Willow stood looking at the outstretched hand. Uncomfortable warmth spread slowly, emanating from her extremities like a vine creeping inwards. She tried with all her might to focus on what was held before her but it was as if someone was holding thick glass before her eyes. 'Blink' maybe if I blink I could see better she told herself. Flashing between dark and bright and the light pressure her eyes felt from the meshing of her lashes confirmed that she was successfully blinking.
Brown, deep rich brown with a hint of red. Color permeated her senses. Mind and vision slowly synced as a word formed in her mind. 'Book', I see a book. The book, the book I need to do something with, but what was it?
"Willow?" A voice grazed her conscience. And like a morning breeze through a fog her mind began to clear. Take the book she told herself and stepped forward, then as if receiving a heavy weight she grasped the book with one hand and very slowly her other. The dry but soft texture caressed her fingers. She slowly pulled her arms in while tilting her head forward to behold what she held. Cold tendrils of fear clashed with the fire of purpose. Her skin flushed pink with patches of white as fear and desire warred from within.
'I can do this.' Flowed like molasses in her mind.
Sharp spikes of pain erupted in her cheeks as her jaw clenched tight.
'I must do this.' Flowed like a river.
She gasped loudly as her lungs took their first breath in more than a minute.
"I will do this." She loudly proclaimed as the dam broke.
She lifted her head and noticed the concerned faces of Joyce and Angel. 'Musta scared them what with the freaking out and all.' So she smiled reassuringly and she felt her racing heart slow as their faces took on looks of relief.
"Sorry," She smiled with embarrassment. "I sorta freaked there for a minute. But I'm ok now."
Joyce removed her hand from her neck where she had been unconsciously been gripping. "What now?" She asked.
"If all's ready, we burn it in Diana's Flame." Willow replied then turned her focus to Angel.
"Do you think he bought your explanation?" Willow asked hoping she had kept the trepidation she felt out of her voice.
Angel felt suffused with self congratulatory pride as he grinned with pleasure.
"Yes, he bought it. He was no match for two hundred and forty two years of Irish blarney." He proclaimed with a slight brogue accentuating the statement.
"Hamlet and all his slung arrows of outrageous fortune had nothing on me as I told him how everyone, including slayers had the right to live life not knowing the time of their ending. He tried to claim that the book was the rightful property of the council. But then I let my full anger loose." Here he paused and his mouth turned into a confident smirk. "I told him in no uncertain terms that slayers are a gift from the gods and nobody's property. Then I said I was going to bury the book where no one would ever find it and left after giving him a look of righteous indignation that left him speechless."
Willow's felt her confidence soar. Giles' description of the conversation would surely convince the council of its veracity. 'They'll have no reason to suspect that the prophecy was destroyed now.' She told herself gleefully.
"That's wonderful Angel. I can't thank you enough." Willow hesitated upon seeing Angel's frown.
Angel's face relaxed seeing the young girls endearing expression. "It's just one small step on the endless path of redemption." He reassured her with a rare smile.
------------------------------------
The tea cup rattled slightly against the porcelain plate as nervous fingers grasped the handle. Carefully lifting the cup so not to spill, Rupert Giles brought the tepid tea to his lips. The cup jerked as he sipped when a tremor shook his arm. Warm brown liquid cascaded down his chin. With a curse the cup went flying from his hand tumbling across the desk to fall to the floor. The shattering noise it made as it impacted against linoleum echoed the fragmenting he felt in his heart.
"This can't be. It just can't be." The words came hard from his throat carried by breath born of anger and denial.
His right hand ran rigid fingers through his hair pressing firmly into his scalp. The hard pressure a welcome distraction from the empty despair he felt. Suddenly his whole body jerked to the light pressure on his shoulder. Whipping his head around, his eyes wide in shock beheld the reason for his concern. Sad sympathetic eyes graced his.
"It will be OK Giles. This is my destiny." The softly spoken words pierced his mind like a sharp knife.
"You know?" His voice shook as he reached desperately to grasp her hand. Suddenly feeling the need to make sure she was alive.
Buffy squeezed his larger hand reassuringly. Placing her other on his shoulder she concentrated on providing comfort to this innocent man who was honestly grief stricken over what was to befall her.
"I heard everything." She paused momentarily to get a grasp on her emotions as she realized how deeply the actions of the Council were going to affect so many others.
"I saw everything. And I feel your grief." Squeezing his shoulder she softly said. "Thank you."
Standing abruptly with sudden resolve Giles towered over the tiny girl.
"I can't let this happen. You cannot face the Master." He voiced sternly as he grasped her shoulders to drive his point home.
Buffy smiled as she shook her head slowly.
"You can't stop it. This is meant to be." Buffy's own eyes conveyed her acceptance.
"No, I'll face him in your stead." Giles determination wouldn't let him retreat from saving his slayer from her fate.
Buffy's face hardened at hearing his words.
"No you won't. I've lost one watcher because I shirked my calling and I'll be damned if I'm going to lose another." Her words of self recrimination bore all the anger she felt over her previous failing. Her jaw clenched with determination as she grabbed his wrists, wrenching them from her shoulders and then squeezing them hard enough to remind him who was the stronger.
He winced as needles of pain shot up his arms. The pressure was quickly released and he gasped for breath.
"It's just so unjust. There must be another way." He pleaded with her. "Just let me do some research."
"There's no time. My mind is made up." Her tone and expression clearly expressed the finality.
"The prophesy says I will face the master and die." She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.
"Well, so be it." She said calmly. Her face then lit up with a wicked smile. "But it doesn't say anything about the master surviving."
Giles looked upon her defeated and forlorn.
"When?" He whispered.
Buffy sighed in relief as more pleasant thoughts took the forefront.
"After I take Willow to the dance tomorrow night, I want to give her a night to remember." She smiled as her thoughts focused only on the time she would spend with her love.
Still holding his wrists, she moved her hands to grasp his. Lifting them up to her eye level he watched her face sadden as she glanced from one hand to the other and then looked him right in the eyes.
"Afterwards, I need you to promise me that you will do everything possible to protect her." Her eyes became pleading, dispelling any thoughts he may have harbored of denying her request.
"She's my only regret, my only fear. Please promise me that you will take care of her." A single tear escaped the corner of her eye and trickled down her upturned face.
"I promise." He slowly responded, smiling with assurance to assuage any doubts. "It's the least I can do. I promise you that no harm will befall her."
"Thanks Giles. That means a lot to me." Her soft words comforted him further cementing his promise as consolation for not being able to prevent this tragedy.
"But one last thing," her tone became serious again. "I agree with Angel. Slayers already know they are going to have short lives. But knowing when robs us of our humanity. It steals from us the ability to live life fully knowing the where and time of our final moments."
Her voice became hate filled as she expressed her final words. "For the sake of all who come after me I hope Angel is successful in hiding that book for all eternity."
Releasing his hands she turned. As he watched his slayer walk from the library his eyes misted as pride overwhelmed him.
---------------------------
A small slim figure stood alone in the dark, clothed all in black including her head. The tight fitting outfit left no ambiguity as to her gender nor did it hide the sleek muscles that rippled as she slowly turned.
A close examination would have shown dark green eyes of unfathomable depth that drank in all about her. The dark façade of the school to the broad tree covered lawns. Her feet moved slowly but with purpose as she toured one last time only stopping when reaching a lone concrete bench. Bending slightly she ran her hand ever so slowly across its smooth surface, caressing it as if it were her lover.
"Willow." She whispered the name, her throat constricting afterwards as her chest tightened with emotion.
Keeping one hand on the cool surface she used the other to pull the long titanium knife from the sheath strapped to her right thigh. With slow deliberate strokes she uses the super hard razor tip to carve the words that were in her heart. Then with a strong steady hand she etches a figure to encompass what she had written.
Stepping back she gazed at her work. Her lips curved into a gentle smile that expressed a vulnerability that few were ever allowed to witness. Moisture began to cloud her vision slightly and when she blinked a tear from the corner of each eye followed the curve of her nose until absorbed by the fabric of her head covering.
The memories of their first meeting and all that followed washed across her vision while staring at the truth she had carved in stone.
The good memories… and the bad.
The memory of how they had tried to defile her Willow caused her body to tighten into near rigor.
