Disclaimer: Everything BtVS and AtS is owned by Joss, ME, and all them over there. Everything Anita Blake is owned by Laurell K. Hamilton

Chapter 26

*I hope that the man who invented showers is a zillionare and living with big breasted women* Willow chuckled at her charitable thoughts as she made her way down the stairs. It was amazing how much better you could feel after a hot shower. She felt ready to take on the Hellmouth�almost.

As she entered the kitchen she felt herself beam

�Xander! You're here and it's early!�

Xander looked up from his conversation with Spike and returned her happy greeting

�Wills looking good, and I'll have you know that the working man has to get up early!� he brandished a brown box �and I bought breakfast.�

�You are so cool!� she dropped a kiss on his forehead studiously ignoring the blonde Vampire �So what did I get?�

�Donuts, both custard and toffee filled ones; your favourites and a heavily creamy mocha.�

�With extra sprinkles?�

�Hey!� Xander spread his arms wide �This is me!�

�How could I forget.� she sat next to him and pulled the box towards her inhaling the mocha deeply �Heavenly.�

�Morning pet, sleep well?� Spike watched her curiously. Was she ignoring him?

�Fine, thank you.� She answered formally �I'll go check my parents place later and we should be out of your hair.�

�No need.� Why was she so distant? �I love having you here. I was just saying to Xand that it almost felt like old times.�

�The old times when you were trying to kill us?� she raised an eyebrow and then did a double take �Xand?�

�Yeah, well you did say that if we could stop trying to kill each other we'd actually get along.�

�I said that?� she frowned trying to remember

�Well actually you said that if me and junior could quit that macho bullshit and not hate each other, we'd actually find we had a lot in common. You were right.�

�Me and Xand here are mates.� Spike added

So he's friends with Xander, sleeping with Buffy and living with Giles? Great. That leaves me out�again.

�Great.� There was a distinct lack of enthusiasm.

Spike was bewildered. He thought she would have been pleased that he and Xander were friends.

�So what's the plan for today?� she turned back to Xander.

�Breakfast and talk.� Xander pointed to the donuts. Willow paused and Spike took the hint �I'll leave you two to catch up.�

Xander waited until Spike closed the door before turning back to Willow.

�So gonna tell me how you ended up in San Francisco?�

�I had some stuff that I wasn't ready to deal with.�

�Tara stuff?�

�Sort of but not really. I don't want to talk about it.� She sipped her mocha

�Why didn't you call?�

She sighed �At first I wasn't ready and then I couldn't call because I hadn't called and because I hadn't called I couldn't call. It was one of them catch 22's�

�Ah the viciousness of the circle.� Xander nodded wisely �I'm glad you're here.�

�Me too.� She was surprised to know that she was being honest.

