Buffy woke to her name being called. It was faint but she could hear it. She was still in the dark furnace room with Spike. Buffy had not wanted to leave him alone, afraid the demons would come back when she wasn't there to protect him, and Spike had refused to go with her to her house. So Buffy stayed with Spike and held him close until he had fallen asleep.

Buffy glanced down at the sleeping vampire who lied curled up with his head in her lap. Buffy stroked his hair softly playing with the tiny blonde curls. Buffy heard her name again, this time it was coming from just outside the door.

Buffy? Are you here? Willow's voice was music to Buffy's ears.

Buffy didn't want to wake Spike but she had to call out and let Willow know where she was. She had to tell her about the demons too.

Will? I'm in here. Buffy sat up carefully so as not to move or disturb Spike.

The door opened slowly and Willow and Xander walked in. Their eyes went wide when they saw the slayer and the vampire.

Buffy, what happened? Are you okay? Willow walked toward the pair and knelt down beside them. I went to wake you up but you weren't inyour room!

Some demons showed up. We had to hide in here for a while. Buffy smiled reassuringly and Willow.

Are you okay? Is Spike okay?

Yeah we're fine. Spike's sleeping and I don't want to wake him. He had a pretty tough night.

Buffy explained everything to her friends and how Spike had reacted to the demons. She told them about everything except the dream, she didn't know what to make of it just yet.

Will, I'm gonna stay here with Spike until he wakes up. Then I'll try to get him to come to the house. I don't want him here alone in case those demons show again. I don't know what they want but I think they're after Spike. Buffy's face was soft yet full of worry. What time is it, Xander? If Spike wakes up soon, I have to know how close we are to sunset. I don't want to tell him our plan too soon in case he goes ballistic.

Xander looked at Buffy in slight confusion. It's almost sunset, Buff. That's why Willow and I were looking for you. When we woke up with no Buffster in the house, and you didn't show all day, we figured something happened and we came looking for you. Naturally, we thought Spike might have seen you and knew where you were. Hence, we are here having this delightful conversation.

Almost sunset? Buffy asked astonished. Wow! I've been down here that long? Well I guess Spike should wake up soon then. I guess this calls for strategy now. Okay, Will--.

Willow cut her friend off with a smile. Xander and I will go back to the house and I'll give Dawnie some supper. Then I'll do some research and see if I can find out what a mob of demons want with a vampire. Xander will watch Dawn and keep her company, you know so she won't worry. She tends to do that when you disappear and stuff. Willow smiled with pride. She had made a plan all by herself. It felt good to be useful.

Buffy couldn't help but smile. Thanks, Will. That's sounds like a good plan. I don't know what I would do without--a soul!

Willow and Xander both looked at the slayer with surprise.

A soul! Spike's has a soul now! Maybe that has something to do with what those demons want. Buffy cleared up her sudden outburst and smiled in apology.

Willow nodded.

Later,Buff. Be safe. Xander smiled at Buffy, who thought she saw worry and fear in his eyes, and followed Willow out shutting the door behind him.

Buffy watched Xander and Willow leave then settled to watch after Spike. She started playing with his curls again and smiled at the soft purring sounds he made. Buffy ran her fingers across Spike's face--his eyes, his cheeks, his lips--then suddenly pulled back and stared. He was burning up! Buffy put her hand gently on Spike's forehead. He was so hot that her fingers felt as if she had stuck them in a sink of very hot water. Buffy was scared. Spike was a vampire, and vampires didn't have warm skin. Their skin was always cold as, well--death. Buffy shuddered at her own thought.

Buffy lightly shook the vampire who didn't wake up. Spike, wake up. Worry evident in her voice Buffy shook Spike harder. Spike, please. This is not funny. When Spike still didn't respond, Buffy panicked. What should she do? I-I can check for a pulse--what am I thinking? He doesn't have one because he's a vampire! Buffy shook her head and told herself to relax and to stop panicking. There had to be something logical for her to do.

Buffy desperately tried to figure out what to do. Finally she decided that all she could do was take Spike home. Maybe Willow had found something in her research and then Buffy would know what was wrong with Spike. Buffy carefully stood up holding Spike's now limp body. Well at least I don't have to fight to get him to come with me, she thought.

***

Xander opened the door and stepped aside to let Buffy in. Buffy! What happened? Are you okay? Xander followed a Spike laden Buffy into the living room where she gently placed Spike on the couch. Without taking her eyes off the vampire, Buffy quickly removed her jacket and dropped it on the coffee table.

Where's Willow? Buffy voice was shaky and Xander began to worry.

She's in the kitchen with Dawn--Buffy, what happened? What's going on?

I don't know--I need Willow! Buffy was carefully removing Spike's boots and placing them on the floor.