'I need to seal this somehow.' She told herself as she finally exhaled, allowing her body to once again relax.
Looking down at her left hand she impetuously pulled the thin calf skin glove off. Her focus narrowed to the tip of her index finger as she used her knife to slice the pad deep enough to allow her blood to flow freely.
She then carefully squeezed the blood out until all she had carved was filled. Slipping her glove back onto her hand she stood a moment to admire her work.
'Time to go.' She thought as her body faded from sight until all that was left was the dark and the bench made forever unique with a blood lined epitaph.
'Buffy Love Willow' Encased in a heart and highlighted with congealing blood.
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The lean tall figure was hidden in the shadow of the tree it leaned against. His head tilted so that it rested against the rough bark.
As for the tree, it rarely notices the coming and goings of those not rooted in the earth. A day was meal time, the night just the time between meals. A season just part of its day and a full turning of seasons was a single sunrise to sunrise.
But it had begun to notice the pressure against its surface, a presence that was there every night for the past several weeks. Albeit slowly, the tree had become aware of conflicting emotions, especially sadness and guilt coming from the nightly presence. The tree was sufficiently aware to encourage new growth to sprout just above its new companion. The tree had hesitated at first because it had originally sensed anger, but that had faded into a distant echo. So at it's own pace it began to provide what comfort it could to a troubled soul in need.
Xander's face literally drooped. His eyes drawn low as sadness conquered any instinctive effort to keep them in their proper place. Slow building self recrimination dragged his mouth into a permanent frown. Dejection fashioned the slope of his shoulders.
'Why can't I just go to her and say I'm sorry? Why can't I be happy that she finally has someone who loves her like she deserves? Why, why, why?' The litany ran through his head over and over again, swirling around like flotsam on the edge of a whirlpool.
This seemed to be his fate and his curse, standing every night across from Willows house as he tried to summon the courage to go and tell her that he would always be her friend. That part wasn't so hard; it was the second part he couldn't seem to come to grips with. He knew the first would be hollow unless he could honestly tell his friend that he was happy for her and supported her relationship with Buffy.
He wasn't there yet. For some reason he couldn't grasp his emotions flared, clouding reasonable thought every time he considered it.
The only break in his revolving thoughts was the memory. The memory of when he had heard of what had happened to Willow. The memory of how his stomach turned traitor. Hot, sour bile rising until the half digested junk food that constituted his breakfast had erupted so quickly that getting to a restroom was not an option.
The memory of stumbling down hallways and pushing through bodies to reach his destination.
The memory of running into the outstretched arms of dark blue that barricaded his progress.
The memory of Willow on a stretcher, Buffy clasping her hand as it was rushed from sight to a waiting ambulance.
The memory of sight and sound fading as he slumped to the tile floor and passed out.
'Another fine moment in the life of Xander Harris' He harrumphed at the thought then closed his eyes, instinctively finding some modicum of comfort from the tree.
As he allowed the feel of the tree and exhaustion to quell his thoughts he decided that tonight wasn't the night. 'Maybe tomorrow.'
Xander slowly pushed himself from his leaning position. He began to turn to leave but stopped. An unfamiliar compulsion made him turn back and gently caress the tree. His lips curled slightly, almost a smile.
"Good night my friend." He said not sure if he was talking to Willow, the tree or both.
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Six figures stood in the dark. Breathing heavily from excitement and adrenalin induced fear their eyes revealed their common emotions. Their expressions were indiscernible due to their pull over head coverings. Their bodies attentive to any motion from the creature at their feet ready to let loose again the power of the strange weapons the held so tightly.
Agent Riley Finn, leader of alpha squad was elated. They had been in this town for only a month and had finally captured their first HST.
"How's it feel guys? We came, we saw and we conquered our first Humanoid Sub Terrestrial." His exposed mouth flashed teeth as he allowed himself a congratulatory smile.
Chuckles of relief came from the rest of his squad. He reached for his com device to report their success to HQ.
"Sir! I've got a strange reading." Graham reported before he could key his mike.
"What do you mean a strange reading? Give me facts soldier, don't make me guess." Riley tersely responded.
"Yes Sir! The readings flash the presence of a mass with a fluctuating temperature. The presence only registers for a second then disappears. But it is coming from that general direction." Graham reported while pointing just to Riley's left shoulder.
Before turning Riley barked an order. "Graham, you're with me. The rest of you, two of you net the HST while the other two stand guard."
Riley turned and waited for Graham to come to his side. Pointing his weapon, he slowly swept it back and forth, watching for any movement.
"Can you get me a better fix?" Riley said quietly while keeping his eyes watchful.
"I'm trying sir." Graham replied as he punched buttons on the control console.
Riley was completely focused when tiny sparks flashed before his eyes. He crumbled to the ground unconscious along with all the other members of alpha squad.
"What the hell?" Riley mumbled as he opened his eyes. He realized he was flat on his back staring up at the night sky. Turning his head he saw Graham's panicked eyes staring back.
Realizing his vulnerable position, he quickly scrambles back up and looked around. Seeing the rest of the team getting back on their feet he then looks for their captive.
Lying crumpled on the ground was the heavy wire net. It lay almost flat he noticed, not covering the HST as it should be. Approaching carefully, he kneeled down and slowly pulled up the restraining net.
His teeth ground together as he uttered an expletive. All that remained was grayish dust in the faint outline of a body.
"Walsh is going to be so pissed." He groaned while dropping his head and closing his eyes in despair.
-----------------------
Buffy entered her bedroom through the window quietly closing it behind her. Dropping the spell that hid her, she quickly changed into shorts and halter top.
Barefoot she made her way down the stairs to the three waiting for her in the living room. She took each step slowly, distracting herself with the feel of the carpet on the soles of her feet. The deep texture of the carpet was soothing as she would slide each foot over the edge of the step. As she neared the bottom she leaned forward a bit, head tilted looking for one face in particular. Upon catching sight of the red heads elfish face her heart warmed for the first time that night. Especially when seeing the welcoming smile that lit her face as she came running towards her.
"Buffy!" Willow exclaimed as she threw her arms around Buffy.
The two girls stood together lost in their embrace, eyes closed as their faces burrowed into each others neck. A smile graced Joyce's lips and the sides of her eyes showed well defined lines further indicating her feelings at seeing her daughter so happy.
Angel's face remained more impassive. Though he had accepted the challenge of helping the slayer, he had been drawn to her power and beauty from the first moment he had laid eyes on her. Flashes of his anticipation of their first meeting and the disappointment afterwards battled briefly and lost to his desire to truly see her safe and happy. He turned his gaze from the lovers embrace as he wondered if he would ever find such happiness.
"Is everything ready?" Buffy's softly voiced question nearly hid the trepidation she felt.
Willow slowly pulled her face from the side of Buffy's neck while reaching a hand up to softly caress her cheek.
"Everything is ready and everything is going to work out." Willow told her softly then gave her a reassuring kiss.
Buffy looked into Willow's beautiful eyes and immediately felt calm and safe. "I know," Buffy responded softly. "because I believe in you." Then she reciprocated Willow's kiss.
After separating from their embrace Willow turned to the two adults in the room. "We're ready." Her voice conveying a confidence they had all grown to accept as natural but oblivious as to how recent this part of her nature had been affected.
Willow led the way to the basement stairs with Buffy immediately behind her and Angel taking up the rear. Gathering together against the basement wall they all stood for a moment to observe the candlelit room. The floor had been painted white with a large circle outlined in the middle. The circle perimeter was a couple of inches wide consisting of topaz blue sand. Within the circle were scribed multiple symbols of arcane origin of varying colored materials. In the very center a two foot square slab of marble stood, its top surface carved into a basin. In the basin could be seen a dry mixture of ingredients blending into a rusty orange color. On the floor in front of the slab sat two decanters with the codex between them.
Buffy looked at Willow and saw warring emotions on her face. She furrowed her own brow in worry.
"You OK Will?" Buffy asked as she placed her hand on Willow's shoulder.
Willow turned her head and grinned. "Just can't believe that I, Willow Rosenberg, uber geek am going to burn a book!" Chuckling softly as she noticed Buffy's worried look dissipate into a mutual look of amusement.
