Chapter 5 - Seeing you Again

From the lower level she could hear his approaching steps as he trudged his way downstairs. She felt her heart pound in her chest, threatening to leap out of it. Her mind raced while her feet were firmly planted on the ground and her legs refused to move. And then he came into view. His back was turned to her as he moved towards the bed, throwing the burnt blanket to the floor. She stood there, in the darkness, mouth dry. She tried to speak, but the words just seemed to get stuck in the stiff knots tied in her throat.

“Bugger!” she heard him curse as he threw his tired body on the bed. “Where the Hell is that pounce?”

Spike was exhausted. He hadn’t slept all night, crouched behind the Slayer’s sofa he had waited until he was sure she was fast asleep. He closed his eyes and sighed loudly as he remembered last night’s events. He was lost in memories when a strange fragrance tickled his nostrils, soon after he became aware of a strange sound. It took him a while to recognize it as the shallow pants of someone breathing heavily. In a flash, he opened his eyes and sat up on the bed, scanning the room for the intruder.

“Who are you?” he asked in a threatening tone. “Show yourself.” He ordered standing up.

In the shadow’s, Buffy swallowed hard before stepping into the light and revealing her presence.

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

Xander nervously tapped the pencil on the table as he skimmed through the giant book in front of him.

“Will you stop doing that? It’s making me nervous!” Anya said in an annoying tone.

“Sorry!” the young man answered sincerely.

Willow stopped reading for a second and looked over the cover of her own jumbo-sized volume to see what was happening between the ex-couple. “What? No snippy comeback?” she though to herself.

“What is taking her so long?” Giles asked impatiently. “Maybe she found Clem and he was under the… effect and she followed him. We should go to her. She may be needing our help.” The old librarian tensely chewed on his glasses.

“No!” Dawn immediately jumped up. Seeing everyone’s inquisitive glances she added: “She told us to wait, so we should wait.” And she sat back down, burying her gaze in a book.

“Maybe you’re right.” Giles agreed.

Anya sighed audibly, trying to get everyone’s attention, but when it failed to have the desired effect she decided it was best to actually say what had been bothering her the entire day: “I don’t know why we have to close the Magic Box! I’m… We’re losing money!” she protested.

“Anya, we can’t keep it open. What if you get called?” Xander offered.

“What do you care, anyway?” the demon huffed arrogantly.

“I do care.” Xander said once more in a sincere tone.

This time Willow had to say something.

“Xander, are you feeling alright?” she asked resting the book on the table and turning to her best friend.

“I’m fine.” He said somewhat defensively.

“Hum…” the ex-witch muttered unconvinced. “If you say so.”

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

Spike’s eyes seemed to pop out of their sockets as his gaze fell on her. He hesitated as he tried to approach her but soon decided it was best to keep the distance between them. A painful and disturbing silence fell over them, invading every inch of the crypt and making the air around them thick with indecision and fear.

Hours seemed to pass before Spike finally said: “Hey, Slayer!”

Buffy swallowed hard before speaking.

“Hey.” Her voice was barely audible even for his vampiric hearing.

“So…”

“So… You’re back.” She said forcing a weak smile on her lips.

“Yeah. I guess I am.” He replied and then added in the most nonchalant tone he could muster: “But I’m not staying.”

Buffy felt a sting in her chest, but disguised it well as she continued the awkward conversation, which was strangely reminiscent of the one they had had during Xander’s wedding ceremony.

“Really? Where are you going?” she asked calmly, all her energy going into trying to hide the feelings that were cutting their way down her chest to her stomach.

“Don’t know yet.” He nodded before swallowing hard. Inside, he felt something break; she really didn’t care if he stayed or left.

“Um…” she hummed as she realised they were quickly running out of things to say to each other.

“I’m thinkin’ about moving to the east coast. Maybe. Dunno yet.” He filled the gap in their conversation.

“Um… Well, good for you.” She congratulated him adding another pathetic attempt of a smile at the end of her sentence.

“Yep.” He tried to think of something to say as he pushed his hands together and his eyes travelled along the ceiling, the walls, the floor, anywhere but her. He was sure if he looked at her that feeling in the pit of his stomach would just crawl its way to his throat and tie it up in knots. “So, whatcha doin’ here, Slayer?”

Buffy winced at the sound of her title instead of her name. She hated when he did that; it was too formal. The simple word seemed to dig a precipice between them. She was snapped out of her emotions as she remembered what she was there for.

“Clem! Where is he? I have to find him. He might be in trouble.” Her tone was suddenly all business.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Spike asked clearly concerned.

“There’s this weird thing going on. All the demons seemed to be getting called around these parts. Something about the pull of the Hellmouth.”

“Oh, yeah! I’ve heard of that.” Spike said. “Clem went all zombie on me a couple of days ago.”

Buffy frowned at the information that he’d been in town more than two days and he hadn’t announced his presence. “He wasn’t even planning on telling me.” She thought to herself and suddenly she felt anger start to boil in her blood. But she played it cool, giving him her best I don’t care about you; I’m only here because I have to look.

“So, we have to…” she trailed off as she heard the door to the crypt open.

“Spike!” Clem’s familiar voice was heard from the upper level.

Quickly, Spike moved past Buffy and jogged up the stairs.

“Hey, there you are. I’ve been looking for you all day. You-“ Clem stopped his yapping when he saw the petit Slayer come out from behind the vampire. “Oh! Slayer! You’re here and… Spike’s here? Spike, you came back!!!” Clem tried miserably to fake a surprise, but when he saw the vampire shake his head from side to side he decided it was best not to say anything.

Buffy walked over to the demon and asked: “Are you alright? Have you been… You know? Called?”

“Called…? Ah, you mean… called. We’ll last night but Spike had locked me in so I couldn’t leave.” Clem explained scratching his head.

Buffy turned to look at the vampire and said nonchalantly: “Good idea. We could have just done that to Anya and she wouldn’t have had to moved in.”

“The ex-vengeance demon is living with you.” Spike faked a surprise. Thankfully he was better at it then Clem.

“She’s a demon again and yes, she did move in. We thought it was the only way to keep her from… leaving.” Buffy explained. She found herself staring at the vampire and quickly shook her head adding: “Clem, we need to keep an eye on you 24/7.”

“Cool! I’m gonna have company. Yeah, cause a vampire really isn’t much company you know? Sleeps during the day an’ all.” Clem said cheerfully.

“I can keep an eye on him.” Spike offered leaning on the sarcophagus as he lit up a cigarette.

“Well-“ Buffy started to speak when it finally dawned on her: “Spike, you’re a demon, why weren’t you called?”

“Wha’?”

“Why didn’t you go all zombie like?” Buffy asked confused.

