Buffy felt great as she wandered up the stairs to her room. Her conversation with Angel made her feel so in control and powerful. She ran up the stairs two at a time.

By about the third story her great feeling was sinking into shame, her running had slowed to a crawl as she realized what she had done. She was replaying the scene over in her mind and she could hear the acid in her voice as she attacked him. When she remembered how she spat out the message from the Tara about him no longer being their Champion she came to a full stop.


Buffy was so lost in her thoughts she didn’t hear the footsteps coming towards her until a voice spoke.

“Hey, Buffy, are you Ok?”

Buffy looked up gravely to see Xander in front of her.

“No, I’m actually a terrible person.” She sat down on the steps and put her head in her hands.

“What are you talking about?” Xander asked sitting down next to her.

“I blew up at Angel.”

“I kind of figured you were going to. That’s why we all cleared out of the library, so you didn’t turn your Slayer wrath on us when you finished with him.”

“No, Xander I REALLY blew up at Angel. I don’t even remember everything I said, I just kept yelling and yelling at him, because it felt so good to yell at him. I really wanted to hit him, but since Spike, I‘m in better control of the physical side of my anger.”

“Well, maybe you needed to be angry and yell and get it all off your chest. That doesn’t make you a terrible person.”

“That might not, but I think extortion does.”

“Ok, now I’m lost.”

“I told Angel he had to pay Spike and I 5 million dollars for all the things he’s done in the past. I also told him he had to give Spike the Ring of Amara back, by tomorrow. I basically threatened to dust him if he didn’t get it all done.”

“Angel has 5 million dollars? Will you remember me when you are rich?”

“Xander this is serious. I told Angel he wasn’t a Champion like I was so far above him. The whole reason I was so angry with him was because he couldn’t acknowledge the fact we were equals. So then I show that by telling him how far below me he is? How could I do something like that?” Buffy didn’t know if she was asking Xander these questions or herself.

“Maybe because you are human…”

“Not anymore, remember?” Buffy interrupted him bitterly.

“And you’ve had a lot to deal with in the past few days. It doesn’t make you a horrible person.” Xander continued as if he didn’t hear her. “At least you didn’t deceive your best friend because you were selfish and childish.”

“Xan…” Buffy began.

“No, I was wrong Buffy, I know I was wrong. I was always jealous of Angel and when Angelus came, it gave me the perfect excuse to hate him. Not that I didn’t already hate him, but then I had a reason to hate him.
I didn’t lie to you because I was worried about you. I lied to you because I wanted you to kill him, for me. I never thought about what that would do to you to have to kill someone you loved. I’m so sorry Buffy, can you forgive me?”

“Of course I forgive you, Xander. Spike pointed out to me that if I had known that Willow was going to try the spell again I wouldn’t have fought as hard as I did against Angelus and it would have probably gotten me killed.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, so in a way you saved my life. Not that I‘m happy about what you did, but it was a long time ago. A lot has happened between us since then.” She gave him a weak smile. “Now I’m wondering what would have happened if I had given Angel half a chance to talk to me instead of just blowing up at him.”

Buffy also wondered if she was going to be able to salvage her relationship with Giles this time. The hurt and anger she felt towards Angel was mild compared to her feelings of betrayal about what Giles had said to her.

“Well, I’m sure you can go back and fix things.” Xander stood up and so did Buffy.

“I will, I just want a little time to rest up first. I’m so beat.”

“Willow and Oz are doing that right now.”

“What’s up with the two of them?”

“Well, I haven’t received confirmation yet, but I believe Oz is staying in her rooms.”

“Good for Willow.“ Buffy yawned. “I’m still so tired. Go figure almost dying again wears you out. Where did Faith run off to?”

”I think she’s going through Robin withdrawal.”

Buffy wondered to herself where Spike could be. She didn’t think he would be this far behind her.

Buffy gave Xander a big hug. “Thank you again for listening to me.” She told him earnestly.

