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Disclaimer: I don't own any of this. Whatever seems to be Whedon's-probably is Whedon's. Don't sue me, I don't mean any harm. "We (I) come in peace!"

Chapter 3: The Magick Box

The walk to the Magick Box was surprisingly uneventful. Neither man had much to say and so the time passed quietly but comfortably. Xander entered the shoppe first, the jingle of the bell announcing their arrival. Spike lingered for a moment in the doorway and then made his way over to a small couch in the back.

While Spike was largely ignored, Xander was swamped with hugs from Willow and Buffy along with hellos from Tara and Giles. "Whoa, what's with all the attention? Was I supposed to bring donuts? Or what?" Xander asked, clearly surprised by everyone's behavior. The normal routine was 'Xander walks in, gets a few muttered hello's and a 'grab a book we're looking for this baddie tonight.'

Buffy spoke first, "We're just glad that you survived Spike at your place."

Spike cast a glare in her direction and said, "I can't hurt the whelp-don't know what you are so worried about."

"I'm not worried about you hurting him. We don't want Xander hurting himself-who knows what having to deal with you for hours could drive a person to."

Xander had walked away from Buffy when she first insulted Spike. He knew it would turn into a fight and didn't care to be in the middle. So now he was talking quietly with Willow and Giles.

"Slayer, I'm sick of your constant insults. Now, I've helped out you and yours for a while nnow and I think it's about time that you acknowledge that fact and stop with these petty barbs meant to garner everyone's attention back to you. It's time to grow up and put Dawn first instead of yourself." With that, Spike turned away from a stunned Buffy and joined Xander who seemed unsurprised at what Spike had said. But Giles and Willow wearing also wearing various expressions of shock. "So, Rupert, got any new info on the last Galegi demon?"

Giles snapped out of his surprise and managed to form an answer. "Uh, yes actually. Willow did a basic tracking spell earlier. If you just come over here…" Giles stepped out from behind the counter and went over to a table that had a map laid out on it.

Xander waited a moment and then followed them over to the table.

"Let's see, it appears that the demon is near the Restwell cemetery at the moment. Willow! Bring that book over here, the one we were looking through earlier."

The redhead came over with the book and Tara accompanying her and joined the group. Buffy was now sitting a good distance away with the look of surprise still on her face. Giles flipped open the large tome to a bookmarked page and scanned it. "Ah, yes. I thought so."

Spike was getting impatient and took out his smokes and lighter. "Is this important or can I go kill this bugger now?"

"Hmm? Oh Spike. I was just checking a fact. You can go; I believe the Galegi will be in Restwell for the next hour or so before it moves onto its next feeding ground."

Spike had exited the shoppe before Giles finished speaking. He didn't hear the ending of the sentence. Xander did and was concerned. "What? What exactly does the Galegi feed on?'

Giles looked over at Willow and she drew Tara away, so Tara wouldn't hear the response. "They consume the internal organs of the dead. It's quite interesting how they get enough nutrients, especially with most of today's dead being buried without their organs. In fact, there have been recorded cases in recent years that Galegi will go after vampires when hungry enough. After all, a vampire is a corpse."

Giles seemed to consider something before speaking again. "Oh."

"Oh? Oh, what?" Xander prodded. Giles didn't answer, but Tara did.

"I think that 'oh' means Spike could be in trouble if this Galegi hasn't eaten yet." Xander stared at her for a moment and then grabbed a broadsword from a display cabinet. He headed out the door, leaving behind a still stunned Slayer, Willow who was trying to figure out how Tara had overheard the conversation, Tara trying to explain to her flustered girlfriend, and a Watcher who for some reason had a slight smile on his face.

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Till next time-Schwarze-Katze