~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

BUFFY: Hey

SPIKE: Hey

BUFFY: Giles is off on the retreat.

SPIKE: Give us all a chance for a breather, 'ey?

BUFFY: From Giles?

SPIKE: From the constant pitter-patter of clomping teenager girly feet.

BUFFY: I have no idea what you're talking about

SPIKE: C'mon.

BUFFY: No, I enjoy my responsibility as mentor, role model, life guide...Oh, my God, I cannot believe I have my bathroom to myself for two whole days!

SPIKE: It's like a bloody war zone out there. And not in a good way.

BUFFY: Have you seen the kitchen since they've been here?

SPIKE: I'm just trying to stay out of their way.

BUFFY: I noticed.

SPIKE: This is better. Believe me, it's safer.

BUFFY: Okay, but you've been fine with the girls.

SPIKE: Yeah, with you by my side, yeah. You wouldn't let me hurt one of them. And that's the way it's gonna be until we're sure the First is done making me its bitch. Either we're together or I'm on the leash.

BUFFY: We just need to make sure the trigger's deactivated then. We've got a couple days, lack of pitter-patter and all.

SPIKE: Buffy...

BUFFY: What?

SPIKE: Ow.

BUFFY: Ow?

SPIKE: Ow... ow... OW!!

BUFFY: What's wrong? Spike, what is going on?!

SPIKE: The chip...why would...?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

SPIKE: Popped another blood vessel I think.

BUFFY: There's got to be a reason why the chip is going all wonky. Maybe it's related to the trigger? Or maybe it has something to do with the new soul?

SPIKE: Or maybe it wasn't meant to last this long? One more thing you and I have in common, 'ey, pet?

BUFFY: Well, we'll fix it. We'll hit serious research mode.

SPIKE: Good. Try behavior modification chips throughout the ages.

BUFFY: Okay, you're right -- not a book thing. It's a phone thing.

SPIKE: Who you gonna call? God, that phrase is never going to be usable again, is it?

BUFFY: Doubt it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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