******Author's note: Happy SuperBowl Sunday! Hope everyone enjoys the game, the commercials, the halftime show...whatever it is that brings you joy. Let's see what The Four are up to, shall we? A little feedback goes a long way with me and I respond to each review I get personally. Enjoy!******

Chapter 11

"All evil, some evil, a little bit of evil...as long as there's less evil it's good, right?" Buffy said trying to make the glass half full. "So the crystal helps...right?"

"Quite so, Buffy. The crystal helps but the effect of using your combined captured essences instead of actual, well, it may water down the effect slightly. By how much we can't ascertain." Giles removed his glasses and began his ritual cleaning of them.

Tara blew her hair out of her face and sighed. "So, we get the same end result, only possibly instead of ending all evil...maybe we end most evil...or a good deal of evil. I'm with Buffy, less evil is better."

"Ok, so what do we need to do and when?" Buffy asked.

"Well, we've got everything we need. I'd like to go over the incantations a few more times. Then once we're ready, we'll need to review the exact order of the phases of the spell and what we can expect." Willow walked over to her computer. "Give me an hour or so?"

"You bet, Red. Anyone need anything?" Faith asked the group.

"No, thanks." Willow said.

"Spells on a full stomach make her queasy." Tara crossed over and stood behind Willow, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Where were you going to go?"

"I dunno. Get something to eat, kill some time." Faith shrugged.

"I'm up for a bite and time killage, too." Buffy chimed in.

"Blondie, you wanna come along or you gonna stay?" Faith asked.

"I'll stay with Willow. I can help with the spell stuff." Tara replied.

"Ok, we'll be back in an hour." Faith and Buffy walked down the hall. "Is it ok if I ask Dawn and Xander to come along?"

"Sure, B." Faith held the elevator door.

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"Ok, so...go Isis, go! Right?" Xander asked stuffing his fries in his mouth.

"Pretty much." Buffy agreed sipping her soda.

"You know, Buffy, I was thinking. The prophecy says this will end all evil that ever was, is or will be, right?" Dawn asked.

"That's right, Squirt." Faith said stealing some of her fries.

"Hey!" Dawn glared at the Dark Slayer. "Cuz I was thinking about that. All evil that ever was...that seems sort of a broad term doesn't it? I mean...Angel, when he was Angelus was way evil, but now he's good. And like Anya and Spike...ex-demon, ensouled vampire...how's that work?" She slid her fries further away from Faith. "I mean even Willow went all black-eyed and veiny...but she's the White Goddess now..."

"From the mouths of babes...I hadn't even thought of that." Buffy crumbled up her hamburger wrapper. "Maybe it's best if we don't have the maximum strength spell after all. Hmph."

"Which brings me back to my firm 'Go Isis GO!' theory." Xander slurped his milkshake. "What's say you and me catch a movie while our friends save the world, huh, Dawnie?"

Dawn laughed at Xander. "Sounds good. You guys should probably get back."

Xander stood and cleared their trash. "Happy mo-joing, Slayers." He went to each woman and kissed her cheek lightly. "It'll all be just fine. No worries, 'kay?"

"Good luck doesn't seem to be the right phrase...break a leg might not be right either..." Dawn hugged her sister.

"It'll be ok just like Xander said." Buffy assured her little sister.

"Enjoy your movie, Squirt." Faith said as the lanky teen hugged her quickly. "We'll see ya later."

The Slayers waived as they headed back.

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"Nervous, baby?" Tara gently massaged Willow's shoulders.

"No. Well, yeah. Ok, a lot yeah. I've been over it and over it with Althenea and I think I have it down. There's some room for error here, but not much. If the crystal doesn't work, Tara...if we can't invoke Isis with the crystal of Demeter...it's high magic, Tara...I-I-I don't think I'd ever go all...I mean, hello –white goddess now, right...?" Willow felt Tara's lips brush against hers.

"Shhhh. You're going to be fine. I'll be right here and there will be two Slayers in the room." She placed her hand on Willow's cheek. "I believe in you."

"Thanks, Tara. I know you do. You always have." Willow placed her hand over Tara's and pulled it to her mouth. She softly kissed Tara's palm. "We should get set up."

