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The décor was sparse but comfortable. Candles were lit and there were a few benches along with an altar. That was about it. Still, there was a sense of peace in the temple, of security. Alec smiled slightly and turned to face the others, who wore similar expressions,

“Feels nice in here,” he commented. Buffy smiled and nodded,

“Yeah, very Zen, grasshopper,” she replied wryly. Giles cleared his throat and peered up at a painted window,

“Yes well, with any luck the Rabbi-”

“Can I help you?” a voice called out from behind them. They turned around to face an older man with dark skin, wearing a white wetsuit and carrying a white surfboard. He smiled at them through a salt and pepper beard. Giles spoke up,

“Yes, hello, we were looking for Rabbi Mesha,” he told him. The man grinned and reversed the grip on his surfboard revealing a large Star of David in blue,

“You found him,” he replied evenly. Buffy gaped,

“You’re a Rabbi?” she asked dumbly. He grinned and walked over to them; the man was tall a good six feet, and pretty muscular underneath that wet suit,

“Who were you expecting? Grandpa Moses?” he asked wryly. He took Giles’ outstretched hand in a firm handshake that had the other wincing,

“Rabbi Mesha, at your service,” he grinned. Alec nodded and gestured to the surfboard,

“You surf?” he asked. The rabbi rolled his eyes,

“No, actually, I just felt like carrying this heavy thing around with me for the fun of it,” he replied wryly. Alec grinned,

“Okay, stupid question,” he admitted, “But isn’t surfing in the Atlantic at night a little risky?” he asked. The Rabbi grinned and turned his eyes heavenward,

“God watches over his flock,” he replied simply. Giles cleared his throat,

“Yes, well, we have a bit of a problem we were hoping you could help us with,” he told the other man. Mesha nodded,

“I gathered; tell you what. Let me get into something a little more respectable and you bring your friends in here and we’ll swap facts,” he instructed. Giles nodded,

“All right,” he replied evenly. Mesha gave them a mock salute and headed through a door at the back. The three turned to watch him depart,

“Interesting guy,” Buffy commented, “Reminds me of Oz,” she said thoughtfully. Alec snorted,

“Is it a full moon?” he asked dryly. Buffy swatted him playfully,

“None of that,” she chided gently. Giles walked over to the open doors and gestured to everyone that all was well.

A few phone calls later and everyone was assembled, either outside the temple or within its confines. The group within sat on a couple of benches a few minutes later. The rabbi, clad in more traditional Rabbi garb, was listening intently to their story. Dawn was outside chatting with Anya. She hadn’t really felt like hearing the story again and Anya had volunteered to join her. Buffy was able to tell the Rabbi the whole story, including the truth about Dawn. Spike and Angel miraculously suffered little discomfort from the place, though Spike was grumbling about not being able to smoke. Finally the Rabbi spoke,

“Your story is…amazing,” he shook his head in awe, “And I would be honored to assist you in your quest,” he told them. There were surprised smiles from everyone; rarely were things so easy.

“However, I must ask you for a boon,” he added. The smiles faded; things were NEVER that easy. Buffy nodded,

“Okay, what can we do?” she asked. The rabbi’s face grew grave,

“Something has been killing children in this neighborhood,” he told them grimly. There were looks of shock,

“Children?” Willow asked aghast. The rabbi nodded,

“Something is hunting them in their dreams. The children, those that are left, won’t go to sleep, claiming that a ‘scary man’ is after them. Children that are found…” he shuttered slightly and the group got the hint. “It’s had to be closed casket ceremonies for those poor kids,” the Rabbi whispered. Alec’s eyes narrowed,

“It’s done,” he turned to Buffy, who looked equally pissed,

“We find what’s doing it and we make it very dead,” she promised him. The Rabbi nodded,

“Thank you,” he replied. Alec turned to Xander,

“What was that about Freddy Kreuger?” he asked grimly. Xander sighed and hung his head,

“I know, I’m a jinx,” he replied glumly. Alec turned to Willow,

“I want you and everyone else out of here,” he instructed firmly, “Buffy and I will stay here and go hunting for this thing,” Willow opened her mouth to protest, Alec cut her off with a look,

“I’ve seen you die once, I’m not going to let it happen again,” he growled. Willow closed her mouth and nodded. Alec turned to Faith,

“In case this doesn’t work out, you’re plan, B. If we show up as kibbles and bits, promise me you’ll find this thing,” Faith nodded,

“You got it,” she replied fervently. Alec nodded and turned to Spike.

:”Can I see you outside for a moment, mate?”

Spike nodded. “Yeah sure, no problem.”

The pair of them headed outside, Buffy frowning at their backs in consternation, wondering what was up.


“What’s the deal mate?” Spike asked quizzically, reaching for a smoke.

“I’m going to get that bloody chip out of your head,” Alec replied evenly.

“You’re gonna do what now?”

“Just…try to hold still.”

“Oh that’s comforting.”