"But if any book ever deserved burning this is definitely it." Taking a deep breath before starting she then called out. "Places everyone."
Buffy, Joyce and Angel each took their pre-designated positions outside the circle, their bodies wavering between light and shadow in the candle light.
Willow entered the circle and stood before the marble slab then turned to Angel. Angel held a large candle and waited for Willow to give the go ahead. With a nod of her head Angel sprinkled the candle with the ingredients from a small vial he held in his right hand. Willow chanted while he sprinkled resulting in a strong reddish gold light when completed.
Willow turned to Joyce to repeat the process and then Buffy. At the moment of completing the incantation over Buffy's candle the circle became surrounded in golden light pulsating with red, green and blue bands.
Willow then faced the marble slab and kneeled in front. Lifting one of the decanters she began another chant while slowing pouring the crimson solution over the mixture in the basin. The basin sparkled briefly then emitted a steady bluish light.
Willow then returned the empty decanter and grasping the codex, she lifted it and carefully placed it in the basin over the now glowing contents. Picking up the other decanter she looked straight up as she cried out her final chant while emptying the contents of the decanter directly over the book.
As the final syllable left Willow's lips a blinding light filled the entire room and the momentary silence was replaced quickly with a high pitched roar like a jet engine.
All eyes now focused on the book as a blue gold flame rose through its center. The flame began to spin like a dervish slowly expanding. In moments it entirely consumed the book and with a thunderclap disappeared leaving the basin pristine.
With a sigh Willow stood slowly and clapped her hands once, twice three times. On the third clap everyone blew out their candles and the room returned to near darkness except for a few candles set up around the room.
Willow turned to look at Buffy, her face glowing with warmth, peace and happiness.
"You are beyond incredible. Isn't she mom?" Buffy asked not taking her eyes off the beautiful redhead.
"Oh I agree sweetheart. Don't you think so Angel?" Joyce turned to the dark figure in the corner as she asked his agreement.
Angel was silent for a moment, his shadowed face not revealing his surprise.
"More than you know." He said softly. "More than you know."
"What do you mean? More than we know." Buffy asked moving across the room to stand in front of him. "What do you know that we don't?" She demanded.
Angel straightened his shoulders and turned his attention from Buffy to Willow. "I didn't think this would work because only the most pure can call upon Diana's flame." He paused before continuing. "So many have failed but I didn't want to say anything discouraging since it was the only way to destroy the book in a way that would cancel the spell."
"You didn't think Willow was pure enough?" Buffy regained Angel's attention with the disbelieving tone in her voice.
Angel couldn't help but smile. 'Of course Buffy would believe Willow is pure of heart and soul but she doesn't comprehend the difference.' He bemused.
"Sorry Buffy, but you don't understand. There is pure." He shrugged his shoulders indicating something not that special. Then he pointed towards Willow. "Then there is pure."
"Huhh?" Buffy looked at him quizzically. "Why can't you just talk like normal people and say what you mean?"
Angel chuckled. Buffy's dislike of anything vague never ceased to amuse him.
"What I mean is that the level of purity required to pull this off is very rare. So rare that I doubt there are a half a dozen women alive who could have done what Willow did here tonight." He smiled as Buffy's countenance altered as she wrapped her mind around what Angel had just said.
"You're very lucky Buffy. Very lucky." Angel felt a slight easing of his mind. Any lingering thoughts he may have had towards possessing the slayer for himself were gone. Even with Buffy's obvious preferences he had still harbored some egotistical belief that he could win her over. But not now. Not with competition like Willow. Losing to someone of that caliber easily assuaged his pride.
Buffy's whole face brightened with a huge smile. Turning to Willow who still exhibited her previous smile but her eyes were now gently questioning Buffy.
"Did you hear that baby? You're one in a billion." Buffy told her proudly. "Not a measly million. A billion."
Buffy walked towards Willow, stopping as she cupped Willow's face with both hands. "And he is right. I am lucky, so lucky to have you," soft kiss, "to love you,' longer kiss, "to have your love." Buffy then kissed Willow deeply as she put her arms neck to draw her in as close as possible.
"Anybody up for pizza?" Joyce decided that the situation was getting a bit too heated before the girls forgot they weren't alone.
Breaking apart reluctantly, the heavily breathing and blushing girls grinned. "I'm in." Said Willow.
"Me too, I am definitely hungry." Buffy followed with a grin and slow wink.
After once again gathering in the living room Buffy turned to Angel.
"Would you like to stay while we pig out?" She asked sincerely.
"Thank you but no. I do have some final preparations to make before sunrise." Angel responded in kind. "Tomorrow night is the big one." Turning to Willow confidence filled his voice. "I believe everything will work out now."
Willow and Buffy moved as one to give Angel a simultaneous hug both uttering a heart felt thank you to the slightly less brooding vampire as he gently returned their embrace.
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Alone in Willow's bed the girls held each other silently each in their own thoughts, each pondering the series of events that had brought them to this final day.
"Did you say all your final good byes?" Willow asked softly as her fingers gently stroked Buffy's ear.
Buffy sighed softly, her eyes closed while she enjoyed Willow's touch. "Yea, not really much to say good bye too really, a picnic spot, theater, espresso pump and a concrete bench is pretty much it. The most important things I get to keep." Opening her eyes she touched her fingers to Willow's lips, gently caressing them.
"Unlike you, I get to keep my mother and my best friend." Buffy's words giving rise to her sorrow and guilt.
Willow took Buffy's hand and placed it over her heart. Holding Buffy's hand to her breast Willow spoke. "Before you came I was empty. The beating you feel was just a hollow sound. It taunted me, reminding me that I lived but was never fulfilled."
Willow's sad tone disappeared as she continued. "Then I met you. In just days the sound of my heart no longer felt hollow. The first time I realized it I knew it was because of you but I believed it was because of the friendship you gave me."
Willow now grinned mischievously. "Then about three weeks after we met, I started having dreams about you. When I woke from these dreams I felt… excited!"
Buffy's face became very attentive as she felt her skin suffused with warmth.
"I felt excited like I had never felt before. My wildest fantasies about Xander never compared." Willow looked slightly embarrassed, her eyes flickering briefly down. "'Cause in my dreams and fantasies about Xander I never once thought or felt anything as erotic as my first dream about you."
"Really?" Buffy whispered.
Willow smiled coquettishly. "Really."
"But that's not all. When I was investigating Giles and the council another part of me awoke." Willow's voice became lowered filled with self wonder.
"I became focused for the first time in my life. I was focused on protecting you and then saving you." Willow took a much need breath.
"The pieces started falling together and when I looked at what they made I finally realized…" Willow pulled Buffy's hand hard against her breast making Buffy gasp with the heat she felt emanating.
"I realized that I wasn't empty anymore. I wasn't alone anymore. And even though I was scared to death for you I was truly happy for the first time in my life." Willow raised the hand she held to her lips and tenderly kissed Buffy's finger tips.
"That's when I knew I loved you. Loved you like nothing I ever imagined." Willow moved her face closer to Buffy's until their foreheads and noses touched.
"You saved me Buffy, you saved my life. You are my life, my reason for being. As long as I'm with you I will be happy. Only with you can I be happy."
"You are too wonderful, too incredible for me to be your reason for being." Buffy hesitated briefly.
"I'm nothing special, well except for the slayer thing. And because of you I'm not even going to have that cross to bear anymore. I would be dead without you, literally dead. You are not just my reason for being; you are my breath, my heart, my soul and my life." Buffy's emotions finally broke as tears unashamedly flowed.
Willow kissed the tears from Buffy's face and smiled. The warm saltiness cleansed her spirit and cleared her mind.
"I think this, us was destined. You coming to Sunnydale. The powers that be choosing you to be saved from the council over all the slayers before you. Angel being sent to help was just part. They needed me here to make it work. And I don't think your duties as slayer are going to be over. I think you are being saved because they need you for something big, really big." Willow paused, her innate modesty making it difficult to say next what she believed.
"And?" Buffy asked softly sensing Willow wasn't finished.
"And I think I'm a part of it too. I'm supposed to help you with whatever is coming. Whatever happens, it involves both of us." Willow's soft voice was nearly inaudible.
