Disclaimer still in full effect. They own all, I own none- I'm only playing... and oh what fun it is...

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Giles drove towards Revello Drive with a lightness to his heart that hadn't been there in recent months. His Slayer was back. The girl that was more like a daughter to him than a charge had been given back to them. The word 'elated' popped into his mind when he tried to name exactly what it was he felt.


He arrived at the Summers' residence with Xander and Anya trailing behind by mere seconds. The three friends all hopped out of their respective vehicles at the same time, anxious to get inside.


Only, Xander seemed to forget the importance of putting the car in park and turning it off, so when the car lurched forward he leapt back in just before it rear-ended Giles' car. "Crappy crap, crap, crap." He cursed to himself as he got back into the driver's seat.


Anya screeched when the car jerked just as she was getting out. "Xander Harris! You could've caused some serious bodily harm to me, mister! Not to mention yourself. Then who would pleasure me, huh?"


"Sorry Ahn." He replied distractedly as he moved towards the porch. He met up with Giles on the sidewalk and walked in stride with the older gentleman the rest of the way. Xander turned to Giles with a sappy grin on his face, "G-man! Looks like our bestest Slayer's gonna be back in business."


"Yes, it would seem so." Giles replied distracted. He then turned to Xander sharply, "Don't call me that."


"Sorry G-ster," Xander said with a grin, all but sorry. "Just a little excited is all."


Giles stopped walking and looked at the younger man curiously, "Where do you come up with these loathsome names? Do you just sit around thinking up new ones?"


"What?" Xander asked raising a hand to his chest looking appalled. "No. I'm very witty and inventive in that way; no prior thinking required. They just come to me-- like an epithany."


"Epiphany." Giles automatically corrected.


"Yeah, epiphany, that's what I said." Xander puffed his chest out with pride, "Connoisseurs of the art of funnies, such as myself, don't have to work hard at our jokes, we're just naturally talented."


"No you're not." Anya said, matter-of-fact, looking at Xander with wide eyes. She turned to Giles and gestured to Xander with her thumb, "He lies in bed at night coming up with his moderately funny names and sometimes humorous anecdotes. He practices on me first, after many hours of orgasms, of course."


Giles had to stifle a laugh at Xander's look of embarrassment and a cringe at Anya's always forthright comments.


Xander's face turned beet red and his eyes grew exponentially in size, "Anya! Remember what we talked about? Private moments stay private, and those are private moments."


Before his fiancé could respond Giles spoke up again saving them all from further embarrassment. "What say we go in? We've dawdled out here long enough. We have ourselves a very alive Slayer waiting to see us inside. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm rather anxious to see her again."


Xander nodded enthusiastically while Anya did the same, just with a lower level of enthusiasm; and they all three headed inside.


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Inside Buffy was still seated on a barstool at the island, Dawn on the other, Willow sat on the kitchen counter next to the sink with Tara leaning against the counter beside her, and Spike was settled on the other counter next to the microwave.


For the last ten minutes the group had regaled Buffy with events that took place during her absence, and while she knew pretty much everything that happened while she was gone, she was at that moment having one particular event she'd missed recounted for her. And as a result she had tears of laughter streaming down her face as she held onto her sides.


"Wait, wait. So...Ok," She took a deep breathe, "You made Spike and Xander do what exactly?" She asked looking at Willow.


"Hey!" Willow cried defensively, "it's not like it's my fault that the vamps were casting rejects from 'To Wong Fu With Love'. Tara and I can't exactly dress like men, dressed like women can we?"


Buffy shook her head, "No, I guess not, but-- still, I can't believe you made them do it; and they actually did it."


"Wasn't exactly happy about it, Slayer. 'S not like I willingly participated." Spike pouted from his spot. He pointed an accusing finger at Willow, "Red threatened to turn me into a newt if I didn't do it."


Willow nodded in agreement, "You betch'yer cushy tushy I did, and I still will if you get outta line buster." But her voice held no heat, her cheeky grin was full proof.


"Oh come on Spike! I'm sure you made a lovely 'woman'." Buffy joked before promptly bursting into laughter.


"Oi, Slayer! Who said I was the woman? Maybe Harris was."


