Section 1.5

Willow blinked once, then twice. The room came into focus, it wasn't the
dungeon she'd expected, but a rather well furbished, although windowless
room.
"You've been out for two hours, the door is locked and we're
underground," a calm voice said.
Willow turned around and saw Zoëga sitting in reclining chair.
"At least they put us in the same cell," he said.
"How did you?" Willow asked.
"The mindshredder, she tore through all my mental shields," he
stated.
"So you're just picking up stray thoughts,"
"Well those and strong emotions. You're lucky I've regained some control.
They had to carry the last guard out screaming," he said and bit down on an
apple.
"But G.I.L.E.S. files said you were a failure and Hope." Willow
trailed off.
"Hope knows, yes," he stated.
"So this cool and calm demeanor is because?"
"Without my shields in place I must remain calm, or else I could
accidentally slip in and out of your mind without you even noticing."
Willow sat down with caution and then watched Zoëga.
"Buffy and Spike are undoubtedly coming to our rescue," he
stated.
"Stop that,"
"Sorry, you care for her don't you?"
"I said." Willow said looking pissed off.
"You don't have to be a mindreader to see it. So do you or don't
you?"
"I don't know, it's all a bit. confusing."
"Coming out often is, at least that's what I've read."
"You know way too much for an eighteen year old," she groaned
and rubbed her temples.
"Well growing up at the Future Project and then the Giles
household tends to do that do a person," he said with smile.
"You're not worried at all are you?"
"No, this Drusilla person needs us, or else we would be dead,"
he stated.
"That's a bit cold isn't?"
"It's the truth. You see, you're the bait and me well I'm just a
bonus that enables her to get to Hope," he explained, "so back to the fun
stuff are you or are you not,"
"I'm not gay!" Willow stated in a firm voice, but there was
something that made Zoëga doubt her words.
"That's over simplifying the matter now isn't it?" he asked with
a grin.
That pompous son of a. wait a minute two can play this game,
Willow thought.
"I could as well ask you whether or not you want to fuck Angel?"
she asked and conjured up a clear and strong mental image of the act.
"I. I." Zoëga stuttered and Willow grinned.
"Point taken and I would never 'fuck' Angel," he said after he'd
gathered his wits.
"What you would make love to her?""
"Yes as a matter of fact I would. You wouldn't fuck Buffy now
would you?"
"I. I."
Willow never got a chance to reply because the door blew inwards, splintered
and dusted the vampire that had been thrown through it in the process. As
soon as the dust cleared they could see Buffy, Spike and Hope.
"Willow you alright," Buffy asked as she stepped through the
doorframe.
"Ten vampires advancing from the south," G.I.L.E.S. reported he
floated through the door.
"I'm on it," Spike said and turned around with his cape flapping
around his calves.
"Come on we've got get you out of here?" Buffy said and offered
Willow her hand.
"What's going on?" Zoëga asked in a calm voice.
"Drusilla is going to raise the Primal One," Hope explained.
"Sounds bad alright," he stated.
"How did you get here?" Willow asked.
"Dru left us a clue and I'm pretty sure this is just a another
trap cause this is all too easy," Buffy stated.
"And you came knowing that it was a trap?"
"I had to save you didn't I," Buffy answered with a smile.
"Hey what about me?" Zoëga asked.
"You're Angel's problem," Willow stated with a grin.
"Lets go already," Spike yelled from the hallway.
"Ready to save the world?" Buffy asked.
"Are you ever?" Willow asked back.
"Nope, but didn't that sound cool?" Buffy asked.
"You're complete loons every single one of you," Zoëga muttered.
He knew well the confidence that the Slayer was projection only ran so deep
and that they could all die this night. Wisdom without out age isn't all
what it's cranked up to be.

Section 1.6
They group raced through the labyrinth underneath the Church of Saint Joyce Summers. The rescue of Zoëga and Willow had gone too easily, so both Buffy and Spike were sure that more was to come.
"So Spike what do we do now?" Hope asked as she tried to keep up with the vampire.
"We get to the top level destroy the altar on which Dru is going to try to raise the Primal One, dust Dru and go out for a beer," he stated.
"And you were one of the people responsible for saving humankind?"
"My plans may be simple and they may be crude, but they get results."
"I repeat: You were one of the people responsible for saving humankind?" Hope muttered.
"Give it rest Hope. Spike's plans always work, sometimes," Buffy said.

