Chapter 46:

Riiiing! “Hello?”
“And how's my favorite red-headed witch?”

“XANDER!” Willow squealed, loud enough for the others to perk up and listen with grins. “How are you, sweetie?”

“Hopefully just as well as you guys are. We've got Charlotte, or Charlie, as she prefers.”

Willow's eyes widened. No way... “Wait a second,” she told him, before hitting the speaker button. “Okay, say it again.”

“Um, hey guys,” Xander called out, and grins widened.

“Hi sweetheart,” Anya replied first, before the others could offer their greetings. “Why did Willow put you on speaker?”

“Probably so I could tell you guys that I've got the final girl.”

Silence around the room. “Does that mean you're...” Dawn started.

Willow could practically hear the smile on Xander's face. “Yeah. I'm coming home.”

Another silence fell, before it was broken by the shouts and cheers of the gang. “About time,” Spike told him.

“Where are you now?” Faith asked him.

“Oregon. We're not that far off, actually. We're down towards the south of the state.”

“ETA?” Dawn asked, bouncing in her seat. Willow and Buffy exchanged looks and smiles.

Xander thought about it for a moment, before replying, “Uh, I'm back on the same time schedule as you guys are. Tomorrow evening, Friday morning?”

An even louder cheer went up at that. “Good. I want you home,” Anya said.

“I want me home too, Ahn. And I will be, as soon as I can. We've just got to grab Charlie and her things and we're out of here. And I can finally drive, thank goodness. They wouldn't let me until we'd reached her.”

“Who drove?” Buffy asked, frowning.

Willow grinned at the sigh Xander gave. It was a sigh of despair and long suffering. She knew it well; she'd been the one that had caused Xander to create it when they were in middle school, and she'd started liking girly things. “Jennifer. She's like a mini you in more ways than one, including the driving.”

“Hey! I'm a good driver,” Buffy said, pouting.

“Yes, you are, but it took a summer of Spike and myself to get you there. Remember?”

“Uh, we helped too,” Tara added, narrowing her gaze at the phone, as if he could see the look on her face. “Remember that?”

Xander cleared his throat. “Yeah, you guys were a big help in getting Buffy on the road, and I appreciate it, I really do,” he said quickly, as if fearing punishment. Willow supposed that Tara's threats of turning people into frogs or toads weren't to be taken lightly anymore.

“But enough of us, what about you guys?” he asked. “Anything new on the First?”

Grins and smiles disappeared quickly. “None, unfortunately,” Giles told him. “As far as the Council and any other source said, we weren't aware that the First was capable of using magics on others. That requires a more...physical ability, which the First doesn't have.”

“Do you think there's a possibility of someone else doing it for the First?” Xander asked.

“I highly doubt the Bringers could do any magic. They're pretty much physically incapable of that as well. They kind of need their eyes for stuff like that, and mouth to chant with, right?” Dawn asked.

“I think they could do it, but Dawn's got a point: I don't think they're capable of this kind of magic. This is serious, higher-level, something Tara and I wouldn't do sort of magic. We're talking blackity-black-black with a touch of black powers here. It's nasty stuff,” Willow said. The memory of her power surge was an interesting one: since it had never happened, it lingered in her brain next to the real version.

But she'd never forget the feeling of total, absolute power. Being able to do whatever she pleased, whenever she pleased, just because she wanted to. She didn't even have to flick her hand. It was just done.

With it, however, had come the feeling of something slimy slithering all over her, as if trying to invade her body, trying to take over. It wasn't a feeling she wanted to examine closely, and she shuddered slightly.

Immediately Tara's hand was reaching out to stroke her back, though it was done casually so as not to attract attention. Willow smiled and turned back to the phone. “Which means, of course, that someone else besides the First is dealing its hand here.”

“No, it's puttin' its cards in with the First, and when the First rolls the die its way, the chips are gonna be split,” Spike said. “Question is, who's gettin' paid if they come up the winners?”

Willow glanced around the room, knowing neither side of the phone had any answer to give Spike.

“I look stupid.”

“You look fine.”

“I look like a freak.”

“No, you don't. You look...”

“Can you come up with a different word besides 'fine', B? 'Cause that word isn't helpin'.”

“Ladies, ladies,” Spike scolded, stepping into the room. “Don't argue; you should know better.” He paused, before adding, “If you're gonna fight, it's gotta be with pillows, and I have to be in here to see it.”

Both Buffy and Faith sent him looks, before turning back to the mirror. “What do you want me to tell you? That you look fantastic? You do, but I figured I'd let him tell you that.”

Faith sighed and stepped back until she could sit down on Buffy's bed, carefully making sure she wasn't going to fold up the dress while she was at it. It was a sleek black number, with a low, low neck and a bouncy, flowing skirt that came up to her knees. Her hair was down and straightened, courtesy of Tara and Willow. Her heels were high without being too high, giving Faith something to fidget with while she waited.

The doorbell rang, and Faith jumped. “Oh man, oh man, oh shit,” she groaned, rubbing her forehead.

“Interestin' change of words there,” Spike commented, but Buffy waved him off, taking Faith's hand and pulling her to her feet.

“You'll be fine, better than fine. You'll razzle and dazzle him, make him the luckiest man in the world. All right?”

“What do I do?” Faith hissed. “What do I say?!”

“You know what?” Buffy said, leading her down the stairs. She placed Faith in front of the door, then headed to open it. “Just be yourself. That's obviously the girl he wants to ask out. Okay?”

She opened the door, not giving Faith anytime to argue. Robin was on the other side, dressed in a long sleeved shirt of a creamy color, black slacks held up by a silver-buckled belt. “You look great,” Buffy told him, opening the door a little further so he could see his date. His eyes widened as he caught sight of Faith.

Faith waited a few moments, before fidgeting with her heels again. “How did I do?”

“Beautiful,” Robin said automatically.

Faith blinked, before doing something Buffy had never seen her do before: she blushed. “No nice?” she joked weakly, at an obvious loss for words.

Robin shook himself and slowly smiled. “I think you surpassed 'just nice' tonight. Of course, maybe the restaurant will take care of that for us.”

Faith grinned, and Buffy knew she'd be okay. “You're wasting time; get moving!” she ordered, playfully nudging Faith out the door. “And you be sure to have to her home by midnight, young man!”

Robin and Faith grinned, and Buffy was suddenly wondering if Faith was going to BE home that night. “She was awful nervous,” Spike commented as Buffy shut the door.

“First date jitters; I remember them well,” she told him.

“You have those jitters on our date?” he asked.

“Before or after the date?” she teased. They shared a knowing smile, remembering the car scare as they were wrapping up their dinner.

“Before.”

“Definitely,” Buffy said immediately.

Spike looked surprised by this. “I told you; you make everything feel brand new,” she said softly.

“You had the jitters though? Your date with me gave you jitters?”

“Until I came downstairs and saw you standing and waiting,” Buffy admitted. “I was extremely nervous. And then you were there, and I was wondering what the hell I'd been so nervous about.”

“Makes you feel any better, I was pretty nervous too,” Spike said.

Buffy blinked. The Big Bad had been scared about their first date? Of course he'd been; something new for the both of them, neither with a clue as to what they were doing.

