Spike stormed through the night, his demon floundering in discontent. The sensitive poet that still existed, hidden within him, stuttered and whimpered in fear. For so long he'd been secreted away, safe, but one word had changed it all.

Effulgent.

How had she known? Did she truly know its significance? That word spoke of beginnings and endings. It was something William both blamed and blessed for where he was today. For more than a hundred years, he'd been protected, able to watch the world but not forced to participate. Participation hurt too much.

His beast- as he called the demon that shared his body- had been his champion, hiding him from all that would hurt him. But something about the beautiful blond had called to him, and for the first time since his mother's dusting, he wanted to come out, venture back into the world...and he was terrified.

The demon was enraged. He could feel something in the air, something huge that would turn his insular world upside down. Changes were coming, and until he knew how those changes would affect him and his beloved sire, he would take no chances. He fought William's pull towards the Slayer. If he had to guess, he would say that she would play a big part in the changes. Bloody bitch would pay for fucking with the poets head. Poor sap didn't have a clue about women, and now she'd gone and spoken the one word that could affect him.

Spike moaned in frustration. His two sides had a system that had worked for nearly a hundred and twenty years. Demon protected, William hid. No drama. Nice and simple, it was. And now some under-aged, pint sized, sickeningly perky little bint was buggering it all up. And if that wasn't enough, he now had to find a way to keep Dru distracted, because if she even got the slightest whiff that Angelus was in town, he'd never hear the end of it. Bloody daddy this and bloody daddy that; it was enough to make a demon create a pavement pizza!

One good thing to come out of the meeting was the information about the annoying one. He really should have known there was something up with that when the little bastard hadn't known who he was. He snickered at the thought that old batface would be pissing himself in Hell at the thought of William the Bloody inheriting his power. Maybe he'd just kill the little wanker, wait till he got the upgrade on Saturday, and then he'd go kill the irritating little chit of a slayer before she could carry out whatever she was planning, William be buggered.

With his new plan firmly in mind, Spike happily made his way back to the factory he'd claimed as home. He had an interloper to expel.

~*~*~

"So, what's with the big secret keeping? How come we're at your mom's gallery?" Xander bounced with excitement.

Buffy grinned at the collected group. This was one secret she couldn't wait to share. "Hold on for just a little while longer, Xan. Everyone follow me."

Making her way to the back of the shop, she didn't bother to look back. She knew instinctively that they were all following. The vast warehouse section at the rear of the gallery was a surprise to most of them. The area directly behind the shop was at least double the size of the training room that Buffy remembered as being behind the Magic Box from her own time. What made this area unique was that it also encompassed the area behind the vacant shop to the right of the gallery, as technically it was all one building.

Buffy moved toward a door that was situated between the two storefronts and opened it to reveal a small alcove. There were stairs leading to the second floor on the right and an unopened door to the left. Opening the door, Buffy entered what had once been a florist's shop.

Turning the lights on with a flourish, the excited slayer showed off the surprise. Bookcase after bookcase lined the walls of the rectangular room. A large table and chairs filled the area just back from the blacked out door and windows. Heavy steel shutters gave a feeling of added protection.

A small area to the left had clearly been set up as kitchenette, complete with a large refrigerator, a microwave oven, and a sink, which stood parallel with a bench and bar stools.

The back corner furthest from the doors was set up as office space with a big desk and a shiny new computer. Jenny had unknowingly been the one to suggest the computer that would suit them best.

"Welcome to the new Scooby Central," Buffy announced with a grin as she moved towards the table and the envelopes she had placed there earlier.

"What's wrong with the library? Not that this isn't great, 'cause it so is, but, you know, the library was sorta convenient and this kinda isn't, what with being away from the school, where we'll, like, be?" Willow babbled nervously. She wasn't really happy with more change. She already felt like she was competing for her best friend with Cordelia, and what was up with that anyway? Since when did the great cheerleader lower herself to hang with them? Wasn't that like breaking some cheerleader commandment or something?

"Oh, we'll still be able to meet in the library during school, but this is safer after school. This place has been vamp proofed," Buffy explained easily, picking up the envelopes and turning back to face the group. "I have these for you," she stated as she started handing out the next surprise.

Cordelia watched surreptitiously as Willow, Xander, and Jenny were given their gifts. She and Giles were fully aware of what was happening, but they needed to tread carefully. It wouldn't do at this point for the others to find out their secret.

"Couldn't you just, you know, vamp proof the school or something?" Willow asked peevishly, still not ready to give up her safety blanket.

"It's a key," Xander announced, confused by the object he'd found within his envelope.

"You can't protect public property, Willow." Giles informed the querulous girl.

"Um...isn't this public too?" she replied, now as confused as Xander, who was still looking at his key as if it somehow held the answers to his questions.

"And therein lays the beauty of this solution. This entire building is owned by Buffy's mother, including the apartment and training room upstairs. As long as someone lives in the apartment, this building can not be broached by a vampire at all. The entire building is protected as a residence. The key's you are holding give you entry to this part of the building. They are to be used as you need, specifically when you are in need of a safe haven," Giles skilfully answered both their questions.

"Who will be living in the apartment, Rupert?" Jenny asked.

"I moved in yesterday," Giles responded pleasantly. "Other arrangements will be made after Joyce and I are married." At this point none of the returnees were prepared to discuss who they had planned to eventually take over the living quarters; there would be time for that later. 

"Hello, my Spike. Did you have fun lighting up great granddaddy's little pet?" Drusilla asked as the blond entered the bedroom behind her.

Slipping his arms around her waist, Spike took the time to nuzzle her neck, scenting her. "Absolutely, poodle. How 'bout you, luv? Did you eat?" he asked solicitously.

"Oh, yes, one of the minions brought me something sweet."  She smiled absentmindedly before slipping from his embrace, moving closer to her dolls and lightly caressing the porcelain features of her favourite. "Miss Edith says you've met the sunshine, and that sunshine knows my cure. Will you ask her for me, my prince?"

Spike's eyes widened at the implications of her lightly offered news. 

 "Miss Edith said what?" he gasped faintly, wondering all the while who the fuck is sunshine?, but fearing he already knew the answer to that one.

Bugger! Guess that means killing the bitch might have to be put off for a while.

He had a really bad feeling about this.