"Wow! . . .Willow, you look totally hot," said Buffy, as she studied Willow in her bedroom. "I bet guys will go non-verbal when they'll see you."

Willow smiled shyly. "I thought about being a ghost, but why hide myself. I wanna be seen for once, I don't want end up all Marcy like."

"Oh Will, you need come out and show the world! You're so beaudacious, I'm so proud of you," said Buffy and gave Willow a hug.

"Thanks Buffy . . . Speaking of guys I was thinking about Oz."

Then doorbell rang and Buffy shouted down the hallway. "Xander, can you get that?"

When Xander opened the door, he smiled immediately.

"Cordy! You're early."

"Hey Xander," said Cordelia, as she entered. "Yeah, Oz gave me a lift before going to his gig. I think he likes Willow."

She spun for Xander. "Well what do you think?" asked Cordelia.

"Oh can you do that again?"

"Xander stop being silly."

"You like it when I'm a little silly."

"So, tell me what do really you think?" asked Cordelia, as she wrapped her arms him, which was followed by a soft kiss. "You better tell the truth or else."

"Mmm . . .Well for starters, I like the patriotic, swimsuit look, and those knee boots you're wearing really accentuate your legs . . . And I'm wondering what you plan to do with that lasso?"

Cordelia whispered in Xander's ear.

"Oh Cordy, I'm all over that," replied Xander and hugged Cordelia tighter replying with a kiss.

Then the doorbell rang again and Xander opened the door, it was Faith.

"Hey Faith, glad you could made it," said Xander with jovial smile.

Faith stood at the porch for a moment and took a deep breath before entering. She mistook Xander's look for a stare and stared back defiantly and uttered,"Right." Xander backed off giving Faith some space.

Faith walked in stiffly dreading this moment. This girly girl look had made her feel queasy. Moreover, she refrained from looking at herself at the mirror anymore than she had to. Faith knew she looked somewhat ridiculous. Alright quite ridiculous but what the hey, she kept telling herself it was only few hours. Why she even volunteered for this was beyond her, however, she couldn't kid herself.

The main reason that Faith did it was to hang out with Buffy. However, she was starting to regret that decision, as she glanced down at her shoes. Faith almost decided to leave and go back home to change into her street clothes. It was galling as she flexed her toes in these stiff, flashy shoes.

Cordelia gave her a once over look and raised her eyebrows. "Not bad for a farm girl carrying a picnic basket."

Faith eyed Cordelia hard.

"Gotta love the shoes though."

"And what the heck are you suppose to be, some pageant, beauty queen?"

"Isn't it obvious?" replied Cordelia, proudly posing.

Faith was silent and gave her puzzled look. When she didn't say anything after a few moments, Cordelia shook her head at her.

"Geez, have you ever heard of Wonder Woman?"

"Well Yeah. . . . What's so special about Wonder Woman?"

Cordelia looked down at Faith.

"So what's with the bazillion braids, if I recalled Dorothy had only two ponytails."

Faith smirked and stood up straighter confronting Cordelia.

"If Dororthy was living now, she would be doing her own thing and wouldn't settle just for two. She would try out new things," said Faith, as she shook her head making several braids bounce and sway in the process. "You better watch out that girl can kick . . ."

"Yeah, Okay . . . whatever," interrupted Cordelia. Not at all impress, Cordelia ignored Faith and went back to Xander where they started to kiss.

"So where is B?" asked Faith.

"She's helping out Willow," said Xander in between kisses.

Faith looked at these two lovebirds for moment. She wished she could be kissing a certain someone as she looked up the stairs. She began to go up the stairs but heard voices upstairs in the hallway.

"Will, you should definitely talk to Oz," said Buffy with encouragement. She crossed her fingers in hopes that Willow would talk to him. "You should give him a call when you get back this evening."

Willow smiled thinking of Oz. They had bumped into each other at school numerous times, which resulted in awkward moments and wanted to go beyond those monosyllabic sentences. She had a hunch he wanted to do so also, at least she hoped so; Oz could be so cryptic.

"Buffy, I think I'm ready," said Willow and took a deep breath. She exhaled a few times and stood up. "Are you sure I look alright," hesitated Willow, as she felt a wave of nervousness wash over her.

