The Seer Chapter 6: And Darkly Bright, a buffy: the vampire slayer fanfic

Chapter Six: And Darkly Bright Are Bright in Dark Directed

"Let me guess," Luna said as Giles entered his apartment. She sat on the sofa, legs curled beneath her, a bottle of beer dangling from her fingers. Squinting at him, she added, "Buffy wants to know about me and the First. And she wants to me explain what I mean by demons having souls, right?"

"Mind reading is unbecoming of you," Giles said wearily and Luna shrugged. "Can't turn it off," she reminded him. "It's not a light switch Rupert. It's a power and a curse. And a gift."

"Can't you just ignore the thoughts?"

"Believe me," Luna twisted her lips upwards into a supposed smile. "I've tried." She lurched up to her feet and added, "I'm getting some sleep." Walking past him, she paused briefly and then turned to look at him. "I know you think," she said. "I'm nothing but a troubled young woman. And I know you believe that demons cannot be good but they can. Spike didn't change because of the chip or because of a higher purpose. He changed because he has always been led by his heart."

"He's a vampire who has killed two Slayers," Giles said stiffly as he faced the young woman. "I tend to keep that in mind."

She smiled mysteriously. "You think you know what he is, what's to come," she replied as she began to walk up the stairs. "But the truth is? He hasn't even begun." With those words, she disappeared from Giles's view and left him with nothing but more questions.

Buffy knew she was dreaming as soon as she opened her eyes. For one thing, her mother stood before her, wearing a long white gown and a bright smile. She turned and watched Dawn pick flowers off the ground and place them in a basket, Spike standing beside her holding the basket. The sunlight glinted off his hair and he laughed at something Dawn said.

"What's he doing in the sunlight?" Buffy asked concerned and Joyce replied, "Because you are letting him step into the sunlight."

"Won't he get hurt?" she asked as she began to walk forward but paused as Joyce's hand caught her wrist. "No," her mother said as she watched Dawn and Spike talk and pick flowers. "He's protecting Dawn."

"From what?" Buffy asked and Joyce smiled. "He's always protected Dawn," she said as she led Buffy down towards a nearby river. "He and Dawn don't need you now Buffy."

""Mom-"

"Shh," Joyce hushed. "Listen."

Buffy frowned and then looked up towards the river. The sound of a girl crying had her frowning deeper and she said hesitantly, "Who is that?"

"Your sister."

"Dawnie?"

"No," Joyce smiled sadly. "Your other sister. She needs you now Buffy. More than you will ever realize."

"She's powerful," Buffy said quietly, a small bit of envy in her heart of hearts. "More powerful than me."

"No," Joyce turned and began to walk back up the hill. "She just learned to accept her power. You think you know what you are, what's to come. You haven't even begun."

"Mom?"

"I need to go now Buffy," Joyce's voice traveled back down. "Luna needs you now."

"Mom!"

Buffy shot up with a gasp, chest heaving as she sat in the living room. She groaned and squinted as she rubbed her hands over her eyes, the ache in her neck making her wince in pain. Looking around, she blinked as she saw that Spike was sleeping peacefully on the sofa and sighed as she stood up to turn off the television and close the curtains. As she finished, she paused at the sound of raised voices upstairs.

Turning, she watched as Willow came rushing down the stairs and out the door. Concerned, she began to follow but watched as Tara appeared on the stairs, anger and pain written on her soft features. "Tara?" she asked concerned and the white witch turned to look at the Slayer.

"Oh," Tara said embarrassed. "Oh, Buffy. I didn't know you were awake..."

"Are you okay?" Buffy asked instead and Tara looked down at the ground, hair falling forward to hide the tears rapidly filling her eyes. The Slayer frowned deeply and Tara said softly, "Willow...she and I have been fighting but it's okay. We'll try not to bother you with our problems..."

"Hey," Buffy said mildly insulted. "Tara, you're my friend too, you know. I mean, I thought you were unless you don't want to be in which case I'll shut up now about the friends thing."

Tara smiled slightly and with a sigh, said, "No, no, we're friends. I just...I can't deal with Willow right now."

"What did she do?" Buffy asked. "What were you fighting about?"

Tara shrugged. "It's nothing," she lied as she turned and went up the stairs. "I'm going to take a bath and get some sleep. Good night Buffy."

"Night Tara," Buffy frowned deeply as she watched the witch disappear from her view. Sighing, she turned and paused as she studied Spike sleeping peacefully on the sofa, the white bowl Luna had left glittering silver slightly. She hesitated and then stepped foward, kneeling beside the healing vampire, ghosting her hand over his face.

