“William?” Katherine called out as she entered Spike’s crypt.
“Kat, nice to see you.” Spike said, no sarcasm involved. He was sitting on his sarcophagus, deep in thought-but not
brooding, never brooding.
“So, you’re thinking, are you?” Katherine closed the door behind her and sat next to Spike.
“Yeah.” He answered, taking out a cigarette from his pack.
“So, tell me your thoughts. You might need to vocalize them.” Katherine suggested.
Spike took out his lighter and lit his cigarette. He took a drag from it and blew out the smoke. “I was thinking ‘bout when you asked me who I’d do anything for.” He looked at Katherine. She nodded for him to continue. “And I think that I’d do anything for Platelet-Dawn, Buffy’s li’l sister. Her mum, if she was still alive. The blonde witch-Tara. She’s nice; guess I’d save her. The ex-demon-Anya. She’s nice. Never heard of tact, open and frank. Good source of comedy.” He took another drag and blew out the smoke. Katherine watched it billow in the air and waft away. He sat there for a minute with the cigarette in his mouth. She listened to his speech, waiting for him to continue. She was pretty bummed he hadn’t mentioned her. As if sensing how she felt, he said, “and most of all, Kat. Above everyone else, including the Slayer, I’d do absolutely anything for you.” He put the cigarette out on the side of the sarcophagus.
Katherine smiled at Spike and then looked up sharply as if to say, “I told you so!”
“I also thought about where I stand. As you saw last night, I’m the turncoat who fights alongside the Slayer. I kill my own kind.”
“You’re the only one of your kind.” Katherine encouraged.
Spike moved closer to Katherine and put an arm around her waist. She leaned on his shoulder. “You’re uniquely unique.”
“Yeah…my point is-“
“You had one?” Spike gave her a look. “Sorry.”
“My point is though, there’s no bloody way in hell I’ll ever get back on the side of the demon world. And I’m starting to doubt I want to be in the world where the Slayer and her band of Scoobies are. They swear they’re better than everyone.”
“I need to talk to the blonde witch. Give her some advice.” Katherine said. “Don’t see a nice future for her an’ Redhead. Want to make what I saw wrong.”
“You don’t like their future?” The vampire questioned the demi-god. She didn’t seem happy about what she saw.
“B’tween you an’ me, the redhead needs to spend more time with the blonde…and those nerds…they need to get rid of them now. Before it’s too late.”
“Not gonna press anymore. Might not like the future. Fine with right now.” Spike commented.
“Good choice.” Katherine answered.
Spike pulled Katherine closer. “You know, in the future, if you need anything, you can always ask me.”
“I know. An’ I love you for it. Now, I’m going to take myself to my apartment.” Spike looked at her. “Yes, I bought one,” Katherine sat in silence. “Will? How’d you feel about moving
in with me?”
“What?” Spike asked as Katherine pulled herself out of his embrace.
“You. Moving in. With me.” Katherine stated. She got off the sarcophagus and Spike did the same. “You know, ‘cause it’s leased for two years. I have an extra room. You live in a crypt and I need a roommate. Besides you deserve to live in a much cozier place, though your crypt is posh and comfy…for a vampire.”
“Right, then. We’re roommates.”
Spike had all his things packed and ready by the time Katherine showed up. She was smiling and cheerful at the thought of more time with her old “friend”. “Ready, Will?” Katherine asked, taking an once-over of the crypt to make sure he left nothing behind. She figured that if the Slayer didn’t see a trace of him there, she might doubt he even existed. Katherine preferred it that way.
“Yeah. Guess so.” He answered. Now that he thought of it, he was glad to see the place go. Too many bad memories mixed right in with the good. Like memories of Joyce and him watching Passions…the only good one, really.
“Okay, so I grab a bag and you grab a bag and I’ll, y’know, flash us there. Then you can ‘ooh!’ and ‘ahh!’ and then I’ll come back and get the last of your things.” Katherine said, grabbing a garbage bag that she knew held some of his belongings. Spike grabbed a bag himself and held Katherine’s hand as she magically teleported them to your apartment.
It was furnished in what must’ve been the most expensive furniture ever made. Magical artifacts rested around as if it were regular art. A huge mirror hung above the fireplace, and, to Spike, it seemed obvious that a secret compartment was behind that-probably holding weapons. They stood in the living room as Spike memorized his new room. He noticed the huge balcony. At the moment semi-thick shades let only indirect sunlight in. to the left were two doors, one most likely the kitchen and the dining room. To the right was a hallway with three doors.
