Chapter 16

"Please Buffy, it's important." Riley said as he tried to come inside the house.

"Riley do you have any idea what time it is?" Buffy whispered outraged. "Everyone's asleep. What could be so important?"

"If you would let me in I could tell you." Riley answered rather tensely. "I promise it's important. It's about a new demon in town and Glory okay. Can I come in now?"

Hearing Riley mention Glory, and the demon Buffy stood back from the door and let Riley come in, without a verbal invite.

Dean had come to the doorway to see what was going on, and his face did not look pleased at the site of Riley.

"Riley let's go into the living room and you can tell us what you know about Glory." Buffy said her voice laced with apprehension.

Seeing Dean Riley stonily asked "What's he doing here?" looking at Buffy with accusation.

"I could ask the same thing solider." Dean said his voice betraying no emotion.

"Dean's here because we were patrolling and then decided to watch a movie." Buffy defended, making it clear it was none of Riley's business. Turning to Dean her voice softened and her eyes shone with regret as she softy said "Riley says he has info on Glory, and some new demon I think it might be important."

Smirking at how far behind Riley is on the news Dean did nod to Buffy then said, "Well let's here the soldiers Intel by all means."

The threesome moved quietly into the living room, and Dean moved to the TV to turn off the movie. Buffy took a seat on the couch and much to her distaste so did Riley leaving Dean to sit in the love seat across from them.

"First Buffy I know things ended badly between us, but I really want to try to fix our relationship." Riley started as he gently picked up Buffy's hand and smiled at her.

Extraditing her hand quickly Buffy told Riley firmly "Riley I've already made my feelings very clear on the subject. If you have Intel about Glory, I'm glad to have it, but from now on our relationship is going to be strictly business."

"But Buffy if you would just hear me out…" Riley began, only to be interrupted by Dean.

"Dude catch a clue bus the lady said get on with the sharing before she asks you to leave." Dean leaned forward as he shook his head at Riley's inability to see the situation clearly.

Shooting Dean a venomous look Riley turned back to Buffy and said. "Of course I understand you need some space that's fine, every relationship goes through down periods, but don't worry I'll be here when you're ready." Riley smiled at Buffy, who felt a tinge of unease at the lack of comprehension in Riley's eyes.

While not the brightest tool in the shed when it came to the Supernatural, Riley wasn't a complete idiot. This unnatural obsession was starting to concern Buffy. Sending a mental plea towards Dean to keep his mouth shut, Buffy calmly said to Riley "That's very nice of you Riley, but I don't think it's going to happen, so why don't you tell us what you know about Glory."

"Of course, Buffy. When I was patrolling a few nights ago I ran into a former hostile from the initiative project. Hostile 382 to be exact, I don't know what species he came from, but he remembered me and was willing to share information in order to keep from going back to the initiative. I didn't bother to correct him on the status of the initiative. I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth so to speak." Riley sat up straighter as he relayed his genius at out smarting the demon.

Buffy decided to keep her thoughts to herself until after Riley left only said. "And what information did this demon think was so valuable that it would keep him out of the hands of the government?"

"He told me that there was a new demon in town working with Glory, but not just any old demon. This demon predates man, it's one of the first demons to walk the earth, and is extremely powerful. Apparently it draws its power from humans, but not just any humans, special ones. Ones whose mental abilities are activated, it's no secret that regular people only use 10 of their brain capacity. There are those however who have the ability to use more of their brains. This demon searches for those people and feeds off their energy and grows stronger with each person he devours. He's searching for the ultimate human. One foretold in prophecy, apparently this human has existed in the world in various generations, but the demons never been able to find him before now. This special human has enough power to feed the demon for 1000 years. It is vitally important that the demon not find this person or he'll have enough power to devour the world." Riley finished as Buffy and Dean sat in shocked silence.

"Oh yeah and it's name is Aaquerafet." Riley dropped the last bit as if it was of little importance.

Gathering her wits around her Buffy said "Well Riley you definitely got some Intel, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I tell you what when I share this with Giles, I'm sure he's going to want to talk to you, so stay by your phone okay? Well great I'm exhausted, so I'll see you later, bye now." Buffy said all this as she stood and began leading Riley to the front door, then gently pushing him out as she finished.

"Uhm okay, I'll see you later Buff, I'll be waiting for your call." Riley tried to say through the door that was being closed in his face.

"Right wait for the call." Buffy said as she finally got the door shut and leaned against it in shock.

