Chapter Four --



Willow and Dawn were wide awake when Tara slipped sleepily into the kitchen. Dawn sat behind the nook, a textbook in hand. Both appeared anxious. "Buffy didn't come home last night," Dawn announced. "She didn't call, didn't tell us anything."
Willow tilted her head. "Maybe she's with Spike."
Dawn lifted her eyebrows and turned away. "Possibly. But even Buffy wouldn't do something like that."
Tara yawned and reached for coffee, noticing Willow's opened book. "Do you think she's in trouble?"
"With who?" Willow questioned. "We haven't had any superdemons and villainous wanna-be's in months. Not since Glory."
The three women grew silent, each lost in their own thoughts, worried for their friend.

****

Buffy awoke slowly, savoring the warm sunlight on her face. She lifted her arms, stretching, slightly chilled by the dew that covered her body... her body...
The events from the night before came back in a rush and she froze. She rolled over and reached out her hand, groping for her clothing when her hand brushed against an object. Not only an object, but a formidable brown loafer. Her gaze wandered upwards to view two people standing over her. "Giles?" she gasped, shading the morning light as she glanced up to her former watcher.
"It would appear so," he replied, dropping her clothes on her shaddily covered frame. She was still wrapped in her overshift from the night before. And Spike's sunglasses were a quick grab away. "I brought along an old ally."
Buffy turned to the woman, who approached steadily. "Faith."
Faith didn't move, just kept her eyes glued to Buffy as she jumped to her feet, holding her clothes to her frame. "Go on inside," she said hastily, pointing with her good arm to the front door. "I'll be along shortly."
As the two left, she turned, pulling on her long tee and following them inside quickly, attempting to fix her damp hair.
She had no idea how she'd explain the fact she'd just been outside, naked, in the middle of the morning.

****

The male vampire lifted the dead raven, holding it up for the rest of his vampire clan to see. "In this bird there is no blood. Only power."
He set the bird down and removed another book from a single wooden board where another half dozen books lay dusted and rotten. He opened the book and removed a large, heavy gold chain. At the bottom of the gold chain was a ruby oval. He lifted the chain and bent down, wrapping the necklace around the bird. "Our work is almost done," he said, his eyes dropping to the tail. "Remove three feathers and dip them in blood."
Two outsiders plucked the feathers and delivered them to his waiting hand. "Take the first and put it where she will see. It is a sign of things to come."

****

When Buffy emerged from her shower and change, Willow had prepared breakfast and had called over Xander and Anya. Giles and Faith were both resting comfortably, although when Buffy entered the kitchen, the conversation halted. She knew that they were talking about her friendship with Spike and how serious it was really getting. During her shower, she'd even prepared the exact words she would say.
But now they seemed too... embarrassing.
She stepped inside, offering a quick smile. "What's happening?"
Willow was the first to speak up. "Dawn left for school."
Xander spoke up second. "And Giles here was telling us of the next fiendish plot to open a wormhole into hell. To make the slayer suffer."
Buffy laughed sharply as she rested her hip against the breakfast nook. "Don't you people have anything better to do than to discuss my fate? How about discussing your own?" Throwing her hands up, she practically ran from the kitchen. She was so tired of their concern, their endless need to protect her. And why was Faith there anyway?
Faith was following her, Buffy could sense it. "Why are you here?" Buffy asked, stopping in the living room and turning to the other slayer. "Why did Giles bring you back?"
"I'm here because Giles brought me," Faith replied, crossing her arms. "And lose the attitude. It isn't going to help either of us."
Buffy let her arms fall to her sides. "He told you about Spike."
"We didn't see him," Faith toned, sitting on the sofa. "But I know you were with him last night." She pointed to the bruise on Buffy's arm. "It's getting swollen."
Buffy clamped her hand over the painless bruise. "What tries to kill me now will only make me stronger."
"Don't you get it?" Faith asked, her voice rising. "Don't you see that falling in love with another vampire will bring you nothing but heartbreak?"
Buffy felt the familiar twinge in her heart as she forced herself to face Faith. "I won't let it happen this time."
"He doesn't love you, not like you want him to," Faith said.
"You're just desperate because you were once against me," Buffy spat out. "Now that I don't have an enemy, you don't have an ally."
Faith jumped to her feet. "Buffy, that was harsh."
Buffy looked down for a second. "Things change."
"But what you are shouldn't," Faith reminded her. "I came back here to help you. Something bad is about to happen and I'm not going to force you to face it alone."
Buffy felt something deep within her shredded emotions. Something along the lines of gratitude. "Thank you," she said, a soft smile curving her lovely face. Then her expression grew cold. "What is this something?"
"Giles doesn't know yet," Faith assured her. "But he has his instincts."
"I don't doubt that," Buffy said, moving to return to the kitchen. "If there's anything you must know about a watcher, it's their instinct that always serves as the key."

