The Other Half Lives
by Patti, Rae, Rob, and Spring - Summer of 2003
Chapter 4 – Stuck In The Magic Box
(Rae)
by Patti, Rae, Rob, and Spring - Summer of 2003
Chapter 4 – Stuck In The Magic Box
(Rae)
Buffy! Would you slow down?!" Dawn panted as she jogged a few steps to catch up with Buffy and Faith. "What’s your rush?"
"Hello. Stuck in a male body, here!"
"Oh, right," Dawn huffed as she dodged a cute red-headed girl. "What is it with people?!" She glared at the group of giggling teenagers in her way as they pointed down the street after Buffy and Faith. "Remind me why I couldn’t just get a ride with Willow and Xander? They were already dropping off Anya and Spike. Faith and I could have squeezed in and Spike coulda taken you on the bike."
Faith glanced up at the sun and then back at Dawn, "Not sure but don’t think it’s easy to drive when you are a big ol' pile o’ dust." Then, off Buffy’s smug smirk, she added, "Plus I don’t think Spike was up for another ride with Buffy today, Brat."
"We’re here." Buffy growled as she slammed open the door to the Magic Box and came to an abrupt stop. "What the hell?!"
Pricing gun in hand, Giles glanced up in surprise. "Sorry, sir, we’re not open yet."
"What the hell happened?" Buffy repeated sweeping her arm around at the mess in the store.
"Sir, really. I’ll have to ask you to leave . . . " Giles’ voice trailed off as Faith pushed past Buffy and Dawn leaned against the doorframe, fanning her face.
"Or what? You’ll . . . PRICE . . . us?" Faith settled herself on top of the counter, enjoying Giles’ stunned expression. "Giles? Your mouth."
Giles slowly turned to look at Faith. "What? Oh." He blinked and shook his head slightly. Placing the pricing gun down on the table, he reached up to take off his glasses. "Sorry, Buffy??? You’re just… A man."
"Really, ya think? Again, I repeat, what the he—"
"Sale. As in Spring-Summer Clearance. Hi, Buffy." Tara peeked around the edge of the bookcase to Buffy’s left. "We’re rearranging for the sale, hence the mess."
"Gotcha." Buffy nodded and moved forward to drop into a chair. "Giles? What are we going to do?"
"Well, I thought we’d start by moving the candle and incense display up to . . . " He stopped when he realized Buffy was glaring at him.
"What. Are. You. Talking. About?"
"The sale? You and Faith were going to help me move the displays."
"Unbelievable, has everyone forgotten that I’ve turned into a man?!"
"Not bloody likely." Spike sputtered as he heaved a box out of the basement.
"Spikey! There you are." Buffy cried as she started towards him, tears in her eyes. Spike hurriedly turned back to the basement.
"Got more boxes and I need a smoke." Buffy came to a stop, hurt filling her face as she stared at the closed basement door. Suddenly it swung back open. She brightened, starting forward again until she heard Anya’s voice.
"What’s wrong with him? He pushed past me like he was being chased by a demon!" Anya put down the box she had been carrying and turned to face the others. Finally noticing Buffy, she smiled sympathetically, "Oh."
"Spikey??" Giles was looking at Buffy as though she’d lost mind rather than her sex.
She blushed and muttered, "What exactly did Willow tell you? Never mind. Can we focus? We were talking about fixing me."
"Actually, B, we were talking about moving displays," Faith jumped off the counter just as Anya started to lecture her. "Yeah, yeah. I know. No butts where the money goes. I’m down. Calm yourself." Turning back to Giles and Buffy, she cocked an eyebrow, "Well? Let’s get this moving party, started. I have places to be, peo– things to do."
"Does no one care that I’m having a crisis, here?"
Tara smiled at Buffy. "At least you’re not in danger of melting this time."
Giles frowned as he finished cleaning his glasses and put them back on, waving Dawn to the table. "Buffy, Dawn can look through the books and see what she can find. Unless you’d like to do that?" Off her horrified look, he nodded, "Thought so. In the meantime, you can help Faith." Anya cleared her throat and looked pointedly at the boxes on the floor and the open basement door. "Or Anya, seeing as how SPIKEY has disappeared for a smoke."
"So, Will, it’s a little hot out here don’t you think?" Xander shifted in the seat, fanning himself with a copy of The Sunnydale Times.
"Hmmm? What do you want me to do, it’s early."
