Ooh!  I see why you warned me! LOL  I'm okay...no, I'm not. NOT GIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLEEESSSSS!!!! *breathes deep* ...I'm okay.  :D  Something told me he might not make it out of the fic alive, but as long as Spuffy are alive & kickin' (or undead & kickin', as the case may be), I can deal w/ other character death. ;)  But still, poor Giles & poor Buffy!  I'm sure Buffy was motivated before, but now, that creature may have a REALLY painful death. Hee!  I really liked Buffy coming clean to Stein about vamps & the rest of the non-human side of Sunnydale.  I can't help hope that she introduces him to some of the more colorful characters (like Clem!).  That could be pretty funny.  Ooh...maybe this "creature" will try to take Spike's power, but he'll speak the language & won't get caught!  Can't wait to see more about what this creature could be & what its purpose/plan is.  & I liked the realism of Stein getting a bit out of breath from the hike, perhaps he'll ask Buffy for help in getting (& staying) in shape?  Especially now that he knows that the oogly-booglies are real.  Excellent chapter! :)