text enclosed in represents thoughts or feelings

Part 16

Buffy's home Same night

Buffy pulled herself up to the windowsill of her room and climbed ungrazefully inside. She breathed heavily and brushed a blonde sticky strand out of her eyes. When she passed by the mirror, she stopped in shock. Who was the person staring back at her? Her clothes were all covered with dried blood and there was a blood trail drawn across her left cheek. But the worst were her hands, looking as if bathed in blood. Suddenly she realized what she had done a short while ago and tears dropped unnoticed down her dirty cheeks. Did she really killed Spike a minute ago? Or was it all just a nightmare? The brutal murder, Riley's and Anya's mysterious disappearances. Again she looked at her bloody hands and suddenly Buffy couldn't stand the pain inside any longer. What had she done? Had she become the same as the 'Sunnydale Murderer'? Unscrupulous with a tendency to sadism? With a loud sob Buffy toppled on her bed and wept bitterly 'til an uneasy slumber settled down on her.

Giles' Apartment Same Night

Willow was glad to be in bed finally. Although she missed the strong arms of her lover, the emotions that she recieved from Angel through their bond gave her the much needed peace to get to sleep at last.

"Wills, are you awake?" Xander whispered and folded his hands behind his head.

With a yawn Willow spun slowly around on her back. "Hmmm?"

"Spike will be ok, won't he? Not that it will bother me if Deadboy Jr..." Xander swallowed hard.

Tired Willow laid her head on Xander's shoulder. "It really didn't look bright at first but at the moment Angel is very-," Willow searched for the right words without revealing to much about the telepathic connection with her mate, "-content."

Xander acknowledged her slight hesitation with a small grin. He tucked her head under his chin and pulled her tighter to his body. "Good, I would miss him."

Next Morning Giles' Apartment

Buffy had been up for two hours already and tried her best to make breakfast in Giles' kitchen.

"Morning, Buffster," muttered Xander sleepily and lumbered to the fridge where he poured a glass of orange juice.

"Morning, Xander, slept well?" Buffy returned cheerfully before she carried on with the breakfast preparation.

Xander leaned against the fridge and watched Buffy's movements. "Like a little baby. But tell me who had thrown you out of bed so early? And why are you making breakfast? Are you possessed or something?"

Buffy shrugged her shoulders before filling 4 plates with scrambled eggs and ham. "I just felt the urge. Could you please help me a bit?"

While they set Giles' dining table, Xander suddenly mentioned, "Did you already hear? Someone tried to stake Spike last night."

Buffy set down the cups with a fierce clang. "Really?" she mumbled and swiftly went back into the kitchen.

Totally baffled, Xander wanted to follow her when Willow and Giles came downstairs.

Willow gave Xander a big hug. "Wow, Xander, what did we do to deserve this?"

Xander hugged his eldest friend and replied with a snicker, "Be glad that I'm not the cook. You have to thank Buffy for it."

Xander felt Willow got stiff in his arms and then abrupt disentangling herself from him. When he saw her flashing green eyes, he got queasy. "Willster, anything wrong?"

Before Willow could answer, a cheerful smiling Buffy came out of the kitchen with a pot of coffee. "Good morning together. I hope you're really hungry, I've certainly made too much."

Willow couldn't believe it. Buffy pretended as if nothing had happened. Outraged, she blocked Buffy's way. "How could you?" she hissed enraged.

"Yeah I know that you hate wastage-" Buffy tried to act the fool.

Willow's eyes flashed and took on a dangerous green tinge. "How dare you to play down such a brutal and unscrupulous deed in such a succinct way? You're the slayer! You have to bear responsibility for the ones who help you!"

"Wills, what that's all about?" Xander broke in on her flaming tirade and looked puzzled from one girl to the other.

Giles who also had watched, totally shocked by Willow's outburst, now stepped forward and layed one hand on her shoulder to calm her. "Willow, would you please explain to me what this is all about?"

With a further irritated look at Buffy, who hadn't said one word yet, Willow turned around to Giles. When Giles saw tears glisten in her expressive eyes, he gave her hand an encouraging squeeze.

"Last night Angel brought Spike home... more dead than anything else... he was so pale and than all the blood everywhere..." Willow's voice broke.