She shook her head and responded wryly, "Somehow I just can not see Xander dressed in drag with you playing the doting 'partner'." She made the air quotes around partner and shook her head, "Then again, I can't really see you dressed in drag with Xander playing the doting partner either, but-- hey, what do I know?"


"You shoulda seen him, Buffy." Dawn piped up excited. "With his cheekbones and lean frame; he was a be-aut! Dark blue is definitely your color, Spike." She finished with a giggle in spite of the glare Spike sent her way.


"That wasn't the best part though." Tara spoke up softly and with a grin. When Buffy turned to her with one eyebrow arched in question, she continued holding back a snicker, "The best part was when they had to hold hands and act all snuggly at Willie's."


Spike didn't seem to find this bit of information as hilarious as the others. He slumped his shoulders and lowered his head grumbling to himself. "'S not that funny."


Buffy looked over at Spike and noticed his pouty expression. She found his reaction adorable, and that wasn't something she'd expected. Huh. Adorable-- never imagined that'd be a word I'd use in reference to Spike. But she was turning over a new leaf. She was a 'New Buffy' and she took the advice given and was re-thinking the whole thinking thing. Not to mention the fact that, for some reason, since her return she had a set of gymnastically inclined butterflies in her stomach that put on a show whenever she looked at him.


The other females ignored his comment and continued giggling. "What was this for again?" Buffy asked Willow as she finally looked away from Spike. "Why did the boys have to make with the fake man lovin', just to go after some random vamps?"


"Well, we had heard that they were after this really powerful amulet. It was reported to have many supernatural qualities. One of which was added strength." She shrugged her shoulders, "We figured it was better if we got our hands on it first. So-- stakeout." She finished simply, looking at her best friend.


"And the dress comes in where?"


"Turned out a simple stakeout didn't work as well as we'd hoped. We needed some way to get closer; see if we could hear anything."


Dawn nodded her head, "Yeah. One night when we went to the movies, we saw 'Sorority Boys' and Xander made the comment that the movie was, and I quote: 'Stupid and totally far fetched. No self respecting member of the male species would ever dress in drag just to spy. We tend to go more for the suave, debonair, 007 kind of spying.'" The younger Summers shrugged her shoulders, "We all looked at each other-- you could practically see the light bulbs coming on over our heads, well 'cept Xander-- and then voila! The next day was spent finding Spike a suitable dress, teaching Xander to act more feminine, and assuring Anya that he wasn't really gay and that he wouldn't leave her for another man."


Images of a frantic Anya popped into Buffy's head, which caused her to double over in laughter again. But then she began to wonder how, exactly, she had missed all this. Her mother, Whistler, and she had watched their TV pretty much constantly. Guess with the time differences it's possible, but-- damn I woulda loved to have seen that!


The others joined in her laughter, again, shortly thereafter and even Spike couldn't suppress the smile that blossomed on his face at the sight before him. He was definitely not enjoying the humiliation factor, but seeing his Slayer laughing and living again wasn't something he was willing to put an end to anytime soon. And the fact that she was treating him like an actual person, and dare he say friend, was an added bonus. So he played the part of the embarrassed, grumpy vampire all the while smiling on the inside.


Willow finally regained her composure enough to finish up the story, "OK, so-- we got Spike all gussied up and Xander all trained in the art of 'flaming'. Then they went to Willie's and acted all couple-y; holding hands, talking quietly--"


She was cut off when Buffy interjected, "I can just imagine the colorful conversation they had." Everyone chuckled at the Slayer's comment.


"I know, I know. They sat in the back of the bar in a little booth close to the Wong Fu-ers so they could hear what they were saying." Willow continued, "They were only there for a little bit before they heard the first mention of the amulet."


Spike scoffed, "Yeah, and what did we hear?" Willow had the decency to look at him shamefaced and he glared in response. "Seems the rainbow club thought the little bobble was pretty. Shiny. Thought it might go well with an outfit or two."


Buffy stopped laughing and looked at the blond and red head with wide eyes. A small smile began to crack through, "They just wanted a new accessory? Something that would match both their evening gowns and massacre wear?" She laughed all out then. "So they weren't even a threat? Well-- not a threat in the sense that they wanted to get the amulet and become all powerful, but more like, 'Oh my God! where did you get that fabulous necklace' type of thing." She giggled. "So, no world endage planned then?"


