Xander sat in the car with Buffy and Ms. Calendar. It's been an interesting month to say the least. The scoobies in mass found out that the council doesn't even bury orphan slayers they just leave them in an incinerator. They waited for a newborn to rise and had their own funeral for Kendra in its plot. Willow recovered from Drusilla's attack though she drank a week's worth of Angel's pig blood to do it. Buffy offered some slayer blood but Willow shot her down saying she might not be able to stop herself if she starts still scared about what she did to Harmony even if she didn't kill her. Ms. Calendar took Giles back after shooting him in the ass with a crossbow while he Puck and Xander were patrolling trying out another sword that Xander broke over a demon's head. Xander only regrets that he didn't have a video camera at the time so he could show Buffy, Willow, Cordy and Jonathon. It would make a nice show and rest considering the scoobies are all busting their butts off most of the time getting ready for the inevitable day when Drusilla returns.

Buffy was sitting back enjoying the day. No slayer visions no anything. Just a peaceful car ride with her boyfriend in the back and her watcher's girlfriend driving them to the Bronze from the looks of it. Giles and Ms. Calendar are the only ones that know about her and Xander and that was because Giles and Ms Calendar entered Giles' apartment making out while Buffy and Xander were making out on the couch. She knows its wrong not to tell Willow and she has a spot saved for her in a very special part of hell. It's just every time Buffy tries to tell the young vampire things go screwy.

3 Weeks Ago

Buffy Xander and Willow were sitting at the Summers kitchen table. Xander was wishing it was a demon at this point. Instead it was Joyce's new boyfriend. Xander looks down at the mini pizza. It's tempting but no he'll play supportive secret boyfriend and only eat it when Buffy does. Buffy turns to the red head seeing her happy and decides this might be a good time and get her mind off the guy from 1957.

"Willow can I talk to you?" Buffy asked.

Willow smiled. "You can talk to me about anything Buff you know that."

Buffy wondered how long that smile would last until it is replaced by Willow trying to bite her. "Will I don't know how to-"

Willow stopped her by putting her hand up and wrapped her hands around Ted's head. The red head twisted until Ted's head popped off revealing sparks from his neck as his body fell down.

"What did you do that for?" Buffy asked.

"No heartbeat and no blood. I didn't know what he was but it wasn't human." Willow defended herself. She stared at Ted's head interested by the wiring.

"Willow, how about a nice game of Parcheesi." Ted asks as sparks come out of his head and he shuts down.

The scoobies are brought out of their morbid curiosity by a glass shattering. Buffy looks over and saw her mother in shock at Buffy's best friend holding her boyfriend's head.

The scoobies called in Giles, Angel, and Jonathon and the whole team fielded her questions. Joyce was in shock and refused to believe it and was set to commit Buffy again until Angel and Willow show her their far less popular faces. Joyce had to face the unfortunate truth and begged Buffy for forgiveness for locking her up in LA when she first became the Slayer. So Buffy never got to talk to Willow after that revelation and the next day Joyce thanked Willow when Police discovered multiple dead bodies in Ted's home all of whom looked like her.

2 Weeks Ago

Buffy, Cordy, Jonathon, Xander and Willow are in bio lab dissecting their egg projects/mind control bugs. Buffy asks Xander to take Jonathon and Cordy elsewhere which he complies to. What Buffy doesn't see however is once out the door Jonathon leaves and Cordy shocks Xander in the back with her tazer.

Buffy is nervous but better to find out from her then the rumor mill. "Will I need to-?"

Willow looks up from the microscope and then clocks Buffy with it knocking her out.

So no she hasn't told Willow yet. But she will just not near anything or anybody. Buffy looks around and yeah this definitely seems like the Bronze.

"Are we going to the Bronze?" Buffy asks.

Jenny just shrugged trying not to get caught. "I don't know Rupert just gave me an address."

