Xander was putting his key in the lock of his motel room when he heard the sirens. He turned swiftly to catch sight of the tail end of the fire truck as it flew past in the direction of Macy's. He snatched his hand back from the door and stuffed the key back into his pocket. He raced back down to the street, staring after the flashing lights trying to see what the emergency was. An ambulance roared after the fire truck. Two police cars following closely behind. He was joined by everyone with the exception of Lorne. The Pylean had hurried to his room to tend to his image induced migraine and didn't hear the commotion.

"What happened?" Buffy asked no one in particular.

"I don't know." Xander told her. "But they went toward the bar. Anya's car turned that direction. I have to make sure she's all right." He broke from the group to begin a steady jog back the way they'd just come. The others followed after a moment's startled delay. Buffy easily kept up while the others trailed behind a little slower.

At the accident site...

Anya watched in horror as Spike hesitantly stepped closer to the flaming car. She covered her mouth to stifle a scream. The fire truck raced up and pulled forward to the fire hydrant on the other side of the wreck. An ambulance stopped next to the victims still unconscious on the pavement. Dan gave the paramedics a quick assessment of the couple's injuries before standing up and turning around to check on his friends. Shock flooded his large frame as he spotted Spike silhouetted against the flames. The fire fighters were unloading their equipment and hadn't yet noticed the figure dangerously close to the fire.

Running footsteps sounded behind them. Dan turned to see who the newcomers were. He recognized the one-eyed man and the petite blond from the group who'd come to find Spike. He could see the rest of them coming up the street from the motel.

Xander couldn't stop the curse that leapt to his lips as he took in the scene. "What the fuck?"

Anya turned at the sound of his achingly familiar voice. "Xander!" She buried her face in his chest and clung tightly. His arms automatically closed around her comfortingly.

Buffy covered her mouth with her hand and stared at Spike as abject terror locked her in place. She knew how he felt. She'd gone through the same thing.

Dawn raced up behind them and screamed when she spotted the vampire. "Spike! Move!" He didn't appear to hear her.

They all watched as the vampire took another step closer to the deadly flames. Several of them shouted at him to move away. His hand was outstretched as if he wanted to touch the flickering heat. Xander gently moved Anya aside and swiftly strode toward the entranced blond. He winced at the intensity of the heat as he drew silently closer. As soon as he got close enough, he looped a strong arm around the slender waist of his former enemy.

Spike started as a muscular arm tightened securely around his waist. He dropped his arm and stared in horror at just how close he was to the burning wreck. He could now see the fire fighters as they began spraying water and foam attempting to dowse the blaze. The shouting of the onlookers flooded his ears. He didn't resist as whoever it was pulled him back away from the heat. In seconds, he found himself on the sidewalk. His legs gave way and he sank down onto the concrete, head bowed wearily.

"Just what the hell did you think you were doing?" The furious voice of Xander Harris broke what remained of Spike's trance.

Spike laughed, a hint of hysteria in the sound. "Harris."

Xander crouched down next Spike. He noticed the others beginning to move toward them. He held up his hand to keep them back. A paramedic ignored the raised hand and stepped forward with a blanket. He draped the blanket over Spike's shoulders and attempted to check him for injuries.

"Sir, are you all right? Are you injured?" The young man questioned gently.

"I'm fine." Spike snapped even as he pulled the ends of the blanket closer around his body.

Xander glanced at the helpful paramedic. "I've got it. I don't think he's hurt, just a little dazed."

The young man bit his lip uncertainly. "Well, if you're sure."

"I'm sure. I'll take care of him." Xander assured him. The paramedic nodded and went back over to help his partner load the accident victims into the waiting ambulance.

Spike ignored the two men as they talked about him. Reaction was setting in and he began to shake. It was beginning to feel as if that's all he was doing lately, shaking. What had happened? Had he really attempted to incinerate himself?

"What happened?" Xander's voice was soft with barely concealed concern.

Spike looked up, dark blue eyes wide and shocked. "I'm not sure. All I could see was the fire." He gazed at the dwindling blaze as the efforts of the fire department began winning the fight. "Dru was fascinated by fire. She always wanted to touch it. Lots of times I'd barely get there in time...." He trailed off and stared at the sidewalk.

The dark haired Scooby closed his eye briefly at the lost expression on Spike's face. He mentally reviewed all the curses he knew, both human and demonic, to send up to the Powers That Be for messing with the blond vampire the way they had. He could hear the others as they gathered around the two of them. He sent a warning glare up to them to keep them away. Dan followed the paramedic's example and ignored Xander's patented glare. He crouched next to Spike. His hazel eyes scanned the vampire professionally. Spike pulled the blanket around his shoulders a little tighter, uncomfortable with the attention.