"I can’t believe they don’t open for breakfast! And they dare to call themselves fast food." Slapping the newspaper against the steering wheel, he rubbed his growling stomach. "Never did get any of those bagels. I could use an Egg McMuffin."
"Xander!" Willow turned away from watching the road around the Palace to scold him. "Does sound good, though. We could probably get back before they open, right?"
"Now you’re talking!" Xander started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. "Remind me again why we’re here so early?"
"Spring-Summer Clearance. Magic Shop. Price Gun."
"Ahh, yes, the scary price gun. Mickey D’s here we come!"
"Enough! No more boxes." Buffy panted as she dropped her box on the table. "Dawn, PLEASE tell me you found something. Anything."
"Did you know RuPaul is actually a man?!" Off Buffy’s pissed look, "Right, probably not that important. No, nothing yet."
"I’m doomed. I’m going to be a man forever."
"And, gay." Faith added as she slapped a sale price on a crystal ball and Buffy groaned.
"Nonsense." Giles’ frowned. "We’ll figure it out, Buffy. Now, about these displays."
"What am I, your slave?" Off his raised eyebrow, she sighed. "Fine. Come on, Faith. Let’s move the damn candle and incense display. You push, I’ll pull."
"Is that a gay joke?"
Dawn giggled and Buffy glowered. "Faith!"
"What? Like you didn’t see that coming . . . " Buffy stomped over to the display and grabbed hold of the sides. Faith grinned at Dawn and leaned against the back of it.
"Ok, on three. One, two, thre--" Ooomph. Buffy tumbled backwards, landing on the floor with a loud smack. "OWW!"
"Buffy? Are you ok?" concern in his eyes, Giles stepped forward.
Buffy lay there quietly for a moment before realizing everyone was staring at her. Wincing, she stood up, rubbing her backside. "I’m fine. Hands must have slipped."
"Or, you’re not a slayer."
"What, that’s ridiculous, Faith. Of course I’m a slayer."
"I’m serious. Ya didn’t just lose the girl, ya lost the girl power too."
Buffy quickly shook her head in denial.
"No, I think Faith has a point." Anya gingerly placed the pile of bills she had been counting back into the register. "We need to find out if you’re helpless. Here," she grabbed Giles by the arm, "hit Giles."
"Wha-a-t?" Giles yanked his arm away. "No, don’t hit Giles."
"Well, I didn’t want her to hit me. What if Faith is wrong, she’d hurt me? Not like she hasn’t been wrong in the past."
"EXCUSE ME?" Faith took a step towards Anya but stopped when Buffy spoke.
"She’s right. At the hotel, with Spike, I couldn’t push him off me."
Three voices sounded at once:
"And you didn’t remember this until now?"
"Spike was ON you?"
"A hotel room! Way to go B!"
Ignoring Giles and Faith, Buffy turned to Dawn. "It isn’t like I haven’t had a few other things on my mind! You try getting your first erect—" Dawn’s eyes had widened, "Err, peeing standing up for the first time and tell me you don’t forget a few details!"
"I’m just saying. Losing your slayer strength, kinda an important detail."
"Oh, God. Not again."
Everyone turned to look at Buffy, their eyes questioning.
Closing her eyes, she mumbled, "I gotta go pee."
Grateful to escape their interested eyes, she headed to the back of the store.
"Buffy, wait." She turned to look at Anya. "Don’t forget to put the seat cover down, ok?"
"UGH!"
Anya shrugged as the others frowned at her, "What? She forgot back at the house and it’s rude."
"But, I bought a drink."
"Miss, that was hours ago. Do you see that sign over there?" Lorraine, the Doublemeat Palace manager, pointed out a sign hanging on the bulletin board beside the bathrooms to Willow.
"No Loitering."
"Exactly. So, if you aren’t going to purchase anything to eat, I’m going to have to ask you to leave."
"Will. What’s up? Ohhh, the manager. Great idea, Will. We’ll ask her if she’s seen—" Willow quickly pinched Xander’s leg. "Ow! What was that for?"
"And, you, sir,” said Lorainne, “you do realize the age limit on the Kid’s Palaceground is 12 years old?"
"No. . . " Xander grabbed Willow’s hand and pulled her to the ordering counter. "So, Will, two Doublemeat Medley meals for both of us?" Off the manager’s frown, he added: "No, make that four for each!" The manager smiled and nodded before heading towards a suspicious group of teenage girls talking in hushed whispers over a magazine at the back of the dining room.
"Whew. That was close."
"Yeah but did you have to order the Medley? Ever since Buffy told me about that video, I—"
"I know, I know, but we needed to distract her. So, no Greg?"
