This chapter is based on episodes Enemies and Earshot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In the 'Earshot' portion of this chapter I put thoughts Buffy could hear italics. (There's a small mention of Bandcandy the ep that made the adults act like teenagers) Again, I took some dialogue directly for each episode, but I don't own either SPN or BtVS and I make no money from this. But I'm having a lot of fun.


In the last chapter, Buffy showed up at the Winchester's hotel. Sam left to get snacks and was gone a bit longer than Dean liked.

Sam counted his change as he strolled to the vending machines. Dean musta done something to worry Buffy, he judged by the look on her face. Sam knew Dean wouldn't admit to anything with his little brother around, so Sam figured it was a good time for a snack break.

The worn dollars kept being returned to him, but Sam was patient and reinserted them until they took. Two cokes, and over to the snacks, two bags of chips, two, no, better make it three candy bars.

As he turned with an arm load of goodies, a voice called out to him, "Hey, kid, I got something you might find interesting."

Sam turned to the voice, prepared with the standard issue 'I don't do drugs/ or whatever else your offering speech', but froze when he saw what was speaking to him. He had never seen a demon like this before.

The demon took a step closer, "Sorry, didn't mean to-"

Sam began to chant loudly in Latin, "Exercize te, immunde spiritus, y Patris "

"Hey!" the demon shouted. "Hey, no need for that. Besides, it's not gonna work. I'm not possessing anyone." He held his arms out to his side. "And your pronunciation is off. I think you just asked my dad to exercise with you, not sure, though."

Sam backed away slowly, though he was terrified, he couldn't get his legs to move fast enough.

"You are a Winchester, right?" the demon asked. "I mean you smell like a Winchester, but you did just come out of their room so could be because of that."

"I'm Sam," his voice squeaked, sounding much less brave than he hoped.

The demon waved his hand up and down. "Yeah, you're much too small to be John Winchester. I met him once," the demon nodded and Sam's eyes went wide in amazement. "Well, not really. I took off before he got too close," the demon admitted sheepishly. "But still, - I was right there."

Sam's face showed his confusion and his worry. The demon cleared his throat. "Right, well on to my offer. I am willing to trade five thousand dollars, U.S., for the books of Ascension. You interested?"

"Huh?"

***************************************************

"What the hell is taking Sammy so long?"

Dean sat up slowly, reaching under the other pillow for his gun. Buffy sat up with him watching him intently. "Dean?"

Dean's eyes were on the door, "Sam should have been back by now." He stood, made his way to the door and peeked through the peephole , then the curtains. Putting a finger to his lips, to indicate quiet, he slowly opened the door. Buffy silently followed.

Creeping toward the vending machines, Dean had his gun at the ready. Buffy held his arm but had a stake in her other hand. Turning the corner, Dean's eyes narrowed with rage when he saw his younger brother cornered by a demon. He aimed and fired.

"Yeow!" the demon screamed and fell to its knees and onto its back. Rolling in pain, "Man, what'd you do that for?"

"Sammy, you okay?" Dean called.

"Yeah," Sam answered as he maneuvered passed the demon.

"What is it with you Winchesters? Always shoot first, ask questions later," the demon held a hand/claw to it's shoulder while it rose.

Dean cocked his gun, "Stay - the - fuck - down."

"Right, staying down," the demon remained on its knees. "But, if you kill me now, you never find out what I got for ya, huh? Think about it. Demon seeks Slayer and hunters, highly unusual?

Buffy stepped forward, "Talk fast."

The demon grinned at earning its small reprieve, "How would you like to get your hands on the Books of Ascension?"

Buffy shrugged, "Never heard of 'em."

"Books of Ascension. Very powerful works and I'm not talking about the prose. They deal with some, ah, dark stuff," the demon made to stand, but Buffy shook her head so he stayed down. "And the Mayor would hate for somebody to get a hold before he, ah, well you know."

Dean tilted his head, "Before he what?"

"Hey, hey, read 'em and weep. That's all I got to say. Tomorrow, I get the books. Meet me here and if the price is right, well, I give the books to you."

