* * *

When Buffy entered the Magic Box the next night, all heads turned to her. If she didn't know any better, she would think that they missed saving the world.

"So Buff, any badies out lately?" Xander asked , as usual.

"Nope, nothing serious, two local demons and, strange enough, a girl vamp who, Spike decided, was good and took under his wing. So to speak." Buffy said nonchalantly.

"And you call that nothing serious? Only in the Hellmouth." Xander said sarcastically.

"Good? What do you mean? Good as in Angel good or good as in chip good or as in rare, no wish to kill good?" Willow asked.

"Ah, the third one…..I think."

"Oh……well. Could be. You never know."

"Yeah. But all of the sudden he's like, she's coming with us. He seems very convinced that she's good 'within' or something like that. Personally, I'd rather just stake her and get it over with. One less vamp in the world. Anyways, I guess we should leave him alone for a while."

"Oh….um. How old was she?" asked Willow again.

"Dunno. Fourteen or fifteen maybe. Why?"

" No reason. Just wondering."

"Will." Buffy said warningly. She knew she was hiding something.

"Oh….it's just that, um……Giles?"

"Uh, yes, very good Willow. Fourteen or fifteen you say? Well, um, in some vampire, uh, laws, it is said that if a mortal is turned under the age of eighteen, he or she must have a sire as a sort of parent or guardian at all times. Also, it is said they have a very special bond that no one else has. How old do you think she was in demon years?"

"At least over 70."

"Ah, yes then she has been by herself all this time. Spike has probably realized this and taken it under his liberty to do something about it." Giles said matter-of-factly.

"Okay, why don't I know these things? Shouldn't I know these things by now?" Buffy asked.

"Well, there are many, many vampire laws. Some of which, I'm sure we don't even have. Some of it is probably because you don't really need to know. As the Slayer, you are expected to kill and that's it."

"Somebody should tell the Council that it's not that easy anymore"

"To say the least, it's probably a good idea to just leave him alone until he comes to us."

"Hey, did you say she was fifteen? Way cool. I'd like to meet her." Dawn piped in loudly.

"No way Dawn. We all know haw Spike's judgment is."

"Oh, so your saying that he was wrong in loving you then?" Dawn said and gave Buffy Spike's smirk. Buffy rolled her eyes and sighed. Her sister really had to stop hanging out with Spike so much.

"Ha ha ha. Very funny Dawn. And stop doing that."

"Doing what?" said Dawn innocently.

"Never mind."

"What? This?" Dawn said and did Spike's smirk again.

"Stop!"

"Okay, okay. Geez. I didn't think you liked him that much."

Buffy was just about to respond angrily before Giles broke in.

"Ah. As much as this is very amusing. I think we should all get some sleep since there seems to be nothing big going on at the moment."

"You're right Giles. We should all go home. And we have all agreed to leave Spike alone right?" Buffy said, looking particularly at Dawn.

"Yes." Giles said for everybody.

"Okay good. We'll see you tomorrow. Bye."

"Bye Buff."

"See ya."



* * *



(Three weeks later)

Buffy was worried about Spike. It had been three weeks since any of them had last seen him. She didn't think he would stay away for that long. As much as she hated to admit it, she missed him. She was also very suspicious lately. There hadn't been an activity lately from any nasties, aside from vamps. She knew she should be taking advantage of this rare break, but she couldn't help it. She looked over at everyone else. They looked just as bored as she was. But at least they were talking and laughing. Maybe they should go and look for Spike. At least then they would have something to do.

Suddenly, the door swung open and all heads turned toward it. There was Spike walking in like he had never been gone, but there was someone behind him. Buffy immediately recognized who it was. Kel. She walked in shyly behind Spike, looking around curiously. She looked pretty much the same as Buffy had last seen her. Same black hipster jeans, and same black belly shirt with the saying 'Bite Me' on it. Buffy grinned at that. Kinda ironic. She hadn't noticed what it had said before. But Kel also seemed more confident and no longer had a cold look in her eyes. She was actually very pretty.

"Ok, well, that's fine. Don't say hi or anything. But in case you are all wondering, this is Kel." Spike said breaking the silence. They all just stood there looking at Kel, who was squirming uncomfortably under their gazes. Pretty or not, she was still a vampire, Buffy decided. All of the sudden, Dawn broke the silence.

"I like your shirt."she said, trying to make conversation.

"Uh….thanks. I thought it really brought out my personality." Kel said nervously, but smiling.

"Cool. Where'd ya get it?"

"Um…..I forget. I've had it for such a long time." Kel said, relieved for someone to talk to.

"Hey, we have something in common. Maybe we can go shopping."

