The group stumbled into the ice cream shop, Xander and William propping Jesse upright while Willow hovered protectively. It was interesting how none of the patrons currently in the shop even looked at them askance, behaving as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

Willow bit her lip, brow furrowing as she studied Jesse, who was holding a hand clamped over his neck. "We should get that fixed."

"I'll take him to the lavatory to clean up," William volunteered. "You and Xander should find us a table and...act normal."

"Wait a sec, shouldn't we report this or something?" Xander glanced at his friends quizzically.

"Woah. No way man! Do you have any idea how much trouble I'd be in if my parents got a call from the cops? Huh-uh, no thanks!" Jesse's face was set stubbornly with his refusal.

"Jesse. Come on." William smiled at the others, then dragged Jesse to the restroom. Once inside the small room, he grabbed a handful of paper towels and wet them under the faucet.

Jesse watched for a moment, then hopped up onto the counter. He picked distastefully at his shirt, which had acquired a small bloodstain near the collar. With a shrug, he pulled the shirt off over his head and soaked the spot under the stream of cool water.

"I'll get that." William took the shirt and set it aside for the moment, then tilted Jesse's head back. Carefully, he dabbed at the blood-encrusted bite, apologizing softly when Jesse hissed in pain. Finally, he stepped back and looked at the wound. "Well, I haven't any bandages, but it's stopped bleeding, and if you keep your collar pulled up, it shouldn't be too noticeable."

"You think?" Jesse twisted around to look in the mirror, wincing at the livid bruising that surrounded the twin punctures. "I dunno. Looks kinds obvious to me."

"Well, there's not really any other choice, you know," William commented softly. He threw away the soiled napkins, then pulled out some new ones and began to work on Jesse's shirt.

Jesse studied William intently as the other boy scrubbed at his shirt. "So, William."

"Hmm?" William continued with his task, listening to Jesse distractedly.

"You like Xander, don't you?"

William's arm jerked, knocking painfully into the wall. Hissing, he rubbed it, trying to calm his racing heart. "Um, well, yes. I mean, I l-like all of you."

Jesse sighed and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but not the same way. You look at Xander like he's dipped in Hershey's syrup and you're a starving chocoholic."

William flushed a bright red. His hands shook as he smoothed out the damp but mostly clean shirt. "I...I d-don't know what you m-mean." He refused to look up.

"Bullshit." That made William's head snap up incredulously, and Jesse glared at him. "Don't lie to me, William. I may be an idiot sometimes, but I'm not blind."

A look of utter desolation washed over William's face. His legs collapsed, and he slumped to the floor. He wrapped his arms around his knees and started to rock gently.

Jesse hopped off the counter and knelt next to him. "Hey, what's wrong? It's ok. I mean, I'm not gonna get all phobic on you just 'cause you have the hots for a guy. Come on, talk to me."

William sniffled wretchedly. "I didn't mean to," he whispered brokenly. "I just...he...it's..."

Jesse slung an arm around his shoulders. "Dude, chill. It's not the end of the world. I mean, at least you didn't have some freaky chick gnawing your throat out tonight!" He snorted with laughter. "Now granted, Xander wouldn't be *my* first choice for fantasy material, but...each to his own."

With a groan, William tilted his head back. "You don't understand. Just seeing him makes me feel..." He sighed, a dopey smile flickering into appearance.

"Crushing on the Xand-man, huh?" Jesse smiled. "Well, you could do worse I guess. At least you don't have a thing for Larry."

William looked confused. "Who?"

"Eh, the requisite school bully. Has the whole dumb jock thing goin' on."

"Oh. No, it's just...him." Another sigh, this one with a note of sadness. "But...Willow likes him too, and they've known each other a lot longer. Plus she's a girl. Why would he want *me*?"

"Dude, just between us, those two are *not* gonna hook up." He stood up, grabbing his abandoned shirt and slipping it back on. "She's like a sister to me and Xander. He'll never see her as girlfriend material. Besides, them as a couple?" He shook his head. "Talk about your bad ideas! Willow's too stuck in the hero worship phase, and Xander...well, I don't think he's as uninterested in you as you think he is."

William wiped at his nose as he stood. "W-what do you mean?"

"William, my friend...the boy was *totally* checking out your ass at the theater tonight!"

William blinked, then blushed again.

"Word of advice? Don't rush him. He's not used to people liking him, other than me and Willow. He he's definitely not used to people *liking* him, if you know what I mean. Just...keep giving him those shy little looks you do so well." With a huge grin, he slapped the other boy on the back, herding him toward the door. "Oh, and a little ass wiggling probably wouldn't hurt, either," he advised as they left the restroom.

