Chapter 2
Back in the magic shop the remainder of the Scooby Gang - Giles, Xander, Anya, Willow and Tara had assembled. Dawn had moved to live with her dad shortly after Buffy's death.
"So spill Giles, why did you want us all to come?" Asked Xander impatiently and he tapped his fingers on the table.
"It better be important. Xander and I were planning to have sex," added Anya. Xander stopped tapping and gave her the look. "That was one of those things I'm not supposed to say wasn't it?" She did try to get it right, for Xander. But it was harder then it looked, knowing when to say something and when to not. Although she had known exactly what to say when Xander had proposed again a few days ago. Yes. The others still didn't know. Xander had said it was too soon after Buffy's death, which was why Anya's engagement ring still sat in its box..
Xander just smiled. That was just such an Anya thing to say. She just spoke her mind, it was one of the many things he loved about her.
Giles had no reply for that, so he decided just to ignore what Anya had said. "Well we need to sought out the patrolling duties for next week, but I also asked you to come because I have news about Faith…"
"She's not turned evil and escaped has she?" Willow asked nervously. Tara, who was sat next to her, squeezed Willow's hand in an attempt to comfort her. Willow turned to her and smiled to show the effort wasn't wasted.
"No, in fact from what I had heard Faith had been making excellent progress in prison," replied Giles.
"Had?" exclaimed Xander.
A nervous silence spread across the group, which Giles interrupted. "She was murdered yesterday. My source says the Watcher's council had something to do with it, but of course they're denying it."
"Well I say nice one," replied Xander.
"XANDER!" exclaimed Willow. Willow was shocked, she was dead! How could he say such a thing? Okay, she had done some terrible things but she had changed. Faith hadn't deserved to die. Neither had Buffy. Willow was always thinking about Buffy, she missed her so much. After Buffy's death Willow hadn't, couldn't, deal. She had even though about suicide, but Tara had saved her. Willow knew that without Tara, she would probably have gone through with it. She had come so close, the pills in her hand…But Tara had forgotten her bag, so she had come back, and saved Willow's life in the process. They had talked for hours that night.
"But why did the Watchers Council do it?" asked Tara.
"My theory is that they wanted a Slayer, and as Faith couldn't do her duty in prison they needed a new slayer."
"So, that means there's a new slayer around right? So who is she?" Asked Anya.
"It wasn't one of the slayers-in training. So the Watchers Council doesn't …" Giles started.
Before he could finish the door to the magic shop swung open to reveal an injured Spike. He had a cut on his cheek, which was bleeding, along with his nose along with other scraps and bruises.
Willow was the first to find her voice. " Spike! What happened?!"
"We've got trouble," was the only reply he gave.