“Well, my demon side must be too strong for it. I’m above it.” The vampire offered with a smirk plastered across his face as a burning cigarette now dangled from his pale lips.

“Giles’ theory is precisely the opposite. The stronger demon’s got called first.” Buffy countered frowning.

“Well, beats me then.” Spike shrugged his shoulders and took a long drag.

“We better go meet Giles and see if we can figure this stuff out. Let’s go.” Buffy said walking towards the door with Clem following her close behind. When she noticed the vampire propping himself onto the tomb, she stopped and turned to face him. “Well, are you coming or not?”

“The latter.”

“Why?”

“First - vampire here, daylight out there which equals dust in the wind. Second - I told you, I didn’t come to stay, I’m leaving in a couple of days, no need letting your friends know about my being here.” Spike explained haughtily from across the room.

“Spike, we have to figure out why you weren’t called. It might be a clue to find this thing out.” Buffy said crossing her arms over her chest.

“Why are you so worried about it, Slayer? Woulda thought you’d be happy that something is getting rid of all the nasties for ya.”

“I don’t like someone else doing my job.” She spat back.

“Don’t wanna miss out on all the fun, is it Slayer?”

There! He’d done it again. He’d called her by her title. She really hated that.

“Spike! This is serious.” She warned him.

“Fine. You can tell the Scoobies I’m in town and that I wasn’t called but I’m not going over there.” He jumped off the tomb and strolled his way toward the lower level.

“Spike!” she called out walking after him, leaving a very stunned Clem behind. “Spike.” She almost tripped over the last steps of the stairs.

“Forget it, Slayer! I’m not going!” he said never turning to face her.

“You have to!” she practically ordered.

Spike felt his blood boil at the last statement and turned on his heels to face her. He was first startled by her proximity. Her feisty noise was inches away from his and he was forced to take a step back before snapping: “I don’t HAVE to do anything! Not anymore. Don’t you get it?” his tone was between shouting and hissing. “I’m not you’re whipping boy anymore! That’s over and done with. I don’t need to do anything you tell me to. Is that clear, Slayer? Or do I have to spell it out for ya?”

Buffy was caught by surprise by his outburst. She stood in silence for a while before speaking in a low and calm voice, but behind her coolness the vampire could tell the damage his harsh words had caused.

“Fine, you don’t want to come, that’s you’re choice.”

“Bloody right it is!” he hissed.

“I’ll bring Clem over in the afternoon.” Was the last thing she said before she turned to leave.

Spike was left alone in the dark compartment, listening to her fading footsteps and eventually the sound of a heavy door being closed in the upper level. The vampire felt his heart shrivel up in his chest, ordering his to run after her, but his pride overcame his urge and he opted by throwing his tired body on the bed.

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

“Buffy!” Giles’ voice was filled with relief as he saw the Slayer walk in closely followed by the floppy skinned demon. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine and so is Clem.” Buffy spoke unenthusiastically as she took a place around the table.

“What took you so long?” Xander asked.

“Spike’s back.” She said flatly and unemotionally.

“He’s back? Since when?” Giles asked cleaning his glasses for the 100th time that day.

“A couple of days and for some reason he hasn’t been called.” Buffy informed.

“What? But he’s a vampire. A master vampire. He should have been one of the first to be called.” Giles scratched is forehead as he puzzled over the enigma.

“Exactly.”

“That’s odd.” Willow spoke.

“That animal is back in town. How dare he, after-“

“Xander!” Buffy cut him off. “Anyway, he’s not planning on staying in town.” She tried to seemed unaffected by the information she had just revealed but Willow and Dawn easily noticed the faltering in her voice and the sad spark in her glassy eyes.

“Good. The quicker he leaves town the better. He’s caused enough damage around here for two lifetimes.” Xander grumbled under his breath avoiding looking at Anya.

“We have to know why Spike remains unaffected by this power.” Giles interrupted.

“I tried, but he said he didn’t want to see any of us.” Buffy informed. She immediately identified the hurt look in Willow’s and Anya’s eyes, but was surprised not to find it in Dawn’s who was still looking between the pages of a large book.

“Well, I need to talk to him.” Giles insisted.

“I’m going over there later today. I have to walk Clem over, make sure nothing happens to him.” Buffy said.

“Ok, then I’ll come with you.” Giles announced picking up his jacket and putting it on.

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

Spike pried his eyes open as he heard the sound of the door in the upper compartment being open.

“Spike!”

He recognised the old librarian’s voice and cursed under his breath as he turned in the bed but refused to get up.

“Spike!” Giles called once more as he came down the stairs to find a sleeping vampire. Immediately he lowered his tone and whispered walking closer. “Spike…”

“I’m not sleeping… Not anymore.“ Spike grumbled into the pillow, refusing to turn his head to face the watcher.

“I need to speak to you.” Giles felt incredibly uncomfortable being in a vampire’s layer as the creature lay, apparently naked, under white sheets.

“By all means, do tell.” Spike continued to face away from the watcher, his eyes firmly closed.

“Well, I need to know why you weren’t affected by the force that has been attracting all these demons.” Giles went directly to the point.

“Like I told the Slayer, I have absolutely no bloody idea why.” Spike whinged.

“Did something happen to you while you were… away from Sunnydale.” Giles asked and immediately he noticed the back muscles of the vampire tense up.

Slowly, Spike turned to face the old man.

“Nop. Not that I can remember.” He bluntly lied.

“Are you sure?” Giles insisted.

“I’m sure, now could you just leave? I’m a vampire, I sleep during the day, remember?” Spike grumbled turning way from the librarian.

“Oh, right! I’m sorry.” Giles awkwardly excused himself making his way towards the stairs, but before he reached them he added: “If you do remember something, please, do let me know.”

“Hum…” was all the watcher could hear from between the white sheets.

Spike waited for the door to be slammed shut and only stood up when there was no sound coming from upstairs other than Clem’s incessant pacing around. He buttoned his shirt as he looked for his boots. He had to get out of there as quickly as possible.

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

Buffy nervously twirled the wooden stake in her small hand scanning the graveyard. As she mechanically went through the motions of slaying, her mind refused to forget the events that had happen earlier that day. “He’s back…” she thought. “and he didn’t tell me.”. She had returned to the crypt with Clem and Giles, but the librarian had insisted he’d speak to the vampire alone. So, she had stayed put like a good little Slayer and had waited for her watcher. When he had returned he had said nothing, merely nodded and pointed in the door’s direction. Without a word, they made their way towards the centre of town, where they parted ways.

Now, she was back in the cemetery and all she seemed to think about was that dammed vampire. “Stop thinking about him!” she ordered herself, but it was no use, she knew she had to see him. With long strides she made her way to his home.

