Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Joss Whedon. Just playin' with them.

Thanks for your patience! The holidays intervened and it took me a while to get back to this. Hope my readers are still tuned in!


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Chapter 11
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It was almost two in the morning when Spike and Buffy finally returned to Revello Drive. Spike had held her and soothed her until she was nearly dozing. They eventually got up and got dressed in a silence that came from new understanding. They had maintained their silence during the walk back, each lost in a sea of new emotions.
 
What does this mean? Buffy wondered as they walked. Is this real? Is this just some side effect of whatever happened to us? Where is this going to go when we get our bodies back? She found herself dreading the return to her life. Everything was so much simpler when she was with Spike, or being Spike in this case. She found herself fishing one of Spike’s cigarettes out and lighting it.
 
“Picking up my bad habits, are you?” Spike commented.
 
“Might as well,” Buffy said with a shrug. “I mean, your body gets all jumpy without enough nicotine, and it’s not like it’s going to give you lung cancer or anything.”
 
“True enough,” he added. He hesitated, then said, “Slayer?”
 
“Yeah?”
 
Spike took a deep breath. “You really need to stand up to your mates, you know.”
 
Buffy took a deep drag on the cigarette and sighed. “I’m not sure I remember how,” she said ruefully.
 
“I’m not saying throw them out of your life,” Spike explained. “I know you need them. But you’ve got to let them know that they can’t run your life for you.”
 
“They’re only trying to help,” Buffy said.
 
Spike kept his temper with an effort. “Then let them bloody help for God’s sake!” he said forcefully. “Let them pay rent, or pitch in around the house, or help out at the Magic Box so you don’t have to, or listen to you instead of dictating your every move. But they’re going to drive you round the bend if you keep letting them walk all over you.” They had reached the walkway to Buffy’s house and Buffy stopped, dropped the cigarette, and crushed it with her boot thoughtfully. She looked at her door, seeming lost and apprehensive. “Buffy.” She turned to face him. “I’ve got your back. You know I’ve always got your back. Tell me what you need, and you know I’ll do whatever it takes to give it to you.”
 
“I know,” she whispered. She bent down and kissed him gently. “Just… be patient with me, okay?”
 
“Always, pet,” he responded, kissing her in return. With a collective deep breath they turned to enter the house.
 
They found Willow dozing on the couch in front of a movie. They tried to move quietly so as not to wake her, but she sat up as they were hanging up their coats. “Oh, hey,” she said sleepily. “I just thought I’d wait up to see when you got in.”
 
Buffy found herself frowning with annoyance. “Why? You never waited up for me before.”
 
Willow sat up, a bit taken aback by the tone of voice. “I… I mean we just wondered if you’d be okay. Patrolling in the wrong bodies and all.”
 
“Patrol went just fine,” Buffy said shortly. “But we’re tired and we want to go to sleep. So can we save the interrogation for the morning?”
 
“Um, sure,” Willow said, startled by the brusque treatment. “I’ll…um… see you in the morning.” She walked up the stairs slowly, looking back when she got to the top.
 
“Red. Good night,” Spike said firmly. Willow finally took the hint and slipped into her bedroom, closing the door softly behind her.
 
Buffy rolled her eyes and turned to Spike. “I swear, I’m going to start climbing in the windows like I used to in high school.”
 
Spike yawned and said, “We’ll set them straight later. Right now I’m developing a headache and I’m exhausted.”
 
Buffy chuckled, “Well, it’s either the beginnings of a hangover or the beginnings of PMS.”
 
Spike’s eyes got very wide. “Oh no. I am not dealing with your monthlies. Didn’t sign up for that.”
 
“I guess we’ll have to get our bodies back in order sooner rather than later then,” Buffy teased. “Besides, it’s much more likely the beginnings of the hangover. Come upstairs. I’ll get you some painkillers and pajamas.”
 
“Sounds like a plan,” Spike replied. He followed her into her room and accepted a bottle of ibuprofen and a pair of red pajamas. He leaned up and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “Good night, Slayer.”
 
