Chapter 10: Old Friends

A/N: Ok, only one person reviewed for chapter 9... that's pretty sad, doncha think? Pretty pretty please review! Ok, well, hope you guys like this chapter. Enjoy!

********************** Summary: ***************************

Chapter 1: Sunrise: Buffy rescues Spike. It's sunrise, so he'll have to remain there for the day. As she leaves the cave and heads home, Buffy ponders life without Spike.

Chapter 2: Home Sweet Home: Buffy returns to her home only to be attacked by the Potentials. Somehow, the First, in Buffy's form, has convinced them that the real Buffy is the First in corporeal form. Buffy is, naturally, upset that the Potentials and her friends could believe that. The First leaves after a bit of taunting.

Chapter 3: Wheatabix, Blood and a Blanket: Buffy searches for these things (plus a first aid-kit) so she can go help Spike. She talks with Xander, who tells her that Willow was called to LA. As she leaves, she tells him that Spike is a good man, and that he should try and realize this.

Chapter 4: Nightmares and Memories: Buffy returns to the cave, bag o' supplies in hand, to find Spike having a nightmare, and nearly hurting himself in his thrashing about. She wakes him. Despite his protests, she bandages him and gives him blood. Inadvertently, her thoughts lead her to Willow's Let my will be done spell' (Something Blue). She (finally!) realizes that Willow's spell was only that she and Spike should marry, not that they should be in love. Unfortunately, she says some of this out loud and Spike hears her.

Chapter 5: Rain Check: Buffy tells Spike she doesn't know what her feelings are for him exactly, and asks for a rain check on the heavy, serious stuff till after they defeat the First. He agrees. Buffy fills him in on what's been going on while he's been gone. They then fall asleep, side by side (Awww! ;o)

Chapter 6: A Long Talk in a Damp Cave: Basically, a big long talk between Buffy and Spike about forgiveness. She says that she needs his forgiveness for what she did to him last year, which of course surprises him. Buffy admits that he did some good things even when soulless, like taking care of Dawn. By now it's sundown, so they set out for home.

Chapter 7: Coming Home: Buffy and Spike head home. Halfway there, Spike asks Buffy if she really thinks he can be a better man. She replies that he already is a better man. They arrive home, unexpectedly finding Riley sitting in Buffy's living room.

Chapter 8: Leading to a Talk: Spike accuses Buffy of not telling him about Riley, then realizes she really didn't know. Xander offers to help Spike (gasp!). Dawn, Anya, and Andrew leave Riley and Buffy to talk. Sort of a filler chapter, nothing real interesting.

Chapter 9: Catching up with the Ex: Riley informs Buffy that Spike's chip may not be working, so he needs to be staked. She refuses, informing Riley that Spike has a soul. Riley goes to stake Spike. Spike figures out that Sam was turned and Riley had to kill her. Then the three hear Xander scream.

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The little moment they were having was broken by a sound from the downstairs; more specifically, the sound of Xander screaming.

Follow me, Buffy ordered. Without looking behind her, she rushed towards the stairs.

Without thinking, the two men followed; Riley, because he was used to following orders; Spike, because he would follow Buffy to hell- literally.

Buffy stopped abruptly when she reached the bottom of the stairs, causing the men behind her to nearly fall into her. Spike, still injured, fell backwards onto the stairs, and remained there as he tried to process the scene in front of him.

Angel was fighting with Xander. Not really fighting, more just keeping Xander at bay, Buffy noted. But is this Angel? Or Angelus?

 Xander looked up, seeing her. Buffy! Ugh! Help me!

Angel. Let him go, Buffy stated as calmly as she could.

The vampire holding him tried to explain. Buffy, if I let go, he'll stake me.

Buffy looked carefully. Indeed, Xander had somehow managed to be in a pretty good position to stake Angel. It was a situation Angel could have easily gotten out of, but not without hurting Xander.

Just as she decided that it must really be Angel, not Angelus, Xander shouted:

Willow called. She was in LA cause -owww!- urgh- cause he lost his soul again.

Yeah, I did, but I got it back now, ya gotta believe me, Angel beseeched her.

Where is she, then? Buffy asked accusingly.

Angel looked up. Getting a book or something, I swear, she'll be here!

Spike started to speak up. I can- ulp!

