Giles gingerly made his way downstairs, wishing the ache in his head would lessen. He opened the front door to see if the package from Master Zo had arrived. "Bugger!" he said painfully, wincing as the brightness of the day hit his eyes. He picked up the box that was sitting on the welcome mat, a head rush
hitting as he stood upright again. A low moan escaped him as he returned inside, closing the door. He paused briefly when he saw the two couples curled around each other in the living room, smiled to himself and walked into the dining room. He deposited the box on the table, and headed to the kitchen to start the coffee and put the water on for tea.

An hour later found him sitting at the table, rereading the translation of the prophecy for probably the hundredth time.

"What is it Rupert?" Spike said in a low voice, having observed the desperation in the Watcher's face as he read what was in front of him. He had woken up when Giles had walked by him, but continued to lay there in contentment, holding the Slayer and watching her as she slept. His own sleep had been nightmare free. When he realized over a half hour had passed without a sound coming from the dining room, he had decided to investigate. Now, Giles stared at him, his expression unreadable. Wordlessly, Giles handed him the translation.

Spike quickly read the document, his anxiety growing the closer he got to the bottom of the page. "Is that it?" he asked, looking at the back of the sheet in his hand.

Giles nodded. "Master Zo says the rest of the prophecy is missing, and it's possible content cannot be determined from what's there."

"What do you think?" Spike asked.

Giles wearily removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "I think we have to make certain we keep this in perspective, Spike. Prophecies are tricky. Though they provide an idea of actual events, those events can change instantly depending on the choices made."

Spike nodded in agreement. "Are you saying we should ignore it?"

"Not ignore it," Giles clarified. "But use it to our advantage. We now know the way Araknal wants things to go. We can use that against him."

"I like the way you think, Rupert," Spike said, feeling his anxiety ebb. "Tea and aspirin?" the demon asked.

"On the cupboard," Giles answered, reaching for the recordings of Khailan's last days.

The next couple of hours found everyone in the dining room, fortified with strong coffee or tea, and aspirin. Khai was in the kitchen making a healing potion for their hangovers. Maggie was the last to show her face, humming merrily to her self as she entered the dining room.

"Morning everyone!" she said cheerily, laughing as everyone winced at her boisterous tone. "Khai hasn't finished his wonder drink yet I take it."

"Ooph," Xander said, making a face. "Please don't say the D word!"

"There's no way you can really be feeling this chipper," Buffy said to the Witch as the latter giggled in sympathy at Xander's obvious distress.

"Sorry pumpkin," she said with a smile. "I just don't get hangovers."

"Okay, now you're just showing off," Buffy smiled weakly at her.

"I'll go start breakfast," she said as everyone moaned. "You may not want it now, but trust me, when you have Khai's concoction, you'll be hungry in no time. Dawn, shall we leave the sufferers in peace?" She asked the teenager, who'd been trying to hide her humor at the adults around her.

"Well that was just irritating," Willow said, laying her forehead on the table. Giles and Spike, having had more time to recover, smiled at the redhead. Everyone else just grunted in agreement.

"Hangovers begone!" Khai said as he set a tray of glasses on the table with a flourish. Everyone immediately reached for a glass, emptying the contents into their mouths in record time. Before they had placed the cups back on the tray, they began to feel better.

"Wow do you come in handy!" Xander blurted gratefully.

"Maybe next time you should make a batch before we go to sleep?" Spike suggested. "And hey, why didn't you make this for me the other day?"

"No ingredients," Khai replied. "I think Maggie was planning this, since she picked up what I needed at the Magic Box yesterday."

"Are we sure she's not evil?" Buffy asked.

Spike laughed. "Yup. Otherwise she wouldn't have picked them up."

"Good point," Buffy acknowledged.

By the time Maggie announced breakfast was ready, the group was ravenous, almost shoving her and Dawn out of their way in their haste to get to the food.

"Bet they don't doubt me again!" Maggie laughed to Dawn. "And remember, when the joy juice is used, ALWAYS make yourself a plate before you tell them it's ready," she said conspiratorially as she and Dawn sat at the table and started eating their breakfast. Afterward, Xander and Anya headed home to get cleaned up, promising to be back in an hour. Willow and Buffy headed to use the showers, while Spike and Khai did the dishes. Buffy shook her head at the image of Spike at the sink, the long sleeves of his shirt rolled up, dishtowel in hand.

Feeling more like a human again, Buffy joined the rest at the table as Spike and Khai took their turn in the showers. Remembering her promise to Jake, she went to the kitchen to give him a call. When she hung up the phone, Buffy felt two arms wrap around her from behind as a clean, fresh scent assaulted her senses.

"Now, how 'bout a proper good morning, pet?" Spike murmured in her ear and turned her around, capturing her lips in an earth-shattering kiss.

"Good morning." Buffy said a few minutes later, breathless. "Mmmmmmmm," she purred as she looked at him. "You look good enough to eat," she said appreciatively as she admired the way he looked in the royal blue shirt that matched his eyes perfectly.

"Never tease a biter, luv," he joked, feeling heat rushing through him at the frank desire in her eyes. Moaning, he crushed her mouth again.

As if on cue, Maggie's voice penetrated their thoughts. "Hey, love bugs!" she called loudly from the other room. "Get a move on!"

Spike and Buffy laughed in exasperation, and went to join the others.

"The documents we were expecting from Master Zo have arrived. Spike and I reviewed the translation of the prophecy. Before I tell you what it says, I want to emphasize that nothing is written in stone. Because the second page is missing, we really have no idea exactly what will happen."

"That doesn't sound good, G man," Xander said.

"Well, to be perfectly honest, it's not," Giles said in a low voice. "But as I said, it's not written in stone. It can be prevented. Spike, if you'll do the honors," Giles asked.

"Right then," Spike said. "Here's the gist. Araknal is going to give the Guardian - me - a choice. Either I return to the Dark, or 'the Light and Love shall perish from this world, never to return.' We think Maggie, obviously, is the Light, and Buffy, is the Love. Basically, either I die, or they do."

A stunned silence swept through the room at Spike's words.

"Then I guess we make sure he doesn't have the chance to make his offer," Maggie said, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

The air rang with words of agreement. Once everyone had quieted down, Giles continued.

"We believe Araknal still wants to exact revenge for the betrayal of his lieutenant. Khailan is dead, and Master Zo is basically useless to Araknal, as he's too removed from the Dark to serve any real purpose, given so many years of being a Guardian. Thus, he'll move on Spike."

"But, how can he hope to succeed, if it comes down to that choice?" Willow asked. "I mean, we already know the three of them would die for each other. I don't see where the choice comes in. I don't know about the rest of you, but it seems pretty clear that Spike would tell him to shove off and then sacrifice himself. Am I right?" Willow asked the vampire.

"Completely," Spike said to the witch.

"But, it's not that simple, is it?" Khai observed, looking at his brother, who mentally answered his unspoken question. "Spike wouldn't actually die. He would just die to the Light."

"Yes," Giles confirmed. "Spike would become bound in the service of Araknal, and would rule by his side in this dimension and his own, never to experience any part of the Light again. Spike would become pure demon, with almost nothing of himself remaining, except a hatred of all things he had been made to feel because of the Light. So," the Watcher said, "now you know why we have to determine what Araknal could possibly throw at us. I'm still looking through Khailan's meanderings, so I'll let you know if I have anything to report. In the meantime, I suggest we renew our reseaching efforts. Buffy, did Jake have anything to say?" The group looked at her expectantly.

"I think I'm going to be sick," Buffy got out before covering her mouth with her hand and dashing for the stairs.

"Poor thing," Magistra said sympathetically. "Maybe the joy juice was too much for her. She does have her own natural healing powers. I'm sure she'll be okay, Spike," she said looking at her brother. "She's experienced a lot of mojo in the last twenty-four hours, maybe she's just on overload. She is a pure spirit after all."

Spike nodded absently, looking toward the stairs. He'd never heard of the Slayer getting sick to her stomach, except for the night he took her to kitty poker. Remembering alcohol was a contributing factor then as well, he shook off his concern, knowing she'd let him know if she needed him. He turned back to the book in his hand.

Buffy launched the contents of her stomach into the toilet bowl until there was nothing left, and even then her body tried a few more heaves for good measure. Shakily, she stood up and splashed cold water on her face. Loading her toothbrush with toothpaste, she looked at herself in the mirror as she began brushing her teeth. Hollow, haunted eyes looked back at her as she went through the routine motions. Finished, she sat down on the toilet lid and tried to collect herself.

After Spike had finished summarizing the prophecy, Buffy had felt her stomach seize, and she felt like she couldn't breathe. As she sat listening to the discussion going on around her, pain gripped her from someplace located deeply beneath her heart. She had to force bile back down her throat each time Spike's
dying had been referred to. When Giles had explained what would happen to Spike if Araknal had his way, Buffy realized where the internal pain was coming from. It was coming from the very place in her spirit where she and the Slayer were most connected - the Slayer inside her was keening, as was Buffy's own spirit. The instant she realized this, the nausea refused to be held at bay, and she had rushed up the stairs.

Still shaking, Buffy began to take deep, calming breaths, attempting to get control over the war of emotions raging within her. Suddenly, calm stole over her as she realized why she was reacting the way she was. With renewed determination, she returned to the dining room. Stopping just within the doorway, Buffy studied
Spike as she had yesterday. He was in a similar pose, except the pen was on the table next to the notepad, and he was unconsciously running his hand through his hair as he searched for anything helpful in the volume he held on his lap. Buffy watched him silently, wondering how she couldn't have realized yesterday what was so clear to her now.

"Spike," she said hoarsely. His head whipped up at the sound of her voice. He looked at her in relief when he saw her standing there, obviously okay. When he saw the tears rolling down her cheeks he looked at her in loving concern, unable to read the expression in her eyes. He moved to go to her, but stopped when she held up a hand.

"I … I can't do this. We … we can't do this. We have to stop it," she cried, trying to find the right words.

Spike's heart turned to dust in his chest as he heard her words. Anguish had him in its grip as he sat looking at her, tears in his eyes, unable to move. He felt a roaring in his ears as he tried to stay alert.

"I just found you," Buffy was continuing. "I just realized … I can't lose you. It isn't fair! I … Id fell like I'd died without you," Buffy said, looking at him.

Spike tried to clear the fog from his head as he heard her begin to speak again. Suddenly, his vision and hearing cleared, and her words sunk in.

"What are you saying, pet?" he asked, hope growing unbidden within him.

Buffy stood in front of him, tears coursing down her cheeks.

"I am so in love with you," she said clearly, putting her hands on either side of his face and looking him in the eye. " I - love - you," she repeated.

Spike was glad he was sitting down as the force of her words hit him. He looked at her in wonder, his eyebrow cocked in question as he tried to determine whether this was real. He blinked his eyes a few time, only to open them and find Buffy standing in front of him, her hands gently caressing his face, looking at him with love in her eyes. Without warning, Spike was on his feet, lifting Buffy into a bear hug and twirling her around until she squealed in delight. Carefully, he set her back on the floor, looking down into her eyes, his own searching for some sign that would tell him this wasn't real. "Buffy," he said, stroking her cheek in wonder. "Do you mean what you're saying? You do know what you're saying, right?" he asked, waiting anxiously for her reply.

