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: The Scoobies fight, then the Scoobies fight and then the Scoobies fight a bit more.

WARNINGS: Death, bodily harm, major neck, cheese, lies, bickering, language, slanguage, and general wackiness!

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Love And Darkness And My Crossbow

by Eris © 2002 -- All rights reserved.

Chapter Six: Chatter Of The Bugs

Later that evening the Scoobies convened in the dining room deeply embroiled in research mode. Xander, now up and about, was sitting on his inflatable donut quietly skimming through various volumes as Willow fretted over him adjusting his sling. "Wil, stop henning, I'm okay." He scolded.

"But you need to eat something," she protested, "if not for hunger then at least to take these antibiotics with." And held up one prescription bottle, "Take the blue pill." Smiled mischievously then held up another. "Take the red pill."

Dawn picked up a big white painkiller, "Take the horse pill. Geez, did you take him to the hospital or the vets?"

"Oh, stop." Willow giggled, "Xander, how about some soup? Bec, can you make us some soup?"

Looking up from her typing she said, "Grilled cheese."

"Grilled cheese soup?" Dawn queried looking intrigued.

"No, tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches."

His eyes brightened, "Creamy tomato, with a little dill and celery salt?"

"And zesty cheese," she nodded.

"Carrot and celery sticks?" he turned on the charm.

Rue pursed her lips, "You want ants on a log don't you?"

"Very much too please," he grinned ear to ear.

"Okay, now I'm hungry." Dawn announced.

"Great, then you can help." They headed into the kitchen as Buffy arrived home from work.

"Hey, guys." Buffy chimed. "How goes it?"

* * * * * * * * * *

Sheila made a quick pass through the living room with her duster then entered the den with another stack of mail for her husband. Setting the mail down she noticed the closet ajar and some books in disarray on the desk. 'Oh, Willow.' She thought collecting them. Suddenly something caught her attention. She picked up a volume and turned the page, "Oh my." Her jaw dropped.

* * * * * * * * * *

"It really got you good." Rue noted flipping one of the sandwiches.

"Yeah," Dawn agreed with a frown and continued to stir the soup, "but it's part of the job."

Rue looked around, listening carefully she could hear Buffy and Willow in the dining room. "Come here," she gestured. Dawn acquiesced allowing her to inspect the laceration, instead, in one swift movement, she grabbed her by the head and licked the wound.

Flabbergasted Dawn pushed her away, "Oh my God! Did you just lick me?!" She wiped at the wound, "Ew level fouuu--Wowww," but her mouth dropped open as her forehead began to tingle. "What did you do?" she asked surprise faced running to the mirror in the hall.

Rue followed, "Pretty girls shouldn't have ugly scars," she announced.

"BUFFY! WILLOW! XANDER! Come here you gotta see this!" she yelled.

Rue's eyes went wide and she tried to quiet her but it was too late. Anxious she leaned against the wall banging the back of her head upon it, exhaled and stared up at the ceiling awaiting the eventual.

"What?" Buffy inquired coming into the hall.

"LOOK!" Dawn pointed to her head and continued to gape into the mirror. Slowly the mark across her forehead changed color grew smaller then vanished altogether. "Awesome!" she squealed.

"That is pretty nifty isn't it?" Wil said coming up behind her with a smile and pulling back her shirt collar to reveal her once again smooth collarbone area, "Like brand new, oh, but without that new car smell."

Rue slowly inched her way back down the hall attempting to reach the kitchen to avoid the excitement.

Dawn grabbed Buffy's arm and shook it pulling her towards Rue, "Let Bec do you too."

Buffy glared. "I'm good."

"Oh, come on." She urged.

"Dawn." She voiced gruffly.

"It's okay, Dawnie," Willow avowed, "let your sister poop the party and keep her tread head. Xander?"

He took in the mixed expressions, Dawn's excitement, Willow's quiet joy and Buffy's--Yikes! Buffy's bristling glare. Then stammered out, "Yee-ah, okay. Why not?" Dawn jumped up and down bubbling with glee as Willow smiled softly and retrieved Rue who had made it as far as the basement door. So close yet so far. She was reluctant to return when she saw Buffy, arms folded, staring daggers at her.

"Come on, fix Xander up," Willow sweet talked sliding her arms around her.

Eyes still locked on Buffy she whispered, "It doesn't work on broken bones." Then shifted her gaze to the green eyes and cringed, "And you can forget about me getting anywhere near his ass much less licking it."

She snorted, "Deal. Just the cut on his face." After a bit of ear kissage she whispered, "We'll keep that last bit just between the two of us, later."

As Willow steered Rue past Buffy, Dawn instructed. "Hold still now Xander, let her lick you."

"What?!" Xander and Buffy echoed. Xander didn't know there was to be spit swappage involved. "Oh, no." He put up his good hand blocking her access and maintaining his distance.

"What's the matter?" Dawn asked.

"She's a-- I don't want to be a--" He stammered not quite knowing how to answer. "I've just changed my mind." He settled for.

"You're not going to become a werewolf." Willow assured sitting down next to him.

"And how do you know?" He shot back nervously.

"She did it to me," she smiled, "among other things, and I'm not a werewolf," Then bared her teeth, crossed her eyes, raised her hands and hooked her fingers like claws, exaggerating a scowl meant to calm and make him laugh.

But it didn't work. "It's not a full moon yet." He pointed out with a finger wag.

"Uh," Rue interrupted, "I'm not a werewolf either," she said sheepishly, "I'm a shapeshifter. There is a difference."

"Oh." He said sticking out his bottom lip mulling it over.

"Do you think if I were a werewolf my fur would be red too?" Willow posed to no one in particular still playing at creechy.

Buffy puffed. 'Oh, please.' That was it she had heard enough, she was *so* out of there and returned to the dining room.

"Do you have to lick me?" He deliberated, "Not that that doesn't sound appealing if we were in a ... different setting... and, uh," he coughed, "other things were... different."

Rue screwed up her face, "I guess not."

"Okay, then." He nodded breathing an apprehensive sigh. She sat down on the coffee table in front of him and he carefully shifted position leaning forward presenting his face. "Mommy." He exhaled and took Willow's hand for support.

Rue inspected the gash on his left cheek that ran up through his eyebrow. He was definitely lucky just a few millimeters more of pressure and he could have lost the eye. She leaned forward wetting the first two fingers of her hand, smeared them along the cut then sat back.

He blinked at her confused, "That was it?"

She nodded her head.

"Nothing else?"

She shook her head, no.

"When's it--Oh!" he began, "It tingles," and jumped up crossing to the mirror.

"Told you." Dawn flouted.

They watched as the slice quickly changed colors, grew smaller and finally disappeared leaving perfectly healthy, flawless skin. "Wow, so that's what it's like to have super healing... amazing." He made his way back towards the dining room Willow and Dawn in tow, "Hey, you think we could bottle that stuff?"

"Ew, level seven." Dawn cringed

"Agreed." Willow echoed.

"Just hear me out," he continued, "we could make some big dough..."

Rue hung back, not wanting to face up to Buffy's dissection again she decided to go around the other way and head straight for the kitchen but as she turned the corner Buffy was waiting for her at the basement door.

"Outside!" She said quietly yet sternly, grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and escorted her out the back door releasing her to close it behind them. She then backed her to the edge of the porch and punched her square in the nose.

Rue fell back down the stairs onto the grass.

"I warned you," Buffy growled, "not to touch my sister."

"I was just trying to help," she defended rubbing her nose.

"How dare you do something so stupid," she scolded.

Picking herself up, Rue sighed, "It's harmless."

"You are *so* outta here." She threw her duster at her. "I don't care where you go. What you do. Just go. Now! Before I get mad."

Rue twitched and scratched at her eyebrow Willow's words echoing in her head for her to listen to Buffy but Buffy had now become a threat. Order remanded. No one, especially the Slayer was going to keep her from Willow. No matter what. "We'll see what Willow has to say about that," she sneered.

Buffy seethed.

All of a sudden Dawn opened the door, "There you are. The soup's do--"

"Dawn, go back in the house!" Buffy barked.

"What? Why?" she shot a glance between the duo, the tense weighing heavy in the air. "What's going on?" she frowned.

Buffy swung the door open, "Just get in the house," she repeated and shoved her inside roughly.

"Hey!" Dawn protested.

Buffy followed her in, slammed the door and locked it.

Rue turned and walked off into the darkness.

Willow and Xander heard the ruckus in the kitchen and ignored it passing it off as the usual sibling bickering they were accustomed to until Dawn's voice hit an all time high. "Willow!" She screeched followed by the sound of cookware impacting. They raced into the kitchen to see their snack splashed across the stove, countertop, linoleum, Buffy, Dawn and Dawn brandishing the grilled cheeseless frying pan. "Open the door!" She ordered choking up on the handle like a bat.

