Some more information on Sebastian and the Knights here. It's a short chapter, but there's good reason for it.

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Chapter 16

Spike went back to Sunnydale after dinner Sunday evening. He mentioned to Kara that Clem dropped off the kitten, and that Clem knew they couldn't necessarily keep it, and was fine with that. She could do whatever she felt was best.

Kara hugged him at the door.

"Be safe on patrol."

"Always am, pet."

"And spend time with Sebastian. He's your cousin, and we don't know when he's going to get summoned off for work."

"Luv-"

"And be careful at poker night. I don't trust that one guy – the blue one with the funky tentacles."

Spike chuckled softly. "Luv, if you really don't want me to leave, just say so. I don't have to go back tonight."

"No, it's okay. Go clean up the crypt, at least. I'm sure it's growing cobwebs and dust bunnies by now."

"You're sure?"

"Yep," smiling for emphasis. "I've got Mel here, so I probably won't miss you at all," she teased. He pinched her bottom for saying it, making her yelp.

"Bloody bint. Don't know why I put up with you."

"'Cause you love me, and I love you, and your life would be terribly boring without me. Now, shoo!"

Spike gave her a fierce, but tender kiss that made her dizzy. "I'll call you when I get home." He went out the door before they could get swept up in another make-out session.

Kara waved as he got in his car, then shut the door. Melissa was leaning against the wall, when she turned around.

"Hard to let them out the door sometimes, huh?"

"Yeah. He'll be back, though. He always is. Let's find something to watch."

Kara linked arms with her friend and went in search of a movie.

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Monday…

"I hope you don't mind that I invited Anya along," Buffy said, once they were on the road.

"Felt like you needed a chaperone?" he teased.

"No! Don't be silly. I just thought it would be nice, since you know her from years ago, and I haven't spent time with her in a while, either, since they moved. I hope I don't get us lost."

"That's why I brought a map. It's good to be prepared when traveling through a large city," Sebastian replied.

"Were you a Boy Scout once?"

He chuckled. "No, they weren't around when I was a boy. I do think they teach worthwhile skills, though. Anyanka is meeting us at the Observatory, correct?" Sebastian didn't mind all that much. He found Anyanka entertaining, but he couldn't help wondering what it would be like to spend the day alone with Buffy.

"Yep, and if I get us lost, she's really going to chew us out for being late. 'Time is money' she says, and heaven forbid if we waste any of it. So, do you really like looking at all that old junk Giles has, or are you just humoring him for company?"

"You don't find ancient artifacts fascinating?" he asked in disbelief.

"God, no. Not unless they're pretty, or do something really cool for me. Now, weapons – I like. I'd love to have a custom-made sword, but they're too expensive. I have the strength to wield anything, but there's something special about the perfect sized blade." She glanced over to him as an idea struck her. "Do you think Kara would let me have hers? She's never up in Sunnydale to patrol anymore, and we're almost the same height. She has this gorgeous katana that slices through anything like butter. Just beautiful."

"I suppose there's no harm in asking her if she'll lend it to you. I still find it hard to fathom that she is a goddess, though William said it was so. Miss Taylor has seemed quite down-to-earth whenever we have met. Do you know her well? I am unfamiliar with the timeframe with which you have been associated."

Buffy smiled to herself over his formal sentences before she replied. "It will be 2 years in a couple months, though we aren't very close. She's easy to talk to, you know, but I don't know Kara nearly as well as Tara or Dawn, or my mother does. She gave me some good advice once, though."

"What was that?"

"To not neglect the Buffy side of me just because I have a responsibility as the Slayer. She reminded me that I have choices, if I want to make them. I can't really leave the Hellmouth, as long as it's open, but I can still have a life, and a big part of that realization comes from having so many people around me who are willing to share the burden. You have to wonder if all the previous Slayers died so young because they were so isolated from the time they were called. Your group keeps each other going, right? Even though you're a secret from the rest of the world?"

"Yes. It is accurate to say we are brothers in arms. I know that any one of them have my back at any time, and they know that from me, as well. Our friends not in the Order still serve it in some capacity. It is, uh, highly frowned upon to create attachments in the outside world," he stated.

"I suppose that extends to dating, too."

"You are correct. Having someone you love…can be dangerous to all of us. Love is a wonderful thing, but it can be a weakness to be exploited. Our enemies would gladly kidnap or kill someone who knew our secrets. Someone who means a great deal. Hence, if a Knight wishes to marry, he must leave the Order and be returned to what he was. His memories and gifts will be stripped away to protect us."

"That's harsh! Do they actually leave the guy with amnesia of the past 100 years?" She couldn't imagine how scary it would be to suddenly wake up in modern times having no clue what anything was.