Willow and Xander looked up from their mega-banana-splits as the other two came up to their table. They both scooted down, and Jesse sat next to Willow, leaving the vacant spot beside Xander for William.

Xander firmly ignored how the pinkish tinge lingering on William's face seemed to make him glow, and instead examined Jesse. "Hey man, nice bruise."

Jesse smiled and tenderly prodded the discolored skin. "Think I can get away with calling it a hickey?"

Xander rolled his eyes and snickered.

"Looks more like you were mauled." Willow squinted closely at the mark. Once she had assured herself that Jesse was relatively fine, Willow smiled and handed him a spoon. "Here, I got mine without nuts since you're allergic."

Xander grinned and shoveled a mouthful of ice cream topped with hoards of peanut bits into his mouth as he tossed William a spoon as well. "Dig in," he managed after he swallowed. "I got extra Hershey's syrup."

William almost cursed his fair complexion as he felt himself blushing yet again. Absently, he wondered if he'd ever get that reaction under control. He tentatively dipped his spoon into the sweet concoction, darting a glance across the table. Jesse was staring at him with a mischievous look, waggling his eyebrows as he stared at the chocolate sauce dripping off William's spoon. Giving the other boy a halfhearted glare, William defiantly shoved the spoon into his mouth.

Somehow, Willow and Jesse managed to finish theirs first, and got up to dispose of their trash. William and Xander each gulped down their last mouthful, then eyed the lone maraschino cherry. "Mine," William claimed quickly, and went for it. But Xander had the same idea, and the two laughed softly as a brief spoon war ensued.

"Quit goofing around you guys," Willow admonished good-naturedly. "We'll be waiting by the door."

Xander took advantage of William's momentary distraction and scooped up the cherry. He popped it into his mouth, chewing it with a blissful look on his face. When he finished, he smirked at the glowering boy next to him. He stuck out his tongue. "Ha! Stole your cherry!"

William's breath caught, and he froze in his seat. He watched all laughter fade from Xander's face. When Xander inched closer, he swallowed hard.

Xander could hardly breathe as he stared at William, watching as those pale eyes darkened with some nameless emotion. He licked his lips and leaned toward him.

"Guys! Come on!"

Willow's voice broke the spell, and they sprang away from each other, completely flustered. Quickly, they scrambled out of their booth and over to their companions.

Willow was completely oblivious to what had happened, but Jesse had to restrain himself from pinching the redhead. He had been sure something was about to happen. Then he shrugged. Better it not happen in public the first time, he supposed. But if he had to, he'd find a way to lock those two into a room together. A *small* room.

*****
Part 9:

Darla made her way deeper into the sewers, cursing softly over the loss of her prey. She felt a tingling between her shoulder blades, and glanced behind to make sure she wasn't being followed. Sensing nothing there, she turned back, shrieking when she collided with the large man in front of her. "Luke!" She gasped, and a hand flew up to rest over her chest. "I *hate* it when you do that!"

"Darla," Luke responded disapprovingly as he looked her up and down. "You were supposed to bring an offering for the Master. We're almost at Harvest!" With arms folded, he glared at her.

Darla withered under his burning yellow gaze. "I-I had someone, but then...there were others. They attacked me...they had weapons...stakes!" She gazed up at him beseechingly.

With a sneer, Luke dismissed her. "You go. I'll see if I can't find something...suitable." He watched her dart off, then carefully exited the maze of tunnels, emerging in a darkened alley. Cocking his head, he listened closely. With a predatory grin on his face, he followed the faint sound of shoes slapping against pavement.

He hid in the shadows until his chosen prey drew close. Snarling, he pounced on the unsuspecting man.

Luke laughed, amused at the fight the human put up. He quickly subdued him, and tightened an arm around his neck. "You are strong," he hissed in the terrified human's ear. "But I am stronger."

The man whimpered and continued his futile struggles, clawing frantically at the immobile arm that was slowly cutting off his air.

"You can't stop us. Nothing can stop us." Luke squeezed harder, smiling as the man's jerky movements grew weaker. A look of almost religious ecstasy passed over the vampire's face as he waited for the man to lose consciousness.

"And like a plague of boils, the race of man covered the earth." He began his recitation with a look of disgust that soon grew to one of anticipation. "But on the 3rd day of the newest light will come the Harvest. And the blood of men will flow as wine...and the Master will walk among them once more. The earth will belong to the Old Ones, and hell itself will come to town."

