Chapter 3
Buffy watched as the vampire in front of her disintegrated in a large cloud of dust. When the dust cleared, Buffy found Faith standing with her stake held in front of her. The blonde Slayer smiled.
"Faith!" Buffy said.
"Hey B. Looked like you needed help." Faith said.
"No. Not really. He just.. snuck up on me. That's all."
"Ok."
"So, where ya been?" Buffy asked as she went to her bag and stuck her stake in it along with the crossbow she had dropped earlier.
"Boston."
"Boston?"
"Thought I'd go see the old stomping grounds, try to get away from being a Slayer for a while. Clear my head."
"Did it work?"
"No. Got attacked by a group of Oglar demons. Nasty buggers. They got fur and slime."
"I could have told you."
"Yeah." Faith looked around her, trying to sense something.
"He's not here." Buffy said as they started to walk.
"Who?"
"Spike."
"I.. I wasn't looking for him. Where's Angel?"
"He's at home helping Conner with history homework."
"Oh."
"When did you get back?"
"Pretty much now."
"Oh. Are you staying at your apartment or do you need a place to stay? We have a spare bedroom. It's Conner's old room, but hey."
"Willow move out?"
"That's right, you don't know."
"Know what?"
"Giles took Willow to England after she tried to end the world. She killed Warren."
"Are you shitting me?"
"No. Not shitting. Very much serious."
"Red turned in to Big Bad Red?"
"Yup. She tried to kill us too."
"Damn."
"Yeah. She tried to do that too."
Faith started to laugh hysterically. Buffy looked at her and Faith tuned it down to spasmodic giggles. "Sorry." She mumbled.
"It's ok. You weren't here so you wouldn't realize the seriousness of it."
"No I really am sorry."
"It's ok. So, anyway, Willow went back to England with Giles and I haven't heard from her all summer. Angel and I moved into Willow's old room and gave Conner my old room. Dawn's still in her room. We turned Conner's old room into a guest bedroom slash storage room."
"You know, I think I'll stay with you guys tonight. I don't really want to face Spike tonight."
"I don't think you'll have to worry about that."
"Why?"
"He's, uh, he's not back." Buffy lied.
"Oh. He left?"
"Yeah."
"Where'd he go?"
"You know, I don't know. I haven't heard form him all summer. Cordy and Gru either."
"Weird."
"Yeah." Buffy opened the door and put her bag and keys on the dining room table. "Angel! Conner! Dawn! I'm home! You'll never believe who found me!"
Angel and Conner came down the stairs. Conner recognized Faith right away.
"Aunt Faith!" Conner said, running up to her and hugging her tight.
"Hey kiddo." Faith said.
Angel stood back and watched as Faith and Buffy hugged. Faith turned to him and he stood straighter. She walked over and threw her arms around his neck and Angel hugged her waist. She was thinner than when he had last seen her. Angel didn't say anything about it. Al he said was, "It's great to see you."
"You too stranger." Faith said. "Where's Dawn?"
"She's down the street with her friend Kit."
"Did you tell her she could go?" Buffy asked.
"I did. I even walked her down there. She said she'd call when she was ready to come home."
"It's 11 already. She better be home.."
"Faith!" Everyone turned and found Dawn standing in the open doorway. She ran up to Faith and hugged her tight, nearly knocking her down. Faith's eyes widened in surprise and she hugged back.
"Hey Kid." Faith said.
"Not a kid. A little woman."
"Ok. Hey little woman. You know, I think I'll stick with kid cause it fits better."
"Whatever."
"Ok, you two," Buffy said, pointing at Dawn and Conner. "Bedtime. Upstairs and get ready. I'll be up in a minute to say goodnight."
Conner went obediently with a kiss on Buffy's cheek and a pat on the back from Angel. Dawn pouted a little, but eventually obliged after Buffy looked at her sternly. As soon as Dawn and Conner were upstairs, Buffy turned to Angel.
"What?" he asked.
"You're too soft on them. Well, Dawn anyway."
"She responds better to me."
"Cause you spoil her."
"And you don't Conner?"
