"Thanks for walking me home," said Buffy as they stood on her front porch. "I didn't want to say anything to Giles but this Amanda Walken thing really has me worried."
"That's good," said Angel. "Amanda is as dangerous as we've told you. You have to be on your guard every second."
"Well at least mom is safe while she's home," said Buffy. "Amanda can't enter the house unless mom or I invite her in. I'll be sure to let her know not to invite anyone in until we get rid of Amanda."
"How will you do that?" Angel asked.
"I'll think of something," said Buffy. "Have you ever met Amanda Walken?"
"Once," said Angel. "It was just after I became... It was a long time ago."
"Not very good memories?" Buffy asked.
"I guess it depends on your point of view," said Angel. "At that point I was Angelus."
"Oh, I see," said Buffy. "Sorry if I brought up any bad memories."
"Ancient history," said Angel managing a weak smile. "Nothing to be concerned with now. Now we have to worry about Amanda. She's definitely planning something. I just wish we knew what it was."
"Maybe Giles will find out something," said Buffy. "And Willow is bound to come up with something. She's very good at that."
"Yeah, so I've noticed," said Angel. "Look, don't go out patrolling without me for the next few nights. I'll meet you here just after sundown. If Amanda attacks with the Berman Brothers you're going to need help. Not even you can stand up to all of them at the same time."
"I promise," said Buffy.
Just then the front door opened and Buffy's mother stepped out of the house.
"Mom," said Buffy in surprise.
"Mrs. Summers," said Angel nervously.
"Buffy, it's very late," Joyce said. "Where have you been?"
"Oh, uh, I was at the school library," said Buffy. "I was, uh, doing some research for my, uh history class."
"Research?" Joyce asked suspiciously.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Summers," said Angel. "It's my fault. I should have made sure she got home earlier."
"Mom, you remember Angel," said Buffy.
"Yes," said Joyce. "Well, you seem to be okay. But you had me worried. Next time at least call."
"I'll do that," said Buffy.
"By the way, have you seen Willow?" Joyce asked.
"No," said Buffy. "Why?"
"Her mother called earlier," said Joyce. "Willow didn't come home. She thought she might be with you."
"She didn't come home?" Buffy asked looking nervously at Angel. "When did her mom call?"
"A couple of hours ago," Joyce said. "She told her mom she was going to be at the school library working on a school assignment. When she didn't come home she thought the two of you might be together. You seem to spend all of your time together."
"No, she was at the library earlier but she left before we did," said Buffy. "Maybe she went over to someone else's house."
"Maybe," said Joyce. "It's getting late. You need to be getting to bed."
"Yeah, I'll be in soon," said Buffy. "I'm just going to say good night to Angel first."
"Okay," said Joyce. "Nice to meet you again, Angel."
"Me too," said Angel.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Buffy asked after Joyce had gone back inside. "We need to get out there and find Willow."
"Calm down," said Angel. "We don't know that anything has happened to her. But if Amanda has take Willow she won't hurt her. At least not right away. She'll use Willow as bait to get you to come to her."
"Willow's my best friend," said Buffy. "I have to go find her."
"Look," said Angel, "if you go out again you mother's going to get suspicious. Besides we don't even know where to look. I'll see if I can find her. But your mom is right. It's late. You need to get some sleep. You need to be at your best when you go against Amanda."
"But Willow," began Buffy.
"Is fine right now," said Angel. "You know I would never put her in danger. I'll look around tonight and see what I can find out. Tomorrow we'll talk to Giles. He might have found out something by then."
"Okay," said Buffy. "But tomorrow night we're going to find Willow before Amanda can do anything to her."
"Deal," said Angel. "And don't worry. You mom might be right. She might have gone over to someone else's house. Maybe she's with Xander."
"Yeah, maybe," said Buffy, less convinced than she sounded.
"Get some rest," said Angel. "I'll see you tomorrow night."
Buffy went into the house as Angel headed out across the sleep. She knew she wasn't going to get much sleep tonight. She was worried about Willow. But Angel was right. It could just be coincidence. Except that Buffy didn't buy that for an instant.