Dru knelt in front of the altar. Soon it would be completed, soon everything what was would be again. She raised the dagger.
"Drop it Dru," Spike boomed as he came flying up through the trapdoor that lead into the labyrinth beneath the church.
"William how nice of you to drop in," she stated as Spike landed in crouch on the marble floor and cracking it in the process.
"Dru I'd like you to meet a close personal friend of mine," Buffy stated as a hail of arrows came flying from behind Spike. Then the Slayer came flying up from behind him, firing as she went, but Dru just stood still and the arrows seemed to flow around her. Buffy did somersault and landed firmly on the ground next to Spike.
"No matter the size of the audience always make and entrance. Right Slayer?" Dru stated as she dusted herself off.
"I think some of those marbles are still a little loose," Buffy whispered to Spike, who just nodded slightly.
"I know you," Dru said with a grin as Willow climbed up through the trapdoor.
"Dru don't?" Spike barked.
"What afraid she'll find out the truth William, how you weren't able to save her parents that night thirteen years ago, "or how you."

"NO I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!?!" Rang through the church.
Blue stream of energy shot from Willow's outstretched hands, but then curved passed Dru just like the arrows had and then Willow collapsed. Hope caught her before she hit the floor.
"What have you become Dru?" Spike asked calmly.
"More then I was the last time we fought my dear William," she answered.
"Okay I've had enough," Buffy stated and launched herself at Dru.
In mid flight two stakes shot out from her wristbands into her palms, but Dru sidestepped and Buffy went crashing into the marble floor, twisting and landing on her back she let the stakes fly, but they just curved around Dru. Spike tried to take advantage of the Dru's momentary distraction and leapt into action, the energy blade coming to live in mid air. He swung it over his head with all his might, but it came against a solid barrier and then he felt as Dru's fist connected with his midsection. A kick to his head, another punch to his stomach and then a roundhouse to the chest that sent him flying. Spike looked up from the floor blood flowing red from the corner of his mouth and a cut on his forehead.
"You never learn. You see dear William after our last battle I thought it better to come prepared, so I." Dru stopped and then grabbed her head as if in pain.
"Noone hurts my friends," Zoëga stated in a calm voice. His fingers were pressed against his temples.
"What. are. you. doing." Dru said and reached for something in her dress. Then the air crackled with energy.
"Shutting you." Zoëga stopped mid sentence as the blast from the gun hit him in the shoulder.
"Zoëga?!" Hope called out as the young man crumbled to his knees.
"Foolish child," Dru muttered.
As she turned towards Hope and brought her gun to bear there was sound of breaking glass. Dru looked up only in time to see a winged figure bearing down on her and the light reflected of silver talons.

