Previously on Buffy: The gang set out on the journey to flee Glory.

Tired, cranky, and generally grumpy were the overall feelings of the group. The sun beat down through the windows at them as they sat fanning themselves. Spike was getting drowsy and the van began to slow.

"Spike, would you like me to drive? I beieve it is my turn," Giles offered. Thier previous agreement let Spike drive at night and Giles during the day.

"No, I'm good," Spike ansking up in his seat. Buffy shook her head and continued to stare out the window. Everything looked dead.

"Spike, I really do think I should drive," Giles persisted. He crawled up to the drivers' seat from the back.

"No, I really think I should drive," Spiike mimicked.

"Come on, Spike. You're tired. We all are. Just let him drive. You need a break," Buffy persuaded. Spike looked at the road intently as he continued.

"Well, I suppose I could use a break. But a small one," he compromised. He pulled the van to the right shoulder of the road and traded Giles places. The vamp walked past the others and to the back corner of the van. Giles took the liberty of providing entertanment for the group in the form of a tape.

"Oh, I know this one," Xander exclaimed. "Don't cry for me, Argentina. The truth--."

"Xander!" the group shouted.

"Put it on the radio," Dawn suggested. Taking her advice, Buffy popped out the tape to the relief of all the passengers and pushed find on the dial.

Celine Dion came on singing the Titanic song. The was a collective groan. Spike covered his ears with a cloth lying near by and Willow ignored the music all together by concentrating on a spell. But Anya was not so easily irritated. She began humming along with music, surprising in tune. After a few measures Dawn joined in. By the chorus everyone was participating. Even Spike washitting the high alto parts, which wsa by no means as shocking as Xander hitting the high soprano.

After Celine came Cher, Bette Midler, and eventually everyone's personal favorite. Madonna.

"Like a virgin," Xander shrieked swinging his arms in emphasis.

By the time the Scooby Gang reached Fairview they were all sung out. It wsa beginning to darken and the group decided to have a proper rest in real beds. They pulled into the first motel they spotted. It was grungy and not all welcoming with its badly peeling paint. They piled out of the Scoody Van, as they'd tagged it earlier in the day. They walked into the office which was really no more than a closet with a window view.

"Good evenin'! Can I get ya'll a room?" a cheery chestnut brunette asked. After one look around, Xander considered going back to the van. This place was below human standards. Giles had simialr thoughts, but didn't want to drive anymore tonight. Spike took in his surroundings and decided it could be worse. Also a lot better, but he'd slept in worse.

"Yeah, two rooms, please," Buffy requested. She had decided early on to savor their funds.

"That's a bit cramped, don't you think?" Anya asked.

"I don't want us to run out of money too soon," Buffy explained. "We have limited means."

"True as that may be, Anya does have a point," Dawn agreed.

"Fine, make that three rooms."

"Alrighty, that's $60.50," thier provider said. The slayer counted the money carefully before handing it over.

"Now we'll just have to split the rooms," Buffy informed them.

"I'm with Xander," Anya exclaimed raising her hand. She glared around daring anyone to challenge her, as if anyone else wanted to sleep with Xander.

"Well, I don't see anyone else jumping at the oppurtuniy. Here's your key. Room 17." They bounded off the to their room whispering and giggling along the way.

"Willow and I have some spells to go over," Giles said. Willow raised her tattered spell book as proof.

"Oh, I wanna watch," Dawn pleaded.

"Fine, but don't get in the way. You three are in Room18." The three turned and walked of to their room, Willow and Giles leading and Dawn trailing closely behind.

"Guess it's you and me, Slayer," Spike spoke.

"Yep, off to Room 20," Buffy agreed.

"After you," Spike offered as he held open the door and gestured with his hand.

"Well, I guess chivilary isn't dead," Buffy half joked.

"There are a few of us good guys left in the world."

Buffy threw her bag down by the door and stretched her arms. She slowly rotated her neck before focusing on the room.

"Which bed do you want?" She asked her roommate.

"Whichever you don't."

"Another point for modern chivilary," Buffy complimented. "I'lll take the one by the door."

"Right then," the other said as he sat on the not-so-springy matress adjacent to Buffy's choice. As he peeled off his patent black shirt, Buffy noticed the scar on his left shoulder blade for the first time.

"What happened there?" She inquired.

"Long story short, I got into a fight," he answered.

"Must have been one hell of an opponent," Buffy ventured.

"Nothing I couldn't handle."

"I see. Well, I'm gonna take a shower before bed." With that she walked over to collect her sleeping clothes and back to the bathroom. She closed the plainnn white door behind her and began stripping off her clothes. The bath was meager but adequate. The water felt like a blessing against Buffy's skin and the steam relaxed her. She ran her fingers through the hair to untangle it as the water washed over it.

She stepped out and dug through the clothes she'd brought along. She retrieved the old, plaid sweatpants and gray Sunnydale High t-shirt she'd use as pajamas. After brushing both her teeth and hair, she returned to the bedroom to find Spike lying on his back, hands behind his head. She crossed the room to her own bed and pulled her covers to her waist, before turning off the lamp on the head board.

"Night, Spike," the Slayer called through the darkness.

"Good night, Buffy." He'd never expected to have the oppurtunity to say that and relished it.

Buffy had just dozed off when she heard the whispering on the other side of the door. She rolled over to find two silhouettes outlined by moonlight conversing.

"Spike."

"Right with you, Love. We've got company."

In unison they hopped out of bed and crept towards Buffy's bag by the door. She pulled out her stake just as the door swung open.

"Well," said the first demon," if it isn't our favorite slayer." The attackers were usual demon size with red filed down stubs where horns had been.

"What happened?" Buffy asked. "Get neutered?"

The fight began. Spike took the taller one while Buffy concentrated on the one that had spoke first. Punches and roundhouse kicks were given to and taken by each side before the first demon was staked. The other, baffled by Buffy's strength, turned to run nut Spike rabbed him by the collar.

"Why don't you tell us why you're here," Bufy suggested calmly but firmly.

"For the key," Demon two answered gruffly.

"But how? Glory doesn't know where we are."

"No, not Glory. Ha! Glory was a joke compared to Janus," the demon informed them.

"Who?" Buffy thrust the stake against its chest.

"You'll learn soon enough," it said smiling. "He's for you. For the key."

Assuming they would get no more valuable information, Buffy staked him. He burst into a green goo, demon's blood, and then it dried itself up.

"We need Giles," Buffy told her blonde comrade.

"Right, love. Room 18."

Saty tuned for our next episode: The gang leaves the country for Itally, with Buffy's old flame for an interper.