"Ehem... sure... bad matter... but why do you relate all this to Buffy?" Giles asked perplexed. Demandingly, he looked at Buffy, who only shrugged her shoulders and took a seat next to Xander.

Willow sniffled and blew her nose. "We found the remnants of a stake between Spike's ribs, deeply embedded in his lungs... he was in so much pain that Angel could feel him even over a great distance."

Giles was at a loss of words. He knew that Buffy and Spike weren't best friends but normally they held a truce and a bit of respect for each other. "Hmm... Buffy, is it true what Willow just told us?" he asked a bit insecure. What would happen to their little group if they started killing each other.

Buffy lowered her gaze guiltily at her entwined hands. "I- I didn't mean to, but Spike provoked me... and.. and suddenly I had the stake in my hand. From there on everything happened

so fast and I ran away... home," sad and exhausted, Buffy looked at her watcher. "Please, Giles, you have to believe me that I didn't hurt Spike on purpose."

With a disdainful snort Xander pushed his chair back and went to Willow's side.

"Xander! Please... as a slayer-" Buffy began imploringly.

"What," Willow cut her short outraged, "is it now your duty to kill your friends?"

Giles thought it was time to interfere and pour oil on troubled waters. "Please, first we should all calm down-"

"And then what Giles?" asked Xander, "Do we go on as if nothing has happened?"

Giles swallowed hard and took off his glasses to clean them as he always did when he was nervous. "N-no, of course not. After all w-we went through together, there will never be normality for us again. But I'm certain that we will conclude, after careful consideration, that Buffy acted on pure instinct. Just one moment, I'm not done," said Giles when Willow and Xander wanted to cut him short. "We're all nervous wrecks, but I hope that we will act as adults and give Buffy the chance to explain."

Buffy looked at Giles grateful, glad to have him on her side, but the anger in his eyes didn't hide how disappointed he was with her and her deed. "Ok, I'm sorry. I know I messed it up... really big this time and if I could I'd try to undo last night, but that's not possible. As soon as Spike is better I'll apologize to him."

With a shake of her head Willow turned round and left the apartment without another word.

"Oh boy, Buffster. I wouldn't like to be in your shoes when Deadboy finds out who tried to kill Spike."

Giles cleared his throat and fussily put on his glasses again. "I fear he already knows it. I can only hope that Angel will not let himself get controlled by his emotions but rather be considerate of the whole situation. And now I beg to be excused. I have to visit a forgotten friend." He took his jacket and keys and left the apartment quietly, leaving behind a hopeless slayer and a curious young man.

Part 17

Angel's apartment Same morning

Spike snuggled closer to the hard solid body of his sire with a satisfied purr. Oh God, how long ago was it that he had felt so content? 100 years? More? He could feel Angel's thoughts and feelings humming through their blood-bond. Fear to have almost lost his childe forever. Rage against the one who hurt his favourite childe. Love and contentment to have his companion back after such a long time of loneliness. Spike sleepily opened his eyes and studied the man beside him dreamily. The delicately chiselled features with the long dark eyelashes, the hard muscles of the broad chest, the long shapely legs and all that belonged to him. Damn... he had almost forgotten the small red-haired witch, who had stolen the heart of his sire. Spike's gaze searched the dim room, but he couldn't detect the evidence of another person.

"Stop thinking," whispered a dark sensual voice into Spike's ear and sent a shiver down his spine. Angel nibbled tenderly at Spike's earlobe before he kissed the auricle. Just when he let roam his hand over Spike's arm, the younger man drew back.

"Bloody hell, what do you think you're doin' there, you soddin' pouf?"

For seconds Angel froze before he relaxed again and continued his action of kissing and licking a moist path 'til he bit into the blonde's pulsepoint with his blunt teeth. "How does it feel?" Angel murmured sensually.

A shudder ran through the blonde vampire's body and he tried to repress his passion-filled moan. Angel could feel how troubled Spike felt through their blood-bond. He almost believed he sensed something like fear. Hesitantly, but full of passion, he kissed Spike's lips before he reluctantly pulled back and stood up.

"I'll go and heat up some blood, ok?" Before he left the room, Angel turned around at the door and let his gaze travel longingly over his childe's gorgeous body.

