Part 4: To Plan and to Hold
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"Giles does have a point, Spike," Xander announced.
Willow and Dawn also made a move to join Buffy in the kitchen, not wanting to get caught in the middle of the crossfire.
"I second that. Well, not about the whole age and wiser thing, because well, Spike isa super hero and we all know how smart heroes have to be, like batman, or the Professor or like..." Andrew paused, briefly, because of the looks he was getting from the majority of the beings in the room. He cleared his throat. "I mean, I agree that going digital is the way to go." Andrew explained.
Spike shot Xander a smug look. "See, Andrew agrees, and he's... well, he made a movie, right?" Not waiting for a reply he got up to go get the digital camera. "Look, I'll just have to show you..."
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"So, Buffy what are you going to do if Spike never agrees?" Willow asked.
"You underestimate me, Will. He'll agree. I am the slayer, aren't I?" Buffy said, while eavesdropping over the guys' conversation. "Dealing with vampires is my specialty. I have it completely under control, thanks to Giles." Buffy said, matter-of-factly. Then whispered under her breath, "This is all part of the plan."
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"Just look at all the features... and buttons." Spike pointed at random parts of the camera.
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Buffy turned back to Willow and Dawn. "Phase one is all set to begin. Listen, watch, and learn how it's done," Buffy said with a grin, then turned back to listen in on the guys. "Lesson of the first: know your prey. Watch him in his natural environment."
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"And you wouldn't believe how much clearer..."
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"Second, we make an attack and take note how he reacts to it; learn his strategy."
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"But touchscreen? That can easily be-" Giles was cut off by a voice coming from the kitchen.
"Sweetie?"Buffy had called out.
"Yeah, luv?"Spike called back and waited for a moment to hear what Buffy had to say. Then when nothing came, he turned back to Giles, "But if you think about it-"
"You don't mind if I go ahead and start going over and setting plans for the wedding, do you?" Buffy asked.
"No, luv!"Spike replied. Then back to Giles, "If cameras with buttons became out of date then..."
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"Third, distract the prey; gain the advantage."
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"...not at all cost efficient." Giles put in. "MiniDVs are more expensive than 8mms, and 8mms can cover-"
"How about the colors? Do you still want the blue that I showed you earlier?"Buffy asked.
"Yeah, sweetness I liked it then, and I still like it now!"Spike answered Buffy, then looked at Giles again, "You were saying?"
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"Now, we confuse our prey, let him think that he has the advantage. Only then can we know if he's taking the bait, so we can reel him in, nice and easy."
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"Spi-ike?"
"Yes, pet!"
"You're not mad are you? Because if you want I can-"
"No, luv, I'm not mad, I'm just saying that I still like the colors that we picked!"
"Okay, thanks baby!"
"Sure, pet, Is there anything else, babe!"
"No, not yet!"
Buffy replied.
"Hey, Spike can I see it?"
"Sure, why not?" Spike handed Andrew the camera, while giving him a look that said be-careful-or-you're-gonna-be-on-the-receiveing-end-of-the-cruelest-death-known-to-mankind. "So, you were saying?" Spike asked Giles.
"8mms can cover a significant amount more time than MiniDVs, at less the price."
Spike looked at him as if he were crazy. "But with 8mms you can't..."
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"Prey distracted, confused, and now open for the kill," Buffy smiled at Willow and Dawn.
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"So, you're saying that is all you have to do?" Xander asked.
"That's not all. You can even add things like graphics, music, text-Oh, and check this-"
"Okay, sweetie, just one more thing!"Buffy called.
"What's that, pudding?"Spike asked, not really paying attention. He motioned for the others to look at what he did to a video file on the laptop. "Watch this, it's just like-"
"We're okay with having it outdoors, right? Oh, and I almost forgot, how about the flowers and giveaways? You know, the fans with the pale blue lace that we picked yesterday, are you still okay with that?"Buffy asked.
"Yeah, liked the blue lace, pet... wait, what's that before it, luv?"Spike asked. Then to the guys in the room, "Amazing innit? And it's-"
"The flowers... you heard me, right!"
"Oh, right, luv, I heard you crystal clear, and it's all fine by me, luv. Is there anything else you want, sweetness!"
"No, that's it, thanks, sweetie!"
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"Finally, and most importantly, bask in your victory. Now, onto phase two part of the plan. Will, you have everything you need right?"
"Mmmhmm, all that's left to do is to check it, oh, and the ring for the final product."
"Great. I'll get it now."
"Wait a minute, wont he just say that he never agreed, that he thought it was just flowers and giveaways you were asking about?" Dawn asked.
"Oh dear sister of mine, you underestimate me, too."
Seconds later Andrew showed up. "Mission accomplished." He handed Buffy the disk. "Got him with his own poison."
"Great work, thanks Andrew." Then to her sister, "Did I mention, be prepared. Have allies for backup and at the ready at all times?"
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TBC…