Infallible

We are not final because we are infallible, but infallible only because we are final.
~ Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson

Okay, is anyone else terrified? Xander asked a few moments after Willow had left the room. He turned to stare at the other three remaining people. They all stared back for a second before answering at once.

from Kendra.

Not at all. from Giles.

And from Cordelia a heartfelt, Hell yeah! The two who were putting on brave faces glared at her and so she explained, Oh, come on! Buffy's off in the forest fighting some Big-Bad with a Vampire and we're left alone to fight her ex boyfriend, who is also a Vampire. And Willow and Oz are having relationship issues, which could possibly lead to the end of the world if they don't keep their minds on their jobs! She took a breath and then observed, And we're just sitting around like big mooks waiting for someone to take charge.

Giles cleared his throat, Eh hem, well, yes. I'll gather the magic ingredient. Kendra you... uh... select some suitable weapons, Xander help her and... Cordelia help me.

Cordelia rose from her seat and muttering something that sounded very much like, Why'd it have to be him. disappeared with Giles into his office to collect herbs and candles. Kendra, shy from being partnered with Xander, immediately bend down and busied herself with searching through a weapons chest.

Xander glanced from the direction that Cordelia had disappeared to and then to Kendra. He sighed rather audibly and decided to take big weapons, like swords, axes and pikes, and that wasn't overcompensation--oh no--it was just because Kendra was handling the smaller ones. He kinda felt she'd picked the better place to get weapons, seeing as stakes were handier that pikes against Vampires, or at least for someone who wasn't from the eighteenth century, like Xander.

Uh... Hand me a few of those? he asked, pointing towards the stakes. Kendra looked up, startled, and then with shaking hand gave him three.

Xander asked in a low voice as he pushed the stakes into pockets.

I... Yes, a little. Kendra confided.

Its natural.

Its not! Not for a Slayer! She protested.

Ha! You think Buffy never gets scared?

She... is different. So many friends, its not natural.

So fear is natural, Buffy has it, but she's not natural? Kendra, she's human. And so are you.

Kendra pulled a few crossbow bolts from the chest and looked up at Xander gratefully. She would never say so though as in her mind, Slayers still weren't allowed to make mistakes, and shouldn't need help. Especially not from civilians.

Have you two finished bonding? We do have a world to save. Cordelia snapped, appearing from Giles's office with an armful of magic stuff.

Yep. All finished here. Xander said hurrying to help his girlfriend unload the mixture of candles, herbs and stones. This is all for the spell?

Either that or Giles is just getting me to clean the crap out of his draws. Some of this stuff smells nasty. Cordelia picked up something dried, long and grey and waved it under Xander's nose to prove her point.

He took a step back and waved her hand away, I would have just taken your word for it.

I wanted you to suffer too.

Such a giving relationship. Giles remarked at he placed a glass bowl down on the table and several packets of dried unmentionables.

Huh, I don't think you can talk Mr-My-Only-Girlfriend-Was-Eaten.

Xander warned, shooting Giles an appeasing smile.

Right. I think there's everything here that Willow could need. All set out. Kendra you have, uh, weapons? Giles asked, ignoring Cordelia tolerantly.

I, um, yes. Kendra said, she offered stakes to both Giles and Cordelia before pulling out the sword from earlier, And this.

Oh, yes, and your sword. Giles glanced about, Right then, we'd better get going.

I hope Willow comes back soon otherwise there's going to be one more body in that forest tomorrow. Cordelia said, making her way out with the others.

What did you mean about Willow and Oz? Xander asked, curious.

Oh, it was so obvious they were having problems.

Minds on the job, please.

Sure Giles! Going out to Slay some evil! Woo! Xander said with fake happiness.

Hmm. Perhaps not so enthused.

We're all gonna die.

The group laughed as the exited the Library, silently hoping that that wouldn't be the case.

***

Holy crap... That doesn't look like White Fang.

The wolf was about twice the size that it should of been, and standing only a few feet away from the couple. They both sprang apart, Buffy raising her axe and Spike falling into fighting stance.

Its no Ajax or Buck either. Come on Slayer, are you glowing yet?

Buffy checked the talisman quickly, her eyes barely leaving the large grey animal,

Uh huh, bet you're rethinking that lets go find it' plan now aren't you?

Shut up Spike. We just have to stay out of its way until Willow comes through. Its better than having her chanting for hours.

