---

"She looks good doesn't she?" Xander asked eager for Anya and Buffy to agree.

"Yes, Xander she looks good. Although Willow never realized the concept of your clothes matching, she does look well." Anya patted her husband's shoulder. He shook his head, "Thank you Anya, Buffy you’re being quiet, what do you think?"

Buffy turned to Xander and smiled, "She looked good Xander, she looked like "our" Willow. I hope everything is going to be okay for her." Buffy meant her words but as usual something nagged at her telling her it was never that easy - Willow had been through a lot and made alot of mistakes in her grief.

"Good we’re here. I hope Caleb is okay." Anya got out of the car first leaving Buffy and Xander alone.

"She is going to be okay, Buffy. We'll make support her... just like when you came back... " His voice faltered and he added softly, "Well maybe that isn't a good example."

"It's okay, Xander. I know what you mean and yeah we'll do our best for her." Buffy walked into the house with Xander following.

Anya had a sleeping Caleb in her arm, she pushed his hair back from his face and kissed his forehead. "He's precious isn't he?"

Dawn agreed as Spike mumbled "Especially when he's sleeping."

Buffy smiled as Xander helped gather Caleb's toys and the all important manual for his care. It was good to see one of her friends so happy and so normal... well as normal as life with Anya could be. She gave Xander a brief hug and waved as he and his family left.

She sighed and turned to face Spike and Dawn. They both had anxious looks on their faces, Spike was at her side in an instant, "You okay, luv?" He took her arm and nudged her towards the couch where they both sat down.

Dawn took the chair across from them, "How was it? I mean how was... how was Willow?"

Spike instinctively pulled Buffy closer to him and she lay her head on his shoulder, "It was good. Willow looks and seems to be "Willow" again. She really wants to make up for things, she said she owed both of you apologies. I think she's sincere." Buffy rubbed her eyes and let out a small yawn, the evening had exhausted her.

"She doesn't owe me an apology! She owes Eric's, Shanna's, Mike's and poor Mr. Sollar's families apologies! They are the ones who didn't survive her attack on Warren. Those people don't even really know what happened! I'm sure that poor Mr. Sollars gets the blame because he was driving the bus - no one would believe that a mad witch had taken it over! It's so unfair." Dawn's voice raised and tears threatened to spill.

"I know, Dawn. But Willow... she wasn't herself and... " Buffy was at a loss, she could understand her sister's frustration and anger.

"I know, Buffy. It's just that... I didn't mean to take it out on you. I really am glad Willow is better. Really...it's just hard." Dawn stood, "I'm going to bed it's been a long day."

Buffy stood and hugged her sister tightly, "It's okay, Dawn. I know how hard this is. Get some sleep. I love you." Buffy pulled away from her sister.

"Me too, Niblet." Spike smiled at his surrogate little sister, "I love you too."

Dawn offered a small smile back, "I love you guys too. Good night."

Buffy sighed as she watched her sister climb the stairs, "She has every right to feel that way... yet I can't give up on Willow."

Spike stood and wrapped his arms around her, "Lil Bit will be okay, she has us, you go ahead and help Willow. Bit will understand."

Buffy turned and lay her head on his chest enjoying the feel of his arms around her, enclosing her in a safe circle. "I love you - you know that."

He laughed softly, "Yeah I do, but you can say it all you want."

She pressed her self even closer to him and smiled, "Are you ready for that dessert I promised."

In one move she was in his arms as he took the steps two at a time.

---

Sunnydale seemed peaceful tonight.

In another house in town a small boy lay tucked in his bed, his favorite stuffed animal held tightly in his arms. His parents are sleeping in another room, Anya comfortably wrapped around Xander as he snores softly.

In the third house Willow falls into the first really peaceful sleep she's had in months unaware that someone is watching her from the French windows on her balcony. Amy smiles as she watches Willow sleep, "Sleep well tonight, Willow. It will be your only peaceful sleep for a while... " She whispers as she looks in the glass pane of the French door. "Perfect." She whispers again as she admires her reflection in the glass - the reflection of Tara McClay.

---

Spike could see the tiniest sliver of sunlight fighting it's way into Buffy's bedroom window. He winced at the thought of waking up the blonde lying curled up next to him, last night had exhausted her between Willow and...

He grinned as he thought about last night, dessert had been well worth the wait. He shifted slightly in the bed and was met by bright hazel eyes, "Good morning." She finished the sentence with a yawn.

"Morning to you." He leaned over and kissed her lightly, "Any plans for today?"

"Well, Anya is going to start training Willow at the shop today. Xander asked me to come down for moral support." Buffy sat up and stretched before getting out of the bed, "Guess I better shower, you let me sleep in this morning." She frowned slightly.

"You needed the sleep. Last night with Willow tired you out." He stood up, "Well that was part of what tired you out anyway." He gave her an arrogant smile.

She rolled her eyes at him, "I'm going to take that shower now." She was out the door when she turned her head to look at him and casually tossed "You coming?" over her shoulder.

She didn't have to ask twice and soon they were using up all the hot water. Dawn padded down the hall and heard the giggling coming from the bathroom. Thank goodness it was Saturday, she sighed as she went downstairs to find some breakfast, the shower would be occupied for awhile.

