Allison went out onto the back porch. Buffy was still in the den on the phone with Giles. At least that is what Allison guessed, because no one had said a word to her. In frustration she had finally excused herself. She needed air. She found herself on the porch swing a short time later.

She wasn’t out there long when the screen door squeaked open. She didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.

“You okay, pet?” Spike hesitated in the doorway. The sun was shadowed from the porch, so it wasn’t dangerous for him. That was not why he hesitated. He wasn’t sure he was wanted.

Allison sighed and rocked the swing back and forth. She shrugged, and Spike could see by her profile that she had been crying. He stood up straighter and strutted over to her, sitting down beside her on the bench.

“Don’t sweat about it, sugar. I remember when Ethan turned Giles into that Fyarl Demon. He’s no master mind. I’m sure I could take him myself.”

Allison wiped at her eyes and nodded. She just didn’t have the energy to argue, much less speak. She was scared. Her husband was in danger, after all. Because of her introspection, she missed the glint that suddenly appeared in Spike’s eye. “Yeah, I could do it myself. I could prove to Buffy…to everyone, that I am worthy.” He muttered this mostly to himself under his breath before turning and glancing up at the sky. The sun wouldn’t set for hours yet. They didn’t have much time, and the deadline was midnight. He looked over his other shoulder and saw Xander’s truck parked in the driveway. Giles and Carolee had taken the Suburban with them. That vehicle would have proven better, but Spike would take what he could get.

“Be right back, pigeon.” Spike shot up out of the chair and back into the house. Allison peered after him, frozen in her place but curious nonetheless. He soon wandered back out with a wool blanket in his hands and a smile on his face. “Here, catch.” He tossed her a set of keys, which she caught at the last possible moment.

“What’s going on?”

“We are going to go get your husband back. We don’t need to wait for these wankers.” He nodded over his shoulder with a funny look, causing Allison to smile just a little. “You drive, I have to avoid the sun. Hence the blanket.” He threw the blanket over his head and motioned for her to go. “Come on. Time is wasting!”

Allison looked down at the keys in her hands and then back at Spike. His face was just barely peeking out from behind his coverings. She then looked over his shoulder and into the house. The dark empty hallway was all she could see. She looked back at Spike again and his trusting face. That settled her. “Okay.” Allison stood up and Spike directed her toward Xander’s truck. She went ahead of the vampire and hurried to unlock the vehicle, muttering under her breath, “I’m a car thief now. What the heck.” She waved towards Spike as she threw the passenger side door opened. “Hurry up!” She glanced at the house window’s, fervently hoping that no one saw them. Spike ran in, a little bit of smoke trailing him inside the truck. With a whoop and a holler he slammed the door and shouted for Allison to “Step on it!”

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh.” Allison eased out into the street. Spike glared at her.

“What kind of driving is this? Pretend you are in that old blue Camaro of yours or something.” He huddled down into his blanket and tried to avoid the glare coming in from the windows.

Allison frowned. How dare he insult her driving. She pushed the gas pedal all the way down, and with a whoosh they headed downtown. A huge grin appeared on both of their faces.

“Um Spike? Where are we going anyway?” Allison skillfully maneuvered the truck around a curve, barely slowing at all. She giggled as Spike gripped the door handle. What did he think of her driving now?

He flared his nostrils and peeked at her from underneath his blanket. “Did you know Willie from Sunnydale?”

Allison nodded. She didn’t know him, but she knew of him.

“Well, his brother lives here. Teddy. He has quite the place himself. I figured we’d check his place out for information. I’m sure he’ll be forthcoming.” Spike smirked and flexed his muscles. He was aching for a good spot of violence. He told her take a left at the next light, and Teddy’s was on the corner.

It looked like quite the dump. Allison pulled into the back alley where it was dark. That entrance was provided just for those such as Spike. He threw the door open and clamored out, throwing the blanket back into the cab with gusto for good measure. He quirked an eyebrow at her as she sat there behind the wheel, not moving. “Coming?”

She glanced over Spike’s shoulder into the seedy alley. Her eyes widened and then fluttered back to the vampire. He’d protect her, she knew that, but did she have to go in there?

“I can’t do this without you, pet. Teddy will sympathize with the wife.” He slammed the truck’s door closed and waited for Allison to join him. She sighed heavily and then got out of the truck, putting Xander’s keys into her front jeans pocket. As she walked in front of the cab and joined Spike, he held out his hand to her with a smile. She gave him a shy smile back and placed her small hand in his cold and confident one. “That’s better,” he said.

In two quick strides they reached the door. Spike gave it a quick rap. A flap opened at eye level and an ugly demon with three eyes bore out at them.

“Teddy is a little more protective then his younger brother was.” Spike whispered into Allison’s ear before straightening up and peering back at the guard.

“Business or pleasure?” The demon’s voice was phlegmy and low. Just the tone of it made Allison’s skin crawl. Spike squeezed her hand gently as he felt her shiver beside him.

“Business. Tell Teddy it’s Spike.” He turned and looked down at Allison as the demon slammed the flap covering the door’s window shut. “It will be just a moment now, pet.”

They waited. And they waited. Then they waited some more. Spike shuffled his feet. Allison cleared her throat. And they still waited. Allison’s hand began to sweat within Spike’s. She worried about that. His hand was cold, divested of the need to sweat. Did her clammy hand bother him? Should she let go and wipe her hand off? These questions plagued her as they waited. She was just about to pull her hand out, just for a moment, when the sound of the door being unlocked reached their ears. The old wooden door creaked open revealing a staircase leading down into a basement.

“Finally,” Spike muttered under his breath before pulling Allison inside. The three eyed demon slammed the door shut behind them, locking them in. Without a glance backwards, Allison found herself being led down into the dank basement of Teddy’s bar.

“Oh my.”

more to come