The Devil You Know

by Gee

Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel characters are copyrighted ©20th Century Fox, Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and the WB, and are used without permission. No copyright infringment is intended.

Many thanks to my witchy friend Cait for her help with the spells.

Chapter One
Giles Confesses

It had been a busy day at the Magic Box and Giles placed his teacup and saucer on the coffee table and eased himself into an easy chair with a sigh of contentment. Bliss, he thought, peace and quiet.
The door crashed open and three people stood on the threshold.
"Giles. We've found you." Said the leader, sternly. "It's time."
Giles sighed again, this time with resignation. "All right. You'd better come in."

Buffy, Willow and Xander came into the room. Buffy and Willow seated themselves on the sofa. Xander closed the door and then came and perched on the arm of the sofa nearest Giles' chair.
"OK, G-man, spill." Xander commanded and the girls nodded in agreement.
"This is in connection with the demon last night. The fact that it knew me?"
"You betcha." Said Willow.
"Yes, in your previous existence as Ripper." Xander raised his eyebrows. "Which, I think, would also make an interesting story."

"Well, you're all aware that I was a little foolish during my younger days. Er, that business with Eyghon, for instance."
"Hey, foolish, younger Giles. Who ever would have believed that?" Xander couldn't resist saying. The two girls and Giles looked at him, sternly. "Sorry, Go on."

"Well, that wasn't the only occasion when I became involved with something of that sort. There were four others - Ethan, Deirdre, Randall and Thomas. Ethan was able to acquire some books with certain spells and rituals. We had conjured demons before that, possibly the one we met up with last night. It seemed to be harmless but exciting, until Randall died. It was the first time that we lost control. Dear Lord, I wish I'd never seen those books." He put a hand to his forehead, rubbing at it as if to erase the memories held within his brain. "We were children, playing with fire."

Willow nodded sympathetically. "Is that why you always warn me about my magic?" She asked.
"Yes. In many ways practising magic is like striking a match in a room full of paper. It might seem safe but one never knows when a spark might set something off." "But I don't mess with the demony stuff, Giles." She protested. "Even so, Willow. You must be very careful." "I will." She promised, nodding solemnly.

"Right." Said Giles, rising from his chair. "Time for patrol, I think."
Xander looked disappointed. "That's it? C'mon G-man. We want more."
"Well, you are not going to get more. Patrol. Now." Giles insisted.
Xander frowned but got up. "Right. Tight-lipped guy here will tell no more. Time to go and make vampire shish kebab."

Buffy and Willow got up and Buffy turned to go with Xander. Willow, however, stopped and looked at Giles. "Giles, you wanted to talk to me about the spell."
Giles looked blank. "Spell?"
Willow began making frantic faces, trying to get her message across. "The spell, you know, the, uh, spell."
Giles finally got it, to Willow's relief. "Oh, of course, the spell. Oh, yes. If you could spare the time, Willow. I would be grateful."

"I'll stay and give you a lift home, Will." Xander volunteered.
Willow turned a glowing smile on him. "Oh no. Boring." She said brightly. "Not for me. Of course. But for you. Boring spells and magic."
Xander looked puzzled. He opened his mouth to speak but Giles was ahead of him. "It's fine Xander. If you would be so kind as to go with Buffy, I'll take Willow home when we're finished here."
Xander nodded. "'Kay. Buff, your carriage is waiting. Minus the horses and the big shiny wheels."

Chapter 2
Willow Asks For Help

Giles waited until they were gone. "So, Willow, what is this spell and why is it so important?"
"Oh, there is no spell, sorry. It was something I wanted to speak to you about."
"Let's sit down then." Giles led the way to the sofa. "Now, what is the problem?"
Willow looked at him nervously. "You know when you had Xander staying here? Was it really bad?"

Giles looked puzzled. "Mm, no. Well it was quite nice really having some company. Why?"
Willow took a deep breath. "It's his parents' wedding anniversary soon. Twenty years. And I thought perhaps Xander could stay with you."
Giles ran a hand through his hair. "Well, yes, but why? And why are you asking me, not Xander?"
"Giles, you must never tell Xander that I told you this. Promise?"
Giles nodded.

