Backdrops & Props




Los Angeles, CA
Dawn POV

Where is he? Where is he? Where is he? Why haven’t we heard from him yet? This was supposed to be a simple mission – dangerous, but simple – go in, grab the girl from her captors before they could perform some stupid ritual, and get out of there intact. And everything was going according to schedule until last night when we lost contact with him. Now I’m pacing the apartment, not even pretending that I’m not worried. It’s been 12 hours and Spike would have contacted us if he could. Wesley keeps telling me we need to give him a little more time, but he’s just as worried as I am. If not, he wouldn’t be preparing another locator spell. I glance down at my necklace once more and am reassured by what I see. No matter what’s going on or where he is, Spike is still alive, undead, whatever. He still is, and that’s what matters to me. Don’t know about his intended rescue victim yet. I honestly hope that she’s okay and given the history there, it took a lot for me to reach the point where I can say that and mean it. But after all that’s happened the past couple of years and what I’ve seen and heard… I think I understand Faith a little bit better now, and while I totally do not agree with everything she’s done… Well, no one deserved what those demons had intended for her, which is why we absolutely had to try and rescue her, and it was a brilliant and straight-forward plan...that apparently jumped the tracks and led us to this moment…with Spike missing and Wes & I not knowing what’s happening. Where are you, Spike? What’s going on?

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The Intersection of Worlds
Between Dimensions
Spike POV

Well, that was a right pisser of a trip. Pullin’ my noggin this way and that. Leavin’ me feeling like I’ve got the world’s worst hangover… and I’ve had enough of those to know what I’m talking about. I sit up, checkin’ that nothing’s broken. Still intact. I get to my feet and switch to gameface so I can get a better view. What I see blows me away. ‘S bloody brilliant, it is. So much so that I almost forget about my passenger. A groan from the ground reminds me of her presence and I bend down to check on her. They tortured her before preparing her for the ritual, so she’s going to be sore for a bit. But slayers heal fast, and I can tell from her expression that she’s been exposed to torture before. Not sure which side she was on, but either way means she’ll bounce back quick. Good. Never hurts to have another fighter on your side, ‘specially for an unplanned trip.

I help her to her feet and she wobbles a bit, but gains her equilibrium enough to have a look. She’s even more amazed than I was by the sight before us. At least I had an inkling of where we might end up when I made our escape. It wasn’t supposed to happen just yet, and it was supposed to be Wes, Dawn and I making this trip. But those wankers had Faith and I trapped and the bloody cavern was collapsing around us. I could have survived that and dug my way out eventually, but she’s human. Even a slayer wouldn’t have lived long enough to tunnel our way out from under hundreds of feet of stone and earth – especially with no food or water. So I took a chance on the one shot we had. And it worked. It bloody well worked!

As many times as the three of us have talked about this exact possibility, we were never sure if it actually existed or not. Got to give Wes his due. This was his idea and it was dead on. Looking around, I realize he’s a bloody brilliant bloke and I wish briefly that he were here. But that’s not the case and Dawn isn’t either. Crap! I may’ve just discovered a major problem which likely means there’s no ticket home. Got to test my theory first, but Faith and I are going to have to find another way back most likely. And I’m sure we can manage that somehow. But not without Connor. He’s the real reason we’re here and I’m not leaving without him. Speaking of which, I’d best fill Faith in on what’s going on. She’s standing there looking around with a stunned expression on her face. Can’t say I blame her. The intersection of the worlds is one impressive sight.

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Sunnydale, CA
Apartment of Anya & Buffy
Buffy POV

Arriving home, I am once again surprised as I open the door to the apartment I share with Anya. I shouldn’t be. We’ve been rooming together for several weeks. You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but I lived on Revello Drive for years. Can’t quite shake the feeling that I don’t belong here when I look around. Of course, it’s not like I actually belong on Revello Drive anymore either. I sold the house. I had to – couldn’t afford it by myself and there was no one to help me with the bills. Tara is dead. (That still hurts to say or even think.) She was shot by Warren – the one nerd I failed to apprehend when they tried to rob an armored car. Willow took care of him though. Boy did she ever! She flayed him alive. Even now I can close my eyes and hear the sounds of flesh being ripped away. The image of a bloody muscle-covered mass left hanging from the trees is forever in my memory. I don’t think I could ever manage to block that one out all the way no matter how hard I try. I feel slightly nauseated by this and turn my thoughts away from that gruesome image. (I’m good at repressing and running away. It’s what I do best.) After Willow’s trip down “the wicked path of dark magic” – the one where the world apparently is supposed to end… Giles took her to England to get help for her from a coven. Xander went with them. He was the one who had stopped Willow and he wanted to be with her. I don’t blame him for going. I guess his apartment was too lonely after Anya moved out. Not that I blame her for going either. Who wants to live with the guy who left her at the altar? I wouldn’t.

In the aftermath of Tara’s death and Willow’s descent into madness, I took a few minutes to take stock of my life. I almost died too, you know. When Warren killed Tara, it was me he was trying to get. And he did get me. I don’t know if I’ll forget that sensation anytime soon. Lying on the ground, staring up at the sky, feeling the blood drain from my body, knowing that I was dying again. I lost consciousness long before we reached the hospital, and it was only after Willow magically removed the bullet that I came to again. The next few hours are still a blur and I don’t know that I will ever finish processing everything that happened that night – learning of Tara’s death, seeing Willow’s determination to kill those responsible, learning that Anya was a vengeance demon again, seeing Warren die, fighting Willow and losing, Giles arriving to save the day, a battle that totally destroyed the Magic Box, seeing Giles lying beaten and bruised, saving Xander and Jonathan & Andrew from Willow’s fireball, fighting monsters while I was trapped in the ground unable to get out and stop Willow… and then it was all over. Poof. Just like that. The monsters I was fighting disappeared and I was left alone to pull myself out of a hole in the ground.

That’s how I found myself when my friends pulled me out of Heaven – alone in the ground. Only this time, I could look up and see daylight. There wasn’t darkness and dirt suffocating me. And I didn’t have to fight and claw my way out. I simply climbed out of that hole into the sunlight. Standing there alone that day, I had an epiphany of sorts. (Wouldn’t Giles be shocked to learn I know the meaning of that word?) I realized that I was alone and it was mostly of my own making. Angel left because of me. Giles left because of me. Spike left because of me. Dawn left because of me. And God does it hurt to think of those last two and how much I hurt them both. I don’t know that I could have stopped either Xander or Willow from losing the people who meant the most to them through their own actions. But it’s not like I even tried. I was too wrapped up in my own problems to be aware of theirs. If I noticed anything at all, I mostly ignored it unless it involved me. But back then I was so depressed at being ripped out of Heaven, I couldn’t begin to see past my own misery. I often feel responsible for Tara’s absence, because it was my fault that Warren wasn’t in jail with the others. But just maybe it’s time I accepted that I can’t save everyone. (Spike used to always tell me that. I guess I should have listened to him.) Maybe it was just Tara’s time to go.