If she comes through.

Why wouldn't she? She's not you Spike.

Spike snorted with mock effrontery, I thought I'd changed, Slayer.

I was wrong. You're still as much a pain in the ass as ever.

Thanks. Why isn't this thing attacking us yet?

The wolf was just standing and blinking at them like an oversized dog, but less friendly. As they spoke its head had tilted minutely towards each sentence. Both Vampire and Slayer shifted uncomfortably, still ready for an attack should one come.

You sure this is it Slayer, I mean. I was expecting crimson eyes and perhaps three head or something.

This has to be it. How many other wolves do you think there are in this Californian forest? Do you... Do you get the feeling its listening to us?

It could be slowly calculating batting averages for all we know. Its just not attacking.

I know but the way--

Suddenly the wolf changed, it bared its teeth in a snarl and rippling back from its open mouth the grey fur dissolved into a golden-yellow coat with black patches randomly decorating it. The ears cut down into circles and it grew even bigger.

A Leopard. Spike stated, simply.

Buffy agreed, raising her axe a little higher.

Both fighters backed up two steps, sizing up their new opponent. The shapeshifter's teeth were still bared, and slowly it moved towards its prey, body swaying. Spike reached across and grabbed the axe from Buffy's hands. He took aim and threw it at the advancing big cat. Not surprisingly the axe simply drifted through the animal as if it wasn't even there, hitting the grass with a thump.

What the hell did you do that for?!

I thought you said this thing was scary Slayer. So far all its done is shown us its teeth. It can't hurt us and its certainly not messing with my emotions. To tell you the truth I'd rather be back in town fighting your boy than this impotent evil ma--

A force knocked into Spike, hurling him back into a tree and pinning him there. He heard cracks from his chest that told him his ribs were breaking. He was suspended a couple of feet in the air, and if the tree hadn't been at his back he didn't know how far he would have been flung. He coughed up blood, but found his head was also pinned back so that he could not spit it out. He tried desperately to move but couldn't. Externally paralysed. This thing obviously couldn't take a joke.

A white mist began materialising around and through the thing that was pinning him to the tree. It had no definite shape, but it was coming from Kakeaner, who seemed to be under no more strain than he had been when the axe had been thrown at him. Spike's eyes rolled around desperately in his head as he tried to search for something to release him. A few trees to his right was another white-encased form. The Slayer. She was also pinned to a tree, but unlike him she seemed motionless. It hadn't occurred to him before, because of course he didn't need to breath, but the pressure on his chest that had easily compacted his ribs, was also flattening his lungs. He didn't need to breath. But the Slayer did.

***

Yeah. They've gone. Willow confirmed as she walked into the Library, closely dogged by Oz.

Probably fighting Angelus as we speak. Oz agreed. Is everything ready to cast the spell?

Willow skipped over to the table and took a second to glance over the ingredients, Yep. Except for the actual spell.

What? I thought you had that.. Oz said, desperately trying not to get into an argument.

Oh. I do, its just on disk. Willow wandered over to her bag which she'd left at the back of the Library. She pulled it up onto the desk and began to rifle around inside. After a moment she pulled out a handful of floppy disks. One of these in fact.

You don't know which one?

Willow blushed, Giles dropped it off in the middle of a computer class and it kinda got mixed up. I didn't even know he knew how to use a computer that well.

Willow, Buffy's life could depend on you casting this spell! Don't you think you should have been a little more organised?

Well, I was going to sort it out with you earlier but..

An uncomfortable silence fell. It probably would have lasted longer except for, of course, the life-or-death factor. Tentatively Oz walked forward and picked up the disks.

Lets sort through them then. He offered quietly. Willow smiled and nodded.

All right.

They both slid behind the Library counter and to the computer that was resting on it. Oz laid the disks down and Willow booted up the hard drive and monitor. The both watched the jargon flash across the screen in silence, but once the desktop appeared Oz handed over the first disk. Willow took it and before sliding it into the disk drive commented,

Hmm. I don't even think this is one of mine but...

She opened the only file on the disk and for a second her face brightened,

Oh, this is a spell. Its must be--

Oz pointed to the screen, his eyes wide. Willow's expression was soon a complete copy of his, her lips parted in a silent oh'. Finally she read the words at the top of the page, as if reading them would make the disbelief go away.

