When the group got home Willow took charge of Buffy. Remembering that Amy had come back in her birthday suit Willow placed Buffy on her own bed, surrounding her with cushions so she wouldn't fall off. Then she shooed everyone else away and sat down to wait. She used the time to think about what Jezeil had said. He'd given her a message for Buffy but Willow thought he'd been speaking to her.

She'd been lost in thought for quite a while when a sound made her look up. Buffy was sitting up in bed and wrapping a blanket around herself.

"Hey Buffy, welcome back."

"He turned me into a turtle."

"Tortoise actually. Turtles live in the ocean. Sorry," she added when Buffy glared at her.

"This was worse than when Amy turned me into a rat."

"Oh, I don't know. At least you didn't end up in the school basement."

There was a knock at the door. Buffy said, "Come in."

Xander entered and closed the door behind him. "Glad to see you back Buff. Some night huh?"

"I cannot believe he did that! He wants me to be a leader after he's undermined all my authority?"

"Um Buffy," said Xander. "That's not what he was doing. He was telling all of us that we're important, that we've got something to contribute, that we don't have to be Slayers to make a difference."

"That's right Buffy." Willow sat down on the bed. "He told me to tell you that the crisis would be resolved with brains, not brawn. But he was talking to me too. Using my brain is what I do best. All this magic stuff made me forget that

"He didn't undermine anything Buffy," added Xander. "Downstairs we've been talking about how we feel better, how we can all help you do your job. We respect you Buffy; nothing anyone says will change that. You don't think we'd all leave now, before the fun?'

Buffy smiled at her friends. "Thanks Xander. But you do have to leave now. I have to get dressed."

When Buffy went downstairs she found everyone in the living room. They did look much better; some were even smiling.

"So," she said. "What are you guys talking about?"

Giles answered. "How to determine if Spike is the Heir of Malabor."

"Huh?"

"You were already indisposed when Jezeil called him The Heir of Malabor, Wielder of the Spirit. Malabor was a hero who lived a thousand years ago. When he died he placed part of himself into his sword and charmed it so that only a specific person could use the blade. The wielder has to be a male descendent of Malabor and he has to have the heart of a Champion. It seems hard to believe that Spike is it."

Buffy nodded. "What if he is? What does that mean?"

"For one thing it means that we almost destroyed a hero. For another it means that we may actually be able to defeat the First. The Spirit, the sword, is a source of great power and in the hands of The Wielder it is a formidable weapon. It also means that your instincts were correct."

"Don't sound so surprised," said Buffy a mock hurt look on her face. "How do we find out if it's true?"

"I'll do it," said Willow. "Now that I know I'm looking for a powerful sorcerer I can find where they're staying. After that, I'll think of something, to find out for sure." She jumped up and left the house, leaving everyone to exchange puzzled looks.

Once she was out of sight of the house Willow closed her eyes and concentrated. Suddenly she knew where to go.

She was out of breath by the time she got to the big Victorian house. Willow had passed it many times before. It had been on the market for years. When she was a child the house had been the setting of lots of ghost stories. Who knew?

She raised her hand to knock but the door opened, all by itself. She went through it and then into the living room. Jezeil, William and a woman were sitting around the fireplace drinking brandy.

"Come in Miss Rosenberg. We've been expecting you. I believe I was remiss about introductions earlier. This is Lenore."

The woman inclined her head. She wasn't exactly pretty, Willow thought, but she was striking. This was a woman you would remember

Jezeil motioned toward an empty chair. "Have a seat. Would you like a drink? No? In that case, how can we help you?"

Willow sat down on the edge of the chair. "Tell me about The Spirit."

"Ah. I suppose that back at Slayer headquarters they are wondering if William here is really it. Well, the answer is yes." He turned to William. "Show her the blade."

William stood and extended a hand. The sword in its scabbard flew off the mantel into his hand. He drew the blade and extended it to Willow, hilt first. She took it and immediately felt the power. And she felt something else, something familiar.

"I feel like I know this, like I've held it before."

Jezeil stood slowly, his face intent. "Indeed. Look at me Miss Rosenberg."

Willow looked up into Jezeil's eyes and fell into a deep pool. Images filled her mind. It was as if she was looking out of someone else's eyes. Then she was back and Jezeil was laughing.

"Gooness, I should have known. Miss Rosenberg, you are the reincarnation of a sorceress. The very sorceress who helped Malabor create the Spirit. Her name was Reanin. She and Malabor got to be good friends in the weeks that they worked together. It makes sense that they would be friends again."

Willow and William looked at each other, then at Jezeil.