---

Amy watched the Summers house from the corner of the back yard, she had a good view of the kitchen from there and could watch unnoticed for long periods of time. For such an unconventional family they centered alot of homelife in the traditional kitchen. She could hear their laughter and teasing if she dared get close enough to the window. She had learned that they took turns washing dishes, Buffy on Friday and Saturday, Dawn on Sunday, Spike on Monday and Tuesday and Dawn took the remaining two days. She still whined about it occasionally but Buffy pointed out that she and Spike did laundry and Spike had taken over the taking out the trash. Amy had taken in these little details as she watched and listened. You never know when these things might come in handy.

She had been observing life at the Xander Harris home too. Seeing Xander with his little boy almost made her want to back out of her plan. But her anger was too strong - they would all pay...

---

Buffy and Spike joined Dawn in the kitchen forty five minutes later she was scraping the remnants of her breakfast into the trashcan. "Took you two long enough! I need to shower too!" She complained with a grin.

"Buffy's fault, Niblet. She.." Spike walked to the refrigerator.

Dawn quickly cut him off, "I so do not want details, Spike."

Buffy shook her head and smiled, "Spike, no details and could you please get me some juice?"

He pulled out a juice carton and sat it on the counter. Buffy poured it into her glass and took a long sip, "Dawn, I'm going to the Magic Shop to see Willow. Do you want to go?"

Dawn chewed on her bottom lip, a mirror image of her sister in stressful times. "Well, I need to take my shower."

"You don't have to go, Dawn." Spike told her as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"No, you don't have too , but you will have to see her eventually." Buffy ran her hand through Dawn's dark hair.

Dawn sighed, "Why don't you go ahead and I'll meet you there later, after I shower. Okay?"

Buffy smiled at her sister, "Sure, that's fine. Spike do you want to come too?"

Dawn sat her plate in the sink and left to take her shower.

"Daylight isn't good for my complexion. I'm sure Willow will understand." His tone was light as he made the excuse but Buffy could see trouble in his blue eyes.

"You'll have to see her eventually too, Spike." Buffy gave him a small smile.

"I know. And I will see her soon. I promise." He turned back to his breakfast mug and took a long swallow. "Probably don't need to push us all on her at once anyway, this motley bunch is enough to scare anyone."

Buffy noticed the laugh never reached his eyes, she touched his hand, "It's all going to be okay, Spike. I'll talk to you later. I love you." She added the last part as she kissed his cheek.

"I love you too, pet." He called after her.

---

The Magic Box was crowded with people as Buffy made her way to the sales counter. Anya was at the register smiling brightly as she rang up one sale after the other. "Are you having a big sale?" Buffy asked as a rather large woman almost ran her down getting to the register her hands full of assorted herbs. Anya quickly rang the ladies purchase up and asked her to come again.

"No, not a sale. But there was an article about a herbal diet and testimonies from several people claiming it worked for them in the paper this morning. And since we sell lots of herbs we've had lots of business." Anya took a deep breath, "I've been so busy I've hardly had time to train Willow."

"Where is Willow?" Buffy asked looking around the shop.

"Oh, I have her stocking some books up on the top floor." Anya nodded towards the stairs, then added in a whisper, "I think she is doing very well. No signs of ... unstable behavior."

Buffy nodded, "Oh. well that's good. I think I'll go check on her." She climbed the stairs to find Willow sitting in front of a bookshelf shelving a stack of books, "Hey Will."

Willow smiled, "Buffy, you came."

"Of course I did, Xander wanted me here for your first day. Where is he by the way?"

Willow laughed, "Anya has him in the basement doing some cleaning. Caleb is with him."

Buffy's smiled and asked hesitantly, "Caleb is here?"

"Yeah, he's with his daddy. He is the cutest little guy. Xander and Anya are so lucky to have him." Willow stood up and dusted off her pants.

"Yes they really are. So how are you? I bet your parents are excited to have you back home."

"They are happy to have me home and sane again." Willow replied.

Buffy's mouth dropped open, "Willow..."

"It's okay Buffy. I was out of it and it took a while for me to get myself to together. But I'm okay now. Really.", Willow sighed, " And I've got great friends and I have this job and I'm going to go back to school next semester. I'm going to be okay."

Buffy took a step towards Willow and pulled her into a hug, whispering into her ear, "I'm so glad you're back Willow."

"Buffy!" Dawn's voice called from the bottom of the stairs, "You up there?"

"Come on up, Dawn." Buffy called back down.

Dawn climbed the stairs slowly, worried about seeing Willow again. She needn’t' have worried because the redhead was as nervous as she was. "Dawn." She greeted her cautiously.

"Willow." Dawn replied softly.

"Dawnie... I don't know where to begin." Willow clasped her hands together in front of her.

"You don't have to... " Dawn spoke hesitantly.

"Yes, I do." Willow interrupted her, "I owe you such a big apology. And I know that I can never make it up to you for all you lost that day. But I'm promising you that nothing like that will ever happen again."

Dawn's attitude towards Willow while still wary did soften a bit as she listened to her speak. She could hear the sincerity in Willow's voice and see the pain in her eyes. "I accept you apology." Dawn replied softly.

"Thanks." Willow smiled at the younger girl, "You've really grown up."

---

Dawn and Buffy returned home with pepperoni pizza for supper, "Spike we're here." Buffy called as they entered the house.

"In here." Spike called from the kitchen, where he was cleaning out the refrigerator, "Bloody lot of pigs living here." He grimaced as he threw a plastic dish with something green and slimy growing in it into the trash can.

"It's Dawn, didn't I tell you the story about the dish we found under her bed that we had to give a name?" She laughed as Dawn rolled her eyes and playfully hit her shoulder.

"Ignore her. We have pizza." Dawn exclaimed as she began to pull the plates from the cabinet.

