Alex stepped through the portal and set Dawn down. He carefully began to check her for injuries. The first thing he noticed was that none of her ammo had cooked off. God we're lucky that would have been a mess. Ok, pulse steady, breathing … normal, pupils… *Slap*

"I'm fine Alex. A little tired… actually completely exhausted. But I'm fine what happened?"

Alex rubbed his cheek as look of amused relief spread across his face. "That last freak was part of the head hunting cult. Seems his little light show opened us a portal home. We're back."

Buffy stepped up to them Mr. Pointy held threateningly in her hand. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"What Buffy, have we been gone so long you don't even remember us? Five years and I still recognize you in a heartbeat." Alex looked hurt.

Willow was staring at the two new arrivals intently and with a hesitant voice identified them "Xander, Dawn…" then the babbling began. "What happened to you, your so different, you fell through that portal and I spent all last night and most of today researching a spell to get you back I was just about to try it that's why we're in the graveyard. Why do you look so different? Oh My goddess you said five years were you stuck in a hell dimension like Angel, and what's up with the guns."

Willow was ecstatic seeing Xander and Dawn again. Despite her research she wasn't sure that her spell would retrieve the two of them, the translation had been difficult, and dimensional magics were really tricky. Willow wanted very much to go and hug her childhood friend, but he looked so different now she was not sure she could, plus the weapons were kind of intimidating.

Alex smiled slightly looking up at Willow, "God, Wills it's good to hear your babble again, I've missed that." Standing up and helping Dawn to her feet he continued, "I doubt we were in the same hell dimension that Angel was as we never saw any demons, but time obviously runs different there. It was five years for us, and from what you said only a day has passed here." Getting a nod and a smile from Willow he relaxed a little, but Buffy's posture and lack of response preventing him from letting his guard down entirely.

Buffy was staring intently at Alex and Dawn. 'This can't be them. It's some trick. The First is trying to trick us and stop Willow from doing the spell that will bring the real Dawn and Xander back. I mean just look at them she has short hair, Dawn loved her long hair, she'd never cut it. And him, all dressed in black and muscled he looks incredible. He just can't be Xander. Besides I heard her slip and call him Alex. I'll have to take them out before they can go for their guns.'

As Buffy was going through her mental debate two more figures approached the group. The first of them in his trademark tweed was easily recognizable as Giles. The second a bleach blond Billy Idol wannabee strutted along as if he owned the cemetery.

Spike was on top of the world. He'd gotten rid droopy last night, shame about the bit, but you had to take the bad with the good. He had even managed to mistranslate Red's spell so it would send her to them instead of them to her. Soon Buffy would be alone and all his. No, things couldn't get much better. Approaching the Crypt where he was to meet Buffy and Willow he noticed the two additional people, and judging by Buffy's stance someone was going to get their arses kicked. It wasn't until he was nearly to the group that the two people started to look familiar. Spikes good mood evaporated in an instant, "Droops, good to see you ba…"

As Alex had been watching Buffy and keeping a portion of his awareness on the arrival of Giles he had completely missed the arrival of Spike. It was the word Droops that drew his attention. With a shouted "Spike!" he turned, pulled his Sig Sauer and blew out both the vampires' knees, the spray of bone and blood covering the grass. A third muzzle flash from behind him and Spike right shoulder was destroyed.

Spike was to say the least stunned by his reception. As the strength left his right arm his cigarette tumbled to the ground, shortly followed by Spike himself.

Alex turned his attention from the downed vampire for a second glancing at the rest of the group. Willow was wringing her hand, obviously trying to decide if she should cast a spell or not. Buffy had taken a half step forward but was now frozen in place, her sister's Glock at her temple. Dawn always had his back and while he doubted she would actually shoot Buffy the threat would keep her out of this. Giles was reaching for his glasses, and if Alex knew him there would be some serious rubbing going on. Turning back to Spike.

