It seemed like only yesterday that Buffy and Willow had sat in the library, laughing together. But that was before Nikos had shown up, and turned everyone's world upside down. Before Buffy had turned her back on her best friend.....and lost the man she loved. Before Willow and Angel had left Sunnydale.

Willow and Angel had been gone for over six months. Even after all that time, Buffy missed Angel, and still loved him. Although she had finally realized that things had changed, and they would never be together. He had found a soulmate in Willow, and she wanted them to be happy. They deserved that, especially after everything they had been through. Buffy's biggest regret was that she never had the chance to apologize to Willow for the awful things she'd said and done. The phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Buffy, I need you to come to the library right away. And bring Xander."

"On the way, Giles."

Buffy phoned Xander and they met halfway to the library.

"They're on the way."

"I guess they'll be surprised to see us."

Giles looked to Angel, who sat at the table with a concerned looking Willow.

"They'll be glad to see you. They both felt terrible for the way they treated you. They begged me to call you so that they could apologize, but I felt you and Willow needed privacy." "Thank you for that."

Giles had phoned Angel in Switzerland and asked for his help. Vampire activity in town had doubled and it had become too much for Buffy to handle alone. So, he had secretly called to ask Angel and Willow to come home. Angel didn't want Willow exposed to the danger, but she had argued that Sunnydale was her home. Besides, she and Angel had proven to be stronger together. So, in the end it was decided that both would return. Giles had known Willow was anxious to see her friends again, especially after Giles told her how sorry they were. Angel was a bit more cautious. He didn't want his wife hurt by Buffy and Xander again. But, they would soon find out how Buffy and Xander handled their return.

Upon entering the library, Buffy and Xander were shocked by the site that greeted them. Giles was bent over a stack of books, talking to two familiar people.

"You're back!"

The three turned at the sound of Buffy's voice.

"Hello, Buffy."

Buffy stood for a moment staring at Angel. He was even more handsome, if that was possible. Prying her gaze off the man she still loved, she turned to her best friend. Without saying a word, Buffy ran to Willow, and hugged her.

"Oh God, Will. I'm so sorry. I was jealous and I let that blind me to everything else. Can you ever forgive me?"

Willow nodded. It was nice to have her friend back. Now if Xander would say something.

Buffy, still holding onto Willow, turned to Angel.

"Hello, Angel."

"Buffy."

"I owe you an apology, too. In my anger, I almost staked you."

"It's over."

Xander stood and watched the reunion between Buffy and Willow. When he looked at Willow, he now saw a beautiful young woman. <Why didn't I ever notice her before?> She'd always been his best buddy, so he had never noticed her as a girl. But, he knew he had missed any chance he may have had. She belonged with Angel now. Xander still wanted her as his friend. <Can she ever forgive me for all the awful things I said?>

Willow sensed Xander's uneasiness. She walked over to him and reached out her hand. Xander understood the gesture. Willow was offering him her friendship, all he had to do was take her hand. With a shaking hand, he did just that. Willow then pulled him into a hug.

"I missed you, Xander."

"Me, too. Will, I'm so so....."

"Shhh. It's over."

After everyone had exchanged greetings, Giles explained about the increase in activity. They needed to find out what was causing it. Someone needed to infiltrate the vampire community. Angel volunteered.

"I'm afraid that won't accomplish anything. The vampires know you, and they know you help us."

"I'll go."

All eyes turned to Willow.

"No, it's too dangerous. You can't do this."

Angel and Willow exchanged a meaningful glance, the meaning of which was lost on the others.

"Angel, I have to. Giles is right, no one will talk to you. I'm the only one who can pull it off. I'll be fine."

"Willow, we'll be nearby. We won't let anything happen to you." Buffy assured her friend. "I know. Let's go." As they left, Angel held Willow back.

"I don't like this. I couldn't handle it if something happened to you."

"Everything will be fine. You and the others will be there. Don't worry, you've taught me well."

They met the others outside the school and headed for the park. Willow went to the swings, while the others took positions behind the bushes. Everyone noticed how nervous Angel was.