"How did it go at the shop?" Spike asked as he loaded his plate with pizza.

"Good. I think Willow really is doing better." Buffy told him as she poured soda for them.

"And you, Niblet? You okay?" Spike turned to Dawn.

"Yeah, I'm okay. It was hard but I think Buffy's right, I think Willow is trying. I'm not a hundred percent with her yet, but I'll give her a chance." Dawn told him as she fixed her plate.

"Good, I'm glad it went okay for you two. Guess I'll have my turn next." He sighed as he took a bite of pizza.

Amy smiled as they finished supper and like clockwork on every Saturday, Buffy did the dishes.

---

"Goodnight." Willow called as she closed her bedroom door.

"Night, honey." Her parents called back to her.

She settled into her bed and thought about how the day had gone so smoothly. She felt good about the job and even though it was hard she was glad she had seen Dawn. She was sure she would feel better when she got to offer her apology to Spike too. Afterall he had seen her breakdown coming and no one had believed him, she shook her head at the memory of the rift it had cause between he and Buffy and the consequences of her actions had caused so much more pain for so many people. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the present on how good she had felt today.

Amy stood outside Willow's window once again and watched as she just dozed off. Now was the time to put her plan into motion, checking her reflection in the window she knocked softly on the glass. Willow opened her eyes when she heard the knocking, she got out of the bed and started towards the doors. She stopped and gasped when she saw the face staring at her through the glass. "Tara?" She said the name out loud as she stood frozen in place.

Amy laughed out loud as she scrambled over Willow's balcony and down the tree to the ground. She ran off and was gone before Willow regained her senses and went to the open the doors - feeling like her heart was going to pound right out of her chest.

---

Amy gathered more information on her targets the next day. The Magic box was closed and she followed Willow to Xander's house for dinner. She watched as Willow played blocks on the floor with Xander's son. She was slowly figuring out what would hurt each of these people the most...

Buffy, Spike and Dawn had spent a lazy day in front of the TV and doing laundry. Amy shook her head at the picture of domesticity that those three had become.

She decided to let Willow rest that night. She had a plan already forming for the next couple of days. Willow wouldn't know what to believe before it was over and neither would her friends.

Willow climbed into bed and tightly shut her eyes she held her breath waiting for another knock on her window, but it never came. She finally fell asleep and dreamed of Tara.

---

Willow was straightening the window display in the shop. She noticed someone stop in front of the window, she looked up to smile at the prospective customer her heart skipped a beat! It was Tara! She tried to speak but Tara turned a ran away as Willow tried to get out of the window display. She made her way to the door and was greeted by Amy Madison. "Willow!" Amy exclaimed as she pulled her into a hug.

"Amy." Willow replied looking over Amy's shoulder outside on the street, no sign of Tara. Maybe she was losing her mind... again?

"You look like you've seen a ghost?" Amy pulled away from Willow and smiled.

"Uh no..just someone I thought I knew. How are you?" Willow closed the door to the shop with another quick look up the street.

"I'm really good. I'm working now and trying to live magic free..." Amy sighed, "I've just come in to get some herbs for a comforting tea. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing a lot better. The herbs are over there, do you need help?" Willow walked towards the herb shelf.

"No, I know what I need. Thanks." Amy smiled as she watched Willow go to the sales counter and start straightening up. She picked out her herbs and slipped a large bottle of holy water in her bag. That would do for the next part of her plan.

"That will be $4.85." Willow smiled as she put Amy's herbs in a bag for her. "Thanks for shopping the Magic Shop."

"It was good to see you Willow." Amy smiled and turned to find herself facing Buffy.

"Amy." Buffy nodded at her and walked towards Willow at the counter. Amy busied herself at a display of colorful beads.

"Willow, would you like to come have some Buffy cooking for supper tomorrow night? About 6 o'clock" Buffy grinned at her friend.

"You cook now?" Willow teased.

"Yes I cook! Please come you can see Dawn again and um Spike too." Buffy said softly.

"Okay, sounds good." Willow smiled at Buffy.

Amy left smiling to herself perfect Willow at Buffy's on a Tuesday night. That was Spike's night to wash the dishes. She hummed to herself as she walked home - things were falling into place quite nicely.

---

Buffy took the lasagna out of the oven and sat it on a hotpad on the counter top. She mixed the salad and went to get the dishes out of the cabinet, when she heard the doorbell. "Get that somebody!" She called from the kitchen.

"Got it." Spike called back as he came down the stairs. He opened the door to find Willow standing there looking almost shy. "Well come on in, Red." He told her as he held the door open for her and gave her a smile.

Willow smiled back at him as she followed him into the living room, "Spike, it's good to see you." She said the words softly.

"Really?" He smiled doubtfully at her.

"Yes... I know things were bad before..but you were right. And I don't know how to apologize to you for everything that happened." Willow sighed as she sat down on the couch.

"I was right, thats true. But if anyone knows what it feels like to need a second chance it's me. I've done a lot of bad in my life and I've been lucky enough to be forgiven for it, thats the least I can do for you." He leaned forward almost close enough to touch her, "I do have to tell you that I will be watching you though."

Willow pulled back away from him, "I'm not going to hurt anyone, Spike."

"I don't think you want to ...but you hurt the people I care most about and I owe it to them to watch out for them. You understand that?" His voice was soft now.

Willow looked into his eyes and she understood... he loved Buffy and Dawn as much as she had loved Tara. "I understand Spike."