“Do I still give you jitters?” he said suddenly, leaning forward with a smirk.

Slowly she began to grin. “It depends on what type of...jitters you might be talking about.”

“The ones a little ways down, right around...” His arms reached out and pulled her close, and one hand slowly teased a trail from her throat, down her chest, past her bellybutton, and grazing the zipper line of her jeans to reach...

“A-hem!”

Both blondes sighed and turned in the direction of the living room. “Yes, mommy?” Spike asked.

Willow scowled at them both. “We have impressionable teens here. Behave yourselves.”

“Guys, your help please,” Dawn called out from the dining room. Buffy pouted at the further interruption but headed in to see what her sister wanted.

“Okay, I'm making a list of what the First really can and can't do, and I've hit a serious road block,” she said, once the people she wanted were there. Jonathan stood beside her, one hand gently caressing her back as they both gazed at the paper in front of her.

Buffy smiled at the picture they made, before she realized Spike's fingers were unconsciously rubbing a tiny section right below her neck line. A section he knew always tightened up, and her smile broadened. “I need you guys to tell me what happened the first time around,” Dawn continued. “Everything you can remember the First doing. Info needed here.”

Buffy's smile dropped. Business first. “It can't touch physically, but you know that already. The biggest thing it CAN do is mental powers. It can seriously mess with your head.”

“Mess with your head enough to cause pain?” Anya asked.

Jonathan shook his head. “That's the catch twenty-two. If it can't cause physical pain, then it shouldn't be able to do something like that.”

“It could, it just can't cause the pain directly,” Willow answered, then stopped, realizing what she'd just said. “Oh crap.”

Dawn nodded. “You see where we had the problem.”

“Well...” Tara sighed. “You guys aren't going to like this. Magic is a form of mental power. There's really no physical attributes there.”

“Yes there are; you need candles and herbs and books and...” Dawn started, but Anya interrupted.

“Not if you know what you're doing. You need all that to show respect, to pay tribute to whoever you're about to ask help from. If the First used magic, then it would be using black magic. Evil. The thing that's got the big grip on evil here is the First itself, so it doesn't have to ask anyone. Just itself. Does that make sense?”

“Crud,” Dawn muttered, tossing her pencil on the table. Apparently it did make sense.

“Not all magic is from black magic, though,” Tara argued. “Which means there would be light magic involved, magic the First couldn't really do without invoking a goddess it obviously doesn't like or honor. Which leads us back to...”

“Someone else doin' the dirty work,” Spike said, sighing. “Square one again.”

“Why wouldn't it just kill you guys?” Andrew asked suddenly from his place in the doorway.

All heads slowly turned to face him. “Thanks ever so for the loyalty,” Buffy said, sarcasm evident in her voice.

Andrew shook his head. “Seriously here. It's got the power. Evil guys in the comics ALWAYS have the greater power to destroy the good guys, but they wait until the right time. Why?”

“Because they've always got something they want to do in order to take over the world,” Amanda said quickly.

Buffy and Spike exchanged glances as Andrew nodded. “Right. Because they don't have the greater means to take out the super hero AND take over the world. But...”

“But the First does,” Willow said. “It's got more power than the Joker or any other mega villain.”

Buffy stared incredulously at her best friend. “That was scarier than you goin' black, Red,” Spike said, regarding her with a wary eye.

Willow ducked sheepishly. “I hang out with Xander, what do you expect?”

Tara merely shook her head. Buffy blinked, before turning back to her sister. She really shouldn't have been so surprised. Truth be told, she probably knew more about comics then was safe to admit in public, thanks to the Xan-man. From the look Spike was now giving her, she assumed he'd guessed as much after Willow's admittance.

“Andrew has a point. Why not just get us out of the way? Why the pain?” Buffy said.

Andrew beamed. “I have a point!”

“Shut up, Andrew,” Willow and Spike said unanimously.

“I don't know. Maybe to throw you off track?” Dawn said, making a face.

“Which would mean that if it's not killing us now, it needs us later,” Anya said.

Buffy didn't like the conclusion Anya had reached, so she decided to ignore it for the moment. It suggested people being kidnapped for blood rituals, and things that could possibly be worse. Neither was something she wanted to happen. “Throw us off track of what?”

Dawn frowned, but couldn't seem to come up with an answer. “Well, it's not like it can do any real harm until we can figure out what it wants to keep us around for,” Anya said. Apparently she wasn't going to let her idea go. Damn. “So we'll just be careful, and find out why this hellmouth, why now, why us. Maybe it can mess with your heads like the time spell did. It's not as if it can send you back through time, right?”

As Buffy started to shake her head, Willow said quietly, “Um, actually, it, uh, well, could.”

All heads turned to her. “Start explainin', now,” Spike said, his voice dangerously soft.

< --- >

To answer a few questions, Charlie is a made up character, but she was 'seen' in the final episode of Buffy, and she was indeed up to bat. You can find pictures of her on the website.

Also, the 15^{th Interlude is the last one. Enjoy!}

< --- >

I:15 – The Final Stretch

“...an' bad guys, an' headaches, an' lotsa other things!”

Charlie nodded, enraptured as Jillian told their story. Xander and Jennifer exchanged glances and grins.

“They're so cute when they're young,” Rona said, yawning. “How much longer we got to go?”

“It's almost nine now, but we're at the top of California,” Xander replied. “I'm thinking we'll make our deadline for tomorrow morning.”

Rona nodded and approved. “Cool.”

“Not many people on here for a Thursday morning,” Jennifer noted.

“People are generally working by now. I figured we'd have the road to ourselves today.”

“Are we stopping tonight?” Megan called out from the backseat. A chorus of approvals and loud disagreements was heard.

Xander sighed and rubbed his forehead. “You're not having another...” Jennifer started, worried.

“No, not another headache. Though if they don't quiet down, I just might,” he said, giving her a grin. She gave him a relieved one back.

“How about this: we see how stressing and difficult traffic is today. If we can clear LA before rush hour, which hits late afternoon, we should be able to head straight down into Sunnydale by midnight tonight, making it worth it to go all the way. But if we get caught in it, I'm not pressing. Especially if we take back roads. It's a mess that way, and no way am I driving in it. Sound okay to you guys?”

Grumbles and hearty agreements were heard. “Glad to hear it. I think we'll push through, though, because honestly? Traffic's been fine so far.”

Suddenly the car jerked to the left. The girls shrieked as Xander desperately tried to get control of the vehicle. “Xander!” Vi yelled.

“It's not me, it's...” he said, as the SUV was shoved to the left again. Xander glanced to the right and felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. “It's them,” he said quietly.

Gasps were heard as the others caught sight of the black car. “Not them again,” Vi whimpered.

“I thought we were done with them!” Rona groaned.

“Maybe not. Guys, reach under the seats and grab a weapon. I'm going to open the windows. See what you can do about destroying their vehicle.”

Charlie's eyes widened. “Really? That's so cool!”

Xander turned and gave Jennifer a look. “We'll be careful, though,” she said, narrowing her own gaze at Charlie. “Right?”

