Tara hesitated at the door; she could hear a lot of banging, crashing and cursing. She sent a silent prayer to Gaia to protect her from crabby vampires and then pushed the door open. "Oh!"

"Alright there, Glinda?" Spike was on all fours with his head under Buffy's bed. There were clothes everywhere and all of Buffy's dresser drawers were laid out on the floor

Tara admired Spike's butt. 'Pity I'm gay...' She edged into the cluttered room. Anne and William watched Spike solemnly from the safety of one of the drawers. She reached down and gently scruffled both of them on the head. "Lost something, Spike?" She grinned as a pair of furious blue eyes peered at her from over a shoulder.

"No. Go way," Spike huffed and then stuck his head back under the bed. "Haven't you got a book to read downstairs?"

"Nope, Wesley has disappeared with it. He mumbled something about cross referencing it with some texts at the Magic Box."

"Right." Spike tossed a pair of leather trousers over his shoulder. "Never realised the Slayer was such a bloody horder!"

Tara shrugged and folded the jeans that had landed at her feet. "It's a girl thing."

Spike crawled backwards and then sank back onto his haunches. He eyed the grinning girl, who dropped gracefully to the floor and crossed her legs. She pushed her hair out of her eyes. "What are you doing?"

"Making room for the Watcher," Spike mumbled, suddenly fascinated with his hands.

"That's nice of you." Tara waited for the explosion.

Spike looked up and frowned, opened his mouth to deny her statement and then sighed. He shook his head and then grinned. "Fighting a losing battle aren't I? You lot are never gonna believe me are you?"

"Nope." Tara gave him a lopsided grin. "Soo, I guess you're moving Buffy into her Mom's room."

"Yeah, thought it would be good for her. You know, a fresh start. Somehow I don't think Red'll be welcome for a while..." Spike watched Tara closely, realising he may have upset her.

She reached over and patted his knee. "It's alright. I think Willow has a long way to go before Buffy'll forgive her. I think t...that if we can get Dawnie back it'll go a long way to helping Buffy accept Willow again. I just hope we can..."

Spike interrupted her, "You know, the one thing I learned in all my experiences fighting both with and against the Scoobies, is that they always win. Even if we can't get Red back, we will get Dawn back. I swear." He raised a dark brow at the gentle Wiccan. "So none of that, alright, Columba?"

Tara nodded. "Okay. So need some help?"

"Yeah. I was gonna go up into the attic and see if there are any boxes. Can I chuck 'em down to you?"

"Let's get this done." Tara stood, reached down and pulled Spike to his feet.

**********

"Spike! Ow!" Tara rubbed the top of her head and squinted up at the hole in the ceiling.

Spike poked his head out. "Sorry, luv." He disappeared and a flurry of folded boxes landed at Tara's feet, joining the others that had hit her on the head. Spike then leapt down gracefully. "You ready to go in there?"

"Yeah. Let's just get this over with. Umm, any idea where you are going to store Willow's stuff?" Tara pushed a couple of boxes with her foot.

"Dunno. Maybe we could drop it off at her parents' house." Spike suggested as he pushed open the master bedroom door, ushering Tara in before him.

"Thanks. I, uh, don't know if they'll take it," Tara mumbled. "She hasn't really had much to do with them in a while."

"Too bad. They're her parents." Spike paused for a moment. He looked over at Tara and saw the doubt on her face. "Oh for Christ's sake! They're her mother and father!" He started packing and then stopped. He looked over at Tara and frowned. "Too bloody bad, they'll have to deal with it."

Tara joined Spike in folding and packing Willow's clothes, trying hard not to cry or breathe in Willow's sweet perfume. "I'll come with you and talk to them..." She burst into tears as she held Willow's red Muppet shirt to her chest.

"Oh, pet. None of that... Come here." Spike pulled the weeping girl into his arms and rocked her. "S'alright, Spike's got yah. Come on now." He gently stroked her soft blonde hair. "Now deep breath, luv, come on, I can't stand to see a pretty girl cry!" Spike crooned as he comforted the distraught girl. He pulled the offending item out of Tara's arms and eyed it dubiously, "Then again, I'd probably cry if I saw that! It looks like the skin of Anuppet Demon. When did Red skin one of those?" Spike tossed it into a box. "What, didn't get a smile? Bugger..."

