�No! No leave me alone. I�ll... I�ll help you get others. Just leave me live. Please!�

Can�t breathe, chocking. Feet dangling. Should have stayed home tonight to play Monopoly with mom and dad.

Pain. Ow. Ow. Pain.

�I don�t believe you boy. Tell me why I should let you live.� The voice was deep and rough, menacing and cruel. To some extent, the hand released its numbing grip. A small sob escaped the teen�s lips as his feet finally touched the floor again. Tears ran down his face continually as he started to quietly cry. how do I get out of this? Think Mike think. Get out of this. Run. No don�t run. He�ll catch you. Lesley. What about Lesley? Mom and Dad. I have to get out of this. �Saturday there�s this thing I help out with. Tons of people go there. You can get all the people you need. Now let me go.�

�I don�t think I can do that Michael. You see I know your kind. You will run off and I will never see you again. That is until I hunt you down and kill you for lying to me.� He leaned in closer to the teenager, backing him up against the wall of the Summerset High School. �I hate it when people lie to me. So you see you are going to take me home with you. Live your life like its all normal until Saturday.� Abruptly the massive hand closed over Michael�s neck again. The boy tried to recoil from its grip.

Ow. Ow. Not again. I said I would help! Man let go this hurts!

Micheal's attacker continued his ever tightening griop.

�Then you�re going to take me with you to this place you talk about. I�ll get what I want and if you please me boy I�ll keep you beside me while I destroy and rule this miserable plane of Earth.� There was distaste in his mouth as the last few words were spat out. Ruthlessly he dropped the teenager letting him hit the cold cement with a thud. His keeper looked down on him and smiled evilly. �Time to meet mommy and daddy.�

�Its not fair! Why do I have to be sick? I want to go too!� Dawn grumbled. �Who invented germs anyhow? You would think the monks would make me sick proof. I mean what good is a sick Key anyhow? It can�t open anything if it�s sick.�

Buffy shoved the spoon in her younger siblings mouth and smiled. �You aren�t a Key anymore Dawn. Now open up, it�s bubble gum, your favorite. Then in a few minutes the chicken soup will be done and you can eat lunch.�

Dawns mouth twisted into a frown then curved up to a slight smile. �Chicken and stars?�

�Chicken and stars.�

Now a full smile emerged on the teens face. �Cool. So when is this huge trip going to happen that I have to miss?�

�Its Saturday. I still have some time to convince Spike to go with us.� Buffy grabbed an overflowing wastebasket of tissues and headed for the door. Dawn looked to her sister knowingly and smiled.

�Buffy, won�t that give him the wrong idea? What with him loving you and all.� Buffy smiled. �No Dawn. He knows its never going to happen between us. He�s moved on by now I�m sure.� Dawn rolled her eyes and grabbed a schoolbook from the nightstand. �Uh huh sure Buffy. That�s why he hangs out under your window each night until you fall asleep. And that�s why he calls to make sure your home when you�re out too late. Yea he�s over it alright.�

Buffy looked at Dawn disbelievingly. �How can you say that?� Then she grinned a little bit. �Really? He waits under my window. I mean not that it matters. It just means he�s still a creepy stalker.� Buffy smiled innocently. She knew he did it. Why was she going to tell Dawn it made her feel good though? Just more cause to have Dawn push her thoughts that Buffy and Spike should be together. Spike, me sitting on the couch watching movies, cuddling. Huh! Spike�s arms holding me, Spike�s lips kissing me. Buffy stop that!

Dawn let out a frustrated sigh and settled back on her pillow. �Chicken and stars ready yet?� �Yea let me go get it.� Buffy retreated to the kitchen thinking about Spike sitting under her window. �What a love that must be.� She mumbled to herself.

�So Giles, you�re elected to baby-sit while we all have fun in the haunted house right?� �Yea Anya that�s quite right. Dawn is feeling a bit under the weather I�m afraid.� Anya blurted out her opinion. �I don�t know why were going anyhow. I mean its not like we don�t see enoughreal creepy stuff everyday.� Giles shrugged. �I can�t answer that Anya. It was Buffy�s idea. You�ll have to ask her.�

�I�ll do that.�

�Hidey ho everyone, have no fear, Carpenter man is here.� Xander swept Anya into a loving hug and smiled over at Giles.

