Chapter Five: From Hands of Falsehood

Spike awoke with a snort, his eyes opening to find himself with a mouthful of chestnut hair. He wiped it away with a grunt, peering down to see Dawn fast asleep on his chest. Smiling at the sleeping form of the girl, he looked up as the door opened and Tara peeked in. He waved her in and said softly, "I don't want to wake her..."

"She has school though," Tara whispered back as she went over to the bed and smiled at the sight of the gangly teen curled up on top of the vampire. "And she can't miss anymore."

Spike sighed and nodded, gently touching Dawn with his good hand. "Bit? Hey, morning," he grinned at Dawn as her eyes fluttered open, a sliver of blue showing as she yawned sleepily. "School Bit..."

"Huh?" Dawn whined sleepily as she rubbed her eyes, looking younger than her fourteen years. "What?"

"Dawnie," Tara said gently, amusement written in her face. "School today sweetie. You should go shower and get dressed. Willow and I will take you..."

"Ok," Dawn mumbled, yawning again as she sat up, swinging her legs out of bed. "See you later Spike...love you..."

"Ditto Bit," Spike said, thoroughly charmed by her antics. Shaking his head as the youngest Summers left the room, he looked up at the blonde witch, grinning at the laughter in her eyes. "Cute, isn't she?"

"She seemed so peaceful," Tara said with a smile. "I'm glad she found comfort with you Spike. She hasn't...she didn't..."

"Yeah," Spike smiled at the witch. "Yeah, the Bit's a lot like her sis in that retrospect. Shutting off her emotions and the like." He stretched his neck from side to side and said wearily, "Glad I could be service though..."

"Would you like some blood?" Tara offered as she studied him. "I think it's best if you drink down three today. Heal up quicker."

"Want to be rid me eh Glinda?" Spike teased and Tara blushed, the color painting her cheeks prettily. He laughed and waved his good hand at her, saying, "Teasing love. Just teasing."

"Oh, I know," Tara winked at him, eyes sparkling with laughter. "I just realized why Buffy keeps you around. You're very cute when you aren't trying to convince everyone that you're evil." With that, the white witch swept out of the room and left Spike gaping after her. He shook his head slowly at the comment and murmured, "Impish little thing, isn't she?" before settling back down to sleep.

--

Buffy woke up with a start as she sat up, the sofa squeaking beneath her. Blinking, she rubbed her eyes tiredly as Willow came down the stairs, dressed in jeans and a dark green sweater with a v-neck. The redhead peered at her friend and said, "Buffy? Did you sleep here all night?"

"Yeah," Buffy yawned as she got to her feet. "I was so exhausted when I got back from patrol..."

"A lot of vamps were out?"

"No," Buffy sighed. "There was a few vampires but I was really looking for Glory. Couldn't find her but I figured she was in hiding." The Slayer stretched and said, "Think I'll go catch a few more hours after I give Spike his breakfast. And why did that sound like I was talking about a pet?"

Willow hid a smile as Tara came from the living room, three mugs on a tray. She smiled warmly at the pair before saying, "Go get some sleep Buffy. I'll take Spike his blood."

"Oh, thanks Tara," Buffy said with a grateful smile. She left, not seeing the frown that graced Willow's face as Tara went up the stairs after her. The redheaded witch scowled as she wondered why exactly Tara was giving Spike blood...

Tara returned, Dawn at her heels and the two went into the kitchen, Willow trailing after them. After eating a quick breakfast and dropping Dawn off at school, the lovers walked towards the Sunnydale University campus.

Willow glanced at Tara and said casually, "So Spike asked you to bring him blood?"

"Hmm?" Tara blinked at her. "Oh, no. I offered. Dawn fell asleep on top of him and I offered to get him the blood after she went to shower. I figured it was only polite..."

"I think you should be careful," Willow said haughtily. "Spike isn't trustworthy."

Tara's eyes narrowed and she turned to face Willow. "That's horrible to say, Willow," her girlfriend said angrily. "Spike would die for Dawn and for Buffy. You know that. I don't understand why you can't give him a chance."

"And I don't understand how you can be so naive!" Willow snapped. "He doesn't care about us or anyone else. All he wants is to get into Buffy's pants! He's a vampire and he has nothing good in him!"