Charlie rolled her eyes but nodded. “Jennifer, I leave it to you to take charge,” Xander said. “I'm going to drive.”

Jennifer nodded. “On it. Charlie and Chloe, I want you guys to keep my sister safe. Rona, take rear defense. Megan will provide secondary defense, and Vi will keep the ammo going. Pick your weapons wisely, but hand me the crossbow. Jillian, stay in your seat, and if you hear crashing, I want you to unbuckle and hide. Okay?”

Jillian looked scared, but she nodded anyways. I've got the bravest girls in the world, Xander thought proudly. Out loud he told them, “I'm going to boost a couple of times when I get the chance. Watch out for the other cars on the road; these guys'll take them out just because they feel like it.”

“But they've got nothing to do with us!” Chloe cried.

Xander gripped the wheel tighter. “It doesn't matter to them,” he told her.

Silence descended on the SUV. “Here, change positions with me,” Charlie told Chloe, unbuckling. “I'll take the right window.”

“No, I'll do it,” Chloe said softly, causing Xander to glance in his rear-mirror, surprised. Her eyes were hard and blazing. “They're not going to hurt anyone,” she said, grabbing an axe from the collection Megan had pulled out from under the seat.

“Bravest girls ever,” Xander murmured under his breath, smiling. These guys didn't know what was about to hit them.

The sound of metal grating on metal was heard again as the car slammed into the SUV. “Ready?” he called.

“Ready!” the girls chorused.

Xander waited as the other car swung out, preparing to come back in for another attack. Almost...almost...

The car swerved back across two lanes towards them.

“Now!” he yelled, pressing down further on the gas pedal. The car barely grazed their vehicle, and the girls immediately rolled down their windows once the threat of flying metal was gone. Jennifer shot a bolt at the window, cracking it slightly, but not doing any damage.

“Get their windows out of the way!” she yelled. Rona gladly grabbed a small dagger and started stabbing. The car began to pull away, but Xander slowly turned and followed them across the lanes.

Chloe was swinging and chopping, and the first satisfying crunch of glass was heard. “I got it!” she yelled happily, before she screamed as a Bringer charged out of the window at her. Xander swung the car away, and the Bringer went flying out of the car, only to land head first on the concrete.

“Th-Thanks,” Chloe said shakily. “I got a little too cocky.”

“Cocky's good. Being careful while being cocky's better,” Xander told her. “Round two, guys. Get...”

The car swung at them, hard, sending the vehicle out of control again. Xander wrestled with the steering wheel, desperately trying to navigate them away from the sides of the road.

“There's an exit coming up!” Megan called out. “People are going to be entering!”

“Good call,” Xander told her, pulling into the farthest left lane. Sure enough, two cars came down the ramp, unsuspecting of the battle going on behind them.

“Um, Xander? We're, uh, gaining on them,” Vi said, cringing.

“Pedal to the metal!” Jillian yelled.

Xander glanced at Jennifer and shrugged. “She's got a point,” he said, before slamming on the accelerator. The girls shouted at the sudden move forward, and Jillian squealed with delight at the speed.

“Go faster!” she yelled.

“NO,” Rona said, glaring at the little one. Jillian glared right back at her.

“Why not?” Jillian said with a pout. “S'fun!”

“Focus, guys!” Jennifer called back to them. “And don't argue with my sister; she always wins. Rona, Chloe, one of you get that driver's window open for me? I can't take him down until you do.”

Chloe shook her head. “I'll stick to keeping Jilly safe. I can't,” she said. Charlie leaned forward with a grin, and Chloe eagerly handed the axe to her. The two switched places, and Charlie grasped her weapon in tight hands, waiting for her moment.

The SUV had barely driven alongside the car when Charlie leaned out, swiping at the window. “You're gonna fall out!” Megan yelled, reaching forward and grabbing Charlie's shirt. Rona leaned out and joined Charlie in the attack.

The glass shattered, and Xander watched Jennifer smirk. A little Spike in her, too. “Show time,” she whispered, hefting the crossbow up. She closed one eye to aim, then pulled the trigger.

The bolt sank home, landing in the driver's forehead. The Bringer slumped over the wheel, and the car careened out of control. The girls cheered, pulling themselves back into the vehicle. Charlie had to be pulled in, but when she was safely in her seat, Xander could see her beaming ear to ear.

“You guys did good,” he said, smiling at them. “I think we'll be fine when we get to Sunnydale.”

“The world's in good hands?” Rona asked, grinning.

Xander pretended to think it over, causing the girls to laugh. “Yeah, I suppose so,” he said, winking. “With the speeds we just made, I think we might hit Sunnydale well before...”

“Look out!” Jennifer shouted, causing Xander's head to whip to the front.

Chapter 47:

“I was wondering if you were going to come home at all last night,” Buffy said. Spike glanced up and grinned as Faith came down the stairs.

“Have fun last night?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

Faith smirked at them both. “None of your damn business.” She headed for the kitchen, and with a sigh Buffy followed her. Muttering under his breath, Spike rose from the sofa to do the same.

“From the looks you two are wearing, I'd guess my night went a hell of a lot better than yours,” Faith said, pulling out the orange juice.

Spike rolled his eyes. “Somethin' along the lines of...small print concernin' the time spell.”

“Will forgot to mention somethin', I take it,” Faith said, taking a seat at the counter.

Buffy nodded. “Yeah, just a tiny something,” she said, glaring at Willow as the redhead came in, followed closely by Tara.

Willow shrunk under Buffy's gaze, and almost backed up into Tara's arms from the look Spike gave her. “Does Xander know about this?” Spike asked.

Willow shook her head. “No. Quit glaring.”

“Explain it to them, and to me again, because after you explained it last night, it still didn't make any sense,” Buffy said, taking a seat next to Spike. She rubbed at her eyes, and Spike immediately noticed how swollen they were. She'd skipped another night of sleep again.

Spike swallowed but said nothing. He couldn't think of a way to get her to stop. Staying up with her didn't accomplish anything; he'd tried that already. And she'd know something was up if he tried to give her a sleeping potion at night; it was too obvious.

Maybe conking her on the head? Spike thought about it, before agreeing that if she kept it up, he'd knock her out. He'd done it before, he could do it again.

“Hurray for a day off!” Amanda sang as she came in the back door. Cassie shook her head but smiled, looking slightly bleary-eyed herself.

“No school?” Buffy asked suddenly.

Dawn came in, still in her pajamas. A rare occurrence, since the mornings usually found her racing around trying to get breakfast while doing up her hair. “Uh, duh much?” she said. “It's a parent-teacher day today. Which means none of us, including you, have to go in. You're the one that told me about it.”

Buffy nodded, turning to Spike with a smile. “No teaching today. How cool is that?”

Spike managed to give her a smile in return. “Sounds great; I'll have you to myself today.”

“Mind if I watch some telly?” Molly asked, Kennedy right behind her.

Willow blinked. “You mean you don't want breakfast right away?”

“Who said I didn't?” Molly replied, snagging a package of pop tarts and the glass of orange juice Faith had just poured for herself. Faith glared at her, but Molly paid no attention, heading into the living room with her 'breakfast'.

