Halloween

Buffy groaned straightening from her crouch. Either she was getting slower or the vamps were getting smarter. She suspected it was the latter. Spike didn't seem like the type to tolerate stupidity much. Turning away from her recent kill, the Slayer missed the vampire scurrying away into the shadows.

At the Bronze, Willow smiled gamely at Angel ignoring Cordelia's impatient huff. As friends it was their duty to make sure no one stole Angel away. "I'm sure she'll be here soon," she said patting Angel's shoulder tentatively.

Cordelia swayed to the music; wanting nothing more than to be on the floor with her girlfriend. She gave another impatient sigh as Shy began playing. The song totally reminded her of Willow. The brunette scanned the room restlessly. Cordelia snorted as Buffy walked in, picking straw out of her hair. "There's the street urchin. Can we go now?" Willow grabbed her hand and tugged her away, exasperated. Leaving Angel and Buffy to talk.

Cordelia peered up and down the school hallway carefully. She didn't see Willow coming up behind her. The red-head glanced at Buffy beside her who shrugged. Grinning impishly Willow snuck up on the brunette and goosed her. Cordelia screeched and spun around, quick tongue ready to cut the offender into ribbons. She glared at her smiling girlfriend, then grinned back.

"What's with the recon," asked Buffy. Cordelia grimaced, looking back over her shoulder.

"Synder's looking for students to help with the Volunteer Safety program for Halloween. The rodent has an interesting take on the concept of volunteering." She cast another anxious look around the hallway. "I don't intend to get caught." Willow's eyes darkened, and a far away look settled on her face. Neither her girlfriend or friend noticed as they headed to Cordelia's locker. She worked the combination, and swung open her locker. Grabbing her purse, she let the door swing shut and yelped. Buffy looked up at the sound and paled.

Synder stood glaring on the other side of Cordelia's locker.

"Ms. Summers. Just the juvenile delinquent I've been looking for," said Synder, thrusting a clip board and pen at the young girl.

Cordelia resisted the urge to bang her head against the lockers. She just knew she and Willow were going to get dragged into volunteering. Sometimes (a lot of the time) it sucked being acquaintances with the Slayer. Glancing over at Willow, who actually appeared happy to take the pen, she sighed. Wondering at her girlfriend's enthusiasm, Cordelia grudgingly signed the sheet when it was offered to her.

"There goes my evening," grumbled the cheerleader. Willow shrugged. Not exactly put out.

"Xander and I did it for the last two years, together."

No on said anything for a bit.

"Well if we get cool costumes, we could just head to the parties after." Cordelia smiled hesitantly at her red-head.

Willow smiled happily in return. She knew that that was Cordelia's way of making the best of it. She was actually looking forward to the night. She'd been avoiding doing most of the things she used to do with Xander; unable to stand the pain of remembering. Lately, she'd really begun to miss their little rituals. This outing would be something at least.

The trio continued down the hall. Buffy's mouth settled into a sulky pout. "I was gonna stay in and veg. The one night out of the year when things are quiet at least according to Giles." She tossed a spite filled glance over her shoulder at the tyrant of a principal. "Thanks a lot, Synder."

"How was your date," asked Willow hoping to move on to a pleasanter subject. Buffy moaned and she patted her back.

"It just went downhill after you guys left. He looked like he was having more fun talking with Cordelia."

The brunette shot her a look. "Not my fault I embrace the concept of personal hygiene. Anyway so not my type." She hurried on before the other girl could take offense. "I honestly don't think I'm his. Appears to have a thing for blonds." Cordelia smirked at her girlfriend. Willow squeezed the hand she was holding. She squeezed back, glad she'd pleased the red-head. There she'd been nice to the blond. That was her good deed for the day.

Buffy was unconvinced. "Are you sure? I don't even know what his type is. We've known each other less than a year and he doesn't tend to over share."

"True," answered Willow. "Too bad we can't sneak a look at the Watcher's diaries and read up on Angel. I'm sure it's full of fun facts to know and tell."

Buffy grinned slyly. "Yeah. It's too bad that stuff is private."

"Also, Giles has them in his office. In his personal files." The red-head looked positively giddy at the thought.

"Most importantly...it would be wrong."

Cordelia eyed both; letting her gaze dance from one to the other as if she was contemplating the remains of their sanity. "Count me out." She shook her head, turning determinedly toward class. Buffy and Willow detoured to the library.