"You're wrong," Tara said stiffly as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I've seen his aura Willow. It's nothing like other vampires. It has color in it. So many that I've lost track. He loves Buffy and Dawn. I know he does because I can see it."

"Whatever," Willow said angrily. "Go and be with your best friend Spike and your friend Luna. Apparently, I'm not good enough!" She strode past Tara angrily and the white witch spun around to gape after her, blue eyes troubled as she thought, 'Oh Willow, what's wrong with you?'

- -

Luna walked down the street towards the Magic Box, her black knee-length trench flaring behind her like wings. She paused as she heard a wolf whistle and turned to look at a group of young men standing on the corner. Shaking her head, the Seer crossed the street at a jog and entered the Magic Box, pausing as she saw Anya look up and then look down with a frown.

"Good morning Anya," she greeted the ex-demon with a smile but it faded as the young woman said, "I'm sorry but unless you're going to purchase something, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Anya?" Luna said with a frown. "Anya, what is it? What's bothering you?"

A quick flash of thought, a scene flashed before her, and Luna took a step back, hurt written on her features as the other woman looked up with a gasp. "Oh!" Anya cried. "Oh, Luna! I'm so sorry, I forgot that you could read minds and I just..."

"You believe that?" Luna whispered sadly. "You believe that I'm only nice to you because of Buffy?"

"I don't know," Anya wailed as she buried her head into her hands. "I don't know what to believe. Xander knows Buffy so well and Willow and I just don't fit in..."

"Anya," Luna said quietly. "I swear to you, I like you for who you are. Not who you know. I don't care about your past or who you're dating or how much money you're making." She shrugged slightly. "I just want a friend. Is that so bad?"

"No," Anya agreed softly. "It isn't. But Xander is the man I love and I don't want to hurt him."

"Well, then," Luna tilted her chin up slightly, sadness in her eyes. "I guess I should go. Tell Rupert that I want everyone to go to Buffy and Dawn's home later today, around six. I have information..."

"All right," Anya agreed and watched as Luna turned, walking towards the front door. "I want you to know," she called stopping the Seer in her tracks. "That I would've liked to have been your friend. I think we would've complimented each other nicely."

Luna said nothing merely opened the door and walked outside. Anya sighed heavily and buried her head into her hands. Outside, Luna leaned against the side of the store, tears sliding slowly down her cheeks. Wiping at her eyes, she thought, 'You knew she would choose him. You knew...'

She straightened her shoulders and walked down the street. Despite her knowledge of the future, of things to come, Luna knew that she wasn't prepared for the pain...

No matter what she told herself.

Meanwhile, Anya sat in the store, staring at her hands as she thought to herself. She didn't look up as Giles entered, saying, "Good morning Anya..." or how he paused at her quiet reply to look at her. Concern filled the Watcher's eyes as he said, "Anya? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," Anya said quietly as she looked up at Giles. "I'm perfectly fine."

"I see," Giles said slowly. He frowned and said, "What is bothering you?"

"Do you think," Anya began as she looked at him. "That I can't make friends of my own? That I'm incapable of it? That I have nothing to offer other than money smarts or absolutely no tact?"

"What in the world brought this on?" Giles asked, disturbed at the sadness in her eyes.

"Xander and Willow think that Luna's only being nice to me," Anya said softly. "And Tara because of Buffy. They say that she doesn't really care about us, just tolerates us. Do you think they're right?"

Giles pulled off his glasses, saying, "Uh, when did they say this to you?"

"They didn't," Anya said quietly. "I overheard Xander on the phone. He told Willow that he didn't want me to get hurt so he would ask me to stop being Luna's friend..."

Tears filled the ex-demon's eyes as she sobbed, "And I don't want to stop being her friend! I like her because she doesn't think I'm weird or stupid because I ask things or that I talk too much about money and she doesn't care about my past!"

Giles blinked a few times at the venom and fury in Anya's voice. Placing his glasses back onto his face, he said delicately, "And you...?"

"I hurt Luna's feelings," Anya whispered. "She came in about twenty minutes ago. And I told her I didn't want to hurt Xander's feeling so we couldn't be friends anymore..."

