I'm thinking that my postings are probably going to continue to be irregular, so, sorry in advance. I promise not to forget this story, though.

Chapter 13

M'Fashnik demons were assassins. Their specialty: mayhem and slaughter. After her encounter with one at the Sunnydale Bank (and the subsequent fight at her house), Buffy thought she'd never need to know about them again.

She kicked the largest one across the room.

She was wrong.

"Where are your weapons?" she yelled over the sound of fighting, elbowing one that tried to sneak up behind her.

"Here!" Angel called, chopping off a demon's head before tossing Buffy the sword. She caught it and swung around to get the one behind her.

"Think we could get some more weapons over here?" Xander asked, using a book as a shield before clobbering a demon over the head with it.

By this point, Fred and Gunn had gotten to the lobby, Fred with a crossbow and Gunn with an axe. They were both in pajamas and looked as tired as Buffy felt.

"What happened?" Gunn asked, running down the stairs while Fred positioned herself on the banister.

"A bunch of these guys just showed up," Buffy said, stabbing another one. As she started her way through a group of M'Fashniks, the phone started ringing.

"I'll get the phone," she said as Fred shot the demon in front of her. "And thanks!" she called to the brunette.

"You're welcome!"

Slicing at a couple more, Buffy ran over to the desk.

"Hello?"

"Hey, pet."

"Spike!"

"Found your demon," he responded.

Buffy impaled one of the smaller ones that was approaching from behind her.

"What'd you find out?"

"Well, it ain't your guy. This breed never leaves Eastern Europe."

Buffy sighed. "You sure?"

"Yep. That all you need me for?"

Willow decapitated the last demon with an axe.

"I think so. Thanks, anyway."

"Welcome," he said. "Bye, then."

"Bye." Buffy hung up the phone.

"That was Spike?" Willow asked, hopefully.

Buffy nodded. "Yeah. But that demon never leaves Europe."

Xander cursed. "Of course."

Buffy surveyed the bodies on the floor. "So, who does the clean-up around here?"

"That would be us," Gunn said, tossing his axe in the weapons cabinet.

"Great." she muttered sarcastically.

BtVS - A:tS - Sw9

40 Minutes Earlier

Dawn was pulled out of a light sleep by the sound of frantic knocking on her door. She blinked as her eyes adjusted, and found herself sprawled on the bed, her clothes still on. Guess she had been more tired than she thought.

"Just a second," she said, standing up and straightening her clothes. She opened the door to find Cordelia.

"Hey, Cordy," she said. "What's going on?"

"Can I come in?" she asked, looking worried. Dawn nodded and opened the door wider. Cordelia entered and began to pace.

"What's wrong?" Dawn asked.

"A demon's possessing people in the hotel," she said.

"What happened?" Dawn asked, eyes widening.

"I don't know," Cordelia responded. "I just got the vision and some information on how to stop it."

"Who's possessed?"

Cordelia shrugged. "I did some research based on what I know, but it could be nearly anyone."

Dawn frowned. "Then how do you know I'm not possessed?"

"It can only possess non-virgins," she responded, "And considering you're 16 with Buffy as you're sister… you seemed like a safe bet."

"What can we do?" Dawn asked, worry clearly showing in her voice.

"There's a spell," she said, "But I have to get to a Hellmouth to do it."

"What else do you need?" Dawn said, grabbing her bag from the side of her bed. If Cordelia needed help, she was going to give it.

"Two other people, and some basic ingredients."

"Who else is coming with us?"

BtVS - A:tS - Sw9

Present

"What are you doing here?"

Wesley looked up at the man who had asked him the question.

"You mean In this office? or in the hotel?"

Gunn gave him a look. "Either."

"I came to help research a demon."

"And why would you do that?" he asked, slightly sarcastic.

"The same reason I came here earlier today."

Gunn frowned. "If this is another try to get Fred's attention…"

"That won't be a problem."

"You better not push her."

"That won't be a problem."

BtVS - A:tS - Sw9

With a sigh, Buffy dropped the cleaning supplies on the floor before sitting down on a couch Angel was on. She lay against the vampire's shoulder, thinking.

"What are we going to do now?"

Angel considered for a moment. "I don't know. Wait, I guess."

Buffy scrunched her nose. "That sucks. We were finally getting on top of things."

"Yeah," he said quietly.

"I'm gonna go check on Dawn," Buffy said, standing up. She stretched her arms. "Then probably get some sleep."

Angel gave a small smile. "That sounds pretty nice. Need help finding the room?"

She shook her head. "Nah. I'll holler if I need help."

Angel nodded and Buffy headed up the stairs. He stayed on the couch. It was nice to see Buffy again, even if they didn't know how long she would stay. More than likely, she would leave soon, but he knew he would enjoy the visit while it lasted.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of Buffy running back into the lobby.

"What's wrong?"

"Dawn's missing."

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and my action scene didn't suck too much. We'll be back in Sunnydale next time.

(Fair warning, I probably won't go back to the Wesley/Fred/Gunn love triangle. I don't really care for it, and it adds nothing to the story.)