"It's Xanders' folks, Giles. They fight. And sometimes, Christmas, family holidays, things like that, it gets really bad."
Giles stared at her. "How bad?"
"I..I can't.. Please don't ask me. I shouldn't be telling you this. But this anniversary, Xander's really worried about it. I was thinking that maybe you could make some excuse for him to stay here."
Giles nodded. "When is it?"
"Next Wednesday."

Giles nodded again. "You know, I wondered. When he was injured they made no attempt to cut short their holiday to come back to him. And sometimes, " he looked straight at Willow. "Xander has bruises. And I don't think he got them on patrol."
Willow looked down at the floor. "He says he's clumsy."
"Yes." Giles promised. "I'll find an excuse.
Willow looked at him, gratefully. "Thank you."
He put a hand on her shoulder. "Come on. I'll run you home."

Buffy and Willow were in Sunnydale cemetery the next night, leaning against the gravestones, chatting.
Buffy looked at her friend. "Uh, do your folks know, Will, about Tara?"
Willow made a face. "They know she's a girl and my roomie. Mom even said she was glad I didn't move in with some guy."
"Are you going to tell them?"
Willow smiled. "We're Jewish, Buffy. Gay means happy to Mom and Dad."
"Don't you think they might be happy for you, that you've got someone."
"Nah. Did it make your Mom happy to know that you're the Slayer?"
It was Buffy's turn to make a face. "Guess not. Maybe if our folks were like Xanders. I mean he gets to do whatever he wants."

Willow snorted. "Only 'cos they don't care about him."
Buffy looked at her friend in amazement. "What?"
"Buffy, would your folks let you live in the basement and make you pay rent?"
Buffy stared at her.
"No, guess not. Well, neither would mine."
"Will, she asked, softly. "Why haven't you said anything before?"
"Again with the saying something. Why didn’t you see it for yourself?"

Buffy was speechless and ashamed.
"It never used to be like it is now. It was never great for him, but not as bad as this."
"Willow." Buffy asked reluctantly. "There's more, isn't there?"
Willow refused to look at her. She scuffled her feet along the ground.
"Will, it's not just the shouting, is it?"
"Course it ain't."

Buffy and Willow spun around.
"Spike, how long have you been there?"
"Long enough."
"Well, just butt out, Spike and I won't make you eat wood." Buffy threatened.
Spike grinned. "Touchy, ain't we, pet? Interrupted your little talk, did I?"
Buffy raised her stake, threatening.
"I'm goin'" he said, grinning again. "But let me give you something to think about. Why do you think the little bugger's such a demon magnet. Shit, they can smell victim all over him."
Buffy rushed towards him but Willow pulled her back and Spike was gone.

Chapter 3
Giles Comes To The Rescue

The following morning Willow called into the Magic Box for supplies. Buffy had just finished training and was sitting on the counter, chatting to Giles and Xander. Seeing Willow, Giles remembered his promise to her. Well, he thought, no time like the present.
"Xander, I wanted to speak to you about something important."
Xander looked surprised. "Yes?"
"I was wondering if you were particularly busy at the moment."
"No. There's a delay with starting the construction work at the new housing complex."

"Oh good. Well, good for me, that is. As you know there are a couple of spare rooms here. The previous owner used to live there. I need to have them redecorated and I thought that you could do it, if you have the time. There is, of course, a bathroom and small kitchen that have already been renovated. The two rooms would be used as a living room and a bedroom." Giles paused, looking at Xander and the two girls. "It's been pointed out to me that my insurance premiums on this place would diminish considerably if someone lived on the premises."

Giles could see from the look in Willow's eyes that she knew what he was about to propose. "Oh, so you'll be moving in here, Giles?" Buffy asked.
"No. I really don't wish to give up the apartment. I thought I might find someone willing to act as caretaker and possibly to help out in the shop at busy periods. In return they would have rent free accommodation. Of course, it would have to be someone I could trust. I don’t suppose any of you know anyone who might be interested?" Giles was careful to look around at them all, not just Xander.

Willow was jigging from one foot to another, in excitement. "Xander!" She exclaimed.
Xander looked at her. "Willow?"
"No. I mean you. I mean you could move in. Couldn't he, Giles?"
"Well, yes, I'd be very happy for Xander to move in here, if he'd like to."
Xander's face was a picture of confusion and delight. "Me? I could? You'd have me here?"
Giles nodded. “Yes. I think that would be a most equitable arrangement."
"Huh?" said Buffy
"He said it would be great." Willow told her.

