They slept until late morning. Exhausted from everything. From moving from one moment to the next, never quite sure what their part is, what they're supposed to be doing, feeling. They slept, knowing that when they wake up, reality will scream in their face, demanding strength, courage, will. So they slept.

And Estella moved in silence. She was in her street clothes. Cargo pants, baggy t-shirt, unruly hair. She slipped in like a whisper, and waited until they woke up.

She liked to watch them. The humans, the warriors, all trying to do the right thing day by day. Getting hurt, feeling pain…even the suffering. She used to feel like they did.

She liked to watch them, because being with them made her feel like she wasn't so alone. So she let them sleep.

They sat in a circle, waiting for Estella to speak.

"Ready to talk?" Buffy asked.

Estella nodded. "Okay, so here's the deal with the portal. Now, I don't know exactly what's behind it…"

"That's not really what I wanted to hear."

"…But," she continued, "I do know that if somebody doesn't go through it, the world's basically going to implode. Starting from here."

Willow raised her eyebrows. "Um, by implode, do you mean…"

"The literal meaning of implode," said Estella. "Like, earth's going to self-destruct."

Angel rubbed his chin, thinking. "Alright, so somebody goes in there, stops impending doom. Simple."

Estella sighed. "No, not simple. Not just anyone can pass through it." She paused. "Only a slayer can."

Spike snorted. "Oh, that's rich."

"Spike," Buffy began, but he interrupted.

"No, it's all very clear. This little girl's plan is to get you to jump in to inevitable death and who knows what else."

Angel shook his head. "Wait, this is all just a little too random. Who sent this portal here? What's the big plan? Obliterating earth just seems…senseless."

"Nobody sent the portal here," Estella explained. "It's a reaction. To all of the slayers being called, to the big showdown with the Senior Partners. You guys literally changed the world, and there's gotta be consequences to these disturbances. Ergo, portal."

"So, a slayer goes through it, and world doesn't end," Buffy mused. "Like a sacrifice."

"Well, we don't know that entering the portal will kill you. I mean, it could just be a gateway to another dimension. And if it is, there are ways of getting you back."

Buffy pressed her fingers to her temple. "I'll have to think about this. How much time have I got?"

"One week," said Estella. "And then you're all just like chicken." Everyone stared at her. Estella frowned. "You know, fried…and…crispy…with the burning…"

"Okay, now you're just making me hungry," Willow joked.

"Come to think of it," Buffy said, "I haven't eaten in awhile. Why don't you and Angel come with me to get some food from Santa Monica, since it's nearby. Spike, stay here with Estella and, you know, guard the place."

"Oh right," Spike said, rolling his eyes. "Make me the babysitter."

Buffy gave him a look. "We'll be back soon."

"So, what'd you guys learn from Giles?" Buffy asked.

They finished paying for some fast food, and were on their way to the butcher's shop for some blood.

"We were able to dig up some stuff about Whistler," Willow said, taking a bite out of a hamburger. "There wasn't much. He's immortal, obviously. He's not a soldier for either good or evil. More like an informant."

"An informant with really bad taste in clothing," Angel added.

"And he does work really closely with the PTB. But it doesn't say anything about exactly what kind of demon he is, or how he became one."

"But, he's harmless, right?" Buffy asked.

Willow nodded. "Estella shouldn't be any threat."

Spike and Estella sat in awkward silence.

"So, what's your story, pet? How'd you wake up on the demon side?" Spike asked, breaking the ice.

Estella shrugged. "It was about 20 years ago. The PTB thought I was a good choice, and just, uh, turned me."

"And what made you seem like a good choice?"

Estella grew somber. "I…wasn't…human enough. Wasn't connected."

"Yeah?" Spike became interested. "Why's that then?"

She looked at him. "There was a guy."

"Got burned?" Spike asked, sympathetic.

"Something like that. We loved each other. A lot. Kinda young for it, I know, but we knew it was real. Thing is, I didn't think I was enough for him. So I kept giving him things, making grand gestures, buying him watches, clothes, food. Heck, I bought him a car for his 16th birthday."

"Sounds pleasant enough."

"It wasn't. He became sick of it. Of me, trying to buy his love when I apparently already had it. So he left me," she said quietly. "And I stopped caring…about anything. Love wasn't enough for me." She paused. "When they turned me into a demon, they told me I'd lose my humanity. The ability to love. And I didn't care."

Spike narrowed his eyes. "So, what, you're like a robot now?"

"Like a stone. I don't feel anything anymore. I don't feel happiness, or pain, or love. But I…"

"What?"

"Sometimes, when I'm around people…I think I've felt the most sadness I've ever known. Even when I was a human."