"He's my not so little anymore guy. Plus he's my son."
"He trusts you, not me."
"He trusts you. He's still working out his issues. He spent 16 years in a hell dimension with a psychopath that kidnapped him through one of our now ex-friends. He knows it, we know it, therefore we re all working out issues."
"You win."
"I always win." Buffy kissed Angel and then turned to Faith. "So, room."
"She's staying here?"
"She's standing right here." Faith said.
"Sorry."
Buffy laid next to Angel in their big comfy bed. He slept peacefully while Buffy had a gruesome nightmare. She started to scream and Angel bolted upright in bed. He started to shake her, but she wouldn't wake up. Conner, Dawn, and Faith came rushing into the room. Faith started to shake Buffy along with Angel and the blonde sat upright in bed.
"I heard screaming." Buffy said.
"That was you." Angel said.
"There was a girl."
"That would be me." Faith said.
"Uh.. no.. it was.."
"Just a dream.. it was just a dream right?" Dawn asked.
"From beneath you, it devours. That's what she said and then they.. there's more like her, out there, somewhere.." Buffy got up, walked to the window, and looked out. ".. And they're gonna die."
"Well, we'll stop it. Can I go back to sleep now?" Dawn asked.
"Uh, yeah. I guess."
"Night." Dawn walked out and went back to bed.
Conner stayed behind as Faith left the room too. Buffy looked over at him and he hugged her. "Are you ok mom?"
"I'll be fine. Just go back to bed, ok?" Buffy said.
"We'll sort this out later. Right?"
"Of course. I promise."
"Ok." Conner still stood in front of Buffy.
She looked up at him and smiled. "You got your father's height, that's for sure."
"But I have your eyes and your smile."
"And my hair." Buffy tousled his long hair and he swatted her hand away playfully. "Get to bed. You have school this morning."
Conner smiled and waved at Angel as he headed out and back to his room. Angel watched him go with a smile then got up and wrapped his arms around Buffy. She leaned into him and held onto his hands clasped around her stomach. They stayed like that for a while until Buffy started to fall asleep. Angel picked her up and laid her gently in the bed, covering her with the comforter.
"So this is the new Sunnydale High, huh?" Faith asked.
Xander had dropped Buffy, Conner, Dawn, and Faith off in front of the school before going off to work on some building on campus. Dawn and Conner had said bye to Buffy and Faith and headed to their lockers to get their books and stuff before meeting Kit and Carlos in the cafeteria where they always met in the mornings. Faith and Buffy walked the campus heading towards the office.
"Yup. And you'll never guess, but this is also where I work." Buffy said.
Faith started to laugh and she slapped Buffy's back. "Get outta town, B! Ain't no way a Slayer would work in the place that tried to kill her for three years." Faith looked at Buffy who stared at the brunette, hands on hips and a stern look on her face. "God, you do work here, don't you?"
"It's not that bad. Really."
"Sure! Let me guess, you're the librarian, right?"
"No, a counselor."
"Seriously? You didn't even finish college!"
"I know. Huh."
"What? Don't tell me: the principal just walked right up and said 'Oh, you're Buffy Summers, I've read your file and I think you should work here.'" Buffy stared at Faith. "Damn B! You just landed the job from hell on the Hellmouth! Guess I gotta check out the library."
"Nope. The Hellmouth is under the principal's office."
"What's under my office?" Mr. Wood asked behind Buffy and Faith. The two girls spun around in identical twirls and faced the tall black man.
"Principal Wood!" Buffy said.
"That would be me, yes."
"Uh, there's nothing under YOUR office. I was talking about the old high school. Uh, um, the basement.. was under the office."
"Who is this?"
"This is my.. Cousin Faith from England. She's living here now. Just thought I'd show her around the new campus because she's been here before. Not here, here, but she's been to Sunnydale and the old Sunnydale High School. Ok, I'm done."
"Hey." Faith said.
"Nice to meet you." Principal Wood said.
"Yeah. You too. Catch ya later B. I'm gonna go get my apartment.. settled, now."
"Ok. Bye." Faith ran off and Buffy turned back the Principal Wood and smiled.
