Disclaimers: I do not own Buffy, MASH, Stargate or Charmed. I can not even claim any original characters for this story. This is purely written for fun and not for profit. Just my take on a what if.

Also Please leave a review if you like the story. It really is encouraging, at least to me.

WARNING There is some serious sap in this next chapter. And it may seem out of character. However please recall the words you see as you enter Hell, "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here" Then think what feeling or feelings you would abandon in a piece of Heaven. Who know your guess may be right.

Chapter 11 In a very real, legally and mystically binding sense.

"Xander!" Willow called out as he appeared. "What took you so long?" Willow had been sitting, talking with Tara. Holding her hand and just enjoying her company. Giles was sitting in a chair, reading. They had all wondered, why Xander hadn't returned yet.

"Was there a problem retrieving the items?" Giles asked.

"No I'm sorry for taking so long. But I decided to leave you a small gift." Xander replied. "I'll explain once we get the others here. Wills, if you wouldn't mind? Could you go get them?"

"Sure," Willow replied. She left to get the others.

"So have we found anything yet?" Xander asked.

Tara replied, "We found two spells that look like they'd work. But there are problems and complications with both of them."

"What're the issues?" Xander asked.

"The first spell. I was very surprised to read. As I had always thought sacrificial spells were very dark magic. However this spell requires the willing sacrifice of the casters life to work." Giles said. "Once I realized the difference it was obvious why this spell could work. And since the caster must be completely willing to sacrifice their life. There can be no compulsions or outside influences. If there are such influences the spell fails."

Xander nodded, "A true sacrifice of love than. That would be extremely powerful. And the other spell?

"Possibly more difficult from our point of view. It requires three casters. They must be a magical family. The spell said specifically, 'By Blood and By Love.' And I fear that whilst the love is present in those of us here. Only Joyce and Buffy have a blood connection. And whilst Buffy would qualify as magical. Joyce has never shown an ability to do magic in the past."

"Hmm," came from Xander. "That wouldn't be a problem. Really worse case scenario, I could probably give her powers."

"WHAT!" Yelled Giles.

Just than the others returned. Buffy hearing Giles astonished cry said, "What's the what?"

"You could give someone mystical powers?" Giles asked, ignoring Buffy's question. This was unheard of. The amount of power this man had to posses. It was staggering.

The others hearing this were amazed. Xander said to XanderW, "So that means your going to power me up right?"

"How can you do that?" Willow asked.

XanderW shrugged, completely nonchalant. "It's a whole thing. But yeah, I think I need to try and help you all. Before we try and send me home."

Xander with a happy cry said, "Yes! No more Butt Monkey!" He suddenly started to dance. Faith and Buffy stepped back. Willow smiled. Tara giggled.

"What the fuck boytoy" Faith exclaimed.

"It's the snoopy dance." Willow stated. "He only pulls that out at Christmas or on very special occasions."

Buffy looked at him and said, "You realize you've just jinxed it? You challenged murphy."

Xander stopped dancing. "No I didn't. I at no time said any of the challenging thing. No what else or everythings will be fine."

Buffy looked at him. "Yes you did!"

Xander, "Did Not!"

Buffy 'Did So!"

Xander, "Did Not!"

Buffy 'Did So!"

"Children" Joyce broke in. "Enough please stop acting like you're five year olds." Faith and Tara where both snickering at the two off them. Giles once more wished he still had glasses. Willow looked like she wasn't sure who to side with.

Buffy stuck out her tongue at Xander. "Did so" she whispered.

XanderW cleared his voice, "Back to the subject. If no one minds? As I was saying about the other spell Giles. Just give me a moment." Walking over to one of the podiums he grasped the book lying on it. "Family Bonds and Mystical Connections of the Ancient Phoenicians." The book rippled. Xander quickly flipped through it. Calling Giles, Willow and Tara over. He pointed out the spell he had in mind.

"Look at this. It's a mystical adoption rite. After the adoption the participants are blood family. So Giles, if you were to adopt Tara and Willow you would all be easy fix."

Willow started looking uncomfortable as she read the spell. "Xander, this spell it would make us blood family right?"

"Yup," XanderW replied with a grin.

"Bu. But that would mean my girlfriend is also my sister!" Willow cried out.

"Oh..I uh didn't think of that." XanderW replied.

