Summary: What if Buffy had gone with Angel into that hell dimension on the finale of Season2? My first fan fiction, I think this would be considered AU.

Disclaimers: Mutant Enemy and Joss Whedon own it all. This just all just for entertainments sake, I hope.

Dialog that is in italicized bold is taken from "The Zeppo" episode 3/13. Written by Dan Vebber

Willow was sitting in front of her laptop with about a dozen books on either side of her. She looked up at Buffy. "And if it opens?"

Buffy popped open a Jolt cola. "Do you remember the demon that almost got out the night I died?"

Willow paused in her typing. "Every nightmare I have that doesn't revolve around academic failure or public nudity is about that thing. In fact, once I dreamt that it attacked me while I was late for a test and naked."

"Well, it'll be the first to come out, and Giles says it won't be the worst by a long shot. The world will be overrun with demons if we don't stop it."

Just then, Xander and Cordelia walked in with two boxes of donuts. "We stopped by for reinforcements. Glazed, old-fashioned, chocolate and jelly filled. The sugar alone can keep us going for days."

"That's my little zeppo, I love his plucky comic relief. Just promise me Buffy, he will not have to fight anything with sharp teeth or claws. After all, he has to be in good shape for our senior prom." She wiped a little smudge of jelly from the corner of Xander's mouth. They both went into the kitchen with the donuts, Cordelia fussing with Xander's hair. "I do like your hair Xander, I just would like it more if you would cut it the way I think is best."

"Oh, they're so cute. Don't you think, Buffy? I mean, I know it's Cordy, but they really seem to like each other, a lot."

"I think Xander likes Cordy a lot, she just likes to boss him around."

"Yeah, like I said, they like each other, a lot. Oh well, I miss my wolfie boy, I think I'll take my research downstairs and keep him company." While gathering her computer and several books, Will looked over at Buffy, no time like the present, she thought. "Y'know Buff, I met this girl at a Wicca group I went to over at the college."

"You went to a Wicca group? How come this is the first I've heard of it?" Buffy was a little upset over the fact that she and Willow were not spending enough time together and she wanted to fix it. Problem was, with Angel and Connor and patrolling with Faith, her spare time was becoming a rare commodity.

"Well, I was gonna tell you at dinner last week, but you had some stuff and I just forgot. I mean last night was kind of intense and it seemed like such a small thing. Anyway, the group totally sucked, but this girl is really super. We've actually done a couple of spells together, Giles supervised so don't wig, and Oz really likes her, too. So anyway, I was thinking of having her come over and meet you and Angel. Um, I think Oz and I are going away for the summer and I don't want you to be witchless." Willow was so nervous about telling Buffy about her plans that she had to consciously remind herself to pause between sentences. Actually, she had to remember to talk in sentences.

"Going away? Witchless? What?" Buffy was feeling confused.

"Yeah, so Angel told Oz about this Tibetan mock in India that is some sort of meditation master. He seems to be able to help people control their baser instincts. And, I mean, changing into a werewolf is really a major baser instinct. Anyway, Oz wants to learn to control it and Angel thinks this monk can help. And Oz needs me. So when my folks asked me what I wanted for graduation, I told them a trip to India with Oz. And they agreed, they think it's a really mature request." Willow took a breath and was about to continue, but Buffy spoke first.

"Are you coming back?"

Willow looked at Buffy in surprise. Her eyes were very wide and glassy, like she was about to cry. "Oh, honey." Willow wrapped Buffy in a warm, loving hug. "Of course we're coming back. But it may take a few months. And I need to be there, Buffy. For Oz and for me. But I will never desert you, I promise."

"I can't believe what a baby I can be. I can cut off demon heads and walk through green demon gunk, but when my best friend leaves for a summer, I freak. Oh, Will, I am so sorry I left you for so long. I didn't think how it would affect you, but you know I had to go. And I know you have to go, too. So, tell me more about this little Wicca."

Buffy joined Willow in the Oz room, as it was now referred to and started skimming through a book. "How's he doing."

"He's a little cranky."

Buffy looked up from the book she was reading. "Who isn't? Did you read this? 'Sisterhood of Jhe. Race of female demons, fierce warriors...' Eww. '...celebrate victory in battle by eating their foes.' They couldn't just pour Gatorade on each other?"

Giles and Angel came in together, "Find anything useful in the books?"

"Not wildly." Buffy put her arm around her husband and laid her head on his chest.

Willow perked up. "We still have the Books of Pherion to go through."

"Maybe Faith and I should hit the streets, check out Willie's" Buffy was getting a bit itchy just waiting around. If the situation wasn't so serious, Angel was sure he could calm her down. As if reading his mind, Buffy gave him that special smile. "Well mister, maybe you should come with me to Willie's. Keep your mind on the problem at hand."

"Yes, indeed. I think Faith should come with me." Giles put his coat on.

"Where are you going?"

"Um, to try and contact the Spirit Guides. They exist out of time, but have knowledge of the future. I have no idea if they will respond to my efforts, but I have to try. All we know is that the fate of the entire world rests on it." Looking at the half filled box of donuts, Giles looked at the girls. "Did you eat all the jellies?"

Buffy lifted her head from Angel shoulder. "Did you want a jelly?"

"I always have a jelly. I'm always the one that says 'let's have a jelly in the mix.'"

Willow looked at Giles forlorn expression. "We're sorry." Feeling guilty, she quickly added,"Buffy had three"

"My god B, how do you keep that butt so small wolfing down donuts like that? No worries Giles, we'll stop for some jelly filled on the way." She winked at Buffy on the way back up the stairs, close on the heels of Giles.

"So, what is up with those two?" All three looked at the empty stairwell and Oz growled in agreed confusion.