-Wolfram And Hart - Next morning-

Buffy awoke with a few bruises and cuts but she would heal, she knew she would. It was a very fulfilling night for her as she recalled the end result of Angel and Spike limping back to the firm. Buffy sighed and stood walking to the bathroom of her room. She had no plans for the day but to avoid everyone and work with Dana, more like a plan for her life. Now all she had to do was make it to Dana without dying.

Angel got out of his bed at about 10:00 am and was still pretty stiff. He knew he was asking for the beeting he got last night the minute he and Spike challenged buffy. He wasn't ashamed that they lost to her but was relieved she was finally able to let a little emotion out like that, now if only they could of done that before the big intrusion on her mind. Angel shook the thoughts out of his mind as he stood and made his way tot he bathroom for his shower. he stood in front of the mirror with nothing staring back at him as he planned his day. He knew Buffy would avoid him all day but he also knew he couldn't let her. He took off his shirt and started his day with his morning shower hoping it would soothe a little bit of the aching, bruised and bleeding places on him.

Spike didn't get up that morning until about 11:00 am and didn't fancy actually getting out of his bed. Him out of Angel and Buffy was the most beet up. His violent nature always got him hurt. He was a little pissed they didn't win seeing as it was the all famous Angel and Spike against one slayer. He made the biggest mistake of underestimating buffy yet again. He too knew she would be avoiding everyone which is what made him hop out of his bed and walk to the bathroom. He stayed at the firm that night so he was still in the building and had an amazing washroom just like everyone else. He smiled at it before he hopped into the shower.

Lorne was already humming a tune while practically skipping down the hallway by noon carrying a few blueprints under his arm. He was headed for Angel's office and then to Buffy's room. He got the message last night that she wanted to see him today and he couldn't imagine why but knew he would do anything for her right now. So he continued his way to Angel's office for the signing of the documents for the opening of his new club. He knew Angel would let him do this because it would also be benificial in ways for him too.

Wesley was already up also and working in his office. He didn't expect anyone to walk into his office so he was surprised to find Giles at his doorway.

Wesley jumped a little, "Rupert. How have you been?"

Giles smiled, "Been better. And you?"

Wesley sat down in his chair, "Things are certainly crazy."

Giles nodded and took a sip of his tea. "They really are."

There was a small silence until Wesley asked his question, "Can I help you with anything?"

Giles nodded, "Actually yes. I was hoping to talk to you before everyone was up and we had a big Californian hero meeting."

Wesley nodded, "Come in then."

Giles moved toward another chair in Wesley's office and sat down. "Thank you."

Wesley smiled and moved his books out of the way. "So what does Giles need to know that he doesn't already?"

Giles smiled, "I need to know that you'll be here for Buffy."

Wesley looked extremely confused, "Pardon?"

Giles sighed, put his cup down and took off his glasses to clean them. When he was done he finally spoke, "I'm...sick. I hate to add to our problems increasing here in L.A but I need a favor Wesley." He was listening extremely closely now "I've been sick for almost six months now and I've hidden it well but I feel it's getting worse."

"What is it Rupert?"

Giles was hesitant, "A type of brain tumor."

Wesley looked extremely worried, "You haven't told Buffy?"

Giles shook his head, "Her mother died of the same thing and I didn't want to worry her."

Wesley nodded with understanding, "I am sorry. What do you wish me to do?"

Giles sighed, "Willow is doing amazingly wih magic and being a watcher herself but no one knows the demon world like an actual watcher. I'm losing and it won't be long now. I need you to be here for Buffy and the rest of my family."

Wesley was touched and saddened, "You know, we have the resources to cure you within a matter of minutes."

Giles shook his head, "No I don't think so. It is time Wesley and I've done everything I could but this is something that is going to happen."

Wesley nodded, "You know I'll be here. My question is will buffy let me?"

Giles smiled, "She will probably think of you as a replacement at first but we know she'll be fine in the end."

Wesley nodded, "You should tell them."

"I will. I imagine they will be quite mad if I die and they are not informed."

Wesley looked down, "You and I have never liked each other at all so I imagine how hard this was for you. I wish the best for you even though I am flattered."

Giles nodded, "Thank you Wesley."

It was then they heard a noise at the doorway. It was of Xander kicking the side of it. Giles or Wesley didn't even have a chance to explain before Xander blew up, "You were going to wait until you were dead to tell us huh? I can't believe you."