Unable to believe his good fortune, Xander hugged her, then Buffy, then, to the latter's acute embarrassment, he hugged Giles.
"Could I look at the rooms?"
"There is a key. Here. You know where they are." Giles produced the key from his pocket and handed it to Xander.
Xander nodded, grabbed the key and dashed off.
Willow looked at Giles, tears of gratitude in her eyes, and hugged him before going after Xander.

Buffy regarded Giles with suspicion. "Something tells me that was a set up."
"Not at all. I just need someone to be here and Xander will do quite nicely." Giles assured her. "Why don’t you go after him and have a look."
Buffy jumped down from the counter then reached up and kissed him on the cheek. "You're a good man, Giles." She walked after her friends, remarking as she went, "And you don't fool me at all."
Giles, left alone, gave a sigh of satisfaction and smiled to himself.

When Xander returned with Buffy and Willow in tow, Giles found it impossible to refuse the boy's request to move in that afternoon. If things were as difficult as he suspected it would be best for Xander to move out quickly and while both parents were out. He agreed to close the Magic Box after lunch to help Xander move in his possessions.

It took less than two hours for Xander to bring his things from the basement to the shop and arrange them around the rooms. He had no furniture but the previous owner had left his behind and most of it was in a better condition that the furniture in Xander's basement. Giles was disturbed to hear that Xander had left a note to tell his parents of the move, but again thinking of his talk to Willow, he understood that it was probably for the best. He presented Xander with a moving in gift of some groceries and was touched by how grateful Xander was. Buffy, Willow and Tara came to the shop, also bringing small gifts and another package of groceries supplied by Joyce.

Giles looked at them all fondly. When Jenny Calendar had died, any hope he had of marrying and having children had died with her. But he suddenly realised that these felt as close to him as if they were his own children. He was amazed at their resilience and their strength. He had never felt so much a part of a family, not even as a child with his own family, as he did with these children.

Reluctantly, he brought up the subject of patrolling and he was gratified by their reaction as they all got up together.
"Hey, let's take the party to the cemetery!" Xander suggested.
Nobody seemed to think it was a strange suggestion and they all piled out together, chatting happily, stakes in their pockets.

Chapter Four
Willow Fixes Things

Willow was delighted that Xander had moved into the Magic Box. There was only one thing preventing her from total bliss. They had patrolled, finding nothing untoward and then they had gone their separate ways, Willow and Tara returning to their apartment.
"Tara, it was great today, wasn't it."
"Yes. It's good to see Xander so happy. I'm so glad you decided to talk to Giles about Xanders' problems."
"Yes. But I wish…"
Tara looked at her. "What do you wish?"
"Oh, I wish I could make Buffy happy too." She smiled at Tara. "And make Xander even happier. That would be cool."
Tara looked at her. "How?"

"Buffy said she wished she could forget Angel." Willow looked at Tara. "And I think, if she did, maybe Xander would have a chance with her."
Tara nodded. "That would be cool."
"Could we do it?"
"Cast a spell, you mean?" Tara looked worried. "Oh, Willow, I don't know. I don't think we should."
She looked at her friend. Willow looked so disappointed and she didn't think she could bear it. "Well, m-maybe. I mean, maybe we could find something. It wouldn't hurt to look."
Willow looked at Tara, delighted. "Really? Oh, wow. It would be great, if we could." And as she hugged Tara, it was tacitly decided that if they could, they would.

The next day was Sunday. Both Tara and Willow got up early and started looking through their books. Finally, with a frustrated sigh, Willow got up from a table littered with magic books.
"Nothing." She sighed.
"Why don't you try the Internet. I'll keep looking here." Tara suggested.
Willow brightened slightly. "Good idea." She made a space on the table for her laptop, switched on and connected to the Internet.

After an hour of searching for an appropriate spell Willow sat back from her laptop and looked over at Tara. "Found anything?" She asked.
Tara shook her head. "I can't find anything specifically for stopping Buffy loving Angel, but I think we could make up our own spell"
Willow looked interested. "How?"
"Well. I think if we used a binding spell with a protection spell and one for healing and banishment, it would work."
"Right." Willow said with determination. "You work on the spell and I'll check what ingredients we need."

