"Here. You have to eat something darling." Giles said as he set the food and drink on the table.

"We've been so busy I hadn't even realized how hungry I was. Thanks." Willow said as she grabbed a sandwich off the plate and took a bite.

"I know." Giles said quietly grabbing a sandwich and placing a kiss on Willows temple.

Giles began to eat as he poured two cups of tea.

He was about to take a sip of his tea when the phone rang. Willow and Giles quickly looked at one another.

"That's either Wesley or the council." Giles said as he hurried to the phone.

"Or it could be Buffy." Willow said as she followed behind him.

"Hello." Giles said anxiously. "Quentin." Giles said.

"What do you mean, she's not there. She what?" Giles looked down and started rubbing his temples.

"No, that's quite alright. Thank you for trying.............Yes, please. I'll talk to you soon." Giles said as he hung up the phone.

"Okay, what's happening? What about Faith?" Willow said warily.

"It seems that, Faith broke out of prison yesterday morning. Several guards were hospitalized, and a car was stolen." Giles said exasperated.

"Were the guards hurt bad?" Willow asked worriedly.

"No, a few concussions, couple broken legs, broken noses. Nothing serious, as far as what Faith is capable of. " Giles said.

"Nothing can be done about it. Let's get back to work." Giles said as he and Willow went back to the dining room.

Giles and Willow sat down and were immediately absorbed by work.

***********************

The council sat there listening intently to Spikes every word. When Spike finished speaking, he sat back in his chair, holding Buffys hand, awaiting thier response.

"Angelus." Zaaron replied disgustedly, breaking the silence. "He always was a destructive, impudent little child. He will be easily taken care of."

"There's a spell that can be performed that will give him his soul back. He's only like this when...."

"Buffy." Spike breathed cutting her off as he looked at her.

"No. A soul makes no difference. The loss of a soul only relieves guilt. If Angel, wasn't overcome with guilt, he would be Angelus. That is all. I have no soul. Spike had no soul. Neither of us ever tried to destroy the world. Angels soul was a curse to him. Yet Spikes, as well as the vampires who took it upon themselves to go to Africa, see it as a gift. Angelus is a mere bug, easily squashed beneath my bootheel." Zaaron finished.

Buffy sat back staring at Zaaron, understanding for the first time, the real difference between Angel and Angelus. Guilt, and nothing else.

Buffy looked at Spike as he looked back at her, waiting for her reaction. She squeezed his hand in aknowledgement of his worried _expression, and letting him know she was alright.

Spike gave a nod and a reassuring smile as he turned his attention back to the council.

"The First. That's going to be a job and a half." Verik said lightheartedly and smiling. "But alot of fun." He said slapping his hands together and rubbing them greedily.

Buffy was taken aback by his statement and jovial attitude.

Spike chuckled at Buffys _expression. "He's a Verento deamon luv. They hate evil with a passion, but they love fighting, physically or magically. Otherwise they live quietly and peacably." Spike said leaning over to whisper in her ear.

"Yes, Verik is right. Fighting the First won't be easy. I'm suprised you've done so well, and lasted this long on your own." Kreegin said eyeing Buffy up and down. "You're so small." She said bitterly.

Buffy couldn't help but smile at Kreegins obvious jelousy over Spike.

"We've done okay." Buffy said as she brought her hand over and caressed the back of Spikes hand, which still held her other hand.

Kreegins eyes narrowed as she looked at buffys amused yet smug _expression. Spike raised an eyebrow and smirked as he looked at Buffy.

"A little jelously makes the heart grow fonder,does it not." Zaaron stated only loud enough for Spike to hear. Spike looked at Zaaron in amusement over his mates actions.

Zaarons amused _expression faded as he looked at Kreegin, then to Buffy. He returned his gaze to a questioning Spike.

"Buffy is correct, to be wary of Kreegin. You should be too." Zaaron warned.

"She's not to be trusted then?" Spike asked.

"For all matters discussed here, she's very trustworthy. She'll never betray the cause, even if it meant her life. She is jelous. A jelous woman is capable of doing a great many things." Zaaron said.

Spike nodded and glanced at Kreegin, then to Buffy, tightening his grip on her hand.

"Okay, we don't have vampire hearing. Hello. Not a vampire." Sam said from the other end of the table. "I can look like one, but that's all, no super senses or anything." He finished annoyed at missing the conversation.