“I think I'll join her,” Dawn said, carefully balancing her bowl of cereal in her hands as she followed Molly.

Spike grinned as Faith sighed, reaching for a new glass. “So what'd I miss last night?” she asked.

“The First can send us back through time to where we started,” Buffy said.

Faith blinked. “Definitely sounds like small print bullshit. How exactly can it do this?”

All eyes turned to Willow. “It's not my fault,” she complained. “Really. And quit glaring, Spike!”
“Not your fault?” he hissed. “You're the one that failed to mention that we weren't completely safe and grounded in the here and now!”

“Whoa, whoa, slow down,” Faith said, as Amanda, Cassie, and Kennedy decided to join the other two girls in the living room. “How'd this happen?”

“It's part of the spell,” Willow explained. “It's actually not complete. The first part was sending us back. The second part, the fixing of things, was something we had to do on our own. But the third part is simply a matter of repeating the spell. But it has to be on the same day, around the same time, you get the drift.”

“Why?”

Buffy stepped in to answer. “Because logically, we haven't done the time spell yet. Which means we'll never go back and fix things in the first place. Which means things will happen like they always have, and we'll never be able to reach the day after the spell was cast. In order to make sure that doesn't happen, we have to cast the spell again, forming a complete, perfect loop that'll keep all our minds spinning if we try and figure it out.”

“Time spells have a tendency to induce headaches, even if you're only discussing them,” Tara added.

It looked like Faith was ready to have that headache. “That makes sense, and then it doesn't,” she said, shaking her head. “You can't do anything simply, can you B?”

Spike gave her a look. “It's Buffy we're talkin' about. What do you think?”

Buffy turned and glared at him. “Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean?” she said, though he could tell she was fighting a grin.

“Oh please: you know it's true. You can't go a day without havin' somethin' or another happen.”

Gasps and shrieks were heard from the living room. All heads whipped towards the living room, before chairs were pushed back and feet hit the floor.

They found the girls staring at the television in horror. Dawn had tears rolling down her face, and she looked ready to fall apart. “What's going on?” Buffy demanded.

Cassie swallowed and tried to answer, but ended up just shaking her head and pointing to the television. Slowly Spike came around to see what was going on.

It was a news report, and a sad-faced reporter was standing in front of a huge auto accident. Two vehicles, one car and one SUV, were fused into one big mess on the side of a highway. “...only an hour ago,” the reporter was saying. “Reports are coming in, saying that the car spun on the southbound highway, resulting in the crash you can see behind me. Police teams have been in and out of the vehicles, trying to determine if the car crash was caused by alcoholic means. I have with me now Robert Trangard, a member of the medical team that went in first. Mr. Trangard, what can you tell me about the people inside the wreck?”

Silence had descended on the group. Giles came down the stairs, frowning at the sight of everyone gathered wide-eyed around the television, but said nothing, simply stepping down to join them.

Spike paid no attention to him, his eyes glued to the screen. The SUV was huge and green, and could obviously hold lots of people. He was hoping against hope that the girls weren't right in their guess.

“The people in the car are unidentifiable, and I highly doubt they ever will be,” the man onscreen said, shaking his head. “The people in the SUV, however, can be seen as a young man and several young ones. It's a terrible thing when lives are just destroyed like this. The only consolation I can give to the families and friends is that they died on impact; they didn't suffer.”

“Thank you, Mr. Trangard,” the reporter said, turning back to the screen. “None of the bodies have yet to be indentified. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of these poor victims. This is Vicki, reporting live from northern California, on...”

Cassie shut the television off. “Oh goddess,” Willow breathed, tears forming in her eyes. “It can't...”

Buffy let out a choked sob, folding in on herself. Spike grabbed her, holding her close as she cried. His own eyes stung, and he took a few deep breaths.

They'd worked so hard for it. So hard for everything. They'd barely begun the war, and already the casualties list was high.

“I-It can't, can't...” Willow gasped, gulping in air as she sobbed. “It can't be, I don't b-believe he's gone. It's...no, X-Xander's still...”

“Xander?”

All eyes turned to the doorway, where Anya stood, frozen. “Xander's...gone?” she whispered. Then her eyes rolled back into her head, her body falling to the ground.

Spike dove and grabbed her before she hit the floor. “Upstairs,” Buffy managed to tell him, her voice thick. Spike glanced up at her, her eyes red and puffy, lower lip trembling, heart breaking inside for the friend she'd lost.

Gently he picked Anya up, knowing Buffy saw the exact same thing looking at him.

Two rings, before the message was once again heard. “I'm sorry, but the phone you've dialed is either out of the area or unavailable. If you'd like to report a problem, please contact...”

Spike pressed the off button on the phone, staring numbly at it before placing it on the holder. He turned and headed back into the living room, where everyone else was gathered. They glanced up at him, taking one look at his face and knowing he hadn't been able to reach Xander again.

Anya was silently seated on the sofa, between Buffy and Dawn. No one wanted to leave her alone, but Anya hadn't said a word since she'd fainted that morning. She'd picked at lunch, and as far as Spike knew, hadn't touched dinner.

Dawn scooted over so Spike could take her place next to Anya. He'd decided it would be best if he wasn't sitting next to Buffy, reminding Anya that she was suddenly the only one left of a couple. Buffy had noticed his behavior earlier and had caught on, giving him an understanding nod.

“Playing games,” Dawn said quietly. “He used to come over and play games with me all the time. It didn't matter that I was way younger than he was: he'd play any game with me, and he played against me fairly, not trying to let me win or anything.” She smiled, sniffling. “But I...I know he did let me win a couple of times. Because I suck at PlayStation.”

Seemed they were still telling stories, then. Willow had started it an hour ago, recounting a story of her as a little girl. She'd broken her yellow crayon and had cried about it, until a little boy with dark, wild hair had given her his yellow crayon. She'd told him she'd share, and that had been the beginning of their friendship.

After that, everyone had had a story to tell about Xander. Buffy had recounted how she'd first met him. Giles had told them all about how Xander had saved him from Angelus. Tara had added her own story of a small conversation she'd had with him concerning rotten parents, and even Faith had had something to say, about how Xander had been on her side in a vampire fight.

“When I was stayin' with him in the basement, he actually gave me my own bowl of popcorn, lettin' me drizzle whatever I wanted on it. Includin' blood. Granted, he made faces the entire time, but...” A hitched giggled from Buffy, which turned into a hitched breath, tears pooling in her eyes again. Spike bit his lip and watched as she shook herself, angrily wiping the tears away.

The clock struck nine, and Anya numbly rose from the couch. “Where are you going?” Dawn asked.

“Home,” she whispered. Her voice was hoarse, but Spike hadn't seen her cry once that day.

“No you're not,” Spike said, rising after her.

Buffy stood as well, finishing for Spike. “Stay here with us tonight. Okay?”

Anya only nodded, falling into silence once more.

“It would be a good idea for you to stay,” Giles said, clearing his throat. “There's...there's things out there you wouldn't want to...well...” He fumbled with his glasses, before standing abruptly and heading out the back door, before he lost it again in front of everyone.

Tara stood as well, coming over and placing a hand on Anya's arm. “Why don't we get you to bed,” she said, gently leading Anya up the stairs. Willow followed, tears running down her face.