More than an hour later, they were ready. Willow had gathered together some candles, spices and incense. Tara placed a bowl of soil, one gold and one silver candle, some incense and a bowl of water to represent Earth, Fire, Air and Water, on the floor at four points of the compass. Willow placed three candles, a bowl containing some spices and a small turquoise stone in the centre and she sat on one side with Tara facing her.

"Spirits of Earth, Air, Water, Fire. I call on your power to bless and keep this circle. Let no fearful or unclean spirit intrude." Tara spoke clearly and Willow repeated the words.
"Maiden, Mother, Crone. We invoke thee. Come to us and grant us your favour." This time Willow began and Tara repeated the words.
"We ask thee, Crone, to lend your power to banish. For our friend, Buffy, let her heart and mind be free of Angel. In your name I light this black candle of banishment." Willow spoke, lighting the candle as she did so.
"We ask thee, Mother, to lend your power for blessings and protection. For our friend, Buffy, let her heart and mind be free of Angel. In your name I light this green candle of healing." Tara spoke, lighting the green candle.
"We ask thee, Maiden, to lend your power for a new beginning. For our friend, Buffy, let her heart and mind be free of Angel. In your name we light this pink candle for her happiness." This time Willow spoke while Tara lit the candle.
"We ask in the name of the Goddess to grant our plea. Chant the spell and be it done. As we so will, so mote it be."
Tara looked at Willow. "Do you think it worked."
Willow nodded. "I felt something happen, didn't you?"

Buffy had spent most of the day at home. It was getting dark when she got to Giles apartment. She walked in without knocking, startling Giles who was reading a book. "Buffy, what happened to knocking doors?" He asked, sounded mildly irritated. "What if I was walking around undressed or something."
Buffy gulped. "Oops. Sorry, Giles. Didn't think. And I definitely don't want to think about you walking around undressed."
"Right, well, where are you going to patrol tonight? I believe there's been some vampire activity around the old school. Perhaps you could go there first."

Buffy nodded, looking thoughtful. "Giles, one question."
"Yes?"
"What's a vampire?"
Giles mouth dropped open as he stared at her. "What? You're joking."
She shook her head.
"Oh Good Lord, you're not, are you. How..? Wait, just let me think."
Buffy sat on the sofa, waiting, as Giles looked through book after book. As he read, he muttered to himself. "No, nothing in there. No. That's not it."
Finally, apparently admitting defeat, he shut the book in his hand with a snap, making Buffy start in surprise.
"Well, there's only one thing for it." He muttered. "I'll have to ring Angel, see if he's ever come across anything like this."

Chapter Five
Willow confesses

When the knock came at the door, Buffy beat him to it. She opened it and smiled at the man standing there. "Hi?"
"Buffy." Angel said softly.
"Uh, sorry, do I know you?"
Angel looked perplexed. "What?" He looked at Giles. "Giles?"

Giles went to Buffy, and, taking her gently by the shoulders, looked deep into her eyes.
"Buffy, you really don't know Angel?"
Buffy smiled. "Nice name. He a friend of yours, Giles?"
Giles let her go and looked at Angel. "She really doesn't know."
"So, what's going on?" Angel asked.
"I don't know, Angel, but I intend to find out. Have you ever come across this kind of thing before?"
Angel shook his head. "Could it be a spell? Maybe Willow might be able to help."
"Yes. I'll call her now."

He went over to the phone, picked up the receiver and dialled a number.
"Tara. Is Willow there?"
There was a brief pause, then "Willow, I'm sorry to impose on you. Look, I know it's late but there would appear to be some problem with Buffy. Could you come over, please?" Pause.
"Yes, if you would. Thank you."
He put down the receiver and turned to face Angel and Buffy. "She's coming and she's ringing Xander."
He walked over to a chair and waved his hand towards the sofa. "Please, make yourselves comfortable."
They all sat down, but looked anything but comfortable.

The knock on the door broke an awkward silence. Giles jumped up immediately and, opening the door, ushered in Tara, Willow and Xander. Xander immediately glanced at Buffy, then back to Giles. "What's up with the Buffster." He asked, concern evident in his voice.
"I don't really know." Giles admitted. "She's acting strange. She doesn't appear to know Angel."

