Mid-season 4, Buffy and Spike come across the beginnings of a portal. When another version of Buffy, six years older, comes through it, things begin to change.

Willow is visiting Dawn in Rome when she feels a disturbance that calls her to LA. Soon she finds herself in a familiar alley, fighting back the forces of darkness. Willow intervenes in the final battle and she and the remainder of Angel Investigations -- with a few post-battle pick-me-ups -- begin the long journey back into the fold.