Buffy turns to Xander seeing if he knows anything. He has been the best part of this month he knows Buffy's the slayer so she doesn't have to make excuses. She was a little worried about how often he's been hitting the gym since Kendra's death and hoped it wasn't a Teutonic guy thing. Xander assured her it had to do more with him than anything else and he actually likes a stronger girl. Buffy doesn't mind the gym time now as she gets wrapped in his well toned arms when they're alone.

Xander looks at his girlfriend and still can't believe how he got so lucky to be like this with Buffy. Xander sees her inquisitive look and puts his hands up. "I have no idea where Jenny is taking us." He lied but it's harmless…hopefully and for a good reason.

Buffy knows he's lying but considering what today is she figures there's a party with her name on it at the Bronze. She turns to the windows and sees a vampire carrying a wooden box. She gets Xander's attention and he sees it as well. They get Ms. Calendar to pull over and go to confront the box vamp and are ambushed by several other vamps. Ms. Calendar just sighs this was going nothing like the plan.

Inside the Bronze Giles, Cordelia, Willow, Angel, and Jonathon have the birthday party set up and are just currently waiting for the birthday girl. Jonathon's by the punch, Cordelia is looking for the best hiding spot, and Giles is concerned that he gave Jenny the wrong address considering he doesn't usually come here. The two vampires broke off from the rest of the group.

This was actually incredibly nervous for Willow. She was fine when she was training but in private her feelings for her adoptive sire had changed. Almost losing him to Drusilla and losing Kendra a slayer really pounded home the message that nothing is unkillable or forever. She can't wait for Xander anymore and honestly she doesn't want to because she'll have to see him grow old and die.

Angel looked at his adoptive childe. "How's your scent training coming along?"

Willow didn't know what to say. "Pretty good. I can easily smell all the gun powder on Jonathon but I have a hard time with his blood."

Angel nods. "He has anemia it's probably why a vampire girl hasn't made a quick meal of him."

Willow looks at him and can't tell if he's serious or joking. "Cordelia…well I know it sounds bad but I want to take her out back and give her a suck job she smells so good."

"It will pass." Angel assures her having the same feeling shortly before Halloween.

Willow looked at him kind of sad she sees Cordelia like that. "Promise"

Angel nods looking at how much the shy redhead has had to change since Halloween.

Willow looks to Giles. "He smells like tea but at least it's not whiskey since him and Ms. Calendar got together."

Angel smirked enjoying her sense of humor. "What about Buffy and Xander?" He wants to know what she smells on the boy.

Willow shrugs. "I don't know. They both smell so familiar I can't pull one from the other."

Angel grew a face of concern but he'll need to see Buffy or Xander to know for certain he blew it off since they've all been spending so much time together but he has a good idea of why they smell so similar to a newborn vampire.

Angel's face goes past Willow as she's trying to think of how to ask this question she's not as shy as she used to be becoming a vampire changed that but she can still be nervous. "Um Angel w-would you want to go out with me sometime g-get a cup of coffee."

Willow held her head down waiting for a response.

"Are you asking me out on a date?" Angel asked.

Willow put her hands up. "N-no I'm asking you out for coffee it's a caffeinated beverage that's kind of like a date we might need to bring our own blood and wheat-a-bix for flavor though."

Angel smiles she's so cute when she's nervous. "I'd like that but what about that boy you met on career day."

Willow just smiled the hard part was over. "You mean Oz. We held hands once and I wanted so bad to sink my teeth into his wrist my game face came out. It won't work. Besides you're the one I asked."

Before Angel could reply a vampire was sent crashing through the window Buffy running in after him stake in hand as she plunged it into his heart turning him into dust. Angel took one smell of Buffy and knew she and Xander were together now but why wouldn't she tell Willow.

All the scoobies looked at her and said. "Surprise!"

Buffy just smiled she knew this was what Xander and Jenny were up to. Xander walked in with a brown box and hid it under the table. He wants Buffy to enjoy her party and not send Giles into research mode. Jenny just gives a silent nod of agreement as she comes in.

Buffy sits down and they get right to her favorite part as she looks at the pile. "All these prezzies for me?"

