"Hey Liz what are you reading?" Michael asked as he sat down on the couch in the student lounge. "One of Wesley's books?"
"No one of Willow's. Still looking for a spell."
"A spell to work on Tess?" Michael asked.
"No I thought I'd find a spell to turn Mrs. Lenox into a toad so I wouldn't have to take her test on Beowulf." Liz rolled her eyes.
"Okay at this point you're abusing sarcasm." Michael told her.
Liz just grinned at him, "Sarcasm needs to be pushed to the limit sometimes."
"So any luck?"
"No. At this point I'm beginning to take Cordy's suggestion seriously." Liz shut the book.
"I'm afraid to ask."
"Willow and Buffy's senior year they did a witch hunt at their high school for actual witches. To escape one of the accused turned herself into a rat. You know Willow's pet?"
"The rat named Amy?"
"She used to be a girl."
Michael's eyes widened, "You're joking."
"I kid you not. Anyway I'm thinking of asking Willow for the spell Amy used to turn Buffy into a rat a couple years ago on Halloween."
"You wanna turn Tess into a rat?" Michael repeated, and then added, "Well, it does kind of fit!"
"And it would keep her out of our hair for a while." Liz added. "Hey aren't you supposed to be in class?"
"Would you believe I already know the material?"
Liz merely raised an eyebrow at him.
"Didn't think so," he muttered.
"What's wrong Michael?"
"Actually," Michael paused, "Pathetic as this sounds... I was trying to find a gift for you and your parents. I can't find anything good enough!"
"A gift? Why are you looking for a gift?" Liz asked.
Michael shrugged uncomfortably, "To thank you..."
"For what? Adopting you? Michael, God don't you know? You're gift enough."
Michael blushed and looked perplexed. "Why would you want me? I am nothing special," he protested. He honestly didn't see why they would want him as part of their family.
Liz shook her head. "You are so wrong. You became a permanent part of my life at the worst possible time and even though it nearly got you killed you stuck around. You may say you did it for Max but you also did it because you cared. You give my dad something he's always wanted, a son to talk to about 'guy' things. You help Mom with every single household chore. You make my best friend so happy it's disgusting at times and when I need you you're always there to tickle me till I smile or hold me while I calm down from some prophecy dream. Nothing special? You couldn't be further from the truth if you tried."
Michael blushed much brighter, and looked at the ground, "Really?"
Liz reached out and made Michael look at her. "Really. We love you Michael. You're our family now. Deal with it."
Michael's mouth slowly spread into a wide grin, soon he was laughing with joy. He picked Liz up and spun her around.
"Michael! Ah!" Liz shrieked with laughter. Neither one noticed the bell ringing.
Max walked up to see Liz and Michael laughing hysterically, "What's going on?"
"Max do you know how incredibly lucky you are? Your girlfriend is terrific." Michael said as he put Liz down.
"The luckiest man alive," Max agreed.
"Hi." Liz said and gave Max a light smooch. "How was pre-cal?"
Max just groaned and shook his head.
"That good huh?" Liz picked up her stuff. "C'mon you'll feel better after I beat the hell out of you." Liz kidded. She and Max had started sparring occasionally with the condition that Max not hold back just cause she was his girlfriend.
"I am sure I will!" Max said sarcastically.
"Hey guys." Maria said as she, Isabel, and Alex walked up.
"Hi gorgeous!" Michael said, walking over and giving Maria a big bear hug.
"Okay who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?" Maria said.
Michael just grinned at her goofily, "Can't a guy be affectionate?"
"A guy? Yes. You? No. You're not drunk are you?" She peered at him suspiciously.
"No not drunk. Just feeling unbelievably happy. It's a good thing."
"Go with it Maria." Liz said with a grin.
"Liz I think we have a problem." Alex said.
"Why?"
"Cause Doyle's here." Alex pointed.
Everyone sobered up a little bit, watching Doyle approach.
"Hi." Doyle said. "Can we talk? In private." He said glancing around.
"How private?" Liz asked.
"Well, the group can come," Doyle replied.
"C'mon, the chem lab's empty this period." Max said as they all trooped down the hall.
"Alex can you stand guard?" Liz asked as they went in.
"But..." Alex sputtered, he wanted to hear what was said too.
"We will fill you in, promise." Liz said. "Please?"
He sighed, "Yeah, ok."
"Thanks." Liz smiled at her friend. "Okay Doyle spill."
"I went to Vinnie's last night to get some blood for Angel. While I was there Vinnie starts talking about Dru and Darla to some customer of his. Then he mentions another blonde coming in and asking about a short dark-haired girl."
"What?" Michael said.
"Another blonde came in and asked about a short dark-haired girl," Doyle repeated, "I am thinking it was Liz she was referring to."
"Could Vinnie ID the girl?"
"Way ahead of you. I took Xander's Poloraid and had Cordy take a picture of Tess. I brought to Vinnie. He ID'd her as the girl who was asking about Liz."
"What did Vinnie say to her?"
"That she had a hell of a right hook and that two women were looking to make her life unpleasant."
"Oh no," Michael groaned, "Don't tell me..."
"Looks like Tess is working with Darla and Dru." Doyle nodded his head.
"Damn it!" Max yelled angrily.
"Tell Will to go to the magic shop. I need rat spell supplies." Liz said.
Doyle gave her an odd look, but nodded and hurried out the door.
Alex came back in. "Well?" He looked at everyone. "Oh God."
"Tess joined forces with Darla and Dru," Maria said succinctly.
"Great. Now we're not only fighting vampires we're fighting a fun tart who doesn't take rejection well."
"And who can invite anyone in that she wants to any place she wants." Liz said quietly. "Including my house, Wesley's place, Max & Isabel's house, Maria's house, and Alex's house."
"Oh shit," Maria muttered, turning pale.
"We need some sort of protection." Michael said. "There has to be something."
"I still vote for turning Tess into a rat." Isabel said.
"Yeah, well we can't count on that working," Liz muttered.
"Maybe we should go to Valenti. He might be able to do something." Maria said.
"Like what?" Max asked.
The group sat looking around at each other with blank expressions on their faces.
"What about Spike?" Alex suggested. "You said Dru dumped him right? Maybe he's looking for some payback."
"That might be a good idea," Michael nodded. "Buffy mentioned he was able to fight demons, and somehow I think Dru is going to be rubbing it in a bit about the chip in his head."
"What about restoring their souls?" Max suggested. "It worked for Angel right?"
Everyone looked at Max astonished, why hadn't anyone thought of that before?
"Dru was a good little Catholic girl. She became a nun. If we restore her soul, she'll want to kill herself." Liz mused.
"What about Darla?" Michael asked, curious.
"I don't know. Either way she'll be stunned for a moment and we could stake her."
"Sounds like the best plan we've got!" Isabel said, "Now we just need to see how plausible it is."
"And hope Dru doesn't pick up on vibes." Liz said.
