3rd Person's POV

Buffy stirs and wakes as the bright sun shines in through her window. She opens her eyes to look over at her clock, but they fix on an envelope left next to her on her pillow. She lets out an inquiring moan, pushes her hair back and picks up the envelope as she sits up. Looking down at it and she sees that it's blank.

She opens it, takes out the paper inside, unfolds it and can only stare at it in disbelief. On it is a pencil sketch of her sleeping.

"He was in my room."

Giles is behind the counter checking in various books as Buffy walks past him toward the table. He looks up and frowns.

"Who?"

"Angel. He was in my room last night."

Giles comes out from behind the counter and follows her over to the table where Laney, Xander, and Cordelia were sitting.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. When I woke up, I found a picture he'd left me on my pillow." She crosses her arms.

Laney frowns as she leans back in her chair with her legs on the table, "No offense but thank god it wasn't me this time."

Buffy shakes her head, "Thanks."

Laney shrugs.

Xander tries to kill the tension by making a joke, "A visit from the pointed-tooth fairy."

Cordelia pats Laney's hand reassuringly before turning to Giles, "Wait, I thought vampires couldn't come in unless you invited them in."

"Yes, but, uh, once you've invited them in, thereafter they're, they're always welcome."

Buffy looks down.

Laney's mouth drops in shock, "Always?"

Xander grimaces as he speaks, "Y'know, I think there may be a valuable lesson for you gals here about inviting strange men into your bedrooms."

Cordelia realizes and looks over at Xander, "Oh, God! I invited him in my car once."

Laney tries to hide her chuckle as Cordelia glares at her. Cordelia then looks to Giles for help.

"That means he can come into my car whenever he wants."

"Cordy I don't think that's how that works."

Xander laughs, "Yep, you're doomed to havin' to give him and his vamp pals a lift whenever they feel like it. And those guys never chip in for gas."

Cordelia looks away, disgusted.

Buffy ignores the three and huffs in frustration, "Giles, there has to be some sort of spell to reverse the invitation, right? Like a barrier, a no shoes, no pulse, no service kind of thing?"

"No shoes, no pulse?" Laney bites her lip holding in a laugh as Buffy slaps the back of her head.

"Yeah, that works for a car, too?" Cordelia adds seriously.

Giles sighs, "Yes, well, I-I-I could check on my..."

Xander hops up from his chair, "Hello!"

They all look behind them and see Jonathon and a girl come into the library.

"Excuse me, but have you ever heard of knocking?"

Jonathon gestures to the library before him.

"Yeah... We're supposed to get some books. On Stalin."

Xander points at Jonathon, "Does this look like a Barnes & Noble?"

Laney slaps her forehead, "Xander this is a library..." the same time as Giles replies, "This is a school library, Xander."

"Since when?"

Giles turns to Jonathon gesturing to the stacks, "Uh, y-yes, yes, uh, third row. Historical biographies."

Jonathon smiles, "Thanks."

He and the girl walk past them, up the stairs and into the stacks. The others watch them go until they disappear. Xander points out of the library. Laney, Cordelia, and him pick up their things and start out. Giles looks at Buffy, confused.

"What..." He gets a look from Buffy, "Oh!"

He follows the rest of the group out the door just as Jonathon comes back out of the stacks.

"Hey, did you say that was the..." he frowns seeing they're gone, "Hello?"

In the hallway, Xander and Cordelia lead Giles, Buffy, and Laney as they walk along.

"So Angel has decided to step up his harassment of you?"

Cordelia scoffs, "By sneaking in her room and leaving stuff at night? Why doesn't he just slit her throat or strangle her while she's sleeping or cut her heart out?" She gets looks from everyone and shrugs, "What? I'm just saying... Laney was harassed. Buffy is just getting roses and drawings. Kind of seems unfair to me since he actually physically harmed Laney."

