Buffy awoke with a start. Not again. This is why she didn't sleep. Not only did her thoughts go places she didn't want to, her dreams did as well. She needed to get home before any one would miss her. Hopefully it wasn't day yet. The old trouble with vamps excuse ought to cover.

~*~

It was 8 a.m. when Buffy crept into the house. In the living room, Willow and Xander were asleep comfortably on the couch. Willow asleep, it was good to see and she looked almost peaceful. She continued on up the stairs, looked in on Dawn who was fast asleep, then went to her own room.

Buffy had taken off her coat when she noticed a piece of paper sticking out of the pocket. Curious, she pulled it out and read it:



masochistic beauty

sleeping 'neath walls of stone

refuge from prying eyes

tortured by denial

of what you know is true

yet still you seek out reminders

of that which you rue



She had been alone in the crypt; she had to have been. If anyone had been there, she would have known. If Spike had been there, she would have known. And he was gone far away, not heard from since . . . But who and how?

"Buffy, you just get in?" Dawn asked standing in her doorway.

Buffy shoved the paper into the coat pocket. "Um, yeah, busy night and all."

"Where?"

"Oh, you know, around."

"You seem a bit on edge, did something happen?"

Buffy was saved having to answer by Willow calling from downstairs, "Anybody interested in some pancakes? Xander's cooking, so be forewarned."

~*~

"So when did you make with the cooking skills, mister?" Willow asked, finishing off her second plate.

"We men do do other things in our spare time besides watch sports and drink beer."

"These aren't half bad, Xander," Dawn smiled.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, kid." He looked at Buffy, absently pushing her food around her plate. "How bout you, Buffy?"

"'Masochistic beauty/ sleeping 'neath walls of stone'?!" she mumbled.

The other three looked at the Slayer. She didn't look as tired as she had been, but she was very distracted. And what was she mumbling?

"Buffy?" Dawn tried.

"Huh?" she looked startled.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Present and accounted for."

Willow made the next attempt, "What were you saying about 'masochistic beauty'?"

"Um, nothing. I, uh, need to get going to the Magic Box," she rushed out the door, leaving them speechless.