Dean who had once again followed Buffy into the foyer said, "So what are the odds, that that Intel wasn't deliberately given to Riley, by the demon and Glory?"

"Not good." Buffy said exasperatedly "How could he not tell that was a set up. Every demon, vamp and creature in a 60-mile radius knows the initiative no longer exists. They had and anniversary celebration on the day it was destroyed."

"So do you think the information is good, or are they testing us?" Dean asked as he moved back into the living room.

Letting out a deep sigh of confusion Buffy said, "I don't know. I mean on one hand with all her minions it would be easy for Glory to figure out who my boyfriend is, or I should say was." Buffy rolled her eyes. "She and the demon could have planned this to monitor how'd we react. Do you think the demon knows Sam's the one he's been searching for all these years? Or does he simply think Sam's just one of the regular special kids that got away?"

"If the information is accurate I can't see how this Aaquerafet could possibly know. I mean if he did Sam never would have made it one week at college much less the four years he was there right? Maybe he suspects, and therefore he planted this information to see if we would run to Sam's side as protection." Dean theorized as he sat on the couch and rubbed his temples. "Damn I'm to tired to think straight, we'd better call it a night, and then call a meeting in the morning to discuss this with the group."

"Sounds like a plan to me." Buffy admitted tiredly wishing their evening hadn't been cut short.

Walking Dean to the door Buffy looked up and said, "I'm sorry we didn't get to finish what we were starting." Buffy smiled sadly having wanted that kiss badly.

"Well why don't we finish it now." Dean murmured as he wrapped his arms around Buffy and lowered his lips to hers.

The kiss started out gentle as both were still hesitant about hurting the other, but the rightness of the feeling caused Buffy to wrap her arms around Dean's neck and pull him in closer.

Dean let out a soft moan at the feel of Buffy in his arms, and began to deepen the kiss running his hands up and down her back.

Buffy couldn't resist running her hands through Dean's hair and pulling his head down closer her to her for better access.

Dean realizing what she was trying to do simply pulled Buffy even closer hooked and arm around her waist and lifted her a few inches off the ground. This put them both on even footing and kept Dean's neck from cramping.

When they finally broke for air, both were out of breath and the passion that was ignited was very difficult to ignore. Knowing that now as not the time Dean pulled up every bit of restraint he'd ever possessed and kissed Buffy lightly before saying, "I think it's time for me to leave now, or I'm not going to go."

"I know, be safe getting back to the mansion. I'll see you first thing in the morning." Buffy whispered.

"Don't worry sweetheart we've got all the time in the world." Dean said as he planted a kiss good-bye on Buffy's forehead and walked out the door.

Watching him get into his car Buffy closed the door and for the second time that night leaned against. This time she was smiling and whispered "Wow!" before heading upstairs to get some sleep.

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At a mansion on the other side of town Glory was screaming, "What's taking so long? I want my key. I need my key. Why won't they give me my KEY!" The last she shrieked loud enough to hurt the ears of her minions.

Aaquerafet was lounging on a chaise lounge rolled his eyes at Glory's antics. "Be calm my little spitfire. Everything is going to plan we must be patient."

"I don't want to be patient." Glory stewed, as she crossed to Aaquerafet, " I am a goddess, and I shouldn't HAVE to be patient. I should SPEAK and my WILL should be DONE!"

Abruptly Aaquerafet rose from the lounge and gripped Glory by the throat squeezing painfully. "Listen up my dear, we are in the final stages of success and I won't allow your little temper to screw things up. Too much lies in the balance. If they have the key they could potentially figure out who the lock is, and then my dear we are in trouble. No for know we will be patient and observe. I will get both of our power sources and we will rule our universes together." Aaquerafet finished and gently placed Glory back on the ground.

"Fine." Glory huffed. "I'm going shopping. Minions attend me." Glory stomped out of the room.

Shaking his head at the antics of Glory Aaquerafet's patience was soon rewarded as his new son came into the room. "Ah at last my dear boy, I take it the mission was a complete success?"

With eyes that glowed yellow Riley answered "A complete success father they should reveal to me the lock and key any day, now that I've proven my value."

"Good work my boy, good work." Was Aaquerafet's answer as he started laughing at the success of his long term planning so far.

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The next morning Buffy and Dean called an emergency meeting to discuss the ramifications of what Riley had told them the night before.

Dawn listening to the description of what happened the night before was furious. "Damn it." She mentally projected to Sam. "We worked so hard to get those two some alone time, and Riley had to come screw it up." She fumed inside her head.

