The following 2 nights were spent training and building back up the damaged vampires. Buffy had offered both vampires her powerful blood as it was guaranteed to heal them faster than anything else, but to her confusion, both declined, with no real explanation. After her third confused offer, Spike had quietly stormed off and stayed on the other side of the warehouse for the rest of the afternoon, only coming back when dinner had been dished up. Hurt and confused, Buffy tentatively inched over on the couch to give some room IF Spike chose to sit beside her, fully believing that he would grab his food and sit with one of the free ranger slayers, or Faith and Angel. Her head was hanging as she mouthed a bit of dinner, her appetite well and truly gone.

So it was nearly a shock when she felt the familiar body slump next to hers on the couch. From behind her wall of hair, she saw black docs – yes, they had finally gotten the Whinging One his docs - tap her foot and her head shot up to see Spike, his head on that tilt that tweaked her heart every time, studying her, his own plate of food in his lap. The sob was barely caught by her lips as she pressed them tightly together, but he heard, his eyebrows meeting together.

"Oh luv." He grabbed both plates and dropped them onto the coffee table and swept her into his arms, her face immediately going to its place in the crook of Spike's neck and Buffy allowed one solitary quiet sob to escape to be hidden in Spike's still long hair. His arms wrapped around her and his hands rubbed her back as she hugged his to her tightly.

She whispered softly, knowing that he would hear everything this closely.

"I don't know what I did wrong Spike. I'm sorry. Please tell me what I did wrong." At her words, he crushed her to him.

"I'm sorry pet, it's not you, not you, I promise."

"But you... angry... stayed away" Buffy breathed out the words and could feel the tears burning and buried her head further into Spike's shoulder.

Spike sighed. "Luv, I know you are just wantin to help, with the blood 'n all but honestly, we are fine, okay? Promise."

Buffy didn't say a word and after a minute, Spike huffed into her hair as he shook his head.

"Buffy, it's a vamp thing okay? I promise, when I can, I'll explain it better. But for now – trust me?"

Buffy's head shot up and she glanced from eye to eye as she tried to gauge the intent behind the question.

"Of course Spike."

With a final pat and a hug, he slid her back down on to the couch beside him, retrieved their dinner and nudged her until she started eating.

"Pet, you should stop worrying about MY intake and worry about your own. Thin as a rake you are, reckon you would blow away in a strong breeze." He winked as he jested, but Faith and Angel watching, saw the real fear behind his words and shared a look between themselves.

After that, everything went smoothly, kinda. The Vampires had booted Buffy off the couches and back into her pod, where she secretly cheered when she lay on the bed that first night back. Training was going well and improvements were being seen all around.

Demon activity had also picked up fast over the past few days, enough that the foursome knew that something was happening. Minor cuts and scrapes were common now on all of them after the now nightly and occasionally daily battles that were coming AT the heroes, instead of them finding or stumbling across them. Almost like they were being sent.

They also all now reported that they felt twitchy at times, little niggling annoyances that seemed to crop up out of nowhere. Spike would suddenly snarl at Angel, or Angel would growl at someone getting too close to Buffy. Whereas Buffy felt bouts of sadness that would strike and then drift away after a few moments. Faith reported that she felt the occasional tickle of fear at the back of her mind at odd times, like sitting at home in her apartment or at the Cleveland HQ but had shaken it off. They all agreed that it was not a natural occurrence and made sure to let the others know as the feelings seemed to fade when the group was close together.

Faith had also called Cleveland HQ and informed them so that now everyone was now on alert.

Robin came over to check on the group and remind them that this could be a tactic to wear them down, so to be careful. All four practically rolled their eyes at the dark-skinned leader – numerous Apocalypses dealt with here ya know – but they were conscious to make sure they did watch out for the others.

Buffy had retired to her pod, showered and was curled up in her lonely bed. For two nights now, since gaining possession of her pod again, she tossed and turned, cold and very lonely in the bed when her Spike lay a few feet away. They had agreed to take it slow and Buffy was regretting that with every atom of her being. When she had slept on the couches, it hadn't seemed so... real. But tucked up in bed made life hit home in a way she hadn't expected. Spike was back, he was only a few feet away and she wanted nothing more than to curl up in the strength of his arms and soak in the love and trust as she had that last night before the world went to hell. But nooo, her stupid agreement to the stupid vampire's suggestion meant they slept apart. Stupid Vampire.