"Oh, my dear girl," Giles sighed heavily as he reached out to take Anya's hands in his. "Anya, I know you have lived many years but sometimes you are still so young. Xander should not force you to do anything you do not want. It isn't right of him to make you do anything, no matter how much he says he loves you or how much you love him."

Giles studied Anya's tear streaked face and continued, "Furthermore, I am deeply disappointed that he would believe such a thing of Luna. She's younger than all of you except Dawn and is lost and confused. I've spoken with her about her past and I am amazed at the courage in that girl. She deserves our respect and trust." A frown creased his brow as he added, "Which I find Willow and Xander are to be taught of. I will speak to them both later today."

Anya nodded sniffling miserably and Giles smiled as he wiped her face with a handkerchief. "Come now," he said gently. "No more tears."

"All right," the young woman said softly. "Thank you Giles."

Giles smiled in reply.

- -

Glory scowled as Caleb led her down into a pit, her eyes narrowing as she looked around. "Well," she said sarcastically. "I'm impressed. I didn't think priests hung out in pits of dirt."

"Don't you feel it?" Caleb asked the Hellgod as he went to the middle of the room. "The power that lies here?" He picked up two shovels that were shoved into the dirt and tossed one to the Hellgod, saying, "Start digging."

"Excuse me?" Glory said arching her brow as she held out the shovel with distaste written on her features. "I do not do dirty work. That's what I have minions for," she added brightly causing Caleb to sigh heavily as he looked up at the ceiling.

"Either you shovel," he said through gritted teeth. "Or I make you shovel." He smiled charmingly and Glory let out a huff of irritation as she went over beside him, saying, "Fine! But I'd like to state that this is completely beneath me and next time, I bring minions."

Caleb grunted in retort and soon the two had unearthed a section of the seal that held the the Hellmouth. He allowed a smile to cross his features and looked up as the figure of his Master slid out of the shadows. The dark-haired boy smiled at the seal and said, pleasure lining his voice, "Oh, it's beautiful, isn't it? Such craftsmanship!"

Glory frowned and said, "What is it?"

"The beginning," the boy said. "And the end."

"Riddles are irritating," the Hellgod snapped and the boy laughed as his form changed into that of tall, willowy woman with deep pools of black for eyes and hair like ink. She swayed to music only she could hear and said, "It's the King's picnic and birthday, rolled into one! There'll be sweets for those who hunger and play the game..."

Glory frowned deeper and Caleb said, "Shall we open it my Master?"

"It's not time yet," the woman said eerily as her body changed again to a dark, brooding man with dark eyes. "It's not nearly time," the figure who looked like Angelus murmured. "This world will open it's jaws and swallow all of us whole." A malicious grin spread across his face. "I can't wait to hear the virgin's scream in sorrow and pain, like a sonata."

"We need blood to open it," Caleb said respectfully. "An innocent perhaps?"

"No," Angelus drawled as he became a slim Asian girl with sad eyes. "No, a vampire's. A vampire who has killed a Slayer." A slow smile spread across her face as she changed into a vampire familiar to both of the super humans. "And I think you've got some huntin' to do. A little violence never harmed a soul...much."

Glory sneered and Caleb bowed his head in difference as the blonde who looked like Spike laughed.

--

Luna looked up as familiar voices sounded down the block. Taking a drag of her cigarette, she nodded towards Tara and Dawn as they walked up the front door. Dawn frowned and said, "Why are you waiting outside?" as she studied her sister's face. Luna shrugged and said quietly, "Didn't feel like listening to the whispers."

The Seer stood up, dropping the cigarette on the ground and crushed it beneath her booted foot. She motioned for the other two to pass and frowned as Tara walked by her. Grabbing Tara's arm, she said lowly, "Tara. Has something happened to you?"

"No," Tara said blinking at her. "Why?"

Luna tilted her head to the side and narrowed her gaze as she listened to Tara's thoughts. She let the white witch go and said, "You're missing memories."

"What?" Tara said surprise coloring her features. Luna stared at her and repeated, "You're missing memories Tara. There's a slate missing in your mind. That's not normal Tara."

Tara frowned deeply and the two young women looked to the house. Willow appeared in the doorway and said, "C'mon you two. Buffy wants to start the meeting."

Luna nodded and said, "Yeah, we're coming in." She glanced over at Tara, who was slightly pale and took her arm gently. Tara inhaled sharply and whispered, "She did it, didn't she?"

