3rd Person's POV

Willow and Xander come down the stairs. Buffy is not far behind them. Willow smiles as she sees Giles standing with Ms. Calendar.

"Giles!"

"Yo! G-man! What's up?"

Giles smiles at Willow then frowns at Xander, "Nice to see you. And don't ever call me that."

Jenny smiles, "Hi, kids."

"Hi!"

Buffy arrives now, too.

Giles smiles lightly, "How are you? Buffy: Live and kicking."

"Buffy killed a vampire last night."

Xander slaps his hand over Willow's mouth. They all look around to see if anyone overheard.

Buffy glares lightly, "Uh, I think you can get a little more volume if you speak from the diaphragm."

"Sorry."

Jenny whispers quietly, "We've got vampires? I thought the Hellmouth was closed."

Giles shakes his head, "Well, it's, it's closed, but not gone. Laney told me she had fought about five vampires the whole break. The mystical energy that emanates from it is still concentrated in this area."

Xander nods, "Which means we're still the undead's favorite party town."

"I wonder if they're here for any purpose, particularly."

Buffy shrugs, "You're the Watcher. I just work here."

Giles nods, "Yes, I-I must consult my books."

"Oh, eight minutes and thirty-three seconds, pay up." Xander laughs as Willow hands him a dollar, "I called ten minutes before you'd consult your books about something. Thanks."

Giles glances at the three then frowns, "Do any of you perhaps know where Laney is?"

Willow frowns lightly, "No she hasn't been home in a week which means she's with Cordelia. She doesn't really hang out with us anymore."

Xander clears his throat uncomfortably. The bell rings making Xander whisper thank god.

"We better get to class."

They all start making their way to their classes.

"Oh, uh, Buffy!"

She looks back at Giles in question.

"Uh, I realize you've only just returned, but when you're ready I-I think we should start your training again."

Buffy shakes her head, "I'm ready. I'll see you after school."

She starts to go again but Giles stammers, "Well, I-I-I understand if, if you want a few days to..."

"I'm ready."

Buffy sits up wide eyed in terror. She wakes from her nightmare with a start. She looks around and over at her open window. Sitting up, she rubs her face. When she looks back at her window again Angel is there, leaning against the sill.

"Hello."

"Mind if I come in?"

Buffy waves a hand, "Be my guest."

"How are you?"

Buffy shrugs, "Peachy. So, is this a social call? It is kinda late. Or, well, it is for me, anyway. What is it for you, lunch hour?"

"It's not a social call."

"Ah. So, lemme guess. That means grave danger. Gosh, it's good to be home."

Angel frowns, "I'm sorry. I wish I had better news."

"So, some of your cousins are in town for a family barbecue, and we're all on the menu!"

"The Anointed One. He's been gathering forces somewhere in town. I'm not sure why."

Buffy chuckles humorlessly, "Guess I'll find out soon enough, huh?"

Angel looks at her in confusion, "You don't sound too concerned."

"I can handle myself. Besides, I could use a little action anyway."

Angel shakes his head, "Don't underestimate the Anointed One just because he looks like a child. He has power over the rest of them. They'll do anything for him. You have Laney, she can help you."

Buffy scoffs, "No she can't. She almost got killed my first night back."

Angel's eyebrows furrow, "That's weird. She's been training ever since you left. It doesn't matter. I already let her know what's going on. You two can watch each other's backs."

Buffy glares lightly, "I'm sorry what? You said you already warned her... when?"

Angel shrugs not knowing why it mattered, "Earlier."

"Like before you got here."

Angel nods.

Buffy scoffs.

This is the second time she was hearing about him being with Laney. This time it was out his own mouth. Buffy thought the late night sneak in warning routine was their thing. But he was doing it with Laney too.

Why did Laney need to be checked on? Why was Laney on his mind? Why did no one care to ask her how she was? She had died. That scared her to no end. Now she finds out her crush Angel and her best friend Laney had been hanging out all break. She was livid.

"You were just at her house..."

"Buffy I'm confused. Why does that matter?"

"Is that it? Is that everything? Y'know, 'cause you woke me up from a really good dream."

She turns away from him and lies back down.

"Sorry. I'll go." Angel turns around to go, but pauses, "I missed you."

Buffy turns to the window, "I missed you too..."

But he was already gone.

The next day at school, the gang were standing in the halls at Buffy's locker.

