Twists of Fate - (15) Life in Sunnydale

by Tasha & Athenewolfe
(Both)

Author's Note/Summary: Chapter 14 and Chapter 15 coincide in the timeline. While Chapter 14 concentrates on the events occurring in Los Angelus with Giles, Hank and Faith; Chapter 15 deals with the Sunnydale issues. There may be liberties taken with a supernatural creature that appeared on Angel. If there are any questions, then just assume that Wesley and Angel were confused, as they often were, or failed to research the creature in question beyond their immediate needs.

Disclaimer and Distribution notes are listed on the Index page of this story.

'Single' quote marks surround thoughts in this story. "Regular" quotes are around spoken words.


Spike and Buffy's home (While Giles drove to L.A which is an hour before sunset.)

Previously: Buffy lost track of time as she explored her Sire's body. Hands and lips caressed Spike. With every touch she discovered how powerful she was. She took control of her life, her body, and her destiny with every slight movement.

A soft rumble stilled her hand, and Buffy looked up and met her Sire's gaze. His eyes communicated everything she needed to know. She felt his passion for her, his love, and his fear that he would push her too far. She laid one finger against his lips. "Shhhh, please Sire. Let me do this?"

Spike nodded his consent, and he struggled to keep his demon in control. The sensations Buffy created with her gentle touch were almost too much. He watched as she traced her tongue across his frame: licking him, tasting him, and devouring him with her tongue. This was only the second time they'd touched like this, but this time she was the one in control.

As Buffy's mouth engulfed Spike's cock, all thoughts fled their minds but one, "This is glorious."

Buffy was lost in a sensation of feeling. Her mind was clouded with love, lust and longing. Her hands roamed across Spike's chest. Her mouth engulfed his cock while her tongue swirled around it: licking, tasting and touching. She moaned as a ragged desire built inside her, taunting her with the promise of release and fulfillment.

Buffy needed more. She needed to possess Spike, to devour him and to lose herself in his embrace. As she tasted him, taunted him, and teased him with her tongue he grew bigger. He expanded in her mouth, filling her with a feminine pride and a moist dampness beneath her mound's curls.

Buffy wanted him. She needed him, but she was still afraid. Could she do this? Could she go through with this? Buffy stopped her explorations and sat up. Looking down, she drunk in the sight of her Sire, sprawled over the bed. His cock was glorious to behold as it bobbed back and forth as it begged for attention. His eyes were smoldering. Yet, he still looked concerned.

Spike felt Buffy's hesitation, and he started to speak.

Buffy knew he didn't want to push her into anything, but he wasn't. Yes she was afraid, but she refused to let that fear stop her from claiming her mate. She would never again allow that scum to intrude into her life, to control her through her fears. He was dead, and she was alive, well undead. She shook her head at Spike, silently communicating that he should not talk.

Smiling seductively, Buffy made eye contact and opened her mind to him as much as she could, instinctively knowing that they were linked to each other. With one hand she touched his cock, sliding her thumb over the glistening tip. Positioning him and herself as best as she could, she eased herself onto Spike's shaft. Watching as his smoky gaze burned even more brightly, she slowly impaled herself until he was fully sheathed inside of her. He filled her completely. Only then did she close her eyes, amazed at how good it felt to be on top of him, taking control, taking him, and feeling like she had come home.

Buffy was amazed at the sensations she felt. Rocking back and forth she experimented with the angles, exploring this strange link in her mind that connected her to her Sire. She wasn't sure what had happened or why the link seemed to be so strong, but she could feel his pleasure and desire. Her first assumption was that the Sire/Childe boned was growing stronger with each sharing of blood between them.

As Buffy slowly moved, she enjoyed grinding her clit against Spike. Her limited experience with men had never brought her this much pleasure. She'd never been allowed this much leeway for exploration. A heady thrill coursed through her as she found a new angle that was slowly driving her crazy.

"Please Buffy," Spike groaned, "Luv..." Buffy nodded and Spike placed his hands on her hips. He moved her faster and faster, increasing the speed and the friction that she had previously set.

Pleasure coursed through Buffy's body as everything continued to build. Driving her insane with lust, desire, and need, she bit back a moan, "Please Sire... Spike... I need..."

Spike pulled Buffy closer to him, thrusting his hips upwards, and he bit her neck. Unable to control herself Buffy came violently. Her orgasm crashed into her, and Spike's orgasm swiftly followed.

