"We have to find Spike." Buffy exclaimed desperately.  The gang had been searching in the few books that they had, but still could find only little on the First. 

            "Calm down, Buffy.  We will.  Don't worry." Xander said gently as he patted his friend on the back.  "We just need to find something on this thing that isn't written in gibberish or that says something other than 'older than recorded history, source of all that is evil, blah, blah, blah, yakkity schmackity.  Plus," he added quietly, "it's Spike.  How do we not know he's already joined forces with it?"
            "No, you don't understand.  He's different now, Xander and this thing is more powerful than anything we've ever faced.  Will has her majik, but it's still too risky to let her use it.  And Anya doesn't have her demon strength anymore.  You and Giles can fight, but it's still so chancy."  Buffy turned and faced the young girls who were sitting at the kitchen counter laughing.  All four of them looked so innocent and young.  "And they just aren't ready," she said sadly.

            Giles came up from behind her and placed a comforting arm around her should as he too stared at the young girls.  "Were you ready when you faced the Master?"

            "No," she answered sullenly.

            "But did it matter?"

            "Uh, hello Giles?  Can we say drowned to death?  Not to mention he ruined that beautiful dress, and those shoes…. and my hair was really nice that night!" she pouted.  Her watcher smiled at her answer.

            "Yes, this is true.  Let's not forget that you did indeed destroy him.  And do you know why Buffy?"

            "Because I'm prettier than he was?"

            "No, because you were chosen.  You were the one who was given the strength, the power, and the skills to defeat such an evil," he stared deep in thought at the girls.  "Why would you think any less of them?"

            Buffy nodded her head.  "Why do you always have to be the smart one?" she sighed as she leaned into the old man. 

            "Because I wasn't blessed with your sense of fashion.  I have to be good at something, now don't I?"

            "Write it down folks!" Buffy shouted.  "Giles just made a funny!"

            "Way to go G-Man.  Always knew I'd rub off on you," Xnader beamed.

            "Never, at anytime have you rubbed anything of yours on me Xander.  I'd like to keep it that way."  Giles stated.

            "And another one for the tweed man," Xander joked.

            "Hey guys!"  Anya shouted as she came tearing down the stairs with Willow bounding right behind her.  "The weasel has sung!  We got him to talk!"

            "It was so cool!" Willow grinned.  "We totally freaked him out!  I was all, 'Hey I'm big bad Willow' and Anya was all 'Do you have any idea what I've done to men bigger than you?' and I was all 'Like your skin little man?' and Anya was all POW and I was all SLAP and it was just so much fun!"

            Buffy raised her brows at the two girls as she smiled.  "Glad you had fun.  So what did he say?"

            "The seal is in the school basement.  That's where the ritual is done so that's probably where they took Spike." Anya stated.

            "Great job ladies.  But you said you'd save some fun harassment for when I got to go up," Xander pouted. 

            "Oh, there's still plenty of beating to be done.  He's too annoying not to smack around a bit." Anya consouled.

            "Oh! And…" Willow added, "We can make fun of his haircut!"

            Xander rubbed his hands together.  "Well what are we waiting for?  Time to make the monkey cry!" he said as they headed for the stairs.

            "Ah," Buffy said to Giles, "Nothing like torture to bring people closer together."

            "Yes.  Quite," Giles said as he cleaned his glasses, obviously disturbed by the display he just witnessed. 

            "So we're off to my favorite place on earth.  Funny how it's home to both of my jobs now," she said as she went for the weapons chest and began loading up. 

            "Uh, Buffy.  Don't you think we should devise some sort of plan before we run in there all… willy nilly?" the elder asked.

            "Giles, you've known me for seven years now.  When have I ever waited for anything?" she said as she grabbed two swords.

            "Yes, well in that case, can I have the big one?"

Under SDH

            Tears made wet paths through the dirt on his face.  He lay naked and still on his back where she had chained him.  Not so long ago, he would have loved every second of Dru's offense, his black beauty taking control of him and having her way.  Never before had he felt so disconnected to whom he once was than at that moment.  The guilt of what he had nearly done to Buffy stung worse than the sea salty tears on his fresh wounds. 

            The First sat across the room, in the form of the Master still, while Drusilla sat on his lap and lazily drew patterns on his chest with a reddened fingernail.  He was barking out orders to the newly awakened Uber vamp he had risen from the seal. 

