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Title: Step Forward
Chapter: 53 of ?
Rating: FRT with and occasional FRM or 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, pre-'Get It Done'.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Joss is owner of all EXCEPT my four original characters, Jennifer, Jillian and slightly Megan and Charlie. (They were two of the final girls shown in Chosen, but their names were never given.)

Back Track is here

Previous parts here or here.

Jennifer winced as she walked. Okay, that last stretch? She'd held it for way too long; her hamstring hurt like hell now. She wasn't as good as she used to be. Had to take things carefully and slowly. She almost growled at herself, and then was immediately glad she hadn't. Because if she had, she never would've heard the gasp from upstairs.

Jennifer frowned. Everyone was in the basement, stretching, or out in the backyard, training. The sky had been dark and ominous, so they'd opted to training outsider earlier rather than later.

Carefully she made her way up the stairs, mindful of her injury. She found the source of the noise quickly; Chloe was seated on the floor, knees pulled up to her chest, looking majorly creeped out. “Hey,” Jennifer said quietly, so as not to spook the girl any further.

As it was, Chloe jumped at the sound of her voice. She relaxed slightly at the sight of Jennifer. “Hi Jenny,” she said, shivering. “Is it just me, or is it cold in here?”

“It might just be...” Jennifer started, before she too shivered. She frowned, glancing around. She'd felt perfectly fine before when she'd been downstairs. “You know, I think it is cold up here,” she said, reaching her hand out to her fellow Potential. “Let's head downstairs where it's warmer.”

But Chloe shook her head. “It'll go away. I-I'm sure it's just because of...” She trailed off, biting her lip.

Jennifer's frown deepened. “Because of what?”

Chloe looked up at her, wincing. “Because the First was here.”

“Hello cutie.”

Buffy's head whipped up to see Spike leaning against the top of her cubicle, smiling at her. Buffy blinked, before she asked quietly, “How exactly are you, uh...”

Spike's eyes widened as he caught on to what she was asking. “I'm real, see?” he said, tapping on the cubicle wall. “It's overcast today. Dark enough for me to run around without gettin' a tan,” he said. Buffy smiled then, and Spike came around inside, glancing at the various pictures she had up. One of the three Scoobies, one of her family, and three with just him and her.

“So, what brings you over here?” she asked, scribbling a note on a sheet of paper.

“Wanted to see how you were. Scared me last night,” he admitted quietly.

Buffy's smile and pen faltered. She laid the pen on her desk, before swiveling her chair towards him. “I really screwed up, didn't I?” she asked sadly.

“No, not really. Just...talk to me,” he said, walking over and rubbing her shoulders. Buffy made a small noise as he massaged her neck, before he leaned in and placing a kiss on her cheek. “Please? I'd like more strawberry moments. Not songs where I'm tryin' to reach out to someone that seems like she's driftin' away.”

“I'm sorry,” she whispered. She reached up and took his hand, and he squeezed it.

“Don't leave me. Talk to me. Tell me what's botherin' you. You're my other half, like you said before I left this year. Remember?”

“I remember,” she said softly. He smiled then and closed his eyes, satisfied he'd gotten his point across.

Everything had been so good the previous night. She'd been there, and they'd teased and made love and it had seemed he'd gotten her back. He'd awakened several hours later, however, to her heart pumping wildly in his head, and her sweat and tears being wiped away with a sheet. He'd watched as she'd pulled on her pajamas, then wrapped her robe around herself. He'd watched her in the mirror, and had been stunned and confused as she'd glanced at the bed, looking on the verge of calling out to him. Then she'd stopped, shaken herself, and had headed out of the room.

The song had been a last desperate measure to get her to see that no matter what happened, he was going to be there for her. After she'd cried and apologized, he'd carried her to bed, holding her as her tears dried and she drifted off. For once, Spike had been the one unable to sleep.

But something was going to go their way for once. Tonight, they were going to do the spell. The time spell had been done the first time around this evening, and then they'd be firmly rooted in the present. “You ready for tonight?” he asked. She gave him a grin and a nod.

“Kind of lookin' forward to tomorrow,” he continued. “Lot of us weren't even here, and now...we're all here. It's so bloody hard to believe that after everythin' that happened the first time around, we could change it so we could have things the way they are...”

Buffy gasped and shot out of her seat, grabbing her coat and purse. Spike frowned, standing. “What's goin'...”

She spun around, eyes wide and horrified. “One of the reasons we went back in the first place was to prevent someone's death,” she said, pulling out her car keys and running for the office doors.

Spike could've slapped himself. He'd completely forgotten about... “Chloe,” he breathed, running after her.

They made it back to the house in record time. The car was still moving as Buffy jumped out, causing Spike to shout in alarm, braking immediately in fear of running her over. But Buffy kept running, straight up the steps and into the house. Spike quickly turned off the car and hurried in after her.

He found her in the entry to the kitchen, gazing at Jennifer and Chloe, who were seated at the table. When Jennifer saw them, she jumped up and headed over to them. “The First was here,” she explained, grimacing. “It tried to...it told Chloe to kill herself.”

“It was more convincing then it sounds,” Chloe mumbled.

Spike took an unneeded breath. “Can I talk to you alone?” Buffy asked softly, giving Chloe a small smile when the teen glanced her way. Chloe nodded, and the two made their way towards the stairs. Spike watched Buffy follow the teen, her face tight and still slightly panicked.

“I take it you guys knew about this?” Jennifer asked, taking her seat at the table again.

Spike nodded, sitting across from her. “Yeah. Except we didn't get there in time.”

Jennifer frowned, then stared with wide eyes when she caught on. “Oh,” she said, swallowing. “She really...?”

“Yeah,” Spike said quietly. Jennifer glanced down at the table, and Spike sighed, rubbing his eyes. The First was determined to give them all heart attacks, wasn't it?

“That must've been really hard on Buffy.”

Spike glanced up, watching as Jennifer tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “All of you, too,” she hastily added, “But Buffy had to have gotten hit the hardest. She probably already feels bad for the girls she didn't reach in time, even if they were halfway around the globe. She knows how it feels to not know why you're being attacked. I mean, she wasn't always a Slayer, right? Right before she became one, or knew about being one, I'm sure she had quite a few experiences that if she'd told people about? They would've put her in the loony bin.”

Spike gazed at her, her words sinking in. He remembered the year before, when Xander had had a 'migraine', and had ended up cracking his skull against the Magic Box counter. He almost grimaced at the memory. They'd taken him into the back to rest, and Buffy had confessed to wishing she'd never met the Scoobies, if for their sake. And he remembered how old she'd been when she'd been called. He'd guessed fifteen.

She'd told him thirteen. Thirteen years old.

Never mind the scary hormones and times of month that a young girl would experience for the first time. Buffy had had to deal with not only that, but the destiny she'd never wanted, and a death wish she'd never asked for.

No wonder Buffy was so confused and worried. He'd seen her do this before, seen her automatically close herself off to her family and friends whenever things got bad. She'd done it when he'd arrived to take over Sunnydale. She'd done it with Glory and Adam, and he was sure there were other times he didn't know about. Buffy was subconsciously trying to protect the ones she loved. Even if it caused her pain and sorrow on her own part.

“You know, for an adult, you're pretty cool.”

Spike and Jennifer both turned at the sound of Chloe's voice. She came in first, looking a lot happier. Her eyes were red, but a smile was on her face, indicating a serious, but good, talk had been had.

“I try,” Buffy said, following Chloe in. Spike was surprised at how pale she was, even though a true smile graced her own features. She was holding herself up; he could tell by the way she was standing. She was tired, and undoubtedly upset.

