A/N Next chapter! Hope you enjoy!


"Any luck?" Aisling asked as she set a cup of blood down.

"No." The vampire said he fixed his glasses. "I don't think it's even a language."

Aisling sighed and leaned beside him to take a better look at the book. "Like a code?" She said.

"Yes." He said. "A code. That's exactly what this is."

Aisling sighed and slumped down in the chair beside him. "Well thanks, Dalton." She sighed. "Looks like we're sunk without the key."

"You could ask Drusilla for help," Dalton said nervously.

"I could," Aisling said as she stood and pushed the cup of blood toward him.

"Any particular reason why you won't?" Dalton asked as he grabbed the cup of blood and started drinking from it.

"Yep," Aisling said.

"Gonna tell me?" Dalton asked, putting the cup back down.

"Nope," Aisling said. "Do me a favour and don't give Buffy a reason to stake you." She said then she stood. "I have school."

"Aisling?" Dalton called.

Aisling paused and turned to Dalton.

"What will you do?" Dalton asked. "If… Spike isn't cured."

Aisling smiled sadly. "Don't worry." She said. "I'll not hurt you."

"No, I know," Dalton said. "I just…" He looked at the mug of blood sitting in front of him. "Will you be alright?"

Aisling blinked in surprise; she'd never heard of a vampire save for Spike who cared about humans before. "Why?" She asked.

Dalton hesitated and pointed to the cup of blood. "Others – especially the slayer would have staked me, and definitely wouldn't have given me human blood to drink," Dalton said.

"To be honest. You got the expired stuff. I give the unexpired blood to my dad." I said.

"Even still."

"You were sent here by Drusilla," Aisling said a frown coming onto her face when she spoke her name. "I don't even know if you had a say in the matter," Aisling said. "Why would I kill you for that?"

Dalton said nothing, just stared at her in shock.

If Aisling noticed the stare, she didn't say anything about it. She swung her backpack onto her shoulder and then turned. She hesitated and turned back. "Tell Dad when he wakes, I'll see him when I get home."

Dalton waved. "Good luck at Career Day."

Aisling sighed as she looked at the door to her father's room. He's been sleeping more and more these days. "Thanks."

"Are you a people person, or do you prefer keeping your own company?" Xander read out loud. "Well, what if I'm a people person who keeps his own company by default?"

"So, mark none of the above," Buffy said.

"There are no boxes for 'none of the above'" Xander said, "That would introduce too many variables into their mushroom head, number-crunching little world."

"I'm sensing bitterness," Willow said as she sat down.

"No, it's just, these people can't tell from one multiple choice test what we're going to be doing for the rest of our lives. It's ridiculous."

Aisling sighed, "You have to think of it in terms of jobs." Aisling said circling that she was indeed a people person. "What they're really asking, is do you want a job where you deal with people, or are you ok working on your own?"

Xander's eyes widened. "Oh…" He looked down at his sheet. "I don't know." He frowned. "It's… I don't know. Would depend on the people I guess."

Aisling rolled her eyes. "Mark people person." She said. "You're not a loner by choice," Aisling said. "Also, as someone who is constantly around you… I'm offended that you think no one hangs around you."

"I'm kind of curious to find out what kind of career I could have," Willow said cutting in before Aisling and Xander could start a sniping contest.

"I'm not." Aisling chuckled, "I already know what I'm going to do." Aisling said as circled the answers on the test she was taking. "Singer." She said as she circled, 'Yes' for the question "Do you like music" on her test.

"That's…" Willow said. "Interesting."

"Aisling rolled her eyes. "Been singing since I was 2" She said. "It was the only thing she liked about me when…" She trailed off as she circled another answer on her test.

"She?" Xander piped up. Then his expression sobered. "Oh… right." He said.

"I aspire to help my fellow man," Cordelia said as she walked past them. "Check." She said as she answered the question. "As long as he's not smelly, dirty, or something gross." She said.

"Wow," Aisling said.

"Yep, Cordelia Chase is always ready to give a helping hand to the rich and the pretty."

"Which fortunately for me excludes you. Twice." Cordelia shot back.

Aisling snorted. "Wow. Gotta say that for Cordelia. She knows how to give as good as she gets."

Xander scrunched up his nose at her. "Is murder always a crime?"

