Like Normal People

Season 8, episode 17

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Acknowledgments: Many thanks to Laurie for beta reading this episode.

“The blood sample belongs to a very sophisticated, highly intelligent demon named Cemtaur. He’s the last of his kind.” (from 8.03)

“I want the slayer.”

“Course,” Spike replied, trying to catch his breath. “Which one?”

“The Slayer,” Cemtaur replied. “The last true slayer.”

“Buffy,” Dawn said.

“No, Faith.” (8.12)

“The girl however; the girl is key.”

Spike looked at Cemtaur condescendingly. “You can’t use the key, dumb ass.”

“Yeah,” Dawn agreed. “Chaos and flying dragons and badness won’t help you get Faith.”

Cemtaur smiled. “I’m not some pathetic homesick hellgod,” he said. “With the key I can open any door to any place, walk in and take what I want before anyone can protest.” (8.12)

“Them who? Was Cemtaur here?” Buffy replied.

“In a way,” Giles said. “He possessed Xander.” (8.16)

“I meant what I said.”

“What?”

“In the Hellmouth,” Buffy continued. “I know you don’t believe me. And I can’t really blame you. I treated you- Well, I’d probably treat shit better than I treated you. But I meant it.” (8.16)

Spike wanted to stop grinning, he really did. His cheeks were beginning to cramp. Being happy was right painful, still he couldn’t stop. He tried looking away, straight up at the ceiling, over at the desk next to her bed, but his eyes were drawn back to the top of her head every time.

Buffy stirred and nuzzled his chest. His smile widened. He was about to say something ridiculously saccharine when she tensed, looked up at him bleary eyed, and jumped out of the bed. In an instant it was two years earlier. Against all logic he was transported back to mornings after in the crypt. He wanted to scream, but instead he closed his eyes and waited for her to express her disgust with a kick or maybe just a well chosen jab. ‘Convenient’ maybe or…

“Don’t worry,” Buffy said, laughter in her voice. “I’m not going to let the big bad sunshine hurt you,” she said as she crawled back into bed and wrapped herself around his body.

Spike looked over at the window. The curtain was still swaying, sending tiny peeks of light dancing across the carpet near the bed.

And the dopey grin was back.

“So now that the Spike and Buffy dramarama is over are we going to focus on the Cemtaur issue?” Anya asked the rest of the breakfast table.

“Boring,” Xander said. “I say we sit around and discuss those crazy love birds.”

“I wonder how long it takes for him to warm up to her body temperature,” Fred said.

The rest of them looked at her.

“Possibly you were being sarcastic,” she said quietly.

“I don’t know what else we can do until Cemtaur tips his hand somehow,” Willow said. “He’s blocked the locator spells and we know he abandoned his last lair.”

“We could use Faith as bait,” Anya offered.

“Ok,” Faith replied. “Anything to end the house arrest.”

“You’re not under house arrest.”

“Might as well be.”

“You’d think we’d have more to go on,” Dawn said. “I mean, Willow’s been in his brain. And he’s been in Xander’s brain. Shouldn’t that give us an advantage?”

“Oh,” Anya exclaimed, “we should hypnotize them.”

“So we’ll quit smoking?” Willow asked, looking at Xander.

“Or maybe you think Willow needs to loose that unsightly ounce of fat,” Xander offered.

“No, your subconsciouseses…or whatever might remember things that your consciousness doesn’t.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Dawn said.

“Says you,” Xander replied. “You’re not the one with people poking around your head.”

“What? You’ve got some deep dark secret?” Faith asked.

“I might, you don’t know I don’t.”

“Wanna get up, pet?”

“Not really, no. I think I’m good here.”

“There is still evil afoot.”

Buffy giggled.

“Evil afoot. Not an evil foot,” Spike clarified.

“I don’t wanna fight the evil foot. I wanna sleep.”

“Alright, Faith and the girls will just have to fend for themselves. I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

Buffy was at once struck by the terror that they wouldn’t be fine and the fear that they would. “I’m not falling for that trick. You’re going to have to do better than that. And hey, what are you doing trying to get me out of bed?” she asked.

“I just don’t want to be accused of putting you in thrall.”

“Like you could.”

“Could too. Why do you think you’re here?”

“Because I love you,” Buffy replied simply. “And also, I’m very lazy.”

