Author's Note: I'm so, so sorry for the long delay! Still dealing with a bit of writer's block, I'm sad to say. But hopefully it will get easier as I continue to develop the Faith plot line. Anyway, tell me what you think-any and all reviews are greatly appreciated :) Thanks so much for your patience and sorry again!

(Cut to Xander and Willow reaching the second floor and going down the hall)

(As they approach the guest room—i.e. Dawn's room—Buffy suddenly opens the door to the bathroom and walks into the hallway, smiling and laughing, with only a towel covering her.)

Willow: Buffy?

(Buffy looks up, sees her friends and suddenly looks mortified)

Buffy: Oh, uh—Will. Hi. You're back…early.

Willow: Yeah, I uh didn't exactly expect to either. But, uh, I had an expert navigator on my side (motions to Xander)

Xander: (smiling) Hey Buff.

Buffy: And Xander, hi! (She looks nervously back at the bathroom) Uh, I'd hug you but…

Xander: Ah, it's okay, I've already had my share of bone crushing embraces today.

(Xander and Willow walk into Dawn's room, Buffy looks back at them and follows)

Xander: So Buff, how's domestic life treating ya?

Buffy: Huh?

Xander: The slay-free existence…

(Cut to the hallway, where we see Spike sneaking out of the bathroom to Buffy's bedroom while holding his clothes to his pelvis—Xander, Willow, or Buffy don't see him, but Faith, who has just reached the top of the stairs, does)

Buffy: Oh. Uh. It's okay, but, uh actually, I should probably let you know—

Willow: Buffy I um, told Xander about your stake-happy outings

Xander: A little part time slaying in your off hours. Still, it's not quite the same as saving the world on a regular basis…or your best friend from evil demonic dates.

Buffy: Wha?

Willow: Oh, I, uh, just explained that you had, um, reconsidered the whole normal life thing…plus, with Spike back—

Xander: Yeah, can't say I was jumping for joy to hear the undead was undead again, but what's a murderous house guest among friends?

(Buffy glares at Xander and takes a breath, about to speak…)

Faith: So, did I miss the big group hug?

(Buffy et. al turn around)

Buffy: Faith?

Faith: B

[Commercial Break! Hope you all are liking the story—once again, sorry for the long delay!]

[Scene: Faith, Willow and Xander are all in the dining room. Willow and Xander are sitting down, Faith is standing]

(Buffy enters, dressed now)

Buffy: Okay, now that I'm actually dressed…and I'm guessing Faith didn't come just for the nice conversation…What's the deal? Another First-sized big bad?

Faith: (nods) Pretty much. Demon's looking to get juiced up on the Hellmouth's dark energy. Possible apocalyptic scenario. The usual.

Buffy: (sighing) Great…

Faith: A while back some demon stole a, a cross or something from the local museum…Giles said it's used to channel dark energy or something like that.

Buffy: How much about this do you actually remember?

Faith: (in a competitive tone) Listen B, you don't want to get involved, that's fine, I can take over. I hear you haven't been much for the slaying these days anyway.

Buffy: Yeah, well, I couldn't miss the party if you were invited, now could I?

Xander: (cutting the tension) Okay, sooo we find the demon, steal its newest toy, and you two can compete for punching the most crap out of it.

Faith: Not that simple. Giles said it's had help.

Buffy: Help?

Faith: Yeah. The vampire variety.

Willow: Any idea who?

Faith: Not yet. Whoever it is, they aren't eager to be found out…luckily (smiling) I'm not really waiting for an invitation.

Buffy: Yeah, we should probably start patrolling. Find out any information we can about the demon and how to stop it.

Faith: Well, last I heard—

(Spike enters the room)

Buffy: (interrupting Faith, happy but surprised) Spike!

Spike: (distant) Slayer. Noticed the luggage upstairs. Getting the band back together I take it?

Buffy: (quietly to him) Remember, I told yo—

Spike: (shrugs) Fine by me. I can take the basement—bit closer to the dank I'm used to anyway.

(cut to Buffy frowning in confusion, opening her mouth to protest)

Xander: Yeah Spike, in fact, why don't you just find another crypt while you're at it?

Spike: (walking toward Xander) Well, look at you, the one-eyed boy is all grown up. Tell me Leela, make nice with any of the new slayers? Or did you skip right to the backstabbing?

(The men move toward each other, indicating an impending confrontation…fortunately Willow steps in between them before they can punch each other in the face)

Willow: Okay, um, now that we're all, um…reacquainted, maybe you two could move on to more, uh…pleasant conversation…instead of punching…each other, okay?

Faith: Look, we need to split up into teams and start patrolling the local spots—cemeteries, demon bars…

Buffy: (breaking out of the stupor she's been in since Spike went cold) Uh, yeah, right. Um, me and—

Faith: Hey bat boy, (Spike turns) up for some late night activity?

Buffy: Oh, uh, you know what? It's probably better if I take—

Faith: What? Don't tell me he's still your whipping boy?

(Buffy hesitates for a moment)

Faith: All right then. Let's go.

Spike: Can't. It's light out.

Faith: Right. Forgot. Even the repenty vamps don't make nice with the UVs…sunset it is.

Xander: So where is the Cleveland hellmouth anyway?

Buffy: Where do you think?

[Scene: Basement. Willow is helping Spike set up a cot like in season 7 since there are no more available bedrooms, and Buffy doesn't want Spike sharing the couch with Faith, haha…]

(Willow hands Spike a pillow, which he places on the bed)

Spike: Thanks

Willow: So, uh, did you and Buffy…talk…at all while…I was gone?

Spike: She fill you in on that?

Willow: Buffy said she wanted to discuss…stuff…with you, but, uh, she wasn't even sure what she was going to say, so…

Spike: Yeah, was not the slayer's most articulate conversation…not that she's had many.

Willow: So…are you two…?

Spike: (pointedly) Friends. Like before. Just, uh, close friends, no different than any of the Scoobies.

(Willow nods in surprised acknowledgement as we hear the sound of Buffy coming down the stairs. Willow and Spike turn to see Buffy, and Willow motions to leave)

Willow: Hey Buffy. Uh, he's all set up.

Buffy: Thanks Will.

(Willow nods and exits, Buffy turns toward Spike)

Buffy: (crossing her arms) What do you think you're doing?

Spike: What?

Buffy: You know what. I mean, do you seriously intend to sleep down here?

Spike: (shrugs) Not like I haven't slept in the basement before…

Buffy: (looks upward, exasperated) I'm serious. Why didn't you want to tell them?

Spike: And spoil your little Scoobie reunion? Couldn't do that pet.

Buffy: (rolls eyes, more exasperated) Is it Xander?

Spike: Buffy, come on—

Buffy: Then, what Spike? What is it?

Spike: Look, I just thought you'd want to wait is all. Find a good time.

Buffy: Now is a good time. (she sits down on the bed, Spike sits down next to her) I'm happy…and I don't want to hide that.

Spike: Look, we both know that I'm not their cup of tea.

Buffy: Well actually Willow kind of thinks of you like a chocolate...

(Spike frowns, like wtf)

Buffy: Uh, never mind.

Spike: Just take some time to talk with your mates, catch up. I'll still be here (after a beat he smiles devilishly) Plus, you can't tell me sneaking around isn't the slightest bit exciting.

(Buffy smiles reluctantly, Spike leans in for a kiss)