Chapter 35: Surprise

It's late. All is dark and peaceful. Buffy stirs in her sleep, wakes. Reaches for a glass of water on her night stand, finds it empty. She climbs out of bed and walks out into the hall still half-asleep. From the shadows behind her emerges Drusilla, ripe, carnivorous blood staining her mouth.

Dru stalks Buffy - is a heartbeat away from grabbing her when Buffy senses something and turns.

There is nothing there. Buffy shrugs it off, moves to the bathroom door. She opens it and enters P4. The music is haunting, otherworldly.

Willow is at a table, having coffee with a monkey - who wears a little hat and a vest. She turns and waves. Buffy, puzzled, waves back.

Buffy turns and sees Piper, who is drinking coffee out of a large cup and saucer.

Prue looks concerned - addresses Buffy. "Do you really think you're ready, Buffy?"

"What?" Buffy asks.

The saucer slips from Prue's grasp. The plate falls to the ground and shatters.

Buffy looks from the broken plate back to Prue – but she is gone.

Buffy turns again, wanders to the dance floor - which is alive with sexual energy. Couples writhe sensuously to the music - totally entwined, into each other - oblivious to her.

The crowd parts and Buffy sees Angel on the other side of the dance floor. They meet eyes - smile. Through all the oddness - it is a moment of true connection, love. They move toward each other.

Just as Buffy is about to reach Angel, Drusilla appears again behind him. Dru stakes Angel ANGEL in the back - so swiftly and suddenly that Buffy can't act in time to save him.

"Angel!" Buffy yells as she reaches for him. Her hand touches Angel's as he crumbles to ash.

Drusilla leers as she addresses Buffy, relishing every moment of her suffering. "Happy Birthday, Buffy."

Buffy bolts up from her bed, waking in horror from her dream. She's panicked, sweating...

The next morning Buffy knocks at Angel's door. A little tentative. "Angel?"

"Hold on.." Angel says before he opens the door. "Hey... Everything okay?"

They move inside.

"That's what I was going to ask you. You're okay, right?" Buffy asks.

Angel nods, "Sure. I'm fine. What's up?"

Buffy moves into his arms, relieved. Angel's happy to hold her, if a bit confused. "I had this dream. Drusilla was alive. It was awful-"

"What happened?" Angel asks.

Buffy sighs, "She killed you. Right in front of me. I saw the whole thing."

Angel strokes her, trying to soothe. "It was just a dream. It wasn't real."

"But it felt so real." Buffy said.

Angel shakes his head, "It wasn't. Here I am."

Buffy moves away from him now, her anxiety mounting. "This happened before, Angel. That dream I had about the Master... It came true."

Angel sighs, "Still, not every dream you have comes true. I mean, what else did you dream last night? Can you remember?"

Buffy thinks, "That... Giles and I opened an office supply warehouse in Las Vegas."

"You see my point." Angel says.

Buffy nods, "Yeah. But, I mean, what if Drusilla is alive? We never saw her body."

Angel sighs, "She's not. But even if she was - we'd deal." He moves to her. Draws her back into his arms.

"But, what if-" Buffy says.

Angel silences her with a kiss. Tense at first, Buffy relaxes into it. The intensity grows fast. "What if what?"

"Sorry. Were we talking?" Buffy says. They kiss some more. The bed in the corner entices. They both feel it - glance there - but don't go there. "I... have to get to school."

Angel nods, "I know."

And they kiss some more.

"God. You feel-" Buffy says.

Angel nods, "You have to go to school..." He kisses her, picks her up and moves her to the front door. Now they kiss against the door. Finally pull back.

"Alright. This is me." Buffy says as she opens the door, but pauses for one last kiss.

"You still haven't told me what you want for your birthday." Angel says.

Buffy smiles, "Surprise me."

Angel smiles, "Okay. I will..."

"This was nice. I like you first thing in the morning." Buffy says.

"It's bed time for me." Angel says.

Buffy laughs, "Then I like you at bed time." She realizes how that sounds. "I mean... You - know what I mean..."

"I think so," Angel says. "What do you mean?"

"That I... I like seeing you." Buffy says, "And the part at the end of the night when we say goodbye, it's.., getting harder."

Buffy waits for an agonizing beat before he responds. "Yeah. It is," Angel says.

They just look at each other. Afraid to say any more.