Faith tentatively raised her hand. “Can you...can you still do the time spell? To get you guys fixed here?”

“Don't know,” Spike said, reaching for Buffy and pulling her close. Immediately her arms were around him, her head tucked under his.

“Don't care,” he added quietly, closing his eyes. He took a deep breath, the scent of Buffy filling his nostrils. Along with the unmistakable smell of salty tears, grief, and the other people gathered in the room.

The group fell silent, each thinking of the man they'd lost, and the girls that had gone down with him.

Title: Step Forward

Author: Nebula

Chapter: 48 of ?

Rating: FRT overall, with an occasional FRM and FRAO (Fan Rated for Teens, Mature, and Adults Only)

Pairings: S/B, W/T, D/J, Ang/C, F/R, slight Am/And

Time Period: Set after 'Back Track', which is a time travel story started in Season 7 and jumping back to Season 6. The time is now mid-Season 7, between 'Potential' and 'Killer In Me'.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Joss is owner of all EXCEPT my three original characters, Jennifer, Jillian and slightly Megan and Charlie. (They were briefly shown in Chosen.)

< --- >

The door opened, causing the group gathered in the dining room to see the school-goers coming in. “Long day?” Tara asked.

Amanda nodded. “Yeah. Really long. And it was only a half day. For once, I found myself glancing at the science lab clock, waiting for it to ring.” She wandered over to Andrew, who stood from his place at the table as she approached. They stopped, glancing at each other, their faces turning red. Finally Andrew moved, grabbing a chair from against the wall and placing it next to his, which he left pulled out. Amanda gave him a small smile and took a seat next to him.

“You look tired,” Tara said, glancing at Buffy. It seemed she was doing all the talking for Willow that day; the redhead had lost her voice that morning when she'd said Xander's name. She'd just frozen, then had quietly left the room, a worried Tara right behind her.

Buffy nodded wearily, knowing Spike's eyes were on her. “Yeah. Like Amanda said: clock watching occurred. Where's...?”

“Upstairs; she hasn't come down,” Jonathan said, scooting over so Dawn could just share his seat.

“Right,” Buffy murmured, glancing up the stairs with a sigh. “Is anyone...”

“She's alone, but I've got a track on her heartbeat. She's all right,” Spike told her.

Buffy gave him a smile and her thanks, before placing her bag in its usual spot near the cabinet. She rubbed at her eyes, wishing they'd stop aching. “I know the First is behind this,” she said softly. “And I want to find it. Find it and...and...”

“And what?” Spike said, giving her a look. “There's nothin' any of us can do about it. Nothin' you can do about it. What would you even think of doin' against it?”

“I don't know,” she said, clenching her hands. “Just...just something. Something that'll make it hurt the way it's making us hurt right now.”

“I agree,” Dawn said softly from her seat with Jonathan. Buffy gave her a brief nod, before turning back to Spike.

He was shaking his head. “No,” he told her, and Buffy frowned.

“No what?”

“No as in don't do it,” he said.

Buffy stared at him, her mouth dropping open. “You...” She could barely get the words out, she was so angry. “How can you...you don't care, do you?”

“Don't you DARE ask me that,” Spike said, his voice low.

“How can I not?” she cried. “You just told me not to go against the First for what it did to Xander!”

“Yeah, because I know it'll do somethin' even worse if it gets its hands on you!” he yelled, standing to face her. “You're not ready to fight the First, Buffy, physically or emotionally.”

“Sorry if I've been thinking about a friend I dearly love who isn't here,” she hissed. “But you shouldn't worry; you don't care, right?”

“Don't push it Summers,” he snapped.

“How about a shove?” she asked him, stepping closer so she was face to face with him.

“I'd rather walk in on a mushy you two then an angry, seriously pissed off you two.”

The anger in their eyes disappeared, before their heads as one swung towards the doorway. Where everyone else was staring.

Where Xander was standing.

Buffy couldn't breathe. How dare the First do this to them? It was only yesterday. He'd only died yesterday.

The First glanced at them, giving them strange looks when everyone continued staring. “What's with the faces? You guys looked like someone died,” it said, giving them a tiny Xander grin. Buffy wished she could slap it off, but she couldn't anymore; this Xander wasn't corporeal.

The tiny grin faded as it continued gazing at them. “Someone didn't die, right? Is Anya okay? What happened?”

Buffy could hear a chair scraping in the background, and her brain didn't register it as Dawn until her sister was right in front of the First. She watched her reach out with one finger, then poke it in the chest.

The finger pressed into the skin, then bounced back.

“Okay, ow,” Xander said, giving her a look. “I'm gone for weeks and my greeting is a sharp-nailed poke? Thanks a lot.”

Every chair in the room was scraped as the gang shot up from their seats and swarmed over towards him. “Whoa!” Xander yelled, as Buffy nearly knocked him over. Willow was already behind him to steady him, however, pushing him into a Scooby sandwich. She was laughing and crying at the same time, and Buffy knew that only because she could hear her. Her own face was buried in Xander's chest, tears running down her face.

“Someone wanna tell me what's going on?” he asked.

“You're not dead!” Dawn exclaimed happily, wiping her own tears away.

Xander's eyes widened. “I'm what?!”

“Not dead,” Spike told him, giving him a watery grin. “Got my knife?”

“Somewhere,” Xander said, reaching over to include the vampire in the hug. “I've got a feeling you guys need the hug more than I do.”

“Something like that,” Tara agreed.

Buffy pulled away to see Spike next to her. They glanced at each other, before she moved her arms to wrap around him. “I'm sorry,” she said.

“Don't be,” he told her. “You were sayin' exactly what I was thinkin'. What I wanted to do.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, holding her close. “Can't lose any of you, luv. I can't do it.”

“We're okay?” she asked, glancing up at him.

They exchanged a smile, before he said, “Yeah. We're better than okay.”

“Xander?”

The whispered word was heard over all the exclamations in the hallway. The others pulled away, leaving Anya a clear space around Xander, in case she decided to throw herself at him.

She waited until she was on the third step from the bottom before she launched herself at him. He caught her, pulling her close and burying his face in her hair. “I've missed you,” he murmured.

“Missed you too,” she told him, her eyes burning with tears.

“We're getting another hug out of you before any of this is explained,” Dawn told him. “We need it. We're just...very glad you're not dead. And now we've got everyone we need to stop the First from sending you guys back in time.”

Xander carefully set Anya down, his arms still wrapped around her. “I'm glad I'm not de...wait, WHAT?!”

“Oops?” Willow said, giving him a sheepish grin.

Chapter 49:

“...”

“You okay?” Buffy asked.

Xander merely nodded, looking slightly dazed.

“Okay then,” she said, leaning back against Spike. Explaining everything had been tiring, to say the least. That might've been on account of her not getting any sleep the night before. But now that Xander was home, and the girls were safely with him, she'd promised herself she would sleep that night, and she'd probably even sleep in.

“Can we be introduced now?” Rona asked. “Or do you already know who we are?”