Spike cleared his throat, standing. “You gonna be all right, pet?” he asked Chloe.

She nodded, looking embarrassed. “It was stupid to listen to it. It really was. I didn't mean to make this much of a fuss.”

“The First is a dangerous being,” Buffy told her. “It's very convincing, trust me. Don't be ashamed about it. Feel lucky to still be here. You did the right thing.”

“Besides, we think you're worth the fuss,” Spike told her, earning a small smile and a blush. “Now, if you ladies are gonna be all right, I've gotta get her back to the school. Somethin' about a job; she makes a big to-do about it in the mornin's instead of stayin' with me.”

Chloe and Jennifer giggled, and he left them in the kitchen, guiding Buffy out to the porch. “You gonna be all right?” he asked softly.

She nodded shortly. “Yeah. Just...yeah.” She continued on to the car, and Spike sighed. There had to be a way to get her to stop cutting herself off.

“I'm heading out to patrol. I'll see you guys around.”

Spike froze, before dropping the book onto the table and hurrying over to the door, where Buffy was pulling her coat on. “What are you doin'?” he asked quietly, making sure the others couldn't hear them.

She gave him a look, before tightening the belt on her coat with a harsh tug. “Patrolling,” she told him, heading out into the night. Swearing under his breath, he grabbed his jacket and raced out after her.

“M'not stupid, Summers. I know you want to take out the First,” he said, catching up with her. She continued to walk on, ignoring him. “You can't. There's nothin' we can do about it yet. Not until Giles finds out if the council or the coven found anythin' else.”

“You know what? I don't care. I think I can hurt it,” she said. “I think I can do some damage against it.”

“I don't want you doin' this,” he said, grabbing her arm to stop her.

She wrenched her arm away, glaring at him. “And I don't want you along. We don't always get what we want.”

Spike clenched his fists and swallowed the hurt down. She didn't mean it, and he knew it. But she wanted revenge, and when Buffy got pissed off, she lost most of her reasoning. “I have to take the First out, and this is only the first strike. We've wasted enough time as it is,” she said, walking again.

“Enough time wasted? We've been collectin' girls! That's not time wasted. And you can't take the First on in the state you're in. You'll lose, Summers.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” she asked, stopping to face him.

“You know what I mean,” he said, narrowing his gaze. “You not takin' care of yourself.”

Buffy snorted, rolling her eyes and turning away. “Not this again,” she said, disgusted.

Spike ran after her, saying, “I know about you not sleepin'. It's been goin' on for awhile, and I wager it's not all been on account of nightmares, has it? I'm not gonna let you do this, Buffy. I'm not keepin' silent anymore.”

“Unfortunately,” she muttered under her breath.

“What's going on?” Willow panted, running up with Xander. “We saw you guys leave in a huff and figured we should know.”

Spike ignored them, continuing to glare at Buffy. Buffy merely glared back.

“You know, I really do like the mushy stuff over this,” Xander said.

Willow gave him a look, before turning back to the two fuming blondes. “Was Chloe okay?” she asked. “I didn't get a chance to talk to her today.”

When neither Slayer nor vampire answered, Xander turned to Willow. “I talked to her. She's okay; apparently the blonde duo talked to her earlier. Jennifer said she'd stay with her, make sure nothing happened.”

“Oh,” Willow said, frowning. “If that's not the problem, then what is wrong with you two?”

“Well, you could ask Spike, but it seems he's 'keeping silent' again,” Buffy snapped.

Spike could feel his temper flaring. His lips curled into a snarl, and he began to tell her just WHAT he thought of her.

“Oh please, keep arguing.”

All four heads whipped to see Buffy standing, smirking at them. The First.

Chapter: 54 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 'Get It Done'.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Joss is owner of all EXCEPT my four original characters, Jennifer, Jillian and slightly Megan and Charlie. (They were two of the final girls shown in Chosen, but their names were never given.)

Back Track is here

Previous parts here or here.

“I think it's so amusing, when you guys squabble,” she continued, casually walking towards them. “All that fury and blood rushing around, so close to the surface...it makes me want to see it bursting out, running freely on the cement, staining it red. I can almost taste it from here.”

“Stop imitating me,” Buffy said angrily, but Spike heard a faint tremor in her voice. He didn't know if it was from fury or fear.

The First gasped, placing a dainty hand over her mouth, pouting slightly. “I'm so sorry,” she apologized, before changing into Spike's form. Spike inhaled sharply at the sight of himself. The only difference was that the First was wearing the leather duster.

“This any better, luv?” he mocked, leering at Buffy.

Suddenly all of Spike's anger was directed at the First. How dare it... “Fuck off,” he hissed, stepping in front of Buffy.

“Sorry, mate,” the First said sarcastically. “Can't help lookin' at the beautiful prize you've got. She give a good ride?”

Spike growled, forcing his game face back. “Nothin' you can do about it, old boy,” he continued, grinning. “She'll be mine soon enough. You can't stop it.”

“Can't stop what? The time spell?” Willow asked contemptuously. “We already know about that.”

The First changed again, and Warren sneered at them, startling the four of them. “Do you really?” he asked.

Suddenly a sharp pain tore through Spike's skull, and he dropped to the ground with a cry, clutching his head. All around him, the others had fallen as well, moaning at the sudden pain. “Yeah, I can see how I should be afraid of you guys,” the First said, snickering. “Did you really think you could outsmart me? Me? Oh, come ON! You guys are beyond lame. I mean, really. How can you hope to win this war? It's not even really a 'war' as far as I'm concerned. Just a gathering of, well, ants.” The First snorted, grinning. “What you guys do, no matter what it is...you guys can't touch me.”

Spike glanced up through the blinding pain towards the others. They were still holding their heads, cringing and wincing in pain. He could see the golden wedding ring on Xander's finger, a memory of something that wasn't supposed to have happened. But they'd changed it.

If they didn't do the spell, they'd never have that moment. Xander would never get his second chance with Anya.

Tears were beginning to fill everyone's eyes as the pain only increased. Buffy was shaking, looking almost ready to pass out. She looked tired and pale, much like she had earlier that day. But she'd been wearing a smile earlier, a genuine one. Because she'd done what she'd hoped to do by going through time: she'd saved Chloe.

Spike winced as the pain soared, bouncing through his head and making his vision blur. But it wasn't nearly as bad as the chip had been a few days before. He could do this.

Slowly he pushed himself up, forcing the pain back. He watched as the First's smirk disappeared, until it was glaring at him. “If we're so unimportant,” Spike said, gritting his teeth, “then why are you wastin' your time with us?”

The First's gaze turned murderous. “I can't take you on,” Spike continued, clenching his fists. A sudden shock through his skull made him think of black depths that pulled him down, and he forced himself to remain standing.

He glared up at the First, before saying, “But together, I think we got a hell of a chance.”

The First turned back into Buffy, still glaring at Spike. “Better watch your flock,” she spat, before disappearing.

Spike sighed, rubbing his head. His head that was no longer aching. There was such a thing as mercy.

“Flock?” Willow whimpered. “That would be...”

“The girls,” Buffy finished, sounding utterly panicked. She pushed herself up, then gasped as she fell back down towards the concrete.

Spike headed over, gently pulling her to her feet. “Take it easy,” he advised. “And take your time; I'll head home, see what's goin' on.”

The others nodded, and without another word Spike hurried back, hoping he'd get there in time.

