Untitled Fanfic

Next morning at the Summers house. Connubial bliss continues. (As much as can be.) Buffy and Spike have moved into Joyce's old room. It has been moderately redecorated to suite them both. Willow has moved out of the house, and lives on her own. She is trying to stand fully on her own two feet after the addiction. It is morning, and the sun comes streaming through the window. A ray of light reflects off of something and onto Spike's arm.

Spike: (As she looks up, he wipes off some honey that has gotten stuck on her chin, and her nose. She takes his finger, and puts it into her mouth, then she licks the honey from his finger, as she pulls his finger out of her mouth back and forth.) Only so much a man can take. (He grabs Buffy, he removes her tank top, and the rest of her clothing. They assume the same position as before. She is still on top. Her legs are still around his waist. He sits up a little, and positions her on his hips. They find each other and connect on their bed. Buffy moans as her tongue finds it's way into Spike's waiting mouth. Their arms link around each other, and they begin to rock back and forth. Morning silence at the Summers house is broken with the sighs and tender groans of their impassioned joining.

Buffy: I do know that. (She snuggles into him.) Sometimes I think about my mom. How she's not here anymore and it makes me really lonely. I think about the future and it's just me and Dawn and I get really sad. But now you're here. We are not alone any more. I was sure for so many reasons. You asked me if I was afraid you were going to leave. Do you remember?

Buffy: I miss her, and I know Dawn misses her. We are not use to having people in our lives. I mean after my mom died, do you know that my dad didn't even show up for the funeral? They were married and had kids, and he didn't show up. (She starts to mist up a little.)

Buffy: (Stops crying.) I know, but isn't that suppose to mean something? Instead he's always off with his secretary or something like that. I always wanted a family after my dad left. Dawn too. It's not that we weren't taken care of, cause mom was great. Just guys don't stay in our lives. My dad didn't show up, even the guy my mom was dating before she died didn't even call us. He just leaves flowers, then she dies and he never calls, or shows up again. Just like that. Then there's my history. You know my history. You're the only one who's stayed so far. Oh and Xander, but you know what I mean.

Buffy: (She remembers the visit or dream or whatever it is she had from the first slayer. Feels guilty cause she still does not feel she can share the vision with him yet.) You have as much of me as anyone ever has. (Stops nestling with Spike.) Hey we better get going. Dawn going to think that...

Spike: Only when you smile luv. (He smiles at her. Then he goes to the bathroom, through the inner bathroom door to have his shower. He is fully naked, and resplendent in the indirect sunlight that dances across his naked skin. Buffy watches him into the bathroom to have a shower. He goes through the door that adjoins it to their room.)

Spike: I'm all for conserving luv. (The towel drops to the floor. She enters the shower with Spike. They pull the curtain all the way around. The water is warm and the soap lather intoxicating. He kisses her, as he moves the bar of soap over her hair, and down her back, which is facing him. He kisses the side of her neck as he moves the soap over her breasts, then down her belly. She reaches up and interlocks her fingers around his neck Her body is fully exposed, with her arms raised above her head. He continues to lather every part of her skin, moving the bar of soap from her navel to her lower abdomen. She maneuvers down with him as he lathers her legs, and upper thighs. He puts the bar of soap away and he finishes lathering her skin with his hands. Every part of her is completely lathered and massaged.)

Dawn: What's your problem. I'm almost finished peeing. Besides not as if I haven't walked in on you before in the bathroom. It's nothing that I haven't seen before. What are you getting so worked up about. I've seen it all before. You walk around the house half naked anyway.

Spike: Oh yeah. (Sounds relieved.) This is defiantly a change for me. But I'm loving it. (He goes over to the cupboard and grabs a bowl, then goes to the fridge. Looks in his special drawer and withdraws a packet. Goes to the microwave. Heats up contents of packet into bowl. (Goes back to join Dawn at the table.) Can I have some of that?

Anya: What? She started it. I did so help. I put those books on the self over there. (She points.) And I've been appraising all of Willow's things that are of value in the apartment. Good news is at least if you get robbed Willow, you won't have anything to worry about? (Here she smiles.)

Willow: (Ignoring Xander.) So he's going away to Europe for a bit, and wanted someone to take care of the place, and since his parent's rent it to him for cheep. I get to take over his rent. Don't know when he's coming back. Good to know people in musical places, I guess.

Buffy: Yeah. I remember. I still miss him. I still wish he was here, at least he was able to come for the wedding. (Buffy tenses realizing that she has said the "W" word. Which is still a buzz word that could start Anya and Xander fighting again at any minute. But they don't)

Buffy: (Her mind instantly goes back to her visit with the first Slayer, the night of her wedding and the slayers words about slayers being routed in darkness. Vampire darkness to be exact. Also all the images she saw, and the slayers final words, "You now know what you are, and soon you will know what you have become. We are all one kindred.")

Dawn: (She is well familiar with the looks that pass between them by now and she is just sitting back looking relaxed and happy. She smiles at the contented happy picture they make in their own way. She just pretends to do whatever she is doing as they go upstairs to "fight cyborg's.") Looks like it's just me and Wynonna Rider.

Anya: Well after he called off the wedding, we haven't sorted out what we want and he hasn't reset a date. I just up and left. It's driving me crazy. He's all hot then cold. Marry me, just not right now. (Drops her bags and goes to lean on Buffy's shoulder. Please let me stay for awhile. I don't want to be alone.

Xander: This is serious. Because I wouldn't reset a date for the wedding, and I didn't want to discuss it, she finally lost it and she freaked on me. Then she got violent, and threw the rolling pin at my head. Apparently that friend of hers from the wedding. That demon friend of hers the one that was maid of honor at our almost wedding. She's been putting ideas into Anya's head again.

Willow: Xander. You've grown up so much over the last year. More I think than any of us. But maybe you just went too fast. That's probably why you backed out. You have to give yourself time, space, figure out what you want. Last thing you want is another wedding, where you call it off at the last minute. That would just piss her off more.

A few days later. Their house guest has settled in nicely. Nicely for Dawn and Spike, who love having the extra company, and listening to her stories. Buffy is having some difficulties adjusting to the house guest, who is currently residing in Buffy's old room. Anya and Spike have become fast friends, and though Buffy would never admit it, she's a little uncomfortable with their closeness. She is in the kitchen preparing a snack, as she listens to their happy chatter from the living room.

Anya: (Sitting on the couch with Spike. They go over stories of destruction and devastation that they caused.) Yeah you should have seen what I did to his testicles. He couldn't walk for a week. That obviously wasn't my best work though. I was young, inexperienced. After I became a vengeance demon. V.D. For short. Not the other kind of V.D. Although I inflicted a lot of that on people, and Xander's penis has diseases from a shumash tribe.