"How was school?" Angel asked as Buffy, Dawn, and Conner got home.
"Fine." All three said.
"Interesting." Angel had a rag over his shoulder and he was wearing an apron tied around his waist. The top was folded down in the front, but the bottom of the phrase made the whole thing obvious. "Bite the Cook" is what it said. Buffy had seen it in some store and picked it up, thinking Angel would laugh at it.
"Hi sweetie. What's for dinner?" Buffy asked.
"Food. Dawn, Conner, homework now. Buffy, you need to call Gunn, he's been meaning to talk to you."
Buffy smiled as Dawn and Conner walked upstairs and Angel walked back into the kitchen. Buffy walked over to the phone and just as she was about to pick it up, it rang.
"Hello?" Buffy asked.
"B?" Faith asked.
"Yeah. What's up?"
"Nuttin. I just wanted to know if.."
"Yes, you can come over for dinner. I don't know what we're having, but I'm sure it's good."
"6:00 sound fine?"
"Sounds great. See you in a little while." Buffy hung up and dialed Gunn's number. He picked up on the third ring. They talked for about an hour and a half before Angel called that supper was ready. Faith showed up early and they all started supper about 5:47. After supper, Conner and Buffy did the dishes. They splashed around a bit and had a small water fight. Faith showed Dawn some cool slayer moves she'd picked up since becoming a Slayer while Angel watched a little TV. It was the news of course. He hardly ever watched anything that Buffy, Dawn, and Conner watched.
At about eight, Xander knocked on the door with a girl next to him. Her hand was hurt and Xander explained where he had found her. They came in and Buffy got the first aid kit. Conner sat down on a chair and stretched out, Dawn sat next to Nancy, the girl that had hurt her hand, Angel sat next to Buffy on the coffee table, Faith sprawled on the floor, and Xander sat next to Nancy on her other side. Nancy told her story.
"Whatever it was, it was big, and strong.. stronger than, I mean, I don't know how it's possible. You hear things in this town, living here in Sunnydale, but nobody actually believes them. You know, you'd have to be crazy, and.. and you guys think that I'm crazy don't you?" Nancy said.
"I don't." Xander said.
"We've seen things too Nancy." Buffy said.
"And we're gonna take care of this. It's your lucky night.. considering, you know, your dog just got all ate up and stuff." Faith said.
"Hey, can I freshen up your tea?" Xander asked.
"No, t-that's ok, thanks." Nancy said.
"So you say this thing just came up out of the ground without any warnings or signs or anything?" Conner asked.
"Just this kind of rumbling, you know. Like just before an earthquake?"
"From beneath you it devours." Buffy muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing." Buffy looked at Angel and he nodded, knowing that they had something brewing.
"Nothing good." Dawn said.
"It's sounding monsterific all right." Xander said.
"Should we round up the gang?"
"Good thinking except.. this is the gang."
"Look, Nancy, we're gonna get into this, and I promise you, if your dog is alive, we're gonna find him, the only thing I need is a little.." Buffy started, but a familiar voice cut her off.
"What you need is help." Spike said. "Fortunately.. you've got me."
Faith stood up and stared at Spike. Buffy looked stunned. The last time she had seen Spike, he had had his shirt open, hair longer and darker, and he had looked much paler. Now he was back to his slicked back, bleached blonde look and he had on a tight blue shirt. Spike stared at Faith just as stunned as Buffy looked.
"Faith." Spike said.
"Spike." Faith said.
"Who's that?" Nancy asked.
"He's.. it's Buffy's.." Dawn tried.
"Ex. And actually, it's Faith's husband." Xander clarified.
"It was only a thing." Buffy said.
"And I'm thinking it's a little more complicated than that." Nancy said.
"Always is." Xander said.
"You've changed." Faith said.
"I have."
"New clothing, better hair, not so much with the crazy. I like it. Now what do you want?" Angel said, standing and walking over to Faith protectively with Buffy.
"Easy. If you think I like putting myself here, surrounded by people who don't particularly like me, you'd be wrong."
"If you're uncomfortable, we can make you leave." Xander said.
