Spike growled as Angel started walking menacingly towards him.
Spike started to move towards Angel when he was stopped by Zaaron and Buffy stepping between the two.
Angel stopped and looked at Buffy questioningly. Angel looked back towards Spike noticing the vampire standing in front of him.
Angel ducked his head slightly in acknowledgment of Zaarons stature but didn't keep his eyes off Spike for more than a split second.
"What are you doing here?" Angel spit out as he tried to pull Buffy protectively behind him.
"Don't see how it's any of your business Peaches." Spike said matter of factly.
Buffy rolled her eyes at Angel trying to protect her.
"Look, Angel. Spike and......" Buffy started to say but was interrupted.
"Why the hell are you here? Aren't you supposed to be helping the hopeless.........somewhere else. And why are you shoving Buffy behind you? Buffy doesn't need protection......least of all from me." Spike added angrily.
Angel turned to look at Buffy. She stood there with her arms crossed over her chest, leaning on one leg, with a very annoyed look on her face.
"Why is Spike hanging around here? I thought he left town years ago." Angel said as he turned and glared at Spike again.
Spike rolled his eyes and lit a smoke taking a deep hall.
"Well.......he did leave. But he came back.......he helps us now." Buffy said as she looked in Spikes direction.
"Spike will turn on you. He can't be trusted Buffy. You know this." Angel said as he grabbed her arms trying to explain.
Though he knew Angel wasn't holding her hard enough to hurt or even faze her, Spike growled angrily and started to move closer to Angel.
Angels head snapped around morphing as he started moving towards Spike.
Buffy grabbed Angel and shoved him back, stepping between the two vampires.
Buffy looked at Angel then turned her head to look at Spike. Buffy smiled at Spike, calming him as his human face returned.
When Buffy turned her head that's when Angel saw the marks on her neck.
"Buffy......what the hell is going on?" Angel asked furiously.
Buffy turned her head quickly at Angels demanding tone.
"What? Who the hell do you think you are? You come here, for the first time in.......I don't know how long......and you question me and demand answers to something that is none of your business." Buffy said angrily as she stared angel in the eyes.
Spike was quiet as he watched, but inside he was positively gloating over his slayer knocking peaches down a peg or two.
"Why are you here?" Buffy asked still watching him.
"Can we go somewhere and talk?" Angel asked.
Faith and Zaaron watched the display in front of them.
Faith, torn over the feelings she has for Angel. He was the one that helped her find herself when she was lost. He stood by her when no one else did. But watching Spike she could see the uncertainty in his eyes when he looked toward Angel and Buffy standing together. The fear of losing her.........to him...was very evident on his face. Even when he tried to hide it.
Buffy let out a breath as she glanced at her feet and shook her head.
She went over to Spike and placed her hand on his chest.
"I should talk to him. Will you be alright with it?" Buffy asked as she looked into his eyes.
Every fibre of Spikes being screamed no, but Spike nodded his head slowly as his hand covered hers."Meet you at home later?" Spike asked returning her gaze.
"Yeah, I'll see you at home." Buffy gave him a small smile as she brought her hand up and carressed his cheek. "Nothing to worry about." Buffy whispered as she placed a gentle kiss to his lips.
Spike dipped his head and smiled, and nodded in response. Holding her hand for a moment longer he let go, then turned with Faith and started walking back to the house.
Zaaron glared at Angel. "Do not interfere with what you know nothing about Angel , or you may find out exactly what I'm capable of." Zaaron said, speaking only so Angel could hear.
Angel looked as Zaaron turned and followed Spike and Faith.
Buffy and Angel stood there awkwardly for a moment before they started to walk down the street towrds her house, at a much slower pace.
"So are you gonna tell me why you're here or not?" Buffy said getting right down to business.
"So you and Spike..................are together." Angel said quietly.
Buffy rolled her eyes, knowing he wasn't going to let this go.
"Yes.......we are." Buffy finally answered. "I answered your question, are you gonna answer mine now." Buffy stated rather than asked.
"A friend had a vision about Sunnydale. About you. I was given this." Angel said as he pulled out a small velvet bag from his pocket.
He undid the bag and spilled the contents into his palm. "This was given to me, it's supposed to be some kind of weapon. It's said it has the power to take down the first." Angel said as he looked at Buffy.