"You mean do I realize I just told you that I'm in love with you?" she asked. "I do. And I am. So much," she said, a bright smile on her face as she reached up and kissed him, pouring everything she felt in her heart into that kiss. Spike reeled from happiness, his knees buckling as he succumbed to the onslaught of her kiss. Buffy caught him, walking him backward without releasing his mouth until they reached his chair. She gently pushed on his chest, watching in amusement as his body flopped into the chair like a rag doll. She quickly sat on his lap, holding him as he hugged her close, burying his face in her chest to hide the intensity of emotion playing over his face.

The rest of the group watched in silence as the drama unfolded before them. Smiles broke out on their faces as they saw Spike finally realizing that Buffy was telling the truth. Dawn clapped her hands in excitement.

"Good goddess, it took you long enough Slayer," Maggie burst out. "If I had to interrupt the two of you one more time, I would have gotten a Peeping Tom complex!"

Buffy looked at her in surprise.

"Has to do with not buying the cow if you get the milk for free," the Witch explained. "You've been in love with Spike longer than you realize, but you were never going to admit it if he kept giving you everything you wanted without asking for anything in return. I know about the agreement you made because I have better hearing than a vampire, but I knew before then it would be hard as hell for Spike not to give you what you wanted. So, I conveniently interrupted every time he came close to caving in. I'm glad you finally realized it Buffy," the Witch said sincerely. "You'll never find better - and that's the Master Witch talking, not just the sister," she clarified.

"I know," Buffy said simply, kissing the top of Spike's head. "We need to stop this," she said with determination. "Maggie and I are not going to die, and Spike IS NOT becoming Araknal's slave!" The Slayer said forcefully. "Whatever it takes, we stop this thing," she said, looking at everyone for objections. Seeing everyone was on board, she said, "Okay. Let's figure this thing out. I need to talk to Spike for a bit. We'll be back," she said, standing up and pulling Spike after her as he continued to avoid looking at anyone.

Buffy and Spike entered the crypt, not having uttered a word as they walked hand in hand through the sewers. Buffy led him over to the makeshift bed, and encouraged him to sit. Spike sat down obediently, shrugging his coat off his shoulders and tossing it on the floor.

"Spike," Buffy coaxed softly. "Please talk to me."

"I don't know if I can," he said honestly, keeping his head down. "I'm too afraid I'll look at you and see you didn't mean it. That someone cast a spell on you, or the claw had some weird effect to make you say things you don't mean. I'm afraid to believe you," he stated honestly. "The other night, when you were in my dream, you saw what haunts me most. I told you I wouldn't hurt you, and I almost raped you, Buffy. I loved you more than anything, and I almost raped you. You told me you couldn't trust me enough to love me - and I immediately showed you why you shouldn't. I didn't even notice I was hurting you - I just lost it. I left because I had broken the code. My love and I could no longer be of use to you. I came back to try and make it right, knowing there really isn't a way to make up for what I did. Yet, you've been incredible with me. I'm afraid to believe you because this time I know I don't deserve you, your forgiveness, or your trust."

Buffy stood looking at him, feeling unbelievable guilt at his reluctance to accept her word, knowing he wasn't the only one to have done unforgivable things. She had treated him terribly in the past. She had been so wrong.

"Spike," she began, walking over and kneeling in front of him. "I am so sorry I hurt you. I am so sorry I didn't have your strength. You told me you loved me knowing what it would cost you. I'm not that brave. I played with your emotions, the whole time convincing myself I could never feel anything for you. I fought
so hard against you because I didn't want to see the truth, the truth that you've always known when it comes to me. You knew I loved you, but I wouldn't let myself acknowledge it. When you came to my house that night, in the bathroom, when you tried to get me to tell you I loved you, I was cruel too. You were wrong, and you did hurt me. I couldn't make you listen to me, to stop, and that had never happened before. But I also have to be honest with myself. I lashed out because I knew I had brought you to this, by never giving you a moment's peace, by constantly running to you for everything and never giving a part of myself in return. I am so sorry, and I love you so much. When you were talking about the prophecy today, my heart broke at the idea of losing you. I'm sorry it took me so long. But Spike, please, believe that I love you," she pleaded.

Spike looked at her, seeing the truth in her eyes, and suddenly felt as awkward as a schoolboy. "Buffy," he said hoarsely, his emotions jammed into that one word. He reached for her, and she was there, attacking his mouth with more ferocity than she'd ever shown. "I love you," she said, ripping the clothes off his body. "I love you," she said again, removing her own clothing just as forcefully. "Spike," she said huskily, pressing herself against every available inch of him. "please, let me make love to you," she begged in his ear.

Spike growled, flipping her over on her back as he came to life. He plundered her mouth with his tongue, grasping her breasts possessively as he ground her hips beneath him. He tore his mouth away from her lips and focused his attention on her breasts, licking and nipping until her nipples stood erect, begging him to continue. Spike moved downward, kissing her tightly muscled stomach, her abdomen, and finally approached her very center, the scent of her arousal forcing a primal groan from his throat. He put her legs over his shoulders and lifted her hips off the bed, spreading her open to the sounds of whimpers coming from Buffy. Spike attacked her sensually, licking her sides extensively before taking her fully into his mouth, plunging his tongue inside her only to pull back and work her clit, his lips creating friction as he rubbed it between them, feeling it swell in readiness. Spike abruptly pulled back, leaving Buffy wriggling in dissatisfaction. "Spike, please," she gasped, begging him.

"Please what, Slayer," he said sexily, not certain how much longer he could hold back.

"Please let me make love to you," she burst out, flipping him onto his back with one move. Buffy began the same assault on him that he'd done to her, spending extra time on his nipples and his abs, knowing her tongue drove him crazy. She kissed and rubbed her way down his body, finally stopping between his legs. Looking him in the eye, she placed her lips around his rigid cock, pausing before she took his entire length into her warm throat. She slowly released him, inch by inch, as she reached out and fondled his balls, making swirling motions each time she allowed another inch to emerge. Spike was afraid to move, concentrating every part of his being into not losing control yet.

"Buffy, please," he gasped breathlessly.

"Please what, Spike," she teased, licking his tip.

"You tell me," he teased in a low voice as she once again found him above her.

Buffy reached for his face, pulling him within inches of hers, making sure every part of them was touching, his cock pressing forcefully against her thigh. "I want you inside me," she said huskily, emphasizing every syllable, as she reached down between them and brought him to her. Unable to control himself any longer, Spike paused above her, capturing her eyes with his as he thrust deeply inside her, moaning as he felt her muscles contracting around him. He stopped moving, looking deeply into her eyes.

Buffy had screamed with pleasure as he finally entered her, her legs pulling him tightly against her as she reveled in the feel of him filling her. She opened her eyes as she sensed Spike's intent, meeting his gaze without flinching. When he had captured her eyes, Spike began to move, never looking away. Buffy matched him thrust for thrust as he would almost pull out of her, only to thrust more deeply into her greedy
warmth, striking her clit with every thrust. Feeling her need, Spike reached between their bodies and began working her clit with his thumb, until Buffy screamed, her body shuddering as she clenched her muscles around him, her legs pulling him deeper into her. Spike's vision blurred as he thrust into her one last time, feeling his cold seed filling her as he lost consciousness, her body jerking in continuous orgasm beneath him.

Spike's awareness returned a few moments later as Buffy stirred, having lost herself in the same way. She gently brought his mouth to meet hers, whispering how much she loved him before plunging her tongue between his lips. Hungrily, they repeated what they had just finished, their ecstasy growing with every touch.

TWENTY-EIGHT

"Anything?" Buffy asked Giles as her and Spike entered the dining room hand in hand.

"Some," Giles acknowledged, everyone carefully biting their tongues from making any comments at the noticeably happier couple. Even Maggie restrained herself.

"The anniversary of Araknal's banishment is two weeks from today. We have fourteen days. Master Zo agrees that will most likely be when he attempts to reopen the hell mouth. The diaries recorded for Khailun are challenging, to say the least. I really don't know if we'll discover anything from them or not. I think it best we all take a look at them, as perhaps something will click with one of us that won't with the others. I recommend taking them in small doses. You begin to feel nutty yourself after looking at them for a while."

"When I spoke with Jake earlier, he knew about the battle last night," Buffy said. "We better send his squad pizza or something to make up for the clean-up detail. When he was talking I thought of something. We ran into the Rachni in basically the same place two nights in a row. Now, I know they were waiting for us last night, but not the night before. The way I see it, we stumbled across a scouting party. That explains why there were only five. Which means … "

"They probably weren't too far away from where the rest were holding up," Xander finished.

"Exactly," Buffy replied. "I can't believe I didn't think of this before, but all of them are going to have to be within the same area, regardless of what family they belong to. No way Araknal would want them too spread out, not when they're all making their way here. Which leads to my next point. He had to have sent
them here early to secure the area around the hell-mouth. I mean, no hell-mouth, no point. Since we came across that scouting party less than a mile from the school," she led.

"Chances are that's where they're setting up camp," Giles said, following her train of thought.

"Who says you can never go back to high school?" Willow quipped.

"I think there may be something else in what you said, Buffy," Khai said. "I believe it also makes sense if their orders include making certain all the necessary players are present as well. It's been bothering me we
weren't attacked by another family last night. I know they won't fight together, but it doesn't make sense they wouldn't have at least been watching. If what Giles and dad said is true, these creatures wouldn't have missed a battle where all the casualties would have been enemies, regardless of who won. If that's the case, why didn't they attack when the family was wiped out? Unless of course - they were under orders not to."

"You think they're being told to observe and report back," Spike said as Khai nodded in response. "The family was allowed to take revenge, while the others were told to study us in action. Makes sense."

"Indeed," Giles agreed. " I think it's safe to assume that our movements will be watched from now on. Everyone should take extra precautions, traveling in groups wherever you go. They won't be able to get inside the house, thanks to the spell, but I think it's safe to assume they'll be out there." Giles stopped when he heard a cell-phone ringing.

"Lo," Spike listened for a few minutes, said thanks, and hung up. "That was Clem. Said word's out to avoid our little group like the plague, but not because they're afraid of us. Been told a god is gunning for us, and he'll take it real personal if any thing mucks up his plans. He also told me we're being watched, so he's gonna stay away unless we need him."

"So, what do we do now?" Anya asked.

"We play their game …" Buffy said, winking at Maggie.

"And add a few rules of our own." Maggie answered, returning the wink.

"Oh this is gonna be fun," Spike observed, seeing the manic glee in their eyes.

"Never a dull moment, brother dear!" Maggie confirmed, rubbing her hands together in anticipation. "Okay kids, time to roll the dice. If they want to play, they've come to the right place."

Four hours later, the group set out on patrol. Tonight was Willow and Khai's turn to stay with Dawn. They waved from the doorway as the Scoobies made their way down the street, cautioning everyone to be careful and telling Buffy to watch her shoulder. Finally, they went back inside, closing the door behind them.