"Calm down sweetheart." Sam projected. "I don't think our plan went completely awry. When Dean came back to the mansion last night he was smiling, so I'd say there was at least a good night kiss between the two."

"Good night kiss humph." Dawn thought. "There should have been a good night laid."

Choking on his coffee an appalled Sam tried to divert attention away from himself after everyone looked at him like he was crazy. "Sorry guys I need to take Dawn to school she's already going to be late, I'll be back in a jiffy." Sam stumbled out his face beet red as he grabbed Dawn and dragged her towards the car.

"But the meeting's not over." Dawn grinned unrepentantly up at Sam.

"I'll fill you in later, you're coming with me." Sam growled.

"Bye guys see you at 3:00." Dawn shouted as Sam dragged her out of the mansion.

Once they were in the car Sam turned to Dawn with an incredulous expression on his face and shouted. "Dawn I can't believe you said that!"

"Technically I didn't say it, I thought it." Dawn shot back with out remorse.

"Dawn!" Sam shot back sternly.

"What's the big deal, it's not like you don't want them to get together." Dawn asked quizzically.

"Completely different, I'm 23, you're 14, you shouldn't even know about sex yet." Sam said exasperatedly.

"You're kidding right? Come on Sam I'm not ready to have sex, no, but I sure as hell know about it." Dawn burst out laughing. "What's really bothering you anyway?"

"Nothing, I guess I just overreacted." Sam admitted sheepishly.

"Sam I'm not ready for us to move on into a romantic relationship anymore then you are, I know you still love Jessica, I just want Buffy to be happy. It's been such a long time for her, and she really deserves some joy in her life." Dawn said hugging Sam.

Shaking his head with bemused laughter Sam started the car and said, "God I'm sorry Dawn, miner freak-out there. Amazing I'm the one that's supposed to be older and wiser, and it's you calming me down."

"Well first of all, I'm not under half the pressure you are, I mean everyone's looking at you like some kind of pedophile waiting for you to step out of line. No wonder you jumped to conclusions, not to mention all the guilt you're carrying around about Jess. Don't worry about it; you were due for a freak out. I'm reserving mine for after this battle is over, so prepare yourself mister." Dawn finished jokingly.

"Aye, aye Captain." Sam saluted.

"So now that everything's cool, can I get some advice that might make your life easier?" Dawn asked all of a sudden turning shy.

"Of course ask away." Sam replied.

"Well you see, remember how I said I wasn't interested in you romantically?" Dawn stuttered.

"Yeah." Sam slowly answered curious as to where this was going.

"Well there's this guy at my school, whose a my age, and kinda funny, and really cute." Dawn babbled.

"And you want to know if it's okay if you go out with him?" Sam asked relieved.

"No I want your help in making sure I can go out with him." Dawn clarified.

"Huh?" Sam wondered.

"Do you really thing Buffy's going to let me date in the middle of an apocalypse?" Dawn asked exasperated.

"Ahh gotcha. Look has this guy asked you out?" Sam said wanting to make sure there was an actual date before he confronted Buffy about Dawn's dating habits.

"Yeah he asked me out yesterday for Friday. It's only the movies, and I know we have an apocalypse, but a 2 hour break to watch a movie isn't going to make that big of a difference, and I'll study really hard till then…." Dawn babbled trying to justify her thinking.

"Whoa calm down I'm not the one you have to convince. I'll talk to Buffy and see what I can do okay?" Sam asked as he pulled up to Dawn's school.

"Thank you, thank you. You're the best friend a girl could ask for really." Dawn squealed hugging Sam again.

"I'm making no promises, but I will ask, now get in there before you're later then you already are." Sam joked happy he could do something for Dawn after all she'd done for him.

Driving back towards the mansion Sam could feel himself being overcome with emotions. He didn't know why he'd jumped to such a stupid conclusion. But hearing Dawn talk about sex even jokingly had really brought it home that some day they would be together. Sam loved Dawn and he knew that when it was time he wouldn't plagued with doubts. The problem right now was that everyone seemed to have forgotten about Jessica, including Sam. Yes he and Dawn had a mystical destiny, but it didn't make the love he'd felt for Jess any less. He missed her everyday. He missed her humor, her kindness, and her ability to listen. He missed the way she made him feel, like he was normal, that she loved him and nothing else mattered. To have everyone just assume he was thinking about Dawn in a romantic light seemed disrespectful to Jess, and it was breaking his heart.

