Love and Darkness and My Crossbow

by Eris Goddess of Discord

Warlocks and demons and new girlfriends collide in the Scooby realm.

4. Chapter Four: Grave Danger

DISCLAIMER: No infringement of copyright is intended. You know the drill, anyone appearing on or mentioned on BtVS are ME's. New characters introduced here are mine.

SUMMARY: Buffy and Xander find haunts in the graveyard while Willow, Dawn, Rue & Anya have their hands full with the Daddy of a Muppet on crack.

WARNINGS: Demon goo ahoy, bodily harm, language, slanguage and general wackiness!

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Love And Darkness And My Crossbow

by Eris © 2002 -- All rights reserved.

Chapter Four: Grave Danger

The next morning Willow and Rue arrived back at the Magic Box. "I'm sorry but I can't skip this test or I'll end up with a failing grade for Psych." Willow frowned feeling completely guilt-riddeny. Rue said nothing just stared at her. This made Willow feel all the more worse. "Just be good and listen to Anya." she said, "I'll be back before you know it and we'll get you some nice new things." she kissed her gently and reluctantly hurried off to class repeatedly looking back as she went.

Rue turned and looked to Anya behind the counter, she was busy with a ledger and calculator. "Willow said I should stay here today... uh, while she's in class."

"Yes, she told me that too..." Anya chimed without looking up, her attention firmly focused on her calculations. Rue went and sat at the round table. Anya finally looked up, she was not happy to baby-sit Willow's girl toy. She had plenty to do as it was without this added task. Brandishing a marker at her she said, "Just so you know, I don't want any shapeshifting, it scares the customers."

"I wasn't planning on it." She retorted with a queer look.

Anya eyed her skeptically, "Why are you here?"

"Willow said--"

"I know what Willow said," she spat in a tone demanding a better answer and stared her down.

"I don't have anywhere else to be." She finally revealed.

'Which translates into Buffy doesn't want you in her house all alone all day.' She thought. "...well, if you're going to be here I don't want you just taking up space. You need to do something or go in the back. Knock yourself out in the training room for a couple of hours or sleep on the couch, I don't care which, just do it quietly."

Rue got up and went into the back room closing the door behind her. She eyed all the weapons, exercise equipment and mats, she had been feeling very antsy as of late, not used to all the inactivity and over abundance of food. She was accustomed to a constant barrage of action, if she wasn't busy busting heads or terrorizing someone she was patrolling or hunting and gathering but with this Willow, she stayed idle, quiet, watching, observing and learning all she could about her habits and wishes. This was a welcome opportunity and she kinda was dressed for it already. Willow had gone through Buffy's ex-boyfriend castoff pile at the house and found some sizable items for her to wear till they could replace the clothes ruined by last night's activities, so she decided to utilize Buffy's training room, stretch her muscles and rid herself of some pent up rage. Throwing her duster on the couch she sat down and removed her strung together boots. Then put herself through a rigorous workout. Time passed unnoticed until the door suddenly swung open and she heard, "You! Thing!" Anya snapped her fingers and waved at her, "Hello! Are you deaf? I've been calling you!"

"Rebecca." She reminded.

"Whatever. Come out here and watch the counter. I need to account for some inventory in the storeroom." Rue swiped at the perspiration on her brow and followed Anya to the counter. "Whatever you do you are not to touch the register." She barked then went into the basement storeroom to rummage around for some items. As she did she lost her footing and almost took a header to the floor, "What's this?" she looked down, 'Oh no! There's water all over back here. My shoes. My stuff!' The water was almost ankle deep in some places and she began to panic. 'Calm down. Think.' She searched the cement floor for a drain but found none, then attempted to ascertain the source. After a bit she found a trickle on the higher ground that led to a corner and disappeared behind a shelf laden with boxes. She'd have to move them and started hefting the nearest one but then stopped. 'Why am I doing this?' she thought, 'I have slave labor upstairs.' Anya sloshed up the stairs and agitatedly removed her wet pumps. Returning from the back room she ignored Rue and went straight for the front door. As much as it pained her she flipped the 'Back in 15 Minutes' sign over and locked the door. "Okay, you, come with me, sitting on our ass time is over." Before Rue could protest Anya mounted her counter angle, "I don't think Willow would be none too happy with you if the store flooded while you sat out here and did nothing."

Rue glowered then obediently followed her down into the basement.

"Just let's put everything up off the floor that's not already wet and move the merchandise away from this corner so we can find the leak. Xander can fix it later."

"So much stuff." Rue noted.

"Yes, expensive stuff which is getting water damage as you dilly dally."

Rue reluctantly set to work picking up and moving boxes and crates of goods raising them from the floor or to different shelves and tables. After she had cleared the majority of wares as per Anya's instigating, Anya made an annoying discovery. "Aw, Hell's harpsichord! It's trickling down the wall here in the back." They moved more items following the path of the water. "There," she pointed to behind a shelf, "it's coming in from the ceiling."

"I really don't think--" Rue began.

"No, you don't, so get the ladder already." Anya snapped.

Rue sighed. She got the ladder and positioned it.

"Well?" Anya uttered, "What are you waiting for? Go up there and check it out."

"I don't know what I'm doing." Rue tried again.

"What's to know. You have eyes don't you? I need to tell the plumber where it's leaking from, so find where the water is coming in and move the rest of the already paid for out of my own pocket stuff away."

As she carefully shifted one of the boxes on the shelf the ceiling cracked and the water trickle became a stream. "Anya, the boxes--" she said trying to alert her.

"The boxes can't move themselves." She said in a stern tone.

"But this box is--"

"Isn't moving fast enough."

Rue rolled her eyes but acquiesced and tugged at the box. All of a sudden there was a resounding crack like that of a gunshot and the ceiling caved in, a torrent of water and debris blasted down on top of her slamming her to the floor, hammering the ladder onto her burying her.

"SHIT!" Anya screamed as part of the wave rushed her from her feet carrying her a few yards away. Anya picked herself up unsteadily splashing about in the debris. "Rue!" she called but there was no answer. "Rebecca? Are you okay?" still no answer. She hurried over to the corner and began digging about. A single frightening thought played at her mind, if anything serious happened to Willow's playmate while under her care Willow would probably raze the Magic Box to the ground this time. She quickly shifted the ladder and moved a large piece of plasterboard, Rue was underneath, under the shelf that had given way and its contents of now damaged magic wares. She hastily removed the rubble as the water continued to gush down from the ceiling making everything slick. Anya picked Rue's head up out of the water and she sputtered for breath. They moved the rest of the debris that pinned her down and Anya helped her to her feet. Splashing through the water they carried each other to the stairs and settled down to recoup.

Rue glowered at her a slight trickle of blood now flowing down from somewhere on her scalp. "The boxes were holding the ceiling up." She breathed heavily.

"Oh," replied Anya, "well, not anymore."

* * * * * * * * * *

Hours later Willow returned. "Hey, Anya," she called all cheery, "what's with the plumbing truck?"

"Willow, you're back." She chirped.

"Where's Rue?" she said dropping her armload of books, laptop and purse on the table.

Anya came out from behind the counter to meet her, "I want to talk to you about that." She said her voice reflecting a serious tone.

"About what? Anya, it was a simple question. Where is Re-bec-ca?"

"She's in the nook." Willow moved towards the nook but Anya grabbed her arm twirling her around, "She's not the same."

Willow looked up at her a wave of hostility creeping across her pretty face, "What did you do?" she asked her voice lowering.

Anya took a step back as the air went cold about them, "Nothing... Nothing bad," she said hesitantly, "I put her to work in the storeroom and ... she got dirty, s-so... I cleaned her is all."

Willow's mind reeled as thoughts pertaining to Anya's use of the word 'cleaned' danced through her mind. She blinked back confusion and stammered out, "What?"

"I just couldn't leave her the way she was." Anya declared rolling her eyes and gesturing.

Willow's eyes narrowed as she threw her an evil glare, "She was just fine the way she was. I liked the way she was." she asserted.

"I'm sure you did." Anya accommodated, "But trust me this is way better." She clasped her shoulders and moved her over to the entrance to the nook gesturing for her to look. "We peeled off that top layer of intensity and intimidating black makeup and what we found underneath, well, it's turned out quite nice actually," she relayed all smiles proud of her handiwork.

Willow turned and saw Rue sitting quietly in the comfy chair, eyes closed, headphones on, listening to a magic book on tape. Her mouth dropped open, Anya had performed a total makeover on her. Gone were all the harsh, vampish, Gothy tones replaced by soft naturals.

"Now she doesn't scare away the people with money."

"You dyed her hair? When did you find time to dye her hair?" Willow asked noting the dark, near black shade replaced by a softer, healthier, brown coloring.

"No, just washed whatever the Hell that nasty stuff was out of it. We can do that later though, if you want? Although I think this shade is appropriate, much better than the old 'don't mess with me' one."

Willow watched as Rue sniffed the air then jerked off the headphones and looked up at her.

"Woof, look at you," she said.

"Anya did it." She blurted out nervously a mixed look on her face, "She said you'd like it better."

Willow crossed over to her and sat down on the overstuffed arm of the chair. She gave her a once over, then ran her fingers through her lighter hair, it was still kitten soft. She stared into her dark eyes, "I like." She said and eagerly kissed her.

"Great," Anya sighed relieved, "you owe me seventy-five dollars, here's the receipt," she handed Willow a receipt.

"What's this?" she said examining the charges.