Section 1.7

Hope watched as Angel came baring down on Drusilla. She wore a silvered
armor and gauntlets that extended into five silvery talons on each hand.
Angel's first cut was to Dru's midsection, the next to her arm. The vampire
could to nothing against the fury of the winged woman and went flying to the
floor as Angel kicked her in the chest. Buffy stood up and limbed over to
were Willow lay, Zoëga was getting to his feet with Spike's aid and the
fight had moved up to the altar where Angel slammed Dru's head against the
stone.
"Angel no?!" Hope shouted, but it was to late blood from Dru's
nose tripped down onto altar and the ground trembled.
"G.I.L.E.S. The spell, do the spell," Hope shouted over the
trembling as she supported Willow.
"It won't work," he stated solemnly.
"What?!" Spike and Hope shouted in unison.
"I tried it the second this all began. It would appear that
Drusilla has prepared for everything," he said as Dru crashed into the
benches.
Angel stalked over to the vampire and Dru looked up with a bloodied smile.
"The boy will be your undoing," she whispered, "he will strip
away your shinning armor, learn the truth and then you will die."
"What are you." Angel said brandishing her talons.
There was blast of heat as ghostly figure arose from the altar. He appeared
in the from of a young boy. Dru was on her feet in an instant. She clicked
her heels together three times, waved to Angel and was gone in a flash of
light.
"Damn," Angel muttered and ran over to the group
"Everyone out," Spike ordered and drew the energy blade.
"You're going to fight it?" Buffy asked.
"No we're going to fight it Slayer," Spike stated.
Buffy looked at Willow, Hope, Angel, Zoëga and G.I.L.E.S. and then back at
the figure that was gaining form on top of the altar.
"Go now," she said and two silvery blades shot from her
wristbands. She felt something hot on her cheek.
"Good luck," Willow whispered and Buffy then watched as Angel
carried her away. They watched they're friends and teammates until they
disappeared through the doors.
"So together again," Spike stated.
"Together again," Buffy nodded and crossed her hands over chest.
"So what's the plan Spike?" She asked as they walked up to the
altar.
"We strike as soon as it achieves corporal form," Spike stated.
"Guardian we meet again and Slayer welcome back to the land of
the living," the Primal One said in a child's voice.
"We will stop you like we did before," Spike stated in a firm
voice.
"Perhaps," the Primal One said as he became more clear to their
eyes.
"But you will not stop me," he said and pointed to Buffy, "my
fight is with the Guardian and him alone, so goodbye," he said with a wave
of a hand and Buffy found herself standing outside next to the group. Angel
was supporting Zoëga, Willow just stared blankly at the church, G.I.L.E.S.
hovered around the OA agents and Hope was reading the Codex.
"What the." She trailed off as an explosion of light inside the
church lit up the area.
"A century and a day have past,
Guardian of Earth returned at last
and day will dawn in light or dark,
it all rests upon the one who is marked." Hope read and looked
up from the Codex.
"Earth," Willow muttered.
She pulled out a golden chain, on it hung an upside down triangle on with a
line through it.
"Willow what is it?" Buffy asked.
"This belonged to by great-grandfather and grandma Willow said
that it was his mark."
Another blast of light lit up the night sky

Section 1.8

19th of December 2018

Buffy knelt before the altar. It was almost a year since the end of the war.
Maybe tonight she would tell Willow and they could pick up where they had
left off almost eleven years ago. She opened the box in her palm, the blood
red ruby glistened in the dim light. She looked up at the altar and saw the
ghostly figure rise up from it.
"I've been waiting for you," she said in a calm voice, there was
blinding light and then silence.
Spike stepped out off the shadows and knelt by Buffy's side.
"You had to do it didn't you Slayer?" he asked in soft voice.
"It had to be done. Promise me something Spike?" Buffy said in a
weak voice.
"Anything old friend," he said as tear ran down his cheek.
"Take care of Willow and the rest," she whispered.
"I promise," he said as a tear hit the floor.
"Here drink this," She said and handed him vial of blood.
"I can't."
"It must be done. goodbye Spike."

20th of December 2117

Spike looked up slowly the triangular mark of the Earth glowing on his
forehead. Ninety nine years had passed since that day. The worlds protector
had laid down her life one last time and he'd been called in her place. If
someone had been with him now to whisper irony he would have punched his
lights out. But it was just him and a demon that was classified as a seventh
level threat. Just his luck as usual. There was a blast of light from the
symbol on his forehead as another memory resurfaced.

3rd of May 2019

Spike stood in the shadows of the cemetery where the heroes of the war had
been laid to rest. Everyone who fought had been a hero, but these stood out
for one reason or another. He saw a dark cloaked figure standing over the
stone he knew was Buffy's.
Willow seemed to have aged since the last time he'd seen her.
"Hello Red," he said.
"Spike is that you?" she asked and turned around.
"It's me luv," he said as he opened up his arms.
"They told you me you'd disappeared," she said as she hugged
him.
"I did for awhile, but I felt there was something I'd left
unfinished," he said.
"So where have you been?"
"Here and there."

19th of December 2117

The Primal One was engulfed in light. Spike had known from the start that
Buffy would be removed from the fight one way or another and he'd waited his
time. No need for what he was to become public knowledge. He lived a simple
life now and he liked it, perhaps when this was all over he could just fade
away again. There was another blast of light, this time red and it came from
the demon. Hellfire.