"Is this the only way Xander?" Giles asked.

"It's the easiest way but if there were any other way, this book would have it." XanderW said.

"Well whilst I have no objection to obtaining daughters and even a son." He said looking at Xander standing by Faith. "I do believe we should try to avoid family being so close together. I prefer a family tree that branches out, to a straight one."

Looking through the book they tried to find an answer. Finally Giles said, "I do not see anything here that would work. The closet possibility was a marriage rite."

Xander looked up, "Why wouldn't that work, Giles?"

"Really Xander. I am sure it has not escaped your notice that we are lacking a groom for Tara and Willow!" Giles replied in frustration.

"Why does it have to be a groom? Does the spell say it has to be a man and a woman?" Xander replied.

Turning back to the book Giles read the entry again. "No it does not. I assumed it would because of the repercussions of this spell."

"Repercussions?" Tara asked. Willow nodding her head.

"Yes, the spell is designed to ensure a fruitful union between the two." Giles explained. Seeing that the others were not understanding. "After the marriage rite is completed. It guarantees children or at the least a child will be conceived at the same time."

'Oh...Oh ah Oh." Was all Willow could say.

" it would satisfy the of the other spell right?" Tara asked.

"Yes, if we combined it with the adoption of one of the two of you." Giles said.

"So the question is. Willow, Tara do you two want to get married?" Xander said.

Willow looked stunned. Her impressive intellect was running through everything. Marriage, she was too young to get married and kids. Their would be kids. And she hadn't finished school. Where would they live … And and and kids! Looking over at Tara. Who was looking at Willow. Willow's brain said, "And Tara."

Tara was worried. She knew that Willow's feeling for her where very new. She was also scared. Scared that Willow would reject her. And she didn't want to contaminate any children with the demon inside of her.

Willow suddenly said, "Yes I want to marry Tara."

Tara her eyes wide, cried out, "I can't." She turned and ran from the room. Willow looked stunned and started to cry. Buffy and Xander moved to comfort her.

XanderW looked at them and said, "Willow before you panic. Let me go talk to her. Joyce if you would come with me please. I think Tara may need a mothers help."

Joyce nodded, "Of course." The two went after Tara. They found the girl back in her room. She was sobbing on her bed. Joyce sat down besides her. "Tara what is it? Why are you so upset. No one will force you to do anything."

"Is it because you don't want to marry Willow?" Xander asked.

"No I want to. I really want to." The sobbing girl wailed.

"Then what is the problem?" Joyce asked.

"Because I'm a demon!" Tara cried. "I'm not even really human! I can't do that to Willow."

Joyce looked stunned. How? Tara looked normal. She looked at Xander who was looking at Tara, as if he could look through her.

"No you're not." Xander said. "I know demons and you do NOT have anything demonic in you."

Tara looked at him in shock. " my family. said it was of the demo could do ." She sniffled and stuttered as she spoke.

"Then they lied Tara." Xander said. "I can promise you, your magic does not come from demons. It is a gift from Heaven. I would know if you were a demon. And you are nothing more than a witch."

"Really?" Tara asked.

"Really, Really!" Xander replied with a smile. "Angel here. Trust me!"

"Than that means I could marry Willow?" Tara smiled. Than her face fell. "But she thinks I don't want to. And she'll never forgive me!" She started crying again.

"Shh" Joyce said. "She thinks nothing like that. Yes she was hurt. But once we explain everything it will be alright. Now you better go wash your face. I'll wait for you. Xander go explain to Willow. Alright?"

Tara nodded grateful for the wonderful people she had met since coming to Sunnydale. Xander left as Tara got cleaned up.

Back in the library XanderW returned. When he explained why Tara had reacted like she did. Giles got a hard look on his face. "Bolloxs, her family should be drawn and quartered. That they would do that to such a sweet girl."

"Well how about we change that?" Willow said. Everyone looked at her. "The adoption. Let's have GIles adopt Tara and that way she has a new Family."

As she spoke Tara and Joyce walked in. Hearing the last line. Giles, whose back was to them said, "If she would have me I would be proud to have Tara as a Daughter. And you as a daughter-in-law Willow."

Tara could only let out a loud "Epp" at Giles's statement.

"So what do you all say shall we have an adoption and a wedding?" XanderW asked.