"I think they bought it," Willow said.

"Good," Buffy said, making sure she remained hidden in the darkened dining room as Willow and Khai appeared to be speaking with each other. Though research had given no indication the Rachni possessed enhanced hearing, the four eyes obviously indicated improved eyesight. "Hard to believe something Warren's twisted mind created would wind up helping us so many times."

"Must have been Spike's influence," Willow teased. "I mean, Warren never would have made the Buffybot if it hadn't been for him."

"Ugh," Buffy grimaced. "Don't remind me Wil! Okay, Khai - you ready?"

"When you are Slayer," Khai said.

"Don't forget, stay back and be careful. There'll be plenty of time to play the hero. Simple reconnaissance. Got it?" Willow asked, looking at both of them sternly, while appearing to look only at Khai.

"I promise Wil! I'll bring his body back perfectly in tact," Buffy assured her friend. "Uh, I meant to say alive and perfectly intact … er, still moving?" Buffy floundered seeing her friend's eyes widening in concern with every word, while trying to make it look like affection.

"I will come back to you just as I am," Khai promised, kissing Willow deeply.

"Now why couldn't I think of that?" Buffy muttered as the two made their way to the basement. Xander and Spike had spent most of the day carving out a makeshift entrance to the sewers. Doubting their stalkers would stop their surveillance of the house at any time, no matter how few were inside, they decided to create an unobservable route to and from the house. Khai and Buffy carefully made their way to the main sewer line, their senses extended as far as they could be without Khai using any powers that could be picked up on. Exiting two miles away from the school in the opposite direction of the battle site, the two moved stealthily toward the hill overlooking the old Sunnydale High. They settled themselves in the low branches of a tree, Buffy using high powered, thermal binoculars left over from the Initiative days, while Khai relied on his preternatural vision. After observing for the agreed upon two hours, they retraced their steps and re-entered the house through the basement. Five minutes later, Willow came down with a laundry basket, accompanied by the Buffybot. Though fairly certain they couldn't be seen within the house, they weren't taking any chances. When they had emerged from the sewer, Khai had immediately stripped off his shirt and applied his meditation oil. Buffy quickly changed clothes with the robot, then Willow put it into sleep mode and covered it with a blanket. When the three went back upstairs, it appeared as though Buffy had been keeping Willow company as she loaded the washing machine, and Khai had finished his meditation.

They gathered around the table in the dining room to discuss the night's events. Patrol had been a bust, though both Spike and Maggie felt the presence of the Rachni everywhere. They had extended their senses, knowing it would be expected, and only felt them at the very edge of their awareness. Maggie began to say something else, but thought better of it and kept silent.

"Well," Giles said. "At least that tells us we aren't supposed to know about their surveillance. I would be far more concerned if they weren't bothering to hide it."

"I agree, Rupert," Spike said. "I think this shows Spider King isn't as sure of 'imself as he wants everyone to think. And that means we have a chance at getting him where we want him."

"Where's that?" Anya asked bluntly.

"Wull," Spike hedged. "Still trying to figure that out. 'Portant thing is - it won't be where he wants to be."

"Have I told you how sexy you are when you're all brainy like that?" Buffy asked jokingly, giving him a kiss.

"Lucky you don't love him for his mind," Maggie said in a fake whisper.

"Hey!" Spike said in mock offense, as everyone snickered. "Okay, let's hear what you two found out. I'll just go stand in the dunce corner.

"If he comes over here, I'm gonna hit him," Xander said, making everyone laugh.

"Khai and I had plenty to look at," Buffy began. "Aside from the number assigned to follow us, we figure there must be about four families at the high school. That means they're at almost half their strength. They've definitely been busy. They've removed almost all the rubble from the where the old library was, and it looks like they're using it to wall off a pretty large playing field. It's obvious the families have nothing to do with each other, except for the nice little meeting we saw between four of them where no one spoke."

"Araknal contacted them," Maggie said with certainty.

"Hey - building suspense here!" Buffy said indignantly. "How'd you know, anyway?" she asked, pouting.

"I felt him," she said. "He was trying to cloak himself, but he made a mistake. My senses were extended, so I felt the difference. He should have waited, and that makes me worry. He wouldn't have made such a mistake unless it was important. He's no greenhorn - at least, I don't think he has green horns - anyway, by emerging when he did he made a huge sacrifice. Now he'll never be able to fully cloak himself from me. And, it also tells me he hasn't touched any of us yet, with regard to our energy. I'd be able to sense his essence lingering like a shadow. You can't take something without leaving something in return. So, the good news is we're clean. The bad news is, something huge must have happened for him to come through when he knew my senses would be out. This is the third night we've gone out at around the same time. No way he wasn't aware of it. I don't think that bodes well." The Witch finished.

The group sat in silence, absorbing what they had just learned. The jarring ring of the telephone startled them. Buffy went to answer it, and was gone for several minutes. They waited for her to return.

"That was Angel," she said, pausing inside the room. "They tangoed with two of the families last night. They managed to take one out when they were attacked by another. They killed ten of them, when they suddenly quit and got out of there. Angel said more are expected to hit LA tomorrow. He'll keep us posted."

"Did he say what time they retreated?" Khai asked.

"Yup," Buffy said, nodding with understanding at Khai's question. "They probably retreated right before Araknal made contact. Maggie, does this help you figure out how he's communicating with them?"

"The scying pool," the Witch responded. "He uses the water to reflect his thoughts into their minds, regardless of what dimension they're in. Once in their minds, he sees what they see. He was probably present when we were fighting the other night, but since I was focusing on the fighting, I didn't notice anything more than a heightened thrall. I put it down to having that many captains around us, but it must have been him. Sorry guys," she apologized.

"Considering the situation we were in, I think I'm glad you went with the kicking butt part," Xander told her, smiling.

"I take it the four you saw were most likely the heads of the families," Giles indicated to Buffy and Khai.

"Now that we know what Maggie felt, it makes sense," Khai agreed. "By only choosing one per family to contact, he cuts down on the strength of his presence here, making it easier to conceal."

"Not anymore," Maggies smiled almost evilly.

"Still," Giles cautioned. "I think we should be careful. We don't know what prompted him to call this 'meeting' tonight, and I don't think it's safe to assume it was a blunder. As you said Maggie, he's no amateur. Either something has impacted his plan, or he's playing at something. Either way, caution is our best approach."

"Maggie," Willow asked. "Can he transfer his powers through the scying pool? Is that maybe how he's planning to open the hell-mouth?"

"Under normal circumstances, it's not possible," Maggie replied. "But it's worth seeing if any exceptions exist. You just earned yourself an assignment, Willow!"

"I think it best we look into anything that could give us an idea of what the rest of the prophecy contains. I'm afraid our best hope lies in deciphering Khailan's ravings. Ah, Buffy? I was wondering if you could take a look at them."

Buffy looked at him in surprise. "Sure Giles, but … why me?"

"Well," Giles. "You … your experiences could possibly give you insight the rest of us don't have, in - into… "

"I think he's trying to say that you've been loonier than the rest of us put together, luv," Spike said, grinning wickedly. Buffy narrowed her eyes at him.

"Well, yes," Giles said guiltily. "But then again, that's one of the reasons I want Spike to review them with you. Anyone who could withstand Drucilla's rantings for a century is practically a doctor of insanity."

Buffy looked challengingly at Spike as he growled. "What is it with me and batty women?" he said, earning him a punch from Buffy. "Bloody violent too!" he said, laughing, as he evaded the next effort to hit him.

"You're going to pay for that," Buffy said menacingly as they went to get the diaries.

"Mmmmmmmmmm," Spike said so low it sounded like a purr. "Sounds like fun," he said sexily as he lightly traced a finger from the bottom of her neck down to the top of her jeans, just below her bellybutton.
Buffy shivered as she kissed him, desperately wishing they could go to the crypt. As it was, Anya and Xander, had moved into the basement earlier, leaving no available place for a hungry couple to go. To make matters worse, it appeared their imposed celibacy would continue for at least two weeks.

"No way I'm gonna last two weeks not being with you, luv," Spike muttered, kissing her neck. "We've gotta figure something out."

"Spike," she whispered in his ear, her voice heavy with need, " if you don't think of something soon, this is all you'll be seeing of me for a long time," she said, turning around and walking away, picking up the books as she left. "Told you you'd pay," she threw over her shoulder, never looking back. She smiled as she heard him groan loudly.

TWENTY-NINE

"Ow, ow, ow," Buffy said, massaging her temples. "How could you listen to crap like this for a century?" Buffy asked Spike incredulously. "Are you sure you're not crazy too, just pretending to be sane?"

"Well if that's the case, then we've both fallen for loonies so we're even!" he retorted defensively. "It was your ex that made her nuts anyway, Slayer. I just saw past it."

"How?"

"You know, you don't have to be insulting about it. I loved Dru. You can't help who you love, remember? Stop mocking me about it!" Spike said angrily.

"No, Spike, I didn't mean … I really meant 'how'. How were you able to see past it? What was your secret - how did you understand her?" Buffy clarified.

"Oh," Spike said, embarrassed. He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Sorry, pet. Guess I still get a bit defensive about Dru. Well, she always made some kind of sense, you just had to know what to listen for. Half the words that came out of her mouth I just ignored, but the other half - those weren't crazy at all."

"Even though this stuff is making my head hurt, I feel like it's just barely not making sense. Do you know what I mean?" she asked him.

"Try reading it to me out loud. Maybe something will click," Spike suggested.

Buffy began reading the diary aloud while Spike leaned back and closed his eyes, remembering the ways he used to figure out Dru's broken thoughts. He sat up suddenly, eyes wide.

"Read that last paragraph again," he said excitedly. Buffy obliged. "That's the prophecy," he said grinning.

"Ha?" everyone asked, giving him looks that questioned his sanity. "Here," he said, taking the book from Buffy. "If you only pay attention to the single words, not the phrases thrown in afterward, this is what it says. "The Light and the Love shall perish from this world, never to return," he read.

Jaws dropped around the room.

"All in favor of Spike dating loonies?" Xander said, raising his hand.

"Good show, Spike!" Giles gushed, gathering the rest of the diaries. "I suggest we start going back through them from the beginning and translating as Spike suggests. With any luck, we'll find the rest of the prophecy, and possibly information on the binding spell."

"Rupert you look like a kid who just entered the candy store," Maggie said, shaking her head. "When all this is over with, remind me to take you out more."

"Mm?" Giles asked distractedly, already hard at work. "Right away Maggie, dear."

The Scoobies giggled, Giles not noticing a thing.

They finally retired a few hours later, Maggie dragging Giles upstairs, promising the books would still be there in the morning. She winked at Khai and Willow, as she announced her plans to stay with Giles in his room. "This type of thing gets him really worked up," she confided, laughing.

Khai and Willow wasted no time in securing themselves in the bedroom. Buffy looked at Spike miserably as everyone turned in for the night.

"Remind me again how being a home owner is a good thing, especially for privacy - you know - when everyone else has someplace to … but me?" she pouted.

"We are alone you know," he said, kissing her.

"But anyone could come in here at anytime," she continued whining, her thoughts blurring as Spike continued to assail her senses.

