Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, but the basic idea for the dream came from El Chacal (then I ran away with it!).

Author's Note: It's just mind-boggling how fast I'm getting this done. At the rate I'm going, I should be finished before the year's out!

Author's Note 2: I'm going to be so bloody glad when all these friggin' introductions are over! There's only so many ways you can keep introducing someone.

Twilight Unicorn: The Vampiric Unicorn (who wishes everyone a a scary holiday!)

Part 21

Sunnydale: Hospital (Anya's Room), 10pm, Day 7

"Thirteen hours of labor, and as I look on our baby, I realize it was worth it," the new mother said with weary joy.

Anya lay in a hospital bed cradling her newborn son in her arms—having just breastfed him. Xander sat in a chair beside the bed, gazing at his wife and child in fond wonder. Willow sat in another chair by the door merely watching the Harris family; while Tara sat cross-legged on the sink countertop, apparently in deep meditation. The baby cooed sleepily, then yawned while stretching. Smiling, Xander reached out and let the baby wrap his fingers around his forefinger.

As the baby blinked drowsily at him, the new father said softly, "Hello there…son."

"Koren Mark Harris," Anya said with pride. She looked up from her child, and commented as she gazed at her husband gratefully, "I'm so glad we could name him after our grandfathers."

Nodding his agreement, Xander said, "Yeah. Grandpa Mark was one of the few relatives I ever really got along with."

"Make that the only one," Willow piped up from where she had now curled herself up in her seat.

Anya snorted, then said bluntly, "In my family, all the men were rude, crude, and disgusting. The only one to show me any kindness was my grandfather. And actually, I think he might've been my true father. It would explain why the man I called Father treated me and my mother like he did."

Willow shook her head at this and asked, "When're you being let out of here with the kid, guys? Tara and I need to know so that we can set up the extra protections at your place."

"Sometime tomorrow, from what I understand," Xander replied.

Tara stirred slightly, then said in a near monotone without opening her eyes, "Then we'd better get those wards up once our shift ends."

Frowning, Xander inquired, "When's the Buffster and her group supposed to be getting here?"

"Around midnight," Willow answered.

"We're hoping they'll take the next watch," Tara added while opening her eyes, uncrossing her legs, and leaning forward, "'cause our group's pretty wiped out right now."

"Again?" Anya said in disbelief.

"Hey!" Willow exclaimed with some offence as she sat up straight. "Just because you haven't been doing much doesn't mean we haven't! There's a good amount of stuff that's been going on that you've not been aware of. We're not having Angel and Buffy's group coming here to visit. They're coming 'cause we're seriously overwhelmed!"

"Willow," Tara said quietly yet sharply. "We'll get thrown out if we get too loud. My illusion spell will only work as long as we keep quiet and out of the way, otherwise we'll be noticed."

Looking contrite and frustrated, Willow mumbled, "Sorry."

Sunnydale: Magic Box, 12:23am, Day 8

Gunn lounged against the cashier counter gazing idly about the technically closed shop when the bell over the door jangled. Looking towards the entrance of the building, the man saw a sight that relieved him greatly.

Whistler held the door open as Buffy entered with Angel not a step behind, rubbing his lower back and grimacing. Following those two were Bethany, Gwen, and Amanda talking amongst themselves.

"Man are you guys a sight for sore eyes," Gunn exclaimed as he strolled towards the latest arrivals to Sunnydale.

Buffy waved half-heartedly as Angel asked, "Hey, Gunn, where's everybody?"

The African American stopped before the others and said, "My group's at the mansion restin' up, along with a guest; Eve's at Giles' doin' some sort of healing meditation to speed up her recovery; and Willow and Tara are with Xander and Anya, keepin' an eye on them and their kid." Gunn scowled, then added disapprovingly with a jerk of his head towards the ceiling, "Giles and Quinton are upstairs."

Buffy's gaze focused intently upon Gunn as she asked sharply, "Quinton's here?"

Holding his hands up soothingly, Gunn said, "Don't blame me, girl! He came escorting that new Slayer. He refuses to leave until he knows if the girl's safe or dead. Those're his words, not mine."

Buffy clenched her fists together as she hissed a breath out through her teeth, too angry to speak. Behind her, Amanda snorted and said derisively, "Sounds like a right bastard."

Rubbing a hand on the back of his neck, Angel said in wary agreement, "You don't know the half of it."

"Looks like I need to have another talk with the man," Whistler said darkly as he came to stand by the others.

"Not unless I get to him first," Buffy growled out.

With those words, the Slayer marched swiftly to the stairs and quickly went up them, the others trailing behind at a slightly slower pace.

Sunnydale: Magic Box (Training Room), 12:25am, Day 8

Quinton stood before a wall covered with weapons, noting the various kinds and their state of wear and tear. Giles sat in the conference part of the training room, writing in his journal all that had happened recently. Both pointedly ignored the others' presence in the building.

