The others watched as Willow finished setting up her laptop for the video conference. Promptly at 8, the Watchers Council connected to her machine.
"Miss Summers, Miss Rosenberg, Mr. Harris, Miss Jenkins, Miss Summers, Miss Maclay, Miss Erskine, Mr. Giles, I am Meredith Davies, the new chief of the Watchers Council. My associates Gareth Edmondson and Kenneth Brown are with me this evening. Thank you for agreeing to speak with us."
"Go on," Buffy said. She sat in the middle of the camera's viewing area, with Willow on one side and Dawn on the other. Xander, Anya, Tara and Aislin sat behind them, and Giles stood behind all of them.
"I understand your hostility, Miss Summers. My predecessor employed some particularly barbaric means to achieve his goals. On behalf of the Council, I apologize for his completely inappropriate actions." Davies paused for a few moments for any reaction from the Sunnydale group, who merely waited for her to continue.
"I'll get to the point, then. We wish you to continue as our Slayer, Miss Summers."
"Why should we do anything for you?" Buffy asked.
"You are not doing anything for me or the Council. It is your duty," Davies stated.
"Yeah, yeah, sacred duty, blah blah, one girl in all the world, I know the song and dance."
"Our job is to assist you in the completion of your duties. I know you have an extremely capable group working with you, but there are many things we can help you with."
"Like?" Buffy asked skeptically.
"Research. Weapons. Backup. Whatever you may need." Davies said. "We will not interfere. When you request assistance, you will receive it without delay."
"What do you want in return?" Buffy demanded.
"We want you to perform your duty," Davies answered calmly.
"Suppose we don't agree?" Buffy asked.
"There is nothing we can do. We will not force ourselves on you."
Buffy stared at the camera for a full minute before saying, "I'll get back to you." She got up and left the camera's view. "Willow, tell them to hang on for a while, but shut down our end."
"Um, you heard her, right?" Willow said to the screen.
"Yes," Davies answered. "That's fine."
Willow moved to her machine and shut down the camera.
"Is it off?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah," Willow responded.
"Giles, do you know them?" Buffy inquired.
"Yes. I know all of them. We trained together."
"Can we trust them?"
"I believe we can. Their actions so far suggest that." Giles told them.
"Guys?" Buffy asked.
Aislin spoke up first. "I know them, too, Buffy. Unless they've changed radically in the past month, they will honor any agreement they make. Especially Merry."
"Merry?" Buffy raised an eyebrow.
"Meredith Davies," Aislin explained. "I have never heard her say anything she doesn't mean. If she says she'll support you, then that is what the Council will do."
Buffy nodded, then began to poll the others. "Tara?"
"I think we should give them a chance," she answered.
"Xander?"
"Give it a shot, Buff."
"Anya?"
"I agree with Xander. And Aislin. She sees things you can't."
"Dawn?"
"I trust you, Buffy. Whatever you decide is fine with me."
"Wills?" Buffy's tone was gentler.
"I don't know," Willow answered. "I guess all we can do is let them show us whether things really have changed."
Buffy nodded. "Okay. I'm still not sure about it, but we've walked into worse situations knowing less than we do now. Turn the camera back on, Will." Buffy returned to her seat.
"Miss Summers," Davies greeted her. "Have you reached a decision?"
"We'll work with you on a trial basis," Buffy told her.
"Thank you. Is there anything you need now?"
"No," Buffy said.
Behind her, Anya hissed, "The money!"
"That was done earlier today, Miss Jenkins," Davies said.
"Thank you," Anya and Buffy said at the same time.
"You're welcome. If you need anything else, ask Mr. Giles to contact me."
"Fine," Buffy replied.
"Good evening," Davies said, and broke the connection.
Willow got up and shut down her laptop.
"I have to patrol," Buffy said. "Who's coming?"
"We'll go," Tara said.
"Will, you coming?"
Willow looked at Buffy. Surprise and confusion mixed on her face. "You want me?"