”Thank you for forgiving me.” He told her with a smile. “And Buffy, terrible people don’t worry about whether or not they are terrible.”

She smiled at him. “I’m going to make it right.”

“I know you will.”

Buffy turned to go up to her room wandering again where Spike could be.

“Xander, if you see Spike tell him to get his ass up here.”

“You got it.”

Buffy got two steps farther when the pain came. It came through the bond, from Spike and spread quickly throughout her entire body. It felt like she was on fire from the inside. She screamed and fell on the stairs writhing in pain. She hazily noticed Xander run back up the stairs and start screaming for help, but that faded out as she lost consciousness.



Spike had left the library and intended to go to the kitchen to find some food for Buffy. He knew she didn’t have anything at all to eat yesterday and he had promised himself he was going to make her eat more regularly.

On his way to the kitchen he felt a strange tugging sensation pulling him off in a different direction from the kitchen. He followed it down a long corridor and up several flights of stairs to a wing that looked unused.

All of his senses were on high alert as he wandered down the hall to a door that was opened slightly. A faint glow emanated from the cracked doorway.

Spike peered inside, then quickly opened up the door at what he saw. Faith lay on the floor unconscious. There was a ring of candles on the floor, circling some symbols that had been drawn in blood.

Spike tried to shake Faith awake, but she wasn’t coming around.

He sensed someone behind him, his muscles tensed in defense as he spun around.

Robin stood in front of him, shirtless, strange markings covered his chest.

“Hello, Spike.”

“Well, Robin Wood. Where is your Merry Band of Council Wankers?”

“They aren’t here of course, they couldn’t hide their true intentions from the protective barriers of the house for very long.”

“I see you’ve managed to do just that.”

“Well, I had a little magical help here at the end, I‘ve managed to seal off this wing from their protections spells. The House isn’t even aware these rooms exist anymore.” Spike wondered if it was the house that led him here before Robin could complete the ritual.
Robin continued. “Unfortunately, Faith walked in on me just as I was finishing up my ritual and I had to put her out for a while. She’ll be ok, though. Don’t worry you’ll be dust long before I wake her up.”

“I don’t think so.” Spike said, with a laugh. “I kicked your ass before and I can do it again.”

“Oh, I invite you to try.” Robin laughed right back at him.

As he was laughing Spike changed into game face and attacked. He just reached the man and had his hands around his throat when he felt something like an electrical shock go through him. It felt like the chip that once resided in his brain only it ran the entire length of his body. He howled in pain, as he slumped to the floor. He could hear Robin above him laughing even harder.

“Yeah, that was another spell I found. It’s a protection spell, any demon that tries to attack me gets a nice little shock. I thought it would be fitting for you, very reminiscent of your chip.”

Spike lay on the floor, gasping in pain. Robin stepped over him towards Faith. Spike tried to kick him as he walked past, but as his foot connected, he again doubled in pain. This time the pain didn’t recede as quickly and it was almost a relief when Robin kicked him square in the temple and he lost consciousness.




Giles sat in his office wondering how Buffy was going to take the news that he was aware that Isaac Milton was the one behind the attempts on her life. He also wondered how she was going to take the news that he had known there were probably going to be attacks ahead of time.

The phone ringing startled him out of his thoughts. It rang several times while he just stared at it. He was filled with dread at what news this was going to bring, but he knew without a doubt it was going to be bad.

After it rang for about a minute he picked it up. He didn’t even say hello, just waited.

“Hello, Rupert.” Isaac’s voice came over the line. “It seems now the rules have changed.”




An hour later, everyone was gathered in the library. Willow sat next to a pale and drawn Buffy. She had been trying to work on some meditation techniques with her so she could overcome Spike’s pain. That way she could be effective in a fight if he was seriously hurt. So far they weren’t having too much luck, as Buffy was too worried to completely concentrate.

Dawn hovered near her sister, wanting to help, but unsure of what she could offer her sister besides her support.

Fred was at a table her nose buried in a pile of books while the computer linked to Wolfram and Hart searched their library for her.