"Luv," he said, pulling back and looking her in the eye. "You do remember that a bed is the exception, rather than the rule with us?"

"But, where?" she asked. Spike looked suggestively in the area of the darkened dining room. "Even if someone comes in, they'll never notice us under the table. Ah," he said, cutting her off as she opened her mouth to respond. "No more talking. I can't wait any longer. I need you … now!" he said as he picked her up.

"If we get caught, we'll just put it down to me being crazy," Buffy giggled as Spike carried her from the room.

"Spike?" Buffy asked later, her body still shaking from the intensity of emotions their lovemaking had wrought. "That moment, when you're first inside me, what do you feel?" she asked seriously. Still lying on him, she leaned up on her elbows to look him in the eye.

Spike grasped her hips, shifting them slightly. "You mean, what do I feel … now?" he asked, slipping inside her, watching the pleasure shift across her face.

"Yes," she said, gasping.

Spike took her face in his hands and pulled her close. "I feel like my heart is beating again, like I've come home," he whispered huskily, never breaking her gaze, holding himself still within her. Buffy kissed him, slowly, lingeringly. "And you pet," he asked, his voice filled with emotion. "What do you feel?"

"Like I've finally found the other half of me," she said, slowly beginning to move her hips. "After all this time of feeling alone - set apart from everyone because of my calling - I feel as though I'm finally whole," she finished, tears falling from her cheeks onto Spike's.

Neither could have spoken another word if they'd tried, deciding instead to show each other how they felt. They took their time, meaning in every touch, every movement, until light exploded behind their eyes, both feeling as though their hearts and spirits were now two parts of the same being.

"Not bad for an old guy," Buffy joked lightly, amazement still reflected in her eyes.

"Same to you love," Spike said, kissing her shoulder.

"I am not old!" Buffy squealed in mock outrage.

"Are for a Slayer," Spike pointed out. "And for the record, you'll keep getting older until I have to change your diaper three times a day, if I have anything to say about it."

"Tell me about your life, Spike" she asked him. "Tell me about William. Tell me about - everything. I want to know you every way I can."

Spike kissed her sweetly, touched she'd finally asked.

THIRTY

"I was the oldest son of the Eighth Duke of Newling," Spike began. "I had one brother, and two younger sisters. I attended Oxford, and studied classic literature and languages. My father died shortly after I received my doctorate, and I became the head of the family. Madeline, my youngest sister, died in a carriage accident when she was only ten. My other sister Elizabeth, Bethie, was in the same accident. One of her legs was crushed. The accident occurred shortly after Bethie had been introduced to society. Afterward, instead of filling her dance card at every ball, she was relegated to sitting with the old women and the spinsters. Her
friends basically avoided her, too caught up in making the rounds of balls and men to waste time with someone who couldn't relate anymore. I can't tell you how awful it was, watching how much she was hurting, not knowing how she fit in anymore. Dawn reminds me of her, especially when she found out about being the Key. Not knowing who she was anymore, how she fit in, if anyone would still love her. I did my best with Bethie, but there wasn't much I could really do. I was a bloody poofter, Buffy. Weak, sensitive, genteel - a son an overprotective mother was thrilled with, and in whom a father had only disappointment. I was only invited to gatherings because it would have been an unthinkable breach of etiquette to exclude me. I was a good man, I just wasn't much of one. I never told you how I got the name Spike, did I?" he asked, looking down at her.

Buffy shook her head in response, riveted by the story he was telling. She now realized why he had begun speaking so differently since he'd been back. He was speaking in William's voice.

"I used to write poetry," he laughed. "God awful poetry at that. One night - the night I was turned actually - one of the other guests at the party I was attending grabbed one of my poems and read it out loud. After they had laughed, and thought I was out of hearing, I heard him joking that people would rather have a railroad spike driven through their head then have to listen to my bloody awful poetry. So, actually, I have him to thank for two nicknames - William the Bloody, and Spike. Never thought 'Bloody' came from bad poetry, did you pet?" Again, Buffy shook her head, not wanting to interrupt.

"Anyway, Bethie went through a hard time there for a while. But then, this bloke started sitting next to her at every ball, talking with her all night, making her laugh, getting her what she needed, and most importantly, bringing her back into 'society'. What he did for her - well, you can imagine. She started living again. There were times there when I knew she'd wished for death. That's why watching you was so hard last year - it brought back memories I thought I'd forgotten." Buffy squeezed his hand in understanding

"The next thing you know, I'm being asked for my sister's hand in marriage. I immediately gave my blessing, knowing he not only came from a good family, but that he was a good man. So, Bethie became Mrs. Nathaniel … Giles." Spike looked at Buffy expectantly.

"You're related to Giles?" Buffy breathed in shock.

"His great, great, great, great uncle, to be exact," Spike chuckled. "I only told him when we stopped to see him and Mags on our way here. You're the fourth one to find out. I didn't exactly want to brag about my family connection to the Council of Watcher's, if you know what I mean. Still, he was the first one I went to for help after the chip. I guess family still mattered to me on some level. No one else ever knew about my connection to Rupert, but I think on some level he did. You can only be that understanding, or that furious, with someone who's family. I'll have to ask him, now that I think about it. Anyway, my younger brother Richard - any father's wet dream - was away at school, so it was just me and mother. Her name was Joyelle. I loved that your mum's name was almost the same as mine. I still thought I hated you then, but I loved your mum. When she listened to my problems with Dru, and gave me those little marshmallows for my cocoa, it felt like if I closed my eyes, I'd be sitting with my own mum. Not that they were alike, exactly. Your mum was one strong woman - mine wasn't. But the kindness, the empathy for other people, even if they weren't actually people - that's where they were alike."

"What happened when you were turned?" Buffy asked.

"Well, I was at that party, and the poem that bloke read was one I'd just finished writing after seeing the bird I fancied at the time - Cecily, my first case of puppy love. After the rather embarrassing scene over my poem, Cecily decided she wanted to know - were my poems about her. I told her very single word. I said those people didn't bother me, that she and I were different, and if she just gave me a chance … She said she felt nothing for me - that I was beneath her."

Buffy physically winced, Spike pulling her closer. "I'm sorry - I can't believe I said the same thing to you."

"Don't ever apologize for telling the truth. You didn't know - and even if you had it wouldn't have changed anything. I was beneath you then. I still am - but in a MUCH more enjoyable way," he teased, stealing a kiss.

"Needless to say, I was devasated," Spike said, knowing Buffy wanted him to continue. "I basically began running home, crying, to mother. That's when I bumped into Angelus' shoulder on the street, and captured Dru's attention. Her gift of having the sight was real. She quoted words to me that were in my head. She offered me everything I wanted but had no way of achieving. Though I didn't know it for several years, my aversion to magic began at the same time."

"What do you mean?" Buffy asked, confused.

" I became a vampire as a result of a vengeance spell. Cecily - better known to you as Halfrek - cursed me at the party. I was her foray into the world of being a vengeance demon. I'm how she got offered the job."

"I thought her forte was avenging children," Buffy said, still trying to adjust to the things she'd learned.

"Apparently, being the spoiled brat she was, she blamed her parents for having to be exposed to me at all, because they wouldn't allow her to ostracize me from her social group. Hence, her propensity to assist children who aren't being heard," Spike explained.

"Don't you hate her?" Buffy asked, marveling at the calm in his voice.

"No luv. I could I guess, and justifiably so, but she did me a favor when you think about it," he explained. "British society was so limiting - there's no way I would have become anything different than what I was. Her curse freed me to be who I wanted to be. Not the killer part - though I'm not going to lie to you and say I didn't revel in it. You know that. I was different then - I was different when you met me. If it weren't for Halfrek, I never would have known you. I'd have been dead and buried by the time your grandparents were born."

"What happened with your family?" Buffy asked, bracing herself.

"I'm not Angelus, Buffy," Spike whispered softly to her. "He hated his family in life, that's why he could kill them when he rose from death. I loved my family. I never would have harmed them, even in those days,
when the bloodlust invaded my every thought. I used to slip away occasionally, and watch my family through the windows - sound familiar at all? Though I was thrilled with my new existence, I couldn't let them suffer. I wrote a note to my mother, saying I'd gone out of town for a while, then had another letter written saying I had died in an estate fire, trying to save the horses and stable staff. I got the idea from an actual fire in the general area of where I said I'd be staying, knowing no one could swear to anyone being present during such an event. She, and the rest of my family, died thinking I was a hero. My brother became the next Duke, and fulfilled the position much better than I ever could. The notoriety of his older brother's death helped his position in society, and the stigma formerly attached to me was suddenly forgotten. I had become William the Hero, the coveted guest of so many prior to my unfortunate demise. I had reinvented myself in death twice over."

"Did the others know what you did?" Buffy asked, knowing Spike would realize she was referring to Dru, Angelus and Darla.

"No," he said. "Wasn't their bloody business," he finished defensively.

"You gave them a gift they never would have been able to receive, didn't you?" Buffy asked rhetorically. "Even in the midst of your strongest bloodlust, you thought of your family first."

"I was never a saint, luv," he cautioned. "I was a killer like no one before me - Angelus included. The bloke from the party was the first one to feel the railroad spike being driven through his brain. I had a lust for violence that was unsurpassable."

"But that's just it, Spike," Buffy observed. "You loved violence - not cruelty. I know you engaged in it with your undead family. But did you ever engage in cruelty on your own?"

"That was Angelus' specialty - only one per family needed in that capacity, pet," he said evasively.

"Spike," Buffy said determinedly. "Look at me. You killed, but you never liked being cruel, did you?" she asked when he finally turned his face to hers. "You promised me we'd hold nothing back from this point on, so answer my question."

"No," Spike said, bowing his head. "I never liked being cruel. I avoided it whenever I could, usually getting Angelus to assign me to something else - covering our backs, that sort of thing. The rest were amazing at cruelty. Truth be told, now that I can look back honestly, I avoided it like the plague, always acting reluctant about having to miss the fun, but being concerned with protecting my beloved family. It worked, too - until I met you."

"What do you mean?"

"You remember our conversation about the way I killed two Slayers?" Spike asked. Seeing her nod, he continued. " I became obsessed, the moment I found out what a Slayer was. This was the ultimate
show down - the quintessential test of a vampire - could he or she beat a Slayer. I sought them out. The fact that I succeeded in killing two of them built my rep huge with the family. If they ever doubted my stomach for cruelty, they were forced to remember my accomplishment - the only vampire in history to kill two Slayers. Angelus was green with envy. What they didn't know of course, which I told you, was that they both had a death wish - it was in their eyes, causing them to falter. What I didn't tell you at the time was that their feelings were much stronger than that. I didn't kill them in our first meeting. I danced with them as I danced with you. When it came down to the big battle, they basically gave up because it was me. If it had been Angelus, no way they would have let him get the best of them. We had that back and forth thing, the grudging respect, and they were so tired. Sweetheart," Spike said, getting Buffy's attention immediately at the use of the unfamiliar term of affection.