The sound of many footsteps on the stairs caused both men to pause in what they were doing to look towards the doorway to see the eldest Slayer of four stride purposefully into the room. She immediately zeroed in on Quinton and made her way to the man, her expression forbidding. The others that had followed the Slayer entered the room just in time to watch as Buffy stopped before the head Watcher, growled wordlessly, and kneed the man between the legs.

All the remaining men winced, and watched wordlessly as Quinton made a shocked choking sound, and collapsed to the floor. Buffy turned around and made her way over to Giles, her stance and expression calmer. The resident Watcher stood and accepted the near bone-crushing hug the Slayer gave, then nodded to the others as they came up to him.

Releasing the Watcher from the hug, the Slayer stepped back, and asked in concern, "How're you and the others holding up, Giles?"

Smiling wanly, Giles admitted, "We've been better, Buffy. You've no idea how relieved we are to have your group here to help."

"You know we'll help whenever we can," the Slayer responded. "You guys are family."

Giles looked down as he blushed faintly, then blinked rapidly while clearing his throat. "Yes, well," he said, before looking up. Upon noticing people he did not know watching, the Watcher suggested, "Perhaps introductions are in order?"

Buffy looked behind her with a blank look, then became startled, "Oh! Yeah, I suppose that'd be a good thing."

Angel shook his head, and said as he pointed to each person, "This is Gwen, Bethany, and Amanda. We called them in to help us out when I ended up paralyzed."

Eerily echoing Quinton's own words at the airport, Giles asked, "I take it there's more to them than meets the eye?"

"Ya got that right," Gunn said. "Bethany there can lift things with her mind. She's come in right handy a few times when we've needed the extra lift."

Bethany snorted, and said in her accented voice, "Cordelia called me when wonder boy here decided to go play the hero by himself, and no one else could get him out of the situation he was in. I had a migraine for a month after that incident."

Buffy snickered as she remembered that particular event, and said in further introduction, "Miss 'I'll wear it as tight and as little as I like, but have long gloves on' is Gwen. She can give quite a shock to your system. She could easily kill a man by touching him."

"Only if I really needed to, but thank God for David," Gwen added. "Without him, I'd still be accidentally killing people with a touch…or in the loony bin for 'humanity's sake'. Which is a load of crap."

"No kidding," Buffy agreed, then introduced the final person. "Amanda's Immortal like me."

"And Gwen and Amanda together make the twin femme fatale of thieves everywhere," Gunn supplied. "Ya can't find anyone better than those two on a heist."

The two women Gunn mentioned looked at each other, then smirked knowingly, as Giles said, "Welcome to the Hellmouth. I know the others would give their greetings if they were here."

By this point Quinton had joined the group, making sure to keep a wary distance between himself and the Slayer. With a look of disgust and disbelief on his face, the head Watcher said, "You truly believe these…ruffians could possibly help us in our cause, Rupert?"

Everyone in the room stiffened in anger and shock.

"That's it!" Whistler snarled in fury. "We have to talk…now!" He then barked out to the others, "Out!"

All but Quinton and Whistler left the training room. As the others were making their way down the stairs to the main floor, Bethany asked, "What're we goin' to be doin' about where we're all sleepin'? I, for one, don't wanta be stuck in a hotel."

Everyone murmured their agreement, causing Giles to clear his throat and supply, "We have already discussed this matter, and have a solution." As everyone stopped at the bottom of the stairs, the Watcher explained further, "Buffy and Angel will be at the mansion, as it is their residence. Willow and Tara have offered to house the others. Quinton, unfortunately, is housing with me and Eve."

"You don't have a third bedroom, Giles," Buffy commented, her brow furrowing.

Giles said with a malicious gleam in his eyes, "I know. He'll just have to sleep on the couch, then."

A Dream

In a place that could not be, yet existed; in a time that was not, yet was: two women rode a beast of great size. Like unto Amazons of old did they appear. One woman possessed waist length hair the color of harvested wheat braided in a single plait. Upon her back a bow and quiver of exquisite workmanship lay. Before the wheat-haired woman sat another whom she contentedly rested her head against and arms around. The second woman possessed hair the color of flames braided in many thin plaits that flowed behind her like a tattered banner in the wind. Should she have been standing, it would have been seen that her hair would touch the ground. Both were fair of face and pale of skin. Resting upon their brows, two circlets of silver lay, each bearing the gem of their nature. Sapphire and emerald glowed in the light of the setting sun.

The beast they sat upon seemed a creature out of ancient times. A champion of the gods this being appeared to be. Great wisdom was in its eyes and strength untold resided in its body. Large as a warhorse the creature was, but the shape conformed to that of a wolf. Russet hued the fur of the beast looked. A silver-linked collar with a yellow and blue gem each upon a plate rested on its chest.

Through many lands they journeyed, never stopping. To war it seemed they rode. As they traveled, a full moon rose the color of blood, casting a vile light over all its rays touched. In a vast desert the women and beast stopped. They waited.