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Tara was lighting the last of the candles and Willow was setting out the bowls of herbed oils on the mat when there was a familiar knocking at the door.

Tara blew out the match and went to the door. "Hi Faith. Hi Buffy."

"Hey." Both Slayers said in unison.

"So, we all set?" Buffy asked.

"Yup." Willow gestured towards the mat. They had rearranged some furniture to give them room to spread out on the floor.

"So, what's the plan?" Faith asked.

Tara explained. "Willow will do the incantations and I'll do the anointing. We'll show you where to sit. During the spell, the only one who should speak is Willow. Just relax, breathe and keep a clear mind." Tara smiled assuringly at the Slayers. "If we play our cards right, the only thing we'll have to do is the anointing and joining of hands."

Willow added. "Pretty much just follow our lead."

Faith looked at Tara. "Do we know exactly what's gonna happen? I mean what to expect?"

"Well, not exactly. The crystal will glow gold if it works." Willow pointed to the crystal sitting in a bowl of oil and herbs.

"If it works, you two can leave and we'll take it from there." Tara blushed. "If not, well...we, uhm..."

"Go with Plan B." Faith chuckled at her own joke.

Buffy only shook her head.

Willow directed them to their positions on the mat. "Sit Indian style, ok? Lights, Tar?"

Tara shut off the lights and the room was illuminated only by the soft glow of candles lit at strategic locations throughout the room and on the mat.

Buffy closed her eyes, focused on her breathing and cleared her mind.

Faith caught the pungent smell of one of the bowls of oil near her and coughed a little.

Tara and Willow took their positions. "Ok, guys...everybody ready?" Willow waited for everyone to nod. "Good. Once I stop talking, I'll give everyone a few minutes to relax and clear their minds, then I'll begin. Remember, no talking or breaking position. You'll probably feel the energies we'll be moving...it'll be a warm and intense feeling, but it'll be over quickly and you'll be ok."

Willow centered herself and Tara did the same.

The Slayers sat and watched the witches in anticipation.

Willow took several deep breaths and silently asked Gaia for strength to get through the spell. "Spirit of light. Join spirit of White. Spirit of Dark. Join spirit of White. We call on Isis, mother of all." Willow grabbed a handful of herbs and sprinkled them over the crystal. When she was done, she reached down and rubbed the oil from the bowl the Crystal of Demeter was sitting in over her forehead, her heart and over the back of her hands.

Willow began to glow white. "Per Antiquus vis vires omnis deus, ego oro tu. Navis!"

With that Tara rose from her position and dipped her fingers in the oil. She knelt in front of Buffy.

"Animus nam lumen. Commisceo animus nam nirvus! Ego oro tu." Tara took her fingers and dabbed the oil first on Buffy's forehead, then over her heart and across the back of her hands. She then sat in front of her and took her hands.

Buffy sat staring in to Tara's calming blue eyes. "Donum nam iungo. Donum nam vita. Finis nam omnis malum! Commisceo per amor per il Quattrio!" As Willow spoke, Buffy felt a strange warm sensation in the four places Tara had touched her with the oil. Buffy whose eyes had closed at the warmth, suddenly opened them wide as she felt a sharp current zap through her body and into Tara via their hands.

Willow tossed more herbs on the crystal and a small shower of sparks transferred from Tara and Buffy to the crystal.

Tara released Buffy's hands with a gentle squeeze. Buffy's eyes were still wide and she was struggling to catch her breath.

"Per Antiquus vis vires omnis deus, Ego oro tu. Navis!" Willow was now glowing completely with the white aura she had first experienced a few days earlier.

Tara dipped her fingers back in the oil and knelt in front of Faith. "Animus nam atra. Commisceo animus nam niveus! Ego oro tu!"

Tara dabbed the oil on Faith's forehead, over her heart and over the back of her hands. She then sat and took Faith's hands. Faith swallowed hard and cleared her mind.

"Donum nam iungo. Donum nam vita. Finis nam omnis malum! Commisceo per amor per il Quattrio!" Faith fought hard not to verbalize the intense warm sensation followed by a sharp current that passed through her.

Willow tossed the last of the herbs on the crystal. A small shower of gold sparks floated from Tara and Faith to the crystal.

