The bell on the door of the Magic Box jingled as Buffy entered the store. The place wasn't as busy as some days were and most of the gang was huddled around the research table. A usually perky Anya was leaning on the counter, hoping that a customer would come in who had money.
It had been three days since Spike had been kidnapped. And the gang was in a rut. Willow had found a list of places where the Trio could be at, but it was rather lengthy. Every night after patrol Buffy would check out a few addresses on the list, but still with no luck. Willow's lengthy list was turning into a small one day by day. Buffy was beginning to worry that wherever Warren was, it wasn't going to be on the list. 'We're never going to find him,' Buffy thought as she sat down next to Xander.
"Any luck?" Dawn asked Buffy as she placed on a hand on her arm.
"A big zero. The first 2 were already broken down and the third one had a sane tenant," Buffy answered with a sigh, "How about you guys?"
"Zilch," Xander spoke up.
"We don't find out anything that we didn't know already, "Tara added sadly as she walked over to Buffy. She gently placed a hand on Buffy's shoulder and with her other hand she picked up the list and began to read it over. Buffy on the other hand was growing impatient.
"Tara, couldn't you do a locator spell or something?" Buffy pleaded as she turned to face the Wicca.
"No," Tara said as her eyes were still glued to the list.
"No? What do you mean!? Spike's life is at stake!" Buffy yelled.
"No, oh honey, I didn't mean it like that," Tara realized, "Look, there's only one more house on your list."
Buffy took the list from Tara and read it for herself. How could she have missed it? All this time she had finished her search and didn't even recognize it.
"It always has to be the last place, right?" Buffy asked to no one in particular.
"So, what now?" Anya asked as she left the counter and headed towards the group, "Are you guys gonna go now because I need to count my money. And I'd much rather do it without people here who could steal it,"
However, Buffy was lost in her thoughts. She pondered on where Spike was hidden and in what state he was. She hoped that he was safe and that the nerds hadn't done anything harmful or stupid. Buffy knew that if Warren could pull off just kidnapping Spike, he probably had some sort of sick game all plotted out.
"Well?" An irritated Anya questioned and pulled Buffy out of her thoughts.
"Uh, yeah," Buffy said as she shook her head," Stock up on weapons; we don't know what those geeks have planned so it's safe to be prepared. Xander, Willow, and Tara, you guys are coming with me. Anya and Dawn stay here just in case we need backup, ok?"
Everyone nodded and went about their business. But, Dawn sat at the table lost in a stare. Buffy walked over to her and, with care, touched her shoulder. Dawn, without moving, continued to think.
"He's gonna be ok, right?" Dawn asked as tears brimmed her eyes.
"We'll get him back, Dawnie. He's gonna be back and right as rain in no time," Buffy answered and hoped that she was telling the truth.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Sorry about the shortness guys, I decided that I was going to split up the gang's and the Trio's happenings into different chapters, just because I'm the author and I have all power. Muahahahahahahahah! All right! Get ready for my plug of the chapter!
Reviews just don't grow on trees; otherwise I'd be in the orchards picking them up right now. So, save me the Johnny Appleseed bit and just review for me? Please?