Tara and Willow exchanged glances. Giles and Xander were gazing at Buffy and didn't notice, but Angel did. "Willow." He asked. "You know something about this, don't you?"
Willow was aware that everyone's attention was focussed on her. "Uh, Giles, could we go in the kitchen. I need to talk to you."
"Wait a minute." Xander interjected. "Willow? What do you know?"
He saw the expression on Willow's face. "Willow, you've done something, haven't you? What did you do?"

Giles shook his head. "Come on, Willow. Let's go to the kitchen."
Giles led the way, followed by Willow, with Tara tagging behind. Xander went to the sofa and perched on the arm, next to Buffy. "Hey, Buff, how's things?"
Buffy smiled. "Hey, Xander."
To his astonishment and delight, she snaked her arm around his waist and hugged him to her.
Xander looked across to see how Angel was dealing with this open display of affection.
"Uh, Angel, I thought you'd gone back to L.A."
"Not yet. I decided to stay around for a while." Angel was looking at where Buffy's arm was wrapped around Xander's waist and Xander couldn't help feeling happy that Angel looked uncomfortable with the familiarity.
"You two are old friends?" Buffy asked, innocently.
Xander stifled the urge to laugh and, by the way that Angel looked away, he had the feeling that Angel had the same urge.
"We've known each other a while." Xander replied, honestly.

Giles came striding into the room then, followed by Willow and Tara. Angel and Xander looked up at him, expectantly.
"It would appear that Buffy's confusion is the result of a spell."
"A spell?" Realisation dawned on Xander's face. "Willow, you put a spell on Buffy? Why would you do that? What kind of a spell?"
Willow opened her mouth, then closed it again, shaking her head.
Giles took pity on her. "It was something that Buffy asked Willow to do for her. But it didn't work quite the way it was supposed to."

Chapter Six An unwelcome visitor

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Giles turned to answer it, muttering. "Who on earth can this be. It's rather late for visitors." He opened the door a fraction. It was pushed open and Spike strode in.
"Right then. What's goin' on?"
"Oh, do come in." Giles muttered sarcastically.

Buffy looked at Spike with interest. "Who's your friend, Giles? He's kinda cute."
"Cute!" Xander exclaimed. "Oh boy, Willow, I think you really messed up, big time."
Spike raised his eyebrows. "Red? You been up to something?"
"Tara. Do you think you could take Buffy into the bedroom so she could rest for a while? All this can't be good for her." Giles asked.
Tara nodded. Going to the sofa she took Buffy's arm. "Oh, but.." Buffy protested.
"Just while we sort a few things out, Buffy." Giles insisted.
Buffy shrugged and went with Tara.

Xander waited until they had gone, then asked. "Right. She doesn't know Angel or Spike, but she knows the rest of us. Spill, Willow. What have you done?"
Willow looked awkwardly at Angel. "She said that it would be better if she could forget Angel and get on with her life. Sorry, Angel. So Tara and me cast a spell for her to forget you."
"The problem is that, not only does she not recognise you, Angel, but she doesn't recognise any vampire." Giles explained.

They all looked stunned, thinking of the implications when Spike burst out laughing. "Bloody hell! A Slayer who doesn't recognise vampires. You've really done it this time, Red."
Willow hung her head and looked miserable.
"Hey." Spike continued, as another thought struck him. "She seemed to quite fancy me. Maybe I should introduce myself."

He moved towards the door leading to the bedroom, but Angel was too fast for him.
Grabbing Spike by the throat, he threatened. "And maybe I should break your scrawny neck."
Willow suddenly burst into tears. "What have I done." She wailed.
Looking slightly ashamed, Angel let Spike go. "I think you should go, Spike."
Spike looked offended. "Won't stay where I'm not wanted." He huffed and walked to the door.

"And Spike.." Angel called.
Spike stopped and looked at him.
"You say one word about this and I will break your neck. It's a promise." Angel threatened again.
Spike shrugged. "Yeah, well, if I told anyone they'd be queuing up to take a shot at her and that wouldn't suit, because as soon as I get this chip out, me and the Slayer's got business to take care of." Angel started towards him but Spike made a rush for the door and was through it before Angel got to him. Giles could see that Angel intended to follow him and put his hand on Angel's arm to stop him.

