Spike stared after Methos, the words ‘blood bond’ ringing in his head, making him feel, in turns, elated, confused and profoundly perturbed. “Hey, wait a moment,” Spike chased after Methos, “What do you mean by ‘blood bond’?”

Methos paused, allowing Spike to catch up with him. “Well, it all depends on what she said, and what all was involved at the time she gave you her blood.” He lowered his head, and stared at the ground for a moment, before raising his eyes and locking gazes with Spike. “Also depends on if she tasted your blood.”

Spike, having caught up with Methos, stumbled over nothing as a vision of Buffy with his blood on her lips raced through his mind.

Methos chuckled and shook his head, “I’m gonna guess that she hasn’t done that… yet.”

“Ummm, no…” Spike mumbled and then gasped loudly as the final word reverberated in his brain. “What do you mean, ‘yet’?”

“We’ll get to that in a moment,” Methos said, still chuckling at the look on Spike’s face. “We need to get back to Mr. Giles’ place and make sure he’s okay. Besides, Joyce and Dawn should be there by the time we get back.” He raised a hand to halt Spike’s attempt at interrupting him, “I’ll try and explain everything then.” He glanced around. “You never know who might be listening, and Mother would have my head if I spilled family secrets in public.”

Spike nodded, also glancing around and extending his senses to try and detect any possible eavesdroppers. His head was still spinning from the implications of Buffy possibly biting him, and maybe even allowing him to bite her. He groaned softly as that image went straight to his groin.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Giles stepped out of the bathroom, rubbing his hair dry with a towel. “Those buggers didn’t even pick up before they left,” he grumbled. Tossing the towel back into the bathroom, he went around his living room, picking up the empty glasses and placing them in sink. He looked up as his door slammed open and flustered Dawn raced in, followed by a worried-looking Joyce.

“Lock the door, bolt the windows, and hide under the beds!” Dawn screeched as she raced into the bathroom and slammed the door, only to fling it open 10 seconds later and storm out. “It stinks in there!”

Giles just stood there, a puzzled expression on his face. “What in hell is going on?”

Joyce closed the door behind her and leaned against it. “Are you okay?”

Giles smiled at Joyce, “Why wouldn’t I be?” He vowed to keep the council’s attack from her. “What is up with Dawn?”

“Don’t lie to me Rupert. Methos called and told me something happened and then…” Joyce started to say but was interrupted by Dawn.

“Uncle Methos told me and mom to leave the house, fast. I think I saw someone in the upstairs window as we left the driveway.” Dawn said, looking worried. “Do you think we were being robbed?”

Giles sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Since Methos spilled the beans I suppose I shall inform you of the predicament we seem to find ourselves in. Please, sit down my dears.” He motioned towards to couch. Just as he was about to ensconce himself in his chair, the door flew open again, this time revealing a flustered Xander, an annoyed Anya and the Wiccans looking concerned. Giles held up a hand, forestalling the outburst he was sure was forthcoming from the four young people. “I suggest you all have a seat, and I will attempt to answer your questions after I reveal some disturbing news.”

“As disturbing as not being able to open the store and lose money? Nothing could be more disturbing!” Anya exclaimed as she flounced over to a chair and sat down.

Xander sat down beside Anya and patted her on the shoulder, “Remember what we talked about in the car? There are worse things.”

Willow and Tara seated themselves side-by-side on the floor, never once letting go of each other’s hands. “Does this have to do with the guy who jumped us at the dorms?” Willow asked.

Xander glanced over at Willow, “You guys got one too? He burst into our apartment this morning. Anya hit him over the head with the waffle iron.”

Dawn bounced in her seat, “I think we had someone in our house, but Uncle Methos warned us to get out before anything could happen.”

“Yes, well, if you would allow me to interject a few words, I can give you the information I have and perhaps explain what we might do…” Giles started to say but was interrupted as the door was flung open once more, revealing two bickering males.

“Hey, Rupes. I see the gang’s all here. So are we explaining what’s up, or are we sitting around staring at each other all night?” Spike quipped as he flung himself into the other armchair.

“If you people would quit interrupting me, I might actually be able to complete a sentence, let alone a singular thought.” Giles said with some exasperation.

“By all means, continue.” Spike said with a grin. “Preferably before we all die of old age… including myself.”

Methos laughed as he settled into a chair by the dining table. “If you think you have problems Spike. I’m older than you and I might not live to see him finish a thought.”

“Let him talk so we can find out what’s going on,” Joyce admonished the snickering immortals.

“Thank you my dear,” Giles said as everyone became quiet. “Earlier tonight, when Methos and I arrived here, there was someone lying in wait within my apartment. This individual had in his possession a firearm, which has since been disposed of.” He took his glasses off and polished them. “Methos insisted on entering first, and was shot for his efforts.”

Spike piped up, “Don’t forget the wanker I ran into down in the sewers Rupes.”

“Indeed.” Giles nodded at Spike. “It appeared as though the Council sent a couple of gunmen to Sunnydale to remove me.”

“From what the one in the sewers said, they wanted the Watcher dead because he hasn’t killed me, despite council orders to ‘do away with me’.” Spike said with a smirk on face.

Xander gaped in shock, “You mean they wanted you to kill Spike? Even though he’s been helping us keep the Hellmouth from going kaplooey?”

“They have been requesting that I ‘dispense’ of Spike, in order to prove myself useful to their organization. I have, of course, refused. Citing the many times Spike has aided not only myself, but other members of the human race as well. It did not seem to make an impression on their attitudes.” Giles stated with some exasperation.

“Spike and I took it upon ourselves to remove Mr. Giles’ unwanted guest. While we were doing so, I thought that maybe Joyce and Dawn may be in danger as well, based on their close acquaintance with both Spike and Mr. Giles.” Methos stated quietly. “I called to warn them, and had them come here where we could protect them and I was planning on checking out the house and making sure it is clear come morning.”

Anya grumbled, “Some man with a gun broke into our apartment this morning. I thought he was going to kill us. Being dead is not good for money or for orgasms, unless you are a vampire.”

“Anya conked him with the waffle iron, dunno if he’s dead or just unconscious.” Xander rubbed Anya’s arm lovingly. “My lady has a wicked backswing.”

“A guy with a gun climbed through Tara and my dorm window this morning.” Willow said quietly. “I used magic to knock him out.” She glanced guiltily at Giles. “We came here hoping you could help us.

“Looks like it’s not just you the Council of those who Wank is looking to off Rupes.” Spike said with a frown. “Looks to me like they are after everyone even remotely close to you.”

Joyce frowned, “Mother is not going to like this. Not at all.”

Methos nodded in agreement. “Honestly, I believe she’s gonna kick Council ass.”