The bedrooms, Spike thought.
As if reading his mind, which she could do, Katherine said, “Those three doors in that hallway lead to the bedrooms. The two doors on the left are the kitchen and dining room. Two of the bedrooms have a joint bathroom, the other has it’s own. But I don’t think you want a yellow and lavender-colored bathroom. One room is decorated in red and black,” Spike looked at her.” What? I saw the future and I made arrangements. Anyway, the other-mine-is in blue and gray.”
This place is posh, Spike thought. He headed to the hallway and Katherine followed him. She opened the last door on the left and let him in first. “Kat, how’d you get enough money for this place? He asked as he entered the room. “Looks pretty damn posh.”
“It is. They gave me a huge bank account when I first started. So, ya like?”
Spike looked at his room. There were thick black curtains on both windows…a queen-sized bed with red satin sheets…black walls, red carpet, and black furniture…a TV and a stereo. Spike walked over to it and noticed a stack of CDs. The Sex Pistols, The Ramones…the list went on and on. Spike turned back to his friend and grinned. “I like.”
Katherine smiled and then teleported back to the crypt and grabbed another bag. “For a vampire that travels light, you’ve got a lot of stuff.”
“Spike!” the Slayer’s voice was unmistakable as she kicked open the door to Spike’s crypt.
No wonder he jumped at the chance to move. “S’not polite to kick down doors.” Katherine said, putting the bags down again. “Besides, he’s not here.”
“Where is he?” Buffy demanded more than asked.
“Away from you. Not here. Lucky him.” Katherine turned to look at Buffy. “Any reason you’re still here?”
“I want to see Spike.”
“Then go find him. It ain’t here, though.”
“It’s daytime.” Buffy stated.
“Good, now what is it when the sun goes down?” Katherine asked sarcastically as she spoke to the Slayer as it she was a slow kid. The Slayer only glared at her. “Plus, I can magically go places. Like now.” Katherine grabbed a bag and teleported back to the apartment. “Got more of your stuff.”
She set the bag down. Spike came out of the kitchen. “Be back in a min.” Buffy was still there when the demi-god reached the crypt. “Y’don’t give up, do you?”
“No.”
Katherine grabbed the last two bags. “Too bad. G’day. “ She reappeared in the apartment and set the last two bags down. She threw herself down on the couch and sighed.
“Ran into the Slayer, didn’t you?” Spike asked.
“Both times. Need a life?” Katherine commented as
Spike sat down next to her.
‘Can I have the amulet?’
DO YOU THINK IT IS WISE TO GIVE IT TO HIM?
‘I trust him and I think so. Isn’t that enough?’
VERY WELL.
Spike watched Katherine hold out her right hand. An amulet appeared in it. To Spike’s surprise, she took Spike’s left hand and placed the amulet in it. “From me. To you.”
He stared at it. Silver. On the front was a crescent moon and sun combined and inscribed inside a triangle. Embedded in the triangle were three letters: PTB. “What does it do?”
“I made this amulet a long time ago. I think you deserve it and so do they. You’ll find out what it does soon. “ Katherine answered mysteriously. “I need to go to the shop, help the redhead control her magic and concentrate on the right stuff. When you decide you’re done unpacking, put the amulet on and walk to the shop.” Katherine smiled and then teleported to the middle of the shop. “Hey, people!”
Her grin when everyone jumped was contagious.
“Hey, Katherine.” Willow said, smiling.
“So, Redhead. First off-you can’t ever do magic thinking that whoever you call upon to do you the favor of allowing this spell to work is just doing it just for you. They want something from you. And, you can’t mess with the forces of nature. They’re not yours to control. They’re nature’s. We’ll come back to that later. Now, “Katherine paused, letting what she said sink in. ”let’s get to the concentration and control thing. One- you can’t let your emotions control you. That’d be your first mistake. So, concentrate on a time when you’ve felt extreme anger.” She instructed Willow.
The redhead closed her eyes and concentrated. She went back to when she had her argument with Giles and her called her an amateur. Black energy swirled and crackled around the witch. Everyone watched in amazement and some fear.
‘Now, Willow, listen to me. Concentrate on what you’re angry at. Why are you angry with him? Because of what he said? Or because he was right?’
“Because of what he said.” Willow answered.
‘Truth please?’
