Estella crossed her arms. "Don't believe me?"
Buffy walked towards Estella, until she was in her face. "No, I believe you. I'm just getting a little tired of dramatic, end of the world gestures that are supposed to frighten me. Look at me. Do I look scared to you?"
The two stared at each other for a moment. Then Estella finally relented, looking away. "Hey, I'm not the one who sent this thing down here. I'm not your enemy, okay?"
"Then who are you?" Angel asked, as he, Spike, and Willow joined Buffy.
Estella remained silent.
Buffy looked her over. "You're not human, are you?"
She shook her head. "I'm a demon. I got close connections with the Powers That Be. I keep the balance in this world."
"Like Whistler," Angel observed.
"Yeah," she agreed. "He was, like, my mentor."
Willow frowned. "Not to be judgmental or anything, but you look kind of young to be a demon that has that much power."
Estella shrugged. "Wasn't always a demon. I sort of gave up being human a long time ago." A sad look passed over her face, but she quickly recovered. "I was sent here to tell you about this new bad that's come to town, and the toy surprise that came with it," she said, indicating the portal. She suddenly looked up towards the sky. "I think that's gonna have to wait though," she smile apologetically at them. "Gotta go. I'll see you guys." She vanished into the night air.
"I don't trust her," Buffy said after a moment.
"You don't trust anyone," Spike retorted.
"Oh, shut up."
Willow smiled, amused at the former lovers. "Okay, now that that's been cleared up. Since Angel knows the most about Whistler, I think he and I should contact Giles and find out all we can about the kind of demon he and Estella are. Buffy, you and Spike should patrol around L.A., see if you can find any demon that came along with this portal." She stopped, suddenly realizing that she had been giving out the orders. She looked at Buffy and furrowed her eyebrows. "I, uh, think you were supposed to be doing that."
Buffy chuckled. "It's what I would've said anyways."
Buffy and Spike picked their way through the wreckage, looking for clues. Each carried an axe in their hands.
Spike sneaked a glance at her. She looked radiant, as always. Strong, beautiful. He wanted to touch her so badly. He gently tucked some fallen strands of hair behind her ear. Buffy blushed at the gesture, letting his fingers rest momentarily on her cheek. Spike was pleased at this, and bit his lip.
"Buffy," he said, stopping.
Buffy looked at him, concerned. "What is it?"
"Nothing. It's um…here." He pulled a small package wrapped in brown paper out from his leather duster and handed it to her.
She took it, confused. "What is this?"
He looked at her with a half-smile on his face. "It's your birthday, in' it? Certain cultures are known to exchange gifts on this day."
Buffy ducked her head, trying to hide a smile. "You…remembered my birthday," she stated shyly.
"Well, yeah," Spike replied, trying to play it off. "Look, you don't have to open it now, or whatever. Do what you like."
Buffy met his eyes and smiled at him, making Spike's dead heart melt. "Thank you."
Spike, suddenly unsure of himself, said, "Well, I don't think anything's out here. Might as well go back, check in with the others. Get some much needed beauty sleep."
Buffy nodded, and followed him back to the W&H building.
Willow and Angel were still on the phone with Giles, trading information. Soon Spike fell asleep on the battered couch, snoring every once and awhile.
Buffy sat on a chair opposite of him, and slowly unwrapped the package.
It was the original manuscript of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, tied with a ribbon and a pink rose. Her expression melted in tenderness, and beamed at her gift.
Spike opened up an eye to sneak a peek at her reaction. Delighted with her smile, he fell back asleep.