ladymirth: I'm glad you like my story. I hate it when people bash characters just because they're a fan of another couple. I too am a huge Spuffy fan, but I actually prefer Angel (the show) over Buffy (the show). I just think Buffy (the show) has better fanfic material. Also I honestly believe Buffy will end up with Angel in the end and Spike only ever truly loved Dru. But despite that I still love Spuffy. Also I'm not a fan of slash but I love subtext. I love subtle relationships and their complexity. I really consider myself a character writer so I'm glad you think I'm doing a good job with these characters and their relationship. Please keep reviewing because your last one made my day.

Chapter 8

"I've been keeping track of the Anointed One's minions, in preparation of his attack on Buffy," Angel said, "They've moved out of the Master's old prison in the Hellmouth and into this factory." Spike and Angel were using the sewers underneath Sunnydale to travel to the factory part of town faster.

"The Master?" Spike said, "That old fart still around?"

"Actually Buffy killed him last year."

"Thank God. I remember when Darla took us to him that one time. He went on and on about procedure and ritual and blah, blah, blah. I mean, I'm just a vampire—was just a vampire—and you know, I just wanted to have a little fun. Screw the formalities. I don't need to pray to some dusted vampire who's long gone. He's dead. Obviously he did something wrong."

Angel climbed up a ladder and pushed off the manhole cover at the top off the ground. Spike followed him up onto pavement. He covered the manhole. They were in the factory part of Sunnydale.

"It's not far from here," Angel said.

The two stayed quiet until they made it factory where the Anointed One and his followers were staying.

"This whole Saint Vigeous thing; you think it's true?" Spike asked before they snuck in.

"I'm not sure," Angel said, "I'll let you know if I feel any stronger tomorrow. All the same, we should still be careful in there. The power of suggestion is very—Spike!"

Spike had already entered through the front door of the building without any stealth.

"Alright, give up the girl now and I'll let you keep your undead bodies intact," Spike's voice carried outside to where Angel was. Angel quickly followed behind Spike.

"Ah, there you are," Spike said, destroying any chance that Angel might've had at staying hidden.

"So this is your idea of being careful?" Angel asked as the vampires started to surround them. One vampire, behind them, closed the entrance door.

"Oh come on, we can take them. It'll be just like old times."

"Except we're fighting a bunch of powered up vampires instead of humans and you've been defanged."

"You really know how to make a man feel just peachy."

"Hey Spike," Angel said, "Shut up." Angel ran forward to attack and grabbed the heads of two vampires surrounding them, smashing them together.

Another vampire ran toward Spike. Spike jumped into the air and kicked the vampire in the head. As the vampire hit the ground Spike pulled out a stake from his pocket and jammed it into to vampire's heart.

"Angel," he said and tossed another stake to Angel but his aim was off. Another vampire caught it smirked.

"Goddamn it, Spike!" Angel said. The vampire and Spike both ran toward Angel. The vampire thrust the stake toward Angel's heart and Spike place his hand in front. The stake passed through Spike's hand, stopping it before it reached Angel, while Spike plunged another stake through the back of the vampire. As the vampire dusted Spike swore. Blood dripped down his hand but he had no time to mend his wound. Two more vampires were attacking.

Angel took one stake from Spike's uninjured hand and the other out of Spike's hand. Spike screamed as Angel pulled it out. In one fluid motion he thrust both stakes out to the side and staked both of the vampires. A third appeared from behind Spike. Spike did a backflip and kicked the vampire at its side. Angel went down on his knees as the vampire landed on the floor, and staked the vampire.

The vampires stopped attacking. There was only one more left in the room, other than Angel. It was the Anointed One. He sat on his throne and had lost all composure. He stood up and stared in horror at Spike and Angel. And then he started running.

Angel and Spike followed the Anointed One. The Anointed One, though was regarded as the savior of vampires everywhere, was in the body of a child. He was easy to catch and Angel quickly had him pinned to the ground.

"Where's Buffy?" Angel said.

"Who?" asked the Anointed One.

"The bloody slayer," Spike said, "Your goons grabbed her from the Bronzer earlier. Where are you keeping her?"

"Somebody took the slayer?" the Anointed One asked. "But the Night of Saint Vigeous isn't until tomorrow. Who would be so rash?"

Angel looked at Spike. "I guess they've got someone just as impatient as you."

"Sod off you big poof," Spike said. Spike knelt down next to the boy and placed his good hand around the Anointed One's neck. "Tell us where she is or I'll rip your head from your body."

"Please, you have to believe me," the Anointed One whined. "We were supposed to kill her tomorrow, when our power is at its peak. Please, don't hurt me. I don't know where she is."

Spike dropped the kid.

"Oh, thank you, so—"

Spike put a stake through him and killed the Anointed One. The next thing Spike knew he was on the floor and his head was pounding.

"What the Hell is wrong with you?" Angel asked, "He was our only chance at finding Buffy."

"The sodding kid didn't know anything. Can't believe they made him messiah. Can't even fight off a human and a ponce for a vampire."

Another punch, this time to the stomach. Spike coughed.

"Stop that, mate! He didn't have Buffy." Spike struggled to his feet, trying to regain his strength and breathe regularly again. When he stopped coughing he looked Angel straight in the eyes. The seriousness of the situation was finally dawning on him. "Someone else has her."

A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review. :D