad smile. "Yeah, looks like." she said before shutting off the water. "Well, scoot Angel, don't need any help in here." she said smiling up at him.

Angel's eyes went wide. "Oh, yeah...sorry." he said as he turned and left the room, pulling the door shut behind him.

"You ready to get cleaned up?" Dawn asked Ravyn as she walked over to her. "I've never given another woman a bath, so if I start blushing...don't laugh.okay?" Dawn said jokingly as she stood in front of Ravyn.

She sighed lightly and looked sadly at her. "Please get better soon." she said softly.

Dawn reached out and grabbed the hem of Ravyn's dress and pulled it up over her head. She threw it on the floor and walked behind her and started taking the pins out of Ravyn's long hair. She gasped lightly and shut her eyes briefly as she saw all the big black bruises that covered Ravyn's back. "If Spike doesn't kill whoever did this...I will" she told her softly as she let Ravyn's hair down.

She moved back in front of her and smiled as she looked at Ravyn. "Hey, you remember when we went shopping that one time?" she asked her as she finished undressing Ravyn and walked her over to the tub. Helping her in, she grabbed a washcloth and began to wash the blood off of her body.

"I had alot of fun that day. Buffy was so mad when I told her I spent time with you." Dawn said, smiling at the memory of her sister. "You two really hated each other didn't you?"

"Yeah well...guess it was only normal..I mean, you both were in love with Spike. Nothing like a little jealous bitching between girls over a guy is there?" Dawn said smiling as she filled a cup and poured it down Ravyn's hair. "Man, I bet Spike was loving that. Two women fighting over him, I'm surprised he didn't let you two fight it out. I know how much he enjoys watching the girls fight." she added laughing .

Dawn was surprised when Ravyn smiled slightly. "So, you are in there...aren't you?" she asked as she watched her. "I knew you were. Ravyn...can you tell me who did this to you? Just a name...that's all we need." she said, hoping to get something out of her.

Dawn watched and wished she had never mentioned it as she saw Ravyn begin to tremble. She knew whoever had done this, had Ravyn scared to death. Deciding to change the subject, and hopefully calm her down again, she smiled and cleared her throat.

"You want to hear about the Scoobies? It's been thirty-two years you know." Dawn said as she lathered up Ravyn's long hair. "Well, let's see...guess we'll start with Xander.you remember him? Spike called him whelp." Dawn said smiling. "Well, he and Anya got married and moved away from Sunnydale when Alexandra was born. They didn't want to raise kids on the Hellmouth. Can't really blame them though. They're living in Kansas. Can you believe that? When Xan said he wanted away from the Hellmouth, he wasn't kidding." she said smiling.

Dawn rinsed the shampoo out of Ravyn's hair and sat there a few minutes, her mind wandering before she looked back at Ravyn. "Well, let's get you out of here." she said as she pulled the drain plug and stood. She grabbed a towel and smiled when Ravyn stood on her own. Wrapping the towel around her, Dawn helped her out of the tub and started drying her off.

"Okay...who do you want to hear about next?" Dawn asked as she grabbed the clothes she had gotten for her to wear. "I guess Willow? Well, she moved to England a few years after Xander left. She worked at the Watcher's Council for a while, helping Giles. He was Buffy's watcher." She's still there. Married and with kids."

Dawn finished dressing Ravyn and walked her back into the bedroom. Sitting her on the bed, she started towel drying Ravyn's hair. "Well, as for me...I married a terrific guy. His name was Chris. We met in College. We never had any kids." Dawn said a little sad. "The whole, me being a mystical key and all came with a few drawbacks. Seems those monks didn't make me a completely 'real' girl, but on the bright side..the ageing process is definitely a plus." she added with a smile as she reached for a hairbrush.

"Guess you can see I don't look to much older than you. Pretty neat for someone who's close to fifty! No wonder you vamps love the whole immortality bit. Staying young forever has it's perks I guess."

Dawn's smile faas has her mind drifted back to her late husband. "Chris was killed about four years ago." she told Ravyn sadly. We were attacked by a couple vamps. He got bit. We weren't able to get him to the hospital in time." Dawn said, wiping a stray tear that slowly ran down her cheek.

Dawn slid off the bed and smiled weakly at Ravyn. She was surprised to see Ravyn actually looking at her. She looked almost as sad as Dawn felt.

Dawn smiled big as she watched her. "I'm really glad your back Ravyn. I know Spike will be to. He's been alone for a really long time."

"So, you hungry?" she asked her. "Angel brought you something up before your bath." Dawn told her reaching for the mug. "Might need to warm it back up." she said as she felt the cool mug.

