Spike was going nuts, the Slayer had been mobbing around the mansion for the entire winter, doing nothing but studying. The person who’d complained about wanting a normal life finally had it and what did she do, she buried herself in books. Still there had been that party she’d thrown, the one which ended with cops and ambulances showing up, man had that cost him. Still after that she’d returned her dull, but less costly, self.

“What’s with the long face Slayer.” Spike asked as he looked up from the pile of papers on his desk. Shortly after Buffy started school again she’d taken up studying in Spike’s office just for the sake of having company. She’d discovered that she liked archeology for some reason and since Spike was an actual relic. It made a perfect mix.

“It’s nothing it’s just this test.” She lied.
”She’s still in Rome isn’t she?” Spike asked with a sympathetic look.
”Yep!”
”And you want to go to her?”
”Yep!”
”Why don’t you then. It’s not like you can’t afford it?”

He was right, she’d been paid handsomely for her time as Daniel’s bodyguard  and she stepped in as Spike’s from time to time. It was strange protecting someone she’d once tried so hard to kill.

“Spike, school, education, remember.”

“That can wait. How about a research project then, take your exams and mail them and so on? You’ve covered four semesters in two.” He stated the obvious.

Giles would have been proud hadn’t he taken of to discover himself, still her mother was proud enough for two, even three.
”A project on what Spike?” She asked as Spike opened a drawer on his desk and threw a golden disk at her which she caught.
”You trying to take my head of?” She asked as looked at the disk..
”No one has been able to decipher the glyphs on the rim or make heads or tales of the insignia, but I have a friend in Rome who could help locate someone who might be able to help.” He explained.
”And who is going to fund this little trip. The William S. Blood Foundation?”

“Actually… Yes!” Spike answered.
”This isn’t a joke?” Buffy asked looking up at Spike.
”No.”
”Your sending me to Rome to meet Willow.”
”And to find out what the plate says. Yes.” Spike answered.
”Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Buffy exclaimed as she rushed over and hugged Spike.
”Now you understand that this must look authentic so the university will believe it. I can’t just wave a wad of cash in there face.” He said and pushed her gently away.
”Which means you finish your exams and then do research and wolla you’ll be in Rome by late fall.” Spike said with a wave of a hand.
”Thank you. Still isn’t the wad of cash idea is worth a try” Buffy said and slammed the book shut. “I’m going to tell June what nice prince you are and Luna how lucky she is.”
”You really don’t need to…” Spike started but the Slayer was gone.
”Bloody hell.” He muttered.

I’m going to see Willow again, should I tell her? Been month since I got a letter. No I’ll surprise her I’ll find her in that café she always talks about.  Buffy smiled a plan forming in her head. Still it’s unfair of me. She thought as she passed a mirror noticing how long her hair had grown. I’ve really been out of it haven’t I?” She thought. Well one more surprise for Wills.

“June guess what?” Buffy asked as she burst into the kitchen.

“William is sending you to Rome.” The calm older woman said as she rolled out some dough.
”How did you.”
”He’s been secretly plotting for weeks, but you didn’t hear it from me understand.” June said.
”Of course what you making.”
”Blood Kidney pie.”
”Eww!”
”For Spike.
”Explains it.”

Now I’ll need a new wardrobe, can’t believe I’ve gone so long without doing some serious shopping. Buffy thought. Well when you’re brooding over someone who’s far away. God I must have been a complete angel. She thought. Well he had Cordy to keep him company, who knows what might happen.

“Luna I need your help.” Buffy exclaimed as Luna opened her door.
”What vampires, demons, did William’s laundry escape. What?” She asked with a smile.
”No shopping.”
”Spike sending you to Rome then.”
”You too just how many know of Spike’s little scheme?” Buffy asked as Luna pulled her coat on.
”Just me and June and Xander and the council…” Luna counted off as Buffy dragged her out into the car.

”Hey I want one of those.” Buffy said as she pulled Luna into a store.
”Buffy.”
”No buts, now sit I’ll be right back.” Buffy said and put the hat on.
Minutes later she emerged from the dressing curtain.
”Hello Dr. Jones.” Luna nodded at, the for a lack of better words, ‘Indiana Jones get-up’
”I’ve got a whip that would go nicely with that.” She then added with a grin..
”Hey I going on a treasure hunt and keep the whip. I don’t want to make Spike angry at me.” Buffy said as she went to change back.
”Now a haircut.” She stated as she walked out of the store.

”Hello dear.” The hairdresser said as she kissed Luna’s cheek.
“Cassandra meet Buffy. Buffy, Cassandra my savior”  Luna introduced them.
“Ah the one with the globe traveling lover.” Cassandra said with a knowing grin.
”Luna!” Buffy hissed at her friend.
”Sit!” Luna ordered.
”Now we could do something like this.” Cassandra said as they flipped trough the pages.
”Short.” Buffy stated simply.
”Short.” Cassandra asked with a raised eyebrow and took a good length lock of hair in her head.
”Short.” Buffy said again.
”Oh dear.” Cassandra gasped.

“Flight 505 for Rome now boarding at gate 35.” Was announced.
”That’s me.” Buffy said as she picked up her bag.
”Be careful.” Spike said and shook her hand.
”You too Spike, you too.”
”Farewell my friend.” Daniel said leaning on his cane.
”Bye Daniel.” Buffy said as she hugged him.
”Here.” June said and handed Buffy a paper bag.
”June you shouldn’t have.” Buffy said as she kissed her cheek.
”Be happy.” Luna said simply and hugged her.

One the plane she went over the date she’d collected on the disk. Its origin was completely unknown it didn’t resemble anything ever found. The glyphs resembled Egyptian hieroglyphs, but she’d found no match, she’d even tried the trick from Stargate. But there was something about them. Perhaps the disk was magical and Willow could help. Willow only two days away. She thought with a smile.

Back to the task at hand. It was solid gold and but the decorations puzzled her, an ankh within a cross and in each corner there was what she’d had determined were elemental symbols. Then there was a strange low dent in the middle of the disk, which formed a circle right in the middle of the cross.

“So I landed, got my luggage, checked into the hotel, slept and then came to find you.” Buffy finished, sitting in the café the afternoon had turned into night.
”Can I see the disk?” Willow asked in a enthusiastic voice.
”Of course that’s one of the two reasons I came to find you.” Buffy answered sipping at the third cup.
”One of two?” Willow asked with a sly grin.
”No actually three, no wait make that four, well actually more like..” Buffy counted of as Willow waved for the waiter.

There was a desperate search for the card to the door. Buffy resisting the urge to kick it in.
”Got it.” She exclaimed.
”Then hurry up.” Willow pleaded as she nibbled at her ear.

“Floor, couch or bed?” Buffy asked as the door closed behind them as Willow started pulling at her clothes.
”Floor, then couch and end with the bed.” Willow said as she claimed her lips.
There was a muffled: “Sounds good to me.” As they fell to the floor

“Promise me you’ll never leave?” Buffy asked as she held Willow as the sun streamed through the windows.
”I promise.” Willow answered.

END