Buffy opens Jonathon's first seeing the boy is ecstatic. Buffy thinks he's never really had any friends until the Order of Taraka showed up. Buffy opens it and instantly falls in love with it. Well the slayer in her falls in love with it. Buffy pulls out a crossbow with a red body and a clip full of about 50 crossbow bolts. Buffy aims it at the wall and squeezes the trigger as three crossbow bolts shoot out.

Buffy just smiles. "Hello long distance fatalities." She turns to the short black haired boy. "Thank you Jonathon."

Jonathon smiled wider than even Buffy. "You're welcome Buffy."

Xander just looks at the weapon. "So that's what happened to the gasoline powered nail gun that disappeared in wood shop. Remind me to never get on your bad side."

"Well I needed parts." Jonathon defended himself.

Buffy opens her present from Willow and it is the most beautiful thing she has ever seen. Homework, most of the assignments she missed thanks to slayer detail they were already done all Buffy had to do was write her name in black ink.

Buffy opened what Cordelia got her a few skirts. She got a book of sonnets and poems from Angel. And a hundred dollar gift card from Giles and Jenny to that place Giles dredges he believes it's called the mall. Xander got her a stupid vampire movie where they sparkle in sunlight but she suspects she'll get something else from him in private, or Xander will be walking funny for a week.

Buffy and Xander broke away from the party for a moment of privacy. Xander wished her a happy birthday and kissed her and gave her another present like Buffy thought he would. Buffy opens the small box and sees a locket with a heart on it. Buffy admired it. The thing was beautiful.

"I didn't know what to get you." Xander said shyly he was never good at gifts in either life.

"It's beautiful." Buffy assured him.

Buffy gave him a quick kiss but was broken up by someone clearing his throat, Angel.

Buffy quickly pushes Xander aside and turns to the vampires. "That wasn't what it looked like."

"How about the rest of the month?" Angel asked.

Buffy looked at him and knows they're busted. "How long have you known."

"Just tonight." Angel told the two. "You're scents are all over each other."

Buffy had a look of terror knowing what Willow is learning. "Oh god does Willow know?"

Angel shook his head no. "Not a clue are you going to tell her."

Buffy nodded. "First thing tomorrow can you be there when I do. Last time I tried to tell her she knocked me unconscious with a microscope."

Angel smirked at the picture in his head. "Yeah sure just set it up at my apartment."

Buffy went to find Willow.

Willow noticed Buffy and now reality sinks in realizing she has to tell the slayer of her coffee with the ex. "Hey Buff happy birthday."

Buffy nodded and took the compliment. "Thanks, so Will can I talk to you tomorrow early in the morning at Angel's its kind of private."

Willow nodded seeing whatever is on the slayer's mind is important. "Sure I need to talk to you too anyway in private I mean."

"Hey Buffy missed a present." Cordelia said pulling the wooden box out.

Xander rolled his eyes. "No she didn't we were just trying to avoid research on a birthday." Xander said

Giles glared at him. "Can it be opened?"

Buffy picks the box up. "There's a latch right here." She undoes the latch and opens the box as an arm comes out to choke her. Xander pulls out the knife from his waist and holds the arm down and repeatedly stabs it forcing it to release Buffy when the arm loses its grip Xander and Angel lock it back up tight in its box.

Buffy catches her breath and sees that neither Xander or Puck still haven't taken their eyes off the box. Do they know what this is? "Xander are you OK?"

Xander is still looking at the box. "Angel just how insane is Drusilla?"

"Define crazy." Angel requested not sure how to rate Drusilla's madness.

"Would she end the world if she could?" Xander asked.

Angel nodded. "If she's mad enough especially since we killed Spike."

Giles was wondering what Xander is going on about. "Xander what is the meaning of this?"

Xander finally got up from the box. "Drusilla is going to end the world with the Judge."

Buffy looked at him. "Who's the judge?"

Puck flew out of Xander's shirt and sat on his shoulder feeling his guilt. "It wasn't your fault."