Willow gasps, "Angel stopped by? Wow. Was there... Well, I mean, was it having to do with kissing?"

Buffy rolls her eyes, "Willow, grow up. Not everything is about kissing."

Xander turns to Willow, "Yeah. Some stuff's about groping."

He laughs then turns to Buffy, "It wasn't about groping?"

"Okay, hormones on parade here? It was pure shoptalk. Remember vampires, pointy teeth, they walk by night, am I ringing a bell?"

Willow nods, "What did he say?"

"Oh, something's up." Buffy closes her locker, "Nothing I can't handle."

They begin to walk down the hall to class.

Xander holds up a finger, "Oh, hey, did you guys hear that Cibo Matto's gonna be at the Bronze tonight?"

"Cibo Matto? They're playing?"

"No, Willow, they're gonna be clog dancing."

Willow frowns in confusion, "Cibo Matto can clog dance?"

She gets a look from Xander, "Oh, sarcasm, right."

Xander looks at Buffy, "We should attend, no?"

Cordelia and Laney come out of class and engage the group in the hall.

Cordelia smirks, "Oh, look, it's the Three Musketeers."

They look at each other, not sure what to make of that.

Buffy turns to Xander, "Was that an insult?"

Xander shrugs, "Kinda lacked punch."

Willow nods, "The Three Musketeers were cool."

"I see your point."

Laney smirks while looking at her nails, "I woulda gone with Stooges."

Buffy glares slightly at Laney. She had still been angry ever since she found out her and Angel has been hanging out. Buffy thought Laney liked Xander, she never thought Laney would be a two timer especially after being cheated on by her own ex.

Laney looks up from her nails to see Buffy glaring at her. Ever since she came back Laney was in an angry mood. Buffy had been saying slick comments on the down low and they were starting to piss Laney off. She didn't know what Buffy's problem was but if she didn't fix it soon then things would not be good.

Cordelia ignores lack of insult she gave and moves onto another topic.

"So, did you guys fight any demons this summer?"

Willow laughs, "Uh, yes! Our own personal demons."

Xander continues, "Uh, such as, as, as lust and, uh, thrift!"

"What are you guys talking about? I'm talking about big squiggly demons that came from the ground? Remember? Prom night? With all the vampires."

Buffy frowns, "Cordelia, your mouth is open and sound is coming from it. This is never good."

Laney crosses her arms over her chest holding her tongue as hard as she can. She wanted to say something to Buffy but it might not end well.

Xander takes Cordelia aside, "It's, see, we can't mention that stuff in front of other people, Buffy being the Slayer and all."

"You haven't been talking about our little adventure all summer, have you?"

Cordelia gives Willow a bewildered look, "Are you nuts? Do you think I would tell people that I spent the whole evening with you? Besides, it was all so creepy. That Master guy? And all the screaming? I don't even like to think about it. So your secret's safe with me."

Buffy smiles falsely, "Well, that works out great. You won't tell anyone that I'm the Slayer, and I won't tell anyone you're a moron."

She leaves without another word. Cordelia and Willow's mouths drop in shock.

Xander holds a hand to his chin, "Now, that was a good insult."

Willow frowns, "A little too good."

"What's wrong with her? It's like she's got a stick up her ass."

Willow slaps Laney's arm, "That's not nice."

Laney shrugs, "Yeah well she's being a bitch."

Cordelia nods, "I have to agree."

"I have to disagree. You two are just mad that someone has finally stood up to you and your pathetic popular ways."

Laney glares at Xander, "Of course you say that. Of course you side with her. You and your stupid crush are really getting old and really starting to get on my nerves."

Without another word, Laney storms down the hallway and out of sight. Cordelia whistles and shakes her head looking at Xander.

"You messed up and you messed up bad."

That night at the Bronze, people are gathering and going in as Cibo Matto is on stage playing "Spoon".

Willow and Xander sit at a table as Willow eats from a cup of ice cream.

"I just think something's up is all."

Xander shakes his head, "Willow, you're paranoid."

Willow frowns, "I'm not the only one who thinks this. Giles, Cordelia, Laney, even Angel think something's wrong. Buffy's never acted like this before. Ever since she got back she's... different."

"Buffy's always been different."

"She's never been mean."

Xander exhales, "Any sign of her? She said she was coming."

Willow shakes her head, "No. The band's cool, though."

"Yeah, cool."

JUST FOR FUN

Laney's School Outfit

Laney's Bronze Outfit