They hadn't gone far, but it still took him over five minutes to get back. Long enough for things to go terribly wrong. So when the house was still standing, the windows still in place and well lit from the inside, he was slightly surprised, to say the least. He couldn't hear any heartbeats or sense any demons that didn't belong there. He headed inside, and found himself facing everyone, who happened to be perfectly fine.

Dawn frowned as he gazed around, puzzled. “Are you okay?” she asked him. “Where are the others?”

Spike stopped and closed his eyes, mentally kicking himself. It was a nice rouse, and he'd fallen for it. The First had gotten him to leave the three Scoobies alone, unprotected, and weak. Wrong flock.

“Get your weapon; you're guardin' the house when I leave,” he told her, turning for the stairs. “I've gotta get somethin' first.”

Buffy could hardly see, her head was still hurting so much. The original pain had disappeared with the First, but it had left a lingering pounding that continued to batter at her skull.

“Seriously wishing I had that powder from before,” Willow groaned, slowly pushing herself up.

“I think weapons would be more helpful now,” Xander said, his voice low. Buffy turned with Willow, and stopped, staring.

Bringers slowly marched towards them. There were over a dozen that Buffy could count, which didn't put the odds in their favor. Again. “I have a weapon,” she told him quietly, pulling out her knife.

“That's it?” Willow hissed. “That's all you took?”

“I figured I'd only need one,” Buffy mumbled, grasping her knife tightly. “How are you for magic, Wills?”

Willow never answered, for the Bringers chose that moment to attack. Buffy side-stepped one, before turning to knife him in the back of his head. He fell, and she quickly reached down to disarm him. She gave a grunt as she was bowled over by another Bringer, who quickly met the same fate as the one before him. “Grab their weapons!” she yelled, then winced at her own loud voice. Not good on a throbbing head.

Willow wasn't pulling any magic tricks, which meant she was still hurting as well. Xander was pulling a few punches, but he was mostly taking them. She headed over, grabbing Xander and shoving him over to the fallen Bringers. “Take their weapons,” she ordered again, and he nodded, racing to grab a knife for himself. Willow hurried over right after him, two Bringers hot on her trail. Buffy took out another Bringer, then another, feeling a swell of hope. Fate was fortunately on their side tonight.

She never saw it coming. The fist shot out of nowhere, hitting her directly along the cheek with a blade and knocking her down. She tried to turn and face her attacker, but the Bringer sliced his knife towards her, causing her to roll to escape.

She rolled into something, and she turned, only to find that it was Xander, with Willow right beside him. All three turned to the group of Bringers, who were approaching with drawn weapons. “Okay, we lost round one,” Xander said. “There's always a round two, right?”

“If we can stand to face it,” Buffy muttered, pushing herself up. Her cheek stung from the hit, but she could live with it. And she still had her knife and two friends. They were doing good, as far as she was concerned. The Bringers quickened their pace, and Buffy tensed to jump.

Suddenly a black blur appeared, knocking out the first line of Bringers. The Bringers swarmed towards their new enemy, and a quick turn towards her caused Buffy to realize just who it was. Spike. With his leather duster.

She watched in awe as he twirled, his duster billowing out around him like a black cape. Or maybe wings; wings would be better for someone that looked like he was flying through the ranks, knocking down Bringers right and left.

Only a few Bringers remained, and they wisely stepped back. Spike stopped, glaring at them. “The people behind me will not be harmed,” he growled, “Because ladies and gents, the Big Bad is back.”

That was enough for the Bringers. They turned and ran, leaving Spike standing, fists clenched and ready to fight.

“Oomph! Bloody 'ell!” he yelled, as Buffy tackled him from behind. “Buffy, what...”

“I can't believe you did that for us,” she said. He turned to face her, and she reverently rubbed the leather between her fingers. “I know you didn't want to put this on the first time around, and I'm sure you didn't want to this time either.”

“Saved you, didn't it?” he said quietly, smiling.

“You saved me,” she said, reaching up to cup his cheek. “My own black knight. Cape and all,” she added with a grin.

He frowned slightly, his thumb reaching up to brush over the bloody line on her face. She cringed at the soft touch. “We'll get you home, get that taken care of,” he said, before glaring at the bodies around him. “Bastards.”

Willow headed over, Xander right behind her. “Well, I'm, uh, very glad the First didn't hurt you,” she said, eyes widening at the carnage surrounding her. “So you could, you know, hurt them instead.”

“Oh, it did,” Spike assured her, grimacing. “Hurt like hell.”

“Well, then I'm glad you have a high tolerance for pain,” Xander joked, before adding seriously, “I'm more glad that you're on our side. Because when you get going? You're pretty scary.”

Spike grinned. “Glad I'm on your side, too.” Xander pretended to wipe away sweat from his forehead, but his 'fear' was ruined by the grin on his own face.

“Scoot over,” Willow said, heading over to hug both Buffy and Spike. Xander shook his head but joined her for the group hug.

The room was dark, lit only by four candles. A small box sat on the table, with a tiny black jar and key beside it. The stage was set again.

“Whoa, whoa, WAIT a minute,” Buffy said, backing away from the black jar. “You didn't say we had to do THAT junk again!”

The other three occupants at the table shushed her. “Of course we do,” Willow hissed. “I told you, it has to be exact. Which is why we have to hurry. We have to do it at the exact moment. The spell occurred at 2:07 in the morning. It's 2:04 now. Got it?”

“Yeah, got it,” Buffy grumbled. She glared as the key was passed to her, then muttered under her breath, drawing a circle with the goop on her palms. She handed it as quickly as she could to Spike, who looked like he was trying not to laugh at her. “I'll put it in your hair if you so much as giggle,” she warned him.

“Big Bad's don't 'giggle', luv,” Spike told her, drawing a circle on each of his palms. He handed the key to Willow, who had her eyes glued to the clock.

She nodded a few moments later, and everyone took hands. “Here we go,” she whispered, before saying in a louder tone, “Janis, God and Guardian of Time, I ask you to open the doors for us.” A circle on her left palm was drawn. “Hear our cry to ensure that what we have changed will remain changed. We implore thee to show us the tangled web of time, and let us bind the strands for our future.” A circle on her right palm was drawn, and she took hands with Spike and Xander. “We implore thee, let us enclose the circle of time to be forever binding.”

The orange mist surrounded them once more, but this time, Buffy found that she could speak, and wasn't being pulled back like before. She gasped, her eyes suddenly seeing a very familiar person. Actually, all four of them were extremely familiar. Faces filled with fear and hope, as the candles slowly formed a gateway. They lurched forward, and Buffy watched herself and her friends fall into the gates of time. The gates slammed shut after they'd gone, and the four present Scoobies sat back with sighs.

“Whoa,” Xander said, grinning. “That was just too cool.”

“I did it,” Willow said with a beam. “I actually did it!”

Xander turned on her, eyes wide. “You didn't think you could do it?! Again?!”

“Well, there's always that possibility of screwing up,” she said, and Xander leaned forward, banging his head on the table.

Spike and Buffy had ignored all of their conversation, their hands still joined from the spell. “Ready to face the unknown?” Spike finally asked her.

Slowly Buffy began to grin. “Bring it.”

“We've been lucky so far. There's only been one Turok Han. We still don't know who opened the seal in the school, though. We do know that this person is the only one who can open the seal again. I don't know why the First has been so lenient with its attacks, but...” Buffy yawned, before shaking it off. “Now that we've got the time spell under control, let's worry about our outside enemies.”

“Here's the neat thing,” Willow said. “Our research finally turned something up. It says that the person responsible for opening the seal can also close it. We're not sure how, but at least that's something, right?”