Buffy didn't say a word to this revelation, a smile and a gentle nod of her head indicated her agreement.
Caressing Willow's arm she asked the only question that remained.
"So you're really OK with all this? Leaving your home, family and friends behind and hook up with me for the ptb only know what?"
"I'll miss Xander." Willow halted as she pursed her mouth into a thoughtful pout.
"He misses you too." Buffy said softly before Willow could continue.
Willow looked at Buffy incredulously. "How would you know that?" The words came slowly as she crinkled her brow.
Buffy reached over and caressed Willow's cheek. "I've seen him at night, standing across the street from your house for the last couple of weeks."
Buffy moved her hand and began to caress Willow's ear lightly. "He just leans against the old tree staring at your house. Occasionally he mutters something, I'm not sure exactly what he says but the gist is that he's kinda pissed at himself. So I've kinda been keeping an eye on him. I crisscross my patrol route so that I come by a few times every night to make sure he's ok."
Willow smiles as a tear forms in the corner of her eye. She pulls Buffy into a tight hug and whispers into her ear.
"Thank you."
Still holding Buffy tightly Willow speaks a bit more loudly. "I know this is going to hurt him. And if I had a choice I wouldn't do this to him."
Taking a deep emotion filled breath that sends shutters through her slight frame she continued her thought.
"But I don't think I really have any more choice in this than you did in becoming the Slayer. Without you I'm dead inside, not much choice there." Willow kissed Buffy softly then they both closed their eyes and slept peacefully, thinking only of each other in the here and now and not the monumental tasks that lay ahead.
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Buffy entered the Library just minutes after her watcher had arrived. Seeing him moving around in his office she entered.
"Morning Giles." Buffy said softly to gain his attention.
Rupert Giles turned slowly upon hearing Buffy's salutation.
Having Gile's attention she held out the small container of film she held in her hand. Giles extended his hand and took the offered film but remained silent. The corners of his mouth drooped as he realized that this would be the last time he would hear his slayer's patrolling report.
"Sit Giles." Buffy instructed compassionately.
They both took seats and then Buffy started her final report.
"I encountered one vamp and 6 commandos. The film has pictures of all of them." Buffy couldn't muster her usual flippancy.
Her face nearly emotionless she continued in monotones. "The commandos had captured the vamp with some kind of rifles that shot electrical beams at it. I had arrived just as they were knocking it out. They placed a net over it and then one guy with some kind of detector seemed to spot me." She paused as she recalled her surprise.
"But it was a vague detection and only when I was standing still. Once I moved, they lost me." Buffy then smiled ever so slightly.
"Then I used the only other spell Merrick taught me." She smiled a bit more as Gile's eyes expanded in surprise.
"I put them to sleep with the spell then took pictures of all of them and the vamp. I staked the vamp, woke them up and listened for anything they might say." Buffy stopped as she recalled the apparent leaders reactions upon awakening from the spell.
"The leader went to where the vamp had been and when he figured out it was dusted he said, 'Walsh is going to so pissed.'" Buffy shrugged her shoulders a bit.
"I'm guessing he's talking about his boss, or commanding officer 'cause I think these guys are military." Then Buffy's face became concerned.
"Giles, I think the government may be getting into the demon business. And I don't think it's to kill them. They were trying to capture this vamp, not kill it."
Giles heart raced as he considered the ramifications of Buffy's report. The thought of something as large and powerful as the US Government researching demons made his blood run cold.
"This is very disturbing." He said slowly, his expression worried.
"Disturbing!" Buffy exclaimed exasperated. "Giles, they weren't trying to kill it. They're probably going to try and control them, use them somehow. And it's going to wind up biting them in the ass and get a lot of people killed."
Buffy then slumped her shoulders. Looking sadly at the floor she voice her regret. "And I won't be her to save them."
Giles thoughts hit a brick wall as he heard this chilling reminder.
Hesitantly, "Buffy… maybe I'm in denial but somehow I believe that you will be around to save them."
Buffy couldn't disguise her shock at this revelation. 'What does he know.' Her panic screamed in her head.
Mistaking her expression Giles tried to reassure her. "Buffy, while codex prophecies have never been wrong there is always a first time for everything." He said hoping his words would prevent her from feeling that she had no chance of surviving her coming battle.
"I just want to remind you that if you go into this encounter remembering how much you have to live for that maybe you can survive." He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a comforting squeeze.
Buffy relaxed as she understood that Willow's plan was still a secret. "Thanks Giles. I'll try and remember that."
Standing quickly, not feeling comfortable continuing this current topic she looked one last time at her watcher.
"I've got to get to class. Keep up appearances, you know?" Buffy said with a shrug of her shoulders as Giles also stood.
"Buffy, I'm so very proud of you. Please don't ever give up because the world sorely needs you." Giles voice strained out.
Not trusting her response Buffy smiled, turned and walked out of his life.
------------------------------
The crescent moon hung just above the horizon. The sky behind was transcending from light blue to a darker navy hue that became the canvas for the stars of the night. The air hung still and warm wrapping the land in quiet comfort like a mother protecting its child from whatever evil hid in the shadows. This night those efforts were in vain. There was no evil left in the shadows. Tonight it walked boldly, fully illuminated in man made light.
Buffy and Willow walked hand in hand as they entered the school gym. Willow's eyes darted about, taking in all the decorations. The dance committee had outdone themselves, decorating the spring fling dance in a 'Midsummer nights dream' motif.
Buffy split her attention between the decorations and watching for attacks. She knew they would come; in fact Willow's plan was counting on it. Her nerves were on edge as she scanned the throng of students, waiting for that telltale sign of hostility indicating imminent assault.
Willow sensed the tenseness in the girl holding her hand and turned to whisper in her ear.
"Relax Buffy, enjoy this while we can. You know that we need to look unprepared when it happens, otherwise the rest won't make sense." Willow followed with a soft kiss to Buffy's cheek.
The soft touch of Willow's lips went further towards Buffy relaxing than the words, but Willows soft breath on her ear didn't hurt either.
Buffy visibly relaxed and smiled. Her eyes glinted mischievously as she replied. "Yea, nothing is likely to happen until they get some provocation."
Buffy then captured Willow's lips in a tender kiss which she broke upon hearing a rush of gasping sounds emanating from around them.
She turned and smiled sweetly at some of the hostile faces now turned in their direction.
"I want to dance, let's go!" Buffy exclaimed as she pulled Willow with towards the dance floor.
Before they could take more than a few steps towards their destination, Principle Flutie blocked their path. His rotund midriff effectively blocked their progress. The girls stopped and raised their eyebrows questioningly at the flustered appearance of the school principle.
"What are you doing here! You can't be here. There's no police protection." He nervously pulled a handkerchief from his breast pocket and began wiping the perspiration from his brow.
"We're here for the dance." Willow replied her voice sweet and innocent and the expression on her face was innocently disarming.
Flutie was completely disarmed by the innocent expressions before him. His fear of conflict waged against his desire to see justice, but years of placation had suppressed his ability to stand up for what was right. In fact this was the loudest his righteous voice had sounded in years, but it was no use. He had long ago succumbed to fear and no longer had the fortitude to fight. So in fear induced thoughts he responded.
"Just wait and let me get some police escorts first." He pleaded. Desperation clearly etched his beleaguered features.
"Fine." Buffy replied as she smiled. "You can call them while my date and I are dancing."
Buffy swung her arm around Willow lifting her through the air as she deftly maneuvered around the panicking administrator.
"Oh my, Oh my!" Was heard behind them as Buffy swiftly returned Willow's feet to terra firma.
Buffy and Willow looked at each other with grins stretched across their faces as they responded in harmony.
"Lions and tigers and bears, Oh my!" The giggled hysterically to the amazed looks of a gathering throng.
Reaching the dance floor just as the band began their next song. The soothing tunes of Melissa Etheridge's 'Come to my window' began to play.
Buffy reached her arms around Willow's neck, Willow's joined at Buffy's lower back as each pulled the other closer. Buffy rested her head on Willow's shoulder as they slowly swayed to the music.