As she reached the heavy door that bared the way to the crypt, she knocked lightly.

“Who is it?” She heard Clem’s voice.

“It’s me, Buffy.” She answered opening the door and sneaking her head inside. “Can I come in?”

“Sure.” As she entered she saw the demon sitting in the armchair and staring at the black and white TV. “Make yourself at home.”

“I’m here to speak to Spike.” She said with her gaze buried in the ground as she made her way to the lower compartment.

“He’s not down there.” Clem said turning to face her, but never leaving the chair.

“Where is he then?” she asked.

“He left.”

Chapter 6 - Foris Caliga

Buffy stood in shock. “He left again…” was the mantra in her mind as she felt her heart violently spasm against the walls of her chest. Slowly, she gained a grip on reality and let the words bleed out of her mouth.

“What? When did he leave?”

“Just after you and the watcher left.” Clem explained munching greedily on a hand full of chips.

She paused for a while, trying to take in the information.

“Um… well you better get you’re stuff then.” Buffy motioned toward the lower level of the crypt.

“Why?” Clem asked confused.

“Well, you can’t be here alone. We don’t know when you’ll be called.” Buffy sighed coming closer to the demon.

“Oh. That’s not a problem.” Clem said with a huge grin.

“What do you mean?” Buffy questioned, but soon got her answer when she heard the jiggle of metal shackles as Clem lifted his arm to reveal that he was chained to the foot of the armchair. “Spike left you like that?”

“Yep. He had to go out, so he had no choice.” Clem replied with a mouth full of chips.

“He had to go out? You mean he didn’t leave town?” the hope in her voice was clear.

“No. Who told you that?” Clem questioned confused once more.

“You did. Just now.”

“No, I didn’t. I said he’d gone out.” Clem denied.

“You said he left.” Buffy disagreed. Her heart once again pounding at a frightening pace, this time, out of a strange combination of joy and anger towards the demon sitting in front of her.

“Yeah, he left because he had to do something, but I didn’t say he left town.” Clem finally clarified.

“So he didn’t leave town?”

“No.” Clem repeated already getting a little bit annoyed. “Are you ok?”

“Fine.” Buffy answered with a huge grin on her face as she made her way to the door in long strides.

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

“Hey, Spike! Sorry I took so long.” Dawn excused herself as she slid the lid of the sewer entrance back into place.

“No problem, little bit.” Spike spoke as he lit a cigarette.

“So, Buffy knows you’re in town, huh?” Dawn started the conversation as she jumped to avoid the small string of water that ran along the sewer.

“Yep. Caught me in the crypt. I knew I shouldn’t have moved back in there with Clem.” Spike mumbled taking a drag.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t warn you.”

“No you’re not. You were dying for you’re sis to find out.” Spike said matter-of-factly.

Dawn smiled and shrugged: “She had the right to know. She’s missed you.”

“Didn’t seem that way to me.” Spike grumbled.

“So, what are you planning on doing now?”

“I dunno. I have to stick around and babysit Clem till we figure this thing out.” Spike replied, throwing away the burnt out cigarette.

“Good.” Dawn blurted out with a slick smirk.

“Good, huh?” Spike looked at her from the corner of his eyes, but her gaze remained on the cement beneath her feet. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

“I know.” She said matter-of-factly, finally looking at him and giving him a full smile.

“I bet you do.” Spike stopped and pointed to the sewer entrance over their heads. “We’re here.”

She moved up the ladder and as she reached the lid she turned and asked: “You wanna come in?”

“I don’t think you’re sis would like that.”

“She’s out patrolling.” She explained.

“In the middle of the afternoon?”

“What can I say? She was probably pissed at you, needed to work out the anger.” Dawn offered her hand. “Come on.”

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

“I can’t stay for long don’t want you big sis-“

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Dawn mumbled her way into the living room.

Spike slumped down on the couch and turned on the TV.

“Ah, coloured tellie. This is the life.” Spike joked.

“You want some popcorn?” Dawn shouted back as she walked into the kitchen.

“Sure.”

A few minutes passed before she came back with a bowl filled with popcorn.

“Here you go.” She offered dropping the bowl on his lap.

“Thanks, Nibblet.”

They sat around for a few minutes, just watching TV and munching on popcorn.

“I don’t like Pacey and Audrey together.” Spike protested.

“You don’t? I don’t mind, but Buffy hates them. She says he should be with Joey.”

“Bloody right, he should! I don’t like this Audrey, she’s too… peppy.” He sat for a while before he clapped his hands together and prepared to get up. “Well, I better go, Nibblet.”

“So soon?” Dawn protested standing up and following him.

“Soon? It’s already dark outside. She’ll be home any second and I don’t want her to know I’ve been coming to see-“ Spike trailed off as he saw Buffy’s stunned face staring at him.

Silence fell around them and the tension was so thick you could cut through it.

“You knew he was in town and you didn’t tell me.” Buffy finally spoke staring at her sister.

“Buffy, I-“

“You knew? And… He’s been coming here? For how long?”

“Slayer, don’t-“

“Shut up, Spike. Dawn, go up to your room, we’ll talk later.” Buffy ordered, her eyes never leaving Spike’s.

“Buff-“

“NOW!”

With her head bowed, the young teenager made her way up the stairs.

“It’s nice to see you’re still treating her like a three year old.” Spike ridiculed.

“I do not treat her like a three year old.”

“Right…” Spike sighed walking past her and into the kitchen.

“Don’t you walk away from me!” she shouted after him. “Since when have you been coming here, behind my back?”

“That is none of your business.” He shouted back in her face.

“Oh, yes it is. This is my house and she’s my sister.”

“And she’s old enough to choose who she hangs out with.”

“She should have told me.” She yelled.

“Why?” Spike asked.

“What do you mean why?” Buffy questioned confused.

“Why do you think she should have told you?”

“Because… Because…” she searched her mind for the answer but came up with nothing. “Because you’re a vampire and I’m the Slayer.”

“Oh, give me a break will you?” Spike rolled his eyes in frustration.

“How dare you sneak your way into my house and not tell me? When were you here?” suddenly it dawn on her: “You were here last night, weren’t you?” she asked accusingly.

“What? No!” he answered awkwardly.

“You were! You were skulking around here. You…” instinctively the finger tips of her right hand came to rest on her lips.

They stared at each other in silence. Suddenly, Spike turned around and tried to open the backdoor, but Buffy quickly slammed it shut.

“Oh, no! You’re not getting away that easily.” She warned him as her hand kept the door firmly shut. “You can’t do this! You come back and don’t tell me, you-you follow me around and…” her right hand came to rest on her chest as the words tumbled out of her trembling lips “and I can *feel* you and I think I’m going out of my mind. And…”

Suddenly the phone rang. Buffy wondered what to do, but eventually she realised she had no choice but to move away from the door so she could answer the ringing.