"Nope." Willow confirmed. "No world endage that week."


"Yeah. No world endage for you. I'm the one forever scarred. And forever is forever to me," Spike grumbled.


"Doesn't hafta be that way, Junior. I could always take care of that forever problem for ya." Buffy cheekily offered, and then she turned back to face Willow with beseeching eyes. "Please, please-- tell me you got pictures?"


Being as caught up in 'storytime' as they were, the occupants of the Summers' household didn't hear the cars pull up outside; or the muffled conversation being held on the front porch. So when they suddenly heard Xander's voice, they all turned surprised faces towards the door leading to the kitchen.


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The three newcomers walked into the kitchen just as Buffy, Dawn, Willow and Tara all erupted into raucous laughter. As Xander came into the room fully, he held up the hand in which he held Spike's keys. He looked at the blond vampire, "Ya know Spike? There's this common ritual practiced among us humans. It's something we like to refer to as 'the key removal'. It's where you take these," he held up Spike's keys and shook them slightly, "unlock the door; then take them back out and place them firmly in your pocket. Or, if there's a special little hook somewhere that they call home, you stick 'em on there." Xander shrugged his shoulders going for a look of nonchalance, "I dunno. Do what ya want. Just figured you wouldn't want copies of the key passed out to all the bad guys. Would kinda defeat the purpose, yeah?"


"Can it Whelp," Spike responded. But Xander's-- and everyone else's-- attention was solely on the Slayer sitting at the kitchen island.


When a full thirty seconds had passed with no one breaking the silence, Buffy spoke up. "What? I don't still look dead, do I?" She asked with a smile, looking to the three standing in the doorway.


That seemed to break the spell over the room as Xander walked up to Buffy and gave her a hug with almost enough force to knock her off her stool. "Buffster! You are a sight for sore eyes."


She chuckled in response, "So I take that as a no then, huh?" Xander backed away and allowed Buffy to stand.


Giles walked up and stood in the spot previously occupied by Xander. "Buffy." He whispered, almost choked up.


"That's me." She answered with a watery smile. He opened his arms and she flung herself into them, hugging him fiercely.


"You are quite the miracle young lady." He whispered in her hair, causing her arms to tighten around his middle. He wheezed a bit, "And still quite strong, I see."


Buffy released him and backed away embarrassed. "Sorry Giles, I seem to have a problem in the hugging too hard area."


"Quite alright," Giles was quick to reassure her, "nothing was broken, I assure you." He rubbed his side and grimaced slightly, but tried to cover so Buffy wouldn't feel bad. "I'm just glad you're here to hug in the first place." He told her with a smile.


Suddenly Giles was shoved out of the way and Buffy found herself engulfed in Anya's arms. "I'm glad you're not dead now."


Buffy smiled and hugged the other girl back awkwardly, "Thanks Anya. I think."


Anya pulled back to arm's length with her hands still on Buffy's upper arms and looked the Slayer in the eyes, "No, I'm being sincere. I'm really glad you're not dead anymore. I missed you. It was weird." She released the Slayer and stepped back next to her fiance.


Buffy had to smile at Anya's choice of words, Good ole Anya-- blunt as ever.


Silence descended over the room once again. The weirdness of the situation wasn't lost on Buffy, See... I knew I was right. Weirdness abounds for Buffy. As always. I hope his immortal twerp-iness is watching this. She thought to herself with a grumble when she thought of Whistler.


Buffy was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable with the quiet. Sure, she knew it would be an adjustment for everyone. I mean, hello! Dead girl not so dead anymore. But the staring thing was kinda creepy after a few minutes. She looked across the room at Spike and saw that he was watching her with the same adoration as everyone else, but there was also a hint of something more there. His eyes held a softness that she'd always tried to ignore; like he knew exactly what she was thinking and what she was feeling. And she found that his stare wasn't really in the creepy category, more flattering than anything. That would, under normal circumstances, be kind of wiggy; but Buffy was starting to realize that the rule of thumb for normal circumstances didn't apply to her, or the people surrounding her. She couldn't blame it all on the Hellmouth either-- she had a feeling that her life would be just as strange without it.


