Amy and Michael exchanged glances. "Did she just say what I think she said?" Amy asked.
"If you think she said she slept in Willow's bed. That's what I heard." They both looked to Tara, seeing only the top of her head. "If you were in her bed, where was she? I thought you said nothing happened."
Tara finally peeked up through her hair. "Nothing did happen! It was perfectly innocent … bed - sharing. Oh gods, I can't believe I just said that."
"Well, all I can say is wow. That's it, I'm never getting beat up again. I miss out on too much."
"You better not get beat up again!" Amy exclaimed. "Have they been able to find the guy who did it yet?"
Michael shook his head. "Nope, not a thing, but you know how this town is. Not to mention I wasn't able to give much of a description. Getting jumped from behind and punched in the head is like that. He just kept saying something about 'witch' and 'homo.' Looks like I make double the target. Lucky me." He looked each girl in the eyes. "You two be careful too, okay? Whoever that guy was, he's probably still out there. And next time, I'd bet whoever gets it loses more than just a tooth and some blood."
~~
"So they haven't found this guy, and now something seems to be after you," Buffy concluded. "I don't know, it's like too much of a coincidence. You hang around with Michael a lot, he gets beaten up. Then the next two nights, you get practically chased down Main Street by some mysterious thing."
Tara looked confused. "But Michael thought that it was just a, a regular guy who hurt him. I don't know, I'm just, I'm not seeing monster there. How do we know it's the same thing?"
Giles nodded, setting down his cup. "Buffy does seem to have a point. Neither she nor Faith have been able to make any, any headway with tracking this being. And there are a good deal of things that can, can appear to be human. Thus far, there has been nothing to prove it isn't demonic in nature. Perhaps we should try something different. I suggest you do stay at your apartment tonight, but with protection. Obviously a warding spell of some sort will be necessary, if Willow can get away?" Willow nodded, her expression serious. "And Buffy or Faith, possibly even … Angel … for back-up."
"Hey, why do I have to miss out on the fun?" Xander asked lightly. "I could be useful. I'm tons of use."
Faith snorted. "Yeah, until it starts to get hairy and you hide."
"Hey, that's called a 'tactical retreat,' lady," the boy said, pointing a finger in Faith's direction. "And knowing when you're outmatched has been scientifically proven to lead to a longer life span."
"All right, that's enough," Buffy interrupted. "Save your energy for the showdown with, um, whatever it is that's been after Tara and her friends." She shook her head. "So, I'll round up Angel, we'll be outside the building. Willow and Tara, stay inside once the spell's been cast, we're still not sure what it is we're dealing with. And Faith-"
The dark Slayer stood and grabbed her jacket. "I'll be around." She slipped her arms into the sleeves and sharply straightened the jacket's collar. "Trust me, there's no way I'm missing out on having another shot at that thing. I'll see you tonight." With those words, she strode confidently out of the room.
Xander cleared his throat. "So, am I in for lookout duty or what? I can be pretty mean with a battle axe."
~~
The moon rose in a clear sky, hundreds of stars sparkling. Faith could care less except that it meant better lighting. She climbed stealthily up a fire escape on a building across the street from Tara's apartment building. For up here she would have a better vantage point. Plus, it would be harder for anything to sneak up on her. She could see Buffy and Angel below, by the side of the building mostly shrouded in shadow. But if Faith could see them, that also meant other people could. She shook her head. Sloppy, B, sloppy. That vamp's clouding your head.
She settled down and began to scout the town in all directions, looking for that damn shadow she'd chased earlier in the week. She could hear its breath as she'd chased it, so she knew there was no way it was a vampire. She'd said as much to the Watcher, curtly, when he'd first suggested it was a vamp. And was it fast. She hated to admit it, but this was something she would really need to see coming. The thing could run like the wind.
"Hey Buffy, did you hear that?" a soft male voice asked on the ground.
The Slayer nodded. "It could just be Faith, she said she'd be around. But she's usually quieter than that." From behind the noise came again. Spinning around quickly, fists ready, she saw a shadowy figure.
"Hey, hey, it's just me!" Xander said, hands open before him. "Wanted to see if you needed anything. All's quiet inside."
Buffy sighed. "We're fine, Xander. But what are you doing out here?" She pointed to herself and Angel. "Outside guards. Inside guard," she pointed to him. "We agreed that you would stay inside in case they need you there."
The boy grinned apologetically. "Yeah, but I got bored watching the fish, and they were busy doing spell – prep. I didn't think they would miss me, and I thought maybe I could get you something for your big stakeout."
"We're all set," Angel said, glancing at the young man, then turning back to the streets, scanning for movement anywhere. "It's still early, but you should head back in. We don't know what's coming."
Xander nodded. "Right. Getting back inside now. And, ah, good luck with the thing. Hope you stop it if it heads this way." He turned back down the alley and around the back of the building.
And with a muffled thump, he fell, unconscious. Well, that was easy! I hope the others are this simple to get past, the hulking demon though with a dark grin.