Back in the Game
by Kimber


Cleveland May 14th 2 p.m.

Andrew walked down to an area they called the Warehouse District, not far from his hotel. It was a popular area since a lot of the nightlife was there, and also along the riverfront called The Flats. His source told him about a place called the Spy Bar on West 6th. Informed him it was owned by a Hoard demon by the name of Nino Biggs.

The city was busy with cars, buses, and people all over the place. A mixture of old and new architecture was noted as he walked by the various buildings. The closer he got to the club the more worried he became. He couldn't help but think how much easier it was to hide a Hellmouth here in Cleveland, than it was in Sunnydale.

His gut told him that this Lorne demon wouldn't be hiding here. Even he was smart enough to know not to hide in an area that was crawling with demons and demon hunters. Especially since there might be a price on your head, or be associated with a demon crime fighter by the name of Angel. But it wouldn't hurt to ask around hoping maybe someone had heard something.

"There you are." He said as he noticed the club just a half a block down as he turned the corner onto West 6th.

The closer he came to his goal he noticed across the street were several restaurants and another club called The Velvet Dog. He looked at his watch and wondered if any one would be around at this time of day. But then if it was a demon bar, it would also have a Happy Hour for the things that couldn't be seen by human's and not send the city into a panic.

Andrew took a deep breath and said to himself, "Spike would just go up and bang on the door and act like he was cock of the walk and get right in." Taking a deep breath he started to channel what he called his inner Spike as he walked up to the door and knocked.

The door opened revealing a man of average height, dark black hair with coal black eyes who asked, "What can I do for you?"

"I'm looking for Nino Biggs, was wondering if I could have few words with him." Andrew again thought of how Spike would sound all manly and deadly as he tried to emulate his hero.

"Depends on who is calling."

"Tell him a representative from the Watcher's Counsel is here to see him." Andrew said in a calm cool and confident manner that even surprised him.

"Gotta name, watcher bait?" The black-eyed demon asked.

"Andrew."

"I'll see if he's hungry." The doorman said with a scary chuckle that made Andrew question his sanity of being here.

"Just let him know I'm not on the menu." Andrew managed to get out and keep his voice from breaking or squeaking.

"I can't make any promises." He said in return right before he shut the door, leaving
Andrew standing there lost for words.

The watcher figured he had three options. First, he could pull out his phone and call Faith to back him up. Something he should've thought of before now. Second choice was to just walk away and forget he ever came. Third one would be to stand his ground and see what he could find out.

Something told him the second one was his best choice, but he no longer had it when the door opened and he was greeted by a woman with shoulder length hair of silver and eyes of a deeper metallic color and as hard as steel.

"A watcher dares to come here." She said, her voice sounding as cold as her eyes appeared and demanded. "You dare to approach us in such an insulting manner such as this."

"I dare to come for I seek answers to questions that need answers." Andrew answered her.

"I must say you are either stupid or brave. I fear it is the first." She replied. "Nino will not see you, for you are beneath him. Go back to the counsel and remind them of the required payment if they seek his services."

"I'm sorry to say this, but the counsel runs things differently now. We are renegotiating all contracts, since the old ones were destroyed. So are you telling me you don't wish to continue our special relationship?" Andrew bluffed, keeping it saved in his mind to ask Giles if the old counsel did make deals with demons.

The woman looked at the young man and tried not to smile. She could smell his fear, but silently applauded his audacity. "Do you have a number that we can contact you at?"

Andrew pulled out his card with his cell phone number on it. "I hope to hear from you soon?"

"You may, you may not." She replied as she shut the door and turned to her lover and said. "What do you think?"

"I think he is bluffing, but I'm curious to find out what he seeks from me." The man who had originally answered the door said.

"I think the time is near that we will be forced to choose sides." She told him, knowing the battle for earth would be fought here in Cleveland.

"I've already chosen. I like my life and the human race as much as I hate them, I'd rather leave things as they are. If the higher Gods come back, they will make slaves of us that are not full demons. No matter if we fight for them or not. At least now we can still move among mankind and live a decent life." Nino answered. "Come tomorrow we will call the watcher and see what it is he truly wants, since there was never any contract to begin with."

"I agree."

"Tell me Liv, what is it you agree with?" He asked his lover and partner.

"All of it my dearest, for we do not need the human's to survive as a food source. But we do need them to continue to make a more then comfortable living by. The rising up of the old ones would take that away from us." She replied, knowing what she was saying was true. "I will not bow down because I happen not to be a full demon. I don't trust what this Wolfram and Hart is trying to sell. I think they are lying just to help defeat the humans and they will make us their slaves if they inherit the earth, for I'm with you and nothing or no one will separate us."

"I knew you'd see it my way. Come tomorrow we will call this watcher and see what it is he wants. If nothing else he might lead us to whom it is we need to talk to, so we can offer our services."