“Good night, Spike,” she said tenderly. Spike turned to go, closing the door quietly behind him. Buffy undressed and got into bed. She found that she missed Spike’s presence at her side. I’ve got to get the others to lay off, she decided as she closed her eyes. Whether he’s just a friend or something more, I need him around. She let out a long sigh and turned over, drifting off into a sleep punctuated by troubled dreams.
 
Spike changed, took the painkillers, and used the toilet before heading down to the couch. Although he would have liked to share her bed, he understood her need to get back in control of her life before they pursued any sort of open relationship. Having the Scoobies find them waking up together at this junction was going to cause more problems than it solved. In the past he had resented being her dirty little secret, wishing she would at least acknowledge him as an ally in front of the others if nothing else. But now that he saw what she actually had to negotiate every day, he couldn’t bear to add to her burden. Her friends give her enough grief without you piling on, William, he told himself. Be her port in the storm if nothing else. He laid his aching head down on the pillow and fell asleep in minutes.
 
***************************
 
Buffy woke the next morning hungry. She realized that between the patrolling and the other nocturnal activities she hadn’t eaten in a while and the demon was growling inside her. She pulled on Spike’s jeans thinking, I really will have to get some Spike sized pajamas if this goes on much longer. She heard Dawn start the shower, but otherwise the house was fairly quiet. Willow must be exhausted from all her late night hovering, Buffy thought. Grateful for the rare moment of morning peace in her own house, she crept quietly downstairs.
 
Spike was sprawled out on the couch, mouth open and snoring lightly. Oh my God, do I really look like that when I sleep? Buffy wondered, completely mortified. Resolving to sleep with a bag over her head for the rest of her life, she made her way to the kitchen to heat up a mug of blood. She was practically salivating by the time the microwave beeped. She downed the mug quickly and heated up another. With the edge taken off her hunger she sipped this one more slowly. Ok, this stuff is starting to taste less than completely disgusting. We really have to figure out this body thing.
 
Dawn came into the kitchen at that point. ”Good morning,” she said.
 
“Morning,” Buffy replied. “Did you finish your History?”
 
“Yep,” Dawn said as she went for the orange juice. “World War I. We won. The end.”
 
“Ha, ha,” said Buffy, rolling her eyes. “Dawn? Would you mind getting the newspaper?” Normally Buffy took care of that task, but clearly that wasn’t going to happen in her current state.
 
“Right. Flammability issues. Be right back,” Dawn said, heading outside. She tossed the paper to Buffy and went about getting herself a bowl of cereal. Buffy opened the paper and started flipping through idly, sipping her blood while she did. Dawn wrinkled her nose at Buffy’s breakfast. “That’s still really gross.”
 
“What’s even grosser is that I think I’m getting used to it,” Buffy said with distaste. She was in the process of taking another sip when she saw a news article that had her sputtering and choking with surprise. “Holy crap! Another one!”
 
“What?” Dawn asked. “And ew? Blood on the counter?”
 
“Sorry,” Buffy said, grabbing a napkin. “But look at this article! A convenience store was robbed last night.”
 
“Oookayyy,” Dawn said, not seeing the point.
 
“It says that the clerk turned off the security camera some time after nine. When the owner came the next morning all the cash and lottery tickets were gone, and the clerk was sitting there with no idea who he was or what had happened!” Buffy exclaimed.
 
“You mean another case of amnesia?” Dawn said. ‘’
 
“Exactly,” Buffy said. She read the article again, looking for anything she might have missed. She put the paper down and chewed her lip while she thought. “It seems like it must be a human doing this. Most demons aren’t going to want computers and lottery tickets.”
 
“But what’s going on with the amnesia deal?” Dawn wondered.
 
“I don’t know,” Buffy said, shaking her head. She glanced at the wall clock and said, “You’d better be off to school. I don’t think Spike is going to be awake in time to drive you today.”
 
