“Giles, we have a serious problem.” Buffy announces, walking into the Magic Box.

“It’s not Glory is it?” he asks.

“Worse.” I say.

“Well what on earth can it be?”

“Angelus is back.” Buffy replies.

“Come again.” Giles struggles to grasp the concept.

“You heard the gal. He’s back, he’s dead and he’s damn evil. We ran into him and Darla a few moments ago.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“We kid you not.” Xander says, bursting in the front door with Tara, Anya and Willow at his tail. “Angel just stopped us in the street to ask politely for some bodily fluid.”

“He seemed mean. Not at all like I remember.” Anya adds.

“That’s coz he turned.” Buffy informs them.

“Oh god. This really isn’t what we need right now.” Willow says.

“You’re telling me.” Buffy adds, taking a seat at the desk.

“How are you Buffy? I mean, it can’t be easy seeing him like that, again.” Willow asks Buffy, rubbing small circles on her back.

“I don’t think I’ve processed it yet Will.”

“Well hurry and process. We need the slayer to do her thang.” Xander says, pacing the room.

“I agree.” I say.

“No one asked you, walking dea…wait, you agreed with me, yes?”

“Look, maybe if we use the spell again, we can give him back his soul.” Willow suggests.

“Sweety, those types of spells are really dangerous when used more than once on the same demon, you know that.” Tara says, bringing me great relief. Honestly, I never really liked the guy and the thought of Buffy slaying the mongrel once and for all gives me somewhat of a thrill.

“We just have to sit on this a day or so and come up with some sort of plan.” Buffy says, her head in her hands.

“But…but…he may have us all killed by then.” Anya whimpers, cuddling up to Xander.

“He won’t, trust me.” Buffy tries to reassure her; positive she knows the actions of her former lover. I however am not so sure. He looked like he wanted to get down to business to me. And with Darla involved, I know they won’t wait long to take action.

Buffy asked me to watch Dawn while she talked to the others so that’s where I am right now, at her house, watching telly with the munchkin. Joyce is at the hospital getting some more tests taken, much to my dismay. I really like that lady. She’s the only one around here to treat me with any real decency… ‘cept for ‘lil’ bit of course.

“Spike, do we have to watch this?” Dawn whines, picking up the remote.

“Ey!” I yell, snatching the remote back and turning the volume up.

“It is a repeat.”

“Yeah…but this is the episode where Dawson races Pacey in that sailboat contest to try and win the brunette and…”

“You are such a girl.”

“Am not!” I growl. “I am a vampire.” I say simply, putting on my ‘evil’ face.

“Please, you don’t scare me.”

“Oh don’t I just?” I challenge.

“No. I mean take a look at yourself Spike. It’s a Friday night and you’re sitting here with a fourteen year old watching a crappy, teenage girl cult show.”

“Ey! It’s not crappy, aiight!”

“Spike,” Dawn’s tone turns serious. “What are you doing here?”

“Buffy asked me to look after ya.” I answer; turning the volume up so I can hear Andie’s sweet ‘lil’ voice.

“Do you always do everything she tells you to do?”

“No! I am me own person you know.” I snap.

“Not with her. You’re always doing what she says.”

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

“Who asked you anyway?”

“It’s just an observation.” She smiles innocently.

“Well quit observing.” I say, turning the telly off and walking into the kitchen to get myself some damn peace.

I hate to admit it but the kid does have a point. Lately I have been doing what ever it is that I think would please the slayer. A damn chip doesn’t mean I have to go all sappy does it? Yet somehow I can’t help me self. The moment I look at her I get all weak and willing to do absolutely anything she wants. I’d even die for her you know…that is of course if I wasn’t dead already.

“Well hello, hello.” The voice of Angel breaks me of my reverie. He’s somehow entered the kitchen without invitation.

“I was Buffy’s lover remember, I’ve been here before.” He seems to read my mind, not at all unlike him. His words make me angrier than I like to admit. He was he lover. In that instant I just want to kill the bastard!