Chapter Two- "Fee, Fie, Fo, Fum"

Buffy couldn't help but notice how secretive Spike had become over the past few days. She didn't acknowledge the fact that most nights he would "sneak" out to re-patrol, or that he was still smoking in spite of the fact he'd said he quit.. She summed it up to some testosterone sort of deal and bad habits. But a few nights ago, he casually mentioned that he had come across Count Dracula himself, and didn't go into further detail.

"He came, I staked him, I staked him again, and that was the end for ol' Drac." He said casually.

"Was there some kind of banter involved?"

"The usual."

"Did he mention me?"

"Of course, love. Which why he isn't here now."

Spike was always one to boast. Maybe the Count was a big challenge and he's kinda embarassed. she reasoned. She didn't think about it much more after that. If he didn't want to bring it up, then why should she? Perhaps there wasn't a problem after all...

"So, another Scooby meeting, is it?" Spike asked as he got Joy dressed for the day. She laughed with her dad as he tickled her tiny feet before puttin on her little shoes.

"Yup. I'm starting up the old slayer training with Giles again. Been feelin' a little rusty. It'll be like old times." Buffy said wistfully as she packed the baby's bag.

"You up for walking, pet? It's just such a lovely, sunny day out today, and I know a lil' someone who absolutely loves the sun." He said, smiling happily as he rubbed noses with his little girl. Buffy eyed the two with affection.

"Sure. But as long as she rides in the stroller, Spike. You carry and coddle her way too much."

"Well that's cos my lil' princess gets whatever she wants. Innit that right, sweetness?" He said as he picked her up and began to leave the nursery.

"I just don't want her to be spoiled, Spike!" Buffy yelled after the two. With a sigh and a little shake of her head, Buffy followed the two down the stairs. After packing a few bottles and an additional pacifier, she left the house on 1630 Revello Drive with her family.

Besides the Dracula incident earlier that week, things had been more or less quiet (well, as quiet as demony possible) in Sunnydale since the whole Adam incident. This was why Buffy was just a little shocked to find Giles' new magic shop in disaray when they came in that morning. The watcher was warned heavily by the Scoobies about the safety issue of owning the Magic Box (since many of the owners were maimed or killed eventually), but Giles confessed he was quite bored and needed something to do. That and the profit margins the shop brought in.

"What happened?" Buffy asked as she eyed the mess.

"Giles was attacked by a demon on the very first day." Willow said in a stage whisper.

"So you bought the magic shop and were attacked before it opened. Who's up for a singing chorus of the 'we told you so' symphony?" Xander asked rhetorically.

"Well, Giles. I coulda told ya myself that being a shop keeper in this town isn't exactly asking for a long and prosperous life." Spike said sarcastically as he eyed the broken shelves and what not.

"Actually, the demon was looking for the Slayer. He said I didn't concern him. He's after Buffy or Faith." Giles said, chewing lightly on one of the stem of his glasses as he pondered the situation. "Most of the newer books are already unpacked. I suggest we unpack the rest and find out what this demon is." Giles continued, putting on his glasses and searching through a box.

"Well I think that before we go into 'research mode' or whatever, my Xander here has the most fabulous news." Anya said gleefully.

"Ahn, I think we should wait until everyone gets here." Faith, Jonathan and Andrew had yet to arrive.

"Let's see- I think five people is sufficient. Xander got this lovely promotion at the construction site and is finally buying a new apartment with nice things. No more musty basement! And the best part is that he has all of these lovely friends- three of which with supernatural strength who can help move ungodly heavy boxes!" Anya enthused. Xander just shook his head and gave an exasperated sigh.

"Congratulations, Xand!" Willow said as she embraced him in a hug.

"Good goin' Harris."

"Hey, we should have a celebratory party of some sort." Buffy added.

"Well, yes, we are all very much proud of your accomplishments Xander." Giles interupted. Anya gave him a slightly dirty look which he pointedly ignored. "However, I think we should discuss the demon."

"Some good demons in this one. See if your guy's in here." Willow said as she handed a book to Giles..

After nearly twenty minutes of half hearted researching, Spike decided he needed a smoke break.

"I'm gonna go outside for a breath of fresh air." Spike said as he rose from the table and the terribly boring book.

"You mean a breath of nicotine?" Buffy said innocently as she continued to flip through her book.

"Um, yeah. Bye niblet."

"Bye-bye. Bye!" The little girl squealed, waving backwards at her dad. Her hand had more of a "come back" motion rather than a "bye" one. She'd get it eventually.

Leaning against the building of the Magic Box, Spike took out his not so secret pack of cigarettes and lighter and began to blacken his year old lungs. After his first exhale, he was accosted by a man in dirty business suit.

"What are you doing here? Can't loiter. There's no loitering. That's why I'm a cat; quiet." Spike eyed the man warily.

"Hey, you alright?" The man ignored his question and continued his babbling.

"See, cats in the cupboard, but they find ya there anyway. It hurts. Please make it stop! Shut up, shut up." He said, clamping his hands over his ears. Spike attempted to reach out to the man, but then his head snapped up and he looked at Spike with confusion.

"I don't know you. Fee, fie, fo fum... You don't belong here. You- you're empty inside. You shouldn't be! Not complete, that's what you are. I still see the monster... not done..." He continued to mutter to himself as he staggered down the street. Spike gulped hardly. The man was obviously bonkers, but what he'd said... It deeply unnerved Spike.

"God, get it together, mate." He said quietly to himself looking down, then stubbing out the cigarette. His breathing steadily became erratic. As he was trying to get himself under control, he was then spotted by Andrew and Jonathan.

"Spike, is everything alright?" Jonathan asked, genuinely concerned.

"Yeah, you look kinda pale, well, paler than usual." Andrew said sheepishly. Spike put on a fake grin that easily fooled the two before answering.

"I'm alright. Dandy even. Can't take as many smokes as I used too, though." He said, waving the pack in his hands.

"Maybe you should get that patch." Andrew said.

"You two should run along. Research abounds. Giles was attacked by a demon."

"Oh, already?" Andrew said before going inside.

"You'll be in soon?" Jonthan asked, still a little bit concerned.

"In a minute, yeah." Jonthan nodded and left. Spike looked cautiously down the street. The crazy man was gone.

"Bloody wanker." He muttered before going inside.

A/N: Okay, I guess you can assume that "The Replacement" is going to go a bit differently in the next chapter. Let's just pretend that Xander had it in him all along, well, ever since "The Zeppo," and therefore had no need to be seperated in two to discover his adultness and all that. Hope ya enjoyed, and please review!