The Spell of Restoration

***

Angelus plunged the stake into the Vampire's chest and watched with satisfaction as he blew up in a cloud of dust. He brushed the flakes from his fingers and dropped the wood almost immediately. Drusilla slunk up behind him like an annoying cat and draped an arm around his middle.

He was annoying Dru. And he had nothing else to tell us. Blood on the hand, bla, bla, end of the world. It was boring.

Drusilla kneaded her hands into his back, massaging the muscles with long fingers and pinching the skin with sharp finger nails just as he began to relax.

I'm bored. she complained.

Dru, we're trying to end the world. There has to be a certain amount of hanging around beforehand.

And hungry. she commented as if she hadn't heard a word he'd said. Which was highly probable.

Well you can't go out. Don't want you staked before the event.

Drusilla whined softly, her lower lips jutting out into a pout. Angelus turned and grabbed her roughly by both arms, causing the pout to dissolve into a playful smirk. He shook her violently.

Stop distracting me Dru! Or I'll kill you right now and you won't get to see the pretty lights or the Apocalypse. He shoved her back and turned away almost instantly, Assuming we ever get that far.

Drusilla uttered behind him softly.

What about him?

Can't breath. She giggled, Can't breath.

He's a Vampire, he doesn't need to. Do you actually have anything worth while to say? Sometimes I regret sending you insane He smirked, But then I remember how much fun it was. Do you remember Dru?

She's coming. Dru continued.

The Slayer..? Angelus breathed, then he grinned, Well, it looks like tonight won't be a total let down. Killing Buffy and her friends could be fun... The smile faded slightly, Now if we could only work out how to open this damn portal.

***

We can't do it!

I know Oz, I've already dropped the subject. Lets just get on with this material spell.

Willow was sitting crossed-legged on top of the table with a printed out sheet on her lap and a semicircle of rocks and candles before her. Oz was standing by her side with a stick of smouldering incense in each hand.

But... It would make him easier to fight... Or not to fight at all. He could come back. And Buffy could be happy again.

Its not that simple, Will.

I--I know that. Its just I want her to be happy. And also I don't want the world to end.

Do we even have all of the ingredients?

Oh? Even a.. Oz scanned the second printed sheet in Willow's lap, An Orb of Thesulah?

Giles is using one as a paperweight. Willow said matter-of-factly. Oz opened his mouth to argue again, Look. Oz, I can't do it without you so if you don't want to then that's fine. But we'll have to pretend we never saw it because imagine how it will make Buffy feel to hear that she could have had her boyfriend back but you said no.

Willow. This isn't just about Buffy. If we give him his soul back does that mean he automatically isn't guilty for the pain he has inflicted on people. Buffy's mom, Jenny, countless others..? Does he get a free pass? Doesn't Giles deserve some kind of revenge?

Yes. He does. But I don't want any of them dying tonight. If we give Angelus back his soul Angel still might die. But if we don't... The everyone could die.

So you really want to do the spell?

First I want to do the material spell. I've already taken too long setting that one up.

And then you want to give Angelus his soul back?

I don't know. Pause. We'll see. Another pause I don't know.

Oz reached out touched two finger's to Willow's cheek. She turned her head to look at him and he planted a brief kiss on her lips. She froze for a long moment before smiling.

I am sorry, for everything. Who knew that I could be melodramatic? He chuckled, trying to make a joke out of his plea for forgiveness.

I know Oz. Everyone falls. Feels bad. I understood what you were saying, whether you believe that or not, and I understand now.

So we're okay...?

As long as we live through tonight. They both grinned.

Well then, we'd better start that spell.

Willow nodded, her face becoming solemn once more. She bent over the circle and placed the talisman into the centre. Oz wafted the incense about, feeling a little useless. Willow gave him a reassuring smile before beginning to chant the words written before her.

(Author's Note: There is method to my madness, I promise. Would you guy's like to see more of Buffy and Spike and less of the other's? But anyway, look, I'm back (so is ff.net) with another chapter. So I musta got out of my funk, right? I hope so. Weekends is when I do most of my writing so if I don't finish the story tomorrow then I'm afraid you'll be waiting until next weekend. Of course nothing is certain (other than death and taxes) so who knows. Luckily I do have next week off so I will have plenty of time to work. Thanks for all of the reviews so far, I really appreciate them.)