“Hello?” Buffy’s voice was filled with anger.

“Hello, Buffy! It’s Giles. Could you please come over to the Magic Box, I think we’ve discovered what’s behind this… calling.”

“Sure, I’ll be there in a few minutes.” And she hung up turning to face the vampire. Without a word she made her way to the stairs and shouted:

“Dawn! Get dressed, we’re going to the Magic Box.”

“What happen?” Spike asked.

“I thought you didn’t’ care.” Buffy spoke haughtily.

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

“What is he doing here?” Xander immediately snapped as he saw the vampire walk in after Dawn and Buffy.

“He can help.” Buffy answered.

Xander was about to protest but Anya cut him off: “Shut up, Xander!”

Spike and Anya exchanged a look and the vampire nodded in thanks.

“You’re welcome.” She mouthed.

“Spike, glad to see you’ve changed your mind.” Giles said.

Out of the corner of the Magic Box, Willow gave the vampire a huge grin and he answered by giving her his trademark smirk.

“Giles, you said you found something?” Buffy went straight to the point.

“Ye-Yes I think I did. Not just me, Willow helped.”

“Hey!” Xander protested.

“And Xander, of course.” Giles added as he moved towards the table to retrieve a book. “We found a passage that speaks about a…” he put on his glasses and quoted from the tome: “Foris caliga.”

“English would be good.” Buffy mocked.

“Basically it’s a… it’s like a… What can I call it?” Giles asked himself out loud.

“A black hole?” Willow offered.

“Well, yes you could say that. But instead of attracting matter, it attracts all that is purely demon, without a human soul.” Giles explained.

“But we already knew that, right?” Buffy said impatiently.

“Yes, we did.” Giles sighed. “But what we didn’t know is that this Foris caliga destroys the demons it attracts and condenses their powers.”

“Ok. So what does it look like and how do I kill it?” Buffy stood up and pulled up her sleeves.

“You can’t kill it. It’s not a living creature. It’s not even a natural phenomenon like the black hole. It’s created by a powerful spell. Whoever cast it wants to have the power of all the demons in Sunnydale, maybe even more.” Giles explained with a worried furrow over his forehead.

“So the only thing we can do is wait until Anya gets called again?” Dawn finally spoke.

“I guess so.” Willow answered.

“Wait, wait a minute there. I don’t understand. You said this thing, this… Foris whatever only sucks in the pure demons, the ones with no human soul, right?” Xander began and when Giles nodded, he continued his reasoning: “Well, then why didn’t mister Big Bad Vampire over here get called?”

“That’s the one thing I can’t explain.” Giles admitted.

Everyone stared at the vampire, as if expecting and answer. Spike’s mind raced as he pondered over telling them the truth, eventually he decided not to.

“Hey! Don’t look at me. Beats me if I know why I wasn’t called.” He lied. “No need to tell them. We find the one who’s behind this thing, kill it and that’s it. Over and don’t with.”

Chapter 7 - The Clearing

Spike sighed as his tired body hit the armchair.

“What happen?” a sleepy faced Clem asked as he rubbed his right eye.

“Nothing.” The vampire grumbled.

“Nothing, huh? That’s why you come home in the middle of the night and kick me out of the chair?”

“Piss off!” he hissed, not even bothering to look at the demon standing next to him.

“Well, if you’re staying here I’m taking your bed. The deal was you have it during the days and I have it during nights.” Clem started sluggishly dragging his feet towards the lower level of the crypt.

“I wanted to tell her…” the vampire suddenly spoke and the demon stopped and turned to face him. “About the soul.”

“And did you?” Clem started the conversation sitting on the sarcophagus.

“No.” was the simple answer that came from Spike’s dry lips as he stared into the distance.

Clem sighed before continuing: “I don’t understand why you don’t just tell her.”

“I can’t!” Spike suddenly growled, standing up abruptly and pacing around the room.

“Why not?”

“Because I want her to know that I loved her before, damn it! I want her to know that I will always love her, with or without a bloody soul!!” Spike yelled upset.

“Then why did you go through the trouble of getting it?” Clem was starting to get exasperated at the logic of his friend.

“I don’t know! I- I was confused and all I wanted was to give her what she wanted.” Spike struggled with the words as he nervously walked around in circles.

“I really don’t understand.” Clem shook his head from side to side.

“Neither do I.” Spike let out a frustrated laugh as he took his place back on the armchair.

They stayed in silence for a while before Clem broke it with a whisper.

“Tell her.”

Spike sighed and stared at the floppy skinned demon who gave him a comforting smile.

“Right then! Off I go!” the vampire finally said standing up and heading for the door.

“You’re going to tell her now?!” Clem asked incredulous.

“Good’a time as any.” Spike shrugged.

“It’s four in the morning!”

“She’s already gorgeous, she doesn’t need her beauty sleep.” He said stepping outside.

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

Buffy jumped into awareness as she heard a strange metallic sound. Standing up from the couch she saw Anya standing by the front door. Coming closer she noticed the dazed look on her face as the demon’s hand jiggled the handle desperately trying to turn it.

Quick on her feet, the Slayer jogged up the stairs into Dawn’s room.

“Dawn! Wake up!” she whispered caressing her sister’s milky arm.

“Hum…?” the young teenager moaned.

“Anya’s being called, you have to go downstairs and watch her while I get dressed.” Buffy explained.

A sleepy Dawn nodded and sat up on the bed rubbing her eyes as Buffy walked out of the room.

While the younger Summers girl dragged herself downstairs, the older one entered her bedroom.

“Willow!” Buffy called the ex-witch.

“What? Where? Who? How?” Willow shouted as she jumped up from the bed.

“Nervous much?”

“Sorry! It’s just this Foris Caliga thing is making me kinda jittery.” Willow excused herself.

“Speaking of it, Anya’s being called, she’s trying to open the front door. I have to get dressed so I can follow her. Will you call Giles and Xander and let them know?” Buffy talked as her pulled her jeans on and started buttoning them up.

“Sure.”

“Thanks.” As she was walking out the door, she remembered: “Could you watch Dawn for me?”

“No problem.” Willow assured her following her best friend down the stairs.

As they reached the end of the staircase, Buffy signalled Dawn to follow her into the kitchen.

“I’ll follow her and see where this thing is. Once I find it, I’ll snap her out of the trance and bring her home. Ok? You stay here with Willow.”

