All That's Good and Bad

Summary: Spike, the Scoobies and the Slayer know something evil is coming to Sunnydale. Over time the bonds they form with one another will give them all the power to defeat the bad and balance everything out once again. *Some Season 7 Spoilers May Come Up*

A/N: Originally posted back in August last year, this was my very first fanfic that I have decided to revise and repost under the same title. The sequel to this that I started a while back seems to be stuck in a rut and I felt I needed to go back and fix a few things. So I would love to hear what you think of this new and improved version so it would be terribly nice of you if after reading it you'd review it. I'd love to hear your comments and know it will help me continue with the sequel.

Disclaimer: Joss is the evil mastermind of Buffy and it's characters so they don't belong to me.

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The summer after all the badness, seemed to carry on normally as normal can be on the Hellmouth. Buffy kept her promise to Dawn and with some training had indeed showed her the world of a slayer. Giles had taken Willow back to England to heal properly. Xander, who finally came out of his guilty stupor of leaving Anya on their wedding day, was slowly becoming fun-loving Xander once again. Anya, with the help of everyone, was getting the shop back in order. She and Xander were becoming friends in their own time. Everyone seemed happier.

School was starting very soon. Buffy was offered a job on the school staff after Dawn had showed to have made a complete 180 in her attitude and schoolwork. (Summer school was no surprise to the younger Summers after her ridiculous Freshman year.) Buffy was very proud of her. Everything was looking up.

Dawn and Buffy hardly brought up Spike's name in conversation. They both did sincerely miss his presence though. It was hard not to, even if both of them were angry of his sudden departure without any word. Although deep in Buffy's closet hung a rather familiar article of clothing that her once adversary often wore but had left out of haste, Buffy couldn't figure out why she had indeed kept it. Probably in hopes he would come to retrieve it so they could actually talk. But did she really want to talk to him? She, in her heart, had forgiven him, but the anger was still impending. Dawn, on the other hand, had a harder time dealing with his actions and thought him a coward for taking the easy way out and leaving. So they never talked about it.

"Good morning, Dawn," Buffy sing songed.

"`Morning, Buffy," she replied.

"So one week left of freedom before school starts," Buffy stated. "Are you feeling ready for a brand spanking new year to begin?"

"As ready as I ever will be," she smiled. "This year will be so much better and I'm kinda looking forward to it."

"Good, so am I, lil sis, so am I."

**********

Not quite a week later on a dark road leading into Sunnydale, a motorcycle had pulled up in front of the 'Welcome to Sunnydale' sign. The vampire sitting on it, cigarette dangling out of his mouth, looked at it forlornly. He chuckled under his breath and shook his head slightly as he continued on down the road.

The following evening, in the dark basement of the newly built high school, Spike had set up some kind of residence. He had dreaded returning to the crypt. He hadn't wanted to see anybody, much less talk to anybody. In fact, he wasn't quite sure why he had really even come back to this hell or even why he was now residing at the school. But something had drawn him back, or someone and he knew it. He just wasn't in the mood, or the mind, to face her just yet. So much he wanted to do and to say to her and to his lil bit, but it would have to wait. Sleep was what he wanted at this very moment. He wondered if they, any of them, had even missed him.

"That's right, Spike, thinking of yourself again. And why in fact would any of them miss a thing like you?" he mumbled as he drifted not so peacefully into slumber.

********** <One Week Later>

"Dawn, are you up yet?" Buffy yelled up the stairway.

"Yes, I'm up," she yelled back. She peeked around the stairs at Buffy. "And I'm already dressed, thank you very much."

"Wow, I'm impressed," Buffy tilted her head slightly and gave her a wink.

Dawn bounced down the stairs. "You look nice, professional even, for your first big day," she commented to Buffy as she headed towards the kitchen.

"Why, thank you. I'm kinda nervous. I hope I can live up to the expectations they seem to have of me," Buffy worried out loud.

"Oh, Buffy, you will be a great counselor. I know from experience, "Dawn replied, scrunching up her nose and giving her a smirk as she turned to fix her breakfast.

**********

Darkness enveloped him, but he could still hear them. People talking, a lot of people. Some were yelling, some whispering. Loud noises, chains, banging doors. They were coming for him, surrounding him. They wanted to hear him beg, plead for forgiveness. So many tortured faces. Ones he should recognize. They were victims. His victims. A loud ringing noise, and all vanished except for one. It was her, his light, his one and only, crying.

"William---why?"

"Buf..Buffy!" He sat up quickly, falling off his makeshift cot. "Dammit all to bloody hell," he mumbled as he rubbed his eyes.

He remembered where he was; the school basement, and he figured that today was the first day back for the juveniles. So, what to do now. No thinking, thinking was not on his "To Do" list. In fact, there was nothing on his list. He felt so stir crazy. He wanted to do *something*. But, god he wasn't ready to face Buffy. What would he say to her? Apologize, beg for forgiveness? Why did that sound like a question? He could act like nothing happened. Yeah, right. He should just be himself. He wasn't a poofter like his grandsire. He wasn't going to beg her for forgiveness. But he should. No, he wasn't and if she was willing and ready to stake him on the spot, he was willing and ready to be staked. Oh, god, what if Dawn knew and she hated him? It was hard enough to realize Buffy should hate him, but the bit?

"Bollocks, this is such..ggrraargh," he growled while pulling at his hair and sliding down the wall to sit on the floor. He started to lightly bang his head against the brick wall, then the banging became harder. He felt like he was losing it, losing his grip. 'Sleep, going back to bed, can't handle this right now', he thought. He crawled back onto the cot and restlessly fell into another bout of fitful sleep.

**********

Early evening came around, and Buffy was sitting in her office still. The day went as well as could be expected. She really wanted to stroll around the new school. So stroll she would.

She walked the hallways peeking into rooms as she walked by them. The building was really beautiful. Xander and his company did an excellent job rebuilding the school, she thought. Not too many people wandering around at this time of day, either. Just a stray custodian or staff member. She ended up in a deserted hallway on the opposite side of the school. That's when she heard something. Soft, like music, barely audible, but it sounded like classical.

Where was it coming from? The music room was not on this side of the building. She would find it. Besides, it sounded familiar, a sad but beautiful song. Not on this floor, though, she thought, looking through door windows and around corners.

"I'll try downstairs," she mumbled. As a matter of fact, as she descended, the music did get louder. There were rooms down here, too, and it was much darker. Yes, the music was louder now. She felt a familiar feeling. Someone or something was down here with her and very close by..wait, was that crying? She rounded a corner and found a door ajar. Yes, definitely someone whimpering and whining. Someone in pain?

"Excuse me, are you alri...Spike? Spike!?! Oh god, are you..?"