Anya looked taken aback, "Did you just spontaneously go blind?" she stepped up and snatched Rue's new shirt bringing it to her attention, "I had to redress her for you. Those odds and ends from the ex-boyfriend pile were beyond and naked was not an option. This is a magic store not a massage parlor."

Rue leaned into Willow so only she could hear, "I'm really not liking this place, it's murder on my clothes."

Anya continued, "As you know, all we had here were the workout togs and a few of Buffy's backup shirts in the event that she gets dusty or ripped." Furrowing her brow she announced, "We did try on a shirt but she's got breasts, unlike Buffy, and the shirt just wouldn't cooperate, so..." Anya gestured to the receipt and Rue's outfit, "...this is stylish yet functional slaywear."

"So it is." Willow concurred, "Put it on my tab," she held out the receipt to her and turned back to Rue, "it's a small price to pay for an all new you, Rue."

Anya took it and was about to go back to the counter when a thought sprung to mind, "Oh, Willow, you know, you really oughtn't mark up your things like that ... tends to devalue them."

She turned to Rue mildly shock faced and whispered, "She didn't dress you, dress you, did she?"

Rue screwed up her face, "Kinda."

Anya continued, "Now that I got the ball rolling, I'm thinking you should full on attack her wardrobe, buy some more stuff that's currently in fashion or at least never goes out of fashion and comes in any color but drab... Then again," Anya eyed Willow head to toe, "one might want to reassess one's own closet first before actually buying for someone else." She affected her wide eyed perky face she used on customers, "I'm more than happy to consult. No Laura Ashley here."

Willow shot her a sideways glance, "I'll keep that in mind." She looked to Rue, "Shall we?" they moved to leave. Willow nabbed her purse and double checked to make sure she had her cell, "Ring me when Buffy gets here," she directed to Anya, "I've got something she needs to see." She took Rue by the arm and leaned into her shoulder as they headed out the door, "Wait till Dawnie sees you," she smiled affectionately, "all Rue-be-goned. Seeing you like this," she purred, "I'm wondering if she doesn't have something ... Becca."

* * * * * * * * * *

Later that afternoon, "I wanted you to see this." Willow said priming her laptop. "I hacked into the police evidence database and they've scanned in some pretty detailed pictures of that boy in the graveyard. Also the coroner's report, officers' logs and the assigned detective's case journal. I thought maybe we might see something now you and Xander didn't spot then."

"Great, Wil, that's-gruesome." she stared over her shoulder at the first full color exposure of the murder scene. Somehow, well lit and on the little screen like that it seemed more real and more disturbing than she remembered it being in person. Buffy sat down and Willow slid the computer across the table to her.

Dawn appeared from the training room and hung over her shoulder, "Blah, that's still horrible." She remarked.

Rue followed suit and peeked over her other shoulder at the screen, "I've seen worse." She said around her.

Dawn moved Buffy's hand and pressed the button bringing up the next image, "The skin thing again," she pointed to the screen. "How the creepy is that?"

"Hey, guys!" Buffy agitatedly threw up her arms not getting much concentrating done over their idle prattle and invasion of her personal space.

"Sorry, Wil." Dawn apologized thinking Buffy's comment was meant for her feelings.

"I've done worse." Rue said quietly.

"What?" Buffy looked up at her appalled. She backed away silently.

Willow pulled the computer back to her and tapped the button again. Dawn followed pushing Rue in front of her. "How does he do that?" she mused pointing to the boy.

"Looks like he was thrown onto it," Rue moved about studying the picture attempting an explanation, "and landed like this with his arm here and..." she contorted behind Willow's chair mimicking the pose but something was wrong and she stopped.

"Yeah. Right, maybe if this planet had no gravity," she giggled, "it's more like this." And she gave it a shot.

Buffy watched stupefied by their morbid machinations, it was like some kind of twisted interpretive dance routine. she shook her head attempting to clear the grim, "You two need serious therapy," she remarked then glanced back at the screen. As she stared something caught her eye. Incredibly they were right, there was something wrong with the picture. Something ... not natural. Willow clicked the button to advance the pictures one. "Wait." Buffy said. "Go back."

Willow hit the back button, "What do you see?"

She studied the image intently, "I can't be sure, probably just coincidence or maybe I've seen one too many Murder She Wrote reruns but from this angle doesn't it look like he's been posed? An-and he's pointing?"

They all stared at the image. "Good catch, Mrs. Fletcher." Willow quipped, "So who do we suppose supposedly posed him?"

"And what do you suppose he's supposedly pointing to?" Dawn added.

"It's a graveyard." Rue put an arm on her shoulder, "Graveyard stuff. Empty graves, markers, flowers, trees, crypts."

"You'd really need to go out there again," Willow suggested, "match up this angle and see what's in the direction he's pointing, if anything."

"Okay, make a copy of that, Xander and I will go back and take a look around later."

She grinned breaking out a cable connector, "I do believe we have our first clue."

"Yeah, Mr. Big Bad in the graveyard with an axe to grind." Buffy said somberly.

"Speaking of Xander..." Willow began.

* * * * * * * * * *

A few hours later Xander arrived at the Magic Box.

"I don't believe you." He said defiantly.

"Fine, don't believe me." Anya threw up her hands.

He raised his voice and pointed an accusing finger, "You're just jealous. You can't see me happy for five minutes without your mad-o-meter firing red. Well, I'm sorry for you."

"Don't be sorry for me. I'm a demon, dating other demons is natural. Dating humans is messed. Not to mention tedious and unrewarding."

Xander turned to Buffy desperate for support, "Buffy, help me out here."

"I wish I could." She brought out the book, showed him the page and handed it off to him to read then turned her attention to Dawn, "Dawn, can you give us a minute?"

Dawn didn't understand, "What? Why? I found it in the book."

"We know you did," Buffy tried to be diplomatic, "but we need to be sensitive to Xander's feelings right now, okay?"

"Bull," she saw right through Buffy, "you're gonna have a kinky sex talk and don't want me to hear."

With that diplomacy was thrown straight out the window, "Dawn, out," she snapped harshly.

"Buf-fyyy." Dawn whined not wanting to be left out of the loop yet again.

"Daawwwn."

"This is so not fair," she fumed.

"I so don't care." Buffy shot back advancing on her.

Dawn stood and claimed her ground, "You always treat me like a child!"

"You are a child." Buffy reminded emphasized by a slight head bobble and hands on her hips.

"So not! I'm older than you were when you slept with Angel." Her remark cut to the quick.

Buffy's jaw went slack and her eyes drew narrow.

Realizing she had just yelled that aloud Dawn screwed up her face and lowered her voice, "...Non technically speaking."

Buffy's face contorted into a scowl now and the Scoobies could almost see the release of steam coming from her ears.

Willow quickly jumped up to referee before it got coyote ugly. That's coyote ugly in its original expressive form of really really ugly, not newly blonde, half nekid, hottie chick, Piper Perabo dancing on bar tops for nickels, Coyote Ugly as the movie would have you believe, "Okay! Sibling rivalry, bad." She interjected then whispered to Rue and handed her a cell.

Rue stood and motioned, "Come on, Dawn, we'll go... do something."

Dawn folded her arms defiantly and stuck out her lip, she hated it when Buffy pulled the 'Mom crap.' She looked at her angrily but Buffy's face was now stern and resolute. No sway. No leeway.

Rue held out her hand and gestured for her to come but she didn't budge her eyes locked in competition with Buffy's. Rue frowned, "Okaaay." she went over to Dawn, bent down, picked her up and tossed her over her shoulder.

Dawn stayed rigid, arms tightly clenched. "Oh, and I'm the immature one," she grumped while being seized. As they passed Buffy Dawn screwed up her face and said under her breath, "I hate you."

Willow touched Buffy's shoulder reassuring that this too would pass... eventually.

Buffy put her hand over Willow's acknowledging her but her eyes never left Dawn and the girl. After last night she was left with an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach about Dawn going off with her. She knew Willow and she trusted her but Willow was smitten by this girl and not herself. She just couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong and she wasn't telling her everything. Her Slayer sense tingled leaving her concerned and distracted over the task at hand.

Once they had gone the Scoobies refocused on Xander. He had thrown down the book and was looking quite the shade of pale. "I don't want to talk about it," he said. He held his head in his hands and groaned, "I need to talk about this. What is the matter with me? I deal with demons every day... how come I can't tell when I'm dating one?"

"You didn't know it was a guy either." Anya helped.

"WHAT!?!" He looked to the rest of the Scoobies, "No, oh no." Their faces reflected the truth of her words, "Oh God! Shayla is so NOT a guy?! Tell me she isn't. No, way she is a guy." He firmly planted his flag in the soil of Denial Land.

"Suck it up, M. Butterfly." Spike smiled wickedly, "It is a guy."

"No, you don't understand, it wasn't a guy. It couldn't be. We had sex. Unbelievable sex. I'd know if it were a guy. I mean... the parts for one... an-and, did I mention we had sex?" he began sweating profusely.

"Klosophs are very good at what they do." Anya offered with an innocent smirk.

Xander covered his eyes. He felt sick and not just the 'nauseous kicked in the stomach' type of sick, he also felt the 'Debbie Harry heart shattered like glass' sick because he liked Shayla. No, he really liked Shayla. She was his ideal... well, besides Buffy, but that was relegated to a pipe dream long ago. They had really hit it off, or so he thought, and now, yet again, his hopes were dashed and he was left humiliated and questioning his faculties. "Oh God," he moaned, "we made another date for tomorrow night." His stomach flopped and he felt the bile rise to his esophagus. Clamping a hand over his mouth he took off running through the training room back to the showers.

