I'll bet Spike's sexual prowess is quite exuberant and most fulfilling. Anya crunched on a potato chip.
Xander choked on his chip and stared at his fiancé with a struck look on his face. What on earth are you talking about? What does that have to do with the place settings at our wedding?
Anya ignored the look on her lover's face and answered his question as an afterthought. We don't want to sit Spike next to anyone who has no appetite for sex. The chicken was expensive and we don't want people losing it in their laps or on their shoes.
Xander just stared at Anya with a very bewildered look. Again with the why does it matter'? Xander thought for a moment. Why are we inviting Spike to the wedding? Is it just me or did he not try to kill us more than once?
We have to invite him, Xander. He took care of Dawn when Buffy died. Anya stuffed another chip into her mouth.
I'm still not seeing your point here.
The conversation broke off as the doorbell rang. Anya and Xander headed for the door where Willow had let Spike in.
Have you guys seen Buffy--is she home yet? Spike asked uneasily.
Immediately Willow began to worry. She remembered the conversation she had with Buffy that morning when Buffy had got home later than usual. Willow wondered if Buffy was hiding anything. Suddenly Willow remembered the birds and the blackboards.
No, Spike. I haven't seen her since she went patrolling several hours ago. Why? Is something wrong? Willow's brain told her to relax and not worry so much. Her heart told her different.
No, nothing's wrong. I just need to talk to her, it's really important. I'll go look around the cemetery again--she might have decided to patrol a little longer to get some of her rusty out. Being dead a few months makes a person quite stiff. Spike didn't even realize he had begun to babble absently now. He didn't want to worry any of the Scoobies, but something felt wrong. Spiked nodded his thanks and turned and left. He hoped Buffy was all right.
Willow closed the door behind the vampire and turned to her friends who were now joined by Dawn. All wore worried frowns.
Was that Spike? Dawn asked. What did he want? Is everything okay? Where's Buffy?
Everything's fine, Dawnie. Spike just wanted to talk to Buffy about something. He thought she was finished patrolling already so he came here to look for her. He's going to go look in the cemetery where she probably is. Nothing's wrong.
Willow tried to believe her own words but found it difficult. She didn't want to worry anyone, least of all Dawn, but something didn't feel right. In fact, something felt very very wrong.
You sure everything's okay, Will? Xander looked concerned. You don't look like everything's fine.
Willow shook herself out of her thoughts and smiled. Everything's okay, I promise. Buffy might be into a deep conversation with Angel and has probably lost track of time. No worries. Anybody up for a movie?
***
Buffy tried desperately to come up with a good plan but none came. The only plans she came up with consisted of her attacking Chris which would make the gun go off. She had to think harder. You know, I work at a restaurant. Maybe we could have lunch dates everyday or something. Buffy tried to get Chris thinking so he would lower the gun. It might give her a chance to knock it out of his hand so she could tackle him without it going off.
I appreciate the offer--really I do! But I kind of had something else in mind. Chris held the gun steady and grinned mischievously. Things were going well.
The odd couple had almost reached the cemetery gates when the cool night breeze turned into a strong wind. Buffy wished she had worn a jacket as Chris buttoned his. She just had a sweater on and the wind went right through it.
Suddenly a large dark shadow appeared from behind a tombstone and stood on the path ahead of Buffy and Chris.
What is that? Chris asked puzzled.
Buffy watched as the shadow came closer. At first she couldn't make out it out, but after a few steps towards it she smiled widely. Buffy fought the urge to run towards the vampire, she had never been so glad to see him.
Buffy answered Chris and she stopped walking.
An angel? Nice try, baby. You're still coming with me. Keep walking!
Angel was still a ways away and Buffy was unsure of what was going to happen. She hoped Angel had seen what was going on and had a plan. She had to get to him!
By now Chris could make out a man dressed all in black. His long black coat waved in the now fierce wind. Chris became suspicious. The last thing he wanted was to get into a fight with one of the slayer's friends. He hadn't seen this guy before but he was obviously a friend. Chris had seen the smile on Buffy's face when she spotted him. He wasn't going to take any chances.
This way. Chris motioned for Buffy to turn right and keep going. We'll go around him.
Buffy's heart fell. She had to get to Angel!
Reluctantly the slayer turned and followed Chris' directions. Please help me, Angel.
After walking a few minutes, Buffy was relieved to see the same shadow appear ahead of them once again from behind another tombstone. This time he was a few paces away.
Not again. Chris growled. This time there was no way around him. Chris stopped and ordered Buffy to do the same.
Buffy sighed with relief.
Angel smiled warmly and appeared to ignore Chris. Hi, Buffy. Need some help?
Yes please. Buffy smiled back just as warmly.
Chris sighed heavily in annoyance. Um, in case you haven't noticed, I have a gun aimed at your girl here and I'm willing to bet there's enough bullets to kill you both if you don't get out of my way. So, if you don't mind--
Chicken or duck? Angel continued to ignore Chris and looked at Buffy.
Buffy smiled in understanding and dropped to her hands and knees.
Angel flew over Buffy and charged at Chris.
Completely taken by surprise, Chris stepped back hastily and fired the gun three times at Angel.
Angel clutched his chest and fell to the ground with a moan.
Buffy cried as she saw the vampire collapse. Anger welled up inside of her and she took the opportunity to knock the gun out of a shocked Chris.
The wind began to howl and roar as Buffy and Chris wrestled with each other: Chris trying to get hold of the gun and Buffy trying to keep Chris away from it. Buffy didn't know why but for some reason she was failing. She couldn't overpower the human, he was winning!
***
Spike hurried back to the cemetery. The wind had begun to blow hard and the vampire shivered. Spike didn't shiver because of the cold wind, he shivered because something was terribly wrong and he could sense it. To make matters even worse, he could smell a storm in the air. The night was bad!
Spike scanned the cemetery with his eyes. Where was she? From what he could see, the cemetery was empty.
Suddenly a shot rang out followed by two more.
What the-? Spike looked in the direction the shots had come from but saw nothing. Listening carefully, the vampire heard a shout.
Spike ran towards the sound. I'm coming, slayer!