"Slayer---Buffy---go away!" he hissed and retreated to a darker corner of the room, huddling into it.

"What are you doing here? Are you hurt?" she desperately asked him.

"No, no I'm fine, just go, please---go away, please" , he begged of her.

"OK, I'll go," she hesitated.

"Thank you," he murmured as she left.

"Great, just bloody wonderful," Spike sniffed. "How ironic she finds me in the middle of one of my---whatever this is. How long is this bleeding torment going to last?" he sniffled again. "And I hate sounding like a bleeding wanker, all this sniffling and snuffling. When will it end?"

Buffy was amazed and astonished that she ran into Spike, of all people, at the very same place she was employed. But then again why should she be? 'Should I tell anyone? And why did he seem so distressed?' she silently asked herself as she made her way out the front doors. No, she thought better of it. He would show himself soon enough and she would find out then.

**********

A few days later, Dawn and a couple of her classmates stayed after school to do some extra credit work. After finishing up, they walked around to check things out.

"I heard that the school is haunted, that they built it on some burial ground," the girl said.

"Actually," Dawn replied, matter-of-factly, "it's built on the Hellmouth!" The two looked at her like she had grown a horn out of her head. "But that's just what I've heard," she conceded.

The boy that tagged along laughed at the both of them. "You both are off your---wait, did anyone else hear that?" All three stopped and waited breathlessly. An odd noise filtered through the halls. A combination of eerie music, shuffling, clanging, and moaning noises.

"Did you see that?" the girl gasped.

"What!" the other two exclaimed in unison.

"It looked like---people, but---I swear I could see right through them." she whispered. "They went down that hall, 3 or 4 of them." The trio slowly inched to the corner to peek around.

"Whatcha' doin'?" All three bodies jumped and gasped as they turned and growled at Buffy, who was standing there, hands on her hips with a sly smile playing at her lips.

"Buffy!" Dawn rolled her eyes. "Guys, this is my sister, Buffy. Buff, Kit and Carlos. My lab partners. We heard some strange noises and Kit swore she saw what looked like ghosts. Down that way." Just then the hall lights flickered and went out.

"Well, how 'bout we get on out of here. I'll do some investigating tomorrow. I'll find out what kind of "ghosties" are haunting the school." 'Or what little naughty vampire is playing tricks on us', she mused to herself.

TBC

Part 2:

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"Spike? Hello? Are you down here?" Buffy yelled, "I know you're here, I can feel-"

"Then why did you bother to ask if I was down here?" he growled.

"Just being polite," she smirked.

"Oh, that's what they call it," he rolled his eyes.

"I have some questions for you," she softly said.

He mumbled back, "M'not ready to give any answers."

She tried to see him in the shadows but he remained hidden. "OK, um, I won't ask any personal questions, then. I just need to know, have you seen or heard anything odd lately since you've been here?"

"You mean the spooks wandering 'round having a gay ol' time of it," he said without hesitation.

"Then there really are ghosts haunting--"

"Yeah", he interrupted, "so if that's all you needed, then goodbye."

"Rude much?-- One more question, um, have any ideas how to make them leave?"

"Well," he pondered. He finally stepped out of the shadows and stood in front of Buffy. She didn't mean to, but she gaped at him. He looked horrible, like he had not fed in a while, or slept as a matter of fact, though his clothes looked well lived in. His hair was messy and longer, but not blonde, except for the very tips. Hmm, Buffy wondered, he's a natural brunette. She would have giggled had she not been concerned about his appearance at that moment.

"There is some ritual, I believe. Heard of it before but can't remember it. You could look it up. I think it's called "The loup-garou de- manifestation". Check it out and it should point you in the right direction." He sounded so much more normal.

"Oh, okay---great---thanks", she turned to walk away, but looked over her shoulder at the doorway and added, "And Spike, get a grip on yourself. If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say you were brooding."

"I'm not brooding. I'm---just---deep in thought."

"Mmhmm, whatever, see ya' around then."

A few seconds later, still pouting, "I'm *not* brooding." Then yelling at no one, "And I am *not* going to turn into Peaches, no way, no how. I'm just," more to himself, "--insanely thoughtful. Yep, that's me, on the road to insanity, just like-."

He snorted and shook his head slightly. "You've really gotta snap out of this, Spike." Silence. "Bloody wonderful, now I'm giving myself a pep talk." He looked to the ceiling and flung his arms up in exasperation. "Isn't there somebody that can help me?"

**********

Buffy had kept her secret of Spike's arrival back in Sunny D. She had been busy in her spare time researching for the spell and even Xander and Anya had both decided to lend their researching skills as well.

"So, Buff, where in the world do we even start to look for this 'skip-to-my- lou demony', whatever, thingy?" Xander asked, in his usual research mode.

Anya pointed out concisely, "It's called 'loup-garou de-manifestation' spell."

Buffy pushed a worn book towards them, "Well, I don't think we need to worry so much about that anymore. I found it."

"Ohhhh-kay, glad I could be of some help. These researches should always be this easy. So," looking at the spell. "it looks simple enough. Don't need much either. Says it should be performed at the witching hour? Which hour?"

"Midnight," Buffy and Anya said in unison.

"Oh"

**********

<11:45 p.m. that same night, Sunnydale High>

Buffy, Xander, and Anya were preparing things for the spell Anya had volunteered to perform. None of them were aware of Dawn hiding in the shadows watching them. Buffy told her what they were doing but insisted she stay home and go to bed since it was a school night. Had she ever listened to Buffy before this? On the opposite side of the room and a little farther away lurked a familiar vampire. He was curious, too, and wanted to be there in case---well, just in case.

"It looks like everything is in place, now let me look over the chant again", Anya picked up the book and started reading it.

Suddenly a scream, a loud crash. It was Dawn, yelling for Buffy.

"Dawn! Is it Tuesday, because I swear--," Buffy was miffed and picked up any weapon that was close as Xander followed suit. Spike stopped himself from moving in to help. He wasn't sure how the whelp would handle him jumping into the fray unannounced and he wasn't really feeling ready to be staked at this very moment. He knew Buffy could handle the situation, but if she needed him he wouldn't hesitate at risking his demise.

Buffy ran into the adjoining room with Xander lagging behind, and stopped in amazement. There were ghosties everywhere, and---they all looked very familiar to her.

"Isn't that Principle Snyder? And, and--Miss Calendar!? Buff,--these are people who never made it out of the school alive."

"Wow!---Um, Anya, isn't it about that time?" she yelled to her.

They heard Anya start the incantation, just as Buffy and Xander were beginning to wrestle their way through to get to Dawn. Swinging their weapons at the spirits didn't do any good, they went right through them. But the duo was getting closer to the frightened girl. It seemed like it was going on forever and then nothing. Dawn was huddled against the wall while both Buffy and Xander swung their weapons through the air. Anya stepped into the room.