Later Buffy and Willow are walking toward school together.

"I like you at bed time? You actually said that?" Willow says.

"I know. I know." Buffy says.

Willow shakes her head, "Man. That's - I don't know, that's moxie or something!"

Buffy nods, "Totally unplanned. It just came out."

"And he was into it? He wants to see you at bed time, too?" Willow asks.

Buffy stops walking. Suddenly feeling the weight of this. "Yeah. I think he does. I mean, he's cool about it-"

Willow smiles, "Of course he is. Cause' he's cool. He would never, you know…"

Buffy nods. "Push."

"Right. He's not the type." Willow says.

Buffy sighs, "Willow. What am I going to do?"

"What do you want to do?" Willow asks.

Buffy shrugs, "Well... WANT isn't always the right thing... To do, I mean. To act on want can be wrong."

Willow nods, "True."

"But, to not act on want. You could watch your whole life pass you by-" Buffy says.

Willow nods, "Carpe diem. You told me that once."

"Seize the fish?" Buffy asks jokingly.

Willow rolls her eyes, "Carpe. It means seize the day."

Buffy smiles, "Oh. Right. I think we're going to... seize it, Will. Sooner or later. Once you get to a certain point - seizing is sort of inevitable."

This sinks in. They start to walk again - slowly.

"Wow," Willow says.

Buffy nods, "Yeah."

"Wow..." Willow says again.

Buffy notices Oz, guitar in hand, walking ahead. "Ooh, speaking of wow potential, there's Oz. What are we thinking? Any sparkage there?"

Willow blushes, "He's nice. I like his hands."

"Ooh, fixation on insignificant detail. Definite crush sign." Buffy says.

"I don't know, though. I mean, he is a senior..." Willow says.

Buffy shakes her head, "You think he's too old cuz he's a senior? Please. My boyfriend had a bicentennial."

"That's true, I guess... I just..." Willow says.

Buffy sighs, "You can't spend the rest of your life waiting for Xander to wake up and smell the hottie. Make a move. Do the talking thing."

"What if the talking thing becomes the awkward silence thing?" Willow asks.

Buffy shakes her head, "You won't know unless you try. Come on, Will - seize the fish!"

Buffy smiles, moves on ahead. Leaving Willow to her task. She passes an old, dark-skinned man who lurks near the school. His dress has a slightly ethnic flair. He watches her enter the building, then moves off - unnoticed.

Later in the school lounges Xander approaches Giles.

"Good morning. I trust that everything is in order for the party." Giles says.

Xander nods, "Absolutely. Ready to get down, you funky party weasel?"

Giles sees Buffy and Ms. Calendar approaching. "Ah. Here comes Buffy. Remember - discretion is the better part of valor..."

"You could have just gone - "shhhh." Are all you Brits such drama queens?" Xander says. Giles would respond, but Buffy and Ms. Calendar have now joined them. Xander turns to Buffy, "Buffy! I feel a pre-birthday spanking coming on."

Buffy gives Xander a look that would melt steel.

"I'd - curb that impulse, Xander." Ms. Calendar says.

Xander nods, "Check. Cancel spanking."

"What's the matter, Buffy? You look fatigued." Giles says.

Buffy sighs, "Rough night. I had a dream that Drusilla was alive - and she killed Angel. It really spun me. I even went by Angel's on the way to school to make sure he was okay."

"There's a line I haven't tried. I just dropped by to see if you're dead. It says caring. Concerned. Smootchies guaranteed." Xander says.

Buffy frowns, "Please. I didn't go over there for smootchies - Well. When I found out he was okay I was relieved, and so, naturally... Someone stop me."

"So, Angel's alright?" Ms. Calendar says.

Buffy nods, "Yeah, but... I've just got this bad feeling. This wasn't a normal dream."

"You feel it was more of a premonition? " Giles says.

Buffy shrugs, "I don't know. I don't want to start a big freak-out over nothing."

"Still. We should be on alert. If Drusilla is alive then we may be facing a cataclysmic state of affairs-" Giles says.

"Again. So many words." Xander says, "Can't you just say we'd be in trouble?"

"Go to class, Xander," Giles says.

"Gone," Xander says as he starts to move away. Stops. "Notice the economy of phrasing. "Gone." It's simple. Direct." And then he finally heads off.