"I'll be quick. We need to talk. You want to do that here or privately?" Spike asked Buffy.
"I'm thinking here. In the company of good friends with pointy weapons."
"You said something about quick?" Buffy asked.
"I did. For a start, and for the record. Last you two saw me, I was a mess, out of my head, admitted. Last week living in the school basement.. well, you saw me." Spike said.
"You did?" Faith asked.
"Faith, just a second ok? Yes, we saw Spike, we just didn't.." Buffy said.
"What? You guys just.. forgot to mention it?" Dawn asked.
"Things were insane in the basement, Angel and I saved your life. We can all discuss this later."
"Sure." Dawn said.
"Whatever you want." Faith said.
"Right. 'Cause that seems to be the only time you let us in Buffy. Whenever you want."
"Now, in fairness to Buffy.." Spike said.
"Shut up Spike!" Xander said.
"Ok. Guys. Give us a second." Buffy said. She and Faith followed Spike into the small foyer.
"Do not start by saying you're sorry." Faith said.
"I didn't come here to atone." Spike said.
"Then what the hell do you want?" Buffy asked.
"Only to help you guys."
"Help us what?"
"I was hoping you two could tell me. You're the Slayers, connected to the visions? A long line of worthies? Right? I'm just a guy with his ear to the ground but even I can feel it. Something's coming, I don't know what exactly but something's brewing, and it's so big, ugly, and damned it makes you two and me look like little bitty puzzle pieces. If I'm wrong, say so, lovely, no hard feelings. I'll go out that door and you can lock it behind me with any spell you like. So, am I wrong?"
"Everything about you is wrong Spike." Spike went to leave. "But something is coming."
Spike turned back. "You're gonna need some help."
"Since when did you become the champion of the people?" Faith asked.
"I didn't, I'm just a guy who can lend a hand if you all will let me." Spike paused and looked at the two of them. "Ball's in your court Slayers."
"Fine." Buffy said.
"Fine." Faith said.
They walked into the living room and Buffy grabbed her coat. "Ok, we're gonna split. Whatever this creatures is it's burrowing through solid ground, that means a strength and power that we don't usually deal with, but we might have to get used to now that the Hellmouth is getting perky."
"Shouldn't we call the police or something?" Nancy asked.
"And tell them..?" Xander asked.
"I'll quit interrupting."
"Xander take Nancy home. Drive, don't walk, and try not to stop until you get there. Angel is going with Faith, Spike, and me." Buffy said.
"Understood." Xander said.
"Is your girlfriend always this.. commanding?" Nancy asked.
"Who?" Nancy nodded over at Buffy and Xander's eyes widened. "Buffy? Oh no, no, no, no, no. See, uh.. she's a girl, and she's a friend, but-but- but she's not my girlfriend. She's Angel's wife."
"Uncle Xander? Little drool." Conner said.
"Spike, Faith, Angel, and I will check out the scene." Buffy said.
"Ok. In the biggest way, I am not loving this plan. I'm not loving Spike." Xander said. He pulled Buffy aside. "He.. He tried to rape you and then Faith from what she's told me."
"That was a long time ago and he failed with both of us. I know I can take him and so can she. Xander take Nancy home, Angel, and I will patrol after we go check out the scene. Afterwards, you can check out the Bronze."
"Conner and I are command central? So, everybody check in with us. Ok, we'll be here doing our homework, but the other one sounded cooler." Dawn said.
"Be safe." Buffy said. "Let's go."
"Righty-o." Spike said. They all started to head out, but Dawn stopped Spike.
"Spike." Dawn said. Conner looked at her as Spike turned. "You sleep right? You, vampires, you sleep?"
"Yeah, what's your point niblet?" Spike asked.
"Well I can't take you in a fight or anything, even with the chip in your head, but Conner can and you do sleep. If you hurt my sister or Faith at all, touch them.. you're gonna wake up on fire."
Spike just stared at her. She walked off towards the kitchen and Spike looked over at Conner. He raised his eyebrow and stared at Spike. Spike knew he'd been beat and he walked out of the house.