"So we'd best move quickly!" Maria said in a no nonsense voice. "We should all be given a task to do to get ready so we can do it at the first opportunity."
"First off we need Orbs of Thesulah. You can get them at the magic shop." Liz said.
"I'll go." Isabel said. "I'm low on holy water."
"Okay. Next we need crucifixes hanging on all our windows and doors."
"I'll take care of that," Maria offered.
"Okay what else? Oh who's gonna talk to Spike?"
"Well... who do you think would have the most luck with him? Cordelia has a way of turning an argument around on a person so they think they wanted to do something all along. Or we can use Angel for the attack approach," Michael mused.
"Buffy and I can go." Liz said nodding. "Alex, go through Giles and Wesley's files. See what you can come up with. Max and Michael do surveillance on Tess."
They all nodded. Doyle, Willow and the others would have to be given tasks when they got the house after school.
"Hello?" Liz called out. "Buffy?"
"In here!" she heard called from the dark recesses of the house.
"We have a huge problem." Liz headed for the kitchen. "Where are you?"
"Willow's room."
Liz followed the sound of Buffy's voice into the room, "What're you up to?"
"We're working on that spell to turn Tess into a rat. Where's everyone else?"
"On their way. Willow do you have that restoration spell?"
"Restoration of what?" Willow asked.
"A soul. The one those gypsies used on Angel."
Willow thought for a moment, "Yeah, I am pretty sure I brought it with me. Let me look." She started searching through her bags
"Liz what are you planning?" Buffy asked.
"We want to restore Darla and Dru's souls."
Buffy's eyes widened, "That's brilliant!"
"It was Max's idea. He's the brilliant one. What do you think Wes and Giles will say? Not to mention Angel."
Buffy shrugged, "One way to find out!" She went down the hall bellowing "Meeting time!"
Liz shook her head and followed Buffy into the living room. "Willow you coming?"
"Let me just locate the spell, and then I'll follow behind you."
"Ok." Liz left Willow's room. "Before we start how much time left till sunset?"
Buffy checked her watch, "A couple of hours."
"We have a lot to do. First off Giles, Wes, we want to restore Dru and Darla's souls."
Giles immediately got contemplative, "I don't see any reason why that wouldn't work."
"Willow's done the spell before. Isabel's getting the orbs right now. Did Doyle tell you about Tess?"
Giles and Wesley both nodded.
"Where's Angel?" Buffy asked.
"Sleeping." Cordelia said. "He should emerge in about an hour."
Buffy thought for a moment, then looked at Liz, "Do you think this calls for waking him up early?"
Liz bit her lip. "Yeah I think this qualifies as an emergency. Cordelia?"
Cordelia rolled her eyes, knowing they were asking her to do the deed. "Sure, why not? I'll face the lion in his den!" she mumbled as she hurried downstairs.
"Thanks. Riley would you get the blinds?" Liz asked. "Buffy you and I need to go see Spike after we're done here."
Buffy nodded in agreement.
Xander spoke up, "So what do you want Anya and I to do?"
"Xander you and Riley need to get some weapons. Anya can you help Willow?"
Anya nodded at her, for once wisely refraining from saying one of her tactless remarks.
"Thanks. Okay next we need to arm our homes. With Tess working with Darla and Dru we need to be extra careful. Any ideas on booby traps?"
Xander grinned, he had been wanting to try some of the "Home Alone" tricks.
"Is it dark enough in there?" Cordelia called.
"Yeah, come on in," Doyle called.
"What's going on?" Angel asked.
"You might want to sit down for this one." Buffy said.
Angel gave her a questioning look, he made sure he didn't look at her for too long for fear he would find himself staring into her eyes. He couldn't let himself get distracted.
"Angel, Tess is working with Darla and Dru. So now not only have we got two very dangerous vampires we have someone who can get into any place she wants." Liz said.
Angel groaned. His eyes held a small amount of fear for a moment. That reaction scared everyone in the room more than they ever had been. None of them could ever remember seeing Angel scared, of anything.
"But we do have a plan." Liz continued.
Angel looked at her expectantly, "I hope its a good one! And a quick one, the longer Dru has to get feelings about things, the worse off we'll all be."
"We're restoring their souls." Willow said. "I found the spell."
Angel gulped, any conflicting feelings overrunning him at once.
"Anya's gonna help you. Do you have the herbs you need?" Liz said.
"I just need one more ingredient from the magic store if someone would be willing to go get it real quick?" Willow said looking around for volunteers.
"I'll call Isabel's cell phone. She might not have left the shop yet." Liz said picking up the phone.
Willow softly told her the ingredient she needed, while the rest in the room started talking amongst themselves.
"Okay be careful. Bye Maria." Liz hung up the phone and continued wiping down her window sill with holy water.
"Doorways are done. How'd it go with Spike?" Michael said as he walked into Liz's room.
"Well, if we ignore the distrust amongst us, he'd be a great ally!" Liz said drily.
"Sounds like fun. Did you hang the crucifix on the balcony?"
"Right after I washed it down with holy water and rigged the crossbows up. Did Max and Iz set up their house?"
"Max said they were just about done."
"What about Alex?" Liz said as she stood up.
"He is already on his way back to the house. He wants to watch Willow do the spell, help if he can." Michael replied, as he double checked her handiwork around the room.
"He better hurry. Sunset's in fifteen minutes and who knows what Tess could do."
Michael silently pulled Liz into a hug, he just wanted to give her support.
Liz buried her face in Michael's chest and allowed herself to relax for just a little while.
After a few moments Michael pulled away, "OK, you ready?"
"Yeah. You sure you want to come?"
Michael gave her a stern look, silently reminding her that she shouldn't be asking that question.
"Right. C'mon." Liz grabbed her bag and Michael grabbed his stake. "Got your cross?"
He pulled it out from under his shirt, "Right here."
Liz was about to climb out the window when the phone rang. Michael picked it up. "Hello?"
"Michael it's Angel. Where's Liz?"
"She's right here," Michael replied and handed the phone to Liz with a worried expression on his face.
"Hello?"
"It's Angel. We have a slight problem. Tess attacked Alex."
"What?"
"Doyle stopped her and has got some bruises to prove it but it was clearly a warning."
"Call Isabel. We're on our way."
"What happened?" Michael asked as he hurried to follow her out the window.
"Tess attacked Alex. Here." Liz handed Michael the cell. "Call Maria. Tell her not to stay alone tonight. If her mom's not gonna be home tell her to go stay with Kyle."
"Shouldn't we have everybody come to the house? All together we stand a better chance, don't we?" Michael asked.
"All together the enemy has a better shot at massacring us in one shot. No this time we need to split up. But no one stays alone. Is will probably want to stay with Alex. We'll take Max with us."
Michael sighed, he didn't like Maria being out of his sight during all of this.
Isabel raced inside the house with Max behind her. "Where is he?"