�Carpenter man?� Giles inquired. �I thought you were already a Carpenter.� Xander plopped into a nearby seat and grinned. �Head carpenter guy to be exact. I was promoted today! 32$ an hour now.� Anya squealed. �Xander that�s wonderful. Now we�ll have more money to plan the wedding with.� The two men exchanged cautious glances. �Yes Anya that�s the idea. I make more money to spend on you.� Giles chuckled a bit. �I think that�s a basis for marriage somewhere.� �Thanks Giles. I�ll remember that when you finally get hitched.�

�I know you�ll be working long hard hours Xander. And I am ready to sacrifice my sex life so I can have that Vera Wang wedding dress I picked out last week.� Xander rolled his eyes. �Ok Anya. Whatever you want honey.� Anya reached over and hugged her fianc�. �You�re the best Xander.� She told him as she smothered him in kisses. Giles let out a timely cough prompting the two to separate. �Do find time to do that at home Xander, Anya. This is a place of business.� A slight smile graced the watcher�s mouth as he retreated into his office. Anya eyed up Xander as if he was dinner. �Lets go home Xander. I�m really in the mood for some good sex.� Xander bolted from his temporary seat and made a dash to open the door before her. �After you my lady.�

�Spike? Spike are you home?� The crypt door moved slowly against the floor making a scraping sound that was loud and echoed. Buffy stepped inside and glanced around. �Well all the candles are lit. Where is he?� She whispered to herself. The coffin lid was open a creak. �Does he really use that thing?� Again, she asked herself. �Na, not Spike.� Another glance satisfied her that he was not home. �Guess I try later.� Buffy slumped her shoulders and headed for the door. One more glance back kept her unaware of Spike standing in the doorway. �Find anything you like luv?�

�Spike! Don�t do that.�

�What scare you? I thought I would never be able to scare anyone again. Thanks pet. You made my day.� He brushed past her carrying a plastic bag and sat in his favorite chair. �So what are you doing lurking around in MY crypt at this time of night?� Spike popped open a beer, taking a huge swig he motioned with the bottle for her to sit. �Actually I came to see you.� Buffy sat on his coffee table facing him. Spike tilted his head in curiosity. �What? Nibblet run off again.�

�No she�s at home. She has the flu actually she�� He interrupted. �Little Bit is sick? Why the hell didn�t you tell me before? Does she need anything?� Buffy smiled. She loved the way he cared for her younger sister. Sometimes it got annoying. Then other times it was just sweet.

�No Spike she�s fine. Giles is looking after her for me.�

�So why are you here?� Spike guzzled the last of the bottle then made a shot for the tiny cardboard box that was serving as a waste can. �I want you to come with us to the Jason�s Forest tomorrow.� Buffy bit her lower lip. She was anxious. And from the look he gave her she should be. Following the mocking look was a spurt of laughter. �You want me to go to that over priced, pathetic excuse for a walk through some haunted woods.� He laughed some more. �Don�t make me laugh pet.�

Buffy crossed her arms and stared at him with annoyance. �Do you want to come or not?� Spike had started to pop open another Molson when he caught her glance and tone. �Bloody hell, your serious. Right then. Who alls going to this big night out.� Buffy reached over and grabbed his beer, took a large swig and handed it back. �Willow, Tara, Xander, Anya and me. Oh and then you if you quit laughing at me.� �Right then, you the Scooby�s and me. What fun that will be.� He thought for a moment then smiled. �No.� Spike rose from his seat and crossed the room to light another candle. �What do you mean no? Spike you have to go.�

�I have to go. Give me one good reason Slayer. Just one. Even though no reason you give me is going to make me change my mind.�

�Cause I�ll have no one to sit with. And who�s going to hold my hand through the barn of terror?�

�One of the girls.�

�Willow and Tara are going to hold each other�s hands. You have to go.� She stared at him with those huge hazel eyes of hers. Spike could barley resist. Regretfully, he kept his back to her. Well this is bloody insensitive of you mate. Then again what else do you do? One look at her and you�ll be melting all over again.

