Chapter 26 – Protective Measures
Anya and I have spent the day putting the last touches to the Magic Box. I can't believe we're actually ready to reopen. When I think how it looked after Willow ... and now, it's better than ever. We took the opportunity to do some minor redesigns around things that didn't work as well as they could. And, as a special gift for Buffy, I've had a shower fitted in the training room. I know she's always hated having to go home to shower after training.
Xander's been a great help, too. I suspect it's in part an excuse to be close to Anya, but, since she doesn't seem to object, I certainly don't.
Talking of Anya, the closer we get to opening, the more excited she becomes. It's as if the whole world of retail has taken over her whole being. I could understand that to a point when she was human, but now, she's got another whole career, and it's still this humble little shop that has her scurrying around like a child.
I have to say that her energy makes me feel old. I know she's impossibly older than I am, but it's true. Even after dealing with Buffy all this time, dealing with Anya leaves me an exhausted, quivering wreck, and all we've been doing is checking shipments of merchandise. I can't imagine how she and Xander would get on now, even if they managed to break down the barriers between them.
And, thinking about Buffy reminds me of the office I have to perform later. She needs to know about my most recent findings, and I'm expecting her and Dawn to come into the shop after school. I spent hours last night, worrying my way through the information, desperate to see a way out of what I read. But I found nothing. I suspect this really is an insoluble problem. It might be possible to lighten the blow for Buffy if she knows just who Dawn actually is, if I can hold out some hope of them meeting again, but how do I break it to Dawn? I think the answer is, I don't. It's got to be Buffy's decision.
Dawn's been back at school for three days, and she seems to have settled well again. At least, she doesn't seem too worried at being back there after the attack.
From what I've heard, Spike's been busy too. Xander may not have been involved, but you don't keep secrets in the building industry. He's had parts of the basement of the school more or less rebuilt. And, he's trying to work out how it got built like that in the first place. I've got to agree that it's important, too. Because, if we can find out who arranged it, we might get some advanced information on who's behind the threat to Dawn.
Willow arrives, telling us that her last class was cancelled. She's not looking too well, but when I comment, she shrugs it off.
"Didn't sleep too well last night," she says.
"Really? I thought all these early morning and late evening swims were keeping you right in that respect."
"They were, no, they are. It was just one night. It's no big."
Willow seems to know instinctively what needs to be done, and, without instructions, she's helping to arrange some of the spell ingredients. I suppose it makes sense, that she would know the best arrangement. She's keeping those ingredients most likely to be used together close on the shelves, and ensuring the better, more expensive options are more obvious than the cheaper alternatives. I leave her to it.
At this rate, there'll be nothing to do when Dawn and Buffy get here. Well, that's not true. There's a lot of work still to be done on the training room. A lot of the equipment's still in Buffy's basement, but I've managed to wangle a few replacements on the insurance, and they need to be unpacked and set up. I think Spike'll be coming with the girls, so he might help with that.
He seems reluctant to let Dawn out of his sight these days. I've heard mumblings from Xander on the subject, but I've got to say, he's more relaxed about it than I'd have expected.
I finish arranging a case of Romanian crystal orbs, and look to see what's next. As I turn around, I hear the bell announcing the door, and in they walk. Three of them, looking completely natural together. Well, no, not quite. Spike's looking comfortable around Dawn, but he's keeping his distance from Buffy. I've had the impression that's how things are recently, and I wonder why. One glance at her face tells me she's aware of it, and she's hurt. I know I shouldn't interfere, but I can't help myself.
"Buffy, can I have a word?" I ask, gesturing towards the training room.
"More news on the prophecy?" she asks. She looks so hopeful. "In a moment," I reply. "But, first, can I have a word with you alone?" She looks puzzled, but follows me into the training room. Spike remains with Dawn.
The truth is, that although I know Buffy promised not to keep secrets from Dawn, I want to tell her what it says alone, at least at first. Then, she can decide how much to tell Dawn. I read the passage aloud, and have it snatched out of my hands as I finish, so desperate is she to read it again and see something different to what she just heard. Just as I did.
"Giles, there's got to be something we can do," she says, her eyes pleading with mine. She wants hope, and I have none to offer.
"We'll keep looking for something," I promise.
She nods, and I can see her face awash with indecision.
"Are you going to tell her?" I ask.
"I … I promised. I promised I wouldn't keep secrets. But how can I tell her this?"
"I don't know, Buffy, and I really can't guide you on this. You know Dawn better than anyone, you know how she's likely to react."
There's silence for a few moments. "I have to tell her," she whispers. She turns to go, but I hold her back. "There's something else I wanted to say," I add.
She looks surprised, but relieved to have her conversation with Dawn postponed.
"What happened with you and Spike?"
She's surprised at the question, and tries to pretend she doesn't know what I'm talking about.
"Something happened. And, not today. He's looking rather skittish around you, and you're obviously not happy about it."
"It's nothing, Giles. Seriously, the only important thing is finding a way to make sure Dawn's around for a long time to come. You sure you haven't got any more ideas?"
