They finally made their way back to the Summers’ house. 

 

Buffy tagged along with Willow and Xander who were full of questions Buffy didn’t have the energy to answer.  Spike and Faith followed them in the Viper.

 

Xander pulled into the driveway and continued into the garage.  Spike parked behind him not too long after.  Xander and Willow had already gone into the house, but Buffy decided to wait for Spike and Faith.

 

She approached Spike as he opened the driver’s side door.  “You need any help?”

 

“I think I got it,” he said walking around to the other side of the car.

 

“She doesn’t look good,” Buffy said.   Faith was sitting in the passenger seat, not moving and staring unseeingly out the front window.

 

“She needs some rest,” Spike said opening the door.  He reached in and helped her out of the car.  “Faith’s been through a lot lately.  ‘Spect this just added to it.” 

 

Faith got out slowly, not looking at either of them.  Spike bent down and picked her up, carrying her groom style to the front door.  Buffy closed the car door.

 

“Put her in my room,” she said, following them into the house.

 

“Thanks,” Spike said meeting her gaze and giving her a small smile.  He continued up the stairs and Buffy heard her bedroom door close.

 

Willow met her in the foyer.  “You okay, Buffy?”

 

Buffy glanced at her, a tired smile on her face.  “Yeah.”

 

“Strange day, huh?”

 

“You could say that.”

 

Xander joined them.  “Are you ever going to tell us what happened?”

 

Buffy was thoughtful for a moment.  “Totally? Probably not.  Only two people really know what happened.”  She glanced up the stairs.  “I don’t think either one of them is talking at the moment.”

 

XXXXX

 

Spike laid her gently on the bed. 

 

Faith rolled over and turned away from him.  She was spent and she didn’t want to talk about any of it.  She just wanted to go to sleep, for a very long time, and forget any of the last twenty-four hours had happened. 

 

When would her life ever stop sucking?

 

“You okay?” he asked bending down and stroking her hair gently.

 

Faith didn’t want to talk; she didn’t want to think; she didn’t want to feel anything she was feeling at the moment, and most of all, she didn’t want Spike touching her.  It was making her way too uncomfortable.

 

“Can’t you just leave me alone?”

 

“Sorry.  Can’t do that,” he said sitting down on the bed.

 

Faith finally rolled over and looked at him.  “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather be downstairs?”

 

Spike shook his head.  “I’m where I want to be right now.”

 

“What about later?” she asked.

 

Spike leaned in and whispered, “Don’t worry about later, Faith.  Later usually takes care of itself.”

 

Faith stifled a yawn as she rolled back over and away from him. 

 

“I’m so tired,”  she said more to herself.  She felt the mattress shift as Spike laid down next to her, putting his arms around her.  Knowing it would be a waste of time, Faith didn’t protest. 

 

Faith didn’t know it, but Spike had stayed with her until she had fallen asleep.

 

XXXXX

 

Buffy couldn’t sleep.  Again!  Like she wasn’t having trouble before.  After the day she had, it was going to be nearly impossible. 

 

She sat on the couch in the dark, knees up under her chin, not using the fresh pillow or blanket Willow had given her.  She didn’t much see the point.

 

Xander and Willow had turned in hours earlier.  All had been quiet thereafter.  She didn’t want to, but Buffy kept straining to see if she could hear any sounds coming from her room. 

 

What were they doing up there? 

 

Stop!  Bad Buffy.  It wasn’t any of her business.  Was it?  No, it was their lives, right?  Buffy heaved a sigh and wondered why she spent most of her life lost in the land of confusion?

 

They were probably sleeping anyway.  It was too quiet for anything else wasn’t it? 

 

Was that her door?  It was!  She heard her bedroom door open and now someone was coming down the stairs.

 

Spike.

 

“You couldn’t sleep either,” she said, making room for him next to her on the couch.

 

He smiled.  “Kind of used to being up at night…comes with the territory.” He sat down next to her.

 

“Faith asleep?”

 

“Yep.”

 

“You were really good with her.” She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

 

Spike squeezed back.  “Got to know her a li’l bit.  A lot there... someone just needed the time to see it.”

 

“I’m sorry,” she finally said.

 

“Thinking you’re apologizing to the wrong person.”

 

“I’ll apologize to Faith when she wakes up.  But right now I’m apologizing to you.”

 

Spike turned to her.  “You don’t need to pet.  We’re way past that I think.”

 

Buffy turned and looked at him.  They gazes met and held, Buffy leaned in and slowly kissed him softly on the lips.  “I’m glad you’re not dead.”

 

Spike returned her kiss gently. “Kinda glad myself.”

 

Buffy leaned into his chest.  “I missed you.  I missed talking to you.  I missed having you around.”

 

Spike put his arm around her and leaned back on the couch, bringing her with him.  “Might of thought about you a time or two m’self.”

 

Buffy closed her eyes and smiled. This felt totally natural.  She felt safe and loved and she realized she hadn’t felt that way for a while. 

 

It was good to know that someone was around who could help her; take care of her if she needed it.  She really had missed him.  She hadn’t realized how much until now.