�So you're going to be a daddy!�

~~~*~~~

Drusilla had left before Willow got up and was acquainting herself with the Sunnydale sewer system.

She had been too into her own self inflicted dementia to appreciate the extensive underground system which allowed them to go anywhere during the day, she met one or two vamps on her way through but no one she knew. Or thought she should know.

But she didn't take the time to wander, she had a mission today.

She opened the entrance that she assumed took her to the basement of the Magic Box.

There was the tweedy man, bent over a crate peering at its contents. Dru stood back and looked at his huddled form. Boy he had a nice ass. She almost chuckled in admiration but held back as he remembered that she had raped this man's mind. He wouldn't welcome her advances.

�Ahem.�

�BLOODY-� the man jumped about a foot in the air and spun with his hand tucked in his jacket ready to bring out his ever present stake.

�Easy, tweedy!� Dru said putting her hands up in defence.

�Good heavens.� Giles said trying to regulate his breathing he hadn't heard the gorgeous Vampire come in.

�Sorry.� Her grin gave away that she was anything but. �Didn't mean to scare ya.�

�I wasn't aware that there was anyone in and �� he put his head on the side �How did you get in?�

�Sewer access.� She pointed behind her intently watching him.

�I-I see.� He began to pull off his glasses but seemed to think better of it and pushed them up his nose. �What can I do for you Drusilla?�

�Actually I came to see you, tweedy.� She picked up the nearest object, which happened to be an artistically carved knife, and twirled it in her fingers.

�Oh?� his eyes fixated on the knife and refused to sway

�Yeah. Look I know we have a bad history.� She considered �Real bad, but Tree likes you. In fact you were practically the only one she ever would talk about. You were like her daddy. She missed you and told me a lot about you and I feel like I know you real well and I guess I just wanted to see if we could put the past behind us and get along, mostly for Pixie's sake than anything. I can't see us being bosom buddies or anything. Tweedy?�

Giles' attention was still on the knife �Yes perhaps we could talk about being civilised once you put the ancient hunting knife down?�

She looked surprised to see it in her hands �Oh sorry.� she looked at it closer �Is this a ritual Tafin dagger?�

�Yes actually one of the remaining few, a-are you familiar with ritualistic daggers?�

�Yes, we found some beautiful ones in Romany and look at this.� She pulled her own knife out of her sleeve �Quality craftsmanship.� She handed over to Giles who inspected it curiously.

�Exquisite.�

�I last used it to gut a Menorak demon.� she confessed and Giles froze

�I cleaned it!� she laughed at his expression �I find the Romany blades much easier to use than the more early European.�

�Ah but what about the Spanish influence?� Dru grinned

~~~*~~~

Willow had had such a great day. She had spent it with Xander and Anya. They agreed that Willow did not want to talk about why she left and once that was out of the way they had had such fun just talking about their adventures while out of each others sight. Anya talked about her glory days as a vengeance demon which Willow could now appreciate. She told Anya and Xander about her club and sideline as a �super hero�, Xander had been in hysterics. His best friend, Willow, who had been scared of frogs, worn pink fuzzy jumpers and yellow tights, was a superhero.

�That is one hell of a disguise.� He mocked and was punched in the arm by his friend

�Ow, geez Will when did you get muscles?�

�Somewhere between California and Connecticut.� she joked.

Xander had looked at his watch and groaned

�Come on guys we are supposed to meet Giles.�

�Ahh research sessions!� Willow reminisced �How I miss you!�

�Only you Miss Thang!� Xander teased and blocked a punch as he opened the door to the Magic Box. They all stopped in shock.

Giles was holding his sides and laughing like a hyena. Tears were streaming down his cheeks and Dru sat there holding a cup of tea in a bone china cup and saucer looking for the entire world like a dignified lady, except for the twinkle of mischief in her eye.

�Sheesh Ru, what did you do to Giles?� Willow wanted to know

�Hello Pixie. Me and tweedy were just getting acquainted.�

Willow grinned at Dru's new name for Giles

�Tweedy?� Xander beamed �That's better than G-man!�

�Oh no you don't.� Giles straightened up and glared at Xander �I put up with quite enough from you.�

�Well looky who grew a back bone.� everyone turned to look at Spike as he leaned on the back door to the training room. Everyone except Willow who made her way over to Dru and gave her friend a hug.

Spike let his eyes follow Willow's form as she crossed the Magic Box and he tried to ignore the pounding of his borrowed blood as she hugged his Sire.

He hadn't spent any time with her at all; she seemed to be busy whenever he was around. He wanted so desperately to just sit down with her for a few hours and talk, like they used to. Talk about anything and everything, all and nothing. But it didn't look like that was going to happen anytime soon, unless he could induce the Slayer into letting him patrol with her.

�Hey bud.� Xander greeted and Dru raised an eyebrow

�Bud?� Spike shrugged sheepishly and tapped the back of Xander's head in mock annoyance.

�Oy moron, respect your elders.� He walked across the room and sat at the table, as close to Willow as he could get.

