Title: Crash

Author: CrazyKidBen

Summary: As Xander and Anya discuss "The Big Day," a surprise visitor appears. That's not even mentioning what forces Buffy and Spike into close quarters so soon after "The Conversation."

Spoilers/Continuity: This story begins the same day as the ending of "As You Were." Lost? Okay, well, "As You Were" ending in the morning, Buffy stepping out into a brand new day. This story takes place hours later, after the sun has gone down. Better now? Good! Many spoilers for anyone that has yet to watch "As You Were" or "Older and Far Away." References to Kendra, Halfrek, and the counselor from "Beauty and the Beasts." Mention of Angel, Oz, and Giles leaving. Anything involving surprise guest stays loyal to continuity, but will include spoilers to anyone not up to date on season four Buffy and season one/two Angel. FYI: I SWEAR I WROTE THIS BEFORE I SAW "Hell's Bells"!!

Disclaimer: Here we are, back to that wonderful part of the opener where I tell you that I own none of these characters and write these fics for the sheer enjoyment it brings me. Besides, what else am I going to do with the time between episodes? Everything contained below is copyright Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Twentieth Century Fox, as well as all those people whose weekly salaries I couldn't hope to make in a year... I apologize as I just realized how long this opener is... Here's what you've all been waiting for! See if you can figure out who/what Crash is!

"Crash"

"I mean it, Dawn, counseling isn't a horrible idea, it could help me help you," Buffy said, standing in the kitchen with her sister.

"Buffy, the last counselor I went to trapped us in the house..."

"Well, they don't all do that... I went to a really nice one in high school."

"Okay, then take me to him."

"I can't... he was kind of killed..."

"Oh, see? It isn't safe for me to go to a counselor, so I'll just see you when you get back from patrolling?"

"Nice way to change the subject, Dawn. Don't stay up, it's going to be a long night. I think I found a new nest," Buffy said, putting on her coat.

"Okay, but don't forget to go by that all-night grocery store on the way home, we're out of everything, even baking soda."

"I know, Dawn. See?" Buffy said, producing a slip of paper, "I've got the list and everything. Now, finish your homework and go to bed," Buffy said, heading out the door.

* * *

"Xander, I don't understand," Anya said, lying next to him on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.

"I just said I'm a little nervous, that I've got cold feet, that's all."

"But, my feet are all snuggled next to yours, they're quite warm, actually. And besides, you can't get nervous, the house is full of guests and I picked out the most beautiful dress, and there's going to be one of those neat fruit punch fountains and, most importantly, no bunnies! So, you see? Perfect," Anya said, smiling at the thought of her special day. Then, her tone changing slightly, more serious, "Besides, if you pull a runaway groom, I'll hunt you down and drag you back."

"Heh heh, as long as you don't kill me," Xander replied, trying to keep the subject light.

"No, that comes if you won't go back."

Xander's eyes widened, then, trying to come up with a lighter topic of conversation, he asked, "Do you think we'll get any surprise guests?"

"I don't know, we sent invitations to everyone. We sent that special card to Giles, we sent one to Angel Investigations, and we even emailed one to Oz, because who really knows where he is exactly? Who knows who will show up."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I don't see why anyone would want to come back here."

* * *

The bus stopped and the brunette stepped off, carrying no suitcases, she grinned as she saw the familiar city, then glanced around, "I'm crushed, no welcoming committee?"

* * *

Buffy roamed through one of the many cemeteries in Sunnydale, following the suspicious looking pale guy she thought might lead her to the nest. His clothes were dated, as well as his mullet, and, besides, her Slayer-sense was all tingly. He turned around the corner of a mausoleum, possibly the Von Altom one, and she sped up to make sure she didn't lose him.

Turning the corner, she saw him drop down into the sewer through a manhole. Slowly withdrawing Mr. Pointy from her coat sleeve, Buffy clutched the stake trustingly, it hadn't failed her yet. She stealthily approached the hole, peering into the darkness, waiting for her eyes to adjust. Just when she thought she could make out a side tunnel all the way at the bottom, she felt footsteps behind her. Spinning around, she held Mr. Pointy up, ready to strike.

