Caution?

The night’s activities had been long and very wig worthy. Buffy had managed to beat some of the truth from Ethan. The effects of the chocolate would wear off, however, he didn’t know exactly how the candy would effect the vampire. She shook her head. She really wanted her Spike back.

“Are you sure your mother won’t mind my intrusion?” Spike asked.

“Yes,” Buffy said exasperated, “She’s cool.”

Spike eyed the girl warily. He really only understood about half of what she said.

“Where is your mom?” Xander asked.

“With Giles. They are staying there tonight while she gave the house to me,” Buffy said simply.

Realization struck. ‘Oh my God! It’s not possible. My mother and my Watcher are so not making with the smoochies.’

Spike felt her distress and moved closer to her. He didn’t want to offend her by touching her, but he secretly hoped she’d embrace him.

“I’m sure you’re mother will be quite alright,” Spike reassured, “She seems like a very sensible woman.”

“So, where is everyone going to sleep? I’m exhausted,” Cordy said.

“Uh,” Buffy thought out loud, “Spike, er, William and I will take my room, Cordy and Willow and Faith, you can stay in Dawn’s room, and Oz and Xander, you take Faith’s room.”

“I don’t get my own bed, B?” Faith asked.

“Not tonight. Unless, you want to be in there with two very taken guys,” Buffy said with a smirk.

Buffy repressed a grin as she saw the brunette visibly blanch.

“Where is Dawn?” Willow asked.

“At a friend’s house,” Buffy answered. She was so far beyond glad that Dawn hadn’t witnessed the insanenss that was tonight.

“Pardon me,” Spike said, “But did you say that you and I would
share a bed?”

The color of Buffy’s cheeks went from baby pink to deep crimson in a matter of seconds. “Uh, uh huh.”

Spike raised an eyebrow at the girl. ‘She wants me in her bed? This is very improper.’

‘Relax, William. You must not remember, something to do with the chocolate no doubt…we are engaged. It’s alright for you to stay in my bed.’

The voices in his head were really starting to bother him. He was not insane…it just wasn’t possible. He hoped that if he continued to
ignore them, they’d go away.

“I must insist that I sleep on the sofa. I will be quite comfortable for the night,” Spike said.

Exasperated, Buffy let out a long sigh. “Fine. I’ll set up the couch and close all the curtains.”

For an unexplainable reason, Spike felt very happy to know the curtains would be shut.

After saying rounds of good-nights, the group settled into their assigned bedrooms. It didn’t take very long for the house to go silent. All the occupants lost to the loveliness of overdue sleep.

“Now, that’s everything, huh? No weapons…no friends…no hope,” Angelus said.

Buffy closed her eyes. His words washed over her. There was some truth to them, and that bothered her. She had friends, she had hope, not much but some, and most of all she had weapons.

“Take all that away…and what’s left?” Angelus taunted.

It was coming, she could feel it. The death blow. It seemed rather poetic, in a rather gothic sense, that she be killed by her lover. Short, brutal…such was her life. But then, something inside her clicked. She heard the blade and suddenly, she wanted more. More than she was “destined” to have. She caught the blade of the sword between her hands and opened her eyes.

“Me,” Buffy said defiantly.

Shoving the blade away from her, Buffy jumped to her feet. This was how she would go down: fighting. She would not be broken. The pair exchanged blows. Finally, she forced the vampire to his knees in front of Acathla.

“You can’t do it,” Angelus said, “You can’t send your beloved to Hell.”

An evil smile crossed the Slayer’s lips, “You’re right.”

Angelus smiled.

Buffy pressed the tip of the sword to Angelus’ chest, “Lucky for me, I don’t have to. You sent my lover to Hell, for that, I’ll send you.”

His eyes widened in pain as the sword was thrust through his sternum. Buffy watched as the vampire who wore the face of her Angel was sucked into Acathla.

