Contrary to Willow�s shock, the news just made Spike even happier. �I bloody told you! Buffy�s still here! Sod the new Slayer! We�ve got Buffy!� He yelled, practically turning cartwheels. Spike began pacing around the room, in quick, hurried steps that made Tara, Dawn, and Willow dizzy just watching him. A blissful smile settled on Spike�s face�and for the first time in weeks, he actually laughed. Something he had almost forgotten how to do.

�Well? What are we bloody waiting for? Do your abracadabra, let �er rip!� He impatiently gestured for Willow and Tara to do something, and beamed at Dawn. Spike was beyond ecstatic�and a scary sight to behold. �Buffy�my love�Buffy�we�re getting you back�oh Buffy�� he hummed to himself a tuneless, so-called �song� that he made up on the spot.

Dawn was just as enthralled. �Yes! You and Tara�you�re powerful! You can figure out some way to bring Buffy back! Just the way she was before.� She pleaded, looking at the grave faces of the witches.

�Well, I think the fact that a new Slayer has failed to rise speaks volumes...It must be, in some way, connected to Buffy and her death�or non-death�or physical death.� Tara said quietly to Willow. �But�how exactly do we go about doing this? What exactly is this anyway?� Willow said. �What if we somehow hurt Dawn? We don�t even know where to start�what to do�? Sorry to bust your bubble, Dawnie.� Willow murmured apologetically at Dawn�s crest-fallen face.

�No one gave you permission to protect her sodding bubble!� Spike came to the rescue. He laughed at Willow, and babbled incoherent, but soothing words to Dawn.

Willow opened her mouth again. �It�s not that I don�t want to do this�I want to. Really want to. But what if it�s more complicated than we think? It could involve more than just Buffy and Dawn. The new Slayer...the Council. We have to look at the big picture.� Willow didn�t like this at all. She usually had to have everything neat and orderly. A person like her was not used to just plunging into things, impulsively. She frowned. But it was Buffy. And Buffy had always told her to be more spontaneous. Then, Spike�s voice broke into her thoughts.

"Look�� Spike said, sobering up from his previous bout of exhilaration. �We�ve got to do this. For Buffy. She gave me a gift. She said that I could see her because I wanted to�badly. It was her gift. She wants us to do something and bring her back! It�s a hint, a clue�And think of Little Bit here. Think of how everything has fallen apart without Buffy. She was the bloody Super-Glue that held us all together!� Spike said, becoming more passionate. �We need her! I need her!� He stopped his emotional speech, remembering that the two witches were present... �Anyway�why don�t we start by calling the Watcher? Maybe we can get some clues from the Council, bunch of poofters they are�We�re doing this for Buffy. And for us, because we need her. We need Buffy like you need your sodding oxygen! I don�t breathe�but that�s beside the point.� He said gruffly, a little embarrassed at his previous outbursts.

Dawn clapped. �Excellent speech.� She grinned at him. Spike returned a small smile at her, as his heart twisted, in the familiar way that he had gotten used to. Except this time, it was with anticipation, hope, and excitement, not mind-numbing grief and pain. Because there was a chance to see that beautiful smile again�not misty and unclear, like in his dreams, but in flesh and blood, before him.

Willow and Tara remained silent until the blonde witch spoke up. �Hopefully Buffy will come to you in dreams�and through Dawnie. That could give us more clues as to our situation��

Dawn stood up, and slowly made her way to a mirror. She looked at her reflection in wonder. �Buffy is in me. Her essence in mine�her spirit�she�s here. I can feel her. I love you so much, Buffy.� Dawn whispered, almost lost in a trance.

Willow asked, �Does Buffy come randomly? Or when you especially miss her? Only at certain times? Have you tried calling her to come?� She was all business-like now.

Tara got up. �I�ll call Giles.� She said, reaching for the pink princess phone that Willow had brought, from when she was younger. And suddenly, someone spoke.

�You know Wils, I was never fond of that pink phone.� A sweet, clear voice said. And then a tinkling, silver laugh that sounded�out of this world. With an ethereal, heavenly quality to it�

Spike�s jaw dropped. He had always thought that Buffy was an angel�but looking at her, in place of where Dawn had just been�her beauty more enhanced�it would have taken his breath away�if he had had any. Her eyes sparkled at him. �Spike�you can close your mouth now!� she teased him.

�Oh Goddess!� Willow whispered, her eyes wide. She reached out her hand towards Buffy, and drew it back, as though afraid. �Buffy?� the witch�s voice had a quality of unshed tears.

�Yes, Giles. Dawn and Spike are here now, too.� Tara said. She turned around to give the phone to Willow, caught a glimpse of Buffy, and almost dropped the phone. �Oh Goddess!� She echoed Willow�s statement.

And then Buffy became clearer and more focused, looking almost like a real, live person