Buffy nodded, smiling. “It's definitely something. Thanks, Wills. Keep searching on that track; I'll take a peek at the basement, check out the status on the seal. We just need to keep our...our eyes on it,” she said, her vision swaying. It wasn't until Spike grabbed her that she realized ALL of her had been swaying, and not just her vision. She glanced up at him and found him gazing at her in alarm. Crap.

“Sweetie, are you okay?” Tara asked, frowning. Buffy turned to see Xander and Willow also gazing at her, starting to look worried.

“Yeah, of course,” Buffy said, pulling away from Spike and giving everyone bright smiles. “Just tired from being up all night for the spell, that's all.”

No one looked convinced. Buffy slowly backed away, her smile not as bright. “I should, uh, get going. Work, and stuff,” she said, turning and heading for the door. She was fine. She'd check out the seal, get her job done, and come home to the firing squad. Business as usual.

“Buffy!”

She sighed, waiting on the porch as Spike hurried out after her. “Do I have my skirt tucked into my underwear or something?” she joked, then let her smile fall at the look he gave her.

“Why?” he asked.

“I don't know what you're talking about,” she said.

“Yes you do,” he said, closing the front door with a bang. “We've only been arguin' about it for the past couple of days. Nothin' big though, right?” he said, sarcasm in his tone.

Buffy pinched the bridge of her nose. “I've got to keep going for the girls. I can't wimp out now. You should know how badly you felt when YOU thought you were letting yourself and everyone else down.”

“Yeah, but I learned somethin' from it. It's not wimpy to rest,” he argued. “Thought we'd talked 'bout this last year.” Though his voice was soft, she could see the frustration in his eyes.

He didn't understand her frustration, though. The part of her that kept saying if she couldn't stay strong now, she'd be of no use to them. She wouldn't change what she'd been shown would happen. “General Buffy has to be here, and she has to be ruthless,” she said.

“Yeah, to you!” Spike protested. “You're cuttin' yourself off again. Buffy, luv, please don't do this,” he pleaded.

Buffy stared at him for a few moments, then turned and walked off towards the car. “General Buffy's only human,” Spike called out.

She glanced back. His lips were pinched together, fists clenched by his sides as he glared holes through her. Yet the thing that stuck out at her was the fear and desperation in his eyes. Her heart jerked in her chest, painfully telling her to get rid of the emotions in his eyes.

Instead, she said quietly, “The General is actually superhuman. More is expected of her, and she has to keep everyone going, keep them safe and alive.” She turned back to the car.

She was too far away to hear Spike mutter, “Everyone but you.”

She was tired. That was the only reason why the screen on her computer was blurring. She blinked rapidly, and her vision (and the screen) cleared.

“Hi Buffy!”

Buffy glanced up and gave Amanda a smile. “What's up?”

“I just wanted to know about practice later today. What time, if we're still having it, and stuff. Your cheek looks a lot better today,” she added.

“Thanks,” Buffy said, absently running her fingers over the butterfly bandages adorning her face. “And yes, there'll be practice today. I don't have any classes to teach, and there's only the one college course tonight.” She frowned slightly, her vision blurring again.

Amanda frowned as well. “Are you okay?”

Buffy shook herself until her vision cleared again, just in time to see Cassie run into the offices. “NO!” she shouted, and Buffy wondered what she was so upset about.

She blinked, and suddenly she was on the cold tiled floor. She blinked a few more times, and found that not only was she on her side, but that she was still in her cubicle. Her cubicle that was filled with lots of people.

Xander, Spike, and Dawn were crouched on the ground, peering at her anxiously. Amanda and Cassie stood behind them, Robin right behind them.

“Is she back yet?” Dawn asked, sounding panicked.

Spike, she realized, was kneeling next to her. Buffy opened her dry mouth to tell him she was fine, but Spike placed two fingers on her lips. “Don't,” he said, his voice cracking. “Just...don't.” He had a sort of stricken, stunned look on his face, but she couldn't read any other emotions behind it.

Xander crawled over beside him. “Hey,” he said, giving her a soft, albeit worried, smile. “Can you sit up?”

Buffy swallowed, then began to push herself up. Immediately a wave of dizziness and nausea swept over her, and she fell back down to the ground, causing the girls to gasp.

Spike grabbed her just before she touched the tile, pulling her up and cradling her to his chest. He stood, making sure not to jostle her, before heading out. As he walked, Buffy passed by the girls' faces, their worry all bleeding together. She could hear Xander telling them something, but their faces and his voice faded away, and she fell back into unconsciousness.

< --- >

“Gettin' real tired of this,” Spike said. He was seated at the kitchen table with Xander and Willow, glaring off into space. Dawn was upstairs watching over Buffy, who was still out of it, even eight hours later.

Spike was furious. He'd known this would happen. SHE must've known it would happen, if she didn't take care of herself. And she hadn't.

“We're upset too, sweetie,” Willow started, but Spike cut her off.

“No, not like I'm upset. See, you're sad-upset, worried 'bout the stupid chit. I'm mad-upset, ready to pound her when she wakes up.” IF she wakes up, an annoying voice in his head said, and he promptly told it to shut up.

“We don't need to be mad-upset. You've got enough anger to cover all three of us,” Willow said dryly, and Spike shot a glare her way.

Xander sighed and leaned over towards his friend. “Look. Would you leave Buffy over this? Because she's so stubborn?”

Spike stared at him in horror and disgust. “Are you out of your mind?” he asked. “No! How could you ask...”

“Then listen up, Blondie. The first thing I learned with Anya is that I can't change her,” Xander said, continuing as if Spike hadn't spoken. “You can't change Buffy either. You just have to be there when her 'blonde' tendencies leak through.”

“Buffy stood by you when you had a blonde moment this year,” Willow added gently.

Spike sighed and directed his glare at the table. The worst part of it was, they were right. And Buffy had been there for him, when he'd left her to head down into the school basement. Nothing she'd said had changed his mind; he'd had his eyes and heart set on keeping them all safe. He thought he'd done what he'd had to. Like Buffy had.

“She's awake,” Dawn said, coming down the stairs. Spike nodded, pushing his chair back and rising. He could feel everyone's eyes on him as he ascended, and he wondered if any of them had the patience to wait and not sneak up for a listen.

He found Buffy sitting up in bed, looking pale but a lot more with it. She glanced up at the sound of his footsteps, and immediately her gaze was guarded and closed off. Her eyes followed him apprehensively, as if waiting for the harsh words.

He closed the door and took a seat on the bed near her feet. The two sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Despite his conversation with the Scoobies, Spike was still pissed off at her. He knew they were right, but they hadn't been in his shoes. After Cassie had called him from the school, frantic and panicking, he'd raced down there with Xander, heart in his throat. Running down the hallways and into the offices, he'd lurched to a halt at the sight of Buffy sprawled on the floor, looking dead. All he'd seen was a vision in white falling from a metal tower, landing on the ground with a sickening thud. Xander had finally managed to snap him out of it.

“I'm sorry.”

He'd barely heard the words, they were so softly spoken. He turned and glanced up at her. Buffy was picking at the sheets, and her hands were shaking slightly. His heart twisted at the sight.

“Yeah, I know it was stupid, but food really was the last thing on my mind today,” she continued, obviously agitated, picking furiously at the covers. Spike's anger slowly began to fade as she kept going. “I couldn't get Annabelle out of my mind, or all the girls from my dreams, and then Chloe kept swinging back and forth, all I could see. We know so little about the First still, and that only leaves it more opportunities to do what it wants, l-like take you or Dawn or...or anyone else. I just kept wondering if there was something we missed in the books, because the First couldn't have been hiding all these years just to face us, could it? I-I've been going over them at night, when I've got the time, because there's times I can't sleep anyways, and nothing can put me back to sleep. Believe me, I've tried. I've gone through most of them, and I still haven't...”