Willow leaned away surreptitiously and turned to Dru

�So what were you and Giles talking about?�

�Our adventures.� Dru said draping an arm over her shoulder �You remember that Minotaur in Oklahoma?�

�Oh no!� Willow blushed and buried her face in her hands �You didn't!�

�What? Share!� Xander insisted at his friends' reaction

�We were called to Oklahoma to get rid of this Minotaur. You know that there no female Minotaur so they attack human females to reproduce with. Well this one was sneaky; it kidnapped a witch to perform a love spell so humans weren't repulsed by it. Women all over kept disappearing so we went but the spell had backfired. Instead of women falling for the Minotaur, all the men in the area were horny.�

�It was like being in an Austin Powers movie!� Willow shuddered

�Only because almost every single guy we went near made a pass at Tree.� Dru teased

�I got my ass pinched so many times I thought I'd have permanent finger marks in my butt!� Willow complained

Spike growled low in his throat and fought back the urge to drive to Oklahoma and indulge in a blood bath.

Dru looked at him funny as she heard the rumble and was about to say something when the bell jangled and Buffy and Dawn walked in.

�Willow!� Dawn gave a little skip �I am so not getting over this any time soon!�

Willow chuckled at her adoptive sisters antics

�Hey Wills!� Buffy perked up

�Hey.� Willow's greeting was much more subdued.

Buffy frowned at the less than exuberant welcome from Willow and once again felt uneasy about the secrets she kept. Maybe Willow wasn't actually distant maybe it was a figment of Buffy's guilty imagination.

�So what we doing?�

�Oh Wills and Drusilla were just regaling us with tails about their adventures.�

�Willow got her butt pinched by the entire male population of Oklahoma. It was most amusing.� Anya chirped.

�You started the stories without me?� Buffy looked hurt

�How was school?� Giles asked anxious to smooth things over.

�Fine, got some delinquents sorted out.�

�I can believe my sister goes to the same school with me, I'm sure this will cause me trauma in later life.� Dawn moaned and sat near Willow.

Willow began to brush her hair with her fingers the same way she did Dru sometimes.

�So what did I miss?� Buffy pushed aside the guilt and the hurt and grinned at Willow and was disappointed that Willow wouldn't meet her eyes.

�Not much.� Willow leaned back and eyed Giles

�So why don't you tell us about what you want us to do?�

�Well the Sisterhood of Jhe is back and wishes to open the Hellmouth again, this time they are taking added precautions and assembling an army.�

�Oh boy, last time they succeeded but it only opened a little and me and Giles had to bind the Hellmouth closed while everyone else fought the Sisterhood and various demons that spewed forth.� Willow explained to Dru

�Except me!� Xander beamed

�Except Xander.� Willow amended

�Plus bonus points for spewed in a sentence.� Xander commented

�Ew, way to focus Xand!� Willow pulled a face

�We heard about Fangs and Red Witch closing a Hellmouth in Texas and we wanted them to do the same here.�

�Close the Hellmouth?�

�We did say that when we found you in that club in San Francisco.� Spike added wanting to draw attention to himself.

�How exactly did you find us?� Willow frowned; she had never bothered to ask before �In fact how did you get in?�

�We got Angel's season tickets.� Buffy said offhandedly missing the fire in Willow's eyes

�What?�

�Does it matter? You're here where you belong!�

Willow deigned to answer that and just looked at Dru who winced at the fury in her friends face. *oh boy Angel was in trouble!*

�Drusilla honey, I went by my parents place but the place is all switched off. Electrics, gas, water, the works. My stuff is still there anyway, but we need to find a motel.�

�I have room, Red. You can both stay with me.� Spike said irately he had told her and they had already had this argument

�Fine.� Willow needed to work off some of this stress �Thank you. If I remember rightly, before the Sisterhood attacked the mouth we had a rash of attacks every night, so patrol is in order?�

�Y-yes.� Giles took off his glasses and wiped them with the end of his shirt. This new take charge Willow was all too strange and new.