"Spike! Thought it was funny tossing us through that portal didn't you! Thought you would get away with it didn't you. Thought we would never make it back that we would be gone forever. Spike you have no idea how long I've dreamed of seeing you again. For years I planned tortures for you, a hundred different ways to kill you. But you know in the end I decided it doesn't matter how you die just that you do."

Spike looked up trying to focus through the pain. 'I can't believe droops shot me. I'm going to rip that boy in two, slayer be damned.' He could already feel his vampiric healing at work, and it would only be a minute or two before he was mobile again.

Alex tucked his pistol back into its holster and drew his 'ace' for the second time that night.

As he approached Spike he heard Buffy's cry, "But you can't kill him. I need him, he has a soul."

Alex paused and looked first to Buffy and then to Willow and Giles who merely shrugged, "Your kidding right, your saying I can't kill this bastard because he has a soul." Alex pointed at Spike with the tip of his sword. "Let me tell you something I've learned in the past five years Buff. A soul doesn't make you a good person. I've seen hundreds of evil people who have committed unspeakable crimes and they all had souls. And just because this bloodsucker" He gave Spike a vicious kick to the ribs "has a soul doesn't give him a get out of jail free card."

Dawn spoke up, "Cut the speeches and just finish it Alex I'm exhausted and I want to get home to bed."

Alex pulled himself out of his rant and staring the crippled vampire in the eye drew back and severed the pale blonde head from its body. As Spike crumbled to dust he heard a screamed "NO!" from Buffy as she collapsed to the ground.

Alex sheathed his sword and turned back to the group. "Well now that that is taken care of, G-man can you give us a lift home?"

Willows eyebrows were in danger of becoming a permanent part of her hairline. What had happened to Xander and Dawn? How could Xander so callously kill Spike, after all he had done for them? How could sweet innocent Dawnie point a gun at her sister's head and then tell Xander to hurry up 'cause she was tired. What had happened to them, what kind of people had they become?"

Giles was secretly dancing with joy. Spike was finally dead, he would have done it himself long ago if his slayer hadn't forbidden it. Giles knew his codling of Buffy was a problem; his slayer wielded too much power but didn't have the knowledge or wisdom to handle it. No one stood up to her, or if they did they were quickly beaten down. He had tried leaving in an effort to get her to grow up. That had worked so bloody well, she actually regressed back to shagging vampires. Looking down at the broken woman at his feet he felt somewhat sorry for her. This was a serious blow, something that would either break her or make her stronger in the end. He was hoping for the latter but right now it could go either way and he knew his presence wouldn't make things better. He would just end up agreeing with her, and come tomorrow Xander would be a dead man.

Looking over at Xander and Dawn he noticed the changes in the two. Both were extremely fit, with bulletproof vests and a wide array of weaponry visible or partially concealed. The way they carried themselves reminded him of the way the Council teams, all ex SAS or SBS, carried themselves. Their response to Spikes presence was shocking in both its speed and effectiveness. Bullets may not kill a vampire but one could hardly put up a fight without knees or shoulders. Giles had to admit that whatever training they found had to have been extremely effective and he was looking forward to seeing more of what they could do. Provided they were on his side of course.

Giles finished wiping his glasses, "Certainly Xander, although you might want to stay in your apartment tonight. I don't think it would be a good idea for you to be in the same house as Buffy. Dawn you may want to stay there as well."

Dawn flashed Giles a weak smile, "Where Alex stays I stay." Turning to Willow her smile turned into a look of concern. "Can you look after Buffy, make sure she gets home safe. Let her know we'll be by tomorrow to explain things." Then as she was walking off to where Giles and Alex where waiting Willow heard her whisper. "I had dreams about today, but none of them were ever like this. Well except for the killing Spike part. Everyone was supposed to be so happy, this is a nightmare."

Willow pulled Buffy up off the ground and the group headed in silence to the car park. Willow and Buffy keeping some distance between themselves and Giles group.

As Giles pulled out of the cemetery car park he looked to Xander beside him in the front seat. "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"Not at all, just understand that we may choose not to answer. We will be available for a more detailed debrief tomorrow, but feel free to ask questions till we get to the apartment."