"Best leave him." Giles advised. "He won't say anything and we've got a spell to reverse."
Tara came back into the room. "She's sleeping. So I came to see if I could h-help."
Giles turned to Willow. "I will need to see the spell you used on Buffy."
Willow nodded. "I brought it with me. I had to alter it because it was a spell to forget everything and she was only supposed to forget Angel."
"But instead of that she's forgotten about vampires, what they are, what they do, how to sense them, how to kill them."
Willow looked stricken. "This is really bad, isn't it?"
Giles put his hand on her shoulder. "We'll work it out, Willow. Don't worry."
Tara shuffled forwards. "Can I help?"
Giles looked at her, fondly. "Yes. I'm sure you can. Let's have a look and see what we can do."

Chapter Seven Buffy takes a walk

Seated at the table, Willow brought out a piece of paper with the words of the spell they had used and showed it to Giles.
"We used black, green and pink candles and I mixed together bay, cinnamon, pepper and sandalwood for wishes, healing, banishing and protection." Willow explained.
"And we asked for an end to the relationship, blessings and protection and a new beginning." Giles studied it carefully. "Well, I can't really see what made it go wrong. But I think we should work out how to reverse it." He looked at his watch. "Xander, would you go and check on Buffy. She seems to have been asleep for quite a while."

Xander stood up, glad to have something to do. He came back into the room looking worried. "Giles, she isn't there. And the bathroom's empty. She must have gone out through your window."
"Or someone might have taken her." Angel said, grimly, getting to his feet.
"Who?" Giles asked.
"Spike." Came the answer. "I'm going to look for her. You stay with the girls and work on the spell."
Xander beat Angel to the door. "Case you hadn't noticed, I'm not a girl." He said, in reply to Angel's look.

They went out into the darkness. "How do you want to play this?" Xander asked. "Shall we split up?"
"Yes." Angel nodded. "You go to Weatherly Park and I'll try the crypt."
"How about you try the park and I go to the crypt?"
"Or how about we just stand here and argue all night and forget about Buffy?" "OK. I'm going. To the park."

Spike had been aware of being followed for some time. He had decided to go to the park. There were plenty of bushes that he could hide behind in order to jump out on whoever was following him. True to his plan, he was able to duck down behind some vegetation and was surprised to see that Buffy was the culprit.

"Right, then." He said, coming up behind her and making her jump.
"Oh, hi there." She answered.
"What are you doing following me?" "I don’t really know. They wanted me to go to sleep, can you believe it? Like I was some old granny or something. And, I don't know, you looked like fun."
Spike shook his head. "You got that one wrong, Blondie."

Suddenly, someone came flying out of the darkness and knocked Spike on to the ground.
"Don't you dare touch her!" A familiar voice yelled at him.
"Oh, bloody hell." Spike complained. "Will you get off me, you bloody fool. I didn't touch her."
Xander got up and hauled Spike to his feet. "Yeah, and you're not going to either." He was holding Spike by the collar of his coat.
Spike opened his mouth to speak but, before he could, he was interrupted.

"Hello, Spike. Want to introduce your friends?"
They looked around and saw a group of eight vampires watching them, closely.
"Bloody hell, boy. You really are a demon magnet, aren't you." Spike hissed at Xander.
"Come on, Spike, it's rude not to share, you know. We haven't had a bite all night."
Xander let go of Spike and started checking his pockets for a stake. Buffy looked bewildered.
"Who are these people?" She asked. "And eww, why are they so ugly?"
Spike made a face. "Insults are really not goin' to help, you know."

One of the vampires at the back pushed to the front. "Hey, boys, I know her. She's the Slayer!" He announced. "I saw her when she killed Jake."
"Thinking of keeping the Slayer to yourself, Spike? I hear Slayer blood is kinda special. I'm sure there'll be enough for us all to have a sip."
"Oh, shit." Spike met Xander's eyes and the look confirmed what Xander knew. They didn't stand a chance against eight vampires. Xander grabbed Buffy's hand and, when Spike yelled "RUN!" he had already started to run, pulling Buffy with him.

