Chapter Eight.:Little Witches Pt 2

Bill sighed as he sat there with Willow and Xander, watching cheerleader tryouts. Xander was watching intently, Willow clearly only there to support Buffy and Amy. Bill liked watching pretty girls in short skirt jump and twirl as much as Xander did, but, he really didn't give a fig about cheerleading. He was there to support Buffy and Cordelia, and also Amy.

Amber had been amazing, Lishane as on fire as Buffy had commented Amber was doing really well, Buffy too. Amy was doing, well, better than OK, but she clearly wasn't a natural. He'd known Amy since he'd left the football team and become friends with Xander and Willow, and he didn't think she cared abotu cheerleading any more than he did. But, he did know how Amy's mother was, so, maybe she'd been made to try out.

Bill saw Willow look up and wave to a girl entering the gym. The girl was pretty, with long blonde hair, but she clearly looked uncomfortable. Bill had cracked a rib in his football days, and the girl was clearly moving like she was healing from that. She smiled at Willow and came over, as did Buffy and Cordelia, who were between tryouts.

"Hi Tara," said Willow happily. Bill saw a certain look between the two girls. Almost the same look Buffy and Darla had shared when they first met. He smiled to himself. This girl, Tara, was clearly into Willow, and Willow was interested, but, didn't seem to realize it yet.

"Guys," said Willow. "This is Tara Maclay." She introduced Tara to each of them in turn and Buffy's jaw dropped.

"OMIGOD!" she exclaimed. "YOU'RE the girl I was suppsoed to meet at the office! Tara, I am SO sorry! With tryouts today, I totally flaked!" Bill chuckled, amusedly and winked at Buffy when she glared at him.

"It's n-nice to m-meet you all," said Tara, smiling shyly. "I-it's ok, B-Buffy. You h-had soemthing m-more important to do."

Bill felt that line stab at his heart. This poor girls REALLY thought that whatever Buffy had to do was more important than she was.

"No, not at all!" said Buffy, truly embarassed. "I just experienced a slight case of airhead! Of course you're important! I feel REALLY bad. Maybe we can walk home together and we can stop and I can buy you a cookie or something to apologise."

"Th-that's not necessary," stammered Tara. "I-it was an h-honest mistake."

"I INSIST," said Buffy. "Besides, my Mom said you guys live a couple of streets over, so it's really not out of the way."

Bill could see Tara decide she wasn't going to win this. "o-ok," she finally said smiling.

"So, Tara, where you from?" asked Xander.

"A-alabama," Tara stuttered, blushing at being the center of attention. "Mama and D-D-Daddy just split up, and Mrs. Summers offered M-mama a j-job at the gallery, s-so we m-moved here." Bill noticed what Willow had. Tara's stutter got worse at the mention of her father. He also noticed soemthing as he looked closer. Tara had this inner glow that was faint to his Sight. She was clearly not a demon, obviously not a Slayer, but something supernatural was there.

"Ok," called Lisa. "that's it for individual routines, now time for group performance. Buffy, Coordelia, Amy, Morgan, Janice and Lishane, you're up."

Buffy nodded at Cordelia and Amy as the three walked to join the others. Amy glared at her hands. "Why do my hands have to sweat when i'm nervous?" she lamented.

Buffy smiled and squeezed her shoulder. "don't worry,' she said encouragingly. "You'll do great."

One of the cheerleaders hit the play button on the tape player and music filled the gymnasium. The six girls began their routine. Lishane, like Amber, was amazing. Janice and Morgan did ok. Cordelia was great, as was Buffy though the latter was clearly rusty. Amy started off well, but, even Bill could see she was trying too hard. She tried to do a cartwheel as part of the big finish and her hands slipped on the floor, making her careen into and knock Cordelia over. Bill and the others all winced.

"Ouch," said Tara quietly.

Cordelia popped up and glared at Amy. "That wasn't me!" she exclaimed. She looekd to the judges. "You saw that, right?"

The six girls left the gym floor so the next group could do their adition. Amy fled the room, and Buffy and Willow followed. Xander walked up to Cordelia. "It's ok," he said. "You were great! I'm sure the judges know that wasn't your fault."

Bill saw Tara looked lost. He gave her a reassuring smile. "C'mon," he said. "Let's go find Buffy and Willow." She nodded her thanks as the two went to exit the gym.

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Willow and Buffy found Amy at the trophy case, staring at a cheerleader trophy. She indicated the accompanying photo to Buffy.