"If you want to." Buffy moved to stand beside her at the table. "I won't be long."
"I'll pass." Willow looked back at the computer.
"Okay." Buffy leaned over and pecked her cheek. "See you soon," she said, then turned to the witches. "Let's go."
The house was quiet after everyone left. Willow and Dawn sat on the couch. "Thanks for everything," Willow said.
"You're welcome. I'm really glad you're back to yourself," Dawn replied.
"Me, too," Willow smiled.
"But if you ever do anything that dumb again," Dawn threatened.
"I won't. I'm so sorry. I was really stupid."
"You were," Dawn agreed. She waited a beat before asking, "Remember what you told Riley when he started dating Buffy?"
"How do you know about that?"
"Buffy told me." Dawn smirked. "So you remember?"
"Yeah," Willow answered cautiously.
"If you hurt Buffy, I've got a shovel for you."
"I won't." Willow smiled. "You know how you want something that you know you can't ever have, so you don't think about it anymore? Only I got it. Of course, it comes with a pesky little sister, but I think I can work around that."
Dawn threw a pillow at Willow with her good arm. Willow batted it away and threw another one back. Within moments they were having a pillow fight, laughing gleefully while swinging pillows around and rarely hitting their targets. After a while, they agreed to a draw and collapsed back onto the sofa.
When she recovered her breath, Willow asked, "You ready to go back to school tomorrow?"
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Do I have to?"
"Yes," Willow said firmly.
Dawn stared hard at her. Willow looked askance at her.
"Dawn, what are you doing?"
"No hypnotic powers, darn it."
Willow giggled. "I'll be sure to tell Giles."
"You wouldn't."
"Sure, I would," Willow teased, then broke into laughter when Dawn glared at her. "No glare of death or even discomfort, either."
"I don't have to be insulted like that!" Dawn stood up. She started to flounce out of the room, but stopped to kiss Willow's cheek first. "G'night."
Willow put her arms around Dawn's neck. "Night, Dawnie. Sweet dreams."
Willow sat on the couch and waited for Buffy to return from patrol. It had been a long day, and she wanted the comfort of Buffy beside her. She hadn't been completely honest with everyone that morning. She could, if she chose, remember each moment, and her hands began to itch at the thought. Willow wondered, too, what Dawn had become, and wondered how she missed Dawn's change from child to young woman.
There were other things she questioned, too. Who Aislin was and why she and Tara were joined at the hip. Whether she could use magick again. When Giles would want to speak to her. How life would be different now that they all had more money than they needed. Why she felt at ease only when one or both of the Summers' were touching her.
The sounds of Dawn preparing for bed drifted down the stairs. How many nights had she and Tara listened for her nightmares so they could try to stop them? Dawn slept soundly most nights since Buffy was back. Willow had slept the night through since coming home from the hospital. As far as she knew, Buffy had slept well, too. She acted rested and happy and Buffy-like. Willow smiled at the thought of the Slayer. She had never thought that Buffy would be more than her best friend. Not that there would be a happily ever after, she realized soberly. There would just be a night that Buffy didn't come home. Another night like the one they defeated Glory, denied the luxury of time to grieve because there were things to do. No matter how many nights they had between now and then, it would never be enough. Her chest grew heavy at the thought of burying Buffy again. The only reason she had survived the first time was that Tara held her up.
She had been supremely unfair to Tara, Willow realized. She loved Tara and always would, but she had never given Tara everything. Even at their most intimate, Willow had reserved something for Buffy. Who could and did call on her at a moment's notice. When Tara was incapacitated and needed Willow's complete attention, Willow had dropped everything to bring Buffy back. She rationalized that they needed the Slayer, but knew that it was because she needed Buffy. Just like she needed her now, to tell her everything would be fine, that they would find a way through because it's they do.
The door opened and Buffy came through it. "Hey, Wills."
"Hi, Buffy. How was patrol?"