"I...I... Miss her, sooo much," Tara hiccupped into his chest. "I ca... can't believe she has fallen soo far! It's my fault, I should have helped her more, tried to do something, anything!"

"Oh, Columba! You can't say that. Red was already on her way there. Nothing you or any of the Scoobies coulda done to stop her." Spike leant against the headboard pulling Tara back with him. "I know you tried, so none of that, she just wasn't ready to listen." He rested his cheek on the top of her head. "I've been around the block a good few times. Seen a lotta things that'd turn your hair white..."

Tara chuckled through her tears and reached up a hand, tugging gently on his bleached hair. She blinked away her tears. "So I can see."

"None of that, missy!" Spike mock growled at her. "What I was trying to say was, Willow was pretty much destined to bugger it all up. Though I thought she woulda hurt herself in some mystical backlash, not take my girl away from us..." His eyes flashed emerald green for a second. "Red is playing with some serious magicks. Things that more experienced players wouldn't touch with a ten-foot barge pole! Raisings are something very few attempt, let alone succeed at." Spike sighed. "She's bloody lucky her head didn't explode or something equally nasty."

"I know..." Tara rubbed her wet face on Spike's shoulder. "Didn't realise how far she had gone until, well, until she began to prepare to raise Buffy. Then I didn't try to stop her, 'cos we all thought Buffy was suffering in a hell dimension."

"Never really got that train of thought myself. I mean, the Slayer fought for the Powers, 'course she was going to heaven..." he trailed off.

"Willow convinced us all. I guess it was easier to go along with her."

"I know, pet. Love makes us all blind."

"She has an amazing power," Tara commented.

"Yeah, but I think she has to learn that with power comes great responsibility, something Red hasn't got. She uses her magic to make herself feel better. Or, as she has said in the past, to fix things." Spike cleared his throat.

"That's why she abuses the magicks. I tried to teach her." Tara sniffed, and then rubbed her nose.

"Luv, it's something she has to want to learn for herself. I think Red's going to have to do it the hard way, so don't blame yourself." Spike chucked Tara gently under the chin. "Alright?" Tara nodded. "Right, let's get this stuff packed up and the Slayer squared away."

Tara uncurled herself from Spike's side and sat up. "Okay."

"You up to helping swapping the beds around?"

"Sure. Um, Spike?"

"What, pet?"

"Thanks." Tara gave him a watery smile.

Spike looked shocked for a split second and then grinned. "Anytime, luv. Anytime!" Spike tried to ignore the warmth spreading through his undead heart, he ducked his head and avoided Tara's gaze.

***********

"Hi, Mom." Buffy sank to her knees and reached over to stroke the white marble headstone. Anya stood under the tree that Buffy and Angel had sat under the night they had buried her mother.

"I came... I came to say I'm sorry. I let you down." Buffy rested her hot face against the cool marble; her fingers traced the lettering on the tombstone, lingering on the words 'mother to Buffy and Dawn.' Her fingers trembled. "Oh, Mommy! I am so sorry! I lost Dawnie." She began to cry. Anya rushed over and sank to her knees, wrapping herself around Buffy's shaking back.

The two young women sat in the quiet cemetery next to Joyce's grave. Both wrapped in each other's arms, crying for Dawn.

***********

"She still asleep?" Wesley walked into the Magic Box and carefully relocked the door behind them. He tucked the keys that Anya had given to him that morning back into his pocket.

"She is. Though I think for a moment she was awake, but I am not sure." Groo turned from his position in the doorway to the training room to face Wesley.

"Really? Interesting." Wesley quickly walked over and peered into the dark room. He watched Willow's sleeping form intently for a few moments. "Look, I can take over for a while. Why don't you go back to Buffy's house, get some rest, a shower and some food."

Groo smiled in relief. "That would be good. Can you manage on your own?"

Wesley nodded. "Certainly. I believe Anya and Buffy are coming here once they have left the hospital. Can you find your way back?"

"Of course," Groo answered.

"Right, well I am going have a read through this." Wesley pulled out the tome that Whistler had given Tara.

"What is that? Will it aid in the recovery of Dawn?" Groo moved over and examined the leather bound book. "It has great power, I can sense it."

"Really? Here." Wesley handed over the small book.

