sopch2

Buffy ended up going to the Magic Box by herself, leaving Spike to take a nap while she was gone. Anya, who was alone behind the counter, looked up in anticipation of a customer, then shrugged when she saw it was only Buffy and gestured to the training room.

Giles is in back looking for that book he misplaced last week.

Still? Thanks, Ahn. Buffy went across the store and peeked into the training room, where she was greeted by the sight of Giles' tweed-covered backside swaying back and forth as he delved under the weapons armoire.

Nice view, Oh Watcher Mine. Buffy giggled and affectionately patted his butt as she bent to peer at him.

Embarassed, Giles quickly leaned back so that he was sitting on his haunches. As he attempted to reply, he inhaled some of the dust he'd unsettled and sneezed loudly.

Buffy stood and tossed her gym bag into the corner.

As Wills would say, Blessed Be, you'. So, what's up for today?

Well, I despair of ever finding that blasted book I was reading, so I suppose we might as well practice your hand to hand combat.

Buffy grinned in anticipation. Oooh, do I get Puffy Giles?

Grimacing, Giles shook his head. No, Buffy. You do not get Puffy Giles. Xander is the only person who has bravely volunteered to undergo that particular torture. No, today you get the boxing mitts.

Buffy shrugged, worrying her bottom lip in between her teeth for a moment.

Listen, Giles. I should tell you, I think I had a Slayer dream last night.

That got Giles' attention. Really? When was the last time you had a Slayer dream? It's been awhile, at any rate. What was it about?

Buffy turned away so he couldn't read her expression, and began rifling around in her gym bag for her athletic tape.

Pretty vague, actually. Big Nasty lumbering through the woods, but I didn't get a good look at it. It was night and I was in the woods. The only reason I could see was because there was full moon.

Giles frowned. Tomorrow night is the full moon. That doesn't give us a lot of time to prepare if something is coming.

Well, I didn't actually fight it, so maybe I'm just getting a heads up that it's on its way, Buffy suggested hopefully, ignoring the twinge of guilt she got at keeping the part about Spike from her Watcher. Don't even think about it,' she told herself sternly. That way lies angst and making Spike feel bad for no reason'.

Yes, well. We'll be on the alert and you can do a double patrol this evening, make sure to check out all the hotspots. You said you were in the forest?

Yeah. Don't know where though. Buffy began taping her wrist as Giles put the mitts on.

Well, make sure to do a sweep near any wooded areas tonight.

Okay, will do. With that, she began pummeling Giles' mitt-covered fists and after a few moments, completely forgot about her dream.

* * * * * * * * * *

Xander came by the Magic Box on his lunch hour and gave Anya a quick peck on the cheek before starting on the latest book shelves he'd agreed to build. The shelves up in the loft, which held the most important--and usually the heaviest--tomes and artifacts, were deteriorating, so Xander was taking them down and putting up new ones.

Buffy sat on the wrought iron stairs chatting with Xander as Spike burst into the store, covered in his security blanket', as Dawn called it.

Hullo, pet. Spike nonchalantly strode over and gave Buffy a kiss on the cheek.

Ewww, Spike! You're smoking! She waved away the bit of smoke that had escaped from under the blanket as Spike shrugged it off, tossing the battered piece of material over the back of a chair.

Xander peeked down from the edge of the loft.

Hey, Jr. Got wood?

Spike flicked Xander the two-fingered bird. Sod off, you monkey spanker.

Xander just rolled his eyes and went back to work. He began to whistle as he pulled the old shelves down, and Buffy could swear he was mangling the chorus from Tainted Love'. She shook her head and focused on the vampire in front of her, giving him an affectionate grin.

Hey there, what brought you out and about? I thought you were going to take a nap and clean up the house a little?

At Xander's muffled snicker, Spike growled. Well, the house is clean now and you know I never nap for long, pet.

He paused, leaning in a little closer before adding, So did you tell Giles?

Giles came out of the training room and noticed the vampire. Oh, hello Spike. Tell me what?

Spike straightened up. Oh, ah, Buffy had a Slayer dream. Just wanted to make sure she told you- he shot a look at Buffy, about the possible Big Nasty headed our way. That's all.

Giles glanced from Spike to Buffy but simply nodded, choosing to ignore the odd look that passed between Vampire and Slayer. Yes, she told me, and I suggested that you two do a double sweep tonight and be on the alert for anything out of the ordinary.

Before either Buffy or Spike--or Xander, who was chuckling up in the loft--could make a snarky comment, Giles shook his head. Yes, I realize in hindsight that that comment was an extremely stupid one to make given that we live on the Hellmouth.

Buffy grinned. Yeah, well. Nuff said.

* * * * * * * * * *

That night, Willow and Tara stayed with Dawn while Buffy and Spike went out on an extended patrol.

By the time they reached the last cemetery, Buffy had dusted a few vampires but other than that, all was quiet on the monster front. Spike had broached the subject of Dawn's cheerleader tryouts and Buffy was waxing sentimental on her own days on the squad. Spike was just waxing lecherous.

So, did you wear those frilly skirts with the tiny knickers underneath?

Of course, it's pretty much the standard cheerleader uniform. Buffy twirled her stake, keeping her eyes on the treeline as she walked around the perimeter of the graveyard.

Spike nodded to himself. Um, pet? You don't still have that uniform by any chance do you?

God, Spike, you're such a-- She broke off, turning to stare off into the bushes. Did you hear something?

Spike shrugged. No, sorry, I wasn't paying attention.

Buffy started walking again, keeping an eye on the trees as she added, and yeah, I do still have the uniform.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The animal sensed her proximity, as it had known it would, eventually. It
had been prowling the outskirts of the forest, checking out parks and cemeteries until it caught her unique scent, still remembered even though it had been awhile. However, as it moved to the edge of clearing to nose aside the tall grass and step gingerly through, it froze. She was not alone. Hackles raised, it stepped back and inhaled deeply, reading the scent of the person with her. A deep, menacing growl rumbled from the animal's throat. It was not exactly a person; it was a vampire, and it didn't seem to be attacking her, nor she it. The animal shook its shaggy head; this didn't make sense. From its hiding place, its keen eyes could not yet make out her figure or that of the creature with her. Questions played through the animal's mind, but in lupine form it was too difficult to solve any riddles beyond what its senses could comprehend.

Purposefully, the beast stilled, then shuddered as the change began. The glossy, thick gray coat began to recede. Limbs changed, brutally efficient jaws snapped and then shortened, razor sharp teeth became blunted. Claws became fingernails again, and hair returned to a reddish-brown. After a few more seconds of ligaments snapping and muscles settling as skin smoothed back over a re-formed frame, the now-human male stepped forward to the edge of the clearing.

She came into view, her companion trailing not far behind, and suddenly they stopped and turned to face his direction. With a rueful grin, he stepped forward and cleared his throat, unused for a few days now.

Hey, Buffy.