However, looking back on Tara that day, I realized that the only instance where I I ever really took any time for her was when I needed something… like when I needed her knowledge because I couldn’t go to Willow. And Tara was so totally there for me – a true friend when I needed one… But was I ever a real friend to her? Other than standing up to her family that time, it’s not like I ever tried to get to know her…not really. I was too wrapped up in my own life back then…my disintegrating relationship with Riley, Mom’s illness, Dawn’s existence, Glory. And then when I came back…I was more than a bit distracted. But thinking back on the past few years, I guess I have to admit that I don’t always notice things around me. I was totally clueless that anything was going on between Willow and Xander back in high school, and I was with the two of them all the time. Shouldn’t I have picked up on some of that? I had no idea that Riley was getting suck jobs from vampires. Shouldn’t I have noticed the physical evidence on his body? The worst though was that I didn’t even realize that Dawn had run away to L.A. Shouldn’t I have at least noticed that her suitcase and clothes were missing? I mean really, what kind of person/sister/friend/girlfriend am I? Not the one that I want to be any longer!

I decide then and there that if I want things to change, I’ll have to start with myself. Returning to the others, I am unusually quiet as I listen to Giles explain that he’s taking Willow back to England. I don’t do anything except hug Xander when he announces that he’s going too. The three of them take off, and Anya and I are left behind standing in the ruins of the Magic Box. And this is where I take the first step of my new life. In the past, I probably would have just walked away and left Anya there by herself to deal as best she could. She’s another person I’ve never bothered to get to know. She was always just there with Xander, but she stood beside us when we dealt with Willow and she didn’t have to do that, especially now that she’s a vengeance demon again. I turn to Anya and notice the lost look in her eyes as she takes in all the destruction around us. Wow! I so recognize that look. It’s the one I’ve had since my mom died. I haven’t known what to do for over a year now and it started long before I came back from the grave. So, anyway, I ask Anya if she’d like to get a drink with me and figure out where we go from here. She looks so incredibly grateful that I’m ashamed I’ve never reached out to her before. We end up going back to my house and making margaritas. We are both very drunk before too long and stay up all night talking and crying together. We share our regrets and fears. I tell her about Spike and Dawn. She tells me about Xander and being a vengeance demon again. In the end we both realize that although we’ve been left on our own by those we love and who loved us, we’re not completely alone anymore. We have each other.

It isn’t easy to go forward from the havoc and devastation that was our lot at that point, but Anya and I manage it together. I sell the house on Revello Drive and we get a two-bedroom apartment together. That house was too big, too empty, too full of memories, and way too expensive for me to keep up. It turns out that letting it go isn’t near as hard as I feared it would be. It’s actually a relief not to have to worry about the bills anymore. Anya files an insurance claim on the Magic Box and she and I spend countless days cleaning up and salvaging what we can. She pays me to help her, so I’m earning my keep already. And I can handle heavy lifting and grunt work. It actually relaxes me. Anything is better than the Doublemeat Palace. I swear that in the future I will dig ditches if I have to, but I will never work fast food again. When we’re not cleaning up the Magic Box, Anya and I are packing up things at my house and moving into our new place. She suggests having a yard sale, which it turns out she’s very talented at managing. I should have realized she would be. We make a lot more money off that than I ever would have figured, enough to settle up the bills that I owe. Then the house sells and I actually make a nice little profit – thanks to Anya’s wheeling and dealing. She insisted on negotiating the sale for me and I was happy to let her do so. I give her a percentage of the take (which both surprises and pleases her) and I put the rest in the bank. I’ve actually got enough to go back to school if I want or whatever, but I can take some time and make that decision now. Anya’s got a big decision to make also. What does she do about the Magic Box – rebuild or shut down? The insurance settlement is the same regardless and Giles has left the decision totally up to her. I had thought it wouldn’t even be a question. That store had been her life and her passion. Of course she would rebuild! But when we talk about it and I hear her fears and concerns about why that might not be the best path to take, I realize she’s right not to rush this decision.

She and I agreed to sit down together tonight and try to make some solid plans regarding the future. So, I picked up the tequila and margarita mix and ordered some Chinese takeout. Figured we might need some alcohol…or at least I will, because I’ve got a stack of stuff belonging to Dawn, and Anya has informed me it’s more than time to make a decision there too. She’s very right about that. I’ve put off dealing with this situation long enough. Back when it happened…when that bitch lawyer showed up with the papers and the video from Dawn, I was too shocked to do anything. I was so devastated by what Dawn had to say that I didn’t even try to fight it. I just signed the papers numbly. When I pulled myself together enough so I could think again, I called Angel to get his advice and a lead on Dawn. Instead of an understanding shoulder to lean on, I got the cold shoulder from him. I was horrified to learn that he knew about me and Spike! But, instead of being disgusted with me for sleeping with Spike as I expected, he was disgusted with me for “how horribly I had treated his family.” That’s right! He actually referred to Spike as his family and then he told me I wasn’t welcome around there at the moment, and to give him some time and space! He hung up on me and I haven’t tried to call since. I felt like that avenue was closed to me when Angel shut the door in my face, so to speak. And without his contacts, I didn’t know where to start looking in a city as big as L.A. for one teenage girl.

So…all this time I’ve had no idea what’s going on in Dawn’s life. I don’t know where she’s living, if she’s even still in L.A. or not, if she’s all right, if she misses me, or anything else. I know it’s been cowardly of me not to find out, but I was (and still am) afraid of the answers. I’m not really that concerned about her safety, which is odd for me. But along the way I realized that if she could get herself to L.A. safely, and then secure legal help on her own… well, I think she probably can take care of herself better than I ever thought possible. It’s the part about whether or not she misses me that scares the absolute bejeezus out of me. If it’s no, then I don’t want to know. I’m just starting to feel good about myself again. I don’t think I’m strong enough to overcome the damage to my self-esteem if she turned me away again. Ironic in a way, because I’m now getting just a small taste of what I put Spike through on a regular basis, and it’s really not fun at all. I wonder how he managed to keep hoping for more… Ah, well, that’s not anything I can worry about at the moment. It’s not like I’m going to see him again anytime soon. He’s long gone – just like every other man who rode the Buffy romance train. It derailed and he took off for parts unknown. Anyway… Back to Dawn – I can’t just keep ignoring this. It’s not going to go away and I have to deal with it sometime. I guess it makes more sense to deal with it now – while I have Anya to lean on. And before Willow and Xander return and we have to deal with the two of them and the fallout from last year and this Summer. I hear Anya’s key in the door, and turn with a smile to see my roommate coming in. Judging by her smile I assume she’s had a really good day. I am pleasantly surprised when I realize that she’s just happy to see me and even more so when I realize that I’m also smiling because of her. Funny that we should become such fast friends and enjoy each other’s company so much. I never would have thought this possible, but I’m very glad it’s real.

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Los Angeles, CA
New Home of Wesley, Dawn & Spike
Wes POV

Well, we now know what’s happened to Spike and Faith, more or less. It wasn’t all that difficult to figure out between the results of the locator spell and what Dawn’s necklace was telling us. Spike and Faith are no longer in this world, but he at least is okay. Thanks to the necklace that he had me enchant before leaving on the quest for his soul, Dawn is always able to tell if he’s alive and most days she has a fair handle on his emotions too. When I first prepared the necklace for Dawn based on Spike’s wishes that she have a tangible assurance of his physical well-being, I didn’t realize what a passionate individual he is. Now of course I could vouch for this personally, but back then I never would have guessed that imprinting his essence in the necklace would allow Dawn to tap into his emotional or mental state of mind. It was an astonishing revelation the first time Dawn experienced this, but it has definitely assisted us along the way and only served to strengthen the bond between Dawn and Spike. Right now, of course, she is torn between relief that he is alive and frustration that he’s jumped dimensions without us. Based on our discoveries, we’ve surmised that he tested our theory and it worked. The three of us have put a lot of effort into this project, and while I’m thrilled that it was apparently successful on the surface, I’ve many concerns about how it will turn out.

