Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
 
Many thanks to my beta Leon Stryfe who stepped up when I was stuck and helped write more than a few chapters with me. For all your help you have earned the title of Co-Author for this story and my sincere gratitude. Thanks to my wonderful friend Sweetprincipale who listens to me and encourages me. And the wonderful ending was all her idea!
 
I have played with the time-line a bit in this story. The Angel episode “The Trial” actually aired a week after the Buffy episode “Shadow”. For the purposes of this story “The Trial” happened first. I have  taken quite a bit of dialog from a few episodes of season 5. Shadow written by David Fury, The Trial written by David Greenwalt, No Place Like Home by Doug Petrie, Checkpoint by Jane Espenson and Doug Petrie, Blood Ties by Steven DeKnight, Spiral by Steven DeKnight and Intervention by Jane Espenson.
 
I hope you enjoy the story. This is the longest piece I have ever done and hopefully I did it justice.

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After he left, the three Summers women talked for quite a while. In the end, they decided that they would try Spike’s way first, as they were unable to see a downside to the suggestion. Once Buffy checked Joyce out of the hospital, she asked the gang to meet her at the magic box an hour later. Riley gave the ladies a ride home from the hospital. After settling her mom in and leaving Dawn strict instructions on her care, she asked Riley to stay with them while she talked to the gang.
 
“Riley, I need you to stay here with my mom and Dawn. I need to talk to the gang for a few minutes.”
 
“Why can’t I go with you? I want to help you, Buffy.” Riley's tone and words bordered on childish.
 
“This is the help I need from you. My mom is sick, I have some crazy, really strong demon after me and I need someone to watch over them right now. Can you do it or not?” Buffy was in no mood to discuss this; her mom’s health was on the line and the needy tone in Riley’s voice was setting her teeth on edge.
 
“Yeah, I can play babysitter while you go save the world. No problem,” was his peevish reply.
 
With an eye roll and an impatient shake of her head Buffy left the house, not bothering to explain what the meeting was really about.
 
Buffy stopped at Spike’s crypt to get him on her way to the meeting.
 
“We decided to try your way, Spike. I need you to tell Giles everything. We’ll head out tomorrow at sunset.”
 
“Okay, slayer. It’ll work pet. She’ll be right as rain in no time, you’ll see.”
 
When they arrived, Buffy informed them that Spike needed to tell them something. After Spike explained everything, Xander was the first to respond.
 
“Buffy, don’t tell me you are seriously thinking about trusting the evil undead here. I mean, I know you're worried about you mom, but this just doesn’t make sense.”
 
 “Actually,” Anya began, “Spike's information is correct. The Host does work for the powers. I’ve heard about those quests; if you finish them as Joyce’s champion you can ask that Joyce be healed.” Her voice drowned out Xander’s bluster.
 
“You've heard of this before, Anya?” The researcher in Giles was intrigued; he wondered if the Council knew of the trials.
 
Anya rolled her eyes.
 
“I have been around for over 1100 years, Giles; you pick stuff up.”
 
“Yes, erm well, quite right. I sometimes forget that.” Giles turned to look at his slayer. “Are you certain you wish to do this, Buffy? Have you informed your mother?”
 
“Yeah, we talked about it at the hospital. She agreed with Spike. We leave tomorrow at sunset, if anyone wants to come meet at my house just before then. We won’t all fit in mom’s car though, so Xander, can you drive some people?”
 
“Yeah, Buff.  Hey, who’s car is the bleached menace going in?”
 
“He’s driving mom’s car, with me mom and Dawn. We have room for one or two more though; Giles, do you want to ride with us?”
 
“That would be fine, Buffy. We shall see you tomorrow. Now, go back home and see to your mother.”
 
Buffy and Spike left and the two parted ways outside the cemetery.
 
“Your mum will be fine, Slayer. We’ll get her fixed up right and proper, no worries.”
 
When Buffy got back home, she found her mother and Dawn alone. She led Dawn outside her mother’s room, not wanting to disturb her.
 
“Dawn, where did Riley go? He was supposed to stay here to help you with mom.”
 
“He left a while ago, mumbling something about this not being the kind of help he was offering. He was making mom upset, pacing back and forth, so we told him he could go.” Dawn spoke in whispers; Joyce had just fallen asleep and she didn’t want to wake her. “I had to give her a pill so she could fall asleep.”
 