Outside Buffy and Angel were busy saving the OA agents from being eaten by
the vampires that were being drawn to the old church. Hope said cross-legged
with the Codex, while Willow alternated between staring at the talisman and
the church. Zoëga appeared to be deep in though, as he rebuild his mental
shields and plotted his next move towards Angel. Boys will be boys.

Spike held the Primal One up with one hand as he chanted a spell he'd
committed to memory a long time ago. The demon screamed in its childlike
form as another wave of light hit it. Spike was burned in several places
from contact with hellfire, but then again pain was just another old friend.
The swirling portal of hell opened in front of them.

Angel slashed left and right while the prophecy Drusilla had told her rolled
around in her head. The boy will be your undoing. he will strip away your
shinning armor, learn the truth and then you will die.

Buffy swung with the extendable blades that were built into her wristbands.
She thought about two things. That she wasn't needed anymore and second what
to say to Willow when this was over.

Zoëga looked up slowly, the light from inside the church casting a glow over
his face. There was something out there, he could just feel it on the edge
of his mind. It felt old, like one of the books in the library. When he
reached out it for it was gone.

Hope read the words as they appeared on the page faster and faster,
sometimes changing, disappearing or repapering. Events were in flux, the
outcome changing by the second.

Willow fingered the talisman and continued to stare at the church. Her
forefather or not, Spike was fighting for the world and he better win
because the idea of chapter two was starting to sound interesting.

Spike lifted the Primal One higher into the air as the portal good bigger.
The memories of a hundred years assaulting his mind. Victories and defeats,
love and hatred.
"Ta, ta," he said with grin as he threw the child through the
portal.
The demon fought, but lost and was sucked in. There was dead silence as the
portal stopped spinning and the trembling stopped. Spike looked slowly back
at the altar and spotted the tale, tale sign of magical explosive charge.
"Bloody hell," he cursed as he broke into a run for the door.
The charge went of and the portal collapsed as the magical ripple went
through the church. He rammed straight through the doors not missing a beat
as he leaped down the steps.
"Run you smegheads, run," he yelled. Hr tripped and went
tumbling down, Willow and Hope turned around to see what had happened.
"I said run," he yelled as he turned around to face the ripple
head on, but it stopped and then returned back where it came from leaving
the church unharmed.
"General Spike," Zoëga said in a calm voice and offered him his
hand.
"You did this?" Spike asked as the boy heaved him from the
ground.
Zoëga nodded calmly as he looked around. The sun was rising over the
horizon.
Buffy covered in dust, Willow with a faraway look in her eyes, Angel also
covered in dust, Hope with the Codex under her arm and G.I.L.E.S. were all
walking or hovering towards the two men.
"How did you do this?" Hope asked as she hugged him.
"I grew up in the same house as you did with the same books you
did," he answered with a grin.
"But you've never cast a spell." Hope trailed off.
"We share some experiences," Zoëga explained with a grin.
"Beginners mistake," Hope stated.
"If you two are going to have conversation would you please do
it completely or not at all," Angel stated as she rubbed her forehead.
"How did you." both Hope and Zoëga asked.
"I just now," Angel stated firmly.
"Okay children don't fight," Buffy answered with a grin as she
but an arm around Willow and another around Angel, "we saved the day and I
think we can call the first outing the New Scooby Gang a
success."
"But Dru." Angel protest.
"She'll be back and we'll be ready," Spike stated firmly as he
rubbed the golden mark on his forehead.
"Lets go home and sort things out there over a cup of tea shall
we?" G.I.L.E.S. asked.
"Agreed," the group stated in unison.

Section 1.9

They returned to the Rosenberg mansion. There was quick meeting where Buffy
and Spike graduated the team and then they split up in order to take bath
and maybe to try and catch a few hours of sleep. Spike had promised Willow
that they would talk after they had gotten some sleep and Hope didn't look
too happy with Spike staying the night.