Luna sighed and Tara's face hardened as she turned, walking up the steps into the house. Shaking her head, the Seer went after her and paused at the sight of everyone else. Spike was lying on the couch, pain written on his face as Buffy settled him down, saying, "I told you that this was a bad idea. It's not like you can't hear from upstairs."

"Rather be in the thick of it," Spike retorted as he gritted his teeth as Buffy gently set his legs on the sofa. He groaned as flashes of pain fired up his legs and Buffy worried her lip as she peered at him. Luna shook her head and went over to the white bowl she had left at the house since Spike's return. Picking it up, she carried it over to the vampire and set it down on the coffee table.

Spike's expression of pain faded gradually until he looked relaxed. Luna chuckled and said, "Better?"

"Much," Spike purred happily as he settled down. "What's in the bowl?"

"Healing spell," Luna said. "I figured you'd need it. Plus, so would the rest of the occupants of the house if they got hurt somehow."

The Cockney vampire eyed the Seer for a moment and then said gruffly, "Ta then Luna."

"No problem," the Seer shrugged and looked around at the others. She placed her hands on her hips and said, "Okay. Let's start this then?"

Giles pulled out a small notebook and pen, causing Luna's lips to twitch in a tiny smile. She shook her head and said, "Right. Let me start at the beginning..."

"The beginning?" Buffy repeated and Luna nodded, sitting down on the coffee table. "I was four years old," she began as she stared down at her hands. "When I first got the visions. Not just of Buffy but of Dawn too. And of other things; things that you only think exist in your deepest, darkest heart of hearts. Things that are so evil, you can't believe that they're real..."

"His name," she said quietly. "Was Jamie. He was my best friend up until I was thirteen years old. We grew up together, shared the same birthday. He was my whole world."

Luna closed her hands into fist as she said lowly, "And then he was murdered. Killed. Right before his parent's eyes."

"Who killed him?" Dawn asked tears in her eyes as she stared at her sister. Luna lifted her head up, hazel eyes cold with pain. She looked at Buffy and said, "You saw him when we rescued Spike. The priest."

Buffy's eyes widened and she said, "A priest killed him?"

"A soul," Luna said, "Does not create a good man. Souls are fickle things Buffy. They can be good or evil. But they are not what makes a man, a man. Nor are they what makes a human, a human. Caleb killed Jamie to get to me. He works for It."

"It?" Giles queried and Luna looked at him.

"The First," she said quietly. "Caleb is It's minion, infused with the power of the First. He's evil, through and through."

"But he's human," Buffy whispered. "Why...?"

"Demons and man?" Luna turned to her. "Created by the same being. There is no pure evil or pure good Buffy. There are rare souls, such as Tara here, who are pure in heart and in mind. But there is not pure evil. Everyone has facets of themselves hidden inside. Demons are unfortunate enough to have those facets out there for all to see."

Luna sighed. "Jamie had known about my powers. About the dreams, the visions. Caleb killed him for it because he knew if I lost everything important, I wouldn't want to fight." Her eyes darkened and her tone hardened. "At least, he thought I wouldn't want to fight."

"Who found him?" Dawn whispered.

"I found his parents dead," Luna said, her eyes taking on a faraway look. "They were lying in a pool of their own blood. The name of a nearby church was written on the wall. So I went and I saw him lying at the end of the aisle..."

Buffy jerked suddenly and then...

A flash and Buffy blinked as she found herself watching a younger Luna run down the candle lit aisle of a church. She fell to her knees beside a young boy with dark hair and dark eyes, screaming and crying as she lifted his head into her lap. Blood covered her hands and she sobbed loudly as she said the boy's name.

A figure slid out of the shadows, the same sandy-haired man from the other night, Buffy realized with dread. He wore a priest's outfit, a smile that didn't reach his eyes on his face. He chuckled and Luna's head snapped up, eyes glowing silver as she glared at the man.

"Murderer," Luna hissed as tears slid down her face. The non-priest laughed and said, "Oh I beg to differ child. I'm not the one with the blood staining my hands."

Luna's eyes dropped down to her hands and she screamed.

"BUFFY!"