Buffy watched as the vampire in front of her disintegrated in a large cloud of dust. When the dust cleared, Buffy found Faith standing with her stake held in front of her. The blonde Slayer smiled.
"Faith!" Buffy said.
"Hey B. Looked like you needed help." Faith said.
"No. Not really. He just.. snuck up on me. That's all."
"Ok."
"So, where ya been?" Buffy asked as she went to her bag and stuck her stake in it along with the crossbow she had dropped earlier.
"Boston."
"Boston?"
"Thought I'd go see the old stomping grounds, try to get away from being a Slayer for a while. Clear my head."
"Did it work?"
"No. Got attacked by a group of Oglar demons. Nasty buggers. They got fur and slime."
"I could have told you."
"Yeah." Faith looked around her, trying to sense something.
"He's not here." Buffy said as they started to walk.
"Who?"
"Spike."
"I.. I wasn't looking for him. Where's Angel?"
"He's at home helping Conner with history homework."
"Oh."
"When did you get back?"
"Pretty much now."
"Oh. Are you staying at your apartment or do you need a place to stay? We have a spare bedroom. It's Conner's old room, but hey."
"Willow move out?"
"That's right, you don't know."
"Know what?"
"Giles took Willow to England after she tried to end the world. She killed Warren."
"Are you shitting me?"
"No. Not shitting. Very much serious."
"Red turned in to Big Bad Red?"
"Yup. She tried to kill us too."
"Damn."
"Yeah. She tried to do that too."
Faith started to laugh hysterically. Buffy looked at her and Faith tuned it down to spasmodic giggles. "Sorry." She mumbled.
"It's ok. You weren't here so you wouldn't realize the seriousness of it."
"No I really am sorry."
"It's ok. So, anyway, Willow went back to England with Giles and I haven't heard from her all summer. Angel and I moved into Willow's old room and gave Conner my old room. Dawn's still in her room. We turned Conner's old room into a guest bedroom slash storage room."
"You know, I think I'll stay with you guys tonight. I don't really want to face Spike tonight."
"I don't think you'll have to worry about that."
"Why?"
"He's, uh, he's not back." Buffy lied.
"Oh. He left?"
"Yeah."
"Where'd he go?"
"You know, I don't know. I haven't heard form him all summer. Cordy and Gru either."
"Weird."
"Yeah." Buffy opened the door and put her bag and keys on the dining room table. "Angel! Conner! Dawn! I'm home! You'll never believe who found me!"
Angel and Conner came down the stairs. Conner recognized Faith right away.
"Aunt Faith!" Conner said, running up to her and hugging her tight.
"Hey kiddo." Faith said.
Angel stood back and watched as Faith and Buffy hugged. Faith turned to him and he stood straighter. She walked over and threw her arms around his neck and Angel hugged her waist. She was thinner than when he had last seen her. Angel didn't say anything about it. Al he said was, "It's great to see you."
"You too stranger." Faith said. "Where's Dawn?"
"She's down the street with her friend Kit."
"Did you tell her she could go?" Buffy asked.
"I did. I even walked her down there. She said she'd call when she was ready to come home."
"It's 11 already. She better be home.."
"Faith!" Everyone turned and found Dawn standing in the open doorway. She ran up to Faith and hugged her tight, nearly knocking her down. Faith's eyes widened in surprise and she hugged back.
"Hey Kid." Faith said.
"Not a kid. A little woman."
"Ok. Hey little woman. You know, I think I'll stick with kid cause it fits better."
"Whatever."
"Ok, you two," Buffy said, pointing at Dawn and Conner. "Bedtime. Upstairs and get ready. I'll be up in a minute to say goodnight."
Conner went obediently with a kiss on Buffy's cheek and a pat on the back from Angel. Dawn pouted a little, but eventually obliged after Buffy looked at her sternly. As soon as Dawn and Conner were upstairs, Buffy turned to Angel.
"What?" he asked.
"You're too soft on them. Well, Dawn anyway."
"She responds better to me."
"Cause you spoil her."
"And you don't Conner?"
