Okey-dokey! I give you Chapter 2! I know "YAY!"
Thank you to all who reviewed! And yes I am aware some are a little OOC. But that's what makes it works.

Okay, There is a bit of Riley bashing, I don't like him. Also we meet a mysterious character. Hehehe. Oh, yeah and I own nothing, nada, zippo! I just borrow and play. Hehehehe

Chapter 2: "Comforting Blankets"

Buffy ran through the streets of Sunnydale. It was easier when she was running. So that's what she did. Ran. She ran for anywhere that was anywhere. Buffy felt her feet carry her across the streets, she didn't care where she ended up. As long as she could think, as long as she could be alone. Buffy came out of her trance after the relatively long run. She was standing on the hills behind the mansion. Where she had been that Christmas that seemed so long ago. Buffy felt her body go weak and she crumbled to the ground. Her tears soaking the earth.

Buffy forced herself to focus. She needed to pull herself together. She had to deal. It was just Riley. He left her for a stupid reason, but he had still left her. Buffy forced herself to stand and walk. She needed to do something. Riley was – well she knew she had never deeply loved him. But Buffy knew, she had loved him. And he had left her because of Dracula. Dracula in himself was a whole other problem. Buffy felt as if Dracula had violated her. He had bit her without permission, just like the Master. The worst part was that he had ruined the single scar she wanted to keep intact.

Buffy stopped and looked up. Her feet had taken her to the front doors of the mansion. She inhaled and walked through the doors. She hadn't been here in years but the place felt the same. He was here. She could feel the remains of his presence in the very walls of the mansion. Buffy felt the weakness take her over again. She hadn't been sleeping well, the lack of sleep was just one more of her many problems. Buffy walked across the mansion to the bedroom. His bed was still there with its red blanket and clean white sheets.

From the door the bed looked so soft, so comforting. Riley had left her, Dracula had violated her. She needed to be in the one place she had always felt safe. Buffy pulled off her shoes and climbed into the bed. The blankets and bedding still smelled of him. She rolled herself up tight in the blankets. It was the closest she could get to any real comfort. Buffy sighed as she inhaled the scent of the bedding: leather, weapons oil, and something else she could never identify, a scent that was all Angel. Buffy wrapped the blankets tighter around her and inhaled his scent. Without another thought, Buffy closed her eyes and fell asleep. She had finally found a place where she was safe, where she could relax.

~B~

"Willow, what the hell is going on?" Xander asked. It was late in the afternoon and they were at Xander's place. Just him, Anya and Willow. Tara was in class and Dawn was at home.

"A lot of stuff right now." Willow answered. "You need to be specific."

"With Buffy. What's Dead Boy got to do with it?" Xander asked. Anya was watching the conversation. She was still confused. Willow started to answer but Anya cut her off.

"Who is 'dead boy' and what does he have to do with Buffy?" Anya asked. "Someone please tell me."

"'Dead boy' is Xander's name for Angel." Willow answered. "Look Xander anything that gets said here Is never repeated." Xander nodded. "I'm ninety percent positive that Buffy's been feeling his presence, even during the daylight. Even though she had Riley, she's still in love with Angel."

Willow paused and watched Xander absorb what she was saying. He was no big Angel fan, and the information Willow was giving was kind of a big shock, to everyone. Anya was trying to figure it out as well.

"So that jacket, it was Angel's?" Anya asked. Willow nodded.

"He gave it to her our sophomore year. Right before Xander met his first bug-demon." Willow answered. Xander swore.

"You said you'd never bring that up, ever again." Willow smiled. "But why is she like this? We know Angel hasn't been around."

"Yes he has. She can feel him." Willow answered. "We have to help her when she needs us."

"But how? We don't even know where she is." Anya said. Xander and Willow exchanged looks. It was Willow who spoke first.

"She is where she feels safe."

~B~

The sun had been down for several hours when Buffy finally woke. The mansion was dark and deserted. Buffy glanced around. Her Slayer senses were tingling. No they felt like they were on fire. There was something in the house with her. Buffy unwrapped herself from the blankets, rather reluctantly. She reached for the jacket and pulled out her dagger. She was certain that the thing in the house was demon, not vampire.