"Yes," Aisling said. "Unless in case of self-defence. In which case it's not murder. As murder is the killing of an innocent…"

"What did you put for shrubs?" Buffy cut in.

"That's between you and your God," Xander said.

Aisling wrinkled her nose, "No shrubs." Aisling said. "I mean there fine but… I don't want to be knee-deep in them as a job." She said.

"I came down on the side of shrubs." Willow frowned at Aisling. "I don't think you're supposed to be gaming the system like that."

"Perhaps not." Aisling said, "But it is a career aptitude test. We're supposed to be thinking about our future with them."

"Ok…," Buffy bit her lip as she circled her answer then leaned back annoyed. "This is so pointless it's all mootville for me no matter what my aptitude test says we all know my deal."

"High risk. Subminimum wage."

"Pointy wooden things," Buffy said showing her pencil like a makeshift stake.

"You could do what Spike does," Aisling said. She said crossing off another test. "Gotta get paid somehow."

"What, charge people for saving lives," Willow said, scandalized.

"I mean if you're out patrolling… no don't charge them. But if they're coming to you for help… yeah. Do a fee." Aisling said. "Or like… can the council pay you? The council of watchers?"

Buffy, Xander and Willow all turned to her."

Aisling furrowed her brow confused. "What?"

"Pay?" Buffy blurted.

"I mean?" Aisling started. "Won't you be?" Aisling asked. "You're the 'one in all the world'. I can't see you being able to do adult things like paying bills and doing a job since your – you know – the slayer."

"I mean… that's a point. If you already know what you're going to do why are you even taking the test?"

"It's Snyder's hoop of the week," Buffy said. "He's not happy unless I'm jumping, believe me, I would not be here otherwise."

"Come on… you're not the least bit curious about the job you could have had?" Willow asked.

"Do the words, sealed in fate mean anything to you Will? Why go there?"

"You know with that attitude you could have had a bright future at the DMV…" Xander said.

Aisling laughed.

"I'm sorry, but unless hell freezes over, and every vampire puts in for early retirement I'd say my future is pretty much a non-issue."

"Which is why the council should pay you. If you're not getting a real job the council should make sure you can like feed and clothe yourself." Aisling said.

Buffy looked at Aisling, "You do make a point."

Aisling blinked. "me?"

Buffy blinked and turned to Xander and Willow. She stood taking her test with her. "I need to go talk to Giles."

Aisling watched Buffy leave. "What did I say?"

"I don't think it ever occurred to her that she should be paid for being the slayer," Xander said.

"I mean. She's saving lives." Willow said, "Isn't that payment enough?"

"I mean… doctors… firemen, paramedics…" Aisling said counting. "They save lives… they still get paid. Cause… you know… bills."

Willow bit her lip.

"Also. My dad also kills demons. He gets paid for his services."

Willow frowned, "That still seems sketchy.

Aisling shrugged, "Like I said. Bills."

"I knew it," Xander said. "Vampires corrupted you."

Aisling rolled her eyes before she stood. "I'm done with my test. I'll see you later."

The moment she left her phone began to ring. She picked it up and stared at it for a long moment, she didn't recognize the number but she didn't have to.

"What?" She sighed, not even bothering with a Hello.

"Poor Dolly is having trouble solving the puzzle."

"My name is Aisling." She said. "Ash-ling." She said.

"You're mummy's favourite dolly." She said. "None of my other dolly's can sing like you do." She said.

Aisling pinched her nose. "What do you want." She didn't bother to ask how Drusilla got her number.

"The crypt," Drusilla said. "The key is in the crypt."

Aisling blinked. "What key…"

Drusilla laughed and hung up the phone.

Aisling hung up the phone. She punched in another number.

"Yes?" She heard Dalton's voice.

"Dru called." She said. "She says. 'The key is in the crypt.'"

Dalton was quiet for a moment. "Key… for a code?"

"I hope so," Aisling said. "There a du lac crypt here?"

"There is," Dalton said.

Aisling sighed, "Buffy's going to be patrolling tonight." Aisling looked away. "But if she doesn't see anything she's usually done patrolling by 3AM." She said.

"Right," Dalton said. "Don't suppose you can get it…"

There was the low sound of growling from the other line. Aisling bit back a smile, sounded like Spike was awake and alert.

"Never mind," Dalton said. "I'll go and make sure that I'm not caught while I'm there."