Giles' eyebrow rose at the way Xander spoke, again seeing more and more military in him. "I suppose my first question would be why does Dawn call you Alex?"

Alex shrugged, not what he expected for a first question, but relevant anyways. "It has to do with where we were and who we worked for. The people we were with demanded your best everyday. Xander was good, but he, I, just reacted to situations. Back then I didn't show my best side to anyone, I held back in fights, didn't try in school. The attitude I had as Xander would have gotten us both killed. To become the best I could be I had to become more than just Xander. It was actually pretty easy Dawn was the only one who knew me as Xander and so long as she called me Alex I could concentrate on the training."

"You mentioned training can you tell me anything about it?"

Alex tensed and looked towards an equally tense Dawn in the back seat. "No. We can't tell you anything, and before you go and get all pissy on me let me explain. The dimension we were in was very different than this one. No magic for one thing, but there were similarities as well, companies, organizations. The people may be different, but the overall structure of society was the same. Just before we came over we took out six Terakans, professional assassins on that world as well. Back to the point, in that world if I told you which group we worked for we would all be sanctioned." Alex pointed his finger at his head and jerked it back. "If you catch my drift. I don't want to take the risk of word getting back to this group should they exist in this reality."

Alex could practically feel Dawn relax, until Giles asked the next question. "Dawn would you have actually shot Buffy back there?

There was no hesitation in Dawn's reply. "If she tried to hurt Alex, in a heartbeat. I would have gone for disabling shots, I don't want her dead, I don't even want her hurt! She's my sister and despite her multitude of bad decisions still a good person. We don't kill the good guys. But if she tried to attacked my partner I'd stop her."

Despite Dawns attempts to hide it the weariness in her voice was becoming more and more apparent to both men. Fortunately they were pulling up to Alex's apartment complex.

"What time do you want to meet tomorrow?" Asked Giles as Alex gathered their equipment from the trunk of the car.

Looking up at the sky trying to gauge the time Alex replied, "Say twelve hours, about two thirty. Should give everyone a chance to rest and calm down a little." Alex blinked for a second trying to remember something then continued "Could you get the Potentials out of the house. They don't need to hear this, and they won't help the situation. The fewer people we have to deal with right now the better this will go."

Giles agreed and as he was getting back into his car couldn't resist a final comment. "I expect you'll be explaining the wedding rings tomorrow as well then." Quickly closing his door before Alex could comment he started the car and headed for home. Tomorrow would be an interesting day.

Alex walked up to his apartment actually glad that the vampires kept people indoors at night. Two thirty in any normal city and he would have had to explain his weaponry to a bunch of drunks stumbling home from the bar. Reaching his apartment he turned the handle and was pleased to find that Dawn had left it unlocked for him. Note to self: get another set of keys made. It would be a pain to have to pick the lock every time he wanted into his own apartment.

Entering the apartment he could hear water running and knew Dawn would be a while. Collecting Dawns weaponry from the living room he moved about the apartment stashing guns and knives in various places. Finishing in the kitchen he looked around thoughtfully. It had been a while since they had eaten, and they had just finished a somewhat strenuous mission perhaps some food would be in order. With that in mind Alex set about preparing a light meal for the two of them.

When Dawn walked into the kitchen clad only in an old dress shirt she was pleased to see Alex had whipped them up a vegetarian Quiche. He didn't cook often, but when he did it was always mouthwatering. She raised an eyebrow at the wine on the table, and took her seat at the table. She wasn't much for wine but she supposed they did have something to celebrate. They were home, even if things were a little tense right now.

As Dawn sat across from him Alex reflected on the evening. He supposed he could have handled the Spike thing with a little more tact. Buffy was going to be a serious problem because of this. He half expected her to storm through the door any minute and try to kill him. Well, spilled milk and all that. They would deal with the consequence tomorrow. Tonight he just wanted to bask in the fact that he was home and free of Section. No matter how well Paul treated them, or the friendship they shared with Birkoff and Walter, Section was still a prison and the freedom felt nice.