Around them the other students shifted and sifted like sand in a tide, a tide unseen and invisible to all. The emanations from the hell mouth sought out it's mirrored components and moved them. Like lemmings they were pulled and left unguarded, their fears were made manifest in hate. People don't deal well with fear so it's only human to hate what you fear; it's so much easier to explain. So those who for whatever reason feared the innocently dancing couple had those fears transformed into hate. Hate turns into action so quickly, and before the final note faded, a half empty pint of Yukon Jack was flung, smashing against the blond hair of a girl lost in the arms of a red headed girl. Such a fitting beginning to fear unleashed, and in hate made real.
"Buffy!" Willow screamed.
Buffy was completely unprepared for the attack, so lost in the dance. But at the sound of Willow's cry, any other thoughts disappeared. The slayer was on full alert as the next impromptu missile approached. Batting glasses and bottles away faster than thought she moved around Willow like a tornado, deflecting anything and everything before it could reach her love.
But the anger and frustration of the now turned unruly mob only increased. Unable to achieve their objective from a distance, they surged forward in masse with the intent of achieving their objective with pure force of numbers.
Loud thudding sounds followed by screams of pain halted the onrush momentarily. Buffy whirled to face this possibly new threat to see Xander, breathing raggedly, swinging a fire extinguisher at any and all in his way.
"Buffy, get her out of here now, I'll hold them off." Xander practically screamed.
Not exactly to plan but beneficial, Buffy instantly decided not to risk Willow to injury any further. Grasping Willow in her arms she flew by Xander utilizing the temporary path he had cleared.
The mob howled as one seeing the focus of their hate fleeing. Rushing forward like a wave they were halted only momentarily by the fiercely swinging Xander as he fought to buy desperately needed time. The time may have been measured only in seconds but it was enough. In fact, Buffy had to slow to make sure they wouldn't lose the mob completely.
As the enraged students passed over the lone Spartan, Xander rolled over, struggling to rise and follow. His breath caught as several broken ribs made their dysfunction known. Pausing briefly, he began to follow slowly, hunched over in pain but with only a single purpose.
As Xander lagged behind in spite of his best efforts the angry throng followed their quarry closely.
Willow held tightly in Buffy's arms finally had time and thought in sync as she looked at the tight expression on Buffy's face.
"Buffy, are you OK?" She asked in the soft tones she knew was soothing to her.
Buffy grinned modestly. "Yea, I'm fine. I just wish they could run faster. It's kinda difficult loping along like a turtle."
"Buffy!" Willow exclaimed with a following chuckle. "You've got me in you arms while running a six minute mile."
Buffy pouted, breathing obviously not a problem. "That's the point; even with carrying you I can probably do a minute mile. This is like so boring."
"Oh, my poor baby." Willow patted her on the cheek then memory of the events in the gym raised other concerns.
"Xander!" She exclaimed. "Do you think he's alright?
"He bought us a few seconds to get in the clear. There were so many of them that I think he may have been trampled a bit." Buffy replied quickly.
"But I think he's ok because they didn't stop to pay him any special attention." Buffy followed up with what she hoped would be encouraging news.
"God, I hope you're right. There's no way we can go back to check but maybe we can get your mom or Angel to find out if he's ok? Willow's concern made only one response possible for Buffy.
"Absolutely. Besides, he really came through. You did say it was a possibility that Xander would intervene." Buffy said encouragingly as she entered Restfield cemetery after a quick glance over her should to make sure that they were still pursued.
"I know, but I didn't expect it to be so.. dramatic." Willow practically whispered at the memory of her old friend swinging the fire extinguisher without regard to his own safety.
"Yea, he proved himself to be the friend you can always count on." Buffy said soothingly.
Willow responded proudly. "I never doubted that he would eventually come around. I just wish it had been sooner."
Willow sighed as Buffy halted before the mausoleum doors. Setting Willow on her feet, the both turned to see their pursuers mostly out of breath still about a hundred feet away.
"Time to go down the rabbit hole" Willow said softly with a slight tinge of fear.
Buffy grasped Willow's hand and yanked the door open pulling Willow with her.
The mob's anger was somewhat diminished after the two mile run to the cemetery. But several of the more hardy members rushed in to the crypt, halting in the darkness. They scanned the interior as their eyes adjusted to the dim light. One of them pulled out a small flash light attached to his key chain and swung the beam around the room looking for their quarry. The beam finally settled on the darkness revealed by the open iron gate. Slowly they advanced peering in as far as the light would reveal.
"Who wants to go first?" The one holding the light whispered.
A new fear began to overwhelm their hate driven pursuit, fear of the unknown. Self preservation made them pause and reconsider any further pursuit.
"Well, they have to come out some time, why don't we just wait for them?" One of the others made this fear induced observation seem very reasonable.
"Yea, let's just let the other's know that we have them trapped and we'll get them when they come out." The third seconded the motion.
As they moved slowly back to join their fellows outside Buffy and Willow were just arriving at the spot where Angel had sequestered their equipment.
The spaced fluorescent lights in the utility tunnel provided enough light for them to quickly locate their change of clothing. Both now fully focused on their biggest obstacle they quickly changed into the dark clothing, packing their dresses into the bag.
Buffy looked over Willow's clothing and after ascertaining that they were ready she spoke.
"Let's do this." She said with steely conviction.
Willow merely nodded and concentrated on invoking the shadow spell.
Moments later both girls faded from sight along with all the equipment.
Angel held his position in a side tunnel far enough from the cavern housing the master so as to remain undetected. Even being this close he feared the master would sense his presence and find some way to use him against the slayer. So he meditated on keeping himself as inconspicuous as possible and silently whispered a plea for the girl's success.
Buffy and Willow halted before the entrance to the cavern and deposited everything but their weapons. Moving forward quietly, they halted right where the cavern walls opened up.
Taking their time they scanned the far interior to ascertain the location of the master. Spying the ragged stone wall along the far side with the large high back chair on the landing above they again paused to watch the statue like figure seated there.
Having held hands all the way, Buffy guided Willow to a large rock which would provide her a good vantage point. As previously planned, Willow slowly and quietly took position with the 30-06 rifle with bullets made of rosewood. She had practiced for three weeks and could reliably hit the bulls eye at 100 feet.
Her current position was a bit closer. With a slight squeeze to Willow's hand Buffy silently moved forward. With practiced care she approached the grotesque figure clad all in black leather as it sat motionless.
As she came closer Buffy felt a slight tingle as if she passed through an invisible door. The figure on the wooden throne jerked its head up as if alerted by a tripwire.
Buffy moved quickly to the side and forward upon seeing his sudden awareness.
"Slayerrrr." Hissed from the master's mouth, the word made sinister as it wend its way over his large canines.
Buffy acted quickly before he could use his extended capabilities to possibly perceive her location. Raising her crossbow from only twenty feet away she pulled the trigger and the arrow sped its way directly towards the master's heart.
The master's hand moved faster than sight as it intercepted the arrow. Raising the arrow above his head, he stood forth in his arrogance.
"You're going to have to do better than that." He spoke just as a rosewood bullet pierced his chest while the echo of rifle fire reverberated through the cavern.
The bullet was slightly high, just missing the heart but the force of the bullet knocked the unprepared master back into his chair.
Buffy leapt forward with all her speed, her arm racing down with the stake firmly grasped. A moment before she struck, the master recovered sufficiently to blindly swing his arm that still held the arrow. So intent on her target, Buffy failed to notice the master's desperate defense.
As her stake began to pierce his leather clad chest, her own arrow was imbedded in her left side just below her ribs.
But her aim was true. While she fell to her side and rolled onto her back she bore witness to the disintegration of the vampire simply known as master. Not simply dissolving in a cloud of dust, all his flesh seemed to explode into the air leaving behind the dried bones of a skeleton with inhumanly long fingers and misshapen skull.
"Buffy!" Willow screamed as she witnessed the end of the vampire. Rushing forward she dropped her shadow while desperately looking for Buffy.
"Buffy, Buffy, where are you?" Willow cried as she stumbled over the low stone wall.
Buffy dropped her covering and slowly started to rise, unable to mask the pain she groaned.
Willow fell on her knees before the injured slayer, her eyes darting, searching for the source of her pain until the finally lit on the protruding arrow.
"Oh god no." Willow exclaimed as her hand sought out the offending arrow.
