Buffy and Angel walked into the school and headed for the library. Giles and the others were already in the library doing more research on Amanda Walken and the Berman Brothers. So far they hadn't found out any information about where Amanda was hold up. Nor had there been any vampire sightings in the past couple of days. As Buffy rounded a corner in the corridor she nearly collided with one of the maintenance men.
"Oh, sorry," said Buffy. "Didn't see you there."
"No harm done," said the man who was holding a small black square box in his hand.
The man appeared to be about Giles' age. His black hair was peppered with bits of gray. He was wearing one of the maintenance uniforms the school maintenance crew wore and it had the name "Ian" stenciled over one pocket.
"A little late for school, isn't it?" Ian asked.
"Oh, well, we're doing some research," Buffy said. "For a, uh, school project."
"Aren't you a little old to be in high school?" Ian asked, looking suspiciously at Angel.
"He's my tutor," Buffy offered suddenly. "He's helping me with my history. That's what the project it. For my history class."
"I see," said Ian. "I'll be locking the doors soon. Just make sure you're out before then."
"We will," Buffy said. "Just need to get some books from the library, that's all."
"Okay," said Ian, smiling. "Nice to have met you."
"Yeah, you, too," said Buffy and she and Angel hurried off to the library.
"History tutor?" Angel questioned, smiling slightly at Buffy.
"Well, you do know a lot about history," Buffy said. "And you do give me information on vampires. So in a way you're my history tutor."
"Okay," said Angel as they hurried to the library.
Ian stood in the corridor watching the two hurrying down the hallway. History tutor, he thought to himself. The girl can think on her feet. That was good. Ian turned and walked up the hallway heading for the light fixture he was working on.
"This is most unsettling," Giles said. "Other than what we already know about Amanda Walken and the Berman Brothers we haven't been able to find out anything else about them."
"She'll wait a few days," Angel said. "She likes to study her prey. When she thinks she's learned everything she can that's when she'll strike."
"No idea where she might be holding up?" Buffy asked.
"None," said Giles. "She doesn't have a set pattern. It's always different. There's just no way to predict how she might react this time."
"Well, at least the vampire activity is down," Willow said. "That's good."
"Only for the moment," said Angel. "Once she's finished with Buffy she'll turn the vampires loose on Sunnydale. And there won't be anyone to stop them."
"Hey," Buffy said. "You talk like I'm already dead. Give me a little credit here."
"I am," said Angel. "But I know how Amanda works. When she's ready she won't come after you. She'll get you to come to her. And she'll have plenty of vampires around to help her. I'm not sure a single slayer will be enough to stand against them."
"We can help," Xander said. "It's not like we're untried, you know."
"The last time Amanda took out a Slayer," Angel said, "she had a dozen vampires with her. And this time she has the Berman Brothers with her as well. Buffy, you saw how dangerous Lucas was. And he was youngest and least powerful of the three. With the other two helping her she's going to be just that much more dangerous."
"Okay, so she used to be a Slayer," said Buffy. "But she's still a vampire. With all the normal vampire weaknesses I assume?"
"Well, yes," said Giles. "As far as anyone knows."
"Except that she's much stronger than an ordinary vampire," said Angel. "And much more ruthless. She won't hesitate to kill anyone who stands in her way. And don't forget. You aren't the only one in danger here. Giles, Willow, anyone close to you is in danger. Including your mother."
"Then we'd better find her and put an end to her fast," said Buffy. "Just keep up the Nancy Drew routine. Tonight Angel and I will have a look around town. If she's hold up somewhere there has to be some indication where she is."
"Just be careful," said Giles. "Amanda is extremely devious. She's not likely to be alone."
"We will," said Buffy. "You just find out what you can about her. The more information I have the better equipped I'll be."
"We'll find out what we can," said Giles.
"Great," said Buffy. "I'd better be getting home. Mom is getting suspicious enough with me staying out so late every night."
"Just remember what we said," said Giles. "Don't underestimate Amanda. She's more dangerous than any vampire you've ever faced."
"Big baddie, got it," said Buffy. "Guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll walk you home," said Angel. "As long as Amanda is in town you shouldn't be out alone at night."
Buffy and Angel left the library as Giles went back to consulting his books again. As the two left the school, Ian was busily locking the doors behind them. He looked at Buffy as they walked across the lawn toward Buffy's house.