�So I think maybe teams of two, taking each cemetery section. Anya will want to stay here be base of operations.� Anya nodded �Who works best with whom? Things have changed since I've been away.�

�Well we all usually take patrol together.� Buffy said liking this new Willow even more, whilst still feeling out of her depth �How about You and me, Spike and Giles and Dru and Xander?�

Willow shook her head *Hell no!*

�We need a weak with a strong, You and Xander take Rest field and those in the South, Spike and Giles can go to the Northern cemeteries, Dru can take East herself.�

�What about you?�

�I'm with Dawn.� Willow looked surprised that they had to ask and Dawn squealed

�Oh my God, I get to patrol with Red Witch.�

�Unless she does that again and then I might just feed her to Dru.�

Buffy frowned unhappy that once again she wasn't going to get to talk to Willow, Spike was the same but Willow misinterpreted both of their expressions as they wanted to patrol together. But she recalled enough Buffy/Angel and Buffy/Riley patrols to know that they would probably get more done if their hormones weren't on full alert.

�Why do I get the bleached one?� Giles complained much to everyone's surprise. �Well it seemed a bit off that no one complained.�

�Let's go.� Willow picked up Dawn by the hand and pulled her to the door.

Chapter 27

Willow managed to listen with half an ear to Dawn's rambles about school and reply whilst still watching out for any demons. She had incinerated half a dozen Vampires with a mere wave of her hand, much to Dawn's delight.

�Ok Dawnie, this one's yours.� she said as a snarling fledgling came at them. Dawn gulped audibly

�Mine?�

�You can do it.� She offered encouragingly

Dawn pulled the stake closer to her body and put herself in the same stance she had watched Buffy take.

�One foot needs to be a bit further back if you want to balance properly.� Willow instructed and Dawn adjusted herself.

�Ok now focus your energy on the stake and watch his movements.�

The Vampire lunged and nearly knocked Dawn over.

�He moved too fast.� Dawn whined

�I'm gonna kill you little girl.� The vamp hissed at her.

�Ignore him and pretend he has a target painted on his chest.� Willow leaned against a tree �He'll feint to the left but go right just look at the way he's standing.�

�I don't see it.� Dawn said as she watched the suddenly disconcerted Vampire

�Freeze!� Willow commanded and the Vampire stopped dead in the shimmering air. She walked calmly over to the frozen Vampire

�Cool!� Dawn enthused sounding so much like a young Buffy.

�Watch here.� she pointed �These Muscles show where he going to move, you see how they are all bunched just here?�

Dawn nodded

�That means those ones are going to be moved first so he'll lunge that way.�

�Oh I totally get it now!� Dawn said and Willow stood back

�Uh can I move now?� The Vamp asked a little frightened

�Unfreeze.� Willow waved her hand and he fell forward, straight onto Dawn's stake. �Oh my gosh I did it, I did it!� she squealed and jumped up and down.

Willow couldn't help but grin at the girls enthusiasm. �Yay you. Hi Dru.�

Dawn spun to see Drusilla standing by a tree watching them.

�Did you see that?� she asked the Vampiress

�Yep, they make �em good in Sunnydale.� Drusilla smiled

�Uh guys I have to do something, Dawn is it okay if I leave you with Dru for a while? She'll make sure you get home safe.�

Dawn looked hesitantly at Dru �No biting.�

�Scouts honour!� Dru held up her hands in amusement �Now they are tasty.�

�Ew.�

Willow gave a half smile and walked back to the Mansion with long strides. She had something she had to do alright.

Chapter 28

There was no one home yet, which suited Willow's purposes fine.

She didn't really want an audience anyway. She located the phone and took it to her room. She dialled the Number.

�Hey ya'll this is Angel investigations we help the hopeless.�

�Fred.� Willow's voice was low �I need to speak to Angel.�

�Oh Hi, who is it?�

�Red Witch.�

�I'll put him on.� Willow heard the sound of the call being forwarded to Angel's office and fought down her temper.

�Angel.� He announced in his deep voice

�You have exactly 60 seconds to convince me not to release your soul into the ether and curse you forever you interfering son of a bitch.�

Angel stared incredulously at the phone �Willow?�

�I only asked one thing of you.�

�Willow where are you?� he panicked was she okay? Was Dru?