 

She barely felt the blanket he wrapped around her shoulders.

 

XXXXX

 

Faith woke with a start. 

 

It was horrendously bright and she didn’t know where she was until Buffy’s bedroom came into focus.   That’s when reality came crashing back; crushing her as though it were a physical force and sending Faith’s brain into overload. 

 

She did the only thing she could think of, she grabbed the pillow and slammed it over her face.

 

“I used to do that when my mom woke me up for school.”

 

Faith pulled the pillow away and saw Buffy standing by the window, looking out into the daylight.

 

“Never was a morning person.  Which now,” Buffy paused, “probably a good thing… slayer and all.”  Buffy finally turned and looked at her.  “I’m sorry about yesterday.”

 

Faith turned away.  This was too much for her right now and she didn’t know how to handle it and to top it all off, B was apologizing to her. 

 

“I just wanted you to know that,”  Buffy continued.  “I put your bag in the bathroom.  You can go ahead and shower.  Will is yet again making a nummy breakfast.  Way filling and way fattening from what I can tell.”  Buffy averted her gaze briefly.  She then looked at Faith, their eyes meeting.  “Spike is still here.  We’re going to put our heads together and figure out what to do today.  See you in a few.” She opened the door and walked out.

 

Faith stared at the empty spot where Buffy had been a moment before, wondering what the hell had just happened?

 

XXXXX

 

“That smells good?” Buffy said, walking into the kitchen.  “I think my nose just gained ten pounds.”

 

Willow was beaming.  “I’m getting used to this cooking thing.  I may have found a new hobby.”

 

“Buff, Buffy, the Buffster,” Xander said.  “Are you ready for the tastiest, most fattening breakfast that you’ve ever had in your entire life?  Lives even?”

 

Buffy snorted.  “Yes.” Then reconsidered.  “I think?”

 

“Then by all means, sit,” Xander said, pulling out a chair.  “Breakfast will be served momentarily.”

 

“What’s with all the soddin’ noise?” Spike said emerging from the basement.  He must’ve caught Willow’s wide-eyed look, because he gestured toward the door.  “My cot’s still down there.”  He shrugged his shoulders.  “Kinda missed it.”

 

“I need coffee.  I think I smell it along with everything else I smell.  Okay, I give.  What’s for breakfast?” Buffy asked.

 

“Oooh, no.  There will be no surprise ruining,” Xander said placing a cup of coffee down in front of her. 

 

Buffy watched as Spike avoided the sun the best he could and made his way to the other end of the kitchen.  He leaned against the kitchen counter, an amused expression on his face. 

 

“Will and I have been working on this all morning,” Xander continued.

 

“Hold it, Xander.  Willow and who?”

 

“Okay.”  Xander’s shoulders sagged.  “Will’s been working on it all morning. I on the other hand, have consumed WAY too much coffee waiting for her to finish… I think I may bounce off the walls.”

 

“Wouldn’t recommend it, Harris,” Spike said. 

 

Xander just looked at him.

 

XXXXX

 

Faith found her things in the bathroom, just like Buffy had said.

 

She quickly jumped in the shower and felt better as soon as the hot water washed over her.  Showers had to be one of the best things in the world, she thought as she rinsed the shampoo out of her hair.

 

Once she finished, she used the towel Buffy had left her to wipe the steam off the mirror.  She studied her reflection and realized she didn’t look too good.  The dark circles under her eyes were more prominent than ever and she had actually gotten some sleep.  Faith could only imagine how awful she would’ve looked if she wouldn’t have. 

 

Exhaustion could do that to a person.  She put a quick brush through her hair and put on some clean clothes.

 

Faith stood at the top of the stairs, listening as they all talked and laughed in the kitchen.  Faith wasn’t afraid of anything, but if that was really true, why wasn’t she going down the stairs yet?

 

She guessed it was an affirmation as to why fleeing was one of her best traits.  And hadn’t that worked out well yesterday?  That option was definitely out from now on, especially when they had a witch who could perform locater spells. 

 

Faith couldn’t hide up here either.  Eventually they would come looking for her.  Knowing she didn’t have a choice, Faith took a deep breath and headed down to join them, stopping just shy of the kitchen. 

 

“I think it’s done!” she heard Willow exclaim.

 

“About bloody well time,” Spike proclaimed.  “Sick of hearing all the bellyaching coming from Harris.”

 

“Don’t forget about me,” Buffy said. “I’ve only been hungry for like a week.”

 

“My belly wouldn’t be achy if there was something in it, now would it Spike?” was Xander’s retort. 

 

Faith felt out of place.  She knew she would never truly be one of them.  It would be awkward if she interrupted the group vibe.  She was an outsider.  Maybe she would just go back upstairs.  She could always come back down when everyone else had finished eating.  Faith was starving though, so maybe she’d just grab something quick and head back to the bedroom.

 

Faith suddenly sensed she was no longer alone.  She glanced up and saw Buffy standing in the doorway of the kitchen, leaning on the frame. 

 

“Willow has this big surprise breakfast she made,” she said.  “She won’t tell us what it is until we’re all ready to eat.” 