"Spike? Are you all right? What was that? One minute you're telling me how flammable you are and the next you're trying to prove it." Dan questioned intently.

The blond continued his perusal of the sidewalk as the deputy studied his extraordinarily pale face. The human noticed the shaking slender fingers clutching the wool blanket. He could see that shock was settling in and glanced at the man crouched on the other side of the shaken vampire. Xander's single dark eye was fixed on Spike's ashen features. A small female hand landed on Dan's shoulder. He glanced up as Anya stepped closer to her house guest. He could see the remnants of tears on her pretty face but she seemed resolved. She released her grip on her friend as she passed. Xander looked up as his ex-fiancée approached Spike.

"Anya, are you all right?" The male Scooby asked quietly.

She nodded once. "Yeah." The word was low and tense; her entire attention was focused on the vampire. She knelt on the cold cement of the sidewalk in front of Spike. She raised slightly trembling fingers up to trace the sharp contour of his face. His vacant blue gaze rose from the sidewalk as he felt her warm touch.

"Anya." He whispered. He didn't resist when the ex-demon pulled him gently into her arms. He buried his face into her neck as she wrapped her slender arms around his shoulders.

Dawn clutched her sister's arm as they stood a short distance away. She could clearly remember Buffy's unhappiness about being back in the world all those years ago. The entire year had been excruciating in its emotional roller coaster. It had taken the teenager a long time to convince her sister to confide in her and had been beyond shocked at what she'd learned. Silent tears slid down her face as she watched her best friend being comforted by Anya.

Buffy closed her own eyes as her empathy with Spike's pain threatened to overwhelm her. She raised her hand and covered her sister's. They leaned into each other and waited.

Spike absorbed Anya's warmth like a sponge. He felt so cold after the heat of the fire. He began gulping deep unneeded breaths in an effort to control the weak trembling he could feel racking his entire body. Anger slowly started to build in his chest. It burned away the trembling and left aftershocks of a new sort in his lean frame. He raised his head and gazed at the humans standing in a circle around him. Wesley took that as a cue to elbow his way over to the seated vampire.

"Spike, can you tell me why you did that?" The younger Englishman asked, standing over Spike and Anya. "You've just been returned. Why would you attempt to throw away a tremendous gift like that?"

Buffy gasped at the former Watcher's question. She could see the flare of anger lighting the dark blue eyes of her former lover. She pulled away from Dawn and stalked to Wesley's side. "How dare you?" She demanded, fairly vibrating in her anger. She grabbed his arm and spun him to face her. "His gift was Heaven and he was ripped out of there by so-called 'Higher Powers' to do what you and your friends can't seem to do."

Wesley stared at the petite blonde in shock as she continued her tirade. "Have you called Angel? Do you know what he's planning? If not, I suggest that you call him and find out before you say another word to Spike. He doesn't need your bullshit and stupid questions." She heard faint movements behind her as Spike stood up. Anya rose with him and shifted so that her arms encircled his waist as he gained his balance.

Spike gazed sadly into Anya's huge brown eyes. He raised a hand to cup her cheek. She closed her eyes briefly at the loving caress. "I'm sorry, Baby." He murmured.

Anya frowned, puzzled. "Why?"

"For dragging you into my problems. You had a nice quiet normal life going on before I got here." He told her softly.

She smiled tremulously. "Normal is very overrated." A flicker of humor flashing through the intent blue eyes was not the laugh she'd hoped for.

Spike glanced over at Xander, who'd risen from his crouch to stand next to them. "Thanks, Mate." He said quietly.

"Any time." Xander answered with a quick flash of his usual grin.

Gently, Spike eased Anya out of his embrace. He gave her a slight push in Xander's direction, ignoring the confused expressions on both their faces. "Take care of her." He told his former enemy.

"What are you saying, Spike?" Xander demanded, too quietly for the others to hear. "I just saved your ass. Don't tell me I wasted my time!"

Spike chuckled humorlessly. "No. I'm not going to do that. Just make sure Anya gets home all right. I need to run for a bit. Let off some steam. Yeah?"

The brunet nodded his understanding. He knew very well Spike's need for physical activity in times of stress. He circled his arms around his former fiancée comfortingly, indulging in the old habit of drifting a tender hand down her silky hair.

A few feet away, Wesley and Buffy were still arguing over the ex-watcher's callous treatment of the resurrected vampire. The slayer stopped abruptly as the familiar vampire tingle faded from her senses. She spun around in time to see Spike slipping his bomber jacket on as he strode swiftly into the night. The slender figure in black picked up speed until he was running. A second later, vampire speed kicked in and he was gone.

