Usual Disclaimer: All BtVS characters belong to Joss Whedon and Co. The original ones are mine.

Distribution: Sure, but please let me know where it's going.

I apologize to Faith fans for the brevity of her appearance in this chapter. Don't worry, there's more to come.

Any and all feedback gratefully accepted.

In answer to a question, a ship may come into it. It depends on where the characters take me. They're in charge.

Meanwhile, back at the Summers house worry was spreading. Buffy was worried because Spike had gone missing. Had the First made its move?

Giles was worried too. He felt that Buffy had made the wrong decision by removing the chip. Normally he would have trusted her judgement but now he thought perhaps her guilt had led her astray.

The two met in the kitchen and just looked at each other.

Finally Giles said, "I'm sure it's all right. He was probably just in need of some air. The house is rather crowded."

Buffy nodded. "Right. Need of air. I can relate. No need of being a killer for a Big Bad. None at all."

But the worry was still there.

A loud crash sent them out into the back yard. The SIT training was not going as well as she hoped. Now two of them were down on the ground tangled up with swords and shields. Buffy could only sigh. Robin Wood stepped up on the porch. He looked vaguely amused. Buffy noticed that he seemed happier somehow, more care free than he had just the day before. She wondered what had changed for him.

"They're just kids," he said. Not much natural grace at this age."

She shook her head. "We have no time for this."

"We have even less than we thought."

Buffy turned to the sound of Willow's voice. Willow stood in the doorway a grim look on her face. Behind her stood Faith.

The two Slayers stared at each other then Faith broke the silence. "Heard you've got some trouble B. And I couldn't let you have all the fun."

Buffy smiled. "Of course you couldn't. Welcome to the Buffy Summers Slayer Training Academy. We're getting warm up jackets made."

Buffy turned to the SIT's. They were staring at her in a way that made her want to run far, far away. It was as if they lived to hear her next word. Buffy found it decidedly creepy.

She took a deep breath. "Girls, and Principal Wood, this is Faith. She's... she's also a Slayer."

Silence greeted this pronouncement.

"It's a long story," said Buffy. "I'll tell it later. Going up against the First we need all the help we can get." She turned back to Willow and Faith. "I'll let them all introduce themselves. Willow."

Buffy and Willow went inside together and sat down at the island.

"So, tell me about L.A."

"They've got some serious problems of their own. This Beast blocked out the sun. Everything is dying and vampires are taking over the streets. They were so desperate they brought back Angelus."

Buffy's eyes widened and she grabbed Willow's arm. "Were they crazy? And how did they do it?"

"Like I said, desperate. They had a shaman do it. But then they had trouble. It could have been ugly; they weren't able to return Angel's soul. Finally Fred called me. Between us we managed it but it's still touch and go there. Faith was a big help actually. I think the First is involved too. And there's something else."

Buffy sighed. "Tell me."

"I've been in touch with the coven again and something really big is going to happen, at the high school."

"When?" demanded Buffy.

"In five days, at midnight of course."

Buffy turned to look out the back window. The girls were doing better; at least they were more confident. Even so, she could really only count on the strongest. She had Faith now, and Robin. She was pretty sure of him, sure he was with them. And she would just have to trust Faith. But would that be enough? Again she wondered where Spike had got to. They were going to need him.

"Willow? Can you do a locator spell, to find Spike?"

Willow frowned. "He's not here?"

"No, he went out for a... a walk. But he doesn't know about what's coming."

"Sure. Come on. We'll do it now."

Willow laid out her tools and performed the spell. At least this small magic was working.

But then it didn't work.

"What's the matter?" asked Buffy.

"I don't know. Something is blocking me. Whatever it is, it's very strong. It's magic I think. That's what it feels like."

Buffy closed her eyes for a long moment. "The First said it was saving him for later. Maybe it's later."

Willow shook her head. "I don't know. This doesn't feel like the First. I can't explain exactly but the taste is different. It doesn't scare me. I'm just puzzled."

"I hope you're right. We'll have to plan this without him. Come on. We've got work to do."