Chapter 9 -Girl's Night

A/N: This chapter was written by Willowzlilsecret. Please review!

"It's your turn again." Giles mumbled as he and Jenny arose from their bed that morning.

"Unfortunately yes." Jenny sighed as they went about their normal routine.

"I'm going to be at the library all day, and possibly late into the night." Giles said.

"What are you doing there?" Jenny asked from the shower.

"It's nothing. I don't want to alarm you unless there's absolute need to do so." Giles said as he brushed his teeth.

"Well saying that already has me alarmed!" Jenny said softly.

"I didn't quite catch that." Giles said and changed into some new tweed.

"Nothing, I said, I have a good day sweetie." Jenny called.

"Ok, I'm off." he said. He left extra early that day, already sleep-deprived enough. He really didn't need this on his vacation. Unfortunately, it was his job. Jenny once again was up before anyone else and went down to let the dogs out and then feed them. She ate a little cereal herself, and switched on the TV.

"Body of the missing girl was found today…raped and murdered. If you see this man;" a pause and a picture came up next to the news reporter. "Do not let him in, and call the police immediately." The reporter disappeared and the picture took the full screen. He was a scruffy looking man, obviously evil eyes, a rather large nose, unshaven beard, and droopy eyes. He was disgusting and Jenny could practically smell him through the television screen. She shook her head and let the dogs back in. She filled their water and food dishes and went back up to her room, deciding that she'd get spooked to easily if she was up around the house all alone.

She lay in her bed, trying to focus on the fan on the ceiling, ignoring any noises around the house. She heard the creaking of floorboards and footsteps. She kept telling herself it was just the dogs, but she couldn't help feeling scared. She put some headphones on and turned on her new CD. 'Sounds of the Wind' Even though it was supposed to be the wind, it sounded like the ocean. It calmed her until she fell asleep.

Five Hours Later

Oz finally woke up to the sound of the television. He had been trying to ignore it for hell knows how long, and he finally got fed up. It was invading his dreams and he didn't like it. He stretched and went over to make a pot of coffee. That sort of made him sound and feel like an old fart. But he needed coffee…he hadn't gotten a good night's sleep for the longest time.

Willow emerged from the stairs and snuck over to Oz, surprising him with a hug. He jumped a little. He had heard enough to know that there was a serial rapist on the loose, and he definitely was a little wigged. He put his arm around Willow and hugged her tightly to him, not wanting to loose the only other awake being in the house. Discluding the dogs.

"Why are you so weird?" Willow asked as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I don't know…something I heard on the news." Oz said, waiting for the coffee to finish.

"Did they find that missing girl?" Willow asked, concerned. "I dunno." Oz said, shrugging his shoulders. He kept his arms wrapped around Willow, just waiting for someone else to wake up. He felt like he had to protect Willow and he didn't know if he could. He was kind of small, meaning it would be difficult to defend both himself and his girlfriend. But he was glad to have some sort of company.

Finally Connor came down the stairs, rubbing his eyes. "Coffee?"

"Yeah…just having some coffee after a fair night of the wiggins." Willow explained.

"Why were we wigged?" Connor asked.

"Missing girl." Willow answered.

Connor shrugged and looked at Oz for some sort of affirmation. Oz shook his head, signaling there was more to be said, but not in front of Willow. Connor nodded his understanding and turned the TV to cartoons. Soon after the whole gang was down eating cereal and drinking coffee, milk, orange juice, and other random drinks. Then someone changed the channel to the news. Fortunately there was no mention of the rapist.

"Well Dawn and I have to walk the dogs. Anyone wanna come with?" Cordelia asked.

"Well we wanted to pick up some new video games…could we stop by there?" Connor asked, standing up.

"Yeah if we do, then I'm in." Oz said, using the chance to tell Connor about the rapist. They could tell the other guys later.

"Sure." Dawn said, glad that Connor was coming. Since Cordelia and Oz both knew about them, they could probably kiss a little, stuff like that. The four raced around the house, trying to get Beans on a leash. Willow, Xander, Angel, and Buffy remained on the couches, either half-asleep, actually watching the TV, or grounded. When the dogs were caught, Cordelia and the gang left.