Dawn snickered. “What did you do to him last night?”
 
“He drank three beers really fast at the Bronze after patrol,” Buffy explained.
 
Dawn rolled her eyes. “Say no more. Anyhow, see you later.”
 
“Have a good day, Dawnie,” Buffy replied. Dawn grabbed her bag and scuttled out the door. Buffy finished her blood and rinsed out the mug. She returned to the paper, scanning for more unusual crimes. The house was quiet for once, and she was amazed at all the little things she could hear with Spike’s ears. She could hear the snoring from the living room, but also her body’s heartbeat, like a small, slightly distant drum. She found she could hear Willow’s heartbeat too if she really listened, with a slightly different cadence. She could hear the water dripping in the upstairs shower as if she were right next to it. The world just seems so… alive with these senses. She marveled once more at how much more alive she felt while inhabiting a corpse.
 
Spike was still asleep when she finished the paper, so she headed upstairs for a shower. I guess it has been a few days. Even if I don’t sweat at present. She impishly picked out the most fruity smelling shampoo of the selection for Spike’s curly locks. He’ll probably kill me for that, but it’s payback for making me have to be a fashion victim for this long. When she finished she found herself instinctively looking in the mirror to comb her hair, but was stymied by the lack of reflection. Ok, I guess I can see why he gels it so much. You know it will stay put. She made her way to the bedroom, found some fresh clothes, and went back downstairs.
 
Spike was still asleep, although now he had rolled over on his side and wasn’t snoring. Buffy left him alone and went to do the dishes. She was about to wonder when she should wake Spike up when the front door banged open. “Morning! I bring donutty goodness!”
 
Xander’s annoyingly exuberant greeting was answered by a groan from the living room. “Keep your goddamn voice down, you git. Some of us aren’t awake yet.” Spike pulled the pillow over his head.
 
Xander came into the kitchen. “I see Mr. Cranky is still in your body,” he said. “Usually everyone’s up by now.”
 
Buffy dried her hands and turned to lean against the counter. “Xander. Did it ever, ever occur to you to knock? To call first? To otherwise act as if this was not actually your house?”
 
Xander looked hurt and puzzled. “But Buff… we’re friends, right? Mi casa es su casa?”
 
Buffy folded her arms and sighed. “Yes. We’re friends. But that doesn’t mean I might not like some privacy in my own home. Or at least not feel like I need to be up at the crack of dawn just in case you want to come over.”
 
“What changed, Buffy?” Xander asked. “I mean, we used to be a team.”
 
“Xander, just because I don’t want a revolving door on my house doesn’t mean we’re not a team!” Buffy cried, exasperated. “Do I come walking into your apartment at all hours of the day and night without knocking?”
 
“No…” Xander admitted reluctantly.
 
“Then why is it so difficult for you to give me that common courtesy? I mean, you keep saying over and over that you’re my friend. I would think that friends would respect each other’s wishes from time to time,” Buffy said.
 
Xander had the decency to look ashamed for once. “I’m… I’m sorry, Buffy,” he mumbled. “I guess I do take the open door policy a bit far. I guess we just got used to it when you were… gone.”
 
“Well I’m back, okay?” Buffy snapped. “So from now on, we’re going to use that wonderful new invention known as the doorbell, got it?”
 
“Loud and clear,” Xander said in a subdued voice. “Like I said, I’m sorry.”
 
“Apology accepted,” Buffy said. She took a deep, unnecessary breath. Arguing with the Scoobies always exhausted her. “What brings you here this early anyways?” she asked, changing the subject.
 
“I just wanted to know if there was any news on how we can get you back in your body,” Xander said.
 
At that moment Spike came into the kitchen looking disheveled and bleary eyed. “Morning,” he mumbled. “Coffee?”
 
“I’ll make some,” Buffy offered. “There’s some donuts if you want one.”
 
“I think I’ll stick to toast this morning,” Spike said. “Stomach’s still a bit queasy from last night.”
 
