Spike smirked at the disapproving faces of Watcher and boy. Willow had merely stared at him and then curled up tighter on the couch. Spike sat in an armchair, legs splayed, arms resting comfortably on the armrests.

"So, you were knocked unconscious, woke up in some sort of secret facility, was able to escape and came to tell Buffy all about it. Is that correct?" Giles asked, disbelief evidence in his voice.

"Yes, that's correct," Spike mocked. Reaching into his coat pocket he withdrew a pack of cigarettes, shook one out and placed it between his lips. As he prepared to light it Giles said coldly, "Do not light that thing in my home."

Raising one eyebrow, Spike shrugged, removed the cigarette and replaced it in the pack. "As you wish, Watcher."

For some reason, that seemed to irritate Giles even more than an argument would have. Spike smiled, correctly reading Giles' expression. Those soddin' white coats may have taken away his ability to physically hurt others, but he could still piss 'em off. Not much, but anything was better than the feelings of fear and helplessness that engulfed him. How could he feed? How could he protect himself if he couldn't fight? He was in deep trouble and he knew it. If Buffy and her friends didn't help him, he would not be long for this world.

"Giles," Buffy interjected. "I examined Spike's head and found what looks like a healing surgical incision."

At that, Giles and Xander moved over to look where Buffy indicated. Willow's curiosity overcame her nerves and she joined her friends.

"Yeah," said Xander. "I can see something right there." Reaching out, Xander prodded at the healing wound.

"Hey! Lay off, you great git," Spike yelled jumping up from the chair. "I'm not some soddin' piñata for you to poke at."

"Aw what's the matter," Xander mocked. "Does widdle Spikey have a boo boo?"

"I'll give you a boo boo, you great lummox. Soon as I find out what they did to me, I'll get it fixed and you'll be the first one I drain, I promise you."

"Okay, okay, boys. Just simmer down," Buffy, the voice of reason, interrupted the spat. "So what do you think, Giles? Who are they and why are they doing this?"

"I think it's pretty obvious who it is luv," Spike sniffed. "It's the soddin' US government. Got tired of dissecting those little green men they have in that Area 51 and decided to give us demons a go."

Giles sighed. "I'm afraid, and I can't believe I'm saying this, that I agree with Spike."

"Huh?" Xander exclaimed. "There really are little green men in Area 51?"

Giles closed his eyes as if now he had a headache. "No. Xander. I meant that I think it may very well be a clandestine government operation. Although what the goal is escapes me."

"Maybe they're trying to recruit a demon army to fight the next big war," was Xander's contribution.

"Well since Spike cannot seem to inflict pain on anyone, I don't see how that scenario fits in," Giles answered rather impatiently.

"Yeah, well I don't care if it's a secret government agency, a troop of girl scouts, or the flippin' 700 club," Spike raged. "I want fixed. You lot are the good guys. You've got to help me get whatever they did to me undone."

"Indeed," Giles said. Buffy was amazed at just how much derision Giles could interject with just one word. "We are to help an unrepentant killer regain the ability to slaughter innocent humans. Is that what you're saying?"

Spike hesitated. "Well, if you're gonna put it that way," he began.

Buffy once again stepped in to head off the ensuing argument. "Look guys, while I can't say I'm unhappy that Spike can't kill anyone anymore, I still don't like the idea that these guys have set up operation on my turf. Giles, Spike needs to stay here a few days until those commando guys stop looking for him."

"Here?! Why here?" Giles was not happy.

"Because he can't stay at the dorm and I'm afraid if he stays at his crypt they'll find him. They probably won't look for a vampire in a suburban apartment complex. It's the safest place."

"And we care about his safety because?" Xander asked curiously.

"Because I need to know who these guys are, what they are, where they are and why they're doing what they're doing. Spike is the only lead I have."

"Very well, Buffy. But I want him in restraints the whole time he's here."

"Hey, now," Spike protested. "None of that. I don't need tied up. I'm harmless, remember?"

"Right now you appear to be. But how do we know your situation is permanent? Forgive me if I don't feel like waking up with my throat torn out."

Spike looked offended but Buffy just said, "Fine, Giles, we'll tie him to the chair or something. Just let him stay here for a little while until we know he's safe."

Spike immediately stopped protesting. She was concerned about his safety. All of a sudden his problem didn't seem so overwhelming.

***

Ropes tied just tightly enough to please Giles, but not so tight that Spike couldn't get loose should the need arise, Buffy stepped away from Spike.

"Okay, it's late and I have an early class tomorrow. Willow, you ready to go?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah, I think so." Willow looked completely worn out. The terror she had experienced this evening following all the emotional turmoil she'd felt since her breakup with Oz left the young woman with very few reserves. She was more than ready to seek her bed.

"Okay good. Xander, can you ride us back to our dorm?" Buffy asked.

"Sure, let's go." Xander replied digging his car keys from his jacket pocket.

"Oh, wait," Buffy exclaimed. Opening her purse she pulled a $20 bill from it and handed it to Xander. "Here, before I forget. Would you stop by the butcher's in the morning and pick up some blood for Spike?"

Spike gazed at Buffy and had a very hard time keeping his feelings from shining from his eyes. "Well, thanks, Slayer," he said nonchalantly. "I am feeling a bit peckish."

Buffy flushed slightly, said goodnight to Giles and walked out of the apartment.