Buffy looked to him. "Xander come on we need to know what we're up against here."

Giles took over from here. "An old demon brought forth to rid the earth of humanity. To separate the righteous and the wicked and burn the righteous down. A-an army was sent to kill him but they couldn't they just dismembered him."

Xander just let out an empty laugh. "You know the problem with history."

The scoobies all shrugged not having the slightest clue. It was Angel that spoke up. "It's only written by the winners."

Xander nodded. "Point for deadboy. It didn't take an entire army to slice up the judge just one man."

Buffy caught on remembering Xander also had Gut's memories. "You were the one that dismembered him."

Xander nodded. "Half that army was dead before they could even get close to him."

Giles was confused. "How could you have-?"

Xander put his hands up. "Giles I don't have the time to explain I just need you to trust me."

Giles could see that Xander was actually afraid and not sarcastic. This really is the end of the world. "So what do we do?"

Puck spoke up from here. "Keep this away form Drusilla would be Plan A."

Cordy rolled her eyes. "Running away that's our great plan."

Xander nodded. "She can't revive the judge without all six piec-" Xander rolls his eyes. "Six pieces of blue how the hell did I miss that?"

Buffy put a hand on his arm that didn't go past Cordy. "You couldn't have known Xander this was centuries ago."

Jenny turned to Angel. "You have to do it. You're the only one that can protect this thing."

"What about me?" Willow asked.

Jenny looked at her and asked sarcastically. "What, you're just gonna skip town for a few months?"

"'Months'?" Willow stuttered out. "Well I can tell my parents I'm traveling the world. They'll filefor emancipation for me probably."

Angel frowns when he realizes he's going to miss that coffee. "She's right. I gotta get this to the remotest region possible." Angel starts gesturing grandly. "I gotta catch a cargo ship to Asia, maybe trek to Nepal..."

Willow can't believe this. "Ok you know what those newfangled flying machines really are much safer than they used to be."

Angel pouted at this. "I can't fly. There's no sure way to guard against the daylight. I-I-I don't like this any more than you do. But there's no other choice."

Willow knew logically Jenny is right but she is so scared to face her vampiric nature without Angel. "When, when are you leaving?"

"Tonight. As soon as possible." Angel answered.

Jenny dug her keys out of her purse. "I'll give you a ride."

Willow goes with Jenny to see Angel off. Xander can't believe this is happening. Xander just pouts at everything first Zodd and now The Judge. Maybe Slan will come back next he'd love to see Buffy try to wrap her head around a 50 ft tall naked woman demonic goddess. Buffy notices the looks on Xander's face and is curious.

"Is this judge guy really that bad?" Buffy asked.

Xander nodded. "He's worse than anything we've ever faced before."

Buffy just tuts at Xander's last words. "You beat him as Guts and he didn't have any powers."

"I didn't beat him I got lucky." Xander muttered.

Buffy was confused. "OK then define lucky."

Xander rolls his eyes not wanting to tell Buffy about this part of him on her birthday. "There's a demon in me. It was in Guts too that's how it got into me. The thing is evil down to its core. So instead of burning me like the Judge's touch did to everyone else that went after him."

"It gave the demon free reign." Buffy caught on.

Xander sadly nodded. "Took Schierke half an hour to pull me out again. I slaughtered the other half of the army because of that thing."

Buffy takes it all in and then punches Xander in the stomach with enough strength so he can feel it.

Xander grunted through the pain. "Ow!"

"You're an idiot." Buffy tells him simply.

"Um OK." Xander says flatly.

Buffy points at him. "You live with Giles aka book man you never thought hey maybe he knows an exorcism or two."

Xander just let out an empty laugh. "The beast is a part of me. It's my own evil side on steroids. It came out that night you found me in the graveyard. It nearly took over and had me mutilate Ethan with a piece of glass until you showed up."

Buffy just smiled. "I have control over this thing."

Xander just shrugs. "You bring out the best in me. This lets me bury that thing deep. If you want to run I definitely wouldn't blame you."