Inside the costume shop Cordelia flipped idly through the costumes. She took in the morose look on Buffy's face, the fretful one on Willow's. "How'd the search and recon go?"

Willow cast a worried gaze at Buffy who just looked more despondent. "Much of the princess type and very coiffed," answered the hacker.

Wanting to forget about her recent discoveries Buffy turned away from the couple, ready to be distracted. A flash of crimson caught her eyes. She followed her gaze until she caught sight of the source. Crimson satin and ivory lace called to her and she reached out for the dress on instinct.

"Might I be of assistance?"

Buffy jumped startled as the shop-keeper spoke. She regretfully turned her eyes away from the 18th century gown. "I wish."

The hawk nosed man gave a sly grin. "Why don't you let me play genie?"

Half an hour later the three girls left Ethan's with their costumes.

"Pet, move." Spike craned his head, trying to see around his mate. Xander ignored him, instead growling at the image of the Slayer on the screen. Spike tried not to laugh but a grin escaped. "C'mon now. Need to study 'er," he said reaching out to drag his childe closer. "The bint's a tricky one. You see how she uses what's at hand to kill? The girl's resourceful."

Xander stuck his tongue out at the screen, squirming in Spike's lap. Drusilla drifted into the factory's main room. The pale vampiress clutched her doll close. She moved to Spike's side. "Ms. Edith needs her tea."

Hitting the rewind button, Spike held Xander still. "Hush, Dru."

She snarled at the command. Spike ignored her, studying the figure on the television.

Xander nibbled at the body part closest to his mouth, unable to move in his mate's hold. He nipped at Spike's earlobe. "Do you love my insides, Sire? The parts you can't see?"

Spike hit the pause button, and turned Xander to face him. "Eyeballs to entrails, Xan-pet. Is why I have to study the girl. Learn her weaknesses. She's got Angelus wrapped around her little stake. I have to know her. Find her vulnerabilities. Once I know her...I can kill her. Then I can make you strong again. And you'll have your run of Sunnyhell. Maybe even a little Willow-tree."

Xander's smile was brilliant, and his laughter filled the air. Several vampires paused in their work, caught up in the unbridled joy of their Master's mate. Xander kissed his lover hard before wiggling out of his embrace. He spun off into the room. "Tomorrow, my angel. Kill her then. Inside out, outside in."

Drusilla hummed in agreement.

Spike's gaze bounced between his two seers. "Did my lovelies have a vision?"

Xander stopped dancing, peering up at Spike from beneath dark lashes.

"Do you know what I miss? Leeches."

Spike snorted at the non sequitur and left Drusilla to her reminiscing. Instead he cornered Xander, pinning him to a wall. Xander squirmed against the smaller, yet stronger body.

"C'mon talk to Daddy. This thing what is it?"

Xander swayed closer, dropping his head onto a pale shoulder, purring as he felt his lover hardening against him. "Someone's come to change it all. He'll make her weak."

"Willow. Come out of the bathroom,"called Buffy as she put the finishing touches on her costume. "You can't hide in there all night."

"You wanna bet?"grumbled the hacker. "Why did I let you talk me into this?"

Buffy checked herself in the mirror one last time. "Cause you wanted to surprise, Cordelia. Show her you aren't just plain ol' Willow."

The slender, green-eyed girl reluctantly left her hiding place.

Buffy gave a low wolf whistle as she stepped into the fading light. She circled her friend, admiring the new look.

Willow shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny. She tugged at the short, black leather skirt. One hand moved to cover her belly, bared by the the burgundy mid-riff top she wore. She felt naked. Moving to the bed she snatched up her original ghost costume, hugging it to her chest.

"Cordy's gonna flip," Buffy said smugly. She snatched the sheet from her friend's grasp, tossing it aside. "Really." Willow looked incredulous. Before she could reassure her the doorbell rang. "That'll be, Cordy. I'm gonna set up your entrance. She'll go non-verbal," crowed Buffy.

Willow watched her go uneasily.

Buffy flung open the front door, and froze.

Cordelia leaned negligently against the opened door; a toy rifle slung low on her hip. The brunette wore a pair of hip-hugging green fatigues, that clung desperately to her curves. Her top a camouflage bikini, with silver dog tags resting between here-fore unseen yet undeniably impressive cleavage. Black Doc Martins finished off the outfit. Her long hair lay in one heavy braid, weighted at the end with onyx stones.

