Part 7

Buffy glanced at the clock, they had just over six hours before the alignment and all hell would break loose. "I'll try and reach Giles again. Anya, can you talk to your demon friends?" Buffy waited for the nod then glanced at the two witches.

"More research, we're on it." Willow supplied for the Slayer as she stood up, taking Tara's hand in her own. Tara patted Anya on the shoulder as they walked by her, "It's going to be ok." Anya gave a weak smile back, then buried herself again in Xander's arms.

Willow and Tara followed Buffy out the of the apartment building, nearly running into the Slayer when she stopped abruptly, staring across the street. "Buffy?" Tara tapped her on the shoulder. "What is it?" Willow inquired, as she scanned the street looking for some hideous menace.

"There. Right across the street. Those two guys that were watching us. Don't you see them?" She pointed, sounding a bit unnerved.

"They're the same guys from the coffee shop?" Willow asked.

"Yes! You see them?"

"Um, well, no. But if you do….that's good enough for me." Willow offered as Tara nodded her agreement.

"But…" Buffy turned her focus back to where the mystery men stood, only to find they had disappeared. Frowning, she sighed then threw her hands up in resignation. "Bah. We have no time for this. Meet you at the Magic Shop in three hours." The trio parted ways and raced off to complete their tasks.

Slowly, the planets drifted closer and closer to each other. Those who knew the signs feared the worst. Those who were oblivious still found themselves unexplainably anxious and fearful. Shops closed up early as the dark mood spread across the nations of a small blue and green planet, as mystical energies swirled invisibly around its inhabitants.

******

Anya watched as Halefrack (yes I know that's not the spelling…too lazy to look it up at this moment…bare with me) disappeared. Her words had not brought the ex-demon any comfort. Nearly all the demons had pulled out to safer realms and few thought they should even bother trying to assist the humans.

Xander slid his jacket on and stared somberly at his fiancée. "Ready, An?"

Anya tried to control the trembling in her limbs as she made to step towards Xander, but froze as she saw him place his hand on the front door knob. "I- I cant. I'm sorry, I just cant!" With a cry she whirled and raced for the bathroom, slamming and locking it behind her.

"Ookay." Xander sighed, then called after her, telling her he loved her. "I'll see you later, hon." He pulled the door open, paused, then made his way to the Magic Box alone.

TBC