"So, the vampires gave up their attack for no apparent reason?" recapped Ms. Calendar.

 "You got it. It was like someone had rung the bell for round 1," replied Buffy.

 "It very well could have been," added Giles.

 "What do you mean? Can't you guys just appreciate a break and leave it at that for once?" asked Cordelia rather annoyed that they were pursuing the matter further.

 "If only it was that simple," chuckled Giles. "Vampires traditionally hunt in large groups, but when they break off an attack in the manor that Buffy has described it means that they probably achieved some ulterior goal besides the usual feeding."

 "And that leads us to the daily double of the day. What did they accomplish?" asked Buffy.

 "I'm going to go outside for a minute to get some air," said John interrupting the conversation.

 "What for you're a robot?" muttered Cordelia as he walked out the door.

 "If only we had a place to start looking," said Ms. Calendar.

 "Well they were only feeding on guys. You think that has anything to do with it?" asked Xander.

 "It could," pondered Giles. "Ms. Calendar check the net for prophecies that concern young males and events that occur on this day of the year. Buffy, Cordelia and Xander, I want you to assist me in searching through the volumes in the stacks."

 "Xander I'm impressed you noticed that," praised Buffy.

 "Don't be, Xander would notice anything that improves his chances of getting a date," said Cordelia.

************************************************************************

Willow looked up at the sky as she sat on a bench in the courtyard of the school. She heard a twig snap and quickly glanced to her left. "Angel, if you're looking for Buffy she's inside," she said softly.

 "I know. I want to talk with you."

 "Really?"

 "Why is that so surprising."

 "Well, we've never actually had a real conversation before."

 "Than it's long overdue."

 "I don't really want to talk to you now."

 "Then listen. Walking away from John is not going to solve your problems."

 "Like you're one to talk. You always walk away from Buffy."

 "Buffy and I don't matter right now, what I want to know is what are you afraid of?"

 Willow sighed then looked at him. "He's a robot, okay? I had one for a boyfriend before and he nearly killed us. How do I know something like that's not going to happen again?"

 "You don't Willow, you don't," replied Angel sympathetically. "Look, I know Xander is the safe choice, the easy choice. But sometimes you have to take a risk to get something really worthwhile. Don't pass up love just because you're afraid of getting your heart broken. I'll leave you now."

 "You feel sorry for him, don't you Angel?" asked Willow as he started to walk away.

 "Let's just say I know how hard it can be to have your soul trapped in a body you never asked for," replied Angel as he vanished into the school.

 "How do I know he even has one?" whispered Willow to herself as John walked out.

 "So this is where you've been hiding," said John.

 "Look, we need to talk," replied Willow. He walked over and sat down on the bench next to her.

 "Willow, I know I scared you back there and I'm sorry, but I just wanted you to like me for who I am instead of hate me for what I am."

 "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have freaked out like I did back there. But I'm not going to lie to you, I'm still scared."

 "Because I'm a robot right?" said John bitterly.

 "Not really. I've tried real hard to convince myself that it was because of that, but that's not the reason."

 "Then what is it?"

 "I'm afraid that you can't love me like I love you."

 "What?"

 "Can an android love someone like a human loves someone? Is an android's soul capable of that?"

 "No." said John as he took her hands in his. "But an android can and does love you like an android and that can be a special thing too. That's all I can give you Willow. Is that going to be enough?"

 She stared into his eyes and smiled at the sincerity in them. She knew what she needed to know. "I'm willing to find out," replied Willow as she leaned over and kissed him. He drew her close to him and they stared at the stars together.

 "You know I really want to take you to Vermont in the fall. The foliage is absolutely breathtaking," said John glad to change to a lighter topic.

 "That sounds like fun."

 "Lincoln Gap is one of the best places to go. Leaf peepers come from all around to look at the trees up there. There's also a trail near there that heads up to Mt. Abe. You can see everything on top of that mountain. There's even the wreckage of a plane that crashed there years ago if you know where to look."

 "You really liked it there didn't you."

 "Yeah, I guess I did." He paused for a minute in reflection then continued. "We'd have to get your friends to come too."

 "They'd like that. We never get to leave Sunnydale very often. We could..." started Willow as a long metal bar struck them both across the back knocking them off the bench. Willow painfully looked around her and saw four vampires trying to hold John. One was coming towards her. There was nothing more she could do so she staggered towards the school. She heard the vampires talking.

 "Leave her." ordered one of the vampires to the one that was following her. "We need help with the boy. There is nothing the humans can do now anyway."

************************************************************************

"Everyone, I think I've found it," shouted Giles. "This book says that the spirit of one of the older demons known most recently as Mauvais, that's French for evil, has a chance to return to this world once every one hundred years through a chosen one who the...oh dear."

 "What Giles? What's the rest?" demanded Buffy.

 "Who the vampires cannot feed from, but who will lead them to victory."

 "John," muttered Buffy in disbelief.