“Well, you probably don't know who WE are, even if we knew you,” Tara said, smiling. “So let's trade off. I'm Tara, and this is my girlfriend Willow. That's Dawn and Jonathan over there, and Amanda and Andrew over here. Faith's standing in the doorway, and Spike and Buffy are in the chair. Kennedy's the girl on your right, and Molly's the girl on your left.” Tara frowned. “Where's Cassie?”

“Here,” Cassie said, coming into the living room with tea. “There's two more members of our group, but one isn't here now. His name is Robin Wood, and he's also the principal of our high school.”

Buffy watched, amused, as Faith gave a small grin at the mention of his name. She was smitten. “Giles is in the kitchen,” Cassie continued. “He'll be out in a minute. He was getting his own cup of tea.”

“Giles is actually here,” Giles said dryly, coming in with a cup in hand. “Are we doing introductions?”

Buffy nodded. “Our side's been done. We're just getting to the newest members.”

Rona began to introduce herself, but a young girl with long dark hair stood up first. “I'm Charlotte, but I'd prefer Charlie,” she said. She glanced over, shrinking back down into her seat at the glare Rona was giving her. “Sorry, Rona.”

“Well, that's two done with,” a slightly over-weight girl said, flipping her blond ponytail over her shoulder and smiling. “I'm Megan.”

“I-I'm Vi,” Vi said, raising her hand slightly. Buffy nodded and turned to the girl sitting next to her, and couldn't stop staring.

Chloe. She didn't look scared now. She certainly didn't look dead. Her lips weren't blue, and her eyes weren't wide and open. Then again, that effect might've been from her hanging from the ceiling.

“I'm Chloe,” she said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Buffy swallowed, and Spike's arms tightened around her.

The final girl scooted forward in her chair. Her long hair was brown, but natural honey-golden highlights were seen, giving it a lighter tone. Buffy gave a small smile. She knew who she was. “I'm Jennifer, but you can call me Jenny,” she said, confirming Buffy's guess. “I'm from New York, and they said someone else here was, too.”

Kennedy raised her hand. “What part?” Jennifer asked.

“Northern, where it's not so full of cities. You?”

“New York city,” Jennifer said, and the two shared a grin.

“An' m'Jillyan!” Jillian said proudly, standing up next to Xander. Everyone turned to see her, instantly smiling at the curly-headed blonde.

“Figured she'd get the attention,” Jennifer grumbled good-naturedly.

Jillian turned to her sister and stuck out her tongue, causing Spike to chuckle. “How old are you, sweetie?” Willow asked, beaming at the little one. Buffy could tell she was enraptured with the child already.

Jillian had to think about it, before she proudly held up one hand with four fingers. “I'll be five next year,” she said.

“Are you guys hungry?” Tara asked, grinning when the girls eagerly nodded. “I'm sure Molly hasn't eaten everything.”

Molly rolled her eyes. “Funny. Absolutely witty.”

Jillian's eyes widened. “You've got a funny voice!” she exclaimed.

“Accent, Jilly, it's accent,” her sister said with a sigh.

“I do too,” Spike said, and Jillian's smile broadened.

“I like yours,” she said, beaming. “S'cooler than mine. Could you teached me how to talk jus' like you?”

Buffy turned to her lover, who looked shocked. “Yeah Spike, teached us all how to talk like you,” she said, grinning when he turned to give her a look.

“Funny, Summers. M'not gonna teach you if you're gonna make fun of me,” he teased, before turning to Jillian. “I could probably teach Jellybean over here, though.”

Jillian giggled. “M'not a jellybean!”

“He gives everyone nicknames,” Xander told her. “It's a thing he does.” He rose, pulling Anya to her feet as he did so. “We're gonna head back home. We'll be back tomorrow morning, and I'll bring breakfast with me. Okay?”

“Good, because we've missed the donuts,” Willow said with a smile.

Xander laughed and shook his head, and Buffy realized he hadn't let go of Anya since she'd jumped into his arms earlier that day. They were still holding hands.

“So,” Rona said, rubbing her hands together. “You mentioned food?”

The next morning found Faith and Buffy in the kitchen, quietly discussing what should be done with the Potentials. True to her word, Buffy HAD slept the previous night. A good seven hours, which was good compared to her no hours track she'd been running. Spike had still been asleep when she'd crawled out of bed, so she'd left him with a kiss on his bare shoulder.

Faith had been up as well, and both Slayers had greeted each other with knowing grins. After Buffy had gotten her coffee, she'd taken a seat at the table and had asked Faith her opinion concerning the Potentials. Faith had looked startled at the question, and Buffy had realized that the tentative truce she had with the dark-haired Slayer was another thing she had to fix.

“I don't know how else to train them,” Buffy admitted. “They don't have Slayer powers, which kind of cuts out a lot of exercises.”

Faith was about to reply when Jennifer came down, dressed and ready to do...something. Hair pulled back, loose sweatpants on, she looked like a girl with a mission.

“Mind if I use the basement?” she asked, “I wanted to head down and stretch.”

Buffy and Faith exchanged looks, before turning as one to face Jennifer. “Stretch?” Faith asked.

Jennifer flushed slightly. “Yeah. Xander and I talked on the way to Sunnydale, and...and he was right. I think I need to dance again. I'm not...in shape, by any means, so I figured I'd start slow.”

Buffy sat up straighter. “You dance?”

Jennifer nodded. “Hip-hop, ballet, jazz...you name it, I did it.”

“How long do you usually stretch for?” Buffy asked. Out of the corner of her eye she caught Faith suddenly grinning. She'd obviously caught on as to where Buffy was going with this.

Jennifer hadn't, however. She glanced at them both oddly, before answering, “Um, about half an hour to an hour every day. Why?”

Buffy turned and grinned at Faith. Faith gave a tiny nod, and Buffy glanced back at Jennifer. “We needed something for the Potentials to do for serious warm-ups and exercises. Care to be the leader of the group for that?”

There was a pause as Jennifer digested this, before she nodded. “Sure, why not? I'm not as good as I used to be, though. That's my warning to you guys.”

“That's why we need you,” Faith said. “They're startin' at the beginning, too. Help 'em out. Show 'em the ropes.”

The sound of footsteps on the stairs was heard, and one by one the other girls came in. “Good morning!” Willow chirped, following them in. “Xander here yet?”

“Do you smell the delicious aroma of donuts?” Dawn asked, sidling past her to reach the fridge before Molly.

Willow pouted and took a seat next to Buffy. Tara took the final seat at the table, automatically pulling herself closer to her girlfriend.

“We were just talking about having Jennifer teach the girls how to stretch,” Buffy said. “Faith and I think she'd be the best person to help them.”

Faith and Jennifer looked surprised; Faith at being included in the discussion, Jennifer for being announced the 'best person' to guide the Potentials.

Willow nodded, causing the two girls to be even more surprised. “It's a good idea; you guys made a good choice,” she said, giving the two a smile.

“Anyone care to help me get the breakfast inside?” Xander called from behind the back door. Dawn and Molly ran over to help, with Dawn opening the door and helping Xander by taking the first box, and Molly helping Dawn by taking the first donut from the first box. Dawn gave her a look, and Buffy couldn't help chuckling.