Why was she angry? She hadn’t been that powerful then, true. She’d messed with forces she had no business invoking. She resurrected a person from the dead knowing that what she brought back might not have been Buffy.
“Because he was right.” Willow relented. The energy stopped its crackling around her and she opened her eyes.
‘That’s the angriest you’ve ever been since you used magic?’ Willow nodded. 'And you were angry b’cause he was right?’ Willow nodded again. ‘So, then you have to realize, he’s only making sure you stay on the right path in magic. He isn’t trying to hurt you.’
Willow nodded. “You’re right. All this time I’ve been feeling like he was just jealous of me…and it’s not, now that I can see it from both points of view.”
‘Good. Now, I’m gonna throw in a little something-something of a possible future for grief.’ Willow nodded and closed her eyes. She had a feeling she’d have to brace herself for this. Katherine thought back to the first future she saw when she originally came to town. Tara’s death, something the witch really wasn’t prepared for. Willow made a cry of dismay at the thought of her love dying right in front of her. ‘Her killer?’
Willow nodded and Katherine sent the image of Warren running down the block, gun in hand. The magic that had started to surround Willow was darker than before.
'Willow, what are you doing?’
“He took her, away from me. He has to die.” Willow said as the image changed to her sucking all the magic out of the books in the shop.
‘Willow you’re better than this. In Tara’s memory, it would be dishonorable to use dark magic and kill someone.’ Katherine said, as the image turned to her killing Warren, skinning him alive.
“It would be revenge, he needs to pay.” Willow answered.
‘No. It’s murder. It would be dishonorable to her. She would never want you to kill someone in her name. If those can’t show you, how about these?’
A rush of images flew through Willow’s mind…talking to Dawn about turning her back into a green ball of energy…fighting Buffy…hurting Giles while Buffy tried to save Dawn, Xander and the two nerds left…invoking skeletons to attack Buffy and Dawn…hurting Xander with magic as he tried to keep her from ending the world… The magic stopped crackling around the witch and she started to cry.
‘It’s not real yet, Redhead, but you can change it. If you try really hard to.’
“It’s what you saw, isn’t it? That’s why you want to help me?” Willow asked and Katherine nodded. “Thank you.”
Katherine wiped the leftover tears from the redhead’s face and smiled, “Congrats, you’re almost there.” She looked at the others that had slowly backed away from the two. “Oh, c’mon, she wasn’t that bloody scary, was she?”
“Of course not, its just Willow.” Xander said, unconvinced.
“Just Willow?! She’s a very powerful witch! She just needs more control.” Katherine said before turning to Willow. “You have a harmless spell you wan’ to try?”
Willow nodded. “Yep, got it earlier. I’ll go get it.” Willow went to her bag on the reading table.
The bell to the shop “dinged” as Spike entered, the amulet Katherine gave him around his neck. In the sunlight.
“Spike’s in the sunlight.” Xander said to his fiancé.
“It’s the amulet.” The ex-demon answered, dusting the merchandise.
Spike smiled at Katherine. It was rare and genuine, so Katherine had to return it. “You like?” she asked.
“I like.” He grinned and sat himself on the counter despite Anya’s protests otherwise.
A teenage girl with long brown hair and blue eyes came into the shop. “Hey guys. Hey, Spike.” She received various greetings from all the occupants except for Katherine.
Willow finally found the book and turned to Katherine with a smile. “Found it. Is a teleportation spell okay?”
Katherine nodded. “Yeah. ‘Course. Let’s get started.”
“Wait.” The witches stopped the preparation of the spell. Spike, Xander and Anya looked up at Dawn. “Everyone’s fine with Willow doing magic after everything’s that happened?”
“That’s Katherine. She’s the greatest witch I know. She’s helping Willow.”
“By doing magic?” Dawn put her bag down on the table.
“If she stops completely, if something tragic happens, she’ll explode. I’m talking end-of-the-world shit. She just needs to stay on the right path.” Katherine said as the teenager turned towards her.
“Really? And how long have you been doing magic to know this?” Dawn crossed her arms to her chest, too similar to the Slayer.
Katherine’s eyes reflected flames for a moment. And then she smiled-an obviously fake one. “Of course. You were made from the Slayer, that’s why you’re so much like her.”
Dawn’s eyes widened and she realized that the blonde was not a normal witch.
“And, to answer your question…I became the most powerful witch when I turned fifteen and I’m seven hundred seventy-five.”