"Thanks. Tell da' he doesn't need to be so protective," Aisling said before she hung up the phone and hurried off to class.

Aisling was jolted awake at the sound of the door to her apartment slamming shut. In the darkness, she saw a black shape enter the darkness.

"Dalton?" she asked rubbing her eyes.

"Go back to sleep." Dalton sighed. "Buffy was out later than you said."

Aisling winced. "Sorry." She said. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," Dalton said. "My partner got staked though."

Aisling furrowed her brow, before realizing that Drusilla must have sent a lookout to make sure that Dalton got away with what he needed. "Oh. I'm sorry."

Dalton snorted. "I'm not, the guy was an asshole."

Aisling gave a small chuckle. One of the things about vampires? They tended not to feel bad when vampires they weren't close to got staked.

Don't get Aisling wrong: Family meant everything.

But if you weren't family… well be very careful.

Aisling sat up and walked toward him. "Give me." She said, she looked at the cross and looked it over. "Is this it?"

"I took a detour to the warehouse. Drusilla assures me that it is."

Aisling nodded. "Alright." She yawned. "Can you."

"I'll get started now," Dalton said.

Aisling yawned again and crawled back into bed falling asleep just as she hit the pillow.

"Sunshine is going to stop them," Drusilla said as she poured over her cards. "She needs some distractions."

"What are you planning?" Sheila asked as she sat at the foot of the bed.

"The order of Taraka will straighten them out."

Sheila furrowed her brow and tilted her head. "Who are they?"

"Bounty hunters." Another vampire told Sheila before he turned to Drusilla. "I don't understand why you are helping them."

Drusilla laughed, "It's a mummy's job to help her little ones. Even if they don't want it." Drusilla laughed. "Soon I'll have my family back and whole."

"Oooh," Aisling said as she lifted up the sheet to read her assignment. "Pratt, Aisling… Pratt, Aisling…. Pratt…" Aisling found her name. "Yes!" She cried.

"What?" Xander looked over to ask.

"Musician, or… martial arts instructor." Aisling chuckled. "Accurate." She said. She turned to him. "What was Cordelia snickering about?"

"Uh…" Xander flushed. "Prison Guard."

Aisling bit her lip. "Well… you do help the slayer a lot… so… that makes sense."

Xander turned to glare, but Aisling just gave him a sarcastic smile. Xander rolled his eyes and turned back to the test results. "Buffy is… environmentalist or police force."

"Huh," Aisling said well she did circle shrubs. "What about Willow."

Xander looked through the sheets. Over and over and over again. "Can't find her."

Aisling blinked and looked at the sheet to see if she missed anything. "Huh. Did they lose her test?"

Xander shrugged, "I don't know. It's just not there."

"Hmm. Willow's not gonna take this well, is she?"

"Nope," Xander said. "Let's go tell them."

"As you wish, Future Prison Guard."

Xander sighed, "Tomorrow is going to be so much fun, isn't it?"

Aisling laughed, "For me yeah. For you…" Aisling pursed her lips. "Not so much."

"I'm in full see-no-evil mode."

"Dangerous mode to be in." Aisling quipped up as she approached them.

"Would you two say you know me?" Xander asked, "Maybe even better than I know myself?"

Aisling rolled her eyes. "Oh, Xan. There's nothing to say you have to be a prison guard."

Willow and Buffy looked at each other and giggled. "What?"

Xander rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Ash." He said sarcastically.

Aisling patted his back lightly. "Come on. It's like you said yesterday, they can't tell everythin' about you from one test." She said. "You have one day tomorrow where you hear a prison guard talk about their experiences and then you no longer have to think about it."

"Yeah. But… What could I actually be?"

"Comedian?" Aisling said. "You can be funny when you step away from being a complete douche… then again most comedians are douches."

"And if not. At least you'll be on the right side of the bars." Buffy said hiding a laugh.

"Laugh now Missy. They assigned you to the booth for Law Enforcement professionals."

Buffy's face fell. "As in Police?"

"Uh-huh," Aisling said. "Looks like you'll be policing the demon world and the human world."

"And what did you get miss smarty?"

Aisling grinned, "Musician." She said. "Score one for gaming the system." She said. "Woo!" She said while Willow glared at her.

"That's what you wanted." Buffy groaned. "Not fair."