Buffy shot up from her bed, sweat dripping down her face. Down the hall, Cordellia, Willow and Faith also awoke in the same awe struck state. Across town, Dawn woke, startling her friend.
A moment later, Buffy was in her sister’s room. One look at the other’s faces told her they had experienced the same dream. No one really knew what to say, so a powerful silence filled the room.

“What in the bloody hell was that about?” Spike asked as he stormed into the room.

“Spike?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah, pet,” Spike whispered as he embraced her, “It’s me.”

A rush of energy hit the room. All of its occupants felt the power. They all watched in shocked silence as Willow disappeared from before their eyes.

Once the Wicca was gone, Buffy, Faith and Cordy collapsed onto the floor.

“Bloody hell,” Spike exclaimed.

Knowing that the effects of the chocolate had worn off, Spike dialed the Watcher’s house and told him what had happened. Once that was taken care of, he attempted to wake his girls. Nothing. He knew they were all alive, even the Witch, but they didn’t so much as stir when he attempted to rouse them.

Spike paced the floor impatiently. He didn’t know what to do, and he hoped the Watcher would. A blur of young woman practically tackled him to the ground.

“Bit?” Spike croaked.

“I felt something, then I kinda passed out,” Dawn mumbled.

Spike stared hard at the girl. He couldn’t explain what was happening. He’d felt the rush of power, but being a vampire and all, he stayed conscious.

“What’s going on, Spike?” Dawn asked.

“I’m not sure, Bit. When the Watcher gets here, we’ll find out,” Spike answered.

Dawn nodded and cuddled into Spike’s arms. Something felt very wrong.

“Spike!” Giles called, “Spike, what’s going on?”

Dawn looked up at Spike, “He’s supposed to know.”

The vampire smirked at the girl, “Right you are, Bit.”

The group settled in the living room and listened as Spike tried to explain what happened. Joyce was near hysterics. Knowing that one of the girls was missing and that the other three were passed out didn’t exactly calm her nerves.

“Why didn’t we stay passed out?” Dawn asked, “I mean, we’re connected to the girls and they’re out for the count, why aren’t we?”

Giles looked at Spike expectantly.

“You’re connected through blood. S’not the same for you,” Spike said.

“We need to find out where Willow is,” Giles said, “If this is indeed some sort of magical interference, we can’t assume she is safe.”

A faint sound reached the vampire’s ears and before anyone could ask, he was dashing up the stairs. When he reached the room he’d left the girls in he noticed the two Slayers coming back from slumber land. Relief was not a strong enough word for what he felt in that moment.

“Buffy, Faith, you alright?” Spike asked.

The girls blinked up at him for a few seconds. Buffy put her hand on her temple and rubbed it gently.

“Let’s get you downstairs. Rupes and your mum will want to know you’re alright,” Spike said as he moved to help the girls.

“Thank God,” Giles and Joyce exclaimed as the girls made their way down the stairs.

After a few moments of warm embraces the group was back to business. Spike had once again relived the terrifying moments upstairs and Giles had explained that he had no explanation.

“Uh, guys?” Buffy said in a small voice, “I think I might know where
to start.”

Without any explanation, Buffy stood up from the couch and put on her jacket. She grabbed the keys to Spike’s DeSoto and tossed them to the shocked vampire. She walked outside without a thought to whether or not they’d follow.

A few minutes later, the black car pulled into the parking lot of Sunnydale General.

“Bloody hell, luv,” Spike said, “The dream?”

The Slayer looked up at him and nodded.

“What dream, Buffy?” Giles asked with interest.

“Slayer dream, I think,” Buffy said with a slight frown, “It was last year, fighting Angelus right before the stone thing sucked him into Hell.”

“Oh, Buffy,” Giles said with a compassionate sigh.

“It’s ok, Giles. I’ve dealt,” Buffy said, “It was different this time. He didn’t have his soul when I sent him to Hell.”

“Willow’s spell didn’t work,” Faith stated.

“So, why would Willow be in the hospital?” Joyce asked.

“That’s where she was when she performed the spell,” Buffy explained.

“Uh, pet…what spell?” Spike asked.