"Don't change the subject. If it's none of my business, then tell me so. But, don't tell me there's nothing going on."
She deflates in front of me. It's an unusual sight. "The night Dawn got home from hospital," she starts. "The night I realised how unfair I was to Spike over the eggs. Well, I told him. I wanted to show him that everything's changed. He's done so much for both of us, and he didn't deserve to be treated the way he was. The way I treated him. I realised I love him. I mean, I realised it a while ago, but I was going to tell him, and I kissed him, and he ran."
The last part comes out in a torrent, and I almost miss it.
"You kissed Spike and he ran?" I'm still not sure I heard that part right.
She nods miserably. "I think he still loves me, but, it's as though he doesn't trust me. He thinks I'm going to kiss him today, and go back to hurting him tomorrow. And, since then, he's made sure there's always someone else around when I meet him. I haven't had a chance to tell him, and I don't think I'm going to get that chance."
"I must admit I'm surprised. The picture of Spike running from a kiss isn't one I find it easy to envisage. But, it's to be expected that he's feeling unsure, emotionally. His soul must be having a huge effect on him, and how he views the world. I can certainly believe that he'd be reluctant to embark on a purely physical relationship with you again. Especially if he loves you, and I believe he still does."
It always surprises me how the Slayer, the terror of demons everywhere, can look like a small child in need of a hug. That's exactly how she seems now, and I do my best to supply the need. I can't help thinking I'm a poor substitute, though.
I turn to go, and she calls after me. "Can you ask Dawn and Spike to come in. I might as well get this over with."
"Are you sure you want Spike too?"
"Well, you can try separating him from her if you want, but I don't think he'll listen. And, she might take the news better if he's there."
I nod my agreement as I walk back into the shop.
It's times like these, I wish I was blessed with vampire hearing. I want to know what's going on, but I thought it would be easier on Dawn if I'm not there. If she wants to cry, she'll feel less intimidated without me.
They're a long time. Longer than I expected. I have to admit I fully expected a hysterical Dawn to come running out of the room several minutes ago. When they do come out, I make a point of not looking. I notice Xander's watching them curiously. Of course, he doesn't know yet, and neither does Anya. I'll fill them both in later if necessary.
Dawn looks tearful. Buffy looks pale. Spike looks … furious. It's the only word I can think that fits. He looks fit to kill anyone and anything that threatens Dawn.
I drag my mind back to the present. Willow's gone down to the store room, and Anya seems quite put out by the fact. I suspect it's just that she's not waiting for instructions.
When she sees me, Dawn looks away. Spike's hand is on her arm, and she's leaning towards him, soaking up his strength. They're sitting at the research table, and Buffy's on Dawn's other side. I go back to displaying goods on shelves, and try not to worry about her. It's difficult, though. Buffy's always had so much on her shoulders, and she's never really had anyone to share it. It occurs to me, that, while Spike wouldn't be the partner I'd choose for her, especially in the current situation, he's the one most likely to be able to really share her burden. He's certainly single minded in his need to keep them both safe.
Willow's come back upstairs, and she seems excited about something. She's carrying a jar of biticus weed, and when Anya spots that, she scurries over and tries to take it from her.
"Put that back, Willow," Anya insists. "Biticus weed's too potent an ingredient to have lying on the shelves up here. We need to keep it downstairs so we can be sure it's going to be used responsibly."
Willow ignores her, and approaches me, Anya flapping behind. "Giles, remember when Glory was after Dawn? Tara and I did a spell so that we'd get warning if someone tired to get in here?"
"I remember," I reply, putting a, hopefully, comforting arm on Anya's.
"Well, I'd like to do it again. It'll need some changes. We're not trying to keep out a Hellgod this time, but I think we can assume those behind the threats are demons of some sort. We just need to set up a spell that'll set off an alarm if a demon tries to get in. We can even do the same at the house."
Anya stiffens, and I can see she's about to explode. Really, Willow can be rather obtuse at times. Before I can speak, Anya starts the tirade I could see building.
"I can't see how that would help. I certainly don't want an alarm going off any time I walk through the door of the store I manage. It just isn't right, and I won't allow it."
"Then," I add, "there's Spike and Buffy too. They need to be able to come and go at will."
Willow looks exasperated. "Of course they do. And, that's one of the changes I have in mind. I can key the spell to the three demons we allow in here, and I can even arrange for the alarm to be heard by them, even if they're elsewhere. Think how useful that'd be. I know you don't like Buffy patrolling alone, and that's all she's doing recently. One of them is always with Dawn. What if they could leave Dawn here sometimes, knowing that if anything tries to get in, they'll have their own private alarm system? They could patrol together again."
I have to admit, it has possibilities. The spell Willow and Tara did before was certainly of a type which shouldn't harm Willow in any way. And if she can make the changes ... And, after my little chat with Buffy, maybe, if she and Spike can have some time alone together, maybe they can sort out their problems. I don't know if I'll like the outcome, but it's got to be better than what's going on at the moment. She needs his strength, that much is clear. And, he needs, has always needed her love.