Laney looks at Cordelia grateful as she still tries to not think about last week. It was hard. It was nightmare fuel. And she was forever traumatized. Sadly, she had no idea that this was just the beginning.

Giles sighs and peeks to Laney who is looking at the ground, "Of course... I don't completely understand why he has taken a liking to physically and mentally abusing Laney and I'm sure he could've killed Buffy then. Uh, uh, look, it's-it's classic battle strategy to throw one's opponent off his game. He-he-he's just trying to provoke you. Uh, to taunt you, to, to goad you into, uh, some mishap of some sort."

Xander looks back at Giles, "The nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah approach to battle?"

"Yes, Xander, once more you've managed to boil a complex thought down to its simplest possible form."

Xander smiles.

Laney rolls her eyes, "What he really wants to say is thank you Xander for once again dumbing down the simplest of statements."

Xander glares at Laney playfully as Buffy huffs in frustration thinking about something.

"Giles, Angel once told me that when he was obsessed with Drusilla, the first thing h-he did was to kill her family."

Xander stops and looks at her, "Your mom."

Laney frowns throwing her hands up, "Or mine? Well not my mom, my mom... but willows mom. It could be her too..."

Xander smiles sheepishly as if he was apologizing to Laney.

Buffy nods, "I'm gonna have to tell my mom something." She sits on a wall and looks at Giles, "The truth?"

Giles approaches her, waving his finger, "No. You-you-you-you can't do that."

"Yeah. The more people who know the secret, the more it cheapens it for the rest of us."

Laney nods agreeing with Xander, "He's usually a dumbass but for this instance he's totally right."

"Hey!"

Buffy frowns, "But I've gotta tell her something. I've gotta do something. Giles, Angel has an all-access pass to my house. And I'm not always there when my mother is. I can't protect her."

Giles frowns flustered, "I told you I will find a-a spell."

"What about until you find a spell?"

"Until then, you and your mother are welcome to ride around with me in my car." Cordelia smiles making Laney chuckle as Buffy glares at the two.

"Buffy, I-I understand your concern, but it's imperative that you keep a level head through all this."

"That's easy for you to say. You don't have Angel lurking in your bedroom at night."

"How about take it from someone who does? You're not the only one he's messing with. You seem to forget that when things start happening to you too... don't do anything rash... it's only going to make things worse. Then someone will end up hurt... or dead."

Giles nods agreeing with Laney, "I know how hard this is for you... All right, I don't. But as the Slayer, you don't have the luxury of being a slave to your, your passions. You mustn't let Angel get to you. No matter how provocative his behavior may become."

"So what you're basically saying is, 'just ignore him, and maybe he'll go away'?"

Giles exhales, "Yes. Precisely."

Laney grimaces, "I don't know about that... I agree with everything else though..."

Xander frowns, "Hey, how come Buffy doesn't get a snotty 'once again you boil it down to the simplest form' thing?"

Giles and Buffy both look over at him. He looks her up and down.

"Watcher's pet."

Laney giggles and shakes her head as they all walk away.

...

"Don't forget, I need your sample spreadsheets by the end of the week."

The bell rings, and Jenny walks around behind her desk.

"Oh, and I want both a paper printout and a copy on disk. Thank you."

She looks down at her desk for a second, then back up and reaches her arm out to get Willow's attention before she goes.

"Willow."

Willow approaches the desk, "Yes?"

"Um, I might be a little late tomorrow. Do you think you could cover my class till I show?"

Willow stands smiling brightly, "Really? Me? Teach the class? Sure!"

Jenny nods, "Cool."

Willow suddenly worried, "Oh, w-wait... W-what if they don't recognize my authority? What if they try to convince me that you always let them leave class early? W-what if there's a fire drill? What if there's a fire?!"

Jenny smiles reassuringly, "Willow, you're gonna be fine. And I'll try not to be too late, okay?"

Willow stands calmer, "Okay. Good. Earlier is good. Will I have the power to assign detention? Or make 'em run laps?"