"I guess I should get gone, too." Buffy says.

Giles nods, "Don't worry yourself unduly, Buffy. This could be nothing."

"I know. I should keep my Charmed Slayer cool and all, but, it's Angel. Which automatically equals maxi-wig." Buffy says before she heads to class.

The next morning at the Manor Piper is clearing plates from the breakfast table while Buffy gets ready to leave for school. There is an open birthday card near Buffy's place.

"Mall trip for your birthday on Saturday. Don't forget," Piper says.

Buffy smiles, "Space on a Piper-sponsored shopping opportunity? Not likely."

Piper smiles, "So, does seventeen feel any different than sixteen?"

"Funny you should ask - I actually woke up feeling more mature, responsible and level-headed." Buffy says.

"Really? That's uncanny," Piper says.

Buffy nods, "And yet, true. I now possess the qualities one looks for in a licensed driver."

Piper sighs, "Buffy, you're going to have to take that up with Prue."

"Piper, Prue is… dragging her feet," Buffy says. "She's worried I will get in an accident or something my first time out. How can I prove to her otherwise if I can't drive."

Piper sighs, "I'll talk to her, okay?"

Buffy smiles, "Thanks."

Prue walks into the kitchen having heard the whole conversation. She has a plate in her hand. "Do you really think you're ready, Buffy?" The plate slips from her grasp - shatters on the floor.

"Dang," Prue says."

Buffy just stands there, power-freaked by the dream deja-vu.

Piper shakes her head, "Don't worry about it Prue. Buffy could you get the broom?"

There is no response from Buffy. Prue and Piper look up and see she's gone. They hear the front door slam.

"What's wrong with Buffy?" Prue asks.

Piper shrugs, "I don't know."

Later in the library Buffy is talking to Giles.

"…and then Prue broke the plate. It was exactly like I saw it in my dream, Giles. Every gesture. Every word. Beyond creepy." Buffy says.

Giles nods, "Yes. I'd imagine-"

Willow and Xander enter the library and see Buffy.

"Hey! The woman of the hour," Xander says.

Willow smiles, "It's happy birthday Buffy!" She and Xander move to Buffy to give her a hug - but sense her mood. "Not - happy birthday Buffy?"

"It's just... A piece of the nightmare Buffy had the other night actually came to pass." Giles says.

"Something happen to Angel?" Xander asks.

Buffy shakes her head, "He's fine. For now. But if part of what I had a dream about came true-"

Willow nods in understanding, "Then all of it may come true."

Buffy nods, "And Drusilla might be alive." She turns to Giles. "In the dream, I couldn't stop her. She blind-sided me, Giles. Angel was dead before I knew what happened."

"Even if she is alive, we can still protect Angel." Giles says, "Dreams are not prophecies, Buffy. You dreamt the Master had risen, but you stopped it from happening."

"You ground his bones to make your bread," Xander says.

Buffy nods, "That's true, except for the bread part. I guess we're one step ahead. But Giles, I'd like to stay that way."

Giles nods, "Absolutely. Let me read up on Drusilla, see if she has any particular patterns. Why don't you meet me here at 7:00? Map out a strategy."

"Okay. What do I do till then?" Buffy asks.

Giles smiles, "Go to class.., do your homework... Have supper..."

"Oh, right. Be that Buffy," Buffy says as she grabs her book bag, and heads out.

That night Buffy arrives for her appointment with Giles, heads toward the door but is startled by Ms. Calendar - who steps from the shadows.

"Payson," Ms. Calendar says.

"Goddess. I didn't see you there," Buffy says.

Ms. Calendar smiles, "Sorry... Giles wanted me to tell you that there's been a change of plans. He wants to meet you someplace near his house. I guess he had to run home and get a book or something."

Buffy nods, "Yeah, 'cause heaven knows there aren't enough books in the library-"

"He's - very thorough," Ms. Calendar says.

Buffy nods, "Which is not to bad. It's kinda manly in an obsessive/compulsive sorta way, don't you think?"

"I have my car. I can drive, if you want..." Ms. Calendar says.

Buffy thinks about it. She could probably flame straight to him. But decides not to. "Okay..."

As Ms. Calendar drives she appears anxious.

Buffy looks out the window, "So - where are we headed, anyway?"

Ms. Calendar doesn't reply as she pulls the car into the dark alley behind P4.

