Mandy shook her head as she examined the sword buried in the stage. "This cannot be a good sign."

Oni looked very pale. "I have faced many perils since allying myself with the Destroyer. However, I find this very perturbing."

"We could have used that rehearsal," Mandy groaned. "Do you know how difficult Hamlet is to pull off?"

Connor jumped down from the rafters, hitting the ground in a crouch. "Maybe next time you should stage Snow White... At least while the Apocalypse is coming."

"I was thinking maybe Godot," Mandy said quietly. "Small cast... Fewer opportunities for casualties."

"Did you find anything up there?" Andrew looked to the rafters.

Connor shook his head. "There might have been someone up there, but they didn't leave any signs I could follow... Some disturbed dust, but anything could've caused that. There's been so many people in this place, it's hard to tell one scent from another..." He shrugged. "My tracking skills don't hold up well in civilized places."

"Do you think Magnimus might have had something to do with this?" Jamie asked.

Connor shook his head again, keeping his eyes trained upwards. "I don't."

"Why not?" Mandy asked. "She's tried to kill me before. She's evil, sadistic..."

"Also really unsubtle," Connor replied. He looked back down. "If she was trying to kill you and Oni, she would have stormed in here and beaten you to death, not thrown stuff down at you."

"Unless they were lightning bolts," Andrew added.

Jamie's eyes widened. "She can do that?"

"It's a possibility," Andrew replied quietly. "But..." He looked over the stricken faces of his friends. "But then, if she wanted to do that, she probably would have already, so just don't think about that."

"So what do you think is going on?" Jamie turned to Connor.

"Something... Weird." Connor shook his head, shrugging slightly. "No clue."

"Okay, I need something," Mandy said firmly. "The curtain's going up on Saturday and I can't have swords and lights falling down from the rafters!"

Aggravation was etched in Connor's features. "If you haven't noticed... I'm mostly about the hack and slash."

"Weren't you just protesting that with Mistress Meerna?" Jamie asked.

"That doesn't mean it's not actually true!" Connor exclaimed. He raked his fingers through his hair. "I've got no idea what's going on!"

All eyes stayed trained on him. He sighed. "All right. If you guys want me to lead... Andrew, Oni... I want you two to investigate demons that like holing up in theatres. Jamie, you go through the records... News clippings, police reports... See if this place has a history. Mand, see if you can find another place for your show."

"What are you going to do?" Oni asked.

Connor sighed. "I'm going to go out and hack and slash where I know there's stuff for me to hack and slash."

"Sounds like a plan," Mandy nodded firmly.

Andrew climbed off of the stage, clapping Connor on the shoulder. "This is why we made you leader."

Connor forced a smile. "Yeah... We're totally screwed."

****

Andrew paced, phone to his ear. He rubbed his temple, shaking his head. "Come on, Dawn... Come on, pick up."

Oni was now dressed in her everyday clothes, though her hair was still done up and she wore her heavy theatrical makeup. She picked up a book entitled Restless Spirits. "Do you believe Miss Summers will know what is occurring?"

Andrew shrugged. "Library at the Council is way more complete. Not all of the records are in the electronic database."

"You know, I am not surprised there is something inhabiting the theatre. There have been strange occurrences ever since we began rehearsals." She sat up straighter. "Oh! Tell her to look into Kelkor."

Andrew thought about it. "The mischief demon?" He nodded slowly. "Right... That's a possibility. It fits the M.O."

Jamie leaned heavily against the keyboard, his shoulders slumped.

"You doing all right, Jay?" Andrew asked.

With great effort, Jamie forced himself to sit up. He scrubbed his face with his hands. "Yeah. Just... Enjoying the research mode."

He began to type: Palo Alto community theatre, murder, death, accidents.

****

The digital readout of the clock on Connor's bedside table switch over to 3:45.

Salome shut the bedroom door quietly, leaning against it and sighing tiredly. She let her hair out of its ponytail, letting it flow loose over her shoulders. She pulled her shirt over her head, dropping it to the floor before wriggling out of her jeans.

She padded across the floor, pulling back the covers and slipping into bed. As her head touched the pillow, she felt Connor shift. His hand touched her shoulder. "Hey." His voice was heavy with sleep. "You're late."