"Not run laps... what are you? Coach Roy... I hate that guy."

Laney, Buffy, and Giles appear at the door.

Willow chuckles at Laney's statement and waves as Buffy says hi.

"Hey, Will."

Jenny and Willow look over at her.

"Hi, Laney... Buffy. Rupert." Jenny smiles politely.

Giles looks down as Buffy stands ignoring Jenny. Laney rolls her eyes at the two and smiles.

"Hi Ms. Calendar, cute skirt."

"Thanks I got it from the thrift store down the street."

Laney smiles in awe, "Who knew teachers could be so stylish?" Laney freezes and stares ahead with wide eyes, "Cordy's rubbing off on me again."

Jenny chuckles shaking her head, "You always know how to make me smile, Laney."

Laney throws her hair over her shoulder and shrugs with a grin, "It's a gift."

Buffy rolls her eyes at the scene. How could Laney be nice to Jenny? How could she forgive her? How could Laney trust the lying woman who was obviously using Giles to get to Buffy?

"Willow, I thought I might take in a class. Figured I could use someone who knows where they are."

Willow glances over at Jenny with her eyes and then starts to walk out of the classroom.

Willow turns to Buffy as they exit the room, "Sorry. I have to talk to her. She's a teacher, and teachers are to be respected, even if they're only filling in until the real teacher shows up, because otherwise chaos could ensue..."

Giles moves aside to let the girls go, and then steps into the classroom. His hands are in his pockets as he stands awkwardly.

Laney looks between the two and huffs, "Can you both finally talk so I can live my days without a grumpy moping Giles?"

Giles frowns, "Laney..."

"What? It's true. Just tell her you miss her and kiss already."

Jenny gives Laney a look making the younger girl sigh and hold her hands up in surrender, "Fine fine... I'll be outside. Totally not listening to this whole conversation with my ear on the door."

Jenny and Giles watch as Laney walks out the room and closes the door. They see her smile and wave through the glass window of the wood door making them smile as well.

"That girl is something else..."

Giles nods, "That she is."

Jenny wrings her hands together nervously, "How have you been?"

Giles frowns, "Uh, not so good, actually. Uh, since Angel lost his soul, he's regained his sense of whimsy."

Jenny crosses her arms over her chest, "Well, that sounds bad."

"He's been in both Laney and Buffy's bedroom. Left Buffy a picture and roses." He clears his throat frowning, "Left Laney a human heart..."

Jenny gasps holding her hand over her mouth as she peeks over to the door that Laney had just walked out of.

"Oh my god... is she okay?"

Giles shakes his head, "She acts like she is. Truth is we can all tell that this is eating her from the inside out. I-I-I need to drum up a spell to, uh, keep him out of their houses."

Jenny quickly walks over to her desks and reaches down, picking up an old book.

"This might help." She hands it to Giles, "I've been doing a little reading since Angel changed. I don't think you have that one."

Giles nods leafing through it, "Thank you."

Jenny nods then sighs.

If Laney was a mess at the moment. How was Buffy handling everything?

"So, how's Buffy doing?"

Giles closes and lowers the book, "How do you think?"

Jenny faces away and sighs, "I know you feel betrayed."

Giles nods, "Yes. Well, that's one of the unpleasant side effects of betrayal."

Jenny looks down at her desk, "Rupert... I was raised by the people that Angel hurt the most." She looks up at Giles, "My duty to them was the first thing I was ever taught. I didn't come here to hurt anyone, a-and I lied to you because I thought it was the right thing to do. I... I didn't know what would happen. I didn't know I was gonna fall in love with you."

She pauses for a moment before looking back up at Giles. They exchange a meaningful look, but then she looks away again.

"Oh, God. Is it too late to take that back?"

Giles tries to hide his light smile, "Do you want to?"

Jenny looks at him, "I just wanna be right with you. I don't expect more. I just want so badly to make all this up to you."