Exhausted Buffy collapsed on Spike's chest. Her eyes fluttered shut as Spike whispered the instinctual words to complete their powerful connection. "Mine, always mine"

A whispered, "Yours," drifted past Buffy's lips as sleep claimed her once more.

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

1630 Revello Drive (At the same time Giles pulled up to Hank Summers' home after dark)

Willow eyed the house with a distasteful sneer. How dare they sell her home out from under her feet? She earned the right to live here! All of the hours she spent taking care of Dawn, the time and money spent to bring Buffy back from the dead, the endless research through the years on the latest big bads, and this was how Buffy repaid her?

The air filled with magical energy, crackling like lighting as it rolled over Willow's skin. Her black eyes penetrated the room; her power expanding to fill the space around her. She was not willing to just accept this, to act like the meek mouse they always expected her to be. She was not willing to play second fiddle to the Slayer anymore. If they didn't want her help, didn't want her in their home, then she would show them who they were disrespecting. They would come back to her, begging her to help sort out their lives.

Willow's eyes flashed once more. Her mouth curled up in a vicious smirk. It was time to have a "talk" with Buffy.

Willow enjoyed the feeling of power that caressed her skin. She didn't want to put off this confrontation any longer. She drifted towards her former bedroom. The hallway seemed to darken as if the house had reacted to her unwanted presence. She was thankful that everyone had left the house. She hadn't bothered to notice where - perhaps a hotel, or maybe they went home. It didn't matter to Willow anymore. It only mattered that she was alone.

Scanning a critical eye across the room, Willow decided it was time to remove all her belongings. With a wave of her hand, everything in the room disappeared with the exception of the drapes and a lone dresser. Was it her fault that she had redecorated while everyone was away? Buffy had never told her that she couldn't change the room, and who really wanted to live with that depressing interior. If they would have given her more notice she would have kept more of Joyce's things.

Willow quickly conjured the appropriate materials for a spell and sat down. Enjoying the feeling of calling upon the earth's energies, she slowly created her power circle. It pulsated with energy, and as the power crackled around her face she knew that it would hold against all outside forces.

Willow would not accept failure in the quest to find Buffy this time. This was no longer about Buffy's selfish actions or her self-centered slayer personality. This was personal. Everything was going just fine until Buffy came back from the dead. You would think that she would have been grateful. Yes, she was pulled from Heaven, but it wasn't like she wasn't going to get back there eventually. Until then she could experience so much - friendship, love, and family. Yet what did she do? She whined, complained and alienated everyone around her.

If Buffy hadn't returned with an attitude, then Tara would not have gotten upset or moved out. Giles would never have started drinking, and Xander would have kept trusting in her. She could have deratted Amy, and everyone would have been happy. All Buffy had to do was realize what an amazing gift that Willow had given her and been contented to get a job and raise Dawn. The Slayer couldn't even do that properly. She had to ruin everything and make Willow's life difficult.

Eyes flashing, Willow started her chant. "I summon thee Dinza, goddess of the lost. Come before me. Leave your tomb, your sacred cave, and enter the mortal world of light and life. I grant you safe passage, of blood and death, to enter this realm and remain for a period of one moon. Taste of this innocent blood, accept this sacrifice and appear before me bound to your task."

Time seemed suspended as Willow cut a gash in her arm and began to mix it with the innocent blood of the dove whose throat she had cut. She was briefly plagued with guilt, momentarily wondering if she had now gone too far, or if the dry cleaners could get the stain out of her dress. She pushed those thoughts away knowing that Buffy would eventually thank her.

Buffy had come back wrong. Willow knew this even as she used her own blood to bind the demon to her task. The dove symbolized innocence, but true power was needed to fetch a goddess who could only be visited by the dead. Her own blood, her power, could force the demon to remain long enough to complete the task, while at the same time making the goddess able to take form and be visible to the mortal whose blood she was linked to. It was perfect. No living creature could perceive Dinza. Buffy would be unable to defend herself from this goddess of the lost.

Willow smiled as the power and blood loss was making her giddy. She would have the chance to correct her wrongs, to make everything as it should be. First she had to find Buffy. She would then have a chance to fix everything. They would all be happy, and life would return to normal. No matter what she had to do to fix things.

Outside the circle, a vague shape began to take form. Becoming more solid, she hissed in a snakelike manner, "Foolish mortal, why have you summoned me. You violate the rules of nature; I seek death, not life."