Buffy looked up at him with tears in her eyes, “The one to give Angel his soul.”

No words came to him. For probably the first time in his existence, he didn’t want to say something smart about the poof.

The group walked into the hospital and were directed to Willow’s room. There, sitting next to the bed, was Oz. He looked horrible. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in days, but that couldn’t be right. Willow was at Buffy’s house only hours ago.

“Oz?” Buffy asked softly.

“Oh, Buffy,” Oz said as he straightened up, “There hasn’t been any change.”

“How long has she been like this?” Giles inquired.

Oz looked up at the man as if he’d grown a second head, “Since
the night Buffy fought Angelus.”

“Bloody hell,” Spike mumbled.

“You all look surprised,” Oz said, “Something’s wrong.”

Buffy proceeded to tell the young man what she knew.

Considering the circumstances, he took it pretty well.

“Does this mean Angel is soulless still?” Oz asked.

“I would assume so, yes,” Giles said. He removed his glasses and polished them furiously.

Buffy wanted to find a large hole, jump in and stay. She so didn’t want to deal with Angelus again. It was bad enough the first time around, but this time…there was so much more at risk.

“It’ll be ok, luv,” Spike whispered as he pulled Buffy into his arms.
Not trusting her voice, Buffy nodded against his chest.

“Wait,” Faith said, “B, didn’t you sent Soul-Boy to Hell?”

Buffy looked up from Spike’s chest, a new found hope threatening to come to the surface.

“How do we know he came back?” Faith asked.

“The First,” Buffy said barely above a whisper.

“Buffy,” Giles began, “Are you quite sure?”

At her nod, the Watcher hung his head. Things were definitely going from bad to worse quickly.

“Oz,” Buffy said, “We’ll be back when we know more. Stay with Willow.”

Faith handed the warewolf a stake and a cross, “Use ‘em if you have to.”

Oz nodded.

A very solemn group left the hospital. No one really wanted to talk about what was about to happen. The only reassuring thought Buffy had was that she wouldn’t be alone this time. This time she had help. She had Faith and Spike.

“We should hurry,” Buffy said, “We left Dawnie alone with Cordellia.”

The group agreed and they quickened their pace to the DeSoto. Once everyone was crammed in, Spike gunned the engine and sped off towards Revello Drive. All passengers were glad to be unable to see outside of the car. The way Spike was driving made them wonder if he still realized they were mortal and could die in a car accident. Once the car was safely parked, they all scrambled out as quickly as their legs would carry them.

* * * * * * * * * * *

“Daddy!” Dru cried happily, “Pixies told me you’d come back for me.”

Angelus smiled manically, “Always, Dru. Always.”

In truth, he didn’t know what had made his soul leave him. Not that he really cared, but it did make him curious. The first time, it had been because of Buffy and her ridiculous love for him. To this day, it made him ill to think that he had felt things for her. Felt love, compassion, tenderness. Things any self-respecting vampire never felt.

“Where’s dear William,” Angelus asked.

Dru looked away from Angelus, he would be cross at her once she told him.

“Dru,” Angelus said in a warning tone.

“He’s gone off to the light. Poor William is lost to the light,” Dru babbled, “She dances all around him, Sunshine does.”

Angelus reached out with his senses. He didn’t know what on earth Dru was going on about. Sunshine and light. It was nonsense to him. However, Spike wasn’t here. There was no way he could trust Spike out on his own, away from his family. There was no telling what the boy would do.

She knew the moment he felt it. She could see it in his eyes. The way his face immediately when to fangs and amber eyes.

“When?” Angelus roared.

Dru whimpered and moved herself into the corner.

The actions of his Childe did nothing but fuel his temper. He wanted answers, he didn’t have time to coddle Dru into answering him. He stomped over to her and backhanded her.

“When?” he repeated.

Dru whipped the blood from her cheek and looked up at her Sire, “We went to Sunnydale. I told him not to go, the pixies warned me, but he wouldn’t listen. He met her, wanted to dance with her. Always dancing with her, never dancing with his Dark Princess. No cakes for Spike.”