“I’m not surprised,” Buffy laughed. “And you tell me to take care of your body.”
 
Xander looked puzzled. “What happened last night?”
 
Spike hesitated, but Buffy said, “We went for a drink at the Bronze after patrol. Someone drank too much.”
 
“Bollocks,” muttered Spike. “I drank a reasonable amount. Not my fault you’ve got no bloody head for liquor.”
 
“You got drunk together?” Xander said incredulously. “Does that sound like a good idea?”
 
“What?” Buffy said. “Do I dictate when you get to go out for a drink after work?” Despite his hung over state, Spike smiled a bit at the sight of Buffy getting her moxie back. He had no idea what had changed, but it was a fine thing to see. He just wished she would talk just a little quieter, given his pounding head.
 
“Yeah, but I don’t go out to drink with the Evil Dead,” Xander retorted.
 
Buffy slammed the can of coffee down on the counter and turned to grab Xander by the lapels. She was so angry that her eyes flashed yellow briefly, causing the color to drain from Xander’s face. “Shut. Up. Spike is on our side. He’s been fighting on our side for months now. You used him all summer to fight demons. He’s been helping me since I got back. Leave. Him. Alone. Understand?” Buffy glared at him, fighting to keep the demon at bay, but determined to get through to him.
 
“I get it!” Xander said, trying not to squeak. He was acutely aware of the demon flickering in the piercing blue eyes, and decided that testing the chip was not something he wanted to do right then.
 
“What’s going on?” Willow entered the kitchen to see Xander being released roughly by what she presumed was Spike. “Did you guys switch back?”
 
“No, I’m still in vampire mode,” Buffy said, turning her attention back to the coffee. “On the subject of the whole body swap thing though, take a look at the local news section of the paper. There’s been another robbery with that whole amnesia side effect.”
 
Willow pulled the paper over and read the story carefully. Xander cautiously sat down, reaching for a donut under the watchful stare of Spike, who sat across the counter rubbing his temples. Buffy handed Spike some orange juice and a couple of painkillers. “Here. This always helps me when I’m hung over,” she said.
 
“Thanks ever so,” Spike mumbled, downing the pills and juice. When he finished Buffy was handing him some toast, and again Spike thanked her, grateful for something to put in his upset stomach. “I think I can see now why you try to keep the drinking down to a minimum.”
 
“Drinking?” Willow asked, raising an eyebrow.
 
“None of your business,” Buffy said firmly, giving Xander a warning glare. “Let’s just concentrate on these amnesia burglars, shall we?”
 
“Did the paper say anything about whether this effect is permanent or not?” Spike asked in between sips of black coffee.
 
“No,” Buffy said, frowning. “Didn’t say much of anything. I really wish we could talk to the victims somehow.”
 
“We could just go ask them, I suppose,” Spike said. “Maybe we could somehow get in to see them. “
 
“I suppose someone could go poke around the hospital,” Willow said.
 
“Tara!” Buffy exclaimed. The others turned to her questioningly. “Tara can see auras. Maybe she can notice something, or use some of her magic to see if they’ve had a spell cast on them or something.”
 
Willow knew that using magic was probably not going to end well for her, but she was still a little hurt that they wouldn’t even ask her. “Um, yeah, I guess that would work,” she mumbled.
 
“I’ll call her. She and Spike could go over this afternoon,” Buffy said, heading for the phone.
 
“Wait, why him?” Xander asked. “I mean, wouldn’t you or Willow be better for the job?”
 
Buffy rolled her eyes. “I can’t go during the day. Besides, Spike and I are the ones whose bodies are switched around. We need to be at the front of any investigation.” Buffy went back to dialing Tara’s number while the others ate breakfast in uneasy silence.
 
“Thanks. See you later,” Buffy was saying as she hung up the phone. “Tara will come by around two o’clock. Think you’ll be ready for action by then?” she asked Spike.
 
“What time is it now?” he asked.
 