Chapter Eight Break the spell

Xander ran as though his life depended on it, as, of course, it did. His chest burned as he dragged each breath from his lungs, feeling as though his lungs would burst with the effort. He stole a glance at Buffy, running alongside him, seemingly without effort. Of course, he realised, whether she recognises vampires or not, she's still the Slayer, with her skills and training. Spike was also having no problems. Xander decided that there were compensations to being undead and not having to cope with the inconvenience of breathing.
"Spike, I can't run anymore. Take Buffy and run. I'll try to stall them."
Spike snorted with derision. "Stall them? You don't have enough blood in you to keep them long enough for her to get away. Keep running, you bloody fool."

Giles, Willow and Tara were gathering together items for the spell.
"I've brought the things we need, Giles. Tara and I will begin it now."
The bowl of soil, one gold and one silver candle, some incense and a bowl of water to represent Earth, Fire, Air and Water were again placed on the floor at four points of the compass. Willow placed three candles, a bowl containing some spices and a small golden tiger's eye stone in the centre and she sat on one side with Tara facing her.

Xander was totally exhausted and even Buffy was beginning to show signs of stress. "Please can we stop." She gasped. "Just to get my breath."
"Keep running, Blondie, or you're gonna lose your breath for good." Spike told her.
They had run down an alley, trying to outrun the vampires and make their way back to Giles' apartment. It was then that four figures appeared in front of them. Spike realised that four of the eight vampires had managed to get in front of them. He spun around, only to see the other four coming up behind them. They were caught.

Realising that there was nowhere to run, Xander backed up against the alley wall, pushing Buffy behind him. Spike looked around, desperately seeking some kind of weapon.
"Buffy, do you have a stake?" Xander asked her.
"A steak? Why would I be carrying meat around with me?" She asked, bewildered. "Are these people hungry?"
"Oh, yes. They're hungry."

"Ok, mate." Spike addressed the first vampire. "You can have them. I've already eaten." So saying, Spike wriggled his way past the four vampires in front of them and ran off.
"Spike, you weasel!" Xander shouted after him, in disbelief.
The eight vampires slowly walked up to Xander and Buffy, relishing their fear.

"Spirits of Earth, Air, Water, Fire. I call on your power to bless and keep this circle. Let no fearful or unclean spirit intrude." Tara spoke clearly and Willow repeated the words. "Maiden, Mother, Crone. We invoke thee. Come to us and grant us your favour." This time Willow began and Tara repeated the words.
"We ask thee, Crone, to lend your power to neutralise our spell. For our friend, Buffy, let her heart and mind be no more free of Angel. In your name I light this grey candle of neutralisation." Willow spoke, lighting the candle as she did so.
"We ask thee, Mother, to lend your power for spell reversal. For our friend, Buffy, let her heart and mind be no more free of Angel. In your name I light this purple candle of spell reversal." Tara spoke, lighting the purple candle.
"We ask thee, Maiden, to lend your power for a new beginning. For our friend, Buffy, let her heart and mind be no more free of Angel. In your name we light this white candle for her happiness." This time Willow spoke while Tara lit the candle.
"We ask in the name of the Goddess to grant our plea. Break the spell. That which was cast be now reversed. As we so will, so mote it be."

"Xander?" Buffy murmured.
"Not now, Buff, okay? Kinda busy here."
Buffy pushed him to the side and took a stake out of the waistband of her trousers. "Hey, welcome back!" Xander said. "You are back, aren't you?"
"You're not making sense, oh hold on, you're Xander, that's normal." She reached into her pocket, bringing out another stake. "Here. I always bring a spare."
Xander took it from her. "Things are starting to look a little better."

One of the vampires in front of them suddenly exploded into dust revealing Spike standing behind him, holding a stake.
"And better still." Taking advantage of the confusion caused by Spike's reappearance, Xander rushed one of the vampire and, catching him off guard, dusted him immediately. Looking to his left, he saw that Buffy had the same idea and they were now down to five vampires. It was then that Xander made his mistake.

"Do you think it worked, Giles?" Willow asked anxiously, as she helped Tara to clear away the magic paraphernalia.
"I hope so." Giles replied. "They've been gone a while. I hope everything is alright."