"Well, there you go then," and she smiled at the three of them. All four stood and looked around the empty room.

"Why can't all the beasties and nasties be this easy to dispose of all the time?" Buffy wondered outloud.

Spike slunk back into the shadows.

**********

<Somewhere over in England>

Willow groggily sat up in her bed and looked around. The clock on the night stand read 8:06 a.m. She had been here recovering over the summer from her hell-bent escapade. It was a slow process, but she did feel better with each passing day. Giles was around often (not only because his flat was nearby) to check in on her. Even though she had come dangerously close to killing him, and everyone else, he had forgiven her and taken the former witch under his wing, guiding her through the healing steps. Today she woke up more troubled than usual. Instead of feeling rested, she felt agitated, almost irritable. What a strange dream she had. Her sleep had been invaded by odd scenes, not necessarily nightmarish, but leaning on the edge of that realm. All her friends were there including Spike. It was like she was receiving some sort of encoded message, but from who and why, she couldn't figure out. Well, she would definitely bring it up at her daily meeting with Giles.

Giles had been up for a bit, shuffling paperwork as usual. He had been working out of his flat ever since he returned to England, doing his normal research for the Council. He had grown lonely over the months; he missed his "family" back in the states, but was happy he could bring Willow back home with him. He considered her like a daughter as well and he loved being the doting "father". He knew in his heart that for Willow to even start her recovery she needed love, support, and above all forgiveness, and he had given it all. This morning was none the usual; he looked forward to his daily visit with her.

When Giles walked into the lounge area, a tinge of concern came over him. Willow looked troubled today, sitting there in an over-sized chair all curled up staring at nothing in particular. Everything about this scene was normal except the look upon her face.

"Good morning, Willow. How are you feeling today?" Did he sound too chipper?

"`Morning Giles, I'm fine," she tried to sound reassuring.

"Is the look on your face something I should be worried about?" So he caught on.

"Oh--I was just being thinky girl. You know how I am; can get totally lost in my own head. But I do have one thing to talk about."

"Alright." He sat across from her so they could be at eye level.

"You know I dream every night and they're usually non-threatening dreams, usually about Tara, right?" He shook his head. Her voice lowered as she leaned towards him. "The one last night---completely different. No Tara, but all my friends, and something was just not right. Something was off."

"In what way?" he enquired.

"It was like they were all trapped together but---separately. All of them, they looked lost, searching. Something or someone---was trapping them. Buffy, Xander, Dawn. Even Anya and Spike but they were kept a good distance from the other three. I couldn't see what it was. It kept changing and it came from the Hellmouth. It called me, beckoned me almost to come and save them. But my friends turned their backs on me, everyone except Spike and Anya. They just looked at me with sadness and something I couldn't quite tell They all hate me. My friends. They despise me for what I did. They will never trust me, never look at me the same and I'll never be able to face them, ever again. I'm not sure if I will even be able to go back home." and tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

"Oh, Willow". Giles pulled her into a comforting hug.

**********

Anya sat behind the counter counting the till at the end of the day. Dawn was sweeping and straightening items on the shelves. The former had complied with the shopkeeper to work off any debt she accrued with her sticky fingers phase.

"Buffy should be here any minute, An," she said over her shoulder. "She promised I could go do some slayage tonight--supervised of course. I am so ready to kick some major demon ass."

Anya stopped in mid-count and looked up at the teenager.

"Oh, sorry. You *so* know I don't include you in the "demon" crowd, right?"

"Uh huh". She didn't sound like she knew Dawn didn't have a problem with her vengeance status.

"Changing the subject," she mumbled to herself. "So, how goes it with you and Xander?"

"We're---friendly."

"Friendly or frien---"

The bell over the entrance jingled. "Hey guys. What's up?" Buffy smiled at the both of them. "So Dawnster, ready to go with?"

"Yep, so ready. See ya tomorrow afternoon, Anya."

"Bye, Anya," Buffy waved as she headed out the door.

So quiet now. Anya finished up her paperwork and cleaning behind the counter. She sighed to herself mainly. So much had happened over the past months. She had become a lonely vengeance demon once again. She liked the power but the benefits were not all that great. She had lost so much and now even her friends looked at her like a freak of nature. No wonder she and Spike got along so well. Oh, *so* don't want to go there. What had happened between them was *such* a huge mistake, and it only took the pain away for a moment and replaced it with guilt. She knew he had felt the same. She wondered if she would ever be able to get in their good graces again, but she still wasn't sure if she wanted to fight along with them or against them. She had helped on a few occasions to beat the nasties of Sunnydale but her demon side wanted to do the revenge for the poor souls who needed it. 'Will have to work through those issues in the near future', she thought. Right at this moment, she just wanted to go home, relax and not think about all these problems. Easier said than done.

Anya set off on her short walk home. It was a nice night and she hoped she didn't run into anything she didn't want to have to deal with. Along the way, she heard a woman crying but it was too dark to make out anything. It seemed to be coming from one of the alleys. Anya reached into her bag and pulled out her cross and stake, just in case, because you never know what creatures lurked in these parts. She came across a normal looking woman who was sitting and leaning up against the alley wall, and she had been crying for quite some time it seemed.

"Miss, are you alright?" Anya asked the bewildered lady.

"Who are you?---What do you want?---I don't have anything."

"I'm not here to hurt you, I'm here to help. What has happened, a vampire, a demon, a---"

"A what? No it's just my boyfriend." Anya looked at her oddly. "He is such a jerk. I've told him time after time I don't want anything to do with him anymore. He says he loves me so much he can't bare to lose me. He's always stalking me, trying to make me come down to his level. Creep. He's not very nice to me most of the time and I don't want to be with him anymore--- I don't think. I wish----I wish he would just go live deep in the ground far, far away with all the other worms, cause that's what he is---a disgusting, slimy worm."

"Done."

TBC

Part 3:
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A newly bleached-blonde and souled vampire paced the floor of his new home. He had decided to pull himself together because even he was getting sick of himself. It was time to get a grip on things and acting like a bloody wanker wasn't getting him anywhere. He had resolved to act like nothing had happened the past months including the last incident that occurred in the Summers' bathroom that fateful night. He would not allow himself to feel guilty over something he believed wasn't any of his fault but that could be the demon talking. He shrugged the guilt off. He wasn't going to be anybody's lapdog, punching bag or whatever else they considered him to be. The soul he carried gave him a conscience but he wasn't in any mood to deal with it at that very moment. He had better things to do--- mainly killing any demons that crossed his path.

**********

Buffy and Dawn had been walking through the cemetery for over 45 minutes without any action. They had dusted only two vampires before that and Buffy was sure they were only fledglings.

