Author: Crimson Vampire Goddess
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own any B.T.V.S. characters, if I did I would have had Spike and Angel go for a nice sunny walk, Faith and Buffy would have realized they had the hots for each other about a week after Faith arrived, and oh yeah, that thing about Tara dying never woulda happened.

About an hour later a cold, worn stone wall came into view and about a half an hour after that the four friends were standing before a massive, rusted iron gate. An equally rusted arch above the gate read 'The Bolston Hotel' in manipulated iron bars. Through the gates they could see a creepy, old, three-story building that looked like it was about to collapse at any moment.

"Well isn't this a cheery place." Willow said sarcastically, as the hotel came into view. The grey brick building stood on a huge un-kept property, mostly overgrown grass and dirt; a small forest could be seen in the back along with the edge of what probably used to be a pool. The driveway was an uneven mixture of crumbling pavement and red dirt that looked more like a swamp due to the rain.

"Ok, so maybe it's not the Ritz-Carlton, but as you said it's better than being crammed in the car." Faith said as they made their way down the driveway. Once inside the four friends took in the interior of the old hotel. The reception area was surprisingly warm and cozy; to the right was a living room like set up with two worn green velvet padded couches situated on either side of an equally worn wooden coffee table in front of a grey stone fireplace, to the left a check in desk with a silver desk bell placed next to a check in book and an ancient looking fountain pen and hanging high on the wall behind the desk an ominous portrait of a clean cut middle aged man who looked to be from the late 1880's.

"Hello, anyone home?" Faith called, as she made her way to the check in desk. When there was no answer she turned to the other three and shrugged.

"Maybe we have to ring the bell?" Tara said as she walked over and tapped it once. When there was still no answer, Tara turns and shakes her head.

"You rang?" Said a voice from behind the desk.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Tara screeched as she bolted to where Willow and Buffy had jumped into each other. Faith on the other hand had assumed a fighting stance in front of her friends. Looking back they saw a tall man in his 40's or 50's; his unkept black hair and his piercing blue eyes making him look like a mad man.

"Um…we'd like two rooms for the night, at leased I think we do." Faith said uncertainly. She glanced back at her friends and girlfriend to see that they were at least trying to recompose themselves.

"You mean stay? Here? All night?" The man asked a little too enthusiastically before laughing manically.

"Oh, did you hear that, Joshua, we have more guests!" He said turning to a younger man who had entered the room.

"Yes, uncle, and what beautiful guests at that." Joshua said leaning on the desk and winking at the four women. Joshua looked to be around the same age as them, he had medium length dirty blond hair and the same piercing blue eyes as his uncle and though he wore sweat pants and a sweatshirt they could tell he worked out.

"Hey, where are my manners? I'm Joshua Avery or 'Josh' for short. I live here with my uncle Albert whom you've already met and my sister Justine who is probably still asleep, lucky you." He said with another wink.

"Now I believe you were asking about a room?" He asked as he looked at the check in book.

"Yes, we'd like two rooms for the night." Faith said now standing next to the others.

"Well, then ladies follow me." Josh said with a smile that would charm the pants off of any straight woman.