"Dawn, calm down!" Buffy said wiping creamy tomato from her face and hair.

"Hey! Knock it off you two!" Willow yelled.

"Yeah," Xander agreed, "aren't we a bit old for the pissy sister routine?"

Dawn wound up, stepped in and swung like Sammy Sosa, fortunately Buffy side stepped and she struck the wall with a resounding 'clank' leaving a large dimple in the wood. Buffy snatched the pan away catching her around the neck but Dawn grabbed her forearm and chomped down -- hard.

"OW!" Buffy screamed releasing her immediately.

Dawn then hit her with a big elbow and shoved her into the wall.

"Dawn!" Willow exclaimed not knowing what to think of their antics, "What's the matter with you?"

"She's gone." She yelled finally able to unlock and throw open the door.

"What?" she still didn't grasp the situation, no thanks to the bickering sisters.

"Ask Buffy." She spat harshly going out into the yard, "She made her go." Then called into the night, "Becca! Bec?"

Willow's expression immediately turned sour as she listened to her calling out. Stone faced she confronted Buffy for answers, "Buffy?"

Buffy tossed a glance between Xander and Willow uncomfortably rubbing her monkey bite. "I told her to leave," she confessed softly.

"Oh, here we go," Xander slapped a hand over his face pulling it down.

"Why? She hasn't done anything." Willow asserted, "I thought we settled this nonsense."

"Wil, we did--" She attempted.

But was off, "S-so what is it now? She touch your yogurt? Or take too much time in the bathroom? Or-or sit in the corner too loudly?"

"Be serious," she shot back.

"I am." She said folding her arms defiantly.

"Why, Buffy?" Xander repeated disappointed gesturing at the pan, "And a specially big why right before highly anticipated scrummy-type snackage?" Still bemoaning the loss of his spicy grilled cheese treat.

Buffy brushed her sticky hair back playing at the soup clinging to patches, "There's something not right with her."

"She's in good company then, isn't she? Buffy, do you hear yourself?" Willow waved he hands about, "You sound like a mad woman."

She crossed over to the stove, "I don't expect you to see it or believe me because I know you love her..." and tossed the frying pan down, "or think you do?"

"Okay," Willow's eyes danced with anger, "don't go there," she rumbled tight-lipped.

At that moment Dawn came in from outside and slammed the door as hard as she could. "I hate you," she threw down snarling. "You're a jealous bitch. You can't stand it that Becca's my friend," and bounded off through the kitchen. "Well, just you wait!"

"Looks like Dawn and I are in agreement."

"Wil, she's not right." She reiterated, "Every fiber of my being tells me she's evil."

"Then I'd get that checked by a specialist, cause she's not," she tapped her chest with an index finger, "I am, remember?"

"Wil, stop." Xander pleaded.

"No." she glanced between them, "You say you can feel *she's* evil. Do you feel the same way about me?"

A pained look shot across her face, "Of course not."

"Why not? I'm evil too." The air in the kitchen suddenly became cold, "Evil is evil, isn't it?"

"Wil." The hair on Xander's neck stood up. He touched her arm but she brushed him off.

"It's not the same--" Buffy argued.

"Oh? Now what? We have an evil-o-meter?" she rolled her eyes stepping closer to glare at her friend, "So where on the Summers' scale do we rate?"

"It's not like that." She clicked. It's just... Things were going good... and like I told Becca last night, none of this was happening before she got here."

"Wait?" her mouth dropped open. "You said that to her?" She was shock faced, "*You*," she glowered, "you caused that last night."

"Last night? What last night?" Xander asked hopelessly lost. They glared at him and slowly he got the message. "Ya' know what? Never mind. You guys fight it out. Diplomacy Man needs food." He declared feeling all dejected and third wheely making for the dining room, "...And, thanks to all three of you, the horse pill." But before he left he added, "Just try not to blow the house apart anymore. It's a little hard to attach new lumber to no house," then strode off.

"I don't believe I'm hearing this! What's the matter with you?" Willow resumed.

"The matter with me? What's the matter with everyone here?" She threw her hands into the air then grasped her forehead.

Silently Dawn grabbed her jacket from the hook in the foyer and slipped out after Xander unnoticed.

"There's nothing the matter with us, Buffy." She paced back and forth, "We're all trying to have lives, not normal ones, just lives."

"The thing attacked you in our home. *She* brought it to the house." she emphasized.

"No, she didn't. You weren't there, you don't know."

"Okay, look," she backtracked, "too many things don't add up here. And then... I found..." Buffy crossed over to her, "Wil, I need to show you something," she hesitated a moment deciding just how to broach the subject. In the end she said nothing, reached behind her, pulled something from her belt and just held the object out.

"Isn't that Faith's knife?" She asked.

"I thought so." Buffy said handing the knife to her then heading off to the living room to the weapons trunk, Willow in tow. "Becca gave it to Dawn to fend off the demonspawn, she dropped it on the street. I picked it up that night."

"I'm sorry. Becca shouldn't be going through things that aren't hers..."

Buffy opened the trunk making sure Willow was watching. She reached for a smaller box inside, opened it then pulled out a cloth and unwrapped...

"...I take responsibility for that. I'll talk to her, but you can't seriously be--" Willow halted as her eyes fell upon Faith's knife. Buffy held it up.

"Oh. Another one?" She sounded confused yet not overly concerned, then rationalized "There are probably thousands of them on the market. Preferred weapon of choice for the dangerous type."

"Check the handles." Buffy handed the second one to her. Willow inspected them and sure enough, the same mark was etched into both, "Identical." Buffy assured.

"Huh?" She remarked fascinated.

"Where'd it come from? How can there be two of Faith's knife, Wil? Who is she?" Buffy pressed.

"Five by five." She mumbled.

"What?" Buffy tilted her head.

"Nothing." But she knew it was not nothing.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Do you think this is easy for me?" Rue argued to the air as she thrust her shovel into the dirt. "You tell me who wouldn't be disturbed by that. And this. This is so wrong, but--" she halted then angrily threw down the shovel and turned glaring at nothing. "I've been listening to you!" she yelled her tone sharp as a knife. "But I have to do this..." her voice rumbled to a calmer pitch, "as a precaution." She stood quiet attentive to something only she could see. "Why didn't you at least warn me about her? Or the possibility?" She fell silent again then retrieved the shovel. "I trust you but you have to trust me now. Your loose end is tied up. No one's going to question. No one's going to think twice about this. This won't separate us." She picked up a scoop of earth. "Tell me more." The sound of the dirt made a steady *plaf* noise as she tossed shovel after shovel into the hole steadily refilling it. Pausing a moment she took a breath leaning on the shovel, her time here was making her soft, normally she would have had this finished by now.

Out in the darkness she could feel him as he crept up on her, not to mention he wasn't the quietest of sneaker-uppers, especially considering he was a vampire and that was part of the job description. "That's pretty pathetic," she said. "You creep like a cement mixer, no wonder you're the size of a pencil."

"Beg pardon," came from the darkness.

"That is the look you were going for, right, all Bowie skinny and painted yellow?"

He stepped out of the night, "You're a right smart ass."

"Just beat it, Billy, I'm busy," she growled and resumed throwing dirt into the hole.

"And why would I want to do that? This is much more interesting." He walked over to the edge of the hole and peered in. It was small, people sized but not big people, more like child sized. He wondered what she was possibly at. "This looks a lot like up to no goodness," he chided. "The hour, the dark, the--oh, hang on... is that a body?"

Rue bristled and clenched her lips.

"Who's body is that, pet?" he inquired retrieving his lighter from his pocket and crossing over to her.

"Nobody."

"Riiight." he struck the lighter, "My ruffled Aunt Fanny. Who'd you kill?" and puffed the cigarette to life.

She ignored him.

"Maybe Buffy'll know then, eh?" He blew a big cloud of smoke, "Or would Willow?"

"Look, I didn't kill anyone! Not yet anyway." She threatened through dark eyes.

"We've all got our skeletons, luv. Just yours is awfully petite."

She threw down the shovel. "What do you want, Spike?"

"Me? I'm just out for a stroll... Minding my own business. I don't want anything." He pursed his lips and flipped his head, "Or are you offering?"

"I don't have anything you'd want."

He stepped towards her, "So quick to think that. This could be very interesting." and reached out touching her face, running his finger down her cheek, down her neck, down--

Slapping his hand away she roared, "Back off."