“You don’t look a day older than twenty-three.” Dawn said.
Katherine raised her eyebrows and then went back to setting up the ingredients for the spell while Anya said, “She started working for the Powers That Be when she became twenty-three.” She continued to dust the products in the store.
‘Kat, don’t be hard on the Bit. She’s just…well, it isn’t her fault she’s so much like the Slayer.’
Katherine looked at Spike and smiled. “You sound like you like that a lot.” The humans stared at them in confusion as the doorbell to the shop jingled, announcing the Slayer’s entrance. “Oh, look. It’s Slutty the Vampire Layer.”
Buffy looked at the blonde with the blue-gray eyes and the smirk on her face. Bitch.
“Not nice to think about people like that.” Katherine commented. Buffy glared at her hard enough to freeze any normal person. But, then again, Katherine was in no way normal. “Oh, if looks could kill…I’d still be here.”
“One day, I’ll kick your ass.”
“An’ I’m Queen Victoria.” Katherine retorted. She sat on the counter next to Spike, both with a bizarrely similar look on their faces.
“That’s just creepy.” Xander said, on the whole same look thing and the laughter in the eyes of the non-humans sitting on the counter.
Spike started to pat his duster and Katherine automatically had a pack of cigarettes and a Zippo lighter in her hands.
“Really creepy.”
“Thanks, Kat.” Spike lit a cigarette and took a drag off it. Katherine held out her right hand and he handed her one and the lighter. “I thought you quit in England.”
“Yeah, well there’s too much tension in this bloody store.” Katherine lit the cigarette and put it in her mouth. She handed the lighter to Spike and took a drag off her cigarette. Then she blew out the smoke and continued. “Anyanka and her human boy still aren’t getting into real communication. The Slayer and the teenager still haven’t forgiven Redhead for her mistakes this past year, but then it’s okay if the girl wants to run from store to store being KleptoGirl, saving merchandise from being bought.”
“I just-“
“Did it for the attention. Caught the memo. And so was the whole trapped-in-the-house-for-a-day-and-a-half thing with Hallie.” She took another drag off her cigarette and blew the smoke out again.
“Who?”
“Halfrek. Y’know, an’ I’m just saying, maybe you should a tried telling everyone you felt ignored. But then, what the hell do I know? But it might’ve helped. And you wouldn’t have had to been banned from every store in the whole town. “ Katherine said. They all tried to protect and shy the girl from everything, not understanding they were doing more harm than good.
“Where do you come from telling my sister what she should or shouldn’t have done?” Buffy finally stepped in and interrupted the conversation.
Katherine took a drag of her cigarette and jumped off the counter. She walked until she was nose-to-nose with Buffy and blew the smoke in the Slayer’s face. “And you’re going to…?”
Buffy threw a punch that Katherine easily sidestepped.
“Anger isn’t going to help you against me. Neither is rage…or envy? Oh…envious of me, I wonder why…”
Buffy threw a punch with her other fist and received a kick in the ribs, which sent her into the wall.
“Y’know, I’ve proved a number of times already that you can’t beat me. So, why the bloody hell are you doin’ this? Do you have masochistic tendencies or something?” She took another drag off her cigarette and blew out the smoke as Buffy rose to her feet.
“Am I the only one who noticed that Spike walked in here at three in the afternoon?” Xander interrupted, forgetting that he mentioned it earlier and Anya answered him.
“Honey, that happened ten minutes ago. Let it go.” Anya reassured Xander and she smiled as a customer entered the shop. “Can you take this into the back before you scare off the customer? I have to make money.” She shooed everyone except Dawn into the training room.
“So, Blondie, wanna give it a go then?” Buffy sneered at Katherine once in the back room.
Katherine only smiled, obviously amused as Spike, Willow and Xander stood off to the side.
“Why am I feeling a sense of déjà vu?” Xander asked.
“’Cause they were like this earlier?” Willow offered.
“Earlier? What happened earlier? Spike asked, confused. His question went unanswered.
Katherine took a drag of her cigarette and blew out the smoke. Then she put it out on the wall near her and turned to face Buffy. “Let’s do this, then.”
Buffy swung a right jab at Katherine. The demi-god ducked the blow and spun at the same time, sweeping Buffy off her feet.
Katherine flipped back to her feet and waited for Buffy to get up. “Well, get up, then. You wanted to do this.” Katherine waited semi-patiently as the Slayer jumped to her feet.