Anya glanced around at all gathered, "I think he's taking it rather well," she gloated oh so cheerily.

* * * * * * * * * *

Becca dragged Dawn out of the shop over her shoulder and walked down the street.

Once outside Dawn began to balk, "No fair! You can put me down now you traitor!" she balled up her fists and hit Becca in the back repeatedly.

Becca stopped, "Who's that?" she twirled around, "Is someone speaking to me? Huh? I don't see anyone, must be the wind," she teased.

Dawn held on and giggled her mood lightening somewhat, "I'm serious." She became aware of people on the street now paying attention to their antics, "Becca, put me down." 'Oh God, what if someone from school sees me,' she thought, 'this is mortifying.'

"I didn't hear the magic word." Becca taunted in a singsong tone.

"Gimme a break. People are staring," she crabbed.

"What's the magic word?" she said more serious now.

"YAK! Okay? If you don't put me down right now, I'm gonna yak." She began to struggle and kick her legs as the blood rushed to her head. "Put me down!"

Becca smacked her on the butt hard.

"OW!" Dawn half laughed half yelped.

"The magic word?"

"Bitch." Dawn giggled.

She smacked her again not as hard this time.

"Ow, okay," she relented, "please."

"Try again."

"What?!" she said annoyed, "Are you joking? Please is the magic word. Put me down already."

"Not according to Anya, she says the magic word is money."

"Anya's a screw, it's please. Ask Willow later just put me down NOOOOW!" she directed a barrage of hits to her back. Becca set her down and no sooner did she than Dawn slapped at her, "Jerk. What the Hell are you listening to Anya for? Everyone knows the magic word is please."

Becca shrugged, "There are plenty of magic words out there. But please isn't one of them. Please is a nice word but it's not magic. Anya says money is magic 'cause it makes things happen."

Dawn eyed her sideways, "Riiiiight." they resumed walking down the street. Dawn folded her arms, "I am so mad with you right now," she said.

"Me? Why me?"

"Well, aren't you mad?"

Becca cocked her head quizzically.

"You mean to tell me you don't care when they shut you out like that?"

Becca thrust her hands into her pockets and shrugged again, "Willow will tell me what I need to know."

"Oh, that's just great," she threw her hands in the air in frustration.

"What? They're just talking about sex, it wasn't important."

"That's not the point." Dawn's voice quavered.

"So what's the point? That they won't talk about sex in front of you?"

"Yeah. No. I know about sex," she defended.

Becca chuckled, "You do do you?"

There was an awkward pause as she stared down at Dawn then, "Yeah, sure," she shot back.

"Uh-huh," Becca smirked, "you are such a liar." She shoved the girl's shoulder then tapped at her nose, "tell it to the nose."

Dawn's mouth fell open, a warm blush tingeing her face as a wave of embarrassment washed over her. "That is so gross."

Becca snorted, "Try being on the receiving end of it twenty-four seven."

"Okay, new subject," she shivered in disgust.

"Hey, you started this, so... It's not all Barbara Cartland, ya' know, it can get pretty weird and disgusting." she put a hand on Dawn's shoulder and leaned in for effect lowering her voice, "I guarantee what they're talking about involves plenty of bodily fluids and detailed descriptions of odd shaped body parts doing--"

"--Okay, you win." Dawn blurted out, "I get it. Just stop talking or we're back to the yakking dealy again."

Becca smiled smugly. "So, where do you want to go?"

She thought a moment, "I wanna go to Starbucks. I feel like a triple thick mochachino latté with extra caffeine."

Becca's brow furrowed, "Great, you're angry at your sister but I get punished." She dug in her pocket and pulled out a twenty dollar bill. "Here. Money. I'll pay you to get anything else as long as there's no caffeine in it."

* * * * * * * * * *

Dawn sipped her mochachino latté as she and Becca leisurely strolled towards home. The Scooby meet had broken up back at the Magic Box with Xander and Buffy going to scout the graveyard and Willow calling to join up with them at the house. "You sure you don't want some?" Dawn asked.

"I'm sure," she nodded, "I don't much care for coffee."

"You drink it when Willow makes it for you."

"That's different."

"It always seems to be where Willow is concerned," she noted slurping her drink extra loud. She changed the subject, "You look, like, so totally different. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean bad, different, you were definitely hot before," she rolled her eyes, "but now... it's like night and day. Anya did a great job. You're gonna have to show me what else you got so I can borrow it and piss Buffy off. Maybe some of that slinky stuff or leather or--"

"Don't bring me into this." Becca appealed, "I'm already on her shit list, she doesn't need any more excuses to blow up at me."

"She sure does go uber-bitch when Wil's not around. Probably thinks you're up to something when you lurk."

"I don't lurk." Becca defended.

The pair left downtown and headed out to the park area the same place they were when the demons attacked.

"You're not up to something, are you?" Dawn joked.

"What?" Becca furrowed her brow, "What would I be up to?"

"I dunno, Pinky," she retorted, "world domination? Pic-inic basket stealing? General wackiness?"

Becca raised her eyebrows, "You watch way too much Cartoon Network."

"I'm kidding," she giggled, "but that talking to yourself thing is kinda creepsome."

Becca sighed audibly and stared at the sidewalk. "I just want to be with Willow."

Just then, "Look!" Dawn exclaimed pointing excitedly. "It's one of those things!"

Becca followed her finger to beneath a nearby tree and a little body lying motionless in the dirt. For whatever reasons this one creature hadn't dissolved away with all the rest the other night. They cautiously closed in on it. "Looks dead." Becca kicked at it suspiciously. It was fairly rigid.

"Duh, that's the one you lit with your lighter," she paused for a moment, "let's take it with us."

"You think that's a good idea?" she screwed up her face.

"Well, there must be something wrong with it since it didn't melt away to nothing like all the others." Dawn rationalized.

"Again, in a voice you can hear this time, do you think that's a good idea?" Becca implored.

"What can we lose?"

"Ohh, nothing important-like our lives." She stressed.

"Come on, Buffy'll know what to do with it. Maybe even find out where it came from or where they all went."

Becca picked the tiny carcass up and examined it, "I hope so," then stuck it in Dawn's face. "Chomp chomp," she teased.

Dawn flinched and jumped back.

"Ha, two for flinching," and punched her in the arm twice.

Dawn swatted her, "Cut it out, idiot."

"Ah-haa, you flinched," she continued dancing about mockingly with the creature then stuck the thing in her pocket.

Dawn screwed up her face in disgust and almost spit out her gulp of latte, "Did you just put that in your pocket?"

"Why did you want to carry it?" she tapped her duster pocket.

"Uch!" she rolled her eyes totally grossed out, "Never mind."

* * * * * * * * * *

Xander put the car in park outside the old graveyard. "Ah, ye' old vamping ground. Ya' know we'd be rich beyond our wildest dreams if cemeteries handed out frequent slayer miles."

"Not doubt. Or if vamps turned into gold coins instead of sneezing powder. Be like Vegas without the road trip." Buffy took the picture from her pocket and Xander nabbed their satchel of slaystuff as they got out of the car. The duo tramped about a bit attempting to match up items in the shot with geographical reference points until they finally had it. They were standing on the exact spot the picture was taken. Of course, the boy was gone, as were all the police crime scene paraphernalia, and the site was again, just a statue in an old graveyard.

"Looks like we go west towards the rear of the cemetery," Buffy stated, then after a bit more tramping, "Do you see anything out of the ordinary?"

Xander scanned the surrounding countryside. "Nadda. All things pertaining to dead people present and accounted for." He joked. "How's the Slaydar? Anything?"

"Not a tingle." Buffy frowned. At the very back of the graveyard was one last mausoleum, old and crumbly, terribly ignored and overgrown. After that just the woods. "Let's check it out then we can go get some dinner before patrolling." They headed towards the mausoleum and Buffy made with the small talk to pass the time, "Did I ever tell you when I first became the Slayer I used to get wicked bad cramps whenever evil reared its ugly kisser."

"Vamp cramps?" Xander screwed up his face at the thought, "No you didn't, but thanks for the spiffy new visuals to ponder and set up shop in my subconscious."

"...Was like some kind of Geiger counter for the undead," she continued, "the closer I got, the more doubled over with pain I became... until I dusted 'em." Buffy pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and mused, "I never quite understood it really, it set me back to go, feeling all weak and nauseous. Rather just throw up and pass out than be all Warrior Princesslike with the fang gang. Then it just sorta went away over time."

Xander stopped and closed his eyes, "Buffy, I'm honored to be your friend and that you feel comfortable enough to discuss your Pre-Slayer Syndrome with me, but please... Exactly when did I go from being Big Brother Man to just one of the girls?"

But Buffy wasn't listening to him. Out of the corner of her eye she spied a slight movement, a child heading through the underbrush towards the mausoleum. The youngster quietly made for the gate. "Hey." Buffy called, "Kid." It stopped, turned, and they could see it was a young girl, she then ducked through the wrought iron and crept inside.

"Whaddya make of that?" she asked.

"I'd say demon chow if our depraved dude happens to be dozin' inside."

"Agreed." They rushed to the building and tried to squeeze through the opening in the gate but were physically to big. Buffy grabbed the padlock and gave it a good twist snapping one of the links on the old rusty chain that secured it. She then loudly swung the gate open, it whined and shuddered from disuse and only opened part of the way before freezing completely.