Ravyn took the mug from Dawn and drank the now cold blood. Dawn watched, not believing she could drink it like that and wondered if that was how she was always feed.

Dawn took the mug from Ravyn when she had finished and sat it back down. "You've had a really hard day. Why don't you get some sleep." Dawn said as she pulled the blanket back on the bed.

Ravyn stood up and crawled into bed as Dawn pulled the sheet up over her. She watched, as Ravyn seemed to lose focus on the world around her again

"Goodnight Ravyn." she whispered to her before she turned and quietly left the room, pulling the door shut behind her.

~*~*~*

Dawn walked down the stairs to the lobby of the hotel. Angel, Blake and Jesse were all there.

"Well, did she ever start talking?" Angel asked as Dawn walked over to where he was.

"No" she told him. "but I do think she hears us and understands what we say to her even when she zones out."

"Well, that's good." Angel said as he and Dawn moved over to the sofa.

"I wish Spike would hurry back."

"Didn't he say he'd be back by the end of the week?"

"Yeah, but he needs to be here now." Dawn told him. "Hopefully he'll call again soon."

"As soon as he does, I'll tell him to head back." Angel said, smiling a little at Dawn.

"Well, whatever you do, DON'T tell him about Ravyn over the phone. Just get him back here first." Dawn said as she stood up. "I'm going to head home. I'll be back in the morning. You'll keep an eye on her?" she asked Angel as he also stood.

"You know I will. She'll be fine." he told her smiling. "I'll call if anything happens."

Dawn smiled back at him and started for the door. "Okay..night guy's." she told them as she opened the door and left.

"So, what now?" Jesse asked from his seat on top of the desk.

Angel turned to look at him. "I guess we try to make her comfortable and see if we can get her talking before Spike gets back."

"Has he ever mentioned her to you?" Blake asked looking at Angel.

"No.never." Angel told him.

"I've never heard him talk of her either. Wonder why?"

"Don't know...but I can't imagine him not wanting to remember her." Angel said looking at Blake. "Guess we'll find out why when he gets back."

"Yeah, whenever that might be."

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

Spike laid across the hard bed in the little motel room he was staying in. He had been awake most of the morning going over the list Angel had given him. He only had two more to cover before heading home. Of all the Master's he had looked up, only one so far couldn't be found.

Rubbing a hand over his face, he dropped the notebook and stretched out. Looking for Master Vampire's made his mind wander back to the one that took so much from him. He was glad Trull was dead, but the price for his death was to high.

There wasn't a day that went by that Spike's mind didn't drift to images of her. He was reminded of her everytime he stepped foot out of his beach house. Just the same way his garden and Dawn made him think of Buffy.

Closing his eyes, Spike fell asleep with images of his 'girls' flashing through his mind, playing his life over for him in slow motion.

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

Dawn was surprised to see Ravyn in the lobby when she arrived the next day. Her hair was brushed and pulled back and she was sitting on the sofa.

"Hey" Dawn said smiling. "What's going on?" she asked as she stopped in front of Angel.

Angel smiled up at her from his seat next to Ravyn. "Thought maybe I'd bring her down, maybe she'd snap out of this daze she's in if there's people around."

"Yeah, hopefully." Dawn said. "Hey Ravyn...You sleep well?" she asked her.

"She still hasn't said anything." Angel told Dawn. "But she'll do almost anything you tell her to."

Dawn's face scrunched up while she thought. "I wonder what's wrong with her then? I mean, can can she go from this.." Dawn said pointing to Ravyn's 'zoned out' appearance "to being able to focus on us and look like she's following the conversation?"

"She chooses to remain in that state." Rob said as he walked through the lobby, his nose buried in a book.

"What do you mean?" Angel asked him.

Rob stopped walking and looked over at the three on the sofa. "This 'state' she's in, is like a defense mechanism for her." he said as he approached them. "Wherever she's been and whoever had been hurting her has caused this. She chooses to block out the world around her."

Angel and Dawn looked over at Ravyn as she sat there, her eyes unfocused.

"So, you're saying, she's living in her own little dream world?" Dawn asked, confused at the concept.

"Basically...yes." Rob told her. "I'm no Doctor, but I'd be pretty safe to say that she has went through a great deal of abuse. Judging from the bruises she has.some are fresh.other's older. She probably had no choice but to escape it or go crazy. I'm sure once she realizes she's safe, she'll come around."

All three looked at Ravyn. They were all thinking the exact same thing...what had she actually had to live through to cause so much distress in her life that it would cause her to shut the rest of the world out.

"Well, maybe when Spike gets back, she'll snap out of it." Dawn said looking at Angel and Rob.