Alex lifted his glass, "To homecomings, friends lost and friends regained."

Dawn lifted hers, "To friends."

They finished the meal in a comfortable silence, and as Alex was clearing the dishes away he finally broached the topic Giles had brought up. "Dawn, you know how we are both wearing wedding bands right now, well Giles saw the rings. Right now he assumes that we are married, and is expecting us to explain tomorrow. By the time we meet them tomorrow I wouldn't be surprised if he'd told Willow and Buffy. As I see it we've got three possible responses, but I'm partial to the first." He paused for effect. "I did ask for and received your fathers approval after all and you accepted." Alex gave Dawn a cheeky grin.

Dawn gave a weary smile back, she was really too tired to play this game but she couldn't let him off that easy, "I accepted your proposal, but I never got a ceremony. I'm afraid I will have to insist upon a ceremony here."

"Of course love. I'm sure you'll plan something suitably elaborate. But for now…" He scooped her up and headed for the bedroom, "Its way past someone's bedtime, and you should get some sleep to."

~~~~**~~~~

Nine am the next morning found Dawn sitting at the kitchen table carefully cleaning both her and Alex's MP5's. While they hadn't gotten a lot of use it was still best to keep them maintained. She had been pleasantly surprised to find a can of gun oil under Alex's sink. She didn't think he'd had need of it back then. She had ripped up a few of his more hideous shirts. He needed a new wardrobe anyways. What he had here really didn't suit him anymore. Although she carefully set aside a few of the smaller T-shirts, he'd definitely look good in those.

She was just putting the firing pin back in the second gun when the door to the hall was kicked violently open and Buffy strode in.

"Where is he? I'm going to kill him."

"He's not here, and you can calm down right now or get the hell out." Dawn set the gun on the table and strode over to confront her sister. "We told both Giles and Willow that we would be over later today to explain in detail what happened to us. Now you come in here threatening Alex when you have no idea what he and I have been through. What Spike put us through, because there is no doubt in my mind that Spike was entirely responsible for the last five years. You didn't see his grin as he tossed us into that portal."

"You bastards killed Spike without any provocation, you took him away from me. Your not Dawn, my sister would not have pointed a gun at my head while her partner butchered a defenceless person."

"Not your sister!" Dawn's voice was like ice her eyes flashing dangerously. "I spent five years dreaming of the day I could see you again. Every day for five years I imagined the day that we would get back, and you would be happy to see me. We finally find a way home and the first thing I see is my sister preparing to attack us. And don't try to lie to me, you were going to attack us whether Alex had attacked Spike or not."

"Don't you dare try to put this on me. You pulled a gun on me, your partner killed Spike and all because you couldn't hack a few years away." Buffy Spat back

"You have no idea what happened to us. What, just because we didn't come back naked and loony we must have been fine. We may not have been in a hell dimension, but we may as well have been in hell. You couldn't even imagine the things that were done to us, the things that we had to do. I'm not trying to put this on you. It. Is. All. Spikes. Fault. HE is the one that tossed us into the portal. HE is the one that grinned at us as he did it. HE is the only one we held responsible, and HE is the one we punished."

Dawn took a deep breath visibly calming down and tried to put a little warmth into her voice. "Buffy, you have people willing to help you, Giles, Willow, myself. Why is Spike so important? Why did you need Spike? Did you love him that much or was it something else?"

Buffy screamed in frustration. "I just don't know Dawn. He was always there. I trusted him with everything. When he was there I wasn't alone. He made me feel … something. After I was pulled from heaven I was messed up for a long time I admit it, and he was there for me. Then when he went and got his soul 'just for me' I thought that he must really love me. I saw what I wanted to see. Now I just don't know. Did Xander have to kill him like that? Spike couldn't have even hurt him with the chip still active."

"Alex did what he had to do, and if we hadn't disabled Spike would have fled and the manipulative bastard would have turned you against us worse then you are now. We spent a great deal of time thinking about Spike and what he was doing. When we thought back all his careful manipulations came to light. It was just like Adam all over again. Spike was carefully setting us against each other."

