Abandon All Hope
AUTHOR: Lucky13
EMAIL: lucky13@quixnet.net
DISCLAIMER: Joss owns most of the characters. Inspiration came from the works of Colleen McCullough, John Byrne & Chris Claremont, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle and Phillipe Jose Farmer – I only steal from the best, you know…
JUMPING OFF POINT: Early Season Four – Post-Angel, no Anya, no Riley, no Dawn, no Tara.
DEDICATION: For Lori Bush, Bob Regent and DarkDyer; all of whom offered encouragement after reading the teaser (although it was so long ago they may not remember doing so). And also Socrates, to whom I was less than kind – please accept my apology.
CHAPTER ONE: Future Imperfect
To know David Osbourne, is to marvel at his cool. When the King of Nonplussed becomes plussed, find a mop – because the shit has most definitely hit the fan…
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The apartment of Rupert Giles; September 1999, in another universe.
"It's not that I'm opposed to children, to having a child, with you – It's just…I…I…I…"
Oz was babbling.
Wow.
You don't see that everyday of the week. Shoot, any day of the week for that matter.
Xander blinked repeatedly then pinched himself, but the scene before him remained the same.
Oz was sitting on Giles' couch, babbling like a brook. Willow or whatever had taken over her body, continued to crouch on her haunches in front of him, holding both of his hands in hers. Buffy sat stunned in an easy chair with her mouth wide open while Giles was busily trying to wear a hole in his eyeglasses with his handkerchief while standing at his kitchen counter.
"You're not listening to me, none of you are listening to me!" Willow released Oz' hands and stood up to look at each of them in turn. The change in her demeanor was startling. She looked like Willow, but she carried herself like a queen. "You're hearing my words, but not what I'm saying. We don't have time for this! You must all prepare for the journey ahead – "
Giles cleared his throat, and squinted as he put his glasses back on. "W-Willow, you must realize that this is quite a lot to take in, a-a-all at once. You say that you're from the future?"
"I am from the future – "
"You don't look like you're from the future" Buffy piped in.
"Yeah, aren't you supposed to be wearing some kind of silver jumpsuit? Or at least a clear plastic rain coat?"
Four pairs of eyes turned to stare in Xander's direction.
"Nevermind…"
Willow's gaze softened as she looked at him. "Dear Xander, you always did pick the oddest moments…I'd forgotten, I…" She seemed lost for a moment. Xander felt a chill run down his spine. Maybe 'run down' was the wrong word. It felt like an icy caterpillar was making love to his nervous system. Her eyes spoke volumes, but in a language he couldn't begin to understand. No wonder Oz was freaking. She was Willow but she wasn't. Those eyes knew pain and wisdom and the price that must be paid…
Her eyes turned steely once more as they slowly traveled the faces of the SG. It was like her 'resolve face' lifted by a power of ten…Or maybe a thousand. "Only my mind has traveled into the past. Bringing my body along would have cost too much power, power I will most desperately need. Please, we're wasting time, precious time."
Buffy's mouth moved and some vowel sounds tumbled out before her words finally took shape, "I…We all…I think…Believe…Right, guys?" Her eyes sought Xander's for a moment after getting no response from looking at the still stunned Oz
"Uh…All right" Giles removed his perfectly clean glasses and started cleaning them again. "L-L-Let's review. You say that you are Willow and that you're from some ten years in the future – "
"One possible future, yes"
"And you've come back in time in order to save your daughter."
"Her name is Alexa." Willow glanced sideways at Xander for a moment before smiling at Oz, "Alexa Osbourne."
"You need to save her because she was kidnapped – "
"Demonic forces have taken my child – our child. She must be saved. Not just for her sake, or mine. She has a destiny. As the child of a witch and a werewolf, she has been marked by the Powers That Be. She will either be a force for great good or great evil. That is why she was taken. The continued existence of all possible Earths is at stake."
Xander found his tongue, "But why the time travel, Wills?"
"Because time is of the essence. Alexa was taken to another dimension. A dimension where time runs differently than any of the more Earth-like dimensions. If I had just gone to that dimension, I would have already have been too late. Alexa must be saved at the moment she arrives in that dimension. To do otherwise risks everything. By coming back in time before travelling to that dimension – "
Buffy piped in; "We can save her before anything happens to her."
"Exactly, yes Buffy. I knew you'd understand."
Giles put his glasses back on, "But Willow, which dimension was she taken to? And how will we get there?"
"I have memorized the requisite spells to open the portal."
"Dimensional transportation is no walk in the park. The power required – "
"Giles, I have that power. You must remember that I have been a practicing witch for some time now. I can get us there…" Willow paused and once more looked at each Scooby in turn. "But I cannot make you go. The danger is great. If the danger in not going were not even greater, I would not ask this of you, any of you. You must each make this decision of your own free will. But you must make it now. "
She stopped talking, and the only sound was the ticking of Giles' clock on the mantelpiece.
Oz stood up and walked over to Willow. She looked at him, a touch of trepidation in her eyes for the first time. She was afraid, afraid of what he might say. He took her hands and stared into her eyes for a long moment. Finally, he spoke.
"Are you really my Willow?"
"Yes Oz, I am"
"Where's the other Willow, the Willow from the present?"
"She is here, in this body."
"Can I speak to her?"
"N-n-no. Not while I am in possession. She is here, but it's…It's as though she were sleeping. In fact, when I leave, she will awaken, and the events that transpire during my visit will seem like a dream to her."
Oz released one of her hands and turned to look at the others. "She's not lying, at least I don't think so."
"How can you tell, Oz?" Buffy asked.
"The wolf," he said, tapping an index finger to the side of his nose. "When people lie, their smell changes."
"Are you sure?" asked Giles.
"As sure as I can be." He turned to give Willow a little smile. "I believe her." He turned back to the others, "And I am most definitely going."
"Me too, I'm in." Buffy smiled as she got up to walk over to them. Willow let go of Oz' hand to take Buffy into a hug.
Xander studied her face. It was a definite Willow-face. A tiny tear had slid down her cheek. She let go of Buffy and wiped it away as they looked at each other. That was all Xander needed to see. He stood up and walked over to the others.
"Me three! It's not every day a guy gets to go to another dimension to save a child that hasn't been born yet." That earned him a grateful Willow-hug of his very own.
The four exchanged smiles for a moment, then realized that the fifth Scooby was notable in his absence. As one, they turned to look at Giles who was once more attacking his glasses with his handkerchief. He felt the weight of their stares. He sighed and slipped his glasses back into place.
"Oh, very well. But I want you all to know that I think that a little research is in order before we depart – "
"Yes Giles," Willow spoke, "Bring your books, but only a few, only what you can carry. Bring weapons and food, all of you. I can open the portal, and transport us, but we will have a journey to make once we get to the other side. Go, all of you, gather your things. We will meet again in one hour at the school."
"The school?" Buffy asked, "Which school, UC Sunnydale?"
"No Buffy, the High School." Willow answered.
"Good 'ol Sunnydale High?" Xander questioned, "Wills, its in ruins. We blew it up, remember?"
"That which we seek cannot be destroyed by any explosion."
The silence was thunderous.
"Oh…" Oz understated.
"Good Lord." Giles muttered to himself.
"Oh boy." Said Xander in a tiny voice
"You've got to be kidding." Buffy cracked.
"Yes, we seek the Mouth of Hell."