1 Part Sixteen
"Hey Will. So the toy store exploded in here this morning?" Xander said standing walking into the apartment and stopping to stare at the living room filled with toys.
"I thought the gifts were supposed to be under the tree." Anya said moving beside Xander.
"They are. But try telling Spike that." Willow said motioning to the vampire in question who was sitting on the floor attempting to show Breanna how one of the new toys worked.
"I think it's sweet." Dawn said walking in and surveying the sight in the living room. "And uh, where do you want these?" She said raising the two bags of gifts she had in her hand.
"Ask Spike to find a place somewhere in toyland." Willow said.
"I told you Red. She should have everything she wants." Spike yelled from his place on the floor.
"And I told you she is way to young to want all of this." Willow answered, as the others made their way into the toy filled room.
"Is not."
"Spike are you really trying to tell us Breanna wanted a bike." Buffy said noticing the small bike sitting in the corner.
"She might." Spike said still playing with the baby but now joined by Dawn who had found an empty spot for the new gifts.
"Oh, the bike is nothing." Willow said coming into the room carrying a tray with several glasses and egg nog on it. " Look at this."
Willow set the tray on the table and was heading for a pile of gift boxes in the corner when there was another knock. "Probably Giles." Willow said as Buffy went to open the door. When Buffy returned with Giles following Willow pulled out the box she had been looking for. "You have got to see this."
"There is nothing wrong with that outfit Pet." Spike defended before she had a chance to open the box. "It's even got pink in it."
"Told you she wouldn't like it." Dawn said giggling, knowing which outfit it was that Willow had in the box.
"You knew about this?" Willow said facing the teenager.
"Well yeah. But I told him you wouldn't…"
"Gonna let us see it?" Xander asked happy to see anything that could make Willow upset with the vampire.
Sighing Willow returned her attention to the box. She pulled off the lid and set it aside. Removing the tissue paper surrounding the clothing she pulled out first a small white T-shirt with a picture of Hello Kitty on it and held it up.
"Well, personally I don't like Hello Kitty but…" Xander began.
"Oh this is the good part of it." Willow said setting the shirt down and pulling out a small pink leather jacket. Buffy and Xander immediately started laughing. "There's more." Willow said pulling out a pair of leather pants that matched the jacket and a tiny pair of leather boots.
"These are adorable." Buffy said grabbing the boots from her friend. "What's wrong with these? I think I have a pair like them at home."
"You're not a baby." Willow said, "And they're leather."
"That's what she's been saying all morning." Spike said, "They're leather."
"I hate to agree with Spike on anything Will. You know that, but it is cute." Xander said picking up the jacket and pants.
"It really is." Buffy said, "Where did you find these?" She said turning her attention to the vampire.
"Motorcycle shop." Spike said quietly hoping Buffy had forgotten Dawn's earlier comment.
"They have baby clothes there." Buffy said, "You took my sister in that place."
"And I made it home alive." Dawn said, "And don't worry the place is scary. I'm not going there again."
"Spike I can't believe…" Buffy began.
"She's fine Slayer." Spike answered angrily.
"Stop it now. Both of you." Giles said stepping between them. "It is Christmas. You two can manage to get along for one day."
"Fine." They both responded in unison.
"There's a couple things I need to do in the kitchen and then we can open gifts." Willow said standing up.
"I'll help." Dawn offered standing up and following the older girl.
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"Buffy I wanted to ask you something." Willow said as Buffy followed her into the kitchen with the last of the dishes from dinner. "I haven't said anything to Dawn yet, cause it's up to you and if you say no…"
"Say no to what Will?"
"You know that tomorrow we're leaving for L.A. right?" Willow asked.
"Yeah. Anya and Giles are going too." Buffy said.
"I thought maybe Dawn would like to go." Willow said not sure how her friend would feel about spending the week alone. " And Xander was going to drive up on New Year's eve. You could come with him. Then we'd all drive back together."
"L.A." Buffy said, it would probably be good for Dawn, she thought. The time alone would be nice for her too. Things were slow slaying wise right now, so a little quiet time would be great.
"If you don't want her too, its fine Buffy. I just thought that you could use some time to yourself." Willow said quickly, not wanting to pressure her friend.
"No, that's not it. I just didn't think…" Buffy said. "You guys are going to do that spell right? I mean is it a good idea for Dawn…"
"The spell is safe Buffy. I'm sure of it. Giles, Wesley, and Anya all checked it out too. The worst thing that can happen is Breanna will still be moving her toys around. Nothing can blow up or call a demon or anything."
"Then I guess if Dawn wants to go…" Buffy began.
"If I want to go where?" Dawn asked walking into the kitchen.
"To L.A. with Willow and Spike." Buffy answered.
"Are you sure Buffy, I mean Giles and Anya are going too. You're gonna be kind of alone." Dawn asked, hoping Buffy was okay with it.
"Yeah. 'Sides I won't be alone Xander'll be here too. And we're going to drive up for New Year's." Buffy said.
"Thanks Buffy. Going to L.A. will be so much fun. You know getting out of Sunnydale for a while." Dawn said excitedly hugging her sister.
"Just please stay out of trouble Dawn. Angel has enough to deal with already." Buffy warned.
"I know. Thanks Buffy." Dawn said again hugging her sister, then turning to Willow, "Thanks Will. This is going to be so much fun."