Joyce looking at everything, and everyone. She felt something was missing. Or more importantly someone would be left out. "Xander, what would it take for me to adopt Faith?"

Faith was shocked. She couldn't believe it. Mrs' S was asking about adopting her. And from what G had said this wasn't a paper adoption this was a whole nother level. "You can't" she said in shock.

Joyce looked at her, smiled and said, "Yes I can! And I want to. As long as you want to too."

Faith didn't reply. Joyce went over to her. "I already have one daughter who is a slayer. And I think having both of you as my daughters would be wonderful. Besides Buffy always wanted siblings."

"Really" Faith's eyes bore into Joyce. Then she looked over at Buffy.

Buffy walked over grabbed her free hand. "Really so what do you say? Sisters?"

Faith looked once more at Joyce and whispered, "yes" Joyce smiled and hugged the girl tightly.

Joyce turned back to XanderW. "Well? Can we do this?"

XanderW shook his head once more amazed by the magnificent woman who was Joyce Summers. "If we couldn't I would find a way. But as it happens it is a very easy ceremony.. So yes we can. Any other Adoptions you two want to do while we are at it?"

Xander looked at the ground. Even with everything that had happened. He still had severe issues. As Tony Harris repeatedly said 'You're a worthless piece of shit' and deep down he knew it.

Giles recalled last night. The words Xander's family had uttered. He knew in his soul that if he didn't speak up he would regret it for the rest of his life. He didn't know why. But he had never been more certain of anything. "Yes I think I would be quite pleased, if I were to gain a son at the same time." He said looking at Xander.

"What?" Xander asked in shock. He knew what had been done to Giles, even if Giles didn't. How could Giles want him? "You can't mean that."

Giles looked at him and said, "I assure you I do. Infact I would go so far as to state that I look forward to having you as my son." Giles smiled at the boy,. No the man in front of him.

Xander found himself unable to reply. Willow came over to him. Hugging him she said, "Say yes Xander. Please say yes." Xander could only shake his head yes. Cleansing tears were falling from his eyes.

Joyce realized that while she felt no over-power need to adopt Willow. She also didn't want the girl to feel left out. "Willow, I would be happy to have you as part of our family. If you want" After all, when all was said and done, she had been a good friend to Buffy for years. And her own family never seemed to be there for her.

Now it was Xander's turn to talk to his friend, "Just say yes Willow. While your parents aren't as bad as mine. They were never there. The times they've been there for you can be counted on one hand."

'But I still love them," Willow squeaked.

"Nothing says you can't, this just gives you even more family to love." Xander replied.

XanderW watched all of this. Part of him thought "Am I doing the right thing?" He knew how this place could affect mortals. And no matter what, everyone here but him, was mortal. He thought about the things Shemp had said. "It all comes down to free will. I'm not forcing them to do anything. Just setting up the situation. So that they can see the possibilities."

Willow looked at Faith. She knew she and Faith hadn't gotten along in the past. And she could now recognize that it wasn't just Faith's fault. But maybe she could use Faith to get out of this. "Faith would it be alright with you?"

Faith was surprised that Willow bothered to ask her. She was tempted, oh how she was tempted to say no way. But this was something important. The question Faith's mind asked her was 'Who do you want to be?'

"Shit Red, ah fuck , yeah do it." Faith said.

"Language Faith!" Joyce said. If she was going to be Faith's mother. She would be her mother.

Faith looked at Joyce. Shocked "What the Fu ah freak?"

"Better Faith." Joyce smiled at her.

OK Maybe it would be worth watching her language to have a mom like Mrs. S.

Willow looked torn. She had tried for an easy way out. But Faith hadn't cooperated. Now it was all on her. She felt everyone's eyes on her. "I'm sorry, but I can't." She finally said. Looking at Joyce she expected to see condemnation.

Joy was just smiling at Willow. "It's alright Willow. I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do."

Willow felt like crying. But she just couldn't do this. She couldn't betray her parents this way. Even if it would be so nice to have Buffy as a sister.

Everyone was standing around quietly. Their feelings were in some ways overwhelming. XanderW knew time was running out. He'd already read the spells, that they would need to use. So he declared. "I think we need to get this started. Everyone follow me."

He took them to another room. This room was surrounded by pools of water that had soft steam rising from them.

