Dalton, the vampire who had translated the volume which had contained the ritual to restore Cassandra to full strength, entered the factory base, carrying a large box which looked like it was a piece to a puzzle due to the grooves and pegs on one end, "I have the package."

"Great. Jus' put it on the table, near 'er other gifts," Jerrie's voice came from the shadows. Dalton moved to do as he was instructed as the red-headed vampire rolled out of the corner in the wheelchair he was currently confined to. He was very pale and still bearing the scars from the burns at the church, "Are you dead set on this, pet? Wouldn' y' rather have y' party in Vienna?"

Cassandra twirled around him, brimming over with vitality. The ritual had restored her, even though it had not been completed. Now her role with Jerrie had become switched, where she was strong and he was healing. "But all the invitations are sent," she sang.

He sighed, looking up at her, his distaste with the knowledge that she was right evident, "It's just, I've had it with this place. Nothin' goes off th' way it's supposed ta."

"It will now," she said, swooping down and cupping his face with both hands. "My celebrations are always perfect. Remember Spain and the bulls?"

He met her eyes, but still didn't look appeased, "I remember, princess. But Sunnydale is friggin' cursed for us. Mac an' the Slayer see ta that."

"Sh, sh, sh," she scolded. "I'll have games for everyone. Don't you fret."

He finally offered her a faint smile, "Good. It'll be a good party, sweet."

Turning, Cassandra suddenly froze and stomped her foot. "These flowers, they're wrong, all wrong!" she all but screamed, hands coming up to her face and shaking her head.

Jerrie grimaced, glancing at two other vampires who were present, "Take 'em down. We'll try somethin' new with th' flowers."

Cassandra stopped worrying about them as quickly as she started, turning to Jerrie. "Can I open one?" she asked, sweeping her hands over the strange packages on the long table.

He smiled, "Just a peek, love. They're for the party."

Giggling, she bounced over to the boxes, clapping her hands before opening one of them. "Oh, Jer, it reeks of death."

That earned a grin, "You like it, then, baby?"

"Love it," she assured. "This will be the best party ever."

"Any why's that, Cass?"

"Because it will be the last," she declared, closing the box.

o.o.o.o

That night, long past when he should actually been asleep and not researching various demons on the internet in an attempt to stay ahead, Mistoffelees heard a knock on his window. Head snapping up he paused, considering for a long, wary moment before grabbing a stake and holy water and inching toward the window. "Who's there?" he called.

"It's just me," Mac huffed, poking his head around the curtains and Mistoffelees nearly jumped a foot in the air anyway.

"Good god, Mac, what are you doing here? At this hour? You know I have school tomorrow, right?" Mistoffelees asked, leaning out the window to where there was a small balcony. "Not to mention the fantastic moment when my uncle hears a boy's, well, man's voice in my room."

Mac blinked. "I just wanted to ask you a question," he protested quietly. "But, can I come in."

Tensing slightly, Mistoffelees considered him before stepping back. "Alright. Come on inside," he said, even spreading his arm in invitation.

"It's just awkward talking through a window," the red head said, slipping inside.

"Sure," Mistoffelees said, stake and holy water still in hand, and looking wary not matter what the vampire said.

"Look, I know we don't talk much—" Mac started when Mistoffelees snorted in agreement. "But I have a favor."

"Of me?" Mistoffelees returned in some surprise.

"Sure," the vampire shrugged. "It's just, I have no idea what to get Grids."

At that, Mistoffelees crossed his arms over his chest, slipping into over protective best friend. "Something from the heart."

"Yeah, but what?" Mac protested.

"Well," Mistoffelees shrugged.

"You are of no help," the vampire huffed.

"It's like three am!" the teenager protested.

Mac scowled. "You were awake."

"That doesn't mean I'm going to be offering any fantastic insights," Mistoffelees returned. "Look, find her something from the heart, okay? Something that means something to you, and it'll mean something to her. Now, I really should get to sleep."

"Fine, fine," Mac huffed, heading back out the window and he paused. "You said from the heart, right?"

Waving him off, Mistoffelees nodded. "Yeah, from the heart." When he looked back the window was empty and he shivered, closing it quickly and turning the lights out.

o.o.o.o

Electra and Bombalurina were strolling through the school halls, off from class for a break. Off to one side, Mistoffelees and Tugger were discussing something together next to the vending machine, Electra sniffing in their direction.

Bomba glanced in that direction and decided she might as well test the waters. Tugger was, "So, I'm having like a totally random thought. Is it just me or does Tugger Harris' shirt almost match his pants?"