“Well, we’ll just have to pay old Spike a visit,” Angelus said, “Teach him to leach himself onto the Slayer.”

“Not only the Slayer,” Dru said softly.

Angelus turned his gaze back to the girl cowering in the corner.

“Can’t you feel it?” Dru sing-songed, “All the lovely power?”

He did feel it. There was energy radiating from the bond he shared with Spike. Energy from several sources. The same from Buffy. Buffy’s was stronger, her blood held more power. He had to get to Sunnydale. He’d set Spike right and have himself a nice little army. His chance to destroy the world had been fumbled by the Slayer, this time, she’d help.

“Maybe Spike did something right this time, Dru,” Angelus said.

Knowing the sun would be rising soon, Angelus pulled Dru into the bedroom. He had a feeling Spike would no longer care if he bedded Dru and that really bothered him. It was always one of his favorite mind games to play on the young lad. Now, now Spike had Buffy. His Buffy. Oh, he didn’t want to bed the bitch, he wanted to kill her. Unfortunately, that would not be as easy as he’d like.

The air in Sunnydale felt different tonight. The cemeteries were quiet, not a vamp or demon to be seen and yet, there was so much energy in the air you could almost see it. Buffy held onto Spike’s hand tightly. Nights like these always made her feel on edge. She’d insisted that Faith stay home and make sure everyone there would be alright. Also, she’d managed to hurt Xander and Dawn’s feelings by not allowing them to come on patrol.

Spike could feel them coming. Every minute brought them closer to him, to her. It would only be a matter of time before she noticed it, too. It should be a relief to him that things were happening quickly, less time to sit and think about what could happen. It wasn’t. Angelus wasn’t one to rush into anything. He took his time. Everything he did was a work of art, done painfully and slowly. Spike had always been the rash one, the one to rush in flashing a bit of fang and thinking out a plan later.

“They’re here,” Buffy said as she froze.

There was no emotion in her voice, no increase in heart rate, no telltale signs that she was absolutely petrified.

Spike nodded.

“We need to find them before they come looking for us. I can’t afford to let the bastard get anywhere near Dawnie or anyone else,” Buffy said, “I can’t allow anyone to die this time.”

Spike turned back and looked at his strong girl. There were so many battling emotions visible in her eyes. He didn’t know directly, but he knew through stories what had happened last year and what Angelus had done to Miss Calendar.

Following her senses, Buffy took off at a brutal pace toward the highway. She didn’t need to look back to know that Spike was following her. There was no way he’d let her face this alone, they both knew that.

Once they’d reached a small diner on the outskirts of town, Buffy finally slowed. She looked at Spike for confirmation and walked boldly into the diner.

Luckily, they’d arrived just in time. Dru was toward the back, about ready to have her dinner, Angelus standing close by, a meal of his own clutched in his hands.

“Hello, lover,” Buffy mocked.

An evil smile crossed his lips as he turned to face the girl. He’d felt her approach, but hadn’t realized she’d stepped into the diner.

“Hey, Buff. Was wondering when you’d come meet the rest of the family,” Angelus said as he let his meal drop to the ground.

Buffy shrugged her shoulders, “Must have missed that invite, Angelus.”

“I see you lost the illusions of my souled counterpart,” Angelus said.

“That’s all it was, an illusion. Not even worth my time,” Buffy said.

Dru waltzed up to Spike and Buffy. She reached her hand out and gently caressed Buffy’s cheek. “I’ll not be alone. You won’t take my Daddy away from me, Sunshine.”

Buffy raised an eyebrow at the obviously crazy vampiress.

“No, Dru. She won’t,” Angelus said, “We can all be one big, happy family.”

“Minus the family and happy,” Buffy said.

“Dru don’t want to be a family. Said as much when she left me,” Spike said, “So, toddle off.”

The smile vanished from Angelus’ face. He leaned in close to Spike and whispered, “I don’t think so, Willie.”