"Sorry mate, just catching up on the last hundred years is all." Spike said wanting to keep thier conversation private.

"Catch up time later. The lack of sun and the First, first." Buffy said as her brow knitted at her words.

"Right then." Spike said. "You too." He said whispering to Buffy as he looked at her with a knowingly fake stern face.

Buffy looked amused at his _expression, but complied a little flushed with embarassment at him noticing her reation to Kreegin.

"Well, 'the lack of sun' is easy to deal with." Sam said quoting with his fingers as he looked at Buffy. "You keep patrolling and slaying........" Sam said.

"There's too many of them." Buffy stated.

"As I was saying, you keep patrolling and slaying one area of town. We'll have ours out patrolling the other areas. Every inch of Sunnydale will be taken care of." Sam finished.

"Oh. Sounds good." Buffy replied.

"Each slaying team will meet ahead of time, so they will recognize one another and there will be no mishaps." Melnick added.

"Good idea." Spike said.

"Now the First. That's going to take everything we got. Possibly more." Veerah stated as he reached for his drink.

"We have no idea how to fight the First." Derclon said.

"We've been researching. We haven't found anything yet. But we're looking." Buffy replied.

"How can you be sure we can win this?" Kreegin asked.

"Everything can die. There's always something or someone, stronger, better, faster. Nothing , no

one is unbeatable. You just have to find thier weakness, and chip away at it." Buffy replied stiffly, void of emotion.

Kreegin saw a glint of fear quickly pass over Spikes face at Buffys words. 'Was this fear for himself.' she thought. 'No, that was fear for her. He feared something would happen to her.' she realized as she glanced at Buffy and Spike before returning her gaze to Verik.

"Who do you have researching this?" Verik asked.

"There's Giles, Buffys watcher, and Willow, very smart and also a powerful witch. The watchers concil is also looking into it." Spike said.

Veriks eyes danced at the mention of a witch. "As far as I know, there won't be much on the First in print, as far as the watchers council goes. Unless they have books that we don't. I'll have our researchers crack the books and have a looksy."

"If you have the same books, what good will that do? Won't it waste your time?" Buffy asked.

"Time. There is so much of it, yet so little. Yes, we have their books, but we also have our own. Books written and added to by deamon races since the beginning. If there's anything on the First, that's where we'll find it." Verik replied.

"We have alot of work ahead of us. Go home. Rest tonight. No patrolling. Tonight will be the calm before the storm. The deamons will be wary until they know the sun is gone for good. We'll send out some of ours tonight to keep the deamons inline as much as possible tonight. We'll meet back here at noon tomorrow. All the patrolling teams will meet here, if this is agreeable with everyone. This will be the base of operations for us." Verik said.

"Noon tomorrow." Spike said nodding in agreement as he rose from the table.

"Thank you. For everything you're about to do." Buffy said looking around the room as she stood.

The group nodded in unison.

Spike and Buffy left the room. followed by Zaaron and Derclon.

"Too bad we meet again under such circumstances." Spike said to Zaaron as they neared the exit of the bar.

"Yes I agree." Zaaron said as they stepped out into the alley.

"We'll see you at noon." Spike said as he bent over too lift the sewer cover.

"What are you doing?" Derclon asked.

"Sewers. Safer than up here." Buffy replied.

"That's why we're here. We'll see that you get home." Zaaron said.

Spike agreed as he grabbed Buffys hand and led them out of the alley.

***********************

Willow sat there rubbing her eyes and yawning.

"I'll keep looking , you go rest." Giles said softly.

"No. I'm okay." Willow said pouring another cup of tea.

"You can barely keep your eyes open. Go up to bed and get some sleep." Giles said caressing her cheek.

"No. Not without you." Willow said softly.

"Darling, you........" Giles started but quickly ended his statement when he saw the look on her face.

"Very well dear. I'll make some more tea." GIles said as he went to the kitchen.

"Oh god. No more tea. Get the chocolate chunk brownies from the cupboard. A sugar rush would be good, and a coffee." Willow said over her shoulder as she scanned her computer screen.

"Yes dear." Giles said as he shook his head and smiled. He quickly pulled out the brownies and the coffee. He placed the brownies on a plate and moved to the perculator.

