Chapter 11
England- Wicca Coven
The sweet tang of aged incense permeated her pores to settle inside her leaving its comforting
trail through all the cells in her body. Willow closed her eyes and let the familiar sensation
overtake her senses and center her magick. She was only performing a simple bind but lately her
power had been taking unsettling peaks that left her drained for days. Tara had insisted that she
take the necessary precautions and she had willingly obliged. The rest of the coven was also
growing concerned with what they perceived to be a "source" problem. It seemed that Willow's
gift was stemming not only from the traditional magicks but also from volatile and unfamiliar
origins. She had to be very careful whenever she performed any spells and so she took all the
additional precautions they required of her.
The sacred power circle was lined with green candles in all the four directions. Pure white salt
acted as a protective barrier against any outside intrusions. Within the circle sat Willow cross
legged and directing the fumes from the cauldron placed in front of her. The smoke traveled in a
single line that would eventually curve into a circle to signify a successful binding. The witch
observed the smoke attentively for any irregularities but everything seemed to be in order. The
white substance had begun its expected curl when it suddenly turned black and acrid. Willow
jumped back but did not leave the circle. Whatever it was she had to contain it before it spread.
"Revealeth"she commanded
The black smoke left the confines of the salt barrier. Willow was on her feet immediately as she
watched the blackness spread and... begin to take form.
At first it looked like a large animal but then it took on a clearly demonic visage. Willow gasped
at the horrible vision before her.
"What are you?" her voice was tremulous and young.
The demon did not respond and merely looked on with knowing yellow eyes. The witch peered
into the glowing pools. In them she saw what was to come.
A scream tore from her throat. The image faded and she sank to her knees terrified. What she
had seen... was truly horrendous. Quickly, she ran out of the room in search of her lover. She
had to tell her. They needed to return to Sunnydale. Now.
***
Des Moines- Iowa
It was hard to explain what had her on edge. Business was doing well enough to placate her
capitalistic spirit and she had already done her taxes. It was spring so Xander's business was
already picking up and he had quite a few lucrative contracts coming up. They were on time
with their mortgage and their son was doing well in school. Their baby girl was already walking
and besides from a slight pointing of the ears there were no visible signs of her colorful
parentage. Everything was well and on track. Yet, the uneasiness would not be abated.
She had told Xander about it and he chucked it to stress and they'd made love. Afterwards as
she lay sated and relaxed in his arms she wondered if the feeling was some sort of remnant from
her demon days. Maybe something was going on in the current hellmouth that was giving her
the weird vibes.
But if this was the case... Did she really want to know? She and Xander had left that life behind
a long time ago. It had been a hard thing to do but eventually they had realized that without
Buffy there was little tying them to Sunnydale. Spike, Faith, Angel and co. were sufficient to
take care of any rising threats and after all the Harrises were only human. It was better to leave
the world-saving to the pros. The decision to leave had made much more sense when Anya
discovered that she was pregnant. They said goodbye to the Scoobies and moved taking little
besides their memories both good and bad.
It had taken quite a while for Xander to understand Buffy's decision to turn herself in. For more
than six years the Slayer had been Xander's bright beacon that guided him and inspired him and
ultimately changed him for the better. When she was sentenced it was if the purpose had gone
from his life. He lost a little of his soul but Anya understood. She knew that Xander loved her
but what he felt for Buffy was also very strong and so her pain affected him greatly. Anya
helped him to accept the Slayer's decision and to support her even if it was from afar. Still, as
the years passed and Buffy's absence became more and more bearable he had learned to live
with it. He and Anya grew closer and eventually moved away from the rest of the group. It was
the normal thing to do.
So now after ten years of perfect normalcy what could possibly be wrong? Anya Harris had not
lived over a thousand years without learning to listen to her instincts. Tonight she was going to
tell Xander that they needed to get in touch with whatever passed for the current Sunnydale
gang.
***
Greenwich, Connecticut
She'd gotten in the habit of taking sporadic naps throughout the day. Her husband said it was
typical last trimester exhaustion. Dawn knew that it was sugar withdrawal.
Whatever it was she spent most of her time in either their bed or the living room sofa. This was
a good thing especially that at 8 ½ months she was the size of a small whale and could not move
as easily as she once did. Still, she was enjoying this time and knew that what was coming
would be even be better.
Dawn was truly happy in all things except one. She wanted to be with her sister. Steve had
consulted with her doctor and he did not recommend any cross country travel until after the baby
was born. The only contact she would have with Buffy would be over the phone.
Buffy. A dull pain settled in her heart whenever she thought of her sister. Sweet, brave Buffy
who had done the right thing even when it destroyed her. Dawn remembered those terrible days
following her sentencing. They had all acted as they were sleepwalking through a routine.
Willow, Tara, Anya, Xander and Giles had tried to keep Scooby gang going even without their
leader. When things got too dangerous, they were joined by the newly freed Faith but she could
not fill the original Slayer's shoes especially in their heart.
Dawn had eventually turned to Spike for comfort and he became her guardian. She'd gone to
live with her father for a time and Spike joined Angel in LA to keep an eye out for her.
Afterwards he bought a house in Sunnydale and she'd gone with him until she was accepted in
UCONN. She wanted him to move to the east with her but understood that he could not live that
far away from Buffy. She loved him for that.
Now Buffy was back and Dawn wondered what it would mean for them. Would Buffy find some
happiness now? Or would things be just as hard as they had always been for her?
Dawn prayed it would be the former but she knew better.
TBC.
Author's note: Before you ask, Giles is in the next chapter. He will be moving the plot along.
Faith and Angel finally get to Sunnydale and we finally find out how Buffy Summers has really
changed. Please read and review.
