Buffy knocked back a branch and ducked under the next without losing her stride. Running was easy. One foot in front of the other. The rhythm soothed her. There was nothing complicated or confusing about it. She didn't have to worry about the next apocalypse or the commando types. For a little while, she could just be.

Reveling in her own strength, she sprang forward over the dry creek bed. Each step carried her closer to her goal. There was no room for doubt or worry. For the first time in so very long, she was sure. Having no doubts, no fears, was wonderful.


"Share the booze, Rupert Bear." Spike made a grab for the bottle, but Giles managed to pull it away. The ropes didn't have enough give for him to make another try.

"Don't call me that. I am a watcher. I worked for years obtaining knowledge and strength. I train a slayer. She's the best slayer." Giles swung his arm wide. "I don't need to see. I can be the first blind watcher."

"Blind watcher." Spike guffawed. "That is one for the record books."

"She is the best slayer." Giles pulled the bottle in against his chest. "The Council wants her dead. Probably me as well. Wankers."

"Always thought so." Spike nodded. "Grown men hiding behind a little girl. You did it right. Got your girl a team. Might want to fine tune that vetting process to avoid the great forehead types, but you are on to something."

"Buffy needs you. Your better than Angel. I think you could do great things. You know more about demon culture than I do. You've studied them up close. Plus, you're stronger." Giles nodded. "Plus, you have working eyes. That's a good thing."

"We will figure out a reversal. Stop being maudlin. You can be such a big girl's blouse. Plus, your addition is faulty. Your girl loves you. That's something precious, that is. Nothing better in the world than love." Spike shook his head. "We need to be figuring out what's doing this. What good is there in making a watcher blind?"

"Irony." Giles nodded. "Could be Ethan, but he has more flare than this. I miss him. He's wretched and evil most of the time, but he has a lovely singing voice."

"You miss his singing?" Spike raised his scarred brow.

"Among other things." Giles leaned his head back against the couch. "The man can make magic dance through your soul."

"Haven't got one." Spike smirked as the watcher nodded. "I'm not hankering after one either, so don't go getting any ideas. I make my own choices. I like being evil."

"You like saying it at the very least." Giles snorted and took a swig of his whiskey. "Methinks thou dost protest a tad too much."

"I think you've been surrounded by your little team of teen wonders if you think I'll let you get away with that butchery. Where is your pride?" Spike snickered at Giles sour expression.


Willow stormed passed Anya on the stairs. The young witch's anger was palpable, and the sour taste of negative magical residue filled the air. There was no way that was going to end well. This human life would be so much easier if Xander loved his friends a little less. Anya sighed. There was nothing she could do about it.

"Why is Willow so upset?" Anya plastered on her best version of a concerned face. Xander liked it when she cared about his friends.

"She seem to be stuck in the anger stage of grief." Xander shrugged his shoulders. "She went on and on about how no one understands her pain. Apparently, Giles set her off this morning when he told her she shouldn't be working magic when she's upset."

"That's good advice. When you've got power like hers, it's really dangerous." Anya sighed. It was time to offer to help. "I could talk to her. I've been through this kind of thing."

"I don't want her to hex you." Xander shook his head. "She doesn't like you much to begin with. I think you should try to bond with Buffy. She is currently ranking high with the sanity."

"And she doesn't run the other direction every time I enter a room." Anya nodded.

"There is that." Xander smiled up at her. "Thanks for trying so hard, Babe."

"I do not appreciate nick names that infantilize me, Xander." Anya tilted her head to the side. "I prefer the food based ones because they stimulate my thoughts toward other oral interests."

Anya pressed her chest against Xander's and stroked the sides of his face. He was everything she wanted. He was truly good. Sure, life on the hell mouth had left some scars, but at the core stood a good man. As an added benefit, he was generously endowed and willing to learn.

He lowered his lips to hers. She wrapped her arms around him and gave herself over to the moment. The sweet joy of kissing her Xander was rudely interrupted by annassortment of demons breaking in.


Buffy knew she was close. She slowed her pace and tried to center herself. Giles kept saying how important these skills were. He was going to gloat when she admitted he was right.

She found a large Boulder and plopped down on it. The breathing exercises came easily. She counted each breath in and paused before expelling it for twice as long. Stretching out her slayer senses, she felt the brush of a familiar energy to the north.

Even his energy was comforting. It was like hot chocolate and her favorite sweater all rolled into one. How had she missed that for so many years?

She took a deep breath and caught a bit of his scent. He was so close. It wouldn't be much longer.