Doyle walked up to her, taking her arm in his as they kept moving. "He is in the next room. He's ok, really." he reassured.
"Where's Liz?" Max asked.
"She and Michael just got here and they are in with him," Doyle replied as he opened the door to the room and led them inside.
"Oh my God." Isabel cried.
"He's gonna be fine Is. Tess didn't do that much damage. Doyle got there in time."
"Max! Heal him!" Isabel demanded.
"Is I'm fine. Just bruised." Alex said as Liz pressed an ice pack to his side.
"Well that is too much damage for me," she said firmly turning and glaring at Max for taking to long to help him.
"Wait. Willow just started her spell. Max messing with molecules could make the spell go haywire." Michael said.
Isabel turned her dirty look onto Michael, but nodded, forcing herself to wait. She turned her attention fully on Alex and tuned everyone else out.
Liz moved aside and let Isabel tend to Alex while she pulled Max and Michael into the family room. Riley and Xander were in there along with Buffy.
"Did you find it?" Liz asked.
"Yeah. Giles brought it with us." Buffy said.
"What are they talking about?" Max asked Michael.
"Buffy's seventeenth birthday present from Xander." Michael told him.
"And what is that?" Max asked, thoroughly confused.
"This." Xander said holding up a large gun. "We used it to kill the Judge."
"The Judge?" Max echoed.
"Long story. I'll tell you it later." Buffy said. "Think you'll be able to use it Michael?"
"I think it would definitely be hard to miss with this thing," Michael nodded.
"Liz choose your weapon." Buffy said nodding to the array of machinery.
Liz looked around, "Strange as this may seem... I think I'll stick with my stake."
"Okay. But take the crossbow just in case okay?" Buffy handed her one. "Max?"
"I think I'll take this electrical gun thing," Max said picking up the gun he was hard pressed to categorize.
"We used those in the initiative. They stun the hostiles long enough so we can get them into cages."
"Wonder if it'd work on Tess." Liz mused.
"Probably," Max said.
"Worth a shot anyway." Buffy said. "Oh Cordy what do we know?"
"We know that is was around 10 PM that they attacked in my vision... so that gives us 2 hours... IF they haven't gotten wind of our plans," Cordelia answered.
"And if they have?" Liz said.
"Then we'd better work fast!" was the curt answer.
"Did Xander set up the alarms for this place?" Michael asked.
"Yeah, he finished it up this afternoon," Buffy answered looking up from her preparations.
"Good. We better get going. Where's Angel?"
"He is downstairs with Willow."
"Anya too?"
Buffy nodded.
"Then we better get going. Cordy be careful okay? And keep in touch with Maria. Let her know what's going on."
Cordy nodded, "I can do that. And YOU take care of Doyle for me."
"We will. Doyle you ready?"
"Give me a moment," Doyle responded, "I'll meet you outside."
"Okay." Everyone except Cordy and Doyle made their exits.
Doyle walked to Cordy taking her by the hand and leading her to the couch. He sat down and pulled her into his lap.
"You better come home." Cordelia said.
"I have no intention of doing otherwise," Doyle said with a grin.
"Good. Be careful okay? I like you in one piece."
"Same goes for you, Princess," Doyle said, saying even more with his eyes.
Cordelia gave him a hug. She wanted to say something but she couldn't form the words.
Doyle smiled, understanding she wasn't ready yet. He gave her another hug, and pulled away. "Well the others are waiting, I'd better go."
"I'll be here."
"I'll be back."
"I'm gonna hold you to that."
"I'd hoped you would!" Doyle grinned.
"Bye." Cordelia said softly as Doyle left.
"So what's the plan?" Max asked as they sat in the jeep about two blocks away from the house they'd tracked Dru and Darla to.
"We distract them while Willow and Anya perform the ritual," Liz said simply.
"Willow was starting when we were leaving. How long do you figure it will take them?" Michael asked.
Liz shrugged and looked at Buffy.
"Half hour I guess. Depends on if Dru sensed something."
"Well let's get to it," Michael said, hopping out of the jeep.
"Stealthy remember Michael?" Liz said following him.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it."
"Max you sure you're ready for this?" Buffy asked.
Max looked at her. "Yeah I am sure."
They all stopped and dove for a bush when the front door opened and Dru stepped out.
"Spike is being a bad boy," Dru muttered to her doll.
"Who's she talking to?" Doyle hissed.
"That would be Ms. Edith," Buffy replied, nodding towards the doll.
"You weren't kidding. She is whacked." Michael said.
"Whacked doesn't even cover it. And it makes her even more dangerous," Buffy said warningly.
"Blonde alert." Michael said nodding. "Oh God that's creepy."
"I'd swear that was Topolsky." Max said.
Liz looked freaked too, but she shook it off quickly.
"Michael how good is your aim with that thing?" Liz asked.
Michael groaned, "Does no one trust my aim?"
"Give them a warning. Take out the front walk." Buffy said.
Michael grinned, "Oh! Target practice!" He proceeded to aim and fire the gun. The sidewalk burst up into millions of tiny pieces flying through the air. Not to mention two vampires. Dru ended up in a tree and Darla hit the pavement.
Dru started to wail at the sight of Ms. Edith smashed into pieces.
Darla slowly sat up, groaning, her eyes darting around to determine where the threat was coming from.
"Scatter." Buffy said.
Everyone nodded and stealthily moved in different directions.
Liz targeted Darla from the side of the house while Michael hid behind a tree.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are!" Darla chanted as she walked around, her head snapping back and forth as she tried to look in all directions at once.
Max, Buffy, and Doyle surrounded Dru as she attempted to put Ms. Edith back together.
"Don't worry Ms. Edith, I'll get you all fixed up. Then I will make them pay for hurting you." Dru vowed.
"Not bloody likely pet." Spike's voice came.
Dru's attitude change instantly, "Spiky! Spiky has been neutered!"
"You know Dru, I came to help but if all you're gonna do is poke fun at my plight, I might as well help the slayer kill the hell out of you."
Dru looked at him, considering. "No... You've been helping the slayer. Yes you have. Spike has been a bad boy."
"Sorry Dru, afraid you're right." Buffy said as she came out of her hiding spot with her crossbow trained on the vampire.
"Ah. The slayer. One of two. My Angel's weakness," Dru responded.
"Actually he's not your Angel anymore." Doyle said from behind Dru.
"You smell of demon, yet of human," Dru said, looking at Doyle, trying to figure him out.
"What do I smell of?" Max said. "I'm kinda hoping I smell like your death."
Dru's head snapped as she turned to look at him. Fear showed in her eyes for the first time.
"Something's happening." Dru said quietly. "Someone wants to hurt me."
"Give the girl a prize!" Buffy exclaimed.
"Ahhh!" Darla screamed across the lawn.
"Oh please the arrow didn't hurt that much." Liz said. "You're just lucky I missed the heart."