Dawn nodded as Buffy leaned in and gave her a light peck on the forehead. Putting on her denim jacket, the Slayer reached for the door, unlocking it and making way for Anya who immediately started walking out. From behind her she heard Willow’s familiar voice whisper:

“Good luck!”

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

“Giles? It’s Willow! Anya’s been called. Yes? They just left the house.” Willow paused for a second hearing a question from the other side of the line. “They were heading south. If you hurry you might still catch them. “ pause “Ok, goodbye. Good luck!” And she hung up.

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

Buffy slowly followed the vengeance demon, giving Anya enough room to manoeuvre, when she noticed the familiar peroxide vampire coming her way.

“Spike? What are you doing here?” she asked confused but never letting Anya out of her sight.

“I need to speak to you. What’s she doing here? Where you two off to?” he asked a little out of breath. He had jogged all the way from his crypt.

“She’s been called.”

“Ah!”

Buffy was about to say something when she noticed the strange change on Spike’s face.

“Spike? You did remember to lock Clem up, right?”

“I forgot. I got home and unchained him and forgot to chain him up again when I left.” Spike said a little afraid of the Slayer’s reaction and he was right to be. Immediately, she started waving her arms around and shouting:

“You forgot? How-“

“Hey! You’ll snap Anya out of it and then we’ll never find Clem. Our best hope now is to follow her and hope that we get there before Clem does.” Spike shushed her.

“How could you forget?” Buffy hissed under her breathe as she and Spike walked side by side behind the vengeance demon.

“Well, I-I had other things on my mind.” Spike snapped back in a low voice.

“Other thing? What other thing?” she had a deep furrow over her forehead as she spoke.

“It’s none of your business!” he hissed, giving her a light pout.

They walked in silence for a few minutes.

“I need to tell you something.” He started uneasily.

“What now?” she snapped angrily.

She was making this very hard. He wanted to tell her the truth but her haughtiness and stubbornness were really getting in the way, even so he thought it was best to go through with it.

“When I left… before the summer and Willow and… you know?” Buffy nodded as a shadow covered her face at the memory of what had happen. “Well, I went to Africa…” pause. “…there was this demon who could give me anything I wanted if I passed his trials. Eventually I did and he gave me-“

“Buffy! There you are!” Giles’ familiar voice was heard. They looked behind them and saw the watcher step out of his car. “I’m so glad I found you. Is she still…” he gestured towards Anya and Buffy nodded. “Good! I’ll come with you, then.“ and he fell into pace with them.

“What were you saying Spike?” Buffy asked after a long uncomfortable silence.

“Nothing. I’ll tell you about it later.” Spike sighed in frustration.

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

“Where are they? They should have come back by now.” Xander pressed his sweaty palms against his chest as he paced around the room.

“Don’t worry about it. Buffy can handle herself.” Willow tried to assure her friend, forcing him to stop and patting him on the back.

He paused for a moment, facing Willow but his gaze buried on the floor beneath his feet. The redhead set her index finger under his chin and tilted his head up to reveal his eyes filled his tears that threatened to spill over his flushed check. Eventually it happened when he blinked as he spoke:

“If something happens to her…”

“Nothing will happen to her. Buffy wouldn’t allow it.” Willow gave him a reassuring smile and she brought him into her arms for a strong hug.

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

They walked around for hours until and where now in the middle of nowhere. All around them tall trees softly swayed as a chilly wind brushed over their leaves.

“Where is she going?” Buffy whispered as she hugged herself in a frustrated attempt to keep warm. “We’ve been walking around for-“

“Shush.” Spike hissed as he lifted his head, straining to hear something.

“What is it?” Giles asked.

“Do you hear something?”

“I won’t bloody hear anything if you two don’t shut your gobs.” Spike protested. He paused for a second and then nodded. “I hear chanting and humming.”

“Is it close?” Giles didn’t have to wait for the answer. As they continued to walk he was able to pick up a soft mumbling that grew loader with every step they took.

Eventually, a clearing came into view. A bright white circle of light emanated from the ground and next to it stood a man. With his back turned to them, he was dressed in black and his arms were raised in the air as he chanted over and over. Closer to the trees, a large groups of demons stood, paralyzed, with the familiar dazed look on their faces and a strange humming came from their closed mouths.

“Oh my God!” Giles whispered as he saw the variety of demons before him. “There are all sorts of demonic creatures here. Vampires, fryals, miquots, skyloshs, kung-“

“Giles! We get the point.” Buffy hissed. “We know where it is, now we have to snap Anya… Anya?” she looked around but the demon was nowhere to be found. “Spike, where’s Anya?” She turned to face the vampire but he was gone too.

Chapter 8 - A Deep Sleep

“Spike?!” Buffy whispered as she desperately looked around.

“Buffy…” Giles called her.

As she turned to face him, she saw her Watcher pointing towards the clearing. She turned her gaze to see Spike grabbing a dazed Anya and throwing her on the floor among the thick bushes. Quickly, she moved towards the place where she had last seen the bleached haired vampire. When she reached it, she found a worried Spike laying on top of a very spaced out Anya. The scene brought back the images she had struggled so hard to forget. She shook away the memory and concentrated on the present situation.

“Is she ok?” Buffy asked, but somehow her voice didn’t show as much worry as was expected.

“No.” Spike answered without even looking at her, his eyes were fixed on the vengeance demon, who was now humming in unison with all the other demons. “She won’t snap out of it.”

“It must be the Foris Caliga. It’s too strong.” Giles’ familiar voice was heard as he sneaked his way to them between the bushes.

Suddenly, a sound coming from the clearing caught the threesome’s attention. As they looked on, they saw the demons approach the white circle of light one by one. The first to reach it was a vampire who outstretched it’s powerful arm towards the brightness. The moment its fingertips touched the glow it engulfed him. A few second passed and the circle began to pulsate, its rhythm increasing reaching a frightening pace. Eventually, the light retracted back into place, still pounding but slowing down, until the vampire was visible. However, it only lasted for a few seconds, as the creature suddenly burst into dust as if an invisible stake had been driven through its chest.

Buffy stared incredulous at the spectacle as more demons lined up to have a similar fate. However, they did not turn to dust, instead their bodies fell lifeless to the floor and began strangely melting until there was nothing left but a wet stain on the ground.

“What’s happening?” the Slayer asked, her eyes fixed on the glowing circle.

“Without their demon power they cannot survive.” Giles explained. “It is sucking in all of their demonic energy.”

“But-“ Buffy started but was cut off by Spike’s annoyed and concerned voice.

“Will you two shut up and pay attention. She’s not snapping out of it. What if she stays like this?”

Something about the way he showed worry over the demon made Buffy’s stomach turn in disgust, but she ignored the feeling and moved closer to Anya, grabbing her by her arms and shaking her to the core.