"No Will, it needs to be removed properly to avoid excess bleeding." Buffy gasped while grasping Willow's hand.
"Go call Angel and bring the med kit." Buffy said with a reassuring squeeze.
Trusting fully in Buffy's experience and calmed by her affirmative words, Willow dashed from the cavern.
"Angel! Angel!" She yelled while unzipping the canvas bag and withdrawing the emergency med kit she had insisted be included.
As she stood to call once more, Angel stood before her.
Her eyes wide with concern she verified Angels presences then quickly ran back into the cavern calling back.
"Buffy's hurt."
Angel moved with a speed Willow couldn't match and was at the slayer's side when Willow arrived. Laying the white metal case on the ground she quickly snapped the lid release as Angel examined the extent of the injury.
"Better give her some pain killers before I pull the arrow out. Then some antibiotic cream on the wound and we'll dress it." Angel instructed while he prepared himself to withdraw the arrow with the least amount of injury.
"No! She can't be on pain killers; it could mess up the spell." Willow exclaimed.
"Then she'll have to do without." Angel said sadly.
Buffy looked up into Willow's face. "All I need is for you to be kissing me and I won't feel any pain at all"
Willow's panicking brain stopped at the look of trust in Buffy's face. She glanced over at Angel and nodded. As she brought her lips to Buffy's Angel slowly but steadily withdrew the four inches of arrow that had just missed puncturing Buffy's lung.
With a gasp as she felt the arrow fully withdrawn, Buffy released Willow's kiss.
Angel and Willow quickly worked to clean and dress Buffy's injury. When finished, Buffy stood slowly, carefully testing her mobility.
Willow reached for Buffy's arm as the slayer moved slowly at first, then relaxing somewhat as she found the pain bearable.
Buffy smile wanly at Willow. "I'm OK, just need to go slow for a bit."
Looking over at Angel, "You're going to have to do all the heavy lifting and stuff. OK?" Willow asked as she tried to return her focus to the task at hand.
"No problem." Angel replied as he quickly took off to retrieve the materials they would need to set up the next stage of events.
Willow offered her arm and Buffy gratefully took it. The two made their way to the entrance of the cavern where a side utility tunnel was exposed. As they arrived, Angel appeared with a couple of large blue plastic drums.
He quickly placed them in strategic locations in the cavern while Willow took the cordless drill with the special carbon fiber bit. Buffy carefully lifted one of the sacks they had brought with them and followed her girlfriend into the tunnel. The tunnel was dank and dark but they only needed to travel about 20 feet to locate their target. A three foot diameter pipe with the words 'Southwest Gas Company' stenciled on the side.
Handing Willow a breathing mask Buffy then place one over her own face. When Willow had hers properly placed she set the special carbon drill bit carefully against the side of the gas line. Buffy took a can of oil and began squirting it where the drill bit rested. Once the area was well oiled, Willow slowly squeezed the trigger of the variable speed drill. With infinite care she bore into the metal pipe until with a whoosh the drill broke through. Extracting the drill the girls returned everything to the bag except the masks and returned to the cavern to check on Angel's progress.
Angel was standing over one of the drums waiting expectantly. Seeing the girls he called out. "Ready?"
Willow took a deep breath and then lifted her mask. "Add ten minutes since Buffy can't move as fast as we had planned." Then pulled her mask back down.
Nodding in understanding, Angel set the timer on the one drum then quickly moved to the next and set its timer.
Joining the girls, they made their way down the tunnel to where Angel's car awaited by a manhole on a nearby deserted street.
-------------------------
Xander stumbled down the steps in front of the gym just as the first police car pulled up with flashing lights and its wailing siren cut off as the vehicle screeched to an abrupt halt. He tried to stand straight, as if to appear normal but the pain of the broken ribs sent a wave through him which brought on nausea and lethargy resulting in his complete collapse.
He struggled to rise and made it to a crouched sitting position as he felt a hand on his shoulder and an inquiring voice.
"What happened?" Xander heard the words and forced himself to look at the source.
His eyes traveled up the blue clad chest to the clean shaven face and distantly noted the concerned look. Only one thought was on his mind though.
"You have to stop them. If you don't, they'll kill Willow." He gasped out the refrain in spite of the pain it caused.
Immediately alert to possible homicide the officer asked the next questions quickly.
"Who, how many and which way did they go?" The words were spoken quickly but with an underlying need that Xander felt compelled to respond to.
"Students, about sixty or so. They took off after Willow and Buffy west on Crowley." The effort used up whatever reserves he had and Xander passed out as the pain forced his mind into unconsciousness.
The officer keyed his shoulder radio and without any attempt to control his voice yelled. "Dispatch! I need an ambulance at Sunnydale High School. I also need every available unit to stop a mob of approximately sixty students who are in the process of attempting to do harm to two girls. They are on foot proceeding west on Crowley" The officer was aware of exactly who the two girls were and knew dispatch would also, the entire force knew of the special protection going on at the high school.
Receiving confirmation, the officer then gently eased Xander's body to a prone position while awaiting the ambulance.
-----------------
The students gathered outside the crypt were growing restless. Talking among themselves and time was overcoming their personal fear. More and more individual voices began to cry out to go after and draw out the focus of their hate. Just as emotions reached a near fever pitch the first squad cars arrived.
"This isn't getting us anywhere and we all know what we want! Let's get those fucking dykes now! Dennis screamed his frustration driven desires.
Flashing lights and sirens drew their focus but their emotional state left no room for fear of the police. The crazed students seeing only two cars and three men in blue felt confident as they turned their hate towards the police.
"Don't let them stop us!" Dennis yelled and began his charge.
'Finally!' Blazes in Rob's mind as he rushes forward right behind Dennis, quickly followed by others.
The students surged forward driven by frustration fueled hate, their minds open conduits to the darkness the permeated all around. The impetus of a few was all it took to push the rest and en masse the crazed students charged.
'Kill them, kill them all' Coursed in blood and thought.
'Power, we have it.' Anesthetized their fear.
"Holy shit!" Cried one officer as the students charged. 'Their eyes, they have blood in their eyes.' Rippled through his mind as his hand automatically reached for the 9mm automatic on his hip.
In fear for their lives, two officers drew and leveled their side arms while the third unlocked a shotgun from its vehicle restraint.
"Halt, or we'll fire!" Was yelled loud enough for a dead man to hear.
Tidal waves don't listen.
'Almost there, can't stop me. Don't care about guns, just to scare. Wow, that was loud. Ears kinda ringing. Burning in my chest. Why am I on my back? They're stepping on me. It's so dark. Getting cold. So co..."
'How'd Dennis do that? Stopped on a dime. Damn, can't avoid him. He's laying on my legs. Hey, that's my arm you're stepping on. Struggle up. What's with Dennis? Bad time to fall asleep buddy. That's weird. Is that blood? Squirt, squirt, squirt. Just shoots up, stops and shoots up again. It's stopped now. Hey bud, wake up'
'Don't cry Mary. Can't move. Stuffy, getting hard to breath. More crying. Coming from all around. They shot us, they really shot us. Please don't cry Mary, it's scaring me. Now you got me doing it. Oh god, oh god, oh god..."
Several seconds of gunfire and screams shattered the night. Blood ran hot and sticky on the cool green grass. The dying fell and the living stumbled over the fallen. The wave was halted and the only sounds were the cries of the wounded and dying as gun smoke gently wafted away.
Cordelia Chase lay still. 'The grass is kinda cold, will it stain my cheek? Warm in my ear, some type of goo is filling me ear. Let's see, people laying on top of me. I can't move. Don't hurt but I can't hear much. Wiggle left hand, ok. Right wiggles too. Even felt someone's hair. Right foot working. Wish whatever lump has their hand on my leg would just move it already. Ok, left foot works too.'
'I wonder if I can return the dress?' She thought idly.
---------------------------
Willow helped Buffy position herself within the circle of golden sand. Buffy reached up and caressed Willows cheek. Seeing the worry and concern on Willow's face she smiled.
"I can't wait for my special wake up kiss." Buffy said softly.
Willow felt warmed by the softness and confidence expressed by Buffy. Returning the smile she quelled all her concerns.
"The first of many." Willow responded.
Buffy chuckled. "You plan on doing this a lot hey?"