Spike cut her off by softly pressing his lips to hers. He then leaned up to softly kiss her forehead, before scooting up even more to wrap her in his arms. Buffy tensed, then slowly began to relax as his fingers gently massaged her back. “You're still mad at me, aren't you,” she said quietly. It wasn't a question, merely a statement.

He sighed, but didn't stop his fingers. “A little, yeah,” he admitted. “I'll get over it. And for the record, I knew about you stayin' up every night.”

“Figured as much,” she muttered. “But...yeah. Kinda figured you'd be more upset.”

“Well, I was,” he said. “Downstairs, I was beyond furious. So bloody tired of you bein' hurt.” He pulled away, hands on her shoulders, gazing into her eyes. “When this is over, I'm taking you away. No more Hellmouths, no more demons except me, nothing. I refuse to stand by as you keep getting hurt for something you should be well over and done with.”

“Spike, William, sweetie?” She leaned forward, smiling slightly. “Slaying gave me you,” she said softly. “You were worth all the hurt.”

He pulled her close once more, taking a deep breath. He could smell her, from the perfume she wore to the shampoo she used. All of it binding together, making her. He remembered laying in her bed, the summer she was gone, and just inhaling, letting his tears fall into the pillow. Dawn and Spike had refused to let anyone clean in there, for fear of taking away the scent.

“Red reminded me that I've done a few stupid things this year myself,” he said. “Said to remember that when YOU did stupid things, too.”

“I never do,” Buffy answered, and he gave her arm a small pinch, causing her to giggle. “But I didn't mind,” she said, more serious. “You were worth it.”

“So are you,” he replied, and what little tension she'd had left disappeared.

“I was afraid I'd really screwed things up between us,” she admitted. “I didn't intend to not eat or not sleep. I just...”

“I know,” Spike said softly. “I know.” He pulled her head down on his shoulder, holding her in the quiet of the room.

Over the next few days, Buffy slowly regained her health. Much like when she'd been burned a year before, the others wouldn't let her do a thing, giving her glares if she so much as began to sit up. She grumbled and groaned, but inwardly Willow could tell she sort of liked not having to worry about the world closing in on them for awhile. Buffy still helped 'train' the Potentials, watching their combat skills and correcting from a chair Spike made sure she never left.

Robin was around the house a lot more, but Willow secretly thought it was due to the fact of Faith being there more than wanting to help out. He did help with research or whatever they needed done, but the others finally relented and gave him tasks to do with Faith. After that, they didn't see too much of either one of them.

“You are NOT allowed to eat the food before I do,” Willow told Xander, giving him a look as they got in the car. Dinner had once again been called for, and someone had suggested pizza. The girls had enthusiastically agreed, and Anya had mentioned needed something from the Magic Box anyways. Xander told her he'd get it, and so he and Willow had headed off in Xander's beat up SUV. He still hadn't told them how he'd gotten all the dents, and she decided she didn't want to know.

“Okay, Willow, I'm talented, but I can't eat a slice of pizza AND drive a vehicle at the same time. I wish, but sadly, no,” Xander said, turning the car on. Willow laughed as the headlights came on, then gasped, almost choking on her laugh.

An uber-vamp stood in the road, illuminated by their headlights.

“Oh goddess,” Willow breathed. Xander said nothing, reaching for the shifter and pulling the car into reverse. He slammed on the accelerator, and the SUV went flying backwards.

The uber-vamp jumped forward and sailed through the air. It landed on the front hood of the vehicle, and Willow screamed as it punched through the window shield, sending glass all over the place. “Run!” Xander yelled, shoving the car into park and jumping out. Willow quickly followed suit, feeling blood trickle down her forehead. She began to run towards the back of the vehicle, trying to catch up to Xander.

“Call them,” she told him breathlessly, turning to see the uber-vamp in hot pursuit. “I'll keep you safe.”

Xander already had his cell phone out, and was busy dialing the number back at the house. Willow pulled her hands closer to her, closing her eyes and concentrating. She could see the magic surrounding her now, strands reaching out to her, begging to be used. She grasped the ones she wanted and opened her eyes back to the approaching horror. “Contego nos,” she said, before waving her hand in front of them. A shield extended from her palm, effectively stopping the uber-vamp.

For the moment. Willow grimaced as the uber-vamp began slashing at the shield, forcing it down. “Xander?” she called behind her. “Did you reach...”

“Dawn, it's me! Get Buffy and the others down towards the pizza place on Main, we need...”

The uber-vamp destroyed the shield, and with another slash caught Willow across the chest. She screamed and desperately tried to dodge away from the claws. She pushed her hand out, one last attempt to defend them. “Conte...” she began, but the uber-vamp grabbed her fist, crushing it and stopping the magic. She cried out as she fell, holding her broken hand to her injured chest. “Xander, run!” she yelled.

“Not without you!” he yelled back, his eyes darting towards the car. Willow inhaled sharply. He'd never make it. The uber-vamp was already headed his way.

Xander burst into a run for the back of the vehicle, rolling to avoid the uber-vamp's swipe. The monster was faster then Xander expected, however, and it quickly pivoted on its left leg, kicking Xander in the back with its right. Willow screamed as Xander was tossed against the car, then slumped to the ground, barely conscious.

The uber-vamp snarled and slowly turned to face her. Willow began to shake with fury at the sight of her crumpled friend. They were running out of options, and fast. “Incendio,” she spelled, flicking a flame towards the uber-vamp. She watched in horror as it merely swatted the flame away. They were dead.

“Hey, ugly!”

Willow whipped her head to see Buffy, Spike, Faith, and Tara armed and glaring at the uber-vamp. “You seriously need a face lift,” Buffy hissed, twirling her sword and running forward with a yell. The uber-vamp snarled at its opponents, then turned and ran.

Buffy stopped in mid-run, frowning. “Okay, that was lame. Seriously.”

“I didn't mind,” Willow said, and all heads turned to see her. Buffy's eyes widened in terror, and Willow shook her off, nodding towards Xander. “He needs...”

“Bloody hell,” Spike cursed, running over to Xander, Buffy right behind him.

“Willow?”

Slowly Willow glanced up into the worried eyes of her lover. “Hey sweetheart,” she said, giving her a grimace of a smile.

Tara reached out, gently taking Willow's battered hand in hers. It was obviously broken, and blood was all over it, from both the hand and Willow's chest wounds. “It'll be okay. I just need..to....” Willow trailed off, staring in shock at Tara.

Tara's eyes had flashed black. Willow had never seen them flash black that long before. “Tara?” she asked softly.

“Does it hurt badly?” Tara asked.

Willow could only nod briefly. Carefully Tara pulled Willow up, before turning to the others. “Is he okay?” she asked.

“Been worse, but I'll be fine,” Xander mumbled, giving Willow a weak grin.

“If the car runs, I suggest takin' it,” Faith said, glancing around. “Who knows when the ugly'll be back.”

The others agreed, but Willow could only stare in bewilderment at her girlfriend. What was going on?

Buffy was barely in the door when Tara came over, looking pissed off. She blinked. Tara and pissed off in the same sentence? That was wrong on so many levels, Buffy couldn't name.

“You went out after it?” Tara asked her.

Buffy nodded. “I figured we might be able to find it tonight, which we did. We took care of it.”

