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.

Since I have already stolen Drogyn and hopefully given him a better death than Joss did; you won’t be all that surprised that I am playing with the Angel timeline. I’m just borrowing one more character. But I promise to give him back in the same condition I got him in.
 
Dialog taken from “No Place Like Home” by Doug Petrie. Dialog taken from Triangle, written by Jane Espenson
 
Many thanks to my beta No_Promises. The wonderful banner is by 3hours.

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“Shall we get started?” Giles addressed the two teenagers as soon as they entered the apartment. A map of California was on the table, once Willow had broken the diffusing spell she was going to perform another locator spell to find Buffy and the others.

“Yup, got everything we need right here.” Willow said as she patted the bag slung over her shoulder. Willow quickly set up all the ingredients and sat inside a pentagram drawn with chalk on the floor.
 
In the name of the Gods and all ye Spirits
In the name of Kernunnos and the light and the dark
And the Gods of the Netherworld
And whosoever shall be hidden from me
Let them no longer be hidden
Let these eyes see those that shield themselves
This burning be their burning


A sudden strong wind blew open the doors and windows of the apartment. Willow was tossed out of the pentagram landing roughly next to the couch. “Owie.”
 
The map on the dining room table lit up like a Christmas tree, the entire state of California shining bright.
 
“Willow!” Xander rushed over to the fallen witch. “Are you okay?”
 
“I don’t think it worked. That shouldn’t have happened.”
 
Giles looked at the map seeing that further location spells would be useless. “It seems they have been able to cast a much stronger protection spell than we thought. We have no way to discern where they are now. Perhaps we need to research a stronger counter spell.” Giles stated as he helped Willow up off the floor.
 
“Oh no way. Not me. I’m not trying that again.” Wiping her nose Willow was surprised to see a few drops of blood on her hand. “Whatever they did that spell is too strong to break. Only the caster would be able to break it and we have no idea who they got to do it. It could be some really powerful witch.” It never occurred to the red head that her girlfriend could have cast such a powerful spell.
 
Giles paused as if in thought. “Kaledena is unhappy with our progress. She wants them found.”
 
“We’ll get them. We took care of a few of the butchers in town already so Spike’s gotta be hurting for blood. We have lookouts all over town in case they try to leave, everyone knows the cars he and Mrs. Summers’ drive. It’s just a matter of time.”
 
“If they figure out the ritual they will be able to banish Kaledena.”
 
“G-man you worry too much! Seriously, Buffy hates research, she can’t read those weird languages. Have you ever seen Spike crack open a book? Plus you said the stuff they got from here didn’t have the ritual in it. Relax they won’t figure it out.”
 
                                                                                                                                     §
 
“I think I found it.”
 
Dawn gulped, she should be excited, if they found the ritual she and her mom could go back home and everything would be back to normal, instead she was nervous. “What does it say?”
 
“It seems there are a series of spells that need to be performed atop the Hellmouth seal. First there is a cleansing spell to temporarily change the nature of the seal. Then a spell to open the portal and close it. I fear we will need to practice these spells, at least the cleansing spell.”
 
“How’re we gonna do that?”
 
“By testing it on an object of evil to change it’s nature.”
 
“Oh.” You can do this Dawn. You always wanted to be included in the slaying stuff here’s your chance to show Buffy you can be useful! 
 
                                                                                                                                     §
Joyce was standing just outside of a chalk circle watching nervously as her youngest daughter cast a spell on a knife. Wesley explained that part of what Dawn would have to do was change the hellmouth from something evil into something good. So they had decided to practice on smaller items until Dawn could cast the spell, by herself successfully.
 
                                                                                                                                      §
 
“The knife has been used in ritual sacrifices in worship to a hell beast.” Wesley told both women. “I will cast a protection field around it as a precaution while Dawn works.”
 
“Is this safe?”
 
“Yes Joyce, we have been going over the Latin for a few days and Dawn has mastered the words of the spell. The protection circle will prevent any backlash if it doesn’t work. Once she has perfected this we will return to Sunnydale and perform the ritual to banish Kaledena.”
 
