2.

Giles sat pondering future Willow's story, still on some level finding it hard to believe, but seeing no lie in her face. "Well, as to what to do about getting you back to your proper time, I have no idea how to proceed. I do have some contacts, not only with the watcher's council, but with some very powerful witches. This will require a lot of research, however in the interim, how about as a cover you be an assistant librarian and watcher? It's the best I can do." She smiled, "Sounds perfect, if the council agrees to it. However, to avoid confusion, perhaps we should use my middle name Danielle instead of Willow as 'I' am here." Giles nodded, understanding what his unexpected guest was getting at. "Another problem I foresee is your last name...young Willow is a student here as you know and calling you 'Ms. Rosenberg' could cause an awkward question or two." Willow nodded her head, understanding the point. "How about 'McClay'?" At this choice Willow couldn't quite hide the pain in her eyes remembering her beloved Tara. A senseless act of violence aimed at her best friend and a stray bullet killed the only woman she ever truly loved deep in her soul. It nearly destroyed her, but as sad as it made her, she could think of no better honor than to take her late lover's name to help establish her cover.

Seeing the flash of pain in her eyes, Giles instantly ignores it to deal with later on, "Well that establishes enough backstory to get by I think." Willow smiles softly, suddenly feeling very tired and yawning. "I could lay out a cot for you or you could kip on the couch if you like." Giles offers in a kindly manner, smiling gently. "Consider this your home until you can find a better living situation."

The next few days before school for the sophomore year starts is spent by Giles trying to convince the watchers council and Principal Flutie to accept "Danielle" as an assistant watcher and librarian. Willow couldn't help but marvel at how powerful a personality Giles had in verbally brow-beating the council verbally as well as the milquetoast Principal. So by the next Monday, willow was dressed like a typical librarian and answering to her middle name, or Miss McClay almost automatically. She couldn't help but smile when she saw her old friends in their youth, yes even Cordelia. What surprised her is seeing her younger self holding hands with Amy Madison and making out. Okay, Willow thinks to herself, I guess in this reality I was always a lesbian… She is further surprised to see Xander and Buffy arrive hand in hand with Dawn tagging along behind. Okay, definitely not just back in time, but they do look happy together, and Dawn… I forgot how cute she was at that age. As "Danielle McClay" the assistant school librarian muses on this she wonders where Angel could be. As she walks back to the library she bumps into vice principal Snyder, a rather unpleasant, weasley troll like man who takes an instant dislike to everyone who doesn't "follow the rules". He growls at "Danielle", "Watch where you're going! School halls are no place for daydreaming. Get back to Mr. Giles before I report you." Wish I could use my magick to turn him into a toad, but I shouldn't mess with the timelines. Willow muses writing an amused smile on her face.

"Well, was everything like you remember?" Giles enquired when "Danielle" returned to the library. "Not exactly, but nothing major was different." Willow lied slightly, thinking how weird it was to see Buffy and Xander as a couple. Still, if that's all that's different, I shouldn't worry too much. Willow thinks to herself as sheer roams the stacks. I hope I can get home soon.

It was quite odd for Willow to see the past, but not the past from a different point of view. From Buffy's first meeting and argument with Giles after the body was discovered in the girls locker room, to watching Darla seducing Jesse at the Bronze when she goes with Giles to try and convince Buffy to do her duty as the slayer. I could save Jesse, I could change so much, but what can I do without possibly altering the multiverse? All of a sudden, Willow notices someone that shouldn't be there at this point in time. Anya,what is she doing here? Xander's ex-fiancee died in 2003, and wasn't part of their lives until senior year, so seeing her lurking at the Bronze during this time made Willow suspicious. She's got to be behind this somehow.