"Okay, then lets go see what Buffy has cooked for supper!" He nodded towards the kitchen and stood up.

Willow followed him and the smell of lasagna filled the kitchen, "Buffy that smells so good!"

"Thanks, it's just about ready! Spike call Dawn please." Buffy asked as she went to fill the glasses with ice.

"Let me help." Willow told her as she took the glasses to the dining table.

Spike returned in a moment with Dawn at his side, "Lasagna!" Dawn grinned at Buffy and Willow, "Hey, Willow."

"Dawn." Willow smiled back at her.

Dinner went very well, the friends talked about old times before it had all gone so wrong and then about Xander and Anya and how strange it was that they had a little boy. When everyone was done, Spike began to clear the table, "You girls talk." He put on a false frown, "It's the vamp's turn to do the dishes."

Willow laughed softly when he left the room, "You have him well trained Buffy."

"Yes, he does laundry too. Which reminds me - I've go to go check the dryer - I left a sweater in it. I'll be right back." She stood as Spike entered the room, "Sit back down, I'll go check the dryer."

She winked at Willow, "told you he did laundry too."

Willow stood, "I'm going to get a glass of water, I'll be right back." She went to the kitchen and filled her glass returning to the dining room.

Amy watched and quickly entered the kitchen pouring the contents of a bottle into the sink of water. She left just as quickly when she heard Spike coming up from the basement, on her way out the back door she dropped the bottle on the ground by the trashcan.

Spike brought the sweater upstairs and lay it on a barstool as he began to put the dishes in the sink. He plunged his hands into the water up and yelled, dropping the glass in his hand on the floor smashing it as he pulled his hands from the water.. He quickly turned on the cold water to run over the smoking flesh, blisters were already appearing.

Buffy was up as soon as she heard the painful yell from the kitchen, Dawn and Willow quickly followed. "Spike! Whats wrong?" She ran towards him as he held his blistered hands out to her.

"I don't know. I put my hands in the water and they started burning like I had been doused with holy water." He sat down on one of the barstools.

"Let me get some burn ointment for your hands." Buffy said with concern wincing as she examined the burns.

Dawn walked to the sink and and carefully put the tip of her finger in the sink. Spike noticed her and yelled, "Don't Dawn!"

It was too late though as Dawn's finger splashed the water she didn't flinch, then she stuck her hand in the water. "It's okay, it doesn't burn me."

"What the... " Spike looked at Dawn's unblemished hands.

"I don't know, I'm getting that ointment." Buffy went to the bathroom.

Willow had been quiet until Buffy left, "Let me get a cold cloth for you." She went to the sink, avoiding the glass on the floor, grabbed a dishtowel and ran cold water on it. She looked out the window and noticed someone standing in the back of the yard the face was unmistakable as the woman raised a hand and waved, "Tara?" Willow said softly.

"Did you say something?" Dawn asked as she took the wet cloth from her.

"Uh...no. I'm sorry I better go. I hope you feel better Spike." Willow walked towards the backdoor.

Buffy came into the kitchen with the ointment as Willow was leaving, "You going Willow?"

"Yeah, I better get home, parents worry easy now. Thanks for dinner." Willow spoke quickly as she opened the back door. She scanned the back yard and even called out very softly, "Tara" No one answered though and she shakily made her way back home. Something was wrong, very wrong.

"Here let me put this on those blisters." Buffy said soothingly as she applied the cool ointment to his damaged hands. "This looks terrible, what could have happened?"

"I don't know, pet." Spike sighed, "But I promise I wasn't trying to get out of doing the dishes." He gave her a smirk, he could sense her worry and wanted to ease it for her. "I'll be okay."

Dawn knelt on the floor with a brush and dustpan cleaning up the broken glass. "I'll take this out to the trash can."

"Okay, thanks for cleaning that up." Buffy patted Dawn's arm as she left the kitchen.

Dawn took the dustpan to the trashcan and dumped the broken glass into it. She noticed something shining in the moonlight in front of the trashcan and knelt to pick it up. It was a bottle labeled 'holy water' and the price tag from the Magic Box was still attached. She took the bottle back into the house with her. "Guys - I found this out by the trashcan." She sat the bottle on the countertop.

"Holy water? Why? Spike you don't think someone came in and poured that in your dishwater do you?" Buffy looked thoughtful as she added, "Who would have done that?"

Spike frowned, "I don't know, pet." A thought appeared in his head and he didn't like it at all.

Dawn however voiced it for him, "Buffy... why did Willow go out the back door?"

---

Buffy's eyes widened at Dawn's words, "Dawn you don't think that... " She looked at Spike his hands covered in a light gauze bandage over the burn ointment, "Spike?"

Dawn shook her head at her sister, "Buffy it makes sense she got a drink of water in the kitchen, left when Spike got hurt...she went out" Dawn nodded towards the back door.

Spike held up his hand to Dawn, "Enough Dawn.I don't know what to think, Buffy." He replied quietly, "I think we've had enough excitement for one night, I'm going to bed."

Dawn grumbled, "Fine. Let's not talk about it...now anyway. I'm going to my room."

"Guess I'll do these dishes." Buffy sighed, "I'll be upstairs when I'm done."

Spike nodded at her and left the kitchen. Dawn said goodnight and left Buffy alone with the dirty dishes. She ran new dishwater and washed the dishes going over what had happened in her head over and over again. Surely Willow didn't have anything to do with what happened - she seemed like the old Willow. On the other hand - Spike didn't need to feel like she was choosing Willow over him. She dried her hands, checked the back door and went upstairs.

