Title:  Pillow Talk

Author:  Miss Murchison

Rating:  PG so far.  That will change.

Disclaimer:  All characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc.  Only the lame plots and dialogue herein are mine.

Notes:  A Spuffy story that starts in early Season 6 before deviating from canon.   A slight change in circumstances, a different decision or two, and you wind up with very different results.

Thanks: To Keswindhover and revdorothyl for the beta.

The story begins here.

Chapter 17

Buffy hugged Dawn. "Don't worry, we know enough now, I'm sure Giles will be able to figure out how to fix things." Even though I'm starting to realize some things may be beyond fixing.

"Well, if Xander can locate the book with the original spell, either Willow or I should be able to ---" Giles' speech broke off as he stared at something behind Dawn. “Good God, that woman is drinking London Pride! Where did she find that in Sunnydale? I have a hard enough time getting Bass Ale.”

Buffy grabbed him by the coattails before he could run off and pulled him back into the Magic Box. Before he could turn back to the street, he was distracted by the sight of Willow sampling his digestive biscuits and went to argue with her.

Buffy flinched at the spectacle of the group squabbling over cookies at the table, at Tara curled in a miserable ball by the bookcases, and at Xander, who was still crouched on the floor and sobbing. She looked at Spike, who had backed himself into a dark corner away from the others and was watching them with an expression that was one-third mockery, one-third disgust, one-third anger, and at least one-third impatience.

She knew that was too many thirds, but, then, Spike could pack more into an expression than was humanly possible. But if it wasn't human, it wasn't a vamp thing either, because she'd known other vamps who were definitely not talented that way. It was a Spike thing, like drinking warm beer, watching Passions, and babysitting her little sister.

She caught herself running her tongue over her lips as she watched him, and almost bit her tongue in an attempt to look resolute.

He looked in her direction, and she thought she saw him add concern to the already impressive list of emotions. "What next, Slayer?"

She felt herself move into a more determined stance, legs apart for balance, hands on her hips and eager to ball themselves into fists. "I can't keep playing Scooby wrangler. If you're right, the vampire population will be coming out to graze in a few minutes. I'm heading back out there."

"Me too!" Dawn headed for the stash of stakes that Buffy kept near Giles' desk.

Buffy pulled her back. "No, you're staying here, Dawn." She looked around and picked up a small white bag that had been kicked under the desk. "Look, Pepperidge Farm cookies!"

Dawn's "Mmm, cookies!" expression was almost immediately replaced by a mutinous look. Buffy realized that she'd seriously miscalculated.

"I'm not a baby, Buffy, and I'm not going to forget what I'm doing because I just happened to see that Hershey bar that someone dropped on the floor! If you and Spike can fight even when there's chocolate around, so can I!"

Buffy was a master of switching tactics when a battle plan wasn't working, and her old reflexes kicked in. "Okay, Dawn, you can fight off the munchies. But look at the rest of them. They can't. Someone has to keep them focused, remind them what they're looking for and what they have to do. You're the only one left who can do that."

Dawn started to object, but then her sulks evaporated miraculously. "Buffy, do you mean I'm in charge again? Twice in one day?"

"Yes! Yes, you're in charge. Over all of them, this time. You have to keep Giles and, and—Giles focused on finding a way to reverse the spell. Make Xander tell you what he used." Buffy made a mental note that appealing to her sister's Napoleon complex seemed to yield good results. Although I don't know how often I'll be able to control her by putting her in command.

Dawn was nodding, her expression resolute. "You can count on me." But she grabbed the cookies from Buffy's hand before turning towards the back of the store.

Buffy looked around the room. Everyone else except Spike and Xander was planning yet another snack as they sat down to discuss Anya's eating disorder. Xander was still on the floor looking through the stacks of books, but Buffy noticed he now had a nearly empty bag of pretzels in one hand. I haven't got much choice. I have to leave my little sister in charge of the magic and take a vampire who doesn't realize he can hurt humans with me to help with the fighting.

Then she saw Dawn sit down next to Xander and wave the bag of Mint Milanos in front of his face. As he reached out, Dawn snatched the bag back and pointed at the pile of books. Xander began searching with renewed enthusiasm.

Well, what do you know? My little sister isn't that bad a choice, after all.

Giles looked up, rubbing crumbs from his chin. "Are you going out, Buffy?"

She sighed. "Yes, Giles, I'm going to fight all the vampires who will be eating people now that it's dark. You know, the people Xander put under a spell so they're wandering around like sheep? The same spell that's making the vampires extra-special hungry?"

Giles nodded approval and went back to his "digestives," but Tara surprised Buffy by shuffling over to pick up a candle. "I'll set some wards so they can't get in here. Anti-vampire charms." She looked up at Spike. "As soon as he's gone."

"Thanks," said Buffy in a quiet voice. "Can you manage alone?"

Tara nodded cautiously. "I can keep myself together long enough, I think. She rubbed at her blotched face. "And I'll help Dawn, if I can concentrate."

Dawn, who was pulling Xander over to check a shelf of books, nodded to Buffy, showing she would use this source of help.

"I don't see why you have to go." Willow's voice was sulky. "You're always like this any more. Never staying and enjoying the party." She gulped down some milk and scowled.

Buffy opened her mouth, realized she was about to scream, and shut it again. After a few seconds, she managed to say in a tight, bitter voice, "You brought me back from death to fight demons for you, right? So I had better go do it. Besides, I promised Nancy I’d be back."

"Nancy?" Willow looked confused for a moment. "Oh, the demon you said bought the Espresso Pump. Why would you promise a demon anything?"

"Because she’s my boss."

Willow spilled milk on her shirt. "You have a job?"

Buffy thought this was pretty rich, considering the source of the incredulity. "Yes, I have a job. At least I have one if those idiots out there haven’t eaten the entire Hill of Beans, lock, stock, and espresso machine." She glanced to the side. "Spike, you’re with me. Ready to strike a blow against hunger?"

He straightened up from his slouch. "Been wanting to kill something for hours."

She gave him her sternest look, trying not show that she had qualms about the state of his chip. In fact, her qualms were starting to have their own qualms. "Be careful. Lots of the crazies out there are humans."

He shrugged. "Nothing new about that. I know the drill, Slayer."

She found her stash of stakes and handed him one. "Just remember, it goes through vamp hearts only."

"You're really turning into a nag, you know that? I'm not about to set off the bloody chip in the middle of a battle." He cast a contemptuous glance over the weeping, snacking mob of Scoobies. "I'm in control."

"Buffy, are you sure you don't want a cup of tea before you go?" Giles was standing next to the electric kettle again.

She shook her head, only to hear Spike say, "Well…"

Buffy grabbed Spike by the arm and pulled him out the door. She seemed to be doing a lot of tugging and pulling as a result of this spell. "Yeah, you're in control all right. The question is, controlled by what?"

When they reached the sidewalk, Spike pulled away from Buffy's grip. "I was not going to be distracted by a offer of a cuppa!"

"I hope not.." Buffy stood in the street, looking past the grazing Sunnydale residents. She pointed at a small mob that was moving with more purpose than the humans. "Because neither will they."

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