CHAPTER FIVE: RELOCATING

Willow hung up the phone and looked towards Xander.

"That was Tara.  She said that Buffy just woke up," Willow said.

Xander nodded silently.  Willow began packing up the books and piling them on top of each other.

"We relocating?"

"Yup.  We're going to Buffy's house.  Just in case we need to be close to her for something," Willow said.

Xander heard the implications behind it.  Willow wanted to be near Buffy in case the Slayer didn't make it through this. 

Anya looked up when she saw Xander and Willow begin to stow the Watcher's diaries into a large crate to carry them.  She looked torn for a moment before she decisively locked the cash register and walked to the table, grabbing a pile of books for herself.

"I'll lock up early."

Xander grinned at his fiancée, grateful that she was becoming more integrated into the group.

Five minutes later they were walking down the street towards the Summers' household, each of them carrying more books than they would have thought was possible to carry.  Willow was tempted to use magic to make the books a lighter load, but she could remember the repercussions of her last spell.  She and Tara were only just getting back on track with each other, and she wasn't going to risk her relationship for something so foolish.

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Wesley drove quickly through the streets of Sunnydale towards the Summers' residence.  Cordy had finally chosen a radio station that she deemed suitable, and they were travelling in relatively comfortable silence.

Cordy had phoned Angel to inform them that she and Wesley were getting away for a little while.  Wesley had wanted to inform Angel that Buffy was in trouble, but Cordy had strictly told Wes not to tell Angel anything.  She hadn't seem him in the vision and she knew that if Angel went, it would only cause trouble.  There was nothing that Angel could do for the young Slayer anyway.

Cordy sighed, thankful that the trip was almost over.  She glanced out the window casually and did a double take as she saw a familiar group of faces.

"Stop the car!"

Wesley brought the car to a screeching halt, worried by Cordy's sudden demand.  He looked to her to see if she was having a vision of if she'd seen Buffy in trouble, but she was calmly pointing to the trio that walked down the street carrying multiple crates.

"Cordy, do try and not give me heart attacks in the future," he said tiredly.

She had the grace to look sheepish.  Wesley drove up to where the group was as Cordy wound down her window.

"Hey strangers.  Know where we can find a good hotel around here?" she called out the window.

Willow and Xander looked at the ex-Sunnydale girl with shock and simultaneously cried out her name in shock and excitement.  Cordy grinned and waved at them, removing her sunglasses so they could get a better look at her.

"Wow, what are you doing here?  And Wes?  It's so good to see you," Willow gushed.

Wesley smiled gently at the young Wiccan. 

"It's nice to see you again as well.  I just wish it could be under better circumstances," Wesley said.

Cordy rolled her eyes at the formality of the British man's speech.  She couldn't fault him for being a little nervous about being back in Sunnydale though.  Apart from being at Buffy's funeral, the only time Wesley had been in Sunnydale, he had made a complete fool out of himself.

Willow looked at the ex-Watcher curiously.  "Why are you here?"

Wesley went to stutter through an explanation, not entirely certain how to try and explain that Buffy was in danger, seeing as he didn't have all the facts.  Cordy's eyes once again rolled skywards.

"I had a vision.  Buffy's…she's pretty sick," Cordy explained.

Willow's smile vanished as she recalled her sick friend lying cold and pale on a bed at home.

"We know.  We've been researching for hours, but we still haven't found anything," Willow explained.

Cordy reached back and unlocked the door behind her.  "Come on, we'll give you a ride to Buffy's house.  It'll be quicker."

The three of them loaded themselves into the car, resting the heavy crates on their protesting legs.  They were grateful for the ride however, making the twenty minute walk a four minute drive.

When they reached the Summers house and managed to get out of Wesley's four-wheel drive, they were met with a heart-wrenching scream coming from inside the house.  With only a second of hesitation to look at each other in fear, the five of them were racing towards the house.