Buffy just looks at him. "1 this girl was trying to date a vampire not that long ago so I'd never be scared of a little demon. 2 research has had an additional couple hundred years since the days of Guts so ask Giles." Buffy wraps her arms around his neck. "3" Buffy just kisses him and Xander is quick to return.

"Oh my god loser love. I knew there was something different about you two."

Xander and Buffy quickly break apart. Buffy can't believe this not her. Of all the people on this planet they did not get busted by Cordelia Chase.

"Cordelia this wasn't what it looked like." Buffy said.

Cordelia just looked at her. "Right you were just practicing a new slayer technique using your tongue."

"I fell into him." Buffy offered weakly. "Just don't tell Willow until I do."

Cordelia just glares at her this is grade A gossip and she already keeps the slayer thing a secret. "Tell her soon Buffy she deserves to know." Cordelia leaves the two be it's her birthday she should enjoy smoochies with her boyfriend. She's wondering why she was a little jealous. She and Xander yeah right.

Xander turns to Buffy ready to be dragged across the coals for this one. "Buffy I have to go."

Buffy can't believe this it's her birthday for god's sake. "You better have a damn good reason why."

Xander just smiled. "I do there's something I have to get back and I can't blow it off anymore with the Judge's return."

Buffy nodded. "Fine but I'm going with you."

Xander didn't want to argue so he just nodded in agreement. "Puck we're leaving."

The elf followed the swordsman and the slayer out. Xander simply told him that it's time and Puck understood. Puck rubbed his little hands together and spoke in a bizarre language. Before Buffy and Xander could comprehend what was happening they were deep in a forest. Looking around Xander guesses this is where Schierke lives. He makes it to a home in the woods and realizes he's right. Buffy goes into a fighting stance sensing something to her surprise a dragon of all things flies over her head.

Xander puts his hands on Buffy's hands getting her to calm down. "Ciro is fine it's his mother you would have had to worry about."

Buffy looks at him. "You're on a first name basis with a dragon?"

Xander just smirks thinking back on the day his sword got to live up to its name. "Schierke took the egg in after I cut his mother in half. My sword got to live up to its name and Schierke brainwashed another friend into a being a monkey for an hour."

Schierke just smiled at the company coming into her house sensing their ODs. "Xander, Daw…Buffy." Schierke welcomed her guests before they even got the door open and catching her slip of tongue.

"Hi Daw…Schierke." Buffy replied thinking the witch forgot her name. She was more concerned with the living skeleton sitting across the table.

Xander entered and saw the sight. Schierke and Skull Knight having a spot of tea, there's a joke in there somewhere but now is not the time. "Is it sad that this freaks me out more than any demons we faced?"

Skull Knight never took his eyes off Buffy. "Why are you here struggler?"

Xander frowned. "Zodd the Immortal has surfaced and I believe he's rebuilding the Judge. I need it back."

Buffy notices the looks Skull Knight gives her along with remembering the looks Schierke gives her. Xander was the reincarnation of Guts. Is she the reincarnation of someone? She turns to Puck. "Is he staring at me?"

Puck shrugged. "He makes everyone uncomfortable you get used to it after a while."

Buffy watched wigged out as Skull Knight put his sword in his mouth and pulled out a completely different sword that looked like it was alive with all the eyes on it. Skull Knight swung his sword of Resonance and created a hole in time and space.

Skull Knight turned to Xander. "Stick your arm in and reclaim what is rightfully yours."

Xander just sticks his arm in and feels the blistering cold. "You just had to hide it in the arctic didn't you?"

Buffy is surprised when Xander pulls out a giant black sword. No not sword more like a slab of iron with how big it was. She quickly realizes it's the sword he used on Halloween to cut a car in half and stand up to that mega demon and nearly cut him in half before he changed into a pimply faced teenager. All of the sudden the gym makes sense he needed the strength to properly wield this thing.

Xander just had a peaceful smile looking at his sword, the dragon slayer. "Honey I'm home." He took some practice swings and turned to the witch. "Schierke I'd like to stay a bit but."