"Buffy and Spike should have been back by now. What if something went wrong." Willow said breathily. "What if they're hurt and need help?" Willow said panicking as she came into the kitchen.

"I'm sure they're alright. If they needed help, they'd call." Giles said.

"What if they're not near a phone?" Willow asked worriedly.

"Buffys got her phone with her." Giles replied.

"Oh." Willow said. "You're sure they're okay?"

"They'll probably walk through the door any moment now." Giles answered.

"What if they're not okay?" Willow asked hurridly.

"They're fine Willow." Giles said crinkling his brow. "Are you sure you want coffee?"

Willow just looked at him.

"Yes dear." Giles said as he poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Willow.

*********************

Buffy ducked as Spike punched the first deamon in the face, sending it back a couple of steps.

"Spike behind you." Zaaron yelled who was busy fighting three deamons himself.

"I got it." Derclon said casually coming to Spikes side as his eight inch claws easily ripped the deamons throat out. "No sweat." Derclon said as he languidly sauntered over to the group of six on coming deamons.

Buffy staked the deamon Spike had punched , sending him to the ground clutching his chest.

Zaaron easily threw one deamon against the wall as he withdrew his sword and decapitated the other two in one fatal strike. "Childs play." Zaaron said as he walked over and picked up the deamon slumped against the wall. He threw him in the air, but remained grasping his legs. He pulled him down hard, impaling the deamon on a fencepost.

Zaaron dusted his jacket off and sheathed his sword, then casually turned to watch the others.

Derclon was fighting with two deamon, well toying with them actually to Zaarons amusement, as he saw the other four deamons scattered about in peices on the ground.

Derlon, now bored with them, grabbed one deamons head with one hand and twisted it, severing it's head from it's body. At the same time, shoving his claws on his other hand into the chest of the other deamon and thrusting upwards.

After their bodied hit the ground, Derclon walked over and stood by Zaaron.

"Should we help them?" Derclon asked watching Buffy and Spike.

"No. There's only three left. They can do that in thier sleep. They've already taken out five." Zaaron said. "Thay fight in total sync. They know what move the other is going to do beforehand." Zaaron said enjoying the show.

"Yeah. They've always been like that. Even when he was trying to kill her. Spike calls it dancing. He said they always danced well together." Derclon said as he too enjoyed the performance.

Buffy pulled a knife from her boot and drove it quickly into the deamons chest. When the deamon fell, she threw the knife over her shoulder. Spike caught the knife and thrust it under his arm into the stomach of the deamon coming up behind him. Spike quickly spun around slitting the deamons throat and embedding the knife in the last remaining deamons neck in one smooth motion.

Spike ripped the knife out as the deamon crumpled to the ground.

Buffy and Spike made thier way over to Zaaron and Derclon.

"Shall we continue." Zaaron said.

Spike held Buffys hand as they continued the walk back to Buffys.

They made it over halfway home with only a couple more minor runins.

But as they rounded the corner, and only five more blocks to go, they saw fifteen vampires attacking a woman.

They picked up their pace, only to see the womans lifeless body fall to the ground.

They stopped running, but were already seen as the group of vampires converged on them.

Zaaron stepped in front of Buffy and Spike.

Six of the vampires stopped and looked at Zaaron. They bowed thier heads, turned and walked away.

The nine remaining vampires watched them in confusion, shouting cowardice remarks as they advanced on their target.

Zaaron looked at them and smiled.

"What are you smiling at?" the vampire snarled as he came closer.

"You're new. A mere fledgling." Zaaron replied. "You should show respect for your betters." Zaaron said as his eyes glowed amber for a split second.

"Who are you?" The vampire snapped.

"My name is Zaaron." He spoke quietly, but steadily.

Two more vampires bowed thier heads and walked away.

"Don't know you, never heard of you." The vampire spat out venomously.

"No. Now you never will." Zaaron said as he unsheathed his sword and severed his head in one fluid motion.

"Oh, sweet move Zaaron." Derclon said smiling.

"Thank you. I have had many years to perfect my technique." Zaaron said lightheartedly.

"Okay, let's have a go, shall we." Derclon said as he, Buffy and Spike came to stand beside Zaaron. "You're not gonna have all the fun." he said smiling at the bewildered vampires.