Dean shook his head, "Not really looking to deal with a demon."

The demon laughed, "Right, of course, but I'm not interested in souls and if this were still a barter economy, that would be a problem. I want cash, people, five large for the whole set.

"Money? What do demons need money for?"

"Plane ticket. Out of the Hellmouth before its good-bye Sunnydale. So, five G's, what do you say, Slayer? Winchesters?"

"I think, die now, sums it up." Dean took aim. The demon jumped and ran away.

Buffy put her hand on Dean's arm to lower his gun, "Oh, let him go. I don't think he falls into the deadly threat to humanity category."

Dean gave her an disbelieving look, "A demon's a demon."

"I agree with you, but I'd like to know about these Books of Ascension. Anything that would pin the Mayor down would be great." They had returned to the room. "I guess I should go see Giles," Buffy sighed.

Dean nodded to the door and Sam went inside. "Why don't you call him?" Dean handed her the phone he retrieved from his back pocket.

As she dialed, Dean pulled her to lean against him and wrapped his arms around her. "Giles? It's Buffy. Uh, Dean and I just ran into a demon wanting to sell something called the 'Books of Ascension'." She listened to her former watcher for a minute. "Look like? I don't know, horns, beard, demony?" she shrugged and Dean chuckled behind her earning him a soft elbow to his gut. "Sure, right, first thing." She hung up and turned to Dean. "I'm gonna meet him in the morning."

"Good," Dean whispered. He tilted his head down and kissed her. Buffy brought her body flush against his and deepened the kiss. "Stay here tonight," Dean murmured as his kisses traveled to her neck.

Buffy gasped softly, "Okay." Dean took her hand and led her into the room.


Buffy paced in the library. She knew they had to get to the books before the Mayor did. No one had five thousand dollars to spend, though Wesley thought if they had more time the Council may offer the funding.

"I think the most expedient plan would be to find these Books of Ascension themselves," Wesley decided. "Buffy must find this demon, and soon."

Buffy cocked her head in thought, "Well, I'll go back to the scene, see if I can track him."

Wesley crossed his arms, "This demon could be anywhere. If these books are important as he says, he has good reason to hide. Finding him is going to be extremely difficult."

Sam and Dean strolled into the library, "Found your demon." Wesley's mouth fell open in surprise and Giles wore an expression of amusement

Buffy smirked, "Fashion tip, Wes. Mouth looks better closed."

"How'd you - ?" Wesley stammered.

"We're hunters," Dean answered as if that explained everything. He turned to Giles. "We didn't get there in time, though. Someone got there first, slaughtered the demon and got the books."

Buffy looked down, "You think it was Faith?"

Dean nodded, "That'd be my guess."

Giles sighed, "Well, Buffy, I think you should try to retrieve the Books of Ascension. Check out the Mayor's office but be damned careful. Do not confront the Mayor. We don't know a thing about him."

"I'll go home and stock up on weapons. Slip into something a little more break-and-enterish," she agreed with a nod, not noticing the look Sam and Dean exchanged.

"Right," Giles began, "In the meantime, I'll have Willow look into the Mayor's files." He checked his watch, "Meet back here in an hour?"

"Whoa, everybody just hold on a sec." All eyes turned to Dean. "Breaking into the mayor's office is extremely risky." Buffy began to interrupt, but Dean wouldn't let her. "I think it should be left to the experts." He nodded to Sam.

Buffy scoffed, "Experts? Did you forget I know your record? Real expert."

Dean jerked back insulted and Sam laughed. "Dean's never been caught. B and E? that's his thing."

Buffy raised a brow, "Uh, right. I hate to break it to you Sam but, yeah he has."

Dean looked from Sam to Buffy, about to defend himself, but Sam spoke up. "The only times Dean's been caught is when he's supposed to. Ya know, like when he's the distraction."

"Distraction?" Giles asked moving closer to them.

"Yeah, and that's what we should do this time." Dean looked at Giles hoping the man would stop Buffy from going alone.

Buffy shook her head, "Dean, I can do this. It's gonna be dangerous now that Faith is working with the Mayor."