When Spike heard Angel working in the kitchen, he tried to gain control over his body. But every time he closed his eyes, he could feel Angel's soft lips against his neck and his cock grew even harder if that was possible.

"Damn! Damn! Damn!" Spike cursed under his nonexisting breath. When he couldn't stand it any longer he enfolded his rigid member with his left hand and began to stroke it, slowly up and down. He spread the pre-cum over the tender skin, to use as lube, with his thumb. In his mind's eye it was not his own hand but his sire's, which tightly, but also tenderly, encircled his turgid shaft. With a groan, Spike's other hand rubbed against his sack like Angelus' had done in the past.

Angel stood undiscovered by the door, the two cups of blood forgotten by the erotic sight greeting him. Each passing second and every move of Spike's hand increased Angel's arousal.

The dark vampire's erection stood up proudly, leaking with pre-cum. With care, Angel set down the cups on the commode and slid beside his childe on the bed. Angel still couldn't quite believe that this beautiful creature was a part of him again. As a matter of fact, not all was like it had been between them in the past, but they had laid a basis for a new beginning the past night. Mesmerized, the older vampire stared at the purple glans of Spike's erect cock and the increased flow of pre-cum. Angel licked his suddenly dry lips unconsciously, before he bent down to take Spike's rigid member into his mouth.

When Spike felt a wet mouth envelope his over-sensitive penis and the slight sucking, he almost came at once. Baffled, he looked at the dark head of his sire which bobbed up and down between his legs. Angelus, despite his feelings for his favourite childe, had never done this for him. All of a sudden it didn't matter any longer if his sire had a soul or not, if he had a mate or not, 'cause Spike knew with absolute clarity that he had reclaimed his own place in the big heart of the mighty poof.

Angel sensed how Spike drifted away and doubled his efforts to bring him to an exquisite climax. He sneaked his hand under Spike's butt who raised his hips unconsciously with every flick of Angel's tongue. When the dark haired vampire heard Spike's lust-filled whimper, he gently inserted one and then two fingers into his rectum. Spike's eyes snapped open and he cried out when Angel hit his prostate with his fingers. "God, Aaaaangel!" One last flick from his sire's tongue against his oversentive cockhead and Spike came.

When the first spurts of his childe's cum hit his tongue, Angel's human visage vanished and his true face emerged. With delight, he drank every salty drop of the blonde's sperm until Spike's frantic movements slowed down. With a devilish grin, Angel cut Spike's softening cock with one of his fangs and sipped the escaping droplets of his childe's sweet blood. Spike couldn't stand the suction on his spent member any longer and began to squirm causing Angel to raise his head instantly. When the blonde saw his sire lick the rest of his blood and cum from his sensual lips, he pulled Angel to him and passionately kissed him. Spike could taste himself on Angel's lips and grew hard again instantaneously. Their cocks rubbed against each other and Angel moaned with lust, becoming aware of his own pulsing erection. Heat spread through his groin and he could feel his balls tightening. With a shudder, he came in great spurts, closely followed by his childe's second orgasm.

Afterwards, Angel and Spike lay side by side sated and exhausted.

"You chose really well," said Spike finally and put one arm under his head. Angel had forgotten how erratic his childe's mind worked and furrowed his brow. "Red doesn't mind if I live with you, does she?"

With a grin, Angel propped himself up on his elbow and returned, "Perhaps you both should arrange that among yourselves, even though... nah, better not, afterwards you two will fight for me like two old fishwives."

"Hey you big ponce, who says that we can't manage without you? Red is a bloody appetizing bit..." Angel pinned Spike down into the cushions. A deep warning growl emanated from his chest before he bit the younger vampire's jugular hard, but not hurting. With every gulp of Spike's heated blood, Angel's growls became quieter until he purred. Spike pressed tighter against Angel's hard body and rubbed his resurrected erection at the pulsing shaft of his sire. The blonde vampire shut his passion-clouded blue eyes and thanked whoever was listening above for vampire stamina.

Part 18

Café in Sunnydale Same day

Giles entered the café in Sunnydale, searching for Edgar Pembrook, an old friend from the London headquarters. He saw him sitting in the furthest corner of the room and went quickly to the table.

"Hello Edgar, nice to see you again after such a long time," he greeted his friend and shook his hand.