"Mm." Salome closed her eyes as Connor spooned her. "Xandja spilled about Quortoth and its all over the underworld. Everyone's twitchy. Lorne had to keep open late to do readings." She peered over her shoulder. "There a reason there are books about spirit manifestation all over the living room?"

Connor pressed a kiss to Salome's neck. "Another incident during rehearsal. We were investigating." He pressed closer. "I was waiting for you to get home."

"No..." Salome absent-mindedly stroked Connor's arm. "You were sleeping. And I'm ready to do that myself."

"Come on." Connor nuzzled her before rolling her onto her back. "You know, you only have to be half-awake..."

"Stop. Please. I'm overwhelmed by romance," Salome teased, stretching.

Connor rolled on top of Salome. "I'll be smoother when you're not about to fall asleep on me."

Salome yawned. "Yeah, now, I'm just going to fall asleep under you."

"Don't talk like that." Connor kissed Salome. "Come on... Where's that famous demon strength?"

"Okay... I think that's a challenge." Salome ran her fingers through Connor's hair. "Now I've gotta do it or you just won't respect me."

Connor grinned. "That's my girl..."

The door burst open. Jamie wheeled himself in. "I think I..." He frowned, looking over the tableau before him. Connor and Salome were frozen in shock.

After a moment, Connor shook off the surprise. "Dammit, Jay! Don't you know how to knock?"

"Sorry..." Jamie shook his head. "I got used to you two sleeping on opposite sides of the bed." He frowned. "Don't you two do anything else?"

Connor rolled out of bed. Thankfully, he was still wearing his boxers. "Sadly, all we ever do is almost have sex." He glared at Jamie before wheeling him back out into the hallway. "You know, we might not do it so much if you actually let us finish. I also told you to get some rest."

"Mandy couldn't find another place for the show." His cheeks flushed. "She asked me to keep checking. I figure she outranks me."

Connor yawned. "You haven't even been out on a date yet and she's already got you whipped?"

Jamie scowled. "Coming from the King of the Whipped..." He held out a printout to Connor. "I think I've got your ghoul. Crawford Lee."

Connor accepted the printout, looking it over. It was a black-and-white picture of a very handsome, young Asian man. "You sure?"

Jamie shrugged. "According to the report I pulled up, Crawford Lee was a drama student here almost five years ago. He was rehearsing late at the theatre. Janitor saw him there.... But half an hour later, Crawford was gone... And the stage was covered in blood." He winced. "The police report had pictures. You know, you're a lot better at the hacking than I am and blood and guts don't give you the heebs."

"All right." Connor nodded, folding the paper. "So he died in the theatre. Any other compelling evidence?"

Jamie sighed. "Well... He was rehearsing for the lead role in Hamlet..."

Connor thought about it for a moment. "All right." He looked up. "Sounds like we got a ghost." He tossed the printout into Jamie's lap. "Well, good night! Good job, Jay." He reached for the doorknob.

"What?" Jamie shook his head. "That's it?"

Connor looked down at Jamie. "Do you want a hero cookie?"

Jamie shook his head. "I just thought we should get on this."

Connor turned the doorknob. "Don't worry. I'm gonna get onto something. You should just get some sleep. It's like four."

"But..."

"Night Jay." Connor went back into his room, shutting the door. He turned back to the bed. "Sorry about th--" He slumped down when he heard Salome's snores. He shook his head as he climbed into bed. Salome suddenly rolled over, hitting him hard in the chest. Connor groaned and smacked his head against the headboard in frustration.

****

"A ghost..." Mandy leaned against the shelves of Flying Demon Monkeys.

Andrew leaned over the counter. "A poltergeist, most likely."

Mandy sighed. "I guess this explains why I was able to rent the place so cheap."

Oni was perusing the shelves, finding a comic just above Mandy and flipping through it. "It also explains the peculiar incidents that have occurred."

"Peculiar incidents?" Connor repeated. He was sitting on the counter, arms wrapped around Salome. "You guys have been having incidents and you never bothered mentioning it?"

"Well, no one was nearly squished or skewered,"' Mandy replied. "I didn't think it was a big deal."

"So what are we talking about?" Salome asked, leaning against Connor. "Flickering lights... Wind noises... Redrum written in blood?"

Oni frowned, shaking her head fractionally. "What's redrum?"

