Giles came by a few days later he had been out of town when Buffy had recieved the news about Spike's return.

Giles sat next to Buffy while he poured tea for them. "Spike is back and we have no idea how?"

"Yes, he's back and he seems to be Spike but no they aren't sure of the hows and whys yet." Buffy sipped her tea and made a face as she reached for another sugar cube.

"I must speak to him. This could be related to the "First", we need to know everything we can." Giles spoke excitedly. Buffy could see his anticipation at a new project to research.

"Giles, he doesn't want to see us or at least I know for sure he doesn't want to see me." Buffy sat her cup down and pushed her hair behind her ears, "I think you should talk to Angel first, before you try to contact Spike."

"I'm quite dissappointed that Angel didn't let us know about this turn of events earlier. Despite his trying to guard you're feelings, this is quite important information. I will of course call Angel first before going any furthur." He sat his cup down and his tone changed to a fatherly one, " Buffy, I realize that this is painful for you but perhaps it is for the best." Giles tried to comfort her.

"You and Angel seem to think so." Buffy sighed.

"But you want to see him, even if he doesn't want to see you?" Giles asked concern heavy in his voice.

"I would like for him to be the one to tell me he doesn't want to see me. I don't want to hurt him but it would be easier to accept if I heard it from him."

"Would it really be easier, Buffy? Wouldn't it really just make it harder on you, seeing him and knowing he doesn't want anything to do with you?" Giles picked up his teacup again.

"Gee, thanks Giles. Way to make me feel better." Buffy shook her head at the Watcher.

"I'm sorry. I just don't want you to suffer any more then you already have." Giles gave her a tenative smile.

"I know."

*****

"Spike." Gunn called out his name as he knocked on the front door.

Spike opened one bright blue eye. Someone was calling his name, he rolled into an upright position and kicked several bottles out his way as he stood. "Yeah, I'm coming." He called out as he slowly made his way to the door.

"You look like hell." Gunn remarked as he entered the apartment.

"Thank you," Spike ran his hand through his hair, "We can't all be dapper lawyer types, you know."

Gunn surveyed the amount of bottles covering the floor, "What did you do, buy out the liquor store?"

"Well first I tried the bars and they cut me off one by one, then I went to the liquour store but this was all I could carry." Spike snarked as he flopped back down on the couch.

"I tried to call last night." Gunn moved the open phone book from the chair and sat down.

"I know, I got the message. Didn't feel much like company then."

"I'm sorry, Spike. Angel told me what happened. He told me you took it hard."

Spike rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I'm sure Angel was all torn up about Buffy not wanting to see me."

Gunn shook his head, ""Spike, I don't know all the history between you and Angel but I can truthfully say he didn't look happy when he told me what happened. He was acting weird."

"Yeah... weird that's a new look for Angel." Spike replied sarcastically as he stood, "Listen, I appreciate you're coming by, but I'll be okay. Tell everyone else I appreciate the phone calls. I'll try to be in the office tomorrow."

"Okay but if you need anything call."

******

"Is Spike planning on coming to work today?" Angel fidgeted behind his desk. Spike had yet to show back up at the office and he wasn't answering Angel's calls either.

"I dropped by his place today and it appeared that he was just sobering up. He said he would try to be here tomorrow." Gunn tapped his pencil on the folder in his lap.

"I believe it's best that he take a few days off, Angel. He wasn't himself when I talked to him,dwelling on the past, brooding even, actually he was acting more like you then....." Wesley stopped himself when he noticed the glare on Angel's face.

"He was really upset Angel. I wish I could talk to Buffy, let her know how much it would mean to Spike if he could talk to her." Fred replied softly.

"No!" Angel said a bit to hastily earning a questioning look from Fred and Gunn, " I mean that's a bad idea Fred, it would only upset Buffy to have people pushing her."

"Fine." Fred sighed,"But it's a good thing vampires can't die from alcohol poisoning."

"Wait a minute, you've talked to him too?" Angel asked her, "He won't take my calls."

"Imagine that?" Lorne entered the room hearing the tail end of the conversation.

"Well he's obviously talked to everyone else here." Angel frowned.

"Well, pumpkin ,you were the one to deliver the bad news. And it was bad news, I didn't even have to hear that boy sing to know his heart is breaking. " The green demon took his seat in front of the desk.

******

"I don't think anyone can give me what I need." Spike replied glumly as he closed the door behind Gunn.

Spying the open phone book, Spike picked it up. He knew it was a desperate measure but he needed to know more about Buffy and there was only one person who might be able to give him some answers. He looked through the "S" listings until he found the name he was looking for, it was a long shot but maybe Hank Summers could tell him something. He wasnt' much of a father but surely he had talked to Buffy since Sunnydale had turned into a sinkhole. He wasn't altogether sure that Angel was being completely honest or maybe he just desperately wanted Angel to be wrong. All he knew was that he had to talk to someone else that knew her.

Spike dialed the phone nervously, practicing his speech in his head ,before a feminine voice answered, "Summers Residence."

"Hello, my name is William and I'm a friend of Hank's daughter, Buffy. May I speak to him?"

He could hear her calling him to the phone, "Just a moment and he'll be right here."

Another moment passed and a male voice was on the phone, "Hello, this is Hank Summers."

TBC