"You know what it's like to be tired of fighting," he continued, looking into her eyes. "They didn't have half of the things you have now. You're the first Slayer to have friend and family involvement, the first in the computer age, the first in the real advancement of personal weapon technology. They didn't have any of it - even the girl in the '70's. Everything was still coming to light. They fought their fight. They had spent their lives alone aside from their Watchers. Bloody hell - the Council fired Giles because he dared to view you as a daughter as well as a Slayer - he bothered to pay attention to you as a person. Imagine the Watchers they had. What no one knows, is that the only reason we fought is because they wanted me to set them free. My rep grew because of it - but I admired both of them. We sparred, building our abilities but never willing to do away with the best opponent we'd ever had. We were a challenge to each other, which far outweighed being enemies. They died at my hands because that's how they wanted to go - in glory - fighting the good fight. They gave me the gift of being the one to do it. So there you have it - the Big Bad himself. I killed the Slayers out of respect, not out of enmity."

"Buffy," Spike clarified, seeing the look on her face. "I killed thousands of people without a second thought. I was far from an admirable being. I've just always had a soft spot for Slayers - which I didn't want advertised. I promised I wouldn't hold anything back from you, and I meant it. I wasn't a good guy - far from it. But I've just told you things no one else really knows. Even though Khai and Maggie have seen the real me, the particulars aren't necessarily included - just the knowledge of the person. I told you all of this because I'm in love with you. And even if you need to use it against me, I will never regret telling you."

"Anything I've tried to think of saying just falls short," Buffy admitted. "I can't express to you how hearing your story makes me feel. There just aren't words. But I do know I love you more, even though I didn't think that was possible. Learning about you has made a lot of things make sense. I'm sorry I never asked before. I'm just glad I got another chance. For the record, the minute Dawn gets up, we're playing the exhaustion card and going to my room. It's not like we'll be lying. We still have to get dressed and go back to the couch."

"You mean we still have time?" Spike asked suggestively, tired of verbal exchanges.

"Well, maybe a little … " Buffy responded, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

THIRTY-ONE

Buffy and Spike entered the dining room together, Spike's arms wrapped around her from behind. True to her word, Buffy had pulled him upstairs as soon as she heard Dawn moving around. They'd immediately fallen asleep, clinging to each other.

"Morning everyone!" Buffy said happily.

"Finally, the last of the lazy bones join us!" Xander said in exasperation. "What is it with you people today? I get up early figuring you'd be hard at it, just to sit and watch cartoons with Dawn for five hours. What gives? Why the late wakey?"

"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but Rupert and I were definitely hard at it most of the night," Maggie said straight-faced. Giles blushed at her bluntness and began cleaning his glasses. Huge grins spread over the faces of her brothers.

"Absolutely!" Willow said seriously.

"Definitely!" Buffy confirmed.

"So, what'd you learn?" Xander asked, still not understanding.

The three couples burst out laughing, unable to hold it in anymore.

"Nothing I'm sure you don't already know, honey," Maggie said, patting his hand.

Anya covered Xander's mouth before he could say anything more, and whispered in his ear. Comprehension stole over his features. "Never mind," he said, smiling weakly in embarrassment.

"So where's breakfast Xander?" Willow asked. "You're not going to tell me you've been up this long without making us breakfast, are you?"

"No, miss smarty-pants," Xander said sarcastically. "I couldn't exactly make it and let it sit for five hours now could I?" he asked, looking at the other men pleadingly.

"Absolutely not," Spike quickly agreed.

"It just would have gone to waste," Khai agreed, supporting his fellow men.

The women stared at them, crossed arms and hands on hips being the chosen stances.

"Since I don't believe this is working in the slightest, I suggest we take ourselves to the kitchen immediately," Giles said, looking at the other three. They took one look at the women across the room, and made their decision.

"Right," Spike said nodding.

"Agreed," Khai said.

"Right behind you big guy." Xander followed obediently behind the other three.

"We are so good at this," Maggie observed as they left the room.

"Oh yeah," Buffy confirmed as Anya and Willow nodded their agreement. Dawn giggled.

"Be grateful you're learning from masters, little one," Maggie said, grinning at Dawn. "Now, watch and retain," she advised, then winked in indication at Buffy.

"Spike?" Buffy called plaintively, taking her cue. "Is there any coffee yet, honey?"

"Or tea, Rupert?" Maggie joined her.

All four men emerged from the kitchen moments later and delivered the beverage of choice to their ladies, then promptly returned to the kitchen. Dawn looked in admiration at her sisters and her friends.

"Face it, gents," Spike said as the four returned to kitchen detail. "We're whipped!" he smiled ruefully as his compatriots agreed.

"That was fantastic!" Maggie said, complimenting their cooking as she kissed Giles soundly on the mouth. "You guys can cook for me anytime." The other cooks received their thanks in a similar manner.

"Ugh," Dawn said, making gagging noises at the kissing couples. "I so need to get out of this house!"

"Well, speaking of cooking," Khai said, laughing in sympathy at her plight. "We're running pretty low on food. We need to make a run to the grocery store, so you could come with Dawn."

"Anything," Dawn said gratefully.

Maggie began rattling off a list of needed supplies as Anya and Willow frantically tried to write everything down. Xander went to pull the car into the garage so Khai could get in without going outside. Ready, they headed out.

Maggie returned to the table where Giles, Spike and Buffy were hard at work on the diaries. "How we doing?" she asked them.

"Getting there," Spike said." Taking a while though. He's not always as - lucid - as that passage from last night. Sometimes there's nothing but sheer lunacy."

"We'll figure it out," Buffy said reassuringly, knowing Spike was anxious about what the rest of the prophecy contained.

"What about you, Maggie?" Giles asked, smiling gently at her. "Do you want to try?"

"I have some research of my own to do," the Witch said cryptically. "Don't worry, Rupert," she said, seeing the concern on his face. "I do know what I'm doing, remember? I'll let you know if anything pans out." With that, she left the room.

"Now what is she up to?" Buffy asked.

"I've no idea," Giles said, still staring after the witch.

"Rupert," Spike said warningly. "She's right. You don't have to worry about her being unwise in what she does. She has abilities we can't even dream of."

"It's the knowledge those abilities exist that concerns me the most," Giles admitted.

"What do you mean?" Buffy asked, concerned over the desperation in his tone.

"I'm worried she's going to try to handle all this herself," he said in a low voice. "I think she's more shaken then she wants to admit. The idea that her power could be used to hurt the ones she loves most is abhorrent enough, but I think the thing that really gets her is the threat that the balance will be destroyed forever. She's devoted her life to maintaining that balance, ensuring its survival. That it could be destroyed, using her as the instrument to do so, is eating at her. I know it is," he said in frustration.

"Have the two of you talked about it?" Spike asked, his own concern growing.

"I've tried, but you know how she is. She just diverts me until I forget what I wanted to talk about in the first place. She knows I'm worried about her though. I think that's why she keeps avoiding the subject. She won't lie to me, and I feel like she's avoiding this talk so she won't have to tell me the truth. Do you understand?" Giles asked, not certain he was speaking clearly.

"You think she's planning something, she knows that you do, she avoids you so your worries aren't confirmed. Something like that?" Spike asked.

"Exactly!" Giles agreed, sighing deeply. The Watcher leaned back in his chair, his face drawn with tension. "Spike, I'm worried she's planning on taking on Araknal alone, without telling any of us, or at least she's trying to find a way to do so. That's what she's researching. She's trying to find a way to keep the rest of us out of danger, even if it means more for her. I think she believes it's her duty."

"Have you told her yet - about how you feel - about her?" Spike asked as Giles shifted uncomfortably. "That you love her?" the vampire said bluntly.

"She knows how much I care for her," Giles said evasively.

"It's not the same thing, Giles," Buffy admonished him. "She could have the greatest idea in the world, but if you never tell her, how will she ever know for sure? From her perspective, you don't love her enough to even bother to tell her."

Giles looked at her in alarm. "But, that's ludicrous," he said distractedly. "She has to know …"

"Well maybe if you told her she'd know there was a reason for her not to go solo against Araknal. Maybe she'd truly realize she's not alone in this fight." Spike said firmly. "Try lecturing her about teamwork while you're at it," he called after him as Giles strode determinedly after Maggie.

"How do you think it will go?" Buffy asked him.

"I hope Mags will let him all the way in, and stop holding him at arm's length," Spike replied wishfully. "The Master Witch of the Light is loved by everyone, which means Mags is loved by association. Even though they are one and the same, there are still two separate parts there. You know what that's like. She's confident dealing with love as the Witch. But as for the idea of someone loving Maggie, I think it scares the hell out of her. I just hope she gets past it - she'll be happier for it. Bloody hell!" he burst out.

"What?" Buffy asked, confused.

"Can you imagine an even happier Maggie? How obnoxious would that be?" he observed, smiling.

"I hope we get to find out," Buffy said sincerely. "I've never seen Giles like this, Spike. I'm worried about what will happen if he can't get through to her."

"He will, luv," Spike said reassuringly. "Stubbornness runs in our family."

Giles knocked once on the bedroom door before entering. Maggie looked up, surprised at the interruption, her concentration broken. She was sitting cross-legged in the center of the bed, lit candles throughout the room, an urn in front of her.

"We have to talk," Giles said seriously.

"Rupert, can't it wait?" the Witch said. "I was in the middle of …"

"No it can't," the Watcher said forcefully. "And I don't think I want to know what you were in the middle of."

"Rupert," Maggie said worriedly, hearing the tone in his voice. "What is it? You seem - angry."

"Maybe that's because I am angry," he said, pacing. "With you," he clarified, stopping in front of her.

"What?" Maggie asked in confusion. "What did I do?"

"You know perfectly well what you've done, or perhaps I should say what you haven't done. You have refused to talk to me about what you've been doing. Every time I try to talk to you about it you purposely distract me. No more, Maggie. I want to know what you're planning, and I want to know now!" the Watcher almost shouted the last word.

Maggie sat staring at him, never having seen him angry with her before. "I'm not planning anything, Rupert," she said simply.

Giles looked as though he'd been slapped. The anger seemed to drain from him, sadness taking its place.

"I said you'd never lie to me," he said ruefully, shaking his head. "But that's exactly what you're doing. What on earth could it be that would cause you to be dishonest with me, Magistra?"

Maggie held out her hand to him, the pain in his eyes causing her chest to constrict. "Rupert, sit with me," she said gently, waiting as he took her hand and sat on the edge of the bed. "Look at me," she said, waiting for him to raise his eyes to hers. "I respect you too much to ever lie to you, Rupert," she said to him sincerely. "I've been trying to find out everything I can about the hell-mouth, binding spells, the scying pool, all of it. I'm trying to get us an edge."

Giles looked at her, making sure he had her attention for his next question. "Are you saying you're not looking for a way to get all of us out of this, leaving just you having to fight Araknal?"

Maggie looked at him in alarm, her face betraying the truth of his words. "And you say you respect me too much to lie to me?" he said bitterly.

"Rupert, that's not what I'm doing," she assured him. "Yes, I've been looking for a way to take him out myself. Is that so bad? But I never would have gone after him without talking to all of you first. I'm not a rash amateur, Rupert, nor am I a liar. Truth be told, I'm starting to become offended by your accusations," the Witch said warningly.