Buffy stared at the amulet in his hand. She slowly reached out and touched it. She took it from his outstretched hand and lifted it to examine it more closely.
"I'm not sure of it's effects, it could be volitile. It needs to be worn by someone more than human. A champion." Angel stated quietly.
Buffy closed her eyes as she closed her hand around the amulet and held it tightly.
"I came here to help you in the battle, to wear the amulet." Angel said as he looked at Buffy.
"No." Buffy said as her breath hitched. Nausea churning in her stomach. "If I lose and this thing get's past me. It's all up to you. You'll have to defeat it, or the world is lost." Buffy said as she looked at Angel, her eyes starting to fill with water. "You have no idea what this amulet will do?" Buffy asked as she tried to push back her tears.
"No, it could help or it could destroy everything." Angel replied.
Buffy felt a tear slide down her cheek, quickly wiping it away, she looked back at the amulet in her hand.
"You can't wear it Buffy. It has to be worn by someone more than human. That falls to me." Angel said just above a whisper.
"No........it doesn't." Buffy said whispering. "This belongs to Spike." Buffy replied as her voice hitched.
Angels head quickly flew up to look at Buffy questioningly.
"Spike is a demon Buffy. This isn't for him to wear." Angel spit out.
"You said it is to be worn by someone more than human, a champion." Buffy said replaying his words back to him.
"But Spike isn't........
"He has his soul now." Buffy stated cutting off Angel sentence.
Angel stood there in shock. "What do you mean, he has his soul?"
"Exactly that, Spike has his soul." Buffy replied.
"How did it happen?" Angel asked.
"It's not my place to tell you. You would have to ask Spike if you want to know." Buffy said as she contiously ran her thumb over the amulet.
Angel lowered his head as he shifted his feet.
"Go back to L.A. Angel. Thank you for coming here and offering.
But you're needed there." Buffy said quietly.
"I love you Buffy." Angel said quietly.
Buffy smiled. "I know." Buffy said as she put her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
Angel wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her to him. They slowly pulled apart and Angel placed a kiss on Buffys cheek.
Spike dropped his eyes from the scene before him. Buffy had been gone quite awhile, so he went out to make sure she was safe.
Spike stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Angel and Buffy embracing. He turned his back and walked away when from his veiwpoint he saw them kiss. His stomach churned as he walked quickly, wanting be anywhere but where he was.
*************************
Buffy pulled out of Angels arms and smiled. "I have to go. He's waiting for me." Buffy said as she turned and started walking the last block to the house.
Angel watched her until she turned up the walk of her house. He turned around and walked back to his car. Playing back their conversation over and over still absorbing everything.
He climbed into his car and sat there a moment before turning in the ignition and heading back to L.A.
*************************
Buffy came in to the livingroom and sat beside Faith and Willow.
"What did he have to say?" Faith asked as Giles and Xander came into the room hearing her come in.
"I need to talk to Spike about it first. Where is he?" Buffy asked.
"He went looking for you about five minutes ago." Zaaron said as he moved over to sit by Faith.
"Are you sure? I didn't see him." Buffy replied as her brows furrowed.
"Ya, he thought you were gone to long and he got worried. Actually it was more like two minutes ago, just before you walked in the door." Willow said as she sipped her tea.
Buffy shook her head slightly. "Great. Just great. Well I guess I'll go look for him." Buffy said as she got off the couch and walked out the door.
************************
"Thought I'd find you here." Buffy said as she entered his crypt taking a look around. "Wow, the new tenents really let this place go." She quipped as she looked at all the trash covering the floor.
Spike did his best to ignore her and just went over and sat in his chair.
Buffy rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated breath.
"So now you're not gonna talk to me is that it." Buffy said as she slowly walked over and stood in front of Spike.
Spike looked at her then looked away.
"You said you were okay with me talking to Angel." Buffy said matter of factly.
"Yeah talk. Not inhaling his tonsils." Spike spit out.
Buffy shook her head and chuckled.
"What? You find this amusing?" Spike said as he stood up and walked to the other side of the crypt.
"Actually I do. You have no idea what you're talking about." Buffy replied.
"I know what I saw." Spike replied venomously.
"No. You really don't. I didn't kiss Angel." Buffy replied honestly.
Spikes head swung around as he looked at her through hooded eyes.