Pulling up to the mansion Sam couldn't make himself get out of the car. The tears that had formed whenever he thought about Jess were swimming in his eyes and he didn't want anyone to see him like this. Laying his head on the steering wheel Sam tried to get his emotions under control. "God Jess I miss you." He whispered in a ragged sob. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry I'm so sorry I'm going to be happy. I promise I'll never forget you even when I'm with Dawn. Oh God honey I'll never forget you." Sam vowed desperate to assure who he didn't know since Jess was gone. He could only assume he was trying to make himself feel better.

Hearing the door open Sam's head jerked up as his brother slid into the car next to him. Trying to wipe his eyes discreetly Sam voice was low and still full of pain when he asked. "What do you need Dean?"

Dean looked straight ahead trying to give his baby brother the privacy to hide his tears as he replied. "Saw you sitting out here, and just wanted to make sure you were okay. What's going on Sam? Did something happen between you and Dawn? Did you guys get into a fight?"

"No Dean it has nothing to do with Dawn." Sam whispered ironically. "Or I should say it has to do with everyone's assumptions about me and Dawn. Have you forgotten Dean, why I'm hear?" Sam asked.

As Dean started to open his mouth confused Sam barreled right ahead "I'm not talking about my mystical destiny I mean why I'm not in Law School right now?"

Slowly comprehension came to Dean and he whispered one word. "Jess."

"Yeah Jess, I know you don't want to talk about this, so why don't you go back inside and I'll be in, in a minute." Sam said all of a sudden exhausted, and just wanting to be alone.

Not wanting to leave Sam upset, even if Dean wasn't comfortable with so called chick flick moments he simply asked, "What was she like?"

Sam looked up in surprise at his brother's question. "She was beautiful." He said simply. "She was beautiful on the inside to you know. She accepted me, like no one I'd ever met. She didn't care that there was stuff I didn't want to talk about, she just loved me and that was enough for her." Sam's throat closed as he thought about the unconditional love Jess had bestowed on him.

Once he took a few minutes to get himself back under control Sam continued. "I was going to marry her."

Dean's head shot towards his brother at that declaration. His heart wrenching at the pain he saw in Sam's face. He didn't know what to say to help his baby brother, so he didn't say anything, just determined to be there and listen.

"I feel like I'm betraying her." Sam continued. "I'm going to be happy again, I'm going to have a life again with Dawn someday, and Jess won't. She's dead and it's because of me. I don't know how to make that right. I don't know how to forgive myself for moving on with my life." Sam's words were tumbling together as if he didn't get them out quickly he'd never be able to voice them. His throat was already closing, and tears were once more falling from his eyes. His hands were clenching the steering wheel so tightly it looked like it was about to bend.

"Sam, Sam I need you to look at me." Dean urgently requested unable to remain quiet in the face of such agony. Once Sam managed to turn his head and look at Dean he said, "I only met Jessica once, but from what I saw and what you've told me she would be the first person to tell you it was okay for you to move on. It's not like it's going to happen anytime soon anyway, not unless you want to get castrated." Dean joked trying to lighten the moment. Seeing a ghost of a smile cross Sam's face Dean forged ahead. "Look I know you don't believe this, but it wasn't your fault. It was the demon. Yeah he was after you, and yeah he got Jess instead, but Sam you had no way of knowing that those dreams were real. Look I know you don't believe me, but just think about it okay. Talk it over with Dawn. It really wasn't your fault." Dean finished sure he'd made a mess of things.

"Thanks, Dean." Sam whispered.

"You ready to go inside yet?" Dean asked knowing there was a mansion full of people anxious to start training.

"Yeah we'd better, before someone comes out here to see what's wrong." Sam muttered self-consciously.

"Don't worry, I let Buffy know to tell everyone we'd be in soon." Dean assured.

"Thanks." Sam said gratefully.

"What are big brother's for?" Dean joked.

"Jerk."

"Bitch."

With that both boys walked inside to continue discussing whether or not Riley was blowing smoke and the consequences either way.

Once they got back inside they found everyone in the living room rehashing the whole Riley situation.

"Look all I'm saying is, that Riley might not have been the guy for you Buff, but it doesn't make him a bad person." Xander defended Riley having felt they'd had a good friendship.

"Xander for the last time this has nothing to do with our break up. Anyone would mistrust information presented under those circumstances. Riley had to know that the threat of the initiative no longer holds water. Something just felt off about the whole thing to me that's all. My spider sense went all tingly." Buffy finished her rant. Tired of having to continuously defend her actions to Xander.

"What's your spider sense?" John asked looking confused, while sending a nod towards his two boys to make sure they were okay. Getting a nod in return John looked towards Buffy for an explanation.