Spike was lying in the bed wide awake, he didn't want to believe that Willow would hurt him like that. But he was wary of the witch and although he had been sincere about giving her a second chance he had also been very serious about keeping an eye on her. He winced as he moved his hand from under the pillow, the bandage was rubbing the burns.

Buffy stuck her head in Dawn's room, "Goodnight, Dawnie. I love you."

Dawn gave a halfhearted goodnight then softened and added, "Love you too."

Buffy entered the bedroom quietly and closed the door behind her, "You still awake?" She asked as she changed into her nightgown. Spike kept his eyes tightly closed and didn't answer her. She went to brush her teeth and came back to bed. "I know you're awake." She whispered as she pulled the comforter around her.

"Don't want to argue." Spike finally replied.

"Didn't plan on arguing." Buffy smiled at him as she touched his face, "You were wrong - we haven't had enough excitement tonight." She kissed him then a long slow kiss.

"Yeah I'm incredibly sexy with these bandaged hands." He held up his hands in front of her.

"You would be incredibly sexy in a full body cast... and you know it." She kissed him again this time more urgently.

"Can't use my hands..." He grumbled as he kissed her back.

"Then you'll have to think of something else... " She laughed softly as he ran kisses down her neck on onto her shoulder.

"Think I can manage." He finally smiled at her.

---

Willow's mind raced all the way home at every stop sign she looked out anxiously expecting to see Tara. No, no it couldn't be Tara. Her mind was playing tricks on her that what it was. She would go home and climb in the bed - go straight to sleep and ignore the feeling that she was losing her mind. Concentrate Willow - Tara is gone and she's not coming back.

Amy watched from the street as Willow's bedroom light went off. She was through with her for the night. The look on Willow's face through Buffy's kitchen window had been worth the risk of going in the house. Spike's pain - that was a bonus she could tell how miserable his hurting made Buffy. And she deserved it - they all deserved it. Let her be a rat for more years then she wanted to remember then when she came back deserted her because of her association with Rack. Then Rack had refused to see her anymore because she had driven Willow away from him. Her life had gone downhill and they were all going to pay for her misery with their own.

---

Willow was weary as she made her way to the Magic Box she had not slept well the night before. "You look tired." Anya noted as Willow hung up her jacket.

"Didn't sleep well last night." She managed a small smile. Seeing dead people and doubting your sanity will do that to you she sighed inwardly and set about stocking candles.

"Hope it wasn't nightmares." Spike's voice came from the backroom.

"Spike, you're here early." Willow wrinkled her brow at him, "How are your hands? Any idea what happened?"

"My trusty blanket and I came with Buffy she's training back there," He nodded his head towards the back of the store, "Hands are bit better today." He held them up for her to see, blisters were still there but the hands weren't as angry red as they had been last night.

"Good I'm glad." Willow smiled at him as she continued to stock the shelf.

Spike leaned against the counter watching her, making her a bit nervous, after a few minutes she turned to face him. "You need something, Spike?" She asked casually.

"Well, no, I was just gonna answer your question. We have an idea what happened."

"Oh, well what do you think it was?" She stood and faced him.

"Niblet found a bottle of holy water out by the trash... " He paused for a moment, "A bottle that had been bought right here at the Magic Box, price still attached."

Willow's eyes widened, "You think someone poured it in the dishwater? That would have to be someone who knew you were doing the dishes?"

"Yeah, it would. See you round, Red." Spike left her and went back to find Buffy. Willow had seemed genuinely surprised about what he had told her or maybe she was just a good actress.

Buffy was finishing up her time with at the punching bag when Spike reentered the room. "Hey where did you go?" She asked as she wiped her brow with a towel and looked around for her water bottle.

Spike found the bottle and handed it to her, "I was talking to Willow."

Buffy looked at him sharply, "You didn't..."

"No, I didn't accuse her of anything. She asked if we knew what happened and I just told her Dawn found the bottle." He rolled his eyes at her, "I wasn't gonna grill her right here in the shop. Sides, she seemed really surprised when I told her about it."

"See that's a good thing, I'm sure she had nothing to do with it." Buffy chewed on her lip nervously, "I hope she didn't." She whispered as Spike pulled her close to him.

"I hope so too, Pet." Spike pressed a kiss in her damp hair.

"I'm going to say hello then go home. I've got tons of stuff to do before patrol tonight." She gathered her things and walked to the front of the store.

"Anya, Willow. How are you?" Buffy asked with a smile.

"Fine, getting ready for a big sale." Anya replied before she went to do some filing.

"I'm okay." Willow said softly, "Buffy do you think that maybe tonight we could do something, just us? I'd really like to talk to you." Willow thought that maybe if she told someone about the Tara sighting it would be easier to deal with, maybe Buffy could offer an explanation? Other then the really scary one - that she was losing it again.

"Um..I can't tonight Willow. I'm sorry but I didn't patrol last night and I have to go tonight. Can we get together tomorrow night?" Buffy asked her voice sincere.

"Could Spike maybe patrol tonight?" Willow asked hopefully.

"His hands... I don't think it's a good idea." Buffy shook her head, "Tomorrow, we'll do something I promise."

"Sure, okay. I should have known you would be busy." Willow tried to smile at her friend, "Tomorrow will be fine."

Spike watched the exchange from the corner of the room, what did Willow need to talk to Buffy so badly about? Maybe he was reading more into it? "You ready, luv?" He asked and Buffy nodded her head yes. Covering his head with his blanket they ran to the Desoto.