"What you saw..........was me saying goodbye to Angel. I told him to go back to LA. He did kiss me........on the cheek Spike. I told him about us, how I feel about you." Buffy quieted for a moment before continuing.
"There's something I need to talk to you about. It was the reason why Angel came here." Buffy said as she slowly walked toward Spike.
"You didn't kiss Angel." Spike said whispering as he brought his hand up to brush her hair aside.
Buffy shook her head as she rest her palms on his chest. "No. I love you.........not Angel." Buffy replied just as quietly.
Spike pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. He inhaled her scent deeply, losing himself in her completely. "I'm sorry...........I should have.......I shouldn't have..." Spike stated to say.
"Shhh. It's okay. It's over now." Buffy said pulling out of his embrace far enough to place a gentle kiss to his lips.
Spike rested his forehead against hers. Remember her words from earlier, he broke the silence as he pulled back to look into her eyes.
"What did you have to talk to me about?" Spike asked curiously.
Buffy pulled our of his arms and started pacing.
Spike watched her unease and felt his chest tighten with dread.
"Buffy.......tell me." Spike said cautiously.
Buffy pulled the amulet from her pocket and handed it to Spike.
"Quite the trinket luv. But I'm sure I have nothing that'll go with this." Spike said as his brows furrowed looking at the guady jewel.
"Angel brought this. It's a weapon.......it's also very volitile. It could destroy the First. Or destroy everything."Buffy said as she looked at Spike.
"Angel had planned to wear it during the battle. 'It has to be someone more than human. A champion.'" Buffy replied using Angels words.
"So Peaches is riding in like a knight is he." Spike scowled.
"No................you're my champion Spike" Buffy said as her breath hitched and a tear fell as she looked at Spikes suprised gaze.
Spike smirked slightly as he looked back down at the bauble he held in his hand.
"I've been called many things over the years Buffy. Champion wasn't one of them. Are you sure about this?" Spike asked as hee met her gaze.
Buffy nodded not able to speak.
Spike looked back to his hand before placing it in his pocket.
They lingered there a moment longer before Spike grabbed Buffys hand and led her out of the crypt.
"We should be getting back." Spike said quietly.
Buffy didn't reply. She just held his hand and folled him quietly.
**************************
"Are you sure this is right? Not letting Angel wear it?" Giles asked Buffy questioningly.
"It's not exactly what I want, but it's right. He's the one Giles." Buffy replied.
Giles just bowed his head. "You don't know what'll happen for sure? What it'll do?" Giles asked.
"No. But I beleive it will help us. I have to." Buffy said quietly. "Giles
it's been a long day, I'm gonna get some sleep." Buffy added wearily."
"Of course Buffy. I'll see you in the morning." Giles replies as he got up and
went into the diningroom to fill everyone else in.
****************************
Buffy went into her room and seen Spike looking out the window.
"Been a hell of a ride eh luv." Spike said as he turned and smiled at Buffy. "You know it's coming to and end though right. Couldn't last forever."
Buffy looked at Spike as crossed her arms over her chest.
"What's that saying you're so fond of ? Oh that's right. All good things must come to an end. What a glorious end it will be." Spike said as he took a deep satisfying breath.
"What do you want?" Buffy asked in her best 'bored now' voice.
Spike chuckled as he spread his arms. "What do I want?" Spike pondered. "Difficult question luv. Well not really. Let's see........what I want is exactly what going to happen. Death, destruction........yours." Spike laughed loudly.
"Wow, like I haven't heard that before." Buffy said rolling her eyes.
"Yeah I'm sure you have ducks, they just didn't have the power to pull it off. I on the other hand...........do. The end is sooner than you think." Spike replied as he moved closer.
"You're nothing but something to warm my bed in my otherwise cold and bleek existance. Surely you don't believe you're anything more than that. Although you were never too bright were you." Spike said as he moved to stand directly in front of her.
"I'm the wolf scratching at your back door..........and the door is opening." Spike smirked. "See you soon pet." Spike said as he disappeared.
Buffy stood there a moment longer before turning around and closing the door. She went over and laid down, replaying the words over again in her mind. Her eyes slowly drifted shut.
Buffy stirred when she heard rustling beside her. She turned her head to see Spike removing his jacket.