Spike: Yeah I can remember one time, for Dru's birthday. (From the kitchen we can hear one dish being broken, and then another.) What I mean is, for someone, who will not be named in this house's birthday, we wanted to... (he goes on to tell her about some pretty bizarre things, he and Dru have done for her various parties, up to assembling the judge.) I can tell you that was a laugh riot. (They sigh in unison recalling the good old times.)

Spike: You're blowing this way out of proportion. All I meant was you get to prance around in this self righteous world, never convicted of doing anything bad, but the moment me or Anya talk about our past it's like we're these terrible people. It's part of who we were, there is darkness in us, you're just gonna to have to accept that babe.

Spike: I know that. All I'm saying is you should lighten up a little. You're moody, and blowing things way out of proportion. You should lighten up, like Anya. Even Dawn finds my stories funny. Dru would never have... (Before he can to take the words back it's too late.)

Buffy: Dru! There's that name again. I told you not to compare me to Drusilla. (She pushes him towards the kitchen.) I'm nothing like her, and if you like Drusilla so much you should have married her and not me. (They arrive at the kitchen door and she forces him into the kitchen.) Also if you hate my job so much, why don't you do something? Why did you marry me? I have to slay vampires, it's what I do. I'm the slayer. (Frustrated she opens the back door and pushes him outside. Realizing what she's just did, she opens the door and drags him back in.)

Spike: (Walking over to her angry himself now. He stares her down.) Yeah, well what makes you think there will be a next time. (He goes over to the fridge, gets his packets of blood from the fridge, puts them in his jacket. Then goes over to the living room and gets his blanket from a space under the sofa.) I'm not putting up with this. If I wanted crazy I would have stayed with Dru. (Throwing the name in Buffy's face deliberately this time, he walks out the back door, blanket fully around him.) I'm outta here. See ya Goldilocks.

Buffy: (Walks over to the back door which he's left open, and she slams it really hard.) Not if I see you first. I should just have staked him, when I had the chance. Would have simpled things up so much more. (Realizes that the time for such sentiments is far over with. Whether she likes it or not he's become a part of her, and all the pain and emotions that feelings bring comes with that.)

Dawn: You never meant to make him leave. Why does everyone end up leaving. (She starts to break into tears.) Every time I think I'm going to have a family again. First dad leaves, Giles, Tara, now Spike and Willow moved back out. Then your probably going to leave again, then I'm going to be all alone.

Spike: (Talks out loud to himself.) She's crazy. All I said was Dru and she throws me outside, she could have killed me. I could have been a big pile of dust. Temper she got there. Crazy too. Why do I get the crazy ones? (He plays the whole scene over in his head for the hundredth time.) I was sitting on the couch with Anya, she's the one who started in with her holier than thou attitude. (Goes over to the fridge to gets a nice glass of blood.) Half my stuff's still there. Hope she don't burn it or something. Saw what that Angela Bassett did to that blokes cloths in that Waiting to exhale movie. Then she makes me watch those chick flick movies I don't even like. Well that one with Angelena Jolie was ok, but do I get time for Dawson's Creek any more, no! It's all like family responsibilities this and family responsibilities that, and (screams out as if in pain.) Oh God I bloody well miss her already. (Turns on the television to try and get his mind off of her.)

Spike: What and leave my favorite little bit, to get into mischief and trouble. (Gives her one of his inquisitive looks.) Never. Your big Sis and I just have some things we need to sass out. A couple days to cool off, and we might be able to have a rational conversation. She's all moody lately. Kind of distracted.

Spike: (He smiles.) So there's some division in the ranks? You know she's gonna be real pissed with the both of us, when she finds you gone. (On a more subdued note.) Sides she's gonna worry. (He's mad at Buffy, but he doesn't want to make her worry unnecessarily.)

Anya: I think he loves you. I've been around the house for a few days, and I still don't know everything there is to know about humans, but he always watches you, when you walk in and out of a room, and when you're not around you should hear how he talks about you. It's all like

Buffy did this and Buffy did that. It's so cute. It's how I hope Xander talks about me, when I'm not around. Dawn and I just smile about the cute looks you two give each other and the way you always try to touch each other when you think no ones looking, or when you know people are looking and you just don't care, and I'm right across the hall from you, so I hear the noises that come from your room and...

Anya: All I'm trying to say is, I think you have something special. Xander and I thought it would never last. We figured you were just using each other for the sex, but then you got married, and you didn't even hesitate, and I think that's how it should be with people. Either you are sure or you are not. Or you are just crazy and rushing into things and going to suffer terribly for it. You know what they say marry in haste repent at leisure.

Buffy: I'll have to settle for watching you shop. The budget's kinda tight around here. (They get their jackets. Buffy yells upstairs.) Dawn I'm going out for a couple hours. (She gets no answer.) Great. She's not speaking to me. Think I should have her come with us?

Dawn: Yeah I guess so. I guess I like her too, but she drives me crazy, more than she drives you crazy. I mean I wanted to get this shirt at the mall the other day while we were out, (she describes the shirt to Spike, and the store they were in,) and she's all like no, it's too expensive. Yet she still gets to dress so cool.

Spike: She does dress awfully nice. (Dawn gives him that, your suppose to be on my side look.) I mean yeah, bad her dressing all good, while bit doesn't get her shirt. But I do miss her. I know it's only been half a day, but I miss her a lot. Bet she's worried about you, not about me mind you, but about you. She's probably all worried by now. It's dark out now.

Dawn: I'm gonna tell her. Just don't know what to tell her, or how to just yet. But I will, but it's not as if I can just walk over to her and say hey Buffy, I think I got some of your slayer genes. She'd make a big deal about it, and overreact and then I don't know it would be all weird and stuff.

Buffy: Seems to be Spike. He always seems to know where she is. (Wonders if she should go and find him, to help look for Dawn. He's the one she's always counted on whenever Dawn was missing.) I don't even know how long she's been missing. She said she wasn't going to pull this crap anymore.

Spike: Bit we are. I promise I'll be back. I just need a couple days to Sass things out. (Looks over at Buffy.) I'm not going anywhere. I made a promise, I plan to keep it. But I don't want to be fighting. Just think we need sometime to let things cool down. Like what Anya's doing with Xander. Right Anya.

Spike: Yeah. I tried to rent Adams family, they put the wrong movie in the case. Thought they looked different at first. Good movie thou still think she should have knocked out the secretary, then come back with an Oozy, all Arnold like and been all Asta la visa. Then shot the whole place up. That would have made the movie more realistic, I reckon.