"Angel wait up," Zoëga called as he ran after the winged woman.
"What do you want Zoëga?" she asked as she turned around with
the talon gauntlets in her hand.
"Is there any way that I can assure I won't ever enter your
mind?" he asked calmly.
"No!" she stated flatly.
"Look if we're going to function as a team we need to trust each
other," he stated with a maturity that betrayed is youthful features.
"Listen Zoëga I don't trust you, hell I barely tolerate you,"
Angel stated.
"You don't trust anyone," he stated in the same calm voice.
The talons fell to the floor and Zoëga found himself slammed against the
wall and Angel's was fist curled up ready to strike.
"Go ahead hit me," he stated his voice never faltering, "I won't
stop you."
Angel stared at him, his firm set jaw and the cold emotionless eyes. She
hadn't really noticed before, but they were red.. Then he blinked her. She
started laughing, hard.
"I didn't expect that," he stated and changed to that of the young man he
really was.
"I envy you Zoëga," she said after she was done laughing.
"Could have fooled me," he said as she picked up the talons.
"So you don't dislike me?" he asked hopefully.
"No I don't dislike you Zoëga you're a cute kid and after all
you did save our collective butts tonight," she stated, kissed his cheek and
walked away.
"I'm cute," he stated with huge grin.
"And Zoëga." Angel stated and turned.
"Yes," he asked.
"That date you were planning on asking me on, lets talk about it
later okay," she said with a smile.
There was a weak okay as Angel turned around and smiled to herself. Granted
he was younger, but something about that calm demeanor and his past made her
feel like they had something in common. Plus he was kinda cute.

Spike looked around the hallway and grinned.
"You're lousy at following people Hope," he stated.
"I wasn't really trying," Hope answered as she stepped around
the corner.
"Not tired?" he asked.
"Not really, never needed much sleep anyway," she answered with
a giggle.
"You found the bar didn't you?" he asked.
"Yep," she answered with a hic.
"Well so did I," Spike said and produced a bottle of scotch.
"Care to join me, it's never fun drinking alone."

Willow felt the tension ease from her body as she sank into the hot water.
To be or not to be. That's the question. She'd never felt interested in boys
nor girls. Her life for the past nineteen years had been research and
reading and of course building the quantum duplicator. Maybe she should
explore a relationship with Buffy, falling in love wasn't the worst thing
that could happen and sex was an interesting idea. Her mind replayed the
kiss in the cemetery and her skin tingled.

Buffy folded the black bodysuit and placed it in a drawer. She wasn't mad at
anyone for bringing her here to this place. She lifted up the wristbands and
smiled, useful and no more need for hidden stakes in uncomfortable places.
She placed then on her nightstand. You can never be too careful. She wanted
to look in on Willow Rose, but there was something else she had to do first.
"G.I.L.E.S were is Willow Rosenberg buried?" she asked.
"Her ashes are here in the mansions chapel," he answered.
"Can you show me?" she asked as she pulled a robed around her.
"Of course."
Buffy stood in front of a golden shield embedded in the chapel wall. It had
pictured of Willow engraved on it.
"Hey Wills it's me Buffy," she said as she stroked the picture.
"I need some help and you were always really good at that sort
of thing. You see I'm having a bit of problem here. I want to get smooches
from your great-granddaughter. I mean how sick is that," she said a smiled..
"I'm sorry my other self never told you that she loved you and I
hope that Spike took good care of you." Tears ran down Buffy's cheeks.
"Buffy?" a soft voice asked.
"Oh hey Willow," she said as she wiped the tears away.
"Why are you crying?" Willow asked.
"Just memories," Buffy answered and sat down.
"I miss her too," Willow said and placed a hand over Buffy's.
"So how long have you been standing there?" Buffy asked.
"Since: I want to get smooches," Willow answered and blushed.
"Well do?" Buffy asked.
"Want what?"
Buffy smiled as Willow blushed more and looked away.
"I'll just stop now," Buffy said with a grin and stood up.
"Buffy?"
"Yes Wills,"
"Would it be alright if I kissed you goodnight?" Willow asked.
"Yes, but."
"But."
"Not here," Buffy said and motioned to the shield. Willow nodded
and stood up. They found themselves standing outside Willow's room. Willow
reached up to stroke Buffy's cheek, her hand was trembling.
"You don't have do to this," Buffy said.
"Yes, I have to be sure." Willow said as she brought her face
closer.
"There's no rush," Buffy said.
"Who's rushing?" Willow asked as she brushed her lips over Buffy
's.
The kiss was short and nothing like the one in the cemetery, but it was
nice. It was beginning.
"Good night Buffy," Willow said as she pulled away.
"Good night Wills," Buffy said and kissed her cheek.

