Part 5

"There's nothing in this book either, it's hopeless" Xander slammed the book closed in frustration and ran his hand over tired eyes. He had been reading for so long now that the words had all started to blur together.

"And if its not too much trouble, could somebody refill on the snacks?" Xander shot an accusing look at his girlfriend who had lost interest in the research party hours before. Anya begrudgingly grabbedthe empty chip bowel and headed off in the direction of the kitchen.

Reaching for another book that looked almost identical to the last one Xander sighed and continued his reading.

"I've already read that one, twice" Cordelia sat down in the now vacant seat by his side.

Xander Harris looked up and smiled, the change in his old girlfriend was startling. She had matured into a strong confident woman and he found himself regretting their past history all over again. Forcing his eyes back to his book, Xander realised he had read that one as well.

" I think we've read everything on the table at least twice. If that spell's here I, for one, can't see it" Xander closed the book in defeat.

" I'm afraid none of these books have the kind of spell we need" Tara agreed quietly from the other end of the table.

The small research group sitting around the table all groaned at the wasted effort, after working all night they were now extremely over-tired and no closer to finding a spell

Buffy, Riley and Willow had been checking on the Internet with the same failure.

Earlier, Angel and Spike had agreed to a temporary truce and had left for a while to check out Willies bar, but even that had been fruitless. Well, apart from the bit where Spike beat the crap out of a couple of loud mouth vampires for refusing to help them, so as far as the punk vampire was concerned the night hadn't been a complete loss.

Back at Giles' small house spirits were sinking faster than the Titanic.

"If there ever was a binding spell it's been long forgotten " Anya yawned no longer caring about anything except her beauty sleep.

" Oh, of course. Why didn't I think of that earlier" Giles walked away from the group muttering to himself. He returned a few minutes later and dropped a very old dust covered book on top of all the others.

" I'd almost forgotten about this, it belonged to my grandmother" he said with pride and lovingly brushed the dust off the sleeve.

Wesley looked up. He remembered the woman in question had been a very important watcher in her time. As he slowly turned the fragile pages yellowed with time, his eyes lit up in delight.

" Good lord, Mr. Giles. I thought this was destroyed in a fire in the fifteenth century."

" Well, G man. Don't keep us all in suspense, what's in the family photo album?" Xander joked as he ran his finger through the dust on the table making childish patterns. He stopped when he caught sight of Cordelia watching him and smiled a goofy grin.

Cordelia rolled her eyes and counted her blessings, It seemed Xander had hardly matured at all.

Giles ignored the boy's stupid comment and proceeded to explain to the more sensible members of the party the significance of the book.

" It's the book of Tarrant. It holds all the spirit protection spells ever cast" Giles spoke quietly, he removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, relieved that finally they were getting somewhere.

" Oh, oh. Wow! " Willow gasped as the importance of the find sank in.

Tara slowly walked behind Wesley, leaning over his shoulder she quietly read the pages and nodded.

" You're right, this is just what we need. We have most of the ingredients here so the spell should be quite easy"

Willow walked over and joined Tara by the book; she placed her arm around the girl's shoulder for support as she leant in to read the spell. After a few moments she frowned.

"Oh, look." Willow pointed to a section of the book." That's going to be hard"

" Where? Let me see. Oh damn" Wesley cursed after following Willow's lead.

" Hey, guys. Any chance of letting the rest of us in on the fun?" Buffy asked feeling a little left out. After all it was her they were going to cast the spell on her she should at least know if they were going to turn her into a toad or worse

The small group that had surrounded the book broke away, letting Buffy move closer to the table.

" The protection spell needs blood" Willow replied.

" EWWWWW! Why does it always have to be blood" Cordelia moaned at the thought of adding yet another icky moment to her life.

" Blood, are you sure?" Riley switched off the computer and joined the group by the table.

" She's right. The spell needs a circle of four, two from the living and two who have fallen, all four must agree to sacrifice their blood willingly.