“Ten.”
 
“Given sufficient coffee, I believe I can be ready by then,” Spike said.
 
“Good,” said Buffy. “What else do we know about these crimes? I doubt this is a demon doing this.”
 
“Why is that?” asked Xander.
 
“What do most demons want with computers and lottery tickets?” Buffy replied. “And there were no deaths or anything. It’s like…”
 
“Like someone trying to erase their tracks,” Spike finished. “They’re hitting places where security is a bit lax, somehow getting the workers to forget who they are and do what they want, and then leaving.”
 
“So they must have gotten the electronics guy to bring the stuff out to the loading dock or something,” Willow said. “I wonder if the mall has cameras there.”
 
“That’s a thought,” Buffy said, nodding. “Can you look into that Willow? If we could somehow figure out how to get a hold of security cameras that these guys didn’t think of, maybe we could see who they were.”
 
“I’ll get on it,” Willow said. “Xander? Up for a trip to the mall?”
 
“I think I just had a high school flashback,” Xander said. He stood up and said, “Your chariot awaits.” Willow got up to go get her things, and soon the two of them were out the door, with promises to come back the second they learned anything.
 
“Alone at last,” Buffy said with a huge sigh of relief.
 
“Doesn’t happen much around here does it?” Spike mused.
 
Buffy shook her head. “It’s like Grand Central Station all day.”
 
Spike took another sip of coffee and smiled at Buffy. “You stood up to the whelp, though. I know that’s hard for you. You’re making progress.”
 
“Well, let’s hope they don’t decide to stake me, or you, when all is said and done,” Buffy said. “Not convinced that anything has sunk in yet.” She poured them both a refill of coffee and sat down. “How’s the head?”
 
“Better,” he replied. “That Slayer healing thing must be kicking in.”
 
“It is one of the few benefits of being all chosen and stuff,” Buffy said. “And I guess there’s the job security thing. Especially in Sunnydale. Not like we run out of demons around here.”
 
“Plus you get on the job training,” Spike joined in. “Regular apocalypses. Meet interesting people and then kill them. There are worse gigs.”
 
“Pay sucks though,” Buffy said. She half laughed, then her face pulled into a frown and she added, “That’s becoming a bit of a problem, actually.”
 
Spike looked at her. “What do you have in terms of money, Slayer?”
 
“Almost nothing, actually,” Buffy admitted. “There was a bunch of insurance money, but that got eaten up with medical bills and keeping things going when I was gone. Giles kicked in some which got me over one bad patch, but now…” She shook her head. “Come the end of this month I’m going to have a lot of angry creditors and nothing to give them. I guess I’ll have to get a job.”
 
“I could help you, you know,” Spike said quietly.
 
“How?” Buffy asked, looking into his concerned eyes.
 
“I know you don’t want anything illegal. I get that,” he began. “But I’ve got some savings stashed away. Not much, but if it were invested properly it could probably help out with some of it.”
 
“I don’t want to take all your money,” Buffy said. “I’m sure you have things you need too.”
 
Spike shrugged. “Not really. Blood and smokes are my main expenses. Not like I pay rent or utilities or anything.”
 
“I’m still going to need some sort of employment,” she said, fiddling with her empty coffee cup. “I guess the Doublemeat Palace is hiring.”
 
“Fast food? That’s beneath you, Slayer. You’re too good for that.”
 
“But what else am I fit for?” Buffy asked. “No college, no experience that I can put on a resume. As you said, I’m not a shop girl, or a construction girl. I’m a Slayer.” She stared dejectedly at the countertop, wishing there was an easy answer.
 
Spike thought for a minute. “Have you considered teaching one of those girly aerobics classes or something?” he asked. “With your body and skills, I should think that was right up your alley.”
 
“Not sure how much those jobs pay,” Buffy sighed. “It would be great, but would it be enough?”
 
“Well, it would be if I kicked in some of my stash,” Spike said. “And Willow could get a job as well. If she’s living here, she should be paying rent.”
 