He released the human, who slumped to the ground, only his faint breathing betraying the fact that he still lived. Luke easily hoisted the limp form, and started back toward the sewers. "Amen."

~~~~~~~~~~

Jesse peered intently at the doors to the library, then straightened and walked inside. He glanced around curiously, wrinkling his nose at the musty smell. There didn't appear to be anyone around, so he leaned up against the counter, arms folded.

"Can I help you?"

Jesse jumped back with an aborted scream, wheeling around frantically.

"I say, are you quite all right?"

"Don't *do* that!" Jesse held a hand over his pounding heart as he glared at the librarian.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Er...was there anything I could help you with?" Rupert squinted. "I say, is there something the matter with your neck? Perhaps you should go see the nurse."

"No, no, I'm good." Jesse slapped a hand over his neck and backed up a step. "Everything's good. Just, you know, waiting for some friends. To...study." He managed not to cringe as he said the word. "With the...book things..." He blinked and stepped quickly over to a table, plopping himself down in a chair. After tugging his collar up further, he folded his hands and attempted to appear studious.

"I...see..." Rupert watched the boy for a moment, then, with a shrug, returned to shelving books.

Jesse drummed his fingers impatiently as he waited. The whole 'library' concept was pretty alien to him, and the place was giving him the creeps. His relief at the appearance of Willow and William was almost palpable.

"Hi Mr. Giles!" Willow chirped brightly as she made her way past him.

"Ms. Rosenberg. Lovely day, isn't it?"

Willow choked slightly. "Um, yeah. Wonderful day." With a fake smile on her face, she groped for a chair next to Jesse.

Rupert didn't notice, however, his attention already having been fixed on his son. "William. Here to study I presume?"

"Um, yes Da. We're...all studying for a...a test." He glanced down, shuffling past his father and taking a seat at the table across from Jesse and Willow.

"Well, good luck." With a nod to them, Rupert disappeared into the stacks.

Jesse gaped at William. "Woah, he's your *dad*? Isn't that, like, freaky or something?"

"No," William answered with a rather confused look. "Why would it be?"

"Oh. Um...no reason." He winced when Willow elbowed him in the ribs. "Would you *quit* that?"

Willow blinked at him innocently. "Quit what? And where's Xander?"

Jesse glared at her for a moment before answering. "He had to stop by his locker. He should be here in just a minute."

William grinned briefly at the mention of Xander, then glanced at Willow, resuming what must have been a previous conversation. "So...all that information you found is just...open to the public?"

Willow blushed. "Um...well...i-in a way. I sort of...stumbled on a few things when I accidentally decrypted some of the county's security systems."

"Someone's been naughty." Xander pushed through the doors and strode into the library. He bounded over to the table. "Hey, my buds!" He sat next to William, sprawling out in his chair. "So, what's the what?"

"Ok, first off...keep it down!" Willow fixed Xander with a stern look.

"Oh, sure. Low-key. Gotcha." He made a zipping gesture over his mouth.

"Right. Anyway, William and I were digging around online and stuff, and we found some things out."

"Well, spill." Jesse leaned forward eagerly.

William looked around covertly, then got up and hurried over to a bookshelf. He extracted a rather large volume, which he deposited on the table.

"'VAMPYR'...you're kidding, right?" Xander was obviously skeptical.

William shook his head. "I found this earlier, and skimmed through a few chapters." He visibly went into lecture mode. "According to this, eons ago, demons walked the earth. It was their domain. But in time, they lost their purchase on this reality, and the way was paved for man. Of the Old Ones, all that remained were vestiges...certain magics...creatures. And vampires."

Xander scoffed. "Ok, this is where I have a problem. See, because we're talking about *vampires*. We're having a *talk*...with vampires in it."

"Well, isn't that what we saw last night?" Willow folded her arms stubbornly.

"Hey, all I know is that freaky chick was trying to suck my blood out!" Jesse shuddered and reached up to feel his neck.

"Yeah, but--"

"So, vampires are demons?" Jesse interrupted Xander, addressing his question to William.

"Well, the book tells that the last demon to leave this reality fed off a human...mixed their blood. He was a human form possessed...infected by the demon itself." William cleared his throat and handed the book to Xander. "He bit another, and another. And so they walked the earth...feeding. Killing some, mixing their blood with others to make more of their kind." He paused, then went on hesitantly, "Waiting for the animals to die out...and the Old Ones to return."

There was silence as everyone digested this information. Then Willow spoke up, "Anyway, after we hit on the vampire thing, I...researched the hospital and morgue statistics. Do you know how many people were either wounded or killed by 'barbecue forks' in the last year?"

"Barbecue forks? What, did someone's Uncle Pauly get a little too drunk at the annual family picnic?"

"I doubt that was really the cause," William interjected softly.