Buffy walked into the main room of the mansion. Her sock clad feet made no sound on the stone floor. Her dagger rested in her hand. She thought she was ready. But the next thing Buffy knew, she was on the floor. She whipped around and threw herself back to her feet. She searched the shadows to find the demon. Without warning it came at her again. This time she managed to engage it. The demon was green skinned and dressed in armor with a red jewel in its forehead.

"I know you. How do I know you?" Buffy asked as she fought. She managed to cut the demon, it bled green. The demon snarled and took off, jumping out a window. "Hey, no fair."

Buffy walked back to the bedroom to grab her coat and shoes. New demon, new distraction. Well it was better than nothing. Buffy walked out of the mansion, and she felt the tingling sensation again. She paused for a split second, then continued on her run, she had to get to Giles, new demon.

~B~

Buffy found herself at the dorms at UC Sunnydale. The Magic Box had been empty and she had no desire to go home. It was easy enough to find Willow's dorm, she had memorized the address. Buffy walked at a quick pace across the dark campus. Her eyes scanned the shadows, the demon was nowhere in sight. Her spine was tingling again. This time she chose to ignore it. Buffy knew she could never deal if the tingling manifested itself. Buffy reached for the door as someone touched her shoulder. She whipped around and punched her attacker in the face. It was Riley and he was holding his noise.

"What the hell was that for?" Riley asked. Buffy shifted her position so she was prepared for a fight.

"You've spent how long patrolling with me? Never once occurred to you that touching my shoulder was not a good idea." Buffy asked. Her voice was low and threatening, but completely emotionless. "It's kind of your own fault."

"Look, Buffy, I just wanted to talk." Riley said. He seemed a bit annoyed at Buffy. She crossed her arms.

"Go ahead." Buffy answered. Her face was set like stone, all her emotions and feelings buried deep down within.

"Buffy, I'm sorry I can't understand your world. I don't get why you're so determined to be with these demons." Riley said. He was angry. "I try to be in your world but you still turn to those disgusting – things."

"Have you said enough? Yeah, my world is not all fun and games. And you have no right to bring him into this. What happened was a long time ago." Buffy answered. She was tired of this. And she had to find the demon, it could be end of the world stuff. "Look Riley. I have to go." Riley reached for her hand, she pulled away and walked into the dorms.

Buffy took the stairs two at a time. The tingling was still at the base of her spine when she reached the top of the stairs. She whipped around and for a split second, Buffy swore she saw someone step back behind the corner. She picked up her pace and knocked at Willow's door. There was no answer. Maybe Willow was at Tara's. Buffy sighed, she knew that address too. Same floor just a few doors down. When she knocked there, Tara answered the door.

"Buffy!" Tara said surprised.

"Hey Tara. Is Willow here?" Buffy asked. Tara watched her.

"She's at Xander's. What's up, Buffy? Are you okay?" Tara asked. "You look conflicted."

"I'm just dealing with some stuff." Buffy said quickly. "Hey you want to come with? There's a new demon."

"Sure. It's better then classwork." Tara said. "Come in while I grab my coat." Buffy nodded and walked in. She closed the door behind her as Tara went to get her coat. Buffy glanced around the room. There were candles and spell books. A little black and white cat brushed up against her legs. Buffy knelt down to pet the cat.

"Hello kitty." Buffy said. The cat started purring. Buffy felt her face soften. The cat was so cute. It had bright green eyes. Tara walked back into the room as she pulled on her coat.

"I see you met Miss Kitty-fantasitca." Tara said. Buffy looked up still petting the cat.

"She's cute. I'd love to get a pet." Buffy said. Her voice was a whisper. Tara knelt beside her. "I can't though. No kitties and definitely no puppies for dear Buffy."

"Why not?"

"Bad people will hurt them." Buffy answered. Tara watched her. It was like Buffy was remembering something.

"Did someone hurt your pet once?" Tara asked. Buffy shook her head and rubbed the cat one last time before standing up.

"No, he hurt Willow's fish. Come on. We better get to Xander's." Buffy said. Tara nodded and followed Buffy from the dorm room.