Anya: Of course I am. Micro-waved popcorn. Besides I'm practically living here now, till Xander comes to his senses and makes up his mind about a new wedding date. Don't think he can go too much longer without sex. I know I can't. I'm more wound than a spring, ready to pop! Oh by the way Buffy you're out of batteries again.

After they watch the movie and eat popcorn. They settle down to bed for the night. Anya thinking about Xander, and punching her pillow in frustration. Dawn about her new family. Buffy alone in her new bedroom, thinks about Spike. She goes and gets one of his tee-shirts from the closet. One that still has his scent on it. Even though she knows he's coming back, he's still gone. She falls asleep to "these eyes" by the guess who playing on the radio.

It is late at night. Buffy is on her own patrolling tonight. She and Spike have sort of made up, but things are still tense, and he's still not home. She hasn't told him about the visit with the Slayer so she can't explain why she's been acting the way she has, and they haven't discussed the words that passed between them. She goes out patrolling, hoping for a few hours to take her mind off things.

Buffy: See that's exactly it. We got into this big argument about me killing his friends. He said he understood my job, but now I'm not so sure, then there's this whole thing about me being descended from Slayer's, and as it turns out they're incarnated from the same darkness that makes vampires. For some reason I can't tell him about this, every time I just freeze up. I mean what's he going to think, and what are other's going to think once they know? I can't even tell my old Watcher. His name's Giles he moved away to England. Then there's the money problem. I slay seven days a week, well 5 now. Spike helps with patrolling. He's so sweet with things like that. But I'm still going to have to get yet another real daytime job soon. (She sits adjacent to the vamp who has taken a seat on one of the grave sites. Listening to her woos.)

Vamp: So why not just tell him. Come out and say it. Life's too short. Well not always, look what happened to me. But whether you're living or dead it's about the moments, and once they pass they don't always come back. Wish I'd told my wife and kids how much I loved them, before getting turned vamp.

Vamp: Hey no need to apologize we all got to make a living. Sides wasn't sure what I was going to do for the next hundred years or so. I was a salesman before I got bit. Went to the wrong house and here I am. Sides if I live for a thousand years, don't think I'll find anything as interesting as a vampire slayer married to a vampire.

Buffy: (Talking to herself.) Yeah this is my job. He's right. So what if Spike doesn't like it. (Thinking to herself, as she walks off.) You meet some of the nicest vampires in graveyards. (Stake in hand she goes threw the grave yard, and gets ready for night of slaying. Once finished she puts her stake away and gets ready to go home, feeling good.)

Demo: Yeah that's right. The Bronze is a great little hang out spot, but as part of our new license agreement, we agreed to have bouncers in the joint. Now nobody wants to see bouncers hanging round the place, so this is what you do. You just walk around, plain cloths should be fine, what you're wearing blends in just fine with the place. There's been talk about regulars going missing. People just stop coming, but there is talk that people go missing from here under strange circumstances. Plus everyone in a while we get these weird customers and the place gets trashed. It's been remodeled several times over the last few years. That kind of things bad for business so were gonna try it and see how things go.

Demo: That's the gist of it. (Walks over to Spike and puts his hand on his shoulder.) Now I don't want this to put you off from the job, but we've gotten some weird reports. People with odd looking faces, and all kinds of black magic stuff going on. Personally I think it's just good old fashioned drug use, but there are some people that will tell ya. (He laughs in a conspiratal manner.) Some people will tell ya, they have seen ...get this. Vampires at the Bronze.

Demo: Now I told you not to let it scare you off, we all know that kind of stuff is just nonsense, but just to keep the regulars happy, you see anything weird you check it out. (Laughs again.) Can you believe how stupid some people are? Yeah Dracula's gonna come to the bar and ask for a Miller light.

Spike: (He is dreaming of Buffy. He sees Dawn and Buffy playing outside. They are playing kick ball. The ball falls away into the gutter, Buffy goes to get it and instead retrieves a can. This is as good a game as any other she says and starts to play with the can. She plays kick the can all the way home, as Dawn watches in the distance. Then they are at a fast food chain, and Buffy has just arrived she punches the clock, and the manger says in an annoying over voice now you're on the clock again missy. He then rattles on about, perseverance, dedication, and points to his 10 year button, then another manager to a 5 year button, and they tell her she's should work towards that as a goal. Then she stuck behind the counter, her brain is being drained by this monster, that looks like an enlarged version of the monster from aliens. Then Spike arrives trying to remove her from where she is not happy. He tells her the place will kill her but she's reluctant. He tells her he's her slave, he'll do anything to make her happy. Anything she asks. Then he's back at the house, he hugs Dawn and says he's going to the store for some milk, and smokes then he walks outside into the sunlight happy and content, smiling. Then he dreams his earlobe is being nibbled on by a kitten, and wakes up to find he's half right.) Kitten?

Dawn: (Her and Anya have fallen asleep on the coach.) I'll get it. (She goes to the door. Looks threw the glass and throws the door open.) Tara, it's you. (She gives her a hug, and pulls her in.) Me and Anya just had the worst night. There was a vamp, and he brought bunnies in and he wanted to bit me, and I mean dance with me, and I mean kill me. I don't know what. But I was cool. I was all like, oh yeah. He's the one from the wedding. You haven't stopped by since then. (Dawn let's it all out in a flurry of information.)

Anya: No I let him in cause they were free. (Sees Tara still looking at her.) Oh and I didn't know he was a vampire, else I would have just had him hand the groceries over the threshold. (She smiles in that oh so practical way of hers.) How did you know we needed you here?

Anya: That's awfully nice. But what we really need is for you to whip up some of that hokus pokus you do and de-invite the vamp, I invited in. So he doesn't kill us all in our sleep. Or let more vamps in or worst let more bunnies in. That was the worst part the bunnies. Darn little flufsters. Don't know how I can go back to the room. The sight of their hoppy little feet, and twitchy little noses are scared into my mind for good.

Anya: (Entering the house. She looks around to see if there are any more bunnies. She has the creepiest feeling.) As she enters the house, she sees the light from the answering machine is on. She plays the messages. The first one is from Carol at the museum. She says she wants to talk to Buffy about a strange item she noticed from a sales receipt over a year ago. She leaves a number. Anya quickly skips past this message. The next one is from Xander. He's calling ...to see how Buffy and Dawn are doing. He has not left a message for Anya. She gets upset and erases the messages.) Oh shoot. I erased the message from that Carol somebody. Oh but I still remember the number. (She writes call Carol on a piece of yellow sticky, and puts it on the fridge.) Damn him. (She picks up the phone, and calls him. Tells him about the vampire and the bunnies and how awful it was. He says he'll be right over.)