Electra considered again and shrugged. "Almost. Why should I care though? It's Misto that looks like a canary in a mine shaft."

Bomba half-shrugged, "Well, If you look at him in a certain way, Tugger I mean, he's almost...vaguely...cute? Don't you think?"

Electra turned from where Tugger was flailing his arms for Mistoffelees' amusement back to Bomba. "Are you tripping?"

The redhead paused for a beat and then forced a laugh that was a little too loud, "You thought I was serious? Please. I was just teasing you!"

"I would hope so," Electra replied, shaking her head before fluffing her hair.

Bomba glanced toward Tugger and Misto before turning her back on them, "I absolutely love your shoes, by the way."

Electra was happy to change the topic of conversation. Over by the vending machine, Mistoffelees was giving Tugger a strange look. "So, Bomba," Tugger was starting.

"Yeah?"

"Well, don't you think it was nice of her to agree to bring, snacks to Grid's shindig?" Tugger tried. "I mean, she's not so horrible as we thought, right? She's being all helpful and stuff."

Mistoffelees was not buying that, looking at Tugger like he'd grown another head. "Yeah, she's picking up chips. Must strain her arms doing that."

"Oh come on, Misto," Tugger tried. "Couldn't you ever be like, friends with her or something?"

"Friends with her?" Mistoffelees arched his brows higher. "No, I don't think I'd ever elect to be in her presence. She's of another world and secondly? I'm not sure I want to do that to myself."

"Well... alright, so there's history..."

"Over ten years of it," Mistoffelees added.

"But she's being helpful?" Tugger offered.

Mistoffelees looked far from impressed. "Alright, she's trying a little. I'm sure there's some motive she has to get out of it."

Pounce entered the lounge. He spotted Misto and made his way over, "Hey."

"Hey," Mistofflees said, turning to him and offering him a bright smile.

"How're you?"

"Good, even better now," Mistoffelees replied, Tugger giving him a long sideways look.

"So...can I pick you up for tonight?"

"Yeah, that would be great," Mistoffelees replied and paused. "I mean, you remember how to right? If not," he paused to scribble something down and handed it to Pounce.

Pounce looked at the paper and grinned, "I have your address."

"You do," Mistoffelees agreed as Tugger's eyes widened. "I mean, you've seen the house, you might as well have the address too and I..." he stopped talking abruptly.

"Excellent. I'll see you tonight," he grinned again, offering Tugger a nod and Misto a bit more of a smile before slipping away.

"What was that?" Tugger asked before Pounce was out of hearing distance.

"That was my date," Mistoffelees replied happily, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"That was your date?" Tugger asked, voice a bit high. "Damn. He's actually cute."

"Thank you for the shock at that," Mistoffelees rolled his eyes.

"And he has your address?" Tugger asked. "Are you sure that's safe?"

"He took a bullet for me," Mistoffelees replied.

"So? I would have too, but no one offered that to me."

Bomba had looked up at the sound of the word, 'cute', but managed to turn back to the conversation she was in.

o.o.o.o

Grids was perched on one of the library tables, relating a part of her dream from two nights before that had come true that morning, "It was exactly like I saw in my dream, Cori. Everything. Words, gestures, the lot. It was creepy."

"Yes, I would imagine so. There's still a chance that the whole dream won't be true, though, Griddlebone..."

"Woman of the hour!" Tugger declared, swinging the library doors open.

"Happy birthday," Mistoffelees chirped from beside him.

The blond startled, looking up at them, "Oh, hey guys."

"Not a happy birthday?" Mistoffelees asked, perching on the table beside her.

"I..." She glanced at Cori.

The librarian shook his head, but explained, "A piece of her nightmare from the other night actually came to pass this morning."

"Is Mac alright?" Mistoffelees asked quickly.

She nodded, "Y-yeah. For now. But if part of what I dreamed came true then...well..."

"You think it will all come true?" Mistoffelees finished, Tugger crossing his arms and considering the pair.

"And if it does, that means Cass may be alive. And in the dream, I just, I couldn't stop her. Sh-she blindsided me. Mac was dead before I knew what happened."

Cori spoke up, "Even if she is alive, we can still protect Mac. Dreams are not prophecies, Grids. You dreamt the Master had risen, but you stopped it from happening."

"I mean, you totally ground his bones for bread," Tugger added.

"That's true, except for the bread part," she conceded, "I guess we're one step ahead. But Cori, I'd like to stay that way."