Willow looked triumphant as the blood magic began to take hold... "I summoned thee Dinza to find what is mine. I lost the Slayer. Fetch her for me, and you shall have your reward."

Dinza slithered around the circle, trying to take another taste of the power that summoned her. "And what my pretty shall be my reward? What will you give you up in order to fulfill your desires? What can you offer me that I will take?"

Willow smiled a mischievous grin, "I give you her memories. A taste of a life you will never have. Once stolen, they are never to be returned. You can guard them in your cave. She has memories of heaven and paradise lost."

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

(Sometime after 11 pm in Sunnydale at Spike, Tara, Dawn, and Buffy's house)

Dawn and Tara walked in the house together. They continued their animated talk from the entryway all the way into the kitchen. After the little love fest started upstairs, Tara decided it would be a good idea to take Dawn out for a little movie and ice cream time together. After they watched a cute little romantic comedy at the cinema, Tara treated them both to a scoop of their favorite ice cream.

Tara was going to have to talk with Buffy and Spike about a soundproofing spell for their rooms. She chuckled to herself at the thought of how embarrassed Buffy would be to know that Tara heard every single detail of the couple's lovemaking earlier even though she tried not to listen.

"I didn't see Willow, Xander or Giles at school today." Dawn bit into a nicely tart Granny Smith apple. "I figured the Scoobies would be all over me today. Do you think Angel actually left Sunnydale instead?"

"I doubt it." Tara sighed. "I think Spike and Buffy would have been able to tell if he left." She set a knife and a small bowl of heated caramel on the island counter in front of Dawn.

Dawn carefully sliced off a sliver of her apple, and she swiped the sliver through the sticky substance. "Did anything attack the wards today?"

"Not that I've noticed, and that worries me." Tara picked up her own apple. She cored and peeled hers before she sliced it. "The bank called with verification about Buffy's house yesterday. Willow would never just let something go like that without a fight."

"I can't see Willow being happy about it either." Dawn frowned. "The calm before the storm?" She questioned.

"I'm afraid so. We need to keep our eyes open."

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

Spike opened his eyes. He shivered at the realization that his cock was still buried deep within Buffy. The feel of her currently suckling the blood from his neck had him hard as a rock instantly. 'I could enjoy this kind of a wake up everyday,' He thought to himself. He tried not to dislodge Buffy's fangs from his neck when he shifted a little underneath her.

Buffy purred in her sleep. She felt very safe and comforted in her lover's embrace. His blood infused her with the power and strength of her Sire, a master vampire of the Aurelian Clan.

Spike ran his fingers through Buffy's long golden mane. When he lightly scratched her scalp, he was rewarded with the sounds of her stronger purring. Awake or asleep, he loved watching Buffy. 'I can see traces of Joyce in Buffy's face. I miss Mum.' He sighed sadly. He considered all of the Summers' women his family to love and protect.

Buffy hugged Spike more tightly in her sleep. She sensed the grief and melancholy he was experiencing. Even in her slumber she wanted to comfort him. "Family," she muttered in the first stages of wakefulness.

She was a bit startled by Buffy's muttered response. "Yes, pet. You and the Nibblet are my family now." He wasn't sure if she really heard him or what prompted the declaration from her.

"Mmmm ... family ..." Buffy continued to pull Spike's blood slowly from his neck. "... Dawn ... Sire ..." She jerked away from Spike's neck fully awake. "Dawn!" She exclaimed loudly.

"Whoa, Buffy. What's wrong, kitten?" Spike wrapped his arm around Buffy to keep her from falling off the bed. "Bit's safely downstairs with Glinda right now." He'd known the moment Tara and Dawn returned to the house.

"Dawn ..." Buffy panted, "... I can't believe I didn't realize it before." She licked the remaining blood off her lips. "Those monks were twisted."

"Pet, you aren't making any sense at all." Spike looked up at Buffy in confusion.

"Remember when I said that I thought I tasted Slayer blood in Dawn's when we tested my control around her?" Buffy waited for Spike's nod before she continued talking. "It's nagged at me off and on since then about it."

"It makes some sense that you would." Spike sat up a little bit. He rested back on his elbows. "The monks created the Nibblet as your sister. Maybe being the key made her pick up a few things from your Slayer side?" He tried to reason out the information.