Buffy checks out their surroundings - confused. "We're going to the P4?"

Ms. Calendar shrugs, "I'm not sure. Giles gave me an address. I'm just following his directions -"

Buffy sees something out the window. Grows alert. "Uh oh."

"What?" Ms. Calendar asks.

On a loading dock of a neighboring building there are three suspicious-looking guys checking around furtively as they move arectangle-shaped cast iron box from the loading dock to a waiting truck

"This looks funky. Stop for a sec," Buffy says.

Ms. Calendar slows the car. "Payson - maybe you shouldn't."

"Sorry. Sacred duty, yadda, yadda, yadda." Buffy says as she flames out.

"What is this...?" Ms. Calendar says.

Buffy flames into the middle of the group, she recognizes one of the vamps instantly, "Every time I see you you're stealing something. You should talk to somebody about this klepto issue."

Buffy is attacked by a hulking vamp - she fights him off, but is distracted when she hears the truck start. She looks and sees that the vamp that stole the du Lac cross, Dalton, is now in the back of the truck with the box, struggling to close the cargo gate.

Buffy leaves the hulking vamp and flames out and over to the driver's side of the truck. She gets the door open and powers up a fireball and throws it dusting the vamp behind the wheel.

Buffy moves to the back of the truck to intercept Dalton and the box. Dalton knows he's no match for her and runs off, leaving the box behind.

Buffy spins powering up a fireball as the Hulking vamp comes at her. She throws it dusting him.

Inside P4 Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Giles, Willow, Oz, Xander, Cordelia and Angel all huddle in the dark. P4 is decorated for Buffy's birthday and the place is empty except for them.

Angel looks anxiously at the clock on the wall. "Where is she?"

Buffy flames in from outside holding the box.

Everyone hops up and yells, "Surprise!"

Buffy rolls her eyes as if she couldn't figure out why Ms. Calendar was bringing her here..

"Buffy, are you okay?" Angel asks noticing that Buffy looks a tad winded.

"There were these vamps in the alley. And one of Dru's guys was there. By the way guys thanks." Buffy says. "Giles you should of coached Ms. Calendar on her lines a little better. It was fairly obvious where we were going."

They all look for a moment a bit down. "Still you are so sweet!"

"You're sure you're okay?" Prue asks.

Buffy nods, "I'm fine."

Oz continues to stare at Buffy as Willow approaches him.

"Are you okay?" Willow asks.

"Yeah. Did you see how she came in?" Oz asks.

Willow sighs, "Uh, sort of..."

Xander nods, "Buffy can do magic. Vampires are real, lot of 'em live in San Francisco, Prue and Willow will fill you in."

Prue nods, "Right." She looks at her sister, "Got to tell him something to try and keep our secret."

"I know it's hard to accept at first..." Willow says.

Oz shakes his head, "No, actually, it explains a lot."

Ms. Calendar comes in the door.

Buffy looks at the box in her arms and sets it down on a table. "Our vampire thief is back, he left this behind. What is it?"

Giles shrugs. "I have no idea. Can it be opened?"

Buffy moves to the box, runs her hands under the lid. "It feels like it has some kind of release... There." She slowly lifts the lid. Everyone peers into the box, inside is a powerful, heavily armored arm.

The arm shoots from the box – grabs Buffy by the neck.

Prue telekinetically pulls the arm off Buffy, "Angel."

Angel nods and wrestle the arm back in the box. He slams the lid shut, locks it.

"Clearly - the Hellmouth's answer to what do you get the Slayer who has everything?" Xander says.

Piper looks to her cousin, "Buffy, are you alright?"

Angel is helping Buffy to a chair. She sits.

"Man. That thing had major grip-" Buffy says.

"What was that?" Phoebe asks.

"Looked like an arm," Oz states matter of factly.

Angel, troubled, gets up and moves to the box. Checks it over more carefully. "It can't be- She wouldn't..."

"What? The vamp version of "snakes in a can?" Or do you care to share?" Xander asks.

Buffy reads Angel's expression. Moves to him. "Angel?"

Angel nods, "It's a legend. Way before my time. Of a demon brought forth to rid the earth of the plague of humanity. To separate the righteous from the wicked... And burn the righteous down. They called him the Judge."

"The Judge... This is he?" Giles asks.