"He's my not so little anymore guy. Plus he's my son."
"He trusts you, not me."
"He trusts you. He's still working out his issues. He spent 16 years in a hell dimension with a psychopath that kidnapped him through one of our now ex-friends. He knows it, we know it, therefore we re all working out issues."
"You win."
"I always win." Buffy kissed Angel and then turned to Faith. "So, room."
"She's staying here?"
"She's standing right here." Faith said.
"Sorry."
Buffy laid next to Angel in their big comfy bed. He slept peacefully while Buffy had a gruesome nightmare. She started to scream and Angel bolted upright in bed. He started to shake her, but she wouldn't wake up. Conner, Dawn, and Faith came rushing into the room. Faith started to shake Buffy along with Angel and the blonde sat upright in bed.
"I heard screaming." Buffy said.
"That was you." Angel said.
"There was a girl."
"That would be me." Faith said.
"Uh.. no.. it was.."
"Just a dream.. it was just a dream right?" Dawn asked.
"From beneath you, it devours. That's what she said and then they.. there's more like her, out there, somewhere.." Buffy got up, walked to the window, and looked out. ".. And they're gonna die."
"Well, we'll stop it. Can I go back to sleep now?" Dawn asked.
"Uh, yeah. I guess."
"Night." Dawn walked out and went back to bed.
Conner stayed behind as Faith left the room too. Buffy looked over at him and he hugged her. "Are you ok mom?"
"I'll be fine. Just go back to bed, ok?" Buffy said.
"We'll sort this out later. Right?"
"Of course. I promise."
"Ok." Conner still stood in front of Buffy.
She looked up at him and smiled. "You got your father's height, that's for sure."
"But I have your eyes and your smile."
"And my hair." Buffy tousled his long hair and he swatted her hand away playfully. "Get to bed. You have school this morning."
Conner smiled and waved at Angel as he headed out and back to his room. Angel watched him go with a smile then got up and wrapped his arms around Buffy. She leaned into him and held onto his hands clasped around her stomach. They stayed like that for a while until Buffy started to fall asleep. Angel picked her up and laid her gently in the bed, covering her with the comforter.
"So this is the new Sunnydale High, huh?" Faith asked.
Xander had dropped Buffy, Conner, Dawn, and Faith off in front of the school before going off to work on some building on campus. Dawn and Conner had said bye to Buffy and Faith and headed to their lockers to get their books and stuff before meeting Kit and Carlos in the cafeteria where they always met in the mornings. Faith and Buffy walked the campus heading towards the office.
"Yup. And you'll never guess, but this is also where I work." Buffy said.
Faith started to laugh and she slapped Buffy's back. "Get outta town, B! Ain't no way a Slayer would work in the place that tried to kill her for three years." Faith looked at Buffy who stared at the brunette, hands on hips and a stern look on her face. "God, you do work here, don't you?"
"It's not that bad. Really."
"Sure! Let me guess, you're the librarian, right?"
"No, a counselor."
"Seriously? You didn't even finish college!"
"I know. Huh."
"What? Don't tell me: the principal just walked right up and said 'Oh, you're Buffy Summers, I've read your file and I think you should work here.'" Buffy stared at Faith. "Damn B! You just landed the job from hell on the Hellmouth! Guess I gotta check out the library."
"Nope. The Hellmouth is under the principal's office."
"What's under my office?" Mr. Wood asked behind Buffy and Faith. The two girls spun around in identical twirls and faced the tall black man.
"Principal Wood!" Buffy said.
"That would be me, yes."
"Uh, there's nothing under YOUR office. I was talking about the old high school. Uh, um, the basement.. was under the office."
"Who is this?"
"This is my.. Cousin Faith from England. She's living here now. Just thought I'd show her around the new campus because she's been here before. Not here, here, but she's been to Sunnydale and the old Sunnydale High School. Ok, I'm done."
"Hey." Faith said.
"Nice to meet you." Principal Wood said.
"Yeah. You too. Catch ya later B. I'm gonna go get my apartment.. settled, now."
"Ok. Bye." Faith ran off and Buffy turned back the Principal Wood and smiled.