It was originally Spike who hit on the key issue. (I truly did not intend that pun.) If Quortoth couldn’t be accessed again from earth, how about getting in from a different starting point? At first I thought this would be just as impossible, but then Dawn educated me as to her mystical origins and what Lorne had shared with her. I immediately realized that we were fortunate enough to have a walking dimensional doorway in our midst. Although we were all anxious to act quickly, each of us has had negative experiences with portals on a very personal level. I well remembered how the group at AI feared we were stuck in Pylea originally. None of us had any desire to get stuck in Quortoth or any other dimension for that matter. So began days of endless questions? How do we locate Quortoth? Once we do, how do we find another world that can access Quortoth? How do we get back home from Quortoth or any other place? We theorized that if we could figure out a way to access dimensional doorways using a few drops of Dawn’s blood to open them – which Spike was loathe to shed for any reason, but realized the necessity of in the long run – then we would be able to go anywhere we wanted and return at will, provided that we had some type of guiding force to direct our travels. The question became how do we navigate through the dimensions to reach our destination? It was during one of our many conversations that I first hit on the conjecture that there might be one central place or intersection from which we could access any world or dimension we wanted. Spike informed me that “was a bloody brilliant idea” and we were off.

There isn’t much research that you can access on inter-dimensional travel without letting other unwanted parties in on what you’re doing, so we had to be careful to remain under the radar of most everyone who might actually have the information we were seeking. It wasn’t easy, but we kept at it and were finally able to glean enough data to support my theory. And along the way we managed to cobble together a talisman in which we stored a bit of Dawn’s blood. By imprinting the talisman with her essence (similar to what I did to her necklace) we would be able to access her “key” powers to travel between dimensions without her having to donate blood to the cause on a regular basis. This solution satisfied one of Spike’s main concerns – and mine also, to be perfectly honest. The other main concern was regarding navigating our way from Point A to Point B. I devised a spell that we believed would direct us to what we were now referring to as “the intersection.” From there, we believed we could go anywhere. If we ended up in an inhospitable locale, we could use the talisman along with the spell to return to our point of origin in the intersection. The talisman also had the added benefit of allowing whoever was touching it or each other at the time the spell was uttered to travel without actually opening a portal. This would prevent us from bringing unwanted pursuers with us if an escape were necessary from hostile territory. And by secreting a 2nd very specific talisman at our home base which I then tied in to Dawn’s necklace, we could use that as our guide home once we had located Connor. We had covered as many bases as we could possibly conceive of and were ready to take a test run. Then we learned from a contact about a plot to immortalize, mind-wipe and then subsequently enslave a slayer for nefarious means. I know that both Spike and Dawn’s first thoughts were for Buffy, but it turned out that Faith was the target. Since she was in prison still, the demon clan attempting this figured she was a sitting duck. And they were correct. By the time we got word of what was happening, she had already been abducted from her cell.

Now, I don’t want to brag too much on our little group, but I’m very proud of what Spike, Dawn and I have accomplished in L.A. these past few months. Rather than open an agency under an affiliated name, we decided to simply spread the word that we were open for business and let the public advertise for us. By allowing William the Bloody to make announcements in his own rather destructive and eye-catching manner, it wasn’t long before we had a line of clients desiring our services. Unlike Angel Investigations though, most of our clientele are of demon origin. We have strict policies on what we’ll tolerate from our clients, and they respect us enough to adhere to them. Perhaps they didn’t at the beginning, but one rather gruesome display of strength by Spike – during which I leant a fair hand – cemented our reputation early on. So, we have a constant string of clients, a loyal group of informants, and funnily enough…a steadily increasing bank account. Unlike the human clients at A.I., we’ve never had any problems collecting from our demon clientele. Of course, the threat of imminent death does help our case. Regardless, our income has grown enough that we were able to purchase a large townhouse for the three of us. Although we were managing to respect each other’s space as well as we could at my old apartment, it was quite crowded once Spike returned and moved in with Dawn and I. This way we each could have our privacy and we still had plenty of room to work, play and train. Looking around me now, I’m most proud of our home. And what’s funny is that I believe that this is the first place that’s felt like home to any of us in a long time, but that’s what it is. Home. Our home. Our sanctuary. A sanctuary that is currently missing one of its residents! And I’m not sure how to go about correcting that.

We have another talisman that we had prepared for back-up in the event the first one got destroyed along the way; however, we have no idea what will happen if we use it. Spike – and we assume, Faith as well – traveled to the intersection between dimensions (we believe) using the original talisman nearly 24 hours ago now. If we use the 2nd talisman, will we in fact end up in the same place – even using the same spell? Is it safe for us to do so? Our original plan was for Spike to use the talisman alone and make an initial trip to test out the atmosphere. Then I could perform a retrieval spell to return him to us with a report on the lay of the land. Dawn was not at all keen on sending Spike anywhere without the two of us along for back-up, but it made sense. Spike doesn’t need to breathe and we do. If we end up in a place without oxygen, then we won’t be much help anyway. And although we could take masks and oxygen tanks along with us, we then become unwieldy and not much good in a fight. So, she finally agreed that a little bit of reconnaissance was in order. And Spike was the natural candidate. We were literally heading out the door to test our theory when this mess with Faith came up. I can recall Spike putting the talisman in his duster pocket as we were leaving. We just changed pace on a dime – all three of us in instant agreement that we had to do whatever we could to rescue Faith. One thing I especially appreciate about our little group is the fact that when it comes down to what’s important we are nearly always in synch. It’s only when it comes to one of us being in danger that the others tend to disagree. But we talk it out – always. And that’s as it should be. Regarding Faith, though, there was no question but that we should at least attempt to rescue her. Given the location, Spike was again the natural choice to go in and attempt to extricate her. I’m not certain what happened once he got inside. I’m positive he wouldn’t have used the talisman unless there were no other escape. We can’t use the retrieval spell as originally planned, because I needed to do a little magic prior to his departure for that to work. Needless to say, with Faith’s attempted rescue, that didn’t happen before they were both quite suddenly gone. Which brings me back to whether or not we should use this talisman I’m holding and go after them.

I don’t think Dawn will be too happy at all with what I have to say, but I have serious doubts that we should attempt it. Given the origin of Spike’s departure and the possibility of time differences between dimensions, I believe it’s feasible, but not likely that we would locate him. It’s quite probable that Spike and (hopefully) Faith are currently wandering among worlds without any clear direction. And knowing Spike as I do, I don’t doubt that he will take advantage of being wherever he is – particularly if Faith is well and able to fight – to try and locate Quortoth and rescue Connor. And that’s why I believe Dawn and I should stay here. I think we would be better off attempting to work out a way to lead him or them back to us safely. I think that we could possibly figure out a way to work the connection between Dawn & Spike through the necklace back to him and possibly communicate with him that way. It’s a long shot, but it makes more sense to me than the two of us wandering around lost and without our strongest warrior. Our home base is here. Our resources are here. Dawn and I are here. And hopefully we can work it out on our end to get Spike back here with us – quite possibly with Faith and Connor in tow also.