She looked at once dangerous and beautiful. Very lethal, Laura Croft-esque.

Cordy looked her over causally as she strutted into the house. "So, you do clean up well. Where's Willow?"

Buffy tried not to be irked at Cordelia's usual utter lack of tact. "She's coming. Wait'll you get a load of..."

A sound on the stairs, made the girls turn.

"Casper,"muttered Buffy.

Willow made her way down the stairs. Buffy frowned at her. Cordelia simply grinned. "Aren't you just the cutest ghostie."

Buffy shot Cordelia a disgusted look.

Xander was pouting. Spike was trying to ignore him. Trying being the operative word. It wasn't working. Xander's bottom lip stuck out, begging to be sucked. He could hear it. Big, brown eyes glistened. The brunette sniffed. Spike caved. "All right, Pet." Kisses rained down on the blond, he purred in pleasure.

Xander stilled feeling the hardness against his hip. With a wicked grin he moved to straddle his lover, he ground down against the body beneath him. Spike hissed, pulling him closer. Legs twined, and arms twisted until the two were locked together. Urging each other on.

Drusilla reached over yanking them apart. "No time to play."

Xander crouched where he'd landed, staring up at Spike. Lust and old habits making him pant heavily. The hunger clear in his eyes. For a long moment, Spike considered leaving the Slayer to her fate and staying in.

Xander suddenly collapsed, whimpering.

Reminding the vampire of his reasons for going after this particular slayer now. Spike swooped down on the younger vampire. Cuddling him against his chest. "Shh," whispered Spike, rocking the boy.

Xander muttered to himself. The voice was so loud. It made his head hurt. It wasn't supposed to be there. But it made such Chaos. Lovely wicked chaos. "Janus sute noctem."

Spike pulled away confused. "What, luv?"

Xander stopped whimpering, meeting Spike's worried gaze with gleaming eyes. "Show-time," he hissed.

Spike glanced at his sire. The brunette vampiress was giggling madly, and stareing off into the distance. Whatever they'd seen had started.

Cordelia muttered angrily as she herded the bunch of crumb-snatchers. She'd thought they'd be going out as one big group. Instead, Willow and Buffy had each gotten their own batch of hellions and gone in different directions. She was so owed some serious make-out time for this.

She paused hearing screams and turned in their direction. If there was trouble Buffy was sure to be in the middle of it, and dragging Willow with her. She froze as the air rippled around her and magicks ripped through the night. She felt a wave of something hit her, and tried to scream. Panicked she tried to throw her hands up, but couldn't. Suddenly Cordelia wasn't in control of her own body.

She could feel something...someone else inside.

Angel surveyed the ensuing havoc. Streets that should have been empty except for idiot mortals, were flooded with demons of every sort. Some of them he'd never even heard of let alone seen. He briefly thought of returning to his apartment. But didn't. His childe was sure to be right in the middle of this mess. Taking advantage of the chaotic situation. He couldn't leave Buffy to handle him by herself. With a sigh he turned toward her house.

Willow sat up slowly, the feeling of being choked gone. She stood, glancing down as she did. Her body lay on the porch. "Oh my god! I'm dead!" she shrieked, arms waving frantically. Her hand passed through the mailbox. "I'm a ghost. A real ghost!"

Gunfire interrupted her post-death breakdown.

"Cordy," shouted the girl, taking off. She spotted her girlfriend standing in the middle of the street. Not far from the Summer's place. "Cordelia." Willow rushed up to her freezing when the brunette spun around, the M-16 she carried pointing directly at her. "It's me. Willow."

Captain Chase frowned. "I don't know any Willow," responded the soldier, dismissing the young woman. She slowly scanned her environment. Where was the base? Where was she? How'd she get there?

"Cordy quite messing around. This is no time for jokes."

Capt. Chase spun slowly, tracking the screams on the night air. "What the hell is going on here?"

"You don't know me?"

Capt. Chase turned to face the young lady. Her gaze lingered on Willow's curves. Taking in a red-head's fair skin, the thrust of a nice handful of breast and flat tummy. "Sweetie. Believe me. If I knew you...I'd remember you."

Cordelia shrieked in silent outrage. Hey, Bitch. That's *my* girl. Though Cordelia had to admit, soldier-girl was right. Willow was hot. So, that's what the body she's been hiding looked like, thought Cordelia. The cheer-leader would have licked her lips, but her body wasn't her's.