 "But why would he help us then?" asked Xander.

 "Maybe he doesn't know he's the chosen one yet," suggested Ms. Calendar. "Buffy didn't find out about her part of the prophecy concerning the Master until the day before it happened."

 "So what do we do now?" asked Xander.

 "Isn't it obvious?" thundered Cordelia. "We have Buffy turn him into scrap metal. He made a big mistake in revealing himself to us."

 "No! The only mistake he made was helping us instead of running away and that's one mistake I'm willing to forgive," replied Buffy. "I'm not going to slay him just because that book says he'll be a demon! We have no right to do that! We do have to keep an eye on him though, so let's get him back in here and then we can..."

 "Guys they took John!" yelled Willow clutching her back as she hobbled into the Library.

 "Willow are you okay?" asked Xander.

 "I'm alright, but they got him. We gotta help him Buffy."

 "We will Willow, we will," said Buffy soothingly to her friend.

 "If we leave now we can follow their trail," offered Angel.

 "What if John's hurt? There's nothing we can to help him," said Ms. Calendar.

 "John's grandfather might be able to help," replied Xander. Willow jumped to the computer faster than anyone thought she looked capable of and pulled up his address.

 "Right, Willow go get John's grandfather and bring him here. We'll get a message to you telling you where we went and you can follow," said Giles.

 "No," replied Willow. "I want to go with you. Ms. Calendar can get John's grandfather."

 "Are you sure Willow?" asked Ms. Calendar. "You look hurt."

 "I'll be fine. Now let's go."

************************************************************************

"...and darkness shall fall over the land and all mortals will perish," chanted Elizabeth and her vampire minions. "Awaken most unholy gems and spread your evil light upon this body we offer to you with humble hearts."

 A vampire near the mouth of the cave suddenly flew across the room as Buffy kicked him. She then proceeded to stake the two that were closest to her. "Play time is over. Give the boy to me," she ordered, "or we'll take him by force."

 "Take him if you must," laughed Elizabeth. "My friends we are through here, let us leave the humans to their friend."

 "About time you guys learned who was in charge," jeered Xander as the vampires evacuated the cave.

 "Giles what's happening here?" asked Buffy staring in disbelief at the phenomena taking place before her eyes. "The bad guys aren't suppose to give up to threats like that."

 "I'm afraid we'll find out," replied Giles.

 Willow ran to the back of the cave and found John lying on his back with his arms crossed on a large stone tablet. The vampires had dressed him in a black robe and he was unconscious. There were two purple gems near his head and two near his feet and an odd purple light emitted from them surrounding John. Willow reached out to touch him, but her hand started to burn. She recoiled in pain.

 "Buffy, what are we going to do? This light is protecting him," exclaimed Willow.

 "Giles what are those gems?" asked Buffy.

 "Well, I'm assuming they hold Mauvais' soul," replied Giles. They appear to be transferring his soul into John's body."

 "And what happens to John's soul?" inquired Xander.

 "It will most probably be, uh, eaten by the demon or destroyed in some manner. We should try to remove those gems."

 Buffy reached for one of the emeralds, but stopped as her hand started to burn. "It's no good. The gems are protecting each other too. No wonder the vampires weren't worried."

 "Is there another way to stop it?" pleaded Willow.

 "Yes, I think so," replied Giles pinching his forehead in an attempt to relieve the stress that had formed there. "I really wish Cordelia had come back though. She's certainly taking her time contacting Ms. Calendar and John's grandfather of our whereabouts."

 "Why do you want Cordelia here? That goes against all good sense," said Xander.

 "Because we're going to have to create a psychic circle and the more people we have the better it will be. By using our own psychic energy I believe we can project Buffy's soul into John's soul to combat the demon. That energy barrier around John shouldn't stop us."

 "Isn't that dangerous? I mean, what if we lose Buffy's soul in there and the demon gets free?" asked Angel.

 "Well, there's no telling how powerful this demon will be if it is released into our world. I think we have a better chance of defeating it now than we will later. My only concern is that John is a robot and might not have a s..."

 "He has a soul Giles." interrupted Willow sternly. "I know he does."

 Giles looked at the red hared girl who's opinion he had come to value dearly and nodded his head. If John had managed to touch her in this way he must have a soul. "Of course, I apologize Willow. Are you ready Buffy?"

 "No, but that's never stopped me before," replied the young slayer.

 "Everyone hold hands and form a circle around John," directed Giles. "Good, now everyone close your eyes and concentrate on Buffy. Buffy you concentrate on John."

 Buffy closed her eyes and after what felt like an eternity opened them to find herself in the middle of a forest. She realized she was in John's subconscious. The trees were bare and snow was falling from the dark clouds that filled sky as a crisp winter wind blew through the air. She noticed John lying in a snow bank near an old broken down stone wall. He was in bad shape. The flesh on lower left-hand side of his face had been burned off revealing the metal skull underneath and his right hand had been ripped off leaving only a sharp metal stump in its place.