"Sorry I forget not everyone's up to date on my slang." Buffy smiled apologetically, while making a spot next to her available on the couch for Dean and Sam. "My spider sense is what I jokingly refer to my slayer senses. It's how I detect evil, it's a early warning system." Buffy took Dean's hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Oh." John said looking thoughtful. "Is it possible that Riley is possessed then?"

"With this demon I'd say more then possible." Dean volunteered. "Now I only met the guy once, but he was acting strange."

"Strange how?" Giles inquired.

"Not listening it was almost like he couldn't hear what we were saying because it wasn't what he wanted to hear. Like he'd lost all ability for rational thought."

"There are spells we can perform to determine if Riley's possessed." Willow said eager to help.

"That would be for the best at this junction in time we can't take any chances." Giles said rubbing his eyes. "I'll call Riley and request a meeting to discuss his information, when he gets here we'll detain him for questioning."

"Look can't we do the spell with out him knowing, and detaining for questioning we're assuming guilt here people." Xander exploded angrily.

"Maybe Xander's right. I'm sure we can rig something up to perform the spell as Riley comes in, that way we won't have to detain him unless it comes up positive." Ever the peacemaker Tara offered up a solution.

"Agreed." Giles said, "But I want precautions in place ready should that test be positive. "I will not allow Riley to report back should he be under the demon's control. So Xander please prepare yourself should that happen. I know Riley is your friend, but we cannot allow Glory or this Aaquerafet learn who the key and lock are. The existence of life on this planet depends on us winning this battle." Giles finished resting a hand on Xander's shoulder knowing that the upcoming meeting would be difficult for the boy. Giles had no doubt that Riley was possessed as Buffy's slayer sense was never wrong.

"Agreed." Xander replied quietly hoping against hope that Buffy was wrong. It never got easier to lose friends no matter how long you lived on a hellmouth.

"Giles give Tara and I at least 24 hours to get everything together, so schedule the meeting for some time tomorrow afternoon please." Willow requested as she and Tara began looking through books for the best spell to use.

Dean wrapped an arm around Buffy and tried to comfort her in the face of Riley's possible possession. Knowing that like Sam she would blame herself for not being able to protect Riley dating, or not.

John, meanwhile walked up to Sam and said, "Care to go for a walk?"

Surprised at the offer, but eager to give Dean and Buffy some time together Sam agreed and followed his dad out of the mansion.

As they started around the block John ventured first with "How are you doing Sam?"

Not knowing how to talk to his father any more now then he did when he was younger Sam just said "Okay I guess."

"Look I know you and me, there's a lot of water under that bridge, but I do know what your going through and well if you need to talk I'm here." John finished keeping his eyes forward staring straight ahead.

Sam meanwhile stared at his dad with shock and gratefulness, could only think to ask one thing. "How'd you survive?"

Letting out a bitter bark of laughter John turned towards his youngest and said "You, Sam, you and Dean are how I survived. You kept me going when I wanted to curl up in a ball and just stop. I can't make the pain go away, but I'm here, I'm here if you need to talk, hell I'm here if you need to yell. God knows we've got practice doing that."

Snorting with laughter at the truth of that statement Sam said, "Thanks Dad." Then fell silent as the two men continued their walk side by side.

After a few minutes of silence Sam spoke up. "I'm sorry," at his Dad's quizzical glance Sam clarified. "I'm sorry for leaving the way I did. I'm sorry for never calling, I'm sorry for not getting why you were so focused. I'm just sorry for a lot."

Answering Sam John replied, "I'm sorry for making you leave, I'm sorry for not calling and oh Sammy boy I'm so damn sorry you get why I'm so focused." The last part was choked out as John pulled Sam towards him in a hug.

"Thanks dad." Sam said.

"Thank you Sam." John said. Releasing Sam he said, "Ready to head back I think Buffy and Dean have had enough alone time don't you think?" John said as he started to walk back to the mansion.

"Not according to Dawn." Sam said and then burst out in laughter finally able to appreciated Dawn's comment from that morning.

John just looked at Sam like he'd lost his mind as Sam continued to laugh the whole way back.

To be continued.

I told you you'd get a kiss. I hope it was okay. I've never written one before, so I was very nervous. I hope this ease the aches and pains of the cliffhanger. I'm warning you now it's going to be a few days till the next update. I've got a lot of work to do, and it's keeping me hopping. I hope to have another chapter up by Friday. Have a great week.

B