"That's my Mom," she said.

Buffy looekd impressed. "No way," she said, reading the name. "Catherine Madison! Get out of here with yoru bad self!"

"Her nickname was "Catherine The Great"," said Amy a bit wistfully. "she took that team and made them tri-county champions. Nobody has ever doen that, before or since. She and my Dad were homecoming king and queen, got married right after graduation." There was soemthing off about the way Amy gave all thsoe details. Like she wass reciting something she'd been forced to memorise.

"That's kinda romantic," said Buffy, Willow nodded.

"Yeah," scoffed Amy. "Then Mom drove him so crazy with ehr constant nagging and nothing ever being good enough for her that he left."

"Ok," said Buffy, exchanging an uncomfortable glance with Willow. "That part is less romantic. My folks are split up too."

"Drag, huh," said Amy, still staring at the trophy. "it wouldn't be so bad if I lived with my Dad. But Mom won't even let me talk to him! She's totally crazy! All she ever talks about is her glory days! She MADE me lose weight and try out for cheerleading! God, if that woman gains an ounce she padlocks the fridge and won't eat anything but broth." Amy smiled at Willow. "Used to be, when that would happen, I'd go over to Willows and we'd stuff ourselves with brownies. She watches me like a damned hawk now!"

Willow put her hand on Amy's shoulder and squeezed. She hadn't seen much of Amy lately, and now she knew why.

"Amy," said Buffy. "There are people who can help you."

Amy scoffed. "Social services isn't going to believe me,"she said. "Mom is a pillar of the community." She took a breath. "God, if only I was as pretty as she was when she was my age. She always says I got my Dads bad genes!" She stopepd, and turned away and wiped her eyes as Bill and Tara walked up.

"Hey guys," said Bill with that damn cocky grin of his. It even annoyed Willow sometimes. he indicated Tara. "I think you forgot something, Buff."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Don't mind him," she told Tara. "He's an acquired taste. I'm STILL working on acquiring it." Tara laughed softly at that. Willow thought she had a nice laugh.

Bill grinend at Buffy. "You KNOW you love me,' he said. She rolled her eyes again, but, definately looked amused.

"I-I need to g-get home," Tara told Buffy. "Y-you don't h-have to w-walk with me if y-you aren't ready yet."

"No,"said Buffy. "I promised I would." She turned to Amy. "Don't fret it,"she said. "They're posting the results in the morning, and then at least we'll know one way or the other." Amy gave her a small smile and nod. "See you guys tomorrow. C'mon Tara." Tara stammered a brief goodbye and left with Buffy.

Willow noticed Bill was watching Tara with a strange look on his face. She didn't have time to ask however, as Amy went right up to him.

"Buffy's right," said Amy. "I'm not gonna let that slip in there get me down. Wanna hit the Bronze tonight?"

Willow was impressed at Amy's bravery. Willow constantly wanted to ask Xander out, but never worked up the nerve. Unfortunately, Bill looked apologetic. "I'm sorry," he said. " promised Miss French I'd help her with soem stupid project tonight. Rain check?"

Amy looked breifly crestfallen but nodded. "sure, just name the night."

"I'll get with you on that soon," he said, "Now I gotta fly. See yo ugals tomorrow." He waved and dashed off.

Any shook her head. "Of course. The beautiful Miss French!"

Willow started to say soemthing, but she saw Xander and Cordelia walk by. They were not quite holding hands, but she was walking really close to him, laughing at something he said. "And the beautiful Cordelia Chase," she muttered darkly.

Amy seemed to think something over, then she took Willow's elbow. "Come on," she said. "I want to show you something."

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Buffy walked into her house after seeing Tara home, to find crates strewn about everywhere, and Joyce and Dawn in the kitchen, Dawn unloading an opened crate, Joyce trying to open another with a crowbar.

"Hi guys," she said, walking up to them.

"Hi Buffy," said Dawn.

"Hi sweetie," said Joyce, smiling but not looking up. "How was school?"

"A reverant joy," snarked Buffy ,exchanging a grin with Dawn. "What's all this?"

"A violation of child labor laws," said Dawn with a smirk.

"It's for the tribal ard display," said Joyce, giving Dawn a smack on her butt, making her eep. "You're getting to be as much of a smart alec as your sister!"

"Oh cool," said Buffy, checking out a statue Dawn had just unloaded, then grabbing a donut and sitting down."

Both girls noticed their mother had not actually looekd at Buffy yet, so Dawn spoke up. "I take it you had tryouts today?" she said.