"Okay lets see if we can find a place to sit in there you know someplace not covered by toys." Willow said heading out of the kitchen.
2 Part Seventeen
"Wow." Dawn said standing in the doorway of the large hotel. "They live here?" She finished turning in a circle as she moved to the middle of the room.
"Of course they do." Spike said following the teen-ager "Angelus always liked to show off."
"Wonder if anyone's here?" Willow said sitting down on the couch and laying the sleeping baby next to her.
"Hello." A voice said from the top of the steps. "You must be the Sunnydale people."
Everyone turned to stare as a tall, thin, green demon came down the steps wearing a brightly colored suit.
"Um yes. Hello." Giles was the first to speak. "You must be Lorne."
"Yeah. Angel and the others should be back soon. They had to go fight some evil." Lorne answered. "Now let's see. You must be Giles."
"Yes. And this is…" Giles replied.
"No let me see." Lorne interrupted, "This must be Willow, Anya, Dawn, and you must be Spike." He finished greeting each one in turn. "Now I'm sure you must all be tired. I can show the rooms if you'd like. Or if you're hungry the kitchen…"
"Hungry." Willow and Dawn responded together.
"Right this way then." Lorne motioned for the group to follow.
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Willow finished putting the last of their things away, as Spike came out of the bathroom. She had been thinking about the spell they were going to do tomorrow. She was worried that it wouldn't work. It had taken a lot to come back from the magic last time. She almost didn't, and now she had another person depending on her. Of course the reasons for the magic are very different. She knew the spell was safe, still it worried her that something could go wrong, somehow Breanna could be hurt.
"What's wrong Luv?" Spike asked walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.
"Nothing. Just thinking." Willow said turning to hug the vampire. "Angel's back. Giles wants us all downstairs talk about tomorrow."
"Let's go then." Spike said walking first to the crib Angel had erected before they arrived, to check on the sleeping baby. "Can we hear her downstairs?"
Willow smiled and held up the receiver to a baby monitor. "Angel and Cordy thought of everything."
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"If the child's magic is harmless why are we binding it?" Connor asked. "Magic can be used for good."
"Yes it can." Willow said looking at the teen-ager sitting next to Cordiela. "But sometimes if you aren't careful magic can become dangerous even for good people."
"Still it might not for her." Connor argued, "You may be limiting a great good power."
"We aren't doing it forever." Giles answered, "Just until she's old enough to learn to control it."
"I still don't understand."
"A couple years ago Willow became addicted to magic. And it was bad." Dawn explained, "She doesn't want that to happen to Breanna."
"Now if we can move on." Wesley said glancing at the teen-agers. "Tomorrow Giles, Anya, Angel and I will try to perform this spell. We should know within twenty-four hours if it worked. If it didn't then Willow, you'll have to try."
"I don't know." Fred said from the corner. "Isn't that dangerous for Willow if she's addicted."
"Yes." Willow and Spike answered in unison.
"It's a risk I'm willing to take." Willow said. "Breanna is moving more and bigger things all the time. She's too young to explain it to her and I don't want her hurt. If the only way for this to work is for me to do it then I will."
"And we're all here for her." Cordiela said, "If something does go wrong I'm sure we can handle it. It's not like she's doing dark magic right?" She finished glancing at the two ex-watchers.
"Exactly it's a safe spell. It may make the urge to use magic strong again, but it won't do the damage it did before." Giles said.
"So then we do this tomorrow afternoon." Cordiela said. "Now I think we all need some sleep.
Part Eighteen
Wesley and Giles made the final preparations for the spell while Willow finished feeding Breanna her lunch. Anya went over the spell once more with Angel. Everyone wanted to be sure this would work. No one wanted to find out if Willow could handle doing this spell herself and then giving up magic again. Cordiela was in the office doing some last minute paperwork and taking phone calls. Gunn and Fred had left to deal with a case that couldn't wait.
While everyone was busy downstairs Connor watched quietly from the top of the stairs. Smiling as he watched Spike go into the office once again and say something that caused Cordiela to throw yet another book in his direction.
"They still fighting?" Dawn said coming up behind Connor and seeing Spike leave the office smirking as Willow gave him a warning look.
"Yes. Do they always fight like that?" Connor asked facing the girl.
"There's a lot of bad memories between them. And I think they couldn't be anymore alike." Dawn answered moving next to him and leaning over the rail to watch. "And of course Spike is bored and worried. He wants to piss someone off and Cordy's the easiest target."
"I noticed that too." Connor said. "Do you think this spell will work?"
"It has too." Dawn said simply, "So is there anything we can do this afternoon while their doing this."
"Angel says I should stay away from you. Your sister has enough problems already."
"Yeah, My sister said the same thing about you and Angel." Dawn said laughing, "So movie or something?"
"He's not going to let us go."
"They are way too busy to notice." Dawn said grabbing his hand, "Let's go."
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Anya lit the last candle as everyone gathered in the circle placing the sleeping baby in the center. Having decided the baby would be more cooperative asleep than awake. Willow quietly pulled Spike and Cordiela away from the others as they began chanting the spell.
"What's going to happen?" Spike whispered only to be shushed by the two women.
They watched in silence as a light began to glow in the center of the circle over the baby. The light began to glow a light green as it lowered over Breanna. Spike began to protest when he saw the light touch the baby.
