Thanks to AthenaHahn for her wonderful betaing.

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Buffy smiled gently. “Of course I’ll take Angel off your hands.” She winked at Methos, who could barely keep from laughing out loud at the look on Hammond’s face. “It will be my pleasure,” she purred.

Angel’s eyes bugged out at the sensual note in Buffy’s voice, and then he smirked as an idea came to him. This might be fun after all.

Buffy’s voice hardened as she turned back to Hammond. “You and Hank may go now.” She turned to ask Xander to open the door, and then turned back with an almost feral look in her eyes. “One more thing. Aelaesia cal sesaer eindral o, sor Ai paeli. Os jhori sai shi aezaelaer ail shyr eil val. Ialor mes sosti eir os jhoraelaer tysi, shaerysi ti air jhar. Shydel Ai paelasi ol o.”

Hammond paled as a tingle raced through his frame and his bosses translated what Buffy had said. He nodded once, grabbed Hank by the arm, and in a rare display of power, transported them both out of the house.

Methos gave up the struggle not to laugh as he collapsed onto the couch, roaring with laughter. “Did you see the look on his face?” he gasped and shared a look with Cassandra. “I thought he was gonna make a mess on the floor.”

With curiosity brimming in his eyes, Giles asked, “What did she say to him that would cause such a reaction?”

As Methos was to busy laughing his head off, Cassandra answered. “She basically placed a curse on him and told him to run.”

“I see,” Giles pulled his glasses off and started cleaning them. “And she has no fear of this curse coming back on her?”

“It is not so much a curse, as it is a… decree,” Methos said as he got himself under control. “Or a judgment. Basically she has sentenced him to death.” He shrugged as he reached out and pulled Joyce into a hug. “Hello there. How’s my baby sister?”

Joyce giggled at Methos’ antics and snuggled into his embrace. “Better now that Dawn is safe. Thank you for coming.”

“How could we not?” Amanda asked with some heat. “It’s not like we could ignore the threat that bastard posed to Dawn.”

“Easy ‘Manda, she didn’t mean any insult.” Duncan said wrapping an arm around her waist.

Buffy looked up from where she had been staring off into space. “Indeed, she didn’t. I think we have all let the activities of this past night get to us. Perhaps it is time to relax, grab a hot shower, some food and then some sleep.”

“Oh dear, I completely forgot!” Giles turned to Anya with a sheepish expression. “I think it would be best if we forgo opening the shop today and caught up on sleep. Don’t you agree?”

“If I wasn’t so tired I’d argue with you, but…” Anya broke off with a yawn, “I think you are right. We need to sleep.” Anya turned to Xander and grabbed his hand. “Take me home Xander and hold me while I sleep, then you can give me orgasms later.”

Xander waved goodbye as Anya pulled him out the door, commenting, “Just let me call in sick first okay?”

Willow and Tara stood there, swaying on their feet, trying to stay awake. “We don’t have any classes today, so it’s no big if we sleep all day,” Willow said, yawning loudly.

Duncan looked at the two young Wiccans. “C’mon ladies, Amanda and I will drop you off on our way to the hotel.” He gathered the girls up and ushered them out the door.

Spike slipped down to the basement and brought up some heavy chains. “Joyce, do you think we could chain the wanker up in the bath?”

“Won’t he just break loose?” Joyce asked worriedly.

“I can put him to sleep for a while Joyce. He will be out for 12 hours,” Cassandra replied, looking at Buffy in inquiry.

“Sounds good to me people.” Buffy yawned and ran one slender hand across her face. “I need a shower; I have Polgara guts in my hair.”

Spike hollered from the downstairs bathroom, “Use the shower down in my room pet.” His eyes temporarily glazed with thoughts of naked, wet Buffy. Angel trying to escape the chains brought him back to his senses. “Hey, Cassie! Wanna knock Peaches out? Otherwise he’s gonna make a hell of a racket.”

Buffy waved goodnight as she made her way down the stairs for a much desired shower.

Cassandra snickered softly. “Coming Blondie.”

“OI!” Spike exclaimed, pretending to be offended, but then winking at Cassandra as she came into the bathroom. “Let’s put the poof to beddy-bye.”

Methos leaned against the wall, waiting for Cassandra to finish the sleep spell on Angel. He watched with a little smile on his face as Giles hugged Dawn and Joyce before saying goodnight. As Giles passed him on his way out the door, he wished him a pleasant sleep.

Giles nodded at Methos as he passed him on his way out the door. Blinking at the brightness of the rising sun he quickly made his way to his car.

“Goodnight Uncle Methos,” Dawn said as she made her way upstairs.

“Buona notte mia piccolo alba. Dormire bene.” Methos said, smiling gently. “Off to bed with you too Joyce. Cass and I will lock up as we leave.”

“Thanks Methos. We’ll see you later?” Joyce asked, her hand on the railing.

“Yup, we will be in town for a while, at least I will, can’t say for the others.” Methos answered.

“Of course, then I will say goodnight.” Joyce went up the stairs, and after checking on Dawn, she went to her own bed.

Cassandra and Spike came out the bathroom laughing. “Darlin’, you have a wicked sense of humor.”

“Thanks Spike. Sleep well.” Cassandra said as she joined Methos at the door.

“Don’t hurt her Spike, or you will be sorry.” Methos said as he escorted Cassandra out the door.

“Wouldn’t hurt her for the world mate.” Spike replied as he watched them walk down the stairs and out of sight. After they had left, he closed and locked the door. Listening for a moment, he picked up the soft sound of Dawn’s heartbeat as she drifted off to sleep. He heard Joyce as she settled down, preparing for sleep. Then his ears picked up the sound of running water, and he remembered that Buffy was heading for the shower. “Give me strength…” he muttered, but unerringly made his way to the basement, visions of a wet, naked Buffy dancing in his head.



A/N: translations

Aelaesia cal sesaer eindral o, sor Ai paeli.
Os jhori sai shi aezaelaer ail shyr eil val.
Ialor mes sosti eir os jhoraelaer tysi,
bhaerysi ti air jhar.
Shydel Ai paelasi ol o.
(Every hand turned against you, this I decree.
Your life to be expended in blood and pain.
Until such time as your lifeless corpse,
before me is laid.
Bloodhunt I declare on you.)

Buona notte mia piccolo alba. Dormire bene.
(Good night my little sunrise. Sleep well.)