Buffy smiled in thanks and said "Yep."

"Great!" Joyce said, a touch absently. "How'd it go?"

"There was some pretty stiff competition," said Buffy. "I did better than some of the girls, not so great as others."

Joyce nodded as she continued struggling with the crate. "Well, I'm sure you did great," she said. "Keep on plugging. You just have to get back on the horse."

Buffy and Dawn exchanged a look. "Mom?" spoke up Buffy.

Joyce finally turned to look at Buffy. "Yeah?" she asked.

"What was I trying out for?"

Joyce paused. Both stumped and embarassed. "Uhm, some activity? I'm sorry Sweetie. I honestly have no idea."

Buffy smiled. "It's ok, mom," she said. "Your platitudes are good for all occaisions."

"I'm just distracted here," said Joyce. "I've got inventory to do. This is the galleries first major show." She finally gave up on that crate and turned to another. "You know, it might NOT physically kill you to give me a hand!"

Buffy stood and casually flipepd the lid off of the crate with one hand.

"It was cheerleading tryouts, Mom," Dawn said helpfully.

"Oh GOOD," said Joyce. "I'm glad you're taking that up again. Keep you out of trouble."

Buffy bristled a little. "I'm not In trouble, Mom,"she said.

"Not yet," said Joyce, having no idea that her words were hurting Buffy. " I jsut meant, yo ustopepd cheerleading right before the trouble started, so, good you're gettign back into it." She puleld a statue of a man halfway out of a crate, then shoved it back in. "Oh dear."

"What is it?" asked Buffy and Dawn together.

"Fertility statue," saidJoyce. "Something you two do NOT need to see!"

Buffy chuckled heading for the fridge, and looking inside. "You know," she said. "This girl Amy's mother works with her like three hours a day." She clsoed the fridge. "Sounds like she's really into it."

"Sounds like Amy's mother doesn;t have a lot to do," said Joyce absently, picking up a few pieces and exiting the room.

Buffy and Dawn exchanged a look, then once she was gone went straight for the crate and looked at the statue inside. Both their eyes went wide.

"that's it," said Dawn dramatically. "I'm officially scarred for life!"

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Later that evening, Bill walked down a street, looking for the address Miss French had given him. He finally found the house and looked up at it. Weird, he thought. He had thought some old guy lived there. Well ,Miss French WAS new in town, so maybe the old guy had moved. He HAD been busy lately.

He unconciously smoothed his hair as he walked up to the front door. He wasn;t normally into older women, but there was just something about Miss French that got to him. Sure, she was beautiful, stunning in fact, but, there was just something about her he couldn't put his finger on. Maybe it was the fact that she seemed interested in HIM. He'd gone to her class earlier to help with herr stupid egg sack project, but he also wanted to go to support Buffy and Cordy at cheerleading tryouts, so, he asked if they coudl reschedule. She'd instantly offered to have him come over to her house tonight. And, though he wasn't an expert by any means, he was SURE she was flirting with him. He sighed. She WAS a little strange. She almost seemed obsessed with praying mantises. He shrugged and knocked.

Miss French opened the door, wearing a stunning low cut dress. "Hi Bill," she said. "Come on in."

"Uh, thanks," said Bill, coming inside. While he was nto actively staring, Bill could not help but notice the dress's ample amount of cleavage.

Miss French seemed to notice, however. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said. "is it too much? I can change if you want."

"No, that's ok," said Bill, almost stammering a little. "it's actually the most beautiful dress I've ever seen."

"That's so Sweet,"she said smiling and holding out a glass. "Martini?"

Bill just stared at the glass. "uh, 16 here," he said. Something was starting to feel really off here

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, looking like a little girl with her hand caught in the cookie jar. "Let me get you some lemonade." She started towards the kitchen. "I really need to relax a little. I'm just really nervous around you. You're probably cool as a cucumber."

"Well, I dunno about THAT," said Bill. Suddenly, he grabbed his head and sank to his knees, in full vision mode.

Dr Gregory was talking to Buffy about her not doing some assinged reading. He was being really cool about it though. No scolding or nagging. He simply reminded her how important school was and told her to have the chapters read by the next day. Buffy thanked him and left. He walekd into the dark biology room and something reached out from the shadows and grabbed him. The scene shifted to show a closet door.

Both vision and pain faded and Bill stood looking shaken. Miss French entered the room with a glass. "Are you ok?" she asked.