�What about The Watcher? Oh right, he�s watching Dawnie.�

�See Spike, you have to go. Please? I don�t want to go alone. I'm always the odd one out. They...they used to be all non coupley around me just so I wouldn't feel left out, but I did.�

Spike was silent, aware of her eyes boring through his back. �What�s in this for me Slayer?� Buffy shrugged. �A night out on the town. I mean you can�t very well stay locked up in here the rest of your life can you?�

�I can�t.�

Buffy got up from the coffee table and went over to where Spike was essentially hiding from her. �I mean I guess you could. How much fun would that be? You are a nightlife kind of guy. Come on. Go with us.� Spike turned around and she was there. She was so close to him yet so far away. He smiled. �I can�t luv. I�m busy.�

Buffy�s eyes filled with anger. Here she was trying to be nice and invite him along to be part of the gang and what was he doing? Shooting her down. How dare he! Buffy stared back at him disbelieving his prior statement. �I don�t want to ride alone!� She whined this time. �Please Spike? Please?� Buffy tugged at his duster this time like a tiny child. Maybe if I pretend to be cute he will bite. I mean agree. Bad Buffy. Spike was amused. She was trying so hard. What really did he have planned tomorrow night but getting drunk?

�Sure luv, I�ll go.� Buffy squealed with delight, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him. �Thank you thank you thank you�� �Under one condition.� Spike finished. Buffy quickly let go of him. �What condition?�

Spike stood his straightest tried to feel his most confident and tried to look his most serious. �On the condition that you go on a date with me next weekend.�

�A date? Spike that�s not fair.�

�Why not? I�m canceling my plans to do you a favor tomorrow. You can spare me one night of your company as well.� He crossed his arms. �Or I�m not going.� Spike stomped his foot slightly on the dusty floor. Buffy watched his expression go from cocky to sweet as he let his arms drop to his sides. �So we have a deal then Slayer?�

Buffy shrugged. �One date Spike. No changing the rules later and it has to be in public. No romantic dinner in your crypt.� Spike smiled a wicked smile. �What�s the matter luv? Don�t trust me?� I don�t trust myself

�No I don�t.� She answered calmly. �So you can meet us over at the shop around 7 tomorrow night.� Spike nodded. �Sure thing luv. Do I get to go in costume?� His voice teasing and light. �Whatever makes you happy. See you later Spike.� �Yea, later Slayer.�

Dawn stood in the hallway to the bathroom impatiently. �Buffy I really have to pee. Are you done yet?� �Just a minute Dawn.� �She always takes longer in the bathroom than I do.� Dawn grumbled to herself. Suddenly the bathroom door swung open and out came a screaming Buffy. Blood ran down the corners of her mouth, her forehead wrinkled and her eye shadow was darker than normal. �Oh my God Dawn what has Spike done to me?� Buffy covered her face in her hands and ran to her room. Dawn followed quickly. �Buffy what do you mean? What did Spike do to you?� Dawn forced Buffy�s hands away from her face and for a moment was terrified at the sight of her sister in vampire face. Dawn quickly backed away. �Oh Buffy no no no. Tell me Spike didn�t�I mean he can�t the chip�� Buffy erupted in a fit of giggles and fell back on the bed.

�You fell for it! Oh great! I bet I get first place tonight.� Even more giggles flowed from the Slayer as she received sisterly pillow blows from Dawn. �Buffy that is so not funny!� �I know, and you fell for it!�

Dawn glanced her sister over and smiled with approval. �It is good though. Do the other�s know?�

�No, should I do the same thing to them?� The front door was heard closing and the girls stifled their giggles.

�Dawn? Buffy? Girls are you ready?� Giles called out to the stairs. He had placed his book on the front table and his glasses inside his pocket as usual. Dawn came bursting down the stairs holding her neck that was seemingly covered in blood. �Giles, I feel so dizzy�Buh�Buffy�. vampire��

�Oh dear heavens Dawn. Where is Buffy?� Giles facial expressions told fear as he examined Dawn�s injuries. �Buffy?� He yells again. This time she answers him, bouncing down the staircase. Her arms are flailing and she is hissing somewhat. Giles recoiled with Dawn in his arms. �Buffy what�s wrong with you? You�re a�a�vampire!� Dawn tried her best to hush a giggle that was trying to force its way up her throat.

Finally at the bottom of the steps Buffy jumps down quickly from the landing and raises her arms high above her head.