“She’d probably take that suggestion as a sign that I was under your evil influence,” Buffy remarked.
 
“Too bad,” Spike grumbled. “They can’t expect you to work all day and slay all night with no help. That’s fucking insane. And why doesn’t the Watcher’s Council pay you? Bad enough your watcher took off, but they could at least compensate you for your efforts.”
 
“I guess the topic’s never come up,” Buffy said. “Most Slayers don’t last this long.”
 
“Well they’d better change their structure a bit, because if I have anything to say about it you’ll be lasting for long enough to retire with a pension,” Spike vowed. He got up and cleared his place, trying to hide his frustration at her situation.
 
“Hey,” she said, coming up behind him and turning him around. “You don’t have to get so angry on my behalf. I’ll be okay.”
 
“Care about you, Slayer,” he said, fixing his eyes on hers. “Can’t stand to see you suffer, and can’t help but be irritated when I see you being trodden on.”
 
She pulled him down into a kiss. “Thank you,” she whispered.
 
After a few moments Spike broke off the kiss and looked at her, frowning slightly. “Why does my hair smell like strawberries?”
 
Buffy giggled. “I thought your hair could use some TLC after all the peroxide and gel.”
 
Spike rolled his eyes. “Is there going to be anything left of my evil persona when you get done with me?”
 
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see,” Buffy said with another giggle. “I’m having so much fun I may never give your body back.”
 
“Oi! We are not doing a permanent swap here. You’re not making me deal with the Scoobies forever, missy,” Spike said jokingly.
 
Buffy however grew subdued again. “I just hope they will get the hint. I’m worried they’re going to do something stupid that’s ‘for my own good’ and someone’s going to get hurt.”
 
“Won’t let them hurt you, Slayer,” Spike reassured her.
 
“I’m not worried about me,” Buffy interrupted. “I worry about you. I don’t want one of them deciding to dust you out of some need to protect me or something.”
 
Spike’s heart leaped in his chest. She cares about me. Can’t believe it. Aloud he said, “I appreciate the concern, Buffy. But I’m a big vampire, or will be once I get my body back, and I can look after myself.”
 
“I hope so,” Buffy said, leaning down to kiss him again. “And now, can I suggest a shower and some mouthwash? Because morning after hangover breath? Not so appealing.”
 
“The things we womenfolk must endure to maintain our ravishing beauty,” Spike quipped. He separated from her and went upstairs to take care of the morning ablutions, while Buffy turned on the news to watch for any other stories of mysterious cases of amnesia.
 
****************************
 
“What do we do about this?” Xander raged. “It’s like she’s gone through a complete personality transplant along with the body swap!” He was heading to the mall with Willow riding shotgun, and had barely waited until the car doors closed before exploding.
 
“Maybe she’s just… stressed,” Willow offered. “I mean, being stuck in a vampire body can’t be easy.”
 
“I don’t know, she seems pretty comfortable in the Bleached Wonder suit,” Xander grumbled. “And if she’s stressed, why is she taking it out on us? You would think that she would be taking it out on Spike. If he hadn’t kissed her they wouldn’t be in this situation.”
 
“I guess,” Willow said. “But then she also might be wandering around with no memory of who she is. And that didn’t go over well before,” she added ruefully.
 
“All I know is that they’re getting pretty cozy all of a sudden,” Xander said. “She went out drinking with him at the Bronze last night!”
 
“Maybe Buffy’s just trying to keep an eye on him,” Willow said hopefully.
 
“You know it’s more than that!” Xander sputtered. “They were kissing for God’s sake! And, hello weirdness, kissing themselves basically.”
 
“Got me there,” Willow conceded. “That is truly weird.”
 
“There must be something wrong with her. Maybe being stuck in a vampire body makes you crazy or something.”
 
“We need to get them switched back,” Willow said. “We can’t tell if there’s something wrong with her until then.”
 