He raised his arms and stepped back, a childlike glint in his eye, "Tem- per."

She picked up the shovel menacingly and snarled at him in disgust.

"Okay then, fine, I'll just, uh, meet you back at the house." He said thrusting his hands into his pockets and turning on his heel, "Oh, and not to worry, I'll let Willow know exactly where you are and not to expect you till you're through." He began to walk off.

"Wait," she called to him.

He feigned two fingers to his ear. "Sorry? Didn't catch that."

"Come back here," she sighed. "What do you want?"

"I'm sorry, luv, I don't get your meaning?" he mocked as he stood before her checking her out.

She seethed at his smugness, "What do you want to keep that overbite glued?"

He took his time, took a long drag on his cigarette, traced her features with his eyes stopping to stare at her luscious neck, her ire making the muscles dance, then gazed up in the air thinking carefully.

Rue was losing her patience, "I won't ask again."

"Hang on. Don't be so swift. Man's got a lot to mull over," he drained the cigarette and flicked it into the darkness. "Mostly, I'd uh, ask for money but you're so broke the church mice are giving you alms. So, sweets, what are my ors?"

Rue blinked at his audacity then snorted, "You're crazy if you think I'm gonna give you any ideas."

"Oh, I've got plenty of ideas," he stepped closer attempting to turn on the charm, "I just need to know what you're open to."

She rolled her eyes. "Not if you were the last man--thing--other thing, left on the planet."

He quirked an eyebrow at her insult and stared at her lips as they flushed with anger.

"Why are you trying to hit on me anyway?" She questioned. "Why don't you go screw your girlfriend? She could definitely use a happy. Get her to climb down off of my back for a bit."

At that comment, racy images of her and Buffy together danced through his brain, but he reined them back in. The truth was something he wasn't interested in sharing, being that Buffy had basically shut him out, and he was all mopey puppy doggin' trying to take his mind off of her. His face dropped, his mental happy over, "We've decided to see other people," he lied flatly.

"Oooo, the big bad boogedy man, I'm all seeing other people," she mocked. "You're a...a.. what do ya' call it? A pillock, yeah."

"Hey!" he barked but that did it she had gotten his goat. Then again maybe he was a pillock because he was kinda liking this and found her attempt to Brit-it-up quite adorable.

"Aw, what's wrong?" she continued her assault, "Did she tame you, *pet*?"

He was the one who liked mind games, but as with most of his type, he could dish it but not stomach it. "Here, knock it off," he warned unable to take his eyes off her lustrous skin, the way it shone in the moonlight from the hole in the roof as she taunted him.

Still she persisted, "Or were you not demon enough to satisfy a Slayer?"

"Enough now!" he thundered lurching forward.

"Or what, killer?" she blew out a big breath, "Be a man, take her. Demons take what they want."

Spike's eyes narrowed, "Yeah, well, maybe I want you?" He grabbed her roughly pulling her in close wanting to taste those full lips but she struggled twisting her face away denying him. He prepared for one heck of a battle knowing full well she could creech out just as easily as he could, but instead she just stopped, tipped her head and brushed back her dark hair exposing her neck. He leaned in pressing his face to her ear, she reeked of the witch and that same God awful fruity shampoo she always used. But he liked it. Craved it. Wanted it now. He ran his lips down along her neck sensing the minute quakes of the blood coursing through her jugular.

Suddenly she pulled away and turned to face him. "Blood even." She said staring intently.

"Blood even." He breathed with a nod taking in her warm dark eyes.

She turned again offering up her neck, trusting her secret safe. He kissed and ever so slightly nibbled at it. This got a rise from her, her breath catching in her throat. He allowed his fangs to descend then hesitated momentarily. The chip. What if the damn thing wouldn't allow him to--? But he wasn't trying to hurt her. This was an open invitation. She wanted it. He gently raked his fangs across the sensitive flesh, her arms shot out to clutch at him surprising him. Then ever so carefully he bit into her neck piercing the flesh yet not deep enough to drink -- testing the waters so to speak. She exhaled with a quiet moan hugging him tighter urging him on. No pain, so he eagerly clamped down firmly sinking his teeth in deep and began to drink.

She didn't struggle, she didn't cry out, she stayed silent entwining her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck, running her nails up and down his back beneath his duster. By her response he knew she wasn't virgin fang territory. She had been kept or indulged in the practice for kicks. Who knew which?

He didn't care. He was luxuriating in the moment. The fact that he could feast. It had been ages since he'd fed, much less had a willing partner, he'd almost forgotten what it could be like. Buffy wouldn't allow him this pleasure. He had asked, even begged but she refused him and he was greatly disappointed. Her willingness aroused him and he suddenly envied Willow. That girl knew how to pick 'em. He adjusted his hold hungrily, a slight rivulet trickled down her neck and she leaned closer forcing him to go deeper, harder. He closed his eyes rolling them up into his head. He had tasted of shifty demons before but didn't make it a practice as they ordinarily bore a beastly tang he despised, flavored much like rats to his finicky palate, and leaving a sour taste at the back of his throat. But she was different. He was genuinely surprised at her strong yet zesty sweetness and took his time, savored every drop, every moment. Oh, how would he ever be able to go back to burba weed after this? As he fed he noticed his tongue becoming strangely tingly and the mixture of Rue and Willowscent played in his nose exciting and agitating him making his mind wander into forbidden territory.

Near gorged and invigorated he finally released her. A lustful smile crossing his lips, lips wet with crimson. He gripped her close nuzzling her, lapping the excess from the wounds, then looked up. Her eyes were all evil haunting wolf yellow and dilated with pent up ferocity. She was enjoying it as much as he was. Twirling her around he feverishly backed her into the wall taking her face in his hand moving to kiss her, but again she turned her head denying him. He glanced down, her chest heaved with excitement so he focused his attention there instead, hungrily kissing and licking his way down from her collarbone. But she pulled him up roughly and like a far away dream said, "That belongs to Willow alone." Suddenly he found himself being shoved backwards. Momentarily disoriented he shook his head and flashed a wicked grin, she wanted to play games, he liked games and came at her again but she put her arm up and shook her head, no.

"You're joking," he breathed in frustration and advanced anyway.

She grabbed him harshly by the neck, "No," she said defiantly, raspily, "I belong to Willow."

He opened his mouth to protest but she just breathlessly repeated, "Blood even."

He panted heavy watching in disbelief as she stumbled back over to the grave trying to compose herself, then picked up the shovel and returned to her labor.

* * * * * * * * * *

Dawn walked out of the house with no thought to where she was headed. She just walked aimlessly and kept walking until she found herself at the graveyard, which in Sunnydale wasn't hard to do considering there were twelve of them within the city limits alone. She ran her hand against the brick of the retention wall feeling the rough surface, her mind a million miles away. Unexpectedly she jumped when she felt a presence behind her, "Geez, God, you scared me."

"What are you doing out here?" Rue asked emerging from the shadows, "You shouldn't be by yourself, not after the other day."

Dawn folded her arms, "I had to get out of there, she treats me like a kid."

"You are." She reminded.

"I know but I'm not stupid or... helpless."

"She's just trying to protect you."

"Well, you protect me okay and you don't treat me that way."

"Don't bring me into this." Rue said pointing two fingers, "I don't count. You're sister is gonna give me such flack if you *ever* say *anything* like that in front of her."

"I don't care." Dawn fussed.

"I do." Rue grabbed her upper arm, "I'm on her radar, and I don't need anything else upsetting Willow. Got it?" she growled.

She was silent and kicked at the ground.

Rue released her, "Got it?" Then elbowed her.

"Yes." She frowned then eyed her head to toe, "Nice shovel."

"Oh, uh, thanks," she'd forgotten she still had it, "I had some business to attend to." And attempted to hide it behind her body.

"Okaaay. So, what happened? Why'd Buffy kick you out?"

"Kick me out? She didn't kick me out." Rue lied bald faced.

"But I saw her--"

"Nah," She shook her head and put her hand on her shoulder, "we had some loud words... she got a bit dramatic, and, uh, I just thought it best to let her cool down some before she tripped Willow," she lied whitely.

"Didn't work. They were into it pretty good when I left."

"Damn her," she rumbled.

Dawn chuckled, "Hey, did she pull the Steely Eye of Death on you? She does that pretty well." She smirked. "Got it from Mom. Now, *she* could make you confess to things you were just thinking about doing with that look."

"Come on, lets get back to the house before they find you missing and I get the Steely Stake of Death." She poked her in the side.

Dawn squealed and slapped at her as they started to head back to the house.

Suddenly Rue grabbed her shoulder, "Shhh," and tensed sniffing the air, listening closely, "Something's out there."