A crazed Riley, seeing his chance with Buffy distracted, hauled Spike up the stairs and started fighting with him. Buffy was about to tell Angel to stay still so she could go help, when a new development occurred.

Woah! What the hell is going on here? Angel? B?

All eyes turned to regard Faith, and the boy standing behind her.

Angel explained tersely. They think I'm Angelus.

Oh, well, he was, but he's all souled up again, thanks to the Wicca chick.

The mystery boy nodded sullenly in agreement.

Angel finally just knocked Xander away.

Breathing hard, not moving from where he'd landed, Xander said, Yeah, cause your credibility is sooo high here, Faith. Buffy, you can't possibly listen to her or Angelus! I mean, they've both tried to kill me! She's supposed to be in jail!

Angel and Faith both started to speak, with Xander still continuing his ranting on top of them.

Finally, Buffy shouted, Ok, everyone, shut up! Faith, Angel, mystery kid- any of you move, and I'll kill you.

Having said this, she ran up the stairs and knocked the insane Riley off the already wounded vamp. Riley struck a wall and fell, unconscious.

Spike had been holding his own in the fight, but just barely. She grabbed Spike and helped him down the stairs. To her relief, the scene was exactly as she'd left it.

Xander, Angel, and Faith all started to speak up the moment Buffy came into view. Before they could get more than a word out, Spike whispered to Buffy, Lemme get closer to him, and I'll be able to see if he has a soul.

Buffy nodded, and Spike limped over to Angel. All fell silent, realizing what was going on.

Spike walked right up to Angel, stared him in the eyes. After a moment, he turned and sauntered (as best he could) back to Buffy. It's Angel. He's got a soul.

A flabbergasted Angel squeaked out, So... so do you!

Yeah, that's kinda old hat now, mate. You know, you are gettin' on in years, gettin' a lil' slow, maybe you should think bout retiring, Spike joked.

Faith spoke up. So that takes care of Angel. What about me?

Before Buffy could say anything, Angel responded. I'll vouch for her, Buffy. She only broke out of jail because Wesley asked her to, so she could help me.

Buffy nodded, accepting his word. And mystery kid?

Angel opened his mouth and closed it without making a sound.

Angel? The mystery kid? Buffy repeated, frowning.

Faith snorted. What broody boy here is trying not to tell you is that Connor is his son.

Xander, Spike, and Buffy regarded Faith with varying expressions of disbelief. Buffy turned to her first lover.

He sighed. It's a long story.

She inclined her head, indicating that his answer was good enough- for now.

How about we move into the family room? Have an impromptu Scooby meeting? Buffy suggested.

Everyone nodded.

General Buffy came out. All right, Xander, why don't you grab some snacks, I got the feeling that this might be a long meeting. Angel, help him with that, would ya? There's blood in the fridge for you and Spike, heat it up in the microwave if you want. Faith, mystery kid - err, Connor, go upstairs and see if my ex is still unconscious. I suspect he is. If he is, lay him on the nearest bed, and Connor, please stay with him and watch him. He's a bit off his rocker at the moment.

Yeah, just a bit, Spike muttered sarcastically.

Buffy ignored his comment. If he's not unconscious, bring him down to the meeting, and keep an eye on him. Spike, you head in and sit down- you ok? Do you need any more bandaging? Buffy asked worriedly, realizing he might have been hurt in the scuffle with Riley.

He shook his head, slightly mortified she was suggesting he was weak in front of everyone, but more surprised (and pleased) that she was openly expressing her concern.

Ok then, I'll just pop downstairs, check on the SIT's, get Dawn and Anya, and we'll talk. Oh, and does anyone know where the hell Giles is?

Xander raised his hand hesitantly. Sorry, meant to tell you this before... He's off picking up another SIT, in Sweden. Or maybe Switzerland? Something like that. Began with an S, anyway.

Spike snickered quietly. I forgot how funny the Whelp could be. Not on purpose, of course, but still, amusing.

Uh, what's an SIT? Faith asked.

Buffy rolled her eyes, tired of explaining. Spike or Xander can explain it.

Everyone remained still, awaiting for further orders, Buffy realized. Let's go!

With those oh-so-rallying words, her troops started to move- to get food, and other such important actions.

Buffy headed downstairs.


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A/N: REVIEW!!! Please! I want to know if anyone's reading this!