�Where am I?� she chuckled mercilessly �In the one place I never wanted to see ever again. Sunnydale. So why don't you use your remaining 50 seconds to tell me why against my explicit instructions you gave your season passes to the Slayer and your childe to use?� she hissed. Several items in the room began to levitate.

�My-?� he turned to rummage in his desk for the passes �But they were right here and they didn't come in my� CORDELIA!� he bellowed at the top of his voice as realisation dawned on him.

Cordelia came running into the office

�What?�

Angel gave her a glare that could scare any demon and sent shivers of Angelus flavoured memory to Cordelia's soul.

He pressed the button for speakerphone �I have 40 second s to explain to Willow how Spike and Buffy got into her club, before she removes my soul.�

Cordelia gaped �She wouldn't do that.�

�She is 38 seconds away from doing exactly that.� Willow's voice came over the phone; it wasn't the speaker that made her voice sound so cold.

�You weren't happy, when you came to visit; I wanted you to be happy.�

�So you deliberately ignored what I said and decided to make me happy even if it made me miserable. Well thanks to your interfering I am surrounded by my friends� she spat the word �Who expect me to close the Hellmouth and go back to being their lap dog.�

�I just thought-� Cordelia began avoiding Angel's cold glare

�Well don't.� Willow interrupted �It was never your strong point. I never asked for payment or anything all I asked was that you told no one where I was. You deliberately disobeyed a direct order, went against Sanctuary law, you are so lucky I don't just rip out your damn throats. Or call the order of Taraka out on your asses.�

�I'm sorry Willow.� Angel said �I had no idea, I refused to help them.�

�Please don't bring Angelus back!� Cordelia begged

�I have no desire to see that Bastard any more than you.� Willow seethed �But piss me off again and we'll see what I can do. As it is I wouldn't touch each other for a week if I were you. There is more than one way to lose a soul.� She slammed the phone down listening to the satisfying crack. The items in the room began to spin as she tried to reign in her emotions.

Angel put the receiver down carefully avoiding looking at Cordelia.

�Oh God Angel, I'm so sorry.� He held up a hand effectively cutting her off.

�Get out.� Tears began to run down her face

�I'm sorry.� She cried

�Willow restored my soul so we could be together and told us what would happen if we told any of the Sunnydale gang where she was. You not only ignored her gift but also showed a lack of respect for not only the Sanctuary law but me as well.� He breathed deeply �I can't trust you and I can't be around you right now Cordelia. Get out.�

She turned and ran sobbing her heart out and Angel slumped to his desk with tears in his eyes.

By the time she heard footsteps in the house she had calmed down enough to stop objects careening into each other.

�Hey Red.� His voice alone was enough to make her blood pressure pick up again. She pushed hard with all her control so he wasn't accidentally attacked by his own house.

�Spike.� She breathed deeply

�You ok Red?� he asked concerned at the throbbing veins on her head

�Yeah, nothing aspirin wouldn't cure.�

Spike shrugged sheepishly �I got alcohol.�

�Even better.� She gave him the first real smile he had seen directed to him since she had left over two years ago.

They sat in the redecorated lounge and Spike poured Willow a drink.

�You have done some incredible work to this place.� Willow noticed as she looked around. �Of course these are guy colours; no girl would ever decorate with green and brown.�

�Yeah I did the majority of work, Xand helped a lot, and he hangs out here quite a bit, especially when Demon girl is in the hospital. He said his place feels empty without her. I know how he feels.� he added watching her intently. �Without certain people around, life feels empty.�

�Probably a good thing you're dead then.� she said pleasantly unwilling to continue the conversation.

Spike ran his hand through his hair in frustration. Why couldn't he tell her that she had been on his mind every walking moment of everyday since she left? That he tried to be a better person for her, did she notice? Did she care? Why couldn't he talk to her?

Willow slammed back her drink and asked for another. She just wanted to go home. Wherever home was. Maybe they should just sneak back to Frisco. But, no, now Spike and Buffy knew where they were. Spike and Buffy, didn't that sound an enticing combination?