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Los Angeles, CA
Driving through L.A.
Buffy POV

Well, that was anti-climactic all right! Anya and I drove up from Sunnydale this morning so that I could speak to Dawn. With no clue how to locate her, it was with a sense of dread that I realized I would have to see Angel and get his help locating my wayward sister. After the last time I spoke to Angel, this was not exactly something I was looking forward to doing. Ranked right up there with fighting a Real Yuck demon – or as it is formally known, Vrelukk – which Anya has informed me has eight arms, shoots blood from behind its eyes to poison its enemies, and smells very strongly like rotting meat. Major ook factor all around. Personally, I think my name suits it much better. I must have eaten an entire pack of Rolaids on the way up here. Anya insisted that we get a hotel room and stay for a couple of days, so that even if we weren’t able to talk to Dawn…we could still take a break and do some shopping. Sounded good to me, especially the part about delaying the inevitable confrontation with Angel.

Turns out that Angel wasn’t even in when we got to the Hyperion . He was out with his gun…or something like that. And since when does Angel fight with any weapon other than a sword or axe, I’d like to know? Anyway, we were greeted by silence when we first walked in and then a very loudly dressed green-skinned horned demon came strolling down the staircase singing “Lady Marmelade” at the top of his lungs. You know, if all demons could sing like that, I might not kill them so quickly. He has got just the best voice ever. And he’s so sweet – calling Anya and me “banana muffin and sweetbreads” and offering us drinks at 10a.m. I have to admit to being tempted to start drinking even before we left Sunnydale this morning, so that sounded like a great idea to me. But Anya put the kebosh on that right away and got to the point of why we were there. Lorne, as his name turned out to be, agreed to help us out if we would sing a round of “Lady Marmelade” with him. I know I felt totally ridiculous, but Anya just jumped right in with him on the chorus and she was looking at me so expectantly that I couldn’t let her down, so I started singing also. After the 2nd round, he stopped and stared at us both for the longest time…and then made some comment about not waiting for Angel after all. He gave us this address across town and said that what we’re looking for and then some is there or soon will be. I’m still not sure what that means, but after speaking his piece…he shooed us out the door and on our way.

So, here we are in the car again, and now I’m both confused and nervous. I’ll admit that I’m relieved not to have to deal with Angel just yet. Just the anticipation of seeing Dawn again is enough of a challenge for me to overcome at this point. I’ve been working on what to say to her ever since Anya and I got drunk the other night. I sound like a total lush, I know, but I was drinking because of going to see Dawn and Anya was drinking because Xander is coming back home soon. Giles called to say that he, Willow and Xander would be returning to Sunnydale in a month or so, but he didn’t have exact dates just yet. I don’t know which of us was more nervous – me or Anya – but I’m pretty certain I was way more drunk than she was! After all, slayer constitution is nothing compared to that of a vengeance demon. It’s odd, but I don’t think of Anya that way. I know very well that she’s a vengeance demon again, but she’s also my roommate, my good friend, and the only reason I haven’t lost hold of my sanity these past few months. She and I were all we had during that time, and even though the others will be returning soon, I have no intention of changing my living arrangements when they get back. I’m comfortable where I am, thank you very much. And I need Anya – her strength and support… just as much as she needs me. To us, “slayer” and “vengeance demon” are titles we put on outside of our apartment. Inside those walls we’re just Anya and Buffy. She helps me when I need it. She doesn’t do any business inside Sunnydale city limits, and I don’t ask what she does or where she does it. I know it may sound odd, but a certain amount of ignorance works well for me in this particular situation.

What I don’t know that isn’t working is what’s facing me up ahead. Anya just told me that we’re almost there and I think I might be sick any moment now. I take several deep breaths to clear my head and open my eyes again. Say, the houses are nice in this area. Very nice indeed. And I can’t help but wonder how Dawn ended up here. There’s the house we’re looking for – 3rd one from the corner on the right. Anya parks and we sit quietly for several minutes. She doesn’t say anything to rush me, just squeezes my hand for support and waits for me to gather myself together. I do so eventually and we get out of the car and head up to the doorway. I’ve left the clothes and Dawn’s other things for now, and I don’t seem to know what to do with my hands. As we wait for someone to answer the doorbell, I notice I’m nervously rubbing them together and I hurriedly stuff them in my pockets. But then I think that looks like I’m trying to be deliberately casual, so I pull them out again. I glance up to see Anya looking at me bemusedly, and that makes me stop fidgeting and relax slightly. That’s when the front door opens. I turn with a dry mouth and a loudly thumping heart to see…Wesley Wyndham-Price…standing in front of me…in jeans and a button down shirt…with stubble on his face…looking surprisingly rough… and sexy?!? I really do think the world may be ending after all.

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Los Angeles, CA
Home of Wes, Dawn & Spike
Wes POV

It’s funny sometimes how things work out. The coincidences that bring people and events together can reveal a pattern at times…if you look closely enough. I’ve wondered on many an occasion if the Powers That Be are truly involved or not and if their involvement is malicious or just capricious. Answering the door today and seeing the two women at my front door, I can’t help but think that the 2nd choice is the most likely option for both questions. Standing in front of me are none other than Buffy Summers and Anya somebody or other. I recognize Anya from Sunnydale, but I didn’t know her that well back when I was a Watcher. I do recall that she was a vengeance demon formerly and then became human, and Spike and Dawn have told me enough stories that I have a general idea of her personality. Looking at her now, I think Spike underestimated her when he summed her up as “a sweet bird, bit daft to be involved with Harris, but a sharp businesswoman, and forthright – speaks her mind no matter who’s around.” I’m sure she may well be all those things, but the few details I recalled along with the stories I’ve heard had painted a picture of a woman struggling to find her place in life. The woman I see in front of me is anything but unsure of herself. There is an aura of power around her, and quite a protective air that extends toward Buffy and screams out to me that I better watch how I handle myself around her. Buffy, on the other hand, is a conundrum.

The girl I knew from high school has physically matured into the lovely young woman before me. Beyond that…I couldn’t say. The girl I knew was always very sure of herself. Even when Faith was a loose cannon, Angel was deathly ill and the mayor was about to ascend… Buffy Summers, the Slayer, carried herself with a confident air – ready to go into battle at a moment’s notice. The woman in front of me is still the warrior. No doubt of that. It’s the look in her eyes that gives me pause before I speak. She is absolutely terrified and I’ve never seen that look about her. She was surprised when I answered the door, and was obviously expecting someone else. It doesn’t take a scholar to realize that her fear is related to seeing Dawn again. I wonder if she even knows that Spike lives here also. Either way, I can only imagine her inner turmoil if the look in her eye is any inclination of how she’s faring at the moment. Therefore, it is with a cordial air that I invite both young ladies into my home.

