Chapter 6:  'Whistle While you Work'

I don't want to be here.

Willow's brain had been playing that same track for the last 9 weekends. She'd even developed a remix that fitted in time to whatever tedious job she was doing next.

I don't, no I, I don't, I so don't want to be here

Stupid beans.

She'd been working a Tesco's since eight that morning. It was now four in the afternoon and she was going stir-crazy. Shelf-stacking was not something she'd envisioned doing. Being a nerd, yes. Hacking into government computers, yeah sure. Being a lesbian- well, she wasn't exactly saying no.

But working in a supermarket? Ending the world was more productive! At least you didn't get customers coming along afterwards and throwing everything you'd just done on the floor.

"Rosenburg, break!" The short, fat and balding Manager crept out of nowhere and spat the words into Willow's ear.

"Yes Mrs. Thump" She whispered.

"And I want to see those cans in alphabetical order!"

"Yes Mrs. Thump"

"And don't be so cocky!"

Willow sighed.

"Yes Mrs. Thump"

The short fat and yes, definitely balding manager waddled on up the aisle. Willow felt tempted to throw a box of cornflakes at her, but then told herself that was an abuse of power.

'Besides' she consoled 'I'd probably miss'.

Sighing, Willow crossed the store floor, before reaching the door that led to the staff room. It was unnervingly busy this afternoon, as if the British population had received advanced warning of an apocalypse and were stocking up on tins of mushy peas. Still, Willow mused, mushy peas were radioactive enough in their own right. They'd probably cause an apocalypse.

Trudging up the stairs to the staff room, Willow muttered a soothing mantra to herself, trying to remember everything the coven had taught her over the summer. Don't abuse your power. Don't end the world. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Don't try and kill your best friends little ex-energy ball sister. It's I before E except after C. Fish fingers should not be sold as chicken nuggets and the jacket potatoes are not in the sale (She suspected the latter two were a residue from her supermarket store training course).

But the rest were such important things and ideals that Willow had never really considered before. The coven had really…they'd really shown her the way.

And now, of course she was connected to everything.

Flicking the kettle on (being in England had caused her to become addicted to tea…Well she had to be addicted to something. Apparently it was in her personality. And as she was off the MagicAnvils, she supposed a highly caffinated hot liquid was the next best thing) Willow sank down into one of the old sofa's and closed her eyes. All she could see was tiny endless barcodes and endless shelves and rows. Giles had been right. She wasn't going to get off lightly. This was torture.

And then there was this connecting thing. Every single being, object, particle was connected to Willow in some way – like an extended family. The trees, the flowers, the birds. Willow, in some way, could sense them all. 'Willow'. They were talking to her.

"Willow"

Oh, no, they weren't. That was Rachel, one of the sales assistants.

Willow sat up, blushing.

"Hey"

"I've just been sent to tell you that you've only got fifteen minutes"

"Oh. Ok. Thank you" Willow smiled.

"And my god is it busy down there today"

"I know. Pre-apocalypse shopping"

"It's what?"

Willow opened then shut her mouth, like a fish. My god, she looked like a fish!

"Nothing" She replied hastily. Rachel grinned. She was pretty.

"Laterz" She said, before disappearing back downstairs. Will leaned back and rubbed tiredly at her eyes. Time was just not going quickly enough. She wanted to go home.

Time took Willow's thoughts at face value and the fifteen minute break passed too quickly. Grumbling to herself, she left the staff room and descended back down the stairs. She hovered at the door that exited back onto the shop floor. She'd had enough of Tesco's. She could control her magic – she wasn't evil anymore. She was sorry, and sad, and needed her friends. Anyone, actually, who knew her and could understand what it had been like. Anyone.

Just then the door opened.

"Well, if it isn't Red?"

Willow's mouth dropped open.

"Spike?" She whispered.

That hadn't been quite what she meant.