"Yeah. I mean, how many people even *own* one, much less go around stabbing themselves or others with them? Anyway, there were over 200 separate incidents like that, with the majority of them being 'cause of death', not just injuries."

Xander held up a hand. "So...you're saying Sunnydale is infested with vampires?"

William and Willow exchanged a look, and Willow nodded. "That's our guess."

Jesse gave a rather weak snort. "And you thought living here would be dull," he told William.

"One more thing," Willow added. "The body in the locker yesterday? Guess what the records list the cause of death as?"

"Lemme guess...Uncle Pauly?" Xander made a stabbing motion with his hand.

Willow nodded bleakly. With a sigh, she folded her arms on the table and rested her chin on them. "I...I think that covers everything."

Xander let the book drop onto the table, and he stood up, pacing in agitation. "Except for one thing...how do we kill them? One of these things attacked Jesse...no way am I letting it get another shot at any of us!"

Jesse nodded emphatically. "Hell yeah. I wanna know how to get rid of these suckers. No pun intended there."

With a frown, William picked up the book and replaced it on the shelf. "Are you sure we should be contemplating something like this?"

"Well, I for one am not anxious to go into dark places full of monsters, but I *do* wanna help. Like Xander said...no one can go after one of us without a little bit of payback." Willow's expression was fierce.

"All right. Fine. So...more research?"

Willow gave him a determined nod of agreement. Then a thought struck her. "Jesse, is there anything else you can tell us about what happened? Anything that might help?"

Jesse thought carefully, reviewing the previous evening's events carefully. His face brightened. "You know, she was babbling something about offerings for some 'master', and something about a 'harvest'. Think that means anything?"

"We'll see what we can find." She moved over to where the computer was, and logged on to the Internet "William, c'mere."

William pulled a chair up next to her, looking at the monitor over her shoulder.

"So..." Jesse began backing out of the library. "Does this mean I can go now?"

Willow waved a hand distractedly. "Meet after school. By the fountain." She pointed out something on the screen to William, who pulled out a pad of paper and began taking notes.

Jesse yanked on Xander�s arm. "Man, let's get outta here before we get sucked into that evil researching thing!"

Xander grinned at him, and the two boys quickly walked out of the library.

*****
Part 10:

"Are you guys sure we wanna do this?" Willow looked around for confirmation.

"Hell yeah," Jesse replied emphatically. "I'm not gonna sit inside like a scared little kid...I wanna be able to go out and have fun!"

"Besides," Xander added, "we've never had any problems at the Bronze. Ouch! Damn it!" He glared at Jesse.

Jesse glowered back at him. "Thank you *ever* so much for jinxing it there, Xan! Geez, why don't you just *advertise* for trouble!?"

"I *so* didn't jinx it! Tell him, Willow!"

Willow just sighed. "I'm not getting involved in this...again!" She handed a squirt gun to William, who stared at the object curiously. "Holy water," she explained to him, then passed out similar items to Xander and Jesse.

"Hey Wills, do we wanna know where you got this from?" Jesse snickered at the mental image of Willow sneaking into some church and siphoning out the containers of water.

"Oh, hush," Willow scolded. "Did you guys bring the stakes?"

"Yep." Xander unzipped his backpack and let a pile of the sharp objects clatter onto the table. "See Willow, I told you me and Jesse would learn something useful in that shop class!" He grinned proudly.

"Great. That about does it. Except...William, got your stuff?"

William nodded and produced three lighters, which he passed to Willow. "Da always has extra of these. He says he's quit smoking, but he still has a fag occasionally."

Xander choked. "A-A what?"

Willow rolled her eyes. "A *cigarette*, Xander. That's what they're called in England."

"Oh." Xander chuckled nervously. "I just...um, I thought you meant...never mind." He took one of the lighters, flicking it on experimentally. "So," he said loudly in an attempt to cover his embarrassment, "What good are these little things gonna do?"

William smiled and took out another lighter. With his other hand, he pulled out a travel size bottle of hair spray. He backed up a few steps, flicked the lighter on, and spritzed the tiny flame.

"Woah!" Jesse and Xander jumped back, gaping in awe at the ball of fire that was produced.

"The only problem," William explained clinically, "is that it takes both hands to do." He shrugged. "It's the best I could come up with this quickly, though."

"Works for me." Jesse snatched a lighter and held a hand out for a bottle of hair spray. He stared at the items with just a tad too much excitement on his face.

"Don't go pyro on us here, Jesse," Willow said with a fond grin.

"What???" Jesse gave her an innocent look, then stuffed the lighter and hair spray into his pocket.

Willow sighed. "Boys," she muttered softly as she shook her head.

"Geez Jesse, way to make like the homicidal maniac." Xander punched his shoulder lightly. Then, he ever so nonchalantly grabbed his own lighter and hair spray and tucked them away. He cleared his throat. "So, let's get going!"