"How was school?" Angel asked as Buffy, Dawn, and Conner got home.
"Fine." All three said.
"Interesting." Angel had a rag over his shoulder and he was wearing an apron tied around his waist. The top was folded down in the front, but the bottom of the phrase made the whole thing obvious. "Bite the Cook" is what it said. Buffy had seen it in some store and picked it up, thinking Angel would laugh at it.
"Hi sweetie. What's for dinner?" Buffy asked.
"Food. Dawn, Conner, homework now. Buffy, you need to call Gunn, he's been meaning to talk to you."
Buffy smiled as Dawn and Conner walked upstairs and Angel walked back into the kitchen. Buffy walked over to the phone and just as she was about to pick it up, it rang.
"Hello?" Buffy asked.
"B?" Faith asked.
"Yeah. What's up?"
"Nuttin. I just wanted to know if.."
"Yes, you can come over for dinner. I don't know what we're having, but I'm sure it's good."
"6:00 sound fine?"
"Sounds great. See you in a little while." Buffy hung up and dialed Gunn's number. He picked up on the third ring. They talked for about an hour and a half before Angel called that supper was ready. Faith showed up early and they all started supper about 5:47. After supper, Conner and Buffy did the dishes. They splashed around a bit and had a small water fight. Faith showed Dawn some cool slayer moves she'd picked up since becoming a Slayer while Angel watched a little TV. It was the news of course. He hardly ever watched anything that Buffy, Dawn, and Conner watched.
At about eight, Xander knocked on the door with a girl next to him. Her hand was hurt and Xander explained where he had found her. They came in and Buffy got the first aid kit. Conner sat down on a chair and stretched out, Dawn sat next to Nancy, the girl that had hurt her hand, Angel sat next to Buffy on the coffee table, Faith sprawled on the floor, and Xander sat next to Nancy on her other side. Nancy told her story.
"Whatever it was, it was big, and strong.. stronger than, I mean, I don't know how it's possible. You hear things in this town, living here in Sunnydale, but nobody actually believes them. You know, you'd have to be crazy, and.. and you guys think that I'm crazy don't you?" Nancy said.
"I don't." Xander said.
"We've seen things too Nancy." Buffy said.
"And we're gonna take care of this. It's your lucky night.. considering, you know, your dog just got all ate up and stuff." Faith said.
"Hey, can I freshen up your tea?" Xander asked.
"No, t-that's ok, thanks." Nancy said.
"So you say this thing just came up out of the ground without any warnings or signs or anything?" Conner asked.
"Just this kind of rumbling, you know. Like just before an earthquake?"
"From beneath you it devours." Buffy muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing." Buffy looked at Angel and he nodded, knowing that they had something brewing.
"Nothing good." Dawn said.
"It's sounding monsterific all right." Xander said.
"Should we round up the gang?"
"Good thinking except.. this is the gang."
"Look, Nancy, we're gonna get into this, and I promise you, if your dog is alive, we're gonna find him, the only thing I need is a little.." Buffy started, but a familiar voice cut her off.
"What you need is help." Spike said. "Fortunately.. you've got me."
Faith stood up and stared at Spike. Buffy looked stunned. The last time she had seen Spike, he had had his shirt open, hair longer and darker, and he had looked much paler. Now he was back to his slicked back, bleached blonde look and he had on a tight blue shirt. Spike stared at Faith just as stunned as Buffy looked.
"Faith." Spike said.
"Spike." Faith said.
"Who's that?" Nancy asked.
"He's.. it's Buffy's.." Dawn tried.
"Ex. And actually, it's Faith's husband." Xander clarified.
"It was only a thing." Buffy said.
"And I'm thinking it's a little more complicated than that." Nancy said.
"Always is." Xander said.
"You've changed." Faith said.
"I have."
"New clothing, better hair, not so much with the crazy. I like it. Now what do you want?" Angel said, standing and walking over to Faith protectively with Buffy.
"Easy. If you think I like putting myself here, surrounded by people who don't particularly like me, you'd be wrong."
"If you're uncomfortable, we can make you leave." Xander said.