Spike smiled. He’d made her say it two hundred times the night before and it still hadn’t gotten old. “Say it again.”

“I’m very lazy.”

“And not at all funny. Say it.”

“I love you,” Buffy said and reached up to kiss him.

Spike savored the feel of her warm, soft lips for a moment before pulling back to say, “Lazy and happy, right?”

Buffy nodded but as she did a sense of dread fell over her. ‘This is before,’ she thought. ‘Afterward I’ll remember this as the time before things went horribly wrong.’

“Come on lazy, let’s get breakfast,” Spike said.

“Ok,” Buffy replied, pushing up off his chest. “You know, one day we should actually you know, ‘sleep together’ sleep together.”

“Hey, there’s an idea,” Spike replied with a smile.

“How are your arms?” Buffy asked as she pulled her hair into a ponytail and stretched her back.

Spike put his arms out in front of him and turned them over. “Good as new. Those coven birds are right handy.”

“Have I mentioned lately-”

“Yeah yeah. Very sorry. I know. Not your fault I walked into her little trap.”

“Still, I’m the one who sent you to L.A. to help Andrew. I should have been the one to go.”

“I’m fine. Andrew, regrettably, is fine. It all worked out. Stop blaming yourself.”

“It was just such a pathetic way to start our relationship. ‘I love you, let me send you on a mission that will result in loss of limbs.’”

Spike shrugged and pulled on a shirt. “We’ve always been unconventional.”

“Morning,” Buffy said as she padded into the kitchen, Spike in tow.

Everyone stopped to look at them.

There was a wide array of responses on their faces, from Willow’s outright joy to Giles’ cautious acceptance, to Andrew’s seething jealousy.

“What’s for breakfast?” Buffy asked as she peered at the counter. “Waffles? Somebody loves me.”

“That’s me,” Dawn replied. “And there’s blood in the fridge.”

“Awesome,” Buffy said and piled some waffles onto her plate. “So what’s the what?”

“Hypnotism,” Anya answered.

“Why is hypnotism the what?”

“We’re going to hypnotize Willow and Xander,” Fred explained.

Spike turned away from the microwave to speak, but Dawn cut him off. “No you can’t make them cluck like chickens.”

“I wasn’t gonna say that,” Spike protested. “My suggestion was much more creative.”

“Well, what then?”

“I’m not telling you now,” Spike replied and turned back to his cooking.

“And I’m still with the why,” Buffy reiterated.

“To get the poop on Cemtaur,” Anya explained.

“Scoop,” Faith corrected.

“Whatever.”

“Ok, is this dangerous?” Buffy asked.

“Tapping into our subconsciouseses?” Xander said. “Nah, any two bit quack psychiatrist would unreservedly recommend it.”

“Then we’re agreed,” Anya said. “I’ll get the watch.”

“Ok, you guys look into this. See if there’s a way to do it without risking two Xander and Willow shaped vegetables,” Buffy said. “I need to check on Dana.”

“How was Angel?” Buffy asked as they walked down the hall.

Andrew looked down. “He seemed a little angry but he didn’t try to stop us.”

“He didn’t really have a choice,” Vi added. “The girls were great. Very organized. Went in, got Dana and got out.”

Buffy looked over at Vi. She had changed so much since becoming a slayer and the past few months guarding Cleveland had matured her further. More and more she was the head of North American recruitment and training. Who could have imagined her changing so much in a year?

“You did great,” Buffy said. “Thanks for stepping in to help Spike and Andrew.”

“No problem,” Vi replied as she glanced at the window into Dana’s room. The room was dark and sparse. They hadn’t had much time to get it ready. Xander had, however, managed to add a steel reinforced glass window to the door in preparation for her arrival. Vi paused for a moment before adding, “Do you think Spike’s right? That she’s a monster now? That she can’t be saved?”

Buffy turned to look through the window at Dana’s sleeping form. “No. Anyone can be saved.”

Andrew looked through the window and nodded sagely. “Hey aren’t you supposed to be having your first real date with Spike?”

“Yeah,” Buffy said distractedly. “Do me a favor, open her window blinds.”

“Why?” Vi asked.

“She’ll want it light in here when she comes to.”

Andrew looked at her quizzically. “She seemed to like dank dark places when we were in LA. And smelly. Maybe if we brought in some trash she‘d feel more at home.”