~~~~~~~~~~

"See? I told you nothing would happen there. And you guys were worrying!" Xander threw an arm around Jesse's shoulders as they walked down the alley away from the Bronze.

"Willow!" Jesse whined. "He's doing it again! At this rate, we'll be lucky to get home alive!"

"Well, it probably doesn't help that the two of you are advertising our presence to anything that might be out there! Stop making such a racket!" Willow glowered at the rambunctious boys, who pouted at her, but fell silent.

"You have a lot of experience with that, don't you?" William spoke quietly to her as they quickly made their way down the street.

Willow snorted. "They're just a couple of big kids, really." Then she smiled softly. "I love 'em, though. Wouldn't know what to do without them."

William glanced ahead. They'd managed to fall back a little from the other two, so he took a chance and asked her quietly, "You...you *really* like Xander...don't you?"

Smiling sadly, Willow answered, "Is it that obvious." She sighed. "I...I've had the biggest crush on him for *years* now. But...he never notices. I mean, I know he cares about me. It's just, I think he sees me like a sister, you know? And...I don't know how to ever get him to see me as, well, *me*."

"It...it must really hurt. To think about him ever being with...someone else." William stared fixedly at the pavement as they continued walking. Willow was fast becoming one of the closest friends he'd ever had, and no matter how deeply he felt about Xander, he couldn't bear the thought of hurting Willow by being with him. Not that he though he stood much chance anyway, no matter what Jesse had said.

Willow sniffed softly. "Yeah. A little." She shrugged. "Ok, a lot. But...he's my *friend*. And, no matter what, I just want him to be happy. Even if it i-isn't with m-me." She wiped at her eyes, then continued brightly, "I just hope that whoever he ends up with can love him like he deserves."

"Yeah," William agreed under his breath.

A high-pitched shriek wrenched their attention back to their companions. They immediately reached for their weapons when they saw Jesse sprawled out on the pavement. Over him was a man -- vampire? -- who had his arm around Xander's throat, and was glaring at them with yellow, glowing eyes.

*****
Part 11:

The vampire merely laughed when they pulled out their stakes. "I'm *so* scared," he hissed, and he held Xander in front of him to block any of their attempts. He began to drag Xander back into the shadows with him.

Xander struggled, slamming his elbow back forcefully. The vampire merely grunted in annoyance and tightened his grip.

Carefully, Willow and William stepped apart and started to circle the vampire from either side. "Let him go," William demanded, eyes narrowing in anger.

"Why should I? He'll make a wonderful offering for the Master. He's smells so young and sweet." He growled softly and licked up the side of Xander's neck, making the boy shudder in disgust.

From his position on the ground, Jesse managed to reach into a pocket and pull out his squirt gun. His actions went unnoticed by the vampire, who was concentrating on what seemed to be the more imminent threat of the other two humans. With a vengeful grin, Jesse aimed and sent a stream of water into the vampire's eyes.

Howling, the vampire flung Xander away and clutched at his burning face. He stumbled back blindly, groping for some defense against this unexpected attack.

"Stay down!" Willow shouted at Jesse. She ran forward, flicked on her lighter, and sprayed the hair spray through the flame towards the vampire. Then she too dropped to the ground.

The vampire's agonized screams reached a crescendo as his clothing caught on fire, burning fiercely. With one last shriek of impotent fury, he exploded into a cloud of dust.

Panting, the four stared in shock at the small scorched mark left on the pavement. "Woah," Jesse whispered. "Way rad."

"Is everyone ok?" Willow stood and brushed off, checking for injuries.

Xander groaned pitifully. "I think me and this wall got a little too intimate," he grunted, holding a hand over his forehead.

William rushed over and pried his hand away, gasping as blood began to stream from the cut. "We-we have to get you someplace where we can clean this up." He replaced Xander�s hand, hoping to stem the flow.