Giles stood up, "Xander please."

Xander started pacing the room, "What?"

Wesley piped in on behalf of Giles, "Xander, he was just being careful and waiting for the right time."

Giles nodded, "I was going to tell you all very soon."

Xander calmed down a little bit, "Like in the hospital maybe? It's you Giles, you can't die. You're always going to be here and we're always going to make fun of you for being here."

Giles smiled a small smile, "Xander, I know this is hard to take in but I need to tell everyone all at once. I'm not ready to do that now."

Xander nodded in sympathy, "Be ready soon because I can't keep this secret very long."

With that he was gone and the watchers sat back down. Giles stared at Wesley, "Looks like the right time is sooner then I thought." Wesley just nodded and they sat with sympathy.

Lorne was finally at Angel's doors and without a knock walked in. Angel was just putting on a shirt when he did enter so they were both unphased. Angel spoke first, "What can I do for you Lorne?"

Lorne smiled and walked to his desk,"Well seeing as you're the boss I just need you to sign a few papers and oh say a lease."

Angel looked confused and stared at Lorne, "A lease?"

Lorne nodded and laid the papers out on Angel's desk, "Yes, see well I've tried to help all i can and I love it and I'll still work with you but I need to do what i came here to do Angel. Right now seems like the best time do it too and..."

Angel sighed, "What is it Lorne?"

Lorne smiled, "I want to open the club again."

Angel looked a little unconvinced, "I don't know Lorne, I mean now? Usually your place just get's blown up or wrecked after you fix it."

Lorne smiled yet again, "That's kind of your fault but not the point. I just got reminded last night and remembered how much i liked having the club. We could use the history as like a comfort thing and when demons sing i could tell you and I know a lot of the employees will hang out there. Big business and defenitely a lot of info. Please Angel."

Angel smiled but shook his head, "I still don't know Lorne."

Lorne sat hard down on a hair in front of Angel, "Okay look, I didn't want to play this card but you led me no choice."

Angel looked intrigued, "What card?"

Lorne lent his head in towards Angel, "Have you ever heard Buffy sing?"

Angel was taken back but answered, "No. Why?"

Lorne laughed an ironic laugh, "You guys are like soul mates and she never told you how much she wanted to sing or skate? Wow you two really need to work on your talking skills."

Angel shot his head up in a defensive state, "Hey we did talk when she needed to and I did know about the skating thing. When i took her Spike had her attacked and it was ruined."

Lorne nodded, "But if you just heard her sing Angel. This could be her chance to try again, to see it all isn't worthless like she thinks it is now."

Angel sat back and pondered the thought, "Fine Lorne. But if this doesn't play out I have no choice but to shut it down...or to wreck it."

Lorne smiled and handed Angel the papers, "Thanks a bunch Angelcakes."

He was done signing them in no time and watched as Lorne walked to the door. He stopped before exiting, "So when's the big awkward meeting?"

Angel smiled, "When everyone get's here."

At that moment Xander walked by Lorne, "Hey you're the demon that knew buffy."

Lorne bowed, "Famous i am."

Xander nodded, "Yea seeing as you're famous why are you hanging around deadboy over here?"

Angel sighed in annoyance and lorne looked at Xander, "You don't love her too do you?"

Angel smiled as he stared into Xander when he answered, "I used to, big pining thing right up until I met Anya. Now Buffy's like my second sister. I think she's a lesbian like Willow."

Angel had no time to react because Willow walked up to Xander and slugged him in the shoulder, "What did you say about Buffy...and me?"

"That you two are lesbians."

Willow smiled and nodded, "That we are. I mean after Spike left she decided men suck too."

Angel couldn't comprehend the conversation as a joke until lorne started laughing, "Our little Buffy a lesbian, i don't think so. She's always been ruled by men."

Xander smiled, "Ooo do tell. I want to hear dirty secrets about buffy before Sunnydale."

Before Lorne could open his mouth buffy walked into Angel's office and glanced at everybody, "Since I'm ruled by men it seems kind of ironic that i'm the slayer huh? You know only woman thing."

Willow smiled, "I should of been the slayer and you could be the witch."

Buffy didn't smile at all so it became a little obvious she was still cold from their actions on helping her. She only replied, "But then i would of gone evil instead of sleeping with Spike. How could i choose been two hells?"

Willow didn't have time to look down or feel sorry because that's when Spike waltzed into the room with a little bit of a limp, "I didn't think it was too bad."