Anya: Coming in from the kitchen. With baseball bat in hand.) What took you two so long? I was here by myself. I could have been attacked at any moment. I swear I saw one of those little fluffster hiding behind the coach. Waiting to jump out at me at any moment. That's why I have this. (Points to her bat.)

Anya: NO. I'm not ok it was awful. I woke up with bunnies all over my room and then one of them tried to climb on me. (She puts this in as an after thought.) Oh yeah and there was this vampire that wanted to bite Dawn. He's evil, cause he brought bunnies into the house. Anyone who'd use bunnies as a weapon has to be evil.

Xander: There, there. I only called and left the message, cause I really wanted to know how you were doing. I was hoping you would pick up. I've been missing you something terrible. I baked today. Those little pies you love so much. An, won't you come home. Xan-man misses his little love muffin something awful.

Xander: I really get that now. I think I've come to a decision. He gets his pants on. (He moves her to the side of the bed, with the sheet wrapped around her. He kneels before her.) Anya I love you. You're the best thing that's happened to me. I do want to spend my life with you, but I am not ready to get married. I'm sorry. I should have realized this before I ever dragged you to the alter, and called off the wedding in front of your friends and mine. That was wrong of me. So I ask you Anya will you do me the honour of not becoming my wife, not fighting with me any more and not driving each other crazy? I love how we are. I love how things are. Right now. I love you. But marriage is just not right for me, and I don't want to keep you waiting. It's not fair. I don't want to do this to you, or to us. I've seen how crazy this gets you, and I know I'm wrong to keep you holding on like this.

Anya: That's the smartest thing you have said all day, Xander Lavall Harris. I accept. No more fighting, no more crazy. I like us, and if you are not up for marriage, then I'm ok with that for now. I just don't want to be apart any more, I missed you. I get all antsy and crazier than usual when we are not together. I want to be with you. (She thinks for a second.) I'm still keeping my ring though right?

Buffy: So one more dusted vamp. I'm really sorry, I should have asked more question yesterday when Anya told me about the delivery guy and the groceries. (She goes to get some ice cream from the fridge. She sees the yellow sticky saying call Carol. Thinks it's a message for Dawn.)

Dawn: I want to get some sprinkles. (She passes the fridge to go to the cupboard, sees the yellow sticky and thinks it's a message for Buffy.) Hey we're out of sprinkles. (She goes to sit down upset.) You know what really gets me. He was in my room. Probably for hours. He said I snore. (She sounds pained.) Then he said I was skinny. I mean what does he want and why me. He keeps coming after me. Guess some vamps just like that kind of thing. I beat him down at the party and he opens the Dawn fan club.

Tara: (Starting to tear up, but trying to hold it together.) You violated me. I trusted you. And after the first time, you promised you wouldn't do it again, and you did. You didn't even think twice about it. You just erased by memory. After all that happened with Glory. You know how afraid I am of that. Do I mean so little to you that you could do that to me? To have you do it was just unforgivable.

Willow: (Crying openly on Tara's lap now.) I was sick then. I didn't... I couldn't control it. Magic just seemed like this quick fix for everything. It was because you meant everything to me. I thought I could have it all. I would have done anything to keep you with me. You mean everything. I'm nothing without you. You complete me the way you said I complete you. I need you to forgive me.

Tara: (Willow gets off the floor and they embrace. They are both crying.) We are not going to rush this. Not till I know I can trust you. But I'm willing to work thru this, if you promise me. You will never do that to me again. You're everything to me. And I can't have you doing this to me. I can't loose me like that again.

Later that evening. Everyone is at the Summers house. Xander and Anya have stopped by to check on Dawn, and to get Anya's bags. Willow and Tara have also come back to see how Dawn is doing. They are all gathered in the living room. Buffy sits with Spike on his lap. Anya and Xander sit together on the sofa. And Willow and Tara are together on the couch holding hands.

Spike: Your sister can handle herself. My job is to make sure that you can too. Now we have to work on some more counter moves. I'm going to come at you and I want you to counter attack. Just like I showed you. (They try it once and it's fine.) That's great bit, but I want you to do it again, and this time with... (Before he can say another word. His head explodes and is Flooded with pain. He's getting a head ache like when he goes to attack someone.) Owww. (He holds his head.)

Dawn: (She goes over to make sure that he is ok.) I'm sure it's a fluke. Of course I know you weren't trying to hurt me. Guess your chip's just acting up. Maybe we could just do the talking part of the training. You know where you get me all psyched up. You're really good at getting people motivated in that way.

Spike: Sure will. He won't be dancing with you anytime soon. Sides I don't know about dancing, but there is a point where your body goes beyond the moves you learnt, training and instinct, become one with your actions and environments. That's how I beat the slayers. If this vamp wants to dance. That's how you'll beat him.

Syica: Comes home from feeding. He finds that he should feel sated but all he can think about is the one that got away. He thinks about the dance, and what a battle it will be. Most humans are a two minute deal. Some quick chat. Very little resistance, and instant happy meals. But that girl, the way she stood up to him. There was something there. One of these days they were going to have it out, battle of wills. Of course he would win, because no matter how special she seemed. She was after all a mere mortal. He enters the warehouse unaware he is being watched. Then from out of no where he goes flying backwards.

Dawn: (She has just come home from school. She has stayed out late. So it's dark. She knows Buffy wants her home until the vamp threat is out of the way. But she couldn't resist hanging out just a little.) Hey Buffy I'm home. (She gets no answer. She sees the light on the machine. She goes to check the message. Spike has left a message for Buffy saying he's going after the vamp at the old warehouse. In this shady part of town. The light was on so no one else has checked the message. She wonders where Buffy is. She knows she should stay and wait. But she goes to find Spike at the old warehouse, she knows the location.)

Syica: There must be something about them that draws you, keeps you coming back. Did the witches enchant you? What is it about them? (He is trying to figure what it is about Dawn that has him hooked. He is getting out his frustrations.) You are what our kind should never become.

Spike: (Grabs him up and slams him to the ground. This time he follows threw on the action.) Don't worry, now you won't have to fret bout becoming like me. (Raises his hand and brings down the stake. Then his head explodes, with pain. ) Awww. (He is in complete and utter pain.)

Spike: (He is only conscious of the waves of pain that are flooding his head. The pain then turns primal. It changes from pain to rage. His primal instincts take over and have control of him. The full force of the darkness in him is released. Something in his head is stimulated due to the inappropriate feed of the signal. He lashes out. Anything around him is in sudden danger. The flooding of pain is replaced by waves of violent thoughts that stream threw his mind. The frequency is one that the Troika did not know they could tap into. But they have found a way to bring the primal and dark to the surface. His will to do good, is abandoned by tidal waves of darkness. He picks up Dawn and sends her flying across the room.)