Buffy was too tired, both emotionally and physically, from the events of the day to even think about trying to find Riley. After checking on her mom and seeing Dawn off to bed, she crawled into her own bed. She just hoped that whatever Spike had in mind for tomorrow would work. She couldn’t lose her mom; they needed her too much. Buffy knew she wasn’t ready to be an adult yet.
 
“Please let this work.” She offered a whispered prayer as she slipped into sleep.
 
The next evening at sunset found the gang in the Summers’ living room.
 
“Buffy, don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you're making a big mistake trusting Dead boy Jr. here,” Xander announced as soon as he walks into the house. 
 
“Well, it isn’t your mom that’s sick, Xander, so I really don’t want to hear it,” Buffy replied. 
 
“Xander, I told you the trials are real; why won’t you listen?” Anya’s annoyance was clear in her tone.
 
 “I just don’t trust him, Ahn. Spike always has a scheme going on. I think he’s just doing this so he can get in Buffy’s pan-- uh, get on her good side.” Xander caught himself once he noticed Dawn in the room. “He is always hanging around, even though we don’t want him to.”
 
“You know what, Xander Harris? I have had enough. Buffy doesn’t want you! I have had to listen to this all night! 'Why does she trust Spike? Why hasn’t she dusted Spike? Buffy and Spike, Spike, Spike,' that’s all I ever hear! Even though Spike has been helping, you still won’t let it go. I don’t think I want to date you anymore.” Anya turned to Buffy, ignoring the wounded and angry look on Xander's face.  “Buffy can I ride in the car with you?”
 
Everyone was quiet after Anya’s outburst. Just as the tension seemed to reach an awkward level Joyce stepped in to break it. Her concern for the upset girl, fear for her own health, and impatience to leave spurred her to speak.
 
“Of course you can, dear,” Joyce said as she put her arms around the upset Anya. “Xander, I don’t know what your problem is and right now, I don’t care. Spike offered to try and get help to heal me. If you can’t put aside your dislike for a moment to possibly save my life then maybe you shouldn’t come with us. Let’s go everyone; we have a two hour drive ahead of us and I'm starting to get a headache.”
 
Spike had stayed silent during the exchange. He knew why he was doing this, he hadn’t lied to Buffy. He genuinely liked Joyce. The fact that he was in love with Buffy, well, that just made him want to try even harder to save Joyce. Buffy and the bit would be lost without her.
 
Buffy, Dawn, Joyce, Giles and Anya got into Joyce’s jeep, it was a tight fit but they managed. Spike hopped in the driver’s seat with the bit and Joyce riding beside him; Buffy, Anya and Giles rode in the back. Spike waited until Xander, Willow, and Tara were in the other car before hitting the road. As they drove, Giles asked Anya to tell him all she knew about the trials.
 
“Well, they are different for each person,” she explained, glad to have something to take her mind off her problems with Xander. “It varies based on what you are asking for, but you have to go through The Host to even get access to the place. He has to decide if you are doing it for the right reasons before you can go through them.” Anya leaned forward in her seat. “I bet Spike has a wonderful singing voice! Have you thought about what you’re going to sing when we get there, Spike?” 
 
“Thought I’d just sing a little in his ear, pet. Not really planning on doin’ the whole Karaoke thing tonight,” was the reply from Spike.
 
“Wait, there’s Karaoke? Cool! Can we all sing?” The thought of a group sing-a-long had Dawn bouncing in her seat.
 
“We’ll see, Dawn.” Joyce's motherly tone had just a hint of mirth at the thought.
 
Before they knew it they had pulled up in front of Caritas. Everyone got out of the cars and stood together at the front door with Spike blocking the path inside.
 
“Listen up folks! This is a demon bar; practically every customer in there is a demon.” Spike turned and looked directly at Buffy before continuing.  “No slaying!” 
 
“Trying to protect your demon buddies, Spike?” Xander snarled his question angrily.
 
“No, you twit. There is a sanctuary spell cast on the place. That means no violence of any kind. If you try somethin’, it will knock you on your pasty arse, you wanker.”  Spike shook his head. “You know what, if you don’t believe me, go ‘head take a swing at me when we get inside. I’d love to see your face when it kicks in.” Spike paused long enough to see if Xander had a witty comeback.  Disappointed, but with a smirk on his face, Spike moved from the front of the doorway.  “Let’s go people; times a wastin’.”