"Nope." Willow glanced toward the kid’s area. "Didn’t find him out there, huh?"
"Hey, I am a builder. That playground equipment didn’t look safe. I was bound by my workmanship’s code of honor to test it."
"Uh huh, buying that."
"This . . . " Buffy trailed off as a customer approached the counter. She watched as Anya gleefully conned the person into having their purchases gift-wrapped. Rubbing her hands together, she turned towards Buffy.
"Isn’t this great?!"
"Yeah, great. That is SO the word I was looking for . . . What is it with all these girls?! We’ve been open for, what, four hours now and still they keep coming."
"It’s the power of the sale, Buffy." Buffy grimaced as Anya nodded sagely and started to go into further detail.
"Wait. Hold that thought. I think those girls need help." Buffy hurried towards the clump of girls just standing by the door. "You girls look lost. Can I help? Do you need a love spell or a mummy hand? Something? Anything?"
"OH MY GOD." Buffy watched in confusion and worry as the red-head fanned her face. One of the other girls pushed her forward. "Quick, Heather, say something, he’s talking to you."
What the hell is going on here? And what does she mean "he". Oh. Buffy started to smile, realizing the girls were giggling over HER! (Err, HIM!) She started to wink at the girl and then suddenly frowned. What am I doing? I don’t like girls. The words then tumbled out of Buffy’s mouth:” Oh God, Faith was right. I am gay!”
Heather’s eyes opened wide with shock and the other girls gasped.
"No, I didn’t mean . . . That is . . . I’m not gay, OK?!" As if to prove her point, Buffy moved forward to grasp Heather’s hand. She batted her eyes as she stroked the top of her hand. Ok, NOT working. Now Heather was backing away from her slowly. "Oh, forget it. Do you need help or not?"
"I do." One of the girls stepped forward, a magazine in hand. "Will you autograph this for me?"
"Seriously."
"Of course, that’s what we ALL want."
Buffy felt herself blush. She smiled and reached for the magazine. “Anywhere?"
"No, wait, on this picture." The girl flipped the magazine open to an earmarked page.
"Sure. Wow! I’ve never had someone ask for my autograph before. This is neat. Wait-" Buffy paused in the middle of signing Buffy, the Vampire-, "How did you hear about me? And, how did you recognize me?"
The girl giggled, "Are you crazy? Everyone knows who you are! How could they not? That voice. And, your hair. I can’t believe I’m actually talking to you?!"
"What? My hair? Huh?" Buffy stepped back, more confused than ever. She looked around to see if Giles understood what was going on but he was nowhere to be seen, though Dawn was leaning forward to hear what was being said.
"I still don’t get why you’re in Sunnydale. Are you playing here tonight? Wait?!" The girl’s voice rose to a high pitch, "Is Christina here?!" She glanced around excitedly.
"Christina? What… Who are you talking about?"
"You know the Justified and Stripped concert."
"Who’s stripping?" Giles appeared out of the back room looking worried.
"Ha. She thinks you’re Justin!" Dawn bumped into Giles in her rush to get up from the table, just as Faith came out of the basement with more sale items.
"Told ya."
"Shut up, Faith!"
"You’re not Justin?" the girls looked betrayed.
"NO! I’m not Justin, I’m BUFFY!"
"Oh." The girl snatched her frowning at Buffy’s signature. "Buffy, the Vampire? That’s not funny. You SO owe me a new Justin Timberlake picture. Come on, Heather, we’re leaving." She grabbed the other girl’s arm and stalked out the door. Slowly the rest of the female crowd followed, leaving only a few customers browsing through the sale items.
"Wait. Where are they going?" Anya looked panicked as she turned to Buffy, "Couldn’t you just go along with it? Pretend to be Justin? They would have bought stuff, given me money!" Buffy glared at her and shook her head.
"Dawn, why are you still standing there, weren’t you looking for a cure?!"
"Oh, right, Jus—Buffy." Dawn hurried back to the table as the bell above the door chimed. Buffy didn’t even turn around. She was sick of standing around the shop, helping people, waiting while the others looked for a solution. Spike was still MIA, though he really wouldn’t be helpful until the sun went down. And there was a concert at the Bronze that afternoon which meant Faith, the Bouncer, had to leave for work soon.
So, if she was going to find Greg and have Faith beat in his head, she needed to get moving. Turning to talk to Faith, she heard the new customer call out to her.