"Ahhh!" Darla kept screaming.
Michael whispered to her, "Maybe the spell is working?"
"Let's hope. Over dramatic much?" Liz yelled out to Darla.
"What are you doing to me?" Darla screamed as her visage took over.
"Doing to you? We're standing here pointing guns at you!" Michael answered, he looked to Liz, "Wasn't that a silly question to ask?"
"She's never been known for her smarts. She is the one that gave the gypsy to Angel."
"Oh! Big mistake!" Michael yelled.
"Very big." Liz watched as Darla's eyes glowed and then softened.
"Oh God. You gave me a-a- Oh God." Darla started to cry.
Liz and Michael looked at each other, both wondering if it truly worked.
"She's been changed." Dru said backing away. "She's gone all away."
Michael muttered to himself, "Guess that answers that question!"
"Buffy she's getting away." Doyle said as Dru started to run.
Buffy quickly ran after Dru, sliding onto the ground in front of Dru, tripping her.
"Ow! You hurt my doll."
"Dru she was in pieces a long time ago. Tell me something Dru do you like Bob Dylan?"
Dru looked at her, confused by the question. "I've always liked his song, 'Blowing in The Wind' and since that's what you'll be soon I just wondered if you liked him."
Dru stared at her impassively for a moment, then she smiled slightly. "You don't want to stake me. You want to restore my soul!"
"We'll settle for you fitting into an ashtray." Liz said from behind her. She had the crossbow trained on Dru.
"No..." Dru said slowly, "You think you can use my powers!"
"For what?" Buffy asked.
"To give you insights," Dru nodded, "Ms. Edith always tells me important things."
"Ms. Edith is in a million pieces ducks." Spike said. "I don't think she'll be telling you much of anything."
"You want me to suffer for leaving you!" Dru accused him.
"This is all fascinating really but can we dust her now Buffy?" Liz asked.
Suddenly Druscilla grabbed her head and shrieked.
"I don't think we're gonna have to." Buffy said as they all watched Dru convulse on the ground.
"So what happened with Darla?" Buffy asked Liz.
Liz motioned behind her where Max, Michael, and Doyle were keeping an eye on the dazed blonde. "Oh hold on. My cellphone's vibrating." She hit send. "Hello?"
"Oh thank God."
"Cordy? What's the matter? What was that?" Liz asked as she heard a loud bang.
"We're under siege."
"Is everyone okay?" Liz asked
"Willow and Anya are. They haven't been able to get into the basement. Tess tripped one of the alarms so we were able to hide Alex down there as well. Isabel's going to battle with Tess and Giles, Wesley, and Angel are fighting off the vampires but we need help."
"Okay where are you?"
"Attic."
"Well Dru and Darla are pretty much incapacitated now, so we'll round up the troops and come help you out," Liz said, hanging up the phone and gesturing to everyone to get moving.
"What's going on?" Michael asked as they all piled back into the jeep.
"The house is under siege." Liz said.
Doyle carried Dru and set her in the seat beside him, Michael led Darla to the back. It was a tight fit with two more passengers.
"Max go." Buffy ordered. "What else did Cordy say?"
"Alex, Anya and Willow are alright. Cordy is in the attic. Isabel, Giles, Wesley and Angel are all in battle." Liz said shortly.
"What about Riley?" Buffy asked.
"She didn't say." Liz pulled out the cell again and dialed Cordy's.
"You better be calling from the driveway," Cordy answered the phone, as a big crash was heard in the background
"We're about two blocks away. Where's Riley?" Liz asked.
Cordelia shrugged, then realized Liz couldn't see her. "I don't know. We lost track of him in the shuffle."
"Alright. Cordy stay put. We're almost there." Liz said before she hung up.
"Well?"
"They lost track of him."
"Oh God."
Max repeated that sentiment as he turned a corner and saw the house at the end of the street. There were no less than 20 vamps in the front yard. Who knew how many were elsewhere?
"We need help." Liz said.
Max nodded and grabbed her phone, dialing Sheriff Valenti's number.
"Tell him to bring garlic and all the crosses he can find. Oh and tell him to go to the magic shop and pick up some holy water. He can charge it to Wesley's account." Liz told him.
"Wesley'll love that," Doyle smirked.
"If it'll save his life, he'll buck and like it." Liz watched the scene. "Oh this is bad. I didn't know all these guys were in Roswell." She squinted. "Oh wow. I think I just found Tracy Green."
"And there's Trent Roberts," Michael added. "But when Dru and Darla get there strength back, that's two more vamps on our team. Oughta help even up the score a bit."
"I hope so." Liz looked at the two vampires who were passed out.
"Lucky for you wankers I'm here." Spike said as he came up.
Everyone groaned a little, but they had to concede that he was right. They needed his superious strength.
"We better get going." Liz said. "Is Valenti coming?"
"Yeah, he'll be here in a few," Max affirmed.
"Oh. Michael call Kyle's house and check on him and Maria."
Michael took the phone and dialed the number, his eyes got wide as the phone reached its 5th ring with no answer.
"What?" Liz asked.
"No answer."
"Dammit!"
"What's the address?" Doyle asked.
Max groaned, "Nevermind." He gestured to a car coming up the street, "There they are now."
"Great." Liz muttered as the car stopped and Maria and Kyle got out. Michael went to her and pulled her into a hug.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah fine!" Maria answered with forced cheerfulness. She then winced when Michael blew up.
"What are you THINKING leaving the house!"
"I was thinking you could use my help!" Maria retorted. "Jim called us and told us that there was this major disturbance on Rose St. and to stay put. Naturally I knew it had to be the house and I bolted."
"I wasn't gonna let her go alone so I drove her." Kyle said. "Mind giving me a weapon?"
"Here use this. Hope your aim's good." Liz said handing him a crossbow.
"I have been shooting a gun since I was five years old," Kyle smirked, "I think I can handle it."
"That was fast." Liz said nodding to the squad car that had just pulled up.
Michael squinted, "Is that Valenti?"
"I hope so." Liz said as she slid down out of the jeep. Max stood behind her and Buffy to the side. Michael, Kyle, and Maria stood on the other side and Doyle remained in the jeep with Dru and Darla.
Doyle started to shake Dru and Darla. "C'mon girlies, its time to wake up! We need to protect ourselves here!" he stated as he saw a few vamps coming their way. "If you wake up, maybe we can fool them into believing you're still evil and call them off!"
"If not I've found this works well as a conversation piece." Liz said brandishing a stake.
"Yeah, well I'd like to avoid as much of that type of conversation as possible!" Doyle answered. "The faster we get them away from Cordy and the others, the better."
Dru was the first to open her eyes. "Where am I? What's going on?"
"Aw Dru! Did'ya forget me already?" Spike said dramatically.
"Spike? What's going on? Why am I here?"
"There's no time for explanations, luv," Spike answered. "We need you to call off the vamps that are preparing an attack on us."