Groo examined it carefully. He opened it and looked through the contents. "I don't recognise any of the text. Do you?"

"Yes, it a combination of Latin and French. However, I needed to see if there was a copy of Destarte's Almanac here. I think it may help in the translation..." Wesley trailed off as he wandered over to the fully packed shelves.

"Maybe there is something up there?" Groo pointed to the loft, where Anya and Giles had stored the more rare and unusual texts.

"Thank you." Wesley carefully climbed the ladder.

"I will return later." With that, Groo let himself out of the shop and disappeared down Main Street.

Within seconds, Wesley was immersed in his research. He carried down several large books and set them carefully on the research table. He sat quietly, his eyes flickering from one tome to the other, making neat notes onto a pad that he had brought with him. Willow shifted restlessly in her sleep, forgotten by Wesley as he became absorbed in the texts.

**********

"You ready to go, pet?" Spike nudged Tara gently with his foot.

The tired girl looked up at Spike and frowned. "It's not fair. You're not even out of breath!"

"Vamp stamina, luv. Come on, I want to get some stuff at the mall."

"Okay! Okay, I coming." Tara stood. "You think we should take Willow's supplies with us? Maybe Wes can decide what to do with them." She prodded the two overfilled boxes that sat on the bed.

"No. Leave them here. I don't want them near Willow, she might get her hands on something and really bugger us up!" Spike disappeared down the stairs carrying the kittens, with his duster slung over his shoulder. He looked back. "Hurry up, Glinda. I need to buy some sunglasses." He stowed the kittens in their box in the kitchen and then plopped Miss Kitty down in with them. "Keep an eye on 'em, alright?"

"Ready, Spike?" Tara stood waiting by the front door. Her coat tucked over her arm.

"Let's go." Spike pulled open the door. He hesitated briefly before stepping into the bright Californian sun and straight into Groo's arms. "Bugger!"

"Sorry," Groo muttered automatically, before realising it was Spike. He threw the vampire back into the house. Spike landed on the hall rug and slid backwards almost into the kitchen. "You said you weren't going to harm yourself. You lied to me!" Groo stepped forward and planted himself in the doorway. "You will not pass"

"You arse!" Spike pulled himself up. "Bloody hell! It's damn lucky I don't wear underwear, 'cos right now I'd be suffering from the mother of all wedgies!" Spike regained his equilibrium and strode over to the glowering Pylean. The shorter man glared up at Groo. "What was that for? Some sorta Pylean welcome? Because I am betting you didn't get many visitors if you did that every time you met someone!" Spike gestured behind him, with his thumb. "One giggle, Glinda, and the cat gets it!"

Tara waved her hands and bit her lip.

"Spike, you were walking into the sun," Groo explained.

"Yeah? Oh hang on, you don't know." Spike walked over to living room curtains and pulled them open. "See? I'm sun-proofed, thanks to Niblett."

"Oh..." Groo stepped into the hallway. He nodded at Tara in greeting. "I am sorry..."

"S'alright, mate." Spike rubbed his backside. "I appreciate the gesture. Look, we were heading out for a bit. You okay on your own?"

Groo nodded. "Indeed. I have returned to refresh myself before rejoining Wesley at the shop."

"Right, we'll be off then." Spike waved goodbye as he ushered the giggling Wiccan out of the house. He hefted the two boxes of Willow's clothing and personal items that Tara had brought down earlier, one under each arm. "Stop laughing at me!"

"Sorry, but you looked kinda funny..." Tara giggled as she got into the Desoto. Spike rolled his eyes as he headed to the trunk and offloaded the boxes before sliding into the driver's seat.

"I will thump you!" he growled.

************

"Welcome to the Sunnyhell's consumer's Mecca..." Spike flung open the glass doors and ushered Tara into the Sunnydale Mall. 'Just get in, find the stuff and get out!' Spike chanted to himself as he eyed the Californian housewives suspiciously as they rushed about in a shopping frenzy. He gripped Tara by the elbow and managed to tug her out of the way of a horde of toddlers being chased by a frazzled mother. "That's why I am glad I can never have kids." Spike glared at the screaming chocolate-covered brats and shuddered dramatically.

"Come on, Spike." Tara pulled him over to the escalators. "I think we need a visit to The Gap, I always thought you needed a bit of colour in your wardrobe!"