"Let's play Sorry." Buffy suggested. Xander agreed and pulled the board game out. The four teens began the game.

At The Store

Oz and Connor went through the aisles looking for something good.

"What is it you had to tell me?" Connor asked. Dawn and Cordelia were outside trying not to be pulled away by the dogs.

"There's a rapist." Oz said solemnly.

"What? Where?" Connor asked, glancing back to the girls, afraid to leave them alone.

"The missing girl was found today. Raped and Murdered. They know who did it…he has a criminal record…they just can't find him." Oz answered the first question.

"Where?" Connor repeated, looking Oz in the eye.

"Here. In this town…somewhere. Joseph Jacobs…or something like that." Oz shrugged.

"Well…I'm pretty sure we should just pay for these and get home…now." Connor said waving the four games they had already chosen. Oz agreed and they walked outside. Connor immediately went up to Dawn and cupped her face in his hands. He kissed her softly on the lips.

"Well, whatever caused this…I like." Dawn said and hugged him. He held her protectively close to him and Oz kept Cordelia at a safe distance.

"Hey! Cordelia!" a man's voice rang out. Cordelia whipped around. There stood Mike.

"Oh, hi Mike! What's up?" she asked as everyone stopped.

"Nothing much, I've been looking for you actually." Mike said. Connor felt his insides freeze. He had a bad feeling about this guy. He glanced at Oz…Oz obviously felt the same.

"Really?" Cordelia said smiling.

"Yeah…I wanted to make sure you were ok." Mike said, with a half smile.

"Why wouldn't she be?" Dawn cut in.

"There's a rapist out and around town. Maybe you've seen him." Mike asked, pulling out a picture of Joe. Cordelia's breath caught in her throat.

"No." Dawn answered firmly. "We better be going now."

"Let me walk you guys home." Mike offered.

"Ok." Cordelia whispered. Somehow she felt safe with a big man following her. Or rather, protecting her. They finally reached the house.

"Thanks for everything." Dawn said, almost shutting the door on him.

"I'll see you around." Cordelia called as Dawn slammed the door.

"There's something weird about him." Dawn, Connor, and Oz said in unison.

"No there's not. He's a perfect gentleman." Cordelia disagreed as she took the dogs off their leashes. The dogs went running around the house, as if it were all new to them.

"If all of us felt it then it probably means—" Dawn started.

"That you're paranoid because there's a rapist. Well if he were the rapist, would he be parading around warning people about himself? I think not." Cordelia said proudly.

"Either way, I don't trust him." Connor said, finally letting go of Dawn.

"You're home!" Buffy exclaimed as she hopped down the stairs to greet them.

"Yes! Now we can go out to the pool!" Willow exclaimed.

"Why couldn't we before?" Dawn asked, looking between the two girls.

"I dunno. Aunt Jenny said so." Willow answered, shrugging her shoulders.

"Oh…ok. Well, lets get changed and head on out there!" Cordelia said enthusiastically.

Everyone went and changed into their bathing suits and met in the kitchen. They grabbed some sodas, some snacks, and of course their cameras, and headed out. Almost as soon as they went out there it started raining again.

"Darn." Oz commented. He and Willow were in the hot tub, deciding that the pool was too cold. Cordelia was wrapped up in a blanket sitting on a lawn chair. Dawn and Connor were sitting in the shallow end throwing a Frisbee back and forth, trying to make the other get out of the pool to get it. Xander was doing flips and different jumps into the pool and Buffy was watching, taking pictures, and clapping. Angel was making burgers on the grill. Jenny was up on the second story deck, reading her magazine. "Angel, tell me when the burgers are ready, ok honey?" she asked. "Sure." he called back. He flipped them. Dawn got out of the pool and dried off, curling up in the blanket with Cordy. Xander got out and picked Buffy up, throwing her into the pool. Everyone was snapping pictures and Jenny took a picture of all of them loaded into the hot tub. Soon the burgers were done and Angel told Jenny.

"Ok, so bring them in, we'll all eat, and then I want you all to stay inside while I run to the grocery store…we're almost out of drinks and we need more food." Jenny announced.