Buffy smiled, "You wouldn't seeing as you wanted it and I didn't."

Spike just smirked, "That's not what you said most of the time."

Buffy shot him a glare, "It's the last time that counts Spike."

As Spike looked down Angel stood up, "Okay calm down guys."

He limped around the table to lean on the front of it and buffy finally saw the shape they were in and smiled, "You two don't look so good, maybe we don't have to do this big meeting thing now."

Spike walked over to her and patted her hard on her right shoulder causing her to wince and double over a little bit, "That's okay buffy. If you can do it we can do it."

Buffy stood back up but didn't reply as Willow did, "So I take it something happened last night?"

Angel looked around, "We tripped over each other down some stairs."

Fred walked into the room finally, "Which is code for he got beet up."

Xander smiled, "Yay buffy kicked both their asses in one night. Should of been there to see that."

Spike glared at Xander, "We beet her up too you know."

Xander looked at buffy, "Maybe you should beet them up again. Especially Spike. Better yet, put the chip back in and beet him up so i can help."

Buffy smirked at Spike, "I like it when i win fairly."

Spike scoffed, "I let you win."

Angel smiled, "Sure you did Spike."

Spike glared at Angel now, "Like you did any better."

Everyone went on arguing about it until Wesley and Giles interrupted at the door. Wesley yelled, "Calm down children. We have work to do."

Everyone but buffy and Xander smiled embarassed. Xander sarcastically smiled, "That's right. We better get used to listening to him right Giles?"

Wesley looked away a little embarassed and a little offended. Giles stared at Xander for the comment and then at buffy who looked confused, "What's he talking about giles?"

Giles shrugged, "No idea."

Buffy sighed, "I share my secrets, you share yours."

Giles just stared down to the ground and when he looked back up he couldn't bare to say the truth so he avoided it, "In all fairness you didn't share."

Buffy smiled, "Oh yea, i guess we'll just have to violate your mind and run around in it to find the answer."

Giles looked a little defensive while the rest of the room turned into a little awkward silence. Giles started to speak, "Buffy..."

Buffy sighed and interrupted, "Can we get on with the damn meeting so I can go and work on getting out of here?"

Most of the people in the room looked down in a little bit of pain or guilt but fred. She finally spoke the words she's been meaning to say. "If you want to leave then leave. It's not like a psycho slayer needs help from another one."

Faces of shock and surprise spread through out the room now. Buffy's on the other hand was smiling, "You think you could help her? You think you could teach her how to be a slayer because you're the smart one? I'd be glad to leave but i know if i did she would never get better."

Fred continued to defend herself, "What because you're the slayer? The superior act is way over due because if you haven't noticed there's a few more slayers in the world."

Everyone from Sunnydale with the exception of Spike felt how close this was to the speech Anya gave to her the night Dawn kicked her out of the house. Buffy obviously did with how she reacted. "Now you're going to give me a superior speech? How old is that one? What I finally realized is I am better. I am the strongest, longest living slayer alive and I finally see it. Since i can see you can't handle me being around your little world and I don't fancy being kicked out of a room twice in two years I'm gonna take off. Tell Faith when she arrives she can have it all again. Maybe I'll see you all around in a few years."

Buffy moved for the door as Fred kind of hung her head in guilt or maybe hiding herself from the accusing looks she was getting. Giles and Wesley still stood in the doorway so when she go there she expected a no don't go speech but they didn't give it to her. It was the vampires following her that started. Spike yelled first, "Come on buffy. You don't want to leave."

Buffy looked over her shoulder, "How do you know? I'm feeling a little betrayed and uncomfortable and you guys can take care of yourselves so I'll see you in a few years. I hope your little fred friend knows what she's talking about with the slayer because if she doesn't get better she could be dangerous and I'd hate to come back here."

Angel answered next which stopped her again. "Stop with the god damn attitude. This little show is great buffy but we both know you want to be here, even if it is only for Dana."

Buffy smiled, "Here i thought fred said she could handle it."

Angel glanced back at fred who was still staring down and avoiding glances and then he stared back at buffy. Spike was staring intently at buffy too waiting to stop the next move she made. he didn't have to because a sigh came from her mouth which signaled the arrival of Andrew, Faith, Robin, Dawn and gunn. They stood frozen in a sudden silence by the watchers at the door.

Dawn was first to speak, "What's going on?"