Dru looked at the advancing vampires and held a hand up commanding them to stop. The minions did so and the slayers and their friends faded into the background and ducked into the night to form a plan.
Dru looked at Spike. "Where's Ms. Edith?" she asked in a childlike voice. "She has something to tell me. Someone's in trouble."
"Ms. Edith's at the house ducks. We'll get her later alright. Let's go find your friend Tess."
Dru recoiled. "Tess is bad. She's no friend to anyone," she stated in the spacey voice only she could achieve.
"Well then let's go kill her okay?"
Dru gasped, "Killing is bad! Its a sin!"
"What's with her?" One of the minions asked.
"Nothing. Go find someone to eat. There's lots of people down by the Cheese Factory this time of night." Spike lied.
The minions gave him a measuring look and then shrugged. Dru and Darla had been the ones to order them, and they obviously didn't want them at the house anymore, so why not. They slowly wandered off.
Spike sighed and then gave Dru an appraising look. "C'mon ducks we're gonna help the slayer out." he said leading her towards the house.
"So we storm the house?" Liz said.
"Sounds like a plan." Buffy agreed.
Meanwhile Darla gave a groan, waking up. Michael looked at her, then at Liz and Buffy. "What should we do with her?"
"Bring her with us?" Liz asked.
"Why not? Leaving her here might be a problem." Buffy said.
Michael shrugged. "Come on, let's go," he told Darla, lightly pulling her by the arm.
"Wait." Liz said before she looked at Max. She pulled his mouth to hers and gave him a kiss. "I love you. Never forget that."
"Nobody is gonna die!" Max said seriously, in a voice that left nothing open for question.
"Max." Liz said seriously.
"I love you too." He said, knowing she needed to hear it.
Liz took a deep breath, "Okay, let's go!"
"Hey." Michael caught her arm. "Be careful. I don't wanna lose my sister just after I get her."
"Same goes for you!" Liz answered.
"You have my word." Michael put an arm around Maria. "Be careful okay? I love you."
"I love you too!" Maria said with tears in her eyes. She was so scared, but she was damned if she was gonna admit it.
"C'mon guys. Game faces." Buffy said. "We're going in."
Everyone glanced around as if it was the last time they would see one another and then reluctantly headed in.
Liz saw Angel cornered and headed off. She staked a vamp right before the vamp would have staked Angel.
"Hey Angel. Miss me?" She said with a sardonic grin.
Angel gave her a small smile and then turned away as another vampire attacked him. The minions new him by reputation as both Angelus and Angel, and they all wanted to be the one to kill him.
Liz fought her way to the back of the house where she found Michael surrounded. She looked around. Kyle was grabbing some arrows and loading the crossbow. She sprinted over and took it from him. She handed him a stake. "I hope you know how to use one of these."
"Aim for the heart right?"
"Right."
Liz took aim and kept firing at the vamps that had Michael cornered. She got three of them and Michael got the other two while they turned to see where the arrows were coming from.
"You okay?" She asked when they met in the middle.
"Not a scratch."
"I'm more worried about bites." Liz told him.
Michael smirked, "None of those either."
"Good. Seen Iz?"
"I think I saw her headed up the stairs with Doyle in search of Cordelia," Michael answered.
"Did you notice if the basement door was secure?"
"I think Valenti and Max were checking on that." Michael replied.
"Now the big question. You seen Tess?" Liz asked as the two fought their way back out to the living room dusting vampires.
Michael's eyes darkened and he scowled, "Not yet."
"She doesn't leave here Michael. Alive or otherwise." Liz said narrowing her eyes. "C'mon let's see if we can get upstairs."
Michael nodded and took his position close to her back, each of them protecting themself as well as the other.
The two made their way upstairs. "We should split up. I'll take Watchers' Wing. You go that way. Do you have your holy water?"
"Got it," Michael shouted as the area got louder with the addition of more vampires. He sprinted in the direction Liz has indicated, stopping to fight the vampires stupid enough to take him on.
Liz slowly went down the hall checking rooms on the way. Xander and Anya's room was empty as well as Wes and Giles'. She went into the office and found her watchers and Xander fighting off at least sixteen vampires. She shot one in the back just as she went for Xander's neck.
Xander sighed with relief. "Nice timing." Then his eyes widened. "Look out!" he yelled.
Buffy panted as she staked a vampire. Where did they all come from, she wondered. She looked up to see Angel in a precarious situation with 3 vamps attacking him, and one moving to join the fray. She sprinted over and staked the one that was about to join before taking out one of the other ones. Angel used the automatic stake thing he had in his sleeves and two more were dust in the wind.
"Handy little gadget you've got there."
Angel couldn't help grinning proudly, "Designed it myself!"
"Maybe when this is over you can make one for me and one for Liz." She said as they started to get back into the fray.
"It's a deal," Angel said over his shoulder, though Buffy's attention was already focused elsewhere.
Liz turned around and immediately drove a stake home. She watched as a vampire turned to dust and then her eyes widened. "Doyle!" She shouted to late. Tess sent him flying.
Cordelia screamed as she followed Isabel into the room. She ran to Doyle, "Doyle!!"
"Isabel grab her." Liz said as Tess tried to get away. "You're not getting away with it this time sweetie." She snarled at Tess.
"Liz." Max said as he handed her a bucket.
"What is this?"
"Holy water. Have fun."
Liz grinned at Max, "Man after my heart without a doubt."
"On three. One."
"Two."
"Three." They said at the same time dousing the vampires that remained with holy water and watching them convulse before turning to dust.
"What's the sitch downstairs?" Liz asked.
"Buffy, and Angel have it pretty much under control," Max said, then paused. "Nobody has seen Riley though."
"Look for him, will you? I'm gonna go see if Michael's got the other part of the upstairs under control."
Max gave her a quick kiss on the mouth and then headed up to the attic, figuring a systematic tour of the house from top to bottom would be the best approach.
Angel fought his way to the back of the house where he found Riley surrounded.
Riley was doing his best to keep the vamps at bay, but it was obvious he was losing ground.
Angel got himself over to him and decapitated one before staking a few others. "Hey."
Riley didn't know how to react. He was grateful for Angel's help, but he still had no use for him.
Liz headed off down the hall staking vampires left and right till she got to Cordelia's room. Michael was fighting with one and another was advancing on him from behind. She whipped a stake at him and got him through the heart.
Michael then staked the one he had been fighting, taking advantage of the distraction Liz had provided.
"Nice job." She told him.
"Learned from the best."
"So did I." She looked around. "I think the crowd is starting to thin out."
"Yeah, I think so."
"Oh keep an eye out for Riley. He seems to be MIA."
Michael nodded, already working his way out the room.
Liz followed and went down the stairs. She saw Buffy fighting and Maria, Isabel, and Alex. She headed towards the back of the house to find her watchers.