"It's fine Spike." Willow whispered placing a hand lightly on the vampire's arm.
The light now appeared to be coming from inside the baby. The people surrounding her continued whispering softly. Breanna woke now and began to cry.
"Red." Spike whispered urgently.
"It's fine."
As Spike watched the light began to leave the baby. He watched in silence as the light raised higher and higher until it disappeared above them. As silence filled the room, Giles reached over and picked up the crying child, holding her close to him.
"Did it work?" Spike asked moving quickly to take the child from the watcher.
"I think so." Willow said, "But we really don't know yet. I would say it's safe to say if she doesn't move anything within the next day or so that it did work."
"Let's hope." Cordiela said and began gathering the candles and other ingredients that were scattered on the floor.
Spike walked slowly back and forth away from the others, gently rocking and whispering to the crying child. As he walked he felt her heart begin to slow and the crying subside.
"He's really good with her isn't he?" Cordiela said to Anya.
"He takes the father thing very seriously." Anya answered.
"Okay so how about some dinner now." Cordiela asked, "I can order pizza."
Cordiela called and ordered the pizza after getting everyone's approval.
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"Connor, Dawn." Angel yelled as he closed the door behind the pizza guy. "Pizza's here."
Angel set the boxes down on the counter and waited for an answer from upstairs. After receiving none he called again.
"They aren't up there." Lorne said coming down the steps. "Oh, pizza." He finished making his way over to the boxes on the counter.
"What do you mean they aren't there?" Cordiela asked.
"I mean I haven't seen them in hours." Lorne replied helping himself to a slice.
"Well they aren't down here." Willow said. "When was the last time anyone saw them?"
"I saw then this morning. When we were preparing for the spell." Anya answered, knowing this wasn't going to be an answer that would make them happy. "I thought I saw them going outside."
"They left." Angel said staring at Anya.
"Well yeah." She answered returning his glare, "Is that a problem."
"Yes." Angel, Cordy, Spike, and Giles all answered at once.
"There is no telling what kind of trouble Dawn can find out there." Spike said angrily, "It's L.A."
"And Connor was specifically warned to stay away from Dawn. Buffy doesn't need him leading her to trouble."
"Trust us Angel. Dawn finds trouble on her own." Giles said.
Cordiela opened her mouth to say something but stopped just as the door opened and the teen-agers in question walked through the door.
"Where the hell have you been?" Angel asked approaching the two laughing teens.
"You were wrong he noticed." Connor said smiling at Dawn.
"The movies. You were all busy with the spell and we went to the movies." Dawn answered. "And don't get all mad at him Angel. He told me you said to stay away from me, and I pulled him along with me anyway."
"It doesn't matter. He should have…" Angel began.
"Dawn, do you have any idea what could have happened to you out there." Spike said.
"What. It's the middle of the day. No vampires. Few if any dangerous demons, at three in the afternoon. And Connor has all the cool vampire traits, without the sunlight and blood problems."
"Still…" Spike and Angel both started.
"I'm seventeen, he's eighteen. At our ages you guys were out every night fighting vampires." She said glancing at Willow and Cordiela. "You were a demon Anya. Yet you don't think we're capable of going to a movie in the middle of the afternoon."
"She has a point guys." Cordiela said stepping between the vampires and the teen-agers. "How about we let it go, but next time tell us you're leaving 'kay."
"Deal." Dawn and Connor responded.
"Let's eat then." Willow said wanting the confrontation over and knowing that both kids were capable of dealing with an afternoon out.
3 Part Nineteen
Willow sat in the rocking chair slowly rocking Breanna. She had long since fallen asleep, but she was enjoying the quiet of the room. So many people living at the hotel created a lot of commotion and noise. Connor spent a lot of time arguing the last couple days with Angel about Dawn. The two kids liked each other. As far as Willow was concerned everyone was worried about nothing. They were only going to be together a few more days so why not just let it go. Spike was spending his time, when not fussing over the baby, aggravating Cordiela and playing big brother to Dawn, which meant Dawn and Spike were arguing a lot.
Fortunately everyone else was reasonably quiet, though the ones that weren't made enough noise for everyone. Which was why she was hiding in her room, pretending to put Breanna to sleep. She needed time to think. Buffy and Xander would be here day after tomorrow. It had been three days since they had done the spell. So far it seemed to have worked. Nothing had been moving on its own lately. But she couldn't be sure that it had worked and not that Breanna just hadn't been trying to move anything. She began humming softly when she felt the baby stir slightly in her arms.
"I can read her and tell you if you'd like Sweetie?" Lorne said from the doorway.
"What?" Willow said looking up at the demon.
"Sorry. Habit. I walked by and read." He said shrugging and walking into the room.
"How? Breanna I mean." Willow said quietly moving to put the baby into the crib, "I –I thought you could only read someone when they sang."
"It's easier. I can read someone singing without trying." He said sitting in a chair across from her, "Without the music I have to touch the person and well, it's just more work for me."
"So you would know if she could use her magic."
"I think so. Do you want me to try?" Lorne asked, "I've never tried to read a baby before."
"It won't hurt her?"
"Of course not Honey. I wouldn't have asked if I would hurt her."
"Then please I would feel so much better if I knew for sure." Willow said, "Can you do it now? With her sleeping?"