A small smile appeared at the corners of Edgar's mouth. "Aye, Rupert, it's quite good to meet you again. But the circumstances couldn't be worse."

"When I got your call, I already thought as much. Is it a new prophecy? Is Buffy in danger?" Giles pestered his friend.

"Rupert, it's much more serious than you think. Two weeks ago our seers found out a drastic change in the world pattern. An enormous dark power, who could destroy the whole balance between good and evil, appeared on the scene."

"But... thank you, Geraldine," Giles poured himself a cup of tea and tried to handle the new information. "That means the 'Sunnydale murderer' is not an ordinary mortal. Is that what you want to tell me, Edgar?"

"Did you know, that your old pal Ethan Rayne is back in town?" Edgar asked instead of an answer. When he saw Giles' surprised expression, he nodded. "I have heard on good authority that Ethan has his fingers in the pie. You have to find him, Rupert, and end what he began. Your slayer must not die. Melissa is not ready yet to take her place."

Giles shook his head sadly. "My slayer isn't a great help at the moment, she's very unstable. Last night... last night Buffy tried to kill a friend." Giles swallowed and tried to pull himself together. "Do you know where I can find Ethan?"

Edgar shivered by the sudden rage flickering in Giles' eyes. "We lost his track in one of the old warehouses. Rupert, please be careful, Ethan is a powerful magician. He has gained strength since your last encounter."

It was difficult for Giles to regain his composure. Ethan, you Pillock, what have you done this time?

Edgar Pembrook bent forward and said sternly, "With everything you do, be aware of the global effects if you fail." With a glance at his watch, he added, "I hope next time we will meet under better circumstances in London. Oh, by the way, the council voted in its last meeting for your reinstatement as an official watcher. I'm really happy for you, Rupert, and of course for your slayer."

"Thank you, Edgar. I really can imagine how many favors you had to demand," Giles replied deeply moved.

"Nonsense!" Edgar Pembrook refused roughly. "You underestimate your reputation, Rupert. You have more friends at the council than you know." Edgar stood up and shook hands with Giles. "All right! It's time to say goodbye. I hope you are successful.. for all of us."

After Edgar had left the café, Giles sat at his place and nipped at his tea, absorbed in thought. God, Ethan. What has he done this time? Halloween and Eyghon had been bad, the case with the enchanted cookies rather grotesque. But the summoning of a mass murderer? It was somehow not Ethan's standard, too many incalculable risks.

Determined, Giles stood up, paid the bill and left the café towards the old warehouses.

Giles' Apartment Same Time

Buffy went into the bathroom and splashed cold water into her tear stained face. She could already feel a headache form behind her eyes.

Suddenly, she heard Xander's voice behind her, "Do you feel better now?"

"Xander!" Buffy twirled around, startled, but Xander had already left the room. She quickly dried her face and followed him into the sitting room, where he sat on the sofa, pretending to read a book. Slowly Buffy went over and sat down beside him.

"Xander, do you believe me, that I'm sorry?" Buffy sounded like a lost little girl. New tears melted her view.

"Sssh, it's ok," Xander whispered and took Buffy comfortingly in his arms. "You were not yourself last night. Give us some time." He stroked gently over Buffy's back. After a long while her tears slowly run dry and she wearily snuggled closer into his arms.

When the front door opened and Willow came in, she stopped in the door frame for a second to gaze at her friends, before she resolutely shut the door.

"Willow," Buffy whispered tear choked again, looking over Xander's shoulder at her long time friend.

Slowly Willow came closer, until she stood directly before them. Her eyes still glittering with rage, she laid her hands on her hips. "I can't approve of what you did last night. But I'll to help you. Leave Angel and Spike to me, I'll try to explain what you're going through."

When Buffy opened her mouth, Willow held up her hand. "No, Buffy! I'm not doing this for you, but for all of us. I'm doing this for us, the gang. We rely on each other and must stick together. But you should never forget, that you changed everything tonight."

Gratefully, Xander squeezed Willow's hand and mouthed, "Thank you."

Part 19

Old Warehouses Same Time

Deep in thought, Giles approached the area of the old warehouses. Where are you, Ehan? Where would you hide? A cold breeze puffed him in the back and send a chill down his spine.