"Hey! Watch where you point that bloody thing!"

"Spike... how nice it isn't to see you."

"Now, don't be like that. I'm just here to slay the evil and save the day, just like you."

"You are the evil and, last I checked, you can't save the day, only lurk at night. You aren't like me, Spike, I thought I made that clear."

"You did... crystal bloody clear, even. I'm trying to move on from that, but remember this?" he asked, tapping his forehead, "I've still got this bleating chip so what else am I gonna do to get my rocks off?"

"Spike!" Buffy said, disgusted.

"I mean, killing bloody demons, not shagging you!"

"Oh, well, then... good."

"So, something down there? Conducting things of evil? Just being naughty?"

"Maybe. I guess you can come with me," Buffy said, disappearing into the blackness.

Spike jumped in after her, landing next to her, "Who said I have to ask for permission?"

* * *

"What's this?" Faith asked, peering through the small window next to the door of Giles' old apartment, "Giles finally realized there was no point to him being here? Good call on his part, maybe he'll make some real, grown- up, friends. Where to next? Oh, yes, that'll work..."

* * *

"I'm just saying that when you run into her, you may want to have some idea of what you want to say."

"You do realize Buffy will kill me for letting you stay up, especially if it's just to talk?" Willow asked, sitting on the couch facing Dawn, both of them in pajamas.

"She won't know, because she doesn't get home until like five in the morning... Besides, we'll hear her coming in the back door if she's early, and I can run up the stairs."

"I guess... I just don't want Buffy mad at me."

"Who would? I mean, a mad Slayer? That's just scary, Willow..."

* * *

"Where's the witch!?" Faith shouted, scaring the current occupant of Willow's old dorm room. The guy only pointed down the hall, eyes wide.

"Whatever. I hate being out of the loop..."

* * *

"...I mean, one minute you've got my motor all revved, playing along, and the next thing I know, my bloody engine's dead!"

"That's why I cut it off, Spike, I was using you. It was wrong for me to--"

"...To wha--?"

"Spike, shut up, there's something down here," Buffy said, as shapes began falling from the pipes all around them, "Great..."

* * *

"Tara, how have you been?" Willow asked, nervously, "Well, that was an incredibly stupid thing to say... even for me. Done any good spells lately? No, I just topped the previous incredibly stupid line..." Willow moaned, falling back on the couch.

"See? You're worrying about it too much. Just talk to her when you see her. Don't rehearse it. It will work better that way, I promise," Dawn said, happy that she wasn't reading Grapes of Wraith at the moment.

"I guess... I mean, as long as I don't say, 'Hey, do you hate me?' everything should be fine, right?" Willow said as she heard a knock on the front door, "Hmm... guess Buffy forgot her keys."

Dawn quickly ran up the stairs, making sure to not look out the window, avoiding eye contact might mean Buffy didn't even notice she was out of bed.

Willow headed over to the door, opening it without checking, knowing vampires couldn't just roam into the house, "Buffy, I thought you took your keys with--"

"Hey, Red, how've you been?" Faith asked, stepping inside.

"--you," Willow finished, in total and complete shock.

"So, I've been thinking... something's got to be going on in Sunnydale. It's the place where all the cool demons go, right? And besides, what kind of fun was I going to have all cooped up in that prison cell? Not much. But here, in the 'dale, I'm just chilling, adjusting to the changes. Sort of like how I adjusted after the coma... I thought prison would give me time to move on. Too bad, Will, it just gave things time to fester," Faith said, standing right in front of Willow.

"What's wrong with you? Angel said you'd reformed..." Willow said, taking a step back.

"Angel hasn't been by to see me for a while... it just made it easier when he stopped coming around, meant I didn't have to fake that I was improving... But I'm not the one you should worry about, Will," Faith said, punching Willow across the cheek, sending her to the floor, "I'm five by five... which is more than I can say for you."

* * *