She reached out and touched Rue's arm, "I-I can feel it," she voiced excited and shocked at perceiving something, maybe her Slayer sense kicking in for the first time.

All of a sudden a sound echoed like the chatter of bugs chilling them where they stood and a freakish looking man with smoking eyes in blue boxers and a white T-shirt sprung from the darkened thicket wielding a knife.

Rue blocked his thrust with her shovel, "RUN!" she instructed Dawn who did just that.

As she moved a barrage of arrows whizzed past her hitting the ground and trees. She squeaked and instinctively changed direction.

The man continued to grapple with Rue but she finally overpowered him wrenching the knife from his hand deftly slitting his throat with it before taking off after Dawn.

More freaky people burst from the woods and more arrows whizzed about.

Another man stepped out from behind a tree blocking Dawn's path. She stopped startled by his sudden appearance and the fact that he looked identical to the creepy dude she was fleeing except he was in a maroon jogging suit. She squawked then punched him in the face. They began to trade blows, remembering the moves Rue and Buffy had taught her, she was surprised to find she could hold her own at least for a time. It was near second nature. Was this how Buffy felt in combat? She finally dropped the guy with a high kick to the head and ran past him but as she did two more clones from Hell popped up as if from nowhere. It was almost as if they were steering them towards somewhere in the woods.

Rue dodged arrows ducking in and around trees and bushes. They were everywhere, she couldn't seem to get a head count, but she could see Dawn just up ahead, one of the bastards had her by the arm. Another was coming to the first's aid. Rue took aim and threw the knife hitting him square in the chest.

He gasped and fell to the ground.

Pouring on the steam, "Dawn, duck!" she screamed and dove over her grabbing the guy by the throat, snapping his neck as they tumbled to a stop. She looked at him quizzically, "What the Hell?" 'I just killed you over there?' she thought. But there was no time, they could hear more advancing from behind, "Hurry!" She said jumping up, pushing Dawn ahead of her.

Running for their lives they zigzagged their way through a myriad of attackers and arrows until all of a sudden they were pounced upon from above.

Two assailants launched themselves from the limb of a tree driving Rue to the ground, another stepped from the darkness and snatched Dawn holding her tight. Two more who had been in hot pursuit arrived assisting in the seizure.

Dawn valiantly struggled but soon thought better as she found a crossbow firmly pressed against her neck. Her breath caught in her throat and she prayed this one had less of a hair trigger than Buffy's at home or she was a goner.

The men jerked Rue to her feet holding her securely. Motioning, the one holding Dawn began to move away, off into the woods, "Bec--" she began but ceased when prodded with the business end of the crossbow.

"S'okay, Dawn," She reassured, "be brave." Keeping watch of them until the man had taken Dawn a fair distance and she felt she was safe. "Guys, you *so* got the wrong girl," she quipped.

Their ill amused response came as a blow to the back of the head.

She felt it but continued, "I don't kiss on the first date. Especially butt ugly assholes like you. Did evil run out of originality in the puss department?"

They struck her again in the stomach and across the back with the butt of a crossbow.

She winced falling to her knees as they surrounded her. "Okay then, maybe just this one time." Her voice steadily deepened as she released the wolf. "Who's first?" One by one she savagely, gleefully ripped them to pieces.

The man keeping Dawn heard the ruckus and the bloodcurdling screams then the long silence. His contorted features and smoldering eyes gave no indication yet Dawn could feel the fear wash over him as his breathing quickened along with his pace. Suddenly he felt a tap on the shoulder. Turning he was startled to see a wild eyed demon.

"Close your eyes, Dawn," a deep raspy inhuman voice rumbled.

She did as instructed and all at once was free of his grasp. She dared herself to peek, but then clamped her eyes tight with a start at the sounds, the grisly squishing and bone crunching, then fear-inspiring gaspy, chokey, gurgling sounds. The next thing she knew Becca was grabbing her roughly.

"Okay, let's move!" she ordered shielding her from the sight.

Dawn clutched at her arm as they ran breakneck through the woods. Without warning the forest thinned and they came upon a clearing. Once in the open, they could hear the masses approaching from all sides, "We're surrounded." She screeched panic setting in.

"Uh-oh." She breathed, "Ambush." Her acute hearing caught the sounds of the crossbows taughten and release. "Duck!" she blared moving at light-speed to cover the girl as best she could, hugging her close, shielding her. The arrows whooshed in from all directions. Dawn yelped as one grazed her ankle, she began to squirm and tried to reach for it but Rue held her rigid asking, "You okay?"

"My leg, I've been hit," she winced.

The mob were reloading and closing in, Rue thought about fighting her way out but there were way too many, if she engaged she couldn't protect the girl. She'd have to retreat. She despised retreating. This made her angry. "Hold on!" She ordered scooping her up in her arms. Enraged she took off full throttle towards one of the doppelbastards and stuck out a big boot drop kicking him in the throat, crushing his windpipe. He went flying making an opening. She took her opportunity and headed out through the dense forest, "Cover your face," she ordered. They could hear the sounds of more arrows whooshing past and the followers giving chase but Rue was slowly pulling away.

Images in the darkness flashed by and blurred as they moved like lightning but the merry mixer style forced Dawn to closed her eyes pushing back the nausea, she could feel Rue's heart race and her frantic breathing as they darted through the woods. Branches whipped her body stinging like bees, she ignored them clinging tight willing herself to be as light as possible.

At last Rue could see the top of the old Whedon mausoleum, they were almost out of the woods to the edge of the cemetery. As they burst forth from the thicket to the back of the old burial ground she listened carefully, "I don't hear them, I think we're safe for the moment." She lowered Dawn to the ground her breathing heavy and labored, "Can you walk?"

"I dunno." They inspected the wound, the arrow hadn't grazed her ankle but was sticking out of it.

"Uh, looks like a better not. Up ya' go." She again hoisted Dawn off her feet and took off for the house.

* * * * * * * * * *

'Again with the interference,' Bthozopth scowled. This realm was beginning to piss him off royally.

The mage peered through his scrying basin. He was not happy, not happy at all. "We had her!" he barked. "Who was that meddler? Where did she come from?" he demanded of his servant grinding his teeth.

"She is an agent of the witch."

"A shapeshifting bodyguard?" he stroked his goatee agitatedly, "Clever. You may just be correct in your earlier assessment." He looked into the liquid again but none of his instruments of vision had her in sight. "Where are they? They better not have lost her?!" he warned. "Find her! I want that girl found at all costs!"

"She is not lost, Master," the demon assured calmly. "Most likely they returned to the witch's lair."

"No doubt to alert her. Or raise a spell of protection." He elevated an arm seemingly to backhand the demon, but caught himself, "Imbecile!"

"We know the location. A dwelling not far away." Bthozopth didn't reveal how he knew or that they had beaten him back there once already.

"And now she knows we're coming." Cranston in a fit slapped at the scrying bowl instead sending it flying across the room landing with a clatter. "They'll be ready for us. We've lost the advantage of surprise and we'll lose many more of these buffoons."

"Best to wait. Lull them into a false sense of security. Gather more power then strike the death blow," the demon hinted.

"We have no other choice," he glowered. "Regroup the troops. Surround the dwelling and set up watch. We will catch them off guard. The moment they relax we will strike."

"As you wish," the demon obeyed sending out a dark message to all under its treacherous control. A chattering of bugs could be heard throughout the area.

* * * * * * * * * *

Rue bounded into the kitchen still carrying Dawn. "Help. She needs help," she alerted breathless.

"Dawn! What happened?" Buffy cried as she crossed the room, helped her down and into a chair. Her face was bleeding from some branch strikes but Buffy focused on her bloody pant leg and sock, there was an arrow sticking out of her ankle. She turned to Rue accusingly, "What did you do!?" She was fit to be tied and headed for her to take her wrath out on her but Dawn grabbed her firmly.

"Stop it! It wasn't her, she saved me," she explained. "I went off alone, she came after me, we were ambushed, Becca got me out! I never could have fought them all off."

"This isn't so bad," Willow said attempting to diffuse Buffy, "doesn't look like it's hit anything important just kinda wedged under the skin like a big ol' splinter."

"They had crossbows." Rue said still breathing heavily and sweating profusely now.

But Buffy would not be dissuaded, "Look at this, this is serious! How could you?"

"Stop yelling at her!" Dawn insisted.

"I couldn't risk fighting them," she said dabbing at the blood on her own lashed face, "I'm sorry, I tried to shield her..."

"You didn't try hard enough, she got hurt."