Willow and Jesse crouched beside him and stared at Xander. 'That's bleeding a lot," Willow said in a worried voice. "But I-I'm sure you'll be ok," she hurried on, hoping to reassure Xander. "Head wounds always bleed a lot, it's *totally* natural. But, um, yeah, we should get a bandage or something on it."

"Dude, you live closest," Jesse said to William. "Got anything at your place to fix him up with?"

William nodded. "Da has a first-aid kit in the lavatory, it should have whatever we need."

Jesse stood and helped Xander to his feet. "Ok then, here's the plan. You take Xander home with you, get him fixed up. I'll walk home with Willow, since she lives across the street from me." Taking in Xander's pale, shaking state, he asked, "Will your dad be ok with Xander staying the night? I don't think he's gonna be able to make it all the way back to his place. Especially not alone."

"I-I think so. But...what should I tell him?"

Jesse blinked. "Oh. Good point. Um...can you sneak him in? If he leaves just after sunrise, no one will ever even know he was there."

William swallowed nervously. "I...suppose so."

"Are you sure we should separate?" Willow asked, not wanting to leave Xander when he was injured.

"I think we need to get off the streets as soon as possible, and this is the best way." Jesse slung his arm around Willow's shoulders. "Don't worry, he'll be fine in William's capable hands. And I, my dear lady, will protect you."

Willow gave him a wan smile. Stretching up on her tiptoes, she kissed Xander's cheek quickly. "You be safe, ok?"

Xander nodded, then clutched at his head with a whimper. "Sure thing, Wills," he whispered.

"Ok. We'll meet tomorrow during lunch in the library again. Is that good?" She waved goodbye as William slowly led Xander away.

To distract her, Jesse groaned loudly. "The library? *Again*? I'm gonna catch something if you keep making me go there."

Willow looked at him, a smile playing about her lips. "Libraries are fun," she told him firmly. "There's books, and learning, and--"

"No more!" Jesse clapped his hands over his ears. "Make it stop!"

Giggling, Willow punched his arm playfully. "Come on, give 'em a chance," she cajoled. "I'll give you chocolate."

Jesse brightened. "Chocolate? Well, why didn't you say so? Lead on!"

Their joking banter continued as they walked, and the emotions left over from the vampire attack slowly began to fade. Then, Jesse stiffened. He cocked his head, then jerked Willow into a shadowy recess. "Shh!" he hissed when she tried to protest.

They stood in absolute stillness, listening to the faint footsteps grow louder as they approached their hiding place. When the footsteps paused, Jesse let go of Willow, readied his squirt gun, and jumped out.

The man whirled around. "Is there a problem here?" he asked, eyeing the plastic gun closely.

Willow stepped out and joined Jesse. "Yeah, there's a problem. Why are you following us?"

The man held up his hands. "Don't worry, I don't bite." He studied Willow closely. "I thought you'd be taller. More muscular and all that."

Willow gave Jesse a confused look, wondering what the man meant by that.

"What do you want?" Jesse asked, taking a step forward to place Willow behind him.

"The same thing you do." He kept staring intently at Willow.

Frowning, Willow tossed her hair out of her face. "And what's that?"

The man leaned forward. "To kill them," he said in a low voice. "To kill them all."

Jesse began backing up, herding Willow behind him. "Look man, we don't want to kill anyone."

The man gave a humorless laugh. "Didn't look like it earlier."

They froze, gaping in astonishment. Then Willow found her voice. "He came after us first. W-We just want to be left alone."

"Do you really think that's an option?" He snorted. "You're standing at the mouth of hell...and it's about to open." He gave another quiet laugh. "Don't turn your back on this. You've got to be ready."

"What for?"

"For the Harvest."

"Quit with the cryptic bullshit, man. Who are you?" Jesse fixed the man with his most intimidating stare.

"Let's just say...I'm a friend."

Willow spoke up over Jesse's shoulder. "Yeah, well maybe we don't want any more friends."

A bitter smile was directed at them. "I didn't say I was yours." In near silence, the man spun around and strode quickly away.

Left alone again, the two stood close together. "Can we go home now?" Willow asked in a tiny voice.