Spike glared at the laughing girl as she stood above him on the metal steps. "I will bite you!"

"Promises, promises." Tara flicked her hair over her shoulder and as they both stepped off the escalators. Tara looked around for her shopping buddy and noticed that he had headed into Pottery Barn. Rushing to catch up with the vamp, Tara spotted a sweet ornament. "Ooh, Spike, isn't this the cutest?" Tara held out a crystal cherub. "A little angel..."

"No! Don't need any reminders of the Poof." Spike pulled it out of her hands and carefully returned it to the display. He then headed over to the wrought iron candlesticks and grabbed four. Shooting off in a different direction, he located a basket.

Standing in front of the candle display, he began to indiscriminately toss various scented ones as well as plain cream church candles into his basket. He looked over at Tara. "Get shopping, luv, it's on me. I think we all need a bit of a cheer up. And if I'm shopping in here, then I bloody well am not doing it on my own!" Once Tara had turned to get herself a basket, he casually tucked the small crystal cherub she had admired into his basket.

The next stop was a shop more to Spike's liking that he had spotted whilst waiting for Tara. She had disappeared into an earth mother type store that no amount of pleading on her behalf had convinced him to step into. Spike had excused himself by saying he felt that demon girl would know if he had gone in there with her. The vampire was now happily restocking his music collection. Over the years, he had managed to misplace a lot, mainly when he and Dru had escaped from Prague. He also was now more interested in getting everything he liked on CD, they were more portable and had better sound.

Tara had vanished off into another store after grudgingly accepting the handful off bills he had pressed into her hand.

Humming under his breath, Spike pulled out a double CD of The Ramones' Greatest Hits and added it to his growing pile. Moving to the Sex Pistols, he tried to suppress an excited whoop of joy, there it sat: the Holy Grail of punk. "Pretty Vacant" the live CD. He grabbed it and reverently laid it on top of the entire Clash oeuvre and his Ramones. Stopping off at the Dead Kennedy's section, Spike sang My Way happily under his breath. After this, he needed a break from consumerism; a nice cuppa and something fill in the gaps.

"There you are!" Tara dropped her bags next to Spike and vanished.

Spike gazed up from the cup of hot chocolate and sighed. "Great more for me to carry..." He took a big bite of his chocolate muffin and groaned happily. Spike looked up as Tara re-appeared, cradling a cup of herbal tea and some sort of energy bar. She still looked tired and unhappy, but he thought the distraction of the mall might have been good for her. "All done, pet?"

"Oh, yes. My feet ache." Tara kicked off her sandals and wriggled her toes. Watching Spike devour his chocolate treat, she grinned lopsidedly smiled at him. She delicately sipped her tea before breaking off a small corner of the granola bar and nibbling it. "Much better. So, where to after this?"

"Home to set this lot up and then probably meet up with the Slayer at the Magic Box." Spike tilted his head and regarded the blonde opposite him. "You gonna be okay with seeing Red?"

Tara shrugged noncommittally. "I suppose..."

*********

"Hello?" Buffy and Anya pushed the door open and stepped into the quiet store.

"Ah, you're back." Wesley peered over the precious spell book that Whistler had given Tara that morning. "I have some wonderful news."

"Really?" Buffy slipped onto a chair next to the triumphant ex-watcher. Anya stood next to Buffy, her left hand placed reassuringly on the Slayer's shoulder.

"Well, yes." Wesley looked down at his notes and began shuffling through them.

"This isn't one our texts." Anya leaned over Wesley's shoulder and reached for the small leather bound book. "No, I don't recognise this at all..."

"You wouldn't. It appears that Dawn's absence hasn't gone completely unnoticed outside of our circle. The Powers sent a representative with this to aid in our research." Wesley refrained from mentioning Spike's new immunity, the vampire wanted to surprise Buffy and had asked Tara and Wesley to keep quiet.

"Who did they send?" Anya interrupted.

Wesley pulled a face at the memory of the small demon. "A rather obnoxious type, really. I believe you have come across him before, Buffy. Whistler?"

"Short, smelled funny, with a New York accent and a major 'tude?" Buffy offered. "Met him during the Acathla incident, he wasn't much help then. How come..."

"Whistler! I know him!" Anya interrupted. "He's a balance demon, very good at backgammon too... Though not really the point here..." She cleared her throat and then sat down next to Wesley. "So what's the good news?"