Xander opened their bag of tricks, "Here." he said handing her a stake and her favorite crossbow. He took out an axe for himself and hefted the pack over his shoulder.

Slowly they made their way into the interior of the mausoleum, as their eyes adjusted they could see evidence of recent activity inside. "Somebaddie's definitely up to no good." Buffy said pointing to a cleared area where a circle was painted.

"Oh, what I wouldn't give to come across one of these things just once and have it be a 'don't worry, be happy' smiley face instead."

"Yikes." Buffy shuddered, "The monster images that's evoking," she peered about but the girl was nowhere in sight. "Hey, little girl," she called, "we're not here to hurt you, we wanna help. It's not safe in here. Why don't you come on out?"

From a darkened corner behind a column the girl poked her head out cautiously. "Hi, sweetie, what's your name?" Buffy asked full of saccharine but the girl didn't respond. She turned and handed Xander back the weapons so as not to scare her, then bent down to her level to coax her out of her hiding spot. "I'm Buffy and this is Xander."

The girl stared innocently and seemed to relax somewhat.

"Come on, let's get out of this spooky place." Buffy held out a hand and the girl slowly emerged from behind the column. As she neared Buffy stood and the girl took her hand. "What happened? You get lost on the way home from school?" The girl shook her head, no, eyes wide and still a bit leery. Buffy furrowed her brow and tried again as they headed out, "Did someone bring you here?" The girl shook her head, no, again but still refused to speak.

She reached up wanting Xander to take her other hand.

He shifted all the tools to one palm and gently took hold of her hand to walk her out.

"Okay, how about, can you tell us your last name?" Buffy attempted one more time.

The girl released her hand and beckoned for her to come down to her level crooking her hand to her lips as though she were going to whisper it into her ear.

Buffy knelt down on one knee, turned her head and leaned in close. All of a sudden she was overcome by the sensation of severe facial pain. The child had struck her on the cheek but this was not the blow of an ordinary child, this near threw her for a loop making her ear ring and her teeth click at the back of her throat. Before she knew what was the what she found herself on her face in the dirt. 'Whoa! What the?' She thought shaking it off and moving to stand but the child was at her again kicking her to the chest. Buffy, breathless, slid across the floor head first into one of the marble crypts with a loud *THONK*. She blinked trying to clear the fuzz and regain her bearings.

"Buffy!" Xander yelled and tried to cross to her aid but the girl held his hand with an iron grip no little girl should have. He let fall some of the tools retaining his axe and attempted to swing at her but she was too close. Then with an odd gibbering sound she suddenly began to float in the air as though gravity meant nothing to her. Stepping up with super human strength she viscously twisted his arm to the point of breaking bringing him to his knees. He howled and with a pivot she drop kicked him right in the ear sending him down for the count. She hovered there as if savoring the moment then slowly descended and refocused on Buffy.

Glancing up Buffy saw the child grinning maniacally, face contorted, an eerie glow emanating from around her. 'Great, I'm never having kids,' she made a mental note.

The child pulled out a dagger and fingered it threateningly.

'Okay, playtime's over.' Buffy suddenly flipped forward landing on her feet ready for the attack. "Ya' know, if you didn't want our help all ya' had to do was say so," she quipped.

The girl charged at her swinging the knife.

Buffy ducked, and then again, barely missing the sting of the blade, she grabbed the child's arm and wrestled for the knife.

The girl power kicked her in the shin bringing her to her knee with a whimper. Now at her level the girl went to punch her in the face again but Buffy anticipated the blow, bobbed and grabbed her fist. She brought the knife down again and Buffy caught that wrist too.

Thinking she had the upper hand now she was surprised when the girl let out a shrill cackle, sprung into the air pulling her arms towards her then curled up tight and kicked her dead in the face with both feet connecting hard enough to leave shoe prints. The hit rocked her to her core and she was roughly thrown back head over heels.

The girl hovered above the ground giggling in a satisfied demeanor then reacquired her footing and strode over to Buffy, knife held high primed to stab her. In one quick motion the child leaned over her body to strike.

But Buffy was playing possum and just as she was about to make the lethal thrust she opened her eyes smirked and said, "Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with sharp instruments?" and walloped the kid with all her Slayer might sending her flying backwards.

The child recovered quickly, too quickly, and again in a reversal of gravity halted in mid air then charged her once more flying directly at her.

Buffy sat up just as the child dived at her, made contact and flipped the girl over her head and into the wall leaving an impression. The granite structure shook, little crumbly bits falling from the ceiling. She jumped to her feet furiously looking for a weapon, spying the lot over near the still unconscious Xander. "Xander!" she tried to rouse him then somersaulted in his direction snatching the loaded crossbow and a stake, taking cover behind one of the above ground crypts.

Before she knew it the little girl was up again making her way towards her. Taking aim she fired but the girl shimmered and swift motion dodged the arrow continuing on. Rounding the free standing crypt she grabbed Buffy jerking her up slamming her into the hard granite lid cracking it. Buffy took hold of the girl and they wrestled about in a test of strength vying for control and blocking each other's side blows. They fell over the crypt, regained their footing and hurled one another into a heavy marble planter shattering it.

The blow took Buffy's breath away as the marble chunks dug their way into her back.

Finally the girl reached one small hand out and caught Buffy by the throat. Though small, her hand was like that of a vice choking off any new breath to her lungs.

Buffy clawed at the girl, reciprocating, bringing her hands about her neck but seemingly having no other effect than to amuse the child.

They fell to the ground continuing to wrestle and roll around in the dirt and stone shards.

Xander opened one bleary eye and winced, his ear hurt, he moved to soothe it when his arm screamed in pain. 'OW!' Oh yes, it was coming back to him now. If his arm weren't broken it sure as Hell felt like it. He realized he was still in the mausoleum and heard the sounds of the scuffle. "Buffy?" he called then saw the two struggling on the ground, "Buffy! I got you covered!" he yelled stumbling to his feet. Favoring his arm he grabbed his trusty axe and ran over to them.

His presence above them distracted the girl and Buffy was able to get in a big elbow to her jaw. This loosened her grip just enough so she could take a much needed breath and Buffy took the advantage, muscling her over, pinning her down for the moment. Suddenly she was torn between thoughts of not hurting the child as she may just be a hapless victim controlled by a lower power, forced to perform these evil tasks against her will, and thoughts of just plain wanting to kick her irritating, prepubescent, face contorting, evil, ass sideways till she bawled for her mama. Unfortunately, since she was the Slayer, the white hat, the fucking good guy, she had to err on the side of good and try and subdue this thing without harming it ... much. Snatching the stake from her belt she stabbed at her to hold her there but the girl again uttered an odd gibbering sound and shimmered from her grasp leaving Buffy alone lying on her stomach on the ground, "SHIT! W- where'd she go?!" She screamed confused and alarmed. Her answer came as the girl reappeared behind her and kicked her in the ass giggling in a most annoying fashion then disappeared again only to reappear close to the mausoleum entrance still cackling. It echoed eerily throughout the structure and she retreated, leisurely beckoning them to join her outside.

Buffy and Xander regrouped, outside there was room to move, places to hide, they needed to be extra careful.

The girl stood in a clearing between the mausoleum and the end of the rows of headstones, she smiled and waved at the duo taunting them then shimmered about leading them out into the graveyard.

Buffy charged ahead to confront her but she turned and suddenly zipped out of site, "Damn it! Where'd she go now?" she demanded swinging the crossbow around wildly searching for her elusive target, any target.

Xander looked about frantically, "I don't know," he twirled on his heel brandishing the axe shielding his hurt arm.

Their reply came in the form of a "Boo!" from the girl who appeared out of nowhere at his hip and proceeded to ruthlessly stab him in the ass. "Aaaahhh!" Xander yelped as the sting of the uneven blade cut through the meaty flesh of his buttock. Instinctively he spun about hitting the child more accidentally than anything, knocking her off balance and far enough away from him so Buffy could take safe aim and fire. He collapsed to the grass.

In fine Slayer form, Buffy's aim was true and the arrow struck her right in the chest. The girl looked down and instinctively pulled it from her breast. A cloudy green substance sprayed into the air from the wound. Attempting to shrug it off she advanced but then seemed concerned as the green energy continued to escape like pressure from a deflating tire. Soon he began to sway and took steps to correct her balance.

At that moment, without warning Buffy's Slaydar came back online with such force it startled her. Whatever she did, whatever was happening now, must have disrupted this creatures ability to cloak itself from her. She watched, eyes glued to the child as its stance became rigid and she looked skyward, violently throwing back her arms, opening her mouth wide and leaned way way back. A horrendous shrill hiss emerged preceding snaky tendrils of dark magic spewing forth like a geyser. The plasmic fingers arced through the air and landed a few feet in front of her, coiling and writhing like serpents combining and merging to create a form, building and rebuilding itself from the ground up, higher and higher. As this new figure materialized and was made flesh the body of the little girl began to shrivel and wither into a dried out husk. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, there stood a warlock in all his glory. Now exposed he laughed maniacally beaming with pride.

Buffy was thoroughly disturbed by the transformation but also greatly relieved as now she could finally kick some serious ass and stake all prisoners. She threw down the empty crossbow and confronted him. "So, you like little girls, huh, wacko?" she said brandishing her stake, "why don't you try this lil' Slayer on for size?"

The warlock raised an eyebrow at her words. "Slayer?" he rumbled eyeing her threateningly then manifested a series of fireballs lobbing them at her.