Syica: This is what you do to family? Glad I made the enemy list. But I believe this particular dance space is already filled. Miss Muppet promised me first kill. Sorry. (He goes after Spike, sending Dawn and Spike flying, but she doesn't fly over the rails, and she gets knocked to the floor again.)

Warren: Relax. No one died. Sides now we know that it works. And I don't know what happened in there, but I say bonus. We have our own version of vampire frankenstein on our hands. If he'd go after someone that he likes like that. Think of what we could make him do to someone that we didn't like. This is cool.

Buffy: (She is sure that he does love them. She knows there must be another explanation. She can see all the emotions on his face. He looks horrified, and in shock. She wants to go over to comfort him, but she knows she has to go after Dawn.) We will figure this out. I just have to make sure she's ok.

Spike: Go. (He wanted nothing better than to have her come over to him, and say that she believed him, but she didn't accuse him. He knows how scared Dawn was. He's horrified that he caused that. He tries to figure out what could have happened. And if it will happen again.)

Inside the house upstairs. Spike is outside Dawn's room. She hasn't spoken to him, since the incident, she is upset. He did not physically hurt her, but she is scared and emotionally upset. It's because someone she loves almost hurt her. She reliving the whole Willow experience all over again. Buffy is with her making sure she is ok. Spike is outside the room feeling destroyed about what happened. He knows he loves Dawn and would never hurt her, but he almost did. He is doubting himself and really feels unsure about what happened. He hears Tara's voice downstairs and makes his way down. Half way down he hears Xander's and he creeps down the rest of the way unnoticed by anyone.

Anya: Well technically only Dawn has been put in danger, which I think was an accident, and come on, it's been more than a few sex filled nights. I know. I use to live here, my room was right across the hall and... (Sees them all looking at her.) What? Not as if I could help over hearing stuff. Besides Dawn has super strength I'm sure she's ok.

Xander: It's in their nature. Look at Angel. Even after he stopped being evil, and faith shot him with that poison filled arrow for vamps, first chance he got, he had himself a Buffy sandwich put her in the hospital. She could have died, and that was when he was good. And if Angel does that, well what can we expect from Spike?

Tara: You mean outsider. (She doesn't sound too pleased. She remembers just how hard it is to feel included. She also remembers the recent bonding her, Spike and Xander had.) I'm not sure that's fair Willow. Aside from being married to Buffy, every time we have an emergency he's always been there. He did work with us over the summer. I'm just saying.

Spike: Yeah if you want to dig up past nasties why don't we start with that, and work our way up. Willow. You while acting like a magi-whore, went to Rack's magi-crack house, and almost got Dawn killed in the process. Anya. You got a thousand years of badness on me. And some of those stories you tell, they put me to shame, and I've been pretty bad in my time. No offense.

Anya: Oh none taken. Sides it's true. But that's just it. That is my past. Just like that stuff is yours. Till you go psycho or something. (She didn't mean it that why.) I didn't mean it that way. Not like your going to drain us all dry in our sleeps. Least I hope not.

Spike: Tara you did that spell that went all wrong, to try to hind the fact that you were a demon. Almost got everyone hurt. I hadn't been there to kill that other invisible demon Buffy could have got seriously hurt. Still understand why you did it, you were trying to hold on to the one you love.

Spike: Call that protecting your friends? Where do I begin with you. I might be many things, but least I'm not a hypocrite. Protecting your friends, if that means calling a dancing demon to town, getting half the town scorched. Almost getting Buffy killed, yeah I'd say nice way of protecting your friends.

Spike: All I'm saying is, I not letting you stone me out here, without throwing a few back. I've got my flaws and I've been bad, but least I'm man enough to admit it. I worked with you all. I'm married to Buffy, but no matter what, first opportunity and it's kick the Spike. He's evil. Played that game, tired now. Even Ripper is no Saint. Dusted Ben, not a thought, just wanted to protect Buffy. Least he admits who he is, most times. (Looks back at Xander.) Oh did I mention, nice touch there with the wedding, real smooth. (Throws out the final parting shot, then leaves the house.)

Buffy: That's not fair, we all have past. Just because who you are is rooted in darkness, that doesn't mean that's who you are. If we dug up the each others past we would be here all day. But the point is, he's not doing this. Not on purpose, something else is happening here. Something that is making him act uncharacteristically and getting violent.

Willow: I mean sure he worked with us all summer and took care of Dawn, but Buffy you told him to take care of Dawn. And the best way for him to do that was to work with us. I haven't seen anything to lead me to believe he's fully changed. I'm not saying that he doesn't love you. But everything he does is related to you. He doesn't do anything that you haven't asked him to, or change unless it has something to do with you. I can't think of one example of him doing anything unselfish, that didn't have something to do with you.

Buffy: You are one to talk. (Points out the night of her addiction it was Spike that looked back.) Not me, and definitely not Dawn, we were just going to leave, but he's the one who turned back. Helped me do the right thing and look after you. That was selfless, it had nothing to do with me or with Dawn or with anything. He saw how upset I was he was not trying to score points, if anything it might have in that moment made me and Dawn more upset with him, but it was all about you Willow. Seeing you in misery at your lowest moment, and caring about that.

Buffy: Think you've said enough. You all have. He's my husband, and I know this is something else, this time. I just know it. I'm not going to let anything happen to Dawn. But I could use your help here, but with or without it. I'm not letting you exclude him this way. Now are you with me or not? (She want's them to be on her side, but that means them being on Spike's Side too.)

Willow: I just don't know Buffy, but I know you love him, and I'm willing to try to look for a different answer, but he goes all Angelus on us and I'm not waiting around to be breakfast. (She remembers the incident, that happened just after he got his chip put in.)

Dawn hearing enough she makes her way up the stairs. She is still upset with Spike, but she is scared and confused, because they are talking about hurting him, and it's all her fault, she thinks. She packs a bag. She doesn't want to stay in the house, she just wants to escape from all the sudden turmoil that's come about. She goes back downstairs.

They all leave for their perspective homes. Willow and Tara go off to find a solution and Xander Anya and Dawn go to their house. Buffy is left in an empty house, as she prepares to go find Spike. Warren has gathered a pot of gold in information, and goes about seeing how best he can use the information he gather for his own benefit.

They divide up into the groups of two, Buffy assigned. Anya and Tara are left at the store to do more research on stopping Warren. They want to see if there is anything in the magic shop, that might help. Willow and Xander go off to check out the former hide out to see if they can find any clues that they might have missed the first time. Giles and Spike take the tunnels. Giles with his cross bow in hand. They are going to see if they can locate the new hangout of the trio. Buffy and Dawn go back to the house. Buffy to gather weapons and Dawn to talk with her.

