The last thing he remembered was pain; light scorching and searing through every cell until he swore he could almost feel his bones cracking and his skin peeling away from his now surely desiccated flesh—then blessed darkness.

He sucked a deep, steadying lungful of air, and cast his gaze frantically around the room. They surrounded him, crowding in—the startled faces of strangers, both human and demon. A growl sounded, drawing both his attention and an answering growl from deep in his chest as he spun to face his grandsire.

Angelus!

He had no idea how he’d come to be here—wherever here was—but he was sure that his grandsire was somehow responsible.

“What did you do, you bastard?” he growled, launching himself at his foe. His lips twisted in grim satisfaction as his fist connected, sending the other vampire flying backwards and over the desk.

Angel landed hard, taking a moment to recover before rolling sideways and twisting to bring his legs around as Spike landed, heavy boots thumping down on the spot Angel had just vacated. Angel kicked out, catching Spike in the knee, throwing the younger vampire off balance and dropping him to the ground. From there it degenerated into a schoolyard tussle, albeit one complete with fangs and snarls. They rolled, kicking and punching, fangs snapping dangerously; neither one able to find a clear advantage in the confined space between the large desk and the wall.

“Enough!”

The firmly barked order brought a pause in hostilities as both vampires glanced up, turning furious snarling faces on the source of the interference.

One of the humans was less than six feet away, having come around the desk to where he now stood; a loaded crossbow levelled at Spike.

“That’d be bloody right, can’t take me in a fair fight, huh, Peaches? You have to get one of your lackeys to help you.”

A sardonic smile creased the corner of Wesley’s mouth as he quirked an eyebrow at them. “I assure you, I won’t hesitate to shoot you both if you don’t stop immediately.”

“Wesley!” A soft Texan voice echoed Angel’s shocked growl.

Wesley gestured with the crossbow and Spike sighed, reluctantly releasing his grip on Angel’s shirt and rising.

“Watcher?” he asked, patting himself down before removing a pack of cigarettes, lighting one and leaning back against the wall in a show of casual indifference.

“Yes.” “No” The vampire and ex-watcher responded simultaneously.

“Not anymore,” Wesley qualified, scowling at Angel as he climbed slowly to his feet.

“So…” Spike took a long drag, his jaw setting as he narrowed his eyes, ignoring the still-armed watcher and fixing his gaze on his grandsire. “You gonna tell me what the bleedin’ hell you did to me, and why?”

“What makes you think I did anything?” Angel retorted.

“’Cause one minute I’m on my knees in a cave in deepest darkest Africa, an’ the next I’m standing here in your not-so-esteemed company. Think it’s a bit much of a coincidence that no sooner do I go an’ win my soul than I find myself standing in a room with the only other souled vamp in the world, don’t you?”