"You're back." Buffy replied a little groggily.
Spike turned to face her as he bagan to undress.
"Feel any better?" Buffy asked.
"Not sure what to feel." Spike admitted as he crawled in beside her.
"Well I can feel one of us is wearing to much clothes." Spike quipped.
Buffy chuckled as she got up and undressed then slipped back into his embrace.
"It's going to happen soon." Buffy said sobering.
"You know this how?" Spike asked.
Buffy told Spike about the Firsts visit and what was said.
Spike held her tightly and placed a kiss to top of her head.
"Keep this between us okay." Buffy said as she laid on Spikes chest.
Spike agreed with her and settled down holding her tight as she drifted back to sleep.
*********************
"Ahhhhhh." Spike screamed in pain as a knife embedded itself in his shoulder. "Dammit." Spike used all his strength to ush his attacker away. He pulled the knife from his shoulder and threw it killing his attacker with his own weapon.
He looked over in time to see Buffy fall to the ground clutching her stomach, blood seeping through her fingers.
Spike ran to her killing everything in his path quickly.
"ZAARON." Spike yelled as he fought trying to protect Buffy.
Zaaron and Faith looked over when they heard Spike yelling.
"Shit .....B's down."Faith said as she decapitated a Fyarl demon.
"Where's Willow?" Zaron asked as spilled a demons entrails to the ground.
"Don't know. Lost track when we were ambushed. There's too many of them." Faith replied trying to make her way back near Buffy.
Buffy slowly started to stand as Faith and Zaaron made it to them. Looking around slightly dizzy, she saw more demons closing in.
"We can't beat them, we have to get out of here." Faith said.
"We have to fight." Buffy replied picking up her sword painfully.
"Be smart about this B.......we're gonna lose this fight." Faith replied.
Buffy looked over to Faith just in time to catch the shocked and bewildered look on Faiths face, before she fell to the ground, her liffless eyes staring at her accusingly.
"FAITH." Buffy yelled as she raised her sword and swung it at the Krulton demon standing over her smiling.
Buffy thrust the sword deep into his stomach and pulled up, the sword slicing up through his chest.
When Buffy looked up she saw the face of her victim change....Zaaron was looking at her from the end of her sword.
Buffys mouth dropped open as tears began to fall.
"It wasn't you......it was........." Buffy couldn't finish, no words came to her.
Zaaron turned to dust as he was beheaded from behind.
Buffys sword dropped as his weight disappeared.
Everything stopped. Everything became deathly quiet.
Buffy turned to see Spike standing there smiling at her when his body started smoking as the sun began to rise.
"The wolf is at my heels Buffy." Spike whispered. "It's time." Spike added as he looked into Buffys eyes. "Death comes to us all." Spike said as he was enveloped in flames.
"NOOOOOO." Buffy screamed as she watched him explode into dust.
Buffys eyes ripped open as she sat up in bed trying to catch her breath.
She looked over to see Spike sleeping beside her peacefully.
Buffy closed her eyes as she tried to calm down.
Chapter 13
Willow wandered through the house quietly. Thoughts running wild. Desperation for answers gripping her mind."What are we gonna do?" Willow said to herself as she looked out the window watching the dark sky lighten just a bit.
"I have no idea." Buffy replied quietly as she came to stand beside Willow watching out the window with her.
"I'm scared Buffy. We haven't found anything yet, besides what Angel brought. We don't know if that's even a good thing." Willow replied.
"I believe it is. I have too." Buffy answered as put her arm around Willows waist.
Willow laid her head an Buffy's shoulder.
"I really love Rupert Buffy." Willow breathed out in a whisper.
"I know. You're afraid of losing him." Buffy stated quietly.
Willow just nodded as a tear slipped down her cheek landing on Buffy's shirt. "You won't lose him. I'll make sure of that." Buffy added as she caressed Willows arm.
Willow nodded again as she pulled out of Buffy's embrace and sat on the sofa.
"It's been awhile since we've had time to ourselves."Willow said as Buffy sat down beside her.
"Yeah it has." Buffy replied.
"Are you scared Buffy?" Willow asked looking at her friend.
"I'd be an idiot if I said no. Course I'm scared. I'm scared if I make the wrong decision, one of you or all of you could die. If I don't move fast enough, same result. This is normal for me. For seven years, this is the way it is. This is my life." Buffy said as she shrugged her shoulders.