"I suggest you find cover, honey." She began to march away. Willow leapt in front of her.

"No. Wait."

Capt. Chase walked right through the red-head. They both shuddered. Oh! Cordelia didn't know what that was, but she wanted to do it again.

"What are you," snapped Capt. Chase confused.

"Cordelia. Listen to me. I'm your girlfriend. I swear. Something crazy is happening. It's Halloween and I was dressed as a ghost. Now, I am ghost. You were supposed to be a soldier. Now, I guess you are a real soldier."

Capt. Chase frowned. "You expect me to believe that?" Cordelia snorted, silently. Hello! She just walked through you-me... us! Not to mention, there's an US!

Out of the darkness emerged a fanged, wickedly taloned creature. It barreled almost mindlessly toward them. Capt. Chase swung the gun in it's direction.

"No! No guns! That's still a little kid in there!"

"Step out of the way," barked Capt. Chase.

Willow stood her ground. "No guns! That's an order!"

Capt. Chase lowered her weapon. Cordelia cheered silently. That's my girl.

"We just need to find," began Willow as she looked up and down the street. "Buffy!" she cried spotting her friend. Motioning for Cordelia to follow, she raced across the street to Buffy. Who promptly fainted. Willow crouched beside the Slayer to rouse her. Once she'd woken her friend she began her explanation again.

Capt. Chase kept watch, half-listening to the on-going conversation. One word in particular caught her attention. "What's a slayer?"

Before Willow could explain, they were attacked again. Capt. Chase leapt forward, swinging her rifle. It connected with a loud crack. The creature dropped like stone. "I suggest we get inside before we come across anything...."

The Slayer's terrified screeching drowned her out.

"A demon! A demon!" Lady Elizabeth hid behind the woman with the weapon. Buffy cringed inside. She couldn't believe how wimpy she sounded.

"That's not a demon. It's a car," said Willow.

"What does it want?"

Capt. Chase pulled the clingy woman away from her. "Is this woman insane?"

"She's never seen a car."

"She's never seen a car?"

"She's from the past."

"And your a ghost?"

"Yes! Now let's get inside."

Capt. Chase eyed her again. Don't get any ideas, Bitch. Cordelia muttered sullenly. "I just want you to know I'm taking a lot on faith here, Red. Where do we go?"

"To a friends," answered Willow, leading them to the Summer's house.

Lady Elizabeth stood terrified as the two women began securing the domicile. The place was strange. Like nothing she'd ever seen. Turning she caught sight of a picture. It was amazing as if someone had captured a still of real life. She picked it up, wondering what artist had done it. Her eyes widened as she took in the picture's subject. "This could be me," she cried, staring at the girl in the portrait who was her mirror image.

"It is you!" snapped Willow, coming back into the hallway.

Tears gathered in Lady Elizabeth's eyes. "It's not me. I'd never wear that low apparel. I don't like this place. I don't like you. And I just wanna go home," she whined. Buffy rolled her eyes or at least she tried to. Low? That's Donna Karen, your Highness, she snarked silently.

"You are home," shouted Willow. Lady Elizabeth began to sob. Willow growled in disgust and went to check the kitchen again. "She couldn't have dressed like Xena?"

What a cry-baby! Buffy moaned in shame. If she could she'd slap herself.

A volley of gunshots made Willow rush back into the room. Lady Elizabeth shrieked and covered her ears. "Hey! What did I say?"

Capt. Chase tossed a look over her shoulder. "Big noise. Scare monster. Okay?" Willow nodded, shyly. Capt. Chase grinned at her. Suddenly terrified screams tore through the silence. Capt. Chase pulled back the window covering, and cursed. "Damn," she muttered and yanked open the door, rushing out into the night.

She raced toward the ditzy looking blond. Running scared the girl missed her saviour's appearance and slammed into her. The blond pulled back and gasped upon seeing who it was. "Cordelia! What's going on?"

Capt. Chase didn't answer, instead she hustled the blond ditz into the house and slammed the door behind them.

"Harmony," said Willow slowly. "Your name is Harmony. Your not a cat. Your in high school." Harmony looked confused.

"Duh. You went mental when?" she snarked, turning to Cordelia. "Cordy what's going on? Some freak attacked me. He tore my costume," she wailed. "Party town's not going to give me my deposit back."