Phoebe frowns, "I seem to remember reading about him in the Book of Shadows."

"Well, not all of him..." Angel says.

Buffy nods, "Uh, still needing backstory here..."

Phoebe nods, "If I'm remembering right he can't killed. There was no vanquishing spell for him. No potions nothing."

Giles nods, "Phoebe's right." He looks to Angel for confirmation, and continues as Angel nods, "An army was sent against him. Most of them died, but they were finally able to dismember him. But not kill him."

Angel nods, "The pieces were scattered - buried in every corner of the earth."

"You think they left his heart in San Francisco?" Xander asks.

Scattered glares.

"I had that thought too." Oz says.

"So all these parts are being brought here," Piper says.

Buffy nods, "By Drusilla. The vamps outside were Spike's men."

Angel frowns, "She's just crazy enough to do it."

"Do what? Reassemble the Judge?" Willow asks.

Angel nods, "And bring forth Armageddon."

"Is anyone else gonna have cake?" Cordelia asks and there are no takers. She moves to the cake.

"We have to get this out of town," Prue says.

"Angel," Ms. Calendar says.

Buffy frowns, "What?"

"You've got to do it. You're the only one who can protect this thing," Ms. Calendar says.

Buffy frowns, "What about me?"

"You're just gonna skip town for a few months?" Ms. Calendar says.

"Uhm I can flame out with it," Buffy says.

Prue shakes her head, "I think Ms. Calendar is right, Buffy. I'm not letting you flame overseas and you don't have a passport."

Buffy sighs and nods. She doesn't like it though.

Angel nods, "I have to take this to the remotest region possible."

"But that's not months." Buffy says.

Angel looks at Buffy, "I can catch a cargo ship to Asia, maybe trek to Nepal..."

"You know - those wacky, newfangled flying machines are much safer than they used to be..." Buffy says.

"I can't fly. There's no sure way to guard against the daylight." Angel says. "I don't like this any more than you do, Buffy. But there's no other way."

"When?" Buffy asks.

Angel nods, "Tonight. As soon as possible."

"But - it's my birthday." Buffy says pathetically.

Ms. Calendar moves to Buffy - puts a hand on her shoulder. "I'll drive you to the docks."

Prue nods, "I'll go with you."

Buffy and Angel meet eyes. Buffy knows he has to go - but she's desperate for him not to.

Prue looks to Buffy, "I know you don't like this. If you had better control of your power, Buffy I would consider it."

Buffy sighs, "I know, Prue."

At the docks Angel, who holds the iron box, and Buffy move furtively down the docks toward a large cargo ship.

They stop when they are still some distance away. Angel sets the box down. "I should go the rest of the way alone."

"Okay..." Buffy tries to smile, be the brave little soldier. Can't.

"I'll be back." Angel says as Buffy nods - unconvinced. "I will."

"When? Six months? A year?" Buffy asks. "Who knows how long it will take. Or if we'll even-"

"If we'll even - what?" Angel asks.

Buffy sighs, "Just, if you haven't noticed, someone pretty much always wants us dead."

Angel shakes his head, "Don't say that. We'll be fine."

"But we don't know," Buffy says.

"You can't know. Nobody can. That's just the deal," Angel says. "I... have something for you. For your birthday. I was going to give it to you earlier, but..." He pulls a small box from his coat. Hands it to her.

Buffy opens it - inside is a silver ring with two hands holding a heart engraved on it. "It's beautiful."

Angel nods, "My people... Before I was changed, they exchanged this as a sign of devotion. It's a Claddagh ring. The hands represent friendship, the crown represents loyalty. The heart, well, you know... Wear it with the heart pointing toward you, it means you belong to somebody."

Buffy just looks at him.

Angel lifts his own hand. He is wearing a ring like the one he gave her. Heart turned in. "Like this."

Buffy's trying hard not to lose it. "Angel-"

"Put it on." Angel says.

Buffy does. Heart pointing in. Looks at it. Then at him. "I don't want to do this."

"Me either," Angel says.

"So - don't go," Buffy says. She and Angel knows he has to.

Angel takes her into his arms and they kiss. The potentially last kiss kind of kiss. "Buffy... I-"

Angel never gets to finish because Dalton and three other vampires suddenly leap on them from a cargo net that hangs above their heads.

Vamp #1 takes on Angel, while #2 knocks Buffy to the ground. Dalton makes a bee-line for the box.