"Not much going on. I walked the witches back to Tara's dorm."
"I missed you."
Buffy sat beside Willow on the couch. "You okay?"
"Now." Willow gave Buffy a small smile.
Buffy laid a hand on Willow's thigh. "Where's Dawn?"
"In bed. She's got school tomorrow."
"You going back?"
"Yeah. I didn't miss that much. I can catch up. Did you really patrol?"
"We went through a couple cemeteries. Nothing's out there tonight."
"What about your sacred duty?" Willow asked.
"It's right here." Buffy leaned over and kissed Willow gently. "Ready for bed?"
"Yeah," Willow answered and stood up.
They climbed the stairs hand in hand.
Willow woke before the alarm went off. She kissed Buffy and got out of bed. On the way to the bathroom, she turned off the alarm. Willow showered and dressed. She got her backpack ready for a full day of classes, then got Dawn up.
Willow made coffee. She wasn't hungry, but fixed a piece of toast and ate it with her coffee. Dawn wandered in a few minutes later. She ate a bowl of cereal quickly and asked Willow for lunch money. Willow emptied her wallet and handed the bills to Dawn. They left together.
Willow had a two hour break at 11 am. She stopped at the ATM in the student union and got some cash. Her eyes bugged at the balance showing on the receipt, and she shoved it in her pocket with the bills. She was headed toward one of the carts around the quad to get something to eat when someone called her name. It took her a moment to recognize Aislin. When she did, she went to the bench where Aislin was sitting. "Hi," Willow greeted her. "I was going to get some lunch."
"Mind if I join you?" Aislin asked.
"No," Willow answered.
"Great!" Aislin stood up. "Where are we going?"
"I usually eat from one of the carts," Willow told her.
"Lead the way," Aislin smiled.
They didn't speak again until they were seated under one of the trees out of the main pedestrian traffic.
"How do you like Sunnydale?" Willow asked, to break the silence.
"What I've seen is fine," Aislin responded. "You have a lot of cemeteries."
Willow shrugged. "Hellmouth factor." She took another bite of her sandwich, washed it down with a swig of water. "Thanks for everything you did."
"It wasn't much," Aislin told her. "How are you feeling?"
"Good," Willow smiled.
"This is awkward," Aislin observed.
"Yeah. I don't know you at all, but the others seem to trust you, so if you're okay with them, it's all good. Is Giles really your godfather?"
"Yes. I've known him all my life. I haven't seen him very much since he became the active Slayer's Watcher."
"Buffy keeps him pretty busy."
Aislin laughed. "That is an understatement. How many apocalypses has it been?"
"I dunno, we don't really keep score. A lot." Willow finished half her sandwich and wrapped the other half up.
"Tara told me how you resurrected Buffy."
Willow looked away.
"How hard was it?" Aislin asked.
"Not as hard as watching her die," Willow answered without meeting her eyes.
"Willow, I'm not a threat to you."
"I didn't think you were." Willow still didn't look at Aislin.
"You're allowed to stop and catch your breath," Aislin told her quietly. "No one will think any less of you. You've been through more in the past year than most people see in a lifetime."
"What do you know about it?" Willow demanded. "You don't know me."
"I don't have to know you." Aislin kept her voice low. "Any one of the things I've seen, any one of the things I've been told, would have destroyed almost anyone else. You fought a hell god and survived. You watched your soulmate die, and then you resurrected her. You carried a demon around for years, and it couldn't take over until you were at death's door."
"Just another day on the Hellmouth," Willow said, and got to her feet. "I've got a class." She walked away quickly, before Aislin could say anything more.
Habit carried Willow to the lecture hall for her next class. She was half an hour early, and the room was empty. She took her regular seat and tried to get her emotions under control. Everything Aislin said is true. Why am I so angry?