Capt. Chase tried not to sneer at the whining civilian. She sounded like a bleating sheep. Ignoring her she turned back to the red-head who seemed to know what the what was. "What now?"

"I'm gonna go get some help. If something tries to get in--just fight it off." Willow lifted worried eyes to her Not-girlfriend. "Try not to kill anybody."

Capt. Chase nodded grimly.

"It's not our place to fight. Surely some men will protect us."

Harmony turned a disbelieving look on Buffy. Wasn't she in some kind of gang? She was always getting into fights. "What's that riff?"

Willow sighed. She was getting tired of explaining. "Type of amnesia. They don't know who they are. Just sit tight."

Harmony scowled, looking away. "Who died and made her Queen?"

Willow walked away, vanishing into the wall behind Harmony as she headed to the library and Giles.

Xander was having so much fun. The chaos was just lovely. He trailed behind his sire, watching the transformed children wreck hell. It was beautiful. The breeze shifted and a familiar scent reached his nose. He stilled, head cocking toward the scent. Intrigued he moved away, following it down a side street. The smell grew stronger as he tracked until he found the body lying on the porch. His Willow-tree was a ghostie. Cool! Not wanting anything to happen to her body, he picked it up. Intent on putting her somewhere safe.

Spike eyed all the confusion and laughed. "Well this is just neat! You like, Pet?" When Xander didn't answer Spike stopped, looking back over his shoulder. "Bloody hell, Pet! Where'd you go?"

Capt. Chase was getting tired of the complaining women. She sent the blond to recon the upstairs. Snatching up a piece of broken chair, she handed it to the brunette woman. "Here. In case they get in."

Lady Elizabeth pouted. "Fight? I won't."

"This ain't no tea party, Princess. Sooner or later you're going to have to fight!" barked Capt. Chase.

"Fight these low creatures? I'd sooner die," she snapped, crossing her arms indignantly.

"Then you'll die," growled Capt. Chase turning away. What happened to the idiot woman was of no concern to her.

Finally reaching Buffy's home, Angel slipped inside the back door. He made his way to the front room, relieved to see Buffy and Cordelia. "Oh, good! You guys are all right. It's total chaos out there."

Capt. Chase and Lady Elizabeth turned confused gazes on the man. "Who are you?"

Giles shifted the cards from one hand to the other as he rearranged the card catalog. He paused in his work as what sounded like screams echoed through the room, followed by sirens. Frowning he glanced up, wondering what was happening, just in time to see Willow walk through the wall opposite him.

"Jeez!" yelped the startled man, cards went flying, as he clutched a hand to his chest.

Embarrassed Willow waved awkwardly. "Hi."

Angel looked from Cordelia to Buffy worried at the looks of genuine puzzlement. "Okay. Somebody want to clue me in."

Capt. Chase stepped forward. "Do you live here?"

Angel shook his head. "No. You know that." He moved toward Buffy, "Buffy?" who cringed. He stopped, studying her. "I'm lost here. What happened to your hair?"

Harmony hurried down the stairs, having heard the voice of the hunk from the Bronze. "They don't know who they are. Everyone's a monster. How are you?"

Angel eyed the vacuous blond, frowning. She reminded him of someone. The lights went out and Lady Elizabeth screamed, latching on to Capt. Chase. The captain grimaced. "Do you mind?" Lady Elizabeth reluctantly let go. "All right," barked Capt. Chase. "You take the Princess and secure the kitchen. I'll take the blond and make sure the front is still secure."

Harmony followed behind the dark-haired solider, chattering inanely. "Have I mentioned you are looking seriously kick-ass in that outfit, Cordy?"

Lady Elizabeth watched the woman with the weapon leave. She glared at the new arrival. "I don't wanna go with you! I-I like the woman with the musket." Angel ignored her protests.

"C'mon," he said pulling her into the kitchen.

"Do you have a musket?"

Willow gazed forlornly at the pages in front of her. "I don't even know what I'm looking for. Plus, I can't turn the pages."

Giles closed the book he held. "Right. Well let's review. Everybody became what they were masquerading as." Willow nodded. "Right. Cordy was a solider. Buffy was an 18th century girl."

Giles gave the red-head a quick once over. "And your costume?"

Willow blushed, crossing her arms over her bare waist. "I'm a ghost."

Giles eyebrow crept up. "Yes. Umm...the ghost of what exactly?"

