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Chapter 18 – Surprises


Buffy and Spike wandered through Sunnydale later that night with Dawn
slowly trailing behind. They had left the kids with their father to enjoy
the peace and quiet. Or at least enjoy how peaceful a town overrun with
vampires can be, but they had spent the quiet time telling Dawn about the
prophecy, and now she was trying to absorb the news.

Buffy shot Spike a worried look before glancing over her shoulder at her
sister.

“So…she’s coming back,” Dawn finally said with a nod.

“That’s what all the signs are pointing to,” Buffy said, taking Spike’s hand
and slowing down to walk with Dawn.

“How can I help?”

“By staying out of it, Niblet,” Spike said with a raised eyebrow. “You have
a family now. Big Sis doesn’t need to be worried about you on top of
everything else.”

“What about Xander?” Dawn asked, crossing her arms over her chest as she
stared at them. “He and Anya have a son. Is he helping?”

Buffy gave Spike a surprised look at never hearing this piece of
information.

Spike sighed. “It doesn’t matter. You’re not fighting.”

“Spike, this whole thing is because of me.”

“All the more reason to stay away from it, Dawnie,” Buffy said softly.
“Spike’s right, I don’t want to worry about you. I want you safe.”

“Buffy, I-“

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite little girl, all grown up.”

Buffy felt frozen in place as she turned to see what she feared the most-
Glory.

Spike was already moving to stand in front of ‘his’ girls as the Hell-God slowly
approached, checking her nails as she walked.

“And you’re still hanging around the vampire,” Glory said as she walked.
“Honestly, Dawnie, I thought you had better sense than that. I mean- this
is the Hellmouth, after all.”

Buffy’s breathing became more rapid as Glory closed in on them. ‘I’m not
ready,’ she thought. ‘I’m not ready, I can’t do this, I’m not strong
enough.’

Buffy seemed to snap out of it as Glory got within touching distance. Her
view was blocked by Spike, but Buffy could hear the sound of her heels on
concrete, her voice quickly approaching. None of them had said a word to
Glory, and Buffy knew she could easily see their fear.

Shaking her head as if to clear it, Buffy grabbed Spike and hauled him
backwards before landing a solid, unexpected kick to Glory’s midsection.

“GO!” she screamed at Spike and Dawn.

“We’re not leaving you.”

“Get Dawn out of here,” she said in a clear voice as she kept an eye on
Glory. “Keep her safe.”

She knew Spike was hesitating, but she heard a sigh before she heard them
running. Turning her full attention back to Glory, Buffy smiled.

“Oh, don’t tell me they brought you back, too.”

“Yep,” Buffy replied, feeling her old bravado return as her smile
broadened. “I guess it’s part of that whole ‘Good vs. Evil’ ‘Balancing the
Scales’ crap that we hear so much about. Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll have
just as much fun this time around,” she finished with a sharp kick, sending
Glory reeling further back.

“You’re supposed to be dead.”

“I could say the same to you,” Buffy said with a shrug.

“You’re awfully confident without your hammer.”

“What can I say,” Buffy replied, ducking a punch. “I feel good.”

They traded blows as Glory slowly gained the upper-hand. Buffy could
feel herself beginning to tire when her eyes widened in shock as Glory flew backwards
into a tree. Buffy saw Spike standing where the Hell-God had just been
before he grabbed Buffy’s hand and began running.

“I told you to watch after Dawn.”

“I did,” Spike argued. “She’s safe.”

* * * * *

Buffy and Spike ran through the front door of the house to encounter a
flurry of activity. Dawn was calling out directions to RJ before turning to
Buffy. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“I know,” Buffy replied, giving her sister a hug. “But it’s for the best.”

RJ came down the stairs with a sleeping Joyce in one arm, a suitcase in the
other. “Where are we going?” he asked Buffy.

“I’ll call Angel. I’m sure all of you can stay at the Hyperion. You’ll be
there in two hours.”

RJ nodded as Spike ran up the stairs, reappearing a moment later with Summer half-asleep in his arms. Buffy kept a careful watch as the girls were loaded into the minivan. Dawn and Buffy each grabbed the bags that were
sitting next to the door as they walked outside. Bethany trailed after
them, rubbing her eyes as she walked outside, dragging her teddy bear behind
her.

“You guys are fast with the packing,” Buffy commented, loading a suitcase.

“Well, when Spike said you were back, I figured we should be ready for
anything.”

“Good thinking.”

“I still think I can help.”

“The best way you can help is to stay safe. You have Spike’s cell number,
right?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay,” Buffy said, giving her another hug. “I’ll see you when this is all
over.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Dawn turned as Spike came up behind her. “All of the Little Bits are loaded
up. You’re ready to go.”

Dawn said good-bye to Spike as Buffy hugged RJ. “Sorry we couldn’t get to
know each other better,” Buffy said with a sheepish smile.

“Maybe next time,” RJ replied with a nod.

Buffy turned to the backdoor of the minivan, smiling and blowing kisses to
her two nieces that were still awake. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Bye, Aunt Buffy,” Bethany waved with a smile as Summer waved sleepily.

Buffy shut the door with a sad smile, trying not to cry as Dawn hugged her,
yet again.

“Call me,” Dawn said in a warning tone before walking around to the
passenger side and getting in. Buffy and Spike waved until they were out of
sight before walking into the empty house.

“Do you think we should stay here? Glory knows where I used to live.”

“I think tonight was just to make her presence known,” Spike replied,
wrapping his arms around her waist. “We should be okay.”

"I was so stupid,” Buffy murmured as Spike planted soft kisses along her
shoulder. "What was I thinking? Of course she wasn't going to be in Los
Angeles- she would come back to wear it all started, not wherever I happened
to be. I guess I need to call Angel."

“You’re probably right,” Spike said softly. “I think the Scoobies need to
assemble a little earlier than planned.”



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