“Why didn't you ask me along to help?” Tara said angrily.

“Red needed you, pet,” Spike interjected softly, moving aside so Faith could step inside.

Tara nodded, and some of the anger left her face. Buffy almost let out a sigh of relief. “True,” Tara admitted quietly. “But Xander could've stayed with her.” Her eyes flashed black, and Buffy almost backed up into Spike. “Next time, call me, and I'll go along,” Tara said, before heading up the stairs to Willow.

“Just like Willow said; she's losin' it,” Spike said in a hushed tone once Tara had gone.

Buffy sighed and nodded. “That's why I didn't ask her along. I knew she was too upset.”

Cassie came over then, and the look on her face wasn't a good one. “I take it there's more bad news?” Buffy asked, sighing.

“It depends,” Cassie said, wincing. “I know who's opening the seal. I had a vision while you guys were out.”

Buffy slowly began to smile. “That's great! Not that this person is opening the seal, but that we know who it is and we can stop them.”

Cassie sighed. “Here comes the bad news: I saw Amanda as the next victim. I've been calling her house for the past ten minutes, and I haven't gotten a response yet. Which means...”

“We'll deal with it,” Spike interrupted. “We'll handle this one.”

“Give me a minute to gear up,” Xander said, pulling the ice pack away from his head and handing it to Dawn.

His face was still bruised, but Xander was giving her that determined look she'd taught him. “Xander,” Buffy started, in the hopes of changing his mind.

“Don't worry,” Anya said, grabbing a sword and joining her husband. “I'll go along and keep an eye on him.”

“Amanda?” Andrew said, rushing forward. Buffy stifled a groan and gave him a look.

“Andrew, look, she'll be fine. We'll get her back. The best thing you can do is...”

“I'm not staying here,” Andrew said, shaking his head. “Not while she could be out there hurt or something. I'm going along, and there's nothing you can say to change my mind.”

Buffy blinked. Where had the geeky Andrew gone? “Okay, I surrender,” she finally said, holding up her hands. Who was she to argue with the suddenly mature Andrew? “Giles, can you...”

“I'll help Dawn get the spell up,” Giles said, nodding. “And I'll keep my eye on Willow as well. Don't worry about us.”

Buffy nodded, then headed out, Spike and Faith right behind her. “Can I have a sword? It's so much cooler than a stake. I mean, if you put little lights near the hilt, you could make the blade change colors, like a lightsaber,” Andrew said, running after her.

With a sigh Buffy told him no, he was taking a dagger, a cross, and a bottle of holy water. The dagger he was to give immediately to Amanda when they got to her. “What happened to new and improved Andrew?” Spike asked with a whimper. “I liked him better.”

“Me too,” Buffy grumbled, shaking her head. Xander and Anya followed her out, and the group made their way down the street.

Tara watched them go from her bedroom, her face void of emotions. Then the curtain fell back over the window, and she turned away.

Slowly Buffy crept down the stairs, heading towards the room with a seal. She could see a dim light issuing from beyond the corner, where the room was. She pointed to it, before moving forward once more. She grasped the weapon in her hands, determined to make this quick. Willow still hadn't told her how to close down the seal. She had a feeling she was going to need to know for tonight. Unfortunately, the redhead wasn't along for this excursion. Buffy felt her chest constrict, remembering how Willow had finally fallen, unable to walk even with Tara's help. Spike had handed Xander to Faith, and had hurried over, sweeping Willow into his arms and carrying her home, an anxious Tara right beside him. Buffy hadn't noticed the scary version of Tara until they'd returned, but Willow had warned her of what she'd seen before Buffy had left to hunt the vamp down.

A yell drew her back to the present, and Buffy ran forward and into the room. The sight made her stop in her tracks.

A man with long dark hair was cursing, holding his bleeding nose. Amanda was on the floor, ankles tied together. Her left wrist was tied to the knots at her ankles, but her right wrist was free, already working on the rest of the ropes. “I told you don't touch me!” she yelled at the guy, looking seriously pissed off.

Buffy would've laughed if she hadn't been so worried about Amanda. The guy looked up then, glaring at the newcomers. “Attack!” he yelled, and Buffy frowned. Who exactly was supposed to...

Ah, of course. The never-ending number of Bringers hidden in the corners. Right. Buffy faced off two and brought them down easily. She turned and threw a stake into the neck of another that was creeping up on Anya, before turning back around and landing a kick to yet another Bringer's face.

“See how much better you do when you've had sleep?” Spike said, cracking a neck with a smirk.

Buffy stopped long enough to glare at him. “Don't rub it in, or you're not going to have any strawberry nights anytime soon.”

Spike's smirk immediately disappeared. “Buffy!” Amanda yelled, causing both blondes to turn. Buffy's eyes widened and she broke into a run, watching as the man came at Amanda with a knife. With a yell she tackled him, making sure the blade was well away from Amanda before punching him.

“The time has come,” the man said, laughing. “You can't stop it now. It has long awaited this moment!”

“The moment where it gets to watch your ass get kicked?” Buffy retorted, getting pushed off but swinging her leg to land a sharp-toed kick to the man's face.

A shout caused her to turn again, then stare in amazement as Andrew launched himself at the man. “You ugly Orc!” Andrew yelled, pulling out his cross and beating the man over the head with it. When the man managed to get his vision clear of blows, he pushed Andrew off and into the wall. Buffy took the moment to attack the man again, pulling him onto his feet and landing a solid punch across his jawline, reveling in the audible crack as his jaw broke. She stole a glance and found Andrew busy helping Amanda get free. Good. Turning back, she raised her arm for another blow, and suddenly found herself several feet away.

The Bringers were being finished up by Xander and Anya, so what had... “Tara?!” Buffy gasped, staring at her friend, stunned.

With a flick of her hand Tara sent the man flying into one of the brick walls. Buffy could only watch as she moved him across the room, his head slamming into another wall. It was only after she'd done it a third time that Buffy realized she was planning on killing him.

“Tara, no!” she yelled, pushing herself up. Tara threw the man into the wall across from her, and shot her hand out. Bolts flew from her fingertips, and Buffy could see clearly that her eyes were black. Not flashing black. Fully black.

Spike and Xander ran towards her, but were barely a foot away before they were moved by an invisible force, which threw them into a heap together against one of the walls. A golden glow pulsed around Tara, before black tendrils crept through, drowning the gold out.

She's drawing power from the Hellmouth, Buffy realized. Out loud she shouted, “Tara, stop this!”

Bolts continued to fly, and Tara's hairs turned black, starting at the roots of her scalp and continuing outward. Her lips lost their rosy hue and deepened to a dark, blood red. “You don't want to do this,” Buffy called out, edging closer to her friend. “You can still stop this.”

Tara's hair was almost completely black. Buffy gritted her teeth and yelled, “Do you want Willow to go through this year again with no you?”

THAT got through to her. The bolts stopped abruptly, and Buffy breathed a sigh of relief.

One that was short-lived. Tara turned to her, eyes black and blazing with fury. Buffy swallowed but stood her ground. “This is how we almost lost Willow the first time around,” she continued. “I don't want to have to do that with you. And I know Willow wouldn't, either.”

“She could be dead right now because he unleashed that thing!” Tara yelled.

“Yeah, but she's not!” Buffy shouted. “You know that! Willow will recover physically. If you do this now, you'll go somewhere she can't follow, and she'll lose you forever. That's something she won't recover from. Not ever. Don't do this, Tara.”

Tara's face was still tight with anger, but the black was flickering in her eyes. Buffy took another step forward. “I know you want revenge,” she said softly. “And believe me, you deserve it. But you've done your part. Let it go.”