"I know." The green haired witch answered. "Good luck!" The witch pulled out a bottle of blood and draws on the air making a portal to Sunnydale.

"Whoa" Buffy says in genuine surprise. "Whose blood can do that?"

Xander just smiles as he pulls her by the arm. "Don't bother she speaks in riddles about it."

Xander and Buffy are back in Sunnydale and Buffy pulled away from him. Xander wonders what that was about as he makes his way to the library but realizes Buffy isn't following him.

"Buffy what is it?" Xander asked concerned.

Buffy turned to him. "I need you to be completely honest with me if I mean anything to you."

Xander knows he's not going to like this but nods.

"Was I someone in your past life?" Buffy asked.

Xander was taken back but just answered. "Yes"

Buffy frowned at this it means he knew and wasn't honest with her. "Was she and Guts, you know?"

Xander had his head held down and muttered. "Yeah they were."

Buffy spun around and hit him with a backhand knocking him to the floor. "You son of a bitch, everything we've done this past month. Who was it with?" Buffy is absolutely livid never being so mad in her entire life as she is right now.

Xander got up surprised to still be conscious. "You it's always been you."

"Which me?" Buffy asks as she walks away.

"Buffy Anne Summers the woman I loved before Guts was even a Halloween idea." Xander says without an inch of doubt in his voice. "I loved you since the moment I met you Buff. And if you were the reincarnation of Farneeze, Erica, or anyone else I would have told you who you were but I couldn't do it since you were her I couldn't risk you finding your memories with Elfhelm gone."

Buffy turns around anger till residing in her eyes. "They're that bad."

Xander nodded. "You were so broken even on your best day you made Dru look like a paragon of normalcy. I was trying to protect you."

Buffy just let that statement sink in. She should have known Xander was trying to protect her. As Angel said as when they broke up it's what he does. "So how different are we?"

"About as different as me and Guts." Xander answered. "A lot of the same characteristics but completely different personalities from living different lives. I Doubt she'd even consider using a pun. Can I ask you to forgive me?"

Buffy let the anger wash off knowing it was his white knight behavior that did it. Also how different Guts and Xander are personality wise "Are you keeping anything else from me?"

"Schierke has armor that makes me immune to pain but rips my body apart and gives the beast in my head easy access to controlling me. I think that's it."

Buffy just hugged him. "I forgive you Xander but from now on be honest."

They made it back to the library and found the entire Scooby gang waiting for them. Including Willow and Angel.

Xander looked at Angel. "Aren't you supposed to be in Guantala who the hell cares?"

Willow spoke up. "We were ambushed at the docks by vamps they got the box."

Buffy was shocked. "How did they get the jump on you?"

"They ambushed us bigger numbers." Angel answered in truth they were caught off guard because Willow kissed him goodbye.

Buffy turned to her watcher. "Anything on this Judge guy?"

Giles nodded. "The more I read on him the less I like. His touch burns the humanity out of you no human has ever survived. Also no weapon forged has ever hurt him."

Jonathon turns to Xander. "So how did you dismember him?"

Xander smiled and pulled out his sword. "I've killed so many demons with this thing it stopped being a forged sword and became a cursed blade capable of killing gods."

Buffy turned to him kind of impressed. "You've killed gods before?"

"3" Xander answered.

Cordy smiled. "Great so we send you after this Judge guy and go home."

Xander smirked. "We'd have to find him first and odds are Zodd will protect him until he gets his strength back."

Giles muttered. "It's going to take some time to find him."

Willow smirked this was an oldie. "Round Robin"

"Giles I'm working at the library all night."

"Parents are too rich to care."

"Mom knows the big secret."

"Parents are just happy I have friends."

Willow just mutters. "Darn it I'm the only robin."

Buffy looks around an abandoned factory. She knows this isn't good with the chills running down her back as she runs into a pile of boxes.