"So if you want to go with Will, I can patrol. Hands aren't in that bad shape now." He told her as they drove home.

"No, it will be okay. You really don't need to be out. We'll go out tomorrow." Buffy patted his arm, "Thanks for offering though."

---

"Dawn you make sure to get all the laundry off of your floor okay? I'll be back later."

Buffy gave Dawn a quick peck on the cheek and called up the stairs, "Spike try to stay out of trouble."

Amy watched from across the street as Buffy left to patrol alone. Perfect. She discreetly followed the Slayer down the street and to the cemetery. She pulled out a pouch of powder and waited.

With Buffy safely gone, Spike bounced down the steps pulling on his duster.

"Where are you going?" Dawn asked as he walked towards the front door.

"Patrolling." He answered with a smirk.

"Buffy said you were to stay home and out of trouble ,I believe were her words." Dawn shook her head at the vampire.

"Don't want her patrolling alone. It'll be out secret, Niblet." He grinned at her as he closed the door.

He quickly picked up Buffy's trail and followed her to the cemetery. He seemed to be just in time for a fight, he loved to play the protector but he also knew when to let Buffy fight her own battles and he would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy watching her in a good fight.

Amy carefully positioned herself at the edge of the crypt, no one could see her yet she was close enough to the fight that when Buffy backed up towards the crypt she could blow the powder in the pouch in a cloud around her, Buffy coughed once and realized that she was becoming quite disorientated, her vision was blurry and the vamp coming towards her got in several good punches to her face.

Spike had been prepared to stand by and watch Buffy in her glory, but suddenly a puff of powder surrounded her and the vamp she was fighting got the upper hand. Spike flew to her side and quickly staked the vampire. Buffy slumped down on the ground leaning against the crypt. "Spike?" She asked groggily, "What happened?"

"I don't know pet. There was cloud of dusty stuff around you and then you seemed to get dizzy? You were moving slow and the vamp was getting the best of you? Some kind of magic maybe?" He frowned as he tried to mop up the blood dripping from her nose with the sleeve of his shirt. "I don't think it's broke," He told her as he gently felt her nose.

Wonder who was behind the hocus pocus?" Buffy asked tiredly as she stood up and leaned on Spike for support.

"Ticked off a witch lately?" Spike asked lightly as he placed his arm around her.

"Spike, let's not even go there. Willow understood that I couldn't go with her tonight." Buffy winced slightly, she was going to be sore in the morning.

"Let's just get you home." Spike told her as he swung her into his arms and carried her to Revello Drive.

---

Dawn was sleeping when Spike and Buffy got home. Spike had refused to put Buffy down the whole trip home, "I can walk." She half heartedly whined as she put her arms around his neck and held on tighter. But this is so much nicer, she thought as she lay her head against his chest and closed her eyes.

Spike sometimes knew when to keep his mouth shut and he wisely didn't mention Willow again on the trip home. He unlocked the door and carried Buffy up the stairs depositing her on her bed. "I'll run you a warm bath, make you feel better."

He disappeared into the bathroom and soon she could hear the water running and the sound of Spike rummaging through the cabinet for bubble bath and towels. She sighed as she closed her eyes, they were going to have to talk about Willow, about his suspicions and she dreaded it. It looked bad, but she honestly didn't think it was Willow behind the recent incidents.

The water shut off and Spike returned to the bedroom. "Water's nice and warm, got some of that good smelling stuff you like in it." He helped her off the bed.

He sat on the toilet as she undressed and lowered herself into the warm sudsy water. He was unusually quiet and she could see his mind working behind those serious blue eyes.

"Are you okay?" She finally asked unable to stand the quiet any longer.

"Yeah, I am. But you aren't." He frowned at her and paused for a moment, "You could have been badly hurt tonight, you could have been killed! We've got to figure out what's going on here, Buffy. I know you don't want to think about the possibilities ... "

"Spike, I'm okay. I don't know who was behind the "poof of powder" tonight, but it wasn't Willow." She shifted in the water to get more comfortable, "I just know it."

"I'm glad you're so sure, pet. Because I'm not." He watched as she stood up in the tub and handed her a large towel.

"We'll get to the bottom of it. Let's not say anything until we have more to go on. Please?" She asked as she stepped out of the tub and wrapped the towel around her.

"Fine, but if you so much as get a scratch and I think she's responsible I'm letting her know. You understand?" He asked and then he pulled her close to him and wrapped her tightly in his arms. "Nothing is gonna happen to you... nothing."

She sighed, "Okay, but nothing * is * going to happen to me. Don't worry." She looked up and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. The thing that she was still getting used to about Spike is that the guy loved very protectively, he wasn't lying when he said nothing would happen to her if he could help it and she knew that fierce protective instinct reached out to Dawn too. It was a comforting feeling being loved that completely.

---

"So you want to go with us?" Buffy asked Dawn over breakfast.

"Yeah, no school today, some kind of inservice or something for the college. And as a freshman I've learned the value of a day off, I want to help you and Spike clean out the crypt." Dawn finished her orange juice and put her dishes in the sink.

"Fine, can always use another hand." Spike grinned at her, "Now where's my blanket?"

"In the living room on the couch." Buffy answered as she scraped the last of her pancakes into the trash.

Spike returned shortly with his blanket, "You ladies ready?" He waved his hand towards the livingroom as Buffy and Dawn followed him out to the Desoto.

