Disclaimer- I own nothing, Joss owns all.

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Chapter 12- All talk

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(LA catering hall- balcony)

"Where do you think your going?"

"What's it to you mate?"

With that Spike got out of his seat, throwing the napkin that had just left his lap onto his chair, and grabbed his leather jacket off of the back of his seat.

He started heading to the staircase to walk down when Angel grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back towards him.

Angel was furious, but he struggled to regain his composure. He'd known Spike for a really long time and he knew that the more he tried to hold him back, the more defiant he'd become.

"I just don't think it's safe for you to walk around given your present situation Spike. There's a lot you don't know about yourself, and you'll find out…I just don't need you getting into trouble."

"So I was a trouble maker 'ay? Stirring up a bit o' noise…causing a ruckus?" Spike grinned back at Fred who now squirmed uncomfortably in her seat from the gesture. "If you must know, I was heading out to find the lieu is all. I promise not to be very long and to wash my hands after, is that okay with you?" Spike said sarcastically.

Angel was in a mighty predicament, but he really couldn't argue at that. Damn it Wesley, why'd you bring him here?

As Spike walked down the stairs Angel went over to Wesley. "Follow him….try to keep him away from her."

"Angel…"

"Please…" he pleaded, now looking as sorry and broody as ever, "I'm not ready for her to see him…or to explain all of this."

"I will do as you wish Angel, but let it be known that I do not agree with your tactics at this point. It's not like you to be so conniving, and I really feel that this needs to be confronted."

"Point taken…I take full responsibility for my actions."

"Very well," Wesley added, as he followed hesitantly down the stairs.

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(Serendipity- Summer's home)

"I'm coming!" Dawn screeched…running down to see who was ringing the bell. When she opened the door she nearly lost her breath. She stared back at the person before her a long moment before a smile finally graced her lips.

She reached up and wrapped her arms around her before finally speaking. "Willow," she whispered, a small tear grazing her cheek. "I've missed you so much! We've been trying to reach you…"

With that Willow pulled back to look her in the face, "You have? Why?"

"Isn't that why you're here? Didn't you get the message? Giles been calling the coven for the last few days…there's something going on…we think…well Buffy thinks, but…if that's not why you came than why did you?"

*****

Giles, Xander, Dawn, and Willow gathered around the living room of the new home in Serendipity. Willow looked around at them all thinking how very much like old times this felt. Sure, it was a different town- different house- and maybe the people in it were a little different then they were only a year ago, still…it was like coming home to family.

That's what made what Willow had to say even harder. She had a lot to talk about, and too much to explain. Where she'd been, things she'd seen, and why she hadn't called in so long.

But being here, surrounded by the people she loved- it was enough to make her want to forget everything she'd been through and experienced in the last year.

"Dawnie…my goodness…you've turned into a woman in such a short time. You hardly look like the girl I left behind only a few months ago! And Xander your so…

"Ruggedly handsome?"

"I was going to say something along the lines of distinguished, but that works." She giggled.

"Giles…you look wonderful! I've missed you all so much!"

"I hear the words," Xander said jokingly, "still…you don't call, you don't write. We've been worried Wills. Now with Buffy on a mission…"

"Ohmygod Buffy!" She yelled, "that's right, Dawn mentioned something but I got side tracked. Where is she? What happened? Is something wrong? What is it?"

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(LA-catering hall)

"What is it?" Buffy whispered to grace, as she poked at the wiggly substance with her spoon.

Grace couldn't help but giggle, "you've never had flan Betty?"

"Flan….flan," she stated matter of fatly, "nope, giving it a name does not make it any more desirable to me."

"Just try it, it tastes better than it looks."

Buffy cautiously bit into her desert and was surprised when she found that it wasn't repulsive at all. "Not bad…flan…who knew?"

One of the others at the table rolled her eyes at Buffy, looking slightly annoyed at being interrupted before picking up the conversation again. "Any way, like I was saying Grace- who was that guy I saw with Mr. Angel today?"

Grace quickly stiffened, not sure how much she could say in front of Buffy, not really sure who the man who had been introduced to her as William really was. Normally she wouldn't shy away from such gossip, not amongst her immediate peers because she knew they could keep secrets. At Wolfram and Heart, Keeping secrets was part of the job description…but with Buffy at her table she wasn't sure how much to diverge.

"Was it a guy named Andy?" Buffy asked right away, remembering the name on the bag she had seen…hoping to fish for some answers.

"Oooh…is that his name?" The woman asked. "Cause really, how hot can one man be.

"I don't know- I think he's Mr. Wesley's cousin," Grace said cautiously, but now knowing that Buffy was looking for someone named Andy, she wasn't so nervous about the conversation any longer. "He was good looking though- and that accent- so different from Mr. Wesley's. How can two people with the same accent sound so different!"

"Nice," the woman whose name Buffy couldn't remember continued, "sexy, hot, British, Andy."

"No…not Andy," Grace said, "I think his name is William.

TBC

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Okay, okay. Bad me…late in the updates. Life always seems to get in the way. I really love this story though and promise not to keep you hanging, as long as it seems that people are continuing to enjoy it that is (yes I'm whoring for reviews)

Quick note: It was brought to my attention that I called Fred, "Freddy"- this was a huge my bad- a simple case of fingers moving faster than the brain. Thanks for the lookout.

That said, I'd like to mention that my new site www.GetSlayed.net is up and running. This is partially why my updates have been so long in the waiting. It still needs a little tweaking, but it's ready to check out. To kick it off I kicked up Buffy, Bad to NC17 for all my favorite smut lovers…but please only visit the story if you're of age. My other stories are posted there as well- and I have a few unconventional fics on the back burner. Please visit and sign my guest book. I'm new at the whole web building experience so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.