****

"I'm home!" Dawn shouted, closing the front door and stepping inside. "Buffy? Tara? Willow?" She moved to the living room, dropping her book bag on the front steps. "Buffy?"
"In the kitchen!" Buffy's voice trilled.
Dawn moved into the kitchen, dropping her purse on the table, its contents spilling across its shiny surface. Buffy was inside a cabinet, a bag of groceries by her side. "Take out the crackers, will you?"
Dawn pulled out the box and handed it to her sister. Buffy placed it inside the cabinet, then let it swing shut. "Where is everyone?"
"Tara's sleeping, Willow went out..." her voice trailed off as she noticed the few items on the table. "Dawn, is this stuff yours?"
Dawn nodded and rushed over, pushing cosmetics and crumpled up notes into her small black handbag. Then something caught her eye as it caught Buffy's. Buffy leaned down and picked up a long black feather. The very tip was stained with red ink or something else resembling it. "Dawn?" she asked, twirling the feather. "What is this?"
"I found it in my locker," Dawn said, confused. "I stuck it in my purse. It has something taped to it."
"Let me see it," Buffy urged her gently, her words belying the intensity she felt at touching the feather. Dawn handed her a small white card. Buffy unfolded it and noticed two lines printed in perfect italics. In Latin. "As soon as Willow gets back, I want her to read this."
"Where did Willow go anyway?" Dawn asked, setting her purse down again.
Buffy was silent for a long moment, as though she were trying to decide what to say. "She's with Giles."
"He's back?" Dawn gasped, excitement flowing through her veins. "I knew he wouldn't abandon us!"
Buffy held up her hand. "I wish it was so simple," she replied. "He's back because he believes that something bad is about to happen."
"So what's our plan?" Dawn asked, sitting down.
Buffy looked confused. "Plan?"
Dawn nodded, "You know, the good guy kicks bad guy's ass and the world's restored to normalcy?"
Buffy laughed. "You've been spending way too much time with Xander again. All that talk is going to get you nowhere except detention."
"Speaking of spending way too much time with a particular male," Dawn began boldly, picking at her fingertips. "What's going on between you and Spike?"
Buffy fell silent, sitting down herself. "I wish I could describe how I felt, Dawn. I really wish I could."
Dawn glanced out the window as the last traces of sunlight disappeared. "Do you love him?"
Buffy shrugged. "I love the way he fights. I love the way he's always protecting you. I love the way he apologises," she added with a chuckle. "But do I love him for what he is? For who he is? I might." She sighed, knocking on the wooden table. "But who am I to second guess a vampire?"
Dawn smiled encouragingly and patted her older sister's hand. "I trust you, Buffy Anne Summers. Do what you feel is the best you can do in your heart."
Buffy smiled, her first genuine smile in a long time. "It feels so much better," she said lightly, "to get this off my chest."
"Think he'll come by tonight?" Dawn asked her.
Buffy shrugged. "Spike does what Spike wants. And that's part of his charm."
"You can't resist it!" Dawn squealed as the front door banged open.
"Dawn," Buffy said quietly. "Keep this between us, won't you?"
Dawn nodded her promise and went to greet Willow and the others. Buffy leaned over and plucked the small white card and reread the latin, her face tensing.

****

The lock was picked by the key and a heavy brass door was opened. The male vampire leaned inside and stood, in wait.
"If you're waiting from me, I am here." The voice was feminine, heavily accented as though it were trying to understand English. The female moved slowly into the light, her dark hair down her back, her dark eyes full of bloodlust. "You have called me."
The male vampire nodded. "You are the chosen one. The slayer's slayer. You are Raven."

****

Spike showed up at his usual time, just after nine. Buffy was the first to answer the door. "Dawn knows," she said quietly, letting him in. She handed him his sunglasses and pulled on his arm. "One more thing," she said softly. "Giles has come back."
Spike nodded, pulling her along until they reached the living room. He glanced around the room, his eyes finally settling on a brunette curled into an armchair. She immediately rose to her feet and walked briskly toward them. "We meet again," she greeted Spike. She turned to Buffy. "I see what you meant."
Spike groaned as Buffy took him by the arm, summoning her courage. Anya approached from behind them, a huge bowl of popcorn in hand. "I'll be back," she replied, turning to get the other items.
Xander glanced at Buffy curiously as she appeared to be fighting mental demons. "Buff?" he probed gently.
She finally nodded and looked up. "Spike and I are together," she announced in a clear, lucid tone. Dawn dropped her spoon and Xander coughed loudly. It was Tara who finally spoke up.
"I don't think there's anyone in this neighborhood that knows that the two of you aren't together."
Buffy felt another flush coming on as the doorbell rang. "That must be my nine o'clock pizza craving," Xander said, standing up, breaking the thick silence.
Anya came back, empty-handed. Xander looked disappointed. "It wasn't the pizza," she said, nodding her head toward the entryway. "We have a guest."
Buffy turned around, her jaw dropping. "Angel."