"Hey, dude, do you guys have any more of the lanthium powder? I just used the last of mine this morning and I really need to get my hands on more." He looked up at Buffy expectantly and her eyes narrowed.
"Powder? Sure. I’ve got powder. G-R-E-G."
***
End of Chapter 4
"Hello. Stuck in a male body, here!"
"Oh, right," Dawn huffed as she dodged a cute red-headed girl. "What is it with people?!" She glared at the group of giggling teenagers in her way as they pointed down the street after Buffy and Faith. "Remind me why I couldn’t just get a ride with Willow and Xander? They were already dropping off Anya and Spike. Faith and I could have squeezed in and Spike coulda taken you on the bike."
Faith glanced up at the sun and then back at Dawn, "Not sure but don’t think it’s easy to drive when you are a big ol' pile o’ dust." Then, off Buffy’s smug smirk, she added, "Plus I don’t think Spike was up for another ride with Buffy today, Brat."
"We’re here." Buffy growled as she slammed open the door to the Magic Box and came to an abrupt stop. "What the hell?!"
Pricing gun in hand, Giles glanced up in surprise. "Sorry, sir, we’re not open yet."
"What the hell happened?" Buffy repeated sweeping her arm around at the mess in the store.
"Sir, really. I’ll have to ask you to leave . . . " Giles’ voice trailed off as Faith pushed past Buffy and Dawn leaned against the doorframe, fanning her face.
"Or what? You’ll . . . PRICE . . . us?" Faith settled herself on top of the counter, enjoying Giles’ stunned expression. "Giles? Your mouth."
Giles slowly turned to look at Faith. "What? Oh." He blinked and shook his head slightly. Placing the pricing gun down on the table, he reached up to take off his glasses. "Sorry, Buffy??? You’re just… A man."
"Really, ya think? Again, I repeat, what the he—"
"Sale. As in Spring-Summer Clearance. Hi, Buffy." Tara peeked around the edge of the bookcase to Buffy’s left. "We’re rearranging for the sale, hence the mess."
"Gotcha." Buffy nodded and moved forward to drop into a chair. "Giles? What are we going to do?"
"Well, I thought we’d start by moving the candle and incense display up to . . . " He stopped when he realized Buffy was glaring at him.
"What. Are. You. Talking. About?"
"The sale? You and Faith were going to help me move the displays."
"Unbelievable, has everyone forgotten that I’ve turned into a man?!"
"Not bloody likely." Spike sputtered as he heaved a box out of the basement.
"Spikey! There you are." Buffy cried as she started towards him, tears in her eyes. Spike hurriedly turned back to the basement.
"Got more boxes and I need a smoke." Buffy came to a stop, hurt filling her face as she stared at the closed basement door. Suddenly it swung back open. She brightened, starting forward again until she heard Anya’s voice.
"What’s wrong with him? He pushed past me like he was being chased by a demon!" Anya put down the box she had been carrying and turned to face the others. Finally noticing Buffy, she smiled sympathetically, "Oh."
"Spikey??" Giles was looking at Buffy as though she’d lost mind rather than her sex.
She blushed and muttered, "What exactly did Willow tell you? Never mind. Can we focus? We were talking about fixing me."
"Actually, B, we were talking about moving displays," Faith jumped off the counter just as Anya started to lecture her. "Yeah, yeah. I know. No butts where the money goes. I’m down. Calm yourself." Turning back to Giles and Buffy, she cocked an eyebrow, "Well? Let’s get this moving party, started. I have places to be, peo– things to do."
"Does no one care that I’m having a crisis, here?"
Tara smiled at Buffy. "At least you’re not in danger of melting this time."
Giles frowned as he finished cleaning his glasses and put them back on, waving Dawn to the table. "Buffy, Dawn can look through the books and see what she can find. Unless you’d like to do that?" Off her horrified look, he nodded, "Thought so. In the meantime, you can help Faith." Anya cleared her throat and looked pointedly at the boxes on the floor and the open basement door. "Or Anya, seeing as how SPIKEY has disappeared for a smoke."
"So, Will, it’s a little hot out here don’t you think?" Xander shifted in the seat, fanning himself with a copy of The Sunnydale Times.
"Hmmm? What do you want me to do, it’s early."
"I can’t believe they don’t open for breakfast! And they dare to call themselves fast food." Slapping the newspaper against the steering wheel, he rubbed his growling stomach. "Never did get any of those bagels. I could use an Egg McMuffin."
"Xander!" Willow turned away from watching the road around the Palace to scold him. "Does sound good, though. We could probably get back before they open, right?"