Willow: Yeah but we're taking things slowly. She's forgiven me, but it's going to take time to get back to where we were, but since it's my fault I guess I will just be glad for a second chance. Hey how bout you and Anya? You seem all happy and back to your normal routine with Mrs. Go money, money go. Yeah money. (She laughs.) Sorry couldn't help it.

Tara: He just seems to love them so much. I just don't think it could be him wanting to do this. He seemed so upset about us thinking he was purposely trying to hurt Dawn. When you really love someone you don't want to see them hurting, and you believe in them no matter how bad things seem.

Spike: I love them if this don't work, I don't want to be like this. Last time I almost hurt Dawn. I couldn't control what I was doing. I'd never put them through that. I love them more than the blood I drink, and I care about them more than this undead life I lead. Need to know you'll cover my back when I'm ready, case this don't work out.

Giles: That's just it. I now know that it was placed there for a higher purpose. Look at you bargaining with me to stake you, rather than risk the possibility of hurting those you love. In this moment do you realize you are more human, than the monster doing this to you? Do you not see that it shows me just the opposite? You have transformed before my eyes. Buffy is family to me, and she loves you, her and Dawn both. I will do what you ask, but not if we can help it. She would never forgive me if we didn't try.

Dawn: We thought it would be ok. You said. (She sounds pained.) Now she's gone. What if it can't be stopped. What if he stays like that ? Are we going to have to ...are we going to have to.. (She can't say the word.) Stop him? Are we going to have to stop him? Are we going to have to hurt Spike?

Dawn: It's just I love you, and I love Spike. Now that you are back. Now that you are really back, I just got use to it. Now I don't want to lose Spike. I just want it to be real this time. I just wish I could stop everyone from leaving, going away, or getting hurt. (She starts crying.)

Spike: Don't know. Just have a bad feeling. Comes to me sometimes when bit's in trouble. Like extra sensory radar. Too much time spent taking care of her over the summer, and now with living at the house with her. I've become a real bloodhound, when it comes to this. Maybe we should get back to the house.

Warren: Relax. I had to drug you with something more powerful than your sister. Nice little kick you got there. (Dawn had woken up just as they were about to get them into the warehouse from inside the van. She had sent Andrew flying backwards threw the back of the van and had been about to do more, when warren drugged her with some very powerful relaxant.)

Warren: We have power that you can't imagine. And I have power over that little husband of yours. What do you think your friends would do should he let's say, accidentally freaks out and attacks you, or Dawn over there? How about if he attacks one of them? What if I just point and leave the control at that setting? He becomes a menace to society. Not that he isn't already. But a real menace to society. He could be out having violent outburst anytime of the night, or I could make it happen in the day. He freaks out, forgets his little sun problem, pouf instant divorce how about that?

Warren: How about her. (He points to Dawn. ) What if she just didn't come home one day. We could make your lives real lonely without your little Dawn. How about that? What do you think now? Still just some geeks out for a good time. See we have this wired and we are going to rule this town. We just have little one obstacle. That's you Slayer. Now you can cut us some slack and stay out of our way, or.... (He trails off and does not finish his sentence.)

Warren: It's all about throwing her game off. Spike gets here, and she still won't cooperate then we watch her dust him, or... (He smiles here.) Or he does some major slayer damage. Puts her out of commission and out of our way till we can finish what we need to. Either way I get what I want. She cooperates then we get her out of our hair. She doesn't cooperate, then we'll force her to dust her vamp. An emotional Slayer forced to dust the vamp she loves. So poetic. I almost really like that option. She kills him. We have her on our tails, but a grieving Slayers gonna be pretty devastated, and a lot easier to throw off her game. Option three. She let's him do her some major damage and we have Slayer out of commission, and her friends, I'm pretty sure will dust him, if he hurts her. Either way we throw her game off.

Warren: Relax. I bearly laid a hand on them. They're right here. (They are revealed to be strapped onto tables. Buffy and Dawn are on an upper platform. Buffy on one side and Dawn on the other side.) I'll let you choose. Who you want to save? Or you could choose option three.

Warren: Oh did I forget to mention one little thing. See this? (Points to a device in his hand.) It's tuned into the frequency in your brain. It has a setting from one to ten. When it his ten. That chip in your heads going pull a real bad repeat of what happened yesterday. If you can get to them in time before I get to ten your good. But if not... (He trails off, with a sinister look on his face.)

Spike: (He's on the platform where Buffy is. But he feels the rage coming on. He can feel his head getting flooded again with Rage, and anger. He realizes that Warren is not going to let him get to Buffy without putting the device all the way to ten. She is cuffed to the table and he doesn't want to hurt her.) Don't think my head gonna let me do this love.

Spike: (He just twists in pain, and slams to the ground. His head is flooded with violence, but his last thought is to protect Buffy. And he's who she needs protecting from. He gets up and throws himself violently into the wall beside him. He's thrown to the ground. He gets up and does it again. Repeatedly. If he's unconscious he can't hurt her.)

Spike: (His head fills with more pain. But instead of all at once like last time, he is being flooded slowly, losing who he is inch by inch, it's even more torturous. He continues to knock himself unconscious. Hoping he can pass out before all thought is gone and he's just a violent wrecking machine.)

Warren: (He raises the device, it's right in front of him. He is about to see if he can put the frequency up a bit more. Then suddenly the device is smashed out of his hand by an arrow.) Hey! (He sees Giles set out of the shadows. ) Andrew this would be a good time.

Warren: Sorry but seems like we have to be going now. Our apologies you understand. Oh and incase you thought of following us. I'm taking her with me for insurance. (He unchains Dawn. Sticks her with some muscle relaxant, cause she's struggling. They leave the room and the door closes behind him, Andrew and Dawn. The three in the room are left with the demons and a fight soon ensues.)

Spike: (He can't move. But he can move his head. He head butts Warren. Then throws his head back in pain. The normal functions of the chip working once more.) Feels bout the same as before. Good to have the old chip back to normal. But head butting you, that was worth it.

Warren: I am not a monster, I have a soul remember. Sides Katrina was an accident. I am a super-villain. I am doing what super-villains do. Went to that high school for how many years. Did your little Buffy ever acknowledge me in the hallway, her or any of her other little friends? Take a look around. Who rules the world now? Who's got the control, who's got the power. I'm gonna have everything I want and you are going to be gone.

Warren: Now you're just hurting my feelings. Well as much as I'd love to stick around and chat I have to go. Other worlds and dimensions that need me. (Pushes the stake further into Spikes chest.) Don't worry the stake is plastic wood grain, you will live. That is till the poison kills you. A little bird told me about that one, a robin I think. Should be fun seeing this a second time around. Don't worry I hear your little Buffy has the cure for what ails you. Least I don't feed off my friends.