Wesley translated the conditions of the spell out aloud for all to hear.

" Wow! That's going to be fun. How much blood are we talking about here?" Xander was the first to ask the question that had crossed most of their minds.

As Willow deciphered the translation herself she smiled a little with relief.

" No, it's ok, it's only a drop. One drop from each of the circle. Tara and I can be two of the group" Willow looked at Tara and the girl nodded her agreement

" It will work better that way because we will be performing the spell" Willow then looked towards Giles and he too nodded his agreement. Giles knew that Tara was more than capable and Willow was improving in leaps and bounds. The protection spell would not cause then too much trouble.

"So all we need is two from the fallen? What does that mean? Buffy asked still slightly confused.

" It means two from the undead. We need the blood of two demons and the blood has to be offered freely. Demons giving the Slayer blood, that's going to be the major problem" Giles confirmed.

" OH" Buffy's mouth formed the silent sound.

" That's not a problem" Angel's soft voice spoke out into the quiet room, he had been so still for the last few hours that most of the room had forgotten his presence.

" Of course, Deadboy." For once in his life Xander was glad that Angel was there to save the day, as much as he hated to admit it.

"Well that's one" Wesley smiled at his friend. He had already guessed that Angel would be the first choice, his mind was now trying to think of a second.

"And Spike makes two" Angel spoke again before the question of the second demon was raised.

" Hey! I never said I was willing" The blonde vampire started to protest. But the unspoken threat in Angel's eyes stopped him cold.

Pushing his way threw the scoobie gang he walked right up to Buffy and smiled.

" You're gonna owe me big time for this Blondie " Spike quirked his eyebrows.

Buffy heard Angel softly growl out a final warning and resisted a smile.

" OK, I'm willing" he replied begrudgingly. Spike started to walk away but when he thought nobody else was looking he winked.

" So how will this spell work?" Buffy was still a little apprehensive over the whole soul binding process; she still had visions of the pain Angel had suffered when his soul was re-cursed.

" Basically, if this assassin tries to take your soul, you will be able to call upon the support and love of your protectors. The living and the undead's combined strength will act as a shield. It should be impossible to separate the soul from the body" Giles explained the spell as simply as he could with out worrying the already frightened girl.

Buffy seemed to understand and took comfort from the knowledge that Willow, Tara and Angel would be there in some way if she really needed them, and if the worse came to the worse there was always Spike. Buffy still didn't trust the blonde vampire but she was definitely beginning to hate him less.

After all the ingredients were collected, the room was cleared with the exception of Giles and the group involved in the spell. Riley had protested but was quickly persuaded to change his mind.

"There must be no disruptions or the spell will fail" Wesley had told the stubborn boy while almost pushing him from the room.

Xander hugged Buffy for luck and followed Cordelia and Anya outside for some fresh air.

" This has been in my family for generations, it should do the trick" Giles offered Buffy a small antique dagger.

" Remember, you have to have their complete consent" he reminded his Slayer and then hugged her close.

" Don't worry, I'll be fine" Buffy smiled and accepted the dagger in one hand and a small bowl of spell ingredients in the other.

The group of four then formed a small circle around the Slayer and Giles started to read the incantations.

The first person Buffy approached was Tara, she immediately held out her small hand.

" Are you willing? " Buffy asked the simple question the spell demanded.

" I give my blood freely with a clear heart" Tara offered with a shy smile

Buffy pricked the girl's finger and the first drop of crimson blood fell into the bowl holding the spell.

Buffy then walked over to Willow and asked the same question.

" Freely given with my love" Willow smiled affectionately at her best friend as her blood mixed with Tara's.

Next, Buffy turned to Angel. Her heart was beating so fast she could hardly bear to look into his eyes. Her voice trembled slightly over the question and her heart broke over the reply.

"Always" Angel's mouth turned up into the smallest smile as he held out his hand, his blood then added to the spell. Forcing her body to move away, Buffy turned to Spike.

" Are you willing?"