Extending a single finger, Alec pointed it at Spike’s left eye, and a thin tendril of darkness begin to emerge from the finger tip, making its way towards the vampire’s eyeball.

“Uh…..Alec?”

“Trust me, mate, just don’t flinch.”

“Easy for you to say.”

The darkness tendril took on a point, fine as a needle; it came closer and closer to Spike’s eye and then without a hint of resistance, punctured the vampire’s eye.

“How does that feel?” Alec asked.

“Bloody well strange, how do you think it feels?” Spike growled, “Now what?”

“Now things get interesting.” Concentrating Alec extended the darkness through Spike’s occipital cavity and towards the brain.

“Alrighty, I believe we’ve hit gray matter,” Alec announced, “Now to find that damn chip.”

Alec focused and the needle of darkness resting against his friend’s brain split into a hundred tiny hairs of writhing dark matter.

“Nyuh! What the hell are you doing?” Spike asked aghast, “Feels like there’s ants in my skull!”

“Just hold still and remind yourself that the brain itself can feel no pain. Be damn grateful you’re not going to have a massive cerebral hemorrhage from all this.”

Alec probed for several moments before he found it.

There!

He wrapped the tiny tendrils around the small piece of metal and plastic and let his power dissolve the bond that held it to his friend’s brain. Within moments it was free.

“Okay, I’ve got it; now time for extraction.”

“ ‘Extraction’? What do you mean ‘extraction’?” Spike demanded.

Twisting his wrist, Alec pulled the tendril back out of the inside of Spike’s skull and proceeded to pull it around and down, across Spike’s face and towards his nose.

“Ah ah ah ah, careful!” Spike said with gritted teeth. There was a small bulge as the chip reached his face. Alec twisted and pulled, there was a pop and a small piece of bloody plastic fell out of Spike’s nose.

“Consider that your wedding present,” Alec said as he dissolved the darkness.

Spike wiped at his bloody nose and then smashed his boot down onto the chip.

“Stupid sodding thing!” he cursed before sniggering and spitting a glob of phlegm and blood onto the shattered plastic fragments.

“Well said,” Alec put in.

“Now I gotta ask, what inspired you to do that?” Spike asked.

“I want to make sure you’re on a level playing field with ‘Broody Mcvampire-pants’”, Alec replied cocking his head towards the group.

“Angel?”

“Yeah. He’s taking way more of an interest in my sister than I’m comfortable with and I think it would help you guys if Buffy wasn’t worried about that chip holding you back in battle.”

“I did all right against those bloody cultists.”

“I know that and you know that, but if Buffy has any reason, rational or no, to think that she needs to protect you at all, you’re never going to be able to seal the deal and walk her down the isle and that is something I would very much like to see.”

Spike reached out and clasped his friend’s hand. “Thanks mate.”

“No worries, now let’s go rejoin the others.”

Spike nodded, still rubbing at his nose and trying to get the sensation of ants in his head out of his mind.


Alec and Spike rejoined the group “Okay then,” he turned to Buffy, “Let’s go have some bad dreams,”

The others began filing out of the temple, Giles turned to Alec,

“Alec, I must say this is terribly risky. A dream creature can supposedly only be slain in the waking world and bringing one across is incredibly difficult,” Alec nodded,

“I know, Dad, but if we get our tickets punched, Faith is going to need a Watcher,” he smiled at his father, “I can think of no one better suited for the task. Faith has pulled a 180 but she still needs help,” Giles sighed and nodded at his son’s logic.

“Very well,” he took off his glasses and gripped his son’s arms, “Be careful, Alec,” he said hoarsely. Alec nodded,

“Go give Buffy a pep talk,” he assured his father. Giles nodded and turned to go talk to Buffy. Alec walked over to Willow, who looked scared. Alec grinned,

“No worries, love, I’ll be all right,” he reassured her. Willow smiled slightly and handed him the playing card Oliver had given him originally.

“Here, for luck,” she whispered before throwing her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

“I love you, Alec,” she whispered, her eyes tearful. Alec smiled and kissed her hair,

“Ohhh,” he sighed longingly holding her, “I love you too, Willow,” he smiled as he pulled back, kissing her eyes, “No tears, love, we’re going to be fine,” Willow sniffled and nodded.

“Better not tell Dawn,” she whispered. Alec smirked slightly,

“Thanks. I appreciate it,” he replied. Willow smiled,

“Dealing with two heartbroken women might be a bit much,” she sniffled. Alec shook his head,

“Don’t let that heart get damaged, you gave it to me and I intend to take care of it” he promised.

“Then come back alive,” she whispered fiercely. Alec nodded and gathered her mouth in a long kiss. Willow mewled softly and took his face in her hands, not wanting to let him go.

Finally, they parted. Alec kissed her forehead; Willow’s eyes closed and she rested her head against his.

“Be careful, Alec,” she whispered. He nodded and gestured to Xander with whom he’d made his peace. Gently disentangling himself from Willow, he led her into Xander’s arms who held her supportively,

“Hey, don’t give it a thought, Wills. Alec’s scary, trust me, I know,” he grinned wryly. Alec smirked and nodded gratefully as Xander led his friend away.