Giles looked undetermined across the place. "Hmm, where should I start?" He turned to the left. Again a cold breeze, slightly stronger, pushed him in the right direction. Giles tumbled forward, regaining his balance.

"Crazy!" mumbled Giles. "But it's really unimportant, where I start. So the right side it'll be." He noticed that he had talked to himself and chuckled. "You're getting old, Rupert!"

Giles turned to the buildings on his right side and started to observe them closely for the tiniest hint.

One hour later he was still searching. Nothing! One hour of searching and still nothing! He was on the verge to look on the other side of the street, when he suddenly felt it. Like a magical pull, coming from the last building at the corner. Cautiously, Giles entered the dark building and went straight to the first floor, where he halted in front of a large metal door. He rose unsteady his hand to knock at the door. With a loud squeak the door flew open and he stood before Ethan Rayne.

"Hello, Ripper! Ahh no... I should better say 'Rupert', " Ethan saluted with a smirk and asked Giles in with a grand gesture.

Enraged, Giles pressed his hated opponent against the next wall. "I thought I made myself perfectly clear when we last met. Why are you back, Ethan?"

"But, Rupert," retorted Ethan with a mischievous glitter in his eyes, "you should know me. Have I ever done what you expected from me? Where's the funny thing about it?"

Slowly, almost resigned, Giles loosened his hold on Ethan's jacket. He wearily ran a hand through his hair.

"Ethan, just tell me which demon you summoned this time and I will let you go."

Ethan looked disappointed at his former friend and now favourite foe. "God, how pathetic have you become, Rupert! Where's your fighting spirit?" He searched for a reaction, anything, but all he saw was weariness and resignation. "Really, Rupert, you take every joy of conspiring from me. Think of the whole effort which I had to go through, the amount of time, which I-"

Giles couldn't endure it any longer. With a yell of rage, he rammed his fist in Ethan's grinning visage.

"Aaargh, my nose!" Ethan Rayne wailed and shielded his bloodied aching nose with his hands. "You broke my nose, you cretin!"

"And when you don't tell me the name of the demon at once, I will break your jaw too," Giles hissed seething with rage.

Ethan, feeling the gravity of his situation, tried to fight back desperately, but Giles' hold on his throat made it almost impossible.

"The name, Ethan!" Giles snarled and squeezed harder.

Ethan gasped for breath, frantically clawing with his fingernails at Giles' hands, who felt no pain, nothing, in his current state of rage.

"Alright, Ethan, you asked for it! We will end it, now and forever," said Giles and increased the deadly pressure on Ethan's throat.

Ethan realized the deadliness of his situation and croaked, "Ripper..."

"Wrong answer, Ethan," Giles replied with deadly seriousness.

In total panic, Ethan tried to speak, "J... Jack...Rip-...Ripper."

Only reluctantly, Giles opened his clenched fingers and Ethan panted for much needed air.

"Jack, the Ripper," Ethan repeated with a trembling coarse voice, just to play safe.

Horrified Giles remembered the Watcher Diaries about this murderer and with a scream he sent Ethan to sleep.

"Oh my God," Giles whispered, "you maniac brought back the worst human beast that ever roamed the earth."

With a last glance at a defeated Ethan Rayne, Giles hurried back to his apartment. At least, now they knew what they had to look for.

Part 20

Giles' Apartment same evening

Willow giggled softly and held the phone away from her ear when her mate suddenly shouted at his impudent childe.

"Sorry, Little One," came Angel's deep voice through the line, "can you please tell me again why I burden myself with this bleached blonde nag?"

The redheaded witch couldn't hold her pearling laughter any longer when she felt the annoyance, bewilderment and capitulation through their mental link.

"You love him," Willow simply stated.

After a small pause, Angel whispered conspiratorially, "Yeah, I do, but don't tell him or I'll never have a moment's peace again."

"Heard that, Peaches!" came Spike's voice triumphantly from the background.

Willow heard a frustrated deep growl from her mate. God, how she missed him. His strong hands, his smirk, his cool skin under her hands, the slight rippling of his muscles when he made love to her, his soft lips on her throat, the sweet pain when he bit her... "I miss you so much, my Angel," confessed Willow aloud.

"Ditto," came the souled vampires instant reply, his voice dark with longing and need.

Suddenly, the front door opened and Giles flounced in. He gave her a short look and said with a strained voice, "Hang up, I have important news."