Amy watched as they drove away. She quietly pried the basement window open and went up the stairs to Dawn's room. She quickly found what she needed and set up a scene that would surely freak poor Dawn out when she got home. She smiled as she exited the way she came in. It was time to start on Willow's other friends now. She headed towards the Magic Box.

---

"Magic Box, Anya speaking." Anya answered the phone cheerfully, 'Hello, Willow. Okay, it's kind of a slow day anyway. I'll see you after lunch then."

"Hello, Anya, Where is Willow today?" Amy asked as she went to look at the herb selection.

"She'll be here after lunch. Can I help you?" Anya asked.

"No... you know I forgot the tea recipe. I'll come back." Amy smiled at Anya, "oh by the way do you happen to have those small tea diffusion balls?"

"No, I don't carry them but I bet I can order them that's a good idea." She pulled a large book down from behind the counter.

"Well I'll be back." Amy waved goodbye as her mind began to form a plan.

---

"Geez, how much junk can one vamp have in a crypt?" Dawn asked as she brought in a cardboard box with an assortment of strange knickknacks in it.

"One man's trash is another man's treasure." Spike spoke up over the larger box in his arms.

"No, in this case one mans trash is ... well trash." Buffy laughed at the scowl on Spike's face.

Dawn sat her box down on the living room floor. "I'm going to change my shirt, this one is filthy."

"Let's put this stuff in the basement for now." Buffy walked towards the basement with Spike following. They were stopped by a shrill scream coming from upstairs. The boxes were dropped as they both ran towards the stairs, "Dawn!," they shouted in unison.

---

Dawn stood in the middle of her bedroom staring in horror at what appeared to be blood on her bed and rug, pictures of her classmates who had died in the bus wreck were laying on her bed, the newspaper article about the mysterious "accident" was also drizzled with blood and lying on her floor. The words "Why are you still alive and they aren't? It's not fair!!!! " Were scrawled across her mirror.

Spike made it to the room first with Buffy a step behind him. He took one look around the room and pulled Dawn to him for a hug. She buried her head against his chest trying to block out the horror around her. Buffy squelched a gasp, wanting to be strong for Dawn, "Let's get her out of here." She motioned for Spike to follow her into their room. The three of them sat down on the foot of the bed, Spike still had one arm tightly around Dawn, while Buffy ran her hand through her sister's hair.

Dawn finally spoke, "Who? Who would have done that? And... and what does it mean 'I'm alive and it isn't fair?' "

"I'm not sure, Dawn. But we will get to the bottom of this, I promise." Buffy spoke softly and comfortingly.

"We will find out who did this Niblet, don't you worry." Spike looked over Dawn's head at Buffy, "And they will pay, no matter who it is." The seriousness of his look was frightening.

---

Amy walked into the Magic Box as quietly as possible, she could hear Willow and Anya's voices in the back of the shop. Carefully she opened the order book Anya had picked up earlier and sprinkled yet another nasty powder into the pages.

"Thank you for letting me come in late." Willow told Anya as they walked towards the front of the store.

"Today was fine, just don't make a habit of it. That would be bad business." Anya stated without anger just matter of factly.

"Hello." Amy called from the counter, several bags of herbs lying in front of her.

"Amy, did you find your recipe?" Anya asked as Willow followed her to the counter.

"Yes, and I would like for you to order one of those infusers for me, please." She smiled as Anya turned around to pull out the order book.

"Okay, Willow you can watch so you will know how to order." Anya opened the book and a puff of powder swirled around her face. She cried out and coughed.

"Are you okay?" Willow and Amy asked simultaneously.

Anya sniffed then opened her eyes, "NO! I can't see anything. I'm blind!"

"Calm down, Anya. Let's sit you down over here." Willow helped her to the table,"Try to close your eyes and open them again."

Amy stood beside Willow, "Any better?"

Anya began to panic, "No, it's no better."

"What's wrong?" Xander's voice sounded as he walked towards his wife, Caleb walking beside him.

"Mommy?" Caleb called as he ran towards Anya.

Amy began to explain what happened to Xander. "And you don't know how the powder got there?"

"No, but you need to get her to the hospital." Willow helped Anya up.

"Come on An, it will be okay." Xander sounded worried as he took her to the car. "Oh, Willow, here are the keys to the shop and the house. Lock up and please take Caleb to the house."

"No, problem. Call me as soon as you know something." Willow told him as she took Caleb's hand in hers.

Amy turned to Willow, "I'll go now, but if you need me here's my number." She handed a slip of paper to Willow.

"Thanks." Willow locked the shop door behind her and frowned as she looked at the powder residue on the counter top, something was really wrong here and Amy seemed to be around when... no, Willow you can't put your craziness off on someone else. She shook her head to clear it. She and Caleb then walked to Xander and Anya's home and she fixed him a snack and tried to keep his mind off of his mommy.

---

Dawn fell asleep on Buffy's bed and they left her deciding she needed the rest. They went across the hall to start cleaning up the mess in Dawn's room. "Fake blood." Spike told Buffy as he looked around at the mess.

"What did you mean by 'whoever is responsible'?" Buffy asked as Spike held an open trash bag for her to put the paper trash into.

"I meant exactly what I said. *Nobody* is going to hurt Dawn." He began to scrub at the red on the dresser mirror.

"You think it's Willow don't you?" Buffy chewed on her bottom lip while she waited for his answer.

"I think it could be." He sat down on Dawn's bed. "I don't want it to be, Buffy. But things are adding up."

Buffy sighed as she sat down beside him. The phone rang and she ran to her room to answer it before Dawn woke up. "Hello" she answered softly.