"Maybe" Angel said. "I're ire if anyone will be abl sna snap her out of this, he will." Dawn said. "I almost feel sorry for the person responsible for this. They're in for a world of hurt when Spike gets his hands on them."

"You sure about that?" Angel asked her.

Dawn looked over at Angel. "What's that suppose to mean?" she asked him, surprised at his tone of voice.

"Well, he's been here for nine years and I've never heard him mention Ravyn's name. Neither have any of the other's." Angel said looking at her. "Just makes me wonder if he'll be that upset about it."

Dawn looked at Angel, stunned by his statement. "You have no idea what he went through when she died Angel. Spike didn't talk about Ravyn to anyone. Not even Buffy. I don't know the full extent of their relationship, but I do know that he loved her...don't ever assume he didn't just because he's never mentioned her name." she finished saying, almost upset at his assumption of Spike's fegs fgs for Ravyn.

"Look, I'm sorry Dawn, I didn't mean to upset you." Angel told her. "Guess we need to try and figure out where she's been then. At least he'll have something to go on when he gets back."

"Trull" Ravyn whispered.

Angel's head snapped around when he heard her. He turned Ravyn's head so he could see her face. "Ravyn...can you hear me?" he asked her.

Ravyn blinked a few times andusedused her eyes on Angel.

Angel smiled at her when he realized she was actually looking at him. "Hey...gla hav have you back." he told her. "Did you say Trull? As in Nicholas Trull?"

Ravyn closed her eyes tightly and Angel watched as Ravyn started to tremble.

"Ravyn...you're safe here. He can't get you. I won't let him take you." Angel told her as he took her hand in his. "Is he the one you've been with?"

Ravyn slowly opened her eyes and looked at Angel before slowly nodding her head 'yes'.

Angel watched as tears filled her eyes and slowly made their way down her face. Reaching up, he wiped them away and smiled slightly at her. "He won't get you again Ravyn...I promise you that."

Dawn watched as Angel continued to wipe away Ravyn's tears and gently calmed her. She had never seen him act this way. He was always alot calmer that Spike was, but this was something different. It reminded her of Spike and how he was with Buffy when she was upset about something. She hoped it was just the compassionate side of his soul shining through and nothing more. Spike was going e upe upset enough about this whole situation without Angel going and falling for Ravyn in the process.

Deciding to head things off before they started, she stood from the couch and walked over to Ravyn and took her hand out of Angel's. "Hey Ravyn, I brought you some clothes...wanna go change out of these sweats?"

Ravyn turned her head to where Dawn was. She stood up and looked at her.

Dawn smiled and led Ravyn to the stairs after grabbing the bag of clothes she had brought. "I brought lot's of goodies for you." Dawn told Ravyn as she led her to her room.

Opening the door, Dawn led her over to the chair and made her sit as she pulled the clothes out of the bag. "Not sure what you're use to wearing..but I think these will do until you get better and we can go shopping." she said smiling. "That's something I can still do well."

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

Dawn fumbled with her keys, trying to unlock her apartment door as she heard Spike's voice on the answering machine. Cursing softly to herself, she finally managed to get the key in and let herself in. She ran to the phone and picked up the receiver..just as he hung up. "Damn!" she yelled before replacing the receiver and hitting the play button on the machine.

"Hey bit...where are you at? It's late. The poof hasn't got you workin' overtime again has he? Well, just wanted to let you know, I'm heading home. May take me a few days. I'll see you soon. Bye."

Dawn smiled, relieved he was on his way. She ran her hands through her shoulder length hair and wondered how she was 'exactly' going to tell him about Ravyn. Sighing lightly, she turned and headed for bed...sleep deprived from the last two days events.

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

Four days later...and still no word from Spike. Dawn was sitting at her desk at Angel Investigations, staring at Ravyn. She had been there almost a week, and she still wasn't showing any sign's of snapping out of her dazed state. All she did was sit and stare off into space. Dawn wondered what it was she was thinking about..if anything.

Dawn had been calling Spike's cottage for the last two days, hopeing he was there. She was starting to get anxious about his return. Even though she knew it was going to be hard for him, she would be glad when he knew. Sighing lightly, she looked back down at her paperwork, trying to take her mind off Ravyn for a while.

Angel walked into the room with a mug for Ravyn. He sat down beside her on the sofa and smiled at her. "Hey...you hungry?" he asked her, turning her head so he could see her. "It's warm. I know you've been drinking it cold, but I promise you this is much better."

Ravyn sat there, unmoving. Angel sighed lightly and brought the mug up so she could smell the blood. "I can't understand why she won't eat other than once a day." he said as he looked over at Dawn.

"I don't know either. And the whole 'cold' thing has to be gross." Dawn replied looking up at him.