Rue hung her head. She reached out to lean on a chair, her breathing had still not returned to normal and she seemed confused, "I said... I-I was sor... I couldn't do... any more. I covered her. I didn't see the feet..." she defended, "...the feet sticking out..."

"Leave her alone Buffy. I'm to blame pick on me," Dawn implored.

At that moment Xander came in from the hall with pizzas and soda, "Hello, ladi--" His mouth fell open, eyes growing wide, "Oh my God!" He said shock faced dropping his goods.

The trio followed his eye line to a steadily growing pool under Rue. It was blood. Xander moved towards her.

"They... were... everywhe..." she mumbled. Her eyes rolled up in her head, her hand slipped from the chair and she fell forwards hitting the linoleum hard. The Scoobies finally saw what had startled Xander. Her back and legs were riddled with arrows.

Willow gasped.

Dawn screamed, "BECCA!"

Buffy just stared.

Xander was to her side first, "God there's so many. I hope they're not poisoned."

"Don't say that." Willow growled. "Becca? Bec, sweetie?" But she was out.

"What do we do? We can't take her to the hospital, can we?" Dawn asked worried. "Buffy? What do we do?"

"She stood there so calm," Buffy mumbled guilt washing over her.

"We need to stop the bleeding," said Xander, "see if one of these... or more has hit an artery... or something major, I'll get some towels."

Buffy came back down to Earth, "We... gotta get these clothes off, cut 'em if we have to." She grabbed a knife from the block, "Wil, get the scissors."

Willow obeyed then remembered something, "Uh, guys, don't be alarmed, she's got this... brand... on her back."

"Well, now she's got a connect the dots puzzle too," quipped Xander returning with supplies. "We've seen tatts before."

"No, not like this... it's not a tatt... you'll see." She forewarned.

Buffy cut the duster off. Rue's shirt was stained red through and through. As she cut the shirt up they soon saw what Willow was trying to explain, "My God," she gasped.

"That's intense." From shoulders to below the belt line she was covered in a huge work. "That's not a tattoo... is it?" Xander asked.

"No." Willow replied.

"Th-that looks like it's been cut," Dawn added, "into her back." The blood was pooling in the recesses of the design making it all the more distressing.

"It was. Before she first changed." Willow explained.

"Who would do something like that?" Buffy asked as they worked.

Willow thought back to that night when she brought Rue back to her room and how she had handled the alarming sight for the first time.

* * * * * * * * * *

"I have this... this art mark on my back." Rue began hesitantly.

"I've seen tattoos before," Willow remarked staring into her dark troubled eyes. "They can be very swexy." She licked her lips seductively but when the girl's demeanor did not change intrigue crossed her brow. "What is it off color or something?" she smiled seeking to put her at ease, "...embarrassing? An old flame's name?"

"Something like that... but i-it's not a tattoo, it's a mark."

Willow watched as she finished undoing the last remaining buttons on her blouse and slowly slipped it off.

She crossed over and took her hands then turned her back.

Willow could see what looked like the ends of a tattoo peeking out from under the tank top near her shoulders and a bit near her spine on her neck.

She placed Willow's hands on her waist indicating for her to help remove the tank.

She slowly raised the top and Rue put her arms up. As it slinked up Willow could see it was one large design. It kind of resembled zebra stripes but it wasn't...

Rue pulled the top over her head and peered over her shoulder at her for a reaction.

She saw the design in its entirety now, it was stylized writing, it looked familiar. It said... NO, it couldn't be, but it was, it was her name. It said, **Willow**, and... it looked like her own handwriting, or rather the innumerable doodles she had scratched out over the years on notebook paper in class. She reached out and ran her hand over it then pulled away in alarm, there were ridges. 'Oh, my God.' Realization set in. No, this wasn't a tattoo it was sliced into her back. She was horrified. Her brow furrowed, there were no words for something like that.

Rue grabbed her blouse and hurriedly jerked it back on, "S'okay, it doesn't hurt, and it doesn't bite." She tried to calm her running her fingers through Willow's hair, "It was a long time ago. Before I first changed. Now everything heals. Couldn't do it to me today."

Willow glared at her glassy eyed, "Rue, who couldn't?" She asked tight- lipped.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Me." Answered Willow sporting a face of pain. They paused dumbfounded. She lowered her head, "...or rather vamp me from a different reality."

"WHAT?" Xander exclaimed, "Back the fuck up. You mean she's from vampire you' neck of the woods? Vampy you we met thanks to Cordy and Anya?"

"I dunno? Yeah. Maybe? It's all very confusing," she began to ramble a bit, "supposedly I was the undead and reigned over Sunnydale, but it wasn't sunny and--"

"So when she said she wasn't from here, but was, she really meant it?" He cut in, "And you were gonna tell us this when?" his tone dripped with sarcasm.

She felt awful, "Guys, inquisition later. Fix now."

"Oh-ho-ho, we're definitely having a talk later, count on it." Buffy assured.

Dawn was dumbfounded, "How could you carve your name into someone like a desk or a tree?" She mused trying to look away, to unsee but her eyes disobeyed remaining transfixed on the grisly scene unable to determine which was worse the mark or the arrows.

* * * * * * * * * *

Outside the followers began to assemble taking up positions.

* * * * * * * * * *

Anya sat in the coffee bar sipping her beverage. "You loved your child very much, I can tell."

The woman next to her broke down in tears hiding her face with her napkin.

Anya sighed and affected a mien of ennui but politely turned her face so as not to upset the woman any further. She waited silently as the woman sobbed and blubbered then finally lost all patience. She had closed the shop early for this appointment and wanted it to be over with already so she could get home. Her favorite program was on tonight and she had forgotten to set the VCR. "I feel your pain." She gushed with mock sympathy and patted her back. "So, tell me, what's your heart's desire?"

The woman looked up at her through tear filled eyes furrowing her brow like Anya hadn't heard a word.

She rolled her eyes casually, "Besides getting your baby back. That's kinda a gimme here. Let's talk about the men..."

* * * * * * * * * *

"More doppelgängers how appropriate." Buffy muttered.

"They were but weren't." Dawn insisted, "Only their faces were all the same, all demony-blurry and smoke bleeding from their eyes. The rest was all different. Different clothes, different heights and bodies."

Willow finished cleaning and bandaging her ankle giving it a reassuring squeeze. Like the rest of the Scoobies she had quickly become an expert at field dressings.

"Do you think she'll be okay?" Dawn asked her quietly, "I mean she's lost a lot of blood."

"Yeah," she chewed her lip, "she should be."

"Of course," Buffy piped up, "she's got super healing, remember?"

Willow glared at her, she couldn't tell by her tone if Buffy was being serious or sarcastic, but she was tending to Becca's wounds without comment.

Then Xander piped up nervously, "I think this one's gone through her lung, I think. I can't be sure, but do the math. Human chest cavity width versus pointy stick length divided by this leetle tiny bit left protruding out her back." He wiped at his brow uncertain, "I'm afraid to pull it out, I mean, what if I do and her lung fills with blood and she drowns to death?"

"Xander!" Wil snapped. "Make with the happy talk or don't talk."

They all stared at her.

"Sorry," she clutched at her forehead and stammered, "pure terror taking over cerebral cortex and speech center."

"Do it." Buffy ordered.

But as he waffled attempting to make his counterpoint Buffy reached over and forcefully pulled it out herself. "There, now it's my fault." And threw it on the stack.

With a sour expression Willow crossed back over and knelt on the floor with the others. She watched as Xander worked the last of the arrows out of her partner's backside.

"Got enough here now to restock our cache." He said examining it then tossed it on the pile and picked up a gauss pad. Attempting to lighten the air he joked, "My little donut is gonna be veeeery popular come morning,"

Willow brushed the hair from Becca's face, she was still out cold. She stared at the girl lovingly, her face lashed in near a dozen places and the knot on her head where she hit the floor now red and nasty looking. Picking up an antiseptic cloth she gently began cleaning away the dried blood.

"S-she, uh, really took some hits." Buffy began awkwardly.

"Yeah," Wil replied automatically, "but she's still ticking," and continued to swab.

Dawn climbed down off the chair and came over, "She's like that cause of you--and me," she threw down still feisty with anger. "Those creepy doppeldudes were after me. She saves me and you reward her with more yelling." Disgusted she limped away towards the stairs stopping but once to yell, "If I were her I wouldn't want to stay here with *you* anymore either."

Buffy stayed quiet letting Dawn vent her fury. She wasn't very proud of herself at this moment. Sitting back she drew in a deep breath, "Wil, I'm sorry."

"I'm not the one owed an apology." She said flatly without looking up, checking her own guilt.

Buffy fidgeted with her hair indecisively.