"Yeah." Jesse stared off in the distance to where the man had disappeared. "Yeah, let's get you home."

~~~~~~~~~~

William struggled to hold Xander upright as he fumbled for his key. Finally, he managed to open the door without Xander sliding to the floor, and he pulled them inside. He seated Xander on the couch, then ran for some paper towels, which he urged Xander to hold against his forehead. Then, he went back to the kitchen to read the note he'd seen on the refrigerator door. He breathed a sigh of relief.

A hiss of pain dragged him back to the couch, and he knelt beside Xander. "I'm going to get the bandages and things, I'll bring something for the pain too."

"God, thank you. You are a kind, wonderful person." He slouched down into the cushions. "Should I go hide somewhere now?"

William shook his head. "Da left a note, said he had to go to some meeting at the school. Something about the...the body in the locker. He won't be back until late."

"Oh. Good. Drugs? Can I please have drugs now?"

"Right." William left, returning quickly with the first-aid box. He gave a couple of aspirin to Xander, grimacing when the other boy swallowed them dry. Then he sat next to Xander and turned on the lamp by the couch. "Lean this way," he instructed.

Xander shifted sideways, practically falling into William's lap. He looked up with a goofy grin. "I didn't know you were twins," he mumbled insensibly. His eyes flickered back and forth. "You both have really pretty eyes, though."

William gasped and went rigid. Then he shook his head. "You're hurt," he said quietly. "Let me see that." With a clean cloth, he dabbed at the cut, apologizing when Xander flinched. He was relieved to find that, although the cut was rather long, it was shallow. By this time, the blood had slowed to just a sluggish trickle now, and William soon had Xander's face cleaned up.

"Mmmm, soft hands," Xander whispered almost inaudibly as he inched in closer to William.

Panting softly, William applied the antibiotic cream with shaking hands. He really, *really* hoped that Xander didn't move just a few inches closer.

The front door sung open, and the main light was switched on, brightening the room considerably. "William, are you still up? I was -- good heavens!"

Stricken, William gulped hard and stared up at his father. "Da! I, ah...it...it's not what it looks like!"

Xander reached up a hand and covered William's mouth. "Shh," he told him. "Loud noises bad. Quiet now."

Rupert removed his glasses to give them a quick polish. He replaced them, sighing when nothing about the scene had changed. William was still sitting on the couch, Xander curled comfortably in his lap, open first-aid kit and bloody cloths littering the neighboring cushions. Concerned, he bent over Xander. "Xander, are you all right?"

Xander smiled up at him. "M'good Mr. Giles." His eyes flew wide, clearing abruptly. He jerked himself out of William's lap, almost falling off the couch in the process. "Mr. Giles!" He glanced over at William. "I...um...that is..."

"What happened?"

William flushed. "Um, see, there was...actually...um...he fell?" He bit his lip nervously.

"He fell?" He looked at Xander. "You fell?"

Xander gave him a weak nod, smiling half-heartedly.

"I see. William? Is that the truth?"

William shifted awkwardly under his father's disapproving stare. "Sort of? I mean...um...no?"

"Mm-hmm." Rupert peered at Xander's injury, then affixed a couple of butterfly sutures to it. "Would you like to tell me the real story, then?"

"N-not really." He cringed at the harsh look that provoked.

Rupert shook his head in disappointment. "Xander, what is your parent's number?"

"555-3920" Xander whispered, giving William a look of sympathy.

Rupert left to use the phone. When he returned, he almost smiled at seeing Xander listing to the side, eyes once more glazed and heavy-lidded. "You'll stay the night here, I've already told your parents." He wasn't sure if Xander would really understand him, but the boy nodded before curling up against the arm of the couch. "William."

Hesitantly, William stood. He watched as his father got out an extra blanket and pillow, tucking Xander in. Then he followed him into the kitchen.

"I don't like being lied to," Rupert informed his son in a hard voice.

William stared at the floor. "I'm sorry."

"I'm assuming something happened while you were out with your other friends this evening?"

William gave a jerky nod.

"All right then. I want you to go to bed now. We'll talk tomorrow." He stared at him meaningfully. "*All* of us. And I don't want to hear any more lies."

"Yes, Da." He swallowed, fighting back tears as he backed out of the room. He paused by the couch, a hand reaching out to brush tentatively through Xander's hair.

"William. Bed. Now."

William heaved a sigh and trudged to his room.

~~~~~~~~~~

Willow and Jesse walked into the library. They stopped in their tracks when they were confronted by the librarian's level stare. "Um, hi Mr. Giles," Willow offered. She edged past him and took a seat at the table.

Jesse hurried after her and sat next to Xander. "Dude, what's up with him?" he whispered.

"Busted," Xander whispered back. "He wants to know. *Everything*."

"Oooh." Jesse winced. "We telling him the truth?"