"It is." Angel said, snarling his nose up at the memories of having to drink it cold. "I guess that's the way they gave it to her, and apparently only once a day. I'm surprised she has strength to move. She really should be eating more than she does."

"Well, apparently, this Trull guy wanted her weak. Probably so she wouldn't kick his ass. Spike said she was an excellent fighter. He told me once, when she got pissed, even he was scared of her." Dawn said smiling.

Angel laughed lightly. "Really..I'd like to have seen Spike scared of a woman."

"Yeah, he gave me Ravyn clothes when she...well, after the fire. She had this one pair of red leather boot's she had specially made with a wooden heel." Dawn said grinning. "Spike said Ravyn called them her ass kicking boots and he bout flipped out when he saw her kill a vaith ith them."

"Really?"

"Yeah, he said she was fast as hell and all that tight leather she wore distracted you just enough to catch you off guard."

"Huh...well, Spike always did like a good fight. Wonder if she ever got around to kicking his ass?" Angel asked smiling at the thought.

"No. Spike said she was to busy trying to do things to make him happy to worry about sparing with him."

"She loved him then?"

"Yeah, alot from what I saw. I spent the day with her shopping once and all she talked about was Spike. I don't think she had ever felt anything for anyone like she did for him."

"Be interesting to see if after all this time she's still in love with him."

Dawn looked hard at Angel as he sat there staring at Ravyn. She could see a look in his eye that she knew wasn't an 'Angel' look. "Well, I'm sure she probably is. They were mated."

Angel looked up at Dawn. "I didn't know Spike ever took a mate."

"Yep...Buffy was pretty upset about it when she found out."

"I bet so." Angel said with a far off look. "Mates are taken for life. I guess...that means since she's still here...."

"They're still mated." Dawn said, finishing Angels thought.

"Yeah, guess so." Angel said quietly.

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

Spike unlocked his door and walked in. He shrugged off his coat and sat down heavily on the chair. He shut his eyes for a minute before sitting up and reaching for his boots, taking them off and tossing them to the side.

He had driven all night for the past three nights, in a hurry to get back. He was tired from all the driving and wanted nothing more than a shower and a cold beer.

Standing, he walked into his bedroom, grabbed a change of clothes and headed for the bathroom. Ten minutes later, dressed in gray sweat pants and a dark blue T-shirt, Spike walked barefoot to the kitchen. Grabbing a beer from the fridge, he smiled to himself as the cold liquid ran down his throat.

Spike walked out onto the deck and checked on his garden. Giving it a little water, he turned and stretched out on the deck lounger, propped his feet up and looked out over the ocean. Relaxing for the first time in over a week.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Dawn picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number, crossing her finger's Spike would at least call home and check his machine. Waiting for the recording, she glanced over at Ravyn and hoped he'd soon be home.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Bloody Hell" Spike groaned as he heard the phone ringing. *Been back less than thirty minutes and already being bothered* he thought as he listened for the machine recording to end.

"Hey Spike...it's Dawn again. You need to come to the hotel as soon as you get in..it's very important..."

Spike sighed as he heard Dawn's voice and stood up, walking inside the house and picking up the phone.

"What is it bit?" he asked as he cut the machine off.

"Spike!! Oh thank god! You have to get over here now!" Dawn said excitedly.

Spike walked back out onto the deck and sat back down. "Well, nice to talk to you to." he said as he propped his feet back up and grabbed his beer.

"Spike, I'm not kidding...I need you over here like..last week!"

"Look nib..I'm tired, I just got in and I'm not moving off this recliner until the sun forces me to." Spike told her. "Now, unless you tell me what the big emergency is...I'm not moving."

Dawn sighed loudly. "Spike, I can't tell you this over the phone, now get up and come over here."

"I'm sure whatever it is can wait till tomorrow." he told her.

"NO!...it can't, now get your dead ass over here now!" she yelled, frustrated at him.

"Unless Angel's all soulless again or been cursed or is deader...there's not a bloody thing you can say to get me off this recliner! Now go to bed." he said, getting irritated at her demands. "I'll be over as soon as the sun set's...Tomorrow!"

"Fine!" Dawn yelled at him. "You are the most stubborn thing I've ever know! If you have to know before you move your ass...it's Ravyn!" Dawn continued, yelling. "Angel found her last week! She's alive and upstairs as we speak...Happy!!"

Dawn sat a few seconds and listened. "Spike...Spike you still there?" she asked when he made no sound. "Spike...you okay?"

Dawn shook her head and sighed loudly as she heard Spike's motorcycle roar to life and it's wheels screeching against the pavement. "Great...he'll probably kill himself deader getting here."