"That the Powers sent this." Wesley touched the book reverently. "I've been translating and cross referencing all morning. It's fascinating..."

"So, can you get Dawnie back?" Buffy asked.

"I think so. I need to fully translate the text. Tara may be of great help, there is a lot to go through but we will get there, I promise." Wesley awkwardly patted Buffy on the shoulder. "Oof..." He grunted as Anya flung her arms around him and squeezed him hard. Before he could escape her arms, Buffy joined in and hugged him from the other side.

"Thank you!" Buffy yelped into the ex-watcher's ear, causing Wesley to wince. He struggled free, completely flustered and rubbed his deafened ear. Buffy pouted at him. "Oops, sorry Wes..."

**********

Rack sat in his car across from the Magic Box. He had been watching the comings and goings all morning. He had observed the Slayer and the ex-demon exit the bank and cross the street to enter the quiet store. Rack had slunk down in his seat and managed to remain unnoticed. Deciding retreat was the better form of valour; he started the car and drove off. The power broker hated leaving his girl behind but he needed to prepare. As Rack drove, he scanned the buildings, searching for an abandoned one, which he could use for the rituals.

Pulling into a side street, Rack drew up outside a burnt out storefront. He got out and began unloading the trunk. He had managed, through some of his lesser contacts, to assemble everything he needed to summon the Guardian.

Kicking the door open, he struggled into the dark, abandoned shop. He carefully laid down the box and his bag of ingredients and began to clear a space. He squinted out of the dirty window and judged that he wasn't too far from where his Strawberry was being held.

Rack began clearing a space for his ritual. Reaching for a bottle of oil, he began to anoint a sacred circle, on top of which he scattered various blessed sands in bright colours. The power broker then grabbed hold of the bag that he had brought with him and placed it carefully into the circle. Turning back to the box, he quickly assembled the final components of the ritual.

Stripping his coat and shirt off, Rack began to carve symbols onto his torso. Reaching down, he dabbed some of the mixed sands onto his fingers and then traced the sand into the bleeding cuts. On contact with his blood, the sands glowed and then were absorbed into his system. Rack stepped into the circle and began to chant.

I call on Galerus, Guardian of the hidden paths
I humbly beseech you to grant your follower a boon.
With my blood I make an offering.
With my soul I make the pledge.
With the blood of an innocent I bind myself to your whim.

Rack reached into the bag he had placed in the circle and withdrew a small faun. With a single flick of his wrist, he slashed it's throat. Holding the small, struggling form above his head, Rack allowed the warm blood to coat his face and torso. Once the blood was drained, he tossed the limp body away. He sank to his knees and waited.

A swirling grey mist appeared before Rack. Gradually, it began to form into a tall figure swathed in dark blue robes, which glimmered in the faint light that filtered into the dusty room.

"Rack!" A booming voice emanated from the deep hood. "I told you not to contact me again..." The figure began to dissolve.

"Wait! Galerus, can't you sense why I called you here?" Rack called after the disappearing figure. Galerus hesitated for a spilt second. He raised his head and scented the ether.

"She is pledged to you?" The guardian's deep voice echoed around the store.

"She is. I need a token from you to escape her friends." Rack shifted slightly on his knees.

"The Slayer. Yes, I can sense her and the others." Galerus span and stalked over to his supplicant. "Why should I help you?"

"Because Strawberry is so very powerful and I am happy to share," Rack offered.

"The Slayer's attention is something I can live without." Galerus began to disappear. "However, seeing that I will not be around ..." As he vanished, a small silver token dropped to the floor.

"Thank you, Guardian." Rack grabbed the token and tucked it away safely before he collapsed, shivering in fear. He pushed himself to his knees. "Nearly there, Strawberry, a few more hours and you'll be free." He had one more errand to run and then everything would be set.

**********

Willow stirred in her sleep. A surge of power nearby had disturbed her. She moaned and flipped onto her back. She could sense Rack nearby.

'Rack?'

'Right here, Strawberry. I'm nearly ready. Few more hours, okay?' Rack's gruff voice filled her mind soothingly.

'Hurry...'

'I will, my girl, and once we are reunited, we will be stronger and safer...'

