Summary: As before

By nightfall they had discovered that eight out of the nine chemicals used by the council were present.”

“So what does that tell us?” asked Buffy.

“Well I would say if the council was doing this they’d use the usual formula, they wouldn’t change it. If only we knew the amounts used that might help discount them as a suspect.” Answered Willow.

“I don’t think it was the council.” Said Angel. They both looked at him. “I think it was Leonard.”

“Leonard?” asked Willow.

“Yeah…” Said Buffy thinking back to his words. “He knew he’d win….”

Figuring out who Leonard was Will asked “But how could he get the formula? Isn’t it like a secret?”

“You can get anything if you’re desperate enough.” Said Angel. “Now we need to know how he fed it to Buffy.”

“Well it takes a while right?” asked Willow. “To work? So he’s have to give it to her over say a week or so.”

Angel nodded. “But what could he put it in? How could he give it to her?”

“Food?” asked Buffy. “I know Giles injected me but maybe it can be given orally too.”

“Well we live together so if it’s something you ate I’d have eaten it too.” said Willow. She took a clean needle and pricked her finger. She squeezed a few drops onto a slide and added a drop from one of her many chemicals.

“Well I have at least one of the same chemicals,” she said lifting her face from the microscope. “I think it’s safe to assume it’s in something we both ate or drank.”

“I’ll go over to your dorm, clean the fridge out. Once we know what it’s in we can lead that back to who put it there.”

Buffy took Angels hand in a silent plea for him not to go.

Angel covered her hand with his and looked into her eyes. There were no words spoken but the message was clear. This had to be done, she would be OK and he would be back.

Angel lightly kissed her forehead and left.

Buffy felt uneasy when he had gone. He was her protector now. She told herself not to be silly. She was still the slayer, she was strong enough to handle being alone for a while. And she still had willow with her.

She would just have to get used to it. “Coffee?” she asked Willow having decided keeping busy was the best thing.

“Sure.” Buffy went to make it.


Angel quickly cleared out the contents of Willow and Buffy’s fridge. He also took the opened dried foods from the cupboards assuming no one would be able to tamper with unopened packet foods or cans.

Laden down with the food he returned to the summers house, stopping on the way to buy some sleeping medication. The strongest he could over the counter.


Buffy tried not to look too happy when Angel returned. She couldn’t rely on him for ever, he would have to leave again eventually. She was watching TV when he came back.

Angel checked she was OK then took the food to Willow.

Willow began with the drinks, they would be easiest to test.

There was another knock on the door. Angel answered it.

Riley was there again, looking chastened. He wouldn’t meet Angels gaze.

“Can I see Buffy?”

Angel assumed it was OK and let him in. He went through to Buffy.

“Buffy, I’m so sorry. I behaved like an idiot.”

Buffy nodded. “It’s OK.”

“No, it isn’t. I was just so angry someone would do this. I couldn’t see straight.”

Buffy smiled slightly trying to reassure him. It wasn’t OK, his words had stung her. But she could understand it if not forgive it. “I know you didn’t mean it Riley. I know you’d never intentionally hurt me. But you did.”

“I’m sorry Buffy. I am so sorry.”

“Me too. I just need time Riley, can you give me time?”

Riley nodded. She was pushing him away. He deserved it but he as hoping she would forgive him. But if space was what she needed, he would give it to her.

“OK, I’ll leave you alone. Just promise you’ll call me if you need me.”

“I will.” Riley turned to leave. “Riley.” He turned back. “Thank you.”

He nodded, smiled tightly and left.