When Spike noticed that Buffy was looking at him he tilted his head, slightly, to the side and gave her a small smile. She graced him with a smile that made his still heart somersault in his chest. He knew that she wasn't relishing this moment. Her merry band of do gooders, himself included, were all acting like she was the second coming. But, if one thought about it-- she was. She's a bloody savior to the lot of us. A savior, a protector; he wanted to say angel, but there was no way he'd ever call his Slayer that. No, that name was forever ruined by the poof. She's a cherub, that's what she is-- with hair of golden spindle and eyes that shine like a million stars. With the heart of the world and the strength of a beautiful warrior. His inner Spike sent his inner William a scowl as he heard the pathetic attempt at poetry resound through his head. Then his inner demon brought his arm up and drove his fist straight into inner Spike's nose. Bugger off you nit! Even if it is sappy, sickeningly romantic drivel-- at least the wanker knows she's shag worthy. Spike realized that his entire 'being' was in complete agreement when it came to Buffy. He was hopelessly lost in love no matter which side of him you asked.


The two blondes held each other's gaze when the silence remained heavy in the air. That did not go unnoticed by the Slayer's friends and family. Dawn mentally hopped up and down and screeched at the obvious connection between her two favorite people. She hoped that Buffy was finally over her 'Spike = evil' thing, and that she'd realize that she had a major hottie totally caught in her web. She didn't think she'd every be happier than if they got together.


They should just bone and get it over with. Sheesh, they act like grade schoolers-- being mean to each other because they like each other. Dawn giggled silently when the image of a little Spike pulling a little Buffy's pigtail, and then little Buffy chasing him around threatening to stake him. She knew that sometime in the near future she'd be envisioning the three of them all under the Summers' roof, like one big-- or smallish-- happy family. How freakin' awesome would that be? She wanted her sister to be happy and she just knew that Spike was the perfect person, er vampire, for the job. She knew that her sister needed someone that loved her no matter what. Someone that wouldn't run away at the first sign of drama, that wouldn't leave her for her own good. Butthead. She thought as she imagined herself kicking Angel really hard in the ass. And Spike would definitely never do either of those things. Now-- if only she'd stop being so hard headed and notice what she has in front of her.


Dawn continued to watch the interaction as she thought to herself, while Willow, Giles, Tara and Xander were all caught up in their own thoughts on the blonde duo. Willow and Giles were highly speculative on the prospect of Spike and Buffy being involved, Tara thought it was cute and that the both of them deserved some happiness. Aside from the fact that their auras were mingling together whenever they were close, she thought they would both be good for each other.


Xander stood with a constant loop of, What's this? What's going on? Why are they looking at each other like that? Since when does the Buffster stare at Deadboy Jr. without a hint of glare-y-ness in her eyes? He wasn't as entirely opposed to the idea as he would've been months ago. He had after all worked beside Spike all summer when Buffy was gone. He'd noticed the changes in the vampire, even if he wasn't sure he wanted to admit it. Sure, he'd kept up pretenses most of the time, let everyone believe he still hated Spike with a fiery passion, but he secretly enjoyed having another male in the group. Since Oz had gone, and now Riley, Xander was seriously lacking in the sharing of testosterone and male bonding department.


Yeah, there's Giles, but he's the dad of us, it's just not the same. Plus, the old coot can't play pool to stop an apocalypse. But all of those things didn't mean that he wanted Buffy to take on Spike as her newest boyfriend and get all mushy-gushy, cuddly-wuddly with him either. Of course, he'd never been exactly ecstatic when she had a boyfriend in the first place, he still carried a small torch for the Slayer, and he had Anya now, so it wasn't totally a jealous thing, but because of past experiences with male members of the vampire species, he wasn't exactly doing the snoopy dance in his head.


Anya simply stood beside Xander eyeing Buffy and Spike and wondering why no one else was commenting on the fact that the energy between the two was palpable. Happyland and orgasms would do wonders for those two. Why humans continue to ignore these things is beyond me. But for once she kept her mouth shut and sat examining her manicured nails.


When silence continued to reign over the room Buffy shifted uncomfortably and her eyes darted around avoiding everyone in the room, save Spike. When their gazes connected she sent him a silent plea of 'Now would be about the time you usually say something smart ass-y.'