~B~

The whole gang was at Xander's when Buffy and Tara arrived. Well the whole gang minus Dawn and Giles. Willow greeted them when they arrived, Buffy with a hug and Tara with a kiss.

"So, Buffy, what's up?" Xander asked. Willow and Tara settled down on the couch, they were holding hands. Buffy remained standing uneasily in the center of the room. She still had the jacket pulled tight around her.

"New demon. It attacked me." Buffy answered. Willow nodded.

"What it look like?" Willow asked.

"Kind of mutant ninja demon. He had a jewel in his forehead and a really big sword." Buffy answered. "I fought it with my dagger, managed to wound it. It bleed green. The blood didn't touch me but it felt really powerful. Then it jumped out a window."

"A window?" Xander asked. "Where were you?" Willow saw Buffy hesitate before answering. It sounded like Buffy was hiding something.

"Library." Buffy said. Willow knew she was lying. She and Tara had been at the library for the afternoon and evening. "Do we have any books here?"

"Not any that would help. I've never even heard of a demon with a forehead jewel." Anya said. "I think we should tell Giles."

"I will. In the morning. It's too late tonight." Buffy said. She finally sat down on an ottoman. Willow rose and knelt in front of her.

"Are you alright?" Willow asked.

"It's just the demon. It was really strong and it seemed so familiar." Buffy said. "Like I fought it before. But the fight before was like a dream. Like I wasn't really there. You know, I'm just going to do a sweep and head home. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Willow watched Buffy go and walked back to sit with Tara. Everyone sat in silence. Something was really weird.

"What's up with Buffy?" Anya asked overly cheerfully. "She's never like this."

"Will, do you think it has something to do with the demon?" Xander asked. Willow sighed.

"Maybe. I really want to know who this demon is and why it seems to have scared Buffy so much." Willow said. Xander nodded.

"I hope Giles can figure it out."

~B~

It was a good thing it was a Saturday. Everyone was knee deep in research by noon. Willow, Tara, Xander, Anya and Giles. Even Buffy. All trying to identify the mystery demon. Buffy was still wrapped up tight in the leather jacket. It seemed she never took it off. Willow was still worried. She had filled Giles in earlier. The two had met in the back of the Magic Box and exchanged theories.

"You know what. I think we need food. We would work better on food." Xander said. Dawn nodded.

"Definitely. Food is good." Dawn answered. "What are we getting?"

"How about pizza?" Tara suggested. "Everybody likes pizza." The gang nodded in agreement.

"Alright. Pizza it is. Any want to come with?" Xander asked, trying to be cheerful.

"I will." Dawn said, jumping up. Xander nodded and the two headed out, Anya left with them. Giles walked back into the room carrying an old book.

"Did you find the demon?" Buffy asked, looking up. Giles nodded.

"I believe so." Giles put the book down in front of her.

"Yep that's it. A Mohra Demon. Great, how do I kill it?" Buffy asked. Again everything felt so familiar, the demon, she was certain she'd faced it before.

"What does it do?" Willow asked. Giles picked up the book and read the description.

"It is extremely power assassin or solider of darkness. They take out good warriors, like Buffy. According to this it needs salt to survive. Oh that's interesting." Giles said lost in the book.

"What's interesting?" Willow asked. She moved to look over Giles's shoulder.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It says that the 'blood of eternity runs through its veins'. Whatever that is." Giles said. Everyone exchanged looks. "Oh wait, the blood gives it regenerative properties." Buffy gasped. Tara reached her first.

"What is it?" Tara asked. Buffy still sat in a trance. She looked like she was remembering something. Tara touched her shoulder, Buffy turned to face her. Her voice was a whisper.

"I felt his heart beat." Buffy's voice was weak and shaky. Willow knew she wasn't taking about Riley. "I felt his heart beat."

"Who's heart?" Tara asked. Willow and Giles edged closer to her. Giles seemed to be in research mode. Willow looked concerned. Buffy wouldn't answer. Tara leaned in closer, she tucked a piece of hair behind Buffy's ear. "Who's heart did you feel beating, sweetie?"