Section 2.0

The overly cheerful voice of Buffy rang through the Rosenberg mansion.
"Wake up everybody and report to the kitchen."
It produced moans, groans and various curses from its sleeping occupants. Angel cursed in her bed, Zoëga mumbled something in his and covered his head with a pillow, Willow just smiled and on her feet in a second, Hope groaned in Spike's bed and nuzzled closer to him.
The scream drowned out Buffy's voice nearly shook the mansion to the ground.
"Why are you in my bed?" Hope demanded as she pushed Spike away, "and why does my head hurt?" she added and grabbed said body part.
Spike stood up in all his naked glory and looked around.
"Actually this is my bed and you are hung over," he answered.
"Naked too," he then stated.
"Get out!"
"But this is."
The entire group came running in time to see a naked Spike being shoved out of his room, followed shortly by his clothes.
"Morning," he greeted as he strode passed them. Willow blushed, Buffy just nodded her head, Zoëga decided to shut up and Angel handed him a credit chip as he passed her.
"So who's cooking breakfast?" Buffy asked after Spike had passed them.
"I'm going to check on Hope," Zoëga stated and was gone.
"Shower," Angel quickly said and was gone.
"Guess it's just you and me ," Buffy said as she placed an arm around Willow.

Zoëga carefully opened up the door as he probed ahead with his mind, his 'sister' didn't seem to be too pissed off.
"You okay sis?" he asked as his toe hit an empty scotch bottle.
"Fine just a little hung over, but otherwise okay," she stated.
"I could fix it you know,"
"What, the memory of having sex with Spike?"
"No can't help with that, but the hangover is no problem,"
"No leave it, it'll serve as a reminder of my mistake," she said and hung her head.
"Was it, or did you subconsciously want it?"
"What!?"
Zoëga just smiled innocently and stood.
"See you in the kitchen," he said and calmly walked away.
"That arrogant baka," she cursed after her brother.
Still she couldn't shake the feeling, the deep down she had wanted to shake the purity image she always project and who better to dirty herself with than Spike.
"No," she said to herself and shook her head. It was a drunken mistake nothing more.

Zoëga hadn't no sooner stepped out of the room and turned a corner when he ran straight into Angel, a towel went flying and someone's brain short-circuited. "Morning again," Angel stated a calmly.
"Mo.." Zoëga stopped short as his eyes involuntarily travel the length of Angel's body.
"You feeling okay Stefan? You look a little flushed,," she said with an emphasis on his name as she bent down and picked up the towel.
"You better hurry or all the food will be gone," she said as brushed passed him with a little too much contact. Zoëga waited until he heard a door close before starting to grin .
"Thank you lord," he exclaimed and the he noticed a feather on the floor. He bent down and gently picked it up.

Angel let out a breath once the door closet behind her. She walked over to the mirror
"What was I thinking?" she asked her reflection.
Toying around with the boy like that. I must be going insane, she thought to herself.
Still you are going on a date with him, a voice sounding like Hope countered.
And he isn't that bad, another said now in Willow's voice.
"Stop it," she said out loud.'m in control not him, she thought as she dressed.

As it was she was the last to arrive in the kitchen. She observed that Spike was sitting as far away from Hope as was humanly possible, fully clothed and ready to face the world. While Hope seemed awfully interested in the cup of black coffee she was nurturing, Zoëga merely watched it all with a smirk as he leaned against the counter and Buffy and Willow were seated next to each other, nothing new there. But the smile Zoëga gave her as she sat that was something completely new and the resolve to stay control went out the window as she blushed over so slightly.

"So Slayer we're all here. Now would you please tell us the reason for waking us all at this ungodly hour?" Spike asked when he saw Angel enter.

"Christmas shopping," Buffy stated as she swallowed a mouthful of breakfast cereal and everybody's eyes lit up. Well almost, Zoëga and Spike went pale, Angel just shrugged, but the gleam was there. For today's mission was to Shop.
The target: The Sunnydale Mall Tower with it's one hundred and six floors and a ground floor covering two square miles.
"And as I walk through the valley of death I shall not fear." Spike muttered.

more to come...