�I vant ya suck you�re blood! Muahh muahhh muahh!� Giles�s face fell to the floor as Dawn started giggling hysterically along with Buffy who could no longer hide her prank. �Oh Giles if you could have seen your face.� Buffy told him. Giles however reached inside for his glasses and proceeded to wipe them with annoyance. �Have you any idea where my heart rate was just at?� �Yes.� Buffy replied. �That was fun.� Dawn giggled to the point of coughing which brought both Buffy and Giles back to reality. Buffy pointed upstairs. �Dawnie you need to rest. Fun time is over for now.�

�Aw Buffy. It was just getting exciting. �

�Oh yes that was a smashing good time. Seeing my Slayer as a vampire.� Giles slipped a little smile across his face while Dawn scampered up the stairs. Buffy grabbed her leather coat and house keys. �I thought it was fun. I�m going to see if I can fool Xander.� Giles rolled his eyes. �Buffy do be careful please?� �I will Giles, don�t have a migraine over it. There is a contest tonight and I want to get the first place prize money. Its 1500.00$� Dawn whistled and yelled from the top of the stairs. �Wow, and you�re going to buy me what with that money?�

�Nothing.� Buffy teased. �I got to get going. Dawn you be good for Giles. No more blowing up things in the microwave.� Dawn made a funny face at her before Buffy shut the door. �Giles? Can you cook an egg in the microwave?�

Willow and Tara got to the shop first. Xander and Anya were next. Anya unlocked the shop so they could wait inside and locked it again behind her.

�Where�s Buffy? I hate to wait.� Anya asked. Tara shrugged. �It was her idea, I�m sure she�ll be here.�

�Is evil dead coming.� Xander asked. Anya sat on his lap impatiently. The gang shrugged at each other. Willow answers her. �I�m not sure. I mean I know she wanted him to come along but she never called me back to say if he was or not.� Anya sniffed. �Well if he comes maybe we can get him to scare all the people out of line tonight.� Xander stared quizzically at her. �And why is that?� �Because I hate standing in line. Its so boring.� She explained. Tara rolled her eyes. A sudden knock came to the shop door. Sure enough it was Spike. �Well there�s our answer.� Xander stated with noticeable disapproval. Anya jumped off his lap to go unlock the door. �So we have to put up with you tonight?�

�I�m doing� it for Buffy. Don�t think I�d not rather be home.� Xander laughed. �Watching soaps no less.� Spike rolled his eyes. �Do you watch wrestling Harris?�

�Yea why?�

�Same difference yours is just more violent and fake.� Spike gave Xander a challenging look. �Yea but��Xander started to retaliate before they all heard fast and hard banging at the front door. �Buffy?� Willow asked. Anya hurried to the door and unlocked it. �Buffy what�s�AHHHHHH!� Anya fainted on the floor leaving Buffy to step over her limp body as she advanced on the group. First, fear then anger flashed in Spike�s eyes. As she passed him, it faded. She still smelt like a human and he could still hear the blood pumping in her veins. Oh this is fun. Finally, she gets the stick out of her ass and learns to have a spot of fun.

�Buffy! Oh my God�what�s happened to you?� Tara cried. Xander had already rushed over to Anya who was starting to awaken.� Ahn are you alright.�

Buffy�s face twisted up leaving a little more fake blood to run down her lips. Buffy then growled a horrible fake growl. She then bared her fangs at Willow, which startled her into her chair. . Spike quickly stood behind a chair to conceal his ever-growing arousal. Bleeding hell, even as a vampire she�s a knockout Willow tossed Tara a stake who in turn threw it at Spike who all but dropped the thing on arrival. �Willow I�I can�t use that on�on Buffy.� Buffy grabbed Tara by the arm and smiled evilly.

�Yea what the hell am I supposed to do with it?� Spike yelled. Xander came running over and grabbed the stake from Spike and raised it to Buffy. �Buffy don�t make me do this.�

She looked over to Tara and grinned. �I vant to suck your blood!� Giggles erupted from Buffy then as Tara�s face went white. Spike also started to laugh while the others just stood there and stared at them both.