"We are not that cruel, Buffy. The man's memories are altered so that he thinks he has a recent past. It's all quite elaborate, and he knows what he is getting into before the spells are performed."

"Have there ever been any female knights?"

"Not in my time of service. I don't recall any stories of a woman applying to join, either. You have to admit that one woman in an army of men would be very distracting. Not to mention the special provisions required."

"Sebastian Pierce! Was that a sexist comment?" He was suddenly faced with flashing green eyes as she waited to unleash her fury on him should he answer incorrectly.

"No! Of course not. I-I just meant that there would be privacy issues, and such. You, yourself, are-are a perfect example of a woman being a skillful and fearsome warrior. The strength of a Slayer is renowned, as you know and-and…"

She wanted to stay mad, but he was getting so flustered, and sounding so sincere. It was cute, and she giggled before he could continue. Even funnier was that she had seen Spike sputtering in the same way in the face of Dawn. Huh, must run in the family.

"Are you laughing at me, Slayer?" he asked indignantly.

"Uh huh! Your expression was priceless. Totally deer-in-the-headlights. Spike gets the same one whenever Dawn goes into one of her teenage fits…hee hee hee, okay, I'll stop. Oh, hey, where do I get off the freeway?"

The distraction called Sebastian's attention back to the map, and he told her it was the exit after the next. He asked about the Observatory, and that got Buffy telling the story of a field trip she'd taken in elementary school. Her animated description had him entranced, and before he knew it, they were stopping in the parking lot and getting out to go find Anya. He knew it was dangerous to have an infatuation for the petite blonde, but watching her skip along through the crowd in search of her friend, the morning sunlight glinting off her golden locks, he couldn't find it in himself to care. Sebastian was well and truly hooked.

"Good morning, Buffy, Sebastian. My, it was a long drive from San Diego, especially on a Monday." Buffy recognized the hidden note in Anya's voice that hoped she would be compensated for her time, and groaned inwardly. This could become an expensive day.

Sebastian greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. "You look lovely today, Anyanka. Have you done something new with your hair?"

"Yes, thank you for noticing! I decided to try out being a redhead, instead of a strawberry blonde. Do you like it?"

"It's quite fetching. Would either of you ladies care for a coffee before we go inside?"

"Yes, please!" they chorused.

Anya linked arms with Sebastian, telling him about the latest acquisition being shipped to The Magic Box, leaving a pouting Buffy to trail behind. She was jealous of the rapport they fell into, even though she had no right to be. She couldn't even say she was friends with him first, because Anya had been stuck in an elevator with him, like, 90 years ago. Well, why shouldn't he like Anya better? Despite her blunt way of putting things, Buffy knew Anya had to be smart. You don't live over 1100 years by being stupid. She was beautiful and sexy, too, by the way every guy's head was turning as the walked to the coffee stand. And they had both lived the past 160 years of history. Buffy had no chance of holding his attention today, and why was this bothering her so much, again?

Sebastian bought their drinks, then paid for their admittance into the Observatory before Buffy got a chance to.

"Sebastian! You're my guest today. I'm showing you around town, remember? That means you aren't supposed to pay for everything," Buffy scolded.

"Forgive me, Buffy, but there is no way I'm spending the day with two lovely ladies and not being a gentleman about it. I am not some lout that would take advantage of a woman's hospitality."

"It's the 21st century, for god's sake! Men and women are equals about this crap now. Which means that as my guest, you aren't paying for anymore stuff!"

"Hey, it's fine by me. I think there's not enough chivalry these days," Anya cut in.

"Anya, you just don't like to spend your own money," said Buffy.

"Sure, I do. Just yesterday, I ordered this fascinating multi-functional vibrator online-"

"Whoa! TMI! Can we just go in, please? The show's about to start."

Sebastian opened the door for them, grinning at Buffy, and they found some seats. The chairs reclined some to make it easier to watch the scenes change on the ceiling, but it also gave Buffy the opportunity to examine the knight's profile out of the corner of her eye. Stop it, Buffy! You just saw your boyfriend this weekend, and you're already checking out another guy. My goodness, he has long eyelashes. Any woman would kill for those. Focus! You're here for the educational light show! Ugh, this is going to be a long day.

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Joyce walked into Giles' office and perched on his lap. "How about you take a long lunch today? I'm sure Tara can handle things," she murmured.

"That's a lovely suggestion, my dear, but I do have a mound of paperwork to go through."

She boldly nibbled on his ear. "Are you sure? My schedule is already clear. We could go over to your place, have a bite…"

"Mr. Giles, I just wanted to remind you I'm leaving at 2:30 today," Tara's voice wafted down the hall. "Oh, sorry! Don't mind me, I'll just go back to the front."