"When William drew the blade for the first time all of Malabor that resided in it became part of him. He is not the reincarnation of Malabor, but he's the next bet thing. Souls often travel together, meeting up again and again as they live their lives.

"So that you are clear on things Miss Rosenberg, I will elaborate a bit. William here is not exactly the same as he was back in 1880. He's human, with an edge. He has all of Malabor's strength, speed, agility, and skills in addition to his own. He has also inherited Malabor's magical talent."

"What?" said William.

"Oh yes. He was loath to use it because he feared the consequences. But in his work with Reanin he came to appreciate the gift. Now, I think it's time the two of you learned to do some magic together. Come on."

William and Willow exchanged another look and then followed Jezeil out of the room.

"Xander," said Dawn. "You're going to wear a whole in the carpet."

Xander paused in his pacing and said, "It's almost four in the morning. She's been gone for more than two hours. What if something's happened to her? We should never have let her go alone."

"It'll be okay Xander. Willow can take care of herself."

A peal of laughter made them all look toward the door to the kitchen. Chloe stood there with a large smile on her face. "What's the matter kiddies, lost someone?"

Kennedy jumped up. "If you've done something to Willow..."

"You'll what, walk through me a couple of times? Sorry, not so scary. You guys are pathetic."

Buffy walked right up to Chloe and said, "Get out of my house."

"Make me," replied Chloe.

"You asked for it," said a voice behind them.

Once again they all turned, this time towards the doorway to the hall.

Willow and William stood side by side, hand in hand. They each raised the other hand up and blew. A fine silver powder filled the air, glittering and shifting.

They raised their joined hands and spoke together. "In the name of the light be gone from here."

The silver floating through the air began to swirl and then disappeared into the walls. Chloe let out a howl of rage and vanished.

Willow turned to William a big smile on her face. "We did it."

He smiled back and nodded. "Yes we did. Gotta say, that was pretty good."

Kennedy ran up to Willow and hugged her. Xander followed suit.

Buffy demanded, "What was that? And what are you two doing casting a spell together?"

"We banished it. The First can't enter the house ever again. As for your other question," Willow smiled at William. "Turns out we're old friends."

"Willow, there's something I don't understand."

"Yes Giles?"

"That spell, it's pure. No vampire should be able to cast it, even a vampire with a... a soul."

Willow turned to look at William. He nodded at her. She turned back to Giles and said, "A vampire didn't cast it. This isn't Spike it's William. He's human. The sword did it. It won't tolerate any evil so when they were joined it kicked the demon out."

Giles broke the silence that had followed Willow's news. "Well, congratulations are in order I think." He held out his hand. "Welcome back to humanity."

William took his hand and shook it. "Never saw this coming, did you Watcher?" he said softly.

He turned back to Willow. "I have to go Red. They're expecting me back."

"I know. I'll see ya later."

William left the house and started down the street but Buffy called him back.

"You weren't planning on telling me, were you?"

"Actually, no. When this is over I'm going to London with Jezeil and Lenore."

"Lenore. She's the vampire. Well, that's a switch. You get to be the human in the relationship," said Buffy and instantly regretted it. She sounded like a jealous child and she hadn't meant it.

A hurt look passed over William's face only to be replaced by a hard, cold expression. He didn't reply, just turned his back and walked away.

Closing her eyes Buffy swore. "I can't seem to say anything right. I should just keep my mouth shut."

When she went back in she found that Willow had convinced everyone to go to bed. She would tell them all about her adventure in the morning. Buffy pulled her aside and then led her out into the back.

"Will, when you found them, was Lenore there?"

Willow frowned. "Yeah, of course. She's Jezeil's wife. She told me they got married at Stonehenge. Pretty cool huh? Oh, and she's got a soul too. Seems there's a bunch of vamps with souls."

"Oh God. I'm an idiot. And I think I'm going to need surgery to get my foot out of my mouth."

"What are you talking about Buffy? Why did you want to know about Lenore?"

"I went out yesterday night to get some much needed air. I ended up at Willy's. I thought he might know where Spike was. It turned out Spike was there, with this female vampire. She whispered in his ear. I thought..."

Willow's eyes widened. "Oh no Buffy. Did you say anything?"

"No, I just left. But just now, outside I..." Buffy sat down on the stairs. "Do you think I could get my mouth sewn shut?"

Willow sat down beside her. "That would make eating difficult. And no eating would mean no chocolate."

"I didn't think of that. I'll have to find some other solution because I'm certainly not giving up chocolate. Maybe I'll join a convent. They take vows of silence right?"

"Come on Buffy. Let's get some sleep. Things will look better in the morning."