�Buffy? That�s makeup right?� Xander asked as he lowered the stake. Then he stared over at Spike who was laughing still. �Spike you diabolical fiend! You knew about this didn�t you?� Xander pointed an accusing finger at the vampire. �No honest, this was all Slayer. I had nothing to do with it. Wish I did though. She had the whole lot of you going.�

�I�m sorry guys. I scared the bee jeepers out of Dawn earlier. Then when it worked on Giles I had to play with you guys too. You know, so you wouldn�t feel left out.� Willow went over to Buffy and touched her cheek cautiously. �So its just you in there? No Grr vampire Buffy?� �Willow, I hunt them for a living. I�m not ever going to be one. I just wanted to win the contest they have tonight. Its 1500$ and I want to buy a few things for Dawn for Christmas with it. You know since I make so much money slaying.� �You know I�ll have you beat.� Spike taunted as he slides his game face on.

�I�ve got better fangs than you do Slayer.�

�Yea but at least mine work.�

�Oh! The Slayer picks up a spare.� Xander grinned at Spike.

Spike chose to ignore saying something he may regret the rest of the night and walked out the door to his car.

� Buffy, you hurt his feelings again.� Anya pointed out. Buffy shrugged. �He�ll get over it. So who am I riding with?�

As her friends piled in the cars Buffy realized that it would be Spike. Tara and Willow were already in Xander�s Taurus while Anya and Xander would sit in the front. Her ears were doomed to loud annoying retro music in Spike�s�. what kind of car was that? Where�s the clunker? That can�t be his. He stole it �Great. So I get stuck riding in a stolen car?� Buffy eyed Spike with disapproval. �S�not stolen� Slayer. I bought it fair and square. Traded the Desoto for it I�ll have you know.� Spike opened Buffy�s door for her. As he shut it he smiled. �Its an El� Camino. Classic she is. I bought this one because the other one was breaking down all the time.�

Xander rolled his eyes. �Spike you want us to believe that you traded that heap for this very nice car?�

�As if I�d tell you Harris. Anyways, you�re just irked that she�s got a bigger motor than yours. Now am I following you?� Anya beeped the horn for Xander to hurry up. Tara and Willow were watching out the back window. �Spike sure did get a nice car.� Tara commented while she got comfortable. Willow nodded. �Yea I guess it is a step up in the world. Well for Spike anyhow, I mean he is dead. How much farther up does he think he can go?�

�Ok buckle up ladies. We�re off to see the spooks.� Xander announced as he fired up the Ford. Anya sighed. �Well it�s about time. When are we going to get there?� Tara and Willow giggled and chimed in with �Daddy I have to pee!�

A huge sign loomed at the side of the road reading �Jason�s Forrest Next Left� Spike made a left and gazed over again at the blonde-haired woman in his new car. �So you like it?� Buffy was lost in her own thoughts when she heard his voice. �Huh? Do I like what?� �The car Blondie, do you like the car?� �Oh yea its nice Spike.�

Spike searched for topic. The radio was not working again. Must get that bleeding thing fixed He hated the silence. �You really had them going in the shop. Scarring them like a real vampire.� She let him have a smile. �Yea I did. I might have a shot at the prize money tonight.� Spike nodded and parked the Classic Chevy beside Xander�s newer Ford. �Sure you will luv. So where are we going on our date next week?� Buffy shrugged at him. �Its up to you. How do my fangs look?� Buffy smiled wide to show off her teeth. It sent shivers up and down his spine. In all his wildest dreams, he never ventured seeing her as he was. �Not as good as mine, but they�ll do.� Spike slid his vamp face on. �I�m going to dress up too. And if I win, I�ll give you the loot since it�s for Little Bit.�

�Thanks Spike. That�s sweet of you.�

The gang entered the waiting area for the forest and stared disbelievingly at the prices.

�No way! How can they charge this much? We live only a town away and we see this stuff all the time.� Xander whined. Spike stepped forward brushing past them all. �Here, six adults and we want the whole package. The barn, the hayride, the forest thing and whatever else you have going. Then the little lady over there and I want to enter your contest.� While he filled out an entry form for himself and Buffy the gang stuck on their wristbands. Tara whispered first. �Where did he get all that money?�

�More importantly is it stolen.� Xander asked.