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Dawn POV

I can’t believe she’s here – in my home. I almost fell over in shock when I came downstairs. I had been resting from this morning’s efforts at communicating with Spike. Wes and I finally figured out a way to reach him, but the process is physically very draining for me. Don’t get me wrong. More than willing to do this and Spike is more than worth it regardless, but it just plain wears me out. It’s not just physical either. I get all torn up inside every time we connect. The first time we communicated was the other night and we both cried. At first, I was crying just because I was so relieved to hear his voice. Then we caught up on what had been happening since he left and I was crying because of what he’s been through. Wes hit the nail on the head when he talked about how time could move differently in other dimensions. Turned out nearly 10 years has passed for Spike and Faith, while only a couple of weeks has passed for us. I just couldn’t believe it. I knew that this was a possibility, but the reality of it hurts more than I thought anything could. The good news is that Spike and Faith located Connor early on in their journey and he has been with them since. The bad news is that while Spike still looks the same, Connor and Faith have each aged during this time. I’m so glad that we actually located Angel’s son, but I’m so sad for the time that they’ve now lost together. And I’m sad for Faith who will be returning so much older than when she left. How will that affect any of them? But mostly I’m totally torn up over Spike who was alone all that time. He said that Faith was there for him and he’s enjoyed having Connor to watch over, but I could tell how much he’s missed me and Wes. Anyway, Spike said they were safe in their current location and could stay there while Wes and I figure out a way to find them and get them back here. They could always return to the intersection of worlds and we could try it from there, but given the time differences…who knows how much food and water they would need to take with them before we could show up. We at least figured it was safer for them to remain where they were for now. After this conversation, I had cried myself to sleep and only got up when I heard voices.

Coming down the steps, I am faced with the sight of my sister and Anya sitting side by side on our couch and talking with Wesley. I’m immediately pissed off that she’s here. She has no right to be here. This is my place – not hers. So it’s with a very large chip on my shoulder that I enter the room and greet Wesley but ignore the intruders. He immediately walks over to me and remains by my side with his arm loosely wrapped around my shoulders. While he catches me up on the conversation that took place before I joined them, I take the opportunity to covertly study both Anya and Buffy out of the corner of my eye. Anya looks about the same, maybe a little bit tougher. Buffy flat out looks awful – stressed and scared, that’s my sister. I wonder briefly what’s been going on in their world. Not enough to ask, mind you, but I listen closely as Wesley fills me in on what he knows so far. Turns out that a lot went down in Sunnydale over the past few months. I cry when they tell me about Tara. She always treated me better than the rest of them - except for Mom and Spike, of course. Buffy looks like she wants to come over and comfort me when I start crying, but the look I send her way keeps her in her seat and it’s Wesley who holds me while I grieve. After I manage to calm down somewhat, Wes and I sit down on the loveseat and I ask them to continue with their tale. I can’t say I’m really all that surprised by what Willow tried to do (except for that icky flaying bit), although Wesley certainly was. He had no idea what she was capable of, even though he had heard some of mine and Spike’s stories. He was always amused by the outcomes we described, but then again we usually shared those for laughs. I could tell all this bothered him greatly. After all, he knew some of these people from his stint as Buffy’s watcher, whereas Tara didn’t affect him as much as me since she was someone he’d never met. So it was my turn to hold his hand for support when they told us about the magic battle between Giles and Willow. I can say that Xander surprised both of us by being the hero of the day. It was quite a lot to take in by the time they finished talking. Then Buffy blurted out the question she’d obviously been wanting to ask since I’d walked downstairs.

Thankfully Wes answered for me and told the abbreviated story of how I’d ended up living with him. I’m not sure exactly what possessed him to do this, but he decided to share the fact that Spike was also our roommate. Anya looked a little bit surprised, but not overly so. It sure was a nasty shock to Buffy though. She lost what little color she’d had and looked like she wanted to toss her cookies. She started looking around the room like she expected him to pop out any second. You could practically see the fear dripping off her like sweat. How about that? The mighty slayer afraid of seeing one lil ol vampire! I took a great deal of pleasure in her reaction. Okay, I’ll admit it. I really did. I’m still angry at her for a lot of things, and although I’m so very happy living and working with Spike and Wesley and wouldn’t trade this new life I’ve found for anything… still… she’s my sister and she should have been there for me more than anyone else. But she wasn’t. So, I let her sweat for a few minutes before telling her that Spike isn’t likely to be joining us any time soon. From there, of course, we had to explain what that comment meant. Wesley decided to tell them the whole sordid tale, although it went unspoken between us that there was to be no mention of the soul. That was none of their business – either one of them. Let Spike tell them if he wants to when he gets back.

At first, I was more than a bit resentful of the fact that they were even there in our house – let alone that we were sharing this knowledge with them, but in retrospect it turned out to be a very good thing. Guess what? Anya is a vengeance demon again! (And isn’t it odd that it doesn’t seem to bother Buffy one bit?) Once Wesley reached the part about our current dilemma of locating the world that Spike had described to me so we can get them home, Anya offers up that tidbit. Then she says that she’s actually familiar with that place and offers to teleport on over there for us. Wesley can then do the retrieval spell on her and bring them all back at once. I’m so overwhelmed that I want to cry when I hear this. It all seemed so hopeless when I went to sleep earlier and I was dreading how much more time might pass before we saw Spike again. Now I’m sitting here on pins and needles, anxiously waiting for Wesley to complete the preparation needed for this retrieval spell. I’m so keyed up that I’m practically dancing. (Hey! I made a pun! Ha! Have to share that one with Spike…which I’ll do once he gets back…which should be any time now! Yay!) Wes is more excited than I’ve seen him in a while. Anya looks pleased that she could help out. Buffy is the only one not smiling. She still looks like she wants to heave. I get the impression that she’s very, very nervous at the moment. While I guess I could say something to ease her nerves, I’m not about to do so. I’m not being petty, I swear. I just believe that she totally deserves to feel nervous about seeing Spike again after what she did. No one asked her to come here today, and I’m not about to tell her that it’s okay and she’s forgiven or anything like that. Because she’s so not. But I am glad that she brought Anya along with her if it helps me get Spike back quicker.

It doesn’t take long for Wes to do his mojo. Then…lickety-split, Anya is gone… teleporting out of here in a blink. The three of us wait in an uncomfortable silence for the agreed upon time. Then Wes utters the retrieval incantation and a burst of light fills the room. When my eyes focused again, there was a whole group of people on our living room floor holding hands. With a scream of delight, I descend upon Spike and cling to him for dear life. I don’t think I was ever this happy to see him before – not even when he returned from getting his soul. I feel like my heart is going to burst from joy. My scream startles the others and soon everyone else is laughing and crying and talking at once. It was a madhouse, but a happy one. I’m not sure exactly when they made their escape, but at some point Buffy and Anya slipped out of the house without saying much of anything. I don’t know if Spike even saw that Buffy was here, but I’m pretty sure she didn’t talk to any of our travelers before leaving. Personally, I’m glad she didn’t say or do anything to ruin our reunion. But I guess I do need to call them up and at least thank Anya for her help. Spike is home! I can breathe easy again. My family is finally back together.