"What can I say?" Aisling said. "I know what I want."

"Aww." Buffy groaned.

"But donuts!" Willow said.

"Aww," Buffy said again. She shook her head, "Well, guess I'll jump off that bridge when I come to it." She looked up. "First, I have to deal with Giles she said motioning with her head toward Giles who had a pile of books in his hand. "He's on this Tony Robbins Hyper-efficiency kick. He expects me to check in every day after homeroom." She began walking away, "Police?" She said dejectedly.

"Neither of you didn't check to see what I got did you?"

Aisling and Xander looked at each other.

"We did and you weren't," Xander said.

Willow looked at Xander confused. "I wasn't what?"

"On the list," Xander explained.

"What?" Willow asked her expression one of panic. "But I handed in the test, I even used a number two pencil."

"Then I guess you passed," Xander said in an attempt to calm her down.

Willow looked at Xander. "It's not the kind of test you pass or fail."

"Your name wasn't up there Will," Xander said again.

"I'm sorry Will." Aisling said, "I know how much you were looking forward to it. But... he this doesn't mean anything you can still be whatever you want."

"Well, maybe but... I was so looking forward to this." She huffed, as she walked off.

Xander and Aisling watched as she left, they looked at each other and then back at Willow's slowly retreating figure.

Aisling sighed as walked through the door. "Well. Career assignments have been posted, gonna be hanging out with musicians tomorrow." She said. She paused as she looked at Dalton closing the Du Lac book.

"What is it?"

"I finished." He said.

"You're sure?" Aisling asked. "That… this is accurate?"

Dalton nodded, "I'm sure."

Aisling took a deep breath and stared down at it. Her entire body practically shaking in anticipation of what was coming.

"Dad!" Aisling called practically hurrying to his room. "Da' Did you hear?"

Spike smiled weakly in the dark room. "I did." He said.

"We're so close," Aisling said. "So. So close."

Spike reached out and touched her face. "Be careful, Bit. I'm not worth you getting hurt."

"Yes. You are." Aisling said. "You… Da' please. I can… whatever needs to happen I can do it. Alright? Just… just trust me. You taught me how to handle this. So… let me handle it."

Spike looked down at her. He missed the days when he could kneel down and look her in the eye and a few calm words would calm her down.

"Ash," Spike said. "I'm not worth it."

"Yes, you are," Aisling said. "Just… we can do it. You'll be a full health soon and it will all be normal."

"I'm a vampire, Bit," Spike said. "Nothin' normal about this family."

"You know what I mean," Aisling said.

"I do." Spike agreed. He placed his hands on her shoulder and forced her to look at him. "Perhaps we should get the slayer involved.,"

Aisling shook her head, "I can't." She said. "They don't know the vampire who stole Giles's book gave it to me. If… if I tell them they'll think I'm in league with—"

"Ash." Spike interrupted. "In all likelihood, they'll find out anyway. Isn't it better if they find out from you than they find out from someone else and come to their own conclusions."

"Da'—"

"Ash," Spike said. He reached over and gripped the book and pressed it into Aisling's hand. "Give it back. Tell them what happened ok?"

"Buffy might try and stop us," Aisling whispered.

Spike was well aware of that, but what kind of father would he be if he just… let his daughter get away with theft?

"Where's Buffy?" Aisling asked as she made her way into the school.

"She and Giles had a thing," Xander said.

"Thing?"

"Apparently she saw a vampire steal stuff from a crypt and Giles was concerned," Xander said.

Aisling's eyes widened. "Is… that so…" She said.

"I know." Willow said, "IF Snyder finds out she's missing he's gonna…"

"Be an amazing principal," Xander said cutting off Willow just as Snyder appeared to walk toward them. "Look at you, I look at you and I'm thinking principal school. I want to walk in your shoes. Not your actual shoes of course, because you're a tiny person." He looked up as though he realized what he just said. "Not tiny in the small sense of course."

"Xander…" Aisling said.

"Ok, I'll shut up now."

Aisling rolled her eyes but she plastered a smile on her face.

"Where is she?." Snyder said.

"Who?"

"You-Know-Who."

"Voldemort?" Aisling asked amused.

"Buffy?" Willow said. "I just saw her—"

"And don't feed me that 'I just saw her a minute ago, she's around her somewhere' story."