"You were purposely keeping things from me, Maggie," Giles said. "That's not like you."

"No it's not," she acknowledged. "But this situation is different from anything I've dealt with before, Rupert. You know that. It's threatening everything that's anything to me. I have to be prepared. I have to stop it!" she stated firmly.

"But why do you insist on doing it alone?" Giles said, frustrated.

"Because I am alone!" she cried. "I always have been! This is who I am, Rupert. The one and only Master Witch of the Light! There isn't anyone else!"

"You have us," he gently reminded her. "You have … me."

"I know that, I do," she said sincerely. "But this is my fight, Rupert. This is my life - what my life has always been about."

"You're wrong," Giles said, seeing the stunned look on her face at his words. "This isn't just your fight. What do you think all of us have been doing, exactly? Do you think we've just kicked back and waited for you to come along and save the day? We've devoted our lives to the same cause - your cause. Do you think any of us want a world without balance, without Light? Do you think every one of us wouldn't sacrifice ourselves in a minute if we thought we could prevent it from happening? This is our fight too, Maggie. The same one we've always fought. But we know we're not alone - why don't you?"

Maggie didn't respond, choosing instead to stare at a button on his shirt.

"I love you too much for you to be alone," he said simply, his voice heavy with emotion. Maggie looked at him in surprise, not sure she'd heard him right.

"What did you say?" she asked, searching his face.

"Do you really not know how in love with you I am?" Giles asked, holding her face in his hands. "And you say you have powers," he teased, kissing her gently.

"Rupert, I …I'm not just the Witch. You know that, don't you?" she asked vulnerably.

"Maggie," he said smiling at her. "The Witch could take a flying leap for all I care, so long as she leaves you here."

"I don't know what to say," she said nervously. "No one's ever told me this before. I'm not easy to deal with, you know. I'm stubborn, and pushy, and …"

"Maggie," Giles stopped her. "It's not like we just met. I have known you for a while now. You can't frighten me off. I love you. That's not going to stop because of some minor personality traits. My telling you this doesn't have to change things between us. I just thought you deserved to know."

"Don't you want things to change?" the Witch blurted. "Don't you want us to be together?"

"Of course I do, Maggie. I just didn't want you to feel obliged to … I didn't want to pressure you. I'm content with being your friend," Giles said.

"What kind of man tells a woman he loves her, and then tells her he just wants to be friends? Spit it out, Rupert. Tell me what you want," she said in frustration.

"I thought I made my feelings perfectly clear in …"

"Rupert," Maggie said through clenched teeth as she rolled her eyes in impatience.

"I want you," he said simply.

"Good," she nodded in emphasis. "I want you too! Goddess, it took you long enough to tell me! So long I started doubting I was right, then I started asking myself how I could stand being so in love with you if it turned out you didn't feel the same way … "

"Excuse me," Giles interrupted. "What?"

"I was saying how - oh. Did I forget to mention something?" she asked innocently.

"Yes, I believe you may have neglected to mention a particular tidbit," Giles said teasingly.

"I'm in love with you too, Rupert," Maggie said, tears filling her eyes. "I have been for so long."

"Why didn't you tell me, Maggie?" Giles asked, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"Because I come with so much baggage, Rupert. My duty and I are a pretty overwhelming package deal," she explained. "I never believed someone would come along who could handle both, so I made sure I never got too close - that I wouldn't lose my heart. When I met you, I was lost almost from the start. You didn't freak out over anything. Believe me, I tried. But you just kept looking at me with those eyes, like you adored everything about me. Before I knew it, I'd done the very thing I've avoided all my life - I fell in love - with a human no less! I didn't tell you because it's not fair to ask someone to share in this burden," she finished, bowing her head.

"So now I'm asking you," Giles said, tilting her chin up. "Please Maggie, let me make sure you never feel alone again."

Maggie threw her arms around him, the tears coming in earnest now. Giles held her as though he were holding that lonely little girl from so long ago. He rocked her gently, whispering words of comfort.

"The good news is we're stocked to capacity," Xander said as he came in the door, loaded down with brown bags. "The bad news is, there's no food left for the rest of Sunnydale!" he joked as the rest of the group came in behind him, equally burdened. They repeated the round trip three times, until every inch of cupboard and floor space was filled with grocery bags.

"Did she think she was feeding an army?" Buffy asked, amazed at the amount of food in front of her.

"Well," Dawn said. "She kinda is. Well, maybe more like a troop, but we're still the ground forces," she reasoned. "Besides, we have nine mouths to feed three times a day, plus snacks, plus post-slayage pigging, plus being cooped up in this house for two weeks. When you think about it that way, she planned pretty well."

"And she made us get alcohol too," Xander said as he and Khai came in with more bags on top of beer cases.

"I love my sister," Spike said grinning broadly as he grabbed a beer, pulling one out for Xander and Khai as well. "What?" he asked, seeing Buffy's raised eyebrow. "It's the weekend!"

"Damn straight!" Xander said, opening his beer. The three clinked their bottles together and drank deeply.

"Isn't this the part where they grab a bag of chips and start grunting at sports on the television?" Willow asked teasingly.

"DON'T even think about it," Buffy stopped them as they started heading to the living room. "Nice try, but we've got work to do," she said firmly, a twinkle in her eye. Spike gave her a quick kiss. "I love it when you're forceful," he said, cocking his eyebrow at her suggestively.

"Work," she said in mock exasperation, pointing to the groceries that needed to be put away.

"Where is Maggie anyway?" Anya asked. "I don't know what she wants left out for tonight."

"She's talking with Giles," Buffy said, updating them on what happened earlier. Khai looked at Spike in concern and the two communicated mentally for a while.

"Anything we should know," Willow asked, giving Khai a look.

"I'm sorry," Khai said sincerely. "I don't mean to keep anything from all of you. It's just faster to have a conversation that way. I wanted to know more about their talk with Giles, and Spike wanted to know what my opinion was of Giles' concerns. I told him I have no doubt Maggie's looking for a way to keep us out of it, but she would never act without talking with us first."

"He's right," Giles said as he and Maggie crowded into the kitchen, hand in hand. The group stood mesmerized at the change in Magistra.

"Maggie," Willow said, being the first to recover her voice. "You look radiant. You're … glowing!"

"I'm not much of a poker face, am I?" the Witch asked, laughing.

"Told you it would be obnoxious," Spike said, grinning at Buffy.

"Good Lord, Maggie. Did you tell them to buy out the store?" Giles asked, finally noticing the groceries.
The Witch just raised her eyebrow at him in annoyance.

"Here mate," Spike said, handing Giles a beer. "You're going to need it. That's her 'I can't believe how stupid you men are' look, formerly reserved for Khai and me. Welcome to the family - er, the other one," Spike joked, toasting him.

"Thank you Uncle," Giles said, taking a drink.

"Ha?" Xander asked, the others joining him in their confusion.

"Come on," Buffy said to her friends, opening a cupboard door. "Let's get busy and I'll fill you guys in."

THIRTY-TWO

Several hours later found them back around the table. Maggie and Willow were researching anything pertaining to magic, Xander, Khai, Anya, and Dawn everything demon-related, and Giles, Spike and Buffy concentrated on the diaries. Everyone jumped at the sound of a book being slammed on the table.

"Sorry," Spike said. "If I look at this anymore today I really will go batty!" he said, pushing the book away from him in frustration. "Feel like a workout, mate?" he asked his brother. Seeing Khai's nod, he headed to get his things, Khai joining him.

"He's worried," Buffy observed after the two left. "It's coming off of him in waves."

"Why?" Willow asked. "Well, I don't mean why, I mean - why is he getting more worried. Has something changed?"

"He's in a constant state of change, Willow," Maggie explained. "He's still adjusting to who he is. In many respects that changes every moment of every day. He's experiencing a rebirth of everything he's known since he was turned. Everything is being re-experienced, re-defined. He's in a place where he's happier than he's ever been. And he knows he'll lose it all if he's not ready when the time comes. If it was the old Spike, it would be slash and gash as usual, fight to save the Summers women or die trying. Now he's thinking of the rest of the world, his new world. He doesn't want to screw it up."

"I'm sure it doesn't help knowing he faces the possibility of becoming even worse than he was before," Giles observed. "If that's not bad enough, the only memories he'll have of you will be filled with hatred."

"We can't let this happen," Buffy said desperately. "Let's try thinking outside the box. Pretend we don't know anything except about the Rachni and Araknal wanting to open the hell-mouth. What would we do?"

"Well, we'd try to find everything we could in the books," Willow said.

"Check," Buffy said.

"We'd try to find out where they were hiding out," Xander suggested.

"Check," Buffy repeated.

"And then we'd take them out," Xander finished.

Buffy stopped, considering his last statement.

"Khai and I talked about it last night. There's no way we could get close without them seeing us. They can see everything around them for at least a mile."

"What about under them?" Dawn asked.

"Let's think about that," Buffy said, beaming at Dawn.

"I think it's safe to assume they know about the sewers, especially since that is probably their mode of travel during the day," Giles said.

"True," Buffy said. "But that means we can pretty much move around freely during the day. Especially by car, since they wouldn't be able to keep tabs on us as easily as if we were on foot. Wait a minute - Jake!" Buffy cried in excitement.

"Buffy, what's going on in that head of yours?" Maggie asked trying to figure out where this was leading.

"Okay," Buffy said, trying to calm down. "We know they'll be guarding the school, daylight or no. They'd know any of us on sight, so there's no real way we could get close enough to do some damage. But Jake's crew could. What if public utilities needed to do some work in the area of the old high school? You know, digging, installing pipes - that could later be detonated by remote control …?"

"Buffy!" Dawn squealed, loving the idea.

"That could work," Maggie said admiringly.

"Would Jake agree to it?" Giles asked, a spark of excitement in his eyes.

"I'm pretty sure he would," Buffy said. "He told me the brass are freaking about Araknal and told him to take care of it, whatever it took. I figure his officers and the bomb squad can borrow some trucks from the utilities company, and rig the perimeter. He can even make sure he makes a speech about everyone avoiding the building at all costs because it's unstable. When they're done, they leave like it's just another job, meet up with us, and Boom! No more minions! We won't get all of them, but we can definitely take out the majority," she finished, waiting for their reactions.

"Call him, Buffy," Giles encouraged. "It may take a couple of days to accomplish everything, but that just allows for more of the Rachni to arrive. Excellent thinking!"

"It was pretty much Xander and Dawn that put the idea in my head," Buffy gushed, pleased by his compliment. She went to call Jake.

"Now we're talking," Xander said, rubbing his hands together. "And the amazing part about it is that none of us will even be put in danger. Now that's my kind of plan!"

"Yes," Giles agreed. "Let's just hope the rest of this will turn out to be equally as surmountable."

The minute Khai and Spike returned they were assaulted with everyone talking at once.

"Stop!" Maggie bellowed, everyone immediately responding. "Buffy."

The Slayer quickly brought them up to date on the plan, her eyes glued to Spike's. Admiration filled them as she finished her account.