"You'll do fine," said Buffy, as she guided her friend down the hallway. "Just go with the flow Willow." She and Buffy went down the stairs and then all eyes were on them.

"Oh . . .Oh My-my mama mia," said Xander, as he looked at both Buffy and Willow.

"So wicked!" complimented Cordelia. "Love the makeup."

"Ha! How do know if it's really makeup, maybe this is how I really look . . . the natural me," joked Willow.

"I wondering Will, are you the good witch or the bad witch? Unless you want to be the wicked witch for tonight?" joked Xander.

Buffy elbowed Xander.

"I think I'm the Willow witch," declared Willow. "That's right, I'll be Willow the Witch from Sunnydale."

"What do you think Faith," asked Buffy, as she motioned towards Willow.

She had noticed that Faith was standing alone by the entranceway, looking awkward as she shifted her stance ever so often. The stiff slippers were uncomfortable and making her feet hot.

"Well, home slice it's definitely phat gear hot," said Faith, as she looked directly at Buffy without staring too long. Then she looked at Willow. "I mean if you're into that."

"Speaking of hot," jumped in Willow. "Where's Angel, you're cuddly Carebear with fangs?"

"He's laying low," sighed Buffy, who suddenly longed for Angel. "In fact all demons and vamps are staying in to avoid the crowd according to Giles."

Buffy wished Angel was right here so she could show him her gown as she glanced at herself in the mirror.

"How crazy is that?" remarked Cordelia.

"That's what they think about Halloween, they don't want to be bothered on a night like this with all us crazies about," added Buffy. "It's their night off."

"I don't blame them, with all the kiddies running amok who wouldn't," sighed Xander.

"Faith, before I forget I have something for you," said Buffy, who had a small bag.

"Cool!" said Faith eagerly, with her eyes lighting up. "What you d'ya got B?" asked Faith, as she came nearer to Buffy.

Then she frowned slightly when Buffy pulled out a stuffed animal.

"Oh . . . I guess you'll be Toto," said Faith, as she unceremoniously shoved the toy dog in the basket and *accidently* kicked the floorboard.

* * *

After the last customer left from his shop, Ethan promptly placed a closed sign at the storefront window and dimmed the lights. He quickly went in the back where he entered a hidden room and pushed away a hidden curtain revealing occult objects. He rolled up his sleeves exposing his forearms as he knelt down.

* * *

At the high school hall, Buffy was waiting patiently with Faith by the stairs while children were arriving in costume ready to be taken for trick-or-treating. Synder brought a small group and handed a clipboard to Buffy.

He looked up at Faith, "Who's this?"

"I'm Doro. I'm Dora."

"She's my cousin from L.A," added Buffy.

"Yep, I'm just here to help out my cuz," said Faith, and then she affectionately hugged Buffy. Buffy sighed deeply in annoyance.

"Impressive, you see Buffy there are good people in this world who have the generosity to volunteer. You do well to follow your cousin's example. Maybe you should surround yourself with people like that instead of hanging out with misfits and causing trouble."

Faith gave Buffy a sideway glance grinning and suppressed a giggle. Buffy had this urge to stick out her tongue at both Synder and Faith. She already felt frazzled and she hadn't even started her task. Give me a vampire nest to slay any day thought Buffy.

"This is your group Summers. There's no need to speak to them. The last thing they need is your unsavory influence. Just bring them back in one piece and I won't expel you. And try to remember to bring them back by six, I won't tolerate tardiness," said Synder, as he started to depart.

Buffy bent down to the children and said "Hi."

"Ah, ah, ah!" admonished Synder, as he turned back and wagged a finger at Buffy.

After Synder left, Buffy rolled her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.

"What a frickin, d!ck wad," exclaimed Faith. For once Buffy completely agreed with Faith.

"Couldn't have said it any better," whispered Buffy.

"What's a frickin, d!ck wad?" asked one of the kids to Buffy.

Buffy became horrified.

"All right kids lets go," barked Faith. "And let's see who can scarf up the most candy."

The children screamed in delight and Buffy looked at Faith sternly. However, before Buffy could do anything, the children started to run out. She started to chase them with Faith not far behind.