"Right, which is why we need a better plan than you just strolling in there," Dean insisted, ignoring Buffy's eye roll. "Look, let me run interference for you." Buffy contemplated that idea . "I break in, find out where he's keeping the goods," he shrugged, "maybe caught."

"Dean," Buffy began.

"Hear me out. While they're dealing with me, you get in and get the books."

Giles put his hands on his hips, "That might work."

Buffy looked skeptical. "Right, Faith's gonna know you're not working alone."

"Maybe, maybe not. The demon came to our hotel, looking for me and Sam."

"Yeah, the demon had our name on the hotel's page from the phone book," Sam offered. "And Faith knows how Dean would try to do this on his own."

Dean gave his brother a look, but had to condescend to him. Both Giles and Dean looked to Buffy. She pursed her lips and nodded. "Alright, we'll do this your way, but if you get caught, what are you gonna do?"

Dean turned to Giles, "Think you can bail me out?"

Giles rolled his eyes. "Let's first try not to get caught."


After school, the scoobies plus Sam, gathered in the library. After bringing them up to speed with the Dean and Buffy plan, Giles asked, "Willow, how far did you get with the Mayor's files?"

Willow sighed, "It's all bad news. By the time I got through the encryptions, the files were empty. Guess he saw me coming."

Sam tilted his head in thought, "What about the Hall of Records?"

Oz nodded, "Right. Go to the source."

"Good idea," Wesley agreed. "There must be information on the Mayor there."

Oz stood, "I'll drive."

Willow gathered her things and nudged Sam. "They liked your plan," she said quietly, with a smile, so that only Sam heard, making Sam duck his head and blush.

In the Hall of Records, Oz brought a book to the table with an old picture of the Mayor. Oz cocked a brow, "Hey, whoa."

Willow's eyes widened. "Whoa. Big, hey whoa. Sam, check this out. Wow, like father, like son."

They compared a shiny new photo of the Mayor with the old photo. "How about like exact same guy, like exact same guy?" Oz said without disguising the surprise in his voice.

"Mayor Wilkins is over one hundred years old. He's not human," Sam felt very concerned for his brother and Buffy.


Dean's plan was going perfectly. He had made it all the way to the Mayor's office and had even been able to pick the locked door.

Buffy followed his plan, even though it completely irked her that he was making himself bait, again. At least, this time, it was his choice and he had her as back up. She was at the other end of the hall watching him work the Mayor's door, when she heard someone else enter the hall.

"Watcha doin, Dean?"

Dean jumped at the sound of Faith's voice. "Faith," he looked around but didn't see anyone else with her. Dean shrugged, "I, uh, was looking, to ah, contribute to the Mayor's re-election fund."

"Right," Faith tilted her head, "sure, you were, cuz after hours is the best time for that."

"Well, I wanted it to be anonymous," Dean replied as he stood and cracked the office door open.

"Cute."

"Yes, I am," Dean smirked, but Faith was not amused. Buffy rolled her eyes from her hiding spot.

"Why don't you tell me why you're really here?" Faith moved menacingly closer.

Dean squinted at her. "Why? Who the hell are you that I need to answer to you?"

"I'm the girl that's gonna kick your ass."

"Now, why would you want to do that? I've got such a nice ass," Dean grinned.

Faith huffed, "I've had just about enough of you and your cocky attitude." She shoved him hard and he fell through the Mayor's open door.

She picked him up by his jacket front. "Hate to hurt your pretty face," she quipped as she backhanded him.

Not gauging for Dean's longer reach, Faith didn't back away in time and Dean clocked her across her face with the butt of his gun. It was enough to faze her but not quite enough to knock her out. She wiped at the blood that trickled from her hair line, then she cracked her neck. "Oh Dean, didn't you know, I like it rough."

They grappled on the floor for a few minutes, Dean worried that she'd have reinforcements arriving at any second.

Buffy silently made her way to the office. She winced as she watched Faith slug Dean, until Dean rolled and kicked her off of him. Dean watched Buffy slide into the office unnoticed by Faith. He quickly turned to ensure that Faith's back would be to Buffy. This allowed Faith the opportunity to toss Dean into the Mayor's credenza.