"I wish it were that simple, Spike." Buffy inhaled deeply even though it wasn't necessary. It was one of the control and calming techniques Spike taught her. What was she afraid of? Was she afraid that she was right, or was she just scared that Spike might not believe her? 'I'd have to have another taste of Dawn to be sure.'

"I can see the gears turning in your head, Slayer." Spike waved a finger in a circle in front of Buffy's face. "Care to share with the rest of the class?"

"Get dressed." Buffy slid off Spike's lap. They both sighed from the loss of their joining. Buffy was tempted to climb right back on top of her lover, but she needed to be sure about her assumption. "We have to go down to see Dawn."

Spike groaned, and he closed his eyes in an attempt to keep himself calm. He knew if he watched Buffy's naked body wriggle around the room he wasn't going to be able to stop himself from ravishing her.

"Come on, silly goose. Get that gorgeous ass out of bed, and get dressed." Buffy slapped Spike's bare thigh.

Spike growled. "You keep doing that, and the only thing that is going to be happening is my cock pummeling that sweet pussy of yours."

Buffy blushed and turned away from Spike to hide it. She quivered with arousal, but she figured it wouldn't be a good idea for Spike to see just how hard his words made her nipples.

Spike misread the action as having hurt Buffy's feelings. He mentally kicked himself, slid out of bed, and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm sorry, luv. I didn't mean to be so crude or insensitive. I know you are just finding your pleasure again, but you stir me to distraction and insanity with your beauty and spirit." His hardened cock nestled itself against the softness of Buffy's cheeks, even though he tried to will his erection away.

"I'm not upset, Spike." Buffy turned around in Spike's arms. Her damp curls coated Spike's cock with their joint spendings and her arousal. "I want you as much as you want me, but we need to check on Dawn."

Spike nodded his head in agreement. He smiled in awe at the look on Buffy's face that had to mirror his own heated one. "Then you'd best get to your closet, and I'll get to mine." He kissed the top of Buffy's head. "I'll meet you down there."

"All right." Buffy sauntered over to the closet in her room and her dresser. She heard the door to Spike's room open and close a couple minutes later when she was only half dressed.

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

Spike walked into the kitchen to face two nervous females. Dawn ran over to Spike. "Is everything okay?" She hugged Spike. "I heard Buffy call my name."

"I wouldn't let her go up there," Tara offered as an explanation for Dawn's presence still in the kitchen instead of upstairs. "I thought Buffy might be having another nightmare."

"Thanks, Tara." Spike ran his hand down the back of Dawn's head and back. "Buffy will be down in a little bit. She's getting dressed."

"Was it a nightmare?" Tara questioned.

"More like a revelation it seems." Spike pulled back a little bit to look at Dawn. "I'm afraid that Buffy and I are going to have you to do something for us."

Dawn stared up at Spike with a worried frown. "You know I'd do anything I could for you and Buffy."

Buffy stepped into the kitchen. She stood next to Spike, but her eyes never left Dawn's face. "I need to sample your blood again, and Spike needs to have a taste too."

Tara watched Spike, Buffy and Dawn. Their auras were twisted around in a mingled set of colors. She wondered what was going on. Occasionally she'd noticed the similarities in their auras, but that happened sometimes with other mystical beings as well. She assumed that it was because Dawn was Buffy's sister, and Spike cared so much for Dawn. 'Why would they need to taste Dawn's blood?'

"I ... I guess so." Dawn lifted her wrist towards Buffy. "Is something wrong?"

"I don't think so, but it all depends on how you look at it." Buffy looked down at the offered wrist. If she was right, everything between them all was going to be changed as a result.

Spike took Buffy's hesitation as concern over having to bite Dawn again. He rubbed Buffy's back.

Buffy smiled up at Spike, and then she turned back to look at Dawn. She closed her eyes, brought Dawn's wrist up to her mouth and bit down as gently as she could. She cringed at the slight tensing from Dawn, but she continued to pull three more sips from the vein until she was sure that she was right about the blood. She offered the still bleeding wrist to Spike.

Spike took the wrist cautiously. He knew that it was best if he suckled the blood from Dawn before the wound healed to avoid a second bite, but he was still leery of tasting Dawn's blood. His Nibblet wasn't food.

"Hurry, Spike." Buffy urged.

"It's okay, Spike." Dawn encouraged. She smiled weakly at her friend and protector.