            "Find her," he said, "and bring her to me.  I want her alive.  As for the others, kill them if you like, just make sure it's gruesome."

            The vampire nodded his head and headed for the exit, making sure to kick Spike in the ribs before leaving.  A clicking sound filled the air.

            "Poor little Spike," Dru mused as she approached him once more.  "You're soul isn't as fun as Daddy's.  It's sewn on too tight like Miss Edith's dress.  Whatever shall we do?  I fear the snow will fall before supper and there won't be any rain to drown the bugs."  She caressed his swollen face gently before slicing a long nail into his skin.  A new line of blood dripped down his face before she caught some on her fingertip and licked it seductively.  "Who would have ever thought the old man to have so much blood in him?" she giggled.  Spike coughed in pain and she again straddled him.  "Now, now my pet.  Don't tremble so.  Mummy will be more than happy to give it another try, even if it doesn't work.  We always were like animals you know.  Care to play a bit first?" she grinned. 

            Summoning all of his strength he pulled himself up so that he was face-to-face with her.  "Dru," he whispered as he stared her down.  She leaned towards him.  "Sod.  Off."

            "Hughrrrr" she growled as she clawed at him, wildly kicking and tossing her head.  "Stupid boy.  Now you'll have to be locked in the coal bin with no key.  My new Daddy will have his way with you."

            The First came behind Dru and shushed her as he calmly smoothed her hair.  "Easy now Princess.  No need to be upset.  I have better plans for our wicked boy."  He led the woman back to her seat and then slowly turned to Spike, smile ever present.  "You see my dear, in order for Spike to return to our side, he mustn't have anything left to live for, as it may.  We have to destroy the one hope he has left," he said as he squatted down beside the bloodied blond, and shifted into Buffy.  "We have to remind her what a monster he really is." She said with a sickening smile.  "By the time they're through with each other, there won't be anything left for her to believe in."

Revello Drive

            "Again, I say 'Huh?'" Xander questioned, faced scrunched in confusion.

            "We leave tonight.  Buffy is showing the girls a few maneuvers to help protect them in battle, as well as what weapons shall assist them the most." Giles answered as he began loading the patrol bag with holy water and crosses. 

            "And this is a good idea because why?" he implored.

            "Because Buffy believes that a surprise attack would be in our favor.  The First is most likely expecting us to wait and gather ourselves…"

            "Which would make since," Xander interrupted.

            "Which WOULD make sense, but Buffy's theory is that we should attack now, completely unexpected, rescue Spike, and then return here to reorganize.  Chances are that the sun will rise near the end of our battle, making our escape more promising."

            "But Giles, how do we know that the First won't follow us into the light?  It's not like a it's a vampire," Willow remarked.

            "True, Willow, but the First is rooted in the darkness, as is all evil.  All assaults it has done previously have been under the cover of night and I do trust it is fixated there.   I don't believe that it will be able to manifest itself outside of the dark."

            "What's this sudden urge to save Spike.  I mean, hello?  Evil vampire last time I saw.  How can she even want to be in the same galaxy as him after what he tried to do to her?" Xander asked.

            "She feels he is part of the group, Xander, whether we like that idea or not.  I must say that I have my doubts about the situation, but I do trust Buffy's judgment nonetheless.  What we must focus on now is the many times he has fought by our sides, sometimes even saving our lives, and the fact that he is newly re-souled."

            "You really think that's gonna cut it?" Xander posed. 

            "Xander, realize this," Giles began to whisper in a somewhat exasperated and nearly angry tone.  "The entire world has rested on that one child's shoulders for nearly a decade.  Have you ever thought that maybe she's tired, or possibly frightened?" Xander's eyes widened.  "She is scared out of her mind right now.  She would never admit it because she is a true hero.  She is braver, stronger, and purer in heart than any one of us here.  Think of all she's sacrificed.  It's finally caught up with her and she knows that there is no way that she can defeat this great evil.  She needs all the help she can get, and Spike is the only one strong, fierce, and experienced enough in battle to fight beside her.  I take comfort in that and in the fact that he seems to love her more than anything imaginable.  So, yes, I think this is a good idea.  And I pray to God that we get there before anything happens to him.  For her sake."

