Summary: The Powers That Be decide a certain Lonely God needs a little help finding his way back to his True Path.

Crossover: BTVS, Doctor Who, with some Stargate SG-1 and Dogma thrown in.

Notes: Haven't seen 'Voyage of the Damned' or any of series four yet, but I'm just gonna pretend that this is after 'Voyage', and series four never happened.

If you haven't read 'What are we gonna do now?', 'Did somebody say something about not fading away?' or 'When callings collide', it might help if you did. If you don't want to, here's a few helpful tidbits. Buffy is an Immortal (as in Highlander), Dawn tapped into the Power of the Key and has basically become a superhero, Willow died (fighting a Balrog, no less), ascended and became a Goddess, and came back down to carry on the fight, and the Council of Guardians is buddy-buddy with the SGC (Stargate SG-1). Oh, and Joyce is back. She's a White-Lighter.

Disclaimer: If I did own BTVS or Doctor Who, neither show would've ever left the air. Or Stargate SG-1. Or Charmed. I could go on and on, but I shant...

THE GUARDIAN CHRONICLES : THE RED GODDESS AND THE LONELY GOD

By screaminheathen69

Chapter the First

Buffy was, needless to say, just a wee bit surprised when a tall, handsome man suddenly popped into the room with her and Willow. She was even more surprised, however, when Willow jumped up and hugged the guy.

"Metty! Long time no see!"

The strange man hugged her back, lifting her off the floor. "Willie! How've you been?"

"Busy! You wouldn't believe how nuts it's been around here." He quirked an eyebrow. "Okay, maybe you would, but you're such a busybody..."

They nattered on a bit, till Buffy cleared her throat. Loudly. "Oh! Sorry, Buff. Buffy, this is the Metatron. Metatron, Buffy Summers, Slayer Extraordinaire."

Metatron stuck his hand out. "Pleased to meet you. Big fan."

Buffy shook his hand. "Umm, thanks." She shot a look at Willow that said, "Should I know who this guy is?" Metatron, seeing the look, rolled his eyes.

Willow giggled. "Think 'Dogma', Buffy."

Buffy's eyes bugged. "Metatron? As in (she lowered her voice) The Voice of God? That Metatron?"

Willow and Metatron looked at each other. Willow shrugged and nodded. He sighed, then spread his wings. He was able to touch both walls with the wingtips.

"Whoa." Buffy shook her head and flopped down in her chair. "Daniel told me that all that stuff was real, but I don't think I really believed him until now."

Metatron smiled. "I miss having him around. Things were so much more lively up there with him stirring things up."

Buffy smiled, sadly. " I remember."

"Sooo," Willow said, changing the subject. "What brings you to my neck of the woods? Not that I'm not happy to see you, I mean. It's just, you're not exactly famous for just dropping by to say howdy."

He smiled, tucked his wings in, and sat down. "Like you said; busy. I'm here on His behalf. He has a little favor he'd like to ask of you."

"Ask away. I figure I owe Her a few. Thousand. Or so." She settled onto the couch.

"Well, then. Do you remember when He told you about the Time War? And a particular survivor?"

"Yes. Why, has something happened to him?"

"A little over a year ago, his time. Hasn't happened yet, from your point of view."

Willow nodded. Buffy was looking back and forth between the two. "Huh?"

Willow grinned at Buffy. "Sorry. It's a time travel thing."

"Oh. Is this gonna turn into one of those temporal mechanics things? 'Cause, the last time you and Sam got into that stuff, I think my ears actually bled..."

Willow laughed and looked at Metatron. "I dunno. Is it?"

"A bit. More alternate reality than actual time travel, though. Look, it'll be easier if I just show you. Do you mind?" He leaned forward. Willow shook her head and scooted forward to the edge of the couch. Metatron touched the palms of his hands to her temples, and his hands glowed briefly.

Willow sat back when he dropped his hands a few seconds later. "Oh, that poor man. He's starting to slip, isn't he?"

"Yes. And if he does, we'll have lost one of our greatest warriors."

"So, I'm supposed to help him find his way back to the Light Side of the Force?"

"Partly. But you'll also need to lead him back to his heart. And that might take some convincing."

Willow nodded, then grinned. "Guess it's a good thing that I'm a gal that likes a challenge, huh?" She bounced up and rubbed her hands together. "So, where is he?"

Metatron looked at his watch. Yes, he actually wore a watch. Helps to know what time it is in whatever dimension you happen to be in, after all. "Cardiff, on the Rift. For about another ten minutes."

"Oh! I'd better get a move on, then." She turned to Buffy. "Tell Kennedy I'll get ahold of her later." She tossed them both a wave, and teleported out.

Metatron chuckled and turned to Buffy. "Well. I'd best be off myself, then. It was a great pleasure meeting you, Buffy. I hope to do it again, sometime." He gave a little bow and disappeared.

Buffy stood there for a minute, then shrugged and headed off to find Kennedy. "People come and go the strangest ways around here..."

Meanwhile, inside a funny blue box that nobody ever seems to notice...

The Doctor, for once, was speechless. It didn't happen often. He always had something to say about everything. Usually at length. But, here he was.

Speechless.

Because, for the second time in just over a year, a strange, red-headed woman had popped into existence inside of his beloved TARDIS. He was getting just a little bit tired of impossible things happening around him.

Plus, he could sense the power radiating off the young woman.

It was a bit disconcerting.

Willow, for her part, was in geek heaven. Sam would so love this! She waved, smiling her friendliest smile and putting on her Harmless Face. "Hi there!"

The Doctor started to wave back, then caught himself. "Wait. What? Who? How?" He trailed off, flabbergasted.

Willow laughed and walked over to stand a few feet from the Time Lord. "I'm Willow. I'm here to help..."

'To thee no star be dark...'