Spike gave her a wicked grin and received another growl from Angel for his troubles. Holding out his hand he sighed.

" Yeah, whatever. Just do it."

With the final droop of blood added to the spell, Willow and Tara started to chant. As the spell was recited the room suddenly filled with an intense blue light, it swirled all around the outside of the circle and passed lightly through each of the four occupants in turn. It's glow then intensified until it was almost blinding, it moved in to the middle of the circle and shot straight threw Buffy, lifting her slightly off the ground.

" She looks like a real Angel" Willow whispered in amazement as her best friend started to glow all over.

" Not quite" Tara replied without thinking, her answer went unnoticed.

Buffy felt the light move through her, it wrapped her in a strong feeling of security. She closed her eyes and when the light faded she dropped to her knees.

Angel was the first to her side holding her gently in his strong arms.

" How are you feeling?" he asked with concern. Angel realised if this was anything like his curse, Buffy would be feeling a little disorientated for a while.

" Tired, but I feel safer. Thank you" their eyes just held, neither wanting to be the first to break away.

" Hey! What about me?" Spike interrupted loudly and the moment was lost.

Buffy reluctantly turned away from Angel and faced the other vampire who had also helped her, albeit reluctantly..

"Thank you, Spike" she told him sincerely and then smiled.

" Let's see that big headed tosser get your soul now" Spike grinned feeling really pleased with himself.

Buffy relaxed for the first time that night, she knew she wasn't completely safe but it was a start.

" Hey! Buff. Don't forget you owe me big time and I never forget a debt" with that parting shot Spike walked into Giles kitchen and started opening all the food cupboards

"Hey! Where's the weetabix, I'm starving "

By the time Giles allowed Riley and the others back into the room, all signs of the binding spell were over. Noticing that Buffy looked a little pale, Riley went straight to his girlfriend's side.

" Are you all right?" Riley gently stroked her cheek. All the time he had waited outside he had allowed his imagination to run wild. The fact that Angel was a part of the circle and not him had hurt more than he wanted to admit. Riley knew that Buffy and Angel still had unresolved issues and the more he dwelt on that thought, the more resentful he grew.

Buffy turned and looked into Riley's concerned eyes. She knew he wasn't happy about Angel being back in town but it was something they had to deal with together. Buffy was mature enough now to know that Angel was her best chance of surviving this latest threat. She just hoped Riley was mature enough to understand that too.

" I'm fine, just another crazy day in the life of a Slayer" she tried really hard to smile but, in all honesty, she was just too tired. Seeing Riley this worried, Buffy was really pleased he hadn't witnessed the binding spell, that really would have freaked him out.

Wesley walked out of the kitchen with a tray of steaming mugs and passed around the hot chocolate. Now that the spell was completed the occupants of the room started to get restless for their beds. Buffy declined the chocolate and started to pick up her jacket.

" Buffy, I'm sorry but we still have important issues to deal with and they have to be dealt with tonight" Giles said stopping her from leaving. He ignored the disappointed groans coming from the scoobies and carried on

" The binding spell will only provide protection for the soul, Buffy herself will have to be guarded night and day."

" Don't you worry about that, I don't intend to leave her side the rest of the night. Or the morning for that matter" Riley slipped his arm around her shoulders but his eyes searched for Angel, just daring him to contradict.

The vampire didn't make a sound but Cordelia noticed how his jaw tightened. She knew her friend well enough to feel his pain. Angel would never admit it to anybody, not even himself but seeing Buffy with Riley was tearing him in two.

" Ha! As if you could stop him, he'd eat you alive and spit out the pips, little boy." Spike laughed still stuffing his face with red soggy weetabix.

That was one insult too many, Riley turned and grabbed the blonde vampire knocking his bowl all over the carpet.

" I've just about had enough of your mouth" he shouted and punched Spike.

Spike growled and vamped but when he tried to hit back the chip kicked in and filled his head with screaming pain. Riley took advantage of the situation and punched him again.