"She's With Giles," Aisling said glibly. "Doing something for career day. She showed an interest in being a librarian and decided to shadow him for the day."

"I don't believe that was one of her choices."

"Mmm." Aisling shrugged. "She does spend a lot of time in the library." She said. "Perhaps she likes the quiet. And Librarians are well known for that."

Snyder glared at her. "Very well." He said.

Aisling took a deep breath.

"Wow," Willow said,

"The best lies have a grain of truth," Aisling said. "She is with Giles. And she does spend a lot of time in the Library… and I just extrapolated from there. She may get in trouble for not going to one of her assignments. But… better than being expelled for ditching altogether… right?"

"Totally," Willow said.

Aisling sighed, "Well… I have a meeting with a member of the local orchestra" She said before she hurried off. Her smile slipped as she walked away. She had a feeling that when Giles and Buffy returned, she was going to be subjected to a lot of uncomfortable questions.

"So Giles is sure that the vampire who stole his book is connected to the one you slayed last night?" Willow asked Buffy. She furrowed her brow, "Or is it slew?"

"Both are correct." Giles said as he walked out of the stacks a book in his hand, "And, Yes, I'm sure."

They'd called a meeting of the Scooby gang shortly after they returned. Aisling had been certain that they'd been about to read her the riot act, but they apparently had just wanted her help along with Xander and Willow.

"Du Lac was both a theologian and a mathematician. Here's an article that describes an invention of his, which he called the Du Lac cross." He said as he made his way down the stairs.

"So why go to all the trouble of inventing something and then giving it a weak name like that."

"It's common back then to name your inventions after yourself," Aisling said as she looked at Giles. "Can I see the article?" She asked.

"I mean fair," Xander said, as Giles handed over the book so Aisling could look it over. "But I'd have gone with the cross-o-matic." Aisling silently read the article. The picture is the exact same as the cross currently being used by Dalton. "Or the amazing Mr. Cross."

Ah. Aisling thought to herself as she handed the book to Willow. "Xander make jokes afterwards, ok? Serious time right now."

Xander raised his hands in mock surrender. "Ok. Ok, jeez." He said.

"The cross was more than a mere symbol. It was used to understand certain mystical texts, to decipher hidden meanings and so forth."

"So you're saying these vampires went to all this hassle for a basic decoder ring?"

"Actually, Yes, I suppose I am," Giles said.

"According to this Du Lac Destroyed every cross, except the one buried with him," Willow said, her eyes on the book.

"Why destroy your own work."

"Guilt," Aisling said. "Fear." Take your pick."

"Yes. Quite." Giles said. "Fear of what would happen should it fall into the wrong hands."

"A fear we'll soon get to experience for ourselves up close and personal."

Aisling looked up at the ceiling, "Giles can we speak in private." She asked softly.

"A moment," Giles said. "We have to pre-empt these plans. Figure out what was in the book before they do."

Fuck me. Aisling said. "And what will we do if we find out?" Aisling asked.

"Stop it," Giles said obviously. "I know you were raised by vampires but not every vampire is like Angel or… or Spike. Most of them will do horrible unspeakable things to—"

"I know," Aisling said as she stood.

"Which means we can expect to be here late tonight."

Aisling could feel her book bag almost pressing against her legs.

"Goody research party!"

"Will you need a life in the worst way?"

Aisling leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Xander admonished Willow for being excited about Research.

"I really have to bail," Buffy said standing up. "But I promise I'll be back bright and early tomorrow and ready to slay."

Aisling breathed deeply to see Buffy about to leave.

"This is a matter of some urgency, Buffy."

"I realize that." Buffy said, "Well, you have to admit I kind of lack in the book Area. I mean you guys are the brains. I'd only be here for moral support anyway."

Aisling bit her lip to keep her from talking. If she said anything it might have caused Buffy to think she needed to stay.

"That's untrue Buffy, you totally contribute." Xander said, "You go for snacks!"

Buffy looked at Willow for help. "She should help," Willow said immediately. "You, Gather her strength."

"Perhaps you're right," Giles said, with Aisling picked up her backpack. "There may be fierce battles ahead."

Giles was barely finished speaking before Buffy was already leaving.

"But Ho-Ho's are a vital part of my cognitive process!" Xander shouted.

"Sorry, Xand. Some place I have to be." Buffy said as she left.