Drusilla looks at her from the ceiling. "Now, now"

Buffy looks up to the second floor standing there is Drusilla next to Zodd in his demonic form with both hands wrapped around Xander's waist. Without his sword Xander can't break free.

"Hands off my presents." Drusilla orders as Xander an inhumane scream as Zodd rips him in half vertically.

Buffy just wakes up screaming no repeatedly in the library. Xander comes running in.

"Buffy calm down it was just a bad dream."

Buffy starts regaining her composure and calms down and hugs him tight not letting go. "Zodd killed you."

Xander just held her close. "I'm not going anywhere."

Buffy nodded. "But we are." Buffy now knows where the Judge is.

The Scoobies split up Cordy, Jenny, and Giles kept researching for more boxes. Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Angel went to the factory Buffy dreamed about. They looked down from a catwalk and saw Drusilla and Zodd in human form following around a demonic smurf.

Angel turned to Xander. "Is that-?"

"That's the Judge" Xander says without doubt he'll never forget that face.

The Judge looks up smelling the fear and concern the four Scoobies have for one another. "Intruders!"

Zodd took out his blade and threw it at the beams connecting the catwalks. The four scoobies came down crashing hard onto the floor.

Willow and Angel got up first followed by a grunting Buffy. Buffy turns to Xander who had no superhuman agility or healing effect so he took the worst of it.

"Xander are you Ok?" Buffy asks.

"I'm alive." Xander insures her as they're overrun and subdued by vampires. "I can tell from the pain."

Drusilla took sight of all 4 Scoobies that had a hand in her Spike's death especially Willow. "The Martian vampire you will finally pay for taking my Spike away."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "You're ending the world to get vengeance for Captain Peroxide."

Drusilla walked up and slapped her causing Xander to fight against the vampires holding him down. "If you had killed her there'd be no need for the Judge."

Buffy smiled. "I listened to my friends' advice maybe you will too in the next life." Buffy kicked Drusilla right into the Judge but it had no effect on her as the judge moved her aside.

Xander was confused. "I don't get it you burned vamps before."

The Judge nodded. "There is no humanity in this one she can not be burned."

Drusilla smiled. "Goody, now burn the Martian vampire."

The Judge approached Willow and Angel off of pure adrenaline broke free and attacked the Judge but the Judge grabbed him by the throat.

Willow had a look of horror. "Angel!"

Angel actually smoked a little but the Judge threw him aside perhaps it was cruel mercy.

Drusilla just smirked. "Now get the slayer."

Xander turned to her. "Don't let him touch you."

Buffy kicked the Judge when it got near her. She instantly realized that was a mistake as the color falls off her face. Seeing Buffy in danger was enough for Xander. Using everything he had he struggled free from the vamps and when he did three of them was shot in the neck with tranquilizer darts. The three vamps melted from the inside out and the scoobies started breaking free

Up on the roof a couple blocks over Jonathon was in wait. He couldn't find anything on research so he went to the factory. Knowing he'd be no good if he was captured he decided to be a sniper in this. Creating a sniper rifle round is surprisingly easier than a shotgun round. All you had to do was get a tranq dart and switch out its content for holy water. Once Buffy, Willow, and Xander were free they headed out back for the library. Buffy staked a couple vampires and Xander and Willow took some heads with their swords but they can't stay here with the Judge and Zodd. Willow lifted Angel over her shoulders and Buffy followed. When Xnader went to the tunnels the judge grabbed him from behind and Xander pushed him away as a psychotic showed across his face as he reached for his sword.

Buffy was relieved Xander didn't burn but realized that thing was taking over if Xander thought he could take on Zodd and the Judge at the same time. She grabbed him by the leg. "We have to go."

Xander regained control and followed her down.

Angel wakes up in the tunnels and got to his feet. "What happened?"

"The judge is lose and trying to kill us we gotta go now." Buffy says as vamps close in on them.

Angel quickly regained his senses. "We should split up make it harder for them to find us Buffy and Xander and me and Willow."

Willow nods. "Sounds like a plan."