Buffy lunged at the demi-god and they flew into a wall.
Katherine lifted both feet onto the wall and braced herself. Then, she pushed against the wall and flew in the air, pulling Buffy with her. She rolled to her feet as Buffy flew into the opposite wall.
Buffy rolled to her feet into a crouched position and stared at the demi-god. “You are so going down.”
Katherine smirked as Buffy charged her. She leaned so that she fell on her back and flipped Buffy over her.
“She’s letting rage control her. That’s why she’s not winning.” Spike said.
“How do you know?” Xander replied incredulously at the blonde vampire.
"It’s obvious.” Spike said simply. “Plus, Kat told me.”
Willow and Xander shared a look. “Telepathically?” Willow asked.
“’Course. How else?” he looked at the two humans and then back to the fight. “The Slayer’s gonna have serious bruises.”
‘Wanna take you rage out on me, eh? ‘Cause I’m not letting you use William as your punchin’ bag anymore. He doesn’t deserve it.’ Katherine said telepathically as Buffy landed a punch to her face.
Katherine stumbled back only a few steps.
Angrily, Buffy said, ‘Soulless demon. Nothing good or clean about him.’
‘And what about you?’ Buffy paused and Katherine took this opportunity to land roundhouse kick. ‘The way you fight, you’d figure you were in your first year as the Slayer.’
‘I’ve had six years experience.’ Buffy retorted, flipping herself off her back.
Katherine blocked a punch and laughed. ‘I know. You’re the one letting your emotions control you. You’re like the demons you fight. Letting the rage control you. Non-human. Animalistic, is more like it.’
Buffy swung with her right fist. Katherine caught her fist with her own right hand and spun the Slayer into a position Spike recognized. He’d had the Chinese Slayer (Xin Rong) like that at the Boxer Rebellion. ‘I’m not an animal.’
‘Aren’t you? It’s what you act like. Will tried to tell you that you didn’t kill the girl. He turns out to be right and if he hadn’t delayed you, you’d be watching yourself while you bend over for the soap. And he’s right but yet still, he gets the shit beat outta him. And he still loves you for whatever God-forsaken reason. I’ve been here two days and I still haven’t seen what makes you the Slayer. You had him and you treated him badly. Then you dumped him ‘cause Commando Boy showed up with Commando Girl.’
‘Spike was hiding demon eggs. He was “The Doctor”.’ Buffy struggled to get out of Katherine’s grip.
‘Oh, really, and after last year, would he really choose a name so close to “Doc”, you know, the demon that threw ‘im off the soddin’ tower and cut Dawn? You are pathetic.’ Katherine threw Buffy out of her hold.
Buffy fell to her knees.
“Very much so. “Katherine finished. She turned to Willow. “How about we go do that spell?”
“Um, sure.” Willow looked at Buffy for a moment and then followed Katherine out of the room.
Spike didn’t say anything. He just followed the two witches to the front and sat next to Dawn at the reading table. Xander helped Buffy up and they made their way out front.
Dawn leaned over to Spike. “So, that’s your old ‘friend’ that’s also the ‘greatest witch alive’?”
“Yeah.” Spike grinned as Katherine sat with Willow to finish setting up the spell. He looked at Dawn. “Isn’t she great?”
“Okay. I’m ready when you are.” Willow sat down in the circle across from Katherine and joined hands with the blonde.
“First thank Gaia for allowing completion of this spell. Without her, you wouldn’t be able to do it.” Katherine instructed.
“I thank the Goddess Gaia for granting me the power and strength needed to complete this spell.” Willow said dutifully.
‘Willow, think of a place you want to be.’ Willow’s mind drifted to the beach. ‘Concentrate on the place. The beach…the cool breezes blowing your hair into your face…the waves lapping at your feet as you walk along the shore…As you recite the words from the book, think of the beauty of the beach…not getting there.’
“Goddess Gaia. I implore you. Allow me safe passage. From here to the serene nature I want to witness. I ask of you to let me travel. I implore thee for safe passage from this place to another.” Willow began to recite the words of the spell, her mind on the beach, not the spell. The words flowed out of her mouth easily. Willow opened her eyes and it startled everyone that it was a white color instead of the black they were used to. A white wind surrounded the witches as they recited the last words of the spell in unison. “So mote it be.”
“So…she really is a powerful witch, huh.” Dawn said to Spike as more of a statement that a question.