Buffy: (She gives him some punishing hits Till she sends him flying into the corner.) And I love you too much to loose you like this. I just know I'm not going to loose you. You are in here now. (She points to her heart.) You are a part of me now. You're in my system now. I'm not going to loose you, and I'm not going to loose you to some false sense of noble vamp logic that means nothing, if you are not here. This is not fair to me. This is not fair to Dawn. How can you do this to me? To her? Things are just starting to get good.

Buffy: We made vows. You made a promise, how can you do this? You are just like everyone else. Everyone ends up leaving. What is so wrong with me that everyone leaves? You would rather die, then take one drop of me into you. Am I that bad? Is that why everyone goes? Why everyone can't wait to high tail it out of here?

Spike: But that is why. Don't ya get it? You are inside already. I've drowned in you. That's why I can't. You're here. (Points to his head, to his heart.) You're everywhere. I told you a long time ago. You were becoming a part of me. Till I'm just this shell of me outside, with you ...everything about you inside. That's never changed for me, never stopped. If anything it's just grown. I love you Buffy, you're a part of me, as much as I'm a part of myself. That's why I can't.

Buffy: (She's in tears.) It's the same for me. I don't know when it changed. But sometime between the wedding, and now it did change even more for me, it's grown. I love you, and it means something, but I don't think I knew how much. You asked if I'm afraid of you leaving, the truth is I'm terrified. No ones stayed the way you have. Really been there, like you ended up being. I'm terrified. No ones put up with my garbage like you have. You're as essential to me as the air that I breath. (She looks into his eyes. And it's heaven, yet hell, because his love is reflected there, but he is going to die.) I can't loose you! (Then in desperation to save him. She takes out his knife out of his pocket. He's still on the ground. She takes it and she cuts her wrist and forces it to his lips.) Drink from me. My blood is roots are the same as yours, the darkness in you, is the same darkness that I'm descended from. We're the same. Where it essentially matters. We're apart of each other. This is nothing. (Then she is bribing him, and bargaining.) It's just this once. It means nothing. It's not as important if you die. (She forces her wrist into his mouth and watcher her blood flow into his mouth.)

Spike: (It's warm and fresh, fresh and sweet, like liquid honey. It flows into his mouth, and it's so good. It's the first time in over a years that he's had a fresh, clean, willing, and flowing sample. Since Dru's visit to town. The taste because it's fresh and human is almost intoxicating. It's warmth caresses his tongue, the sensation and smell pollutes his senses, till he can't think straight. The warmth bubbles along past his lips, into his mouth, along his tongue. It's almost complete bliss for a moment. He pulls her wrist closer to his lips, prepared to take what she is offering. Then he opens his eyes for a second and looks into hers, then into her, and into her soul. Before the blood can pass his throat into him, he stops, and chokes on it to prevent taking it down, he turns away from her wrist to the side, and spits it out.) I can't!

Spike: No! You're wrong. That's not my life. And not my life's blood. YOU! You are my life, my life's blood. You're what I live, and take in this undead air for. How could I live and continue this undead life, if I had to know that I feed on you to do it? How could I look at you? How could I look at Dawn.

Buffy: It's ok she would understand. How can I look at her if you die. She would never forgive me. She would understand this. (Then she gets upset again. She is emotional and doesn't want to lose again, doesn't want to lose another person she loves.) I don't understand. I don't want to understand. I can't lose you. (Her misery is complete, and she desolves into tears on him. He uses his hand to comfort her. He wraps up her wrist to stop the blood flow. They stay there cuddled motionless. Just holding each other.)

Buffy: What other way? It's always blood. That's what gives life. It's always blood. There isn't going to be a something for nothing, he needs blood to live, not just any blood he needs kindred blood, slayer blood to live. Always some sacrifice right? (She moves away from Spike and goes over to Giles, as she speaks.) Me to save Dawn. Me to save the world, me from heaven to save. When does it end? Why me? Why this destiny? Why again?

Giles: (See she is devastated, bleeding and not in a very clear state of mind. He opens his arms and she goes into them for comfort.) There, there dear girl. Not this time, not again, not if I can help it. We just need transference. There is many ways blood can be transferred.

Giles: Has it never occurred to you, how much of you physiology does still function and remarkably well, I might add. You smoke, and your lungs don't need air, but you can take in and expel air. You drink and get drunk. A physiological function again. You direct blood flow constantly as your body, or rather undead body chooses to. There must be some sort of retrograde vamp circulatory system functioning, or you could not do half the things you do. I've found that even the watchers council, have very little foundation in some cases to base their assertions on. Most watcher's have not had the close contact that I have, the chance to watch, study, research, evaluate, learn, and even experiment.

Anya: Yeah but I've never been stupid enough to get caught in one. These loop things can get people acting all crazy, cause no matter what we do, the moment we leave it's like it never happened. We take the bell off the door. Go through the door, the bell is back on the door and we are right back inside. Bell is back on the door.

Syica: I meant the real kind. Bodies pressed together, swaying in rhythm. Dancing. I'm very good at it. We might as well get at least one out of the way. I have been wondering. I know your blood tastes sweet, but are you as light on your feet as you seem? (Gives her a suggestive look.) When we truly dance, and you're all lifeless, I want to be the one to bring you to that place. Sides who knows, if you're a good dancer, I might turn you. Make you go all the way ...make you a vamp. How would that be?

Dawn: I'm the key. Or at least I was. I was not originally human. These ancient monks turned me from this ancient energy to human. My blood opens dimensions. All dimensions. Some people think I'm evil. My sister died to save my life. So now I'm just a regular girl in high school. (She sits down feeling shaky again.)

Syica: You either have some imagination. Or one of the strangest existence's I have come across. No wonder, I thought there was something special about you. Sister to a slayer, sister in law to a vamp. You've inhabited with witches, and an ex-vengence demon. You were an ancient key that opens dimensional portals. Did I leave anything out?

Syica: Yes in your current condition, you are not even fit to be food, doubt you'll be much help. Why do you care? I stopped caring. Before I turned I stopped caring. Humans are not worth the effort. Still your brother-in-law is a vampire, but he fraternizes with humans.

Syica: I blend in. I learn the talk of the period. I mix as much as I have to. I make connections when I need to. I probably won't stay in this town. Heard it was a hell mouth. Feeding ground like everywhere else. But meeting a Slayer was interesting. The ex-demon, and the key. What stories I shall have to tell my friends. Bet they have never seen a key, (points to her.) Like this before. (He seems amused.)

Syica: Exactly. Then where would the challenge be? Even amongst thieves, their is honor. Besides I don't like to pick on helpless things. It's a failing that was transferred with the turning. I was tortured and danced with for several days before my turning. I begged for death. Then I received this undead life.