Buffy woke up alone. She was disappointed that she had missed Willow. Despite that, it was nice to have some quiet time alone. She took a leisurely shower, then went through the house and gathered the laundry and lugged it to the basement. She started the first load and went to the kitchen. She finished the pot of coffee Willow had made and took her cup into the back yard. It was another lovely day, and Buffy sat in the sun and enjoyed the warmth.
After putting the first load of laundry in the dryer and the second in the washer, she called Giles. They talked briefly, and Buffy suggested that the Council supply all of them with cell phones. Giles agreed to call the Council with her request. They decided to meet at the Magic Box for training at 2 p.m.
Buffy went through the first floor, dusting and neatening, then did the same on the second floor. She finished the laundry and put piles of clean, folded clothing on Dawn's bed. She put her own clothes away. She wasn't sure what to do with Willow's clothes, and left them in the basket in her room. Something else to discuss, which room they would use, went on her to do list.
There were frozen meals in the freezer, and she put two in the microwave for her lunch. Something was bothering Willow, she realized while watching the boxes rotate in the microwave. Probably back to school anxiety, she decided, and tried not to be distracted by it. After she ate, she packed a bag with clothes to change into after training, and walked down to the Magic Box. She knew she was early, and used the extra time to stretch and warm up before Giles arrived. She was working on the heavy bag when he came in.
"Hi, Giles."
"Hello, Buffy. The phones will be here tomorrow."
"Cool." She hit the bag a few more times, then stopped it. Buffy helped Giles into the protective padding he wore when they sparred. "What are we working on today?" she asked.
"Close hand to hand," he told her, and they started.
After an hour, Giles called for a break. Buffy leaned against the wall and drained a bottle of water. When she recovered, they went back to work, this time with swords. After Buffy tagged him three times in five minutes, he ended their session. She went into the small bathroom and cleaned up. She left through the backdoor and took a shortcut to the bank. She checked the balance first, and couldn't immediately comprehend the amount. Buffy withdrew $100 and went to the florist. She bought flowers for her mother's grave, and bought more flowers for the house.
She walked to the cemetery and found her mother's grave. Her tombstone was still next to it. Buffy ignored that, and placed the flowers at her mother's marker. "I haven't forgotten you, Mom," she said softly. "There's so much going on. Dawn's good, she's grown up so much. Willow, well it's a long story, but we're good together." She paused. "I guess you know all this, but I wanted to tell you we miss you." Buffy stood for a few moments more, then headed home.
Dawn was doing her homework at the dining room table. Willow sat across from her doing her own schoolwork. Buffy smiled at the sight of her two favorite people. She laid the bouquet on the table. Buffy took a few more steps to stand beside Willow. She put a hand on Willow's shoulder, and leaned down to kiss her when Willow turned.
After a few moments, Dawn told them, "Break it up, you two."
Buffy pulled away from Willow and grinned at her sister. "Hello to you, too."
"You're in a good mood," Dawn observed.
"Why not? It's a great day," she answered. "Where are the vases?"
"Under the sink," Willow answered, and went back to her schoolwork.
Dawn looked at her, frowning slightly, before returning to her homework. Buffy scooped up the flowers and went to the kitchen. She came back a few minutes later with the flowers and placed them on the vacant end of the table. "What's for dinner?" she asked.
"You tell me," Dawn answered.
"Will?"
"Hmm?"
"What do you want for dinner?" Buffy asked.
"Whatever," Willow answered without looking up from her book.
"Chinese?" Buffy offered.
"That would be good," Dawn said.
"Go call them," Buffy instructed. "You know what we like."
Dawn slid out of her chair and headed to the kitchen. The menus were on the side of the refrigerator near the phone.
Buffy squatted beside Willow's chair and put a hand on her thigh. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," Willow replied.
"Will, I can tell something's bothering you. Has been most of the day."
Willow put her book down and looked at Buffy for the first time. "How can you tell?"
"We're connected somehow." Buffy moved her hand up to Willow's heart. "We have been for a long time. I'm just more aware of it lately."