“Makes you want to stay on he good side, doesn’t it?” Spike asked.
Dawn nodded and agreed, “Big time.”
Willow looked around her. They were really at the beach. “Oh. Wow. I did it.” She turned to look at Katherine. “With your help, of course, because I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.”
“This was all you, Redhead. I just came along for the ride.” Katherine said.
A breeze blew and the redhead shared a smile with the blonde. It was just as serene as she pictured it.
“Yeah. Now: to return. No supplies needed. Just concentrate on where you originally came from.” Willow closed her eyes and pictured the magic box with all her friends inside. She joined hands with Katherine. “Good. Now, recite the words of the spell.”
“Goddess Gaia. I implore you. Allow me safe passage. From the serene nature I wanted to witness to there I want to return. I ask of you to let me travel. I implore thee for safe passage from this place to another.” Willow began to recite the words of the spell, her mind on the magic shop, not the spell. The words flowed out of her mouth as easily as before. Willow opened her eyes and there was a white color, like before. A white wind surrounded the witches as they recited the last words of the spell in unison. “So mote it be.” They reappeared in the Magic Box in a flash of white wind.
When Willow got past her disorientation, she smiled brightly. “Thanks Katherine!” She hugged the blonde and began to clean up the supplies. She returned the unused supplies, too.
“So, where’d you go?” Dawn asked, looking truly interested.
“The beach. Simple place. It was cool.” Katherine said. “Serene…calm…it’s what she needs.”
“Katherine, I’m having a pre-wedding party. Only friends. I was hoping you and Spike would come.” Anya said.
“No prob, Anyanka.” Katherine looked at her bleached blonde friend. ‘Right?’
‘Course. Wanna see how “fun” it’ll be,’ Spike smirked.
Katherine shook her head and smiled. “When exactly?”
“Tomorrow night.” Anya answered. The she said, “Are you going to pay for the supplies you and Willow used?”
“Yes, knowing how much you love money…not a big deal either.” Katherine walked over to the counter.
Spike watched her with a small smile.
“That’ll be twenty-two dollars and fifty cents.” Anya rang up the supplies, a smile on her face as Willow returned.
“That’s it?” Katherine asked, pulling the bills out of her wallet in her pocket.
Xander looked at Buffy, Willow and Dawn and mouthed, “That’s it?”
Willow shrugged. “Maybe she’s rich.”
“Not that much, but…I just thought Anyanka would have higher prices. “ Katherine cut in, making everyone jump. They glared at her. “Sorry. You’d think that after six years of demons, you could stand someone sneakin’ on ya. Guess not.” She turned to Spike. “So, time to go?”
Spike nodded. “Yeah.” She and Spike walked out into the sun.
“Again, was Spike out in the sun?” Xander asked his friends.
“Yeah-wait, how’s that possible?” Dawn asked. “Spike-vampire. Vampire-Spike.”
“It’s the amulet she’s wearing. Katherine made it a couple of centuries ago, with the permission of the Powers That Be, going on about ‘for the one with the Heart’. Don’t know what she meant by that.”
“Well, obviously it was destined for Spike. And she meant Spike all those years ago.” Dawn said logically.
“Well, that makes sense.” Anya said. A customer entered. “Hello, welcome to the Magic Box, where all your magical demands are met. How can I help you?” She began to follow the customer around the store.
“Yeah, it does. “Willow agreed. They sat in silence for a moment and then the redhead sighed and stood. “Well, I’ve got to meet Tara.”
“Really?” Dawn asked, happy at the prospect of her favorite couple getting back together.
Willow nodded. “Yeah. We’re meeting at the Expresso Pump. To talk.”
“Go, Wills!” Dawn cheered her friend on.
“Oh. We’re just going to be friends.” Willow said, blushing slightly.
“For now.” Dawn said to herself. “Oh, you should invite her to the party.”
The redhead caught Dawn’s thinking and smiled. “Will do.” And she left the shop, one of the happiest in the whole Scooby Gang.
Buffy watched her leave, wishing she could have a single thought that didn’t end in a fight, her miserable or yelling. Everything was going good for everyone but her. And then there was Katherine who just came swooping in and making everything better. As if it was a way of the Powers That Be telling her that she fucked up and they were sending someone to make it better. Xander and Anya were getting married in two days, Willow and Tara seemed to be on the together road. And what the hell was there between Katherine and Spike. Not that she cared, because she didn’t…