Wesley grimaced as he finally managed to "kill" the vampire he had been struggling with. "Messy business we are in," he grumbled as he brushed the dust off his clothes.
"You're" *punch* "not" *kick* "kidding." *poof* Liz ground out. "You okay?"
"Peachy keen," he mumbled, stretching his arms knowing he was gonna be VERY sore in the morning.
"Max can probably fix that for you if you want him too." Liz grinned. "Where's Giles?"
Wesley looked around in surprise, "He was just here!"
"Great. One thing we do not need is a missing watcher."
Just then Giles rushed into the room, winded. He came to a sudden stop upon seeing Wesley and Liz. "Hello," he managed to get out between heaving breaths.
"How are we doing on the vampire front? How many are left?"
"Doesn't seem to be too many, at least in the rooms I have ventured into. But I don't know where Tess has gotten too."
"Find her." Liz said going back out into the fray. "She doesn't leave here. And Wes see what the Council says about half breeds." She called over her shoulder.
Giles nodded, already contemplating the possible ramifications of this evening. They had messed with a lot of the powers that be tonight, with returning souls and getting ready to kill an alien half-breed.
Liz staked a lone vampire as he came at her. Looking around the house was suspiciously quiet. She saw piles of dust everywhere, proof that tonight's battle had taken place. She made her way back to the living room. Buffy and Riley were on the couch. "You two okay?"
Riley just groaned. Buffy patted his back sympathetically. "Yeah, we're okay. Riley is just feeling disgruntled cause Angel had to help him out of a bind."
"Seen anyone else?" Liz asked. She felt a bit sorry for Riley. His first trip here she'd taken him down without blinking and now his girlfriend's ex had saved him.
Buffy shook her head, "No, its been really quiet. Too quiet if you ask me."
"Stay here. I'll go upstairs." Liz had just started for the stairs when a body came flying down them.
"If you ever so much as breath in his direction again I will put you in the ground you witch!" Cordelia shouted as she came down after the body, which turned out to be Tess.
Liz couldn't help but grin, she had never seen Cordelia in the glory of righteous anger before. "Need any help?" she asked.
Cordelia just looked at Liz before shrugging. "No. I'm good." she went back upstairs.
"Ohh..." Tess groaned. "OW!" she shrieked once Liz had pulled her up by her hair.
"Hi Tess. How ya doing?"
Tess got a wide-eyed fearful look on her face. She almost wished Cordelia was still beating on her.
"Let's chat shall we?" Liz dragged Tess into the living room and pushed her into a chair. "Care to explain why you tried to put me and my friends, who include Max, in the ground today?"
Tess's eyes got an insane sheen to them. "You all deserve to die," she said matter-of-factly, as if she was telling them the weather.
Michael, Max, and Isabel trooped into the room just in time to hear Tess' statement and weren't too surprised when Liz grabbed the blonde by the hair and banged her head into the wall.
"Why do we deserve to die?" Max asked in his most reasonable voice.
"You betrayed your mission and your people." Tess said wincing.
"Buffy go get Wes, will you? I wanna see what he's dug up on half-breeds." Liz said quietly.
Buffy quickly did as Liz asked, knowing that this was Liz and the other's fight, and hoping that they wouldn't do anything too drastic before she returned.
"Liz let go of her." Michael said. "C'mon." he pulled her away and Isabel took her place. "It's okay. She's not getting out of here tonight."
Liz took a deep breath, attempting to regain her self-control. "I'm going to check out the rest of the house." She knew they had everything well in hand and she was afraid she would kill Tess too soon if she remained.
"You want me to come with you?" Max asked. He worried about the look in his girlfriend's eyes. She looked homicidal.
Liz shrugged, "If you want to come, come." As much as she loved Max, she wasn't in a very cordial mood.
"We'll be back." Max told Michael and Isabel as he followed Liz upstairs.
Once they had left the room, Michael's face revealed nearly the same homicidal expression Liz's had. "Did you think once Liz left you would be safe?" he asked Tess ominously, noticed her slight sigh of relief.
"Michael." Isabel said carefully. "Don't do anything you'll regret okay?"
"Oh I won't kill her!" he said with a dangerous smile on his face. "I am just going to cause her extreme pain, maybe cut off a few pieces," he said calmly, taking pleasure in seeing Tess turn even paler than he thought was possible.
"Michael I'm one of you." Tess pleaded. "How can you do this?"
"You tried to put me, my sister, and our best friends in the ground tonight. I think the question is how can I not do this?"
"I am your sister!" Tess replied angrily.
"No you're not. Liz is my sister. She trusted me when I didn't think I should be. You're nothing but a pain in the ass."
"But I am your blood! Your true kin!" Tess pleaded, unable to understand why he didn't comprehend that. It was what had been the focus of her life since Nasedo had found her.
"Blood doesn't make a family Tess." Isabel told her. "Love does. Acceptance of who and what you are does. Liz is Michael's family. Max and I are Michael's family. You're not his family. You're not anybody's family."
That statement just caused Tess to get angry, and foolish, her argument became erratic. "You choose to be with humans, you are not worthy of being my family."
"Oh well." Buffy said as she came in. "Where's Liz? Wes has got the Watcher's Council on long distance. Seems he's having trouble explaining the situation without giving up your secret."
"Can't he just say that SHE is half-alien without mentioning us?" Isabel asked logically.
"Good point. But I think Wes wants to keep the alien thing out of the conversation all together. The watcher's council is thinking of implimenting CAT scans and Wes doesn't want to be the tie breaker."
Michael, Isabel and even Tess, shuddered at the thought.
"So again I ask where's Liz?"
"Not sure, she was headed upstairs to check everything out." Michael shrugged.
"Okay. Someone should go tell Alex he can come upstairs now. Locked up with two women in their post no-soul phase probably isn't helping his recovery." Buffy added.
Isabel turned slightly paler, "You're right!" She quickly ran out of the room, in a rush to "save" Alex.
She ran right past Liz and Max who had just arrived with Angel. "Something we said?" Liz asked.
Michael smirked, "She felt the sudden urge to be with Alex."
"Ah." Liz nodded. "Buffy what's the word?"
"Love?" Buffy answered with a smirk. "No, Giles and Wes are attempting to get a straight answer without explaining the alien issue. No luck so far."
"Oh yeah Wes told me about the CAT scan issue. So in the mean time what should we do with her?" Liz nodded to Tess.
Alex and Isabel came into the room at that moment. Alex looked fairly worn down. "I know... lock her up with Dru and Darla for a while. That would drive her insane after a few hours," he promised.
"You okay Alex?" Liz said lending him a hand and helping him to the couch.
"Yeah, yeah, just fine. I only spent the last two hours listening to Dru and Darla lament about all the evil deeds they have done in the last couple of hundred years. And let me tell you, they have done more evil things than you can imagine," Alex replied, looking sick at the thought.