"So, this is fun," Buffy said sarcastically. Dawn looked at her sideways. "Come out vampires. Come out, come out wherever you are."

"Hello, cuties," Spike stepped out from behind a crypt. Both girls jumped at the intrusion.

"Jeez---Spike!? Lurk much? What the hell are you doing?" Buffy was exasperated.

"Nothing much---Hey there nibblit."

Dawn stood motionless, poised with her stake at the ready, vehemently staring at the vampire she once considered her friend. Spike stared back knowing full well how his lil' bit felt about him, the hatred shot out of her eyes like arrows.

"Don't call me that or I swear I will stake you right here and now."

"Alright then," and he turned his attention back to Buffy. Just then Anya came up behind the girls.

"Hello all. What's going---Spike? How? When? Where?"

"All very good questions, pet. I take it Buffy didn't let anyone in on my return back to this fair town?" he asked with a smirk.

"Anya, what are you doing here?" Buffy seemed annoyed.

"I was taking a shortcut, besides I knew you were out here, so I had nothing to worry about, right?" She answered sweetly. "Say, Spike, what's with the---" she asked as she waved her hand up and down towards him.

'Oh God she knows', he thought quickly. "So Buffy, keeping my whereabouts a secret, eh? Is there something you want to tell me, luv? Miss me---".

"Shut up, Spike," Buffy and Dawn snapped in unison.

"Spike", Anya began again, her eyes wide. "You have---".

His voice grew louder and more irritated. "So what's the sodding problem with you bints? I try to say hello, and I get this, this, whatever this is? What have I done to you to---".

Dawn piped in, with hatred rolling off of her. "Let's see, maybe trying to force yourself onto my sister? Maybe, just possibly trying to rape her?"

"I did no such thing. Besides, she likes it a bit of rough and---". Before he could finish or take any of it back, a fist connected with his nose.

"I said, shut up, Spike, you pig." Buffy backhanded him across the face.

"You---were---wrong." She accented each word with a punch in between. Buffy kicked him in the stomach and he fell hard to the ground.

"You *did* force yourself on me, you bastard." She leered over him. "I told you to stop, gave you plenty of chances to stop, but you didn't listen. I had to kick you off. And you think you did nothing wrong?" He laid there dumbfounded.

Buffy spun away huffing. "Come on, Dawn---home. Anya, you better hurry on home, too."

Anya turned back to Spike who was now sitting up holding his head in his hands. "Spike---why didn't you tell---".

"Just sod off, Anya, and leave me the bloody hell alone---please." The last word was hardly audible.

"Goodnight," she whispered and turned to leave.

"Guess that means I'm not that well liked. So, what's new?" He slowly stood and watched his two girls walk away from him.

**********

A few days later, before dusk, Spike had been pacing back and forth once again, contemplating his failed attempt at talking to the Slayer and the Nibblet. He knew he should have just bit his tongue when he became so angry. But he was never capable of keeping his trap shut when he needed to. He had been feeling extremely bad, not only of what he said and the way he acted the other night, but of all the other times especially the night he did the unthinkable. He had hurt Buffy, the woman he loved so desperately, when he had promised her he would never, ever hurt her. But he did and now he had to suffer the consequences again.

Confusion was setting in, what should he do now? He walked over to a table and pulled back the black velvet cloth. There in the middle of the cloth sat a good size ornate cross he had stolen, or borrowed as he told himself at the time, from a nearby church. He wanted to purge this guilt from his body and the only way he could come up with at the moment was self- mutilation. He picked the cross up and tendrils of smoke wafted up from his hand. He gritted his teeth but did not make a sound, but as he placed it on his bare chest he let out a blood curdling scream. Shakily he sat the cross back down as quiet tears rolled down his cheeks. He fell to his knees and wept silently.

**********

Xander came through the Magic Box doors with a young lady on his arm chatting away. Anya looked up at the distraction. Xander smiled and waved. "Hey, An."

Her eyes grew big. "Nancy? How are you?"

"I'm fine, Anya, thanks. Ronnie hasn't been around since we last talked. I ran into Xander last night. We just sat and talked for over two hours. It was nice.---I never had that kind of thing with Ronnie."

"Oh, well that's---well that's just great," Anya tried to sound happy for the girl. She noticed how Xander seemed to be flirting with this woman (and him having only just met her).

"We came, or actually I came to drive you home. Nancy I just ran into down the way. Unless you'd like to come to The Bronze for a bit-o-fun with us, get a few drinks, dance a few dances? Whatta ya' say?"

"No, don't think so, I'm quite exhausted. Been a long day. You two go and fun it up." Did she sound bitter? He *was* her ex by the way. He could have fun with anybody he chose to. But it still made her feel very sad.

"Okay, that's fine. I still would like to drive you home, if that's alright with you." He sounded sincere.

"Sure, whatever is fine. Just let me put a few things away, and I'll lock up."

Xander and Nancy headed out as Anya followed shortly. When she stepped out, she noticed Nancy cowering behind Xander. Off to the right squirmed a very large, very ugly worm baring many sharp teeth. It seemed to be hissing at the couple. No, not hissing per say, but saying something. It was hissing the word "Nancy".

Xander, as calm as he could be at this insane moment, told Anya to slowly get them back into the shop. He had no weapons on him and knew he couldn't fight this thing alone. He really wished Buffy was here as well. Once they were inside, he would try to track her down.

**********

Buffy and Dawn were out patrolling once again. Dawn was definitely getting the hang of it. This time they kept an eye out for one vampire in particular. Buffy knew he was around, she could feel his presence in her gut. It was a distinct feeling that was known only to be from him. He had been too quick the other night when he caught her off guard. She couldn't believe she was back to beating him once again, but that mouth of his. He never knew when to shut it.

Buffy knew there was something different about him the first day she ran into him, but he had reverted back to his usual cockiness that night. How dare he deny his assault on her. She knew their "relationship" was an odd one but she never, no never thought that he would do a thing like that. There had to be a reason, other than his evilness, but she didn't want to really hear it---at least not yet. Just then her cell phone rang.

**********

In a dense cover of trees and shrubs, he stood watch over his two girls. He realized he may never get another chance to talk to or even see either one of them again. This way he could still be there to protect them as they patrolled. He was also sure Buffy knew he was close by, almost in the same way he always knew she was near. He should have been able to keep his bloody hole shut, because he knew nothing good ever came out when he was steamed. He should grovel at her feet, beg her for forgiveness, kiss the ground she walked on.

'No', he thought with a snort, 'that wouldn't even work, I'm afraid---need to work this out with her truthfully and honestly.'- --"Bollocks, what am I saying? I *am* turning into the Poof!"