A hand fell on her shoulder, and Buffy leaned back into Spike's touch. “Sleep well?” he asked casually, though she could hear the worry in his voice.

She tugged on his hand until his head was by her shoulder, then turned and kissed him. “Yes, I slept for almost eight hours,” she whispered. “I'm fine. Okay?”

“Make me worry,” he mumbled.

She sighed. “I know, I know. You don't have to, though.”

Spike opened his mouth to protest, and Buffy took the chance to push her lips to his again, letting her tongue roam in his mouth, effectively stopping whatever he'd been about to say. Spike's hand gripped her shoulder, and she could feel his tongue sliding across the top of hers, wetting her lips, before his teeth gently pulled on her tongue. She barely stifled her whimper, her hands going up to tangle in his hair.

“Damn, that's hot.”

They parted reluctantly, coming back to the awareness of a wide-eyed, very appreciative audience. “Bugger off,” she grumbled, causing Spike to grin.

“Morning!” Anya called, bringing in the last box of donuts. Her eyes glanced over at Spike, who was practically in Buffy's lap, before she smirked. “Seems like a good morning to me,” she said, beaming innocently when they turned to give her annoyed looks.
“Ha, ha, sides splittin' over here,” Spike muttered, pulling Buffy up so he could take the seat. He then pulled her onto her lap, her back up against his chest. “Someone mind gettin' us two donuts before they disappear?” he asked.

Dawn headed to grab two plates just as Jillian came into the kitchen. She rubbed at her eyes with bunched fists, yawning as she all but stumbled into the well-lit room. “Xanner?” she called sleepily.

“Over here,” he said, plopping two pieces of bread into the toaster. Jillian made her way over to him, stopping when she bumped into his leg. Xander reached down to pick her up, eliciting 'aww's from most everyone in the room.

“She's sooo precious,” Willow cooed.

“And still half-asleep,” Spike said, though when Buffy glanced back at him, he had a soft smile on his face. Not even there for a day, and already Jillian had found her way into everyone's heart.

“Looks like you've got another lovely lady,” Spike added to Xander this time.

Xander rolled his eyes but made sure Jillian was set before heading to the drawer of silverware. “What can I say? I've got good taste,” he said, pulling out a spoon for his jelly and setting it on the counter. He turned around to get a glass, never noticing Jillian reach down and grab the spoon. Glass in hand, he turned back around to grab the spoon. The counter was empty.

He blinked, before he shook his head and got out another one. “So, what's on the list of 'to do's today?” he asked, heading over to grab his popped toast. Before he did so, however, Jillian had quietly swept up the second spoon as well.

Buffy could feel the giggle starting, and put her hand over her mouth, pretending to cough. Spike rested his head against her shoulder, but when he hid his face against her back, she could feel his grin pressing on her back.

Xander turned again, then stopped, frowning at the empty counter. His genuine bewilderment was almost enough to make Buffy lose it, and she turned away, unable to contain the grin anymore. Spike was quietly laughing against her backside.

When Buffy had gotten her composure back, she glanced at Xander to see him slowly pulling a new spoon out, then setting it on the counter. “We could go through whatever information you guys have found on the First that I don't know about,” he said, turning around. Jillian reached out and grabbed the spoon.

Immediately Xander spun around, catching her with the spoon almost pulled back to join her growing collection of silverware. “Or we could find out who's trying to make Xander think he's crazy,” he said dryly, and Buffy lost it, along with the rest of the kitchen. Jillian merely grinned at him, giving him the three spoons back.

He shook his head, giving the others mock-glares as they continued to laugh. “You guys just love to make me insane, don't you?” he asked, setting Jillian down. He handed her a donut on a plate and Jillian, much more awake now, scampered off to join the Potentials in the living room as they watched Saturday morning cartoons.

“Seriously, what's to be done with the First? Tell me you guys found something,” he asked, and the laughter slowly subsided.

“Not much else,” Willow admitted. “Just the latest about the time spell, which you know about already. I don't know what it could hope to accomplish with the time spell.”

“Maybe we changed something that'll affect the final battle,” Buffy said. “Somehow, by the time spell, we turned it in our favor. And the First wants to stop it.”

“But can it?” Anya interjected. Buffy shrugged.

“It wouldn't make sense though,” Tara said. “I mean, if that's the case, why hasn't the First sent you guys back already?”

Silence descended on the kitchen. “Maybe because it can't?” Faith said, but she didn't look convinced of her own words.

“We're back to square one again: someone else has to be helping the First,” Giles said, stepping into the kitchen and helping himself to a donut. “We've gone through what little history there is on the First extensively. There's no mention of the First ever dealing with someone else. It's always had minions, but this would require the First to admit it needs help. From a mortal, immortal, someone beneath it. It hasn't done that yet, and I don't think it would.”

“It might, if we're that big a threat,” Xander said quietly.

Spike nodded. “Best lead we got is that it's someone else helpin' the First knot all our strings, right? Gotta be somewhere close then. Red, how far can the reach of magic go? Couple miles, maybe?”

Willow grimaced, and Buffy's heart sank. “Um, if the coven in England wanted to, they could reach out to Sunnydale to assist with a tiny spell. It depends on the power source, which one person can't have without going kablooey. Remember? That was my problem the first time around. I would've done that, if Xander hadn't helped me.”

“Great,” Buffy muttered, standing and pulling Spike to his feet. “Another day of research that'll probably take us nowhere.”

“Best thing we can do is train the girls,” Spike told her. “Keep 'em ready, should the time come.” He stood, asking, “Anymore expected, Rupert? Know we can't have all of the...” He stopped, wincing, and Buffy frowned.

“Spike?” she asked, reaching out to place her hand on his arm. “Sweetie, what's wrong?”

Spike flinched, then turned to her, puzzled. “Don't know, it just...” His eyes widened, seconds before his hands flew to clutch at his head. He fell to his knees, crying out as he held his skull.

Already Willow and Xander were sliding down to help him, holding him as he jerked. “Buffy, what's going on?” Giles asked when she stood, staring at Spike.

Buffy swallowed before answering. She'd forgotten about this. “The chip just expired,” she whispered.

< --- >

Title: Step Forward

Author: Nebula

Chapter: 50 of ?

Rating: FRM this chapter for language, usually FRT with an occasional FRAO (Fan Rated for Teens, Mature, and Adults Only)

Pairings: S/B, X/A, W/T, D/J, Ang/C, F/R, slight Am/And

Time Period: Set after 'Back Track', which is a time travel story started in Season 7 and jumping back to Season 6. The time is now mid-Season 7, during 'Killer In Me'.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Joss is owner of all EXCEPT my three original characters, Jennifer, Jillian and slightly Megan and Charlie. (They were briefly shown in Chosen.)

< --- >

“Hello? Yes, I'm trying to reach Riley Finn, two 'n's in the last name. I'm a friend of his in Sunnydale.” Buffy sighed into the phone. “No, this is NOT a floral shop, it's a cover, I'm aware of this, don't treat me like I'm stupid! Now listen here buster, I need...”

“How you feeling?” Willow asked, kneeling beside the sofa to replace the cloth on Spike's head.

