Buffy awoke the next morning with an empty spot in the bed. "Spike?" Quickly she pulled on a floppy shirt and a pair of shorts then stumbled downstairs. "Morning Will, have you seen Spike?"

"No, not yet."

"Damn it, I thought I heard him slip out last night. Now what's he up to..."

"Probably got caught be sunrise. I'm sure he's ok."

"I know, I just wanted to see him before two doses of Doublemeat Palace. Yuck, I hate this. I so hoped I was done with that place."

That evening Buffy returned tired and depressed from two terrible long shifts. All she wanted to do was struggle into the shower and wash the stench of grease off her. She smiled a little, maybe she'd ask Spike to wash her back for her. Feeling slightly better she slowly climbed the steps to the porch. There she found a large wooden box. For several seconds her mind refused to recognize it for what it was. Then it hit her in a horrifying rush. A pine coffin rested on her porch, blocking the front door. Stapled to the top was a small note, "Missing something, or someone?"

It took only moments for her to rip the top off. Inside, wrapped in blue plastic, was a body with short white hair. For a moment she froze, then she grabbed the coffin and dragged it into the house. "Spike, oh gods, Spike..." Buffy dropped to her knees and yanked the tarp away from his face. Fever bright eyes opened slowly and tried to focus on her.

"Buffy...is that you pet?"

She bent down and held him. "Shh love, it's going to be ok. I've got you." she shielded his ears as she hollered, "Willow, help!" Dawn and Willow came pounding down the stairs, "What, what is it?"

"It's Spike, something's happened..." Buffy gently pulled him from the coffin and laid him on the couch. His duster fell open to reveal a torn shirt. Gently pulling it away from his chest she saw a torn bit of lace stuck into a deep incision in his belly. Carved into his chest were the words 'William the Bloody - poofter'. Working slowly and carefully she pulled the lace out. With it came a plastic wrapped bit of paper. On it was printed, 'Killer of the Dead, killed by Killer of the Dead. Justice is served.'

Buffy rocked back on her heels and started laughing hysterically as Dawn looked on in shock. "What's so funny?"

Willow answered, trying hard not to giggle at the same time, "Killer of the Dead, shows what they know. Dawn, Killer of the Dead is curable by slayer blood and I don't think that'll be a problem here."

"Willow, help me get him upstairs."

Several hours later a very white and shaky Buffy descended the stairs, held upright only by Spike's arm around her waist. "Dawn, could you call Xander? We need a plan until Giles arrives tomorrow, and then for after as well. This attack on Spike was too well planned. It would have worked if they hadn't wanted to gloat." She collapsed into the couch and snuggled into Spike's arms.

Xander arrived quickly. Buffy didn't even try to hide the bite that had saved Spike's life or his hand petting her hair. Xander's eyes widened and he started to say something. Buffy looked up and said quietly, "Don't say it. Spike was attacked today by humans who shot him full of Killer of the Dead. I cured him. This is likely only the first in a series of attacks we will face. I know you don't think much of Spike, but it has to end now. We will need to rely on each other to get through this. The council has a great many resources and I expect they will move rapidly now to enforce their desires." She fell silent as a rush of dizziness surged through her. "Damn, that was draining," then she giggled at Xander's horrified expression.

"I'm sorry pet, I didn't mean to take that much." Spike whispered.

"No, you had to. It was the only way. Where was I? Oh, right then, I think we haven't seen more because they seem to be divided in approach. Soon though Travers might throw in with the others to get me back and then it'll get bad."

Willow slapped her head and dashed to the front hall. "Here, this came for you. I forgot all about it with Spike and all..."

Buffy took the thick FedEx package and stared at it. It had a London address as the point of origin. Slowly she pulled the tab and then tipped it onto the coffee table. A large stack of photocopies slid out, topped by a typed letter. "Buffy, Something is going on. I can't read this, but I know this has something to do with it. Please use it to your best advantage. Eric" she pulled the copies closer and looked at them. They were written in some type of arcane script. "Will, do you know what this is?"

"One of the demonic languages, but I'm not sure which one."

Spike leaned forward. "Malshazurn I think. I don't know how to read it though. Maybe Anya knows? Or the Watcher when he gets here?"

"Let's try Anya first." Buffy stood swaying.

"Tomorrow pet. You're in no condition tonight. We could even wait for the Watcher to arrive."

"Xander, you can have the couch tonight if you'd like..."

For a moment it looked like he might stay then he shook his head and headed for the door. "Nope, gotta get home."