"We also checked up on his Vaunted chip. There is no way that the chip could still have been working after all this time. While we were … away Alex and I both read briefs on similar technology. The expected lifespan of such behaviour modification chips was a year. With the amount of use Spike put his to we estimate it failed after four months perhaps sooner. Everything after was an act. Spike wasn't a stupid vampire like the minions you usually slay he could make elaborate plans and assuming he didn't get bored would execute them flawlessly."

Buffy hissed in shock, "The chip wasn't active, I let a dangerous vampire stroll around as he pleased." She paused before continuing with more confidence "But he never killed anyone. And don't even start on those he killed under the firsts influence, that was the First."

"Those may have been killed by the First, but how many other basements has Spike buried bodies in?"

"Spike never killed, he only drank purchased blood, or went to Willies. He wasn't hurting anyone."

Dawn gave her an incredulous look. "Spike go to Willies, alone. He'd be dust before he got in the door. The entire demon community calls him a traitor and has threatened to kill him on sight. I'm sure that he was quite careful about when and where he drank so that you wouldn't get suspicious, but just because he hid the bodies well doesn't mean there weren't any."

Buffy put her head into her hands and through choked sobs replied "I don't know what to think anymore Dawn. I wanted him to be good so badly. But I should have known better, there were so many signs. His claims of going to Willies, the stories about Xander and how he couldn't be trusted, saying he could hit me because I wasn't human any longer."

Dawn pulled her sister into a hug, letting her cry on her shoulder. "Spike said you weren't human and that was why he could hit you?" When Buffy nodded a reply Dawn continued. "Lets look at this then, me a mystical key, couldn't hit me. Willow Uber witch couldn't hit her. Alex twice possessed human couldn't hit him. Anya ex vengeance demon couldn't touch her and you think a little thing like a resurrection would let Spike hit you. It was a lie Buffy he hit you because he wanted to, you are as human as the rest of us. Although I guess that isn't saying much."

Buffy let out a weak laugh into Dawns shoulder. "Thanks Dawn. You've helped. I can't say I'm better or anything but I think in time I could be. I was, still am messed up and I have a lot of thinking to do, but with my sister and my best friends by my side I can face anything. That doesn't mean I've forgiven Xander for everything, but I'll listen to what he has to say before I pound him into the dirt."

Letting go of Buffy Dawn motioned toward the couch, "We'll explain more tonight, but for now why don't we just sit and talk just sisters, no Super Slayer, No mystical key just sisters."

Buffy seated herself on the couch and turned to Dawn "Why Alex, what I mean is why do you call him Alex and not Xander?"

"It's something Alex requested shortly after we went through the portal. I think it was the third day. He asked me to call him Alex, said Xander couldn't deal with the situation. He didn't explain any further, but as time passed I could see that Alex had all the best qualities of Xander without the self-doubt and self-depreciation that kept Xander from being great. He still treats his friends the same way Xander did, but he is very careful about who he chooses as friends. Before Xander didn't care about himself, he would go to the ends of the world to protect a friend, but he wouldn't walk a block to save himself if it would inconvenience a friend. That's not Alex. Alex will go to the ends of the Earth for a friend, but he expects his friend to be waiting there when he arrives."

Buffy caught the slight rebuke in Dawns message flashing back to how she had treated him in the past couple of years and silently vowed the be worthy of Alex's friendship.

"So Giles said you were Mrs. Alexander Harris now?" Buffy looked at Dawn for confirmation

"Well we talked last night and settled at engaged until we can get the ceremony performed." Offered a grinning Dawn.

Buffy's face lit up in a genuine smile. "My baby sister is getting married. That's so weird, last week you were in high school now here you are as old as me, and engaged to my Xander shaped friend. I get maid of honour right?"

"Of course, and we'll make Giles father of the bride. I'm sure Alex will want Willow as best person."