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Los Angeles, CA
Hyperion Hotel
Angel POV

When Connor disappeared with Holtz into Quortoth…I was completely lost. My son had disappeared forever into a hell dimension. I didn’t believe I would ever see him again. We exhausted every contact that Lorne has ever had. I threatened Lila, but couldn’t quite bring myself to kill her…just in case she was ever able to produce something that might help. Sahjan was trapped back in a jar where he belongs. And the only other person who might have had a clue as to how to help me is the one person who betrayed me above all others. Wesley, who I had thought of as a friend, was the reason that my son disappeared. Wesley who lives across town with Spike and Dawn and has a very successful business from what I hear. That pisses me off every time I think about it. What right does he have to be happy or successful or to experience anything good after what he did to me? I don’t like hearing about it, and Spike has respected that for the most part. Other than a brief speech – well, brief for Spike, anyway – about how we all make mistakes and I couldn’t imagine how Wes was suffering and they’re helping each other to cope and how Wes might end up surprising me and a bunch of other stuff that I was just not in the mood to hear a few months ago… Spike dropped the subject. He stops by once or twice a week now to check in with me and we usually end up getting drunk and maudlin together. We disagree on so many subjects that he is usually able to draw me out when no one else can these days. There is one topic that’s taboo though. He is living with Wes who is no longer a friend of mine and we don’t discuss him ever. And because Wes lives there also, I have never been to Spike’s house. He always comes to the hotel to see me.

He’s a pretty regular visitor, dropping by with some sarcastic remark or other usually delivered in a scathing tone of voice. The first time he did that, my crew was shocked that he would dare speak to me like that after what I had been through. That was not too long after Connor had disappeared and Cordy and Groo had returned from their trip. What none of my people realized was that no one has ever been able to get under my skin like Spike does. He was relentless, taunting me about not being able to keep my son safe in my own home and he pissed me off so much that I struck out at him. And that was exactly what he wanted me to do – vent my anger and frustration on him because he could take it. My soul of course is ashamed that I did just that. My demon however was tormented over the loss of what was mine and needed that release. Spike knew that and gladly accepted what I dished out that night. After a severe beating, my demon receded and my inner turmoil surfaced in the form of very unmanly tears. Tears that only Spike witnessed and has never shared with anyone. Good on him for that. I’d have to beat his ass again if he did. I do not cry in front of anyone…ever, least of all Spike…but I did that night. After I had raged and grieved and calmed down somewhat, Spike pointed out that no matter what I did there were certain things that I would never have been able to prevent – like colds and runaway buses. But I had done everything I could to keep him safe and I had definitely NOT failed my son just because a “bunch of bloody wankin’ lawyers and some sick fuck demon” decided to mess with me in ways I could never have foreseen. We talked all night long and that was the only time he has ever brought up Wesley. We still talk about Connor when Spike comes round and he still encourages me not to give up hope because you never know what’s at work in the cosmos. I don’t particularly believe that what’s at work is on my side most days, but I’ve decided to keep on looking and keep on living. That’s the lesson that Spike said I should learn from this if nothing else. That if two dead beings could produce life, then what better way to honor that life than by living each day to the fullest. Well, when put that way, how was I to argue with him? So, I got up the next day after he left and started living again.

Part of this whole new lease on life bit ended up including a new relationship with Cordelia that is helping me to smile again. One night Spike marched in and told me that if I didn’t say something to her soon, then he would. And I can just imagine how he’d put it. No way I wanted her to hear it like that or from anyone but me. So, I swallowed my fear – imagine a centuries old vampire scared of telling a lady he cares, but I was. I’d never felt anything like this before ever. I was a womanizer and a drunk when alive and I had no true emotions for anyone else. That carried over into death. Darla was my sire who enchanted and enslaved me, but I wasn’t capable of love back then. I loved Buffy. I did, but she was a shining hero that I put up on a pedestal since the very first time I saw her…and she was just a teenage girl. ‘Course, that was back when I was still eating rats and totally wasting my existence, so just about anyone decent would have looked like a hero to me. And Buffy never could truly relate to me beyond the whole Slayer gig. Anyway, this was different. Cordelia is a woman and a true friend and someone who relates to me in ways I never thought possible. I’d be lost without her to keep me on track. So, I sucked it up and confessed my feelings to her one night with the aid of some strong Scotch. She was so quiet at first that I thought it was a mistake, but then she told me that she loved me too. We stayed up half the night talking and holding each other. She went home the next day and told Groo goodbye. He decided to take off for parts unknown after that, and Cordelia and I have been together ever since. At first she was afraid that my curse would stop us from being able to sleep together, but it’s like I told her… What’s the chance that I’ll achieve perfect happiness when my son is still missing?

Speaking of missing, we got word a couple of weeks ago that Faith went missing. Apparently some plot to use her as a weapon of evil got her out of jail early, but I’ve no idea at all what’s happened to her. None of our contacts have turned up any leads. What’s weird is that I think Spike might also be missing. I’m not really sure about that. It’s just that he hasn’t been around in some time – not since a few nights before we got the word on Faith, now that I think about it. I wonder if there’s a connection. Hmm? I might have to see if Gunn, or better yet Lorne, would mind dropping by Wes’s tonight to find out. I’m not ready to see him again myself just yet. I’m just starting down the stairs with this thought in mind when I hear a familiar voice in the lobby yelling for me to “get my arse downstairs and to be quick about it.” I can’t believe how good it is to hear that annoying Cockney accent, although I’d never admit it to anyone. I pick up the pace and round the bottom of the stairs where I pull up short in wonder.

Standing in the middle of the lobby is Spike and holding his hand is a slim, dark-haired boy of about 10 years of age who I would know anywhere. I don’t know how it’s possible, but the nose knows and blood doesn’t lie. It’s my son. For what seems like forever the three of us just stand there in a frozen tableau. Then Spike squeezes Connor’s hand and let’s go. My son takes a tentative step toward me and stops, searching my face with huge eyes so similar to Darla’s I can’t believe it. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but whatever he sees makes him smile and whisper “Dad?” in a voice that I think will break my heart. Then we’re both crossing the lobby and I’ve never moved so fast in my existence. He’s in my arms. And I’m suddenly enveloped with the sweet scent of my son and nothing has ever felt better. I loved my son from the moment he was born, but I didn’t realize how much until I lost him. Now that he’s back it feels like a piece of me was missing all along and I’m whole again. I can’t stop the tears from flowing as I clutch my son like I’ll never let go and he’s holding on to me just as hard. And then there are the voices of my friends as they come running to see what’s going on. I look up and catch sight of Cordelia with tears of joy running down her face and beyond her I see Spike who is actually beaming, and the rest of my crew is smiling. Just like that my family is together once again! My heart is truly about to burst, but from joy this time. It’s ringing with song, one which sounds suspiciously like “Daybreak” by Barry Manilow. But it feels that way – like a new day has just started …a day I didn’t think would ever come. And I intend to find out from Spike exactly how this happened, but it can wait for now. My son is home and hugging me and nothing else is quite as important at the moment.

