They arrived at the school library the next morning to meet Giles.

"Giles?" Buffy called as they entered the library, "you here?"

"hmmm" he came wandering out of the stacks, nose still in a book.

"Earth to Giles" Xander taunted.

"Oh, yes...I was just reading...gosh Buffy what happened to you?" he exclaimed when he noticed the long row of stitches running down Buffy's arm from her shoulder to her elbow.

"Demon attack...I really should be getting used to them by now"

"What did this demon look like?"

"Wings, teeth, big claws...pretty much sums it up don't you think" she said turning to the others, who nodded in agreement.

"Except you left out the part where there were 3 of them," Xander said.

"And the chasing Anya part," added Willow.

"Hang on one moment" Giles interrupted. "You say these demons were chasing Anya? I wonder why that would be."

"We intended on asking, but demon girl was gone before we had a chance." Buffy explained.

"And she didn't even say thank you" Willow said, causing Giles to make a strange clucking sound with his tongue. "Well she didn't" she added defensively.

"Well we must find Anya and find out what these creatures are after" Giles emphasised.

"So anyone have any ideas where she hangs out?" Buffy asked.

Xander cleared his throat. "Uh, her house is actually close to yours Buffy."

Everyone looked at him questioningly. "What?! I took her to the prom" he explained. "We had to meet somewhere".

********************

It was decided that Xander should go and see Anya, and that Buffy should accompany him, in case they ran into trouble of the winged kind.

Xander knocked on the door. There was no answer.

"Anya?" he called "you home? It's me, Xander."

"How do I know it's really you?" a response came from inside. Buffy rolled her eyes.

"I don't know....barfy feelings remember....c'mon Anya, open up."

Buffy looked at him puzzled. "I'll explain later" he mouthed to her as they heard the latch click and the door opened to reveal Anya on the other side.

"Oh Xander" she sobbed and threw herself into his arms.

Xander, after getting over his initial shock, embraced her and led her inside.

Buffy just stood there mouth agape, before she followed the two of them inside.

********************

Buffy was oddly disturbed by seeing Anya with Xander.

"So what's the deal with the winged creatures" she asked trying to draw Anya's attention away from Xander.

"Oh, Buffy....hi" Anya said, as if just realising Buffy was present.

"yeah whatever...so winged creatures? What's the deal?" Buffy asked abruptly.

"It's a long story" Anya said.

"Hopefully not too long" Buffy interjected...then seeing the look she got from Xander..."please go on."

"When I was a demon, I granted wishes to women to avenge the wrongdoings committed by the men in their lives."

"We know this part....moving on..." Buffy was silenced by another menacing look from Xander. *Why am I being like this* she thought. *It's as though Anya's awoken the bitch within*. She had to stop herself from laughing out loud from this final thought. She brought her attention back to what Anya was saying.

"...failed and the woman never got her wish completed. Shortly afterwards her boyfriend was turned into a demon. He vowed to get his revenge, but was not as powerful as me. He hasn't had the opportunity until now."

"Because you no longer have your powers?" Xander asked.

"Right...so now he's coming after me."

"So once again...the winged creatures?" Buffy asked.

"They are his minions...he'll send his weakest first and if, or when, they are defeated, he'll send more powerful beings."

"Great...so we have more of these creatures to look forward to?" Buffy groaned. "And I thought this was going to be a peaceful vacation."