A/N: Thanks to all my faithful readers and reviewers. I'm not sure if you guys noticed or not, but I've left a few things from the canon out, mainly Spike's trigger. I think he's suffering enough. I'm going to re-watch season 7 to refresh my memory so, unfortunately I might not update every night. But I promise to do my best. I'm pretty sure I've been jumping back and forth in the timeline and it's getting on my nerves.

Can anyone tell me how to add a picture to my profile? Shoot me a message!

My updates might be ending soon. Or taking a break anyway. If I don't find a job and start working by the 14th, or find a way to make money, my roommate is gonna kick me out. No internet for Babbles means no updates.

~Babbles~

After Buffy had returned, towing a beaten Spike, things had returned to normal. Or as normal as they could be, living on the Hellmouth and facing an apocalypse. Andrew had decided to join the forces of good, or as he called them, the Jedi. While they were still suspicious of his motives, he proved himself by telling them that the First, in the form of Warren, had been trying to get to him again, leading him to wear a wire and receiving a not-so-veiled threat from the oldest evil. He was currently toting around a video camera annoying everyone except Tara, who found his nerdiness endearing.

While all this was going on, Principal Woods ( or Robin, as he insisted they call him) had surprised them all, telling Buffy that his mother had been a Slayer and that he wanted to help fight the new big bad.

Things in town were getting rough, as the effect of the seal being open was that the whole city was going crazy. The schools were shut down, much to Dawn and the new girl, Amanda's, delight.

Andrew walked into the kitchen, where Tara and Willow were making breakfast.

"And here we have the Mega-Wiccas," Andrew told the camera. "Willow, the all-powerful, who once tried to destroy the world, but was brought to her senses by the power of friendship. Tara, the once-dead, who now serves a purpose on this plane, showing lost souls the way. They were reunited by love. And you see that? Tara was given a blessing by the gods and now bears a mark on her face, showing all that she serves the Powers."

"Andrew, I told you. Enough with the camera. It's starting to creep me out," Buffy said.

"I'm with ya on that one, B."

"Ah, the Slayers. They have a bleak past. Faith, the rogue Slayer, is now on a road to redemption, much like your host here. But her road may be a bit more rocky, considering the look in her eye when she looks at - "

"One more word, worm, and that camera is not the only thing I will smash," Faith growled. Buffy gave her a strange look, but, shrugging her slight shoulders, moved on to grab a piece of bacon.

"I figured some things out about the seal. It's called the Seal of Danzalthar. Now that I know it's name, maybe we can figure out a way to close it," Willow told Buffy.

"Well, let me know. We're moving the potentials to weapons today. Should be interesting. What are you going to be doing in Wicca training today?"

"Just some more levitation," Tara said.

"Cool. It's pretty awesome that Dawn's catching on so quick. And don't you dare tell her I said anything!"

"Okay, Tare," Dawn said, sitting across from Tara in the backyard. "What are we floating today?"

"Me."

"What? Tara, no! What if I hurt you?"

"You won't. You need to focus on moving living things, in case you need to during battle."

"If something happens, and Will gets mad…"

"Nothing will happen, Dawnie. But if it does, feel free to tell Willow that I made you."

They worked for hours, taking short breaks frequently. Dawn could get Tara about two feet off the ground, but she tired quickly.

"Man, I never guessed how much work Will put into her spells. Its exhausting, how does she do it?"

"Practice, Dawn. Lots and lots of practice," Willow said as she joined them, handing them sandwiches. "You missed lunch."

Tara looked up at the sky. "What time is it?"

"About three."

"Alright. Dawn, take a break. We'll get back to this in about an hour. Willow, did you find anything?"

"Not much. I found a codex that mentions how to close the seal once its been opened, but I don't really get it. I was hoping that you could shed some light on it."

"Of course, honey. Lets go take a look." Tara followed Willow inside, reading over the section that her lover pointed out. "Remorse?"

"From the person that opened it, yeah."

"I think I understand. We need to make Andrew cry."

"Okay…While I'm all for picking on nerd boy, I don't get how that's supposed to help."

"Will, I mean he needs to cry in remorse. He started the whole thing by killing Jonathan on the seal. He needs to close it."

"I'll go let Buffy know. Thanks baby." Willow leaned forward and planted a kiss on Tara's forehead.

"Always willing to help my girl."

Willow told Buffy what Tara had told her, so the Slayer called Xander and Robin, already beginning to formulate a plan. At sunset, she was getting ready to leave, tricking Andrew into coming by saying that whatever was happening needed to be caught on film. Willow stopped her just before they left.

"Remember, Buff, he has to cry onto the seal. Not just scared crying either, he has to be honestly sorry for what he's done." Buffy gave her a swift nod and headed out.

Willow kept herself busy while her best friend was gone by moving anxiously throughout the house, picking up after the potentials. She felt the magical shift and silently congratulated Buffy. Her attention was immediately drawn upstairs when she felt Tara's sudden panic.

"Tara, she did it, what's wrong?" Willow asked, running into their room. Tara was standing by the window, staring out into the night. She was pale and shaking. "Baby?"

"Something is coming, Will."

"What? What's coming?"

"I don't know, but its mad."

"Well, whatever it is, we'll protect the girls. We'll get through it."

"Its not coming for the girls." She turned and stared at Willow with soulful eyes, scared. "Its coming for me."

"When?" Willow gritted her teeth, fighting the fear to stay strong for her lover. Tara was scared enough already.

"Now. I can feel it…no that's not right. I can feel them getting closer."

"Faith!" Willow called out. She was going to need help on this one. Faith came running into the room, her eyes searching for danger.

"What is it, Red?"

"Its Tara, she says something is coming for her. I need your help. Buffy isn't back yet, and Tare says they're already on their way. She can feel them coming."

"They're here," Tara said from the window. Willow and Faith looked out the window, trying to find the danger, but the front yard and the street were empty.

"I don't see anything, Red."

"How many?" She asked, ignoring Faith for the moment.

"At least ten. Maybe," Tara replied. "They aren't like the others. They don't want to go. Willow, they're coming inside."

Chaos erupted around them. Books flew off shelves, furniture went tumbling. And the house shook beneath their feet.

"Red! How am I supposed to fight something I can't see?"

A/N2: sorry this one is so short.