"I stole some of the Watchers' Diaries from the last couple of centuries. There are whole chapters on Dru and Darla." Liz said shuddering.
"I did some reading too. Truly gross." Michael made a face.
Everyone was quiet for a moment, unable to imagine the guilt those woman must be dealing with. Buffy imagined it was even worse than Angel's.
"I'm with Alex. Stick Tess downstairs for the time being." Buffy said. "If nothing else it will drive her crazy."
"Plus, they are quite able to take care of anything she might try and pull," Michael added.
"I'll take her." Isabel grabbed the smaller girl and yanked her up before dragging her to the basement and making short work of her. "That's for what you did to Alex." She yelled down the stairs.
Tess looked around her, unsure what to expect. While Dru was in possession of a soul now, Tess was pretty sure she hadn't regained possession of her mental faculties. And that made her unpredictable. Plus she had to fear them trying to redeem themselves to the PTB with her death.
"Evil!" Dru shrieked pointing at Tess.
Tess shrank back towards the door, attempting to blend in with the woodwork.
Isabel giggled to herself as she shut the basement door.
"So is everyone safe and accounted for?" Buffy asked as Isabel walked back into the room.
"With the recent arrival of Maria, Xander, Anya, Kyle, and Willow, I'm gonna say yes." Isabel said as the afore mentioned people followed her in.
"What about Cordelia and Doyle?" Maria asked asked.
"Cordy and Doyle are upstairs." Liz told Maria. "You guys okay? No bites or anything?"
"Yeah, we're still kicking, and hole free, thank you very much," Maria replied.
"Good. Since Tess is contained I vote for food and drink. Anyone else?" Liz asked.
The others raised their hands wearily.
"I wonder what condition the kitchen is in." Liz said peering around the door frame and looking down the hall.
Michael grimaced behind her, "Oh! On second thought maybe we should go to the crashdown for food."
"Anyone feel up to driving?" Maria asked.
Everyone looked around hoping someone else would volunteer. Giles rolled his eyes, exasperated, "I'll drive one car. We'll need at least a couple more if all of use are going to go."
"I think I can handle driving." Kyle said.
"I feel okay enough to drive." Max said. "Someone wanna ask Cordy and Doyle if they want anything?"
"I'll ask them real quick," Angel said as he quickly went up the stairs.
"Wes you coming?" Liz asked her watcher.
"I shall remain here. Someone needs to keep an eye on the basement situation and to start cleaning the house." Wesley looked around at the disarray of the living room.
"Vaccum's in the closet before the garage." Liz told him.
Wesley looked at her in astonishment. He had expected them to talk him into going. It wasn't like he really wanted to stay!
"Wes you can clean house later." Buffy said. "We're all tired and sweaty and in need of nourishment and music."
"Besides," Alex shuddered, "Darla and Dru are quite capable of keeping Tess out of trouble."
"Unless their whining gets on her nerves and she offs herself. Speaking of vamps with no usefulness, where's Spike?" Xander asked.
The other's all gave him blank looks and shrugs. No one had seen him in a while.
"You know what? Let's save the Spike hunt for another day." Liz grabbed Max's hand. "Last one to the Crashdown has dish duty." She called over her shoulder.
Michael rushed to get ahead of her. Dish duty was something he had done way too often since starting at the Crashdown. He had no intention of getting stuck with it tonight.
"Oh I don't think so." Isabel said as she and Alex followed Maria.
They all started laughing as they fought to get into their respective cars.
"I have a feeling whoever is in Giles' car will be stuck with dish duty." Liz said to Michael, who sat in the back of Max's jeep with Maria on his lap and Isabel and Alex next to him.
Michael grinned, "As long as it is not me."
"Or me." Isabel said.
"What do you know about dish duty Isabel? I bet you've never done the dishes in your life." Liz teased her.
Isabel turned slightly red, she was ashamed the only time she had done the dishes she had broken so many that she had been banned from the kitchen.
Max smirked. "That's actually a funny story." He started.
"Max, dear brother, I've gotten really handy with a cross bow. Wanna play William Tell?"
Max just laughed, "Fine, fine. I won't tell them about your clumsiness."
Alex gasped, "Isabel? Clumsy? You must be joking!"
"Shut up." Isabel playfully poked Alex as Max parked the jeep. "Looks like we beat everyone."
Liz, in her sweet way, said, "Well, since we know we won't get stuck with dish duty, we should at least help with taking the orders."
"I am not wearing that stupid headband again." Isabel said. "I am sweaty and disgusting and all I really want is something cold to drink. Besides there are like two people in the cafe right now."
Liz smirked, "I just meant for our group, not the rest of the restaurant. I think we can forgo the uniforms."
"Good." Isabel said as they all went inside and took seats at the counter. A few minutes later, Buffy, Riley, Xander, Anya, and Kyle came in.
"Angel, Cordy, and Doyle are coming with Wesley and Giles in just a few," Buffy volunteered. "They wanted to do one more quick look through on the house and check on Darla, Dru and Tess."
"What about Willow?" Liz asked serving up some sodas while Michael made burgers.
"She is coming later," Anya answered, "she wanted to call Tara and let her know that the danger was over, and she was safe. At least that was her excuse, I think she just wanted some dirty talk!"
"Eating over here thank you." Maria said pointing to her food. "Really don't want to hear about phone sex."
Xander shook his head at Anya, "Anya!"
"What?" Anya picked up her soda. "What I wouldn't give for a beer right now." She sighed.
Liz glanced around really quick to make sure none of the adults had heard that pronouncement. "My PARENTS own this place Anya. To them you are a teenager, PLEASE try and act like one!"
"Sorry." Anya muttered.
"And the winners of dish duty are..." Max said as Giles, Wes, Angel, Cordy, and Doyle came in.
"Dish duty?" Cordelia practically shreaked, "What on earth makes you think I am going to do dishes?"
"You were the last one here." Liz said.
"Uh Liz I don't think you wanna let Cordy near dishes. She tends to break them." Buffy said.
Doyle nodded, "Plus it'll be hell on everyone ELSE's mood if she is forced to do it."
Everyone laughed. "Hey Doyle how are you?" Liz asked as she put down some sodas in front of her newly arrived friends along with cups of tea for her watchers.
"I'll have some lovely bruises in the morning, but I've had worse headaches," Doyle shrugged, then winced, "Remind me not to do that."
"Don't do that." Liz and Michael said at the same time before exchanging a look.
"Okay that's it we've been spending entirely too much time together." Liz told him.
Michael smirked, "You decide that just as I am moving in?"
"Just playing with you Michael." Liz said. She smiled as she gave him a hug. "You're too easy to tease."
Michael got an indignant look on his face, "I am not!"
"Yeah, yeah. Who wanted the special?" Liz said grabbing a couple of plates from the service window.
Alex raised his hand, not taking his eyes off of Isabel.