Buffy glanced up at the busy vampire and shrugged. �Lets just forget it for the night and have a good time.� Willow smiled. �Well if Buffy don�t mind then I don�t either.� Spike joined them just then. �Right then, Buffy and I are all ready to go for the costume contest�� Anya interrupted him. �Are you going as a couple of vampires or just alone.� Curious eyes all fixed on Spike who grinned. �All three. I thought we could cover all the bases. Give Buffy a better chance of getting that dough for Little Bit.� �Spike! You have us entered as a couple.�

Xander feigned a shiver. �I for one don�t know if I can handle Spike in his vamp face all night.�

�Oh he can�t hurt you remember Xander?� Tara chipped in. �Thanks a lot.� Spike retorted. Tara gave him a thoughtful look and hug. Spike accepted the hug, trying to escape it as quickly as possible. �I�m sorry Spike. Thank you for paying our way tonight.� Willow went over and hugged Tara and Spike too. �Thanks Spike.� Buffy, Anya, and Xander laughed as Spike made a twisted annoyed face. �Yea yea don�t mention it now quit with all the hugging.� Giggling the girls left go. Buffy watched with an amused look on her face. �Look whose Mr. No hugging man.� Spike grinned and lit up a smoke. �Depends on who�s doing the hugging pet.� Xander groaned. �I think I�m going to be sick.� Anya grabbed Xander�s arm then and tore off towards the haunted Barn. �Come on guys. Lets see what�s in here.�

�Step inside folks. Stay close together and no touching the apparitions unless you want them to scare you.� Spike smirked. �Not bloody likely mate.� Buffy giggled at Spike. Willow jabbed Buffy in the side and hushed her. �He�s serious. I heard one year some kid touched one of the dummies thinking it was stuffed and it jumped out at him.� Buffy�s face lit up in horror. �You just said dummies didn�t you.� Willow nodded. �Uh huh. And it scared him so bad that he passed out and they had to call an ambulance.�

�Oh if there are dummies I�m getting out of here.� While backing up to leave, she bumped completely into Spike who was staring at her inquisitively. �Your afraid of Dummies luv?� �Yes now let me out of here.� She demanded.

�Ok folks, the doors are shut and its time to begin your journey through our Haunted Barn of Death. Don�t run by the way, the floors are uneven and some of them even move.� A strobe light started flashing wildly as the man vanished in a puff of smoke and sparks. Tara giggled. �That�s an easy trick.� Buffy turned around looking straight into Spike�s eyes. �See why I needed you here.� She then quickly shoved her hand in his. �You�ll get me past the dummies?� Spike slid back into his human face and smiled sincerely at her. �As best as I can luv. You just hold on to me alright?� Buffy let an uneasy smile cover her fake vampire face. �You know you�d make a cute vampire Slayer.� �Don�t get any ideas William.� �Ok guys here we go� Xander announced as he and Anya along with a huge group of people started through the Barn. Shuffling sounds accompanied Anya�s whispers. �Xander why do I feel like cattle?� �Because were in a tiny space. Just hold my hand Anya. Its not like we haven�t seen worse than this.�

The gang shuffled along until they came to an electric chair. A live man sat there while his cohort flipped a switch making sparks shower all over the stage. Spike laughed and pointed to the electric outlet.

�Look that bloody thing isn�t even plugged in.� The man quit struggling and slumped against the chair. Blood ran from his mouth slowly. His cohort yanked him from the chair and laughed eerily at the crowd before disappearing behind a wall. Xander clapped. �That was great. What�s next?� Buffy shivered and backed up against Spike. �Something does not feel right. My spider senses are all tingly.�

Anya grabbed Xander�s hand and pulled him along. �Come on, the faster we get out of here the better.� The lights went out then putting the gang in darkness. Buffy grabbed Spike�s hand a little harder making him silently wince. He smiled. She was scared and she was holding his hand. �Don�t let go of my hand Spike.� Spike chuckled. �Since when is a Slayer afraid of the dark?� Buffy lightly stomped his foot. �I told you I don�t like dummies.� Tara and Willow giggled from overhearing the conversation as they continued.

Willow felt her way along the wall as Anya and Xander had instructed. Tara held fast to Willows shirt. �Maybe a ball of sunshine would do us some good right now honey.� �Tara that takes all the fun out of a haunted house.�

�Hey back their watch out for the huge bump in the floor.� Xander hurried Anya over the hump; Willow and Tara followed them full of giggles. �This place is neat.� Willow commented. Buffy�s foot caught on the ridge in the floor causing her to fall. �Buffy!� Spike reached out and caught her just as the floor opened up letting them fall through.