He heard a phone ringing and saw Buffy stop and pull the contraption out of her bag. All of a sudden both girls took off toward town---and Spike was close on their heels.

**********

Xander made sure the gals were as far away from the front of the shop while they helped him gather weapons together and hopefully Buffy and Dawn would arrive soon. At that thought, the back door slammed open making the three standing in the middle of the room turn and jump.

"I'm here, what's going on?" Buffy asked breathlessly.

"There's a giant earthwormy looking thing out in front." Xander seemed to be calm, for Xander.

"Where did it come from?" Dawn asked thinking that one of them would know the answer.

The stranger stared at her wide-eyed and shaking. "From underground." Good enough answer.

Anya noticed Buffy staring at the other girl. "Oh, this is Nancy. Nancy, Buffy."

"Oh okay. Let me go out the back way and check things out, get a closer look to see what we're dealing with. Dawn, stay here and help gather weapons together. I will be right back." She slipped back out the door they came in.

Buffy ran through the back alley to see the monster that was causing all the problems. Just at that moment, Spike ran around the corner, almost crashing into her.

"Damn it, Spike."

"Buffy, let me help. I want to help." He sounded sincere.

"Why should I let you?" She glared at him, arms crossed in front of her.

"Because---you need my strength and I really want to help. Keep it distracted while you kill it." Even more sincere.

"I don't want your help." There, the same old stubborn Buffy.

"Come on, Buffy. Just--give me a chance?" Was he whining?

"Well,--I guess I could use a distraction," she said reluctantly. Wow, the whining worked, he would have to remember that. "But so help me, Spike, you mess up or do anything, *anything* stupid, so help me the street cleaner will be sweeping you up."

He looked at her for a beat. "Got it."

"Let's go, quietly. Distract it long enough for Xander to make it out with some weapons." They slowly ventured out of the alley. Buffy motioned Spike to go around the opposite way. Spike picked up a few large stones sitting around a tree on his way towards the creature.

"Hey, HEY," he chucked the rocks at the worm's head. It turned towards him and hissed. Spike found a narrow alley to escape into while the gang made their way out. Just in time because the monster was ready to do battle, but so was Buffy. She tossed Spike a spear so that he would not be empty- handed. 'She does care,' he smirked.

The beast seemed very interested in the strange woman standing with Anya. And what was it saying? Suddenly, Nancy's eyes and mouth grew in size.

"Oh my g---that thing!? It's, no it can't, can it? It's Ronnie---but how?" she cried tearfully.

Anya looked at it then at her in surprise. "I did it, I turned him into--- *that*."

Xander overheard Anya say this. He felt disappointment. "Anya, is this thing---is it a vengeance wish?"

"Yes," she choked out.

"Can you--can it be undone?"

"I---I don't know---I've never---," she stuttered.

"Anya, Anya, can you try---just try?" Xander pleaded. He looked over at Buffy fighting the demon worm. It wasn't wearing down any. "Please, An, try."

"I will try," and she began chanting something under her breath.

Buffy and Spike continued the battle. It knocked Buffy down and lunged at her, snarling and hissing. Spike became desperate. He yelled at it again, drew back and thrust the spear towards it. At that very moment, the monster became a man, and as the spear pierced his right shoulder, Spike fell to his knees in tremendous pain. The chip had been activated. Spike was stunned beyond belief as well as Buffy. He knew he never meant to hurt this human. The man looked at him, the pain and confusion evident in his eyes. Spike panicked.

TBC

Part 4:

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

Spike stared at the wood sticking out of the man's shoulder.

"Sorry, I'm----sorry," he groaned through his own pain. And he swiftly stood up and ran off. Buffy did the same, following him down the alley. She caught up to him at the end of it. He was back on his knees, shoulders slumped, head lowered. She slowly walked around to face him.

"Spike,---what's going on?" she asked softly. He looked up at her and shrugged. She could see the anguish in his face.

"There's something different about you. I felt it and saw it that first day I ran into you. It's in your eyes. You've been trying to hide it. Anya knows, doesn't she?" He shook his head.

"When I left---after that night at your house---I went---to Africa."

"Africa? Why Africa?" she asked him.

"I went to Africa---a demon there. I went to get---to get---". A long pause as Buffy stood there patiently awaiting his next words. "My soul, a soul. I have a soul, Buffy," His voice trailed off. He stood up slowly, not wanting to look at her. He didn't want to see her reaction, be it good or bad.

He continued. "The other night---I didn't mean what I said. You know me, always rash with the outbursts. And I didn't mean to hurt that man, I didn't know he was, that it was---".

"None of us did, I don't think. I believe you, though. I have to go back there." She walked away, then hesitated. "Sometime---soon---explain things to me." And she walked away.

Spike took an unneeded gasp of breath and forged ahead. Neither one of them had noticed the set of glowing red orbs staring at them from the folds of darkness.

******

Willow woke suddenly. It had been a recurring dream that was haunting her every night now. Nothing made sense. Same people (her friends), same place (Sunnydale), only now the "thing" that held them captive was different somehow, and the voice was new, but it knew her name and called her, dared her to come and help them. A feeling of impending doom came over her in such a rush, but she shook them off just as quickly. Maybe talking to Giles again would reassure her everything was fine back home.

**********

Giles was concerned with what Willow had been telling him of her nightly dreams. Just listening to her explain them made the watcher in him believe they sounded almost prophetic-like. Maybe it was just the way she recounted them that made him feel so uneasy about it all. He had made a decision to research it on the side just in case something was stalking his "family" back in the states. But what could it be? Willow said it looked and sounded familiar every time, even though it was different every time. This "thing" was talking to her personally. Maybe it was time she went home, he believed her to be ready to conquer the real world. She had a handle on the magic, even though she held a key to it, the white overpowered the black. She had been cleaned and purified of the black magic and she was strong. He had a very good feeling he would have to send her back very soon. The questions was, should he go, too?

**********

Back at the Summer's home late that night, the gang sat around contemplating the turn of events that unfolded earlier. Xander was curious to talk to Anya about what she had done and why. Dawn wanted to know why Buffy allowed Spike to help. Anya didn't want to be there at all. The strange couple wanted to apologize to everyone, but were too caught up in each other at the moment. The only thing on Buffy's mind was Spike, and his shiny new soul. So many questions she needed answers to.

"So----", Xander started.

Dawn turned to Buffy. "Why was Spike helping, Buffy?" At this Anya looked up.

"Spike was there?" Xander was always out of the loop.

"He wanted to help, we needed the help, so I let him help!"

"Buffy---why---".

"Xander, please, not now. Dawn, you too." Buffy scolded them both.

Anya asked calmly, "Did he tell you?"

Buffy stared at her for a second. "What?"

"That he's ensouled?"