Everyone groaned as they went back inside, and all changed into dry clothes. They all ate their food and Jenny left. They turned the TV on and turned the volume down the whole way so that they could play a game of trivial pursuit. Even though they weren't actually going to be playing. It was just fun to read the cards, build houses with them, and laugh at the stupid ones. The set it up at the coffee table and drank the last of the soda in their plastic cups. Suddenly the phone rang.

"I'll get it." Connor said, hopping up. He raced over and answered.

"It's for you, Cordy." She took the phone from him and pressed speaker as she shushed everyone.

"The time is coming…I know where you live…you will have a visitor tonight." the gravely voice said on the other line. Everyone looked at one another, their faces turning white.

"Why are you doing this?" Cordelia asked as she stood up to lock the door.

"Move one more inch and Dawn dies." he warned. She sat back down. Connor, who was still in the kitchen, crept down the stairs and locked the door. Cordelia, terrified, looked out the sliding glass door to the back yard. A shadowed figured stood there, phone up to his ear.

"Oh my god. Leave us alone!" Cordelia pleaded, feeling tears fill her eyes.

"Midnight, Cordelia…midnight." he warned.

"Oh god." she whimpered as the phone line went dead.

"How the hell did he know your names?" Angel demanded.

"A couple days ago…we met him at Rite-Aid." Dawn started.

"Why the hell didn't you tell us, Dawn?" Buffy snapped.

"I'm calling the police." Oz said.

"The lady at the café said he was harmless…just a little messed up." Cordelia defended.

"Yes…I'd like to report a phone call. Yes. Yes. He threatened us. Ok. Alright. I will. Thank you." Oz said into the phone and hung up.

"Turn on CNN." Xander flipped the channel to the news station.

"We're reporting a lockdown. If you are in your cars, go to the nearest store. Stay in your homes and make sure everything is locked. We have had a sign of the killer in the middle of town. We're reporting a lockdown. If you are in your cars, go to the nearest store. Stay in your homes and make sure everything is locked. We have had a sign of the killer in the middle of town. We're reporting a lockdown." Xander flipped off the television.

"Ok. Let's not panic." Willow said, nervousness creeping into her voice. She felt tears stinging in her eyes. She was scared to death. This wasn't some scary movie like ghosts or monsters. This was real life. And these were real killers. She started hyperventilating, breathing rapidly. Oz rushed over to her, wrapping his arms around her, calming her down.

"Ok. Girls I want you to grab any food and drinks we have, then grab all the sleeping bags, and clothes to change into and the phone, and go straight to Angel's and Connor's room. Guys, go through the house, lock all the windows and doors, bring the video games up, get clothes, and all of the dogs." Xander commanded.

Everyone set out on their duties. The reason they chose Angel and Connor's room was because it was the biggest, had only one window, and had a bathroom attached to it. Dawn and Cordelia went into their room, grabbing everything they needed, including some pjs, a change of clothes for tomorrow, a little makeup, and hair brushes. Buffy and Willow did the same, everyone locking any windows that they passed and pulling the shades shut. After the left all that in Angel and Connor's room, they went back for blankets and pillows, leaving on all the lights as they went. They grabbed a few flashlights and extra batteries just in case. Then they made their third trip down to the kitchen to grab some food and drinks. Angel and Connor handled the downstairs, turning on lights, grabbing video games, locking doors and windows. Bringing Beans and Snoopy with them. Xander and Oz got their clothes, blankets, and pillows, bring Turtle and Fuzzball with them. They locked their windows and left all the lights on. The storm that had started in the light of day had only worsened. The house shook with the thunder. Everyone crowded in Angel and Connor's room, locking the door behind them. They left the bathroom door open with a light on. Everyone got their little beds set up and the phone rang again. No one wanted to answer, but Buffy finally got the courage.

"Hello?" she asked with a quavering voice.

"Buffy." British accent. It was Spike.

"Gosh…can't you ever just start out with a simple hello?" she sighed, relieved.

"Sorry. I was just calling to make sure you were alright." he said, with a bit of a laugh.

"Yeah…we're fine. Thanks for calling though." Buffy said.

