Buffy walks into the candlelit living area at "vacation base", the opposite of her own house which is "home base".
The potentials are gathered around several lanterns, eating marshmallows and pickles while flipping pages in Wesley's various books. On the wall in glow in the dark paint are various foreign words meaning 'First', 'Evil Incarnate', 'Hellmouth' and 'Slayer'.
"Hey Buffy. Everyone's upstairs. To the left," Kennedy says from a supervisory post on a nearby armchair.
Buffy follows the sound of Xander's laugh to a large room scattered with people and pillows.
Anya and Gunn are sitting alongside each other with Connor and Dawn perched behind them. Xander has an arm around Dawn and Willow is leaning against him, sitting in front of him. Spike is perched in the windowsill, lazily smoking a cigarette. Faith is melted into Wesley, her arm around his neck and her legs entangled with his.
"Party on," Faith smiles, spotting Buffy.
"I didn't get the invitation," She replies, cautiously stepping into the room.
"It's 'First-Free' night. Willow and Wes did a spell," Dawn says, with a smile.
"What?"
"We found a way to use the power Wes took from the First. We use it's power against it. It's short term and it isn't a weapon, just a defense but we can…" Willow begins.
"We can what?" Buffy asks.
"Relax. We can relax for one night. 'First-Free'. We can plan and talk freely without fear. Well, without the regular common everyday fear," Xander explains.
"Kennedy's researching with the potentials. We've started a plan to defeat the first," Wes says.
Buffy glances around at the gathered people.
"B. Relax. Have a seat. Have a smoke," Faith sighs.
"Cookie?" Connor offers her an Oreo.
Buffy sits down between Wesley and Xander. Spike completes the circle on Wes' empty side.
"Lay it on her, English," Gunn says.
"We need more fighting power," Spike says to Wes.
"Wes modified a spell. He's going to channel the First's power, drawing from me and turning the First into solid form. Something we can fight," Willow explains.
"Not 'something'. A bunch of things. Contained, but vicious," Spike adds.
"But solid. Killable," Connor replies.
"Wes?" Buffy asks.
He looks at her. "Will it work?" She asks.
"If we're ready," Wes replies.
"If we're not?" Buffy adds.
"You know what happens then, Buffy. We all do," He says, quietly.
"Buffy? There are people here asking for you," Kennedy says, walking into the room. "One of them is green with horns. He's singing."
"Lorne?" Gunn asks, surprised.
"Bring them up, Kennedy. They're reinforcements," Wes nods.
"You called in LA?" Faith asks, sitting up.
"We need more fighting power. More warriors hopefully means less casualties," Wes says to her.
"Wow, and Wes, there are definitely a lot of warriors in this room," Lorne says, leading Angel, Cordelia and Fred into the room.
"There is a lot of experience here, isn't there?" Buffy realizes. "Did you guys send out invites?"
"I just want to say that I don't like that girl downstairs. She searched us," Cordelia says, starting her hugs with Dawn and Xander.
"More input on the plan and then we can start planning," Willow says after everyone is seated.
"Anyanka? I haven't seen you in ages!" Lorne exclaims.
"The Host? Lorne, you look fabulous!" Anya replies, hugging him.
"Look how shiny your aura is! You've changed sides! Congratulations," Lorne smiles.
The group stays up until daybreak, fine-tuning the plan and reacquainting with each other.
Faith stirs a few minutes after falling asleep, feeling a chill from Wes' missing body. She gets up and finally sees a figure standing on the back porch.
"Wes?" She calls, stepping out. "Are you…is that a cigarette?" She gasps, smiling at his secrecy.
He coughs and blushes, stepping back and hiding the cigarette behind him.
"You rebel…Give me one," She says. He passes her the one he is smoking and lights a fresh one.
"Nasty habit, but days like these call for a cigarette," Wes says, putting an arm around her as they watch the sun shine on the dewy backyard.
"Oops," Cordelia says, stepping outside. Wes and Faith hide their cigarettes, quickly.
Cordelia sniffs the air and then smiles, revealing a single cigarette. "I won't tell if you won't."
"You smoke Cordelia?" Faith gasps, surprised.
"Oh, never," She replies, seriously. "I did once, in high school but now…" She inhales deeply. "I only smoke during apocalypses."
Wes laughs and soon, both girls join in.
"Is this what they teach you in LA?" Buffy asks, stepping out with a disapproving look.
The trio laughs harder before collapsing into coughs. Buffy tries to hide her amusement.
"Sleep guys. We'll need it," Buffy says, holding the door open until they are all inside.
"Faith, Wesley, I mean it. Sleep." She says. "Save your energy."
Faith sticks her tongue out at Buffy and pulls Wes back to their room.
"She's right. We should sleep," Wes says.
"Can you sleep knowing what's coming?" Faith asks, pulling his shirt over his head.
He doesn't reply, kissing her deeply.
"This should be our pre-apocalypse tradition…to bring us luck," Faith says.
"I don't believe in luck…I believe in you," Wes breathes.
*****