�Red?�

Willow winced at the nickname �Yeah?�

�Are� are you happy?� *ponce* he berated himself

�That's kinda personal.� She noted

�Friends can do personal.� He remembered her telling him that once and wondered if she caught the reference

�Are we friends?� she was perfectly serious

Spike's heart sank �I thought we were. But you left so suddenly and didn't tell anyone, or you were kidnapped and didn't tell any one that you were safe. We missed you, *I* missed you.�

Willow stood up and walked over to the bar; bracing her hands on it, unwilling to let his soft words get to her. He had lied and was still lying to her. Maybe even laughing at her.

�You got over it, everyone got over it. You all seem to be doing so well. Thanks for the drink.� She turned on her heel and left. Spike stared after her.

�I didn't.� he whispered.

Chapter 29

Drusilla had left Dawn with the Watcher and hurried back to the Mansion knowing Willow wouldn't want to be with Spike alone. But as she entered the Mansion she heard Spike in the drawing room muttering to himself, a habit he had picked up early in her insane years, she had laughed at Spike talking to the �little people�. She wandered into the drawing room and watched Spike pace backwards and forwards in front of the fire, seemingly arguing with himself.

�First sign of madness, that.� She pointed out. He spun to face her.

�Dru.� Her comment registered �What is?�

�Talking to yourself,�

�What about talking to the stars?�

�Delightful eccentricity.� She explained with a grin and he shared it.

�Damn it Dru it's good to see you.�

�You too.� And it was, she had hurt him and left him but he was still family. �So how have you been boy?�

Spike grimaced at Angelus' name for him but didn't protest

�Ok, these little humans are amusing, they help pass the time. The Watcher's okay, Xapper is fun when you get past the moron and demon girl always has some gory tale.�

�I spent the last of the patrol with Dawn.�

He rose an eyebrow �Nibblet, she's a brat. But I like her anyway.�

�What about the Slayer?� Dru said quietly staring at him intently.

Spike shrugged �She's a Slayer. Self absorbed and bitchy.�

*That meant absolutely nothing.* Dru thought in frustration. *I was self absorbed but he loved me*

�Aren't they all?� Dru watched him as he paced

�Guess, never spent much time thinking about it.� He shrugged and frowned at the bottom of is glass �So what's with you and Red?� he tried to be nonchalant.

�I love her.�  Spike tensed

�Really?�

Dru thought about Willow trying to put forth her best qualities, it was hard, there were just so many to think of �She's perfect. Just a wonderful mix of innocence and experience. She intrigues me. She is just the most wonderful person I have ever met, she accepts me for not only who I am but who I could be.�

Spike swallowed �She does that.� He turned away from Dru fighting back tears �Doe- does she love you?�

�It doesn't matter.� She replied off handed-ly. �With Tree, it doesn't matter.�

�How can it not matter?� he was incredulous at her statement. How can she be uncaring if the girl loves her or not, it would kill him, *was* killing him.

�I love her enough for both of us.� She shrugged �Besides she's with me and she let me claim her.�

*Oh yeah* Spike thought wretchedly *She's claimed by Dru. How could I forget that nice little detail?*

�That's all I need. She's been hurt, I won't ask for anything.� Dru continued

�The wolf and the witch?�

Dru shook her head making Spike frown

�Then who?�

�Not my story.� Dru said suddenly annoyed that Spike didn't even seem to know that he had broken her baby's heart, she didn't want to continue this conversation knowing full well that she could attack Spike for either being cruel or being clueless, best to leave it for tonight. �Night Spike.�

�Night.� he said lost in thought over who could have hurt his witch.

Dru went into her room and changed into a long white nightshirt; it was soft and made of cotton, Willow had bought it for her a while back. Boy was she tired; she couldn't wait to get some sleep and then maybe go talk to that delicious Watcher again. She paused before getting into bed and looked towards Willow's room.

She hesitated unable to feel anything down the bond she shared with the redhead, which was never a good sign.

Spike came up the stairs to go to bed and saw Dru walk out of her room and knock on Willow's door. She opened it and went in. Spike leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes in pain.