“Dark is good for hunting,” Buffy explained. “Sunlight is good for safety.”

“I don’t understand why you’re so against this,” Faith said, looking up from Hypnosis and You.

She, Xander and Rona were at the public library on a mission to supplement the council’s meager collection of books on hypnosis. Things between she and Xander were still a bit awkward but they were making do, polite conversation all around. Faith just couldn’t quite shake the fear that he’d grab one of the heavier books and bash her face in with it. ‘This is what it’s like for them,’ she thought. ‘Always wonderin’ if I’m about to turn on them again. Cept I don’t have the excuse of demonic possession.’

“Like you’d just sit still and let them poke around your head,” Xander countered, breaking her reverie.

Faith shrugged. “Whatever. I got nothin’ to hide. Least, nothing’ you guys don’t already know.”

“I have a right to privacy. At least I think I do. I did back home. Do they have that here?”

“And I have a right to leave the house. We’re making sacrifices for the greater good or whatever.”

“So this is nice,” Buffy said, looking around Café Verde. But that wasn’t strictly speaking true. The décor was rather drab and the service left everything to be desired but they didn’t have a lot of options. Buffy had chosen Verde solely because it was one of the few restaurants near their house that had sewer access.

As with most things, appearing in the cellar and walking up to a table was mainly a matter of acting like you were entitled to, something Spike normally had no trouble with. Normally. But on this particular day he couldn’t quite shake his unease. She loved him. He loved her. Everything was good. For the moment. But what about the next moment and the one after that? Spike shrugged the fear away. He was Spike, scourge, terror. He wasn’t afraid of anything. He looked around at the women in the room. They wanted him, he was sure of it. How could they not? Still, he passed around a come hither grin for good measure. He continued on toward the table, laughing at the angry glances he was getting from the men in the room. Let them be angry. He could take ‘em. He could take all of them at once. No one in the room could touch him, save Buffy and she… Looked really pissed.

“What the hell are you doing?” Buffy hissed.

“What?” Spike replied as he took a seat across from her and picked up the menu. “And why’d we have to come here? Can’t get a decent beer.”

“It’s a coffee shop.”

“It’s a waste of space,” Spike said loud enough for the wait staff to hear.

“Are you under some spell?” Buffy asked. “Some sort of asshole spell?”

“Are you under some spell?” Spike replied as an alarm grew louder in his mind. Louder, but not loud enough to stop him in time. “Some sort of whining spell?”

“That’s it. I’m out of here,” Buffy said, grabbed her purse and walked quickly toward the door.

Spike wanted to go after her, apologize, kneel before her and declare his devotion, but he couldn’t make an ass of himself in front of the entire café. That, and she was walking out into the sun.

“Jekyl and Hyde was a documentary,” Buffy announced as she walked into the library.

“Fun date?” Xander asked.

“You’re a guy,” Buffy began.

“Yes, yes I am,” Xander said suavely.

“Why?”

“DNA?”

“No, whyyy,” Buffy said plaintively. “What goes on in your heads? Why are you so sweet one minute and all-” Buffy leaned back and did her best smarmy guy impression, “the next?”

“I don’t do that,” Xander protested.

Next to him, Anya snorted.

“What did he do?” Dawn asked.

“He was an ass. He totally eyed every girl but me. He was rude. It sucked.”

“Is he under a spell?”

“That’s my best theory,” Buffy replied. “So where are we with the hypnosis?”

“I think we can do it without harming ourselves,” Willow said.

“I’m still a conscientious objector,” Xander added.

“Will, are you in?”

Willow nodded. “Yeah. I’ll be ok.”

“Alright. Get everything together, I’ll check on Dana.”

“Dana,” Buffy said hesitantly as she entered the room, “did you sleep well?”

Dana pushed herself farther back on the bed and looked up at Buffy. “Buffy,” she said.

“Yeah,” Buffy replied, “Do you know where you are?”

Dana shook her head. “You’re in my head.”

“I know,” Buffy said.

“Dreams aren’t real.”

Buffy got the distinct impression that she was parroting something her shrink had told her. “They are for us,” Buffy replied. “Well, sometimes.”

“Why?”

Buffy slowly sat down on the bed, not wanting to startle her. “I’m not sure. I think sometimes it’s a warning - but also I think it’s so we know how to do our jobs. The dreams teach us.”

“Cut off the head. Cut till you see dust.”