"What about Spike? How does he feel?" Willow asked.
"Spike is worried........but I think he mostly worries about me. About my safety. He'll openly talk about his feelings for me, but when it comes to other things like this, he's pretty tight lipped." Buffy said as she leaned back.
"Has Giles said anything to you? Maybe some thoughts about what we might be able to use during the fight, or what to expect?" Buffy asked.
"No. He's going completely mad, he can't find anything to help and it's driving him completely insane." Willow replied.
"Is this a private party or can anyone join?" Faith said as she came into the living room.
"You can't sleep either?" Willow asked smirking slightly.
"Nah. The guys don't seem to have a problem apparently." Faith replied as she looked around.
"Must be a guy thing." Buffy said.
"Come on, since we're up lets make something to eat." Willow said as she stood up.
"You making pancakes B?" Faith said following the two to the kitchen.
"I usually make the breakfast." Willow said quickly with a smile.
"I can do it this time Will. I haven't had a chance to make them in a long time, you usually have it done before I get up." Buffy said as she pulled the mix out of the cupboard.
"I know it's just................you know you do so much that........you know, cooking is one less thing you have to worry about." Willow said as she tried to grab the box of pancake mix.
"It's fine Willow. I'm up, I can do it. Really.......I want to." Buffy said as she pulled out the mixing bowl.
"Well.......if you're sure. But don't make too much, cause I was just gonna have a fruit salad this morning." Willow said quickly as she moved t the fridge and opened it.
Willows face fell when she saw there was no fruit in the fridge. "Damn." Willow said to herself.
"That's okay, pancakes are more filling anyway." Buffy said as she poured the mix into the bowl.
"You sure you don't want help Buffy? I could cook the bacon." Willow said smiling wider.
"Sure that be great." Buffy said.
"Okay." Willow said grabbing some bacon from the freezer, all the while throwing daggers at Faith.
Faith stood there watching the display a little confused. The looks Willow kept throwing her way had Faith wondering what she did that was so wrong.
******************
Willow sat back looking at the mountain of pancakes.
"They're a little dark." Buffy said as she started passing around plates.
"So they're a little dark, not like they're charcoal or anything." Faith said taking a quarter of the stack.
Willow watched trying to hide her horrifies look as she watched Faith pour the syrup, then pick up her fork.
Willow slowly picked up a pancake and put it on her plate, quickly dousing it with syrup.
She watched Faith take a bite. Faith stopped chewing and scrunched her eyebrows slightly as she looked down at her plate.
Willows throat closed slightly when she tried to swallow.
Faith looked at Willow who was now shooting daggers st her.
Faith just shrugged her shoulders and continued eating ravenously.
Faith finished her plate and had grabbed seconds when Xander walked into the kitchen.
"Oooh pancakes. You were up early again eh Willow." Xander said as he grabbed a stack.
Willow sat there trying to warn Xander without Buffy noticing.
Buffy took the last bite of her yogurt and threw out the container.
"I made them this morning." Buffy said as Xander shovelled a forkful into his mouth.
"Really good Buffy." Xander said as he chewed. His eyes started to water as he looked at Willow.
"I'm off to shower." Buffy said as she left the kitchen.
When they heard the door upstairs close Willow and Xander dumped their plates in the garbage.
"Come on, it's not that bad." Faith said as she took another bite.
"How can you eat that?" Willow asked horrifically.
"Had worse. My mom was a really bad cook. This isn't too bad." Faith said cleaning her plate.
"Oh pancakes.'' Giles said as he came in and reached for the plate.
"Buffy made them." Willow and Xander said quickly.
Giles pulled his hand back like he'd been burned.
Faith just rolled her eyes as she put her plate in the sink.
Zaaron and Spike came in immediately pulling blood from the fridge and warming it.
When they finished they rinsed their cups, noticing the food on the counter.
They both grabbed plates and helped themselves to the pancakes and bacon.
After they swallowed the first bite, Zaaron looked at Spike.
Spike continued eating.
"They're not too bad." Zaaron said as he took another bite.
"They get a little better every time she makes them. Buffy can cook alot of thing really well, but give her pancakes, french toast, muffins, cakes, things like that, forget it. But she keeps trying." Spike said as he finished his plate.