"Now you’re talking!" Xander started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. "Remind me again why we’re here so early?"
"Spring-Summer Clearance. Magic Shop. Price Gun."
"Ahh, yes, the scary price gun. Mickey D’s here we come!"
"Enough! No more boxes." Buffy panted as she dropped her box on the table. "Dawn, PLEASE tell me you found something. Anything."
"Did you know RuPaul is actually a man?!" Off Buffy’s pissed look, "Right, probably not that important. No, nothing yet."
"I’m doomed. I’m going to be a man forever."
"And, gay." Faith added as she slapped a sale price on a crystal ball and Buffy groaned.
"Nonsense." Giles’ frowned. "We’ll figure it out, Buffy. Now, about these displays."
"What am I, your slave?" Off his raised eyebrow, she sighed. "Fine. Come on, Faith. Let’s move the damn candle and incense display. You push, I’ll pull."
"Is that a gay joke?"
Dawn giggled and Buffy glowered. "Faith!"
"What? Like you didn’t see that coming . . . " Buffy stomped over to the display and grabbed hold of the sides. Faith grinned at Dawn and leaned against the back of it.
"Ok, on three. One, two, thre--" Ooomph. Buffy tumbled backwards, landing on the floor with a loud smack. "OWW!"
"Buffy? Are you ok?" concern in his eyes, Giles stepped forward.
Buffy lay there quietly for a moment before realizing everyone was staring at her. Wincing, she stood up, rubbing her backside. "I’m fine. Hands must have slipped."
"Or, you’re not a slayer."
"What, that’s ridiculous, Faith. Of course I’m a slayer."
"I’m serious. Ya didn’t just lose the girl, ya lost the girl power too."
Buffy quickly shook her head in denial.
"No, I think Faith has a point." Anya gingerly placed the pile of bills she had been counting back into the register. "We need to find out if you’re helpless. Here," she grabbed Giles by the arm, "hit Giles."
"Wha-a-t?" Giles yanked his arm away. "No, don’t hit Giles."
"Well, I didn’t want her to hit me. What if Faith is wrong, she’d hurt me? Not like she hasn’t been wrong in the past."
"EXCUSE ME?" Faith took a step towards Anya but stopped when Buffy spoke.
"She’s right. At the hotel, with Spike, I couldn’t push him off me."
Three voices sounded at once:
"And you didn’t remember this until now?"
"Spike was ON you?"
"A hotel room! Way to go B!"
Ignoring Giles and Faith, Buffy turned to Dawn. "It isn’t like I haven’t had a few other things on my mind! You try getting your first erect—" Dawn’s eyes had widened, "Err, peeing standing up for the first time and tell me you don’t forget a few details!"
"I’m just saying. Losing your slayer strength, kinda an important detail."
"Oh, God. Not again."
Everyone turned to look at Buffy, their eyes questioning.
Closing her eyes, she mumbled, "I gotta go pee."
Grateful to escape their interested eyes, she headed to the back of the store.
"Buffy, wait." She turned to look at Anya. "Don’t forget to put the seat cover down, ok?"
"UGH!"
Anya shrugged as the others frowned at her, "What? She forgot back at the house and it’s rude."
"But, I bought a drink."
"Miss, that was hours ago. Do you see that sign over there?" Lorraine, the Doublemeat Palace manager, pointed out a sign hanging on the bulletin board beside the bathrooms to Willow.
"No Loitering."
"Exactly. So, if you aren’t going to purchase anything to eat, I’m going to have to ask you to leave."
"Will. What’s up? Ohhh, the manager. Great idea, Will. We’ll ask her if she’s seen—" Willow quickly pinched Xander’s leg. "Ow! What was that for?"
"And, you, sir,” said Lorainne, “you do realize the age limit on the Kid’s Palaceground is 12 years old?"
"No. . . " Xander grabbed Willow’s hand and pulled her to the ordering counter. "So, Will, two Doublemeat Medley meals for both of us?" Off the manager’s frown, he added: "No, make that four for each!" The manager smiled and nodded before heading towards a suspicious group of teenage girls talking in hushed whispers over a magazine at the back of the dining room.
"Whew. That was close."
"Yeah but did you have to order the Medley? Ever since Buffy told me about that video, I—"
"I know, I know, but we needed to distract her. So, no Greg?"
"Nope." Willow glanced toward the kid’s area. "Didn’t find him out there, huh?"
"Hey, I am a builder. That playground equipment didn’t look safe. I was bound by my workmanship’s code of honor to test it."