Buffy sat there in numb silence. There were scenes playing before her eyes. Scenes she could never remember before but remembered now. The demon must have done this, its blood got on her and caused her to see these things. There was no other way to explain the images playing before her eyes. They were like so many of her dreams. But these felt different. The tingling was back, she turned her eyes around the room, looking again.

"Pizza's here!" Xander said as he, Dawn and Anya walked back into the Magic Box. Xander was carrying the pizza. Dawn had a paper bag.

"We got ice cream too. Cookie-dough-fudge-mint-chip." Dawn said holding up the carton. Buffy looked up. For a second a smile seemed to ghost across her face.

"Did we find the demon?" Xander asked as he put the pizza down. Buffy abruptly stood and walked out of the Magic Box. "What's going on? Was it something I said?" Willow watched her go. She exchanged a look with Giles.

"I have to make a call." Willow said. Giles nodded.

"I think that's a very good idea. I'll fill everyone in here." Giles said. Willow nodded and walked over to the counter to make her call.

"So demon?" Xander asked through a mouth full of pizza.

"It's a Mohra demon. An assassin." Giles said. "The blood in its veins is regenerative."

"I see. How do we kill it?" Anya asked cheerfully.

"I have yet to find out that small bit of information." Giles answered. Anya nodded. "I'm going back to my books, with all hope there will be something."

The Magic Box fell silent as everyone focused on their food. Willow had yet to come back. Giles returned to his books. It was Dawn who broke the silence.

"Why did Buffy leave?" Dawn asked. Tara looked over at Dawn. "Did we miss something?"

"Yeah why did Buffy leave? And where is Willow?" Xander asked, glancing around the room. "What is it with this demon? She left after we mentioned it." Willow walked back in. Giles looked up at her entrance.

"Did you get through?" Giles asked. Willow paused for a second before answering.

"I did."

"And?"

"Already here." Willow answered. She sat down next to Tara and grabbed a slice of pizza.

"What's going on?" Anya asked. "Somebody explain, please. I don't get it." Willow glanced at Giles. He nodded.

"I'm not really sure. To get the truth you'd have to ask Buffy. But I'm almost positive it has nothing to do with Riley." Willow answered.

~B~

Buffy had spent the remains of the afternoon walking around town. She couldn't settle down. Every nerve in her body felt like it was on fire. Buffy finally headed home as the sun grew low in the sky. She had missed dinner the night before and to miss it again was not the world's greatest idea. Buffy was half-way up her front steps when the tingling returned. This time she searched the shadows around her yard. The search was fruitless. Buffy walked back and launched herself onto the roof outside her window. Her room felt different as she crawled into it.

"Buffy! Are you up there? Dinner's ready." Joyce called up the stairs.

"Be right there!" Buffy shouted back down. She turned to go and caught her reflection in the mirror. She was still wearing the jacket. It would be too much to explain. Reluctantly, Buffy slipped the jacket off and put it down on her bed. She felt the familiar tingling again. Buffy sighed and glanced around her room. There was nothing there. Buffy turned and walked downstairs.

Back in her room, someone stepped out of the shadows and crossed the space to the bed in long strides. This new shadow was familiar to the room, like he had been there before. He walked over and ran a pale hand over the jacket on the bed. Without a word, he walked over to the window and climbed out.

~B~

It was long past midnight when Buffy walked back up the familiar path to the mansion. She was wrapped in the jacket again. And it was a bit dusty. There had been vampires, but no ninja demon. Dinner with Dawn and Mom had been a bit awkward. Dawn wanted to know more about what had happened at the Magic Box that afternoon. And Buffy had been determined to keep a few secrets from her little sister. And Mom had been just as determined to know what was going on as Dawn had been. Buffy had pretended to go to bed after dinner but slipped out the window.

The mansion was just as dark as it had been the other night. But that really didn't matter to Buffy. She knew where she was headed. The bed was just as inviting as it had been before, just as soft and comfortable. Buffy nestled up in the blankets and rested her head on the pillow. There were no tears, just forgotten memories as she drifted off to sleep.

~B~