* * *

"Okay there are tricks to sleazing more candy," said Xander, as he was addressing his group at the high school. "The lost puppy dog look coupled with tears works wonders. Tears are key for bagging extra candy. You could try the "you missed me" routine but that's a risky plan especially if you're by yourself. Avoid the fruit and definitely go for the chocolate. Understand."

The children nodded as they stood in formation.

"Let's move out," commanded Xander. The children followed Xander one by one in a single file.

* * *

Ethan was kneeling front of small statute and started to dabbed liquid from a bowl he had prepared earlier on his forehead and on the statue. Then he reached for an ancient tome and started to chant in Latin.

Janus, evoco vestram animam, Exaudi meam causam, Carpe noctem pro consilo vestro. Veni, appare et nobis monstra quod est infinita potestas.

Janus, I invoke your spirit. Hear my plea. Seize the night for your own reason. Come, appear and show to us that which is infinite power.

It's show time and let the games begin!

* * *

"I'm wondering how Willow is doing?" asked Buffy, to Faith. They had just passed Xander awhile back.

"I'm sure she's fine."

"I guess. But I should have thought to bring a cell phone," continued Buffy.

"Don't worry B, it's almost over," said Faith, rather bored.

"Yeah . . . just a few more houses to go," said Buffy tiredly to Faith.

Chaperoning kids had turned out to be more draining compared to dealing with vampires observed Buffy. Her thoughts drifted back to Angel and she couldn't wait for their rendezvous this evening. Her Mom was out for the evening and she would have the house all to herself, and imagined all sorts of possibilities with Angel.

Faith looked behind her and she could see the children were tugging their sacks burgeoning with candy. She was proud of them; she knew those sugar-hyped little runts would probably keep their parents up all night long.

"Yep, I guess Halloween can be fun after all," grinned Faith.

"Oh really, Faith. I thought you were 'way beyond' this."

"Well if it's for good cause what's the harm but only I do this in small doses. Like to be on the good side of people, like your Principal Synder."

"You're such an ass kisser," whispered Buffy.

"What's that B?" asked Faith. "I didn't get that. Need to speak up."

"You heard what I said."

"Um was it about kissin'? or was it kissin' ass ? or just ass?"

"Damn you . . .," said Buffy, with irritation but held her tongue when she saw a few kids pass her.

"Ah, ah, ah," teased Faith, and wagged her finger in the same manner that Principal Synder did earlier. "Don't want to be cussin' in front of the kiddies and influencing their impressionable minds."

Faith burst out laughing when she saw Buffy turned red. "Did any tell you get so cute when . . ."

Buffy stopped and put arm around her Faith's neck in a chokehold. Faith almost tripped when Buffy bent forward. Faith was caught unawares of Buffy's iron strength.

"Hey!"

"I show you influence in Buffy's world," said Buffy, vehemently as she squeezed hard. "It's starts with hurt."

"Arrgh . . .B-b . . . B let go . . . of m-me. . ." gasped Faith, as she tried to pry off Buffy.

One of the kids started to scream, "Fight, fight. Look Buffy is whompin on Dora."

"As you wish," whispered Buffy and released Faith.

"Now kids this wasn't fight. Dora, had a bee in her hair," said Buffy. "Now I'm just fixing her hair." She lifted Faith's head by tugging on her braids.

Faith was coughing for air as she rubbed her neck.

"Kids don't believe what adults say," said Faith hoarsely, as she disengaged herself from Buffy. "They can be so full of . . ."

Buffy elbowed Faith.

"Hey!" groaned Faith, feeling injured.

Then suddenly gunfire riddled the air.

"Great what now," said Buffy.

The kids shrieked and some ran off. Buffy looked at Faith, "I'll go after them, stay here with the rest."

"Sure, B. I'll stay with them."

After Buffy had left, Faith looked at the kids and after a few moments.

"Hey kids, I don't you know about you but I'm hungry. What say after the candy inspection, we eat unless you wanna wait?"

They kids eagerly agreed and they dumped their sacks with candy on the lawn. Faith started to help sort the candy tossing out fruit and questionable candy.