"Absolutely," came the quick agreement. "Let me read up on Cassandra, see if she has any particular patterns. Why don't you meet me here at 7:00? Map out a strategy."

"Okay. What do I do till then?"

"Go to class... do your homework... Have supper..."

She sighed, "Oh, right. Be that Grids." She glanced at Misto and Tugger, but picked up her bookbag. Offering them a bit of a smile she slipped out, "See you all later."

"Does that mean so much for the surprise party?" Tugger asked.

"I bought little hats and everything," Mistoffelees sighed.

"No," Cori shook his head. "We're having that party tonight."

"It looks like Mr. Caution man is talking..." Tugger started.

Cori gave him The Look, but continued, "Grids' surprise party is going to go exactly as we've planned." He glanced at Misto, "Though I refuse to wear the little hat."

"Your dignity won't allow it?" Tugger asked as Mistoffelees made a sound of protest.

"But, it's a little birthday hat!"

Coricopat's brow arched at that, "Regardless, we will be holding the party as we planned."

"And they'll be in danger as always?" Tugger asked.

"But this way we can protect Mac, since he'll be there," Mistoffelees pointed out. "Protect him and have cake! And little hats."

"Exactly. Grids only turns seventeen once, but the two of them will be in and out of danger more times than any of us care to count," the librarian nodded. "They both could stand a night to at least try to relax a bit."

"You are a great man of our times," Tugger told him, mostly sincere.

"Well, until that time you two have class and I have research," Coricopat said, shooing them both out with a wave of his hands.

Mistoffelees nodded, sliding off the table, and pausing as if he was going to ask Coricopat something else.

"Yes, Mistoffelees?"

He opened his mouth and shook his head. "Never mind..."

"Are you sure?"

"Well," he paused again, Tugger already gone. "Are you going to be alright?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Came the quiet question.

"Don't," Mistoffelees started and shook his head. "See? Nevermind."

"No, Mistoffelees, what is it?"

"I guess, considering the way I reacted in the past… I didn't want you to find out about having a date like that. I didn't realize you were standing there."

Coricopat sighed, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck, "Well, I do rather wish you'd told me before I found out like that..." Frankly he would rather not have deal with it at all.

"I just..." Mistoffelees rolled his shoulders. "I'm sorry for that."

The librarian shrugged, "Well, it's...hardly completely unexpected."

"Really? I'm running on pretty surprised here but," he shrugged, realizing he should just shut up. "Will you be alright tonight?"

"I...should be yes. I'll be civil, even more than. I promise."

"Thank you," Mistoffelees murmured. "I should... get to classes."

"Of course. Good day, Mistoffelees." Offering him a faint, somewhat strained smile, Mistoffelees slipped out.

Coricopat watched him go and then turned to locate his research rather than deal with this any longer.

o.o.o.o

Grids entered the library to meet with Cori, to find him pulling on his coat, "Aren't we supposed to be looking at stuff? You know, about Cassandra?"

"I think I may have found something. We need to go track some things down to confirm it. Are you alright with that?"

She nodded, "Yeah, that's good. I can stand to go."

"Perfect." He led her out to his car and pulled away from the school, heading for the Bronze. They talked a little bit, but not much, until he pulled up at the Bronze.

"Here?"

"Yes. It's a decent place to get our heads together. Come along?" He parked the car and got out, going over and opening the door for her, "It's closed tonight after all."

Grids arched an eyebrow at him but preceded him through the door, "Fair enough."

However, as soon as she was through the door, there was a general cry of "surprise!" of the non-evil variety.

She startled, her eyes widening as she tensed before registering a lack of threat. Grids' gaze flickered around, "You...I...wow..."

"It occurs to me now," Mistoffelees said, handing her a plate and a little hat. "That jumping out and yelling surprise at the slayer was possibly not our best plan."

She grinned a bit at that, taking them both with a murmured "thank you" before she nodded, "Yeah, probably not the best plan, but thanks."

"Well, everyone needs at least one surprise party," Mistoffelees declared. "So here's yours." Tugger chirped a happy birthday from behind the cake.

"Thank you all." She looked around, finally spotting Mac, her smile turning relieved.

He stepped forward from where he'd been lurking in the back of the Bronze, slipping an arm around her waist and kissing her hair. "Happy birthday."

She leaned against him, "I'm glad to see you."

"I'm glad too," he replied. "But tell Mistoffelees that I'm not wearing one of those hats."

Grids laughed, "Oh, come now, I think it would be adorable."