"Angel! The box!" Buffy says spotting Dalton.

Angel beats vamp #1 off him - at least for the moment - and tackles Dalton. The box falls from Dalton's hands.

While Dalton and Angel struggle, Buffy is engaged with Vamp #2.

Buffy and Vamp #2 fight fiercely, but Vamp #2 manages to knock Buffy into a thick wood pylon. Buffy hits her head hard, is momentarily stunned. Vamp #2 then sidekicks her legs out from under her, sending her sprawling off the edge of the dock and into the water.

Angel hears the splash just as Vamp #1 grabs the iron box. Angel turns to look for Buffy. "Buffy!?"

Angel sees Vamp #1 making off with the box. There is no other choice - he dives into the water.

Dalton runs off.

Angel is the first to reach Buffy and fishes her out of the water.

Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Giles, Willow and Xander are gathered in the library - waiting for Buffy and Ms. Calendar to return. There are a number of books open on the table.

Giles checks his watch. "They should be back by now..."

"Maybe Buffy needed a few minutes to pull herself together," Phoebe says. "I know I would."

"Poor Buffy. On her birthday and everything," Willow says.

Xander nods, "It's sad. Granted. But let's look at the up-side for a moment. I mean, what kind of future could she have really had with him? Working two jobs. Denny's waitress by day, Slayer by night. Angel's always in front of the tube, with a big ole' blood belly... And he's dreaming of the glory days when Buffy still thought the whole creature of the night routine was a big turn-on..."

Piper shakes her head, "You've thought way too much about this-"

"That's just the beginning. You want to hear the part where I fly into town in my private jet and take Buffy out for prime rib?" Xand asks.

Xander does not see Buffy - who enters in a new outfit.

"Xander -" Willow says.

"And she cries?" Xander says.

"What happened?" Prue asks.

"Dru's guys ambushed us. They got the box." Buffy says.

Giles frowns, "Where's Jenny?"

"She took Angel to his apartment to get clothes. I flamed home to change." Buffy says.

"And we were needing clothes because." Xander asks.

Buffy sighs, "We got wet. Giles, Prue, what do we know?"

Giles shakes his head, "The more I study the Judge, the less I like him. His touch can literally burn the humanity out of you. A true creature of evil can survive the process. No human ever has."

Prue nods, "No vanquish. The Books say there is no vanquish."

"So what's the problem? We send Cordy to fight this guy and we go for pizza." Xander says.

Buffy sighs, "Can he be stopped? Without an army?"

Giles looks down at the Book, "No weapon forged can kill him. Not very encouraging. But if we can keep them from assembling him..."

Buffy nods, "We need to find his weak spots. And we need to figure out where they'd be keeping him."

"This could take time," Giles says.

Prue nods, "Phoebe start scrying."

"We better do a round robin. Xander, you go first," Willow says.

"Good call," Buffy says.

Xander moves to the phone.

"Round robin?" Giles asks.

"Willow and Xander call their folks and say their staying over at the Manor," Prue says. "I had them work this system out when they found out about Buffy being Charmed. It's meant so their free to help with research if needed. How did you think they've gotten away with pulling all nighters with you?"

Xander speaks into the phone, "Hey, mom. Listen, Willow, Buffy and I are studying at the Manor. I'm gonna stay over here... uh huh..."

Hours later the clock now reads 2:00 am. Willow, Piper and Xander are at the table, looking through books and research material. Ms. Calendar is absorbed in work at the computer. Prue and Phoebe are taking a nap.

"I think I read this already..." Xander says.

"I can't get over how cool Oz was about all this," Willow says.

"Gee, I'm over it," Xander says.

"You're just jealous cuz you didn't have a date for the party," Willow says.

"No, I sure didn't..." Xander says.

Giles moves with Angel from the stacks to his office they stop as they see Buffy, asleep at Giles' desk.

Giles looks at her kindly, backs away. "It seems Buffy needed some rest."

Angel nods, "Yeah. She hasn't been sleeping well. You know, tossing and turning."

Phoebe looks at him, "What?"

Willow, Xander and Calendar look at him, suspicious.

"She told me. Because of her dreams," Angel says.

"What dreams?" Phoebe says. "She had another Slayer dream?"

Giles nods, "Yes."