"Have to. Have you seen William try to lie to his dad? It's not a pretty sight."

"That's gotta suck. How's your head by the way?"

"Still attached. Not sure if that's a good thing though. Remind me not to introduce it to any more brick walls."

"Gentlemen...if I may?" Rupert stood at the head of the table, arms crossed as he examined the group of youngsters. "I know something happened last night. I want to know what," he told them sternly, "and I want the *truth*."

No one spoke, and Rupert sighed loudly. "Ms. Rosenberg?"

"Me?" Willow squeaked. "Why me?"

Rupert just stared at her.

With a reproachful glare at her silent companions, Willow started.

Rupert looked up from his examination of Jesse's neck. "You're being absolutely serious?"

Willow nodded. "Cross our hearts."

"Yeah, don't these look serious to you?" Jesse poked at the partially healed fang marks on his neck. "Let me tell you how *not* fun it was trying to explain *that* to my parents."

"Plus, you know, we have some research we did." Willow pulled out a notebook and offered it to him. "Just some preliminary stuff, we've only been looking into it for a day or so now."

Rupert sank down into a nearby chair. "This is unbelievable," he muttered. "My god." He stared at his son in horror. "What kind of place have I brought you to?"

"The mouth of hell." Jesse flinched at the glares sent his way. "Hey, it's what that guy said last night, not me!"

"What guy?"

Jesse frowned. "What, we didn't tell you?"

Xander drummed his fingers on the tabletop. "No. No, you didn't. Would you please tell us now?"

"Well, Willow and I met up with this seriously weird guy on the way home last night. he seemed to have a real yen for Willow. Kept eyeballing her."

"Seriously creepy," Willow chimed in. "And he saw us with the vampire earlier."

"Anyway, he said we were on the mouth of hell, and had to be ready for the harvest." Jesse frowned. "That chick from before was talking about a harvest too. Think it means something?"

"And this master guy. Both the vampires were talking about a master. And I *really* didn't like the sound of being an offering for whoever 'the master' is." Xander blanched as he remembered the inhumanely cold tongue snaking up his neck.

"I think there's really only one thing we can do at this point." Rupert shook himself and stood purposefully. "I had wondered why there were so many books dealing with magic and other arcane subjects in this library. I'm sure one of them must contain *something* of use."

Jesse groaned and let his head thump down on the table. "Not more research!" he wailed. "It's not fair!"

"How do porcupines have sex?" At the strangled fit of coughing that followed this query, Jesse looked up from his book to see a group of bemused faces studying him. "What?" he asked defensively. "It's a valid question!"

Rupert managed to recover his composure. Steadying himself with a deep breath, he asked, "Is there...some particular reason you ask?"

Jesse shrugged. "I just wondered."

Xander leaned across the table, a mischievous grin o his face. "Tell me, Jess-man. Do you often think about the mating habits of various animal species?"

Glaring, Jesse retorted, "Sorry Xan, I try not to *ever* think about you like that." He slanted a glance over at William, giving him a naughty wink that drew a faint blush from the flustered boy.

Xander noticed the brief exchange and felt a twinge of...worry? ...jealousy? ...anger? He brushed it off uncomfortably, resloved to believe it was just a lingering result of his head injury.

"Besides," Jesse continued, "you can't tell me it doesn't make you wonder too. I mean, think about all those quills! Ouch! I feel sorry for the guy porcupines." He frowned and gave Willow a stern look. "You realize this is all your fault, don't you? You *drag* me into this...book-filled place that has all these brainy vibes practically *beating* at me, and see what happens? I start *thinking*! Seeking actual...knowledge!" He shuddered.

Willow rolled her eyes. "Be brave, Jesse," she said solemnly. "It's good for you. Builds character."

Jesse stuck his tongue out at her.

"The female lays her quills down flat against her body during the a-actual act to keep from impaling her mate." William felt his cheeks heat up again as the group transferred their bemused gazes to him.

Rupert removed his glasses and asked in an amused voice, "Do I want to know how you acquired that bit of information?"

"I read it in the 'National Geographic'!" William defended himself. He glowered at Willow and Xander, who were giggling softly. "I did!"

A bell rang loudly, signaling the end of lunch period. There were groans as Rupert loaded everyone down with books to take home and study, but they left with a minimum of fuss. Rupert stopped William on his way out. "I still think you and I need to have a little chat," he told him firmly. "Your behavior last night left something to be desired. I wouldn't make any plans for going out this evening."

"Yes, Da." William sighed and trailed out after his friends.

*****