Spike and Zaaron who were standing shoulder to shoulder, leaned slightly in the opposite directions, as two arrows , narrowly missing them slammed into the hearts of two vampires in front of them, turning them to dust.

Spike and Buffy turned around, but Zaaron and Derclon eyes never left thier enemies.

"Nice shot." Buffy said suprise evident in her voice.

"Thanks B." Faith replied walking up to stand beside Buffy. "Thought you might need some help, but I see there's only five puny vamps." Faith said scowling.

Buffy held back a grin as she looked at Spike. Spike raised an eyebrow and smirked, as they extended their arms, allowing Faith to walk past them , as she came to stand beside Zaaron, and smiled at the very confused vampires.

"This is gonna be so easy. It's like slaying, but not." Faith said as she jumped in front of the first vampire and staked him immediately.

"She's a ball of fire isn't she." Spike said to Buffy.

"Yup, that's Faith." Buffy replied as they watched with enjoyment as Faith staked another vampire.

"Two down." Derclon said happily, keeping score.

Zaaron watched Faiths every move. Her movements were not as smooth and defined as Buffys. Hers were rough, raw, but just as deadly. He smiled at her obvious enjoyment as two more vampires became dust.

The last vampire turned and began to run.

"Hey, leaving already. I'm just getting warmed up." Faith sang as she got ready to chase her prey.

"I'll get him." Derclon said anxiously.

"No. I'll do it." Faith replied.

"Why should you get all the fun." Derclon said as he started to head in the direction of the escaping vampire.

"Hey sasquatch, I said I'd do it." Faith said running beside him as they started arguing.

"I'm a Siantee deamon. Hello." Derclon said smugly as he continued the chase.

"Like I care bigfoot." Faith replied.

Spike, Buffy and Zaaron just stood there, bewildered at the display of childish behavior coming from Faith and Derclon.

"Told you she liked her job." Buffy said as her brow wrinkled.

"Maybe, a little too much." Spike and Zaaron said in unison, tilting their heads as they continued watching, dumdfounded.

"Look, he's getting away. They're too busy fighting each other." Spike said as he saw Faith and Derclon stop chasing the vampire, and stand there yelling at one another.

Zaaron rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"I'll get him." Zaaron replied begrudgingly.

Before Buffy could blink, Zaaron was no longer standing beside them. As she looked towards the vampire, Zaaron appeared in front of him, bringing the vampire to a complete stop.

In one swift movement, you saw the moonlight glinting off the sword, as the vampires head fell to the ground, before turning to dust. Zaaron sheathed his sword and started to walk back to Buffy and Spike.

"How did he do that?" Buffy asked.

"Used a sword. Cut off his head." Spike stated.

Buffy gave Spike a playful punch in the stomach as she smiled.

"You know what I mean." Buffy said trying to sound scornful.

Spike laughed softly. "It's just something you pick up over time. A technique you master is all." Spike replied.

"I've never seen you do that." Buffy said.

Spike smiled. " I can. Not as fast as Zaaron yet. But I can."

"I've always been able to catch you." Buffy replied smugly as she smiled and looked into his eyes.

""Cause I wanted to be caught by you." Spike replied just a smugly.

"You let me. Right." Buffy said as she rolled her eyes.

Spike smiled as he walked about fifteen feet away. As he turned to look at her, his smile grew. In a flash he was gone.

"Hello cutie." Spike said as he nuzzled her neck from behind.

Buffy spun around and stared into his sparkling blue eyes.

"All these years. Why did you let me?" Buffy asked as his arm snaked around her waist.

"I've always loved watching you dance." Spike said as he kissed her softly.

They broke apart at the sounds of voices becoming louder. They looked over too see Faith, Derclon and now Zaaron arguing in the distance.

Spike and Buffy rolled their eyes in unison as they moved towards the group.

"Spike, isn't it us, that always gets lectures on our childish behavior from Giles?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah, and here we are, marvelling at their behavior. Giles would be afraid. Wonder if it was really us." Spike said lightheartedly.

Buffy chuckled as they approached the group."Can't we all just get along."

Spike smiled at the group as they stopped arguing and looked at them.

"If you're through, I think we should be going. Your arguing probably has every deamon in the area honed in on us by now." Spike said casually looking from one to another.

The three quietly turned, glaring at each other as the walked the rest of the way to Buffys, with no more interuptions.