(Not mine for the last time. See you soon with the sequel, 'Handling Lust')
 

It was as irregular a night as I could remember, and I've had some weird ones. Yeah, I was getting used to waking up with two vampires cuddling me- that was fun, and fun I can definitely do, but the rest of the evening was stranger than most, and in a way so normal it's scary. Yeah, I think it's scary when normal things are freaking me out.

I hate flying on my own. I only did it once, but it terrified me. Now, I knew that Angel and Spike would drop me off where I needed to go, and that Willow and Giles would pick me up in Sunnydale, but the four hours in between were what I worried about. Spike seemed to sense it.

"Slayer, are you sure you're okay with leaving on your own? We could drive back..." He left it hanging, but I knew and he knew that I knew that he wanted to get to England asap. He was still holding that box like a comfort blanket. Angel nodded behind him, but again, I could feel their urgency and I knew that having to take a boat was an annoying delay for them both. I wanted them to finish whatever they wanted to do fast and come back to me, and I told them just that.

"Okay, if you're sure." Angel said. "We should leave. You all packed?" I nodded and pointed at my duffle by the door.

"What are you going to do with the RV?" I asked. It'd be a real bummer if Spike had to leave it behind.

"We'll leave it here and drive it back to Sunnydale when we get back." Spike replied, "Which will be in about three weeks, if everything goes our way. Which it won't of course, since the whole bloody universe is against me...I figure having Saint Angelus around might help, though." He patted Angel, who growled at him. "Now, Peaches, we'll have a whole week to argue. Let's stay civil until we get the Slayer on a plane."

"Oh, so you just want me out of the way so you can start brawling again?" I teased. Spike seemed to be completely serious when he nodded, though.

The drive was quiet. Angel looked away and Spike scowled and speeded up when we passed by the crater that used to be a shopping center, but it went better than other drives we've had. In not time at all, we were at the terminal.

"Now, you know which gate you're supposed to go through? And you've got your tickets?" Spike asked. I swear, watching Dawn has turned him into a mother hen.

"Yes and yes. Relax, it's just a flight." I wasn't convincing myself, but I felt a bit calmer. Both of them kissed me and promised to call.

"Tell the niblet to call me. I need to yell at her for that stunt she pulled at the hotel." Spike tried to sound angry, but didn't quite pull it off.  Between one moment and the next, they were gone. I shook my head and went looking for my gate.

The flight was better than I expected. I didn't throw up once. Landing was a bit of a problem, but only because I realized I was maybe fifteen minutes away from facing everybody and explaining things. Oh God, what was I going to tell them? They'd never understand. The thought of disappointing Giles again was almost physically painful. I too a deep breath- I have dealt with the Master, the mayor, and Glory. I an deal with my friends- I hope.

*****

"So what now?" Spike asked as the two vampires drove away.

"We catch that boat." Angel shrugged. Both of them felt awkward with each other, having gone too long without anything resembling friendship between them. Spike voice the thought Angel had as well.

"This was a bad idea. Possibly one of the worst I've ever had." He said.

"It could also turn out ok, if we both decide to let bygones be bygones." Angel suggested.

"Are you crazy? We're bloody world-champions at holding a grudge." Spike replied, scowling. "We'll kill each other before the week is out."

"We've held up this long, I doubt we'll go wild now. I don't know, William. I want to be friends again." It took a lot of pride-swallowing for Angel to admit that, and Spike knew that. He nodded.

"Maybe I do, too. We'll try. Truce?" He held out his hand, ready to draw it back if it looked like the older vampire wanted to take more than he was willing to give. Angel reached out slowly and squeezed his hand.

"Truce." Angel kept a hold on his Childe's hand. "What got into you that day at the hotel?" He asked, looking again at the very pale lines still spelling out his name.

"Was bored. And pissed off. They'll heal." Spike pulled his hand away. "Let's go, Poof. We don't want to miss the boat." Spike looked longingly at the plain cardboard box in the back of the RV. "We have things to do."

"That we do. Have we got everything? I'd hate to have to resort to rats."

"Yeah, yeah, we have everything. You'd think after a steady diet of rat you'd be used to them." Spike casually pushed Angel out of the way and got behind the wheel. "I'm driving."

"Like hell you are!"

And off they were again....
 

To Be Continued???