Spike lowered his lips to Dawn's wrist. The first pull of Dawn's blood sung in his body. There was strength and power in it. On the second pull he tasted the Slayer blood that coursed through Dawn's veins. With the third pull he nearly hit the floor. 'There is no way that tasted like I think it did.'

Buffy watched Spike's face. She knew the moment he tasted what she'd just realized was in Dawn's blood. "I didn't realize it at first because I was still overwhelmed with the whole Sire/Childe thing."

Spike gulped nervously. He drew a fourth pull of Dawn's blood into his mouth to be sure that he wasn't going crazy. There was no doubting what he tasted within Dawn's blood. It wasn't the Slayer blood, Summers blood or even magical strength that flowed through Dawn's body that concerned him. What shocked him was the taste of Aurelian blood that underlined it all. He licked the wounds on Dawn's wrist closed, and he dropped Dawn's arm back to her side. "I'm going to rip every one of those wankers heads off if I ever see any of them." He said angrily.

"You aren't happy?" Buffy nearly wept at the anger she felt from her Sire.

"Why would I be happy that those wankers made the Nibblet out of the poofter's and your blood?" Spike snarled. Did she enjoy taunting him with her previous relationship in his family?

"Ewww!" Dawn squealed. "No way!"

Tara's eyes widened in shock and fear. 'We don't need to deal with that on top of everything else right now.'

"You are an idiot, Spike." Buffy rolled her eyes and clipped Spike upside the head. "Do you really think they'd use Angelus' blood when that idiot would have killed Dawn the moment he lost his soul again?"

"That was Aurelian blood, pet. I doubt they used Dru or Darla."

Dawn blinked in realization of what Buffy was implying. "You mean it?" She asked Buffy.

Buffy nodded to Dawn. Then, she held Spike's face in her hands. She stared directly at him to show him how serious she was about what she was going to say to him. "I don't taste Angelus in him. I am assuming each Aurelian taste a little different because the bit of Angelus I caught during our fight is different from the blood of my Sire."

"Yeah, each generation is a little bit different because of the human that was turned to start with but," Spike paused and then began again, "You're saying ..."

"Yes, Spike. That's exactly what I'm saying." Buffy grinned. "The more you fed me, the more fine tuned your specific taste became to me. When I sampled you this afternoon, it finally sunk in."

Spike hugged Buffy and Dawn to him tightly. "Those bloody monks have a twisted sense of humor, but that's fine with me."

"How are we going to know for sure?" Dawn asked with concern. She would be ecstatic to have Buffy and Spike for her parents, but she was worried about what would happen to everyone if they were. "I don't think Social Services will believe the "I tasted it in her blood" theory. We have to have a way to prove it legally."

"Valerie's group should be able to handle the tests." Tara offered as a suggestion. She finally got the gist of what Buffy was saying about Dawn.

"That's a great idea." Buffy beamed. "They handle high end demon things. What gets more demony than the genetic testing of a Slayer and a vampire being the parents to a mystical key?" She laughed.

"You seem right cheerful about this, pet," Spike stated.

"And you aren't?" For a moment Buffy feared that Spike was upset about the development.

"I'd be right proud to be the Nibblet's papa," Spike said to ease any fears Buffy had. "I never thought I'd have a little nipper after I was turned. That she would be our child makes me even happier."

"Then what is wrong?" Buffy asked with concern.

"I'm afraid of what the others will do to Dawn when they find out. I'm not letting anyone harm my girls, and with this chip out I'd have to be very careful if the Watcher or the Whelp tried to hurt her."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Buffy squeezed her hand on Spike's arm reassuringly.

"I think we are going to be all right with Xander and Anya," Tara spoke up. "I talked to Cordelia Chase earlier this afternoon, and she told me that Xander and Anya asked her to stop by the Magic Box. They said that they'd seen something the other night in the cemetery, and they had a feeling that she'd be able to let someone know that they supported her."

Spike raised his scarred eyebrow. "I don't know if I should be glad or scared."

"Cordy knows how important our safety is to us. If she can keep our secret from Angel, she won't give it away unless she is positive that it's safe to do so." Buffy nibbled on her lower lip as she spoke.

"The Whelp saying he still supported a vamped Slayer?" Spike nearly choked the words out. "Hell has now frozen over."

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

A few hours before dawn in Sunnydale (Giles and Faith are asleep in their respective locations in L.A.)