“Right.”

“Bad things happen in the dreams.”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t want the dreams.”

“We’re working on that. Giles thinks that because of what happened to you, you have a harder time filtering the visions. But we’ll find a way to make them less scary, ok?”

Dana nodded.

“Do you want to talk about them? Do you have questions?”

“Why?” Dana said, looking around at the barren room.

“Why what?” Buffy asked, following her gaze.

“Why did I change?”

“Oh. I um… I had Willow do a spell. It released your power.”

Dana turned to look at her. “You did this?” she said in quiet shock.

“Yes, and I know it’s hard to proce-”

Buffy was cut off by Dana whipping out a hand, grabbing her by the neck and slamming her against the wall. “You did this to me.”

For a moment Buffy was too shocked to think. She choked and flailed her arms wildly. Dana pressed harder, hard enough to break the neck of an ordinary person.

The feeling of her windpipe collapsing under the pressure finally shocked Buffy into action. She brought her arm under Dana’s and grabbed her shoulder, intertwining their limbs so that Dana couldn’t keep her grip. When she let go Buffy slammed both open palms into Dana’s chest and sent her flying across the room.

Dana hit the opposite wall hard and she was momentarily too stunned to move. Buffy took the opportunity to run through the door and slam it behind her. Dana was just a millisecond behind and she crashed into the door as Buffy closed it.

“How could you do this to me!” Dana screamed from the other side of the door.

Buffy stepped back and watched Dana’s face contort with rage. She couldn’t quite catch her breath. Not because of the strangling, not because of the struggle. Because of the sobs threatening to break through her chest.

Willow looked up momentarily when Buffy entered the library. “Hey, how’s Dana?”

“Um,” Buffy said, pushing the tears down. “She’s adjusting.”

“Great. I think we’ve pretty much got the details worked out. Wanna learn how to make people cluck like a chicken?”

“Sure,” Buffy said with forced cheerfulness as she took a seat at the table.

“Hey, we still researching hypnosis?” Spike asked as he sauntered into the library.

Buffy turned to glare at him then looked back at Willow’s notes.

“What? What’d I do?” Spike asked.

Everyone took their cue from Buffy and continued their reading.

“Ok, fine. I’ll be in the training room if anyone needs me.”

Dawn waited till everyone had gone back to reading then followed after him.

“You’re an ass,” she announced as she walked into the room.

“What?” Spike said, stepping away from the punching bag. “So it wasn’t the greatest date ever. Big deal.”

“It is a big deal.”

“No, dying for the woman you love is a big deal, getting a soul for her is a big deal. Messing up a date is nothing.”

“It’s something to Buffy. She was really looking forward to that date. What the hell happened?”

Spike shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m no good at this stuff.”

“Well you better get good.”

“Isn’t it enough that I would gladly lay down my life for her? That I’ll love her till the end of my considerably long life?”

“No. You also have to buy her flowers.”

“No. You’re wrong. She’s not a flowers girl.”

“All girls are flowers girls. Look, that other stuff. The violence. The dying. The eternal devotion, those things are nice.”

“Nice!?”

“Everyone promises to love her forever, but she’s always alone in the end. She wants the things that other girls have. She wants a date on Saturday night.”

Spike half-heartedly punched the bag. “I don’t know how to do this,” he said quietly.

“Well, how’d you used to apologize to Dru?”

“I’m pretty sure Buffy doesn’t want the still beating heart of a virgin.”

“Yeah. Start with the flowers.”

“Xander it might really help if you did the hypnosis too,” Buffy said. “I mean, I don’t understand what the problem is.”

“I just don’t want everyone hearing my most private thoughts,” Xander replied.

“Ok, how ‘bout just one of us,” Willow offered.

Xander looked around at them. “Ok, Buffy.”

“I- alright,” Buffy said. She didn’t know whether or not to feel flattered. She was sure he’d pick Willow.

“Alright,” Willow said, trying not to feel hurt. While you’re questioning Xander Fred and Giles can question me.

“And I’ll be…” Dawn said, “I don’t know – making quesadillas.”

“You’re in Franklin’s shop. Feel the orb in your hand,” Giles said in a low, calm voice.

“It’s cool against your skin. Do you feel it?”

Willow nodded.

“Good. Now, look into the orb.”

Willow shook her head. “I don’t want to,” she said quietly.