Willow's smile turned into a shy smirk. "Well I'm not planning on doing this again, just the petite mort the French speak of."
Buffy gasped softly then grinned wickedly. "Be prepared to receive your own little deaths."
Willows heart thumped wildly as her mind went off on temporary blissful tangents. With a smile she leaned forward and kissed Buffy softly on the lips.
"Just relax. It will all be over soon." Willow said softly, her words and breath caressing Buffy's lips.
Standing she glanced down at Buffy one more time and as she did, Buffy winked at her. That one gesture simple as it was washed away any remaining concerns or doubts she had.
Feeling more determined than she ever had she exited the circle to examine the map laid on the floor with candles at each corner. The map of the world had been sprinkled with multi colored ingredients. A small blue light glowed strongly on the map just north of Los Angeles in California.
Turning to Angel she asked. "How much time do we have?"
Angel looked at the stopwatch in his hand and replied stoically. "Four minutes."
Willow nodded then reentered the circle and kneeled by Buffy's side. She had practiced this many times and knew exactly how long it would take, three minutes. As she mentally prepared herself she felt herself connect with the earth and the elements just as Buffy had taught her. She felt the quiescent of readiness suffuse her whole being just moment before Angel's soft "Now."
Willow immediately began the spell. The first set of chants invoking guardianship and protection then into the incantation of real death. The words and power flowed and as they did she felt Buffy's body; her life force became a tangible essence, an essence which she had complete power over. Never before with her practice on rats and cats had she felt such complete symbiosis. When she had performed this spell with animals there had always been a resistance to overcome. This time there was no resistance, only complete trust and subjugation. It was a gift of love that made her chest ache with the power it felt.
Her concentration was almost disrupted at the sound of a distant explosion. So forceful that even miles away the windows rattled.
Composing herself she completed her chant while simultaneously releasing Buffy's life force from her body. As she felt Buffy's life depart she couldn't help feeling as if her own departed also. Looking down upon the now still body before her she laid her hand upon Buffy's heart.
From the moment her hand came to rest she felt not one flutter. Still she kept her hand in place, not that it was necessary but more to remember what it would be like to not have Buffy alive.
Then the walls were awash in a bright light which slowly dimmed. The previous light that had shone in California was no more. The new light now shone on an island in the Caribbean.
"It's done. A new slayer has been called." Angel spoke hurriedly knowing that Buffy was now truly dead.
------------------------------
More police cars arrived, their flashing lights creating shadows that danced in the darkness. The shadows seemed to grow beyond their light given existence as blood and emotion fed the air and ground.
Guns were slowly holstered as the police surrounded the shocked students, the living staring wide eyed at the wounded and dying. Crying filled the air along with moans and pleas for help. Those students still standing offered no resistance as they were pushed face down on the ground.
Several of the officers were gently separating the living from the wounded as the first ambulance arrived. Chaos was being leashed but left the offal of death in its wake.
Suddenly the ground shook. Rescue workers and officers alike stumbled in their efforts to remain standing. A powerful ripple under them literally threw people laying and standing into the air. Students careened about as fear drove them to escape.
Sound and heat combined in a hurricane forced blast to knock everyone to the ground as a terrific explosion split the night sky with near blinding light. As the sound of the explosion faded leaving ears ringing a rain of ash and dust fell to cover everyone in a blanket of destruction as the earth strove to cover the inequity of man.
-----------------------------
Xander lay on the examination table in the Sunnydale Hospital emergency room pleading with the doctor's and nurses tending to his injuries.
"I have to go. They're going to kill her. Have to stop them." He repeated over and over.
All work halted as a sudden shaking caused everyone to grasp onto tables for support as their eyes darted apprehensively about. Lights flicked as the room gave a quick and terrible shake, and then burned bright once more as the shaking subsided.
Xander screamed as fear and panic drove his injured body off the gurney. Distracted care givers were too late to halt his mad rush but the pain of a broken rib tearing into deep muscle sent his body crashing in spite of his determination.
Carefully he was returned to the gurney and as sedatives took effect all about could hear his litany.
"I'm sorry Willow. I failed you. I failed. I failed. Willow. Willow..."
-----------------------------
Willow immediately grasped the totem that lay by her side. Invoking the previously staged urns in the four corners of the room they began to glow in turn until the last. A bright flash of light and now the room glowed with a bluish light.
Willow turned to look at the map and saw the flame that indicated the location of the new slayer die. The protective field prevented any location spell of any kind to pass through.
Turning back to Buffy she composed herself as she prepared to overcome her remaining fears. She had discussed this spell with Buffy and when Buffy had learned that the spell could be broken not only by the spell caster, but by true loves kiss she had insisted that Willow break the spell with a kiss.
Willow had fretted immediately upon hearing this, not that she didn't believe that she loved Buffy but that she would find out that Buffy didn't truly love her. But Buffy had been insistent. Buffy's confidence had eventually calmed her nerves but now they all came rushing back.
'If the kiss doesn't awaken her she'll know I'm not her true love and leave me.' The tiny voice now spoke loudly as she gazed upon Buffy's serenely calm face.
'This was Buffy's desire. She believes. She believes in you. All you have to do is believe in her.' This thought slowly drowned out the negative one as she dipped her face towards the lips of her hopefully true love.
Willow hesitated for just a moment more then memory of all their times together rushed through her mind. The memories cascading like a flood washing away all debris before it.
"I love you." She whispered just before bringing her lips to Buffy's.
The kiss started off gentle. Willow felt the lips she had kissed so many times as unresponsive. Undaunted she increased the pressure and passion, throwing all her love into the kiss, determined not to relent until she felt a response.
Willow felt warmth course over her face. It spread softly over her entire body. Indescribable sensations emanated from the joining of their lips washing all thought from her mind. She was no longer a thinking being, she was more. Thoughts in words and pictures were inadequate for communicating what she was feeling. You can't explain true beauty. It has to be experienced.
Willow found herself in sensations beyond anything she had ever experienced. Beyond anything she had ever imagined. The entire world had ceased to exist; all that mattered was the incredible joy she felt as her soul joined with Buffy's.
She slowly became aware of slim soft fingers caressing the back of her neck. As this awareness set in she also became aware that her tongue was slowly caressing Buffy's and Buffy's tongue was caressing hers back.
Hot panting breath spilled from her mouth as she slowly pulled back to make sure that Buffy was in fact alive and kissing her. Willow opened her eyes slowly overcoming her trepidation. What she beheld sent her spirit soaring. Buffy's beautiful eyes looking into hers.
"My one true love." Buffy whispered.
"My one true love." Willow whispered in reply.
They both took a few moments to cherish the moment and slowly caress each other. So lost were they that they didn't realize that minutes were passing.
From the moment Willow began the kiss Angel felt as if he had been holding his breath and his heart had stopped beating. But since he didn't really breathe and his heart didn't beat, these were just phantom feelings he had forgotten about until this time.
When he saw Buffy's hand reach around to Willow's neck he actually gasped in relief. 'Enough with the emotions, still lots to do.' He reminded himself, but stood silently watching the two girls as they tenderly locked eyes with each other. He noticed from the corner of his eye a blue light on the maps surface.
'I think it's time for an intervention.' He decided after a couple of minutes had passé.
"Ready for your tat's?" He said loudly enough to get their attention.
So completely lost in each other the two girls looked at Angel with surprised looks on their faces.
"Uh, yea. All ready for the needles and pain." Buffy's sarcasm was slow and dripping.
Willow chuckled. "Is the big tough slayer afraid of an itty bitty needle?" She asked while poking Buffy gently in the side.
Buffy raised one eyebrow at her girlfriend. "Ask me again after you get yours." She said smugly.
They had decided the symbols should go on the left shoulder blade. Angel had a deft sure hand and it was agreed that it would be best for him to do the designs.
Buffy went first, removing her shirt and leaving on her bra. She sat stoically without a single flinch as Angel meticulously created the magical symbol with the special ink. After about 15 minutes, he gently dabbed the excess away and satisfied turned to Willow.
"Your turn."
Willow had watched Buffy not show any discomfort at all and felt completely secure as she turned her back to Angel and removed her shirt. She felt the cool alcohol swab cleanse the area and then his large cool hands touch her back.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yep, tat me." Willow replied assuredly.