"The first thing we have to do is a cleansing ritual." XanderW explained. "During this ritual you will all be cleansed and renewed. But for Buffy and Faith there may be complications." He had decided to try and help cleanse that slayer spirit.

"What complications?" Joyce asked.

"The slayer spirit." XanderW said. "It started out as power stripped from a Demon. During the ritual, I'm not sure what will happen. It could force the spirit out of both of them, which would mean they would no longer be slayers. It could purify the demonic taint, leaving only the power. Or it could do nothing."

Faith had always said that becoming the slayer, was the best thing that ever happened to her. Now she was faced with the possibility of losing that. She questioned herself if it was worth it.

Buffy, recalled what had happened earlier. When the slayer was split off from her. The savage creature that she held inside of her. She found herself hoping it would be removed.

Giles knowing how important the slayer was to the battle against evil asked. "If it is removed what would happen?"

"Most likely a new slayer would be called. Possibly two if the essence does not recombine." XanderW replied.

Faith spoke first, "I want to do it. Being the slayer has been the best thing that ever happened to me. But the chance for a real family. That's worth maybe losing it. Plus like Wings said maybe nothing happens."

Buffy said, "I agree, I'm in"

"It's going to hurt. A lot." XanderW said. "Whatever you do just keep repeating the words. As the ritual completes any pain you feel should go away."

"Joyce, Giles we need to start with you two. Since you will be acting as the parents you both need to enter one of the pools first. Once there you must remove your clothes and say as you bathe yourselves…"

"What?" Joyce and Giles said.

" Do you mean we must disrobe?" Giles asked.

"Yes" XanderW stated. " And everyone else will have to as well." There was an almost universal cry of protest at this last statement. XanderW laughed. "Relax would you, Geez you would think there is something wrong with being naked. Don't worry when you are in the pools the steam can obscure anyone from seeing you."

"Now all of you pay attention this is what you will say."

Spirit of Fire purify me.

Spirit of Earth mold me.

Spirit of Water renew me.

Spirit of Air uplift me.

"Repeat that same line until you see a flash of light. Then move to the next line. When all four have been completed. Repeat the four lines one after the other one last time." XanderW said.

"Once Joyce and Giles are done, everyone else needs to get into the pools." Addressing Giles and Joyce. "When they are done it will be your jobs, to help your new children come out of the water. Guide them to the stands here. I will help Willow when she is done. Then we do the next part of the ritual."

Everyone was nervous.. It was one thing to talk about this another thing to actually do it. Joyce moved to the pools first. Steam rose up obscuring her from site. Seeing this Giles followed suit.

For Joyce this was an easy task. For Giles it was not. Even Elders are not infallible, and both Giles and XanderW had forgotten about the Mark of Eyghon.

As Giles began the ritual he fought back screams as spiritual flames ate at his arm. He found himself repeating over and over "Spirit of Fire purify me" After almost a minute a yellow light flashed. Giles moved to the next line.

"Spirit of Earth mold me." caused his body to strengthen. He felt like a man in his prime. And a green light flashed.

"Spirit of Water renew me" He felt refreshed in body, spirit and mind. A blue glow like clear waters in a lake flashed across his sight.

"Spirit of Air uplift me." He couldn't explain the feeling this produced. It was as if, he could see his whole life in front of him. And he knew it would be a long life. A flash of white occurred.

He spoke all four stanzas of the ritual one last time and exited the pool. As the others were getting ready to enter the pools he said. "Whatever happens, you need to do as Xander has said. Keep saying the line. As you complete it, the pain lessens each time."

Everyone else moved to the pools. As they had been warned for Buffy and Faith this was an excruciating ordeal. They kept repeating the first line again and again. Minutes passed and XanderW was getting very worried. This was looking bad. The two girls voices had become strained and broken from the pain. Joyce obviously wanted to rush to them, but XanderW had warned them not to interfere. Finally when he thought he couldn't take it anymore. A dark cloud lift up from the girls. It hung in the air for a moment. It felt savage and malevolent. Then it disappeared.

Xander's turn was easier that Giles. His soul and mind were cleansed of the malicious effects of his various possessions. He only had to go through the First stanza ten times to complete it.

Tara had the easiest time of them all. The young woman was already pure of heart. The ritual did erase hidden problems in her body. The beatings her previous family had administered. They had left behind marks in her body. After the rite, these were gone.

