Spark and Burn

by Linwe Saralonde

Takes place right after the battle that we see start in the last episode of Angel. Spike goes to Italy to chase after Buffy who has moved on. However, the gang soon learns that Buffy is in grave danger from someone Spike-and Buffy herself-knows all too well. Rated for mild violence and romantic content-rather be safe than sorry.

11. Found

Buffy's second day back at Slayer Central was already feeling like she had been there for weeks. She was loath to get out of bed, but the thought of all the Slayerettes at the mercy of Giles was enough for her to summon her willpower and get dressed.

As she trudged downstairs and into the kitchen, she realized something was off immediately. Though, there were indeed Buffy juniors everywhere—there always were—the house seemed empty somehow.

As Buffy was pouring herself a big bowl of cereal, the door slammed shut. She knew those angry footsteps well. Dawn.

She walked out to see what was going on and stopped dead in her tracks.

"Xander?"

"Duh—" he stammered as Dawn tramped off to her room.

Buffy looked at him for a moment before trailing after Dawn. "Dawn!" she called, hearing the girlish titters echo behind her.

Buffy knocked quietly on her sister's door. "Dawn? Are you OK?" before opening it softly.

Dawn was changing out of yesterday's clothes into fresh ones—a sight Buffy had never hoped to see.

"Geez, Buffy! A little privacy?" Dawn shrieked.

"Sorry," she replied, returning the door to almost closed.

"Dawn, did you and Xander—?" Buffy asked to the crack in the door.

"I don't want to talk about it," Dawn cut her off.

"OK. I'll see you downstairs when you're ready."

Buffy could only imagine how Dawn felt right now. Her curiosity at just what had happened was overwhelming her. She paced back towards the kitchen where Xander still stood and shoved him against the wall, holding him at his throat.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing!" he choked. "Buffy…I swear. Nothing…happened. I…would never."

She looked at him for a moment then put him down.

"I believe you, but, look, whatever's going on between you two, figure it out, and keep me, and the people here, out of it," she told him sternly.

Xander swallowed and nodded.

Buffy wiped her brow. She hadn't even eaten breakfast yet and the day was already unspeakably weird.

Suddenly, her butt vibrated. She pulled her cellphone out of her back jeans pocket and checked it.

Thinking of you, read the text. "Sangue," she smiled. She somehow felt more energized after that.