"He's what?" Xander exploded again. Dawn shot a look at Buffy.

"Yes, yes he did."

"And you believed him? Buffy, he'd do anything, say anything to get into your---", he faltered, looking over at Dawn. "---good graces again."

"No, no he has one. I see it all around him and in his eyes," Anya finished.

"I know, I do, too---now." Buffy looked at the floor.

"Did you talk to him?" Dawn softly asked.

"A little. I told him he would have to explain some things soon. Anyway," she looked over at the couple."So how are you two holding up?"

Nancy and her boyfriend broke their concentration over each other. "Better, thank you for not killing Ronnie. We have a lot of talking to do. Thank you Anya for turning him back."

Anya smiled slightly. "I can't really say I'm sorry, it's what I do, it's my job and you did make a wish."

"I know, I know, it's OK, everything will be ok."

"How's the shoulder, man?" Xander turned his attention to Ronnie.

"Fine, I think. A little sore, but what can you expect when you've had a spear thrown through it." He looked over at Buffy. "That man, the one that threw it, was he okay? He looked hurt and---sad. I could tell he felt genuinely sorry for hurting me. But what else was he to do? He only did what he thought was right. Tell him there's no hard feelings when you see him."

"I will, I promise."

**********

Willow and Giles went out for breakfast that morning. Afterwards they would head over to the museum library. There were some old texts Giles wanted to skim through and while there they could talk some more.

On their walk over, Giles could tell Willow was thinking about the prospect of returning home. He had brought it up at the restaurant and she let him know she didn't feel she was ready. He knew it was just her fear of facing her friends and he made her see if differently. Besides he had made up his mind he would follow her a day or two behind and that she had nothing to worry about. If she got back home and couldn't find anything, then all would be even better and Giles could get some time to visit. Though he made it sound to her like all was well, he knew in his mind something odd was going on. He just couldn't figure out what quite yet.

At the museum, she went into more detail about the dreams. She described the "thing" that apparently was calling her. It seemed familiar but she actually never could see its face. The way it talked and how it knew everybody, could it possibly be a past foe? Willow mentioned for the first time to Giles about a shadow that always lurked in the background. It moved around freely in her dream but it said nothing and there was no form to it. Her three friends never paid heed to her, but Spike and Anya watched her every move and looked like they were trying to communicate with her. But none of them ever got a chance to speak to her before she woke up. There really were no other significant details than that.

"We will just have to keep looking for anything we can find right now," Giles insisted.

"Wow," Willow looked at all the old, dusty books strewn about on the table, "this I remember. I feel like I'm back in high school sitting in the library and I *so* do not want that repeat-o vision."

"Yes, well, research has its benefits, most of the time. Maybe this will be one of those instances." He hoped.

**********

Spike lounged on the front steps of the High School after the battle with the demon worm, smoking a cigarette. After each drag, he took a swig from his flask, not enough to get drunk, but enough to dull the ache in his hand and on his chest from the recent ritual he had performed with the cross. His thoughts were running rampant. At least Buffy seemed to be concerned about him what with the soul and all. He never meant to tell her like that. She was smart, could see right through him. He knew he wouldn't have been able to keep it hidden for much longer. He just didn't want it to seem like such a big deal. Yeah, so what, he went to Africa to get a soddin' soul. There was a reason behind that---he would just have to think of a good way to explain it to Buffy when the time came.

He hoped now that possibly his nibblet would consider him a friend again. He wanted to be friends with her again. He really needed it, someone to talk to, who would understand him and the pain and torment he was going through. Right at that moment, something caught his attention. Something moved by quietly, but who or what would be out *here* at this time of night other than a stray demon, but it had looked human in form, a woman. A vampire? He slowly drew the stake out of his back pocket and stealthily made his way around the corner of the building. There she stood, her back to him.

Spike finally asked, "Hey, are you alright?" She didn't smell like a demon.

"Oh, yes." That voice, something about it, made his skin crawl. She slowly turned around to face him. "Yes, I'm just---peachy." His breath, if he had a need, caught in his throat.

"Glory!?" he wanted to shout it but it came out almost a whisper.

"Hello, precious." she sneered. She began to laugh her sinister hell-god laugh while striding towards him. Spike shrunk back, not out of cowardice, but expecting death to prevail and then---she was gone.

"What the-----!"

TBC

Part 5:

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

Giles phoned Buffy's home late afternoon his time, hoping to catch her there. He knew she worked at the school now but wasn't sure what time she left in the mornings. She picked up on the third ring---

"Hello?"

"Buffy! Good morning."

"Giles, it's so good to hear from my favorite Watcher. How are things? How's Wills?"

"Fine, we're all fine and dandy. And you? How is everyone there?"

"Oh, doing much better."

"Well, Buffy, dear, I hate to get right to the point."

"No, Giles, I'm sure you don't hate it."

"Well---"

"I'm just kidding Giles, go ahead." Buffy tried not to giggle.

"Two things, actually. I seem to believe our dear Willow is ready to come home."

"Oh---really---that's---wonderful." She tried to sound excited but her voice betrayed her. "When?"

"I have booked a flight for her the morning after tomorrow to arrive there late evening. I can call you with more details later."

"Well, then, I guess we will all meet her there, Xander, Dawn and I. And you are sure? She's really ok?"

Yes, I am positively sure. She has regained her strength and she has control of her magicks."

"Control? So, she can still do spells?"

"Yes, but Buffy, not like before. She has been thoroughly trained. She knows when and where and what to use. There is always a possibility she could fall again---but a very slim possibility. Have faith in her and above all else forgive her. You remember what I told you once---"

"Yes, I know, it's just---it will be hard, Giles. Dawn, I know, will have the hardest time of it."

"I know, Buffy, I know. Good news, though. I will be following behind her within a couple of days."

"Oh, wonderful. I can't wait."

"Me neither."

"So, the second thing?"

"What?---oh yes, well, Willow has been having a recurring dream for at least two weeks now. Has there been anything unusual in the sense of unusual for the hell mouth?"

"Other than Spike showing up with a soul after being gone for about four months?"

"Pardon? Really? How did? Where---"

"Long story, one that I hopefully will be able to fill you in better with when you get here. But---haven't seen anything too freaky. Same ol' hellmouthy beasties and creatures. Why, something we should be aware of?"

"Just keep your eyes and ears open. Maybe someone, an old enemy, making a grand entrance again."

"Ok, will do---hey, I better get a move on, working girl now---need to go make some money. Don't worry about Willow. We will take good care of her. And we will see you very soon."

"Yes, indeed."