 "Buffy we got to help him," came a familiar voice from behind her.

 Buffy spun around, "Willow, what are you doing here?"

 "I was worried. I didn't mean to follow you, but I couldn't help it."

 "Well you're here now, so let's make the most of it."

 They ran over to John and raised his head off of the snow bank. "John can you hear me?" asked Buffy.

 "Buffy? Be careful, he's still here," whispered John weakly.

 Buffy surveyed the area with her eyes and found the demon. He looked just like John except his eyes were glowing red. "Take care of him," directed Buffy to Willow as she walked towards Mauvais.

************************************************************************

"I can't believe they're sleeping at a time like this!" said Cordelia disgustedly as she walked into the cave followed by Ms. Calendar and John's grandfather. John's grandfather was a short, elderly gentleman with white hair and thick glasses.

 "They're in a trance Cordelia. If you hadn't waited outside for us to get here before you came in the cave you'd know why," said Ms. Calendar.

 John's grandfather took out a small devise and ran it over John's body. "I don't believe it. There are surges of power going through him that should kill him, but his systems seem undamaged."

 "Mauvais can probably handle the energy he makes," concluded Ms. Calendar. "But I wonder what'll happen to John if they defeat him."

************************************************************************

"You have no business here," said Mauvais.

 "Like you do?" responded Buffy.

 "You will die if you stay here."

 "Well it wouldn't be the first time."

 He lunged at her bringing them both to the ground. She kicked him off of her and got back up. The demon smiled and pointed his hand at Buffy from which a ball of fire flew. She dodged the fireball, but it lit a nearby tree on fire. She looked at him again and his eyes were glowing, getting brighter and brighter until she had to look away from him. He used this opportunity to kick her square in the jaw. Buffy fell to the ground. He raised his foot and stomped on her stomach twice. She was only half-conscious now. He was preparing for a third stomp when a fairly hefty stone held by Willow struck him from behind. He fell to the ground, but was back on his feet quickly. He knocked the stone out of Willow's hand and grabbed her by the neck. He held her above the ground and started to strangle her. Willow could see the darkness closing in on her as she drifted into unconsciousness and was relieved when Mauvais suddenly let go of her and started screaming. She saw that John had drove the metal stump that was left of his arm through the demon's back. He proceeded to do so again and again until Mauvais stopped moving. John dropped to his knees and started crying. "It's over," he cried. "It's over."

************************************************************************

Willow came to her senses and started to look around. She was back in the cave now and everyone else seemed to be there now too. She walked over to John and noticed this body didn't have any of the marks that the one in his soul had had and then looked at Buffy and noticed the same was true of her. John opened his eyes and smiled at her. "You saved my soul you guys, thank you," said John softly. "But I'm sorry I won't get to take you to see the foliage now."

 "What do you mean? We can still do that," replied Willow puzzled.

 "He knows," replied John's grandfather.

 "What do you mean?" asked Giles. "Mauvais has been destroyed."

 "Yes, but when the demon was destroyed it left behind some powerful energy in John's body. The demon could control it, but John can't. It's destroying his systems. I guess demons don't plan on having their host live if they don't. So what I'm trying to say is that he's dying. Total system failure will happen at any moment now."

 "Can't you do something?" pleaded Willow.

 "I wish I could, but it's just too late and there's too many things going wrong. I wouldn't know where to start." He walked over to John and told him, "I'm sorry John. I never meant for you to have to go through this."

 "Don't worry about it. I'd do it all again."

 His grandfather kissed him on the head and walked aside weeping. Willow walked over to John again and said, "So this is it? You're just going to leave me like this?"

 "I'll always be here with you."

 "That doesn't make me feel any better now."

 "I know Willow, I know. I feel the same way." He paused for a minute then continued. "You know I used to hear this story about how Vermonters go to heaven for a while, but how when they get there they quickly miss all the beauty and life of Vermont and end up right back in the hills. I always used to wonder if that story was true. I guess I'll get to find out now."

"Don't say that!" cried Willow.

"I love you Willow...I..."

"John! John!" screamed Willow as she buried her face into her hands.

************************************************************************

The next day Willow was sitting in front of a tree eating her lunch when Buffy joined her. "How you doing Willow?"

 "Okay, I guess. Buffy do you remember Moloch?"

 "You mean the demon robot you met over the Internet?"

 She nodded her head. "He made it easier for me to get over him because he used me. He took my heart and broke it and I wanted it back. John took my heart and I didn't want to have to take it back."

 "In a way you never will get it all back. But you'll always have some of his heart too."

 "I know," replied Willow as she stood up. They started walking back to the school. "Hey Buffy, you ever been to Vermont?"

 "No, why?"

 "Well I was thinking we could head up there sometime." Willow looked up into the sky and continued talking. "Someone told me the foliage season was nice and that they might meet me in the hills there sometime."

 THE END