Seeing that Spike was helpless and totally unable to defend himself Angel crossed the room in a flash, he roughly pulled Riley off the defenseless vampire and threw him across the room. Buffy watched in horror as the two men stared dangerously at each other. Standing between them she quickly made it clear that the fight was over and the next punch thrown would come from her. Even Spike knew not to say a word.

Buffy then turned towards her boyfriend and helped him up.

" Haven't I got enough to worry about without you going all macho on me" she demanded angrily.

" But he.."

Buffy cut off the excuse, she really didn't want to hear it. She was tired and her boyfriend was acting like a provoked child. Turning to face Angel and Spike her eyes silently apologised.

Spike opened his mouth but decided not to push his luck any further that night.

" As much as I hate to agree with Spike" Giles glared at the vampire not to make a sound " He's right. Buffy, you need more protection than Riley can give you."

Buffy sadly agreed, she knew Riley would protect her with his life but that was the problem. He'd likely end up dead.

" May I make a suggestion, Mr. Giles?" Wesley offered. He looked at Cordelia and Angel and they both guessed what he was about to propose.

"Angel's mansion on Crawford Street, we have already decided to spend our time in Sunnydale there, it would be the safest place for Buffy. After all, at the end of the day, Angel is the only one realistically capable of protecting the slayer." Wesley finished, he could see the anger cross Buffy's boyfriends face immediately. " Of course, we will all be staying there" Wesley added quickly.

** Let's see the boyfriend argue with that** he thought smugly.

" Buffy, that's a great idea. It will be just like old times" Cordelia joined in with the conspiracy. She didn't like Riley either.

Riley was dying to protest but knew it would make him look petty and immature, he decided he had to go along with the plan and just bide his time.

" Right, the mansion it is then" Gilestook the decision out of Buffy's hands, much to her relief. All Buffy wanted now was a good night's sleep and then she would be able to kick any possible assassin all the way back to hell.

" My car's outside, I think we should leave now, there's only a few minutes to dawn " Angel finally spoke. He knew if he'd suggested the plan Riley would never have agreed, this way Buffy would be protected and close at the same time. Angel couldn't stop the warm feeling that had touched his heart at the thought of them sleeping under the same roof again, even if it was strictly business.

I'll be out in a second" Buffy watched as Angel, Wesley and Cordelia left for the car.

After agreeing with Giles and the scoobies that they should all meet up at the mansion after a good mornings sleep, she turned to a very worried Riley.

" Maybe I should stay with you too, " he asked hopefully.

Buffy took his hand in hers.

" Not a good idea, you'll only end up fighting again" she replied truthfully.

Riley reluctantly agreed, knowing that her statement was a strong possibility. Buffy wouldn't like it, but a showdown with one or both of the vampires was almost a certainty.

" You have nothing to worry about about, you know that, don't you?." she tried to reassure him.

" I guess your relationship with Angel is a …"

" STOP…Riley, there is no relationship, not any longer. We're not lovers and we were never really friends, so you really have nothing to worry about. The only thing Angel and I share nowadays is our duty to fight in the battle against evil and protect those in need." Buffy felt her boyfriend relax slightly.

Riley kissed his girlfriend goodnight, he then watched her climb into the back of Angel's car and sit next to Cordelia.

Buffy turned in her seat and stared until they were out of sight, she felt slightly better now that Riley believed her.

** Now If only she could convince herself** She thought sadly.

The rest of the journey was made in silence, Buffy found her eyes drawn to the dark spiky head in the front seat and for a split second she longed desperately to run her fingers through his hair. **And lose herself in the smell of his skin.** Quickly cutting off that thought she looked out of the window for a distraction, anything to take her mind off how close Angel was.

Buffy then felt her eyelids flicker and her eyes close as fatigue took it's toll. Her last conscious thought before sleep claimed her was...

** If she wasn't very careful it was more then her soul she was in danger of losing...With Angel this close her poor battered heart was once again on the line**

Go to Part 6