"You eat everything she makes." Zaaron said chuckling.
"I'm such a ponce." Spike said shaking his head.
"No it's called being in love and keeping her happy." Zaaron replied.
Spike and Zaaron grabbed the remaining pancakes and piled them onto their plates.
"Hey baby. You're eating this morning." Buffy said as she hugged Spike from behind.
"Yeah. Didn't know Willow was making pancakes this morning or I'd have been up earlier." Spike said taking another bite.
"I made them this morning." Buffy said placing a kiss to his cheek and grabbing a juice from the fridge.
"You made them. They're bloody marvellous pet." Spike said as he stood up and put his plate in the sink.
"Thank you." Buffy said smiling as Spike put his arm around her waist.
"Yes, I have to agree. Very good Buffy." Zaaron said smiling.
"Hey B. Gonna work out. Wanna come with?" Faith asked as she headed to the back door.
"Sure. See ya later." Buffy said giving Spike a kiss and following Faith out side.
************************
"Faith can we go somewhere and talk?" Buffy asked quietly.
Faith looked at Buffy curiously.
"Sure B. What's up?" Faith asked.
"Not here. Somewhere we won't be heard." Buffy replied.
Buffy and Faith walked until they reached the park.
They went over and sat on the top of the picnic table.
They sat there quietly before Faith broke the silence.
"So you gonna tell me?" Faith inquired.
"Spike is the only one who knows this. I don't want anyone else to know." Buffy said as she looked at Faith.
Faith nodded to Buffy watching her intently.
"I had a visit from the First last night when I went upstairs to go to bed. It was in Spike's form. Faith it said it was scratching at my back door, and the door was opening. That it was coming sooner than we think." Buffy said watching for Faiths reaction.
"Why aren't you telling this to Giles?" Faith asked.
"He can't find anything now. If I tell him this, he'll worry even more." Buffy replied.
"Or it might make him look harder to find something." Faith replied.
"I've watched him Faith. He's been through every book he has so many times. The demon council has found zilch. There's nothing they're gonna find that's going to help." Buffy said.
"Okay, so the back door is open. It's happening soon. Is that all it said?" Faith asked.
"That's all that was relevant." Buffy said. "Any thoughts, ideas, comments." Buffy added.
"Well......I have a thought. I might be way off though." Faith said.
"Anything is better than nothing." Buffy said as she urged Faith on.
"Okay. Well scratching at your back door, obviously it wasn't your house it was talking about right. The back door...... the door to hell. You guard the hell mouth. The hell mouth is opening." Faith finished as she looked at Buffy.
Buffy looked at Faith. "Wanna go have a look?" Buffy asked while thinking over what Faith said.
"You know me. Always up for action." Faith said as she stood up and started walking.
Buffy got up and walked beside Faith heading to the school.
"Do you think we should bring back up." Faith asked.
Buffy stopped walking for a moment. "It could be something, or it could be nothing. Let's just check it out, if there's something we'll pull back and call the cavalry." Buffy said resuming the walk.
"Fine by me." Faith said walking beside her.
"Why tell me about this and not Willow?" Faith asked looking down as she walked.
"I don't want her getting hurt. The less she knows, the less she's involved in. If we find anything, then we'll tell. But if it's nothing then they don't need to know." Buffy answered.
**********************
Buffy and Faith entered the school and made there way down to the basement.
As they drew closer to the seal they saw the etchings on it glowing.
"You were right. Definitely been activity here." Buffy said as she looked at all the foot prints around the seal. "Not long ago either."
Buffy squatted down and reached in and touched the seal lightly.
At her touch the seal shifted slightly causing Buffy to pull he hand back.
"That was so not good."Buffy said standing up.
"I'm right there with ya B." Faith said looking around.
"I'm thinkin we should call them now." Buffy said quickly.
"Or get the hell out of here and go tell them." Faith replied.
"Good thinking. We'll go with your idea." Buffy said backing up from the seal and following Faith out of the basement.
************************
"You went where? With no back up? Are you insane." Spike said to Buffy and Faith.
"We just took a little look and we came right back here." Buffy replied.
Faith looked down when she saw the angry looks she was getting from Zaaron.
"You should know better than that." Giles scolded them.
"What were you thinking?" Willow said angrily. "What if something had happened."
