Willow balanced her bags on her arms precariously, teetering up the
walkway to Giles’s apartment. She smiled, thinking of the events that
led up to her impending adventure. Buffy had needed a vacation from
Sunnydale and the Hellmouth and told Giles plainly so. He, much to her
surprise, had agreed. He’d even gone so far as to suggest that she bring
her friends and himself with her. And then he came up with an idea that
everyone loved, one that would allow not only a vacation but a learning
experience at the same time. He’d found an organization at the other end
of California that hosted a week-long camping trip that basically
centered around group cooperation and trust activities. The thing that
made it so different from other such programs was that the entire thing
was to be held at night. This would allow Angel and Spike to travel with
them. He’d contacted them and been told that they’d happily take on a
private group.

Buffy, Xander, Cordelia, and Willow got the money for the trip from
their parents, who considered it to be a late graduation gift. Giles,
Joyce, Angel, and Spike each put up their own money. It was decided that
the gang would rent a RV and spend a few days traveling up to the site
and then later back, camping in the RV along the way. This way they
could ensure Angel and Spike’s safety from the sun and have a few days
to relax along the way before being pulled into the more active part of
their vacation.

She came to the door and kicked on it, unable to shift the bags enough
to knock properly. Giles opened the door and smiled at her. “Hello,
Willow. Won’t you come in?” She stepped through the threshold and he
quickly relieved her of some of her burden. “Here, won’t you let me take
those?” He led her to the living room where the rest of the gang was
waiting. She smiled cheerily at them. “Hey guys!!!!!”

“Hey Willster!!” Buffy and Xander replied simultaneously, both bouncing
with a mixture of merriment and impatience.

“Willow,” Cordy acknowledged briefly before turning her attention back
to filing her nails.

“‘lo, Red.” Spike said, grinning mischievously at her. She grinned back,
nodding at him.

“Hi Willow. How are you?” Joyce Summers asked.

“Oh, I’m good, thanks, and you?”

Joyce smiled in a mother-like fashion. “Good as always!”

“Hi, Willow.” She looked over toward the voice and smiled at Angel.

“Hey Angel. What’s up?” She walked towards him and plopped down on the
rug next to him. She felt so bad for him. Without his link to the group
through Buffy, it was almost as if he didn’t belong. “Are you excited?”

He nodded, and smiled, grateful to her for asking. She made a mental
note to spend some time with him over this vacation. He was good company
and deserved to be included in the group.

*AHEM*. Giles cleared his throat and everyone stopped what they were
doing to look up at him. “Well, it’s about 3 P.M. now. We shall pack our
luggage and set off at dusk, is it agreed?” Everyone nodded. “Good then.
The camper is somewhat small so we are going to need to take turns
unpacking-- er, packing-- whatever! so as not to get in each other’s
way. Also, we must figure out sleeping arrangements. The front can hold
one, the back couch folds out to accommodate three, the top holds two
because of weight, and the table lowers to hold two. Joyce and I will
get the table. Otherwise, it’s up to you to decide.” Excited, the four
teens crawled to the center of the room, chatting animatedly. Spike
joined in, looking to pick a fight more than anything, and Willow
dragged Angel along with her.

“I call the top!” Buffy yelled as Cordy nodded. “What she said.”

“Hey!” Spike protested. “I want the bloody top!” He didn’t really care
where he slept, but he liked to see the Slayer get her knickers in a
twist.

Buffy shot him the evil eye. “I don’t think so, mister!”

Spike sneered at her, laughing hysterically inside. “You want to fight,
Slayer?”

“Kiss my ass, Spike. You and Angel get the couch. Xander can share with
you.”

Spike’s eyes widened and Xander bellowed. “No WAY I’m sleeping with
Dead-boy and *him*, over there. Nuh-uh! I call the front!”

“Fine,” Buffy said, “I guess that leaves.....” she looked around the
circle, trying to see who didn’t have a sleeping spot yet, and nearly
did a double take when she saw Willow. “*NO,* no WAY is Willow going to
have to sleep with the two vampires. XANDER!” Buffy’s voice carried a
dangerous tone.

Xander looked at Willow pleadingly. “PLEASE, Wills. Please don’t make me
sleep with those two! You don’t mind, right?”

Willow blushed bright red, all eyes turned on her. “Umm... I...”

“Of course she doesn’t bloody mind!” Spike cut in gleefully. “Sleeping
next to a gorgeous vampire such as myself, who would?”

“Spike-” Willow said warningly. She looked over at Xander who had his
best begging face on and sighed in resignation. Besides, she really
didn’t want to start a fight. “Oh, alright. That is, if Angel doesn’t
mind...” She looked over at Angel, who shook his head negative. She gave
him a tiny smile and then turned back to Buffy. Buffy shrugged her
shoulders. “I guess, if it’s ok with you...”