"Well, I have to go now. I'm at the CVS with a bunch of buds at this lock in and the clerk is giving me the evil eye." Spike said laughing.

"Ok. I'll see ya." Buffy said, also laughing, but with more of a strain, and they hung up.

"Who was that?" Angel asked warily.

"Spike." she said with a hint of menace in her voice. And all the while, Xander had the nerve to be taking pictures.

"Now is soo not the time for that." Dawn said, cuddling up between Connor and Cordelia.

"Yeah but its fun!" Xander protested, snapping a picture.

"Hey I know what'll calm our nerves!"

"What?" Angel asked wearily.

"A nice game of strip poker." he grinned lopsidedly.

"We might as well humor him." Connor sighed.

Everyone agreed and began playing. Dawn was the first to lose something. She took off her socks. She was the only one wearing socks. Angel was next. He took off his shirt, revealing his abs. Buffy could barely keep her eyes off of him. He was gorgeous and he knew it. And he was taunting Buffy right now. She scooted a little closer to him. Then it was Cordelia. She took off her shirt as well. Then it was Xander. He took off his shirt. He also had abs, they just weren't as defined as Angel's. Then it was Dawn again. She removed her shirt. Then it was Buffy. She had no choice but to take off her shirt. So then of course Xander took a picture of himself and her.Then it was Connor. The game was cut short when the phone rang again. Immediately everyone tensed up, putting their clothing back on. Angel answered.

"Jenny. Oh thank god. You're ok. Good. Alright. Ok. Yeah. We're safe. Ok. Yeah. Yep. Alrighty. You too. Buh-bye." he said, then announced, "Jenny's ok."

There were sighs of relief and everyone relaxing a while.

"So Xander…got any more ideas?" Oz asked softly.

"Nope…not really." Xander said shaking his head. He was flopped out on Connor's bed, spread out wide so that he didn't have to share.

"Damn!" Cordelia sighed.

"What is it?" Buffy asked, a little concerned.

"Tonight was supposed to be our girls night." Cordelia sighed.

"We could still have it." Dawn suggested.

"With guys in the room? I don't think so." Willow said, shaking her head.

"We could just hang out in Willow and Buffy's room for a while." Oz suggested thoughfully.

"Yeah, we're tough men, we can take care of ourselves." Xander said flexing his muscles.

"Really? You mean it? We'd only be like half an hour." Cordelia said.

The guys exchanged glances then agreed. Willow and Buffy's room was just right across the hall, they should be fine. The girls ushered them out.

"Wow…its girls night." Willow said.

"Yeah so…lets spill our secrets…Buffy first." Cordelia said brightly. Dawn immediately felt a sinking feeling. She still didn't want to tell about her and Connor.

"Well…Spike took me to the fantastic restaurant. And then we went in this cove. And it was so romantic and—" Buffy began.

"Did you kiss?" Dawn cut in.

"We almost did, but Angel and Xander kinda butted in." Buffy said shyly.

"What about you Cordelia?" Willow asked.

"Well…I kinda like Xander, but he likes Buffy. But I also like this guy Mike. I mean, we've only talked twice, but he seems really nice." Cordelia sighed.

"And old." Dawn muttered. No one caught it.

"Then why have you been flirting with Angel so much?" Buffy challenged, looking her straight in the eye.

"I haven't! He isn't my type!" Cordelia lied with a broad smile.

"Yeah you have." Willow, Buffy, and Dawn said in unison.

"Well sorry! It's just in my nature!" Cordelia defended. The girls laughed.

"So what about you and Oz?" Dawn said to Willow. "Well, he's so sweet and cuddly like a teddy bear, and—" "Did you do anything?" Cordelia asked, wide eyed. "No…we didn't even kiss yet…well we did, but only on the cheek…and he only kissed me." Willow explained.

"I'm gonna go check on the guys…I'll be right back." Dawn said and left the room before they could ask her any questions. Connor was out in the hall waiting for her already. He grasped her hips and kissed her hard on the lips.

"My god you kept me waiting." he whispered fiercely in her ear.

"I'm sorry baby." she whispered back and kissed him again. She let her tongue slip into his mouth and he did the same to her. He ran his hands up and down her body, over her clothing, wishing to himself that it were off. She broke the kiss and gasped for breath.