Buffy winced again, then quickly scanned the Mayor's desk for anything she thought would tell her the Mayor's plans.

"Ow, Faith, that's gonna leave a mark," Dean joked from the floor. He struggled to get up.

"Oh poor Dean, where's you girlfriend when you need her? Groping Angel at the Bronze?" Faith kicked at him, but missed as Dean grabbed her leg and pulled her down.

"I don't need my girl to fight my battles." Dean looked over to Buffy praying that she had found something. He just barely ducked a bookend Faith threw at him.

"What're you really doin' here Dean? Trying to find a way to stop the Mayor?" Faith began to circle towards him.

"You think we can't?" Dean taunted.

"No one can stop the Ascension. Mayor's got it wired, Deano. He built this town for demons to feed on and come graduation day, he's getting paid. And I'll be sitting at his right hand. Assuming he has hands after the transformation. I'm not too clear on that part," Faith squinted at the thought. "And you and Buffy and all your little lame ass friends are going to be kibbles'n'bits."

During Faith's tirade, Buffy snuck up behind her. "Graduation day," Dean nodded then leaned to look at Buffy, "You think we missed anything?"

"I think we know everything she knows," Buffy confirmed. Faith spun in surprise only to be put down by Buffy's punch to her face.

Dean smiled at Faith's unconscious form and back up at Buffy, "See, Sweetheart, when you follow a plan, shit comes together."

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Alright, you da man. Now let's get outta here."


As Buffy and Dean make their way back to the high school, two demons jump them. Buffy effortlessly pummels one of them, but after having gone a few rounds with Faith, Dean was low on gas. His demon was getting the best of him. Buffy stabbed hers with the knife Dean gave her, then moved to take care of the one attacking Dean. She buried the knife deep into the demon, getting her knife and hand covered in the demon's blood. "Ew, gross," Buffy complained as she wiped the blood onto the grass as best she could.


The Next Day

"Hey, sweetheart, you look beautiful as always," Dean smiled as he held the car door open for her.

"Thank you," Buffy kissed him quickly on the check as she climbed into the car. "Hey Sam."

"Hey Buff," Sam's head remained buried in the science textbook he was studying.

Buffy wrinkled her face and played with the radio knobs. "What's wrong with your radio?"

Dean looked at her in shock, "Nothing. It just doesn't play the crap music you like."

Buffy glared at him a second before continuing. "No, doofus, it's staticy like it's picking up more than just one station."

Dean gave her another weird look. "Uh, no babe, it's fine. Maybe that's just your slayer hearing working overdrive."

"Hmm," Buffy thought it over, "Okay, I guess." She listened a bit longer. "It's like public radio or that college station. I'm hearing scientific stuff." She shook her head, "Weird."

"Yeah, you are."

Buffy slapped Dean's arm. "Shut up."

As Dean walked her to class, Buffy kept looking around. She was sure she was hearing something. It was quiet, like someone whispering, but it wasn't clear. Dean grabbed her hand. God I hate this town, if it wasn't for Buffy I'd never come back. It's so fuckin' weird and the people don't even notice.

Buffy looked at Dean, "Huh?"

"What?"

"Did you say something?"

Why does she think I said something. Dean shook his head and gave her a strange look, "No."

"Okay," Buffy answered slowly. Why is she looking Buffy let go of Dean's hand and realized that when she held it, she could hear his thoughts. She began to grin widely and took hold of his hand again.

Maybe wash the car. Just then a very curvaceous Mary Stensen walked towards them wearing a very tight low cut shirt. Holy shit, she's hot. Buffy felt jealousy bubble inside her. Buffy would look so hot in that. Shit, Buffy would look hot out of that. Buffy began to blush. Suddenly she saw a flash of herself naked on top of Dean while they had sex. She nearly gasped. Whoa, no, down boy, mind out of the gutter, she's gotta go to school. Shit I'm gonna need another cold shower. Think about the car. Buffy got a flash of the Impala's engine. Dean looked over at Buffy and noticed she was bright red. I wonder if I should change the … "You okay Buffy? you look kinda red."