**********

Buffy arrived at her office running just a little behind schedule, but at least she made it on time. She hated being late. Something was out of place. Her door was slightly ajar when it should have been shut and locked. It was also completely dark in there, which only meant her blinds had been closed. She approached the room cautiously and as she placed her hand on the door, a familiar twinge hit her. She swept the light switch with her free hand and pushed the door hard with the other while sweeping her eyes around the room. Her desk chair was facing away from her.

"There better be a good excuse why you are in here."

"Good morning, Miss Summers. I think I need some counseling."

"I am sure you do, Spike, but someone a little bit more qualified to deal with your craziness will have to do."

"Oh, that cuts deep, luv," he smirked. "Actually, I *may* be off my nut. Last night, I swear I saw Glory, or a ghost of Glory. She spoke to me--- called me "precious"." He made a blech sound and shivered. "Bad memory of that one. The thing is, when she started walking towards me, she just upped and disappeared, just like that." He snapped his fingers and then winced from the pain. Buffy noticed.

"What happened to your hand?"

He folded them away like a child getting caught in the cookie jar. "Nothing", he said too quickly.

Just as quickly, Buffy reached around and grabbed it. "Bloody hell, woman," he growled.

"Looks nasty, should have been cleaned and wrapped. Here, let me." and she pulled out a first aid kit from her desk drawer. Sitting on the edge of her desk, she gently doctored and wrapped his hand without either one of them saying a word. Spike's head was spinning and if he had a heartbeat, it would have been speeding away. Just the slightest touch of her delicate but deadly hands sent spectacular shivers down his spine but he never once let it be known that he was flying so high. When she was done he mumbled, "Thanks."

"Welcome," she mumbled back. Buffy secretly relished the touch between them as well, but he would be kept in the dark.

"Well, I guess we will have to be on our toes just in case it was her. I'll make sure Dawn is with someone at all times, even though I am sure she is not the key anymore. Giles did call---"

'How is the old man?" She looked at him sideways.

"The "old man" will be here in less than a week. Willow will be back home in a couple of days. Anyway, Giles mentioned Willow has been having these dreams and that we were to keep a lookout for possibly an old enemy being hell-bent on revenge or something. If you see anything else out of the ordinary, let me know."

He got up out of her chair. "Will do."

"Oh, by the way, Ronnie, er, the demon worm, wanted me to tell you not to worry about spearing him. He said you were doing your "duty"." She smiled slightly at him. He just stood there and thought about what she just said then shook his head slowly as he made his way to the door.

"And Spike," he turned back to her. "don't make it a habit of breaking into my office, 'kay?"

"Yes, Miss Summers. Next time I'll make an appointment."

"Thank you, Mr.--um--"Bloody"." They both smiled at each other as he turned and left her office.

**********

That night, Buffy patrolled by herself leaving a disgruntled Dawn with Anya, sitting in the middle of a clutter of textbooks. School was more important when you were the Slayer's sister and the whining and the bribing from the younger did not work to her advantage. Buffy had decided to keep the news about Spike seeing Glory to herself just until she could get more information.

Tonight was slow, though, once again. It had been that way for awhile. Kind of gave her the creeps at times. She heard her name and turned to see Xander jogging towards her.

"Hey, Buff, could you have need for an extra hand, ---or crossbow?" he asked with a goofy grin.

"Sure, but you may not get to use it. It's been eerily quiet. I get a bad feeling something big is gonna hit the fan."

He scoffed. "Oh great. Why don't you just jinx us? Great, great, great."

"Just warning you what with the news from Giles and then Spike's----" she saw him cringe with mention of his name. "Wait," she stopped him with her hand. "did you hear that?" Xander shook his head no. " Up there in the clearing, may be nothing but let's check it out."

Before they reached the wooded area, Buffy's senses were on overload. A hand barely touched her arm and she gasped and turned with stake raised high, causing Xander to jump and triggering off his crossbow, sending the arrow in the air. "Great Gadzooks." he hollered.

"SShhh," Spike hissed. Buffy looked perturbed. "Hey Slayer, thought I might find you here."

"Suggestion, don't sneak up on me when I'm in full alert mode." Xander rolled around and glared at Spike, aiming his now reloaded crossbow at his enemy. Buffy placed her hand on it and pushed Xander back gently. Spike stood his ground, once again facing the fact this whelp could do him in for good. Buffy turned back to him. "What's up, Spike.?"

"I was just on my way over to the crypt to pick up a few things I had left. Before I even reached the cemetery entrance, someone behind me called my name. I turned and you will never guess who was standing there. Adam, you know, *the* Adam. He asked me if I was going to help him? I said sure then took off to come look for you. When I turned back around he was gone. What do you think is going on?"

"So, you ran away?" Xander sneered. "Is that what having a soul does, turns you into a big, fluffy coward?"

"You should talk. You could be a happily married man---

"That's it, you're going down, little man." Both guys puffed up, looking ready to kill one another.

"Ok, that's enough. The testosterone haze is beginning to make me choke. *Cool it*.---Spike, are you absolutely sure?"

"Positive---unless someone is playing with my head---making me see these apparitions."

"Have you been drinking?" she asked calmly.

"Not a drop, ---today."

"Yeah, that's believable," Xander piped in.

"Shut your hole, Harris."

"God, am I going to have to restrain the both of you?" and the two boys pointed at each other to blame. Buffy held up her hand to keep them quiet. Spike turned towards the noises his keen hearing picked up. Buffy made her way in with Spike on her right and Xander to her left. What they saw in the clearing was unbelievable.

Xander's mouth dropped, "Egads!"

Buffy shook her head, "Oh---my."

Spike was stunned as well but all he could say was, "Ow".

There hanging between two trees was a demon with it's skin completely ripped off.

TBC

Part 6:

**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**

The day had finally arrived of Willow's return back home. As Buffy had figured, Dawn was a reluctant participant in the welcome home committee, but Buffy smoothed things over until Dawn came around. She wasn't happy about having to go to meet her at the airport with Buffy and Xander, but she promised she would be as supportive as best she could.

Xander showed up at the house a few hours earlier that Saturday to bring some new books to look through. Over the past few nights, there had been two more occurrences of skinned demons, and their researching was drawing a blank. Today was no different. They would just keep digging.

**********

Willow seemed to be getting more nervous the closer they got to California. She resorted to chanting to herself to calm her nerves, something the grand- wiccans had taught her at the retreat. It helped, a little. She soon found herself so deep in meditation that time had quickly flown by. The captain was announcing they would be landing within five minutes. She closed her eyes and continued.

The plane landed and taxied to her gate. Willow took a few calming breaths before she got out of her seat, and headed out the plane door. When she reached the end of the gate, she briefly scanned the terminal, but did not see her friends. She thought that maybe they were running a bit behind. She would wait for them. She ventured further into the terminal and sat down. After 15 minutes, she decided to pick up her bags and then return back to the waiting. An hour had gone by, and she had given up hope and decided to hail a cab.