"We're dead if anyone walks out." she whispered.

"They won't." Connor answered, pulling her into another kiss. She didn't object, she deepened the kiss, welcoming his tongue into her mouth. She ran her hands through his hair and down his back. He slowly slid his hands under the edge of her shirt. She suddenly pulled away.

"We've been out here too long." she whispered and caught her breath. She was definitely feeling different…and a good different. Connor nodded and they both went back to their rooms.

"So what about you and Connor?" Buffy asked as Dawn walked in. All the girls had changed into the pajamas while she was gone. 'Oh crap…gig's up…should I start apologizing?...no wait…I'll play it cool.' she said to herself.

"What about what about me and Connor?" Dawn asked as she changed into her pajamas.

"Aren't you two…" Willow didn't finish the sentence.

"Nah." Dawn shrugged and plopped down between Cordelia and her sister. Suddenly there was a slam against the window and the whole house shuddered. It was totally silent. Thunder rumbled loudly, startling the girls. They immediately up and ran to get the guys who were already coming in. Everyone stayed in Angel and Connor's room. And of course Xander continued to snap pictures. Connor stood up and turned on his battery powered radio on low so that they could hear when the lock down was off. The clock read 11:57. "It's almost midnight." he stated. Cordelia shuddered and Dawn whispered comforting words. "Ok, I have a game to keep our mind off of things." Xander said after a couple minutes.

"What is it?" Angel groaned. Just then the lights flickered on and off repeatedly. And there was a banging on all the doors and windows. Connor looked at the clock. 12:00. Everyone in the room was either crying, biting their lip to keep from screaming, counting down the seconds until twelve-o-one, or all of the above. The phone began to ring. The dogs began whimpering and curled up in front of Dawn and Cordelia between the two beds. The entire house shuddered. And then the clock changed. 12:01. Everything stopped.

"My plan is gone." Xander said quietly.

"Let's tell scary stories." Willow said in a dangerous voice. She and Oz went down and completed the circle between the beds.

"No no thank you!" Xander said frantically.

"God no." everyone disagreed with Willow's plan.

"Come on guys…it'll be fun!" Willow pleaded. One by one the group gave in. One by one they told their stories. Then it came to Willow.

"Once there was this girl. She had a nice little dog that always licked her feet. One day she was at home alone and was reading her magazine. She heard there was a killer on the loose. So she stayed in her room. She felt her dog licking her feet and smiled to know she wasn't alone. She then heard a dripping noise coming from the bathroom. She walked in, glanced around, not bothering to turn the lights on, and the dripping stopped. She shrugged and went back to her room. Her dog licked her feet again. The dripping sound started up once more. She got fed up and went back flipping on the light. There was her dog, its blood dripping down. And it was the killer that had been licking her feet." Willow told her tale ominously…so much so that it even seemed to have the dogs attention.

"God…and I had to pee." Xander said.

Everyone looked at the clock again. It read 1:36. They had a lot longer to go before daybreak. Looking around the circle, everyone seemed content. Buffy was snuggled in Angel's lap, stroking his arm. Connor was next to Dawn, massaging her back while she and Cordelia sat strung around each other. Xander was grasping Fuzzball in his lap. Oz and Willow were leaning on each other, holding hands.

"That sucks for you." Willow said, squinting. Suddenly the power went back on.

"YES!" Xander rejoiced, running to the lit up bathroom, leaving the door wide open. Connor plugged in the playstation 2 and popped in their new game. 'The Bouncer' It was basically just another one of those fighting games. He and Oz were first up…the two champions.

"I'm sorry for being a bitch about Spike." Buffy said to Angel, laying her head on his chest.

"And I'm sorry for being a jerk about him." Angel said, mentally thanking god that they were no longer fighting. Buffy fell asleep moments later and Angel layed her down, kissing her on the forehead. The rest of the night and on until daybreak they played video games. Then the news arrived. At exactly six fourty one AM, the lockdown was over and everyone could return home. By then all the girls except Willow were asleep. Everyone layed down on their blankets and both Jenny and Giles arrived home, and everyone went to sleep.