"How are you feeling Alex?" Doyle asked the wiry younger man.
"Very glad I haven't been evil in the past. I don't think I could handle the guilt," Alex shuddered, thinking of the pain Dru and Darla were going through, not to mention the pain of listening to them.
"Yeah that reminds me, what exactly are we gonna do with them?" Liz asked. "I mean we could always turn them over to the council but it just doesn't feel right since they're not evil anymore."
Angel cleared his throat, "I've been thinking..."
"Oh no!" Cordy interrupted. "We are NOT taking them back to LA with us!" She knew it was probably the best decision, but she was at least going to give a fight.
"You want to take them both back with you? You realize if you take Dru, Spike will follow." Liz paused. "You know what? Take them with my blessing."
Doyle had just turned pale at the thought, but he offered no protest.
"Now the bigger problem. What do we do with Tess?" Max asked.
"I don't suppose the council would be willing to take her." Liz ventured looking at Wesley and Giles.
Wesley and Giles looked at each other. Giles sighed, and took his glasses off, cleaning them with his hankerchief, "Well, we'll certainly approach them with it, but I am not sure. Unless they get a kick out of the thought of finding more about aliens through her." He spared Max, Michael and Isabel a sympathetic look.
"Uh maybe that's not such a hot idea." Buffy said. Liz had told her a little of what had happened during the past year. The last thing the Roswell gang needed was for one of their own to be kidnapped again.
"What about turning Tess into a rat?" Alex asked. "A fitting end I think."
Willow smiled. "I am willing to try that!", she replied enthusiastically. "No promises, since she is an alien and all."
"It's worth a shot. We can't exactly keep her locked up in the basement forever." Isabel said. "As tempting as the prospect is."
Everyone nodded sadly in agreement.
Liz yawned.
"Tired?" Michael asked.
"Exhausted," She replied simply.
"I second that." Maria said from the end of the counter where she was leaning on her palm.
Michael reached over and started rubbing her neck, Max did the same with Liz. "Maybe we should think about calling it a night. Make these decisions in the morning when we are a little more coherent."
Liz looked at Max. "You wanna stay? Mom and Dad are visiting Aunt Marie."
Max glanced over to Isabel. She nodded. "I am gonna stay at Alex's," she said, daring him to say anything about it.
Alex's head popped up in surprise.
Maria grinned at Alex's response. She turned to Michael. "I'd ask you to stay with me but Mom's home and the last time she caught you in my room wasn't pretty."
"Well, you don't have to, cause you're staying HERE," Michael said with a sly grin.
"Oh okay." Maria grinned.
"You two are gonna sleep in your room, right Michael?" Liz asked.
He nodded, not looking at Maria for fear she would veto that.
"Well we better get going too." Buffy said and the Sunnydale/L.A. contingent stood up. "Alex, Isabel, do you two need a ride?"
Max responded for them, "No, they can take the jeep. Just remember to pick me up in the morning, k?"
"I will." Isabel caught the keys her brother tossed her easily. "Night guys. Sleep well."
"You too. Careful driving home." Liz answered, already getting up and pulling on Max's arm.
"What do you say to cleaning up tomorrow morning Liz?" Michael asked.
"Deal." Liz said. "Can you lock up?"
"Sure," he said with a smile, giving her a quick hug.
"Night. Night Maria."
"Night Liz!" Maria said, becoming aware for the first time that everyone was taking their leave. She had been dozing on Michael's shoulder.
"Night Man. Night Maria." Max called as he and Liz departed.
"Maria, why don't you just lay down here for a minute while I lock up real quick, ok?" Michael suggested as he slowly shifted out from under her.
"K." Maria said laying her head down on the counter.
Michael just laughed softly as he locked the door and turned off the open sign.
"C'mon sleeping beauty, let's get you up to bed," Michael said, as he attempted to get her to stand.
"Get me to bed? What kind of girl do you think I am Guerin?" Maria giggled sleepily.
"I think you are the most wonderful girl in the world," he whispered softly.
"Flattery will get you no where." Maria sighed as they began to walk upstairs. "But I like you when you're wet."
Michael was adorable in his confusion, "Wet?"
"Uh-huh. Wet from the rain." Maria said as Michael steered her down the hall to his room.
Michael smiled remembering that night, "You were just what I needed that night. Did I ever say thank you?"
"No. But it's okay." Maria lay down on his bed. "I know you meant to." Her eyelids were drooping.
"Yeah, that I did," he replied wrapping the blanket around her tenderly.
"I love you Michael." Maria murmured as she fell asleep.
Michael couldn't have had a more blissful expression on his face at that moment, "I love you too, pixie."
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Liz asked as she pulled her hair back.
"Like what?"
"Like you've never seen me before."
"Well I've never seen you get ready for bed before. It's a new experience." Max said with a smile.
Liz got a secretive womanly smile on her face at the thought of sharing this private time with him.
"Now what's that smile for?" Max put his hands on her shoulders and frowned at how tense they felt. He began to rub them.
"Ohh... God you have no idea how nice that feels."
"I am so glad this is all over. You need to get some rest and relaxation. You were going to make yourself sick if you kept up like that," Max said with a worried tone.
"Well I think Wes will let me slack off just a little bit but not much. But at least we all made it through okay. Now as for the rest part, are you ready for bed?"
"Yeah, I'll just sleep on the floor here."
"Uh-uh." Liz shook her head as she got up. She took Max's hand and led him to her bed. Pulling back the covers she slid in. "C'mon Maxwell."
"I don't want you to be uncomfortable," Max said hesitantly.
Liz got up on her knees and took the front of Max's T-shirt in her hands pulling him into bed. "I won't be. But I have to ask, is this your way of telling me you don't want to sleep with me?"
Max grabbed her hands and held them to his chest. He looked into her eyes, "Liz, I am always the happiest I can be when I have you in my arms. But I don't want to rush anything, or take anything for granted."
"Hold it buddy. I am not talking sex here, I am talking sleep. You, me, and some well deserved rest. That's all. Sex comes later, much later if our past history is any indication."
Max smiled, "I know Liz, I wasn't either. I am just trying to keep you comfortable in our relationship. Not push you to be closer to me than you feel you should be."
"Max you've never, ever pushed me and I know that you never would." Liz smiled. "Besides if we did try to have sex tonight, I'm afraid I might fall asleep in the middle of it."
Max gave her a sexy smile, "Oh, I think I can be sure that you wouldn't fall asleep. But you need your rest, so I'll show mercy on you." He waggled her eyebrows at her.
"Thank you kind sir." Liz said in an exagerated southern accent. *bop* She giggled at Max's expression after she hit him with a pillow.
"If you weren't so tired..." Max said in a threatening voice.
"Good night Max." Liz turned off the lamp beside her bed and settled her head on Max's chest.
"Night, beautiful," he said softly, his lips against the top of her head in a light kiss.
The only response was Liz's breathing.
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