In Giles office Buffy is tossing slightly from the dream she is having.

Buffy, dressed for a party in a sleek black dress, moves through The Factory. Black and tattered party decorations hang down from the ceiling. Buffy has to push them aside as she moves forward.

Ahead of her, a female figure darts among the streamers.

Buffy follows her, "Hello? Who is that?"

The figure turns. It's MS. CALENDAR, who promptly ducks back into the shadows.

Buffy reacts, confused. She turns, and sees all the cast iron boxes in a circle. She moves to them - reaches for one - but is stopped by Drusilla's voice.

"Now, now. Hands off my presents."

Buffy looks up. Drusilla, wearing the same dress that Buffy has on, she stands with Angel in her grip, holding a gleaming knife to his throat. She starts to draw it across his neck.

"No!" Buffy screams as she looks around, terrified. Angel and Drusilla have suddenly vanished.

"Buffy?" Angel's voice says.

Buffy's eyes snap open. Angel is standing over her, gently shaking her shoulder. "No! Angel!-"

Prue, Piper and Phoebe are standing right behind him.

"It's okay..." Angel says.

Buffy, not quite out of the dream world, moves into his arms, shaking and terrified. "I'm here. I'm right here."

Buffy is wide-eyed and full of fear.

A few minutes later Buffy comes out of the office, Angel, Prue, Piper and Phoebe on her heels. She starts gathering her weapons. Giles, Ms. Calendar, Willow and Xander react to her urgency.

"Buffy? Are you alright?" Giles asks.

"She had another dream," Angel says.

"I think I know where Drusilla and Spike are-" Buffy says.

Giles nods, "Very good. However, you need a plan. I know you're concerned, Buffy, but you can't just go off half-cocked."

Buffy nods, "We have a plan. Angel and I go to the factory to do recon. See how far they've gotten assembling the Judge. You guys fan out and check places the boxes may be coming into town. Ship yards, the airport... We have to stop them from getting all the boxes in one place-"

"Yes, well... That's quite a good plan, actually." Giles says.

Buffy nods, "This thing is nasty and it's real, Giles. We don't have time to wait for it to come get us." She looks to her cousins, "Research. If you have to come up with a new Power of Three spell explicitly for the Judge."

Prue shakes her head, "Buffy I'm not sure I like you going in alone, even if it is with Angel."

Buffy nods, "I know. But right now I need you guys here helping them. Trying to find a way to bring the Judge down. This is only recon were not going in there to fight."

Prue sighs and nods, "Okay. Be careful."

"I will, promise." Buffy says as she heads out the door. Angel follows her.

At the factory Buffy and Angel steal in through a dark doorway to the balcony. They keep out of sight, talk quietly.

"Angel. Maybe I should go in alone. I mean, if my dreams are so true-"

"I'm not letting you go by yourself," Angel says firmly.

Buffy knows she can't fight him on this, "Okay - what do we do if the Judge is already put together?"

"I'll deal with it. You keep your distance," Angel says.

Buffy looks at him. Blinks, "We're going to have to get over this virtuous thing or we're dead meat."

Angel nods knowing she's right, "If he's assembled, we retreat. Together. If we have to you will flame us out, and hope like heck I don't dust. Then we get the others and make a battle plan.

Buffy nods, "Deal. But we flame out as a last resort. If we can get out another way… Okay? I don't want kill you myself."

"Deal," Angel says.

They creep along the upper deck area of the factory. Peer over the edge.

Below the party from Buffy's dream is in full swing. Spike, Drusilla and the Judge aren't in sight.

"I saw this. The party..." Buffy says.

Angel nods - then grows alarmed, seeing something downstairs. Buffy follows his gaze to the Judge who strides across the room with Spike and Drusilla. He seems to sense something and he stops.

"What? What is it?" Drusilla asks.

The Judge doesn't reply. Just starts scanning the room. Then looks up at Buffy and Angel.

Angel grabs Buffy - speaks in an urgent, hushed tone. "We have to get out of here-"

They move quickly toward the window they came in, but find two vamp minions have come up the back way. Another two block the only other escape route.

Buffy looks at Angel debating to flame out. The decision is made for her when the minions grab her and Angel.

Buffy and Angel are brought before the judge by the minions. Spike and Dru are digging it, big time.

"Well, well. Look what we have here - crashers." Spike says.

