Chapter 11: Scooby Snacks

A/N: Ok, kiddies, time for a lil' lesson! Several ppl reviewed after my last chapter... and very quickly a new chapter is posted. Everyone get the moral of the story? Hehe ;o) Thank you all for reviewing, please keep it up. It's ridiculous how a coupla words from you can make me so happy!



********************** 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.

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.

Chapter 10: Old Friends: Angel appears, with Xander explaining that last he heard, he was Angelus. Faith and a mystery boy (Connor) show up. Lots of confusion as to whether or not people are to be trusted. An insane Riley fights Spike till Buffy rescues him. Spike looks at Angel, says he has a soul. Angel realizes Spike has a soul. Angel vouches for Faith's trustworthiness. Buffy calls a Scooby meeting.

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Buffy walked into the living room. Spike was already in there, along with Xander, Angel, and the food. The boys were already chowing down. She was relieved to see that they weren't fighting, verbally or physically. Considering this trio's history...

Hey guys, Anya and Dawn should be up in a sec, the SIT's are gonna keep training for a bit. I'm gonna go check on Riley.

They all nodded, and kept stuffing their faces (or, in the cases of Spike and Angel, kept gulping down the warm blood).

She snorted, amused. Ah, males... some things never change.

Before she reached the stairs, she heard the front door creak open. Grabbing a nearby ax (and making a mental note to tell the SIT's to not leave sharp, pointy objects lying around), she moved forward, ready to attack some Big Bad. She raised the ax, and...



Willow looked up to see Buffy coming towards her, arms outstretched, one hand holding an ax.

Nervously, Willow started backing away.

Um, Buff?

Buffy said, confused.

Mind losing the ax?

Oh! Right, sorry! Buffy dropped the ax and gave Willow a big hug, smashing her a bit. It's good to see you. You're gonna have to tell me all about it later, k? Right now, Scooby meeting in the living room. I'll be right there.

Used to not knowing what was going on, and figuring she'd find out at the meeting, Willow headed into the family room, finding the boys. Xander jumped up (spilling food everywhere), giving her another bone-crunching hug.

On her way upstairs, Buffy met Faith coming down. Everything ok?

Yeah B, s'cool, soldier boy's still out... look, Buffy, there's some stuff I need to talk to you about...

Save it for later, Faith. Scooby meeting now, remember?

Faith nodded, a bit put off (and slightly relieved) that she would have to wait to apologize and explain.

Finally, the Scooby meeting started.

General Buffy explained to Faith and Angel about her army,' mentioning that she was glad for the extra muscle they brought.

Angel shifted uncomfortably. Uh, Buffy, I'm just passing through, on my way to San Francisco to pick up something important... I'm kinda needed back in LA.

Buffy closed her eyes. What, you thought he was here to stay? You should know better than that by now, girl. She thought she heard Spike mutter something about the not sticking around being typical of his grand-sire.

Ok, how bout you Faith?

I'm here to stay, B, if you need me. The kid, too.

Buffy asked, surprised. She knew the kid wasn't a vamp, so she'd figured he was normal.

Faith chuckled. He fights like his father. Which means I can take him, but still, he's not bad.

Angel objected, realizing the insult to himself.

Just kiddin, broody boy. Faith grinned at Angel playfully. To everyone's surprise, he grinned back.

The gears in Buffy's mind started to turn. Hmmm... Something there, maybe? To her surprise, the thought brought no feelings of jealousy.

She continued. Well, with the additions of Faith and Connor, I've decided we can branch out a bit. Xander, if it's cool with you, I'd like you to take a few Scoobies and please take several SIT's back to your apartment. Dozens of girls, few bathrooms.... gets pretty ugly in the mornings, Buffy explained to Faith and Angel.

Xander nodded. Can do, Buff. Who do you want me to take?

Buffy thought for a moment. Take Riley when he wakes up. I think he'll be OK, I'll talk to him later. He'll be useful for training the girls, as well as fighting. Faith, you go with Xander too, k? And Anya, you go too. So we have Xander, Riley, Anya, and Faith there, and me, Spike, Willow, Connor, and, of course, Dawn, here. Sound all right?

Everyone nodded, Anya clearly unsure whether she should be upset or not.

Dawn smiled, glad to have been mentioned, just like she was a real Scooby.

Uh, Buff, does it matter which SIT's I take? Xander asked.

Nah. Try to get a mix of the more experienced and the newbies, she responded. A thought occurred to her. She smiled winningly at her friend. Xand? Do me a favor, take Andrew with you?

Xander groaned, but acquiesced, as she knew he would.

Willow spoke up, a bit shyly. Can I request that-

Xander interrupted, knowing what his best friend was going to say. Don't worry Wills, Kennedy stays here.

Willow smiled happily.

Faith butted in. Ooooh, so who's this Kennedy? New boyfriend?

More like potential girlfriend.

Ah, that explains the way you were acting with Fred. Was wondering bout that. Here I thought you were reserved and nerdy. Turns out you're a lesbian witch. Who woulda thunk it.

Faith and Willow both giggled.

Buffy cut the gossip session short. So, we're all clear then. Connor will help Xander with Riley. Anya, you wanna pick a few SIT's to go with you guys? Dawn, help her with that. Wills... go say hi to the potential girlfriend.

Those she'd named left, till only Spike, Buffy, Faith, and Angel remained.

Buffy cleared her throat. Geez, could cut this tension with an ax...

 Spike and I are gonna head upstairs. Once he's settled in, Faith, I need to talk to you. Angel, when do you need to leave?

Pretty soon. Tell you what, I'll take Spike upstairs, and you can talk to Faith.

Hey! Sittin' right here, people! I'm fine, I can take care of myself, Spike protested.

Buffy cast an amused glance at his battered body. Right, Spike. She turned to Angel. Why don't you put him in my room, it's the quietest right now.

To her surprise, Angel didn't object. Spike, however, did. No, Buffy, I'm not havin' the poof help me, and I'm not stealin' your bed-

Spike! You need to rest, and get better, fast. Don't know how soon the First'll come up with another Ubervamp to play with. He opened his mouth, but she cut him off. That's final! So... deal!

Buffy took Faith by the arm and hauled her outside.

Angel moved to help Spike.

Get away, you stupid git, I can get up on my own.

After a few seconds of watching Spike struggle, Angel went over and helped him stand up and go to Buffy's room, Spike protesting the whole way.


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A/N: That's it for now! The more you review, the faster the next chapter will be up. Hehe, and that's called bribery...