"Willow can take care of herself."

"I know."

It was nearly an hour later when two vampires approached Willow. Angel and the others weren't close enough to hear what was being said, but it didn't look like trouble.

A few moments later, Willow stood up to leave. One of the vampires grabbed her arm and slapped her across the face. It took all of Buffy's strength to prevent Angel from interfering.

"Wait." Buffy whispered.

Angel vowed he would kill the one who had dared to touch Willow. Something had gone wrong, but he'd promised Willow that he wouldn't interfere unless she had on her 'game face'.

They all watched as Willow pulled her arm away. Things had turned bad. One of the vampires pushed Willow backwards. She hit the ground, rolled, and jumped to her feet. When she looked up, her friends saw her 'game face' for the first time.

As soon as Angel saw, he took off. Before Buffy and the others got to them, Angel and Willow had destroyed both vampires.

"Are you okay?" Angel asked frantically.

The others couldn't figure out why Angel was so concerned. Willow hadn't been hurt. Something was definately up.

"I'm fine."

Willow gave Angel a smile that he gratefully returned.

"Did you find out what's going on?" Buffy asked.

"Yes, but I think we better talk about it back at the library."

The group headed back to the library in silence.

"It seems that the vampires are here to compete. From what I found out, since Colin was destroyed, and Spike is out of the picture, they are in need of a new leader. Anyone wishing to fill that position must engage in fights to the death. The victor will be accepted by the others as their new leader."

"So, all of these extra vampires are here to compete?"

"Not all of them, some are just here to watch the competition."

"What happens after the competitions are done?"

"They will all give the new leader an oath of loyalty, and then return to their own homes. They should all be gone by Friday."

"So, what do we do?" Buffy questioned.

Giles, who had remained quite throughout the meeting, was the one to answer.

"Nothing."

Buffy and Xander looked to him, surprised.

"You heard me right. If we try to interfere, every vampire here would wreck havoc. As it stands, they are only here for the competition, not to hunt. We will continue to patrol, and keep an eye on things, but unless they are feeding or attacking, don't do anything. We can't take on a whole army of vampires."

For the next three days the gang kept watch. But, except for the occasional stray, they had no problems. By Friday, the vampire numbers had dropped back to normal. A crisis had been avoided, but now the wait began. They would have to wait for the new leader to reveal himself.

Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Angel decided to relax and went to the Bronze. While they sat there, Buffy decided to find out what was going on with Angel and Willow. "Out with it."

Angel and Willow both looked at her in confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

"Something is definately going on with you guys. The knowing glances, Angel's irrational fear.....need I say more?"

"It's nothing really. Just some residual fear left over from our encounter with Nikos."

Buffy looked at Willow closely.

"You've never told us exactly what happened."

Willow looked away. Angel shifted his chair so that he could embrace his wife.

"Some things are better left unsaid, Buffy. I nearly lost Willow that time, and I guess I still get overprotective when I feel she's in danger. The nightmare with Nikos is over, but it will be a long time before we're able to put it in the past."

Buffy watched her friends. She would probably never know exactly what happened during that fight, but it was enough to know that Angel and Willow had survived. And now that they were home again, she prayed they would decide to stay.

"So, have you two made any future plans?"

"We've thought about it alot. Staying away was the best thing for us to do at the time. We needed that time away to heal. But, we've both missed our home.....and our friends. Angel and I have decided to stay here. If that's okay with you guys?"

Buffy jumped up and grabbed Willow into a hug.

"It's more than alright. Welcome home.....both of you are where you belong. Let's celebrate!" Buffy pulled Xander out on the dance floor. Angel and Willow watched their friends.

"Are you happy?"

"Extremely. It's good to be home again." Willow responded with a smile.

Angel and Willow followed their friends to the dance floor. The four of them began dancing in a circle. Laughing and crying simultaneously. They drew more then a few curious glances, but now of them noticed. Finally, the group had been reunited.

As they danced late into the night, they all agreed that there was no place like home. Whatever the future threw at them, the four of them would face it together. And Angel and Willow had a brighter future, now that they were back where they belonged.
 

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