Fred reached out and squeezed her hand. “It’s ok. They’re just memories. Nothing bad can happen.”

Willow nodded and looked down into the orb. “Ok. I’m look-“ Willow said as she felt herself rush into Cemtaur’s brain.

Fred looked warily at Giles who nodded calmly. “Willow you have to concentrate on my voice. Stay connected to my voice. Can you hear me?”

“Yes,” Willow replied.

“Good, tell me what you see.”

“So, you gonna tell me what all secrecy’s about?” Buffy asked while she played with the pocket watch.

Xander reached out and started picking at the corner of a book. “I’ve been having – thoughts.”

“About Faith? Xander, everyone knows.”

“What? How do they know?”

“It’s not that big of a house and neither of you are big with the subtlety.” Buffy leaned in closer. “Have you kissed her?”

“No, that‘s-”

“What are you waiting for?”

“Well, no, look. That’s not even the problem.”

“What’s the problem?”

“It’s not that I think about kissing her. It’s that I think about… hurting her.”

Buffy leaned back in her chair. “Xander,” she said with a disbelieving smile. “How exactly?”

“Lot’s of ways. I’m pretty inventive. One time I had a vision of bashing Anya’s head in with a frying pan.”

“That wasn’t real.”

“It could be.”

“No it couldn’t. Xander, you’re not like that.”

“You don’t understand. I’m telling you – I am. I am like that. Or I could be.”

Buffy looked down at the watch and gathered her thoughts. “Ok, in your little visions do you enjoy hitting them?”

“No of course not it makes me want to throw up.”

“So these aren’t fantasies so much as nightmares.”

“Yeah.”

“Xander. It’s not that you’re capable of hurting her. It’s that you’re afraid you might.”

“Isn’t that bad enough? Most people aren’t worried they’re going to go psycho and savagely beat their friends.”

“Well, a lot of people we know-“

“Outside our circle. Normal people.”

“How many normal people have saved the world with talking? How many rush into a fight where they’re obscenely outnumbered? You’re not like other people. You’re better. And the fact that you fear these things doesn‘t mean you‘re evil. Most people don‘t fear these things because most people aren‘t exposed to the minds of evil demons,” Buffy paused briefly before going on. “I’m sorry I brought you into this life.”

“Buffy. No. You have nothing to be sorry about. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t even have a life.”

“Maybe death is better than all this,” Buffy said, thinking of Dana.

“Buffy. What is this? Are you ok?”

Buffy looked down at her hands. “Dana attacked me… She hates me. I- I ruined her life.”

“No, the man who kidnapped her ruined her life. You just gave her some nightmares. She’s scared. She’ll get over it.”

“She’s more than scared.”

Xander looked at Buffy for a moment. He didn’t know what to say to make her feel better so he switched topics. “We better get going on our hypnosis. Don’t want the other team to beat us.”

“Right,” Buffy replied and pulled out her watch. “You are getting very sleepy.”

“So what do we have?” Buffy asked.

Willow shrugged. “Not much. He’s highly intellectual. No connection to anyone or anything.”

“Like Adam,” Dawn said.

“Exactly,” Willow replied.

“What about the cave?”

“Some bottles. A cauldron. Lots of books.”

“Like Giles,” Xander said.

Giles rolled his eyes. “Quite.”

“Not exactly a frightening combination,” Fred offered.

“There was something about the books. One of them had a symbol on it. A glyph.”

“What does it mean?”

“The glyphs are for ‘transportation’ and ‘dimension,’ as near as I can tell from Willow’s description,” Giles explained.

“Travel between dimensions? So that’s how he knew about me,” Dawn said excitedly. “I’m in there. Or the key is.”

“It would seem so,” Giles said. “What did you learn from Xander?”

“He didn’t give much up,” Xander said. “He wants the slayer. But that’s not the end game. He wanted me in place to eves drop for a while. There must be something else he needs.”

“Did he tell you where to take me?” Faith asked.

“Yeah, seems he’s got a cozy little cave not far from his last one.”

“At least he’s consistent,” Fred said.

“There’s something else,” Buffy added. “Xander got the sense that he wasn’t the only one.”

“The only one what?” Giles asked.

“The only mole.”

“Somebody else is under a spell?” Fred said and looked around nervously.