"I'll be quick. We need to talk. You want to do that here or privately?" Spike asked Buffy.
"I'm thinking here. In the company of good friends with pointy weapons."
"You said something about quick?" Buffy asked.
"I did. For a start, and for the record. Last you two saw me, I was a mess, out of my head, admitted. Last week living in the school basement.. well, you saw me." Spike said.
"You did?" Faith asked.
"Faith, just a second ok? Yes, we saw Spike, we just didn't.." Buffy said.
"What? You guys just.. forgot to mention it?" Dawn asked.
"Things were insane in the basement, Angel and I saved your life. We can all discuss this later."
"Sure." Dawn said.
"Whatever you want." Faith said.
"Right. 'Cause that seems to be the only time you let us in Buffy. Whenever you want."
"Now, in fairness to Buffy.." Spike said.
"Shut up Spike!" Xander said.
"Ok. Guys. Give us a second." Buffy said. She and Faith followed Spike into the small foyer.
"Do not start by saying you're sorry." Faith said.
"I didn't come here to atone." Spike said.
"Then what the hell do you want?" Buffy asked.
"Only to help you guys."
"Help us what?"
"I was hoping you two could tell me. You're the Slayers, connected to the visions? A long line of worthies? Right? I'm just a guy with his ear to the ground but even I can feel it. Something's coming, I don't know what exactly but something's brewing, and it's so big, ugly, and damned it makes you two and me look like little bitty puzzle pieces. If I'm wrong, say so, lovely, no hard feelings. I'll go out that door and you can lock it behind me with any spell you like. So, am I wrong?"
"Everything about you is wrong Spike." Spike went to leave. "But something is coming."
Spike turned back. "You're gonna need some help."
"Since when did you become the champion of the people?" Faith asked.
"I didn't, I'm just a guy who can lend a hand if you all will let me." Spike paused and looked at the two of them. "Ball's in your court Slayers."
"Fine." Buffy said.
"Fine." Faith said.
They walked into the living room and Buffy grabbed her coat. "Ok, we're gonna split. Whatever this creatures is it's burrowing through solid ground, that means a strength and power that we don't usually deal with, but we might have to get used to now that the Hellmouth is getting perky."
"Shouldn't we call the police or something?" Nancy asked.
"And tell them..?" Xander asked.
"I'll quit interrupting."
"Xander take Nancy home. Drive, don't walk, and try not to stop until you get there. Angel is going with Faith, Spike, and me." Buffy said.
"Understood." Xander said.
"Is your girlfriend always this.. commanding?" Nancy asked.
"Who?" Nancy nodded over at Buffy and Xander's eyes widened. "Buffy? Oh no, no, no, no, no. See, uh.. she's a girl, and she's a friend, but-but- but she's not my girlfriend. She's Angel's wife."
"Uncle Xander? Little drool." Conner said.
"Spike, Faith, Angel, and I will check out the scene." Buffy said.
"Ok. In the biggest way, I am not loving this plan. I'm not loving Spike." Xander said. He pulled Buffy aside. "He.. He tried to rape you and then Faith from what she's told me."
"That was a long time ago and he failed with both of us. I know I can take him and so can she. Xander take Nancy home, Angel, and I will patrol after we go check out the scene. Afterwards, you can check out the Bronze."
"Conner and I are command central? So, everybody check in with us. Ok, we'll be here doing our homework, but the other one sounded cooler." Dawn said.
"Be safe." Buffy said. "Let's go."
"Righty-o." Spike said. They all started to head out, but Dawn stopped Spike.
"Spike." Dawn said. Conner looked at her as Spike turned. "You sleep right? You, vampires, you sleep?"
"Yeah, what's your point niblet?" Spike asked.
"Well I can't take you in a fight or anything, even with the chip in your head, but Conner can and you do sleep. If you hurt my sister or Faith at all, touch them.. you're gonna wake up on fire."
Spike just stared at her. She walked off towards the kitchen and Spike looked over at Conner. He raised his eyebrow and stared at Spike. Spike knew he'd been beat and he walked out of the house.