Buffy and Spike strolled towards Restfield cemetery, their hands linked and a comfortable silence surrounding them. They were both lost in their thoughts, wondering what the next day would bring, how this would affect their relationships with each other, and with the sister who might be more. They'd placed the call to Valerie before they left for patrol, and the efficient woman would be there first thing in the morning.

Buffy's thoughts centered on her mother, and she wondered how much the wise woman had guessed before her death. She wondered how the news affected her ailing mother and what her mother would say to her about Dawn and Spike.

It could be centuries before Buffy would be able to rest her head on her mother's shoulders in Heaven. In the meantime she would go on trying to live an unlife that would make her mother proud. Buffy's eyes teared up at the thought that one day she would lose Dawn as well. She'd thought of her as her sister, and now it seemed she was her daughter. Either way, Dawn was her reason for dying and for living again.

One day Dawn would die. Everyone would die. She was destined to outlive them all, to protect them, to cherish them, but she'd lose them to things she could not fight. There was so much in the world that could happen to them. Old age, disease or possibly even an accident could take their lives, not to mention the violence of a mugging, murder or a rape like what killed her the third time.

Buffy would fight evil still. She knew that. She may not be the Slayer anymore, but she was a Champion. Spike had shown her that it was possible to lose everything and keep going; to try against all odds, to survive, to fight, and to love. Perhaps he hadn't meant to, but she understood now anyway. He had fought her demon to help the White Hats. It might have started because of the chip, but that wouldn't have stopped the demon for long. She felt it's constant longing for blood, death and destruction. She knew that Spike would have felt that way and, he had chosen to stay and help rather than flee or create further mayhem.

Unconsciously Buffy snuggled closer into Spike's wiry frame. She found it ironic that a single man had cost her the unfailing belief in humanity and souls that she had clung to, but a single demon could restore her hope and belief in good.

Buffy sighed when they reached the entrance to the cemetery. Now that she had an eternity stretched in front of her, time seemed shorter then ever. She needed to contact Xander and Giles. She owed it to her friends to let them know what is going on. Perhaps they could help Willow sort out her problems. Of course, they also could try to stake her.

The air around them seemed to thicken, and the hairs on Buffy's arms stood at attention. Something was off, and her world went black

Spike wasn't quite sure what happened. One moment he was walking with Buffy to perform a quick patrol of the cemeteries. The next thing he knew Buffy had lost consciousness, and this strange bat like lady was fluttering around him. It was the oddest sensation. He knew he should fight, take his mate and run. He was furious and scared. Yet, he seemed to be transfixed. The air felt heavy, and he forced himself to move, to try and fight, "Who are you?"

The old bat woman laughed. She seemed to hiss her words as she slithered around him. "I am Dinza, demi-goddess of the lost; I have been summoned to take the blond girl to the witch, but the game has changed. Yes it has changed. She was lost, alive and lost, but now she is dead, dead and I found her. No more for the witch, not for the witch. I shall take her as mine."

Spike stared transfixed, paralyzed. What was this creature that held him in such a thrall? Shaking off the strange magical effects she seemed to be having on him, he began to throw a series of slow motion kicks and punches. Dinza just laughed and continued her quirky movements and the endless flutter of wings.

He heard movement behind him, but couldn't process it. The world started to fade into blackness when he saw Harris and the demon-bint swinging both swinging a tree branch in opposite directions.

The whelp's branch made contact and Dinza was knocked unconscious. Spike nodded a thanks, "Call Tara..." and he too passed out.

Xander reached down and began to go through Spike's pockets. At Anya's confused look he motioned for her to do the same to Buffy. "You think Cordy's vision could have come with a bit more instructions than cemetery and danger. Like, a phone number to call for Tara, or the lotto numbers for the week. We better hurry; who knows how long whatever I hit will be unconscious.

Anya held up Buffy's cell phone triumphantly while Xander rolled his eyes in frustration, "Looking for a number, Ahn."

"Like Buffy wouldn't have all the numbers programmed in." Scrolling down the entries, Anya got to Tara's and pressed call.

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

The next morning in Sunnydale (While Giles picked up Faith from prison in L.A.)

Valerie rang the doorbell and nervously ran her fingers through her long blonde hair. She was quickly coming to love this close-knit group, but she especially enjoyed her interactions with Tara. She didn't want anything to interfere with the friendships she was forming, but she wanted so much more than that with Tara. She couldn't help it. Every time she was around the younger blonde her heart seemed to melt a little more. She couldn't wait to see her today...