"Sure." He said moving to the crib and setting his hands gently on the child's forehead. Holding his hands there for a few minutes he stood quietly. Then removing his hands he turned back to Willow who was standing nervously behind him.
"Well?"
"The magic is there Willow. I'm not going to lie." He said taking her and leading her to the chair. "It's in her. A lot of it. But…"
"So I am going to have to do the spell?" She interrupted.
"No. As I was saying the power is there. But I sense a lot of frustration in her. She can't use the power. She's trying. And she may one day break through the spell. It's possible. So you need to be ready for that. But for now she's going to be a normal child."
"Oh thank God." Willow said standing up and hugging the demon. "You have know idea how much this relieves me. I was so worried that… I mean you have know idea what happened the last time I tried to use magic. It was horrible."
"When you stopped those people at the hospital?" Lorne asked, from what he had been told she hadn't had a problem with that.
"Oh I was talking about before that, but that was bad too. For weeks I would have to talk myself out of using magic to make things easier. But I meant before that when Tara…"
"Oh then. Well nothing to worry about Sweetums. She's fine for now." He said, "Now join us downstairs, tonight was Angel's turn to pick a movie."
"Let's go." Willow said feeling better knowing that the spell had worked.
4 Part Twenty
Willow set Breanna down in her crib, finally asleep. She glanced at the clock. She needed to hurry everyone was probably already downstairs. They were having their own little New Year's Eve party. She quickly changed into a clean skirt and blouse and headed downstairs to join the others.
"Will. Anya was just telling us that it looks like the spell worked." Buffy said hugging her friend.
"Looks that way. Though Lorne says she's fighting the spell and could break it eventually. But Giles and Wesley don't think that'll happen for a long time if ever." Willow said hugging Buffy then turning to hug Xander, "I missed you guys."
"Missed you too." Xander said embracing his friend.
"I see Dawn and Connor are getting along. She hasn't been causing any problems has she?" Buffy said watching her sister and Connor in the corner talking.
"Actually the one causing the problems are Spike and Angel." Anya said joining in the conversation.
"I am not the problem." Spike said walking up behind them.
"You are always a problem." Buffy responded.
"If they'd stay away from…"
"Drop it Spike. We're leaving tomorrow. They won't see each other after that." Willow said not wanting to have this discussion again.
"Right this is a party so I say lets party." Xander said taking Anya's hand pulling her off to dance.
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Giles, Xander, and Spike loaded the last of the luggage into the two cars, as the women finished saying their good-byes in the hotel.
"Did Dawn come with this much luggage?" Xander asked putting the last of the bags in the trunk.
"No. Her and Connor spent a lot of time at the mall." Giles said pushing the trunk closed, before following the other two into the hotel.
"E-mail me guys. A lot. I'm home most of the time with nothing to do." Willow was saying as she hugged Wesley and Cordiela one last time. "And I'll send you that book." She said to Fred.
"I can find things we can do if you're bored Pet." Spike said coming up behind her. "You ready to go?" He asked picking up the sleeping baby from the couch.
"Yeah. And that's not what I meant." Willow said.
Everyone said their last good-byes and got into the cars to leave. Dawn choosing to ride with Spike, Willow and the baby. Leaving Buffy, Giles, and Anya to ride back with Xander.
"So Will when is your graduation?" Dawn asked.
"Next weekend. You're going to come right?" Willow answered.
"Of course." Dawn answered. "Spike you going?"
"Wouldn't miss it." Spike said, "Though hers is easier than yours. At least Red's is at night."
"You better be at mine." Dawn said punching his arm.
"I will, we'll figure it out." He said smiling at the girl, knowing he would do whatever was necessary for to be at both graduations.
5 Part Twenty-one
"Spike you sure you can handle bringing Breanna by yourself. I'm sure Dawn would…" Willow shouted from the bedroom as she finished pinning her hair around the cap.
"I said I could handle it. Now are you ready to go?" Spike said, "You are going to be late for that sign in thing."
"I've got time." Willow said, "Don't forget to bring a bottle in case she starts crying and…" she began as she grabbed the gown and her purse and headed for the door nervous that she may have forgotten something.
"Go." Spike said pointing toward the door. "We will be fine. I'll see you there right after sunset." He finished kissing her quickly then pushing her toward the door.
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"So Willow what are you going to do know that you have the degree." Xander asked sitting on the couch at Buffy's house where everyone had gathered after the ceremony.
"Wow, guess I'll have to get a job now uh?" She responded smiling. "Actually I have a job offer already that would allow me to do programming at home. Which would be great, I could work at my own pace and Breanna would need daycare." She said smiling as Breanna turned at the sound of her name.
Everyone began to talk again about Willow's future plans as Breanna crawled toward the table and pulled herself up against it. Tired of being ignored Breanna let out a small yell. When all eyes had turned toward the child she let go of the table and took a step toward Spike.
"Da." Breanna said before falling back on her butt.
"See she said Dad." Spike said scooping up the laughing child, "And she walked!" He shouted excitedly.
"Yes she did." Willow said laughing as everyone gathered around trying to get her to repeat either the word or the step when Spike set her back down.
Dawn walked over to hug her friend. "See everything is going to be fine." She whispered.
"Yeah. As long as the magic doesn't come back, nothing else could go wrong." Willow said smiling wanting to believe that Dawn was right.