Mistoffelees grinned and held out said hat. For a moment Mac just stared at him before sighing and accepting it. Grinning wider, Mistoffelees turned to Coricopat, holding out another of the hats.

The librarian arched an unimpressed eyebrow, before shaking his head.

"Oh come on," Mistoffelees tried again.

"Must I?" He glanced at Grids who grinned and nodded before turning ehr attention back to Mac. Her watcher rolled his eyes but finally took the hat.

Mistoffelees squeaked in victory and moved off as Tugger slunk over toward Bomba. "So, I see you brought the chips and dip then?"

She glanced up at him and nodded, "I did, yes. Do you like the choices?"

"Well, I mean, it's hard to go wrong with chips and dip," he replied, shrugging his shoulders awkwardly. "But yes?"

"Good to know I can do that."

"Well, I'm sure you have many other talents too?" Tugger offered, feeling more awkward than ever, especially when Mistoffelees eyed him strangely.

Bomba offered a bit of a smile, "I do, actually. How about you? Man of many talents?"

"Oh, I have my ways," he replied, puffing his chest out slightly. "Or so I assume I must."

She laughed quietly, "Well, could always see about finding out."

"Have you thought anymore about earlier?" he asked.

"I...would like to look into actually dating."

"Look into?" he asked tentatively.

"I'd like to date you, if you're willing to date me?"

"Well, yeah," he said, brightening. "I'm willing if you're willing."

"I'm willing. We'll have to figure out...how to tell people, but yeah."

"Well, we can have cake now, and figure that out then?" Tugger offered, holding up a piece of said cake.

She smiled and took the cake, "Thanks, yeah sounds like a plan."

"Great," he managed.

Pounce spoke from where he'd been haunting the chips and dip part of the table, "By the way, Griddlebone, right? Happy Birthday."

She turned to him, blinking, "You're...? Oh!" her gaze darted to Misto and back, "Thanks."

"Yes, that's Pounce," Mistoffelees replied, not quite blushing. "Have you two ever been introduced?"

"Beyond a vague sort of 'Oh God he's been shot!' No." Grids answered.

"Right," he said brightly. "Griddlebone, this is Pouncival. Pounce, Grids."

Pounce held out his hand, "Good to meet you."

"And you," She smiled, shaking his hand, firmly.

"That's quite the grip," he commented when she released him.

Mistoffelees managed not to say the first five things he considered. "Grids is pretty... well, fit."

The blonde girl looked a bit sheepish, "Sorry about that."

"Hey, it's all cool," he wiggled his fingers, "See? Full motion."

"Your arm seems to be healing well," Mistoffelees added.

Pounce nodded, "Yep, Doctors say I should be completely healed in about another week, as long as I take it easy."

"Taking it easy is good," Mistoffelees chirped. "And, I'm glad."

"So am I," the other boy agreed.

Coricopat watched their interactions quietly as he moved over to pick up a piece of cake.

Tugger glanced at Bomba before sliding up to Pounce. "So, senior. You do realize by asking Misto out on a date you now get to bear the full brunt of an over protective interrogation, right?" Mistoffelees gaped at him for a moment.

Pounce tilted his head to look at Tugger and then shrugged, "I figured."

For a moment the larger teen looked flabbergasted, Mistoffelees hiding a grin. "So, Grids, wanna back me up on this one?"

She arched her eyebrow, "When I can spend time with my boyfriend on my birthday? I'll interrogate him later."

Tugger sighed and shook his head. "Alright, I'll let you off the hook this once."

"Thanks," came her response as she turned back to Mac.

"So then," Tugger whirled back on Pounce. "Where are you from, who do you hang with, which bad hobbies do you have, what are your plans for the future?"

Mistoffelees buried his face in his hands. "Tugger..."

"I'm from here, I hang with my band, my bad habits include playing gigs at all hours and really that's pretty much what you're getting," came the response, accompanied by a half shrug.

Tugger glanced at Mistoffelees. "He's not big with the talking thing is he?"

"No," Mistoffelees replied. "And I am fine with that."

Tugger considered a moment. "Well, actually that might work. You babble enough for five people." Mistoffelees punched him in the arm.

Pounce arched an eyebrow at that, but jumped slightly at a crash behind the Bronze. Grids was immediately on alert, "I'll be right back, guys..."

Mac was instantly on alert, following Grids as Mistoffelees took half a step closer to Pounce, glancing at Cori. The watcher had tensed as well, moving over to make sure the other doors were securely closed and locked as Grids slipped out the back entrance.