"Ok, that is where I draw the line. There will be no best friend caliber shopping with teenage vampires." Buffy cut in before Kel could reply.

"Buffy! C'mon! Kel's alright." Dawn said in the new vampire's defense.

"Spike, you can't just bring strange vampires in here like it's no big deal." Buffy said, ignoring Dawn.

"Slayer, she's fine. She's not evil anymore. Besides, we always need more help when saving the world and all." Spike said reasonably.

"Buffy, she does seem harmless." Willow said.

"Yeah Buff, I mean, she's kinda cute." Xander said and winked at Kel. Anya slapped him for flirting.

"Ah, Buffy, why don't we give her a chance. It does seem she is quite harmless."

Giles said, as usual, the voice of reason.

"Hey now! I could hurt you………if I wanted to. I'm not chipped or anything." Kel said defensively. Spike smiled and put a reassuring hand on Kel's shoulder. Wow. Spike smiling. That's a new one.

"So what about it Slayer."he asked. Buffy looked around, defeated, at the Scooby's faces.

"Fine."she sighed. She would keep an eye on her though.

"Right then. Kel, this is Anya, Xander, Giles, Tara, Willow, Dawn and Buffy." Spike said, motioning to each person as he went. " Buffy, of course, is the Slayer. That's probably why she's being such a bitch to you. She was like that with me at first, but she'll get over it." At this, Buffy glared at Spike, but he just smirked at her. "Dawn is Buffy's 'lil sis and is your age. Hypothetically speaking. Anyways, Willow and Tara are both lesbian witches. No offence. Giles used to be Buffy's Watcher, but got fired. Anya is an ex-demon and Xander, aka 'The Pathetic Wanker', is……well I don't know what Xander is exactly."

"Hey!" Xander said angrily.

"Guys! This isn't the time to fight! Scooby meeting remember?" Buffy said loudly.They both looked at her and shut up. "Ok, I guess she can stay for this then. Now, on to business. Have any of you noticed that there have been vamps running around in the daylight? I think they must do it to amuse themselves or something. I wonder where they got that from…..Spike."she said, staring pointedly at him.

"What?! I don't set the trends!" he said, seemingly innocent in his defense.

"Well I suppose that could be possible. Makes you wonder though how bored can they possibly get?" Giles said. "Why are you complaining? I should think you would like them to kill themselves."

"I'm not complaining. It just doesn't make it as fun." Buffy said pouting.

"We'll keep an eye out Buffy." Willow assured.

"So, Kel, where are you planning to stay?" Tara asked, making polite conversation in a attempt to make her feel like she belonged.

"I dunno. I guess I'll go back to where I was staying before……you know." Kel answered. Buffy looked over at Spike. Was that disappointment she saw? She coundn't be sure, as in an instant it was gone.

"Uh…..I don't think that's a good idea." Willow cut in abruptly.

"Why?" Kel asked, confused.

" Well, you are really supposed to stay with your sire."

"I don't have a sire. Besides, I can take care of myself. I've done it for my whole life and unlife." Kel said sadly.

"Sure you do. You have to. Hey! We'll help you find them." Willow said cheerfully. "We can do that. Can't we Giles?"

"Well, it wouldn't be any harm since there doesn't seem to be any abnormal demon activity lately."

"You'll just stay with Spike until we do find them." Dawn said.

"Is this okay with you Buff?" Xander asked.

"Fine, whatever." Buffy said gloomily

"Um….I'm not sure about this." Kel protested.

"Oh, c'mon. I'm not that bad." Spike said, taking it personally.

"Yeah, you can trust us. It'll be fun. We can hang out or something." Dawn said, trying to convince her. There was a long pause in which Kel seemed to be seriously considering it.

"Alright…what the hell."she said, finally making a decision.

"Great! Can we get started Buffy?" Dawn said excitedly.

"Yeah. That's fine."

"Right, where were you turned?" Giles asked, cutting right down to business.

"Um…..New York City in 1940…..I think."

"Great, well, I guess we'll start there then. I think there are records somewhere on that kind of stuff. I'll have to look around a bit. Uh….the rest of you can see what you can find on maybe the number of older vamps in New York in 1940." Giles said studiously. "Uh….you and Spike may as well leave. It is most likely we won't get anywhere tonight."

Spike raised his eyebrows. "You sure? You need help patrolling Slayer?"

Buffy shook her head. "No. I wasn't planning on going tonight. Probably won't see anything. But you can go on a quick one if you want."

Spike nodded. "C'mon Kel. We'll get something to eat then go on a quick one." Kel said goodbye to Dawn and thanked them and was gone with Spike as quickly as they had come