"I'm with you, my love." She replied as she took his hand and let him lead her back to their office.

*******

Rome International Airport May 14th 9:30 p.m.

Buffy stood in line to board her flight. Rona had come to stay with Dawn and asked no questions. A letter for her sister was in the junior slayer's care to give at breakfast, not before. The call for her to go to Cleveland was strong, feeling it was a place she'd be able to work out some of her frustrations. Since it was the main Hellmouth now, there had to be some demon action to disrupt.

She had a two hour layover in Amsterdam, and had left Giles a message, thinking he'd want to hear about her plans and if he had to contact her to use her cell phone. Maybe he'd have more news about Angel and the others as well. She moved on though the security checks, as her thoughts continued to buzz about in her head. When she found her seat, she felt more relaxed than she had since coming to Rome.

The hum of the engine lulled her to sleep, with no Dawn, Nick, or leaving Rome entering her zone. Instead, she dreamed of holding a baby and a familiar British voice saying, "Beautiful, Luv, her beauty only second to her gorgeous Mum."

*******

London May 14th 8:30 p.m.

Dana lay staring at the ceiling. She kept to herself most of the day, trying to keep anyone from paying attention to her. Most of the time she still couldn't believe she was feeling normal again, or what she considered normal. She just wasn't sure how to go about letting her caretakers know.

The place was nice, especially compared to other places she'd been over the years. Now she knew that she hadn't been fully crazy, for vampires did exist. It no longer was a figment of her imagination or delusions brought on by the horrors she'd been put through in that basement so long ago.

Tomorrow Mrs. Shears would be back, and that was the one person she had come to trust more than anyone. The woman would know what to do and who to contact to get her out of here. The knowledge that she would soon be able to walk among society again made her smile, as she drifted off to sleep. For now, she was not afraid of what she dreamed, it only made her resolve to get out and move on with her life only grow stronger.

*******

Giles sat by the fire drinking his brandy laced tea. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming. It was like the night the he found his friend dying from wounds inflicted by members of The Bringers. The fear that came over him that night again was clawing at his soul.

Something about Buffy's message didn't feel right. Why would she feel the need to go to Cleveland, since she never really developed a relationship with Faith or Robin? He just wished he had not missed her phone call, so he could have eased his mind by asking her. Instead, he now had to wait for her to arrive in Cleveland to find out the answer.

It didn't help he had no clue to what Andrew was up to at the moment. He would hate to have to go and take care of this matter himself, but knew it could end up that way. The answer to whether it was Angel or Angelus that was responsible was very important to know. Also the information as to why the others followed him, or had Angelus turned them into members of the undead society. It was times like this he hated the fact he ever became a watcher, wishing he'd been blessed with the gift of ignorance to what he knew today.

*******

Las Vegas May 14th 1 p.m.

Spike felt a rush of air between his legs causing him to look down, "Bloody Hell, I'm in a dress."

Something familiar about outfit seemed to be at the edge of his brain, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He was sure it was significant to remember why it would be important to recognize the dress, but again he kept hitting a wall.

"A lovely dress it is my pretty." Wesley cackled, as he stood before him dressed in a black gown.

"Nice hat ya got there, Percy." Spike replied, taking in the ex-watcher's getup. "How much mileage can one get on a big stick like that these days?"

"I wouldn't talk about outerwear if I was you." Wes snorted, with a evil smirk on his face as he looked at Spike's clothes. "If your hair was longer you could sport the pigtails too, Dorothy wanna be."

"Spike, ignore him, he's just trying to keep you from getting home." A familiar voice said, "Find the right road that leads you home, not by ship or by plane for they will lead you astray."

"What the-" Spike said in wonder when he noticed Angel all dressed in white hovering in the sky.

"Don't speak, just listen, that is where you always messed up, you never listened." Angel sighed, as he looked at Wesley, "Never would think black would be your color."

"Oh Precious, I think it suits me just fine. Hides the blood stains if you know what I mean." Wesley shrugged as he looked down at his black nails. "Neither of you told me how good true evil could feel."

"Because it's really not your gig, mate. You're a white hat." Spike said.

"Am I, hmmm, what has it ever got me, being a white that is." He asked, "I mean all it got me was dead."

"Spike, don't let him keep you from your path. His destiny and salvation lies with someone else...you have to find home, she needs you. Heart and Home, home is in your heart you will find her for she is home." Angel said, "You have gathered your forces now take them to the next step. Time is running out, for the battle continues and soon it will be the end of the war."

Spike tilted his head as he tried to understand what Angel was telling him, he was sure he knew, but wasn't sure. He looked behind him and noticed everyone was there and then it hit him. Someone was really playing with his mind right now, for Lorne was dressed as the Tin Man, Conner as the Scarecrow, Blue was the lion, and Oz was a larger replica of Toto.

