After Xander passed out while studying a book on flying demons and their various magical properties, the gang decided to call it a night and head home. They all said goodbye as Anya half-carried Xander out the door. Willow and Tara left together, heading back to their dorm, and Giles locked up the Magic Box.

They weren't sure what they were looking for, exactly; things hadn't really seemed any stranger than usual, but they had a hunch that something was brewing. Either that or they were just bored. Either way, Giles was sure it wasn't anything more than the usual stuff they faced. Then again, to most people, that stuff was pretty dangerous.

We're becoming much too arrogant, he thought. Thinking we're invincible just because nothing bad has happened yet. People around us get killed all the time; it's most unfortunate, and it's been luck that's kept us all alive. Well, that, and the fact that we're close to the Slayer, but regardless... We face danger every day and we're starting to take for granted that we always win. Ibelieve we need to start being more cautious. After he'd finished locking up, he went home to try to get some rest. It was already 2:30 in the morning and now he had a new worry on his mind.

Tired, but happy, Willow and Tara headed through the dark streets talking and laughing. They paid no mind to the eerie silence nor the unusual stillness of the night. For them the unusual was the usual, and so they walked on, unperturbed. As they neared the campus of UC Sunnydale, Willow stopped abruptly; suddenly uneasy. Alarmed, Tara turned and questioned with some trepidation, "What's the matter?"

"Oh, nothing...just felt something is all." The redhead tried to shake off the nerves but something had given her the wiggins. She was suddenly very cold and wanted nothing more than to get to the dorm and get some hot chocolate, a long brain-food type novel, and a warm blanket. She quickened her pace in anticipation.

"Oh? Like what?"

"Well, you know like when you get a chill, or you feel someone's watching you? Well...like that. Only...only worse."

"Well you should always trust your instincts," Tara said soothingly. "You're getting to be a pretty powerful Wicca, you know...add that to human instinct, and I'd say that you'd know if there was something bad lurking. Call it Willow-instinct.'' She smiled shyly, taking Willow's hand.

"No, it's-it's gone now." Willow ran her free hand through her hair, looking around. She leaned into Tara and continued, "Weird, though. Talk about wigging out."

They continued walking, passing the occasional student still wandering around outside the dorms. Tara sighed, "I just want you to be careful."

"Don't worry, baby," Willow said, finally feeling at ease as they entered their well-lit dorm. "It was nothing."

Meanwhile, a demon that had been lurking in the bushes turned and headed off into the darkness, hissing softly.

Spike prowled the streets of Sunnydale trying to sort out his thoughts, aware that he only had a couple hours till sunrise. He wanted the Slayer desperately. He knew that. He accepted that. What he hadn't counted on though, was her wanting him, too. Because he knew she did. He'd felt it when they kissed. Sure, he'd hoped she felt the same way; he'd thought about seducing her...but he hadn't actually expected it to happen. Not really. He'd gone out on a limb, kissing her. He'd half expected her to kick his ass and had been shocked, stunned, when she'd responded. His mouth watered at the memory of her lips, her body...

He knew she wanted him, damn bint, always denying her feelings. Telling him to get away from her, as if he couldn't tell what she was feeling. Like he couldn't sense what she felt...she was always underestimating him. He punched a nearby tree, trying to vent some of his frustration and uncertainty. As a branch broke off from the force of his rage, he heard another snapping sound coming from the other trees on his left. He turned to get a better look, sure that there was nothing there. Taking a couple more steps, he looked around again. Satisfied that it had been the wind or a small animal, he turned back to the street. Even if it were human, it's not like he could eat anyway...

He kept walking, when behind him there came a crash and the heavy thud of footsteps He whirled around to see a huge beastcome barreling out of the trees. "Bloody hell," he muttered when he saw the thing attacking him. It was a good seven feet tall, with a head that looked something like a serpent or lizard. It had fiery red eyes that seemed to glow with an inner malevolence, and its whole body was covered in scales. Standing upright like a human, it had muscular, powerful looking legs that ended in clawed feet, and its tail ended in several long, vicious looking scythes.

"Shit," Spike muttered as the beast neared him. When it came within range, Spike punched it square in the face with a smack that would have caused most demons to collapse, but to no avail; the creature simply barreled him over and continued running. Spike sat up, slightly dazed. What in the bleeding hell was that thing? he wondered as it faded into the distance. Slowly, he got up. Noticing the glints of light in the east, he headed back to his crypt. Already forgetting the demon, his thoughts returned to Buffy.

Hey, I know this is a short chapter...but I'm not getting all the reviews I would hope. It's good to get reviews. I'm not too sure where to go from here, but I have some ideas...I guess you'll just have to wait for the next chapter, which will come sooner if you'd just REVIEW! Review, review, review! They are the source of all my writing energy! Anyway, thanx 4 all the ones I got last time!