“Good, it’s settled, then. Who wants to pack up first?”

***********

When the last rays of the sun went down, Giles re-entered the living
room where the gang was waiting impatiently. “Well, the sun has set. Is
everyone ready?” At everyone’s affirmative nod, he added, “Alright then.
We’re off!” Buffy whooped and rushed out the door, Cordy, Xander, and
Willow not far behind. Spike followed shortly after, definitely getting
in touch with his wild ‘n’ crazy younger side, and Angel behind him with
a smile. Giles and Joyce exited last, hand in hand, and walked down the
driveway to the RV. The gang piled in, all laughing merrily, excited
about the days to come.

************

Giles started the engine and backed out of the driveway carefully. Joyce
sat next to him, smiling at the way he gripped the steering wheel as if
it were a lifeline. She patted him reassuringly on the shoulder.
“Rupert, relax. We have complete confidence in you.” He smiled
gratefully at her but his grip didn’t loosen. “Thank you, Joyce. I’m
just not used to driving this big machine, that is all.” Behind him,
someone shrieked and he momentarily lost focus, causing him to swerve
and hit the curb. The RV went flying and he heard Cordy scream. Then
they hit the ground again with a thud and Giles quickly stopped the
camper. He turned to the others, breathing heavily. “Everyone alright?”
They nodded shakily and he nervously agreed. He turned back to the
steering wheel and started the engine again, completely shaken. He took
a deep breath in and out and set off again.

************

Willow, Buffy, Xander, and Cordy sat at the table. Spike and Angel, much
to both their chagrin, sat together on the couch that was at that moment
the couch, not the bed. They both did their best to ignore each other
while keeping up with the conversation going on in front of them.
Suddenly Spike began to sing, catching the attention of the entire
group.

......On the road again
I just can't wait to get on the road again.
The life I love is makin' music with my friends,
And I can't wait to get on the road again........

Angel growled. “Shut *up*!” He whispered softly and warningly. But Spike
didn’t stop. And suddenly, Angel did a double take as he heard Willow
join in.

........On the road again.
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again.
I can't wait to get on the road again.........

Giles and Joyce joined in next, their voices melodious and full of good
humor. Buffy, Xander, and Cordy added their voices shortly after.

......On the road again.
Like a band of gypsies we go down highway
We're the best of friends.
Insisting that the world keep turnin' our way.
And our way.......

Angel, feeling somewhat left out, joined in also. His voice was much
more muted and almost got lost under Spike’s, but at least he was
singing. Willow looked over, noticing his participation, and gave him a
smile that made his heart flutter. He gladly returned it.

.......Is on the road again
I just can't wait to get on the road again.
The life I love is makin' music with my friends,
And I can't wait to get on the road again
And I can't wait to get on the road again

The song was over and they all began to clap. Well, except for Giles who
still had his hands glued to the steering wheel. Spike, getting full of
himself from all the attention, stood up and began to bow. At that
moment Giles hit a speed bump -- hard -- and Spike went flying
backwards, landing in Angel’s lap with an “*UMPH!*”. Angel howled in
indignation and Spike scrambled to escape. Willow, Buffy, Xander, and
Cordy howled with laughter. Spike pouted and Angel fumed.

They both simultaneously crossed their arms over their chests, willing
themselves to forget the other’s very existence. Willow noticed the
animosity immediately and clenched her jaw. She knew that if they
continued to fight it would most likely ruin the entire vacation.
Determined to do something to remedy the situation, she got up from her
place at the table and walked over to them shakily.

She placed herself strategically between them both and looked over at
her friends sitting at the table. They were involved in an animated
discussion and Xander was doing some sort of impersonation. Good. She
didn’t really want them to hear this. She turned first to Spike, then to
Angel. The furious redhead’s temper finally snapped. “How could you?”
Her voice was harsh and they both felt guilty, not even knowing what
they did. “What’d we do, pet?”

She turned to Spike, emerald eyes flaming. “You are just *so* caught up
in this silly little feud of yours, you are going to spoil this entire
outing. And I’ll be darned if I’m going to let it happen.”

Angel grimaced. “Willow, there are just some issues that Spike and I
have...” He trailed off miserably.

She turned to the other vampire. “I don’t *care* about your *issues*.
Neither do they!” She motioned to the group sitting at the table, all
laughing merrily. “This is our vacation! Vacation, the thing people take
to relax and have fun. With you two fighting, I can guarantee it won’t
be fun. So shake hands, talk, do whatever you have to to put your
*issues* aside. But dammit, DO IT!” She got up and stalked back to the
table, sliding into her seat next to Buffy.

“Well, mate, this oughta be intrestin’”
------------------------------------------