A/N: I'm writing this one stag, without my betareader, for several reasons. The first is that I wanted to get it up quickly and didn't want to wait for feedback, and the other is that I like doing stuff solo xD Of course, I'll still be like, "THE STORY IS UP. GO READ IT," and then you will. So yeah. Anyway, I kind of like this chapter - lots of Spuffy, which is one of the three ships with the character Buffy I support, the other two being Briley and Xuffy. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love me some Bangel, too, and he was totally important and everything, but in the long run, he wouldn't be good for her. Anyway. Yeah.

Canon Changes: Robin tried to kill Spike, so those two hate each other, but Giles didn't help - I really want Buffy and Giles to get along in this chapter. Also, this isn't really a change so much as an addition to a character - Dawn is a sort-of-obsessive feminist as one of her Teenager Phases. You know, the ones everyone goes through. I think it makes a lot of sense for her character.

The Downfall

Chapter Two - Details

For the first time in half a year, the Scooby Gang was able to sit down and actually have a meal together, without the Potentials.

All of them were there - Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, Anya, and even Spike and Andrew. The latter was allowed to dine with them for one reason, however, and one reason only - he was too wimpy to go on patrol with the Potentials and if they let him use the new microwave by himself, it was highly possible he would blow it up, taking the house along with it.

"Buffy, this chicken is amazing," Willow said, scooping up another forkful.

"Thanks," she replied modestly. "It was Mom's recipe. She made it at least once a month, so I guess I kind of spent a lot of time watching her make it."

Spike was eating the chicken, too, and it was obviously from the look on his face that he liked it. He'd never admit he liked anything so homey and comfort food-ish as honey-and-curry chicken, though, so he remained silent.

"Mm." Dawn said, finishing up. She picked up her napkin off of her lap and put it on the table beside her now-empty plate. "That really was good, Buffy."

"Since we're all here now and I don't have to argue about this in front of the girls," Buffy began, sawing into her chicken, "there's something I've been wanting to talk to you guys about all day."

"Is this about this morning when you started yelling 'No!' into the phone?" Xander asked.

"Actually, yes," Buffy replied. "I got a call from Angel's friend Fred today. I need to go out to L.A. to help them with... something."

There was a moment's silence before Spike said, "Can I come?"

"Why? You don't even know what's going on yet."

"You're going to go visit the great Captain Forehead. Think I'd miss a chance to see him and brag about how I've got - " Spike broke off suddenly.

Buffy raised her eyebrow. "You'd better be talking about your soul, because otherwise, I'll have to kick your butt on behalf of Dawn, who is now an active feminist."

"Right," Spike replied. "Of course I was."

"That's what I thought." Buffy smirked. "Anyway, the thing is, this thing, the Beast? It's what's been blotting out the sun out there. They want to turn Angel back into Angelus to get more information on it."

There was more silence before Giles said, "But what's this got to do with you? Why do you have to go out there?"

Buffy shrugged. "I don't know. I guess to help contain him? I'm talking to Fred again tonight - I promised to give her a sure answer about whether I'll help or not."

Spike smirked. "Then I'm definitely coming with you. Angel, Angelus, and a girl named Fred all in the same trip? Count me in."

"But Buffy," Willow chimed in, "we need you here. What happens if you leave and the First decides to attack?"

"It won't." Buffy told her decisively. "It's me it wants. Or, at least, it wants me to be there to make me watch it kill all of the Potentials. Besides, even if it does happen, which I highly doubt, you're probably even stronger than me. I trust you to protect them."

Xander coughed into his hand.

"And, of course, Xander, my other best friend, will keep them all safe from harm, as well. As will my Watcher, Giles, and... Andrew."

Andrew straightened himself up, puffed out his chest, and announced, "I, Andrew Wells, will do my best to protect the innocent Potential Slayers. Like Peter Parker, I will shield them from the enemy while even still hiding my true self from them. I will give my very life to save them!"

"Right," Spike said, "let's hope it comes down to that, then."

A chuckle escaped Buffy's lips.

"That's wonderful, Andrew," Buffy replied, "even though it opens up a whole new set of questions." Getting back on track, she continued, "So do you think you guys can spare me for a few days? Maybe a week?"

"And me," Spike added.

"And Spike." Buffy amended.

The gang looked around at each other. Finally, Willow shrugged. "I guess. I mean, we can always just call you if anything comes up. And it has been pretty quiet for the past few weeks. Of course, that's when it always seems like we get hit by the full-scale brigade."

Ignoring the last part, Buffy stood up. "Okay, great. Then I guess I'll just go call them back and then I'll go pick up the girls from the cemetery."

Buffy walked into the living room and lifted the phone, quickly dialing the number she knew by heart.

"Angel Investigations; we help the helpless," a voice answered. It was almost grating, but in a cheerful sort of way.

"Oh, hey, Cordelia!" Buffy said into the phone.

"Hey, Buffy." She dropped the phone manner and went back to snotty. "So? What's going on?"

"I'd really rather talk to Angel."

"Unfortunately, Angel's in a meeting with some clients. Besides, he doesn't want to talk to you. Angel doesn't like it when his ex-girlfriends call his friends - "

"Buffy? Is that you?" Angel asked, apparently having taken the phone from Cordelia.

"Um, yeah. Hey."

"Sorry about that. She's been acting really weird lately."

Even though he couldn't see it, Buffy raised her eyebrow. "Cordy isn't always weird?"

Angel laughed. It was good to hear.

"So here's the thing," Buffy said, going straight to the point. "I'll come. When do you need me?"

"As soon as possible," he replied. "Preferably tomorrow, before the vampire attacks get too out-of-control."

"Tomorrow," Buffy repeated. "I can do tomorrow. I'll be there at about... how does noon-ish sound?"

"I'll see you then."

"Well, bye, then."

"Bye."

"Wait." Buffy had one more thing she needed to say. "I love you."

She hung up the phone and let out her breath.