"Go make things right with Dawn," she said looking up.

"Not before we discuss this," she sweated, feelings of guilt and anger merging. "Why, Wil?"

"It's not important." She offered casually.

"Not--?" her eyes went wide, "This is Titanic docking at the ImPORTance, Wil," she stressed. "And you kept it to yourself, because?"

She frowned. "Because I knew this is exactly how everyone would react, all freaky deaky and spastic."

"Gotta admit Wil, this is full on freaky deakysome spasticimo info." Xander offered honestly.

"I knew, she was steeped in evil." Buffy spat pouting and shaking her head.

"Give it up, she's not evil." She defended not wanting to go through that argument yet again, "she just comes from an evil place."

"Where you were Queen Evil and she served you; did you're bidding. All equals evil."

"She's not evil." Willow repeated more gruff, "She's a good person. She hasn't hurt anyone... here."

"That you know of." Xander added.

"I know." She stated pointedly then threw up her arms, "You guys don't get it. I can read her. We can't hide secrets from one another, especially when- -when-- we're alone," she admitted with a slight blush.

"I'm still not convinced. There's got to be some kind of connection here, between her, that warlock and the demon. I know they're in cahoots."

"She's not cahooting with them." She insisted anger creeping in again.

"But what does she want?" Buffy mused ignoring her.

"Kinda redundant, Buf, it's not a what but who," he gestured towards Willow, "she's been very blatant and up front about it since minute one and nothing else. World domination isn't on her agenda. Willow dominatio--" his brain collided with his lips as thoughts and words intermingled and he scared himself. Looking to Willow he finished, "--is... a... subject I'm not gonna broach lest I enter Kinksville without a designated driver. Lets just say she's content just to be around you."

Willow raised her brow, "I keep telling everyone this but no one's listening." She shifted about, "Am I invisible again? Xander?"

He ignored her, "So, Becca wants Willow. The demon wants Dawn or Willow or both. Just what the wizard wants we don't know? I'm just going to go ahead and buffalo the obvious Oz joke as all of us could use a real brain and a vacation in Kansas at this juncture." He held his head in his hand, "We need Giles."

"We do not need Giles." Buffy denied.

"Doesn't matter, I still can't get a hold of him." Willow sighed.

* * * * * * * * * *

Under a veil of darkest magic the demon-tranced slowly filed into the Summer's house unnoticed.

"There's the witch," Bthozopth indicated as expected. "And the bodyguard is downed from our earlier attack. No threat." 'That's it, I've got her.' His black heart began to beat faster with anticipation.

An irritated Cranston touched the scrying water creating ripples, "Tha- that's the Slayer?! What's she doing there?" But before his servant could answer he continued. "And there's the boy from the other night." He peered further into his bowl trying to find other angles of vision, "I don't see the girl." His voice echoed concern, "Where is the girl?"

Bthozopth reached out his senses then grinned a wicked demon grin as he located her presence. "She is there."

"Good." He sneered, "We'll eradicate the Slayer now when she least expects it. Be done with her and the infernal witch so we can concentrate on the girl. Commence the attack." He ordered.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Scoobies shared a glance caught up in their dilemma when a strange presence unexpectedly washed over them. The chattering of the bugs eerily echoed throughout the kitchen, sending chills down the trio of spines abruptly jolting their nervous systems. Looking up they were no longer alone. The people who had plagued Dawn and Rue in the woods now stood silently in the kitchen.

The sudden sound of breaking glass and Dawn's startled screams from upstairs jump started Buffy to action. Jumping to her feet she went full auto switching to battle mode and going after the nearest intruders.

Two others seized Willow pulling her up. "Xander, protect her!" she pleaded before being dragged away kicking.

Unfortunately he was in no condition to put up a fight, his injuries still way too fresh. Panicked, he looked about for a weapon, spied the discarded knife Buffy was using to cut Rue's jacket and quickly seized it. Holding it up defensively he watched as the mob of armed people continued to file into the house. He may not be able to fight well but at least his cast would come in handy as a defensive weapon should anyone come at them. Strangely enough, they ignored him and the unconscious girl. Yet, ever gallant, he scooped her up and dragged her into a corner shielding her with his body ready to strike at the first goon to make a wrong move.

* * * * *

Buffy was steadily thrashing the doppelhoard in the kitchen into submission, or so she thought, for as quickly as one went down another eerily appeared from nowhere, standing before her. 'What the Hell is this now?' Looking straight at them she couldn't discern their ploy but out of the corner of her eye she witnessed someone step out of a blurred darkness with a blade. Immediately flipping about she backhanded them and in one fluid movement snatched the dagger as it flew through the air, stabbed a second, then cut the bow string of yet a third. She now had room to execute a high kick and nab another just making its appearance. Scrutinizing her latest foe she saw them for the first time and cringed at the nasty, twisted grimace and smoldering eye sockets. Looking lower to this particular ones bloated pot belly and beer stained undershirt, open ragged bath robe and fluffy slippers she quipped, "What's this? Your evil leader too cheap to buy you guys nice robey dealies?" then knocked him flat with a palm to the nose. As she plowed her way through the dining room to the hall stairs another of the brood caught her arm. She turned to strike but paused, "HEY? My yummy sushi pj's! Those were supposed to be a one of a kind," scowled and dropped them with a big elbow beginning her fight up the stairs to Dawn.

* * * * *

Upstairs Dawn was waging her own battle. The creechy clones had broken her window and were trying to enter. Thinking on her feet she grabbed a can of hair spray off the dressing table and her lighter from the drawer. A stream of fire erupted hitting the interloper square making them think twice and shy back outside. Unfortunately at that moment the group in the hall managed to break down her door and began filing in.

* * * * *

Willow was dragged into the living room by two goons to where a third was waiting. They held her arms tightly behind her back as the third grabbed her by the face forcing her to gaze into its burning eye sockets. The slightest hint of brimstone and sweet herbs played at her nostrils souring her stomach. Suddenly piercing green bolts shot out of its eyes searing into her brain, "NOOOOO!" she cried jerking about, the pain excruciating. She could feel the might behind this one, it was the demon. He was at it again... But there was something else...

* * * * *

Xander stayed vigilant but his breath caught in his throat at the sudden feel of a hand upon his shoulder. He jumped and spun about holding his chest, heart pounding a mile a minute. "Geez! Becca." She was conscious but something wasn't right. This wasn't the quiet Willowttentive soul he knew. Her eyes burnt like cold fire. The look on her face he'd seen before on various big bads -- vacant, carnal, evil. "Rue?" He swallowed hard unsure of her intentions but she simply pushed him out of her way, "Rue, stay here!" he ordered. She swung round and snarled at him. "Or not..." he flinched. How could he argue that? So instead he followed her, getting her back.

* * * * *

Fear quaked through her, 'Not again!' Willow pitched about wildly trying to wriggle loose, look away, escape the soul smashing gaze, anything. Borne out of desperation her eyes tinged dark, "BACK OFF!" she roared sending the demon vessel in front of her flying into the sideboard. Managing to get an arm free she turned and waved a hand, "SUBSECIA!" A big gaping wound opened up on her captor, he thrashed backwards falling to the rug. She turned to the other, "PERTERREO!" She fell to the floor screaming and trembling and skittled away as fast as she could. More rushed her, "You too, huh? Perterreo!" They fell to their knees, "I'm in charge here now." Embracing the dark she grabbed one of the female invaders by its kimono and said with a smirk, "You're not going to get away so easily!" Electricity crackled about but her power was beginning to wane. "Sectum!" A faint red stain seeped through the front of the woman's garment growing larger. There was a slight gooshy sound as her chest opened up and she immediately dropped to the carpet.

* * * * *

The hideous Hell-o-weirdoes quickly overpowered Dawn more by sheer number than anything. They stripped her of her makeshift flame thrower but she put everything she had into battling them back, turning her room upside down as she threw anything and everything not nailed down at them. Finally charging one she caught them by the neck and thrust a thumb into its eye. It howled, as did Dawn pulling back a burnt first digit and before she could recover from the surprise, a blow to the back of her head sent her out like a light. They picked her up and retreated.

* * * * *

Xander had Rue's back, the one-faced boogedy bastards still seemingly leaving them alone until she snatched one who crossed her path and gutted him without mercy. Suddenly creechy clones stepped out of nowhere from all sides tearing at them. He clubbed one of the intruders from behind with his cast releasing an audible, "ow." Then caught them about the neck with it, driving his blade home.