Buffy swallowed, "I'm okay." She said with a nod.

She better be okay. Slayers aren't suppose to get sick. If the council is fucking with her again, I swear to god I'm gonna kick that Wesley guy's ass. I should kick his ass anyway just cuz he's such a prick.

They finally entered the library. I wonder what Snyder would do if he saw me here. He turned to face Buffy. God, I love her so fucking much. Buffy wore a huge smile. Wish she would skip out. "What's got you so happy?"

She went up on her toes and kissed him. "I love you," she whispered to him. Dean held her closer and kissed her more deeply. Buffy gingerly moved to his neck, gently kissing and sucking at it. I love it when she does that. "Mmm," Dean moaned barely audibly, his hands caressing her back. Aw, shit, down boy, now's not the time. Buffy grinned into his neck and moved her hands down his back before continuing to tease his neck. Damn, this is making me wanna take her in the nearest closet and.. Dean gently pushed her away. "Babe, you gotta stop before I take you to a storage closet and make you miss all your morning classes."

Buffy sighed and stepped back to admire how worked up she made him, "Yeah, I guess." She bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. "Will I see you later?"

"Of course."


Buffy told Wesley and Giles about the demons she and Dean fought the night before. "They also didn't have mouths," Buffy concluded. She scratched at her hand.

Giles picked up a book and flipped through it for a minute before setting it in front of Buffy. "That's the demon in question?" Buffy nodded. "In the disgusting flesh. " "Hmm," Giles pondered. "It says they can infect the host. " "Infect? Infect?" Buffy asked but Giles kept reading. "GILES! INFECT?" "Oh um, infect the host with an aspect of the demon. That's all it says," Giles looked at her and shrugged.

Buffy wrinkled her brow in thought, "An aspect of the demon? Uh, could it be mind reading?"

Wesley studied her, "Why do you think that?"

Buffy's cheeks colored slightly. "Well, earlier, when I was with Dean, I was holding his hand, and I could hear his thoughts." Giles and Wesley exchanged looks.

Giles took a deep breath, "Buffy, slow down. I'm not even convinced that this is genuine mind reading. You're most likely projecting your- "

Buffy shook her head, "No, I hear thoughts. It keeps getting stronger." She looked around. "I heard mumbling before, and had to touch Dean, but now.." she was still a moment. She looked at Giles, "The demons are telepathic. I should have known. That's why they didn't need mouths."

Astounded, Giles' mouth dropped open, "I just thought that." Buffy grinned, "I know, you just told me."

Wesley looked from one to the other, "This is astounding." He and Buffy said in unison. Buffy jumped up from her seat, "I can't wait for English class, today."


Later, Oz, Xander, Buffy, Giles and Wesley were gathered around the table. Xander stared at Buffy, "You can read our minds? Our every impulse and fantasy."

Buffy nodded, "Every one."

Xander looked down. Oh god.

Willow smiled at her. "Well, I think it's great. Right? I mean, you enjoy your other slayer powers."

Buffy nodded, "Yeah, and it'll be fun. Did you see Nancy Doyle's face in English Class today?"

Willow giggled, "Yeah, she's super competitive, and you really showed her." She's hardly even human anymore. How can I be her friend now? She doesn't need me.

"No! I do need you," Buffy tried to reassure her.

"Um...I think there must be some precedence for occurrences such as this. Uh, I'll research it. Wesley, can you give me a hand?" Giles rose from the table.

Wesley nodded, "Of course. Where do you think we should start?"

Oz looked at Buffy I am my thoughts. If they exist in her, Buffy contains everything that is me and she becomes me. I cease to exist. "Hmm... "

Xander's eyes widened, What am I gonna do? I think about sex all the time! Sex! Help! 4 times 5 is thirty. 5 times 6 is 32. Naked girls. Naked Women! Naked Buffy! Oh stop me!

"God Xander! Is that all you think about?" Buffy asked.