Buffy leaped out of the way at the last second and they exploded in the grass setting it on fire behind her. She advanced towards him intent to do some serious damage.

But now free of the confines of the disguise the warlock had a few surprises of his own. Raising a hand he threw up a barrier.

Buffy slammed into it unable to pass.

He then motioned as if to grab her and her arms dropped to her sides like a giant invisible hand had caught her. Using the forces of the night he lifted her from her feet high into the air and attempted to squeeze the life out of her.

Buffy kicked and struggled to free herself but the embrace was like a steel band.

Once in the evil wizard's grasp it was just a matter of time before he wore her down and they both knew this. He waved his hand and slammed her into a monument like a rag doll. Another, then another. Buffy gritted her teeth and winced at each strike, her back fielding the brunt. She wouldn't be able to keep this up forever and quickly decided the best thing to do was to go limp, playing possum had worked once before, maybe he'd fall for it again. With the next impact she groaned and feigned unconsciousness.

Xander watched helpless from his spot on the ground, he leaned up against a headstone bracing himself, clutching his axe, and did the only thing he could to help the unconscious Slayer, he put himself in harms way. "Stop, leave her alone, you evil... ugly dude," he yelled and flung the axe at the warlock.

The warlock easily repelled the axe sending it sailing out into the graveyard. He was impressed with this boy's courage and tossing Buffy's limp body against a large oak tree turned his attentions to Xander intent on making him food for his demon. He extended a hand and the knife lying on the ground next to the ashes of the little girl's body quivered and quaked then jumped up into his palm.

Buffy breathed deep shirking off the pain and held onto the tree, the rough bark cutting into her fingers, she was free for the moment thanks to Xander's quick thinking. Looking down she saw the warlock advancing on him and dislodged herself from amid the broken branches quietly dropping to the ground. Stretching to remove the kinks she took a running start at the warlock, jumping and flipping over his head, landing between the two. "I'll take that," she said catching him by surprise, snatching the knife from his grasp, twisting her wrist and cutting him with it all in one fluid movement.

He scowled, snapped back his hand and flew straight up into the air like a rocket vanishing into a mist. Then rematerialized a few yards away and immediately threw up a distortion spell. Swirling his fingers, the air itself began to distort like a swizzle stick stirring a drink.

Buffy lost her balance and fell to the ground as the world around her tilted and heaved. 'It's just a glamour,' she repeated to herself remembering how sick they both got when Willow tried this one, 'close your eyes and focus,' she concentrated, 'if things aren't flying and hitting you it's not real.' She closed her eyes and her inner ear relaxed. Using her instincts she slowly got to her feet and opened one eye slightly but the spell was still a go, the world moving and melting all Salvador Dalisome. She shut her eye tight, 'okay gonna hafta Obi-Wan-it-with-the-blast- shield- down, Luke.' Letting her senses take control she went on the attack. Rushing straight up to the warlock they traded blows until Buffy lost sense of him. Carefully she inched open an eye again, everything was as it should be. She spun about and didn't see him then caught sight of Xander, he was silently staring at her, no wait, he was looking just above her. Buffy slowly looked up and there was the warlock looming above her hovering on the breeze like a skydiver.

He chuckled and raked his fingers though the air.

Buffy suddenly yelped in pain as lashes appeared on her flesh cutting her deep and ripping her clothes as though she had just been whipped.

He repeated the motion with his other hand and Buffy's body seized more wounds opening. Once more and she fell to her knee dropping the knife, yet before it could hit the ground it was flying skyward returning to the warlock. He waved his hand and Buffy was thrown back onto the side of the mausoleum again. Swinging about he looked at Xander and nodded his head in anticipation.

Xander had picked himself up at the sight of the warlock floating weightless and vainly attempted to hobble away. The warlock swept through the air like a bolt of lightning vanishing into a mist. Before Xander knew it he rematerialized behind him snatching him around the neck with an icy grip, laughing like a madman. The warlock fingered the knife holding it to his face, it lingered so close to his left eye Xander could feel the blade with his lashes as he blinked. He closed his eyes tight and began to pray.

Buffy dislodged herself from the side of the mausoleum falling to the ground. Her body ached, she was slowly growing to hate magic users, what she wouldn't give right now for a good old fashioned vampire or demon. She crawled up out of the rubble, shakily picked herself up and limped towards Xander and the warlock, 'Come on, Summers, get it together,' she rallied and faced him once more. "Hey! Cindy Lou Who! Put the boy down!" She ordered.

But he had other plans. Mocking her words, he raised the jagged dagger in defiance and plunged it into Xander's side mercilessly twisting it.

Xander groaned piteously as the warlock released him, sliding to the ground he collapsed in a heap.

The warlock's wicked laughter resounded like that of the demented in an empty auditorium as he stood there triumphant in all his glory. "Your time will come, Slayer," he motioned to her and shimmered away.

Buffy looked around frantically, adrenaline rushing through her veins, heart pounding in her ears. But she could sense he was truly gone this time. "Xander!" she called and ran to his aid.

"I'm okay, they're just flesh wounds," he said bravely through gritted teeth.

"Everything's a flesh wound when you get stabbed in the flesh," she examined the gash, it was deep and he had lost a lot of blood, "Looks like you'll have an interesting conversation piece for your next game of scars," she said cringing.

"Stitches?" he winced.

She covered the ragged wound and nodded her head, yes. "A plenty, sorry."

"Just make sure I get a pretty nurse," he babbled through the pain and oncoming shock, "the needle always hurts less when the seamstress is pretty."

"Come on, let's get you back to the car." She hoisted him up carefully bearing his weight with her shoulder.

"Wait! Don't forget the shovel." He leaned over grasping for the ground almost knocking her off kilter.

"What? What shovel? Xander, don't go delusional on me just yet." She steadied him but he persisted so she turned to look. Low and behold, there was a shovel. 'Huh, whaddya know. Wonder where that came from?' She stepped on the blade and caught the handle as it sprung into the air then handed it to him. He used the shovel as a staff and they wound their way back to the entrance of the old graveyard and to his car. Now came the part Buffy feared and dreaded most of all, more than her nightly bouts with evil, even more than parent teacher nights at the highschool and way much more still than seeing her best friend injured and in agony. Reluctantly, Buffy climbed behind the wheel and started the car.

* * * * * * * * * *

Willow arrived home arms full overflowing with stuff. She struggled to open the door with her finger tips, "Hey kids, I'm home," she called hoping for some much needed assistance but the house was strangely silent. 'Huh, Dawn and Rue should have made it home by now,' she thought dropping some of her packages on the floor before making it to the sofa. She crossed over to the table and popped her computer bag and books down then traced her steps back to the stairs and called up, "Dawnie? Rue?" No answer. She continued to the kitchen, 'No one here either,' then jumped as the microwave beeped. Someone had forgotten about it. Opening the door she removed a mug but before spying its contents, an all too familiar smell hit her and she knew what it contained, cringed, and set it down on the counter.

Just then she thought she heard a noise from outside. Heading to the door she peered through the sheer curtains. Rue was out in the back yard again, she was standing in the shade over near the wooden fence smiling and carrying on about something. For all intents and purposes it looked like she was having a conversation with someone but Willow didn't see anyone ... or did she? Dawn had mentioned this about her but she had never seen it till now. A funny glint emanated from around the area Rue kept focusing on but Willow couldn't quite catch it looking straight at it. She strained her ears trying to hear through the glass but couldn't make out anything specific. Willow flung the door open and went out, she thought she saw a flash but couldn't be sure if it were just the reflection of the setting sun on the door pane as she opened it or her eyes adjusting to the outside. "Hey, there you are."

Rue looked surprised and peered about.

Willow descended the porch stairs and crossed over to her slipping her arms around the girl, "Who are you talking to?" she asked with a kiss.

"My guardian angel," she smiled returning the affection.

"Angel, huh?" she eyed her funny.

"Yeah," they held hands returning to sit on the porch stairs.

Willow affected a to worry gaze, "Bec, does this Angel tell you to do things?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." She chuckled softly and scratched at her eyebrow nervously, "You aced your psych test now you're going to psychoanalyze me? Make sure I'm not a stark raving loony? I read your book too. No, I don't hear voices in my head, except for yours ... and anyone else who may be telepathic and directing it at me but that's not crazy."

Willow screwed up her face, "Nope, not in our neighborhood."

At that moment Dawn came outside. "Hey Wil. Anya just called, said she'll be over later. Says she has something very important to show us." Willow raised her eyes skyward, the Goddess only knew what that could be. All of a sudden out of the corner of her eye she caught Dawn brandishing a stake moving to stab Rue.

"Dawn!" Willow screamed but Rue was ready for her.

She easily snatched her arm pulling her forward off balance and flipping her over to land on her butt in the grass at their feet. Rue took the stake from the surprised girl, leaned over her shoulder pointing it straight at her heart and spoke into her ear, "You're dead." Then handed her back her stake.

"Damn," Dawn sounded, "that was good," she grinned.

"W-what the Hell was that?" Willow asked bewildered.

"Nothing, Becca's showing me some moves." Dawn said.

"Oh?" Willow smirked.

"Fighting moves." Dawn corrected rolling her eyes.

"Girl's got to protect herself, Buffy being... Buffy, an demons an vampires coming and going." Rue announced.

"...and werewolves, don't forget them." Dawn chimed leaning back looking over her head all smart assed.