* * * * *

Willow backed up against the wall, staring at the body at her feet, her eyes returned to normal. 'What the fuck am I doing?' she thought suddenly appalled by her actions, 'The dark, the DAMN dark!' Goons were appearing out of thin air ubiquitously, she was surrounded. Her powers fading, she needed to think of something and fast but emotions and adrenaline were blanking her mind. She observed Buffy in the foyer with her hands full attempting to make it up the stairs. She knew she couldn't fight these assembly line psychopaths all by her lonesome and vowed right there and then that if she lived she'd begin training properly with Becca and Dawn. Her only choice was to try and stop them somehow. 'How? How? How?' Then an idea came to mind, but, 'Stupid, stupid Latin! Oh, what are the words?' she thought furiously, 'No, YES!' She had it, braced herself and let fly, "Abscido sibimet abs suum substancium. Transmitto. Ingredi meus res!"

Unfortunately Rue chose that moment to push past Buffy and enter the living room catching one of the uni-uglies in her deadly grasp. Xander, hot on her heel was luckily, or unluckily, pulled back into the foyer by an attacker, safe, so to speak, around the corner, as a shock wave burst outward from Willow's power center focusing on, and striking all in the room, sucking the life-force from the entire group, including Rue. Evildoers collapsed like dominoes. "Becca!" Wil screamed at the sudden realization. She moved to her aid just as the spell completed its course and began to return to her. Slammed violently back up against the wall, the swirling, roiling power made its way to her, entering her. She took it in recharging, receiving a bit of the essence of the demon. His being so raw and so potent it made her head swim, gave her a nosebleed. She glowed from the luxuriance.

* * * * * * * * * *

There it was. Finally uttered. "I wish..." The two small words that carried power. The power to alter lives. The power to create new futures. The power to change reality as one knew it forever. They gave or took life if one so -- wished... "Done." Anya recited sealing the fate of yet another guilty party.

* * * * * * * * * *

Xander escaped the clutches of his pursuers with the help of a few well timed blows from Buffy. Making his way back around the corner he spied Rue on the floor and bent down to check her condition. Willow, mystically gorged, bleeding and looking all dark and smug like, slide back to her feet. He turned to her reprehensively, "What did you do?"

* * * * *

Upstairs, the matching monstrosities stepped back into the blurred darkness carrying Dawn's unconscious body and disappeared from sight.

* * * * *

Willow again tried to cross to her partner and Xander but a new assailant appeared. She grabbed him roughly, giddy from power. It was her turn now. Through the fog. Though this vessel she began her assault. Following the psychic strings back to their source. 'The warlock?' She quickly climbed inside his head, his plan coming to light. Her eyes went wide, 'OH NO! No no no!' the sudden insight was too horrible. She returned just long enough to watch Buffy get thrown up against the front door yet quickly prime to strike back, "BUFFY! NO, DON'T!" She yelled.

Buffy rotated ducking a blow.

"They're innocents! The warlock is controlling them with a spell!"

"You're kidding," she grumped at her now dark haired friend, Her face fell. "Why does it always have to be the hard way?" and she hit her attacker with half strength, just enough to down yet not out them.

More demon-tranced minions were filling the room, advancing on her position. Willow wasn't finished yet. Realizing they weren't demons she ground her teeth in anger. She had to fight her feelings as the power made her want to hurt them, hurt them all for good. Beating the urge back, 'We'll just make hard easy.' Diverting her attention from the warlock, she focused uber-hard on trying not hurting anyone else and began teleporting them to the other side of town... or so she hoped. Well, maybe. Okay, she didn't really care, just somewhere not here was the best that could be achieved, until the room was clear, all but for the one in her grasp and Becca and Xander on the floor near the couch.

No sooner had she finished, then she felt the presence again, heavy and intense.

The demon, he was with the warlock and shut him down as easily as one would slam a door. He was making his move. Psychically he lurched at her, the two becoming embroiled in a bitter battle for control. "You are mine witch! I will eradicate your essence and imprison you within a thousand Hells as my plaything," his supersensible voice echoed in her head.

'A little over the top in the drama department.' She thought but could feel herself beginning to slip, being forced out of her own being.

* * * * *

'This sucks!' Buffy thought pounding on a minion. 'This sucks!' and another. 'This really sucks!' and still another, clearing a path up the stairs. 'Every time I think I have the upper hand, evil comes and fucks me up the ass.' She grimaced dropping a fourth with a chop to the throat and tossing a fifth over the railing. Rushing the second tier of the stairs she unexpectedly ran headlong into something. Hard. Something she couldn't see.

Dawn and the twined terrors emerged from nowhere tumbling down the stairs hitting everyone sending bodies in all directions.

At the bottom of the stairs once again Buffy groaned, "Jesus!" and shook her head attempting to clear the fuzz. "Dawn?" She spied her amid the clutter of stunned bodies. She wasn't moving. Throwing a quick glance living roomward she saw Wil entangled in a struggle of her own seemingly being powering out. Moving to assist she suddenly found herself caught by the ankle, the deadly dupes, slowly getting to their feet, continuing to battle but the tide of new appeared to be running dry, "WIL!" she hoped it wasn't too late, that she wasn't too far gone -- or taken.

Dawn began to stir, "Buffy?" she called wincing and rubbing the back of her neck just as the minions grabbed at her again, lifting her up, attempting to abscond again.

Xander was on the floor rolling around with one.

As they scuffled her direction Buffy got an idea, seized the follower by his Joe Boxer happy-faced boxer shorts and flung him Willow's direction.

Emitting a surprised squawk he collided with the one she had a hold of breaking the contact.

Dropping to the rug Willow was snapped back into her being a bit too fast and unsteadily surveyed her surroundings.

"Wil? You okay?" Buffy asked, "Looked like you were trippin' west of wicked." Then turned to stomp a goon and rush to Dawn's aid.

"Thanks, Buf--" she began breathless and a little disoriented just as she was apprehended once more. Roughly manhandled they bound her hands and put tape over her mouth rendering her helpless. 'Okay, suckin' now,' She thought futilely struggling against the restraints. The demon had sapped all of her acquired strength and she desperately attempted to evade the advancing follower.

* * * * * * * * * *

Moments earlier, set about on her mission, Anya teleported, she knew not where, she just knew it would be to wherever the person or people who wronged that mother were.

Like her sisters, Anya was an all encompassing vengeance demon partaking in everything from world revolutions to who stole my bankey. But her specialty was punishing men. She took deep pride in her originality and styling of doleage of this sort and never ceased to amuse and amaze. This is what first attracted her boss to her all those years ago and endeared her in his bloodshot, crinkley eye even today.

Shimmering in she arrived and peered about excitedly. This was her favorite part. The anticipation of the deed. In her over one thousand years this part never got old. Turning around she spied her quarry then suddenly her mouth fell open as realization set in. "Holy shit, a Bthozopth. I'm a dead demon!"

Bthozopth'Thtrop'thyek and the warlock Cranston Silvermane swiveled about completely taken aback by the interruption. Rage bubbled up from within the true demon at the distraction and he lost control, "YOU?! VENGEANCE DEMON!" Quickly rising he thrust out a giant hand, a surge of green energy exploding from his palm.

Anya dodged the bolt and desperately sought out someplace safe. This was one mission she wouldn't be able to complete. She couldn't kill a Bthozopth demon even if she wanted to, her Earthbound vengeance powers though impressive by most standards were palsy compared to a true demon. She'd have to report this to D'Hoffryn -- if she survived.

The big demon charged at her against the little warlock's protests but she was fast and repelled his grasp then flipped just out of his reach. She'd have a chance if she could simply stay free of him and his power draining abilities. Thing was, that wasn't so simple, and before she knew it she was caught in a wave of energy. Excruciating pain wracking her every fiber. She screamed.

* * * * * * * * * *

As of the disconnection this time, something changed. Weak as she was, Willow could sense a shift in the intensity of the dark forces around her. She couldn't discern the cause but it appeared the stratagem on this end had also been altered. For as she grappled, the little one in front of her suddenly pulled a dagger from her flannels. Supposing if she wouldn't join the demon he was now going to eliminate her, Willow fought and kicked, but the uncommonly strong hands held fast. She was in serious peril-type trouble again.

* * * * *

Fear and alarm screamed through Rue's mind again. 'WILLOW!' She rose, her body on autopilot and looked about. Willow was in trouble.

Xander tried unsuccessfully to inform her about the minions since she was laid out when Willow had alerted them all to the fact these ug-alikes weren't the real bads but being controlled by the true big bad evil-types.

Unfortunately, like this, she wasn't in any state to listen and advanced. No one would interfere with her duty. Without thought she flung the babbling boy backwards. He skidded on his ass back into the foyer tripping the last of the demon-tranced Buffy and Dawn were dealing with.