"So, I need to find my ruby red slippers and click three times and repeat, 'there's no place like home'. Just like in the movie." Spike said as he realized he was dressed as Dorothy, "Why the hell do I get to be Dorothy?"

Wesley chuckled as he looked over at Illyria, "For you are the champion that can lead us all home."

"Well, don't expect me to sing follow the yellow brick road." Spike snorted as he reached up to find two bows his hair, "Oi, can't a man have some pride."

"Pride goes before the fall, remember that." Another familiar voice said, as the blonde vampire turned and saw Giles standing before him, dressed as the wizard. "Do not let pride be your downfall, as it was for others before you."

"Why do you and peaches get to be the higher ups here?" Spike growled.

"As tests to your demeanor, patience, and willingness to listen." Giles replied.

"Yeah, well where is Buffy? When is she gonna come out and play the goodie good witch?" Spike asked as he waited for her appearance.

"Because that part belongs to me." Tara said as she appeared before him, "Listen William to all that's been said. Let the words stay in your head, for they will save you one day soon. They will lead you home, to rest, to love, to grow old."

"Or not and you can come with me." Wesley offered with a mocking smile.

"Get off, you pounce, you're the wicked witch. No playing with you." Spike waved him off.

"Too bad, I think we'd great playmates." Wesley wagged his eyebrows.

"Sorry, mate only dabbled there once and won't go there again, like the ladies much better." Spike chuckled.

"Go home Spike, so much is riding on you finding home." Giles stressed as he glared at the ex-watcher.

"So where is home, you haven't told me?" He asked.

"Close you eyes and wish hard, for it will become obvious, for in your heart the answer lays." Tara smiled as she leaned in and gently kissed his lips. Suddenly everything went black right before he woke up gasping for breath.

He looked down and noticed he was wearing his usual black tee shirt and jeans. He reached up touching his hair relieved that the bows were not there. It had seemed so real, like he'd been there. Lying back he played the dream back listening to everything and everyone. There was a whisper in the background that he couldn't make out. He concentrated and wondered why he couldn't hear the words clearly.

Subtracting each noise and word from his mind he concentrated solely on the whisper. Something told him it would tell him what he needed to know about home if he could only make out the word. Then he remembered Tara's voice telling him to think hard as he looked toward his heart for the answer.

"Buffy" Came loud and clear and at last he understood. Home was Buffy, his Slayer was home and she needed him.

"But they said follow the road, no plane would get me there." He repeated Angel's words and realized that maybe Buffy was coming to the states."

The sound of Oz returning gave him an idea on how to find out. Supposedly Faith and Wood was in Cleveland. Oz could go to Cleveland and do some reconnaissance on finding out where Buffy was. Now that the plan was made, he rolled off the bed to go and find out how the wolf made out on his mission.

*******

Somewhere Mystical

Nick sat at his desk trying to figure out what went wrong with his little spell on the slayer. It was working as normal until recently and faded too quickly for his comfort. He still had the most important Summers still under his control, and that was all that really mattered. He had the key to unlock the underworld when it was time. His army would again have free fun of earth and his law would govern them all.

Humans would again be food to feed the demon masses, as it was back in the old days. He just never expected the Purian race to be resurrected, and he had the guardians to blame for that. But by the time they figured it out it would be to late, his army will be here and they would conquer them all.

His time with the supposed Chosen One made him laugh. If she was what stands between me taking over the world it will be like taking candy from a baby. He believed victory over the first was more a fluke, if the guardian had not interfered, and if Spike didn't wear the amulet it would've ended there. The winning of that battle he gave to Angel for giving The Slayer the amulet that closed the Hellmouth.

*******

Joyce stood glaring at Tara as she asked, "What about Dawn?"

"Joyce, we could not let on about the key, for it would lead him from his path." Tara explained.

"My Dawnie is in more danger."

"No she isn't, she is the safest of them all." Tara reassured her, "The beast is too strong for the Chosen One or the Champion to take on alone, they are stronger together, always have been always will be."

"Listen to her Joyce, she's telling you the truth. You see how he's manipulated Buffy so far, having used her grief against her." Cordelia explained, "But we've managed to work on changing that."

"By having her dream about Spike." Joyce realized

"Yes, the dreams of Spike." Tara answered.

"The power of love, even if you think the one you love is dead, is a powerful magic." Tara said as she gave Joyce a hug, "Have faith, have hope they too are a powerful weapon."

"I'm sorry, I should have them both." Joyce sighed.

"It's normal to question things right now. You want both of your daughters safe." Cordy voiced her understanding of Joyce's feelings.

"I always did like him, even after finding out he was a vampire." Joyce shared, hoping he'd be able to keep her girls safe.