Buffy who was closest to Dawn smiled at her, "Well instead of you throwing me out of the house fred here is kicking me out of L.A. and the vampires here won't let me go."

Dawn looked at fred and glared. She knew there was a reason to be careful of her but there was time for anger later. She had to keep buffy here or with her at least. "Well okay then. We'll just take Dana back with us, she's stable enough."

Buffy shook her head, "I'm thinking about taking off for a while. Seeing the world."

Dawn shook her head, "You can't just keep coming in and out of my life like this."

Buffy looked at the Sunnydale group behind her, "Well that's not my fault."

Dawn was almost crying, "Now is! You don't have to go out of my life right now. We can go back to Italy and you can make fun of me for dating Jack."

Buffy sighed, "I'm glad you still have hope for a normal life Dawn because i sure as hell don't. You're 18 now and you have a family around you. i think you can go back to Italy and date jack without me making fun."

Dawn was in tears and Xander finally spoke, "That's it huh? You're just going to take off again? Looks like you can take the girl out of the runaway but you can't take the runaway out of the girl. When things get hard you bail Buffy."

Buffy was suddenly defensive and in seconds was directly in Xander's face. "Well you try sending the only man you've ever loved to hell, or you try deciding to kill your sister or not, maybe you can try coming back from heaven, maybe you can even try going to hell and then you can try being immortal with all the feelings I have and then you tell me if you'd want to stay in the same place."

Willow was with Xander now, "We don't need to buffy because we were under the impression you'd talk to us about it."

Buffy sighed and shook her head, "You guys have never understood what it's like have you? Every minute of every day since i was 16 I've been alone. Describing the feeling each time I start a fight with a vampire or survive an apocolypse is indescribable. the only reason I didn't turn out like faith is because i saw the way you all treated her. I have that inside of me too and none of you understand that. I'm just another creature of the night, (She turned to Spike) isn't that right Spike?"

Some glances turned to him as he met the slayer's eyes. "When i said those things to you..."

"You were right. I'm just another soulless vampire who doesn't like blood and barely goes out in the day. I may as well be a creature physically alone."

Faith finally let go of Robin's hand and walked up to buffy, "You know that line you were talking about? You're pretty close to crossing it."

Buffy smiled, "No I'm not. I am so far on the right side that I can't be around people I love and fight."

Fred finally spoke again, "You need to stay. Dana won't be okay and it looks like everybody needs you."

Buffy smiled a little suspiciously, "Are you taking mood pills or something?"

Fred sighed, "I'm just having a day and deep down you know if you don't stay things could get pretty bad."

Buffy stared into this girl's eyes and somehow knew she was right. buffy looked around the room and then stopped at Dawn, "When this is done I'll go back to Italy with you but I won't stay, not for long."

Dawn was pretty much in tears as buffy stomped through the watchers and out the doors. Angel looked at Lorne, "I think that was your awkward meeting."

Lorne nodded and looked at fred, "What's going sweetie pie?"

Fred just shook her head, "Nothing." She then stomped out of the room exactly like Buffy did.

Robin looked around the room, "Drama just follows this group everywhere. We didn't even have a meeting."

Faith looked up at him, "A little more respectful of the awkward silence."

Robin looked down at her, "I thought breaking the silence is what's suppossed to happen."

"It's not that you spoke, it's what you said. It's not our fault things just never stop happening."

Robin sighed, "We're not having the same fight again."

Faith sighed next, "Looks like we are since you keep doing it."

Robin started to walk out the door, "You know what faith, when you want to actually talk and not beg for me to change I'll be in the room packing."

Faith was completely surprised, "Packing for what?"

Robin looked down, "I have a teaching request in Cleveland. Not surprisingly on a hell mouth and I think I'm going to take it."

Faith was completely shocked, "You weren't going to say anything to me?"

Robin looked down and then back up at her, "Well I wasn't going to go until i realized that me and you just don't work. It just...won't."

Faith glanced behind her at every face staring at her and glared at Spike's who was smiling. When she did look back at Robin he was staring at the floor, "Let's go talk about this in the room."

He didn't not or agree just left towards the room. Faith followed leaving Andrew, Dawn, Xander, Willow, Giles, Wesley, gunn, Fred, Angel and Spike in silence. This was until Andrew did finally speak, "Okay I think I have been pretty quiet but I'm talking now. So what was the meeting suppossed to be about?"

Angel cleared his throat, "What was going to happen with Dana."

Andrew nodded, "At least it was very argumentitively discussed."