"Hey Will. So the toy store exploded in here this morning?" Xander said standing walking into the apartment and stopping to stare at the living room filled with toys.
"I thought the gifts were supposed to be under the tree." Anya said moving beside Xander.
"They are. But try telling Spike that." Willow said motioning to the vampire in question who was sitting on the floor attempting to show Breanna how one of the new toys worked.
"I think it's sweet." Dawn said walking in and surveying the sight in the living room. "And uh, where do you want these?" She said raising the two bags of gifts she had in her hand.
"Ask Spike to find a place somewhere in toyland." Willow said.
"I told you Red. She should have everything she wants." Spike yelled from his place on the floor.
"And I told you she is way to young to want all of this." Willow answered, as the others made their way into the toy filled room.
"Is not."
"Spike are you really trying to tell us Breanna wanted a bike." Buffy said noticing the small bike sitting in the corner.
"She might." Spike said still playing with the baby but now joined by Dawn who had found an empty spot for the new gifts.
"Oh, the bike is nothing." Willow said coming into the room carrying a tray with several glasses and egg nog on it. " Look at this."
Willow set the tray on the table and was heading for a pile of gift boxes in the corner when there was another knock. "Probably Giles." Willow said as Buffy went to open the door. When Buffy returned with Giles following Willow pulled out the box she had been looking for. "You have got to see this."
"There is nothing wrong with that outfit Pet." Spike defended before she had a chance to open the box. "It's even got pink in it."
"Told you she wouldn't like it." Dawn said giggling, knowing which outfit it was that Willow had in the box.
"You knew about this?" Willow said facing the teenager.
"Well yeah. But I told him you wouldn't…"
"Gonna let us see it?" Xander asked happy to see anything that could make Willow upset with the vampire.
Sighing Willow returned her attention to the box. She pulled off the lid and set it aside. Removing the tissue paper surrounding the clothing she pulled out first a small white T-shirt with a picture of Hello Kitty on it and held it up.
"Well, personally I don't like Hello Kitty but…" Xander began.
"Oh this is the good part of it." Willow said setting the shirt down and pulling out a small pink leather jacket. Buffy and Xander immediately started laughing. "There's more." Willow said pulling out a pair of leather pants that matched the jacket and a tiny pair of leather boots.
"These are adorable." Buffy said grabbing the boots from her friend. "What's wrong with these? I think I have a pair like them at home."
"You're not a baby." Willow said, "And they're leather."
"That's what she's been saying all morning." Spike said, "They're leather."
"I hate to agree with Spike on anything Will. You know that, but it is cute." Xander said picking up the jacket and pants.
"It really is." Buffy said, "Where did you find these?" She said turning her attention to the vampire.
"Motorcycle shop." Spike said quietly hoping Buffy had forgotten Dawn's earlier comment.
"They have baby clothes there." Buffy said, "You took my sister in that place."
"And I made it home alive." Dawn said, "And don't worry the place is scary. I'm not going there again."
"Spike I can't believe…" Buffy began.
"She's fine Slayer." Spike answered angrily.
"Stop it now. Both of you." Giles said stepping between them. "It is Christmas. You two can manage to get along for one day."
"Fine." They both responded in unison.
"There's a couple things I need to do in the kitchen and then we can open gifts." Willow said standing up.
"I'll help." Dawn offered standing up and following the older girl.
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"Buffy I wanted to ask you something." Willow said as Buffy followed her into the kitchen with the last of the dishes from dinner. "I haven't said anything to Dawn yet, cause it's up to you and if you say no…"
"Say no to what Will?"
"You know that tomorrow we're leaving for L.A. right?" Willow asked.
"Yeah. Anya and Giles are going too." Buffy said.
"I thought maybe Dawn would like to go." Willow said not sure how her friend would feel about spending the week alone. " And Xander was going to drive up on New Year's eve. You could come with him. Then we'd all drive back together."
"L.A." Buffy said, it would probably be good for Dawn, she thought. The time alone would be nice for her too. Things were slow slaying wise right now, so a little quiet time would be great.
"If you don't want her too, its fine Buffy. I just thought that you could use some time to yourself." Willow said quickly, not wanting to pressure her friend.
"No, that's not it. I just didn't think…" Buffy said. "You guys are going to do that spell right? I mean is it a good idea for Dawn…"
"The spell is safe Buffy. I'm sure of it. Giles, Wesley, and Anya all checked it out too. The worst thing that can happen is Breanna will still be moving her toys around. Nothing can blow up or call a demon or anything."
"Then I guess if Dawn wants to go…" Buffy began.
"If I want to go where?" Dawn asked walking into the kitchen.
"To L.A. with Willow and Spike." Buffy answered.
"Are you sure Buffy, I mean Giles and Anya are going too. You're gonna be kind of alone." Dawn asked, hoping Buffy was okay with it.
"Yeah. 'Sides I won't be alone Xander'll be here too. And we're going to drive up for New Year's." Buffy said.
"Thanks Buffy. Going to L.A. will be so much fun. You know getting out of Sunnydale for a while." Dawn said excitedly hugging her sister.
"Just please stay out of trouble Dawn. Angel has enough to deal with already." Buffy warned.
"I know. Thanks Buffy." Dawn said again hugging her sister, then turning to Willow, "Thanks Will. This is going to be so much fun."
