For all disclaimers, etc., see Chapter One



Chapter 2: Breaking and Entering



That evening, Buffy, Xander, Anya, and Dawn were sitting around the table finishing off some Chinese delivery. Willow had slept all day and didn't seem to be quite with it. Not wanting to worry her, they had told Dawn that she wasn't feeling well. She quickly accepted the fib and began regaling her makeshift family with stories of her new friend.

"She is sooo cool. You have to meet her. We hung out in her room, it's totally huge, and she has all this technological stuff and she showed me how to install a music-download program on her computer, and we listened to this awesome CD she made, and she knows how to play the guitar and she has the cutest dog!"

She stopped to take a breath and Buffy took the opportunity to jump in. "Sounds like someone we could use right about now," she muttered quietly. Xander nodded. "What did you say?" asked Dawn. She worried that she was making Buffy feel inadequate by talking about her friend's great life. "Oh, nothing." answered Buffy, and Dawn began prattling on about the cool blow-up furniture she had seen.

The gang was so distracted they didn't even think to ask the girl's name. "What's with you guys tonight? You're so… detached," observed Dawn. Once again, the unimportant teenager was being ignored. Jeez, she couldn't even tell a story at dinner. Nobody cared. Maybe she'd tell Spike later.

"We're just trying to work through a little problem," Buffy told her. Xander jumped in. "Maybe you can help us Dawnie. They explained the situation, leaving out any disturbing parts about Willow. "We suggested the library, but Buffy pointed out that the people there wouldn't exactly welcome her, and she wouldn't really have free reign," Xander finished.

Dawn looked thoughtful. "Why don't you just go after hours?" she quickly offered. She immediately regretted it though, as Buffy looked appalled.

"Dawn Summers! I can't believe you would suggest such a thing! Go to your room and think about what you just said!" Dawn immediately got defensive. They were treating her like a child again! "Jeez, sorry, I was just trying to be helpful. You did ask for my help, right?" With that, she stormed up the stairs and they heard a door close.

"Buffy, don't you think that was a little harsh?" Xander asked. He knew that Buffy wanted to take care of Dawn, but she had just tried to make a suggestion. Buffy looked amused. "Honestly, I just sent her up there because I didn't want her to know I thought it was a good idea. The last thing she needs is juvenile delinquent encouragement. But it's our best option right now."

"Whatever you say, Buff," Xander replied with a chuckle. "But do you think it will be safe? You don't make a habit of breaking into places, none of us do. As much as I hate to say this, I think Spike might be helpful to bring along on this one. He has experience with this kinda stuff, being evil and all."

Buffy tried hard not to freak out. The very name sent shivers up her spine, but she didn't have time to analyze whether or not it was a good shiver. She just knew that she didn't want to see him right now. "SPIKE?!? No! We don't need Spike. Why would we need Spike?!"

Xander and Anya looked surprised. Anya, who had been quiet through the whole ordeal until now, pointed out the obvious truth, as she so frequently did. "Well, do you plan on disarming the security system yourself? Spike used to do bad stuff all the time. He'll know what to do."

As much as he didn't want to disagree with Buffy, Xander knew he had to. "Anya's right Buffy. The Peroxide King has benefits this time." Buffy looked pleadingly from one to the other. She finally gave in to the logic of it.

"Oh fine. I'll go ask him. We can go tomorrow night."



A/N – These first two chapters were just kind of introductions to the story, giving some background info on where everyone stands. The real plot comes in in the next chapter. The chapters are going to start getting longer too.