Oz, Gunn and Xander had just returned from gathering up all the students, teachers and anyone else that was on the property.

Riley, Sam, Andrew, Lorne and Clem were keeping everyone calm and at the same time getting them ready for the possibility of a battle at any point. For many of the girls this would be their first.

Angel, Wesley and Giles were involved in a heavy discussion farther away from the others. They also didn’t seem to be accomplishing much more than arguing.

“I’m telling you both that isn’t an option.” Giles snapped loudly.

At that Buffy gathered herself together and managed to follow Willow’s instructions. She was able to concentrate enough to at least control the physical pain she was feeling through her bond.

“Ok. Tell me what’s happened. Tell me where Spike is.” She stood up and addressed Angel and the Watchers.

“We don’t know, Buffy.” Angel spoke first.

“Then tell me what we do know or don’t you trust me enough to tell me.” She snapped at them. Willow put her hand on her arm, trying to calm her.

“Isaac Milton is the one behind all this, Buffy.” Giles spoke up.

“Ethan mentioned that. I found out from ETHAN. He said you knew he was going to do this.” Buffy accused him.

“I knew that he thought you were a threat that needed to be dealt with. He was concerned you were going to mate with Spike and he was afraid of the amount of power you would wield then.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this?”

“I tried, but by the time I got to talk to you, you had already mated with Spike and you left not long after that. I didn’t have a chance to warn you.”

Buffy turned and walked away.

“I know it was my fault for the way I attacked you. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did, its just that there is more…”

“I don’t care about any of that right now. I just want to find Spike and get him back. What else is there I need to know right now?”

“We believe Robin Wood has kidnapped both Spike and Faith. Also, Kennedy and Rhona never reached Cleveland, we are missing about 20 Slayers here at the school, 7 of our teachers are gone and we’ve lost contact with another 8 and their Slayers outside in the world. Over 50 of our staff and pupils, almost a quarter.” Wesley picked up for Giles, who didn’t know what to say, he was too overcome with regret to speak.

“Were they kidnapped as well?” Buffy asked.

No one answered her. “Guys?” Her voice was sharp.

“No. They left of their own free will. They are going to join Milton’s new Council.” Angel finally spoke. “They were unhappy with some of the things going on here.” There was no way he would tell her that most were upset about her relationship with Spike.

Buffy’s eyes were narrowed into slits. She knew what Angel didn’t want to tell her.


Willow’s eyes flashed black with anger for a moment before she could control herself. She wanted to kill Kennedy. She hadn’t felt rage a human like this since Warren had killed Tara.

“It wasn’t just because of you Buffy. Kennedy is mad at me, she just used you as an excuse to get the other girl’s to leave. Andrew already told us he heard them telling the girls alls sorts of stories about the two of you. Most of them are just confused.”

Buffy nodded her head, whether she believed Willow or not was unclear.

“Ok. So what does the New Council want?” Buffy’s voice was dangerously low.

“They want complete control over this operation and full access to all the girls. Wesley, Fred, Dawn, Andrew and I would be allowed to keep some sort of position here under their constant supervision, of course. They want to study Willow, Angel, and Oz whom they also plan to keep under tight control using magics and probably some form of incarceration.”

“That’s insane.” Willow said angrily. “How can they think we would ever agree to that?”

“Yeah, they seem to be asking for a lot, what exactly are they offering for this?” Xander asked as well.

“They aren’t offering anything. They’ve already won. They have what they wanted, anything else at his point is just a bonus for them really.”

“What about me? What about Spike?” Buffy demanded.

“They are planning on killing Spike. They have possesion of a manuscript concerning you both, and they know what you are vulnerable against. They also know that your life forces are connected, so when one of you dies, the other will also. They say if we agree to their terms they will spare Faith‘s life, I believe they think she will be too broken to rebel by then. They also said they would kill you quickly. We have two hours to decide and if we attempt anything the offer will be withdrawn.”