Xander drove on in silence for a while. “Wils, I know you said you were off the magic. But don’t you think this case is a reasonable exception? I mean, there could be some magical means to fix this problem that we’re not considering.”
 
Willow frowned at her lap. “Xander, I hear you, but I… I really screwed up last time. I don’t think I can control it.”
 
Willow’s voice was pained and shaky, and Xander realized he was pushing too hard. “It’s okay Willow,” Xander said, reaching over to pat her leg. “We’ll work it out some other way.” He pulled into the Sunnydale Mall parking lot and headed around to the loading docks. He and Willow got out and started walking around. There were cameras trained on the loading docks, and they noticed the one near the door marked ‘Electronics Depot’. “Wonder if that camera caught anything,” Xander mused.
 
“It’s possible,” Willow agreed. “Wonder how we’re going to find out.”
 
“Do you think they store the tapes?” Xander asked.
 
“I’m sure the police must have taken everything from that day already,” Willow said.
 
“But maybe they have a backup copy or something,” Xander said. “We could go to the security office and see what they can tell us.” They entered the mall and walked through until they found the security office.
 
“How can I help you?” asked the guard behind the desk.
 
Xander thought quickly, “My car was parked behind the loading dock yesterday and someone keyed it. The cops don’t really care, but I was wondering if you had security cameras back there. I think it was my ex, and I’d like to have some proof.”
 
The guard looked at the two of them knowingly. “Didn’t like getting replaced by a redhead, did she?” he leered. Willow ground her teeth and smiled at the joke. “Well, I’m probably not supposed to, but I don’t see what it could hurt. Where were you parked?”
 
“Behind that electronics store that got robbed,” Xander said. “Weird coincidence. The robbery made me think about your cameras.”
 
The guard beckoned them to follow him into the next room, where he searched through electronic recordings until he found the right date. “Here we go,” he said as it started playing. “When were you there?”
 
“Sometime after noon. Not exactly sure when – I was shopping for a long time.”
 
“Probably why she keyed your car. Spending too much on the new girl,” the man laughed. Willow stifled the urge to turn him into a toad and concentrated on the monitor. It so happened that there was a car parked fairly near the loading dock for most of the afternoon, but it was occasionally blocked from view by customers coming to pick up large items from the loading dock.
 
After ten minutes of searching, Willow said, “Can you hold it there?” The man paused the playback and they looked at three guys loading boxes into a large black van. Willow recognized two of them – Jonathan had gone to school with them, and that other kid was Tucker’s brother, whatever his name was. The third guy looked vaguely familiar as well, but she couldn’t place him.
 
“So your ex was a man?” the guard asked with a snicker.
 
“No,” Willow said in an irritated tone. “But I just realized, there were so many cars blocking the view that she could have come at any time and keyed it and we’d never see it.” To Xander she said, “Come on, honey. Let it go. We’re never going to be able to prove it was her.”
 
Xander was puzzled at what Willow could have seen, but played along. “I guess you’re right,” he sighed. “Sorry to bother you, man.”
 
“Hey, we all have women troubles sometimes,” the guard said. “Just hope she doesn’t go all Fatal Attraction on you.” The guard’s tone indicated that he would actually find that quite amusing, and both Xander and Willow lost no time scuttling out of the office.
 
“What a creep,” Willow muttered as they headed back through the mall.
 
“What did you see, Wils?” Xander asked.
 
“Those three guys were loading a really large pile of computers into that van,” she replied. “And one of them was Jonathan Levinson, from our class in high school, and another was Tucker Wells’ brother. You know Tucker, the guy who summoned the hellhounds?”
 
“That’s right. His brother did something like that too once didn’t he?” Xander recalled.
 
“I think so. Summoned something weird during a play or something.”
 
“It’s not much, but they could be up to something,” Xander said. “So what now, back to Revello Drive?”
 
“I guess so,” Willow said. They got back into Xander’s car and returned to Buffy’s house, puzzling out the whole confusing situation.
 
TBC