�The second groups of visitors are ready. They should be here any moment now.� �Good, let me know the minute they arrive. In addition, Michael things are looking well for your little sister. Continue to be a good boy bringing me my souls and she will die a less painful death. Unlike your mother and father did.� Nodding the boy scurried off to let the next batch of visitors in to the Skeleton�s Closet.

�Such a good boy he is, brining me my souls with out making a noise about it. Still it�s growing close to my time of resurrection and I still need more souls! He�s not doing it fast enough! Time to help gather up the maggot humans, don�t you think my dear?� Curled up on the floor was a little girl, about the age of 12. Her hair looked matted with dirt and gunk; her lilac dress pants was stained with mud and leaves. She whimpered in a tiny voice and tried to straighten her torn dress shirt. �Please let us alone?� Her captor stood over her in mockery of her plea. �Not likely my little one.�

�Ow! My hand, Spike what happened?� �The bloody floor opened up that�s what happened. Are you alright?� Standing up she offered him her hand. �I think I hurt my hand but I�m fine besides that. You?� �Yea I�m fine. What about your hand luv?� Buffy shook her head. �It�ll be fine. Super healing powers remember.�

�Well let�s find a way out of here. Don�t think this is part of the tour pet.�

�What gives you that idea Spike?� She smiled but from the darkness, he could not see it. Fishing around in the tight pocket of his good pair of black jeans Spike found his lighter. �There, that�s a little better. Right then, no doors. Why would there be? Guess we just start walking eh Slayer?�

�Yea I guess that�s all we can do. We have to find the others.� Buffy started to walk then stopped and waited for him. �What? What is it?� Buffy reached back took his hand in her good one. �I�m not getting lost down here by myself.� Spike smiled to himself. The night was going pretty well despite falling through the floor.

�Xander I think we lost Buffy and Spike.� Tara frowned as she told him. �I knew this was a bad idea.� She finished. Anya stared up at the ventriloquist�s dummy with an axe in its head and blood dripping from its wounds. Two other dummies looking similar hung from nooses high up in the ceiling. The blood dripped from their necks in slow drips, splattering on the ground below and splashing up on the first dummy. �She�ll catch up. Besides, here is a bunch of dead dummies. She would be pretty wigged out right now.� Willow stood closer to Tara. �Xander I don�t know about you but this whole thing is wigging me out. We�ll find Buffy soon enough. If Spike is with her he won�t let her get lost.� Xander let out a groan.

�Thanks Wil, just what I need a vision of. Spike alone with Buffy. I don�t understand why she invited him anyhow.� Willow grinned. �Would you rather it be Angel?� �I didn�t say that! I meant��

�Guys? I think something is really wrong here.� Tara pointed towards the stage where a ghostly figure hovered near the props. �Uh I don�t think that�s a smoke machine.� Anya gripped Xander�s arm just a little bit harder. �Well aren�t you a genius? Lets get out of here!� The figure cried. Its voice was drastic and frail. �No please help me. I�m trapped between worlds. Help free me?� Its deceptively soft gaze fell on Willow. �Help me.� Willow looked back at her comrades with a sensitive eye. Tara was shaking her head. �No Willow. Lets get out of here.� Anya pulled on Xander. �Yes, less talking more running away.� Behind them, the figure was taking mass. Slowly it swirled down upon them unnoticed by everyone but Xander. �Uh guys, this is not a part of the show. Horrified looks covered the faces of the Scooby Gang while the apparition bellowed at them. �I�m here to take your souls. Cooperate and I promise it will be quick.� Xander rang in with his sarcasm. �What about the painless part?� The figure laughed. �Yes it will be painless whelp. For me!� In a flash billowy cloud�s of smoke appeared to swallow up the friends. When it cleared, they were gone.

"I don't think this is getting us anywhere luv." Spike's voice echoed in the darkness.

"How would we know anyhow? Your lighter ran out of fluid an hour ago." Silence filled the dark as the continued on. "Ow! Oh look Spike a door!" Buffy fumbled for the doorknob and found it locked. She cursed under her breath. Spike nudged her aside. "Here, let me try." One swift downward movement of his hand and the lock busted free, springing the door wide open to reveal the area of the judging for the costume contest.

"Oh Spike we made it just in time for the judging." �Right we did luv, I imagine we�ll find the Scoobies soon enough. Lets join the festivities shall we?� Spike went into his game face as they joined the contest.