Dawn walked over to Alec, watching Willow go,

“What’s the matter with her?” she asked. Alec shrugged,

“She’s just a little tired,” he lied. Dawn turned to him slowly peering at him.

“Alec….” She said with a hint of warning. Alec sighed, he should have known better,

“She’s scared, petite, Buffy and I need to help out the rabbi with something a little tricky,” he told her. Dawn’s eyes widened,

“What kind of thing?” she demanded. Alec braced himself,

“The uh…demonic kind,” he confessed. Dawn paled and Alec quickly placed a hand on her shoulder,

“It’s okay, this isn’t going to be a repeat of the Deadlands, don’t worry,” he reassured her, “There’s something killing children, a dream demon or something. Your sister and I are going to hunt it down so it can’t hurt any more kids,” Dawn swallowed a few times painfully before nodding,

“Okay,” she whispered. Alec smiled and gathered her in a tight hug. Dawn clutched at him desperately as he stroked her hair, whispering soothingly. Placing a kiss on her head, Alec released her, setting her down gently.

“I’ll see you when I’m done, promise,” he whispered. Dawn nodded and sniffled before smiling slightly,

“Gonna go play hero again, huh?” she asked wryly. Alec nodded,

“Something like that,” he replied chuckling. Dawn’s face grew calm and gently she reached out a hand and stroked his face.

“It suits you, Alec,” she whispered suddenly looking a lot older. Alec frowned puzzled.

“Dawn?” he asked carefully. Dawn shook herself and laughed gently talking back her hand,

“Sorry, I was having an ‘impending doom’ moment,” she replied sardonically. Alec grinned,

“Not a problem” he laughed taking her hand in his he bent low and placed a lingering kiss on it. Dawn smiled and bit her lower lip in pleasure as Alec straightened.

“Now, go join the others and I’ll see you soon, okay?” he asked. Dawn nodded,

“You bet,” she replied, trying to be brave. Alec smiled,

“That’s my girl,” he said to her, his voice full of compassion. Dawn’s face brightened,

“I can live with that,” she commented perkily before blushing and hurrying away. Alec chuckled and turned to face Buffy, who was walking away from a very concerned looking Spike,

“Said your goodbyes?” he asked. She nodded and tried to smile,

“You’d think we’d get used to these kinds of things,” she replied. Alec shook his head and watched as people began disappearing into the van.

“You never get used to it,” he whispered in a strained voice. Watching his father pull the car away, he stared after it until it disappeared from sight. Buffy looked up at him,

“You okay?” she asked concerned. Alec nodded,

“Yeah, I just got this funny feeling, like I’m not going to see them again or something,” he replied. Buffy hit him upside the head hard,

“Ow! What was that for?” Alec demanded. Buffy pointed a finger at him,

“Don’t go all fatalistic on me, you hear me?” she growled. Alec smiled slightly as he rubbed the back of his head,

“Fair enough, just don’t hit me anymore, okay?” he pleaded. Buffy narrowed her eyes,

“We’ll see,” she replied before heading up the stairs back into the temple. Alec chuckled and followed, as he reached the threshold he stopped and turned to gaze off at the point where the van had disappeared. He sighed and closed the door.

In the van there was silence as the group drove away. Willow sighed and looked over at Dawn who was facing the window,

“Hey Dawney, you okay?” she asked. Dawn didn’t turn around,

“Yeah,” she whispered as tears streamed freely down her face. She did her best to hide the quiver in her voice, “I’m fine.”

God, if you ever cared about me, please, PLEASE let Alec be all right. She closed her eyes and prayed.

“So what do we do?” Alec asked as he, the Rabbi, and Buffy entered a small room in the back of the temple. Rabbi Mesha removed a stick of incense and lit it. A strong, tangy smell filled the room as he began to pray. Alec promptly shut up so as not to interrupt. Buffy leaned in to whisper,

“I think this is the part where you get real quiet and let the nice holy man do what he needs to,” she whispered, her voice heavily sardonic. Alec’s lips curled in a wry smile.

“I will have to put you into a deep sleep, you will be living a waking dream,” the rabbi informed them. Buffy frowned,

“That’s really kinda vague,” she commented. Rabbi Mesha sighed,

“I know and I apologize, all I can tell you is this: when you enter the dream world, what you see will not always be what is,” he held up a finger in warning, “And you must always remember: a wound suffered in the realm of dreams will be here when you awake,” Alec nodded grimly,

“Translation: Die in dreams, die here. Got it,” Alec turned to face Buffy, “You ready?” Buffy screwed on a brave smile,

“Dream me up, Scotty,” she quipped lightly.

The Rabbi chanted in Hebrew then taking a handful of fine white sand, he began to sift it onto Buffy and Alec’s head. Their eyes began to droop,

“God be with you,” Rabbi Mesha said from what sounded like a faraway place to the pair. And the world faded into white then black.





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