Global Disclaimer: All BtVS characters belong to FOX and the marvelous Mr. Joss Whedon. This story is for entertainment purposes only. The author intends neither profit nor defamation herein. This is just for fun and frolic, folks.

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A/N: Miss Edith wanted me to tell you one thing; you may want to read the first story in this series, Bloody Marvelous, before reading this one. Otherwise, some references will probably be lost.

Summary: The story continues as the struggle between Angelus and William/Spike slowly heats to an inferno. Darla and Drusilla get dragged along for the ride.
 

Chapter 1 - Fight or Flight

They left the tavern, smiling and laughing as they walked, arms around each other loosely. It was the quietest time of night, the hour just before dawn, when nobody in that day walked the street except the dark creatures, all making their way home before the daylight could catch them. These two were no exception, their steps quickened even though their mood remained light. They reached the house with half an hour to spare before sunrise.

Angelus and Darla, sitting on either end of the sofa with the fresh corpse of their shared dinner resting between them, looked up when the two younger vampires entered the drawing room. Darla wiped the blood off her mouth with a handkerchief before she spoke. "Did you two have an enjoyable night?"

Drusilla's smile was infectious. "I can still hear them singing in my head, a chorus of manly voices. They will never sing again."

Darla knitted her brows for a moment before she looked as if she understood. "You carried out your plan? Drat. I wanted to see that. It sounded interesting." She smiled after a second's pause. "Oh, well, I suppose there will be a repeat performance, with different actors?"

Angelus rose from the sofa and went to the cart to pour himself a drink "Opening night is an over rated affair. The villain has never grown into his menace enough for my tastes." He looked at William pointedly. "Maybe he would be worth watching after a few years' practice." He threw back his drink and walked toward the doorway. "Coming, Darla?" He walked up the stair without waiting for her answer.

Darla sighed with a dramatic flair. "Been like this all night, he is in such a mood." She followed him out of the room and up the stairs saying on her way by, "Get Nigel to deal with our rubbish, would you?"

The knock on the door roused Angelus from his sleep. Darla, also awake now, sat up against the headboard when he got out of the bed and slipped on a pair of trousers. He walked to the door. "Yes? What is it at this hour?"

A worried voice came from the other side of the door. "It's Nigel, Master Angelus. I think I've learned something you need to know." With the door opened, Nigel held out his hand. "The London Times, Sire. The story is on the front page."

Angelus took the paper from Nigel and read the front. He threw the paper back at Nigel with a growl. "Start packing. We leave tonight."

Nigel exited the room with haste, closing the door behind him quietly. Darla started to get dressed. There was a hint of nervousness in her voice. "What happened, Angelus?"

Nigel knocked on another door, this time the one to Drusilla and William's room. Drusilla opened the door a minute later, dressing gown hastily pulled on, hair rumpled. "We're fleeing, aren't we? I should have seen this happening but I did not."

Nigel stated simply, "Pack your things." He turned and walked away toward the stairs. Drusilla shut the door, worrying at her bottom lip with blunt teeth.

Drusilla stood in the doorway to the music room, suitcase in one hand, miss Edith held against her by the other. William walked up behind her, also carrying a small case. "Saying goodbye, love?"

She turned. "Not goodbye. I told you; the music is always with me. Ready?" He nodded in silent answer. She continued, "Daddy will be so cross with us. He'll say I should have seen this."

They walked to the front of the house in silence. Nigel, already loading bags on top of the carriage, took theirs to load as well. Angelus poked his head out the open door of the carriage. "Get in. We leave now." They got in, following orders. Nigel shut the door behind them, got in the driver's seat and urged the horses forward. When the carriage was moving along, Angelus spoke again, anger evident. "You never leave one alive who can identify you. What were you thinking?"

William started to speak. "It was only one frightened girl, Sire. We..."

Angelus interrupted him. "That one girl is talking to the authorities, boy. Granted, they think her to be insane but what if someone believed her? If someone who knows about vampires saw the truth beneath her story, we would be hunted. Perhaps we should leave you here, let them find you."

Drusilla came to William's defense. "He only did what I saw would happen. It was in the cards for her."

Darla spoke as if she were the final authority, which, in fact, she was. "We will determine the correct punishment when we reach our destination, Angelus. They boy must be punished but this was not a fatal mistake. He will learn."

Drusilla, smiling at Darla, asked, "Where are we going?"
 

TBC