**********

Xander and the girls had made it to the airport and checked the flight schedule to make sure everything was still running on time, which it was. All three seemed to be on edge for their own reasons. As the plane taxied to the gate, they all broke out into non-sensical chatter between themselves. People filed out at first slowly, then in droves, but no Willow. They waited a few minutes but she never appeared and as the plane left the gate, they all stood there now speechless. Assuming Willow had decided to not come home, they headed back to the Summers' house to see if maybe they had missed a phone call.

**********

Anya was preparing to close up shop when the front door opened. She peered around the shelf and to her amazement, standing on the step was Spike. He spotted her peeking.

"Hey, I just thought I'd come by for a chat---some things I need to get off my chest."

Anya placed the books on the shelf and walked over to the register. She looked upset at first so Spike decided he better hurry before he lost his nerve.

"First things first, I'm sorry about the other night. I just didn't want Buffy finding out about me in that way. You understand?"

"Sure. I understand," she replied.

"Second---umm, that "thing" that happened, you know, the two of us with the, umm, the----shagging?"

She piped up, "Oh, you mean the sex?"

"Yeah, that. Sorry 'bout that, too. I mean, not sorry in the sense that it was bad, but just that it happened. It shouldn't have happened. I mean, I feel nothing for you other than,---I mean it meant nothing, it just helped with the pain, you know? I feel bad about, you know, the wanker, I mean your ex finding out and all, and am I making any bloody sense, pet?"

"Yes," she wiped her brow. "Phew---I am so happy that it's all out in the open because I feel the same way. I tried to use you to get Xander out of my system, you used me to get Buffy out of yours."

"Yeah, something like that. So, anyway, I hope this doesn't make things--- strange."

"Well," the bell above the door jingled again and the two looked up. "Willow, what are you doing here?"

"Hey, Red," Spike held his hand up.

"Hey, guys." Anya walked over to where she stood and awkwardly hugged the girl. "Where's Xander, Buffy, and Dawn?" she asked looking around her expecting them to walk through the door as well.

"I don't know---they weren't at the airport. I waited almost an hour."

"Well, that's odd. Let me call them on their cell phones." Anya stepped around the counter to make the calls.

"Here, let me take that." Spike took her bag and pulled out a chair for her to sit in. She looked exhausted. She seemed surprised at Spike's actions until she really looked at him. He noticed her staring and actually felt embarrassment flood over him.

"So, when did you get that?" she pointed her finger in his direction. Spike looked over his shoulder not really understanding what she was referring to when it hit him suddenly.

"Oh, a couple of months ago. So you can see it?" Anya had walked up to them when he had asked. Both girls shook their heads yes. "Hmm---I guess it was harder to hide than what I figured it would be."

Willow smiled at him and he shrugged his shoulders. "So, are you two a couple now?" she asked looking back and forth between them. Spike and Anya exchanged glances. "No, no," both answered at the same time as Spike shook his head vigorously. Anya explained, "It was just a one time deal, nothing more."

"Ok, then." Willow reached over on either side of her and patted each chair seat. "Come on, guys, sit. Fill me in on all the haps. I haven't anything better to do and for some odd reason would rather hang with you than be with my buds at this time."

Both Anya and Spike complied to her wishes and they spent the next few hours in deep conversation. Willow talked about Tara , her use of black magic and being reformed. Anya brought up her vengeance status and spoke a bit about Xander. Spike mostly talked about Buffy and Dawn and to an extent, why he did what he did. The three outcasts formed a strange bond of friendship that night.

It was early morning when Willow couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. "Will, why don't you come and stay with me tonight. Tomorrow, we can call Buffy. I left messages with both her and Xander and told them we would stop by in the morning."

"Great, thanks, An."

"I'll walk you ladies home." Spike stood up from his chair and picked up Willow's bags.

"Such a gentleman," Willow teased.

"Hey now, don't be spreading that around. Got a reputation to keep, you know," he smirked at them both.

"Oh, I wouldn't even think of tarnishing the Big Bad's reputation." Willow giggled at him as the three headed out the door.

**********

Anya found Willow cooking breakfast in the early morning. "Couldn't sleep?"

"No, my mind is on overload. You either?" Willow asked her.

"No, I have to go see my boss for a quick meeting. He seemed a bit huffy, so I'm a little nervous. I should be back soon." With a blink of an eye she was gone. Willow stood there for awhile and then resumed fixing her breakfast. Just as Willow was sitting down to eat, Anya poofed back into the kitchen. She looked upset and Willow asked her what was wrong.

"D'hoffryn has taken my teleportation abilities away. Said I am not performing my duties as a vengeance demon."

"Why would he say that?"

"Well, not too long ago I granted a wish and a few days later I revoked it. I am so jumbled up with emotions right now, Will. I want to help Buffy and Xander, but I have a job. I took an oath. Now Xander has me all confused. It's all his fault. I don't know what to do." She plopped down in a chair next to Willow and helped herself to her bacon.

Willow tried to be reassuring. "We'll work something out, An. Don't worry."

**********

Buffy and Dawn had woke up about the same time that morning. Neither had gotten much sleep worrying about seeing Willow today. By the time they were dressed and had eaten breakfast, they heard a knock at the door. Buffy looked at Dawn as she made her way over and slowly opened the door. Anya stood there on the front porch but Willow was nowhere in sight.

"Hi, Buffy. Hey, Dawn. How are you two today?"

"Just fine," Buffy answered. "Anya, where is Willow? You said last night you were bringing her over here."

"Well, silly, she's right here." About that time Willow tugged on Anya's sleeve and asked "Who are you talking to you, An?" Anya just stared at her in shock and held her hand up to Buffy. "To Buffy."

"Ok Anya, what's going on?" Buffy sounded a little ticked, not knowing if this was a joke or what. Willow turned and walked away, a little scared. Anya told Buffy, "I'll call you." She took off after Willow. When she reached the witch, she asked, "Will, what's going on?"

"You were talking to Buffy, right? And you could see her. I couldn't see her or hear her. Could she see me?" Willow sounded frightened.

"I guess not. She didn't act like she could. What do you think is going on?"

"I think that I have played in my mind for so long that I wasn't ready to see my friends because I knew they weren't ready to see me that we now can't see each other for real," she replied.

"Do you think there may be a way to undo this?"

"I don't know. Maybe I just need to face my fear. Maybe that's all it is." Willow started to cry.

"Oh, please don't. Hey, let's go get a mocha. My treat and we can sit and figure this out. Maybe later this evening we'll find Spike and pick at his brain. Sound good?"

"Yeah, sounds good. Thanks, An, you are surprisingly a good friend. And I need a friend right now."

TBC