Below the surface, not far from SDH

            "Lock him up," the First said as it crossed its arms in a very Buffy-like manner.  "He may be weak, but he's cute and feisty.  Make sure the chains are tight."  The minions busied themselves preparing Spike as their master had requested.  They were in the dark corner of a tunnel below one of the crypts in the cemetery.  Traveling quickly, they had managed to reach the far ends of the tunnel and set up a small area that could be easily blocked.  The First wanted to make sure that there would be no way for Buffy or Spike to escape and it was taking all the necessary precautions to make sure that it fleeing would not be an option.  Light footsteps echoed off the hard earth around them and the form of Buffy became Angelus before Spike's eyes. 

            "Drusilla, my precious.  Come to Daddy," he smiled as she giggled and ran into his arms.  "You see Will, my boy, I always win in the end.  You think that Buffy has grown to trust you and believe in you, think again kid.  She'll never love you.  It'll always be me," he said as Drusilla covered his mouth with hers in a disgusting display of affection.  Their smacking reverberated off the walls of the small corner, making Spike's heart sick and pale.  "They always love me." Angelus winked as he put his arm around Dru and strolled out the exit.  "Close it up until the girl arrives," he commanded and the minions began to push a large stone in front of the opening.  Spike watched as the boulder rolled farther to the left, slowly extinguishing his hope that Buffy would be safe.

Summers' home

            "Everyone understand?" Buffy asked.  All shook their heads in silence.  "Good.  Don't worry guys, we're in and out.  They won't even know we're there."  She turned to the S.I.T.s, "Just remember, Spike's the reason we're going, so no staking him."

            "Right," said Molly with her cockney accent.  "He's got bleached blond hair, a accent similar to mine and is extremely hot.  So no staking any hot vamps."

            Buffy looked puzzled and Dawn blushed.  "I kinda gave them an idea of what he looks like," Dawn admitted, enormously embarrassed.  Xander and Giles managed their looks of disgust discreetly. 

            "Okay, not exactly what I would have said, but no arguments here.  We all set?"  Again everyone nodded.  "Alright people, gather your weapons, we leave in five."  The few began to scatter and search for their pointy objects.  "Slayers," Buffy yelled.  The girls turned their heads and approached their leader.

 "These are for you.  You are officially slayers now.  Forget the calling and the hierarchy.  Rules are out the window from now on.  So I think you all should have these," she said as she reached in her patrol bag.  Her right hand soon revealed three recently sharpened wooden stakes.  She placed one in each girl's hand somewhat ceremoniously.  "This is your weapon, the weapon of a true slayer.  Get used to the feel of the wood girls, because that pointy stick right there is your destiny.  You were chosen because you're special and you have a gift.  Don't be afraid.  Focus and use that gift to the best of your abilities, because it is what will keep you alive.  Being a slayer isn't easy and it's really scary, but you can do it.  It's what we were made for.  So be careful out there, okay?  Always remember to aim for the heart, and if that doesn't work, run like hell," she smiled.  The girls returned the smile and hugged her in thanks.  As they walked off, Dawn drew closer.

            "What about me?  Still in denial." Dawn said sarcastically.

            "This," Buffy said as she pulled out a very familiar stake, "is for you."

            "Mr. Pointy?  You want ME to have Mr. Pointy?"

            "That piece of tree has saved my life more times than I care to remember.  Every slayer has her Mr. Pointy, and I think it's only fitting that I pass this one down to you.  You deserve it, but most of all Dawnie," she said placing both hands on her sister's shoulders, "you can handle it."  Tears threatened to break both girls eyes as they embraced.  "I love you Dawn.  I only want you to be safe."

            "I will Buffy.  You'll see.  I can do this," she smiled.  "It's in my blood."

            "Summers' blood," Buffy beamed.  "Good.  Just don't get dead out there," Buffy added as she ruffled the brunnette's hair before she walked to the door.  She glanced at her faithful sidekicks and smiled.  "We've been through worse."

            "Indeed." Giles agreed.

            "No worries, Buffster.  We're right behind you." Xander assured.

            "We can do this Buffy.  We'll get him out of there safe.  Okay?" Willow guaranteed.

            "I know we will.  I have faith in all of you," Buffy said.

            "Now let's go kick some demon ass!" Anya hollered.

            "And so say all of us!" Xander yelled!

            "We band of buggered…"

            "Here goes nothing!"

            "Let's win this one for the Gipper!"  All eyes turned to Willow.  "Okay, not so much for the Gipper then," she said embarrassed. 

            Buffy turned the doorknob and was quickly pulled out of the frame.  Xander screamed as they all jumped back.