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Los Angeles, CA
Walking the Streets
Spike POV

I’m weary beyond belief, but I have a sense of peace that I don’t think I’ve ever felt in my life – not even when I was still human. We managed to bring Angel’s son home to him. I couldn’t have done it without Wes, Dawn or Faith…or possibly even Anya and the Slayer, from what I gather. Don’t have the full scoop on that just yet, but I will soon enough. For now, it’s enough that I’m back on my own planet in my own dimension and headed to my house. Ten years is a long time to spend wandering around trying to get home. But it was worth it. The pride in Dawn’s eyes when I left to bring Connor to the hotel, the satisfaction on both Faith’s and Wes’s faces, and most importantly the looks of love that I saw between Angel and Connor tonight definitely made it all worth while. I feel pretty good about that. I can’t say that I’ve done many selfless things in my life before now, but family has always been important to me. Whether it’s my mum or my sire or the humans I seem to have adopted these past few years…I look out for what’s mine. Always have or at least tried to. Don’t always succeed…like that day on the tower when I failed and Niblet got cut and the Slayer had to… No. Not going to think about that. That was a dark time and tonight is for celebrating. So, I’m headed home to do just that – celebrate. My family is waiting for me there – Dawn, Wes, and now Faith too, it seems.

Faith and I bonded during our sojourn these past 10 years. I was glad for her company most days. Some days we wanted to kill each other, but for the most part we got along right as rain. We’ve walked similar enough paths that we could understand where the other was coming from when we would share our fears and frustrations about change, redemption, struggle, temptation and the future. She was there for me when the nightmares would come and I was there for her when she needed me in turn. We found out early on that we make a decent fighting unit – not as smooth or as in tune as me and the Slayer were – but we’re good together. We watch each other’s backs and our fighting styles are similar enough to mesh without too much conflict. We spent that first year wandering around without a clear sense of where we were much less how to get to where we wanted to be – namely Quortoth and then home. The intersection of worlds did act as a grand starting point for us and a place where we could return after each trip, but soon enough we found portals that allowed us to hop between worlds pretty easily. Since we still had the talisman and the ability to return to the intersection, we didn’t worry too much about getting lost, but we still didn’t know where we were either. The problem with jumping between worlds and dimensions is that most of them aren’t even aware the others exist much less have any idea how to assist a couple of wayward travelers in getting there. So, we spent a lot of time meandering about and getting into fights here and there – sometimes in self-defense and other times just for a decent spot of violence.

That’s one thing that Faith and I agree on – nothing beats a good spot of violence before bed. The other thing we most definitely agreed on was bed, or rather sleeping arrangements. We slept back to back for defensive measures from the first day. Later on Connor would sleep between us so we could better protect him, but he wasn’t a factor just then. The first few nights were rough – both of us on high alert and Slayer vs. Vampire vibes making both of us on edge too much to rest. The only vampire she was used to was Angel and I was used to Buffy. We weren’t used to each other at all and it would take time to reach a level of comfort between us, but we eventually did and now she’s like family to me also. Another sister figure, but so different from Dawn. Niblet is like a combination of a younger sister and a daughter to me – so fierce are my feelings for her. Faith is more like a kissing cousin than anything. Not that we did…kiss, that is. We could have, I’m sure. It would have been easy for us to fall into a sexual relationship. We were already sharing a bed, and violence tends to wind us both up. There’s a part of me that’s still surprised that I didn’t try to get into her pants early on. Must be the soul’s influence. All I can figure anyway, because I sat down with her one night and we talked about it. Very open conversation, honest, amiable, and nothing left unsaid that would leave either of us with questions – so different from all my conversations with Buffy previously. We agreed that while we could have a fling if we wanted and it would likely be great sex, that really wasn’t what either of us needed right now. Surprisingly mature for both of us, I know. So, we became good friends and our platonic relationship, while still filled with flirting and innuendo, has remained innocent. And I can honestly say that for once it paid to think with the right head, because Faith is a good friend and I’m glad to know her. I wonder how Dawn and Wes will feel about asking her to move in with us. I haven’t done so yet, because I want to talk to them first, but I’d like for us to let her be a part of our family.

Thinking of family makes me smile as I recall the looks of joy as Connor and his dad were reunited earlier. It wasn’t easy to hand him over to Angel, even if that is where he belongs. I’ve become right attached to the little nipper over these past years. When Faith and I found him, he was still a babe, so Holtz hadn’t had a chance to poison him against any of us yet. And he won’t have that chance now. Faith and I made sure of that. No loss there either. Holtz was a right bastard and I’m glad he’s gone. I can’t wait to tell Angel how we did him in either. The old guy will appreciate the story, I’m sure, as well as the little souvenir I brought back to let him know the job was done and Connor is safe now. But that can wait till tomorrow. Tonight was about bringing them back together. Tomorrow will be for the hows and whys of all that’s happened. There’s a lot I have to share with my grandsire and not just about Holtz. Picked up an interesting little tidbit from an oracle along the way – one I hope will ease some of the sting of past betrayals when revealed. Have to wait and see how he takes it, I guess. Speaking of hows and whys, I have a feeling that there’s a tale or two for me to hear also. I’d like to know how Anya ended up being the one to come after us or what the Slayer was doing in my home and why they both left almost as soon as we got back. That should be an interesting tale and I pick up my step a little to get home quicker. I could have driven home, but I needed this walk to clear my head a bit. Now that I’ve taken a few mo for m’self, it’s time to get home and get things sorted proper like.

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Los Angeles, CA
Home of Wes, Dawn & Spike
Faith POV

After Spike leaves to take Connor back to Angel, I’m left standing in a nicely decorated living room with Dawn and Wesley and feeling very unsure of myself all of a sudden. I don’t know what to say first or who to say it to. It’s just been me and Spike and Connor for so long now that I don’t really know how to talk to others – especially people with whom I have a very long and not so pretty history. Dawn is staring at me, studying me intently and I can tell that she’s weighing everything she ever knew about me in her mind. Despite what Spike may have shared with her mentally through their link – and that is something I totally don’t understand – about me during our search for Connor and a way back home, I’m pretty certain that I’ll come up wanting in her eyes. Wesley hasn’t said a word to me since we appeared, but he’s barely taken his eyes off me and I can just imagine what he must be thinking. This is a man who I tortured and I’m in his living room. And suddenly it hits me that I’m in someone else’s home – namely Spike, Dawn & Wes – and that I don’ belong here and have no where else to go. I’ve aged 10 years since I disappeared from my prison cell a few weeks ago. What do I do now? Go back to jail after my taste of freedom and actually doing some good with that time? And even if I did, the guards wouldn’t know it was me to look at me. Would they even believe me if I tried to turn myself back in or would they think I was a nutjob? And do I want to go back even? No, I decide, I really don’t. I want to go on from here. I’m just not sure how I do that.

My eyes have been wandering around the room refusing to look at the faces of the other two people there while I thought, and now I can’t put it off any longer as the silence grows unbearable. I take a deep breath and open my mouth to say something, anything, but Dawn beats me to the punch. She asks me if I’d like a shower before Spike gets back and we all get a bite to eat. The way she just casually includes me in their dinner plans surprises me and all I can do is nod and follow her up the stairs. Wesley still hasn’t said anything and I can feel his eyes on me as I leave, but I refuse to turn around and see what’s on his face. I’m sure he disapproves, probably even hates me, and I can’t bear to see that right now. Not when I’m about to lose my only friend, Spike. I mean it’s not like he’s going to move out of his house just because I’m here, and why should he? I’m feeling sorry for myself as we walk down the hallway and I almost run into Dawn when she stops in front of a closed door. Then all thoughts of self-pity are blown away when she opens the door to MY ROOM.