"Nothing did. I mean not really." Faith answered wishing she had stayed quiet.
"What do you mean not really? What happened?" Spike pounced quickly.
"Nothing much. The seal shifted when I touched it it. But is was a tiny shift. Barely noticeable." Buffy replied.
"You touched the seal. What were you thinking? Obviously you weren't thinking or you wouldn't have touched it." Spike said.
"It was just an idea we had and wanted to check it out. Hey we came back and told you didn't we." Faith said getting a little annoyed with the third degree.
"If it was nothing then there would have been nothing to worry about. At least now we know. That's where it's going to happen." Buffy said.
"What made you check there?" Giles asked.
Buffy stayed quiet not sure if she wanted to answer. She stood there for moment before speaking.
"Had a dream and wanted to see for myself." Buffy settled on.
"You had a prophetic dream then." Giles said as he picked up a book. "Anything else you can remember." He added.
"No. That's all I could remember when I woke up." Buffy replied.
Buffy and Faith stood there for a while longer before leaving the room unnoticed.
Faith followed Buffy into her room and sat on the end of the bed beside Buffy.
"They'll be here in a moment." Buffy said watching the door.
Spike and Zaaron walked into the room just after Buffy finished her sentence.
"Told ya." Buffy added as they closed the door behind them.
"What were you thinking Buffy." Spike said still angry.
"You should have called us before going in." Zaaron said looking pointedly at Faith.
"I can just smell the testosterone in here." Faith said rolling her eyes. "Look, I've been looking out for myself for a long time. I don't need protection."
"We know that. But what if something happened. You two will be needed for the fight. What if one of you had been killed. It could cause us to lose." Zaaron said.
"Wow, those words really warm my heart." Faith said getting up and heading to the door.
Zaaron bowed his head in defeat and followed Faith to their own room.
"If something had happened to you........ I don't know what I'd have done." Spike said softly as he sat beside Buffy.
"Faith figured it out. Wolf scratching, door opening. It was the seal. I guard the door to hell." Buffy said looking to Spike.
"The seal shifted when you touched it." Spike said as he looked away deep in thought. " How much did it really shift." he added quietly.
"Just slightly. If we hadn't been that close to it we might not have noticed." Buffy said. "I barely touched it. Maybe that's how it opens. Maybe that's how we have to fight it."
"By opening the hell mouth. Fight it at the source. We don't have the numbers for that Buffy. When the sun came back, alot of the demons went back to protect their own figuring we could handle it now. Only about one hundred and fifty left." Spike replied.
"No. Not fighting at the seal. Opening it and going down." Buffy said as thoughts started coming to her.
"Go into the hell mouth. That's suicide." Spike said as he looked at Buffy worriedly.
"You said it. Fight it at the source. They wouldn't be prepared for us to come to them. We could turn it around. Make their turf ours. It could be done. We could win." Buffy replied looking at Spike a hint of a smile crossing her lips.
"Think we could pull it off then?" Spike said as he started to smile.
"We couldn't lose any worse right?" Buffy said as her smile grew.
"We'll need a plan. Weapons and bodies."Spike said as he grabbed Buffy's hand.
"The bodies and weapons is where I'll need you and Zaaron. Go to the council let them know what we're thinking. They'll all help out with weapons. We'll all come up with a plan together. Everybody has skills, time they were combined." Buffy said as they started to rise.
"I'll get Faith and Zaaron. Meet you downstairs." Spike said as he walked to the door.
"Spike." Buffy said quickly.
Spike turned to face her. "Yeah."
"Do you think we can do this?" Buffy asked hesitantly.
"I believe you can do anything you set your mind too. I think we're gonna win." Spike said making Buffy smile.
Buffy followed Spike into the hall and passed him continuing on downstairs when he stopped at Faiths door.
Buffy stood in front of everyone in the living room. Spike came in and stood behind her against the wall, as Faith and Zaaron went and stood by the fireplace.
Buffy was quiet while she looked around the room. She turned when she felt a hand on her back.
"Go on love. Show them why you're the slayer." Spike whispered as he placed a kiss to the nape of her neck before stepping back and giving her the room.
"I know how we can beat this. How we're going to win." Buffy said confidently as Spike stayed back, smiling and watching as Buffy told them her plan.