AN: This story begins right after Angel gives Buffy the folder of information and Caleb has been killed at the beginning of Chosen and then takes off from there. Some lines have been stolen and contain spoilers up to and including Buffy's "Chosen" and Angel's "Home". Enjoy!

Chapter 1:
"I, uh, brought someone else as well." Angel said then he turned back to the shadows. For the first time she noticed a young woman standing behind Angel. She was only a few inches taller than Buffy. She seemed to be of average weight and at first glance wasn't that striking. Her most noticeable feature was her hair. It was midnight black and long. Buffy wasn't sure but she thought she noticed blue highlights when the light hit it just right. There was also a white streak just off center. "Buffy, meet Sydney. Sydney, Buffy."

Sydney extended her hand to Buffy and shook it. "It's a pleasure."

After shaking her hand Buffy turned back to Angel and beckoned him to her. She whispered to him, "Who is that? I don't think she's human."

Never one to be talked about and not to, Sydney spoke up, "Pardon me, but I am too human."

At that, Angel gave her a skeptical look. Sydney smiled and said, "Ok, well, maybe there is a bit more to it than that. But, it's a very long story and we'll get into that later. Right now, you two have some things to talk about. I head on back to your house and wait for you there."

With that, Sydney turned around and left. She could hear Buffy and Angel talking but went on ahead. She made her way through the streets of Sunnydale to Revello Dr.

She finally made it to Buffy's house. Just as she raised her hand to knock the door swung open and Dawn was standing in the doorway. She delivered a quick kick to Sydney's shin and spat out "Dumbass" before she even realized it wasn't her sister standing at the door.

Sydney was bent over clutching her shin as Dawn apologized. She finally stood up and Dawn was shocked to see a stranger in a deserted town. She crossed her arms over her chest and asked "Who are you?"

Sydney was straightening her hair and said "With a welcoming party like you it's no wonder Sunnydale has such a large number of visitors this time of year."

For a moment Sydney just stared, taking in the sight of Dawn for the first time. She mumbled something that Dawn thought was "beautiful" but wasn't sure. Then she seemed to shake herself out of it and said "My name is Sydney. I came into town with Angel and we met up with Buffy. I decided to let them alone and told her I would meet up with her back here. May I come in?"

Dawn simply looked at her. Her arms still folded across her chest. "I don't know, can you?"

Sydney smiled and stepped across the threshold. "Smart girl. Never issue invites."

She saw Anya and Xander, sitting in the dining room. She walked towards them. "Hello. My name is Sydney and I'm here to help. Buffy will be along shortly then I would like to have a word with everyone and I'll tell you how were going to beat this thing."

Anya looked at the woman who had entered the room suddenly her eyes grew wide. "Sydney! And the hair...you're not her. She's not real."

"Anya?" Anya nodded so Sydney continued, "Anya, I am her and I am real. Now, I know that you have probably heard of me, which is good. You can tell everyone some stories that helped me gain my reputation later but right now I will ask you to keep it to yourself. Just until after I've met with ya'll and have had a chance to explain. Please?"

Anya seemly lost for words as rarely as it happens and simply nodded.

"Thanks. Now, I'm just dying for a smoke. Where can I smoke?"

Dawn simply said "basement" and lead the way. As, they walked into the kitchen Giles was standing at the island. Without stopping Dawn said "Giles, Sydney. Sydney, Giles." Sydney waved. Giles looked up and opened his mouth to speak but Dawn cut him off. "We don't have any information about who she is or what she's doing here except she knows Angel and came to town with him and Anya seems to have heard of her. Call a meeting as soon as Buffy gets back and Sydney will explain. Until then you can try getting info out of Anya but I don't think she'll be talking."

Dawn opened the basement door and let Sydney inside. They both walked down the stairs to the sound of furious punches hitting a punching bag. As Sydney lit up a cigarette, Dawn walked up to hold the bag for Spike when she noticed the crude sketch drawn in black marker on white paper, showing hair that sticks straight up, X's for eyes and fangs on the frowny face. Dawn rolled her eyes at the representation of Angel.

"What's that all about?" Dawn asked.

"Tall, dark and forehead is back in town," Spike replied. Dawn sighed and shook her head as she turned around and headed back up stairs.

Sydney blew out a lungful of smoke and said, "Not anymore. I'm sure Buffy's sent him on his way by now. He only really came because I made him. I knew Buffy wouldn't just let me in so I brought him to introduce us."

Spike turned to the new woman and raised his eyebrows. "And just who are you, pet?"

She extended her hand and said "Sydney."

Spike looked and her hand and walked away and sat on his cot. "Think so, eh?"

"My whole life."
Spike looked her up and down. "Well, you seem human enough but if the stories I've heard are true you look good for you age. How old are you exactly?"

Sydney smiled coyly. "Now, now, William. You should know better than anyone that you should never ask a lady her age or her weight for that matter." Sydney paused and considered it before she continued. "And to be honest, I don't know. I stopped counting after 3,000 and that was many years and dimensions ago." Sydney took another drag and then said again. "I'll explain everything I can when Buffy gets back and until then I will ask that you keep what you do know of me to yourself. Deal?"

Spike nodded and said "Deal."