Chapter 30

The next few days were bright and cheerful, a real Californian week. Dru left early, each morning to go to the Magic Box where she was helping Giles with some research. Xander had to work and so did both Buffy and Anya. Dawn was at school which left Willow with not much to do. She went to her parents place one day to pick up some of the stuff that she had left, oh so long ago and found that her parents, although not having heard from her in two years, were still depositing money in her account. She marvelled at the obtuseness of them. Spike and Buffy had tried several times to get the redhead alone for conversation but Willow had no desire to renew their friendship or to bring up previous grievances, it hurt seeing them at the best of times. Like when they all went on patrol or were at the Magic Box waiting to be given orders. Buffy would try to pair Willow up either with herself or Spike but Willow managed to get out of it. Willow was grateful that Buffy worked during the day and Spike had that deadly sun allergy which made it possible for her to avoid them during the day and she often climbed to the roof and sat watching the city where she'd grown up. She made excuses and walked about feeling a strange urge to cry. She often felt someone follow her but since they didn't attack she didn't much care. She could feel herself slip further away from everyone, cutting herself off like she had when she had originally left Sunnydale.

Dru seemed to be falling for the Watcher, and he returned the feelings, if his blushes and smiles were anything to go by.

Willow wrapped her arms around her middle as she walked through the darkened streets of Sunnydale. Alone. The others all convened at the Magic Box to prepare for the big battle tomorrow, they were doing the whole bonding thing before they faced the big bad and Willow would rather be anywhere else. She wondered if Dru would want to leave with her when she went in a few days. Tomorrow was the day they were supposed to fight the Sisterhood and Willow couldn't help be glad it was almost over and she could go�away. She would miss Xander and Giles, having renewed her friendship with them both and she was proud of the woman Dawn was growing into. She wished she could see Anya be a mom but it wasn't going to happen. Although she hadn't seen them be all couply it was obvious that Buffy and Spike were close, they rarely ever teased each other with barbs like they had before. It was more good natured and friendly. Xander also included Spike in his plans and conversation, to Dawn he was the beloved big brother and he was Giles' friend and Anya's confident.

She felt left out again. Not that that was anything new, but it still hurt and she cursed herself for letting it.

She found herself in front of the Bronze and walked in.

Looking around she let the music wash over her, she missed her club and the cathartic dancing and singing. Well maybe that was something she could do something about.

~~~*~~~

Spike looked around at everyone in the Magic box, she wasn't here. The Scooby's were doing the usual let me tell you how much I love you before we get ripped to shreds, or kick evils ass. He wanted to talk to her. He had chickened out so much that week, just content to be near her again after her prolonged absence. He'd had another dream about her last night, he'd declared his love and she'd done that girly squeal he remembered from way back when someone did something nice for her and then she'd kissed him, a full on passionate I'll-miss-you-when-I'm-gone-because-I-cant-live-without-you kiss. He'd woken up with a hard on you could knock nails in with. Just from a kiss, he had never wanted something so much in all his unlife. He was content with her presence, as little as that actually was this week. But tonight he had wanted to tell her that he� where was she?

�Where's Red?�

Dru glanced around �Not here.�

He rolled his eyes �No shit Sherlock.�

�Has anyone seen her today.� Buffy paused and added sardonically �Or much at all this week.�

�What exactly are you implying?� Dru stood up her hands clenched tightly. *what did that little bitch know about anything, what Willow was going through, she had hurt her best friend and she was still clueless.* if she was being honest Dru hated Buffy because no matter what she'd done now, she had been Willow's best friend before her. Everyone stared apprehensively as the Vampire glared at Buffy with so much hatred.

�Easy Dru.� Spike said

�Oh Bite me, its your-� she stopped abruptly unwilling to finish that sentence.

�My what?� Spike was perplexed

Your fault. She wanted to scream at him. She settled for scoffing at his expression and turning around to Giles. �I need to calm down, tweedy.�

�I think we all need to chill.� Xander said not trusting the way Dru had looked at Buffy. �How about we Bronze it?�

�Sounds like a plan.� Buffy shot ice at Drusilla.

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