Willow's hands settled on her hips, and she frowned defensively. "This is nothing. You should see Harmony. A unitard with a tail and cat ears."

Giles blinked rapidly. "Good heavens! She became an actual feline?"

Willow shook her head. "No. She was the same old Harmony. Just in a cat costume."

Giles looked up. "She didn't change?"

"No. Hold on. Party town. She told us she got her outfit there."

"And everyone else who changed, got there's where?"

"We all got ours at the new place. Ethan's."

Spike tracked Xander to the little red-head's place. "Pet. What are you doing?" he asked just the tiniest bit put out.

Sensing his sire's upset, Xander paused in his arranging of the corpse. He stood, walking to Spike's side. "Just wanted the Willow-tree safe, my angel."

Spike gazed into the innocent gaze and couldn't stay mad. "Love, she's dead."

Xander laughed, shaking his head. "Not for long. Times running out and everything new will be old again."

Spike knew that meant his time to catch the slayer unprepared and off-guard was running out. Admonishing Xander to be gone before the girl revived, or at least to be hidden. He left Xander to take of his life size Ms. Edith, and set out to kill the Slayer.

Lady Elizabeth cringed, hiding in the dark alley. She couldn't belive she'd escaped the horrid creature. Buffy growled to herself. Hey. That's my man your insulting! As was par the course, her new roomate ignored her. Lady Elizabeth whimpered quietly, and hesitantly straightened from her crouch.

Spike sniffed the air. He could smell slayer. He was certain he could hear the blood pounding through her veins. He glanced around the group of transformed children he'd collected. "Do you hear that, my friends?" Growls and grunts are the only response. "Somewhere out here is the tenderest meat you've ever tasted, and all we have to do is find her first."

Giles pushed open the door followed by Willow, as he entered the shop. "Hello. Anyone home?" The swaying curtain at the back of the shop caught her eye, and she motioned to Giles. They approached the back room slowly, and Giles pushed aside the curtain freezing as he took in the room. The statue sitting squarely in the center of the altar held his gaze. "Janus. Roman mythical god."

Willow eyes the statue with it's glowing green eyes. "What does it mean?"

Giles explanation is cut short by the arrival of the shop keeper. Willow watched as Giles paled. He looked as if he'd seen a ghost.

Giles get Ethan's cocky stare. "Willow, get out of here. Now."

"But...."

"Now!"

Reluctantly, she left. She didn't want to but she was also unwilling to cross Giles in this new mood.

"Hello, Ethan."

"Hello, Ripper."

Xander crossed Willow's arms across her chest, then tucked the package between them. She looked ready to be buried. Technically, she was as dead as him. He gazed up at the sky. Even if it wouldn't be for much longer.

Capt. Chase dashed forward, seizing the blond's attacker by the arm. He turned and she hit him with a round house. He staggered back and she swung the butt of her M-16 up. A short jab to his mid-section and he doubled over. She drove the gun into the back of his head, knocking him unconscious. With the threat neutralized she turned to the brunette. "Lady, are you okay?"

Angel hurried to her side, and Lady Elizabeth shrieked and cowered behind the woman with the musket.

"Lady, what is your deal?"

Lady Elizabeth threw up one shaky hand, pointing at Angel. "He's a vampire."

Capt. Chase fought the need to groan. First a car as a demon. Now a vampire. She should have left the woman to her fate. Still the red-head seemed to like the girl. So.... "It's okay. He's a good vampire. He would never hurt you."

Lady Elizabeth stood slowly. "Really?"

"Absolutely. He's our friend?"

Angel smiled gently. Before anyone could move, Willow came hurtling down the alley from the other end. "Guys!"

Angel looked away from Buffy to the desperate teen. "Willow?"

She jerked to a stop. "You've gotta get inside." She threw an anxious look over her shoulder. The others followed her gaze. Spike appeared at the mouth of the alley. Surrounded by the transformed creatures.

Capt. Chase scanned the area. "We need a triage."

Angel found an open warehouse. "In here."

Capt. Chase slung her rifle across her back. "Ladies. We are on the move."

Giles glared at Ethan. "Break the spell, Ethan. Then leave this place. And never come back."

"Why should I?" he asked, smirking. "What's in it for me?"

Giles stepped forward, his entire being screaming for violence. "You get to live."