"You are amazing!" he shouted as he picked her up and kissed her soundly. "And you!" he said, treating Dawn to the same treatment, kissing her cheek instead. "You've been learning from big sis, haven't you? I'm proud of you, Bit," he said, hugging her again.

Xander stood watching Spike nervously. When the vampire's eyes finally fell on him, he tensed. "And you!" Spike said approaching Xander, recognizing the other's stance.

"Good job mate, really well done," Spike said as he shook Xander's hand. Xander visibly sighed with relief.

"And Jake agreed to everything?" Khai asked, an excited smile on his face.

"Yup," Buffy said, hugging Spike. "He loves the idea. It's a win-win situation for him. At least part of the problem will be taken care of, and his crew will get the credit."

"This calls for a celebration!" Maggie said. "You two get cleaned up. Then I think you should go on an early patrol tonight. I'll stay behind with Dawn and we'll make a nice dinner. Shoo - let's get this night started."

Patrol was quiet again, so the gang decided to enjoy the beauty of the night around them, purposely ignoring the fact they were being observed.

"I know I don't need to ask this," Buffy began, "But are you happy, Giles?"

Her Watcher looked at her warmly.

"Truth be told, Buffy, I am … ecstatic," he said simply. "I realize it sounds somewhat strange, in light of the current situation, but I've never been happier. Did you know she told me she needs me? The single greatest power to exist on this earth needs … me. Can you imagine how that feels? She is just - beautiful! Don't you think?" Giles gushed.

"Yes Giles, I think she's absolutely beautiful," Buffy said, grinning happily. "I also think she's the only woman I've ever met who's worthy of you."

"Thank you Buffy," Giles said sincerely, hugging her tightly.

"You do know I wasn't including my mom in that, right?" she asked.

"Absolutely," Giles replied, smiling.

"What a gorgeous night," Willow commented as they walked up to the house.

"Isn't it though?" Buffy agreed. "You know, I'm glad those uglies have avoided us the last two nights. Guess they know not to mess with us!" she said loudly.

"Yeah," Spike agreed, playing her game. "But, you know, gotta say I'm kinda disappointed. Always heard they were alright fighters. Never thought they'd turn out to be such cowards. How bout you, brother - what do you think."

"I too thought they're stomach for battle would be stronger. It's very disappointing," Khai said, sighing sadly to emphasize his point.

The group immediately covered their mouths to keep from laughing as soon as they shut the door behind them.

"Now that was fun," Anya said happily. "Taunting is sometimes the best part."

"You've got that right, pet," Spike agreed, earning an eyebrow from Buffy at the use of the endearment. She only made him suffer briefly before grinning at the shell-shocked look on his face.

"Woman I'm hungry," Giles suddenly bellowed, causing the Scoobies to burst out laughing. They walked to the dining room, only to stop at the sight that greeted them. The table was laid with full china and crystal, candles being the only source of light. Dawn and Maggie stood at the entryway to the kitchen, both dressed to the nines.

"Maggie," Giles whispered, everyone knowing he was even more floored by the sight of the woman before him. She was wearing a low cut, black, formal gown that shimmered in the candlelight, the small jewels sewn along the bodice twinkling merrily. "My God you're beautiful," he said as he swooped in and kissed her.

"Remind me to do this more often," the Witch joked, laughing breathlessly. "Okay, all of you head upstairs and get ready. This is a formal affair. Dinner will be served in an hour," she continued, realizing the other men weren't listening to her. They were too busy looking at Dawn. Maggie smiled, thrilled at the attention the girl was receiving.

Dawn was wearing a silver, form-fitting gown, reminiscent of the golden age of Hollywood. Her long hair was loosely curled, held back by two rhinestone clips.

"Dawn, you look absolutely beautiful," Khai said, kissing her hand.

"Aha," Xander got out, his mouth gaping open in shock.

"My Niblet grew up when I wasn't looking," Spike said, kissing her cheek, his eyes misty.

"I'll always be your Niblet," she promised, whispering in his ear as she hugged him.

"Quite remarkable," Giles said, squeezing her hand.

The three women blew kisses at her, congratulating her on how wonderful she looked.

"Okay, get going!" Maggie ordered.

An air of excitement entered the house as the rest of the group made their way upstairs. Maggie told the men to go to Giles' room, and the women to Buffy's. Lying on the beds in each room were their clothes for the evening, each carefully labeled with their names.

"How?" Buffy asked, looking at the clothes.

"Parties are an obsession of mine, thus making formal wear a necessity," Maggie answered, as she and Dawn entered the room. "My house is loaded with every dress and tuxedo imaginable, in any size I choose. You may have noticed my bags hold an inordinate amount of things. That's because anything I ask for from home will appear. So, what do you think of my choices?"

The women fingered the gowns lovingly, amazed at how perfectly Maggie had guessed their tastes. They looked at her in amazement.

"Now I know these wouldn't always be your choices, but I thought they'd do perfectly for tonight," the Witch said, pleased at their response.

Eagerly, they threw their clothes off and started dressing. Maggie had thought of everything, from undergarments, to shoes, to accessories.

"We just have to decide on your hairstyles," the Witch said, eyeing them with approval. "Dawn, why don't you see how the men are faring?" The teenager readily agreed and left the room.

"You guys almost ready?" Dawn asked after knocking on the door. It flew open before her, hands yanking her inside.

"Help," they desperately said in unison, standing before her in their pants and shirts.

"What's the problem," she asked laughing, noticing how nervous they all were. She held up her hand at the chorus of responses. "Okay, okay. Lucky Maggie showed me how to help. I'll get you put together in no time," she assured them, their looks of panic slowly receding.

"They're waiting downstairs," Dawn said a few minutes later, poking her head in the door of Buffy's room. "Wow," she said. "You guys look amazing."

"We do, don't we?" Anya asked, twirling one last time in front of the mirror. She looked gorgeous in a deep violet gown, with tiny violets dispersed in her upswept hair. The gown hugged her tightly, from the off the shoulder sleeves to her small waist, flaring out in yards of material from there. She wore matching amethyst earrings, which set off her amethyst necklace to perfection.

Willow was resplendent in an emerald green, two-piece gown. The scalloped top emphasized her exquisite skin, showing everything from her neck to the tops of her breasts. She wore a gorgeous emerald choker, and matching earrings. Her midriff was bare, save for a thin, gold chain that was interspersed with tiny emeralds. A slit in the skirt ran up the side of her leg to the top of her thigh. Her red hair was pulled back in a French braid, curling whisps encircling her head like a crown.

Buffy was breathtaking in her sleeveless, blood red gown. The top consisted of a front halter, connected by a thin slip of material to the bottom of her dress, leaving her waist exposed. Her back was completely bare, the skirt dipping low to just below the line of her spine. The dress was held up by two thin strands around her shoulders that connected to the material around her hips. The front was low cut, a single ruby pendant dangling tantalizingly between her breasts. She wore her hair long, curled similarly to Dawn's, the light blond strands softly caressing her shoulders. The bottom of the gown was slit on either side to just above her knee. Two teardrop ruby earrings twinkled on either side of her neck.

"Damn I'm good," Maggie joked, trying to relieve the nervous tension in the room. "Ready ladies? Your knights await!" she said leading them to the top of the stairs. She and Dawn went down first, both grabbing an arm on either side of Giles who looked magnificent in his all black, top coat with tails.

Anya was the next to descend. Xander stood in awe at the bottom of the stairs, dressed in a classic tuxedo, unable to think of anything to say. Anya smiled brightly, realizing he was speechless at the sight of her. She grabbed his arm, tilting his chin up to close his mouth.

Willow was the next to appear at the top of the stairs, Khai's eyes never leaving hers until she stood in front of him. Bowing low, he kissed her hand, wrapping it securely around his arm as he whispered in her ear. Willow flushed in pleasure, kissing him lightly on the lips. He was unbelievably handsome in a silver overcoat, his cravat matching perfectly against the all black vest and pants.

When Buffy emerged at the top of the stairs, Spike was paralyzed. He watched as she descended the stairs, the gown seeming to stay on her of its own accord. He was dressed all in black except for the blood-red vest he wore, his topcoat a black duster. Spike couldn't take his eyes off her. He watched her approach him as if in a dream, until his knees buckled and he lost consciousness.

Everyone saw Spike pass out right before Buffy touched him. They rushed over to him, trying not to crowd him too closely.

"Spike," Buffy said worriedly, lightly slapping his cheeks. "Spike?"

A moan escaped his lips as he opened his eyes, only to see the same vision before him.

"How did I possibly win your heart?" he asked groggily, staring up at Buffy. They all breathed a sigh of relief at his words.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Xander asked, berating himself. They moved as a group to the dining room, as Buffy helped Spike to his feet.

"You really know how to show a girl you like her dress," Buffy joked lightly.

Spike stopped, taking her face in his hands. "You are such a vision, that at times I can't believe you're actually mine. Thank you," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. He kissed her lightly, tentatively, as though he was afraid he'd wake up and find it was all a dream. Buffy pulled him against her and deepened the kiss, equally determined he know this was reality. Spike wrapped her hand possessively around his arm, and escorted her to the dining room.

Maggie had outdone herself with dinner. Though all of her creations had unpronounceable names, they tasted incredible. The wine flowed freely, the conversation was lively, and laughter was constant. Maggie insisted they leave the dishes soaking for the evening, and they adjourned to the living room. Xander and Willow chose a radio station that was playing an acoustic mix of rock, blues, and jazz. The night wore on, with everyone dancing and joking. Dawn fell asleep on the couch, having changed into her pajamas long ago, the little girl now apparent again. Buffy attempted to wake her to send her to bed, only to have Dawn tell her she was staying where she was. The time of the night had come when all the lovers could think of was being alone together. The couples said goodnight to each other, everyone hugging Maggie for such a wonderful evening.

Two hours later, Spike awoke in game face, Maggie's warning echoing in his mind. Leaping out of bed, he pulled on a pair of sweats and ran to the door, making certain Buffy was following his lead. Khai emerged from his room in the same way, a step behind Spike as they bolted down the stairs. Maggie and Giles handed them their weapons as they reached the main floor, Dawn standing safely beside them. Buffy and Willow were only a second behind them as they all raced to the basement. Xander and Anya burst through the door, eyes frantic.

"There's something coming - down there - we felt it. I don't know how -it's dark, evil. We just got the hell out of there," Xander rushed out, trying to calm down.

"It's him," Maggie said, closing her eyes in concentration. "He's searching - SHIT! The sewer entrance - it wasn't part of the original spell. He's found the weakness. We'll have to recast but I can't do it while he's using the scying pool - it's too risky. Hurry, they're just passing beneath the property line!"

The group rushed downstairs and began to surround the sewer entrance when all hell broke loose. Rachni poured forth from the floor, some bursting up through the cement. The thrall was almost paralyzing, stronger than anything they'd felt before. Panic began to rise in each of them as the demons attacked.

Suddenly, a picture of Maggie at the bottom of the stairs behind them flashed in their minds and the panic began to recede. The Rachni fought fiercely, pushing them back until they each were separated from the others by the beasts they were fighting. An eerie silence descended, only broken occasionally by the sounds of metal hitting bone, and cries of pain.