“Maybe. Or maybe they’ve been bought, who knows,” Buffy said. “The point is- we have to be cautious. It could be any of the watchers, any of the girls.”

“Ok,” Willow replied. “I’ll look into truth serums.”

“Excellent,” Buffy said. “Now, did anyone get the sense that Dawn is part of the long range plan?”

Willow considered the question for a second. “Useful, not necessary. The book seemed like a weapon, not a solution.”

“Ok. Is it a big enough weapon to warrant going in after it?”

“Yes,” Dawn answered.

“Hon that question wasn’t really for you,” Buffy said.

“I don’t care. I want that book. I’ll go after it myself if I have to.”

“I’m in,” Faith said. “I’m tired of waiting for this guy to come after me.”

“Ok,” Buffy replied. “We have an objective. We have a rough location. Plan time.”

“Dana?” Buffy said as she entered the room.

Dana looked up at her, eyes brimming with tears. “Why did he do that?” she whispered.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I loved him. I gave him everything and he- The things he said. And Jenny. I don’t understand how he can be so different…”

Buffy nodded as she realized what was going on. “Angel lost his soul.”

“I know that,” Dana said harshly, then continued in a quiet, lost voice, “I’m confused.”

“I know. And we‘re gonna make things better real soon,” Buffy said. “I just wanted to let you know that we have to go away for a few hours.”

Dana looked at her wide-eyed.

“But Andrew’s staying and Giles and some of the other girls. Everything will be fine.”

“You’re going to fight something.”

“Yeah. But don‘t worry. You‘re safe here.”

Dana looked out the window. “Dark soon. They like the dark.”

“Here,” Buffy replied, pulling Mr. Pointy out of her waist band. “It’s my best stake.”

Dana slowly reached out to take the stake and quickly pulled it to her chest. Buffy breathed deeply. At least she hadn’t tried to stake her with it. Progress.

“I call it Mr. Pointy,” Dana said as she squeezed the stake in her fist.

“Right, but we only use it on demons. Check for the lumpies.”

Dana nodded, but Buffy wasn’t at all sure she understood, or ever would.

“So what’s with the emergency meeting?” Caridad asked as she took her seat at the table.

“We’re planning an attack on Cemtaur,” Buffy replied.

“An attack?” Megan asked. “Is that wise?”

“Well it’s that or wait for my ass to atrophy,” Faith said. “I can’t wait to put my fist through his face.”

“Well, I think maybe it’s better if you take more of a planning role,” Buffy replied.

“What? That bastard tormented me. He took Xander’s body.”

“Faith,” Buffy said, “I understand that you’re upset but it’s too dangerous.”

“Do you have any idea how tired I am of hearing about how dangerous it is?”

“Faith-”

“I’m with Buffy,” Kennedy said. “It’s too dangerous.”

Faith looked around the room. It was clear no one was going to back her. “Fine. I’m out of here.”

“What?” Buffy exclaimed.

The girls looked up at her with wide eyed shock.

“I’ve had enough, ok? I’ve never really played well with others, let’s just drop the pretense.”

“You can’t just leave.”

“You gonna stop me?”

“Faith, be serious.”

“I am,” Faith said and tuned to go. “If you change your mind I’ll be at the Gardening Club.”

“Faith wait…” Buffy called, but Faith kept walking.

Spike stood in the doorway of the weapons room for a few seconds before saying, “Um… Buffy?”

“Listen, this has been a supremely crappy day so-“ she began before she looked up at him and burst out laughing. “How many roses is that?”

Spike looked down at the mass of flowers in his arms. “Six dozen. I wanted it to be twelve dozen, cause you know a dozen dozen seemed- I don’t know. It seemed brilliant when I was on the phone with the florist. But they didn’t have that many.”

Buffy smiled and reached out to take a flower. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“Sure I did. Bit said so.”

“She told you to do this?”

“Yeah, seems saving you from immolation is nothing compared to flowers. And tonight I‘m taking you to dinner and a movie.”

Buffy looked at him in mock shock. “Don’t you mean patrol and a slaughter?”

Spike shook his head emphatically. “Nope. We’re doing normal stuff.”

Buffy grinned so widely he thought his heart would split. Definitely worth the embarrassment of being seen at some Mandy Moore monstrosity.

“Well it’s going to have to be some other night. Tonight we’re raiding Cemtaur’s lair.”