I don’t catch all of what she says about apologizing that it’s smaller than some of the other rooms but how it was the only one not being used and how she left it for me to decorate and she hopes the clothes she got me fit because she wasn’t sure if… I don’t hear much of anything other than that this is “my room” and that phrase brings a whole other set of connotations with it – belonging, possession, welcome, forgiveness. It’s all too much and I sit on the bed in confusion and look at Dawn perplexed. She finally stops rambling and I’m able to ask what she meant by this being my room. She frowns a bit at that and I tense up for the rejection I know is coming because I surely misunderstood everything. Then Dawn is asking if I’m not planning on staying with them now and explaining how Wesley is looking into a new identity for me and a way to clear my record given everything that’s happened and did they maybe assume too much? And all I can do is grin and shake my head at that. Oh, yeah, I’m staying. If they’ll have me, then I’m here for good. No doubt. Dawn gives me a small smile as she leaves and tells me to come down afterward so we can talk and decide on dinner.

And I’m left alone again. But for the first time in forever, I realize that I’m truly not alone. I always knew that eventually Spike and I would get back here and he would go his way and I would be alone again, so I tried to guard my emotions against getting too comfortable with either him or Connor. ‘Course I’m crazy about both of them and it’s been killing me to think of saying goodbye to either one. But Dawn just welcomed me into their home, which is apparently my home now too. And I’m totally overwhelmed by that. I feel the tears rolling down my cheeks and don’t even try to stop them. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I belong somewhere. The only one I’m uncertain of is Wesley and as I get up to take a shower, I realize that I’m going to need to talk to him and work hard to make things right between us. I don’t know that I ever can, all things considered, but I’ve got to try. Because I just found this and I don’t want to lose it. So, getting to know Wesley better is going to be my main focus from now on…well, that and fitting in all around, enjoying my life again, and… Oh, yes, hot running water. I moan in satisfaction and think I surely must be in heaven.

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Wes POV

If I didn’t know better, I’d swear that an angel from heaven was standing in my living room. Faith is far from an angel, but she looks like one, and I can’t help but stare. Gone is the tough leather biker chick image, the rough exterior, and the bravado and attitude. Left in its place is a lovely woman in her early thirties who is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. She has large brown eyes, flowing long brown hair and a softer look about her than I’d imagined possible. She’s very fond of both Spike and Connor. It’s impossible to miss that in the way she looks at them and how they interact when they get here right up until Spike leaves for Angel’s. After the two of them leave and it’s just Dawn, Faith and I standing here, she withdraws into herself and I can see the hesitancy in her manner. The girl I knew wouldn’t have hesitated to make a brash remark, insult someone or throw out some innuendo. The woman before me seems almost shy as she looks around the room, glancing at Dawn briefly, but refusing to meet my eyes. She reminds me of a deer…graceful, strong, picturesque, but likely to flee if spooked. I don’t know what to say. I’m at a total loss for words here. I’m never good speaking to beautiful women, particularly those to whom I’m attracted. I get far too nervous and trip over my words. Given mine and Faith’s history, hesitancy on my part would likely frighten her away and I don’t want her to leave just yet. Fortunately Dawn steps in and rescues us before I can screw things up. They’re going upstairs and all I can do is stare at the retreating form of the loveliest vision I’ve ever seen.

After they leave, I sink down onto the loveseat and sigh deeply. I am stunned by what’s going on inside me right now. I haven’t been attracted to a woman since Fred, and we all know how well that turned out. Since then, I’ve been so wrapped up in other things that I haven’t had a chance to really consider romance. Just finding a place where I fit in and people to love who loved me in return was so much more than I’d dared hope. Dating really wasn’t part of the equation now or in the future as far as I could see. How could I find someone who would fit into my life and fit with my family? I’m seriously rethinking my rationale on this matter now though. When Dawn told me of the strong feelings she picked up on that Spike had for Faith, we talked the matter over between us. We agreed that she had earned a place with us – a chance if nothing else after spending the last 10 years helping Spike and protecting Connor. So, we cleaned out the storage room and put everything in the attic night before last and Dawn went shopping yesterday for some clothes, toiletries and other odds & ends in anticipation of their return. We weren’t sure how long it would take to get them back and we didn’t know how it would be when they did. I surely wasn’t expecting this. When they appeared in the living room, I saw everyone, but it was Faith who held my eye. I wonder how she sees me? I can’t imagine it could be good given our history. I shall have to make it a point to talk to her at the first opportunity and see if we can’t start with a clean slate. It may be foolish on my part, but I hesitated with Fred and Charles won her affection instead. Perhaps if I hadn’t been afraid to speak up…but, no. My life is good here and now and I won’t make that mistake again with Faith.

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Spike POV

Okay, interesting dynamic I returned home to indeed. Didn’t see this coming, but love is like that. Never saw myself falling for the Slayer, and there you have it. You can’t help who you fall for, and if I’m not mistaken, Wes and Faith are both teetering on the precipice about to fall over. Ah, well, at least it’s requited love for them. I was never that lucky m’self, but that’s neither here nor there. Couldn’t quite figure it out when I first got home the other night. Figured it was just awkwardness from their past. Understand that, I do. But they stayed up talking that first night after Dawn & I went to bed – to clear the air, I guess, and then the glances started the very next day. Anyone with an eye could tell they’re interested in each other. Good on them. But if one of them doesn’t make a move soon, I just might have to step in and say something. I’m not a bad matchmaker – look at Cordelia and Angel – although Dawn has informed me that I need to stay out of it and let it happen naturally. She might be right. Look at what happened with me and the Slayer when I tried to force things. Sigh. Maybe I’ll listen to her this time. She and I have been tight as thieves since I got back, and that’s allowed Faith and Wes a good deal of time alone together, so I’ll just consider that my contribution and keep my mouth shut…for now anyway.

Got other things to occupy my mind, anyway. Like Connor, Angel, Wes… the Slayer. And that’s the rub, isn’t it? Haven’t seen her in years – for me, that is – and she’s still taking up most of my thoughts. I haven’t spoken with her since we got back. Anya called to say that they had a load of Dawn’s stuff which Wes went and picked up from them at a hotel nearby, but the Slayer was conspicuously absent. Dawn went along for the trip because she wanted to thank Anya for helping me get back, but confided in me that she was glad Buffy was out so she didn’t have to speak with her just yet. I understand that feeling very well. I’m not ready to speak with her yet either. I would have thought that 10 years of traveling and the soul would help me work through all this and I’d be able to express myself clearly. But one glance at her when I first got back and bugger if I don’t realize that I still love the chit. Even after everything, I still want her. Thought those feelings would have gone the way of the dodo, but noooo…got to be love’s bitch, don’t I? Can’t just let a girl go, can I? Got to carry a stupid torch for her. You’d think I’d avoid that kind of fire since I’m of the flammable variety, but no such luck. Shit. My unlife really sucks at times.

In retrospect, I realize now that I apparently have no idea what really constitutes my unlife sucking, because that very night I had a dream of enormous consequence. A dream that would prompt me to take actions over the next few weeks I never would have considered otherwise. A dream that would propel our little group back into one place most of us never wanted to see again – Sunnyhell – which would in turn set off a series of events no one could have foreseen happening. Actually, it wasn’t the dream itself that caused all this. It was the woman who visited me in this dream. After all, how could I ever refuse the one woman who had always treated me with dignity and respect? So, when Joyce Summers came to me and asked for a favor…

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