"Okay lets see if we can find a place to sit in there you know someplace not covered by toys." Willow said heading out of the kitchen.
2 Part Seventeen
"Wow." Dawn said standing in the doorway of the large hotel. "They live here?" She finished turning in a circle as she moved to the middle of the room.
"Of course they do." Spike said following the teen-ager "Angelus always liked to show off."
"Wonder if anyone's here?" Willow said sitting down on the couch and laying the sleeping baby next to her.
"Hello." A voice said from the top of the steps. "You must be the Sunnydale people."
Everyone turned to stare as a tall, thin, green demon came down the steps wearing a brightly colored suit.
"Um yes. Hello." Giles was the first to speak. "You must be Lorne."
"Yeah. Angel and the others should be back soon. They had to go fight some evil." Lorne answered. "Now let's see. You must be Giles."
"Yes. And this is…" Giles replied.
"No let me see." Lorne interrupted, "This must be Willow, Anya, Dawn, and you must be Spike." He finished greeting each one in turn. "Now I'm sure you must all be tired. I can show the rooms if you'd like. Or if you're hungry the kitchen…"
"Hungry." Willow and Dawn responded together.
"Right this way then." Lorne motioned for the group to follow.
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Willow finished putting the last of their things away, as Spike came out of the bathroom. She had been thinking about the spell they were going to do tomorrow. She was worried that it wouldn't work. It had taken a lot to come back from the magic last time. She almost didn't, and now she had another person depending on her. Of course the reasons for the magic are very different. She knew the spell was safe, still it worried her that something could go wrong, somehow Breanna could be hurt.
"What's wrong Luv?" Spike asked walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.
"Nothing. Just thinking." Willow said turning to hug the vampire. "Angel's back. Giles wants us all downstairs talk about tomorrow."
"Let's go then." Spike said walking first to the crib Angel had erected before they arrived, to check on the sleeping baby. "Can we hear her downstairs?"
Willow smiled and held up the receiver to a baby monitor. "Angel and Cordy thought of everything."
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"If the child's magic is harmless why are we binding it?" Connor asked. "Magic can be used for good."
"Yes it can." Willow said looking at the teen-ager sitting next to Cordiela. "But sometimes if you aren't careful magic can become dangerous even for good people."
"Still it might not for her." Connor argued, "You may be limiting a great good power."
"We aren't doing it forever." Giles answered, "Just until she's old enough to learn to control it."
"I still don't understand."
"A couple years ago Willow became addicted to magic. And it was bad." Dawn explained, "She doesn't want that to happen to Breanna."
"Now if we can move on." Wesley said glancing at the teen-agers. "Tomorrow Giles, Anya, Angel and I will try to perform this spell. We should know within twenty-four hours if it worked. If it didn't then Willow, you'll have to try."
"I don't know." Fred said from the corner. "Isn't that dangerous for Willow if she's addicted."
"Yes." Willow and Spike answered in unison.
"It's a risk I'm willing to take." Willow said. "Breanna is moving more and bigger things all the time. She's too young to explain it to her and I don't want her hurt. If the only way for this to work is for me to do it then I will."
"And we're all here for her." Cordiela said, "If something does go wrong I'm sure we can handle it. It's not like she's doing dark magic right?" She finished glancing at the two ex-watchers.
"Exactly it's a safe spell. It may make the urge to use magic strong again, but it won't do the damage it did before." Giles said.
"So then we do this tomorrow afternoon." Cordiela said. "Now I think we all need some sleep.
Part Eighteen
Wesley and Giles made the final preparations for the spell while Willow finished feeding Breanna her lunch. Anya went over the spell once more with Angel. Everyone wanted to be sure this would work. No one wanted to find out if Willow could handle doing this spell herself and then giving up magic again. Cordiela was in the office doing some last minute paperwork and taking phone calls. Gunn and Fred had left to deal with a case that couldn't wait.
While everyone was busy downstairs Connor watched quietly from the top of the stairs. Smiling as he watched Spike go into the office once again and say something that caused Cordiela to throw yet another book in his direction.
"They still fighting?" Dawn said coming up behind Connor and seeing Spike leave the office smirking as Willow gave him a warning look.
"Yes. Do they always fight like that?" Connor asked facing the girl.
"There's a lot of bad memories between them. And I think they couldn't be anymore alike." Dawn answered moving next to him and leaning over the rail to watch. "And of course Spike is bored and worried. He wants to piss someone off and Cordy's the easiest target."
"I noticed that too." Connor said. "Do you think this spell will work?"
"It has too." Dawn said simply, "So is there anything we can do this afternoon while their doing this."
"Angel says I should stay away from you. Your sister has enough problems already."
"Yeah, My sister said the same thing about you and Angel." Dawn said laughing, "So movie or something?"
"He's not going to let us go."
"They are way too busy to notice." Dawn said grabbing his hand, "Let's go."
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Anya lit the last candle as everyone gathered in the circle placing the sleeping baby in the center. Having decided the baby would be more cooperative asleep than awake. Willow quietly pulled Spike and Cordiela away from the others as they began chanting the spell.
"What's going to happen?" Spike whispered only to be shushed by the two women.
They watched in silence as a light began to glow in the center of the circle over the baby. The light began to glow a light green as it lowered over Breanna. Spike began to protest when he saw the light touch the baby.