“I’ve tried that already.” Spike grumbled pushing the Slayer out of the way and kneeling in front of Anya, who was sitting on the ground. “Luv, you’ve got to snap out of it.” He asked gently, lightly caressing her arms.

“Don’t worry, Spike, I’m sure the moment we are far enough from the hole it will wear off.” Giles explained. “Now we have to get out of here.”

“But what about Clem?” Buffy asked, her eyes never left the two demons who, in her opinion, were too close to one another at that moment.

“He probably was smart enough and chained himself to the armchair after I left. He couldn’t have reached this place before us, so nothing happen before we got here and he’s had time to get here. So, if he didn’t it’s cause his back home. Now, let’s go.”

He stood up, careful not to stand too high and reveal his presence to the man casting the spell. Even though he had his back turned to them it was better to be safe than sorry. He tried to pull Anya in his direction, but when she wouldn’t move he put one arm under her knees, the other behind her back, lifted her and carried her away from the clearing.

Buffy quickly followed him, the sick and twisted feeling growing in her gut.

“Giles are you coming?” she asked as she saw her Watcher still crouched between the bushes. He seemed to snap out of his thoughts at the sound of Buffy’s voice.

“Ah? Yes, of course. It’s just…”

“What?” Buffy asked.

“That voice…” he looked at the Slayer’s concerned face and decided to ignore his instinct. “Nothing, let’s go!” and he walked past Buffy after Spike and Anya.

They walked for half an hour until they were out of the woods.

“I think you can put her down now. She’s stopped humming.” Annoyance seeped into Buffy’s voice.

“I don’t want her going back there.” Spike answered refusing to set Anya back on her feet. “I’ll carry her till he get her to your place.”

“Fine!”

When they reached the Summers’ residence, three extremely nervous people met them, at the door. Xander’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest at the sight of Anya’s limp body laying in Spike’s arms.

“What happen? Is she…? Oh God, please…” the tears flowed freely down his cheeks as Spike laid her down on the couch.

“She’s ok buddy.” Spike reassured him, stepping out of the way so Xander could kneel next to her.

“The strain of the calling just knocked her out. She’s probably very tired and she’ll need to rest for a while.” Giles explained.

“Are you sure?” Xander’s glassy eyes stared at the vengeance demon sleeping in front of him as he caressed her forehead.

“She’s fine, Xander.” Giles tried to set Xander’s mind at rest.

“What happen?” Willow finally asked.

“We found it. It’s in the woods, in a clearing. There were all these demons around, getting the life literarily sucked out of them.” Buffy started to tell.

“Well, I better get back home and check in on Clem.” Spike said, giving the sleeping demon one last glance. Then he moved into the hall pulling Dawn with him. “Nibblet, can you let me know if she turns out ok?” Spike asked her in a low voice, but Buffy, who was close enough was able to hear it to. His request only managed to increase the burning sensation in her stomach and she swallowed hard.

“Sure, no problem.” Dawn answered.

“Thanks, luv.” He gave her a quick smile and walked out the front door.

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

“Oh, he’s here.” Spike sighed in relief as he opened the door to his crypt to find a tired Clem sleeping on the armchair.

The vampire slowly walked over to him and padded him on the arm.

“Oi! Wake up, mate.” He called.

“Hum…” Clem moaned.

“You get to have the bed, remember?” Spike asked as he helped the demon up by unlocking his chains.

“You’re home.” A wicked smile crept onto the Clem’s lips as he remembered the reason why the vampire had left in such a hurry. “How was it? If you came home this late, something good must have happen.”

“Nothing happen, I didn’t tell her. I didn’t have the chance, Anya got called and I had to help out.”

“Bummer.” Clem sighed, dragging his feet down the stairs.

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

Dawn yawned as she entered the living room. It was already close to 11 am, but in the entire house not a sound was heard, it wasn’t unexpected considering they had all gone to bed around six in the morning. A soft smile crept over her lips as she saw Xander sitting in the floor, his head resting on the couch where a still unconscious Anya lay. His left hand was wrapped around her long fingers as his right one lightly caressed the blonde strands of the demon’s hair.

The young girl came close to Xander, whispering is name:

“Xander… Wake up. You have to wake up.”

He responded to her calling by opening his swollen eyelids, it was clear he had cried himself to sleep. He tried to speak, pushing his lips together, but his throat was sore and his mouth dry.

“I’ll get you a glass of water.” She padded him on the back and left for the kitchen. Soon she came back. “There you go.”

Xander drank up, paused and then spoke. “Thanks.”

“Is she ok?” Dawn asked.

“She hasn’t woken up yet.” He replied with a bowed head.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure Giles is right. She’s just tired. She’ll wake up when she’s ready.” She reassured him.

“Hey!” Buffy’s voice was heard as she stepped into the living room.

“Hey, Buffy!” Dawn greeted. Xander simply nodded.

“Giles asked me to stop by the Magic Box. Are you guys going to be ok?” The Slayer asked.

“Sure.” Dawn answered for the both of them.

Buffy made her way to the door, but stopped and turned to face Xander.

“You better get some sleep.” She spoke softly.

“I can’t. Not until she wakes up.” Was his reply.

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

“Spike? What are you doing here?” Giles asked the smoking vampire that walked into the shop.

Spike dropped the burning blanket on floor and made his way towards the librarian.

“Hey…” he greeted. “I need to talk to you.”

“Sure, what is it?” Giles asked confused by the seriousness of the vampire.

“I called Dawn.” He paused and Giles nodded. “Anya hasn’t woken up yet.”

“I know, but it’s only a matter of ti-“

“Oh, get off it! Don’t try that bullshit on me. I can tell your lying, Watcher, now out with it.” Spike snapped.

“I don’t know-“

“You bloody well know what I’m talking about. I saw your face last night! There’s something wrong and you don’t wanna tell. Cut the crap.” Spike nearly yelled.

Giles paused for a while. His head bowed as he pondered whether or not to tell the vampire. After a while decided for the former.

“The only way to get her back is by destroying it.” The librarian confessed in one long breath.

“What?” Spike asked incredulous, waiting for Giles to raise his head so he could establish eye contact.

“If we don’t destroy it, she’ll stay that way forever.” The librarian looked up and locked gaze with the vampire.

“Well, let’s get cracking. Call everyone and let’s research.” Spike moved towards the table, taking a seat in one of the chairs around it.

“We can’t.” Giles revealed.

“Why not? Then will catch the guy who cast the spell and rip his throat out.” Spike said with a hint of desperation.

“Even if we do that, which we can’t, it won’t be enough. We would need to destroy the Foris Caliga.” Giles explained.

“And how do we do that? There has to be a way.” Spike insisted.