So for Buffy, sleep was patchy and completely NOT of the restful kind.

When she DID finally drift off, she was pissed to find that she was suddenly in a desert, sand hot under her bare feet and sun stinging her shoulders around her spaghetti strap pjs.

Looking around at the sand drifts and scrubby desert plants Buffy cursed long and loud.

"Goddamn it! Really? REALLY? You couldn't have popped in a Slayer dream LAST week when I was sleeping okay? No, you just HAD to do it on a night when I needed the freaking SLEEP!" She stomped her foot on the sand and felt the anger boil. That surprised her. It made her realise that for the first time in days, she hadn't had that rage angrily bubbling away under everyday life, threatening to burst out at any second.

Oh, it was there NOW, but she realised with a start that it had been slowly quieting down during the time she had been spending with Faith and the Aurelian Vamps.

Movement caught her eye and she spun to see the First Slayer walking proudly towards her. Not on all fours, not crouching, but striding proudly, shoulders back head up. Feeling no threat, Buffy waited.

*Ssslayer* The First welcomed.

Buffy nodded her greeting back, but kept her silence.

The First Slayer stopped a few feet away and studied Buffy, her painted dreads hanging still in the hot desert air. Finally she nodded back and stepped closer.

*You come fighting, good. Fight is soon and you need strength*

Buffy huffed.

"I've got strength." She replied, crossing her arms.

But Sineya laughed mockingly, the sound strangely echoing around them.

*Stupid child! Slayer strength? Nothing! It is merely a weapon to fight the unclean ones. No. I talk True Strength! The strength to fight when you HAVE no strength*

Buffy threw her arms up in disgust!

"What the FUCK is that even supposed to MEAN?"

She instinctively ducked when the dark blur came at her face and spun away from Sineya, her own fists coming up. But the First Slayer was no longer there.

Instead, it was the Argbon demon, or one of them, standing in front of her. She took a quick step back. She wasn't going to try and see if acid from a tridimensional being would burn in a Slayer dream.

*Truth. Truth will be your strength and your saviour*

'Christ' Buffy thought, 'even in a freaking dream they can really dig in your hair' as she scrubbed at her scalp.

"Okay, I get it- Truth – whatever the hell that's supposed to mean." She looked the Argbon demon straight in the craggy bits she assumed were eyes. "Look, I get that the cryptic shit is supposed to be cool, but can I please, for once, get it in plain old American?"

A chuckle rocked the tentacle monster and Buffy swore she saw a smile before the demon was gone and Ollordna stood before her. Buffy nearly broke and hugged the shaggy demon, but remembered at the last second – Slayer Dream = not really there. Tears and anger warred for a moment. But Buffy stood firm and Ollordna nodded at her choice.

*We may not be the actual creatures you know, but we know what it is you need*

Buffy looked on, more confused than ever.

Ollordna patted her shoulder and smiled her wolfy smile.

*We call you Friend*

Before waving a paw into the distance.

Glancing in the direction Ollordna waved, Buffy saw a figure slowly walking towards her. Only it wasn't really slowly, for in a few steps, they were right in front of her.

"Mom?"

This time there was no hesitation as Buffy threw herself into the arms of what looked like her mother.

Warm arms surrounded her and the scent of her mother's favourite perfume filled Buffy's senses as a hand stroked her hair and tucked a strand behind her ear. Just like her mother used to do. That was too much for the tired young woman. Buffy jerked backwards, stumbling a bit as she scrambled to step away from the Not-Mom.

"Buffy?" Joyce looked concerned.

"You're NOT my mother!" Buffy spat in horror. "What kind of sick joke is this?"

Joyce smiled down kindly at her daughter.

"Buffy, it really is me. Honest. They let me come so that we could talk. But, of course, we don't have a lot of time." Joyce rolled her eyes with a smile and then pride filled her expression. "Oh Buffy, I am SO proud of you!"

Buffy blinked. Huh?

"Wah..? Proud? Of WHAT?" Buffy screeched. "The fucking disaster that is my life?"