The right corner of his lip lifted just a bit before he stood up straight and did just as she asked, "A'right you gits, 'at's enough of the starin' and gawkin'. I'm sure you've all got questions burnin' in the backs o' your throats." He pointed to Giles, "'Specially you Watcher. So why don't we get the Q&A session over with so I don't have to stand around and watch the lot of ya bein' all weird."


Giles took his glasses off and began wiping them on his shirt tail, "Yes, I suppose that'd be a capital plan."


Spike snickered loudly and then spoke in an upper class British accent mimicking Giles, "Yes, I suppose that'd be a capital plan. God you're such a nancy."


He placed his glasses back on and glared at the blond vampire, "You know Spike, if you don't want to be here, I'm sure there are some demons lurking about tonight, you could take out your aggressions on them, or possibly some mildly illegal activities that you could partake in."


Xander walked up to Spike and slapped him on the back, "Yeah, or you could go on the hunt and scowl at people all night. You know, be the Big Bad again... well, the Big Bad Scowler."


Spike answered the younger man's antics with one of the patented scowls that had been mentioned, and an accompanying elbow to the ribs to which both men responded to with a yelp of pain. Spike grabbed the front of his head and squeezed his eyes shut tight while Xander grabbed onto his side and winced. Anya jumped from her place on one of the stools and ran to Xander's side with a constant stream of 'are you ok?' and 'you deserved it' and 'Spike don't hurt him' coming out of her mouth over and over.


When Spike cried out in pain, Buffy found herself almost jumping to his side to make sure he was ok and not Xander. He had after all only been doing what she'd wanted and Giles and Xander had given him a hard time. While she wasn't condoning him inflicting pain on one of her best friends, she also realized that Xander deserved it.


Ok, I'm officially aboard the wig train. Since when do I worry about and take up for Spike over Xander? She caught herself before she actually made it off of her stool and caused the others to question her sanity, but just barely. She knew that they were thinking that she was a bit crazy right now anyway since she hadn't kicked Spike out of her house yet, but she didn't want to amplify their thinking on the matter.


But Xander was acting like an ass, so why would it be so strange if I made it known that I felt that way? If she was going to follow through on the whole new Buffy-ness thing she had going, she knew she would have to stop worrying about her friends' reactions so much. But that was going to take some work and lots of effort. It wasn't exactly something she could just do over night either, she'd have to ease them into it, Take it slow and watch out for their reactions to my reactions.


Once he recovered from his head zap Spike looked at Xander, "Again, it was worth it."


"Shut it 'Almost Scary One'." Xander grumbled while continuing to rub his side as Anya fawned over him. Spike simply glared at him while everyone else let out a small giggle over their antics, thereby missing the almost glare Buffy sent Xander herself.


"Yes, well now that that's over with," Giles looked at the two men reproachfully then to Buffy, "Why don't we go into the living room and have us a chat?"


Even though Buffy had known she'd have to go over everything she still didn't look forward to playing a super sized game of twenty questions. More like a gazillion questions. She grumbled silently while standing from her stool.


"Guess so. Let's get this boat show on the road." She said as she moved towards the living room.


Spike fell in directly behind her and everyone else followed diligently as they made their way into the other room. Once in the room, Buffy seated herself in one of the chairs, Spike leaned up against the door frame leading to the foyer, Giles took up sentry at the fireplace with one arm on the mantle, Tara took up her regular station at the desk, paper and pen at the ready, and Xander, Willow and Dawn all sat on the sofa with Anya sitting on the arm next to her fiance.


Buffy sat wringing her hands nervously and staring at her lap as she tried to figure out where to begin her tale. When Giles cleared his throat she finally looked up, "Ok, so where do ya want me to start?"


Everyone began firing off questions in quick succession all at the same time.


"Where were you?" from Willow.


"Was it Heaven?" from Tara.


"What was it like?" from Dawn.


"Did you meet any dead famous people?" from Xander.


"Did you have to wear flowy gowns and hippie sandals?" from Anya.


Giles, like Spike, remained quiet and studied his Slayer while the others spoke.


When it was apparent that they weren't going to let her get a word in edge wise, Spike finally spoke up, "Oi! Why dontcha shut yer gobs. The Slayer can't answer your questions if you don't pause to even take a breath." Everyone had the grace to look sheepish while Buffy sent him a grateful smile. He responded in kind, gracing her with his own shy smile.