“There is…” Giles hesitated.

“Well, what is it?” Spike asked, nervously gawking at the librarian.

“The Foris Caliga cannot come into contact with anything human, if it does it will be destroyed.” Giles’ expression was heavy with worry.

“So, all we have to do is get the Slayer close enough to touch it.” Spike immediately solved the dilemma.

“If she touches it she will lose her soul and die.”

“Who will die?” Buffy asked.

The two men jumped up in surprise. She had sneaked in through the back door unnoticed.

“Well?” she insisted when the two men remained quiet.

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

“Xander, you have to rest. Just go to bed and I’ll watch her for you.” Willow asked for the third time that day. Unfortunately, she had the same answer she had had the previous attempts.

“No, I’ll only go to sleep when she wakes up.” He mumbled and as he ran his hand over the demon’s pale cheek he whispered: “Come on, baby. Wake up, please.”

Willow looked at Dawn and the two girls exchanged a painful look.

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

“She won’t wake up?” Buffy repeated Giles’s words.

“No. Not unless we destroy the Foris Caliga.” Giles reassured her.

“But… there has to be another way we can destroy it.” Spike insisted.

“I’ve researched all night and morning and all the books say the same thing - the only way to destroy it is by making it absorb a human soul.” The librarian nervously rubbed his glasses.

“We’ll call Willow and Dawn. We’ll all help, and we won’t rest until we figure this out.” Buffy said matter-of-factly, her face was hard and expressionless as she crossed her arms over her chest.

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

Hours later they all stood in the Magic Box, except for Anya, who was laying on one of the mattresses they had brought in from the training room. Xander sat next to her, anxiously rubbing her hand as he sensed the tension in the air.

“So, what did you call us here for?” he finally got up the nerve and asked. When he didn’t get and answer he snapped. “For Christ’s sake, just tell me.”

Giles waited for a second before speaking in a low voice:

“She will only wake up if we destroy the hole.”

Xander swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the lump that was quickly forming at the base of his throat.

“And how to we do that?” he asked.

“The only way is by getting it into contact with a human being.” Giles explained, before the glimpse of hope could spread over the young man, he added: “The person how touches it will lose their soul and… die.”

A heavy silence stretched between the members of the group.

“I’ll do it.” Xander bravely stood up, pushing back the tears that had pooled his eyes since Spike had first brought Anya home.

“No way, Xander.” Buffy immediately stepped in. “No one will do anything except read. A lot. We’ll find another way to destroy this thing.” She practically ordered.

“But-“Dawn began to speak, but the Slayer cut her off.

“There is no time for buts. Now that everyone knows what’s going on, it’s time to start researching.” She commanded.

Chapter 9 - Letting them Know

They spent hours with their noses buried between the worn out pages of stuffy old books and came up with nothing. Buffy sighed in frustration, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she set down the tome she was holding in her hands. She locked over her shoulder to see a tired Xander kneeling next to the sleeping vengeance demon.

“Honey…” he breathed; his eyes red and swollen. “Please…”

The feel of Willow’s reassuring hand over his shoulder startled him.

“Hey!” she whispered.

Xander glanced up at her, nodded and returned his gaze to the unconscious creature lying in front of him.

“Xander…” she called, but he refused to answer. “You have to get some sleep.” She begged him as he continued running his fingers between the demons’ soft locks.

“I can’t…” he finally whispered.

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

Giles took off his glasses, set them on the table and let his face sink into his callous hands.

“Nothing, huh?” he heard Spike’s familiar voice and looked up to see the vampire standing next to him. The librarian nodded with sad eyes. “I need to talk to you.” he said, running his hands through his bleached hair and tilting his head to indicate the training room.

Without a word, the ex-Watcher stood up and followed the vampire. From the other side of the table Buffy suspiciously eyed the two.

“Buffy, I’m starting to get worried about Xander. He won’t eat, sleep, he refuses to do anything but research and look after Anya all day.” Willow’s voice seemed distant as the Slayer’s gaze followed the two men into the back room. She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the ex-witch call her. “Buffy!”

“Uh? Wha’…?” she turned to face Willow and gave her a sympathetic smile. “We’ll figure this out, don’t worry.”

Willow sighed and sat back down on the chair, picking up the book she had left before. Next to her, Buffy pondered what to do. “What are those two up to? I better go see…” she finally decided, but when she tried to get up she felt Dawn’s hand snake itself around her forearm.

“I can’t seem to find anything.” The young teenager protested.

“Don’t worry, we will. We always do. It’s just a matter of time.” She prepared to stand, but Dawn continued the conversation.

“What do you think will happen if she gets called again?”

“I don’t know. None of us do. That’s why we are here.” Buffy was starting to get a bit annoyed at her sister’s incessant questioning.

“Is she really going to stay that way forever?”

“Aparentely, YES!” Buffy finally snapped.

“Hey, what’s gotten into you?” Dawn asked a bit hurt by her sister’s reaction.

Buffy sighed and brought her hand to the young girl’s cheek. “I’m sorry, Dawn. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m just tired and worried about Anya. I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok.” The teenager smiled at the blond haired girl before returning her gaze to the book on her lap.

Buffy finally got her chance, but when she began to get up she saw the two men enter the room from the back door. She sighed in frustration. As they approached the table, she noticed the dark cloud that hung around Giles. She pondered what to do and eventually decided to risk it:

“You ok?”

“Oh, I-I’m fine.” He lied. She could tell he was lying, he was cleaning his glasses in that strange neurotic way.

“What is it, Giles? You know you can’t lie to me.” She tried to get him to speak, but he closed himself off like a clam in its shell, by raising the book in his hands and practically burying his nose in it.

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

Buffy tossed and turned on the mattress as the dream slowly melted into a nightmare.

“No….no…” she moaned incessantly.

She was snapped out of her horror by the feel of a large cold hand on her back. She jumped up in surprise, sitting up almost instantly on the mattress. She turned to see Spike’s chiselled face next to her.

“Bad dream?” he asked in a low voice, careful not to wake the others who slept around them.

“Funny, then weird, then creepy, then scary.” She said lying back down. He stretched out on the floor next to her, propped his head on his arm, using it as a pillow.

“Any of the prophetic kind?” he gave her a glimpse of a grin and she smiled back shaking her head. “Are you sure? Cause I’d really love to know how this whole thing is going to turn out.”

A peaceful pause stretched between them, but when Spike began to close his eyes she broke it:

“Spike…” she called him softly, his eyes shot open at the sound of his name on her lips.

“Yeah, luv?”

“What were you talking about with Giles?” she asked, a bit uncertain whether or not that was the right thing to do.