"Uh huh, buying that."
"This . . . " Buffy trailed off as a customer approached the counter. She watched as Anya gleefully conned the person into having their purchases gift-wrapped. Rubbing her hands together, she turned towards Buffy.
"Isn’t this great?!"
"Yeah, great. That is SO the word I was looking for . . . What is it with all these girls?! We’ve been open for, what, four hours now and still they keep coming."
"It’s the power of the sale, Buffy." Buffy grimaced as Anya nodded sagely and started to go into further detail.
"Wait. Hold that thought. I think those girls need help." Buffy hurried towards the clump of girls just standing by the door. "You girls look lost. Can I help? Do you need a love spell or a mummy hand? Something? Anything?"
"OH MY GOD." Buffy watched in confusion and worry as the red-head fanned her face. One of the other girls pushed her forward. "Quick, Heather, say something, he’s talking to you."
What the hell is going on here? And what does she mean "he". Oh. Buffy started to smile, realizing the girls were giggling over HER! (Err, HIM!) She started to wink at the girl and then suddenly frowned. What am I doing? I don’t like girls. The words then tumbled out of Buffy’s mouth:” Oh God, Faith was right. I am gay!”
Heather’s eyes opened wide with shock and the other girls gasped.
"No, I didn’t mean . . . That is . . . I’m not gay, OK?!" As if to prove her point, Buffy moved forward to grasp Heather’s hand. She batted her eyes as she stroked the top of her hand. Ok, NOT working. Now Heather was backing away from her slowly. "Oh, forget it. Do you need help or not?"
"I do." One of the girls stepped forward, a magazine in hand. "Will you autograph this for me?"
"Seriously."
"Of course, that’s what we ALL want."
Buffy felt herself blush. She smiled and reached for the magazine. “Anywhere?"
"No, wait, on this picture." The girl flipped the magazine open to an earmarked page.
"Sure. Wow! I’ve never had someone ask for my autograph before. This is neat. Wait-" Buffy paused in the middle of signing Buffy, the Vampire-, "How did you hear about me? And, how did you recognize me?"
The girl giggled, "Are you crazy? Everyone knows who you are! How could they not? That voice. And, your hair. I can’t believe I’m actually talking to you?!"
"What? My hair? Huh?" Buffy stepped back, more confused than ever. She looked around to see if Giles understood what was going on but he was nowhere to be seen, though Dawn was leaning forward to hear what was being said.
"I still don’t get why you’re in Sunnydale. Are you playing here tonight? Wait?!" The girl’s voice rose to a high pitch, "Is Christina here?!" She glanced around excitedly.
"Christina? What… Who are you talking about?"
"You know the Justified and Stripped concert."
"Who’s stripping?" Giles appeared out of the back room looking worried.
"Ha. She thinks you’re Justin!" Dawn bumped into Giles in her rush to get up from the table, just as Faith came out of the basement with more sale items.
"Told ya."
"Shut up, Faith!"
"You’re not Justin?" the girls looked betrayed.
"NO! I’m not Justin, I’m BUFFY!"
"Oh." The girl snatched her frowning at Buffy’s signature. "Buffy, the Vampire? That’s not funny. You SO owe me a new Justin Timberlake picture. Come on, Heather, we’re leaving." She grabbed the other girl’s arm and stalked out the door. Slowly the rest of the female crowd followed, leaving only a few customers browsing through the sale items.
"Wait. Where are they going?" Anya looked panicked as she turned to Buffy, "Couldn’t you just go along with it? Pretend to be Justin? They would have bought stuff, given me money!" Buffy glared at her and shook her head.
"Dawn, why are you still standing there, weren’t you looking for a cure?!"
"Oh, right, Jus—Buffy." Dawn hurried back to the table as the bell above the door chimed. Buffy didn’t even turn around. She was sick of standing around the shop, helping people, waiting while the others looked for a solution. Spike was still MIA, though he really wouldn’t be helpful until the sun went down. And there was a concert at the Bronze that afternoon which meant Faith, the Bouncer, had to leave for work soon.
So, if she was going to find Greg and have Faith beat in his head, she needed to get moving. Turning to talk to Faith, she heard the new customer call out to her.
"Hey, dude, do you guys have any more of the lanthium powder? I just used the last of mine this morning and I really need to get my hands on more." He looked up at Buffy expectantly and her eyes narrowed.
"Powder? Sure. I’ve got powder. G-R-E-G."
***
End of Chapter 4