"Wesley, I think she's awake." Willow heard Buffy walk over to her. A strong yet gentle hand touched her tentatively. "Wes? Anya, she's feverish..."

Buffy sank back on her heels and watched over her friend. "Oh, Will, I can't believe you did this! What happened? You were doing so well!"

'Well for who?' Willow asked defiantly, finally giving up the pretence of slumber. Opening her obsidian eyes, she looked up at Buffy. Feeling stronger and braver knowing Rack would help her escape, Willow felt she could face the Slayer. Willow wondered when she had shifted Buffy from being her best friend to being the Slayer. The angry Wiccan shrugged the train of thought away and glared up at the tiny blonde.

"Willow, what's happening to you?" Buffy shifted her weight and sat in the lotus position.

'Nothing! Just coming into my powers. You know, the same way you did at sixteen.'

"So you think that magic is your calling?" Buffy asked angrily, trying to keep from lashing out at the dark witch.

'Yeah.'

"Yeah? So this calling of yours, it includes hurting everyone who cares about you? Hurting Tara? Hurting Xander? Hurting me and Dawn?" Her fury at un-making Dawn was almost overwhelming her again. Without Spike here to anchor her, Buffy was terrified that she might punch Willow.

"Buffy?" Anya came over. "Oh, you're awake." Anya glared down at Willow. "So, you're going to apologise for everything?" Willow stared silently at Anya. "Nope? Fine." Anya reached into her pocket and pulled out a bag of sand. Throwing its contents into Willow's face, she invoked Morpheus and in a flash of amber light Willow was asleep. Pulling Buffy to her feet, she hustled the quiet girl out into the shop.

"Interesting that she equates her magic as a calling," Wesley observed wryly.

Anya sat Buffy down and pushed a steaming cup of tea in front of her. "Buffy, don't think about what Willow says. At the moment she is not herself! Once she has been cleansed and taught how to handle herself and the magicks she has accumulated, the Willow you know may reappear."

Buffy cradled the cup in her cold fingers. "May reappear?"

"Yes, may. There are no guarantees in this world, or any of the other dimensions." Anya sipped at her own cup.

"Buffy, Anya is right. Willow may eventually accept help; but there is no promise that she will ever become the girl you once knew. She has grown and changed, just like you. I imagine that you would accept that you are a very different young lady from the one I met when I first came to Sunnydale. Just as I have changed."

"I know, Wes. It's just weird seeing her like that. It's almost like Willow has completely gone!" Buffy sipped her tea.

"She has in a way. Maybe once Willow regains her path... She may become an amazing woman." Wesley offered, reassuringly. "I have seen it happen in the past. There is a coven in Devon who specialise in helping lost Wiccas. If the Eistied's can't help, then I think I may try to contact the coven."

"Thank you, Wes." Buffy patted him on the arm. "I am sorry to dump all of this on you first day you're back."

"Nonsense! I'd worry if there weren't something to tackle here on the Hellmouth. Though I am sorry about Dawn. I promise I will do everything I can to get her back!"

Before Buffy could answer Wesley, the phone rang. Anya leapt up to answer it. The two watched Anya as she chatted with whoever had called. "No, I understand. I felt the same way myself at first. Okay. I'll come around and get them. Tonight? Good. Call me if you want to go for a drink or dinner sometime. Okay, bye."

"Who was that?" Buffy asked as Anya walked back to the research table.

"Amy, she called to say that after what happened yesterday, she was scared and didn't want to be involved in Slayer business," Anya explained.

"Oh."

"Now Buffy, remember how I was at the beginning? I ran straight for my car and kept driving 'til I hit Las Vegas."

Buffy nodded. "Well, yeah."

"But I came back didn't I? Amy will come around eventually."

"I suppose," Buffy said, unconvinced.

"However, I am going around to her place to collect some papers and books she wanted to lend to us for Dawn." Anya frowned at the notes Wesley had made. "That's wrong, you need to conjugate the verb in the past tense there." She looked up at Wesley. "May I?"

"Oh sure, please." Wesley pushed over the papers and watched, bemused, as Anya muttered under her breath for a moment and then, grabbing the book, disappeared out of the door.

"I'll be back in a bit."

"Where's she going?" Wesley asked Buffy.

"Probably to get a copy of the book." Buffy craned her neck and watched Anya's progress across the street to the copiers. "Yeah, see."