"Buffy Anne Summers, stop that this instant!" Joyce snapped, glaring at Buffy, her arms crossed across her chest and a frown on her face. "I didn't raise a defeatist!" Her smile quickly replaced the frown and Joyce reached her arms out once more to her daughter. "You are the bravest, strongest woman I have ever had the honour to meet and I RAISED you! Me!" Joyce laughed softly but sobered quickly.

"Buffy, I know that you are tired honey, but I also know that you are strong. There's a fight coming hon, you know this. But this one is going to hurt because it's not like any other fight you have faced. It's going to be more than fists and swords. Do you understand?" Buffy shook her head wildly.

"No Mom! I don't understand! How am I supposed to win a fight without actually Fighting?"

Joyce cupped Buffy's face with both her hands.

"What has all this tonight shown you? Your strength, hon, is MORE than your fists or your stake. Look around you and SEE the strength that surrounds you and that is IN you. Trust in yourself. You always know what is right, even when everyone is trying to convince you that you're not. Stay true to that."

Joyce glanced over her shoulder and nodded to something Buffy couldn't see or hear. She turned back and pulled Buffy into a tight hug.

"I have to go. Oh my darling! I love you and Dawnie SO much! Always know that and so proud of you both, okay?" Joyce whispered in Buffy's ear. "Buffy, you even got Spike back! I always liked that boy!"

With that, Joyce let go and stepped back, already starting to fade.

"Mommy! Wait!"

"Sorry Buffy, I can't, but remember honey, try to remember!"

"MOM!"

A deafening crash and Buffy jack-knifed upright in bed, her face drenched with tears and her chest aching with sobs. Suddenly she found herself encased in the steel strong arms of Spike as she watched Angel scan the small room from his position at the foot of her bed. Behind him, several Free Rangers looked worriedly into the pod from the crowded doorway.

"BUFFY! What's wrong!" Spike's hands skimmed over every inch of Buffy's body looking for injuries. She met his panicked eyes and felt her chest aching from holding in the sobs. At her broken look, he swept her close and tucked her tight under his chin and she couldn't fight the tears anymore and sobbed into his chest. She felt hands on her back and the bed sink and the bulk of Angel tucked up behind her. What should have weirded her out, simply felt right and safe.

Over her head, two sets of worried eyes met and traded conversation silently, leaving the sobbing Slayer unaware, trapped as she was in her own sadness.

The crying jag was over soon enough and Buffy found herself laying on the bed, sandwiched between Spike and Angel as they stroked and patted her arms, back and hair.

Buffy chuckled wetly when she realised the position she was in.

"Faith would have a freaking field day if she saw us now." Spike leered down at Buffy and Angel followed with his own chuckle.

"Oh I am so telling her!" The dark vampire joked.

After a few moments, Buffy shifted from being curled up in Spike's embrace onto her back.

"Sorry guys, I didn't mean to go all sooky lala on you."

Spike's hand had moved from her back to her hair and was playing with the ends.

"Wanna tell us what's goin on Slayer?" He queried

As succinctly as possible, Buffy relayed the contents of the dream and a weighty silence settled on them all.

"Well, if Joyce was thinking it important enough to come on over, my guess is it's coming and soon."

Buffy snorted, but looked at the bleached vamp sadly.

"Do you really think it was Mom?" She asked with a quiver in her voice and Spike gathered her as close as he could, lips pressing gently to her forehead before he tucked her head under his chin.

"I reckon it sounds like it pet. Your Mum wasn't one for letting things get in her way. And sounds like she wanted to see her girl."

Angel frowned and growled, leaving the bed to pace the tiny confines of the pod, he mulled over what Buffy has shared.

"So in this dream, you had three 'helpful' demons come and tell you apparently important hints. Then your mom comes and tells you to look around and remember. Strength, Truth and …Friend?" Buffy nodded absently as she mulled it over from her spot in Spike's arms.

They all thought on it for a while, brainstorming ideas, but nothing seemed to gel all that well.

"Well, it's all bullshit. So freaking sick of this coded shit to be honest." Buffy shook off Spike's caressing hands and jumped up from the bed. "That's enough for now, I'm all hyped up, so I'm going to head out and do a quick patrol. Wanna come?" She asked both vamps, but her gaze was on the small wiry vampire.

With a glance to Angel, Spike nodded and followed the twitchy Slayer out into the night. Angel watched and shook his head ruefully. As if there had been any chance of a different answer to that question.