"Actually... Bye." Xander ran from the library.

Wesley sighed, "Xander has just illustrated something. Chances are, you're all going to be thinking whatever you least want Buffy to hear. It's a question, of course, of mental discipline."

Willow whispered, "What's it like Buffy?"

"I don't know. It's a little weird." Buffy ran a hand over her head. "But... Look, please, don't for a second think that I don't need you, because I do. I want to share this with you. It's like all these doors are opening to all these little worlds, and I can just walk right inside. Like this morning, I heard what Dean was thinking and …"

She was interrupted by Oz's thoughts. No one else exists either. Buffy is all of us. We think. Therefore, she is.

She knows so much. She knows what Oz is thinking. I never know that. Before long, she'll know him better than I do, Willow thought.

"No, don't think that," Buffy pleaded.

"I can't help it Buffy. I'm sorry, I just can't." Willow ran from the library.

"If you don't need me, I'm gonna follow the red-head," Oz said as he followed Willow.

Buffy felt as if she'd been hurting her best friends. She sighed deeply, "You know what? I'm getting a headache. I'll go." Buffy grabbed her stuff and left.

Giles walked with Buffy down the crowded hallway. She heard numerous thoughts all run together.

She looks so tired, Giles thought. "Buffy, you should go home. I, I'll take you home. ."

"I can't shut it out Giles. It's like this invasion of my head. It's like there's these strangers walking around in there. It's just a... Look at this, I can't even be around people anymore. Not that they're really clamoring to be near me anyway."

"Wesley and I are, are looking for a way to help."

"I'll be okay right? I mean, even if you can't get rid of it?"

They reached the passenger side of Giles' car. "You'll be fine. I promise," He smiled and stepped away from her. If it doesn't go away she'll go insane.

Buffy stopped dead in her tracks, shocked at Giles' thoughts.


Buffy was home in bed. Joyce folded her blanket over. "There, you look better already," Joyce said with a comforting smile. "Thanks mom."

"I'm uh, I'm just going to get you another pillow," Joyce said as she quickly left the room. "I really don't need one."

"But you need another blanket," Joyce said quietly and left again. "Uh, mom, I'm fine."

Joyce nodded, "How about, some soup? Chicken and stars." She set the blanket on the bed. Buffy held her head, "Mom, please, just come sit with me."

Joyce fidgeted and stepped back from the bed. "I've uh, I've got laundry. "

"Why are you...?" Buffy whined then bolted up in bed. "You had sex with Giles?"

Joyce gasped. "It was the candy! We were teenagers!"

"On the hood of a police car?"

"I'll be downstairs. You feel better." Joyce hurried away.

BUFFY called after her, "TWICE!"


A few hours later, Buffy was still in bed. Random thoughts bombard her head. Dean walked into her room. "Hey Sam said you went home sick, what's up baby?" Even sick, she's beautiful. He sat on the edge of her bed and kissed her forehead.

"Demon aspect. It's.." she held her head in pain.

"Buffy?" Dean's voice was full of worry. Oh god, baby be okay. I can't be losing you already.

Buffy looked at him with eyes that could barely focus, "No, I can.."

Dean held her hand. I wish I could help her, take this from her. "Baby, is there anything I can do for you?"

"Water can I have some water?"

Dean gave her water and a pill Giles said she should take. "Giles said you should take this pill to help you sleep." That better be all the pill does. She looks terrible, maybe I should go. "Maybe I should go, Buffy. Let you sleep. I'll be back la -"

"No, Dean, please stay."

Thank god. "Sure, babe. I'll be right here." He climbed into bed and held her. Mr. Giles told me you can read minds, now. Can you hear me? Buffy murmured and nodded against his chest. Okay, well, that's just fuckin' weird. But, Sammy thinks it's cool. In fact, Sam did some research and found out that I should try to think of calming and boring stuff for you. Gotta say, that's not easy when you're in bed with me, but I'll try, okay? Buffy nodded again.