When the bloodmoon reached its zenith, a countless horde of foul and wretched creatures appeared. All bore the same intent: to kill those whom had waited for their arrival.

As the abominable beasts drew ever closer, the wheat-haired woman loosed her great bow from its place upon her back, and began to chant strongly as she snatched an arrow from her quiver and notched it. Swifter than thought the arrow flew. With a thunderclap the arrow reached its target. Green light flared as red flames arose and joined in destroying a portion of their enemies. The red-haired woman smirked as she watched the fire she had summoned spread amongst their foes.

A low rumbling growl reverberated beneath them, then up through their bodies from the creature they sat upon. With one accord, the two women slid off their mount's back to stand upon the ground. The moment this was done, the wolf-shaped being leapt and scattered some of their enemy. Letting forth a challenging howl, the creature began to maim and decimate the foul creatures.

Through the night did they battle. In the pre-dawn hour, when night is at its darkest, the three defenders met together—a shield of protection forming about them. In that moment, the wolf-creature shifted and changed, becoming a man. About his neck was the bejeweled chain he had worn as a wolf. Intense green eyes gazed into brown and blue.

None of the three spoke as they raised their hands and clasped them together, forming a linked triad. A wind began to blow about them as a humid mist rose and concealed them from view. Fire danced harmlessly around their bodies, while vines wrapped themselves about their legs. The gems they wore pulsed with light, then – like a flash of lightning – they flared. All those the light touched perished, and those that did not die ceased to exist in the rising of the red sun.

The elements they had summoned forth subsided as the three gazed at each other in triumph and love. Leaning together, the triad shared a three-way kiss. Within their minds their voices mingled and spoke as one.

"Together we are whole. Body, mind, and spirit forever more."

In that moment, dream shattered, and three people awoke…shaken to their very core.

In another place a goddess gazed solemnly into a pool of tears, studying the dreamers. In a quiet voice she spoke, vowing once more her promise.

"Soon, my champion, thou shalt know thy peace and be with thy loves. I will come to thee upon the moment thou dost call for me, son of my heart. Joy I wouldst have thee know forever more."

Next Part: Seacouver. A trial and plans.

Author's Responses to Reviewers
To Harry2: On the Tribunal: I sure hope it's interesting! I never quite know what will happen until I'm actually writing it. Cassandra: (muttering darkly as she holds a hand out to one of her Muses for another throwing dagger) what did i tell you about mentioning that? IT'S NOT HAPPENING! You are seriously ticking me off over that. Dru: (hums innocently) They might be better suited than you think. Dawn: (TU suddenly finds herself at a loss for words as she looks at the story's outline) Uhhh...can't really give you a reply on that one, one way or the other... The Alternate Immortality's Gift (or whatever it ends up being called): I'm glad you want to do it with me. I've had the idea from the moment Faith made her "appearance" in the story. I've had the opening for revealing she's alive and not dead from the beginning, but nothing further, really. So any input you can give me would be helpful in figuring out what to do (as well as having a co-writer, as it takes half the load off of ya). Give me an email, and we'll get the ball rolling (ie: I'll tell you what was planned, and we'll go on from that).

To Superfan: Wow, four reviews at once! That definitely brightened my day. Review 1 (ch19): Actually David and Bethany are from the Angel show (David Nabbit: s1, episode "Warzone (and a few others)"; Bethany Chaulk: s2, ep "Untouched") I can understand why you didn't notice them, they are pretty minor characters. Review 2 (ch20): (looking everywhere but at the reader) Umm...can't really say anything right now. Review 3 (ch21): Yeah. It wasn't meant to be sweet, but bitter. Glad to see it worked. Review 4 (ch22): (sniggering) Thanks! You've just made what I feel was a really crappy part seem better.

To Buffy-CrazyaboutAngel: Yeah, I know. I couldn't quite get what I wanted across (plus I was having a horrific week). It's definitely not one of my better pieces. Cassandra's vision: You'll just have to wait and see!

To hdrexel: (blushing at her story being called a "work of art") Shucks, I'm not that good! It's been so long...I honestly can't remember exactly what HL fanfic I read, except that it was on the Seventh Dimension site.

To El Chacal: (winces) Ouch! Sorry to hear you live in that area, but also glad to know you're alright. Heh, I just realized that we live on totally different sides of the continent. Now onto the responses: You're swept away with the story? I'm the one stuck trying to make sense of my Muses' ideas while writing this dang thing at the same time! And don't worry about having to go over it again to get everything...I have to do most of the story for whatever part I'm working on. The stove: Heh, I was in a lousy mood when I wrote that, and that was my attempt to cheer myself up. I'm glad to see that others appreciated the humor in it as well. The Challenges: (evil glint in the eyes while smirking maliciously, as well as quiet sinister laughter). Seer-sister: (curiously) Who were you thinking it was?

A happy All Hallows Eve/Samhain/whatever you call this time of year everyone! I'll see you all in about a week (if my Muses keep this pace up). --TU