"She's quite remarkable isn't she?" Wesley commented as he returned to his notes.

**********

"Now keep quiet about the room and everything else, alright, Glinda?" Spike pulled into the alley round the side of the Magic Box. He looked over at Tara and smiled, she had fallen asleep on the drive over. He looked at Groo. "Guess all the housework was too much for her."

"It would appear. However, I do think that you have managed to create an excellent haven for the Slayer to relax in." Groo leant over and gently rubbed Tara on the shoulder, trying to wake her.

"Anything for my girl." Spike nudged Tara in the ribs. "Come on, sleepy head, or I'll have to kiss you awake!"

Tara yawned and stretched, she gave Spike the hairy eyeball. "Sorry, Spike, you really aren't my type!"

"Good to know, luv! 'Cos the Slayer'll have m'balls!" Spike waggled his eyebrows as he slid over the bonnet of the car to open Tara's door and help her out.

"Show off!" Tara grinned and headed off for the Magic Box, followed by Groo and Spike.

"Spike!" Buffy breathed as she threw herself into his arms. Spike cradled her to him and pressed a soft kiss to her temple.

"That new book been of any help, pet?" Spike nodded to the research table. Wesley raised a hand in greeting.

"Think so. Wesley keeps making noises and then scribbling away in his notebook. Anya has been translating as well. Oh, and she knows Whistler, too."

"Short, smelly, cryptic git?" Spike rubbed his chin on the top of her head. "Didn't like him at all."

"Me either." Buffy wrinkled her nose up at Spike. She looked deeply into his blue eyes. There was something that he was hiding; she could sense it. "What's wrong?"

Spike blinked innocently. "What makes you say that, love?"

"I dunno, there's something different about you." Buffy squinted up at Spike. She eyed him, considering.

Spike snorted, "Too right there is! Come on." He pulled her to the front of the shop. "Have to say, your Slayer powers of observation are slipping!"

Buffy frowned at him. "What do you mean?"

Spike pointed to the shop door. "Open it, pet."

"Okaaay..." Buffy pulled open the door and looked out into Main Street. "Now what?" She asked.

Spike stepped past her and into the street, into the waning sunlight. "Come on, pet, I want to watch the sunset with you." He looked over his shoulder at Buffy who stood with her hands pressed to her mouth, to keep herself from screaming hysterically at him for scaring her to death!

She reached for his arm and ran her hands over Spike's upper body and face. "You're not on fire! What happened?" Buffy grabbed his hands and ran her fingers over his knuckles. "No Gem of Amara." Buffy put her hand over his heart, checking for a heartbeat. "No heartbeat. Spike, how?"

"Dawn."

"Oh." Buffy's eyes filled with tears. "Is it permanent?"

"Dunno, luv, the smelly demon said it was the human elements of the Key that I've got in me and that's why this." He held his hand up in the golden sunlight, enjoying the warmth. He looked down at Buffy and leant forward, whispering something in her ear. When he finished, he gave her lobe a nibble.

"Really? You believe him?" Buffy asked hopefully.

"Glinda and Giles mark two agreed," Spike offered.

"You asked them about our sex lives!" Buffy's voice rose in anger as she blushed in embarrassment. She gave him a push and stormed off down the street, straight past Rack and his car, without noticing either of them. Spike ran after the angry girl. In his hurry to soothe Buffy, he didn't pick up on Rack either. "I can't believe you did that!" Buffy yelled as she disappeared around the corner.

"Now, come on, Slayer..." Spike's voice trailed off as he disappeared round the corner after her.

Rack checked in his rear view mirror. 'Good. The two biggest obstacles are out of the way.' He straightened from the slumped position he had adopted upon the arrival of the vampire, Strawberry's ex-girlfriend and the really big guy who was new to the area. Rack glanced back at the corner, around which the two blondes had disappeared; he muttered a spell of distraction to ensure they wouldn't return the store until he and Strawberry were long gone.

Spike shook his head as a wave of magic blew over him. Buffy stumbled and nearly fell. Spike caught her around the waist and pulled her back against his chest. She stood panting, her hands wrapped over his. "Luuuve," Spike drawled as he hitched her body closer to his, pressing her soft bottom against his stiffening erection.

"No! We won't fix this with sex." Buffy wriggled out of his arms and danced out of reach. "I can't believe you told Wesley and Tara!" she hissed.