She gasped as she shot up, almost hitting her head on Willow's chin. The redheaded witch stumbled back from the gasping Slayer and looked over at Dawn who was pale and trembling. Luna was silent, still sitting on the table, and staring down at her hands. Buffy winced and lifted a hand to her throbbing forehead, saying, "What happened...?"

"You and Dawnie fainted," Tara answered as she helped Dawn gently to her feet, gathering the younger girl close to her side. "When Luna said she found Jamie at the end of the aisle, both of your eyes lit up and you both fainted..."

"Lit up?" Buffy repeated confused. "What do you mean lit up?"

"Your eyes were glowing red," Willow said concerned. "And Dawnie's were bright green."

"What did you do to them?" Xander demanded loudly as he spun to glare at Luna, who looked up at him with surprise. "You did something. A spell or something."

"I haven't done a damn thing," Luna said stiffly. "To Dawn or Buffy. They're my sisters and I would never hurt them."

"You did something," Xander insisted. "I know you did. What was it?"

Luna got to her feet, eyes narrowed as she said, "I didn't do anything!"

"Liar!" Xander snarled and reached out for her arm. He grabbed her, yanking her forward, causing the others to cry out in alarm as Luna's eyes flared silver. Before anyone knew it, Xander was thrown up against the far wall, landing in a heap on the floor. Luna stepped forward, eyes filled with fury as she roared, "Don't you ever touch me!"

Buffy stepped forward, angling her body to protect Xander's and Luna sneered as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "I forgot," she said. "No hurting the human's right Buffy?"

"Back off," Buffy ordered as Xander stumbled to his feet, his face an ugly shade of purple. "Xander can't fight you Luna. I can."

"No," Luna said as she straightened her back. "You can't. Not if you continue to be blind to what's before your very eyes. Not if you continue to think that this whole idea of normalcy if meant for you."

Buffy's eyes narrowed as she said, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You're the Slayer," she said. "The longest living one in history. Do you understand what that means Buffy? Can you possibly comprehend what it means to be filled with that power?"

Buffy was silent and Luna shook her head in disgust as she said, "I accepted my fate when I was a kid Buffy because I knew I wouldn't get the white picket fence. I knew that I wouldn't be able to have a normal life because I wasn't meant for it. You were Chosen. Out of so many girls in this universe, you were Chosen."

She looked behind her to glare at Xander. "And he still believes," she said. "That a part of you will get tired of the life you've led and you'll give yourself to him. Demons are evil, right Xander? What of Anya? Cordelia? What about all the demons in this world who look human and are peaceful?"

"There are no peaceful demons," Xander spat and Luna laughed as she said, "Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night Xander. After all, you lied to Buffy about what Willow said that night, didn't you?" A nasty smile slid over her features. "Kick his ass, she said. Or am I remembering wrong?"

"What?" Willow said her voice alarmed. "Who's ass? What kicking?"

"Angelus," Buffy whispered as she turned to face Xander, her eyes wide. "You knew. About his soul."

Xander shifted uncomfortably and Luna shook her head, sadness brimming in her eyes. "He wanted Angel gone," she said quietly. "So that you could finally see him. But you can't force someone to love you Xander. Love isn't about right or wrong, it just is."

She looked around the room. "And I'm gone," she said. "I'll see you back at your place Rupert." With a shimmer, Luna vanished and Buffy stared at Xander, who stammered, "Buffy..."

"Get out."

The coldness in her voice and the hard look in her eyes had Xander deflating. Desperation fueled his voice as he lashed out, saying, "She's trying to manipulate you."

"Maybe Luna is," Buffy said coldly. "But considering that your guilt is written all over your face, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. Get out. And stay out."

"Fine!" he spat. "Fine! Believe her! I don't care. Come on Anya." He walked towards the front door and paused as he turned to stare at his girlfriend. "Anya?"

Anya stared back at him. "I'm staying Xander," she said quietly. "And I'm...it's done. It's over. I can't...I can't be Buffy for you. I'm not her and I'll never be her. And I won't be her substitute."

Xander's gaze darkened furiously and he snarled something unintelligible. The door slammed shut behind him and Buffy spun to face Giles. "I want to know everything," she said. "Everything you've found on Luna and the First. I want to know soon."

Next Chapter Six: And Darkly Bright Are Bright in Dark Directed...