�Xander this is not good.� Anya clung to her fianc�e, reluctant to let go. Willow�s take-charge voice rang out in the dark cell where they were. �Anya calm down. We can get out of this. Just let me think.�

�Liyiah briate� Tara called forth, making a little ball of light. Xander laughed. �Hey ya finally got that sunshine ball thing going.� Willow�s eyes turned ink black. �Bend.� The steel bars of the cage bent so they could escape. Willow fell back against Tara feeling spent. �Oh no, you can�t do this. He will get angry and then heads will roll. Literally. You have to get back in your cage.�

�Whoa whoa whoa, what do you mean heads will literally roll? I don't like the sound of that, and who are you anyhow?� Xander held his hands up. Out in the back of the room, moaning and crying could be heard echoing off the cavern walls. �He�s coming. You have to get back in the cage.� Anya shook her head. �No, no more cage for this ex-demon.� Michael shook his head. �No, you have to get back in before he finds you.� Anya began pushing Michael backwards. �Look here mister creepy guy, this is not what we paid for and I�m not going back in the cage. Neither are my friends. So back off.� Despite their predicament, the gang took a second to admire the backbone Anya was displaying. Willow nudged Tara gently.

�Looks like she�s got some feistiness we didn�t know about.�

�Yea, hard to believe she even knew what the word meant. Lets get out of here.�

Anya looked at Willow and held her nose up. "Well someone has to do something. This might be our only chance to escape."

Tara pushed her way behind Anya successfully until Michael was shoved far away from the cage entrance. Xander was close behind the girls with a big smile on his face. �That�s my girl.� He thought to himself. �That�s a girl Anya. C�mon, we have to find Buffy and Spike and I can�t believe I just said we need Spike. Where is the logic in that?� Anya tugged on her fianc�es sleeve, begging him towards the door. �Xander they could be anywhere. I don�t care, lets just get out of here. We can find them later!�

Michael jumped up quickly, grabbing the hem of Tara�s dress for attention. �He�ll find you. You can�t run. None of us can.� Tara bent down to comfort the troubled young man. Instead of taking her hand as she thought he would, Michael recoiled from her touch. The look in his eyes was a broken one. There was no fight left in the boy. Whatever spirit he possesed had been sucked out of him by his captor. �No, don�t try and save me. Just go. Save the others.� Xander shook his head. �Sure is a fickle kind of kid. First it�s don�t run, now it�s run.� Willow grabbed Tara by the arm and hurried her up. �Come on. Let�s just go so we can find Buffy.�

�You know you look great like that Slayer. All bumpy in the forehead region, kind of suits you pet.� Buffy chewed thoughtfully on a piece of popcorn. �Spike forget it. And don�t call me pet.� Spike grinned at her. �What should I call you? Grouch? Mopey? Wait, I have an idea. We have the seven dwarfs right here in Sunnydale. We can start with Angel, he can be Broody, and Xander can be Whelpy�Ow Slayer what was that for?"

Buffy smiled sweetly at him. "Because it's been a few minutes since I hit you last and I needed to remind you that me Slayer you vampire. Besides you were picking on Xander." She popped another peice of popcorn in her mouth, grinning at him. Spike stared at her with disbelief. "Right then. You hit me because I was yanking on Xander's chain, not Angel's?"

"That's exactly right. Xander is trying to be nice to you. The least you can do is not call him names." Buffy told him indignatly. She was staring out ahead of herself watching the goblins and witches pass by. Spike let out a heavy sigh. "Fine. He can be Lazy and not Whelpy." Spike teased.

"Spike your horrible." she told him. There was a smile on her face, she was clearly enjoying herself at the moment. Spike was very pleased with himself.

"Right I'm horrible, your point is?" Spike leaned over, grabbing a handful of popcorn. "No point. We both know what you are." Spike chuckled. "Really Buffy? What am I?"

Buffy seemed lost in thought suddenly, her eyes averted elsewhere as she answered "Xander." Confused by her answer Spike growled. "Bloody hell I'm like Xander. That ponce hasn't got an ounce of evil in him. Take it back!" Buffy had already hopped down off the bleachers to greet the gang running towards her. "What is it?" Xander, panting managed to say "Demon, kid, tired. Need rest." Willow stepped ahead of him and shook her head. "Buffy we have trouble, there's a soul sucking demon roaming around somewhere. He's holding this boy and his sister captive.