Tara turned suddenly, reaching out and grabbing the man by the throat. Buffy held her breath, watching as the man's face turned blue. Tara glared at him, his pleas falling on deaf ears.

Then she turned and threw him onto the seal, panting heavily. The man stumbled, his eyes pooling with moisture as he tried to breathe. A bright light flashed over the seal, then faded away to nothing.

The black faded away, and Buffy took a few breaths herself. Choking back a sob Tara fell to the ground, burying her face in her hands. Spike and Xander were already making their way towards her once again, this time kneeling beside her and enfolding her in their arms. She sniffled, mumbling something to them, and they whispered back, smiling as they continued to hold her. Tara began crying again, and Buffy knew they'd told her no apologies were necessary.

“I can't believe you rescued me,” Amanda said, pulling away the last of the ropes with Andrew's help.

Andrew glanced down, his face suddenly red. “I wasn't going to let them hurt you,” he mumbled.

Amanda stared at him, before leaning forward and placing a small kiss on his cheek. Andrew's face turned even more red, and Buffy smiled.

“Who's up for leavin' this hell hole?” Faith asked.

“That'd be me,” Spike said, pulling Tara to her feet. Together the gang left, Faith trailing behind.

In fact, trailing behind long enough that Buffy decided to wait for her, waving the others on ahead. Faith came out a few minutes later, not looking surprised at seeing Buffy still there. Buffy herself wasn't surprised at seeing the bloody knife in Faith's hands.

Faith glanced at where Buffy was looking, then shrugged. “I saw his eyes flash green when she was hitting him. Only the once. I figured he was demon enough.”

“Was he off the seal when you did it?” Buffy asked.

Faith gazed at her, before nodding slowly. “Then I agree,” Buffy said quietly.

It was time. She couldn't hold it off any longer. Taking a deep breath, Buffy picked up the phone and dialed.

“Admissions and Questions, this is Diane speaking, how may I help you?”

Buffy swallowed and forced a smile on, hoping it would come through her voice. “Hi, my name is Buffy Summers, and I'm enrolled as a student at the college. I need to withdraw from my courses.”

“One moment please,” Diane said in a pleasant tone. Buffy could hear the ruffling of papers, and presently she came back on the phone. “Your student ID number for verification, please?”

Buffy told her, listening as nails click-clacked on the keyboard Diane was typing on. “From which courses did you want to drop out of?” Diane asked.

Buffy winced at the casual usage of 'drop out'. “Um, all of them, actually,” she said quietly.

“You do know there will be a fee for dropping so late in the semester?”

“Yes, I am. Who do I make the check out to?”

Diane was more than happy to tell her, along with the amount, and Buffy wrote down the information, before telling the chipper woman goodbye and hanging up. She stared at the paper in her hands, wondering why it seemed the universe was out to get her. She hadn't even gotten through a year. She'd had one semester done, at least. She'd have the credits from those classes.

She stood from her chair, placing the phone back in its holding spot before turning to the doorway, where she almost ran into Spike. They gazed at each other, then Buffy dropped her eyes to the floor, sighing. “I take it you heard enough to figure it out?” she asked.

“Heard Diane's part, too. You keep forgettin' how wonderful my ears really are.”

“I had to,” she said quietly. Spike began to protest, and she looked up then, silencing him with her look. “With the girls and the First to worry about, there's really no point.” She gave him a weak smile. “I got one semester, at least. More than I ever thought I was going to get again. It's no big deal.”

“Yes it is,” he said softly, his arms opening. Buffy moved forward, leaning against him. She never wanted to leave his arms. She felt safe, with her head nestled on his shoulder, his strong hands keeping her tight yet loose. It felt good.

“I know you, luv. Could see it in your eyes when you called. You wanted to keep goin'. It's somethin' slayin' has taken from you. Again.”

“What would I do with a college degree?” Buffy asked incredulously. “In fact, what the hell would I even major in?”

He turned his head towards her, and whispered into her ear, “Anything you want. You'll get that degree, I promise you.”

Buffy remained silent, not sure whether to believe him or not.

“Get out.”

“What?”

“I said get out. All of you.”

Buffy stared at Spike as if he'd grown three heads. Spike stood his ground, however. He wanted her out, away, as far from him as possible. He remembered how badly he'd lost control.

“Sweetie...” Buffy stepped forward, reaching for him. He pulled her into his arms, then felt her arms surround him. “You don't even know if it works,” she said softly. “And someone has to be here to do the spell.”

“Yeah, and only them. Don't even want Red or Glinda or Anya or anyone else nearby. If it does work...”

“Then who better to take you down then me?” Buffy argued, looking up to glare at him. Spike sighed, ignoring the satisfied smirk she gave. They both knew she'd won. Again.

“Everyone else leaves, though,” he insisted.

Buffy sighed. “Fine. The girls, Andrew and Faith can head over to Xander's and stay there. Everyone else is going to want to stay here, and you know it.”

“And if the trigger works...”

“It hasn't so far! Remember? Everything you thought you did this year was false. The First is good with that mind stuff. So yeah, you and I are staying together. You can't get rid of me.”

Spike sighed, the urge to strangle her coming on strong, and he knew it had nothing to do with the trigger. “You're so bloody stubborn,” he said with a groan.

“Wonder who I got it from?” she said sarcastically, before she smiled. “We can take this. I mean, now that we're done fighting ourselves and each other, the rest should be easy, right?”

Spike snorted, glancing at her. She looked better without bags under her eyes. She was still too thin, but she was at least eating regularly now. He made sure of that. After this was done, he was going to do nothing except lay by her side and feed her chocolate and strawberries all day long. He almost smiled, until he realized it was just another plan for 'after'. She'd get her degree. He'd take her away. Feed her exotic foods. Let her see the world.

After the apocalypse, which they weren't sure they'd even survive.

“You're brooding,” Buffy said, causing Spike to glare at her.

“I am not. I don't brood.”

“You think? Heavily?”

He sighed. “I just...”

“Yeah, I know. I just too.”

He remained silent then, wishing there was a way he could get her to leave for tonight. He didn't want her around, just in case.

But at the same time, he was glad she was so stubborn, so unwilling to give him up. He was glad she would be there.

Just in case.

She could still feel it. It was pure black, and she hadn't even been able to see it. But she could just feel the black, and she could feel it everywhere. Wrapping around her legs like vines, threading up through her fingertips, inhaled with each drawn breath, it had tried to control her. And if Buffy hadn't been there, it very well might've.

“Do you regularly beat yourself up with a two by four?”

Tara started at the voice, glancing up to see Kennedy entering the kitchen. “E-Excuse me?” she asked.

Kennedy rolled her eyes, heading to get a glass from the cupboard. “I can see it on your face,” she explained. “You look like you got run over by a huge truck. Care to tell me why?”

Tara blinked, before shrugging. “I was just thinking. That's all.”

“About what happened in the basement, and how you're such an evil person now, right?”

Tara stared at her. How had she...? “It was an abuse of the magics,” she said quietly, glancing down at the table. “I had no right.”

“From what I hear, it wasn't really your choice. You had someone playing you.” Kennedy took a seat across from her, glass of juice now in hand. “It's not really abuse if it's not you.”

“What about earlier? When I turned you into a frog?” Tara demanded. Although she'd been so mad at the Potential, that hadn't justified what she'd done. No one would be safe around her if she just gave in to magic like that.