"Yeah," said Bill. "I gues I'm just a little nervous too. Thanks." He took the glass and brought it to his lips.

Pausing as he looked across the living room to see the closet from his vision. "what the hell?" he asked. He started towards the closet.

"Bill," came Miss French's voice. "You REALLY don't want to open that closet.

"I really think I do." said Bill opening the closet. Two thigs fell out.

Bodies. Headless human bodies. One was wearing a lab coat that said "Dr Gregory" on the lapel. The other was clearly an elderly man, probably the one who had owned the house. Despite the thigns he had seen, he jumped in shock, then turned to Miss French.

He almost jumped again. In place of Miss French was a giant praying mantis!

"Foolish boy,"came Miss French's voice from the mantis creature. "I was going to give you the best time of your life before I kille you. But now, I can see I have to just kill you. Don't worry. I'll make it as painful as possible."

Bill shook his head, rather inanely thinking That explains her obsession with insects. He smirked at her and put on his brachen face. "You MIGHT find that a little harder than you think," he said. He charged forward only to be batted back by one of the creatures forelegs. He went flying and crashed through a table. "Ow," he said. Damn thing was strong! He got up and charged back in, dodging under another foreleg and and tackling it around what p[assed for it';s mideection. The two went flying back towards the kitchen. the creature stood and shrugged him off. He dodged under several more swipes, and landed several punches against the craatures body, doing little to no damage.

This wasn't good. Though wasn't as fast as Buffy or Darla, Bill knew he was stronger than both. He sighed. He clearly needed a weapon.

The creature slashed out with a foreleg, this time not only knocking him back, but slcing into his chest. He grunted as he went flying into the kitchen counter and knocked a knife rack to the floor.

Knives!

He grabbed a large carving knife from the knife rack and charged the mantis, swinging it like am ini machete. He scored a slash across it's front, causingblack ichor to ooze from it. The creature made a sort of screetching sound.

Bill grinned malevolently, the sight woudl have been particularly scarey on his Brachen visage. "Oh, it's on NOW, Bitch!" he growled as he pressed hsi attack. The mantis going on the defensive, managing to keep Bill at bay with it;s longer reach.

The two were at a stalemate. Bill couldn't get past the mantis's reach, but, he was no moving too fast for it to tag him. He looekd at the antennae on the creatures head and got an idea. Fainting right, eh went left and got around the creatures defenses, leaping onto it's back. The creature screeched and tried to buck him off, but Bill held tight, the two looking like soem sort of nightmarish cowboy and bronco for a few. Bill got a death grip aroudn the creatures "neck" with his left arm and swung with his right, hacking off one of it's antennae.

The effect was dramatic. Now disoriented and in pain, the creature started thrashing about wildly. Bill held on, swung, and severed the other antana. The creature went wild, thrashing and bucking. With effort, Bill brought his legs up and wrapped them around the creature, then let go of it's "neck". He raised the knife in both hands and plunged it downwards with all his might. The knife was shapr, well cared for, and the point severed the creatures exoskeleton and the knife p-lunged deeply into it's brain. The creature screeched and convulsed more as Bill turned and twisted the knife, destroying it's brain. It finally bucked him off, but it was too late. It collapsed to the floor and died.

Bill got up and stood there a moment, breathing heavily. That was FUN! he knew he had to make an anonymous call to 911 but first, had to dispose of the creature's body. He did the only thing he could think to do. He picked up the phone and dialed, saying "Hey Giles," when it was answered. They spoke a moment and Giles agreed to meet him there. He hung up and immediately collapsed to the floor again, clutching his head.

Two people, wrapped in robes, kneeling before, of all things, a cauldron, which was sitting on a large hot plate. There was a greenishm viscous liquid boiling in it. One of the girls, he could make out no features but could tell they were girls, was pouring something into the cauldron while the other chanted chanted in a language he didn't recognize. He had no clue who they were, or what they were doing.

Both vision and pain faded, but he had a residual headache after having two so clsoe together. He stood and cleared his head.

"What NOW?" he asked him self, then sat down to wait for Giles.

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A/N: To Harriet with Tea, I know you asked for more Buffy and Darla, and you'll get it next chapter, but, I felt the need to include a little action first. Sorry.

A/N2: Yeah, I sort of shrunk the events of Teachers Pet a little, The more i thought of it, it seemed like it would be cool to have her lure Bill to her place instead of Xander, and then have him take her out. Hope no fans of Teacher Pet have a problem with that. Hope you all enjoyed, and let me know what you think.