Chapter 20: Mission Successful

Museum, Sunday 11:30 pm.

Warren ran down the street with Andrew dashing into the van that Jonathan had waiting. Warren grinned holding the rock and Jonathan pushed his foot down hard on the accelerator trying to get out of there quickly. The heist went off without any hitches. It was poetry in motion. Jonathan had watched as Warren had carefully cut the glass only to count to 10, waiting for Jonathan to turn off the computer systems for those 30 seconds which the guards didn't even notice since they were too busy doing whatever it was they did when they switched shifts.

The second the computer systems went down, the rocks were exchanged and by the time the computer systems were back up in motion, they were already on the roof well on their way out. With any luck the guards wouldn't notice the difference on the rocks until morning or even a few days. Ideally, they would never recognize the difference but in Sunnydale that wasn't likely the case.

Jonathan grinned as he pulled them safely into Warren's driveway only pausing briefly to cover the van then entering the basement. Warren had a grin on his face as he pulled off his mask and held up the heartstone until Andrew asked, "So what does it do?"

Warren frowned, "Well Jonathan has to figure out how to use the thing."

Jonathan shrugged, "I want to go to bed. I'm tired and I did all the computer work the night before. I'll look at it in the morning."

Warren didn't like his attitude and said, "No you will help me now! You can sleep through the day tomorrow!"

Jonathan got mad and banged his hand on the desk causing the earpiece Andrew had just taken out of his ear to impale his hand dripping blood. He groaned as Andrew rushed to get bandages and Jonathan swayed slightly from the sight of his own blood. Warren put the heartstone aside to hand Jonathan a papertowel just as Andrew rushed into the room to bandage up his hand. Warren pushed Andrew aside, "It's barely a scratch. Just let him heal naturally. He'll be fine."

Andrew frowned but released Jonathan's hand and Andrew watched as blood dripped on the heartstone and it started to glow. Jonathan ignored it focusing on his cut, "God I wish it would just heal up already. I hate blood. I don't have a whole lot."

Warren muttered in reply, "You have 8 pints. That's plenty compared to the drop you…"

He trailed off noticing the cut on Jonathan's hand was completely gone and Andrew was stuttering, "Did you guys see that? It glowed when his blood dropped on it!"

Jonathan held up his hand, which was completely cut free saying, "Blood activates it. Of course! That makes so much sense!"

Warren's eyes got big as he took the knife on the table and cut his hand and used the blood closing his eyes wishing for Katrina to come back to life. He glanced around the room seeing nothing so sat back down in defeat. Jonathan took the rock, "What did you wish for?"

Warren shrugged, "It didn't work. You saw what I saw right? That cut it just healed up."

Andrew scraped his hand slightly across the blade screaming in pain even though it barely hurt and then watched as the stone glowed again. He grinned closing his eyes, "I wish I had a signed a autograph from Luke Skywalker."

In front of him, a signed autographed picture appeared. Warren pulled it from him but it didn't glow again no matter how many times he dropped blood on it. He wondered if it was only allowing one wish per person or if it was hour activated or what.

Buffy frowned as she spotted a scary sight in front of her. She stopped dead in her tracks as she watched Katrina walk in front of her. She blinked and turmed to Spike as her finger shock, whispering, "That's the girl Warren killed. Is that a robot?"

Spike raced up next to her and took a whiff and then watched as she continued to walk by not even noticing he was there. Katrina then paused briefly turning towards Buffy as she whispered, "Help me…"

Buffy heard her plea and raced to catch up with Spike and Katrina asking, "Well, what is she?"

Spike frowned, "She's dead Buffy. She's a zombie."

Buffy ran to her turning her around, "Help you?"

Katrina nodded as she whispered, "I need to find my killer to rest in peace."

Buffy didn't know what to do with her as she turned around looking towards Spike for guidance. Spike shrugged not having a bleeding clue what to do in this situation. She was a zombie and zombies are already dead so killing them isn't an option and they kill mindlessly but Katrina's mind seemed intact for the most part but she was definitely out for killing. Buffy watched helplessly as Katrina disappeared from sight and she frowned closing her eyes.