“Oh thank God,” he said, tossing the flowers aside. “Ax me.”

“I don’t like the woods,” Xander said as he peered through the darkness. “No street lamps. We have street lamps for a reason you know.”

“We won’t be here long,” Buffy said. “Willow, you done?”

“Yep, all set,” Willow said as she put the finishing touches on her spell.

“Ok. Everyone get ready.”

The slayers fanned out into position and Buffy turned to look at the cave. In the darkness a figure moved toward the entry. Buffy silently prayed that Willow’s spell would be strong enough to mask them as he walked past. She held her breath and waited. He walked toward Xander’s group and paused to look at the sky.

Buffy willed him to keep walking. Their whole plan hinged on him leaving the cave long enough for them to get in. After a moment Cemtaur finally moved on. Xander motioned for his group to move between Cemtaur and the cave, guarding their retreat should he come back. Buffy turned to whisper to Dawn, “Now quickly.”

Dawn sprinted into the cave and looked around wildly. “Book book book, where are you?” she murmured. She tossed through a pile of papers and looked under the cauldron, lots of other books, but no glyph book. She knew she only had a minute. If it took any longer they’d have to abort and she’d never get another chance. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Suddenly she felt a tug at the back of her skull. She turned to look at the wall of the cave. There was nothing. She started feeling along the rocks and nearly yelped in surprise when her fingers went right through and brushed against something leather. She grabbed it and pulled it out to look at the cover. The glyphs were exactly as Willow had described them. ‘How come Willow didn’t mention that they glowed?’ Dawn thought as she tucked the book away and ran out of the cave.

Faith wasn’t stupid. She knew he was there. She could feel him watching her. She looked around the club for something to use as a weapon. Nothing. Nothing but innocent people who’d be maimed is she stayed there. She casually danced over the stairs and ran up them and out the door. Outside things weren’t much better. Innocent people everywhere and not a one of them was packing a broadsword.

Faith ducked into the nearest alley and waited for him to appear.

Cemtaur’s form completely filled the alley entrance. “There’s an easy way and a hard way. I assume you‘ll be taking the hard way,” he said.

“You know me so well,” Faith replied.

“You know, the spell doesn’t have to kill you. Doesn’t even have to sting. Just give up,” he said as he moved closer.

“Not my style,” Faith replied and rushed forward to deliver a side kick to his stomach. But before she was even airborne a searing pain shot through her. She was on the ground before she knew it, grasping her head. “What the hell?” she rasped.

“Faith. When are you going to learn- you’re nothing. I could kill you with a thought.”

Faith tried to think of some witty, slayer worthy come back, but her head was collapsing on her brain. “I‘m going to end you,” she whispered.

“You’re no match for me,” Cemtaur replied.

“No,” Willow answered from the mouth of the alley. “But we are.” She shot her hands forward and let lose two lightning bolts before Cemtaur had time to think.

He crumpled to the ground while Buffy ran around him to help Faith up.

“Took you long enough,” Faith muttered as they ran out of the alley.

Once they were out Willow sent a field of energy out to envelop Cemtaur and turned to run to the car. She jumped in and yelled, “Go! It won’t hold him for long.”

The car sped out of the square to the considerable confusion of the pedestrians.

“So,” Buffy said.

“So,” Faith replied.

“Any guesses?”

Faith shrugged. “I just hope it’s one of the watchers.”

“They weren’t in the meeting.”

“One of the girls could have told them.”

“True,” Buffy replied. “I know what you mean though. I hate to think one of the girls hates us that much. Not that I‘d blame them.”

“I would,” Faith replied. “Nobody’s keepin’ ‘em here. They chose this. Whoever Cemtaur’s informant is has no excuse.”

Buffy looked around the training room for a moment. “Do you wish you hadn’t been called?” she asked.

“Not a chance,” Faith said. “I did, for a while. I thought the power corrupted me. But it didn’t. I corrupted it.”

In the library Dawn gazed at the cover of her book. Her face was illuminated by the green glow from the cover. She wanted to open it and read. But she was afraid. For so many years she’d clung to belief that the monks were right, that the key could be used for good. But what if they were wrong? Everyone who had any connection to the key was evil. First Glory, now Cemtaur. What if she learned that all she had in her, all she was, was destruction?

Dawn took her hands off the book and the cover immediately darkened. She stood up and walked out of the library.