Giles and Xander looked at each other.

"Before we get started," Aisling said, standing up. "Giles, can you and I speak in private?" She asked.

"Uh… perhaps in a moment," Giles said. "We really should-"

"It can't wait," Aisling said. "Now."

Giles eyed her curiously. "I don't believe you understand the—"

Aisling sighed as she tipped over her bag and the Du Lac book fell out.

"Ready to listen now?" Aisling said her tone unamused.

"Where did you—" Giles looked at Aisling his gaze hardening. "You better start explaining. Now."

"So, you aligned yourself with vampires?" Xander said disgusted. "Not even a soulful vampire like Angel. But with soulless monsters."

Aisling ignored Xander and turned her attention back to Giles. "I didn't know it was goin' to be stolen that day until Sheila literally tossed it at me." She defended. "But… since I had the book… I didn't see the harm in looking it over."

"The vampire that stole the Du Lac Cross," Giles said. "You sent him."

Aisling sighed. "Yes." She said. "I sent Dalton. Drusilla must have sent the second one to act as a lookout because she knew Buffy would be patrolling late."

"Do you have any idea how—"

"Yes," Aisling said. "Yes. I know how dangerous it was. Why do you think I didn't tell you until now?" She argued. She looked up at Giles.

"Because you knew it was wrong." Giles practically spat at her.

"Because you'd have stopped me," Aisling said.

"Or we'd have helped you," Willow said she looked at everyone around her. "Right?"

"You would have," Aisling said. She turned to Giles. "Would you have?" She crossed her arms.

"Perhaps I would have helped you," Giles said.

"I bet what you were really scared of was that we'd accuse you of working for vampires," Xander said.

"And take the book away," Aisling said. "I told you the day you found out my father was a vampire that the reason we were here was so he could heal."

Giles furrowed his brow. "But how does the Du Lac…"

Aisling sighed, "One of the rituals mentioned is one to restore vampires to full strength." Aisling sighed. "My father is weak." She said. "He's going through more and more blood a day just to survive. Not to mention getting so weak that he's having trouble getting out of bed. And Du Lac… look I don't care what you do to me. If you wish to eject me from this Scooby gang or speak to the principal about having me expelled, so be it. But I am doing whatever I can to save my father's life." She said stepping away and leaving the Du Lac book with Giles. "If you try and stop me… I'll be forced to react."

30 minutes later, in the middle of Giles demanding more and more answers from her, Buffy ran through the door. A ring in hand that she immediately asked Giles about.

"This guy was hardcore Giles," Buffy said as she sat by the stairs. "And Angel was power freaked by the ring.

Giles looked at the ring under a magnifying glass. "I'm afraid he wasn't overreacting; this ring is worn only by members of the order of Taraka." He straightened, "That's a society of deadly assassins dating back to King Solomon." He sat down.

"And didn't they beat the elks this year in the Sunnydale adult bowling league championships?"

Aisling bit her lip. Her reminding Xander of a time and place was only going to get her glares.

"Their credo is to sow discord and kill the unwary," Giles said ignoring Xander.

"Bowling is a vicious game."

"That's enough Xander." Giles rebuked Xander.

Everyone stared at him, varying mixtures of ashamed, (Xander) confused (Buffy) and unease (Willow and Aisling.)

"I'm sorry," Giles said. "But this is just not the time for jokes. I need to think."

"These Assassins, why are they after me?" Buffy said.

Giles looked at Aisling. "Is there something you'd like to say?"

Buffy looked at Giles confused, "Why would Aisling—" He cut off and her gaze snapped to Aisling. "You…?"

Aisling shook her head. "I would never contact the order of Taraka. Ever." Aisling said.

"Yet you'd willingly work with vampires." Xander snarked.

"I didn't order a hit on Buffy," Aisling said.

"Wait… what do you mean work with vampires."

"Turns out the Du Lac book has a ritual in it to restore vampires to full strength," Xander said.

Buffy stared at Aisling. "Vampire gave it to you to restore Spike."

Aisling sighed, "The Vampire worked for… Her. And She… she wants her family back." Aisling crossed her arms. "But no matter what I would never order a hit on the order of Taraka – ever." Aisling sighed.

"Do you know of a way to stop them?"

"One," Aisling said. "Bounty. You have to double it. Give them a big enough payout that they'll leave you alone."