"Buffy, it's Xander. Anya had an accident, we're at the hospital." Buffy listened to the story and asked if they wanted them to come, Xander said no but later she could check on Caleb - Willow was babysitting him.

Buffy hung up the phone and went to fill in Spike, on the other end Amy Madison hung up the phone with a wicked grin on her face. Everything was coming together so well.

---

Buffy hung the phone up and went back into Dawn's room. "Spike, that was Xander," she explained what had happened as she sat down on the bed.

"Willow has Caleb?" Spike asked concern heavy in his voice.

"Yes. She took him back to Xander's house." Buffy's shook her head at him, "You don't think that... "

Spike cut off her sentence, "I don't know, but I'm going to Xander's now."

"I'll go with you." Buffy stood up.

"No, you stay with Dawn. I'll go." Spike walked out of the bedroom with Buffy following closely behind.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea." Buffy bit her bottom lip and sighed.

"I'm not going to hurt her, Buffy. I'm just going to check on Caleb. I don't know what's going on and I would feel better if Willow wasn't alone with that little boy." Spike started down the stairs.

"I don't think you would hurt her, Spike. But I'm afraid you might scare her and if she is behind this... and that's a big if, you barreling in there might make her do something desperate." Buffy lay her hand on his cheek.

"I'll be fine. And I'll take the cell phone, if I need you I'll call." He pressed his forehead against hers, "I promise."

She sighed again, "Okay. But be careful."

"I will be." He kissed her lightly on lips and covering himself with his blanket made his way to the car.

Buffy watched him pull away from the house with a knot of worry in the pit of her stomach. She went back upstairs to check on Dawn.

---

Willow sat in the floor of the Harris' living room. Caleb sat on her lap listening to the story about Frog and Toad and pointing at the pictures in the book as she read to him about friendship. Caleb nodded off in her lap as the doorbell rang, she lie the sleeping boy on the couch and went to answer the door.

"Coming." She called as the bell ran again. She opened the door and her eyes widened and she gasped out a name, "Tara."

"Yes, Willow it's me." Tara smiled sweetly as she walked into the house.

"But... how?" Willow asked her voice unsteady.

"It doesn't matter how. It's just important that I'm here." Tara's voice was soothing as she walked towards the living room, towards Caleb.

"You really are here." Willow allowed herself a small smile. She tentatively reached out to touch Tara's arm to assure herself she wasn't dreaming, Tara however quickly sidestepped her. Willow frowned as Tara walked towards Caleb.

"Yes, I'm here but I can only stay here if those responsible for my death are punished." Tara sat on the end of the couch next to Caleb.

"Punished? What do you mean?" Willow asked thoroughly confused now.

"Yes, they have to pay Willow. And then we can be together forever... " Tara picked Caleb up carefully so he didn’t' wake up.

"No, you can't take Caleb." Willow's voice rose.

"Yes, I have too. It has to be this way Willow." Tara's voice lulled Willow into a calm state. "You have to bring the others to the cave at Langley woods. Then it will be just you and me. Okay, Willow?"

No! A voice in Willow's head shouted - this isn't real! But Tara stood before her and she sounded so sweet and her voice was so inviting and she said they could be together...

Willow watched as Tara carried Caleb out the front door and to a strange car. She went back into the house and picked up the phone to dial Buffy's number. She had to get them all to Langley Woods. The door bell rang again before she could finish dialing and she hung up the phone and walked to the door in a daze.

"Willow! Willow!" Spike called out when she opened the door, she didn't look well. She had a far away look in her eyes as if she wasn’t' thinking clearly.

Spike walked past her into the living room and looked around for Caleb, "Where is Caleb?"

"He's okay." Willow answered.

"Where is he? I want to see him." Spike asked.

"He's fine. Tara took him." Willow answered softly.

"Tara? Willow... what are you talking about?" Spike placed his hands on her shoulders and looked directly in her eyes, "Willow, where is Caleb?"

"Tara came... she took him to the cave at Langley Woods. We have to go to him, then Tara and I can be together again." Willow wrinkled her brow as is she was trying to concentrate.

"Willow, Tara is dead. Who took Caleb?" Spike's voice rose slightly.

Willow turned to him and began to weep, "She is dead isn't she?"

"Yes, she really is and I'm so sorry Willow, but we need to find Caleb." Spike lowered his voice and tried to comfort her.

"I know she's dead but I swear Spike it was Tara. She said if I brought you all to the cave in Langley Woods then ... then... " Willow frowned.

"Then what?" Spike urged her on.

"Then you will be punished for her death and we can be together." She finished the sentence with a sob.

"We have to get to the cave." Spike found her coat and handed it to her.

"Yes, we have to go." Willow put on the coat and followed him outside the sun had set and Spike threw the blanket in the back seat.

"Willow, I don't know who is behind this but it can't be Tara." Spike told her as he started the car.

"I know... because she's dead. But it seemed so real." Willow sobbed again.

"Willow, I meant it can't be Tara because she would never be this vengeful. She was a good person and she just wouldn't do this. I don't know whats going on, but we're going to find out." He glared at the road in front of him.

"Maybe...maybe I am crazy." Willow spoke in a near whisper.

"At first I admit I thought maybe you were, but now well it seems like everything was just too perfect - when I think about it, you would have been too smart to throw that bottle in our trash where it could be found - maybe someone wants us to think you're crazy?" Spike pulled out the cell phone, "I better call Buffy, we may need her."

 

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