"You still up love?" Spike asked drowsily.

"Yeah. Do you want me to turn the light off? I can study with a flashlight," Buffy offered.

"It's okay. But you should get some sleep. It's late."

"I thought vampires slept during the day and stayed up at night," Buffy said. "Shouldn't you be wide awake?"

"You know I'm not like other vamps love. Besides, training with you all day wore me out. You've improved so much."

Buffy blushed at Spike's compliment. "I know I'm getting better. But I'm still worried. I mean, I've been training for a while. But the big showdown is tomorrow. I'm scared. There are still some parts of the Tri that don't make any sense. What if Malcah uses skills that I don't have because I don't understand them."

"Then we'll help out. Giles, Willow, Xander and I are all behind you. We're going to make sure that you get through this and that you win. So put down your book, turn off the light and-"

"I know, I know, get some rest," Buffy said with a sigh.

"Actually, I was going to tell you to get your cute ass over here. I have a sure way to work off some of your nervous energy," Spike said, smirking as Buffy compiled with his wishes.

Buffy fell asleep several hours later. Rested, relaxed, and with a content smile on her face.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Is everyone okay with their job?" Buffy asked.

"For the final time Buffy, we all understand our jobs," Xander answered.

"Don't worry so much. Everything is going to be fine. Malcah is the big bad and you are the heroine. You're obviously going to win. Everyone knows it," Willow assured the Slayer with a comforting pat on her arm.

"Thanks Wills. I know you guys have got my back" Buffy said with a smile.

"So, are we ready?" Spike asked, entering the library with a large sword in hand.

"Yup. Is Giles coming?" Buffy asked, catching the sword Spike tossed her.

"He was right behind me. Last I saw him the ten stakes he had been carrying fell out of his hand and he was scrambling to pick them up without dropping the other ax that was in his other hand," Spike said with a chuckle.

Buffy gave him a reproachful look. "And you didn't think that he could use a little help picking them up?"

"Nah, it's funnier to see the old man scramble around on the floor," Spike answered, not noticing the look that the Slayer was giving him. The other Scoobies rolled their eyes and Giles entered the room, stakes and ax in hand.

"Sorry everyone, I had a bit of a delay," He said with a pointed look in Spike's direction.

"It's okay," Buffy said with a smile in Spike's direction, unable to stay angry at Spike for long. "So, everyone grab a stake and let's head to the cemetery. We only have fifteen minutes until Malcah should be there."

"Let's rock," Xander said on his way out of the library. The Scoobies turned to stare at him. "Or not," He added sheepishly. Willow snickered as the group headed towards the cemetery.

^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^

"I can't believe it. She's not here! All the signs said she'd be. I've been studying the Tri and it seems to think she'll be here. And nothing! The bitch decides not to show!" Buffy exclaimed angrily.

"Buffy calm down," Giles reprimanded. "The fact that Malcah isn't here could mean a number of terrible things. She may have figured out that we have information on her and decided to change her plans. Or she may be somewhere else. Or-"

"Or she may just be late," Malcah said, hopping down from where she stood on top of a nearby mausoleum. "I'm sure you know what a bitch walking in heels is. It took me a little longer than I'd expected."

"Glad you decided to show. I was getting kind of bored just standing around."

"Eager to die Slayer?" Malcah asked.
"Eager to kill you," Buffy responded. And the fight was on.

Buffy held a sword tightly in her right hand. Malcah, however, was unarmed. Still, the Slayer knew not to underestimate the vampire just because she carried no weapons. Malcah waited for Buffy to attack and was not disappointed as the Slayer rushed towards Malcah, jump kicking her in the stomach. Malcah reeled backwards, giving Buffy a chance to thrust her sword towards her. However, Malcah rolled to the side in time to avoid the Slayer's blow and was soon back on her feet, surprising Buffy with a roundhouse kick that she narrowly dodged. At first Buffy was pleased with how the fight was going. She figured that studying the Tri must have paid off as she was managing to hold her own against a fighter who was clearly more experienced. However, as Buffy began to tire Malcah gained the upper hand. At first, the Slayer wondered why her friends were jumping in to help her. However, a brief scan of the graveyard let her know that Malcah had brought followers and her friends were tied up dealing with them. She was alone.

At some point during the fight Buffy's sword had fallen out of her hand. Spotting it lying next to a nearby tombstone the Slayer raced towards it. Malcah was too fast. She had the sword in hand before Buffy could blink. Punching Buffy in the face and then following that up with a spiraling kick sent the Slayer to the ground in front of a still standing Malcah. Buffy panted for breath, while she tried to find the strength to get to her feet. Blood dripped from her face and stomach. Buffy didn't even know when she had received the wounds. The only thing she was aware of was Malcah towering over her, sword in hand. She was all alone.

"You stupid mortals," Malcah said, a disgusted look on her face. "Even you, Slayer. You serach for the Tri. A book you hope will tell you the secrets of how to defeat me. You hope it will teach you what you need to know to win this fight. Don't you get it? The Tri is merely paper. And this sword…" Malcah bent the sword in half and cast it to the side, "…metal. It was forged and it can be destroyed. So can you. But don't worry sweetheart. It will only hurt for a minute." Kneeling next to Buffy on the ground Malcah lifted the Slayer chin so that Buffy was looking strait into her eyes. She vamped out, her yellow eyes blazing before twisting the Slayer's head to the side, exposing her unmarred neck and sinking her fangs into it. Buffy's world went black.