Spike rushed to her side rubbing his hands up and down her arms, "Don't think of that night. Don't do it Buffy. You are fine and you did nothing wrong that night. It was all Warren. We need to research and find out why she's back but we can do that in the morning with the gang. We can also call up Giles if you want."

Buffy shook her head, "No Giles. Research is good, zombies bad."

Spike frowned clearly worried about her as he put an arm behind her back walking her back to the house. He helped her into bed and pulled her close to him and kissed her gently whispering, "We will make this better tomorrow, luv. Just sleep for now."

Buffy listened as she closed her eyes feeling the tiredness overcome her body knowing tomorrow she would have to return to work.

Buffy's house, Monday 7 am.

Dawn woke up getting ready for school. The house was quiet and so different than she had been used to all summer and up until a week ago. She stepped into the shower hearing some slight stirring from Buffy's room and smiled. As hard as it was to get used to a quiet house, she was still liking the fact that Spike seemed to have taken up permanent residence in her house and this time with Buffy's approval instead of as a result of Buffy's death. She hummed a tune as she showered thinking about her day at school.

Buffy stretched bumping Spike slightly with a grin, "Rise and shine! It's time to get some breakfast and get Dawn off to school. You can sleep the day away while we are away from the house unless you prefer to go to your crypt. I should have thought about that. I'm sorry."

Spike didn't look bothered as he smiled at her, "I got blood here, a tele that allows me to watch Passions and a bed. What more could a bloke ask for other than someone to fill the bed with."

Buffy laughed and said nothing as she stood up waiting for Dawn to finish her shower. Spike stood up wrapping his arms around her waist and he was slightly surprised when she leaned back against him whispering, "What do you think brought back Katrina?"

Spike shrugged, "Zombie, perhaps a spell. Could be an idol of some sort. While you are at work I'll spend some time with Anya at the Magic Box looking up some information on what it takes to make zombies and more importantly is there a way to see how she originated. She only appeared to be after one person, Warren. Think we should warn him?"

Buffy didn't say anything and instead let her thoughts flow back to that day. She could remember how horrified she had felt thinking she had killed Katrina. She had felt so guilty and upset and Spike had only tried to protect her even so much as taking the role as the punching bag so that she could get some anger out and not go to the police. She let out a deep sigh as she heard the water turn off. She opted instead of showering to go downstairs and make breakfast for Dawn.

Spike followed her without a sound as she entered the kitchen and began to pour two glasses of orange juice. She took out two bowls for cereal and the box of Dawn's favorite cereal just as Dawn entered the room. She heard the microwave beep realizing Spike must have made himself some blood for breakfast. Dawn smiled at her and sat down pouring herself some cereal and handing the box to Buffy who also filled her bowl. Both added milk and ate together. Dawn broke the silence asking, "You guys are ok with me going to the dance on Friday night right? I'm really excited about it and you guys met Freddie and seemed to like him."

Spike unvamped as he put the mug of blood on the table turning towards Dawn, "How late is the dance?"

Dawn answered, "10:30. I'll be home at 11, which gives me plenty of time to sleep. And I'll be home in time to help with Anya and Xander's rehearsal dinner so can I go? Please?"

Spike felt his heart swell when Buffy glanced at him for approval. He nodded as Buffy turned towards Dawn, "As long as you promise to come home at 11 and not be too tired for the rehearsal dinner or wedding, then yes you can go."

Dawn stood up happily almost knocking over her orange juice as she threw her arms around Spike and Buffy's neck almost bumping their heads together from the force of her hug. Spike looked a little awkward but Dawn continued standing drinking her juice dry as she took her dishes to the sink exclaiming, "You won't regret it. I promise I'll be home at 11 and it will be fun. I'm going to ask Anya and Xander after school today if I can invite him to the wedding so I'll have a date. You guys have each other and Xander and Anya will have each other and hopefully Tara and Willow will have each other and I want someone too."

Buffy and Spike sat quietly as the car horn beeped and Dawn rushed out of the house only pausing to grab her lunch and her backpack. Buffy glanced at Spike asking, "Shower then can we talk?"

Spike nodded following her up the stairs curious as to what was on her mind. He wasn't sure how to pry her mind open yet but he was determined to do some research while at the Magic Box to see if the watcher had any information on claims.