I'm here. Willow stepped into the living room. What's going on?

Will, something's wrong with Spike. I can't wake him and he's burning up.

Burning? He looks fire free to me. Willow made a small joking smile which faded when she saw the serious look on Buffy's face.

No I mean his skin--feel it!

Willow wrinkled her forehead and stepped over to the place her hand on Spike's forehead. Oh my goddess, he's burning up!

Dawnie had come in behind Willow and stood silently behind Xander. Her eyes were wide and she was watching Buffy and Willow with growing concern. So he's got a fever. W-What does that mean? Maybe he's just sick with like a cold or something. That basement is cold and damp--he just has a cold! He'll be fine right?

Buffy turned to her sister and frowned. I don't know, Dawnie. He doesn't just have a fever--vampires don't have fevers.

And if he were human, that fever would have killed him a long time ago! Willow was staring at the vampire with awe and confusion.

Yeah, but he's not human so he will be okay, right? Dawn was looking from Buffy to Willow for a reassuring answer. The look on their faces scared her.

Dawnie, Spike has a fever--vampires don't have fevers! They are dead! Their skin is always cold! Buffy cringed at her own words and the look on her sister's face was a rebuke in itself. I'm sorry, Dawnie. I didn't mean that the way it sounded.

I know what you meant. Dawn tried to smile for her sister but could only manage half. I'll go to my room an do my homework. That way I will have the rest of my holiday free and I won't be in your way so you can make Spike better.

That sounds like a good idea Buffy smiled and hugged her sister. You're the best sister ever.

You will tell me if anything changes? Dawn asked.

Of course. Buffy crossed her arms and smiled again.

Dawn disappeared up the stairs and Buffy turned back to where Willow was kneeling beside Spike. Xander hadn't moved at all. Willow stood up slowly and sighed.

I don't sense any magic in him so it can't be a spell. Willow moved out of the way as Buffy walked over to Spike and knelt beside him. Buffy started stroking the vampire's face as Willow continued. I did some research on the net about those demons that were after Spike. I didn't find much, but I did find something on a ritual requiring a Vampire with a soul. That's where it gets kind of weird. The ritual doesn't require your everyday vampire with a soul. Not like any vampire with a soul is

Willow paused and looked from Spike to Buffy who was now staring at her intently. For the first time since Willow had entered the room, Xander spoke. In order for the ritual to work, the vampire has to have done two things before it gets its soul back. It had to fight on the side of good because he wanted to, not for anything in return, and he had to make a sacrifice in the name of true love. Again with the no rewards or goodies in return.

Willow stared at her friend with surprise.

Xander spoke nervously. What? What did I do? Did I explain it wrong? Did I leave something ou--?

You said he, Buffy cut in quietly.

Xander was confused.

You said he, Willow said as a matter of factly. You started saying it' but ended saying

Xander asked even more confused.

So you think Spike is not evil anymore. You think Spike did those things--you believe it. Buffy glanced at Xander waiting for a reaction.

I do not think that! I just happened to say he' okay? He--it---all the same to me! The point is, there is a bunch of the big bad nasty out to kill Spike because of some power that drives him insane! Xander suddenly realized what he said and frowned. He and Willow had agreed to let it out easy. Somehow he didn't think that was easy enough.

Buffy's eyes widened as she stopped caressing Spike's face and stood up. What? What power--what are you talking about? And what ritual? Will, I need to know everything. I need to know what I am up against here.

Willow spoke softly but clearly not quite sure what Buffy's reaction would be. It's a power letting ritual. It's sort of like Glory's blood letting ritual except it's more---violent. Willow waited for a reaction from Buffy. When she didn't get one, Willow continued. "The books basically said that every thousand years a vampire is sired who will fight on the side of good against the powers of evil in a battle to save the world. The vampire will also make a sacrifice in the name of true love--in this case, passing the tests of a powerful demon in return for the vampire's soul. After the sacrifice, the power of true love will take over. With the power of love being stronger than the power of evil, the vampire will become stronger.

And that's what these demons want? The power of love? Why don't they just go get a girlfriend? Buffy was confused. Running away from demons wanting love? This was weird.

Willow shook her head. No, there's more but the rest is sort of fuzzy. If the vampire gets its soul back after they have fulfilled their destiny, saving the world and making a sacrifice for true love, the soul will cause a kind of magical power surge within the vampire. There was something about the extreme force of the power. If the vampire can't control it, the power will drive the vampire insane. Willow stopped and looked at the disheveled vampire lying on the couch. He looked so vulnerable. Buffy, the books said that if the vampire fights to control it, it will eventually kill him. If he succeeds in taming the power, Willow looked at her friend, it will make him human again.