A bit bewildered by his rude behavior, Willow said quickly good bye to her mate and followed Giles into the living room, where he already rummaged through his books.

"I know it's here... somewhere...," Giles mumbled and pulled book after book out of the shelf, "it has to be... aha!" He turned around with a very old and used looking book in his hands and went to the three anxiously waiting teens.

Giles slumped, suddenly tired, into the chair next to Willow and carefully laid the book on the table. "This is our killer."

Not sure what to say, they all looked at the book and then back at Giles.

Xander chuckled and leant forward. "That's a joke, right G-man? This little old book is our killer?"

Under Giles' angry look, his laughter died in his throat. "If you don't want to see the seriousness of our situation then, for God's sake, leave my house!" With every word, Giles' voice had risen in volume.

Three pairs of eyes flew to his face. When Giles saw the fear in the youths' faces, he tried to calm himself and pointed at the book. "This is the story of the most vicious murderer of the 19th century. He butchered six women in East End London and was never arrested."

"But, Giles, that's over a century ago," interjected Buffy confused. "Either he's long dead or he's rolling around in a wheelchair."

"This isn't a game, Buffy," Giles insisted in an excerted tone, "you don't seem to understand with what we are coping here. This man couldn't be found then because the Council caught him and sent him to Hell where he should have stayed till the end of time."

"You mean, they sent a living breathing human being into Hell?" made Xander sure. Giles only looked at him. "Good, serves him right!"

Willow, who had remained silent the whole time, furrowed her brow in deep concentration. "Who brought him back?" she asked finally. "Is it Ethan Rayne?"

Once again amazed by the red-haired witch's keen perception, Giles took a deep breath. He knew that he was partly responsible for the latest events, but Ethan had been once his best friend and his death was never an option for him.

"Er... you're right, he's the one behind it all." Frustrated Giles took off his glasses and absentminded rubbed them clean with his handkerchief.

Furious, Buffy jumped up and grabbed for her jacket. "Really, why I'm not one bit surprised, Giles."

"Sit down!" barked Giles. By her hurt look, he apologestically added, "please, Buffy. We shouldn't rush into a situation we can't judge at the moment."

Xander stood up as well. "Buff's right, we should go and kick the bastard's ass out of town once and for all."

"I know how you both fee-" started Giles, but Xander interrupted him with a cry of anguish.

"NO! You don't... no one knows how... how... no one...," tears were running down Xander's pale face and Buffy pressed his hand in sympathy.

Giles swallowed hard, he didn't knew how to cope with this situation anymore. Watcher were only trained to support the Slayer, not to guide a group of young innocent children through a hell called life. "I'm sorry Xander, you're right... and Buffy, you too. But we all should calm down and... and handle this case like every other."

Buffy and Xander hesitated, both filled with the desire to finally get revenge. Seeking for help, Giles looked at Willow.

"Oookaay, guys," chirped Willow encouriging, "research-time!"

Hours later

"I think I found something," stated Xander and waved with his book. "It says that a person from Hell is abble to roam the earth within a vessel."

"That's it," shouted Giles, "why didn't I recognized it by my own?" Thrilled Giles jumped up and went over to Xander, where he looked over the young man's shoulder at the text. "The ghost needs a body to perform his deeds."

Buffy sarcastically glanced at the others. "Wow, big news!"

"No, no, Buffy! You don't understand," got Giles excited, "if we find the vessel, we're able to destroy this monster forever."

"By killing an innocent person?" interjected Willow quietly.

Xander looked at her irritated, "What?"

With a sigh, Willow explained, "The vessel has to be a living breathing human being. Don't you agree, Giles?" After his short nod, the red-headed witch continued, "Buffy can't kill someone who certainly doesn't know what happens to him."

Ashamed by his thoughts, Xander dropped his head. Silence settled over the little group, till Buffy couldn't stand it any longer and fidgeted with her stake. "What if it's Giles?" They looked at Buffy as if she suddenly sprouted two heads. "What?" asked the blonde slayer pouting, "it's not so absurd." She pointed with her stake at Giles. "Ethan hates Giles. Ethan tried to kill Giles several times and failed miserable. Ethan summons Jack the Ripper. Ethan gets his revenge. Totally obvious."

