The Powers That Be

"Whoa"

"Now that you know the truth what would you do?"

"I would go back...right now an-and tell Buffy the truth. Straighten everything out. I don't want her to feel scared or guilty anymore. She has to know the truth. They used her, th-those meanies used her!"

"If we send you back it will be at a price..."

"What sort of price?"

"That you will bond your soul to that of the person who awoke you. And when that person dies, you will die and then you will work for us...forever."

"Will I have to work for you before I die umm again?"

"No more then you had since you were 15. You may live your life freely as long as you bond your soul to the person who awoke you and you work for us after you die."

"How...how will I know who awoke me? What does that mean exactly? The person who brought me into the world, like you know my mom or something. Can you like give me a tiny clue please? An-and how will I 'bond' my soul to this person?"

"You shall know when the time arises."

"You know umm you guys could be like a little less vague."

"Are you ready to go back to your friends Willow? They are all waiting for you in Los Angeles ..."

"Wait! What? But Buffy, and Xander and everyone was in Italy before I left...why are they in L.A.?"

"They are waiting for you Willow..."

"W-wait, but why..."

"Goodbye Willow, remember your promise"

-- - ~*~*~*~*~*~ - - -

A bright flash of light filled Willows senses.

- - - ~*~*~*~*~*~ - - -

Colorado

"Corporal, put the base under high alert!" General Hammond barked out. Just one minute ago he had been called down to the med lab to confirm the death of Willow Rosenberg, who's lifeless body had just disappeared in a bright flash of white light as he stepped through the door. What the hell was going on?

- - ~*~*~*~*~*~ - - -

L.A

"OK, we've waited too long, I know something's wrong, I say we head to the crater right now!" Buffy shouted back to Angel as she made her way to his office to find anyone who would go with her to get Willow.

"Buffy, come on, just a little bit longer please!" Angel pleaded. "If you were her would you head back..."

But Angel was cut off when a brilliant flash of white light filled the room just as they stepped through the door.

Buffy gasped. "Willow?"

"Buffy"