Dean exhaled a large breath. Alright, ready to learn how to change the Impala's oil? You need five quarts of 5w30 oil, a oil filter, a funnel and a oil pan to catch the oil. It's easier if it's up on a hoist or ramps. Then, drain the oil. As he continued to list the directions, he felt Buffy go slack against him and her breathing even out.

As she slept, Dean held her and she could hear his thoughts. Please be okay Baby. Please, I love you, don't die on me, okay? Don't go crazy. You can do this, Please. You want to go to college and have a life. You deserve a life, Buffy. God, baby, I'll do anything you want, just get better.

******************************************************

In the Library, Giles and Wesley put in a late night of research. Wesley was mixing some ingredients "Well, it seems to be coming along all right," Wesley attempted to sound more confident than he felt.

"Yes, Buffy's being driven mad, we have no proof that this is going to work, and it still requires the heart of the second demon, which we have no idea how to get without the slayer," an exasperated Giles said.

"Negative thinking doesn't solve problems," Wesley said simply.

"Who is going to get the demon heart?" Giles demanded as he slammed his hand on the desk.

Wesley remained calm. "I believe I know how to accomplish that."


Later, Joyce stepped back to allow Giles entrance.

"How's she doing?" Giles asked politely knowing how much it pained Joyce to see Buffy in her condition.

Joyce nodded, "She's sleeping, I think. Dean is with her." She saw surprise on Giles' face. "He said he knew of a way to calm her down. And," Joyce sighed, "well, it looks like it worked."

"Dean's here?"

"Yes, he's upstairs, with Buffy," Joyce responded with a confused look on her face.

"May I?" Giles asked indicating his desire to go up to Buffy's room.

"No, I'll see if he can come down. You, stay here," Joyce pointed to the couch.

From the hallway outside Buffy's room, Joyce whispered, "Dean?"

He looked at her, then down at Buffy, who appeared to be asleep. He carefully slid out of the bed and went to Joyce.

"How is she?" Joyce asked.

Dean shrugged, "Sleeping, I think." He looked back at her. "Sam's theory of boring her to sleep might have worked."

Joyce closed her eyes for a moment and smiled, feeling relief. "Mr. Giles is here and wants to talk to you."

Dean nodded and followed her down the stairs.

Dean stood at the foot of the stairs with his arms crossed. "Sir."

Giles nodded, "Dean. Uh, Wesley and I think we may have found an elixir that with undo this demon aspect." Dean and Joyce exchange looks. "The elixir is missing only one ingredient and I thought perhaps you could help."

Dean took a step forward. "Yeah, sure, what can I do?"

Giles looked at Joyce before he continued, "We need a demon. We need a demon heart."

Dean seemed to fortify himself, "Okay, let's go."

"No," Joyce said firmly. "Dean, I can't let you do this."

Dean looked stunned. "Mrs. Summers, I.."

Joyce shook her head and stood between Dean and Giles. "No. I won't allow this. Giles, there has to be another way."

"I'm afraid I don't know of one," Giles said in defeat.

Joyce turned to Dean. "Dean, please, don't go. Don't do this." Dean looked confused. "Dean, if something happens to you, Buffy will never forgive me." She turned to Giles, "Or you."

"Mrs. Summers, this is what I do. I'm a hunter."

"No, Dean. Please. Buffy needs you here. I need you here," Joyce pleaded. "You calmed her down and helped her sleep." She could see Dean battling with himself. "What will I do if she wakes up and you're not there? She'll know you're in danger. She'll.."

Seeing how upset Mrs. Summers was becoming Dean relented. "Mr. Giles, I gotta stay."

Giles nodded tersely, "Right, very well. Perhaps Wesley and I, if we work together…"

Buffy cried from upstairs and Dean jogged back up the steps.

"Angel will do it," Joyce said softly.

"Yes, I suppose he would," Giles agreed.