"I understand. But I'm not the one you need to make it up to."

She looks at him, understanding. He gives her a little smile and raises the book.

"Thank you for the book."

He turns and walks to the door. She just watches him go. As he pulls open the door, Laney stumbles into the classroom looking around sheepishly.

"I didn't hear a word."

Giles playfully pretends to slap Laney with the book as she laughs and shoves him away.

"Don't you have a library to run? Off you go."

Giles shakes his head smiling before giving Jenny one last longing look. Jenny sighs as she watches him disappear from view.

Laney whistles making the teacher shake her head with a grin.

"You're down bad..."

Jenny snorts, "What does that even mean?"

Laney shrugs and walks over to Jenny's desk before sitting on the edge of it, "You're whipped."

Jenny blushes and bites her lip, "He's not going to forgive me. Not in this century."

Laney rolls her eyes, "Oh he most definitely will. You don't even have to worry about that. I'll talk to him. Just give him another day or two and he's going to go back to being putty in your hands."

Jenny smiles, "You're a mess."

Laney smiles back, "I got nothing else to do in this boring ass town... well minus kill the monsters and stuff but other than that... so Whatcha up to?"

Jenny watches Laney look at all the papers on her desk. Laney picks up one and stares at it in awe.

"Are you doing what I think you're doing?"

"What do you think I'm doing?"

Laney stares at Jenny in shock, "Is that even possible? You can change him back?"

"I'm going to try. For you... and for Buffy."

"Mostly me though, right?"

Jenny slaps the girls arm before becoming serious, "Of course. You're important to Giles, so you're important to me. Plus you've been nothing but good to me. Always keeping me smiling and trying to make sure that I'm okay. Now it's time for me to do the same to you..."

Laney smiles softly, "Thanks Ms. Calendar."

Jenny snorts, "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Jenny?"

"Definitely a couple more... do you need help with this stuff? I can try. I don't know much about anything but I'm willing to lend a helping hand."

Jenny nods, "Of course. I'm going to the store to pick up a few things. Want to tag along?"

"Sounds like a blast."

...

Spike is in his wheelchair in the foreground at the head of the table. Drusilla comes in the warehouse and hides behind him, holding a puppy behind her back.

"I brought something for you."

She brings out the whining puppy with a grin on her face.

"Poor thing. She's an orphan." She reaches Spike, "Her owner died... without a fight. Do you like her? Hmm?"

Spike just stares at her blankly.

She reaches her hand into his jacket and rubs his chest, "I brought her especially for you... to cheer you up. And I've named her... Sunshine!" Drusilla offers the puppy to Spike but he just looks away, "Open wide. Come on, love. You need to eat something to keep your strength up. Now, rrrrr, open up for mummy."

Spike wheels around the table away from her, "I won't have you feeding me like a child, Dru."

Angelus comes in, "Why not? She already bathes you, carries you around and changes you like a child."

"Why, Angel." She smiles at him, "Where have you been? The sun is almost up, and it can be so hurtful. We were worried."

Spike scoffs, "No, we weren't."

Drusilla gives Spike a look, "You must forgive Spike. He's just a bit testy tonight. Doesn't get out much anymore."

Angelus shrugs with a smirk, "Well, maybe next time I'll bring you with me, Spike. Might be handy to have you around if I ever need a really good parking space."

Spike growls angrily, "Have you forgotten that you're a bloody guest in my bloody home?"

Angelus steps closer and leans down, "And as a guest, if there's anything I can do for you... Any... responsibility I can assume while you're spinning your wheels..." he looks over at Drusilla, "Anything I'm not already doing, that is."

Spike shoves Angelus away angrily, "That's enough!"

Angelus smiles widely and chuckles.

"Aww..."

Drusilla smiles leaning down to Spike, giving him a peck on the cheek before putting the puppy in his lap. He holds the puppy as she steps away and goes around the table.

"You two boys... fightin' over me and all." She stops between two chairs, "Makes a girl feel..."