Xander sighed and looked at him, "Andrew do you know that if you, Warren and Jonathon hadn't decided to be pains in our asses that year we would all be so much more happier."

Andrew looked down and actually thought about it. When he thought thouroughly he finally spoke again, "See that's not true because sure tara would be alive, You guys wouldn't know about Spike and Anya, Willow wouldn't of ended the world and Buffy wouldn't of had to go to Spike so much but Buffy would be dead."

Xander shook his head, "No because Warren wouldn't of shot her."

Andrew nodded and then got defensive, "You can't blame your life on me Xander. None of that was actually me..."

Willow sighed, "Yes it was Andrew."

Andrew sighed, "You know what I don't have to take this. I think ia m going to tracel with buffy after this."

Willow half smiled, "Make sure she doesn't stake you then because she's in a place where she probably would."

Andrew looked mad and moved towards the door, "I'm never appreciated. I'm going to go talk to the nice people."

Everyone watched as he left. Lorne was the next one to start speaking, "Well i guess I can kiss that meeting with her goodbye."

Dawn spoke up, "I'm not much in a group mood. I'll be in my room if i'm needed for anything."

Xander smiled at her, "Buffy will be okay Dawnie. You see those two vampires just standing arund will make sure of that. They've always made sure she was okay."

Dawn smiled back at Xander, "Isn't it ironic how she depends more on those two vampires then the people who are actually with her everyday and through everything?"

Xander looked over at Angel and then Spike and then back at Dawn, "It's not so ironic. They understand her more then anyone in this world can. There's always jealousy but at least she's being helped."

Dawn nodded and with one last hug from Xander she walked up to her room. Willow turned to Xander, "You want to go for coffee?"

Xander smiled and nodded, "Just like old times."

Then those two exited the room. giles turned to Wesley, "Are you sure you can watch them all when i leave?"

Wesley couldn't smile, "I don't think they'll all be together for me to watch but I will try."

Giles sighed, "God what I'd give to be back in England with a book in front of the fire."

Wesley nodded, "Nostalgic?"

Giles nodded, "I heard you had a book that turns into any book."

Wesley smiled, "I do."

"May I?"

Wesley nodded, "Of course."

Then it was thos two who exited the room. Slowly the occupants of the room became smaller and when lorne spoke it was no difference. he turned to Gunn, "I need you help with something. Just a little surprise."

Gunn looked a little wierded out and unsure, "What si it?"

"You'll see. Just come with me."

Gunn nodded and looked to the last two vamires, "Good luck guys."

Soon they were gone leaving only the ensouled vampires in the room. Angel looked over to Spike, "Did that feel like it happened all too quickly to you?"

"Yea like an old movie."

Angel nodded and looked at the door, "What do you supposse we do?"

Spike sighed, "I don't know." There was a pause before he continued. "It's not like we should feel pressure or anything because everyone thinks we can make her all better in a matter of hours."

Angel nodded, "If only we could."

Spike stared at Angel for a few minutes before leaning back on the desk, "You think she should go, don't you?"

Angel took a deep breath in, "Sometimes leaving is the best option. Maybe she'll be ready in a few years to finally talk about it."

"Spike scoffed, "I figured you of all people would say that."

"What the hell is that suppossed to mean?"

"I think we both know what it means."

Angel looked mad, "I had good reasons for leaving her so don't stand there and act like you were any better."

Spike smiled, "I stayed when she wanted me gone, then I stayed when she wanted me there and the only way she got rid of my was because i had to die."

Angel shook his head in anger, "Well then what do you supposse we do Spike?"

Spike started pacing, "Well we haven't gotten to her at all in front of Dana, or when we're together or in a giant group so maybe a one on one approach would be better. She opens up better when she thinks no ones listening and it always seemed to work for me."

Angel hated to admit it but he was right. "Fine, we'll do it your way."

Spike smiled, "I'll talk to her first."

Angel stood up defensively, "Why you?"

"Because peaches, wheather you like it or not you have an actual business to run which you should start doing. i bet your files are piling right up."

Before Angel could even yell back at him Spike was out the door ins earch of Buffy. So Angel did the only thing he could do, exactly what Spike said. He went to his desk and ran the law firm he was suppossed to be running. He sighed as he opened the first possible case already on his desk. It was hard to concentrate when in every room you went to there was some sort of problem or fight going on. He shook his head at the though, 'There is always drama!'