Capt. Chase spotted a good area to make a stand. "Here!" She shoved the door aside and waved the others in. "Check if there are any other ways in," she ordered as she barricaded the door. Angel settled Buffy next to Willow.

"Stay here."

Capt. Chase set the grate in front of the door and backed away. It wasn't going to hold. She moved closer to the crying women, as she searched for anything else to shove in front of the door. There was nothing else.

Lady Elizabeth lunged for her, clutching tightly to the taller woman. Capt. Chase shot her a disgruntled look. "Fuck, more clinging." Turning away she eyed the door. She could see it buckling under the stress.

Spike studied the tableau before him. His monsters had Angelus and the brunette girl, Cordelia something or other, immobilized. And the Slayer lay cringing before him. He loved it. "Look at you. Shaking. Terrified. Alone. Lost little lamb." He stalked her as she tried to scramble away, toying with her. Until she was backed into a corner. "Yumm," he purred. "I love it."

Xander slid the red-head from his lap, casting a quick glance upward. "Too late," he moaned.

Spike reached out snagging a handful of brown locks. He dragged her closer, bending her back over the crates. Capt. Chase bidded her time, allowing the monsters holding her to become complacent.

"The spell," Giles snarled again. Ethan moaned, clutching his waist.

"The statue. Break it."

Capt. Chase lashed out with two brutal strikes. Incapacitating bother her captors. She snatched her M-16 from the still body on the floor. Willow spun around at the noise, and nearly cheered spotting her girlfriend free.

"Him you can shoot!" screamed Willow. Capt. Chase swung her rifle up and aimed.

Spike turned ready to attack the new threat, and paused staring down at the wig in his hand. He sensed the blow coming from behind him and dodged. Buffy followed relentlessly. The two exchanged blows for several seconds when Buffy snagged a length of pipe and went on the offensive. "You know what? It's good to be me," she crowed.

Spike lept back barely avoiding the swings. Angel appeared behind the Slayer. Deciding retreat was a good idea, he lunged once more at the Slayer. Buffy dodged away but Spike kept going.

Cordelia corralled the crying children, before moving to stand by Buffy. "Welcome back."

"You too."

Angel's gaze danced between the two of them. "You guys remember what happened?"

Cordelia nodded. "It was way creepy. I was there but I couldn't get out," she stopped suddenly, glancing around. "Where's Willow?"

Harmony stood up from where she'd been hiding behind a stack of crates. "She just vanished. Poof. What the hell is going on, Cordy?" Cordelia ignored the girl, turning to Buffy.

"Look. You get the crumb-snatchers home," snapped Cordelia. "I'm going to find Willow."

Xander cradled Spike's head in his lap. His sire wasn't happy. The Slayer had gotten away again. He considered suggesting they leave again but knew that wouldn't go over well at the moment. He really had no idea why Spike was so insistent on doing this ritual. He was perfectly happy with things the way they were. He had his angel and eternity. He didn't need anything more. Well...maybe a Willow-tree. But that was it. Though, even that wasn't enough to make him want to stay. He could sense badness coming. And not the naughty fun kind. Growling deep in his chest, he curled around his mate. And planned.

Willow sat up slowly, surprised. She hadn't been anywhere near home when she'd collapsed. How had she gotten to her balcony? She stood then jumped, startled, as something landed on the ground at her feet. Bending over she picked up the object warily. Tears gathered and rolled down her cheeks as she stared at the tape. A brand new copy of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Wiping away the tears, she pulled open the french doors and crossed the room, heading for her t.v. Determined to watch the tape like she and Xander had always done. It'd be a nice end to an otherwise hellish night.

She'd just popped the tape into the vcr, when someone knocked on her bedroom door. She got up to see who it was.

Cordelia stood on the other side, looking slightly put out. She'd been worried about her girlfriend, almost frantic when she'd been unable to find her. Until the thought crossed her mind that she might have just gone home. She was all set to let her have it for worrying her when she took a good look at the red-head. Stifling her anger, she simply asked,"Are you okay?"

Willow nodded, "You?"

"Yeah," she said quietly. "I guess we should call it a night." Willow shrugged sheepishly. "I guess. Or if you want, me and Xan used to watch the Charlie Brown Halloween special. I got it on tape, if you want to watch."

Cordelia nodded, stepping inside. "Sounds good to me."

Be seeing you...

Giles crumpled the note in his hand, and glared at the empty shop.

fin

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