Part 9 "We are close master. I sense them. After tomorrow's acclimation session we will be at our full strength. The concert will give us a chance to see the teenage beings of this town and determine." Howie said to the hologram. "Do they know of you?" "I don't think so." He said assuredly. "We shall dispose of them as soon as possible." "See that you do." Howie turned off the hologram and faced the other Backstreet Boys. ************************************************************************************ "Do you think we will be in danger if we go to that concert tomorrow?" Maria asked as she wiped the counter off for the last time that day. "I don't know. But we've been in danger before." Liz shrugged. "I want to make sure Max is safe. Then we can go." "Don't you want to see The Backstreet Boys?" Maria giggled. "I suppose I should make sure Michael is alright." "Then it is decided." Liz shook her head determined. ************************************************************************************ "I'm back Buffers." Spike called through the door. Buffy shuffled out of bed and opened the door. "You're on the couch." She pointed to the couch and shuffled to the bed. "You can hang out here tomorrow and I'll come get you for the concert." "Sounds fine." Spike plopped down on the couch. Buffy laid back down on the bed and tried to sleep. But the whole Spike thing was plaguing her. He wouldn't stay her for money. It wasn't him. So why was he staying? And on top of the confusion she was sleeping in the same apartment as her mortal enemy. Her life was just to weird. ************************************************************************************ "Do you think we can trust that Spike guy?" Michael asked Max as they snuggled into bed. "I don't know." Max shrugged wearily. A day of Tess has tired him out and made his heart hurt. "I guess if Buffy trusts him we can." "If you say so." Michael was quiet for a moment. "She's pretty cool ya know. Your cousin." "Do you have feelings for her?" Max inquired. A smile played on his lips in the dark. "I don't know." Michael sighed deeply. "And I'm not gonna think about it. Not until all of this is over." "That's a wise decision." Max put his head onto the pillow. But he couldn't sleep. He was deeply worried. As well he should be. And he was afraid despite the front he put up. Michael fell asleep quickly. He never let anything bother him. "Max?" He heard the scared voice of his sister and sat up. "I'm afraid." She admitted. She always put on a tough front for the world but not for him. To him she was always honest. "It's ok Izzy." Max ushered her over and she sat next to him on the bed. He pulled the covers around her and put his arm around her also. "Everything will be ok." ************************************************************************************ "Wake up Buffers." Spike yelled into the bedroom. "What is it?" Buffy sat up foggily. "The aliens are on the phone." Buffy shuffled into the other room and stuck her tongue out at Spike. "What's up Max?" "It's not Max. It's Michael." "Oh ok. Hi Michael. Max is usually the one to call." "Yeah. Well he's eating breakfast. When are you coming over?" "What time is it?" "About 9 o'clock. But the shower isn't that great." "Uh fine. I'm coming over. I'll shower there." Buffy hung up the phone. "So I can use this shower here? You're nice." Spike growled. "Shut up you damn neutered vamp." "Hey. That hurts ya know. I'm only here to help. You could be a little nicer to me." "Bye Spike." Buffy slid on a pair of sweatpants and headed out the door. He sighed and turned on the telly. "I hope it's a good episode of Passions today. Because if it isn't..." he trailed off not sure where he was going with it.