Kennedy rolled her eyes. “I was kinda asking for that one. And besides, you turned me back. Granted, it did make Willow mad at me, but I should've known that.” Her small smile faltered, and Tara realized that she really did care about Willow. There was more to Kennedy then the sarcastic, smirking front she put up. She reminded Tara of Spike.

“She's not anymore,” Tara offered. Kennedy glanced up at her then, and her smile was back.

“She was for awhile. Good reason too; I was really obnoxious. I'm sorry about that, by the way. Not sure if I said it before.”

Tara shook her head. “You didn't, but it's okay. I sort of figured you didn't need to, what with me and my dangerous witchy powers.” They shared a grin at that, before Tara sighed. Her witchy powers WERE dangerous, and she wasn't really sure of what she was going to do about them. They needed to check Spike for the trigger, but she wasn't sure if she should be there to help. It felt wrong to.

“Don't. You had no control over what happened.”

Tara frowned, looking up. “What do you mean?”

Kennedy sighed and leaned forward. “Look, the way I see it? You were protecting Willow. You wanted her safe, and suddenly she's hurt, badly. And there was nothing you could do about it, and then all of a sudden, you realized you could do something. You could make sure it didn't happen again.”

“I took it too far,” Tara started, but Kennedy cut her off.

“The First was hoping you'd go down there. You were upset and angry at what had happened, and no one's got any control over themselves when emotions get into it. The First grabbed you and offered you a way to get even. You unconsciously took it. It's not your fault the First used you.”

Staring was all Tara could seem to do. She began to argue, then stopped, closing her mouth. She really couldn't argue with what Kennedy had said, because it was true. Tara wondered why she hadn't seen it before. Or how Kennedy had seen it in the first place.

“When you get emotional, that's all you get,” Kennedy said, grinning. “Or so my grandfather says. The only ones that seem to be okay with being emotional and kicking ass at the same time are Buffy and Spike.”

Tara nodded. “Yeah, they do seem to be able to work things out better when they're killing things.”

“So you're not going to mope anymore?”

Tara opened her mouth to retort that no, she hadn't been moping, then stopped, catching the teasing glint in Kennedy's eyes. Slowly she began to smile. “I suppose. If you stop being such a pain.”

Kennedy shrugged, tossing back the rest of her juice and standing. “Hey, gotta do what you're best at. Another tip from my grandfather.”

“Whose grandfather?” Willow asked, coming in. She gave both girls a smile, taking a seat next to Tara. Tara's smile immediately broadened at the sight of her girl. Her red hair shone, making the scratches on her face seem dull in comparison. Her hand was wrapped in a splint, and Tara could see the tip of a bandage peeking out from the lowest point of her nightshirt. She'd heal, but it would take time.

“Mine,” Kennedy said, passing by to head out of the kitchen. “Oh, and let me know what you think about that threesome idea. When Willow's up to it, of course.”

Willow's jaw dropped, and Tara wasn't sure her smile could get any bigger. “Definitely. I'll keep you informed,” she said, managing to drop her grin slightly in size as Willow turned to her, eyes round as saucers.

“Threesome?” Willow squeaked.

Spike clenched his fists, trying to refrain from shaking. He was bound in chains, and the chains would rattle, telling them just how rattled he was.

He could see them all down there with him: Dawn, Willow, Xander, Anya, Giles, Tara, even Jonathan. They were all there, waiting to help and see what was going on. Wanting to be there for him.

And in front of them all stood Buffy. “You guys ready?” Willow asked her fellow spell casters. Jonathan, Tara, Anya and Giles nodded, forming a pentagram of five points between them all. Dawn opened the spell book, holding it since Willow's hand was unable to do so.

“Last chance to back out,” Spike said, not sure if he wanted them there or not there more. He was safely locked up, just in case, so they should be safe.

But the chains were only bolted to the wall. How easy would it be to pull them out? Then he would be free to enjoy the meals in front of him, trapped in the basement, unwilling to hurt him. He couldn't stop the shudder.

A hand squeezed his shoulder, and he glanced up at Xander. “I'll knock you out, if the occasion calls for it,” he joked, grinning.

Spike chuckled, his tension fading slightly. “Thanks ever so,” he said, sarcasm heavily lacing his voice.

“You ready sweetie?” Tara asked him.

Spike sighed, before glancing up at Buffy. She stood firmly rooted three feet from him, ready to jump in to do...he wasn't sure quite what. But he knew whatever was called for, she'd do it. She gave him a small wink and a smile, and with that assurance, he nodded. “I'm ready,” he said softly.

“What if the First used something different?” Dawn asked.

“That's what the spell's for,” Anya told her. “It'll show anything. The hard part's breaking whatever's on him.”

Willow glared at them both, effectively silencing them. “If we're ready, then here goes,” she said, using her left hand to drop powder into a bowl the others held. “Goddess of light and knowledge, we cry out in a plea for aid and sight. Show us what has been hidden.” She began to chant, her good hand reaching under to join the four other hands holding the bowl. A blue light swirled up from the bowl, dancing in the air back and forth, before stopping. The cloudy path it left behind was frozen as well, as if someone had taken a picture of it, capturing it forever in that position.

Then it suddenly moved again, heading straight towards Spike, and diving up his nose before he could do anything about it.

Spike shouted and clutched at his face. He could feel the cloud running around various places, but he could never pinpoint where. He could hear Buffy yelling in the background, but his hearing faded away to a dull humming sound.

Then suddenly he felt a small pop, and everything was back to normal. He glanced up to see everyone gazing at him, worry and concern evident on their faces. Buffy was being held back by Xander, desperate to try and reach Spike, and Spike made a mental note to thank him later. He'd known that she would've tried to stop his pain, even if it had meant botching the spell up.

Another small pop ran up his nose, and he groaned, cupping his hands around the middle of his face as blood began to run from his nostrils. “Bloody 'ell,” he growled. “That hurt, Red.”

“Sorry,” Willow apologized, biting her lip and looking contrite.

Xander finally let Buffy go, and she ran forward, sliding down to a kneeling position in front of him. “Tilt your head back,” she ordered, already reaching for his chin to do it for him. Spike obliged, but felt her fingers shake against his skin. He reached out and took her arm, rubbing his thumb on it, hoping to soothe her.

“Here,” Xander said, pulling out his handkerchief. He pressed it against Spike's nose, taking up as much blood as he could before refolding it and bringing a clean patch up to the nose.

“Thank you,” Spike said, grabbing the end of Xander's shirt when his friend merely nodded and began to turn away. Spike glanced down at Buffy, before glancing back up at Xander. “Thank you,” he said again, knowing Xander would understand.

“You're welcome,” Xander told him, before walking away. “Now, the reason for this fun exercise was? To see how much blood a vampire could drain out his nose?”

“It's a good thing,” Willow said. Spike tilted his head down enough to glare at her. She glared right back at him. “It was supposed to invade your senses and pick out any portions, such as a spell, that didn't belong. It would've shown it to me in the bowl, but since it didn't find anything, it was trapped with no purpose, so it shot itself up and took a couple of your nerves with it, causing the nose bleed.”

“Gee, thanks,” Buffy and Spike chorused, neither looking appreciative.

Willow rolled her eyes. “You're missing the point Wills is making,” Tara said, smiling. “There's no trigger. Nothing. You're safe, Spike.”

Spike slowly sat up, glancing around at the beaming faces. Even if they'd found something, he knew they would've stood by him, finding a way to get rid of it. He began to speak, but Dawn cut him off, saying, “If you try to thank us in any single way, I'll kick your ass.”

He grinned at that. “I wouldn't mind a thank you,” Buffy whispered, and his grin only widened.

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