"That sounds good, Willow," I tell her. "Have you got everything you need?"
"Apart from the biticus weed, everything else is pretty standard. The only other thing I'll need, is something to key our three demons. A strand of hair should be enough."
"Good," I approve. "Why don't you go and explain what you're planning to Buffy, and we can do the spell for the shop tonight. There's no point in waiting."
As soon as Willow's out of earshot, I turn to Anya. She's standing open-mouthed with indignation at the fact that I'm allowing this to go ahead. "Anya," I plead. "You don't want anything to happen to Dawn, do you? This spell could be very useful, and, ..." She's about to interrupt, so I hold a hand out, "You're always so generous when it comes to helping us. I knew you wouldn't mind."
Anya exhales slowly. I think she realises she's been outmanoeuvred. I glance over to where Xander's putting the finishing touches to some shelves, and I see he's been watching carefully. The look he's giving me is one of open admiration, and I suspect he's filing that tactic away for future use. I'm loath to tell him that I suspect it's a tactic that'll only work on Anya once.
Half an hour alter, Willow's ready to do the spell. She's taken a hair from each of the demons, and has her other ingredients arrayed in front of her. She's drawn the appropriate symbols around the various entrances and exits, and she seems to have been thorough. She holds the hairs in her hand, over a metal dish. She sprinkles some biticus root into the dish, and adds some rosemary, sage, and three salamander eyes. She lights a candle, and holds it in her other hand as she starts to chant. She drops the hairs on top of the other ingredients, and sets everything alight.
I can't be sure, of course, as my glasses were a little dirty, but I could have sworn there was a red hair in the dish as well as the two blonde and the darker one from Anya. It may have been accidental, of course. One of Willow's hairs could have simply fallen from her shoulder, or I may have seen it wrong.
The spell is complete, and Willow is clearing things away. Anya looks nervous, so I suggest she goes outside and tries to get back in again. She manages it, and looks much more relaxed. No alarms sounded. Now, if only we had a friendly, but unkeyed demon to try out the spell on.
"Do you think Clem would like to pay a visit?" I ask.
Spike looks momentarily surprised, then realises what I mean.
"For Dawn, I reckon he'd walk on hot coals," he states, his eyes lighting on Dawn as he speaks. And I know, Clem's not the only one who'd risk burnt feet.
"I'll see if he can meet us here when we lock up. He can try out the alarm system then."
"Maybe you'd better ring him now," I suggest. "We're just about finished here. And Anya and I have an early start in the morning. There are some things you really need to do at the last moment."
Spike makes the call, and Willow's trying to chat to Buffy. I notice that Dawn has put as much space between herself and Willow as she can. That's one breach that's going to take some fixing.
As soon as the call is over, Spike takes up his place close to Dawn, and the two put their heads together, looking for all the world like a couple of conspirators. I see Buffy watching them, and I feel a pang as I see her wanting to be a part of their group.
Suddenly, there's the most awful noise. It's everywhere, and Anya, Buffy and Spike all have their hands over their ears. Willow's grinning, and goes to the door, opening it to reveal a very surprised Clem. There's a barrier in the doorway, and he can't get in.
"Finis," she says, and the noise stops.
"What did you say?" Anya demands. "I run this shop, and I need to be able to switch off the alarm."
"I said 'finis'."
"Red, I'm not trying to be funny, but it's not much of an alarm if all you've got to do to switch it off is say 'finis'," Spike points out.
"Well, it wouldn't work if Clem said it. It'll only work if someone who was present when the spell was cast says it. Otherwise, it's just a word. And, all it does is stop the noise. It doesn't affect the barrier."
Spike nods his approval, and walks outside to talk to Clem. The others follow, leaving Anya and I to lock up. When we emerge, only Xander remains.
"Buffy wanted to get Dawn home, and Willow's wants some alone time. I think she's gone to the cabin.
"The cabin?" I ask, mystified.
"She never told you?"
"Told me what?"
"When Buffy was …. Gone, Willow and Tara offered to move into the house to look after Dawn. I mean, they didn't have to do it, they just did. But, they still wanted somewhere that was just theirs. So, they came across this cabin. I'm not even sure where it is. They never said. I suspect they hid it anyway. They used to go there when they wanted some time alone. I don't think she's been there since she got back from England, and she wants to make sure it's ok."
I take this news in silence. I'm surprised she never told me. All those quiet chats we had while we were in England, and she never mentioned this place. But then, maybe it's a good sign that she can go back there now. If the healing has started, she can deal with going back.
"So," Xander says a little nervously. "Anyone for a drink to celebrate the imminent reopening of the Magic Box?"
Anya's face brightens visibly. "Yes," she answers. "That would be quite appropriate."
She looks to me, obviously expecting agreement.
"Well," I tell them, "it may be appropriate, but I'm afraid I've got a bit of reading I need to get through before it's too late. So, I'll leave you to it."
I walk away, leaving, I suspect, a very pleased Xander, and a slightly irritated Anya behind me. Well, I tell myself. They need to sort things out too.