"No, can't forget them," Rue lowered her voice, "Raaah!" and proceeded to tickle Dawn till she squealed and scooted out of reach.

"Nope, don't wanna forget them." Willow echoed then nuzzled her ear.

"Ucch, please," Dawn screwed up her face, "you've got all night for that." She grabbed Rue by the arm and pulled her up off the stairs and out into the yard, "Show me more."

"I dunno," she hedged, "I think you're better off doing those exercises I showed you. Build up your strength and reflexes some first."

"I'm strong." Dawn announced confidently.

"You are?" Rue eyed her skeptically, "let me see that floppy chicken wing," and latched onto her bicep with an iron grip.

"Okay, ow." Dawn's face opened innocently and she chose her words carefully, "heh heh, I know I'm not as strong as you, obviously," she looked to Willow and pointed throwing down a challenge, "but I bet I'm stronger than Willow."

Willow held up her hands, "I'm not the muscle I'm the magic. Or have you missed my ass getting kicked regularly and the oh so fashionable forehead scarification?"

Rue frowned, "Babe, I can fix that."

"S'okay, I'm good," she affirmed with a head bobble and a finger point. But as she watched Rue get Dawn started on her routine going over it with her till she was satisfied she was performing the movements accurately, she wondered if maybe she weren't correct? Maybe she should try a little training to avoid getting knocked on the noggin on a regular basis. She didn't always have time to utter a spell and if her senses where honed a bit maybe she could manage to duck or avoid contact instead of being pummeled and going down for the count. She estimated over the years she'd been dropped to the mat more times than a crooked prize fighter.

"Looks good." Rue directed at Dawn sitting down next to Willow again on the steps, "And so do you." She purred putting her arms around her. "Ya' know," she leaned in and whispered, "I kinda figured Dawn would be..." she searched for the words, "better... being Buffy an all."

Willow looked at her strange, "How so?"

"You say they're sisters but they're not..."

Willow quirked an eyebrow at this revelation. She had never mentioned anything to Rue before about this subject, maybe Dawn had, they were together enough and Dawn did seem to confide in her about a lot of things.

"...They're... the same ...same person..."

Wait now, this was new. Willow knew the monks had made Dawn from Buffy somehow or at least formed her human part from her but she never gave it much thought as to how or the actual scientific relationship. Suddenly she imagined the monks in some dingy medieval style basement laboratory like Dr. Frankenstein's lab in the Boris Karloff version of the movie fumbling around and not only managing an alchemists dream, to convert energy to matter, but a modern scientist's as well, inventing and perfecting cloning. And they had definitely done their jobs as the magicks that ingrained Dawn's existence into their memories also seemed to dissuade from questioning it.

"...Buffy and Dawn smell exactly the same." Rue continued, "Smells are like fingerprints no two people are the same. Similar, yes, same, no. So... whatever magic split 'em apart should have given her some of the Slayer powers too, right?"

Willow shrugged, "You'd think so but magic can have a mind of its own and any number of things can go awry." Rue, not being from here, most likely wasn't affected by the monks' spell as neither Spike, nor Clem had ever mentioned noticing that before. Maybe, subconsciously that was why Spike cared for Dawn as much as Buffy. But maybe in time she too wouldn't notice it either, become magicked into sync with everyone else.

Rue became quiet for a moment, hung her head and looked extremely forlorn, "Magic's so bad," she breathed.

Willow all at once felt a heaviness upon her breast and a moroseness invade her thought. Rue was inadvertently projecting her memories. She put her head on her shoulder and rubbed a hand across her back for reassurance.

"Oh," Dawn suddenly stopped, "I completely forgot! Bec, that thing. Wil, you gotta see this! Right, Bec?" Rue nodded, and Dawn ran into the house motioning for her to come inside.

Willow headed to the living room to gather her stuff as Rue retrieved her mug from the microwave.

Dawn quickly emerged from the back room with Rue in tow.

"Look what we found." Dawn held aloft a peanut butter jar then set it on the table in front of Willow.

Willow leaned over and stared in amazement.

"Don't worry it's dead." Dawn assured picking up the jar again.

Willow's mind drifted back to the other night.

"We think this one's damaged." Rue announced.

"Yeah, Bec set it on fire and killed it when it wouldn't let go of my hand," she shook the jar and twirled it, "I thought we might get something off it like who controlled it or what it is?"

She handed the jar off to Willow who scrutinized it carefully, "Definitely never seen anything like this before," she announced, "uh, I guess we should go about this the scientific way ... could use a microscope," she pondered, "I've got one back at my house and a few volumes on magic creatures I've been meaning to get a hold of since the other night. This'll make it a whole lot easier." Willow opened the top on the jar and peered in.

Rue came over, took the jar and poured the beast onto the table with a tap to the bottom of the container then picked it up, "It almost looks like a rat or a kitten, see," she said holding it up near to Willow's face.

Willow cringed and pulled away slightly.

Rue looking perplexed put it back into the jar and went back to her mug.

Willow peered into the jar then poked the beast with the eraser end of a pencil. She stuck her finger into the jar to touch the fur. It was soft almost feathery.

* * * * * * * * * *

Bthozopth'Thtrop'thyek felt a sudden connection to the dark forces on this world's plane. Something steeped in evil was near his living tether. He unclosed his senses and there, he recognized it, the same presence from before only different now, not as powerful, not commanding. He opened his oculus and saw a flame haired slip of a girl staring at him cringing. A witch? This was the mighty one? The one whom he had crossed minds with? This wielded the darkness unruled? This world truly was filled with wonder he chuckled to himself. Then he saw the other, the power. The witch and the girl were together. He couldn't believe his luck. This would be too easy. They'd never know what hit them.

* * * * * * * * * *

Willow picked the jar up and cautiously tipped the contents into her hand, immediately upon contact it reacted to her. At her touch an unnatural connection was made, the creature quivered and shook melting and transforming, reverting to its natural state, a piece of the demon, itself. Startled, Willow dropped it to the table.

Dawn jumped back.

Rue stepped up dropping her mug to the floor.

"Everybody chill," she yelled and they froze, not an eye straying from the undulating blob on the table as it continued to glow and pulsate. "I thought you said it was dead?" she directed at Dawn.

"We thought it was," Dawn defended.

"What's it doing?" Rue growled.

"Dunno?" Willow answered.

They watched fascinated as it continued to quiver and seemed to be pulling something from the very air itself growing a bit larger in the process. Without warning it lurched in Willow's direction and Rue, on pure instinct, reflexes like lightning, slammed a big hand down on it without thought. The air around her hand continued to siphon only now streams of green inky smoke rushed inwards seeping through her fingers. Rue began to grimace then howled, "Burns!" but couldn't pull her hand away. Whatever it was it had her fast. Her hand began to glow and she writhed about in torment as both Dawn and Willow desperately tried to pull it from the table, from the glob. After a brief struggle they finally succeeded. Rue drew back clutching her terribly scorched hand.

The thing on the table, now free, skirted around like an ice cube on a hot griddle finally leaping into the air and spinning like a top. It zipped about the room causing everyone to duck and weave and wonder at its intent. Then it paused, hung in mid air for but a moment and headed straight for Willow attaching itself to her collarbone, burning right through her shirt to connect skin to skin. She yelped in pain and clutched at it trying to remove it. Before the others could move to assist she was lifted off her feet and slammed to the floor on her back.

"WIL!" Dawn screamed as they rushed to her side.

Rue ignored her own injury and ripped at the girl's shirt to get at the thing but the glob had become one with her and she couldn't find where Willowflesh began and it ended to remove it. She raked at it with her nails but it was no use.

"Get back!" she warned through a pained expression, "Evil--" and pushed at Dawn to move away. She looked at Rue grabbing her arm, "It's--in--my head, talking to me," were Willow's last panicked words as she began to glow eerie green.

Rue feeling her fear moved to calm her but suddenly Willow was jerked straight up to a rigid standing position, levitated up off the floor, then flung onto the ceiling.

"NO! Let her go!" Rue raged, jumping up using the wall as a step attempting to retrieve her but Willow stuck to the ceiling like she had been crazy glued there. Rue furiously tugged and pulled wedging her knees to the ceiling to no avail.

The glow was taking on a life of its own forming more of an aura now surrounding her.

Rue watched as Willow's pleading eyes were reluctantly turned black and she clenched her teeth fighting for control, trying to speak.

Her mind screamed with anguish and it shot through Rue like a dagger, tears raining down warm upon Rue's face from her struggle.

She could do nothing but stare as the brilliant red hair began to tinge a sickening green along with her lips then in an intense flash her eyes suddenly flamed green. Rue was struck like a hammer by the light wave, flash blinded she protectively jerked her hands to her face releasing Willow and was brushed back like a leaf landing on the hard bricks of the fireplace. Moving to sit, her back seriously aching, she felt weak and disoriented and worse, she recognized a certain twinge in the pit of her stomach and a taste at the back of her throat.

"Becca, you okay?" Dawn moved to helped her.

"Don't worry about me," she said, "you heard Willow, you need to get out of here."

"But you need help." She argued.

Her forehead suddenly went hot, "So will you if you don't get out of here NOW!" She threatened.

"But you can't see."

Her voice became coarse and strained. "Dawn! My forehead. Run!"

Seeing her hand had changed Dawn abruptly released her.

Rue had lowered her head and was clutching at her eyebrow. When she looked up Dawn saw a bit of the wolf. Her lip curling in pain revealed the enlarged predatory canines, eyes changed from human brown to the evil haunting wolf yellow now reflected an eerie green glow, and a pentagram burned on her forehead as a slight trickle of blood wandered down her brow.

