All of Buffy's senses were on alert as she surveyed the alley outside the Bronze for any signs of vampires. "Come out, come out wherever you are," She called. The Slayer received no response and was about to go back inside the Bronze when she heard a large crash. Buffy headed down the alley and towards where she heard the crash. She stopped when she came to a dead end.
"I have to admit, I wasn't sure that you would fall for it. I mean, I knew you'd come outside and try and help the innocent human I'd dragged out here, but I didn't think you'd come out without backup," An unidentified female voice said. Buffy turned around cautiously, attempting to figure out where the sound came from.
"You can't see me yet. It doesn't matter how many times you turn around…won't help."
"Any particular reason you called me here, or was it just to give me a lecture about being cautious?" The Slayer asked.
"Just wanted to introduce myself," The voice answered.
"Well allow me to give you a pointer. Visibility…big plus."
The unidentified voice laughed. "You're a funny one. They told me you would be."
"Who told you what?" Buffy asked. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Just making conversation Slayer. I've been watching you and your friends research. Trying to learn everything you can about how to defeat the renowned Malcah."
"And what…you had something you wanted to add, or you just wanted to ruin my night?" Buffy asked. She waited a few minutes for a response to come and when none did she began to get worried. "Hello," She called out.
"Just thought I should let you in on a little secret," The voice said, breaking the silence.
"Yeah. And what is that?"
"I'm already here sweetcheeks. And right now, you're playing with the big girls. So I would either go home…or get ready to die."
"Y-y-you're…" Buffy trailed off when she heard footsteps coming towards her. Suddenly Spike, Xander and Willow appeared next to her.
"You okay love?" Spike asked. "We heard voices."
"I'm fine. I think…" Buffy stopped talking.
Spike's brow furrowed as he looked at the slayer with concern. "What is it, love? What's wrong?"
"I think I just talked to Malcah," the Slayer admitted.
"That's impossible," Xander said. "I thought Malcah wasn't going to rise for a while."
"I guess she didn't get the memo," Buffy said with a humorless laugh.
"You okay? She didn't hurt you did she?" Spike asked, concerned.
"I'm fine. I'm more worried about why she rose so early. And why neither of us felt anything. Don't you think that you, at least, would have felt a vampire with her strength rise?" Buffy asked.
"I should have. I…I don't understand what happened," Spike admitted.
"I think that we should go find Giles," Willow suggested.
Xander nodded his consent. "Giles is the answer man. He will definitely know what's up."
************ *************** ***************
"I'm telling you Xander. I have no idea what's going on," Giles said for the third time since Xander, Buffy, Spike and Willow had entered the library, wondering what was going on.
"I don't think what's important is how Malcah rose, or why she rose early. I think what we should be concentrating on is getting the Tri and then concentrating on fighting her," Buffy said.
Spike nodded, "I agree, love. The problem is that your plan sounds a lot easier than it actually is."
"I know. I just think that our best shot at defeating Malcah is a straight out fight. I mean, I've been training harder than ever with you. I know I can fight her. And besides, I'll have back up." Buffy smiled at Willow, Xander at Giles. "I'll have you guys."
Xander smiled back at the slayer. "You bet Buffster. We're like the Scooby Doo gang."
"You watch Scooby Doo?" Buffy asked, surprised.
"Oh yeah. Willow and I used to watch it all the time when we were younger."
"I didn't know that you liked Scooby Doo," Willow said, surprised. "I always assumed that you…well, I never really thouht of you watching cartoons."
"Oh yeah. Spike and I love Scooby Doo," Buffy said.
Xander broke out into hysterical giggles. "You watch Scooby Doo?" He asked in between chuckles, pointing at Spike.
"What of it?" The vampire answered, smoothing the lapels of his duster. "Something funny about what the big bad watches on the telly?"
Xander paused before answering, "Um…yeah."
Buffy placed a comforting hand on Spike's shoulder. "I don't think what's important is that your manhood has been compromised."
Spike pouted, causing Buffy to smile at him reassuringly. "What's important is that you, Mr. Big bad, manage to help me keep everyone safe. And maybe if you're a good boy you can have a scooby snack afterwards," Buffy teased, finishing in a baby voice.
Spike rolled his eyes before rising to the bait and pulling the Slayer down onto the floor next to him and beginning a wrestling match.
Giles, Willow and Xander watched Buffy and Spike with amusement. It was strange to see a master vampire engaging in a childish wrestling match with a slayer. However, what made it stranger was that every time their faces got close to one another they would kiss briefly, breaking apart to continue the match.
"Well, enough of this. We should gather supplies and do a spell to try and locate the Tri," Giles suggested.
"I'll go to the magic shop to get supplies," Willow said, stepping over Buffy and Spike, who had continued to wrestle, oblivious to the plans the others had made.
"I'll go with," Xander said, doing the same and walking out of the library with Willow.
Giles nodded. "Excellent, it's a plan then." With those final words he headed into his office, leaving Buffy and Spike sprawled out on the floor. Watcher training had definitely not prepared him for this.