A/N: I own nothing of the Whedonverse nor any fairytales and I am not profiting from this work.

Chapter 10

Previously on Buffy the Vampire...Slayer

"You will eat what I eat or you will starve."

"No, because he's family."

There's no cure for me.

Spike made it down the stairs, ignoring the pull to the kinship bond, and willing his stomach to stop grumbling. Once in the kitchen he was taken aback at Joyce still up and puttering around. It was well after midnight.

"Spike? Is there something wrong?" She looked genuinely concerned. He always knew she was a good one.

"Nothing much. Just hungry's all." He leaned against the island and smirked slightly at the book on the counter.

"Oh, so you're hungry? Fine mug of pig's blood then off to your room."

"Mr. Giles! I am shocked. William isn't our prisoner. He's our guest. I'm not going to let him go hungry." Joyce walked to the freezer and pulled out multiple styrofoam containers of blood. "Anya told me that different animals have different tastes. I figured it was a 'you are what you eat' type of thing. Pigs eat slop but cows eat green grasses and all of that. So, I had the sweet girl pick a few things up. I don't want to know where she got cheetah and otter but I hope it is done responsibly."

Spike smiled at the kind lady who reminded him so much of his mum. "No worries Joyce. The suppliers work at zoos and never take too much from the endangered types. We demons have nothing against the animal kingdom. Just need to eat." Joyce narrowed her eyes at him and he figured she was thinking of the lack of this 'catch and release' method when it came to humans. Best not to mention the kittens.

Giles watched Spike pick up the otter and reheat it too high. Then he took Buffy's half drank mug from the fridge and splashed enough otter to mask the taste and bring the temperature up. As the 'guest' sat at the table drinking the blood and discussing the dealings at Joyce's gallery Giles couldn't help but feel he was missing something very crucial indeed. He did hate to be left out of the loop and it seemed to be happening more often with Buffy away at university and the rest of the children moving on. He simply did not feel needed. He was a Watcher with nothing to watch until all of this happened. Why couldn't he simply find the answer? He was transformed into a book housing all knowledge in the known universe within his binding. How could he...oh. Oh dear lord. It did make perfect sense. He vanished into his pages and found the answer straight away. It was a prophecy. Of course it was a prophecy. How could he have been so blind. "Excuse me?"

The other two looked at him and Spike saw the mixed emotions cast over his fellow Brit's...cover. "What's the matter Watcher?"

"She's the Slayer."

Buffy couldn't sleep. She wanted to go to class but how could she get there? What with the classes being in broad daylight and all. It was the middle of the night and yeah she didn't usually sleep a whole lot what with being the Slayer and all but sleeping during the day just wouldn't cut it if she was going to be normal. Pfft. Yeah normal, Like that's on the agenda for Buffy the Vampire. Gah! Why couldn't things just be...she wasn't even sure what she wanted things to be anymore. She gave up on giving up after the whole Angelus mope-a-rama. Yeah she'd saved those kids from a hell dimension but she had also really messed up when she'd ghosted. If anything, Angel up and leaving after graduation had shown her that people who want the best for you shouldn't decide what's best for you. And maybe she's also the Slayer but the Vamp's in here too. It's howling for blood and vying for mayhem but it's also fiercely protective over her family and friends. She decided to head downstairs for a snack. On the way there, she walked past Dawn's room. Opening the door just a crack she smiled at the soft pink glow that gently illuminated her sister's bed. Her smile grew as Dawn shifted and nearly fell out of bed. See, she was a vamp and therefore shouldn't feel love according to her ex. So why did the image of her childish sister mumbling in her sleep make Buffy feel that telltale glow?

A monastery in Prague

"It is done. The price you have asked of us is paid in blood and bound in flesh. There is no reason for you to remain." The monk was brave she would give him that. Bravery, however, could mask foolishness. The powerful sorceress held him there and probed his mind. There, a flaw. A chink in his armor. She prodded and the mail fell apart. Soon all would be set to rights. Soon they would be free. She dropped the man and made her way to the shadows where her fellow chaotician waited.

"Is all in order?" His voice was low in timbre and volume.

"Yes, there will be no need for further intervention at this point. All is going according to plan."