Shocked, Giles went to his sideboard and took a big shot of Whiskey which he drained in one gulp. Wearily, he wiped his forehead and slumped against the furniture. "If that's true... and I dread there's no doubt about it... we have to take precautions." The longer he thought about Buffy's simple statement, the more horrible hidden pictures flooded his mind and kept running like a movie behind his closed eyelids. A shudder ran through Giles' body and he took deep breaths to calm his stomach. Startled, he looked at the small hand on his trembling arm.

Warm emerald eyes looked concerned at him.

"We'll find a way, Giles."

Giles gave Willow a tremulous smile and patted her hand. "I know." He turned and looked at Buffy and Xander. "Find something to restrain me in my room. I don't know what will happen, but we shouldn't leave something to chance."

"We could use Spike's old chains," suggested Xander. When Giles nodded in agreement, he turned and went looking in the basement.

"Buffy, please go to the 'Magic Box' and bring me the book about sleep spells, it should be in the shelf in the back. Perhaps, if I don't dream..." Giles stopped unsure what else to say. He never had felt so hopeless before. Glad to finally have something to do, the blonde slayer nodded and quickly left the house.

A second later, Xander came back into the room, heavy chains clinking with every of his steps. "Found them under tons of smut!" He swang them lightly and offered them to Giles and Willow.

"Ugh! I see," Willow laughed and skiped out of the way.

With a dry smile Giles took the chains and went to the stairs. "We should start, you never know..."

When Willow passed by Xander, she started to giggle again and tipped at her nose. Baffled, he pondered what caused her amusement when suddenly his brown eyes widened in realization. He wiped furiously with his sleeve over his face, but only succeeding in further smearing the dirt. After a second Xander growled in frustration and chased after Willow, who sqealed and ran after Giles.

Giles had made himself comfortable on his bed and Willow and Xander helped him fasten the chains.

Willow fluffed a second pillow for Giles and tucked it behind his back. "Do you need anything else? I could bring you something to eat... or to read... or-"

"It's ok Willow. I'm totally comfortable... er... under the prevailing circumstances... I mean."

Green eyes roamed over the tight shackled form of the watcher. "You don't say!" Willow returned with a slightly raised eyebrow.

With a chuckle Xander interjected from his seat in the corner, "G-man, give up, you're fighting a losing battle."

Giles felt like a little schoolboy and started blushing. "Ok... good... I feel terrible, like a laced up turkey... better?"

"Nope," answered Willow, before she bent down and kissed Giles on his cheek. A golden light flashed suddenly through his eyes, unseen by the two youths. Giles quickly turned his head and pressed his lips on Willow's soft ones. Appalled she jerked her head back and stared at the man who was more a father to her then her real one. The sudden sneer on his face told her all she had to know.

"Why the sudden shyness, you hot little minx?" said Giles with a leer at rosy lips. "Come a bit closer and I will show you what you missed so far!"

Willow pressed a hand to her mouth and flet at Xander's side, who jumped out of his seat and pulled her protectivly into his arms. "What the fuck-?"

Mocking eyes laughed behind the glasses. "Hello loser, liked my present?"

The red-haired witch felt how Xander's body went rigid. "It's him," she whispered desperately. Xander's only response was the tightening of his arms around her. "We need help!"

After what seemed like an eternity for Willow, Xander's posture slightly relaxed. "Get Angel."

"But-"

"Get Angel!" Xander exclaimed louder and shoved her vehemently towards the door. Willow hesitated for a second, but when she heard the raspy lascivious laughter from the man on the bed, she bolted down the stairs with her hair flying behind her like a flame.

The two men staired at each other, either weighing up his next move.

Giles licked his lips and tried out his chains. Nothing. He pulled harder, again nothing happened. When he saw the idiots grin, he stopped struggling. "Magical enchanted?" Giled asked with dawning recognition.

Xander didn't move.

Bored by the lack of emotion from the youth, Giles tried another method. "Your girlfriend was really a screamer." No reaction. "She liked it when I-"

Xander had enough. He sat down again, took out a tissue handkerchief and ripped it in two pieces. Then he made two little balls and put them in his ears. With a satisfied sigh, Xander grinned at the fuming bastard. Hopefully Will and Angel would be back really fast.