England- Wicca Coven
The sweet tang of aged incense permeated her pores to settle inside her leaving its comforting
trail through all the cells in her body. Willow closed her eyes and let the familiar sensation
overtake her senses and center her magick. She was only performing a simple bind but lately her
power had been taking unsettling peaks that left her drained for days. Tara had insisted that she
take the necessary precautions and she had willingly obliged. The rest of the coven was also
growing concerned with what they perceived to be a "source" problem. It seemed that Willow's
gift was stemming not only from the traditional magicks but also from volatile and unfamiliar
origins. She had to be very careful whenever she performed any spells and so she took all the
additional precautions they required of her.
The sacred power circle was lined with green candles in all the four directions. Pure white salt
acted as a protective barrier against any outside intrusions. Within the circle sat Willow cross
legged and directing the fumes from the cauldron placed in front of her. The smoke traveled in a
single line that would eventually curve into a circle to signify a successful binding. The witch
observed the smoke attentively for any irregularities but everything seemed to be in order. The
white substance had begun its expected curl when it suddenly turned black and acrid. Willow
jumped back but did not leave the circle. Whatever it was she had to contain it before it spread.
"Revealeth"she commanded
The black smoke left the confines of the salt barrier. Willow was on her feet immediately as she
watched the blackness spread and... begin to take form.
At first it looked like a large animal but then it took on a clearly demonic visage. Willow gasped
at the horrible vision before her.
"What are you?" her voice was tremulous and young.
The demon did not respond and merely looked on with knowing yellow eyes. The witch peered
into the glowing pools. In them she saw what was to come.
A scream tore from her throat. The image faded and she sank to her knees terrified. What she
had seen... was truly horrendous. Quickly, she ran out of the room in search of her lover. She
had to tell her. They needed to return to Sunnydale. Now.
***
Des Moines- Iowa
It was hard to explain what had her on edge. Business was doing well enough to placate her
capitalistic spirit and she had already done her taxes. It was spring so Xander's business was
already picking up and he had quite a few lucrative contracts coming up. They were on time
with their mortgage and their son was doing well in school. Their baby girl was already walking
and besides from a slight pointing of the ears there were no visible signs of her colorful
parentage. Everything was well and on track. Yet, the uneasiness would not be abated.
She had told Xander about it and he chucked it to stress and they'd made love. Afterwards as
she lay sated and relaxed in his arms she wondered if the feeling was some sort of remnant from
her demon days. Maybe something was going on in the current hellmouth that was giving her
the weird vibes.
But if this was the case... Did she really want to know? She and Xander had left that life behind
a long time ago. It had been a hard thing to do but eventually they had realized that without
Buffy there was little tying them to Sunnydale. Spike, Faith, Angel and co. were sufficient to
take care of any rising threats and after all the Harrises were only human. It was better to leave
the world-saving to the pros. The decision to leave had made much more sense when Anya
discovered that she was pregnant. They said goodbye to the Scoobies and moved taking little
besides their memories both good and bad.
It had taken quite a while for Xander to understand Buffy's decision to turn herself in. For more
than six years the Slayer had been Xander's bright beacon that guided him and inspired him and
ultimately changed him for the better. When she was sentenced it was if the purpose had gone
from his life. He lost a little of his soul but Anya understood. She knew that Xander loved her
but what he felt for Buffy was also very strong and so her pain affected him greatly. Anya
helped him to accept the Slayer's decision and to support her even if it was from afar. Still, as
the years passed and Buffy's absence became more and more bearable he had learned to live
with it. He and Anya grew closer and eventually moved away from the rest of the group. It was
the normal thing to do.
So now after ten years of perfect normalcy what could possibly be wrong? Anya Harris had not
lived over a thousand years without learning to listen to her instincts. Tonight she was going to
tell Xander that they needed to get in touch with whatever passed for the current Sunnydale
gang.
***
Greenwich, Connecticut
She'd gotten in the habit of taking sporadic naps throughout the day. Her husband said it was
typical last trimester exhaustion. Dawn knew that it was sugar withdrawal.
Whatever it was she spent most of her time in either their bed or the living room sofa. This was
a good thing especially that at 8 ½ months she was the size of a small whale and could not move
as easily as she once did. Still, she was enjoying this time and knew that what was coming
would be even be better.
Dawn was truly happy in all things except one. She wanted to be with her sister. Steve had
consulted with her doctor and he did not recommend any cross country travel until after the baby
was born. The only contact she would have with Buffy would be over the phone.
Buffy. A dull pain settled in her heart whenever she thought of her sister. Sweet, brave Buffy
who had done the right thing even when it destroyed her. Dawn remembered those terrible days
following her sentencing. They had all acted as they were sleepwalking through a routine.
Willow, Tara, Anya, Xander and Giles had tried to keep Scooby gang going even without their
leader. When things got too dangerous, they were joined by the newly freed Faith but she could
not fill the original Slayer's shoes especially in their heart.
Dawn had eventually turned to Spike for comfort and he became her guardian. She'd gone to
live with her father for a time and Spike joined Angel in LA to keep an eye out for her.
Afterwards he bought a house in Sunnydale and she'd gone with him until she was accepted in
UCONN. She wanted him to move to the east with her but understood that he could not live that
far away from Buffy. She loved him for that.
Now Buffy was back and Dawn wondered what it would mean for them. Would Buffy find some
happiness now? Or would things be just as hard as they had always been for her?
Dawn prayed it would be the former but she knew better.
TBC.
Author's note: Before you ask, Giles is in the next chapter. He will be moving the plot along.
Faith and Angel finally get to Sunnydale and we finally find out how Buffy Summers has really
changed. Please read and review.