Dawn’s first few attempts were unsuccessful. The knife rose from the ground and spun madly seeking to break free from the circle. Every time it would come up against the barrier and fall to the ground harmlessly.
 
After seeing Dawn off to bed Joyce voiced the fears she had been holding in. “If this knife is trying so hard to break free what will happen over the hellmouth?”
 
“I would imagine that it will attempt to thwart us, either by opening and releasing a nightmarish creature or trying to attract those evil demons that it calls to.”
 
“It’s too dangerous. Dawn can’t do this!”
 
“Joyce, I’m sorry but there is no other way. I have given the problem some thought. A connection of mine has told me about a group of women who might be able to assist us. The Muse’s, I have spoken with them and they have no great desire to see either Kaledena succeed or the hellmouth to open. Therefore they have offered to provide a Sanctuary protection for Dawn when the time comes. She will be, in essence, wrapped in a protective bubble that will repel all violence directed towards her. Unfortunately the rest of us will not be included in that protection. Whatever Kaledena or the hellmouth throw at us we shall have to fight it.”
 
                                                                                                                                   §
 
Buffy was relieved to get a call from Wesley saying he had found the spells they needed. “So mom and Dawn’ll be back tonight right?”
 
“No, I fear it will take some time for Dawn to master the spells that will need to be performed. As it is we cannot practice the portal spell. They might draw attention to her but I will teach her the words for it. For the time being we will be working on the cleansing spell. Once Dawn is competent with it I will accompany them both to Sunnydale.”
 
“How long will that take?”
 
“I honestly have no idea Buffy. I will keep you apprised of her progress.”
 
                                                                                                                                        §
 
It had been funny at first, watching Buffy steal glances at Spike when she thought no one was looking. But Tara had been watching the slayer and could see that the girl’s aura was becoming more unsettled as time went by. Seizing on an opportunity when Spike and Anya had gone off to find the maps to look for the underground stream Tara cornered Buffy in one of the chambers they were using as a bedroom. “Is something bothering you Buffy?”
 
“Huh? Oh, no nothing. I mean other than a crazy former PTB trying to kill us all. My mom’s sick and her and Dawnie are in LA.”
 
Tara had figured getting Buffy to open up about the feelings she might have for Spike wasn’t going to be easy. “So how have you and Spike been getting along?”
 
“What?! There’s no me and Spike! No getting.”
 
The blond witch smothered a giggle. “I just meant you two don’t seem to be fighting as much as before. He’s been really helpful lately. Kaledena really hurt him and he could have just walked away but he didn’t. Plus that thing with Riley, I mean we wouldn’t have known what he was up too if Spike didn’t let us know. And hiding all of us? He didn’t have to do that either.”
 
Buffy gave a sigh, “Yeah I know. He’s been really nice about the whole thing.” Ever eager to live in denial Buffy quickly changed her tune before Tara could read anything into her statement. “I just wonder why he’s doing it. There must be something in it for him.”
 
Neither girl had heard the vampire’s return. “You bitch.” Spike stood in the opening to the room a look of hurt and anger on his face. Without waiting for a reply he stormed away.
 
As Buffy went to follow him Tara laid a hand on her arm. “Buffy wait. I don’t think he’s doing any of this for any reason other than he cares.”
 
“Tara,” Shaking her head at the girl she tried to explain Spike’s history. “You weren’t around before. Spike only helps when there’s something in it for him. Sure he helped against Angelus but only because he wanted to save his ho-bag of a girlfriend. He’s a soulless killing machine, he tried to kill me, and he kidnapped Willow and Xander. He doesn’t have a soul; no soul means no real emotions.”
 
“Buffy did you hear yourself? He helped save the world because he wanted to save the life of his girlfriend. If he didn’t have real feelings why would he care if Dru got sucked into hell?”
 
“Can you say obsessed?”
 