"It's fine Spike." Willow whispered placing a hand lightly on the vampire's arm.
The light now appeared to be coming from inside the baby. The people surrounding her continued whispering softly. Breanna woke now and began to cry.
"Red." Spike whispered urgently.
"It's fine."
As Spike watched the light began to leave the baby. He watched in silence as the light raised higher and higher until it disappeared above them. As silence filled the room, Giles reached over and picked up the crying child, holding her close to him.
"Did it work?" Spike asked moving quickly to take the child from the watcher.
"I think so." Willow said, "But we really don't know yet. I would say it's safe to say if she doesn't move anything within the next day or so that it did work."
"Let's hope." Cordiela said and began gathering the candles and other ingredients that were scattered on the floor.
Spike walked slowly back and forth away from the others, gently rocking and whispering to the crying child. As he walked he felt her heart begin to slow and the crying subside.
"He's really good with her isn't he?" Cordiela said to Anya.
"He takes the father thing very seriously." Anya answered.
"Okay so how about some dinner now." Cordiela asked, "I can order pizza."
Cordiela called and ordered the pizza after getting everyone's approval.
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"Connor, Dawn." Angel yelled as he closed the door behind the pizza guy. "Pizza's here."
Angel set the boxes down on the counter and waited for an answer from upstairs. After receiving none he called again.
"They aren't up there." Lorne said coming down the steps. "Oh, pizza." He finished making his way over to the boxes on the counter.
"What do you mean they aren't there?" Cordiela asked.
"I mean I haven't seen them in hours." Lorne replied helping himself to a slice.
"Well they aren't down here." Willow said. "When was the last time anyone saw them?"
"I saw then this morning. When we were preparing for the spell." Anya answered, knowing this wasn't going to be an answer that would make them happy. "I thought I saw them going outside."
"They left." Angel said staring at Anya.
"Well yeah." She answered returning his glare, "Is that a problem."
"Yes." Angel, Cordy, Spike, and Giles all answered at once.
"There is no telling what kind of trouble Dawn can find out there." Spike said angrily, "It's L.A."
"And Connor was specifically warned to stay away from Dawn. Buffy doesn't need him leading her to trouble."
"Trust us Angel. Dawn finds trouble on her own." Giles said.
Cordiela opened her mouth to say something but stopped just as the door opened and the teen-agers in question walked through the door.
"Where the hell have you been?" Angel asked approaching the two laughing teens.
"You were wrong he noticed." Connor said smiling at Dawn.
"The movies. You were all busy with the spell and we went to the movies." Dawn answered. "And don't get all mad at him Angel. He told me you said to stay away from me, and I pulled him along with me anyway."
"It doesn't matter. He should have…" Angel began.
"Dawn, do you have any idea what could have happened to you out there." Spike said.
"What. It's the middle of the day. No vampires. Few if any dangerous demons, at three in the afternoon. And Connor has all the cool vampire traits, without the sunlight and blood problems."
"Still…" Spike and Angel both started.
"I'm seventeen, he's eighteen. At our ages you guys were out every night fighting vampires." She said glancing at Willow and Cordiela. "You were a demon Anya. Yet you don't think we're capable of going to a movie in the middle of the afternoon."
"She has a point guys." Cordiela said stepping between the vampires and the teen-agers. "How about we let it go, but next time tell us you're leaving 'kay."
"Deal." Dawn and Connor responded.
"Let's eat then." Willow said wanting the confrontation over and knowing that both kids were capable of dealing with an afternoon out.
3 Part Nineteen
Willow sat in the rocking chair slowly rocking Breanna. She had long since fallen asleep, but she was enjoying the quiet of the room. So many people living at the hotel created a lot of commotion and noise. Connor spent a lot of time arguing the last couple days with Angel about Dawn. The two kids liked each other. As far as Willow was concerned everyone was worried about nothing. They were only going to be together a few more days so why not just let it go. Spike was spending his time, when not fussing over the baby, aggravating Cordiela and playing big brother to Dawn, which meant Dawn and Spike were arguing a lot.
Fortunately everyone else was reasonably quiet, though the ones that weren't made enough noise for everyone. Which was why she was hiding in her room, pretending to put Breanna to sleep. She needed time to think. Buffy and Xander would be here day after tomorrow. It had been three days since they had done the spell. So far it seemed to have worked. Nothing had been moving on its own lately. But she couldn't be sure that it had worked and not that Breanna just hadn't been trying to move anything. She began humming softly when she felt the baby stir slightly in her arms.
"I can read her and tell you if you'd like Sweetie?" Lorne said from the doorway.
"What?" Willow said looking up at the demon.
"Sorry. Habit. I walked by and read." He said shrugging and walking into the room.
"How? Breanna I mean." Willow said quietly moving to put the baby into the crib, "I –I thought you could only read someone when they sang."
"It's easier. I can read someone singing without trying." He said sitting in a chair across from her, "Without the music I have to touch the person and well, it's just more work for me."
"So you would know if she could use her magic."
"I think so. Do you want me to try?" Lorne asked, "I've never tried to read a baby before."
"It won't hurt her?"
"Of course not Honey. I wouldn't have asked if I would hurt her."
"Then please I would feel so much better if I knew for sure." Willow said, "Can you do it now? With her sleeping?"