"I'm sure our invitations just got lost in the mail-" Buffy says.

Drusilla moves to Buffy - examining her closely. Runs a finger along her cheek. Buffy holds her ground, defiant. "It's delicious. I only dreamed you'd come."

Angel tries to shake off the minions restraining him, "Leave her alone-"

"Yeah, that'll work. Now say pretty please -" Spike says.

The Judge steps forward and sets his sights on Buffy. "The girl."

"Chilling, isn't it? She's so full of good intention," Drusilla says.

The Judge starts to move toward her. But Angel breaks free from his captives - moves in front of her.

"Take me. Take me instead of her," Angel says.

The Judge is almost on top of him. Angel starts to shake.

"You're not clear on the concept, pal. There is no "instead". Just first and second," Spike says.

Drusilla smiles, "And if you go first - you don't get to watch the Slayer die." She motions to the minions, who move in on Angel again, drag him away from the Judge.

The Judge moves to Buffy, who struggles against the vamps holding her. She manages to kick the Judge.

"No, Buffy - don't touch him!" Angel shouts

Buffy starts to tremble uncontrollably.

Angel sees a cluster of televisions hanging over the judge and the chain that holds them up.

Buffy is getting weaker. She's moments away from being burned alive.

Angel summons all his strength and knocks the vampires off him and dives for the chain that holds the televisions.

Before the vamps can get to him, he yanks the chain from the ground. As they fall the Judge manages to jump clear. The televisions crash through the floor and create a opening into the sewer tunnels.

Buffy takes advantage of the confusion that follows this spectacle, breaks free from the vamps and runs to Angel. "This way-" She moves to hole in the floor and they leap in.

Drusilla sees them, calls to her minions. "Stop them!"

Angel and Buffy run down a tunnel with a pair of minions not far behind. They turn a corner, duck into a dark alcove. The minions run past - not seeing them in their hiding place.

It's raining as Buffy and Angel cautiously emerge from the sewers.

"I think we lost them-" Buffy says.

Angel looks at Buffy - shaky, exhausted, soaking wet again. Her shirt is ripped in the back and she has a bloody cut. "Come on. You need to get inside."

Buffy nods as Angel leads her into his apartment.

Angel turns on a few lights. "You're shaking like a leaf."

"Cold," Buffy says.

Angel nods, "Let me get you something." He goes to his wardrobe.

Buffy moves about a little aimlessly.

Angel comes back with a shirt and some sweats, he leads her to the bed. "Put these on and get under the covers. Just to warm up." Buffy nods, waits. He gets it - turns his back to her. "Sorry."

Buffy starts to take off her shirt - winces with pain.

"What?" Angel asks.

"I - I got cut or something on my back," Buffy says.

"Can ... Let me see," Angel says.

Buffy nods, "Okay."

Angel turns back to her. Buffy's holding her unbuttoned shirt around her. Angel moves to the bed. Sits on the edge, gently moves her shirt off her shoulder so he can see her injury. He touches her back - looks at the wound, which is small. "It's already closed. You're fine."

They are both obviously affected by being this close. This vulnerable. Buffy leans back into him. Angel's arms go around her. He breathes her in...

"You almost went away today-" Buffy says.

"We both did," Angel says. He holds her tighter. For an intoxicating beat.

"Angel. I feel, like - If I lost you..." Buffy says. "But you're right. We can't be sure. About anything-"

"Shhhhh. I-" Angel says.

Buffy turns. They are face to face. "You - what?"

Angel finally says exactly what's been on his mind for some time. "I love you. I try not to, but I can't stop-"

"Me too. I can't either," Buffy says as they kiss. A kiss that is the beginning of something much bigger and they both know it.

Angel stops - pulls away, "Buffy. Maybe we shouldn't-"

"Don't. Just... kiss me." Buffy says and Angel does. They lie gently back on the bed.

Some time later a crash of lightening wakes Angel. Buffy is sleeping next to him, the covers pulled up around her naked shoulders.

Angel sits on the side of the bed - holds his head in his hands, clearly in terrible pain. He coughs, looks anxiously to Buffy, afraid of waking her.

It's still raining as Angel, dressed now, moves out of his apartment into the street. He holds his coat close to him, staggers a few feet, then falls to his knees.

"Buffy.." Angel says as he looks to the sky, racked with pain, desperate-