As they completed their cleansing. Either Giles or Joyce was their to help them out of the water.

The unexpected situation was Willow. As she started the ritual she found, she was forced to pay a price, for the dark magics she had previously cast. The soul curse had left a taint on her. This taint had to be purified. While not taking as long as either Buffy or Faith. Willow's purification was longer than Giles. Because Giles had repented of his youthful mistakes. Willow having never thought she was wrong, had ripped a soul out of Heaven. And forced it into a vampire. For her, as she chanted the lines. She was shown exactly what she had done, to the soul of a man named Liam. During the purification she felt everything. Tears streamed down her eyes as she completed the rite.

XanderW was waiting to help willow out of the pool. He handed her a white linen robe. Pulling her aside, he asked. "Willow what happened?" He knew the cleansing had been much harder on Willow than he had expected.

Willow started to cry. Tears fell down her face as she said, "I saw what I did to Liam. I felt everything he felt by being put into a dead demon infested corpse. I thought I had done the right thing. I gave Buffy back Angel. But I, I didn't. I punished an innocent man's soul. I put him into a corpse that can never feel true happiness. And I can never be forgiven." She finished in a hushed voice.

XanderW looked at her. "Than you need to do something to fix the problem. You have a few choices. You could dust Angel."

Willow was shocked but not surprised. Xander wanted her to kill Angel. "I know you hate him." She began only to have XanderW stop her.

"I said you COULD, not that you SHOULD. What you SHOULD do is find a way to remove the demon from him. Dusting him does not repay the debt that you now owe to the soul of Liam. It would only be easier for you as your mistake would not be around."

Willow nodded. "Oh, ah ok, I can do that. Or maybe find a way to turn him human. That might work, right?"

XanderW looked at her, "I won't be here to guide you. So you will have to decide when you have done enough to correct your mistakes."

Clouds still seemed to cover everyone who was naked. They had been surprised that their clothes where no long on the floor. XanderW just smirked at them. But it was too late to do anything except blush.

XanderW stood between the two groups, Willow at his side. By the bowls were ritual knives. "Giles, Joyce take the knife and slice along the wrist to your palms. Drip the blood into your bowl and say."

"By my blood I Joyce am the Mother."

"By my blood I Ruppert am the Father."

"Then pass the knife. Joyce you need to pass it to Buffy first. Giles it won't matter who you pass it to first. Then each of you slice yourself from wrist to palm. Let the blood drop into the bowl. Saying"

"By my blood I ' state your name' am the Daughter and Sister."

"By my blood I Alexander am the Son and Brother."

"Once everyone is done. Clasp hands and state"

"By Our Blood we are Family."

Everyone did as instructed, From Joyce the knife passed to Buffy. And from Buffy to Faith. At the other side Giles passed the knife to Xander. When Tara finished her part they grasped hands. Once everyone was ready they all said in one voice.

"By our Blood We are Family." There was no bright flash of light. No bells or whistles. But a soft glow spread from their clasped hands. As the glow grew XanderW began to speak. He placed one hand over each groups joined hands. They couldn't understand what he was saying. It was musical and right in some ways. *"Through time and eternity these family shall be bound. What was once separate will forever be joined. Together always. Strengthen them. Unite them. Curse any who would divide them. In the light they shall walk and never falter."*

Slowly as Xander spoke. The light covered each group enveloping them. Once XanderW finished the light seemed to soak into their skins.

Giles had to know, "XanderW what was that language you were using?" XabderW smiled and whispered his answer to Giles. Giles was shocked to find it was true Enochian.

XanderW smiled. He knew his time was running out. While the rituals and cleansing had been taking place, he had started to feel the pain, his body was killing itself slowly. He wanted everyone to move quickly out of the room. He needed to finish the plan.

"Everyone if you'll look to the walls, you will see fresh clothes. Please get dressed. We have a wedding to perform. Then one last spell to cast." Everyone quickly got dressed. The new clothes were white linen robes.

Moving back into the center of the room. XanderW called Tara and Willow to come up. He placed Giles and Joyce to either side of their daughters. "Tara and Willow. I want this to be special for you both. The bond of you both in marriage. Uniting yourselves as a Family. I warn you. Do NOT do this only because you need to cast a spell."