"Let's think about this," Andrew stroked his chin. "Bradley was targeted in both attacks. And this... Crawford was going to be playing Hamlet."

"I've actually heard of Crawford Lee," Mandy leaned against Jamie's leg. "He was really talented. Gifted."

Oni unfolded the printout, looking over the picture. "He was also aesthetically pleasing." She folded the paper back up, cheeks red. "I mean... For a human."

Andrew took the paper from Oni, looking it over. "Huh. That's weird."

"What's weird?" Connor asked.

"Crawford Lee died the same night as Buffy," Andrew commented. He shrugged. "Just a weird coincidence."

"So this guy wanted to act..." Jamie shrugged. "And now he's dead. Sad. Really... But what can we do about it?"

"Determining the reason for his unrest will help us discover a way to help him pass on?" Andrew explained.

"Are you sure we don't need a priest?" Connor asked.

Andrew shook his head. "Exorcisms should only be used in extreme circumstances. Ghosts are not inherently evil... They just need finality."

"Well..." Oni put the comic back on the shelf. "Crawford Lee's physical remains were never located. Perhaps they are still in the theatre."

"It's possible," Mandy sighed. "That place is full of spots to hide... To stash a body."

Jamie frowned. "And no one would smell it in the, oh, five years it's been hidden?"

"This is the only lead we've got," Mandy replied. She looked up at Jamie. "It's worth a shot."

"Have you dealt with spectral manifestation before, Mandelina?" Oni asked.

Mandy shook her head. "We had lessons about them at the Council, but I've never actually..." She swallowed hard. "What about you guys?"

"Not including the First Evil?" Andrew looked to the others.

Connor put up his hand meekly.

Salome frowned, lacing her fingers with his raised hand. "Your mother?"

Connor shook his head. His arm tightened around Salome. "I don't know what she was." He cleared his throat. "No... Cordy... She had a ghost. When Fred and Gunn were looking for her, I was at her apartment a couple of times."

"Any suggestions on the best course of action?" Oni asked.

Connor shook his head. "It wasn't exactly the same situation. He just flung things around, worried about Cordy. We didn't have to get rid of him or anything."

"Well, we need to do something ." Mandy got to her feet. "Two days! Two days! That's all the time we've got and I already had to cancel a dress rehearsal! I don't care if we have to exorcise..."

The door opened and Gord entered. All eyes focused on him, slight panic in their faces.

"We have to exercise!" Mandy repeated, her voice strained. "We're getting terribly out of shape!"

Gord frowned as he moved slowly towards the counter. "Yeah... You guys look pretty bad off. Why don't you hit the gym. Connor, you're starting to look hutt-like."

"Hey Gord." Andrew ducked behind the counter. "Here for your X-Fix?"

Gord nodded. "I make mine Marvel." He looked around, slightly suspicious. "You guys all right?"

"Fine." Jamie's voice was squeaky. "Just hanging out."

"With someone new." Gord slipped up beside Mandy. He held out his hand. "Gord Siegel."

"And she's Mandy Boyd." Jamie rolled forward in his chair, moving Gord back. "And you're standing too close."

Oni's phone rang. "Hello?" Her cheeks went red. "Oh... Of course. I will be there shortly." She hung up getting to her feet. "I must depart."

Connor furrowed his brow. "Where are you going?"

"That was Bradley," Oni cheeks turned a darker shade. "He desires to meet with me right now."

Connor frowned slightly. "Oh?"

"Man, can't you guys get a hot girl around here who doesn't get snapped up immediately?" Gord grabbed the large bag from Andrew and handed him some cash. "Later." He headed out.

"I will be departing as well," Oni picked up her backpack.

"Oni, we have a ghost problem!" Mandy exclaimed. "You can't just--"

Oni shrugged. "Mr. Wells will be more than capable of handling this dilemma. I'm afraid my experience with spectral manifestations is extremely limited. I have narrowed my research to only focus on living entities. I vow to be expedient in my social engagement if you find it necessary."

She skipped out the door, whistling happily.

Salome sighed, patting Connor's arm so he released her. She hopped off the counter. "I'm on it."

****

Oni hurried down the street, trying to smooth down her hair as she went.

She let out a shriek as Salome appeared in front of her. "Hey. Think we can talk?"

"Yes." Oni nodded. "We are capable of speech. However, I have a prior engagement..." She walked past Salome.