Green eyes turned back to Wesley. "Call Angel. Find out what he's doing. Get him here." Buffy ordered. She faced the direction Spike had gone and followed him.

It took her a few minutes before the familiar tingle what was all Spike's trickled down her spine. She kept running until she could see the distinctive platinum hair shining in the dark. She watched as he seemed to sense her presence and stopped.

He leaned against a nearby streetlamp and pulled his cigarettes out of his pocket and waited until the slayer caught up.

At the accident site...

Wesley rubbed the back of his neck distractedly. "Well, I say. She has gotten quite forceful. Hasn't she?" He observed to no one in particular.

Willow nodded her bright head decisively. "Better believe it, Buster. I think you should do what she said and find out what Angel is up to. Spike was brought back to stop him. We are not going to let him do this alone."

Giles moved to stand next to the other Brit. "It would be best if you contacted Angel. Are you sure he hasn't told you of any plans to go up against these Senior Partners Spike was ranting about?"

Wesley shook his head and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. Fred placed her hand on his arm in silent support as he flipped the small phone open to dial.

A few feet away, Anya gazed up at Xander with misty eyes. "You're going to help him? You hate Spike, Xander."

A sad smile crossed the male Scooby's face. "I don't hate him. You can't hate someone who saves your life and then saves the world. Yes, what ever it takes, we'll help him." He promised as she buried her face in his chest.

Cindy and Dan approached Anya and Xander. "Anya, are you all right?" Cindy asked worriedly. The ex-demon nodded shakily as she leaned against Xander.

"I take it you know this guy pretty well?" Dan mused with a small smile.

Anya straightened and brushed her hair out of her eyes. "Cindy, Dan. I'd like you to meet Xander Harris. We used to be together." She introduced her friends to her ex-fiancé.

Xander held his free hand out to shake first Dan's and then Cindy's outstretched hands. "Good to meet you. Looks like you've been taking good care of Anya." He smiled, a secret sort of amusement glittered in his dark eye.

Anya poked him in the ribs. "I can take care of myself!"

He tightened his muscular arm around her waist. "Of course you can." He soothed.

Dan grinned. He was well aware of Anya's temper and both he and Cindy watched in amusement as this one-eyed man deliberately riled her up. They realized it was to distract her from worrying about Spike. The blonde shoved away from Xander and shook her finger at him.

"I'll have you know...." She broke off when she realized he was wearing a huge grin.

"You're still way too easy to piss off, Ahn. Need to work on that." Xander teased. Cindy and Dan burst into relieved laughter as their friend smiled sheepishly.

At the streetlamp....

Spike contemplated the end of his lit cigarette while he waited for the slayer to catch up to him. He was annoyed that she'd felt the need to follow him. He hadn't been planning on being gone that long. He knew where Anya's house was and would have headed to it after a quick, cleansing run. He spoke as Buffy drew near.

"Slayer." He drew on the burning white cylinder. "What do you want?" His tone was neutral, bordering on unfriendly.

She stopped in front of him and gazed up at him with huge green eyes made shiny with tears. "Every night." She gasped. "For a long time, every night.... I saved you."

Spike's lean body stiffened at the familiar words. He scowled. "Why?"

Buffy thought about that. She'd wondered for several months why she'd dreamed about different ways to pull the vampire out of the collapsing Hellmouth. It had boiled down to one simple fact. "I loved you." She stated long tense minutes later.

At the accident site....

Wesley waited tensely for Angel to answer the phone. There had been no answer in the penthouse so he was ringing the office in hopes that the dark vampire was working at this very late hour. Abruptly the ringing stopped.

"Angel." Wes heard his friend's customary short answer with relief.

"Oh thank God, you're there." Wes sagged a little. "We need you here."

Angel sat up in his leather desk chair at Wesley's words. "Why? What's going on?"

Wes inhaled deeply. "You need to come here as soon as you can. We need to talk."

A chill ran down Angel's spine. "Talk about what?" He asked tensely. Did Wes know? Had he and the others somehow found out what he was planning? He was going to tell them as soon as they got back from the investigation at Sunnydale. He needed their help desperately if his plan was going to work. What had they found at the old Hell Mouth?

There was a pause on the phone. "Spike." Wesley finally said tersely.

Angel sighed unnecessarily in silent thanks. They didn't know. Then it dawned on him what Wes had said. "Spike?" The single word was laced with hatred. "What about him?" He demanded.

"He's back." The connection went dead.

TBC