Okay, baby, I'm back. Buffy, I know you're in there, so just listen, alright? Remember how Sam said I should be boring? Buffy twitched in his arms. Shh, babe, I'm here, he smoothed a hand over her head. Dean closed his eyes and thought about the previous summer. He pictured her next to him in the car with the window down and her bare feet up by the passenger door window. He remembered how much he loved looking at her, from her feet up her legs in those tiny shorts she wore. Buffy squirmed and murmured a bit in his arms. Okay, I guess that's not peaceful, enough. Sorry. Dean kissed the top of her head. I love you. I remember following you in school, hoping to find out your name. She moved again. Right, need it boring. He sighed. Here's a book Sam gave me. It's some poetry crap. This should put us both to sleep.


The next morning, Dean was leaning against the wall in Buffy's room. His face was drawn with concern. Joyce was sitting, curled up with a blanket on a chair in Buffy's room. Buffy seemed to be asleep, but tossing and turning.

"I can't stand this. I keep wondering if I'm hurting her with my thoughts," Joyce whispered. Dean closed his eyes and felt completely helpless.

"You're not. Not anymore," Giles said from the doorway. "She can't pick one thought out of the... out of the din."

A knock sounded from downstairs. They turn and bolted for downstairs. Wesley beat them to door below. He opened it and a smoking figure covered in a blanket stepped inside. The figure pulled off the blanket and revealed Angel holding a vial of glowing blue liquid. "I got it," Angel said quietly. He looked around the room. Giles, Joyce and Wesley looked relieved. Dean didn't , he kept his eyes on the floor, his jaw clenched. Angel brushed passed him and went up the stairs to Buffy's room. Sitting on the bed, he pulled Buffy up into his arms.

"Uh, no," Buffy slurred, dazed.

Angel held her, "I'm gonna help you." He grabbed the potion and fed it to her. She struggled but couldn't really resist.

Dean strode forward wanting to drag Angel away from her. She gulped some of the potion down. Angel set the potion aside and laid her back on the pillow. Buffy seemed to relax, she seemed better. Angel kissed her forehead. Dean fought with the anger, jealousy and uselessness he felt. Buffy started thrashing and kicking, not knowing what she was doing. Angel panicked, "Giles!"

Dean rushed to the bed and nearly threw Angel off of it. Holding Buffy, he rocked her. Baby, it's okay, that junk is supposed to help. Unfortunately, Buffy's slayer strength tossed him back. Buffy thrashed around and Angel went to hold her down. Dean left the room and leaned against the wall in the hallway. His feelings of helplessness were overwhelming. God, Buffy, if you can still hear me, I'm sorry I let you down.

A few minutes later, Giles left Buffy's room. "Dean, I think the potion worked. She's calm now," he attempted to reassure the young man.

Dean nodded slightly and looked toward the room.

Angel walked out of Buffy's room looking just as tired as Dean felt. He looked from Dean to Giles, "Uh, Giles, could you help me get home?"

"Yes, of course," Giles nodded at Dean.

"Dean?" Buffy's weak voice called. He looked at Giles before rushing back into the room. Buffy was sitting up in bed with her mom next to her. Her weak smile made Dean sigh with relief.

Joyce smiled at him with tears in her eyes. "I told you Dean never left." Joyce kissed Buffy's temple. "Are you hungry, sweetie? I'll make you guys something to eat." Joyce hugged Dean before she left the room.

Buffy thought Dean still looked worried. "I'm okay, now, Dean. I'm not hearing thoughts anymore." Dean's slight smile didn't make her feel better. "So, since I can't hear your thoughts, maybe you want to tell me how you are."

Dean shook his head. "You sure you okay, babe?" Buffy nodded, smiled, and patted the bed next to her.

Dean grinned and climbed in next to her. "I'm fine, just tired. And if I ever have to read poetry again, it will be too soon." He wrapped his arms around her. "Do you remember how to change the Impala's oil?"

Buffy smiled playfully, "It needs five quarts of 5w30 oil."

"Good, cause you'll be changing her oil later to pay me back for all the stress you just put me through."

Buffy sighed happily and rested her head on his chest. She wasn't about to tell him that the potion worked slowly and she could still hear thoughts for a few more minutes, as long as she was touching the person.

Thank god she's gonna be okay. I coulda got that heart…. Buffy looked up at him when she no longer heard him, and found him sound asleep.

Next prom and graduation.