Valerie was startled out of her musings by the site of a large brunette opening the door. She had never met this boy and couldn't help but to stare since it was obvious he had spent the night. "Hello, Spike asked me to stop by this morning..." Valerie trailed off dismayed. Who was this man and why had he slept there? Was she too late? Had Tara moved on to someone new? 'I thought she liked women?'

At that moment, Tara came jogging up to the open door, brushing past Xander and engulfed Valerie in a huge hug, "Thank goodness you are here Val! Spike and Buffy got attacked last night in the cemetery and Xander and Anya rescued them. They have been in and out of consciousness, and I don't know what to do. We don't know why the charms didn't protect them, and why they were affected so badly. Can you come look at them, maybe you can help me figure it out?"

Valerie briefly enjoyed the feeling of Tara in her arms and then turned to the large man still halfway blocking the door. "Xander and Anya?"

Tara looked chagrined that she hadn't introduced them, "Sorry - this is Xander, an old friend of Buffy's. His fiancée Anya is the other room. Come on in. I will introduce you and then take you up to see Spike. He has been unconscious for a few hours now, but he has been restless for a while. I hope that means he is waking up."

Xander finally stood aside and offered a goofy grin to the woman. "Ahn's in the living room with coffee," yawning he continued, "Why don't we join her there? They have this brilliant coffee maker that makes one cup at a time. So, we have different flavors available."

The group proceeded towards the living room to conclude the introductions and try to brainstorm what could be wrong with the two vampires when Valerie's shocked voice filled the air. "Anyanka? Is that you?"

Anya looked surprised at the new houseguest and a bit nervous as she tried to place her. She looked familiar. "Yes, and you are...." She hoped it wasn't one of her old wishers coming back to haunt her.

Valerie broke into a huge grin, "Sorry you probably don't remember me, and I was a bit younger the last time we met. Valerie Logan from the Logan Station of the Underground. I think it was 'bout 16 years ago. You got called out on a case in St. Louis and stopped by the house for dinner with the Draculli refugees.

Anya's face lit up at the remembrance, and she threw her arms around Valerie. "I remember you! You followed me around for three days straight. I couldn't get a decent wish with you there. So, we went to the mall."

Valerie nodded, "and you ended up granting the wish to the lady with the French poodle. You turned her boyfriend into a poodle to match the one she already had; something about how he was such a dog anyways..."

Both girls giggled at the memory. "So sweetie - how are your parents? I haven't seen them in forever! Are they still running the underground, or have they retired yet? I remember they were going to try and visit the world without shrimp and then head over to Europe for a river cruise."

Valerie froze as she felt a wall of grief rise up. Trying to stop the prickling of tears, she quietly muttered, "They were killed about ten years ago in a Council attack."

Tara placed a comforting arm around Valerie and guided her to sit down. Anya simply looked stunned. She remembered the Logan's very well. A tight-knit and extremely loving family, she had been confident that this was one group who would never need her services. Everyone loved them, from the demons they rescued to the humans who lived around them.

Xander looked shocked at the proceedings. "What?" He panicked. The Council only attacked demons, right? "What are you? You look human."

Before Valerie could answer, Anya snapped at him, taking out her grief on the confused man. "She's human, Xander. Her entire family is ... was ... some of the best and most loyal humans I have ever met. How dare the Council do that to you ..." Anya trailed off, and her lips started to tremble.

Xander pulled Anya close and hugged her. "I'm sorry, Ahn. I'm still having trouble with those whole humans good, demons bad they fed me." He took a deep breath, and he turned towards Valerie. "My apologies to you too. I have foot in mouth disease. As in my foot lives there and only comes out to cause problems. So any idea about what is going on here?"

A weak voice called out from the doorway, 'That's what I would like to know". Spike moved towards the couch, indicating he would like to sit, "Do you mind luvs? I'm feeling a bit knackered."

Jumping up to give Spike her spot, Tara settled him unto the couch, "Buffy woke up, but I let her go back to sleep. The poor thing is exhausted." He sent a friendly nod to Xander and Anya. "I'm glad you both showed up. Never thought I'd say that to you Harris. Meanwhile, that thing said she was supposed to bring Buffy to the witch. I'd say we have a serious problem in the form of a redheaded witch and some very scary mojo."

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

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