Willow put her hand over Buffy's and closed her eyes for a moment. She realized that she could feel Buffy as a warm, safe place inside. She opened her eyes and looked down at Buffy.
Buffy stood up, and Willows gaze followed her. "C'mere," Buffy requested, and took a step back to give Willow room to leave the chair.
Willow stood up and turned toward Buffy. She held Buffy's hand to her chest as she stepped closer to the Slayer. Buffy put her free arm around Willow's waist, and Willow laid her head on Buffy's shoulder.
"I love you, Will. There isn't anything you can't tell me," Buffy said quietly.
Willow didn't say anything. She rested against Buffy and slowly relaxed.
"Sweetheart," Buffy prompted.
Willow raised her head and looked into Buffy's clear hazel gaze. "I love when you call me that," she said quietly.
"Sweetheart," Buffy repeated.
A smile crept across Willow's face. She raised her free hand to Buffy's cheek. The tension and anxiety she had carried since lunchtime dissipated. Buffy backed up, and Willow followed. Buffy turned the corner on the table, sat in the chair, and pulled Willow onto her lap. Willow didn't resist.
"What is it, Will?" Buffy asked quietly.
Willow sighed before answering. "I ran into Aislin today. We had lunch."
Buffy waited for her to continue.
"She said some things. About me." Willow was uncharacteristically brief.
"What did she say?" Buffy prodded.
"Nothing bad. It just, well, it was true, but I don't know why she said it," Willow floundered.
"What did she say?" Buffy repeated gently.
"That no one would think any less of me if I took some time off," Willow said finally, looking at the floor.
Buffy's brow scrunched up in confusion. "Why did that upset you?"
"I don't know. It just did. I don't know how to explain it. She wasn't here when we went through it. She doesn't know how we are. We just do it, like the Power Puff girls or something, you know, 'saving the world before bedtime.' And then we go on with our lives. I mean, if we made a big thing out of it every time we saved the world, we'd never have lives." Willow looked at Buffy again. "It's what we do, right? It's not a big deal. Well, it is, but not this time."
"It was a big deal to me," Buffy told her softly.
"I guess I just took it wrong. Like she was telling me I'm weak or useless or something."
"You know better." Buffy lowered her head to make sure Willow saw her. "Right?"
Willow nodded.
"What else did she say?" Buffy asked.
"That's pretty much it," Willow told her.
"You know she's right. It's okay for you to take some time off."
Willow drooped again. "You think I need to?"
"This isn't about what I think, Will."
"I don't want to, Buffy. I just want my life like it used to be. Going to school and helping you."
Buffy quelled the panic that rose easily. "Don't you want to be with me?"
"More than anything." Willow kissed Buffy briefly. "I didn't mean that, not at all. I just, everything's so mixed up. This is the only thing that isn't. When I'm here with you everything is clear and simple. When I'm with you or Dawn, I'm good. When I'm not, it's harder. Gods, Buffy, I don't want to be all clingy, but I need you so much." Willow dropped her head to Buffy's shoulder.
Buffy tightened her grip on Willow's waist and raised one hand to stroke her hair. "I need you, too, Wills." She turned and kissed Willow's forehead. "I feel like something's missing if I'm not touching you."
Dawn watched them from the doorway. She had heard the last part of their conversation, and she walked to them. Dawn put one hand on each of their shoulders. The effect was instantaneous. It felt like an electrical circuit completed, and all of them sighed with relief at the warm feeling that flowed through them, one to the other.
"Okay," Buffy said after a few moments. "This is strange."
"Let it go until tomorrow, please," Willow asked.
Buffy nodded. "We can do that." She looked at her sister. "Does it do the same thing to you?"
"Not that I noticed," Dawn answered. "I mean, yeah, I get a rush when I touch both of you at the same time, but it's not like anything's wrong or missing if we're not together."
"Strange," Buffy said.
"Yeah, but it beats the heck out of most strange things we get," Willow said.