She watched as the pentagram rotated into a sign of Baphomet and began blazing brightly and began to back away in fear.

As Rue was transformed her bond with Willow kicked in and even though she was blind she could see through her eyes and hear what Willow was hearing; it frightened her.

Willow's aura began to snake about like tentacles seeking direction then slowly combined and took form. As a shape emerged she was released from her immobility on the ceiling and fearful curled into a ball attempting to shield herself. Slowly the corrupt power lowered her placing her at its center, the core of the frame. As it actualized it was soon revealed to be that of the demon. Trapped inside Willow continued to struggle to keep from drowning in its darkness. She thought she had seen the depths that the black arts had to offer when she went on her spree but this was near incomparable. The power gripped her again unfurling her to mimic the beast from within. She tried calling out to Rue for strength, solace, anything to focus on but the demon sensed the bond and the control it wielded and made Willow command her.

"Grab the girl," a booming voice that was Willow's but not ordered.

Rue blinked still partially blinded, shadows and light and vague shapes now coming into view. Shaking she obeyed. Utilizing Willow's perspective she reached up and caught Dawn by the wrist.

"Bring her near."

Rue stood.

"No, Bec. Please." Dawn begged.

And dragged Dawn kicking and resisting over to where the manifestation of the demon was.

"Good girl." The demon moved forward to touch Rue's cheek bending Willow to its will. Rue saw the sketchy outline of a hand come at her and she lurched back in fear. It changed its pitch allowing Willow's true voice to be heard, "What? Don't you love me?"

Rue furrowed her brow, "Of course," she snapped looking wounded by the question.

"Then give me the girl." He reached for her.

"No, Becca, don't listen it's not Willow." Dawn pleaded and struggled.

But the demon had crept into her head, it was whispering to her telling her lies, things she wanted to hear, things it stole from Willow, things it stole from her subconscious. So she did not respond to Dawn's desperate cry as the demon clutched her arms and wrenched her away raising her from the floor.

"Willow fight it!" she implored as a faint humming noise began. The sound increased and the demon manifestation and Willow opened their mouths in unison. A foul black vapor bursting forth followed by things resembling insects exploding into the world. The sound emitted hit an ear shattering pitch.

* * * * * * * * * *

Anya strolled up the walk to the Summers' residence halfway to the porch she felt odd, something was not right. She turned to her companion, "Wait right here, sweetheart, this may not be a good time." Cautiously she climbed the stairs when...



A terrifying explosion erupted from within the Summers' home, it resonated like a sonic boom rocking the house on its foundation causing a mild earthquake throughout the neighborhood and casting off window glass and deadly wood splinters for blocks.

Anya was blown back off the porch into the bushes and covered with debris. A wicked ear piercing buzz could be heard from within. Dusting herself off, she held her ears and sat up amid the wreckage then unsteadily got to her feet, climbed the stairs again and carefully tiptoed through the ruin. Sticking her head through the now missing bay window she called. "Buffy? Willow? Dawn? Are you dead? Coz if you're dead or... or being eaten alive I can come back another time." Anya was not comforted by the sound that greeted her.

Dawn screamed for her life.

"Holy shit!" Anya's mouth dropped open at the sight inside. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she fought off a Herculean urge to flee, for her demon senses knew the what, and knew she was in very super serious-type immortal peril.

The demon froze at the sound of a voice. Casting a glance at the window he did not see a girl peering in as he was immune to this most simple glamour. What he saw was a, "Miserable vengeance demon!" He dropped Dawn.

She skittered away.

Then raised a massive arm and a surge of green energy exploded from Willow's palm directed at Anya.

Anya quick dived out of the way as the bolt struck the sofa blowing a hole in it. When she popped her head up again she had reverted to her demon self, "Willow? Are you crazy?" she screeched.

The demon fired at her again and again missed.

"HEY!" she hissed.

"Capture that demon!" the true demon ordered turning to Rue.

Rue snarled and in two bounds leap across the room and out onto the porch snatching Anya by the neck.

"What's going on here?" Anya snapped but then saw the sign of Baphomet and trance like condition of the semi transformed girl. Cocking her heads she stared into her eyes, they were unfocused almost peering inward, "Rebecca?" she clutched at her face, "Your eyes?" but Rue just sneered and dived into the house dragging her along. That was as far as she'd get though for Anya began to fight back. "Don't touch me!" she barked and struck her with a shock wave that repelled Rue back into the table, into the wall.

Dawn, almost forgotten as the true demon focused its attentions on Anya, tried to figure out a way to save Willow and make this mess stop. She felt responsible. If she hadn't insisted on bringing that damn thing home and left it alone like Becca said, none of this would be happening. She crept up behind the demon and reached out to seize Willow, liberate her, but this creature was continuing to mutate. Where it was simply an aura before, there was now a pressure and tiny vein like tendrils creating a sense of being. Dawn pushed but the resistance was too great, she couldn't get past this temporal skin. Looking about for something sharp she spied the weapons' trunk.

In the meantime, Rue extricated herself from table and wall and lunged at Anya again. Anya sent her flying off in the opposite direction this time.

The true demon was losing patience and time. A wind stirred up inside its framework blowing Willow's hair about and suddenly from its shoulders tentacles began to sprout whipping about wildly. Stepping forward it methodically lashed out at Anya trying to nab her but Anya didn't make it to eleven hundred years by being slow. She ducked and dodged and flipped about like no one had seen before just one step in front of the demon's grasp.

The distraction was just what Dawn needed to make it to the weapons trunk. Carefully she opened it and peered inside, but what to choose? There, the dagger Becca had given her, she thought she'd lost it. Someone found it.

Inside the demon Willow sensed its mind slip. He released his grip on her ever so slightly as he concentrated on capturing and killing Anya. All the darkness, all the thoughts and hatred channeling through her towards Anya's presence where was it coming from? She took her chance, tried to enter its mind, probe it for more information and a possible weakness.

Dawn quietly slipped behind the demon and thrust the dagger into its side, it was like cutting into a Jell-O® mold. She thought for sure it would howl in pain, turn and do her in but instead it didn't miss a beat in its assault on Anya. Dawn pulled the knife down and made an opening then pushed her hand inside, 'ew, gross,' it was like playing with warm slime. Only now the veins were more alive, pulsating, moving, expanding like worms burrowing throughout the demon knitting flesh. They touched her and she jumped withdrawing her hand. But she'd have to chance it, so she plunged her arm back into the opening and reached out as far as she could trying to nab Willow. The demon architecture began burrowing into her flesh, she winced but continued to stretch. Flush up against the demon she edged her face along the cut, her arm fully submerged past her shoulder. She could feel the burrowing movement along her cheek and closed her eye trying for a few extra millimeters. Finally she caught the back of her sleeve. 'How is Willow breathing inside there,' she thought as she pulled, teeth clenched, forehead pressed up against the veiny gel. Slowly Willow's inanimate form inched its way out of the demon's core towards Dawn until she wrenched Willow's hand free of the monster goo. Bracing herself against the framework she pulled with all her might struggling against the slimy bile finally managing to clear Willow's arm up to the elbow when she inadvertently slipped jarring the table.

Willow's hand made contact with a house plant resting there. Brushing her fingers against the leaves, a spark of life suddenly reconnected her fatigued spirit with the Goddess Gaia and the natural power surge broke through the demon's mental hold just long enough for her to signal Anya with what she had learned.

The demon sensing something was amiss doubled its efforts. Realizing that Willow was now in its head seeking its source he clamped down his senses and lashed out, severely chastising her for her efforts. She writhed in pain as green energy crackled like electricity within the mass ferociously tearing through her.

Senses jogged, its tentacles whipped up catching Dawn in their tight embrace. She screamed and stabbed at them with the dagger which only succeeded in making them grip her even tighter, slowly squeezing the air from her lungs. The demon had wasted much time and energy on the vengeance demon, he needed to drain this power so he could force the witch to open a portal to the dark depths enabling him to fully manifest.

Anya had received Willow's message but it was nothing she didn't already know. This wasn't your average graveyard variety earthbound demon this was a very big bad indeed, a true demon, or at least it was drawing power and trying to become a true demon. Her vengeance demon senses told her everything she needed to know from the moment she laid eyes on it except how to stop it. And Willow's message was abruptly interrupted before she could relay her entire plan. Anya knew she wouldn't be able to do this alone, she needed Rue's help but how to reach her? Obviously fighting wasn't the answer, Rue had stamina for days and jonesed to thrash but she was beyond bored now already and teetering on anywhere but here. Spying Dawn in the demon's clutches and Willow's seemingly lifeless body she decided she had but one shot. It worked before it should work again. Good old human psychology. If she could just break through the shell.

Rue lunged at her again this time she directed her repellent force into her neck driving her to the floor at her feet. "Stop this at once." She ordered.

Rue lay dazed on the ground.

"Rebecca why are you trying to hurt me? This isn't you."

She moved about rising to her knee.

Still nothing.

Anya affected the tone, "You do realize this is not helping Willow don't you?"

Suddenly she stopped.

Anya hoped she was making a dent and she wasn't just regrouping to lunge at her again, so she continued, "Willow specifically told you to listen to me, didn't she?"

Rue shifted her weight uneasily conflict creeping across her face.

"Answer me!" Anya ordered.

"Y-y-yes." she said voice quavering.

"Then help me help her. Help me help Dawn."