Buffy turns to Xander. "We should head to the surface you can't exactly swing that in the sewers." She says pointing at his sword.

Buffy and Xander go up the ladder followed by Angel and Willow. The two vampires went left and the swordsman and the slayer went right.

Willow and Angel made it to his place.

Willow just gasped for breath one thing she is jealous of is that she needs to do that. "Well that was the most opposite of fun there ever was."

Angel just nodded. "Did the judge touch you?"

Willow shook her head vehemently. "No, you stopped it."

Angel smiled and held Willow close. "I don't know when it happened or why but what I feel for you has changed. You were so scared of what you were becoming the night you came to me. Now look at you strong, powerful, and in complete control."

"I never would have gotten there without you." Willow told him. "You gave me a shoulder to lean on; you gave me strength and confidence. I probably would have turned into something Buffy to slay if it hadn't been for you."

Their lips collide and a feeling of warmth and passion…well passion wraps through Willow's body Angel's hands start further exploring her body and she quickly snaps out of it and moves his hand and breaks away. "Easy there not so fast."

Angel just shrugs and punches her in the face knocking the redhead to the floor. Willow got up and smelled her own blood on her nose. She also takes the chance to smell Angel and realizes something was different. She was so glad he didn't burn up she didn't bother to check.

"Angel you're-."

"Free" The vampire filled in.

Willow catches on. "The Judge burned your soul."

Angelus smirks. "You always were the smart one."

Angel goes to touch Willow's hair but she slaps his arm away and vamps out. "I will kill you before I let you touch me."

Angel vamps out. "Tough words from a nerd like you." He knew the nerd comment would throw off Willow.

Buffy and Xander are on the run in the rain. Buffy following Xander's lead asked "Where are we going?" Xander turned at an old abandoned house.

Xander turned to Buffy. "We made it kick in the door."

Buffy kicks open the door and Xander gets to work putting it back and making it look undamaged.

"What is this place?" Buffy asked.

"And abandoned tax shelter" Xander said. "Me and Jonathon looked it up along with a dozen other places if we get outnumbered. Might not look like much but vamps need an invite to get in."

Buffy looks around. "So whose house are we actually in?"

"Cordelia's parents own it." Xander answered. "So no calling the cops on money her daddy can't pay."

Xander really looks at her and sees she's shaking. "Are you OK?"

Buffy just shivers. "Cold"

Xander brings her into the kitchen and turns on the stove. Buffy sits down next to it and winces but warms up.

Xander notices her reaction. "Are you OK."

Buffy nods. "I got cut on the way out of the factory."

Xander walked over to her. "Let me see."

Buffy backed up a bit.

Xander just sighed. "Buffy I have years of battle experience in my head there's not an injury I don't know of so please let me help."

Buffy shakes her head no.

"Buffy" Xander pleaded. "You touched the Judge I just want to make sure you're OK I love you too much to lose you."

"Turn around." Buffy ordered and Xander complied. Buffy saw the fear in his eyes so she'll let him take a look. She takes off her top and wraps it around her front. "OK"

Xander looked at her back. He gently touches her back and looks at the cut. "You're fine. It's already closed but we'll have Puck heal you when we get back."

Buffy nodded and leaned back into Xander. "When the judge touched you I was so scared. I thought you went away today."

Xander smirked. "Well I wasn't the one that hit the Judge. You almost went away."

Buffy sniffles. "You're right we can't be sure of anything."

Xander goes to leave but Buffy stops him and pulls him to her and kisses him. Xander knows he should leave but is lost in the lust for a moment since is what he wanted since the day they've met.

"Buffy we shouldn't be doing this." Xander said.

Buffy just put her hand to his mouth. "No, you told me earlier today that you loved me. And I love you too. And the fact we nearly died tonight, please just don't stop kissing me."

Author's Notes.

Thanks for the reviews.

Thank you for pointing out my mistake Nod Ninja can't believe I was making the same mistake in not only this but all my stories.

Not long now only 2 chapters to go.

Up Next: The decisive battle who will survive and what will be left of them.