“Obsession can’t happen unless there are feelings involved. Granted those feelings are usually the destructive kind but there are still feelings involved.” Seeing the disbelief on her face Tara continued. “Everyone has an aura; demons, humans even animals; humans and demons are more complex than animals. His aura is interesting, when I look at it I can see the presence of the demon, its dark grey almost black kind of murky but there are other colors present too. Reds, blues, pink, orange, yellow, indigo, gold and green. The green is the most important it means the person is a love centered person plus they are on a path that can lead to change.”
 
Buffy looked like she was really listening to the witch so Tara continued. “I can tell you feel something for him. I can see the interest in your aura when you look at him.” Buffy looked panicked at the thought. “Buffy it’s just us here, you can talk to me.”
 
“It’s just. It doesn’t matter what I feel. Willow and Xander they’ll never… and Giles! He will blow his top! After the disaster of Angel he’ll never be okay with me and another vampire, especially one that doesn’t have a soul.”
 
“Um, Buffy I love Willow you know that right?” The slayer nodded at the normally shy girl. “But it isn’t her decision who you date. It isn’t Xander or Giles’ either. According to most people Willow and I shouldn’t be together, they don’t approve. From what you guys have said Xander has dated a lot of demons and no offense to Anya but she’s killed more people than Spike ever has. I think Giles might be concerned for you but I would think he would want you to be happy.”
 
“But Anya’s human now.”
 
“But she wasn’t always and we’ve already figured out she’s not completely human, besides friends don’t get to chose for you. They might not like who you’re dating and they can say so but if they really love and care about you they won’t stop you. They’ll be there if it doesn’t work out and help you pick up the pieces and if it does they should be the first ones to congratulate you. But they don’t get to have a say one way or another when it comes to who you date or love. That’s not friendship.” Tara figured she had given Buffy enough to think about for one day. Leaving the slayer alone Tara made her way back to the main room.
 
“What happened? Spike came storming out of there and took off down one of the tunnels.” Anya asked as soon as Tara entered the room.
 
“He heard me and Buffy talking.”
 
“She wants to have orgasms with him doesn’t she?” Anya’s blunt comment was followed by a statement showing she wasn’t as shallow as they had all thought. “She’s worried about what Xander and Willow will say isn’t she? Xander should only worry about the orgasms he gives me not about Buffy’s.” I will never understand humans, why do they think they have the right to tell the slayer what to do? She’s the slayer that means she is in charge! Anya’s internal rant was getting the normally happy girl upset at her boyfriend and his best friend. “Buffy’s going to have a short brutal life filled with fighting.”
 
“Thanks for that lovely glimpse of my future Anya.”
 
“But that’s what I mean! Slayers usually don’t live long! So why shouldn’t you have someone who can make you happy and give you plenty of orgasms! Plus if you pick Spike you could claim each other and that would extend your life. There was this one slayer back in the early 1300’s her and her vamp had been mated for 50 years! She didn’t look a day over 18. She called me for vengeance you know.”
 
“The vamp turned on her huh?”
 
“NO! Don’t be silly he couldn’t turn on her, he loved her and they were mated.” Anya saw Buffy’s look of confusion. “Seriously what does Giles teach you about demons? Demons mate for life or I guess un-life in a vampire’s case if they fall in love. The pair has to be very much in love for it to work. Humans got the idea for marriage from it. It ties them together if one dies the other dies but it’s very hard to kill them. Anyway she wanted vengeance on a watcher; apparently he had tried to kill her mate. He was hurt badly; turns out the council had sent the man to kill them both.”
 
“What did she wish for?”
 
“That anyone that was behind the assassination attempt would live lonely painful lives and that their line would die out. She also wanted to make sure if any other slayers ever mated with a vamp the council wouldn’t hunt them down too. So I fixed it so that if the council ever went after a mated pair whoever ordered it would die in a tragic accident.” Anya shrugged at the horrified looks on both girls faces. “What I could have had them torn apart by demons or something equally nasty you know. They figured it out eventually though. It’s when they started the Cruciamentum; they were trying to kill off the girls before they could get old enough to start dating vamps.”
 
“So that’s why they did it to me? Because I was dating Angel?!”