At the first touch of the needle Willow screeched and jerked forward.
Buffy started laughing and the laughing soon turned hysterical as she began to roll on the floor laughing at Willow's reaction to a single needle prick.
Indignant, Willow jumped atop the laughing slayer and began tickling her unmercifully. Soon Buffy was too weak from laughing to even struggle as tears came from her eyes and she pleaded with Willow to stop.
"No more." Gasp, gasp. "Please," gasp "no more." gasp "I'm sorry I la…" gasp "laughed." Gasp, gasp gasp.
Willow relented but stayed atop her girlfriend. Buffy finally regained her breath and composure.
Looking up at Willow Buffy slowly grasped Willow's hands to prevent any form of attack.
"I think you should be laying down on your stomach for this and I'll help hold you still." Buffy said softly and as non-threatening as possible.
Willow simply nodded and got off Buffy. Buffy kneeled at Willow's head and gently but firmly held her shoulders down and waited for Angel to proceed.
Angel shook his head the returned to his task and with the same care quickly reproduced the exact same symbol on Willow as he had Buffy while ignoring the occasional whimpers that Willow emitted.
Once completed, Buffy and Willow each did a glamour spell which changed their appearance sufficiently so that they could no longer be mistaken for Buffy Summers and Willow Rosenberg.
The only things not altered were their height and general physique. Buffy's hair was now deep chocolate brown. Her eyes were a soft grey. Her facial features while still pretty no longer shone with its previous beauty.
Willow's hair was raven black, her eyes topaz blue. She no longer looked elfish. Her face was the kind of beauty that went unnoticed at first glance. And that was the idea.
Both girls had worked on their appearance with each other for several days. They needed to not attract attention but also wanted to be pleasing to each other. The first thing to go was hair color. Blondes and redheads always attract attention. Brunettes are usually ignored unless their displaying some physical attribute prominently.
Changing height and weight was problematic but since there was nothing unusual about their current physiques, that was not a problem. Getting the faces right was what took the most time.
After examining each other Willow sprinkled gold dust on Buffy's tattoo then pressed a blue crystal on it. Incanting several lines of Latin the stone flashed brightly. As it did, the light disappeared from the locator map. Willow removed the stone and handed it to Buffy.
Buffy repeated the process on Willow. The put their shirts back on and stood in front of Angel holding each other's hand.
Looking expectantly at him the girls waited his opinion, if any. This was the first time Angel had seen what they would look like. The only one who had known was Joyce.
Angel looked from one to the other. The only way he knew who was who was that Willow is about four inches taller than Buffy. He couldn't help but grin. They were both still beauties, but there was nothing so remarkable about their appearance that you would look twice if you passed them on the street.
"You both look incredible. And this look is permanent as long as you have the tattoos, right?" He smiled as he saw the shy smiles of appreciation light their faces.
"Yep, just as if we'd been born looking like this." Willow replied while mugging comically.
"But they do something else; Buffy's tattoo should prevent her from being detected. As you can see, no light on the map. And locator spells won't work on me either." Willow's voice sounded confident but her hand trembled as she prepared to break the protection spell that should no longer be necessary.
Willow raised her hands as she uttered the words to release the protection of the spell. The four urns in each corner of the room suddenly extinguished and a light appeared on the map. One lone light glowed brightly on the island of Jamaica.
"Phew. Was anyone else scared that wouldn't work?" Willow joked as she released the tension she had felt.
"Not me." Buffy smiled as she pulled Willow into a hug.
"So Willow, Buffy, you ready to head north and start your new life?" Angel asked expectantly.
"Willow and Buffy are dead Angel. I'm Marcia Denise Cohen." Willow said as she reached out her hand in way of introduction.
Looking down at her hand Angel slowly grasped it in a handshake. "Uh, pleased to meet you Marcia."
Buffy then reached her hand forward. "And I'm Sandra Louise Gale. But everyone just calls me Sandy."
Taking Buffy's proffered hand he shook it also then smiled wryly. "Ok Sandy, Marcia. We've got a four hour drive and only six hours before sunrise. We better get going."
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One week after the devastation of the gas explosion Sunnydale began to return to its normal state of denial. National news crews packed up and left when the tragedy could no longer be milked for ratings. Search and Rescue volunteers gave up their search for two missing girls.
Experts reported that the devastation was so severe that it would be unlikely that anyone would ever know what happened. It had taken three days to finally extinguish the fires and the ground was still warm a week later. The heat was so great and lasted so long that any evidence would have been completely destroyed they had explained.
Four funerals had been held for students who did not survive the panicked police response. Public outcries slowly waned as the Mayor promised full investigations and accountability.
Two more funerals were planned when officials notified the families of the two missing girls, two funerals that would have no grave, no urn, no final resting. The only thing they would have was grief, loss and pain for those attending.
Xander Harris and his friend Jesse stood in the back of the synagogue while they listened to tearful goodbyes and the mournful recitation of Kaddish. Xander was still in physical pain ten days after that terrible night but they were nothing compared to the pain in his heart.
He had done a lot of thinking in the last ten days. Anger and hate mixed in a sea of longing for his best friend, even anger at Willow but mostly at himself. Through the pain decisions had been made, decisions to change his life.
'I failed Willow. The only person I've ever loved, the only person to ever believe in me.' This had finally become a recurring thought after battling through the anger. He had reached a turning point in his life.
'It's my fault I wasn't there to protect her. What I did was too little and too late. I won't fail her again.' He swore as the service ended and the family and friends slowly gathered around the grieving parents.
Xander exited the building with Jesse following concerned for the state of his friend.
"Hey Xand, whatcha going to do now? You wanna hang or something." Jesse asked not knowing what else to say but feeling the need to do something to help.
"No Jess, I can't. I've got some things to take care of." Xander replied as he picked up his pace a bit.
"Uh, like what. Can I help?" Jesse sped up also suddenly worried about what kind of things his friend was planning.
"You can't help with this Jesse. This is something I need to do on my own." Xander replied with determination.
"Well can you tell me what it is at least?" Jesse asked truly worried now.
Responding to his friends concern Xander offered a terse explanation.
"I need to register for summer school."
Jesse stopped stunned and speechless and thus never heard what Xander said next.
"I won't fail you again Willow, never again."
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Two girls sat huddled before an early morning fire waiting as the first glimmers of dawn began to brighten the eastern horizon. The ocean breeze behind them brought the lull of waves as they washed the sandy shore of the Oregon coast line.
Their peaceful watch was interrupted by the lonely mewing of a kitten. The blue eyed girl with raven locks broke off a small piece of cheese from the paper plate to her side.
Holding the small offering out to the tiny black and white kitten that was nervously watching them from about ten feet away she softly called.
"Kitty, here kitty. I have some cheese for you."
Both girls stayed still making no sudden movements. All their attention was on the very skinny kitten that was approaching slowly as hunger overcame its fear. Laying the cheese on the ground when the kitten was only inches away, she slowly withdrew her hand.
After a quick sniff, the kitten voraciously consumed the bit of cheese. After a few more bits of cheese, the kitten allowed itself to be picked up. Slowly positioning the kitten against her chest, the blue eyed girl slowly caressed the kitten cooing softly. The grey eyed girl carefully added her own caresses.
"She's adorable. Can we keep her?" Marcia asked in a whisper not wanting to startle the kitten.
"She looks like she needs a home. What would you name her?" Sandy replied in the same whispering voice.
"I think I'd name her Liza." Marcia replied after a moments thought.
"Why Liza?" Sandy asked a bit confused.
"She reminds me of Liza Minnelli from the Sterile Cuckoo." Marcia replied with a sad smile.
"Oh that one. I can't believe you made me watch that. I'm getting depressed just remembering it." Sandy said snidely with a hint of teasing.
"Well I liked it. It made me care about her. She was empty and lonely like me, like I used to be. I just want to make Liza to feel like I do now." She replied with a touch of petulance.
Sandy kissed Marcia on the cheek. "Then Liza it is."
As they split their attention between the kitten and the dawning sun they basked in this small window of peace. Contentment eased their worries as the sun warmed their faces and the purrs of a small ball of fur warmed their hearts.