Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy, or Rugrats


That night, back in the hotel room, Ira excitedly informed the other adults about the events of his day out with Glory and the Scoobies. He seemed especially excited about Glory.

"We're both lactose intolerant, love kids, and she thinks Jewish history is fascinating!" he said happily.

"Who wouldn't, you old babe magnet!" Jessica chuckled, elbowing him playfully.

"Just be careful, Ira" said Joyce, ever the cautious one, in a warning tone. She wasn't so sure about this Glory person. "I wouldn't want to see you go rushing into anything."

"Oh don't worry, I won't" said Ira seriously. "First I have to see how Glory and my little Willow get along, she and I are a team you know.."


In the next room, Xander, Anya, Cordelia, and baby Dawn were sleepy peacefully. Willow, tightly clutching Miss Kitty, lay wide awake between Tara, who was also having trouble getting to sleep, and Buffy, who was just beginning to drift off.

"Buffy?" she whispered.

"Yeah, Willow?" Buffy replied sleepily.

"Do you think someone like me could ever learn to be brave like you, my Daddy, and Angel?"

"Sure you could" said Buffy.

"B-but it's okay to b-be ascared sometimes" Tara pointed out. Willow didn't pay her much attention, as what she needed now was answers, not comfort.

"How?" she asked Buffy.

"Well, how abouts you just try thinking of something else whenever you feel ascared" said Buffy, yawning.

"I tried that once" Willow sighed. "But I just thinked of something scarier!" Tara rubbed her friend's back, trying to make her feel better.

"Try thinking of stuffs that make you feel good" said Buffy, rolling over and beginning to drift off.

"Y-yeah" agreed Tara, nodding.

"You mean like my Angel nightlight, or my fluffy Snoopy blankie, or my most favouritest moon rock?" Willow asked.

"Uh-huh" Buffy replied sleepily as she finally slipped into the land of dreams.

"Or a new Mommy?" Willow added. A small snore from Buffy indicated to Willow that her friend had fallen asleep. She sighed sadly, lying awake beside Tara for a little while longer. "Hey Tara?" she asked eventually.

"What is it, Willow?" asked Tara, rolling over to face her friend.

"The nextest time I sees the Slayer, I'm gonna be brave" Willow yawned and her eyes began to drift shut as she fell asleep herself. "Can you help me be brave, Tara?"

"Yeah.. but I already think you're really brave" Tara replied. Unfotunately, Willow didn't hear her friend's words as she had already drifted off to sleep. She sighed, but continued anyway, wrapping her arms around Willow and snuggling closer to her. Tara always slept better whenever she slept over at Willow's house, because, unlike at home, she had somebody to cuddle with. "You are brave, Willow. You're one of the braverest people I know."


A little later, just before he went to bed himself, Ira crept quietly into the Scoobies' bedroom. He smiled at the sleeping children, checking on each of them and readjusting their blankets before finally stopping at his own daughter's bed. He gave a pat on the head to Buffy and Tara, then bent down to give Willow a soft kiss on the cheek.

"Goodnight, Willow" he smiled, stroking his daughter's hair. "Sweet dreams." Ira stood up and headed back to his own room. He sat down and took off his shoes, before spotting something sitting on his pillow. "A golden inhaler?" he frowned, confused. "Wow, most hotels just leave mints." He spotted an inscription on the inhaler and read it. "Ivan, you take my breath away" it read. "Forever yours, Glory." Ira gasped and hugged the gift to his chest, then paused and looked at it again, frowning. "Ivan?"