"Do you do this from a sincere desire to be with one another. To love and support one another. To fight to keep each other true to the light. To hold each other. To teach one another. Do you wish to be joined together?

Tara spoke looking into Willow's eyes "I do"

Willow responded her eyes lost in Tara's "I do"

"Clasp your hands together." Xander then began chanting in a dialect none of them recognized.

As the chant completed a soft white light engulfed the two women. It hovered over them. Passed through them. Then settled on their stomachs. Finally fading away. "You may now Kiss your wife." Willow and Tara shared at first a tender kiss. But it turned more passionate as it continued.

Giles eventually cleared his throat loudly to bring the two brides back to the present. Tara and Willow blushed. They held hands, as they looked at their family. Everyone congratulated the two women.

"Once we get back home we have got to have a reception." Buffy said.

"So is it Giles-Rosenburg or Rosenburg-Giles? Xander asked. Willow and Tara looked startled for a moment then both realized that they had new names. To go with the new family.

"Tara and I will let you know. When we decide how it will be." Willow said as she hugged her wife. "And you'll have to tell me what you think of being Alexander Giles."

"Easy I am ecstatic. I finally have a Father worthy of the title." Xander grinned.

Giles looked at Xander. He smiled. "I am so happy to hear you say that….G-man."

Xander was shocked. Everyone was shocked. Until Faith let out a loud laugh. Of all the places Giles could go, that was one, none of them had seen coming.

Faith however saw what the others didn't "So that means between the two of ya, we got our own G-men." Both Giles and Xander looked shocked, for a moment.

Then Xander smiled. "Yeah I'm good being a G-man. And if together we are the G-men. Well I'm happy with that two."

XanderW started speaking. "Look I'm sorry to rush us along. But we have a spell that need to be cast. I need everyone to gather in a circle. Giles you need to hold Tara's hand. And Tara you need to hold Willows. From their places don't matter."

Xander held Willow's other hand. Faith quickly grabbed his free hand. Joyce held Faith's hand Buffy was between her Mom and Giles. XanderW stood in the center of the circle.

"I can't really help with this part. Remember you three need to chant the words together. Giles whenever you're ready start"

We who have Bonds of Blood and Love call upon the Heavens.

We who have been wronged Call upon Spirits.

We who have lost our truth Call for Justice.

We ask for the removal of lies. No longer to be heard.

We ask for our eyes to be opened. No longer to be clouded.

We ask for our minds to be returned. Never again to be violated.

We offer our acceptance of each other.

We offer our forgiveness of each other.

We offer our love of each other.

As the spell completed Joyce felt her true memories of Hank returned. She now knew. He had never cheated on her. But she also knew, it was too late to fix. She cried. A silent tear, for what was lost.

Looking at the others she said, "Buffy who went down to the master's cave to save you?"

Buffy looked at her Mom. Her eyes got wide. "It was Xander! He brought Angel down to save me! Oh my God how could I have forgotten that?"

Quickly Giles, Buffy and Willow started remembering. Willow started cry as she recalled how she'd belittled her friend. Even while praising the deeds he had done. Tara hugged her wife and said, "Shhh it's alright. He still loves you." Willow held her wife and cried.

Buffy now knew why, she'd felt the need, to apologize to Xander earlier. She couldn't believe it. All the times he had been there for her. She rushed over to him. Hugging him she buried her head against his chest. "Thank you." she whispered to him.

Giles was standing to the side. He too was so very pleased. Pleased he had listened to his soul. He now understood the value of the man beside him. The man who had only a short time before, became his son.

"Everyone we need to take care of a few more things. Please let's move this to the Round Table room." XanderW said.

Wow another chapter down. I really wanted Willow to join the families but she just didn't have the courage to try. But she is now married to Tara and one or both of them are pregnant..Tara, Faith and Xander didn't have any Family holding them back.

Than Willow came and asked to be punished. So suddenly I will have to look into her trying to fix what she did to Angel.

And while letting this simmer to try and get it right I found out what happened to him. Incidentally who do you think of all the system lords would be the worse one to get their hands on Whistler? And Why? Remember Goa'uld have genetic memory and according to Ganos Lal they can avoid the Powers messing with the, Also if they know how to kill Higher level demons, Whitelighters and elders what else do they know?