Spike was fighting one of the vampires. Three of others rushed Buffy. One of them got behind her and was holding her arms, hindering her from attacking the other two. Xander ran to help her. One of the vampires had held back but, seeing Xander distracted by Buffy's predicament, he threw himself at Xanders' legs, pitching him to the ground. Xander hit the ground with a sickening thud. In the time it took him to collect his wits, the vampire was on top of him. Seizing his hair, the vampire began to pound his head on the ground.

Buffy managed to free her right arm and drove her stake backward into the vampire holding her. As he dissolved, she kicked up into the face of one while driving her stake into the other. She missed the heart but was rewarded with grunts of pain from both. She kicked the legs out from the one in front of her and thrust the stake into his heart. Spinning swiftly around she dusted the last one.

Using all his strength, Xander managed to throw the vampire off his back. Jumping to his feet, he put a hand to his head and it came away wet with blood. The smell of the blood seemed to embolden the vampire and he rushed him, just as Xander held the stake out in front of him. It hit the vampire's heart and he was dust.

Spike has the vampire by the throat and was punching him in the face. Xander came up behind them and rammed his stake into the back of the vampire and into his heart.
"What did you do that for? I was enjoying that!" Spike grumbled.
Buffy put her arm around Xander. "You're hurt. Let's get you to Giles."

Chapter Nine Ripper

When they got back to the apartment Giles, Willow and Tara were waiting anxiously.
"Did it work?" Willow asked.
"Yes." Xander answered. "It would have been good if it had worked a little sooner, but it worked."
Giles noticed the blood on his head. "I'll get the first aid kit. Go and sit down."

There was a knock on the door. Willow pulled it open and Angel entered the apartment. The relief was evident on his face when he saw Buffy. He looked at Willow.
"She's back to normal." She assured him. Realising that he deserved an explanation, she went on. "It's just that it so hard for her. She loves you and you're not here. And you come back and then go away again."
"Yes. I know it's hard." He agreed.
"So, you're not going to bite me for putting a spell on her to forget you?"
"No, Willow, I'm not going to bite you. I'm glad she has such a good friend."

He made his way to Buffy. "Are you alright?"
"Yes. But I think Willow and me need to talk." She glared over at her friend and Willow reddened.
"You know what happened, then."
"Yes. Xander told me on the way back."

Tara was holding a bowl of water for him while Giles cleaned Xanders wound with a cloth. Spike was looking on with interest. Giles put the cloth back in the bowl and Spike examined the water. "I'll take that in the kitchen." He offered.
"Spike, don't you dare." Giles warned. "Tara, take it away and don't let Spike near it."
"Waste not, want not." Spike grumbled and Giles silenced him with a look.

Without warning, the door flew open and a dark haired, slovenly dressed man of around Giles age stood in the doorway. The smell of alcohol coming from him was overpowering.
"Rupert Giles." He shouted. "Where is he?"
Giles stepped forward. "I'm Rupert Giles." He announced. "And you are?"
"Dad." Xander whispered.
"There you are, you ungrateful little shit. I left your mother crying at home, reading your note." He lurched toward Xander.

Giles put his hand on the man's arm. "Mr Harris. Perhaps we could have a word in private?"
"Got nothing to say to you. I want to talk to my son."
Giles glanced at Xander and saw how terrified he was. "I don't think so, Mr Harris."
Xander's father glared at Giles. "How the hell do you think you're going to stop me?"
Giles eyes hardened as he looked at him and he tightened his grip on his arm. His face was grim and held an expression that none of them had seen before. "You are going to get out of my home now, and you are never going to threaten this boy again. Because if you try to, I can promise you that it will be the last thing that you ever do."
They all stared at the two men. Mr Harris took a step backward. "Yeah, good riddance. The boy's good for nothing." And he turned and walked swiftly away.

Giles closed the door behind him. Turning, he saw that everyone was staring at him. Buffy was first to speak. "Wow, Giles, you were scary." She said, admiringly.
"Yes. Well, keep that in mind the next time when you're not taking me seriously."
He picked up the first aid box and, going back to Xander, proceeded to clean the wound with some antiseptic and cotton wool.
"Thank you, Giles." Xander whispered.
"He caught me on a bad night." Giles muttered.
Tara caught Willow's arm. "I couldn't believe that was Giles."
"Well, actually." Willow whispered back. "I think you just met Ripper."

FIN

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