The Scoobies were able to force the Rachni back enough to reform in two groups. Spike, Khai, Maggie and Buffy faced off on one side of the basement, while Xander, Willow, Anya and Giles protected the stair access, Dawn watching wide-eyed from the third step. The tide seemed to be going in their favor when one last Rachni emerged from the sewer. The thrall redoubled in intensity, causing momentary disorientation. Dawn screamed from the stairs as she succumbed to the fear that was assaulting her. Giles was slashed deeply across the chest by a claw as Willow was thrown into a wall and knocked unconscious by the impact to her head. Buffy and Spike had both turned at Dawn's scream, Spike failing to avoid the pincer of the demon approaching him from behind. He cried out in pain as he dropped to his knees, unable to move. His eyes met the four glowing red orbs of the beast standing above the sewer entrance. Spike felt himself responding to the smell of blood around him as his vision blurred. He found himself in the midst of carnage, bodies piled around him as he saw Dru and Darla dancing in the firelight, smearing the fresh blood of their kills on each other's faces.

Khai stepped into his bother's line of vision, breaking the contact between him and the creature. Maggie whipped four daggers in quick succession, each hitting their target. The beast roared in pain, the hilts of the daggers protruding from each of its eyes as Buffy's sword sunk deep into its chest. The thrall immediately dissipated, as the few remaining Rachni were quickly dispatched with.

"Khai," Xander shouted, desperately trying to stem the flow of blood pouring from Giles' chest. Khai rushed over, seeing Willow beginning to come to out of the corner of his eye. Light immediately surrounded Khai as he saw the severity of the wound, his hands appearing as though they held the sun as he laid them on Giles ripped flesh. Maggie held his head in her lap, gently stroking his brow, her eyes on her brother's face. Khai stayed like that for several seconds until the energy around him finally dimmed.

"Rupert?" Maggie whispered gently, coaxing him to open his eyes. "It didn't work, you know. You're still stuck in this relationship." She was rewarded with a small smile as the Watcher finally opened his eyes. Tears of relief flooded her eyes as she rained kisses over his face.

Willow sat rubbing the back of her head and wincing, still trying to clear her mind of its unconscious fog. Khai knelt beside her and placed his hand on the back of her head, pulling her into a hug as the large lump disappeared.

Aside from the initial pain of the pincer sinking into his skin, Spike felt nothing. Buffy had immediately gone to him, relieved when no pain was reflected in his gaze. He couldn't speak, or even move his eyes. She relayed to him what was happening with Giles and Willow as Khai knelt beside him and placed his hand on the angry-looking mark left by the pincer.

"It will take time before you're fully recovered, but you should be able to feel your limbs and move your head in a few minutes. Your speech will return in that time as well," Khai reassured him, speaking aloud for
Buffy's benefit. Xander and Maggie helped Giles up the stairs, Anya and Willow following slowly behind them. Buffy and Khai made a makeshift chair with their arms and scooped Spike up, Dawn bracing his back as they made their way up to the living room. The uninjured Scoobies returned downstairs and disposed of the bodies. Maggie recast the protection spell to include the sewer entrance as Buffy called Jake and let him know where the bodies could be found.

THIRTY-THREE

Dawn sat anxiously next to Spike, holding his hand, wanting to feel for herself when he regained movement. She sat quietly, knowing Spike was mentally communicating with his two siblings, expressions flitting so quickly over Khai and Maggie's faces there was no way to guess what they were saying. Seeing him like this was terrifying, his breathless body propped in a sitting position, his eyes wide and staring straight ahead. She had reassured herself he wasn't dead by looking him in the eye, seeing that though his eyes were unmoving, they weren't lifeless. "If only I hadn't screamed like a baby," she thought, berating herself.

"He says to tell you this wasn't your fault, and to stop worrying," Khai said. "He also says he'll tell you that himself as soon as he's looking more like his handsome self - and that's a direct quote." Khai smiled broadly at Dawn, trying to reassure her. He earned a small smile in return.

"Good to know being paralyzed doesn't affect your ego any," Buffy said as she placed a kiss on the top of Spike's head, having caught the tail end of Khai's comments. "What was happening to him, before you stepped in front of him?" she asked the Healer.

"He was reliving a particularly violent night of killing. He said the bloodlust suddenly became overwhelming, and he found himself in a place from the past with Dru and Darla dancing in celebration of the slaughter they had just completed. It was the night they tried to avenge the curse placed on Angelus. They … were very angry," he finished evasively as he avoided relating the gruesome details.

"Okay, so what does it mean?" Buffy asked, looking between Khai and Maggie as she held Spike's other hand.

"It means he touched the Dark in me, luv," Spike said, startling everyone in the room. "And Bit, if you don't stop squeezing my hand so tight there won't be a point in getting the feeling back," he teased, his eyes twinkling at her. Dawn threw her arms around him, telling him how sorry she was for screaming.

"Niblet, this isn't your fault. You don't have anything to apologize for. That beastie threw us all off our game for a bit - just look around if you don't believe me. And look," he said as he bent forward and kissed her cheek, "I can already move my head."

"You okay in there?" Buffy asked, lightly stroking his head.

"Am now I got my voice back- hate being talked about without being able to add my own two cents," he said as Buffy kissed him. "Course there are times I don't mind getting my mouth shut for me," he acknowledged, cocking his eyebrow at her.

"Hate to bring reality crashing back but - didn't you just say a naughty part of you had been touched - and not in the good, naughty way?" Xander asked.

"Right," Spike acknowledged, shifting his eyes to the floor. "Mags, can you explain?"

"Araknal made his first connection with the Dark side of Spike," Maggie confirmed. "We knew this was part of his plan, we just didn't think it would come now. Truthfully, he's not supposed to be able to project his powers this much through the scying pool. Willow, it seems you had something with questioning the ways he could use the pool. This has me thrown, to be honest. Not just the power transference, his whole approach. I'm more convinced then ever something happened, and he's had to increase his timetable for some reason. There's no other way to explain tonight's attack. Though it may sound strange, I think he's running scared. We have to maximize our advantage. Let me go check a few things. Willow - apply what we know from tonight to what you've been looking for in your research on the pool. Let's meet back here in an hour - and scour those damn diaries!" she all but shouted at them. They obediently moved to the dining room and began pouring over the Khailan recordings.

Buffy remained next to Spike as the rest filed into the other room. "Are you sure you're okay?" she asked worriedly, looking into his eyes.

"Almost back to normal," Spike said reassuringly, his senses responding to her closeness.

"Well, since it'll still be a while before you're at full strength, and we do have this little matter of another approaching apocalypse, I'm willing to settle for some major smoochies," she teased as she straddled him, her mouth descending on his passionately, trying to restore every millimeter of feeling. Spike responded in kind, pulling her closer to him, his hand reaching beneath her shirt, feeling how petite the bones of her back were in comparison to her strength. Buffy moved her mouth to his neck, nuzzling her own beneath his chin. Spike could sense the strength of her pulse, his eyes becoming mesmerized by the tiny flicker of blood pumping through the wide vein in her neck. Suddenly he was seized by the need to sink his fangs into her, to feel her life force flowing down his throat. His game face emerged, Buffy not noticing as she continued to suckle his neck and upper chest. Spike closed his eyes, fighting for control of the demon within him. The more intense her attentions became, the more the bloodlust grew in him. He whispered 'no', only to have Buffy laugh seductively in response, muttering she was just attempting to inspire him for when they were alone. Buffy lightly rubbed her hips against his groin in emphasis, and Spike's control was nearly shattered. He threw her across the room from him, his need to drain her blood almost overwhelming him. He called for his brother in his mind as he saw Buffy hit the wall across from him, knowing she would be dead if he hadn't been so severe. He saw her look up, the shock and hurt from his attack evident as she saw his demon face staring back at her. Khai was there before she even fully touched ground, Spike advising him of the situation before he even entered the room. Maggie was there moments later, Willow right behind her.

"Buffy, you need to leave," Khai said, the conviction of his tone stopping whatever she was about to say. She left the room angrily, frustrated at not being able to talk to Spike, Willow right behind her. She knew something more than his paralysis and flashback had taken place. For the first time in two years, Buffy had felt true fear when looking at him. Even in their worst times, she had never felt real fear - momentary panic
perhaps, but nothing like she had felt moments ago. She knew he had wanted to drain her, not taste her as a means to express his passion, but to kill her. She had seen it on his face, even as she saw his love for her battling there as well.

Buffy shakily settled herself into a chair at the table, explaining what had just happened in a stilted tone, trying to make sense of it herself.

Moments later, Maggie entered the room. "Buffy," she said seriously," I'll explain everything soon, but for now, do you have any type of restraints we can use for him. And I mean heavy duty restraints, like what you would try to use on me or Khai."

Eyes widening in concern, Buffy nodded, mutely indicating for Willow to get them what they needed. Buffy continued to sit at the table, her friends and family watching her in concern as once again, one of her worst nightmares appeared to be coming true. Giles, unable to watch the pain of her confusion anymore, strode over and stood her up, then settled her on his lap as he pulled her close and rocked her like a small child.

"Buffy," Khai said. "I'm so sorry, but I need all of you to go into the back yard as far away from the door as possible. We'll let you know when you can come back in."

The Scoobies acquiesced to his request, their tension mounting as they waited patiently for the signal to return to the house.

"I wonder what they're trying to surprise us with," Buffy said suddenly, her cheery tone instantly communicating her intent to her companions.

"Ya," Willow responded excitedly. "You never can tell what those three will come up with!"

"Whatever it is," Anya piped up, " you can be sure it's going to be something special just for you, so Xander - take notes," the demon said lightly, illustrating her brilliance at teasing the bad guys.

Maggie appeared on the back porch and waved them in. "I'm just saying - we've outdone ourselves," she said in a teasing voice, having heard the conversation they were putting forth for the Rachni's benefit.

They waited until everyone was seated in the living before the explanations began.

"I'm sorry Buffy," Maggie said sincerely. "It appears part of Araknal's assault on Spike tonight consists of trying to get him to kill you," the Witch began. "The closer you get to Spike, the greater the bloodlust is. This is nothing new as you know, given your love for both Angel and Spike. You know they kept their demon side in check when with you, their love for you far outweighing their desire for your blood. Araknal has taken that from Spike - the more he feels for you - the more the desire to kill you grows," she said bluntly. "I don't want to hurt you, Buffy, but you need to know the truth of what's happened. It is only Spike's love for you that kept him from killing you moments ago, but he no longer trusts his ability to
control that impulse. He knows he's being manipulated.. He asked that we keep him bound as forcefully as we would any enemy, until we can figure out a way to counteract Araknal's hold over him. He wrote this to you, then asked we make sure you are kept away from him. You need to stay as far away from him as possible until we figure this out. Make sense?" The Witch asked gently, handing Buffy a letter and seeing her nod in response. "Okay, let me check a few more things, and then we'll review from the beginning. Excuse my language, but this fucker's going down - I have officially had enough!!!" Maggie said emphatically, the whites of her eyes burning fiercely.

Part 4