"And I have no money."

"Actually…" Aisling sighed. "In the demon world currency differs," Aisling said. "Lots of demons prefer to use kittens as currency." Aisling wrinkled her nose. "Dad used to play them all the time. Save the kittens then do his best to adopt them into good homes." Aisling sighed. "I'm allergic to cats which is why we didn't keep any of them otherwise Spike would have…" Aisling shook her head. "Anyway… fortunately the ritual requires Spike's sire so… we tie up Drusilla and ask her then."

"Lucky for you," Buffy said coldly. "This all seems too coincidental, doesn't it?"

"Yep," Aisling said. "But my dad's life depends on it." She stood. "I'll make some phone calls. See what I can do."

"What the Order of Taraka has a phone number."

"Yeah?" Aisling said. "How else do you think that they get contacted for bounties?"

Buffy paused confused, "Well… I mean… summonings?"

Aisling rolled her eyes. "I mean back in the old days… maybe. But today? Too much of a hassle." She sighed. "This is going to be fun." She hurried to the phone. "Hey Da'" she said when he picked up. "I need a number."

"What number?"

"The order of Taraka." Aisling mentally started counting in her head.

"What?"

"Relax. I'm not the target./. Buffy is."

"Aisling…"

"Aye. so… Anyway. I need to know how much the bounty is. And like… how much to make this whole thing go away."

"It's not that simple."

"Yes. I know." Aisling sighed. "Just… make the call Alright?" Aisling sighed. "Please."

"And if they refuse to tell me."

Aisling grinned. "Well… Drusilla's about to be our problem… maybe we can persuade her to tell us."

"I want to be there," Buffy said hurrying up to Aisling. "When you interrogate Drusilla."

Aisling shook her head. "I told you…"

"Then bring her here," Buffy said. "I'll wear the Medallion. You'll wear yours. And Giles Xander and Willow will not be in the room."

Aisling hung her head. She could refuse. But she just sighed instead. "Fine." Aisling sighed. "Fine. But for the record. Spike will likely be here too." Aisling looked at Buffy. "It's going to take at least a day to bring her in."

"And until then," Giles said. "The best thing to do would be to find a secure location."

"Both you and Angel have said to head for the hills," Buffy said. "Are you saying I can't handle this until we can stop them?"

"It's not a question of your strength Buffy. But your stamina." Aisling said. "Even you need rest."

Buffy glared at Aisling. "If you hadn't…"

"I know," Aisling said. "I'm trying to make it right. The Order of Taraka is dangerous. Until we can give them a reason to cancel the bounty. You're in danger."

"She's right," Giles said. "Go… hunker down for the night somewhere safe. You won't know who they are until they strike. Some are human some… are not."

"Try it!" Buffy shouted, slamming Oz into the wall.

"Try what?" Oz said.

Buffy backed away. "I-I'm sorry." She said.

"I'm still not clear on what I'm supposed to try," Oz said.

"Nothing. I'm sorry I—" She stepped and turned and hurried away.

"That's a tense person," OZ said.

"Hey, Oz," Aisling said stepping up.

"You know what that was about?" Oz asked. "You're her friend, right?"

"Buffy's having a rough day," Aisling said. She looked at Oz concerned. "You, ok?"

Oz rubbed his chest. "Yeah." He said he gave a light cough. "Have good news."

"Oh?" Aisling asked. "What?"

"Finally talked to that girl—Willow," Oz said.

Aisling raised an eyebrow. "Really?" He gave him a hug. "Congrats!" She said. "So… have you asked her out yet?"

"Not yet. She seems shy. I think I'm going to work up to it." Oz looked at Aisling. "Devon's been talking about you."

Aisling's eyes lightened before looked down. "Oh?"

"Yeah," Oz said. He grinned.

Aisling coughed, "I mean he and I were at the same booth today. He seemed to enjoy it. And seemed happy when he saw me…" She said.

Oz shook his head. "Why don't you ask him out?"

Aisling's face turned serious. "Uh…"

Oz shook his head and laughed, "You're hopeless Ash."

"Yeah," Aisling said. "Yes, I am."


A/N Yeah this cuts off at a really weird place. I may revisit later and edit it. IN which case I'll post a quick notice let everyone know that I updated. But I'm already late with updates. So here you go.