* * *

In the ensuing chaos, Buffy was able to find the children and coaxed them away from the bushes where they were hiding.

"Let's hit one more house before we meet up with Dora," said Buffy.

The children nodded, she hoped that their short attention of the children would calm them down a bit. She didn't want to confront with Synder anymore than she had to.

"Trick or treat," greeted the children.

"Aren't you all delightful," said the lady. "Let me see what I have. Oh dear, I'm seem to be out of candy."

The children started to pout and complain.

"I thought I had more candy," continued the lady as she looked up to Buffy. "I could have sworn . . ."

The children started to whine incessantly.

Buffy was about something when she detected the wind picking up and felt something wasn't right. Then some of the children with monsters masks started to transform to real monsters. One of the monsters grabbed the lady's neck.

"No stop that! Let her go!" shouted Buffy and yanked away the offending little monster. Then the children/monsters turned their attention to Buffy and began to attack her. Buffy collapsed and started to hyperventilate and then passed out.

* * *

Willow was strolling with her children and felt the wind whirl down the street displacing leaves and litter. Willow and the children shielded themselves from the leaves and debris. Then Willow felt strange and she looked at her fingers; they were long and spindly with extra long fingernails.

"Ooh wee," said Willow, as she looked at her fingernails. "Disturbing but interesting in a creepy way."

Then she looked at the children and they screamed in fright, and ran off.

"Hey wait! Come back. I'm Willow. This is just a costume and makeup . . . Oh very creepy makeup," said Willow, as she touched her face. "Wow . . . I suddenly feel very witchy."

* * *

Faith also felt the wind the pickup and suddenly it became stronger changing to a whirlwind. She yelled at the children to get in the nearest house. After she made sure, the last of the kids safely made it in, Faith went up the porch for shelter but something hit her from behind and she passed out.

Faith woke up to what sounded like a barking noise nearby. She lifted her head looking around searching the source of the noise. She noticed that the barking sound came from her picnic basket. She carefully opened the cover and a small dog, barked a few times wagging his tail.

"Toto? . . .Are you Toto?"

The dog barked twice and extended his paw to Faith. She extended her hand, and she held his paw for a few moments to make sure she wasn't imagining this. Then he leapt to Faith and started to lick her face.

"Oh Toto it's really you isn't it," laughed Faith with amusement and started to cuddle the dog. She started to scratch behind his ears. "Aww you're so cute."

Faith gently put Toto on the ground and he stood there watching her.

"I'm not sure where I should be, I'm a little lost," began Faith.

She looked in both directions of the street.

"I'm think I should be looking for a yellow road or is it yellow brick road so I can go home. Do you know where that may be?" asked Faith to Toto.

Toto barked twice and went in a down the street with Faith following.

"Are you sure?"

Toto barked again twice and started to trot.

"Wait up," said Faith, as she ran as best she could in those stiff slippers.

* * *

Xander felt like someone had jerked his strings just like puppeteer controlling a puppet. He staggered a bit and regained his balance, shouldering his rifle. Except it wasn't a toy rifle it was now a fully, automatic M-16. He held his weapon and scanned his surroundings for a target. Then he heard what sounded like shrieks and growls, and went in that direction to investigate the commotion.

* * *

"Well, isn't this is special!" exclaimed Spike as he strode down a street. He saw several half-pint size monsters chasing people. "This is neat and who said Halloween was boring!"

Spike grinned as he saw the mayhem around him.

"Ah yes, Dru my pet, you were spot on. Oh how I love how the smell of fear and chaos in the evening," sniffed Spike. "That smell of fright . . . it smells like victory."

He could hardly wait to participate as continued to walk down the street.

"I think I'm going to like Halloween now," added Spike, as he noticed a young woman in ruby slippers. She looked frantic and lost, as she walked haphazardly. He slowed his pace and walked cautiously when he recognized it was Faith.

"Ah poor little lamb, are you lost?"

"Yes," began Faith. "You see I'm looking for the yellow brick road and I-I have lost my way."

"Oh I love it. This is almost too easy," said Spike, under his breath as he came up to Faith.

"Can you help me?" asked Faith.

"Yes," said Spike with a wolfish smile.