Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed! A huge thank you to my betas Enigmaticblues and Brooke.





Tara smiled as she watched the blond finish off her second plate of chocolate chip pancakes. “D-do you want some more?”

Buffy sat back placing her hands on her full stomach. “I don’t think I could eat another bite, but they were yummy, thanks.”

Tara giggled. “I didn’t know you even liked pancakes.”

Buffy face instantly fell, “Oh…I didn’t used to eat your pancakes?”

Sensing the wariness in her voice, Tara offered her a warm smile, “I didn’t live here before, but you had so much to deal with last year, you didn’t seem to eat much of anything.”


“Yeah, I kind of guessed that, since almost everything in my closet is too small.” Buffy sighed. “Let’s see—she was skinnier, a better fighter…no wonder everyone likes her better.”

Tara walked over, placing her hand on Buffy’s shoulder. “I d-don’t feel that way,” she said smiling.


Buffy looked up and saw the honesty in the Wicca’s eyes. “Really?” she asked, still needing reassurance.

Tara nodded. “I like the way you are now. Like the other night when you and Dawn were cuddled up watching the movie, giggling.”

“You mean while Willow snapped at us the whole time?” Buffy snorted.

“Yeah, but it didn’t stop you. You and Dawn were in your own little world. I’ve never seen the two of you that…close. Even your aura is different…so bright and open.” Tara smiled.

“I wish everyone felt that way,” Buffy whispered, looking down playing with the string of her sweatpants.

“D-did you ever think that maybe it’s not really you that is bothering them?” Tara asked hesitantly.
Buffy looked up, frowning. “What do you mean?”

“Well, seeing you…like this is also a reminder to them of how much they have changed.”

“Boy, have they ever,” Buffy muttered.

“Just give them some time; I’m sure everything will work out.”




*********************


Buffy walked into the Magic Box, sighing as she sat down in a chair.

“What happened? I thought you and Dawnie were going to a movie,” Willow asked, closing her book.

“We were, but her friend Janice found out the guy she has a crush on likes someone else, so they decided to go get ice cream. I didn’t feel like tagging along.” Buffy shrugged.

“Well, you’re welcome to hang out with me and Willow.” Tara suggested.

“Or you could come to the Bronze with Anya and me,” Xander offered.

Before Buffy could answer, they all heard the bells of the front door jangling.

“Giles,” Buffy whispered. She stood, walking toward her watcher. His hair had grayed, and the lines in his face were more defined, but the most remarkable thing she noticed was the softness in his tear-filled eyes. She approached him hesitantly; after all, he too was probably expecting someone else.

“Buffy,” he sighed, dropping his suitcase and wrapping his arms around her. Buffy stiffened slightly, not used to his blatant show of affection, but she soon relaxed into his arms, hugging him back tightly

“You're alive. You're here. And you're still...remarkably strong.” he said, as his voice strained.

Buffy, that she was squeezing too hard, quickly released him. “Oh…sorry,” she said, blushing.


Giles brought his hand up to cup her face. “Willow told me, but I didn't really let myself believe…”

“Yeah, I guess I take some getting used to,” Buffy joked.

“It's, uh ... you're…” Giles hesitated.

Buffy drew back slightly. “Different…”

“…a miracle, but then, I always thought so,” Giles laughed.

“You did? Always?” Buffy asked hopefully.

“I did, though seeing you like this makes me feel…”

“Disappointed?” Buffy asked hesitantly.

“I was going to say old,” he answered, looking at her in confusion.

Buffy beamed. “Yeah, you look old.”

“How are you? Is everything…okay? I can imagine this is a bit confusing for you,” he asked, concerned.


“I’m okay…as good as a I can be. Spike said you should work on my training some, you know, to get me up to speed.” Buffy ignored Xander’s snort at the mention of the blond vampire, sighing in resignation.

“Yes, well, that is to be expected. Anything else?” Giles asked.

“No. Pretty much just getting used to the whole lost four years of my life thing and…oh Spike’s little chip thingy doesn’t work on me.” Buffy shrugged.

“What?” Xander yelled, jumping from his chair.

“Buffy, why didn’t you tell us that?” Willow asked, looking concerned.

“Uh…because it’s no big deal,” Buffy answered, annoyed.

“No big deal! You mean that evil bloodsucker could make a snack out of you, and you didn’t seem to think it was important enough to mention?” Xander’s voice rose as he flailed his arms

“Xander’s right, Buffy. He could be dangerous,” Willow added.

“C-come on, guys, it’s Spike. I d-don’t think he would hurt Buffy,” Tara said quietly.

“I agree with Tara. We all saw how he acted when she died,” Anya offered.

“Oh sure, let’s all just forget about the hundreds he killed before. What if it’s not just Buffy the chip doesn’t work on?” Xander argued.

“Xander does have a point, Buffy. How exactly did you come to learn it didn’t work on you?” Giles asked, cleaning his glasses.

“I found out because he shoved me, to prevent some horny demon from ramming into me,” Buffy spat, placing her hands on her hips.

“Well, I say we dust him. No sense taking any chances,” Xander said.

“That may be a bit rash, Xander, at least until we find out the status of his chip. But maybe we should have Willow do a uninvite spell,” Giles responded.

“Oh, and we should warn Dawnie,” Willow added.

“Stop!” Buffy yelled, inserting herself in the middle of their discussion.

“There will be no dusting, no uninvite spell, and no warning Dawn,” Buffy warned in a tone that was pure slayer.

They all stood shocked at her sudden outburst.

“Buffy, he could be dangerous,” Willow responded.

“Yeah. Buff, you have to stay away from him,” Xander added.

“Listen, I appreciate your concern, but I am the slayer. I make the decisions where vampires are concerned. This is not a democracy. You know, the whole ‘Chosen One,’ not chosen one and her friends.”

“But, Buffy, we’ve always been a team; we make decisions together,” Willow informed her in a clipped tone.

“Yeah, Buff, we are the Scoobies.” Xander nodded.

Buffy narrowed her eyes walking up to the pair. “Oh really? Tell me, how many times have you died?” When everyone was silent, she continued. “That’s what I thought. I make the decisions, and my decision is to trust Spike. He is my friend and I trust him.”


“Buffy, you don’t remember. He’s tried to kill you; he’s tried to kill all of us. He hasn’t changed just because he’s had some chip shoved in his head,” Xander protested.

“Well, I think you’re wrong. I think all of you are living proof of how much people do change. And if anyone goes near him…you’ll have me to deal with.” Buffy said, then turned and walk out the door.