"You are one of the reasons he changed." Tara thought it would help if the woman knew this. "Joyce you gave him your trust and ear, and in return he respected you more then anyone since he'd been turned. It really wasn't as much as the chip that helped him, but the time you spent with him. You and Dawn helped to bring forth some of the humanity the demon had tried to destroy when he was first turned."

"Do you think the Powers understand?" Joyce asked, feeling nervous they were mad.

"Why do you think they sent us here to reassure you they are doing every in their power to keep them both safe." Tara told her. "We have to go now, so much we still have to do."

"Let me know what I can do." Joyce offered.

"Your time to contribute will come." Tara said before she and Cordy turned and left.

*******

London May 14th 9 p.m.

Willow looked out the window remembering when she had spent time here around two years ago. Back when she needed a place to fix what her grief and cockiness had broken. Since leaving the Coven she had continued to grow into her magic, and since the powerful magic she used to convert all the potentials into slayers she had come to appreciate meditating and letting nature guide her.

"Ah, there you are," Megan said as she noticed Willow's melancholy expression. "So what has you so deep in thought?"

"I can't help but feel that something bad is coming." Willow answered as she looked up at her fellow Wicca with a worried look on her face.

"I know the Coven has talked about nothing else since Sabrina spoke of her vision about the devils trying to reclaim earth." Megan sighed.

Willow looked at the dark haired beauty that still looked to be about 17 years old, when in fact she was 45 instead. "Megan, I had a dream and it confused me."

"Tell me." Megan came to sit on the other side of the table, taking the younger girl's hand gently into hers. "I feel your fear, tell me."

"I dreamt that I delivered my friend Buffy's baby." Willow smiled sadly.

"Why does that make you sad?"

"Cause the father was someone that died, not once, but twice," Willow tried to explain.

"Died twice?" Megan felt a tremble in the life force around her. "Tell me about the man that died twice and still managed to come into your dream and become a father."

Willow relaxed and told her about Spike and how he'd died and came back as a vampire, how he tried to kill them, including Buffy since she was the slayer. By the time she finished telling about how Spike became chipped, had an affair with Buffy that led him to fighting for and winning his soul for her, and then his dying for her, Megan was smiling softly letting it all sink in.

"He is not as dead as you think." Megan looked at the young woman's shocked face. "I'm thinking you will find him and you will then find your true love as well."

"But, Tara was my true love." Willow glared.

"Do not close your heart out of grief, but let it open and meet your destiny, my child." Megan smiled as she encouraged the powerful witch before her to let her heart be her guide. "Life can be long and lonely to believe that a lost love was your true love, yes you loved her and she loved you, but she would understand that there is more here for you then living life as if you are dead."

"Life is death, death is life, it is the living we do between the two that makes life worth living, or dying for." Megan hummed as she continued to read the images in her mind. "Yes, you will be needed in this new battle that is brewing, or should I say that has been brewing for a long time now."

"Your dream means that in your hands you hold the gift of life and the life of your friend's." Megan slumped down as the spiritual connection left her. "Be careful and choose your friends carefully. I see people from your past, and not all of them will be welcome at first, but keep your mind open as to why they are truly here and that it is you they have found."

Willow looked over at her friend with concern. "Megan, are you okay?"

"Yes, my dear, I'm fine." Megan sat up straighter and smiled. "I hope I did not confuse you too badly, but I cannot tell you more."

"I understand." Willow sighed.

"I believe in you, Willow." Megan looked deeply into the young girl's face. "You have to believe in yourself and half the battle will be won."

Megan stood up and walked over and stood behind the young woman who had a lot of decisions to make soon. "Your friend is going to need you, but you cannot go to her until the time is right, and he will know when the time is right, trust him."

"Who?"

"Trust your instinct, let your heart guide you and it will come to you." Megan sighed, "I'm sorry I cannot tell you more. I would be interfering in decisions that should be yours and yours alone, in fact I think I may have told you more then what I should already."

Willow closed her eyes and wished Tara was here to talk to, she had a way to ground her, just like Oz had done. She opened her eyes wide looked over her shoulder only to find that Megan had left the room. She wondered if she was about to see Oz again. Would he be the one she would have to trust, and that he would be the one with the answers too what was going on.

Megan walked to her room, knowing soon her time to meet evil was coming. It would be with her last breath that she would protect those that had come to mean a great deal to her. One of them being the red headed little witch she left in the kitchen. Agnes was right; the battle of all battles was soon to be fought. Her sister would have to carry the burden of leading them, for her time to pass over was soon approaching.

Breaking one little rule, she had placed a name in the young woman's head. When he brought the information needed, it would help her to make sense of the dream, for she would not be alone. The fact the message would come with her death saddened her, knowing how the passage of someone else had pushed the young woman over the edge.

*******