The next day, the group re-assembled at the Magic Box, with the exception of Dawn, who was at school. Spike had some difficulty getting there, due to the sunlight, but he had managed. The Outer Scouts had explained everything to Buffy the night before, and vice versa. They spent the first few minutes relaying that information to their own respected groups.

"To sum it all up," Giles said when they were through, "you all fight against the same evil, if only in different forms."

"Yes," Artemis said. "We thought that because of that, you could all work together to become stronger fighters."

Buffy slowly nodded. "Okay. But, if we agree to be friends, there will be no more beating up of Spike, or any of our other friends, got it?"

All eyes turned to Darien. He turned hard eyes to the vampire, who smirked back at him. Slowly, he nodded. "All right. But the second I see him feeding, or even stepping out of line, he's dust."

Willow smiled. "Then it's settled! C'mon, we'll show you the training room."

"Yeah, we custom made it for Buff a while ago. It's very suave," Xander said. He glanced at his watch and yelped. "Sorry, guys, but I gotta run. Work and all that."

"Okay, well, we'll see you later then," Serena said.

He smiled at her and kissed Anya good-bye before heading out. "Bye, all!"

The door closed, and Willow lead the way to the training room. Lita looked around appreciatively. She nodded. "Okay," she said, turning to Buffy, "let's see what you've got."

"Excuse me?" the blonde said, arching an eyebrow.

The girl nodded. "You heard me. C'mon, just a spar. I'm curious."

Buffy blinked at her. "Okay, but only if you're sure..."

Giles glanced at her. "Be careful, Buffy. Don't hurt her."

"I know, Giles. I always am."

Spike settled down on a stack of training mats to watch. "This should be interesting," he said to Michiru as she sat down next to him. Hotaru sat down by the green-haired girl.

"Is she any good?" Willow asked Haruka as they leaned against the wall near their friends.

Haruka shrugged. "Not as good as me."

"Isn't that a bit stuck-up?" Tara asked hesitantly.

Mina smiled at her. "It's true."

Amy and Raye settled down on the floor by their feet. "So, you two are witches, right?" Raye asked as the fight began.

Willow nodded pridefully. "Yep. And darn good ones at that."

Amy grinned at her. "Isn't that a bit stuck-up?"

Tara smiled back. "It's true," she finished.

Setsuna, Serena, and Darien watched from the opposite side of the room. Darien growled lightly as Rini ran over and settled herself in Spike's lap. "I don't trust him."

"If Buffy says he's alright, then I believe her," Serena said confidently. Setsuna glanced at them.

"I have to say I agree with her," the guardian of time said. "He hasn't done anything to endanger us yet."

"And what if he's just biding his time?" Darien snapped at her.

"Oh, shut up, Darien," Spike called from across the room. "Don't be such a prick. If I had wanted to hurt you, I'd have done so already."

Serena frowned. "How did you-?"

"Hear you? I'm a vampire, love. We have enhanced senses."

Luna winced at Buffy lightly threw Lita across the room. The girl moaned and stayed where she landed. Buffy walked over. "You okay?"

She nodded with a wince. "Never been better."

The blonde smiled at her. "Sorry."

Giles walked over. "Buffy, I thought you said you weren't going to hurt her!"

"I didn't!"

Lita smiled at him. "I'm fine, really."

The group walked over to them. "Anything broken?" Haruka asked.

She shook her head and got to her feet. "Just a little light-headed. I'll be okay. You're good," she said to Buffy.

"Thanks," the Slayer replied. "So are you. Remember, I've got all those wonderful Slayer skills to account for."

Spike looked her over. "Could be better though. You're a street fighter, I can see. All power, no speed or agility. Work on that. And work with your left hand. It's not as strong as it should be."

"Thanks," she said, looking a little startled. "I'll work on that."

He shrugged. "Just something I noticed. No big. Anyway, I'd better go. Gotta grab some more blood, and hopefully get some sleep."

"See you for patrol?" Buffy asked him.

He nodded. "You know where to find me." With that, he was gone.

"Patrol?" Serena echoed.

"Er, yes," Giles said. "We, um, usually go through the cemeteries looking for demons or vampires that need to be slain."

Haruka nodded. "You want some help? We could use the exercise."

Buffy shrugged. "Sure, if you want. I've got to go, but meet me here at nightfall, unless you change your mind. Oh, and Giles, can you get them some weapons?"

"Oh, yes, of course."

She smiled. "Good. Then I'll see you later."