"Spirit of light. Join spirit of White. Spirit of Dark. Join spirit of White. We call on Isis, mother of all."

All four women held their breath as the crystal seemed to crackle with energy. Slowly, it began to glow. As the glow got stronger, it became a distinct golden color.

The Slayers sat in awe at the glowing crystal. Willow stood and nodded at them. Tara released Faith's hands. She stood and turned towards Willow.

The Slayers stood and silently left the room.

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Tara looked at Willow. It had worked. The essences of the Light and Dark Slayer were in the crystal now. Willow held the crystal in her hand, sat down and finished the spell.

"Animus nam lumen. Animus nam atra. Commisceo animus nam niveus! Ego oro tu!" Tara knelt in front of Willow and dipped her fingers in the oil. She touched Willow with the oil on her forehead, over her heart and across the back of her hands.

"Donum nam iungo. Donum nam vita. Finis nam omnis malum! Commisceo per amor per il Quattrio!" With that Tara grasped Willow's hands and the crystal as it showered them with golden sparks. "Spirit of light. Join spirit of White. Spirit of Dark. Join spirit of White. We call on Isis, mother of all."

An instant later, Willow was propelled backwards across the room and her white glow slowly became tinted with a golden hue that became progressively darker.

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Buffy and Faith who stood in silence in Buffy's room both jumped when they heard a thud from the next room.

"Should we...?" Faith asked.

Buffy shook her head. "No interruptions."

"Right." Faith sank to the floor. "You, uh, ok?"

"Yeah." Buffy plopped on the bed. "It was pretty intense."

"I'll say. I've never really done any major mo-jo like that before." Faith looked at Buffy.

At that exact moment, both women began to feel extreme heat on the four places Tara had anointed them with the oil.

Buffy's eyes flew open and she clasped her hand to her chest. Faith rubbed the back of hands. An instant later it was gone.

"Whoa." Buffy wiped at her forehead and found she had broken in to a sweat.

"Yeah. Wow." Faith sat with her mouth gaped open. "What do we do now?"

"Well, I guess whatever we want." Buffy looked at the ground. "I don't know how long it'll take them to, uhm, finish the spell."

"Right." Faith rubbed her chin. "I could use a shot and a beer...and dancing."

"Add some hot wings and you are on." Buffy added standing up.

"You got it, B." Faith got up.

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Willow shook herself off. She felt an intense calm, very powerful and overwhelming feeling of love. She looked at Tara and smiled.

Tara quietly removed her blouse and slid the skirt down her hips. She then laid down on the mat.

Willow floated over to Tara and dipped the crystal in the oil. She took a deep breath to get her emotions and desires in check as she gazed at Tara's nearly naked form. She touched the crystal to Tara's forehead.

Tara instantly felt the intense heat the Slayers had felt moments earlier at the spot where the oil touched her forehead.

Willow touched the crystal over her lover's heart. Tara almost let a moan escape her lips as her body arched at the heat emanating from the crystal.

Willow gently laid the crystal on Tara's lower abdomen. She then grabbed Tara's hands.

"Isis, Mother of Mothers. Goddess of all. I invoke thee. Spirit of Light! Spirit of Dark! Spirit of White! Join in thy sacred vessel."

Willow and Tara both glowed momentarily golden as the crystal sparked, became intensely hot and then stopped glowing.

Both women were covered in beads of perspiration and gasping for breath as the intensity of the spell washed over them. Willow felt Tara's hands and body go limp.

She knew the spell had worked and gently kissed Tara's forehead. "Come back to me, baby. It worked."

Tara blinked her eyes open. "You did it, Willow."

"No. We did it, Tara." She leaned down and kissed Tara passionately.

"We've still got one more piece to finish." Tara whispered.

"All too aware, baby." Willow pulled Tara up to her and stared in to her eyes. She gasped at the love staring back at her. She caressed Tara's cheek, ran her hand down her neck, softly played her fingers against the swell of her breast and rested her hand on Tara's lower stomach. "All too aware."

Tara took the crystal and set it back in the bowl. "I love you so much." She smiled her trademark half-smile. "However, you're a little overdressed for the next piece of the spell."