She clutched at her eyebrow shaking her head, wrestling with herself, wrestling with the demon.

"The demon is hurting her." Anya went for the kill, "You're hurting her."

"NOO!" she growled.

"YES!" she pushed, "YOU are hurting Willow."

Rue raged inside at her words, roared and beat the floor with her fists. "No-no-no-no-nooooo!"

"Fight it. We've got to get it outside. Do you understand?"

The demon had overpowered Dawn and was swiftly draining her essence, devouring her. Covered in the thin veil of its blood she was slowly being dissolved.

Rue sprung into action and leaped at the demon. It lashed out at her but E always equals MC squared and the sheer force of her mass in flight easily brushed the tentacles aside. Landing on its chest she broke off one of the appendages holding Dawn.

Anya took that opportunity to rush in and taking the dagger from Dawn cut away another. She fell to the ground wasted. Anya scooped her up and safely carried her around the corner opened the door to the basement and shoved her down the stairs. Returning she spied Rue struggling, tentacles now wrapped around her neck but kicking at it cutting chunks from it with a blade protruding from her boot. 'Hm, no wonder she was so broken up about those boots,' she thought moving to release Willow but the demon swung around well aware of her presence.

In response to this dual assault the demon belched up some of its oh so rich n' creamy evil center hitting Rue square forcing her to release her hold on it. She writhed in pain as it seared her flesh and cut off her airway, the impact meant to drive her into the vengeance demon but instead Anya stepped up and used her repellent force. Rue bounced off of her and hit the demon edging him towards the window. Without warning one of its tentacles reached around and snatched Anya by the ankle lifting her into the air.

Rue shook her head. The goo was tainted and she could feel it trying to regain its hold again. She spit it out, flicked it off of her and climbed to her feet. Seizing the side table she brandished it like a bat and whomped the demon.

It didn't take kindly to her action and attacked her catching her up again, shaking her about like a rag doll.

Suddenly a man appeared on the porch. He charged inside and blew them all out the front window onto the grass.

Rue groaned unsure of exactly what just happened and tired to stand. That last hit she thought she felt a few ribs pop but she pushed on.

Anya lay on the ground a few feet away, she stirred and moaned, then laughed queerly.

The demon lay dashed in a heap.

Willow had been thrown somewhat free. Rue raced over pulling her completely free but she wasn't breathing. She was completely covered in the vile slime.

Rue forced open her mouth and began scooping the gunk away trying to clear her airway. "Please," Rue prayed. "Wherever you are. Help me. Help me now!" She thumped her on the back then gave her a few precious puffs of CPR.

Willow sputtered and spat then sucked in a great lung full of air and went into a coughing fit.

The demon began to stir.

"Use your power stop it." Rue urged the disoriented Willow then got to her feet charging towards the beast again trying to buy them all time.

Completely unnoticed a small blue white ball of energy appeared. It dipped and played about the scene.

The demon was up again clashing with Rue as Anya hung back.

Willow cleared her head, the shot out into the yard released the demon's grip on her momentarily but not the invasion of dark. She muzzily tried to regain her bearings, emotions completely askew, as she surveyed the chaos. She had to stop this, but she didn't want to. She wanted to just tear loose and destroy everything, but no, she had to. Had to rein herself back in. Reaching deep down, tapping into the earth for strength, "Gaia, mother, Goddess, all, give of yourself so I may brush back this evil," her green soulless eyes faded replaced by a blazing fire, then a vibrant gold. The dark tincture to her hair seeped away transposed for whitish gold highlights that washed over her. Looking up she swore she saw something flash. Saw... 'NO, it couldn't be...' Yet her spirit soared and she was lifted above the ground supported by the surging powers of the natural realm feeling invigorated as the forces flowed through her casting out the dark that almost consumed her. "MORIOR!" She threw out a hand towards the demon. "Defaeco is ea id maleficus pravus hinc! Eructo! Infero is ea id excrucio sectum!" Bolts of gold and pure blue white energy crackled from her hands.

The partially manifested demon howled its disapproval as its hold was being shattered. His physical form began to break down, but and yet he tried to regain his control. The piece of himself still attached to Willow glowed green repelling the light. But the new assault was too much for the demon construct and it began to melt, goo seeping everywhere then reverting to energy and dissipating.

The quelling evil also released its hold on Rue. The brightly blazing sign of Baphomet on her forehead rotated back into a pentagram and slowly began to fade away, the blood along with it. Her eerie green glowing eyes reverted to the haunting wolf yellow but not the normal human brown. Now free of the dark, she was furious.

Willow now able to reconnect telepathically with Anya completed her message. She ran into the dining room threw open the China cupboard and there, there was her prize. She snatched it and ran stumbled back out front slipping past Dawn and the stranger who were now on the porch.

"Becca!" Dawn threw the dagger to her.

She caught it and flipped back over to Willow. Stabbing her with the blade, she stabbed through the demon so it could not make its escape.

Willow winced and bit her lip holding back a scream. The piece of the demon emitted a shrill shriek revealing its borders.

Cutting with her claw she was finally able to remove the demon body.

Willow fell to the grass spent.

Anya held out a crystal vase and Rue dropped the squirming piece of tissue in handing her the knife. She then helped prop Willow up, "Come on, my love, concentrate, say the spell."

Willow groaned, closed her eyes and began to mumble.

"Louder." Rue implored, but Willow was completely drained from her ordeal, "You can do it. Use me, take my strength." She held her tight and intertwined their fingers, "End this now."

"Hurry up!" Anya griped fidgeting with the vessel and poking at the demon flesh to be still.

Willow squeezed her hand and closed her eyes again, a slight breeze whipping up.

Rue buried her head into Willow's hair bracing herself as a dim light was emitted from their union.

"Semoveo includo praemunio contineo." With those words, the crystal vase abruptly came alive in Anya's hands closing on itself encasing the piece of demon within like a fly in amber.

At that moment, the lights dimmed, the winds stopped and all became quiet as the demon's link was severed and the darkness dispersed completely.

* * * * * * * * * *

Bthozopth'Thtrop'thyek felt a sudden disconnection to the dark forces on this world's plane. He had failed. The witch and her allies had beaten him back, detached him completely. The last sight his oculus beheld was the vengeance demon and the she-dog. He was foolish. He never counted on assistants. He underestimated the witch. This was the mighty one. The one whom he had crossed minds with. And this one wielded more than just the darkness unruled. This one also controlled forces of light. He would not make that mistake again. Worst of all the vengeance demon lived and soon it would be reporting back to its master. He had to be careful now or all his planning would be for naught.

* * * * * * * * * *

Anya screwed up her face at the ex-vase then looked about the war zone that was the Summers' front yard and partial living room, "Is everyone all right?" she asked reverting back to her human form.

All remained quiet.

"Willow?" She persisted.

But she just breathed heavy and leaned back into Rue closing her eyes. Rue raised her head with a pained expression, her face drawn and tired, "Did someone say something?" she asked loudly patting her ear, "I can't hear. I think I'm deaf?"

"Dawn?" Anya directed at her as they met on the steps.

"I'm all right," she nodded as Anya handed her the lump of crystal.

"Shit! The explosion's made me deaf," Rue continued to fuss. "Great, I'm blind and I'm deaf...gonna need my own fucking guide dog now..." she mumbled to no one in particular.

Willow chuckled to herself and moved their entwined hands about reassuringly. "We're okay now, Anya," she finally said weakly and kissed Rue's hand.

"Oh, good," she beamed holding onto Dawn and stumbling back down off the porch and onto the lawn again.

Suddenly a smell alerted Willow to the fact she was kissing Rue's burnt hand. As she gently tried to release it she found they were kind of melted together now, "Aww gross," she grimaced, "level five ew," and cringed.

Anya greeted her guest with a kiss and a big hug as though absolutely nothing had just happened. She ushered him over and took something from him. "Well, uh, I originally came here because I wanted to show you Kursk. This is Kursk. He's my hot new boyfriend." She beamed. "Don't worry sweetie, this kind of thing only happens every so often," she directed at him. "As you can see I know powerful people. That's Dawn over there," she pointed for Kursk's benefit. "She's a minor and a mortal. This is Willow, she's a witch, and Rebecca she's a shapeshifter," she turned and took Kursk's chin in her hand making direct eye contact with him. "Willow and Rebecca are lesbians just in case you were thinking you might dump me for one of them."

"Anya!" Willow groaned.

"What? It's all right. Kursk isn't a mortal, he's a demon." She snaked herself around him and proudly announced, "A Traskur demon." Like it was supposed to mean something to them. She seemed hurt when they didn't respond. "Wasn't that the bravest thing you've seen? So powerful and masculine."

Everyone put on their game faces at her words, rolled their eyes and mumbled, "Oh, yeah. Wonderful. Just great. Our hero. Whatever."

As they picked themselves up and surveyed the damages Anya continued, "I also brought this for you. The plumber found them in the pipe," she presented the Tupperware® container she had taken from Kursk moments ago and opened it. It had some creatures in it. Anya jiggled the container making them dance around at the bottom then stuck it under Willow's nose.

"NO! Get them away!" They yelled panicked and launched themselves at her.

"What is with you people?"

Rue pulled Willow away, stepped between her and the container, burped it back tight and walked it into the house.

"Anya, that is what caused this." Dawn said simply.

"Oh, well, I'm glad I got them out of my store then," she breathed. "Don't need another this. Once a year demolition is more than enough."

* * * * * * * * * *

To be continued in Chapter 5