She walked into the magic shop with a fake smile plastered to her face. She was perfectly happy sitting in bed all day. But no, her friends and her… well he used to be her watcher, but now he's a friend too… in some ways that is, had to drag her from her perfectly good -evil thoughts. She smiled again at the images that flashed through her mind. Then she hopelessly tried to push them from her mind, at least far enough away for her to concentrate on the matters at hand. She could never truly get rid of them.

"Hey guys. Whatcha doin'?"

"Well, I'm trying to count the money. I love the money, but I keep getting interrupted." Anya chirped from behind the counter.

"Don't worry. I won't disturb you." Buffy said in an equally unpleasant tone back to her.

Buffy sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity. She hated silence. It made her feel lonely. Then her thoughts drifted… Flashes of his mesmerizing eyes and sexy smile invaded her mind. Not to mention those rippling muscles so well concealed under his tight, black shirt. … …A small smile slowly crept across her face as she fought back a moan. … …I have to stop them. They will get me into trouble. They're wrong. …He's wrong. … … …Somehow telling herself that, only made her think about him more and more. She was beginning to get more and more aroused. She had to do something, and fast.

"So Will, what did you find out?"

"I think I can disorient her by using a spell that will deplete her power, but only for a short time."

"Thanks Will. Just don't do anything too dangerous."

"Don't worry. I won't."

They sat in silence for several more minutes. Buffy began to let her mind wander again. She thought of him. …No. …No Buffy. …Get a hold of yourself. …Don't think about him. Just don't think about him. It's that simple. –Yeah right. Like anything is simple for the Slayer.

Suddenly, a large steaming blanket enters the Magic Box. Buffy felt his presence and turned around to look at him. She spoke before the others even knew who was in the room.

"What do you want Spike?" She tried to hide the excitement in her voice with sarcasm. It worked. …Well for most people in the room, it did. HE could tell though.—Something to do with vampire senses.

"I had nothing else to do so I thought I would come and check out the plan for tonight." He said with his British accent. His sexy, British accent. …God, this was going to be hard, Buffy thought.

"Why?"

"I've got a score to settle with that bitch." He said pointing the light scar grazing his left cheek, the sole remainder from Glory's torture session.

"Just go away. We don't know anything and its not like we can do anything about it until tonight anyway. I'm goin' go work out."

Buffy left before anyone could speak. She needed to be alone. She walked to the back of the shop and disappeared into the back room. Spike simply smiled in the direction she went. We'll talk later, Luv. So much to discuss. His cocky grin grew into a more devious smile.

********************************************

Once inside, she shed her jacket and immediately got to work. She had to be in her best shape if she was to fight a God. As she punched the bag she could feel she was off. "Concentrate Buffy." It was no use. Her mind was…um…preoccupied at the moment. She kept drifting back to what she left in her diary. What she thought she left at home, in her bed. Where I want to be, and NOT alone. "Stop it Buffy. Think straight. No time for distractions." She continued to hit the bag until she felt as if it might bust before stopping to rest. She wanted something to hit that would hit back.

Xander walked into the room and looked at her carefully. He could tell something wasn't right. After spending almost every day surrounded by women, he learned fairly well how to distinguish the emotions most other men couldn't.

"Need anything."

"Yeah. A sparing partner. These bags aren't any fun. They don't hit back."

"No. No you don't. Don't look at me like that. I don't want to die. Buffy. I'm getting married remember. Please don't."

She looked at him with her big soft hazel eyes. "Please."

"O—kay." He was broken. He knew she'd win. He never can say no to his friends. Especially his cute friends. It's a weakness. "I'll go get my puffy suit on."

As Xander walks into another part of the training room, Buffy yells "Thank you."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm the best. Everyone wants Xander."