She saw the instant change in his features. Suddenly, it seemed all his face muscles contracted at once accentuating his sharp cheekbones.

“Nothing, pet.” He lied. He knew she would never leave it at that, so he turned his back on her before she could say anything.

Buffy felt her blood begin to boil and she instinctively rolled over to him, pulling him by his arm and forcing him to face him. Her anger, made her miscalculate the strength of her actions and as a result Spike’s face was now inches from hers as her body partially hovered over his. They laid there in silence, her breathing starting to become erratic and her face flushed. Her gaze drifted nervously from his eyes down to his lips and back up again. All she had to do was lower herself a bit and her mouth would be covering his. An eternity seemed to go by, but they remained frozen in place, each waiting for the other to make a move.

Spike’s mind raced, his entire body demanded him to close the distance between their lips, but he held strong. He knew he couldn’t take the first step, she was the one who had to choose and she did.

She couldn’t take it anymore. At that moment she realised that this - kissing him - was what she had wanted to do ever since she had learned he was back. Slowly, she lowered her head and her lips brushed over his. He remained still, waiting for her move and he felt his heart burst when she pulled away. He opened his eyes to see two green lustful ones staring back at him.

She was panting now and even though he didn’t need to breathe so was he. The air between them was thick with wanting and longing and soon Buffy’s lips were pressed over his. This time she didn’t pull back. Instead, she deepened the kiss by opening herself to him, inviting him in to explore and plunder her mouth. When he didn’t respond, she ran her hand over the black fabric of his t-shirt, clawing her way up and down his chest.

The vampire lost all control and in a blink of an eye his arms wrapped themselves around her tiny waist, bringing her to lay on top of him. The feel of her weight over him, her left leg between his, chest pressing against his sent a wave of pleasure over him. “God! I’ve missed her.” He thought to himself as his tongue snaked into her mouth. Her blond locks fell all around his head, framing her beautiful face as she moved over him, manoeuvred in order to gain better access to his mouth.

Spike gasped as she pressed her thigh against the growing bulge in his pants and he felt her smile against him. He felt frustrated at the effect she had on him, but he decided to fight back and it was Buffy’s turn to gasp when Spike suddenly raised this left leg, which was buried between hers and ground it against her crotch.

“Ah…” she let out a muffled moan.

The sound caused the sleeping Dawn to stir, Spike and Buffy immediately jumped up and put a decent distance between them. They stared at the young girl who lay on the mattress next to Buffy’s. The Slayer sighed in relief as she realised her sister was still sound asleep and hadn’t woken up. Her eyes drifted back to the vampire and locked gaze with him.

“Better sleep, luv.” He said resting his head back on his outstretched arm.

She nodded and laid on the improvised bed, turning to face him. They remained still, in silence, looking at each other until exhaustion and sleep took over them.

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

She became aware of a soft breeze grazing the sensitive skin of her forearm as her mind crawled back into consciousness. She squinted, trying to focus her sight on a recognisable object. When she saw the empty mattress next to her all the facts and events that she needed to realise where she was came rushing back to her. Her dormant fingers brushed over the green material of the pad and she looked around to see Willow, Xander and Dawn sitting around the table, their eyes fixed on dusty yellow pages, desperately seeking a way out of this mess.

“You’re up.” Her sister’s familiar voice reached her ears and she nodded.

“Where’s Giles and Spike?” Buffy asked nonchalantly, but deep inside something was making her stomach turn in an excruciatingly alerting way.

“Dunno.” Dawn shrugged. ”When I woke up the two were already gone.”

“Willow?” Buffy turned her attentions to her best friend, but the ex-witch’s answer came in the form of a light shaking of her head. Buffy sighed and headed towards the bathroom to clean up when she heard Xander’s raucous voice:

“They left together early in the morning. About two hours ago.” His eyes never left the pages of the book he was holding in his hands.

She was about to say something when a ringing sound caught her attention. She looked towards the door to see two long legs hidden under a fuming blanket. The fabric was thrown on the floor to reveal the bleached vampire; close behind him were Clem and Giles.

“Hi!” Clem greeted with a huge grin plastered across his face as he waved his floppy arm.

“Hey.” Dawn replied clearly less enthusiastically.

Realising his usual gleeful and peppy mood was inappropriate for the current situation he decided it was best to keep silent, especially after seeing Xander’s desperate expression.

“Where were you guys?” Buffy asked.

“We went to get Clem. Keep an eye on him. Couldn’t leave him chained up forever.” Spike explained. For some strange reason he was avoiding eye contact with her.

“It took you two hours?” Buffy asked suspiciously.

Giles and the vampire exchanged a quick look and the ex-watcher intervened.

“We stayed at Spike’s for a while.” He cleared his throat before proceeding. “We let Clem know of what is going on.” As he spoke his head tilted lightly towards the sleeping demon.

“Oh.” Buffy’s gaze fell to the floor and an uncomfortable silence settled between them until Xander broke it.

“Well? What are you guys standing around. We’ve got research to do.”

“Actually we don’t.” Giles spoke as he nervously rubbed his glasses with a light brown handkerchief.

“What do you mean?” Xander felt a pang in his chest, but it was still to be decided if it was a good or bad pang.

“I think I’ve got a way.” Giles paused and looked at Spike. The vampire gave him a nod and the librarian continued. “We-we found a way to bring Anya back.”

“What? When? A spell?” the rush of happiness and hope that washed over Xander was too strong, preventing him from making a complete and logical sentence. Before he gave the ex-watcher a chance to answer his arms were already wrapped around the old man, squeezing him hard enough to brake his spine. The sound of Giles’ muffled cries of pain joined with a strange cracking noise coming from the librarian’s chest made the young man back away. “Sorry!”

“Ah… Don’t worry.” Giles gave him a forced grin as he rubbed the side of his ribcage. “I don’t think you’ve broken anything… too badly.”

“What spell is this? I thought you said there was no way out except…” Buffy paused to choose her words carefully, but all she came up with was: “…you know.”

“Spike found something and I think it will work.”

“Well, what’s the spell?” Buffy insisted; there was something very strange happening. Why was he being so secretive about this?

“It’s… complicated.” Giles evaded the question and made his way behind the counter.

“What do we need for it?” Willow asked shyly. She still felt a little uneasy whenever magic was involved.

Giles took one long and deep breath before speaking: “It’s not a spell, Willow.”

“It’s not?” the ex-witch asked confused.

“Ah…” the librarian searched his mind rubbing the bridge of his nose before putting his glasses back on. “Spike can destroy it.”

“What?”

“How?” Dawn finally joined in the conversation with a look of deep concern on her face.

“He…” Giles hesitated one last time, sighing before blurting out: “Spike has a soul.”