Found

They reached Sunnydale as the sun was setting. Spike was just entering the Magic Box when they pulled up out front.

“Whooo hooo!” he whistled. “Nice wheels, love. Got a bike myself.” He admired Deidra’s bike as she got off. “You must be Deidra? Pleased to meet ya love. I’m Spike.” He held out his cold hand, and Deidra gave it a shake. Strange vampire, she thought. Handsome, but not her type. But then, no one would ever measure up to Magna, she thought with a grin she couldn’t suppress as she greeted the bleach blonde vamp. “Hello Spike. Nice to meet you too.”

“So, I hear you have quite the tale. Time travel and all that? Now that is one thing I haven’t done in my hundred plus years.”

“Shall we continue this conversation inside?” Giles said, pushing past Spike to open the door for Buffy and Deidra. Spike just quirked his scarred eyebrow at the Watcher, shrugged, and sauntered in after the ladies. Giles grumbled to himself. He knew Spike was one of them now. He had proved loyal in many battles, and had protected Buffy and fought by her side against the First. He knew he should be grateful to the vampire, and part of him was. But another part of him resented the vampire with a soul. Spike and Buffy had bonded. Spike had been there for Buffy when Giles had not been. Giles knew that was his fault, and no one else’s, and he cursed himself for it.

Buffy saw Giles glare at Spike’s turned back. She didn’t forget that Giles had meant to kill Spike at one time. It had angered her greatly, and she had said words she regretted saying to him. She wished she could take many things back, and slamming the door in Giles’ face that night was one of those things. She knew Giles had just meant to protect her, and to do what he thought was right. One of these days she hoped Giles would learn to trust her. She knew she could be impulsive at times, but she was the Slayer, darn it! But, she also knew that he was her Watcher. They were a team. Buffy thought she understood it now. Perhaps Giles feared that Spike would break up their “partnership” just as she now feared Deidra would? Buffy could still feel Giles’ hand in hers. They had held hands all the way back to Sunnydale. Her arm had tingled. His touch had been so warm and comforting. Not cold, as she had been touched before. She shivered just thinking about Giles’ touch.

“Are you okay Buff?” Xander asked

“Yea, I’m fine, why?” Buffy flounced down into a chair next to Giles and Deidra.

“Looks like you got a chill or something.”

“Oh. Just a goose walking on my grave I guess.”

“And which grave would that be pet?” Smirked Spike.

No one laughed.

“Bloody tough crowd here tonight.” Spike said with a shrug.

“Quiet Spike.” Hushed Giles. Giles then went and introduced Deidra around the room. He explained in only positive lights how Willow was a Wicca, Anya an ex-vengeance demon, Dawn used to be a “key” and Xander saved the world by talking about yellow crayons. “And you met Spike outside” Giles concluded.

Deidra’s head would have been spinning if she hadn’t already known them through her dreams. The gang seemed a fun bunch, and more like a family then any she had ever known and all their teasing, even with Spike, was good natured.

Part way through all the story telling, a knock came to the door. Anya went to answer it and Allison was there. Introductions went around again, although the gang had already heard about the lovely guardian. They were all quite captivated by her, especially Spike. He could hardly take his eyes off of her!

The gang continued to ask many questions, and Deidra answered them as best she could. It was hours and several pizzas and pots of tea later when Giles realized how late it was getting. Dawn could barely keep her eyes open.

“We all should get some rest, and start our researching here first thing in the morning. And Xander, the store looks remarkable. You’ve done an outstanding job.”

Xander glowed under the compliment. “Gee, thanks G Man.”

Giles smiled. “Don’t call me that.”

Xander stood up. “Well, why don’t I give you all the grand tour in back. Deidra, we set up the back room for you and Allison. When I remodeled the training room, I converted the back office into a small apartment. It should work out nicely for you both, though it is quite small.”

“Wait.” Interrupted Buffy. “I don’t think you two should be left alone right now.”

“Quite right.” Agreed Giles. “It might not be safe. At least until we get the prophecy figured out.”

“I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Said Deidra. She did enjoy all their company, but she needed some alone, down time. She wanted to think about everything she had learned. It had been quite a couple of days. Years really, when she thought about it. Her shoulders sagged with fatigue.

“I don’t mind standing guard here in the shop, at least for tonight.” Spike offered. “Nothing else to do in this bloody town since we cleared everything out.” He lamented. Secretly, he was hoping to get to know Allison better. Did dem demons need to sleep? “Perhaps Allison could keep me company for a bit? I’d love to compare adventures with you from the last several hundred years?”

“Yeah, sure Spike, “ Xander retorted. “A loving Laus demon wants to hear all about your blood sucking life.”

“That was before.” Spike pouted. “I have a soul now. I’m a reformed man. Tell them Buffy! How many times do I have to prove it to you all anyways! Wanker!” He glowered at Xander.

“Great first impression Spike” Buffy said, and rolled her eyes in Allison’s direction.

Allison just giggled. “Sure Spike, I’d love to speak with you. Your company would be very entertaining I’m sure.”

Spike stood up as proud as a peacock. “See? She knows what’s hot and what’s not.”

Xander led the group in back and proudly showed off the newly equipped training room. Buffy loved it. Even Giles was quite impressed. The apartment in the rear seemed quite cozy as well. Allison went back out front for a moment, and when she came back in she carried two suitcases. Spike rushed to help her with the burden. “These are the bags I brought from the ranch.” Allison said. “They should help you get along for a bit, Deidra.”

“Wow, thanks Allison. Whatever would I do without you!”

Allison just smiled. “That’s my job.” She said with another giggle.

“It’s time for everyone to leave the store now.” Anya retorted. Always to the point, that’s our Anya, they all thought. Everyone wandered out front, with promises to meet at 8 in the morning. Xander would bring the donuts.

Because the pickup that Buffy and Giles had driven in would only really hold the two of them comfortably, Xander dropped Dawn and Willow off at the Summers’ residence. He waved to them all goodnight, and then headed back to his apartment with Anya. After everything that had happened in the last year, Xander and Anya had found themselves back together. They weren’t completely at peace yet, but they were on the right track.

TBC