Suddenly she looks up and moans loudly in apparent pain. Angelus steps over opposite her across the table, looking concerned.

Spike wheels over, "Dru, what is it, pet?"

Drusilla leans bent over in pain, breathing hard, "The air. It worries. Someone... an old and current enemy is seeking help..."

Angelus throws Spike a look.

Dru frowns, "...help to destroy our happy home."

...

At a tarot shop, there's a display table with a skull in a covered glass bowl, a small gong hung between two horns, a pig fetus in formaldehyde, what looks like a large crab also in formaldehyde and another jar. A pricing gun waves into view and puts prices on the last two jars. The shopkeeper continues on to price other things.

Jenny walks around the railing in front of the shop and takes the steps down to the entrance with Laney on her heels. She comes in the door holds it open for Laney who looks around in awe.

"Woah... neat place..."

The shopkeeper looks up from his work, "Welcome. How may I serve you today?"

Jenny faces him and pulls Laney over, "Uh..."

"Love potion? Perhaps a voodoo doll for that unfaithful..."

Laney gasps smiling in interest, "Ooh I'm intrigued. Let's find a Xander shaped one... just for funsies."

Jenny interrupts slapping Laney's arm, "I need an Orb of Thesulah."

Shopkeeper drops the accent, "Oh, you're in the trade. Sorry about the spiel, but around Valentine's Day, I get a lot of tourists shopping for love potions and mystical revenge of past lovers." He goes behind the sales counter, "Sad fact is, Ouija boards and rabbits' feet, that's what pay the rent around here. So how did you hear about us?"

Jenny checks out a few things as Laney looks around as well, "My Uncle Enyos told me about you."

Shopkeeper looks out at her, "So you're Janna, then. Sorry to hear about your uncle."

"Thank you." Jenny nods.

"Your name is Janna? I like it."

Jenny smiles at Laney and then turns back to the Shopkeeper who comes back into view with a round wooden box.

"He was a good customer. Well, no, there you go. One Thesulan Orb. Spirit vault for the rituals of the undead."

Jenny reaches into her purse.

"I don't get many calls for those lately. Sold a couple as new age paperweights last year. Yeah, I just love those new-agers, boy. They helped to send my youngest to college. By the way, you do know that the transliteration annals for the ritual of the undead were lost. Without the annals, the surviving text is gibberish."

Jenny nods, "And without a translated text, the Orbs of Thesulah are pretty much useless... Yeah, I know."

Laney stares between the two in confusion, "I have no idea what either of you are saying. But look at this."

Laney holds up two matching cross necklaces, "Matching silver necklaces. I'm totally getting these."

Jenny pays for Laney's things to the younger girls dismay. As the two are about to leave, the shopkeeper stops them.

"By the way... Not that it's any of my business, really, but, uh, what are you planning on conjuring up? If you can decipher the text?"

"A present for a friend of mine."

She lifts the Orb and looks at it in the moonlight that shone through the store window.

"Really? What are you gonna give him?"

Jenny looks into the Orb and it begins to glow.

"His soul."

...

Willow nails a cross next to her French doors and pulls the curtain over to hide it.

"I'm gonna have a hard time explaining this to my mom."

Buffy frowns, "You really think it'll bother her?"

Willow stares blankly, "Ira Rosenberg's daughter nailing crucifixes to her bedroom wall?"

Laney snorts, "She literally has to go over to Xander's house just to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' every year."

"I see your point."

They go to her bed and sit as Cordelia is looking at Willow's aquarium.

"Although it is worthwhile to see him do the Snoopy Dance." She puts down the hammer.

Cordelia faces them, arms crossed, "Willow, are you aware that there are no fish in your aquarium?"

Willow frowns and whines.

Buffy raises an eyebrow, "You know, Cordelia, we've already done your car. Call it a night if you want."

Cordelia smiles, "Right. Thanks. And you know I'd do the same for you if you had a social life."