Oooh, school boy Spike is back. Buffy giggled mentally.


Before she would get into her thoughts to heavily Giles interrupted them, "Why don't we start with the prophecy you spoke of to Willow and Spike. Did you 'visit' them for that specific reason? It was a way for us to all find out and research it?"


Buffy shook her head slowly, "No. That wasn't the reason for my visit. Someone," She glanced at Spike with an eyebrow raised, "was acting like a big ole dummy vamp, so mom and I decided to pay him a visit to get him to knock it off." The blond vamp looked down at his feet, shuffled them awkwardly and grumbled an almost imperceptible 'sorry', Awe, how cute he's-- No, no Buffy. Gotta concentrate here, no googliness can happen right now. She mentally popped herself on the hand before her thoughts could once again run away with themselves.


Giles looked at her quizzicaly then to Spike and Willow in the same fashion, "Acting like a..." he cleared his throat, "'a big ole dummy vamp'? What does she mean?"


Spike quickly adapted a deer in the headlights look, "Uhh..."


"It was nothing Giles, he's over it now." Willow answered for Spike. She looked him with her eyebrows raised, "Aren't'cha?"


Spike glanced at Buffy with a smile and a nod then back to Willow, "Yeh, over it."


Xander was looking from person to person with a look of confusion clearly displayed on his face, "Oookay, now that that bout of confusion has passed..." He looked to Buffy, "So where were ya? What was goin' on? How did you know what was up with Mr. Chippy and Wills?"


It was the Slayer's turn to get the wide eyed-caught look, "Welll, Whistler kinda set it up so I could see what was going on down here."


"Whistler?" Giles asked intrigued. "You got a visit from Whistler in Heaven?"


Buffy nodded in the affirmative, "Yeah, but it wasn't really Heaven. It was some place called 'Summerland'." She waved her hand in front of her. "Kind of a holding place, since I was coming back and all. And yes, the irritating one was there." She scowled, "He just loves to piss me off and drive me crazy. I swear that's one of his job descriptions, 'Drive the Slayer crazy.'" She looked up at the ceiling questioningly, "I wonder if they put that in the ad...? 'Must wear tacky hats, show up when not wanted, and be able to drive the Slayer insane with your inane crypt-o messages and smart ass-y-ness."


"Buffy..." Giles prompted.


"Huh?"


"You're gettin' kinda off topic there Buff." Xander answered.


"Oh. Sorry." She shook her head, "What was I saying?"


"You said Whistler set it up so that you could see what was going on down here..." Willow said to help her remember.


"Oh, right. So we had this TV that we watched. But time was different, so I didn't see everything. That's how I didn't know about your cross dressing mission." She snickered as she glanced at Spike and Xander.


Xander's face turned beet red and his eyes widened, "You...? You told her about that?" He covered his face and lowered his head, "Oh god, my masculinity is now nonexistent."


"Oi! How'd ya think I feel Harris? I was the one in the dress. And now she's picturing me wearing one, plus you're not the one whose in l-" He dipped his head stopping himself from finishing that sentence before he could embarass himself further. Everyone knew he was in love with Buffy, it was obvious, but he never really spoke about it to the others, at least not all together with everyone looking at him like he was the latest exhibit at the museum. That was bit too close for comfort there. Gotta watch the looseness of the tongue around the Slayer and her cronies. He glanced over at Buffy to gauge her reaction to his almost slip and noticed that she grinned and blushed a bit, and slightly lowered her head. Hmm, what's this then? The Slayer actin' all girlish? About me?


Buffy had in fact noticed what he almost said and couldn't help the slight blush that crept up her face and neck and the small tingle of feminine pride. She giggled a bit in her head when she thought of the fact that he loved her. Ok, first it freaked me out and pissed me off-- now, it makes me giggle like a girl and blush.


"People! Can we get back on topic please? I wanna know what she was up to... God!" Dawn stated in a loud voice.


"Dawn is right. This is rather important, we have a prophecy to contend with. Not to mention the fact that our Slayer has returned from the dead." Giles spoke up, the voice of reason as always.


"Right." Buffy agreed. "The prophecy... I don't really know much about it guys. It's the whole cryptic 'you can't know right now' type of thing."


"Well, let's start with what you do know, yes?" Her Watcher prompted.



tbc...

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