Salome let her pass, walking alongside Oni. "We can walk and talk. We haven't gotten a lot of chance to really hang out lately."

"Now is not the optimal time, Salome," Oni said, slightly irritated. "I have somewhere I have to be... Bradley is waiting for me."

"Well, that's why it has to be now," Salome sped up. "This is about Brad."

"Bradley," Oni corrected her.

Salome nodded. "All right. Bradley. So why didn't you mention him before?"

"I have mentioned him," Oni protested. "While I have discussed the play."

"You never mentioned you liked him." Salome leap-frogged over a mailbox. "Why not?"

"You have not exactly been very social lately," Oni pointed out. "You have been injured and depressed and once you were feeling better, you were more concerned with enjoying your repaired relationship with Connor."

"Well... I'm listening now," Salome frowned slightly, looking over Oni. "Come on, Babe. What's going on?"

"It is an idle flirtation," Oni replied. "There is nothing to really discuss until it progresses further."

Salome turned, walking backwards so she could face Oni. "Connor told me about him. Says he reminded him of someone." She cocked her head. "Who do you think he looks like?"

Oni thought about it. "He looks like he could be the offspring of Mr. Giles."

"Yeah..." Salome shook her head. "You're so not getting away with that."

Oni paused. She looked behind her, as if to see something clinging to her. "Not getting away with what?"

Salome's dark eyes were filled with concern. "Bradley looks exactly like Wes. "

"How would you know?" Oni asked acidly. "You have not even cared enough to meet him."

"It's not that I don't care ," Salome stressed. "I just really hate Mandy." Salome put a hand on Oni's shoulder. "Connor, Andrew and Jay thought Bradley looks like Wes. Come on, if those three dumbasses can see it, you have to."

"They're having a trick on you," Oni said feebly. "They are boys. They tend to do that."

Salome shook her head. "They're not, Babe. He does."

"Why is this relevant?" Oni asked tartly. "So he bears a passing physical resemblance to Wesley... Many individuals have specific attributes they find appealing in the mates they have during their lifetime. Did you not tell me you have always gravitated towards slender, brown-haired males?"

"It's different," Salome sighed.

"It is always different with you, is it not?" Oni asked harshly. "You and Connor are always the exceptions to everything. Because I am attempting something for myself, there must be something wrong with it."

Salome shook her head. "That's not it at all, Babe. I'm just worried. It's good you're trying move past Wes but..."

"Bradley is not Wesley!" Oni shouted at Salome. "I am not trying to replace Wesley with someone else. I did not... Wesley is in the past."

Salome sighed. "I just don't want you to move on with this guy just because he reminds you of Wes."

"Right now, I am most concerned with moving past you," Oni pushed past Salome. "I will speak to you at home."

Salome turned, watching Oni stride off. "We care about you, Babe. You know that... But..."

"But you think only you and Connor deserve to have any happiness in mating!" Oni snapped savagely. "I need to move on and that is what I am doing. Now if you'll excuse me..."

Oni stalked off. Salome slumped her shoulder, sighing. "Yeah. That went real well."

****

Oni entered the theatre hesitantly. She looked around. The lights were low, only a single spotlight on the stage.

"Bradley?" Oni called out. "I came as you requested." She bit her lip. "However, I believe we should relocate. This place is not..." She shrank down at a creaking noise. "Secure."

"I'm glad you came," Bradley's dulcet, accented voice came from the wings. "I was worried you would be busy with your friends."

"Busy with my friends?" Oni repeated, voice shaking.

"The director," Bradley's voice darkened. "The one in the wheelchair... The one who fought the demon here..."

"Fought the..." Oni stepped towards the stage. "What?"

Bradley stepped out onto the stage. He was garbed in a black cloak, face obscured. "A few weeks ago. He fought a demon here. I dropped a light onto it."

Oni's eyes grew wide. "You are not Bradley."

"I've always been gifted with voices." The figure stepped down, the light catching him finally. A white mask obscured his features, only small eye slits visible. "I'm sorry for the ruse"

Oni stepped onto the stage. "You're Crawford Lee."

He shook his head. "Just what's left of him." He grabbed Oni's wrist. "We need to talk."

With a shriek, Oni found herself pulled beneath the stage.

ACT THREE