            "BUFFY!" Dawn yelled as the hideous vampire threw her sister across the lawn.  She landed on her stomach, face in the grass, before she pulled herself up and faced her foe. 

            "Everyone back in the house!  Now!" she yelled as she stared down her opponent.  He stomach fell as she heard the door slam and saw the creature before her entirely.  He was definitely a vampire, but like a vamp she had seen only once before.  This demon had to be as old, if not older than the Master.

 "What's shakin' ugly?" she taunted, psyching herself up with her usual banter.  "Think you can take me?"  The creature snarled.  "Well, then… come and get me."

It didn't need anymore of an invitation, because it charged directly at her.  Buffy managed to leap into the air and flip over its head before it reached her.  "Missed me," she teased as it turned to her again.  It punched but was expertly blocked as Buffy maneuvered around it.  She managed to strike it twice before it swept her legs, sending her to the ground.  It then pulled her up by her coat, and threw her head-first into the tree.  Everyone behind the window cringed as the blond sailed into the trunk a second time.

"Is she alright?" Kennedy asked. 

"She's doing fine." Giles replied.

"Looks like she's loosing," Molly added.

"No she's not.  Get used to it girls, that…" Dawn said as she pointed to the fight in progress, "is our job.  And you're lucky.  You are seeing the greatest slayer who has ever lived in action."

"Ugh!" Buffy grunted as the vampire socked her in the stomach.  She counter punched with a hard left and sent it spinning to the ground.  She stood over it and knocked its head back and forth a few times before it managed to grab her legs and bring her to the ground again. She bounded back up and back flipped off of her porch flying high above its head.  Landing on the other side of the creature, she stabbed her stake through its heart with a precision only she could have. 

"You're so dust," she said as the vampire looked down at its chest.  She stepped back and waited for the ashes to fly… but they never did.  Her eyes wide in shock and jaw on the sidewalk, Buffy stared in disbelief and fright.  The vampire looked her in the eyes and grinned menacingly before casually pulling the stake out of its chest and snapping it in two.  "This may be tougher than I thought," she said before she again rushed at the creature. 

The vampire met her punch for punch, slowly wearing her down.  Face bloodied and arm broken, she fought on for what seemed an eternity.

"We have to help her!" Willow cried. 

"Right, everyone aim for the head.  They can always be decapitated!" Giles commanded as they tore open the door.  Rushing out in a fury, the warriors headed to save their leader.  As they reached the bottom of the steps, they were knocked over one by one by as minions jumped from the roof on top of them.  They fought bravely and managed to kill all of the hooded figures only to look up and not see Buffy anywhere.

"Everyone alright?" Giles implored as he surveyed the damage.  No one looked extremely hurt.  The S.I.T had done remarkably well for their lack of experience.  He had been especially impressed with Dawn.  She had fought like a seasoned soldier.  "Where's Buffy?"

Dawn sat on her knees sobbing.  Giles rushed to her as quickly as he could and she began to tremor in his arms.  "They took her Giles!" she said in between sobs.  "THEY TOOK HER!" she screamed. 

"Where Danwie?  Which way did they go?" Xander asked, ready to run in any direction she pointed. 

            "I don't know," she cried.  "I saw it beat her down, and then… and then" she shook, "and then I saw her lie still.  It picked her up and carried her down the front, but I got hit in the face and didn't see where he went."  Giles shushed the hysterical girl until she was breathing regularly again.

            "He must have taken her to the First.  Willow, start on a location spell at once.  Xander, tend to the girls, and Anya make sure they didn't take Andrew as well."  They all nodded and re-entered the house.  "Shhh.  Dawn, look at me.  Dawn, you need to listen.  Buffy will be fine.  She's strong.  You know that.  Now she needs you to be," he said as he wiped tears from her eyes.  "You're a brave girl and I am so proud of how well you just fought.  Buffy is so proud of you too.  That's why she needs you to gather yourself and think clearly."  The sobbing subsided and she stared at the man before her with respect and gratitude.  "You must also remember, they are probably bringing her to the very place where Spike is, and that's what she wanted.  Think of the damage the two of them can do together," he smiled.  The girl giggled slightly between sniffles.  "If any two people can make it out of a bad situation, it's those two.  With their power combined… well, all I can say is that the First just got more than it bargained for."

            Xander looked at the two broken souls on the lawn just before he shut the door.  Turning to Willow and Anya he sighed.  "Looks like the Buffster was right.  A surprise attack was the way to go."