"Sure." He said moving to the crib and setting his hands gently on the child's forehead. Holding his hands there for a few minutes he stood quietly. Then removing his hands he turned back to Willow who was standing nervously behind him.
"Well?"
"The magic is there Willow. I'm not going to lie." He said taking her and leading her to the chair. "It's in her. A lot of it. But…"
"So I am going to have to do the spell?" She interrupted.
"No. As I was saying the power is there. But I sense a lot of frustration in her. She can't use the power. She's trying. And she may one day break through the spell. It's possible. So you need to be ready for that. But for now she's going to be a normal child."
"Oh thank God." Willow said standing up and hugging the demon. "You have know idea how much this relieves me. I was so worried that… I mean you have know idea what happened the last time I tried to use magic. It was horrible."
"When you stopped those people at the hospital?" Lorne asked, from what he had been told she hadn't had a problem with that.
"Oh I was talking about before that, but that was bad too. For weeks I would have to talk myself out of using magic to make things easier. But I meant before that when Tara…"
"Oh then. Well nothing to worry about Sweetums. She's fine for now." He said, "Now join us downstairs, tonight was Angel's turn to pick a movie."
"Let's go." Willow said feeling better knowing that the spell had worked.
4 Part Twenty
Willow set Breanna down in her crib, finally asleep. She glanced at the clock. She needed to hurry everyone was probably already downstairs. They were having their own little New Year's Eve party. She quickly changed into a clean skirt and blouse and headed downstairs to join the others.
"Will. Anya was just telling us that it looks like the spell worked." Buffy said hugging her friend.
"Looks that way. Though Lorne says she's fighting the spell and could break it eventually. But Giles and Wesley don't think that'll happen for a long time if ever." Willow said hugging Buffy then turning to hug Xander, "I missed you guys."
"Missed you too." Xander said embracing his friend.
"I see Dawn and Connor are getting along. She hasn't been causing any problems has she?" Buffy said watching her sister and Connor in the corner talking.
"Actually the one causing the problems are Spike and Angel." Anya said joining in the conversation.
"I am not the problem." Spike said walking up behind them.
"You are always a problem." Buffy responded.
"If they'd stay away from…"
"Drop it Spike. We're leaving tomorrow. They won't see each other after that." Willow said not wanting to have this discussion again.
"Right this is a party so I say lets party." Xander said taking Anya's hand pulling her off to dance.
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Giles, Xander, and Spike loaded the last of the luggage into the two cars, as the women finished saying their good-byes in the hotel.
"Did Dawn come with this much luggage?" Xander asked putting the last of the bags in the trunk.
"No. Her and Connor spent a lot of time at the mall." Giles said pushing the trunk closed, before following the other two into the hotel.
"E-mail me guys. A lot. I'm home most of the time with nothing to do." Willow was saying as she hugged Wesley and Cordiela one last time. "And I'll send you that book." She said to Fred.
"I can find things we can do if you're bored Pet." Spike said coming up behind her. "You ready to go?" He asked picking up the sleeping baby from the couch.
"Yeah. And that's not what I meant." Willow said.
Everyone said their last good-byes and got into the cars to leave. Dawn choosing to ride with Spike, Willow and the baby. Leaving Buffy, Giles, and Anya to ride back with Xander.
"So Will when is your graduation?" Dawn asked.
"Next weekend. You're going to come right?" Willow answered.
"Of course." Dawn answered. "Spike you going?"
"Wouldn't miss it." Spike said, "Though hers is easier than yours. At least Red's is at night."
"You better be at mine." Dawn said punching his arm.
"I will, we'll figure it out." He said smiling at the girl, knowing he would do whatever was necessary for to be at both graduations.
5 Part Twenty-one
"Spike you sure you can handle bringing Breanna by yourself. I'm sure Dawn would…" Willow shouted from the bedroom as she finished pinning her hair around the cap.
"I said I could handle it. Now are you ready to go?" Spike said, "You are going to be late for that sign in thing."
"I've got time." Willow said, "Don't forget to bring a bottle in case she starts crying and…" she began as she grabbed the gown and her purse and headed for the door nervous that she may have forgotten something.
"Go." Spike said pointing toward the door. "We will be fine. I'll see you there right after sunset." He finished kissing her quickly then pushing her toward the door.
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"So Willow what are you going to do know that you have the degree." Xander asked sitting on the couch at Buffy's house where everyone had gathered after the ceremony.
"Wow, guess I'll have to get a job now uh?" She responded smiling. "Actually I have a job offer already that would allow me to do programming at home. Which would be great, I could work at my own pace and Breanna would need daycare." She said smiling as Breanna turned at the sound of her name.
Everyone began to talk again about Willow's future plans as Breanna crawled toward the table and pulled herself up against it. Tired of being ignored Breanna let out a small yell. When all eyes had turned toward the child she let go of the table and took a step toward Spike.
"Da." Breanna said before falling back on her butt.
"See she said Dad." Spike said scooping up the laughing child, "And she walked!" He shouted excitedly.
"Yes she did." Willow said laughing as everyone gathered around trying to get her to repeat either the word or the step when Spike set her back down.
Dawn walked over to hug her friend. "See everything is going to be fine." She whispered.
"Yeah. As long as the magic doesn't come back, nothing else could go wrong." Willow said smiling wanting to believe that Dawn was right.