"Tara, it's alright. We were just talking about what to do for lunch. You could spare Rupert for at least an hour, right?"

"Um, sure. It's been a slow day. You guys can take your time, as long as you're back by the time I need to leave," she said from around the wall.

"See, dear, nothing to worry about. Let's go, hmm?" Joyce stood up and tugged Giles to his feet. She kept hold of his hand all the way to the front door.

Tara smirked as she went back behind the counter to man the register. "Have fun!" she called, having time to see Giles' embarrassed face just before the door closed. She giggled, and went back to counting the money in the drawer.

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His cell phone was ringing.

Who in bloody hell would be calling him at one in the afternoon?

Thinking it might be an emergency, Spike fumbled sightlessly for the phone on his nightstand and pressed the "talk" button.

"Hullo?" he mumbled.

"Hi, Spike! I was wondering if you could come over?" Dawn cheerily asked.

"Bit, do you realize what bloody time it is?"

"Yeah, but I'm home sick, and I got lonely, and you were the first person I thought of. Well, you're the only one I know who's home during the day, so it was my best shot. Pleeeease come over and watch movies with me?"

"The only reason 'm 'ome is because I'm sodden ASLEEP! Where's your mum?"

"Work, duh! Pleeeease, Spike! There's chocolate fudge ice cream in it for ya," she pleaded. "And I'm bored! These movies are no fun without you making snarky comments with me," she whined.

He groaned, rubbing his face. "Alright…but you seriously owe me, Niblet. 'S dangerous waking a vampire from his slumber," he groused.

She squealed happily. "Thank you, Spike! Just name it. You're saving my sanity today."

He highly doubted it, but he wasn't going to let her offer go by the wayside. He'd have to think of somethin' good. Spike rung off and hauled himself out of bed, stretching before going on the hunt for some clean clothes. He hadn't done laundry in a week, but thankfully, he had enough tees for two. His last pair of jeans had gotten sprayed with demon goo on patrol last night, so he'd have to make do with black combat pants today. Kara had gotten him a pair of dark blue jeans as part of Christmas gift-giving, but there was no way he was wearing them around anyone he knew. He'd be declared soft in two seconds.

Spike splashed some cold water on his face to help wake himself up, then headed for the tunnels, trusty blanket in hand.

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"Hey, Mel? I'm going to be out for a bit. You going to be okay here by yourself for a couple hours?"

"Yeah, go ahead. Do you mind if I go online?"

"No, just use one of the computers in the game room. That's what they're there for. Have fun!" Kara called, before shutting the door.

The restaurant she had chosen for her meet-up with Tara was actually a lot closer to Sunnydale than her house, so she had over an hour drive ahead. Just to leave time in case traffic through L.A. was really bad, Kara left a little after 1 o'clock. She felt kinda bad for leaving Melissa by herself, but when the topic involved the supernatural, she had to talk to Tara, instead. It made Kara realize that when you got down to the nitty gritty details, she and her old friend didn't have a lot in common anymore. She knew she had to live a double life around her loved ones who didn't know the truth, but facing it head on for the first time make Kara feel isolated. She'd pretend to age, then go on living far beyond the mortals she knew. Almost two years of knowing it, and that thought wasn't any less sobering.

Kara didn't have a clue how much she was going to tell her gentle friend. To actually put into words – out loud – what she suspected…well, there would be no room for denial after that. No pretending her life was unchanged. That she would remain unchanged. On the drive over, she almost turned around and went back home twice. This was ridiculous – there was no reason to be nervous around Tara. She was the best type of person Kara knew.

She arrived at the diner first and requested a booth in the back corner, for privacy. She was 15 minutes early, and the wait was adding to her anxiety. When Tara walked in, it was to find Kara drumming her fingers and chewing absently on a straw. She'd never seen her friend this unhinged, and placed a calming hand on her restless fingers.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Yeah…yeah. Just a lot on my mind. You know, I'm not even sure how much to tell you, at the moment," Kara said, laughing humorlessly.

"Just start wherever you want to. You can tell me anything, Kara. Do you want to wait to start until after our food comes?" Tara asked gently.

"Yeah…that would be best."

Once their orders had been brought to the table, Kara placed a small charm with a green stone at the center on the table. "Conceal," she whispered, and the stone flashed once.

"What did you do?" Tara asked curiously.

"No one can hear the true content of our conversation now. It will just sound like a typical chat between girls. You never know who might be listening."

"So, what you have to say is highly confidential, then?"

"Yes, at least for now."

Kara started on her sandwich and ate for a while in silence. Tara didn't mind. She could be patient as long as Kara needed, especially since she seemed so uneasy. What could possibly have her powerful friend so rattled?

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Okay, I wanted to do the conversation all in one pass, so it will be in the next chapter, which will be posted Friday.