“Not too much better,” Spike whispered. “Head's threatenin' to split in two. It's not listenin' to me, so maybe one of you can tell it not to?”

Xander gave him a smile that looked more like a grimace. “Wish I could.”

Spike nodded reluctantly and went back to listening to Buffy on the phone.

“...Summers, I told you I'm a friend of his. I know all about the military stuff, and if you idiots hadn't shoved one of your damn chips into my boyfriend's skull, we wouldn't be having this discussion! The thing's malfunctioning, and I need...hello? Hello?” She pulled away from the phone, staring at it incredulously. “He hung up on me. He hung up on...” Her glare turned murderous. “Stupid fucking sons of...”

“Buffy, sweetie, calm down,” Willow pleaded, wincing as Buffy's grip began to crack the phone.

“...he fucking hung up on me! When I get in touch with Riley, that asshole is SO going to lose his job, trust me...”

“Buff? Can we try the calming down thing Willow suggested?” Xander asked.

“Luv, you're gonna hurt yourself if the phone breaks,” Spike called softly, wincing as the chip began to flare up again. He could feel the tingle starting in the back of his skull. “They came before, they'll...” He cringed, then jerked violently as the chip took over his nerves.

When things finally came back into focus, Buffy was hovering over him, looking ready to cry. “Be all right,” he managed to tell her.

“I'm sorry,” she said softly. “I just...I'm so mad at Riley, the Initiative, but mostly me. I forgot all about the chip. If I'd remembered, you wouldn't be here with...with blood dripping out of your nose, who knows how many brain cells getting short-circuited, and...”

“Buffy, luv, I'll be fine,” he said, taking her hand. “Got through it before, we'll get through it again. Right?”

Buffy nodded, still looking worried. “What time is it now?” he asked, trying to get her mind off of it.

She sighed, glancing over at the clock. “Almost six. We'll leave as soon as the sun goes down.”

“I'll go with you,” Xander told her.

Buffy shook her head. “I need you...”

“With you guys,” Xander said, giving her a look that told her not to argue with him. “You'll make better time in the car.”

“Thought you'd have been sick of drivin' by now,” Spike joked.

Finally Buffy gave a small smile. 'Bout time. “All right,” she said. “But we can handle the Initiative mess. We know what's going on down there. Could you wait for us outside?”

“That I can do,” Xander agreed. “Just tell me where.”

“You know, this is...” Thud. “...SO much nicer...urgghh...” Crash! “...than the last...” Snap. “...time,” Buffy grunted, throwing the demon carcass onto the floor. “No surprises DOES make for a less-bruised body.”

“And a cleaner wardrobe,” Spike added, and they grinned. They'd gotten into the Initiative in record time, knowing exactly where they had to go and who to take out. It had definitely made things simpler.

The pain came out of nowhere this time, effectively paralyzing him before he had a chance to reach for his head. “Buffy,” he managed to mumble as he tumbled towards the floor.

Buffy grabbed him, gently laying him on the floor, his head in her lap. “It'll be okay,” she said, running her fingers through his hair. “We just...just got here a lot sooner than before. It'll take awhile, right?”

Spike wanted to nod, but found that he couldn't. Damn chip... “Be all right,” he croaked, giving her the tiniest of squeezes when she took his hand. Then she was giving him a huge squeeze, and that was all he felt besides pain for a few moments. The room went completely black, and all that existed was him, jerking and shaking and barely able to move on his own.

The black faded to reveal Buffy leaning over him, biting her lip. “Just hang on sweetie,” she whispered, sniffling. “Please, just...just hang on, they'll...”

Lights flashed on, and Buffy gave a sigh of relief, wiping her tears away. “About time,” she muttered, turning to see the line of soldiers on the gangway. Twelve guns cocked into position at once, aiming at her head.

“No!” Spike choked, forcing himself to move. Buffy was trying to push him down, but he wasn't about to let those wankers shoot her.

“Stand down!” a man barked, and the guns slowly raised back up. Spike and Buffy both sighed this time, before turning to the man that had stopped the soldiers.

“Agent Finn sent us with orders to help you, Ms. Summers,” he said, giving her a brief nod. “He said something had gone wrong with a behavior modification chip, and that we were to help...”

“Don't finish that sentence,” Buffy warned him, and Spike remembered what Riley had called him before. Things had been left on a better note, that was sure, but she obviously wasn't taking chances.

The commander nodded, then ordered his troops to bring in the gear. Buffy turned back to him, giving him a small smile. “You'll be okay,” she promised. “See? Fixing things again.”

Spike nodded weakly, before closing his eyes, wanting her hand in his to be the last thing he thought of.

It was the thing he thought of when he came to as well. Spike slowly opened his eyes to find Buffy's hands wrapped around his fingers. “Hello cutie,” he said, smiling as she looked up.

Her eyes brightened visibly at the sound of his voice. “Hey you,” she said, leaning down to place a soft kiss on his brow. “How you feeling?”

“Depends,” he said. “Is it out?”

She nodded. “It's out. For good. He said that Riley had left the choice to me. The commander did advise me against it, but I assured him I had you wrapped around my pinky,” she teased.

Spike rolled his eyes. “Sad thing is, it's true,” he said with a sigh. “Now how do we get out of here again?”

“When you're ready, I'll give Xander a ring and tell him to come help,” she said.

“Not waitin' for him to come help, and I can walk on my own,” he said.

Buffy's lips pursed together. Oh good, just what he needed: a pissed off Slayer on top of everything else that night. Lovely. “I'm not taking chances. Not when you're like this.”

His eyes widened. “When I'm like...! I'm not a...”

“Just humor a worried girlfriend, please?” she asked. Spike glanced at her concerned expression, taking in the dark circles under her eyes that were still too dark. The result of her not having slept for a few days; the several hours the previous night weren't going to repair all the damage she'd done, just like that.

And if she'd really truly thought him incapable of walking or being of any use, she would've just carried him out herself to get him home that much quicker.

“All right,” he said, nodding. “Humorin' here.”

“Good,” she said, obviously relieved. “You're not wimpy, or a wuss, or whatever you thought I thought.” She frowned at her sentence but kept going. “I need you, Spike. Hasn't any of this year shown you that? Not just for the First thing, but for me. I can't make it through this year by myself. I need you back up and ready for whatever comes our way.”

“Yeah, to take care of YOU,” Spike said, giving her a look.

Buffy fidgeted uncomfortably, and he knew she'd figured out what he was talking about. “I can't watch you fall to pieces anymore,” he said quietly. “You wanna talk 'bout worryin'? I'm so bloody tempted to...”

“Sorry, got tired of waiting,” Xander said, coming in and cutting off Spike. “I had to come check on you guys.”

“We're all right.”

“We're fine.”

Spike and Buffy exchanged wary glances, having spoken at the same time. He knew Xander was watching them, but Spike kept his eyes on Buffy, mentally telling her this wasn't over yet. Buffy broke the gaze first, glancing down at the ground.

He turned back to Xander, who was regarding them with a worried frown. Obviously knew something was going on then. Xander didn't say anything, however, just reached out to help Spike off the table. It was only then that Spike realized Buffy had let go of him sometime during their conversation.

The trek to the car was slow and silent.