Syica: Yes. A pretty morsel of food. (He is amused again by her looks and expressions.) I was tortured by humans. Ones capable of more torment and misery than I have ever visited. Except for when I first turned. I evened what was till then, an unfair score. I could die at their hands, or I could turn. I choose this. I think I wanted this. So here I am. That's the pretty part of the story.

Dawn: You won't. I'll be too upset to fight. And I won't eat. I'll have a really rumbly tummy when I don't eat. I probably just do a lot of hair pulling. But...but If you let me go. I'll come back. (She sounds desperate. She is really worried about Spike and Buffy.)

Giles: That's great Xander. I can't talk right now. But once she gets here things should be fine. I can't explain right now. I will fill you in on all the details tomorrow. I'm staying here for the night. But we will all be fine, if your sure Buffy and Dawn are on their way here. (He hangs up the phone.)

Giles: The trio have disappeared. They used some sort of a portal device. Spike said they just disappeared through some sort of portal. Willow I will let you have a look at the plans I discovered at their lair, when I went back early this morning. I gathered everything I could and took it all back to the house. It's the strangest thing, but Warren seems to have discovered the little trick joke Faith played with Angel.

Giles: But that's just it. He was going to die. Knew he was going to die. But he refused her. She practically shoved her neck into his face, and he refused. She cut her wrist. (He takes off his glasses, moved by the memory of it. He goes over all the events of the previous night and gives them a play by play of events.) I have had the most remarkable evening.

Giles: Anya's right. More over, I think we misjudged Spike. I think he is in the process of undergoing a remarkable transformation. I think he has changed. Based on what I saw, I would not go so far as to say he has a soul. Not in the way we regard souls, but humanity, in the way that it counts.

Later that evening. Back at the Summer's house. Buffy is asleep upstairs. Things have settled down. They start to feel safe like things are back to normal, now that the Troika is once again temporarily out of the way. But Spike thinks there's one more score to settle.

Dawn makes her way further into the caves. She remembers the way from here. His nest is not too much further in. She makes her way over to the spot where he sleeps. She looks into her bag of tools and finds just what she needs. She takes out a stake and puts it in her back pocket. Then she goes over to him.. Drags the quilt he's sleeping on and he goes flying with it.

Syica: (Counter attacking.) Don't know always found it a little too fluffy for my taste. Though call me a softy I've always liked a waltz. (Grabs her spins her waltz style and throw her against a wall.) Oops looks like I'm out of practice. MY apologies. (He smirks.)

Dawn: Is that the best you have. You've been dancing for way longer than I have and that's the best you've got. (Tisks) How very disappoint. (She connects with his face. Spins him around, throw him into the wall.) Hope I got that move right. I'm a real fast learner.

Syica: I've been saving up my best. Didn't want to tire you out too easily, but if you insist. (Pushes himself off the wall, he spins and does a low sweep knocking her to the ground again. Then he lunges at her while she is still on the ground. They wrestle.) If I'd known you liked the twist, I would have brought the music.

Dawn: Never know. I just might. (She leaps into the air. Kicks him flat against the chest with a powerful kick that sends him back into another wall. This time she follows it up with a one two punch move. But for her second punch she reaches into her back pocket and gets out a stake. She drives it into his chest. Hard and powerfully.)

Dawn: (Still with the stake in him, and him at her momentary mercy. She is feeling powerful and triumphant and does something that surprises both of them. She puts her lips to his, and kisses him. Nothing gentle. Full hunger, dark craving, till she has to pull away for air.) That is a kiss.

Dawn: (She tastes the blood, on his lip.) Now I get to see what you taste like. (Then she kisses him and nibbles on his lip a little.) That's what you did to me the first time. It gets a girl all confused. (She sounds upset. Then she moves back and knees him, he doubles over onto the ground. She bends down and speaks into his ear.) If you ever come near me, or my family again. I will stake you next time. If I don't Spike will. Take it as a warning. (She walks away, then turns back to look over her shoulder.) Hope you liked the surprise. (Tosses her hair and walks off.)

Syica: (He is lying on the ground in shock, pain, and amazement. He watches her leave, and hears her words as she looks back over her shoulder. He watches her every step and gesture as she walks away. He manages to get out one word as he lies there in pain slowly removing the stake from his heart.) Moxie! (He grins, and laughs as he gets the stake out. He lies on the floor, realizing that a new day just dawned.)

Somewhere in another dimension. After making their way thru the portal and breathing sighs of relief that it closed behind them without any one following. Warren decides to check out his new surroundings. He gets Jonathan and Andrew to stay put while he goes to scout our their new surroundings.

Warren: Cause I told you. We don't know what to expect. Something happens. I am not back in 20 you come looking for me. All three of us together and it's just too easy to get into trouble all at once. I have the remote with me. You two have your ear pieces. Then you can hear what I say. Just be ready. Case I get in trouble. We have to find out where we are.

He leave the other two. He looks around trying to get a handle on where he is and what kind of inhabitants are in this dimension. He walks around for a bit, and soon finds himself at the local store. He looks around and does see anything. A little shop keeper dusting some selves, people going here and there shopping, then he sees someone who looks familiar. Walking over he can hardly believe his eyes. Outside the store in broad daylight is a group of guys playing dominoes around a makeshift table that was set up for just that. What Warren can't believe is the one guy, he moves towards the table cautiously for a closer look.

Warren: (He's in shock. He has gotten a closer look and it is him.. It's Spike, but he has brown hair, no accent, and he's sitting around with a bunch of other average looking guys, playing dominoes? In daylight?) What did I just fall into some freaky backward dimension?

Will: Spike, what kind of a weird name's that? A fella have to be pretty drunk to pick a name like that. (He laughs and shifts his attention back to the dominoes table, it's his move.) Hey that's a few more chips for me. With winnings like this I can pick up that cute little tabby, my girl wants from the pet shop. (Going back to Warren.) Well friend, you seem to be new in town and a little lost. Why don't you pull up a seat, have a cold one and relax.

Warren: (Still unable to believe his luck.) I think I will do just that. I'm starting to like this place already. (He's about to take a seat and pull up a chair, when suddenly he is tapped on the shoulder. He turns around smiling, and is punched onto the ground.) All he can hear is a voice, saying... "Didn't think I'd let you get away from me that easily did you?"

Dawn: (Goes to place some fresh flowers on her grave.) She was great. I miss her, but I am not so sad now. Last year I was sad. I didn't know what was going to happen. But it's ok now. I'm always going to miss her. But I have you both now. (She walks back over to them.) We have each other. (She stands in the center of them.)