* * * * *

Willow saw her approach from behind the girl, she could feel it before she knew for sure, the raw callous, the hatred, the pain-inducing need, it wasn't Becca her loving partner but Rue the savage protector. Buffy's words turned flesh. An ice-cold sneer on her lips and those piercing angry eyes reflecting chilled her to the bone.

Rue let out a low throaty growl. The minion whirled about stabbing, a natural reflex to her surprise. She snatched the girl by the head, violently jerked her, snapping her neck with a horrible cracking noise that echoed in Willow's ears after the fact. Rue then tossed her aside without a thought intent on eliminating all threat.

Willow tried to cry out but the tape prevented her and she only succeeded in strained muffles.

Rue then grabbed her two captors so swiftly, with such severity, it frightened her.

She tried to clear her mind, to send a message to stop, but was either too flustered, or Rue was tripped, too into the moment like the other night. So, she recklessly threw herself at them trying to get between them but was brushed gently aside. All she could do was watch as Rue punched a hole through one goon before ferociously bashing in the skull of the other.

When all was done, danger gone, she loosened the restraints and gently removed the tape.

Willow was in tears beside herself, "Oh, Bec, no." she blubbed sinking to her knees.

Xander rushed over, "Wil, I couldn't stop her."

She nodded knowingly.

He held out his good arm now to hold Rue up as her adrenaline induced strength slowly, visibly ebbed.

She pulled the dagger meant for Willow from her side with a grunt and handed it to him. "One more," she smiled, her face taking on Beccamien once more.

"That's it." Buffy announced wiping her hands with broad finality, "We did it. They're gone," She and Dawn hugged then rushed around the corner only to be stopped dead in their tracks taking in the carnage engulfed living room with a resounding. "Whoa."

Becca began sinking to her knees.

Xander tried to hold her dead weight but exhaustion and wounds won out taking them both to the floor again with an audible, "Ow," from him as he landed on his sore cheek.

"Wil? Wil? Are you okay?" Buffy asked climbing over the casualties.

Willow didn't answer just shook her head, tears streaming down her face. She pulled Rue's unconscious body up away from Xander and cradled her for comfort. "The warlock... and the demon... have tag teamed..." she managed between sobs. "They want us, me and Dawn." Her voice became fearful and unsteady, "The demon, it wants me. I saw. I can't use magic any more he's too strong he can connect with me and he *will* overpower me. I've become a liability."

"Stop thinking like that, you haven't." Buffy bucked. "It's just trying to tear you down. Psych you out."

"Buffy it psyched me out all right. Right out of my being. I was gone. Planed. He had me, then just -- let me go. I can't do it anymore." She turned her attentions to the girl. "Bec, come on sweetie." She said with a shake and a gentle face slap.

"Did you win?" She looked about groggily, "Huh? I'm on the floor... musta been some party?"

"Xander please get me the first aid kit. Come on, sweetie, up we go." And she hoisted her to her feet. "I'll see to her then help with this." She said jerkily heading towards the stairs.

"No, it's okay." Buffy replied, "You handle that, Xander and I can handle this."

"Dawnie, help." She finished taking the kit from him.

As they climbed the stairs Xander knelt next to one of the intruders. "I killed an innocent." He said quietly sullen.

"Yes, and no." Buffy retorted grabbing the intruder by the arms.

"I feel sick." He said taking its legs.

"Suck it up. It wasn't intentional and its not gonna be the last time, either. You read the fine print when you signed up years ago."

"I was a kid, I didn't know what I was signing." He quipped. "Plus I thought there'd be free candy."

Buffy giggled.

"All joking aside, it doesn't make it any easier."

"It's never easy whether they're innocents or not." They exited out the back door, "And the ease factor has just gone off chart if Wil's out of the game. We'll need big magic to fight bad magic."

* * * * * * * * * *

In the quiet aftermath Buffy sat in the kitchen sipping her tea totally lost in Zoneland. The Scoobies had huddled, learned all they could from Willow and began the formulation of a plan. After securing her room and the rest of casa de Summers Buffy put Dawn to bed, then she and Xander disposed of the bodies like clockwork accustomed to the obscene routine leaving the breakage to be dealt with in the morning. At least this time the doors and most windows were still in tact, however damage control was the last thing she wanted to spend her Saturday doing.

Suddenly Anya teleported in appearing behind her yelling, "Bthozopth! Bthozopth!"

"Anya, oh geez!" Buffy jumped out of her skin spilling her tea and near throwing her cup across the counter.

"Bthozopth!" She shouted again excitedly flailing her arms.

"Gesundheit. Need a tissue for that?" Buffy groused wiping at the stain on her shirt.

"No, the demon!" she continued, "Your big bad is a Bthozopth demon. I was working tonight and found it. It almost killed me."

"Aw, too bad." Buffy let slip then recovered, "I mean, when?"

"Just now. Look at this." She pulled at her dress, "Is this blood?"

Buffy couldn't tell.

"Damn," She stomped her foot, "and I just got this back from the dry cleaners."

Folding her arms Buffy went into deep thought mode. Played at her lip, then twirled a lock of her hair before concluding with a pointed index finger, "You must have been the wild card tonight."

"What?" Anya responded completely distracted by trying to clean the blood from her dress before it stained, "I just said I was working tonight not playing poker."

Reaching for a piece of paper on the counter Buffy held it up. "Is this it? Is this the demon?"

It was a roughly drawn sketch made by Xander thanks to Willow and a bit of bickering.

* * * * * * * * * *

Earlier that evening: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I know exactly what the demon looks like. I got a good look at it thanks to the warlock."

"So draw him up." Buffy urged.

"Oh yeah, right." She frowned at her, Buffy knew of all her talents drawing wasn't one of them, "Let me just borrow Xander's fixated yellow crayon and get right on that." But then a thought came to her and she turned to him, "Xander?"

Poor Xander only had time to utter, "Huh?" before Willow projected a picture into his mind. A big terrifying 3-D live action clip with everything but sound. "Ahhhhh!" He jerked about wildly at the sudden barrage, then jumped up, "Geez, Wil, don't *ever* do that!" He fidgeted about trying to compose himself, "A-at least warn me first next time."

"Sorry, I don't quite have control over it yet ... except with Becca." She smiled weakly.

* * * * * * * * * *

Anya inspected the drawing carefully, "Crude, yet definitely conveying much willyage in its overall composition." She nodded, "Close enough."

"So this Bozo demon, you know it?" Buffy pressed.

"Well, no, not personally. But they're a very bad bad as bads go in the demon realm." She paced back and forth.

"So, 4-1-1 me." She urged.

"It's a true demon, not Earthbound like us... me. But he's bound or he would have swallowed this realm by now."

"And what do they do?"

Anya was distracted, just now taking in all that was left of the kitchen. "Holy--What on the Hellmouth happened to this kitchen?! Oh no, this is unacceptable..." she began to spin, "Blood on the linoleum and ... AHH! Tracked onto the dining room carpet?!"

"Anya, let it be," She tried to rein her back in. "What do they do?"

"Oh, uh," She turned clutching at her forehead trying not to focus on the mess. "Pretty much anything they want that tears a world asunder."

"Joy." She rolled her eyes, "How do I stop it?"

She shook her head, "You can't. The only thing you can do is send him otherwhere. Make him somewhere else's problem."

"No. We'd have to send it back where it came from." She placed her hands on her hips for emphasis. "If that warlock could bring it here we can send it back."

"I wish it were someone else's problem." Anya grumbled and waggled a finger. "That fucker has cost me dearly. Do you know D'Hoffryn put me on probation. I found it." She pointed to herself. "Me. And I told him." She began to rant, "But oh, who gives a flying fuck. Screw you that I almost died -- became a greasy green stain on the dark lapel of life. It's all about the job. I didn't *do* my job." She bristled. "How?" she closed in on Buffy menacingly, "You tell me how I'm supposed to do my job, which is to kill him if I can't kill him? I am *so* this close to quitting--" she caught herself with that thought and screwed up her face, "and ... I dunno." Then threw her arms up in frustration beginning to pace again.

Buffy wasn't sure exactly what to say, "...we'll defeat it; make all things right with your bossman." she played with her hair again then grinned, "Tell him the Slayer says so."

She shrugged and sighed aloof.

"Anya, we will." She reassured, "We always do. Just ... not tonight, okay." She smiled accommodatingly, "Let's pick this up in the morning. Okay?"

Anya still frowning nodded and Buffy walked her to the front door. Once in the foyer she released an audible gasp as she spied the living room. "Oh my- -!!"

* * * * * * * * * *

To be continued in Chapter 7