She picks her coat up from Willow's bed and sees a blank envelope there.

"Oh." Cordelia picks it up, "This must be for you."

She hands the envelope to Willow. Willow gives Buffy a worried glance and opens it. When she sees what's in it she hands it to Buffy.

Willow frowns, "It's for you.

Buffy unfolds the paper and sees a pencil sketch of her mother sleeping.

"Mom."

Buffy and Willow quickly run to Buffy's house as Cordelia drives Laney to the school.

"You sure you're gonna be okay? Want me to come inside with you?"

Laney smiles, "No I'll be okay. What's the worst that could happen? I'll be with Jenny. I'll call you in an hour."

Cordelia nods, "Alright. If you don't call I'm assuming the worst. And then you're in big trouble."

Laney shakes her head giggling, "Everything will be fine, Cordy. I'll see you later."

...

Jenny sits at her desk working on the translation program. She takes a sip of coffee from her mug and sets it back down.

She types a few keystrokes, then stares at the screen. Behind her Giles appears and stands in the doorway.

"Hello."

She startles and looks at him. Quickly she types a few keystrokes, and the screen changes. She turns back to him.

"Oh! Hi."

Giles steps into the room, "You're working late."

Jenny smiles, "Special project..."

Giles nods, "Oh."

"I spoke to Buffy today."

"Oh! Yes?" Girls sits on her desk and looks intrigued.

"Mm." She nods and looks away, "She said you missed me." Jenny plays with a pencil trying not to make eye contact with him.

"Well, uh, she's... a meddlesome girl. Although not as bad as Laney... who I know is behind the door."

Laney peeks out from the side door and smiles, "Oh hi! Fancy seeing you two here."

Giles shakes his head, "You asked me to get something from Jenny's room."

Laney gasps sarcastically, "And I had no idea she would still be here this late at night."

Jenny scoffs with a grin, "I'm doing the special project with you..."

Laney crosses her arms over her chest, "Fine so I've been a wingwoman for the day. You two are gonna thank me when you have little babies running around."

Jenny blushes as Giles rubs his temple embarrassed.

"Oh did he not talk to you yet about... oops. Well would you listen to that. My stomach is growling louder than Xanders on mystery meat Monday. I'm gonna run to the vending machine. Want anything Ms. Calendar?"

Jenny shakes her head.

Laney turns to Giles, "How about you? An 'I love and forgive you bar'?"

Giles shakes his head trying to hide his smile, "Go away..."

"I'm leaving, I'm leaving."

Laney disappears making Jenny and Giles burst out into laughter.

"She is right, Jenny. Maybe I've been too hard on you. I need to understand your side as well as Buffy's."

Jenny looks at him and smiles, "Rupert... Okay, I don't wanna say anything if I'm wrong, but I may have some news. Now, I need to finish up here. Could I see you later?"

"Y-yes, yes. You could stop by my house."

"Okay." She smiles and kisses his cheek.

Giles smiles and gets up, "Good."

Jenny turns her attention back to her computer.

...

Back at the tarot shop, the Shopkeeper turns out the light by the front entrance and heads toward the back. A woman holding a puppy opens the door and steps in.

"Sorry, honey." He blows out some candles, "We're closed."

He looks up and sees Drusilla standing there.

Looking at her nervous the man frowns, "W... What do you want?"

Drusilla smiles and looks at the puppy before glaring at the shopkeeper, "Miss Sunshine here tells me you had a visit yesterday. But she worries. She wants to know what you and the mean teacher talked about."

If you've seen BTVS you already know what's coming up!! So don't spoil it for everybody else 😭😭 but also how did we like the chapter?

How are we feeling about all the relationships as of right now?

Fav character?

Least fav?

Angelus or Spike? 😂😂

Did anybody like Drusilla? Haha I did sometimes but other times I was like wow this girl is really playing with Spike's feelings 🥺

Future predictions?

Any special requests...