 

Faith didn’t move. 

 

“That means you too, Faith.  Come on.” Buffy motioned with her head and went back into the kitchen.

 

Faith reluctantly followed her

 

Willow had just gotten done helping Xander load a bunch of dishes on a serving tray.  “To the dining room,” she declared.

 

Willow led, followed by the others, with Faith bringing up the rear right behind Spike, who was grumbling something about Xander again.

 

Spike stopped long enough to ask her if she was okay.  She glanced at him and shrugged her shoulders.  Faith wasn’t sure she even knew what okay was anymore.  The definition seemed to change on a daily basis lately.

 

Spike gave her shoulder a light squeeze and then they all sat down at the table.

 

“I will be right back!” Willow said excitedly and headed back to the kitchen.

 

“It better be good after all this,” Buffy whispered to Faith.  “Xander’s been building this up for like an hour.”

 

A cup of coffee appeared in front of her.  “Java!” Xander said.  “Breakfast of champions!”

 

“Thanks,” she said and took a big sip, looking around suspiciously. 

 

Why was everyone being so nice to her?

 

Willow came back into the room, two oven mitts on her hands, carrying a big casserole dish. 

 

“Okay you guys.  This is the first time I’ve made this so be nice.”  Willow set the dish on a trivet that Xander had left in the middle of the table. 

 

Everyone looked at it curiously.

 

“Are those nuts?” Buffy asked.

 

“Almonds,” Willow said.

 

“What are those little white things?” Xander asked pointing to one with the tip of his fork.

 

“Oats, Xander.  Hello, in the kitchen with me all morning.”

 

“Are you people going to eat it or sit there and dissect the bloody thing?” Spike asked.  Everyone knew he didn’t need to eat, but they also knew how much he liked to.  “Red if you’d be so kind, I’ll have a piece of… well whatever this is.”

 

Willow smiled.  “Banana-Boisonberry-Strawberry-Blueberry-Raspberry-Stuffed-French-Toast with Streusel topping.”

 

Everyone stared at her.

 

“Holy smokes, Will!” Xander said.

 

“Did I mention the hot maple syrup?” she added shyly.

 

Buffy laughed.  “You are too much, Willow.  That’s why we all get warm-n-fuzzy when you’re around.  Hopefully, we don’t all go into sugar-shock after we eat!”

 

Two pots of coffee and an empty casserole dish later, breakfast was over.   

 

Somewhere along the line, Faith had relaxed somewhat and hadn’t even noticed it.

 

XXXXX

 

Once they finished eating they all met in the living room.  The fun was over for the day.  They needed to come up with a plan, and they needed to do it soon.  In Sunnydale just because things were quiet now didn’t mean it would stay that way.

 

“I think we should stick to our original plan on doing the reveal,” Buffy started.  “It’s still early; we can hit the Magic Box and the school today.”  She turned to Willow.  “You still have the list of what we need.  Right?”

 

“Up in my room.”

 

“Have any of you stopped long enough to talk to any of Sunnydale’s newest residents?” Spike interrupted.

 

All eyes were on him.  “What?” Buffy asked.

 

“We’ve talked to a few people,” Willow said, sounding somewhat guilty.  “The principal at the school and, um, the guy at the grocery store and… Oooh and the boy who wanted to know if we got our paper on Sunday.”

 

“Yes, Red.  I know you’ve talked to them, but have you talked to them?” Spike persisted.

 

“What are you getting at?” Faith asked.

 

“I’ll take that as a ‘No Spike, we haven’t really talked to anybody.’  Well, I have.  Had to do something to keep myself occupied.” Spike stood and began pacing.  “As far as they know, Sunnydale has always been here.  I went to Willie’s.  The bar is still there, but no Willie.  Was curious about the Magic Box, so I stopped in there one night.  Magic Box is still there, has the same stuff, but I’ve never seen the bloke before running the place.  Buffy’s training room is there.  Talked to him, he said it’s always been his, but he never used the room.  Said it came like that when he bought the place. Bet if you asked Sunnydale’s High’s newest principal he’d tell you he’s always been there too.”

 

Buffy was somewhat embarrassed.  “I got so caught up in everything, I didn’t even think about that.”  She realized how lame that sounded.  “I mean I thought it was kind of weird having a new principal and stuff, but I never thought of interrogating him.”

 

“I did,” Faith spoke up.  “But I couldn’t think of a way to ask him all nice like.  Didn’t want him to think it was twenty-question time, know what I mean?  Get him all suspicious and then end up with our butts kicked out of the library.”

 

“Now that you mention it,” Xander added, “aside from you guys, I haven’t seen anyone I know.  No one looks familiar.”

 

“You’re right, Xander,” Willow said.  “I haven’t seen anyone I know either.  I just never stopped to think about it.  I probably would’ve noticed if I did see somebody I knew, if that makes any sense.”

 

“Actually it does, Will.” Buffy said.  “We need to do this reveal.  We need to find out what’s real around here.”

 

“What are we waiting for then?” Spike added.

 

XXXXX