"Oh, come on, pet. It was after Short Round told me that Dawn wasn't aware of what her host bodies were doing!" Spike stepped forward hesitantly. "Also, it was Columba who brought it up! She was worried that Dawn would feel our injuries when we were patrolling." Spike took another step forward; he brushed his fingertips over Buffy's quivering lips.

"Really?" She asked hopefully.

"Yeah. Look, pet, let's get you home." Rack's spell of distraction began to activate, changing their perceptions. Buffy nodded and entwined her arm through his as they headed off home. Neither of them were aware of Rack. The scarred power broker sat waiting to go into the Magic Box, neither blond were aware of the immenant danger their friends were in, as they succumbed to the spell.

*********

'Wake up, gorgeous, I'm on my way in.' Rack nudged Willow back to consciousness. He checked in his pocket for the amulet he had procured from the Guardian. Quickly assembling the various tricks he had cobbled together, Rack exited his car and trotted across the road. He peered into the window, ignoring the display of crystals and books. Quickly, Rack assessed the situation. He knew he had to immobilize the White Witch first, looking into his hand he grinned. The scarred side of his face twitched, his party surprise would be enough to keep her busy. The ex-demon and the ex-watcher, Wesley, his trawl through Strawberry's recent memories had given him the name, they would be incapacitated by the sleep spell he had prepared, as would the big guy with the bright blue eyes. 'I'm coming in for you now, babes.'

'I'm ready,' Willow answered hollowly, resigned to the fact that she was, in her opinion, irredeemable. She sat up and rested her back against the wall, bracing herself with her feet.

The small brass bell above the door chimed as Rack entered. Anya stood. "We're closed today."

"I know, I'm just here to collect something and then I'll be off." Rack strode into the main area of the store. Tara stood, the hair on the back of her neck prickling. The air was filled with the scent of power and decay, which she recognised from the other night. "None of that, luscious." Rack tossed a small ball at Tara. Before it reached her, Tara grabbed the Powers' book and tucked it safely into her pocket. As the ball struck Tara, it expanded and enveloped her in a gelatinous green jelly.

"No!" Wesley threw himself at Tara and tried to claw his way through to the suffocating girl. Groo picked Anya up and put her behind him, standing defensively in front of her. Anya peeked around his elbow and started shouting at Rack at the top of her lungs.

"Get out of my shop! You animal!" Anya screamed, hoping to distract the spell caster and, in turn, allow for the bubble covering Tara to dissolve. Rack ignored her and headed towards the training room.

"What did they do to you, my darling girl?" Rack reached out and swept her into his arms. With a single word, the ropes and gags disappeared. He walked back into the shop and watched the three futilely trying to free Tara, who was slumped unconscious in her prison, her lips turning blue.

"Tara! Rack, put me down!" Willow gasped as she struggled out of Rack's arms. She ran towards her ex-lover, only to be halted by Groo and Anya, both of them pushed her away.

"Stay away from her!" Anya yelled angrily.

Willow gazed over at Tara desperately. "I can free her, let me help."

Anya eyed the black haired witch angrily. "Do it from here. You are not getting any closer to her."

"Strawberry, leave her and come with me," Rack growled.

"Did you do this?" Willow turned angrily to him.

"Yeah, she was trying to stop me from saving you," Rack lied. "She'll be okay," he lied again.

"No she won't!" Wesley exclaimed. "Tara?" He turned to Willow. "If you can help, do it now. She has stopped breathing."

"Oh baby..." Willow stepped clear of Groo and Anya, took a deep breath and looked down. When she looked up, her eyes were bright red and glowed with mystical energies. Willow turned her attention to Tara and within seconds her prison melted away. Tara fell forward into Wesley's arms, gasping for breath.

"Time to go, Strawberry," Rack called to Willow, who stepped back into his arms.

"Tell her I'm sorry," Willow begged.

Rack pulled the shimmering amulet from his pocket and snapped it in half. A bright flash of light filled the shop and once the light faded, neither Rack nor Willow remained.

"Willow don't go..." Tara croaked, when she realised that Rack had managed to escape with Willow. She passed out suddenly, followed closely by the others. The small vial Rack had dropped began to emanate a black smoke. It was his final insurance against being followed.