"What is it?" she asked, coming into the room to see her daughter standing in front of the refrigerator.
"I forgot to buy ice cream!" said Buffy frantically. "I can't believe after all this planning I forgot the ice cream!"
Joyce smiled, slightly amused at Buffy's making it seem to be a matter of dire consequence. If that was the worst thing that ever happened in their lives, they'd both be a lot happier.
"I'll go get some," she said. "Cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip or rocky road?"
"You can't go now," said Buffy, who couldn't help but smile at her mother. "It's dark outside."
"I'll accompany her, if that will make you feel better," said Giles, having overheard the exchange. "I should like some ice cream myself."
"See?" said Joyce. "It's fine. We'll be back in no time."
Buffy couldn't think of a good argument against their going, so she just nodded her agreement.
"Oh, and mom?" she said as the two were walking out the door.
"Yes?"
"Rocky Road."
"And Moose Tracks!" called Xander.
Joyce only laughed and left.
Buffy watched them out the window and groaned. "Ugh. I should have warned mom about the Gilesmobile."
Willow rolled her eyes slightly. "The party will be over before they're back with the ice cream."
"The party's already over," commented Spike, rising from his seat on the couch. "You people are bloody boring. No blood, no liquor, no good music. I'm outta here." He sauntered over to the door. "Catch your act later, Slayer."
They didn't make any attempt to stop him, only held their breath and hoped that he wouldn't change his mind.
"Hey, we have cake and cookies!" said Xander brightly once the vampire was a safe distance from the house. "Who's up for it?"
"I think I'll wait for the ice cream," said Buffy.
Everyone else was either too full or waiting as well. Willow noticed that Xander seemed a bit disappointed and decided to volunteer.
"I could use some extra sugar," she said. She followed him into the dining room, leaving the others behind in the living room.
Xander picked up the platter of cookies and offered her some. He seemed glad to have this time alone with her. He furrowed his brow.
"Something on your mind?" asked Willow, taking a bite of her cookie.
He didn't say anything for a minute, only chewed his cookie pensively. Finally he took a deep breath and spoke.
"Anya wanted me to talk to you."
"About what?" she asked, a bit confused.
"She thinks that-" He stopped and cleared his throat. "She says that Tara is half demon."
The confusion on Willow's face turned to pure anger.
"What!?"
"I know, I know," said Xander, hoping to calm her before things got out of hand. "It sounds crazy."
"You're dad-gum right it's crazy!" She was yelling in a whisper.
"Wait." This wasn't going as well as he had planned. "She made a fairly convincing argument."
Now Willow was floored. She was angry that Xander even delivered such a message, but that he would dare to believe it -- that was something else entirely.
"I can't believe you!" she yelled, her voice raising higher than it should have. "Just because you're jealous doesn't give you any right to go making such ludicrous accusations."
"But aren't you even going to hear me out?" Xander asked timidly. Things weren't looking good for him.
"Hear you-- You have some nerve! You're the demon magnet, remember? Not me."
Xander looked seriously hurt at the comment. His face hardened.
"Fine," he said roughly. "But if something happens, don't say I didn't warn you."
He started back to the living room and Willow followed, reaching the room just after him. She looked around.
"Where's Tara?"
"She ran upstairs a minute ago," replied Buffy. "Why? What's up?" She threw a concerned glance between her two best friends. Both of their faces were like granite.
"She probably overheard," Willow said acidly, directing the comment at Xander. "I'd better tend to damage control." She dashed up the stairs.
Buffy looked at Xander.
"You don't want to know," he said.
"Tara's a demon," said Anya.
Buffy raised an eyebrow and Xander shrugged.
"Half demon anyway," continued Anya, despite the odd looks she was receiving from the others. "And if I'm right she's the half-Bhijah."
"That half what?" asked Buffy, not believing a word of it.
Anya didn't get the chance to answer because of the scream that came
from upstairs. Willow's scream.
"Are we there yet?" asked Cordelia impatiently.
Wesley shot a glance at her as if to say, "I'm going as fast as I can."
"Sorry," she said. "I'm just a little bit anxious." There was more than a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"That's the city limits up there," said Angel soothingly, pointing to a spot in the road not far away.
Cordelia squinted in the darkness. "Are you sure? I don't see the sign."
"There isn't a sign," Angel said. "Hasn't been for a while."
"Shows you how often I visit home."
"Still a busy signal," Gunn interjected.
"I knew teenage girls were prone to stay on the phone for long periods of time," said Wesley, "But I'd say this is a bit much."
Angel shook his head. "Buffy wouldn't be on the phone this long. All her friends live minutes away. Besides, she's probably patrolling."
"Well, Mrs. Summers could-" Cordelia started.
"Joyce wouldn't stay on the phone with Buffy not home," said Angel. "We have to assume that something's wrong."
"So just who is this chic that you're trying to reach?" asked Gunn, feeling a bit out of the loop.
"The Slayer," said Cordelia. "Ever heard of her?"
"Isn't that a heavy metal band?" he responded. "Sorry. That was a joke," Gunn added when she gave him a blank look.
"Well, suffice it to say she kills vampires and demons, saves the world, that kind of stuff. For a living. It's a fate thing."
Gunn raised an eyebrow and gave Angel a confused look. "Then shouldn't she be able to take care of herself?"
"Oh yeah," added Cordelia. "And she's Angel's ex-girlfriend."
Angel looked back at her.
"What?" she said obliviously.
"Angel?" Wesley said to draw his attention.
Angel turned back and looked at him. "Yeah?"
"Isn't that Mrs. Summers?" Wesley pointed toward the parking lot of the minimart they were passing."
Angel looked just as the woman stepped up to reveal a man next to her. "And Giles," he said. "Pull over."