Buffy was warm, almost feeling like she was floating.

"Buffy?"

Opening her eyes slowly she looked around and found that everything was white.

"Oh man, am I dead again?" she complained, sitting up suddenly.

"No, but you are seriously injured."

Looking down at herself she found that she was wearing white slacks and a white cable knit sweater. "Cute." She commented.

A sound made her raise her head to see a boy and a woman looking at her.

"Are you the Powers that Be?"

"No, though very much like them. Our influence is not of your world."

Buffy thought that over for a moment, "Oh. So, um, what's up?"

The woman smiled, "I am teaching Shifu the meaning of love. You have touched many people Slayer, and your love ripples out to touch more. You have even touched my Daniel."

Cocking her head, "I like Daniel, but I don't understand."

"It is not required for you too."

Buffy looked at the boy, "So, you know Daniel?"

Nodding the boy smiled.

Daniel was asleep on his keyboard when suddenly a familiar woman was standing in his office.

"Oama."

"Daniel, you need to let them know. There is a weapon on one of your friends, vehicles, I think you call them." She showed him an image and he realized that it must be in Cleveland.

Jerking awake he fumbled for his phone, "Jack! There's a bomb on one of the cars at Buffy's house!" Daniel babbled quickly.

"Geez, when it rains it pours." Jack didn't even question how Daniel knew. "Get Carter and both of you come to my office." And Jack hung up.

"Shit, shit, shit." He grumbled as he dialed the team of Initiative members he had 'borrowed', "Major Dixon? Where are you?"

"Still outside of the house Sir. Willow Rosenberg and Xander Harris just drove off."

"Shit." Jack said again, "Listen, check all of the vehicles out front of the house and pray to God that they weren't driving it. There's a bomb on one of them. Don't hang up while you check."

"Yes Sir." Major Dixon gulped.

He looked at the two men he was doing surveillance with, "Come on guys, we need to search the cars for a bomb."

The 3 men grimaced at one another, then clambered out of the black van and started checking the vehicles. At the Explorer the Lieutenant yelped, "Goddamnit! Sir? We have what looks like 10 blocks of C-4, but on the plus side I don't see a timer."

"Colonel? We have an Explorer with what looks like 10 blocks of C-4."

"Shit, shit, shit." Jack said bitterly, "I don't suppose you know anything about bombs?"

"Just what I see on TV Sir. Now ask me about vampires and I can bore you to death."

Jack smiled, he had to admire a man who could joke at a time like this. "Hold one, " he said as Carter and Daniel burst in.

"Carter, we have a bomb, talk to Major Dixon and see what can be done."

"Yes Sir." She said.

Willow, Xander and Faith raced into the clearing to see Jon and Jay on their knees beside Buffy's unconscious body.

Willow gently moved Jon aside and looked at Faith, "I may need to use your strength."

Faith nodded, "Whatever you need Red."

Closing her eyes Willow placed her hands over Buffy and immediately dropped into a white space.

"Ok, weirdness. That's not what's supposed to happen." Willow complained.

"Will?"

Willow turned around to see 3 people. "Buffy, I'm here to heal you."

"Oh good." Buffy frowned, then looked at the other two people. "She can't do that if she's here."

The woman nodded and suddenly Willow realized where she had seen her, "You're Daniel's friend."

"And you are the woman who healed him. You have much power. My name is Oama Desala. She gestured to the boy, "And this is Shifu."

Willow smiled, "You are Daniel's step son."

The boy cocked his head, "I do not understand 'step-son'."

"Um, your mother loved Daniel but she had you with someone else. And because Daniel loved your mother, Daniel loves you, as a son." Willow paused, wrinkling her nose in thought, "Do you understand?"

Shifu nodded, "Yes, I understand. He loved me enough to give me to Oama Desala to keep me safe."

"Exactly." Willow said.

"You must go back and finish what you have begun." The woman looked deep into Willow's eyes, "Thank you for saving Daniel."

Willow blushed, "He was worth saving." And abruptly she was in her own body again.

Buffy watched Willow disappear and she turned to the woman, "Me too?"

"Yes. It was nice to meet you Buffy. You will never be alone."

Willow's eyes turned black as her hands moved over her friend's body, healing carefully, concentrating absolutely. She had to make sure that everything was perfect.

Jon watched in fascination as three bullets floated up and out to drop into the snow, then watched as the wounds began to heal in front of his eyes. "Isn't that something." He whispered, his eyes meeting Xander's.

Jay's entire being was focused on Buffy. He held her hand, fingers intertwined, waiting.

"Major Dixon, I'm Major Carter. Do you have someone with steady hands and a good eye?"

"That will have to be me, hang on, " He undid his helmet, and took the flash light from the Lieutenant. "Ok, I'm back."

"Ok, get under the vehicle and get comfortable, then describe the device to me."

The Major handed the phone and flashlight off and shimmied under the Explorer. He held out his hand and the phone was placed into it, "I'm here." He said and proceeded to describe the bomb.

As Sam talked the Major through it Jack was on the other phone with Jon. "How's it going?"

"Like shit. Ireland's dead, a vamp got him. Buffy's been shot three times in the stomach but Willow's here fixing her up." He watched as Buffy's eyes opened, immediately going to Jay's face.

"Is she going to be Ok?" Jack asked in concern.

"Yeah, she just regained consciousness."

"Good, listen up then. I have a team at the house disarming a bomb underneath an Explorer."

"Oh for cryin' out loud!" Jon said rather loudly, making all eyes look at him. He shook his head and waved a hand before turning around. "Shit, shit, shit."

"Yeah." Jack agreed, "I need you to get back to the house and supervise. A sweeper team will be at the graveyard in about 5 minutes to take care of Ireland."

"There's going to be questions. A vamp bit him."

"That's ok, theses guys are aware of the situation. Now go."

"Yes Sir Colonel Sir." Jon said mockingly.

"And stop being a smart ass." Came Jack's voice as he hung up.

"Takes one to know one." Jon muttered like a teenager. He turned to the others, "Listen up kids, I have to go back to the house. Xander, stay with Buffy and Jay until she's on her feet. Bring them and Willow home. Faith, you're with me."

Buffy looked at Jon with suspicion, "What now?"

"Nothing I can't deal with and have done, in the past." He nodded at Faith and they headed for the gate.

As they passed through Faith gave him a look, "What gives cutie?"

"There's a bomb on our rental and I have to supervise as he defuses the damn thing."

Faith sighed, "Well, didn't this night go into the toilet."

Buffy struggled to stand and was engulfed in Jay's shaking arms, "I was so fuckin' scared." He whispered into her hair.

Patting his back she looked over at Willow and Xander, "Let's go home, I'm freezing my butt off."

Choking out a laugh Jay pulled back and was about to comment when he spotted movement in the trees and stiffened. A man clad in black came out cautiously, his hands raised. "Just the sweeper team to do a little cleanup." Jay nodded, and two more men trotted out, placed Ireland in a body bag, taking the P90 and trotted back into the dark.

"Tell your boss thanks." Jay said quietly.

"Not a problem Sir. Good night." and he disappeared as well.

"Well, wow." Willow said.

Jay swept Buffy up into his arms, "We're outta here." And Xander nodded, leading the way.