He slept peacefully, his face drawn in an expression of contentment that made her smile slightly. She had seen Spike angry, resentful, jealous, hurt, and sad but never content. It made her feel warm inside her belly as she ghosted her fingers over his mouth. His lips parted and he let out a sigh that had her jerking her fingers back.

"Buffy..."

She smiled and kissed his brow gently before rising to her feet. Going up the stairs, she closed her eyes as she laid down on her bed. She slept and dreamt of a blue-eyed, fair-haired vampire.

Tara looked up as the timid knock sounded on her door. She smiled as Dawn poked her head in, saying, "Hey sweetie. What is it?"

"Can I talk to you?" Dawn asked hesitantly and Tara nodded, waving her in. Brushing her wet hair, she said, "What's the matter Dawn? Do you need my help with something?"

"No," Dawn took a deep breath. "I came to help you. You're missing memories, right?"

Tara's eyes widened and Dawn rushed to explain, saying, "I heard you and Luna. I can help Tara; I'm the Key right? Well, when Luna did that thing where I found out who I am, I learned what I do and I learned that I can unlock things. Like your memories. Will you let me try?"

"Dawnie," Tara said troubled. "I don't know if I should. Buffy wouldn't like it and..."

"She doesn't need to know," Dawn pleaded. "Tara, please? I want to help."

She hesitated, her confusion and hurt over Willow's obvious deceit making her waver. Finally, she said, "Let me set up a protection spell first. That way no one else but you and me will be affected. Okay?"

Dawn clapped her hands together with glee as she scrambled into the room, shutting the door behind her. She watched as Tara set up a few crystals, her eyes wide with curiosity. When the white witch finished, she turn and said, "Now, how do you want to do this?"

"Sit here," Dawn said pointing in front of her after a moment's thought. Tara obliged and Dawn crossed her legs beneath her Indian-style, Tara copying her with a smile. Taking Tara's hands in hers, Dawn said nervously, "Now, this is my first time trying this okay? So, bear with me..."

Tara smiled warmly and nodded, although nervousness gnawed at her insides. She watched as Dawn closed her eyes and her brow furrowed. Minutes passed and suddenly as Tara began to think maybe she should put a stop this, Dawn's eyes snapped open, revealing a brilliant green color as she stared at Tara. She cocked her head to the side and then smiled.

Tara reeled back, her hands falling from Dawn's as the fight arose anew in her mind. She gasped as she remembered Willow's harsh words of anger and jealousy. Dawn blinked, her eyes a clear blue as she said worriedly, "Tara?" as she reached for the crying witch. Tara shook her head and said softly, "I'm sorry Dawnie. Oh God, Dawn..."

"Tara?"

Tara closed her eyes and let Dawn gather her into her arms, weeping softly as she realized that Willow had finally broken the trust she had in their relationship.

Willow stormed down the street angrily as she shoved her hands into her pockets. Rubbing her cheek against her shoulder, she thought furiously, 'I can't believe Tara would think I'm abusing my magic! How dare she accuse me of that!'

Ignoring the tiny voice that murmured Tara was right, she rounded the corner and came face to face with Amy. The two girls stared at each other before Amy said, "Fight with Tara?"

Willow shrugged. "Yeah. You?"

Amy made a face and said, "As much as I love my dad, his wanting to be together all the time is starting to creep me out. Wanna go hang somewhere?"

"Sure," Willow agreed and they walked off together, Amy saying, "I know this amazing place for us magic users..."

In Giles's apartment, Luna stirred but didn't awaken.

Black. Not whole. Cut into two. The simpering wimp and the confident witch. She's confused, she's angry, she's hurting...

White light is gone.

Tara. Tara. Tara, no!

This world must die. This world stole her. It must be punished.

Armageddon must be brought...

Luna shot up with a gasp, her eyes snapping open as she stared at the walls of the room. She shuddered as she remembered her vision, the blackness in Willow's eyes and murmured, "Vision. Tara..."

Grief filled her as she remembered the white witch's fate. To die so suddenly, so simply in a world of supernatural causes...

She couldn't stop it, she could feel that in her bones. Tara was meant for greater things than mortality...

Luna slipped out of bed, pulling on her discarded jeans and grabbing a sweatshirt from her bag. Pulling it on, she slid on her boots and slid out the door soundlessly, running towards Revello Drive. She had the feeling something horrible was going to happen...

To Dawn.

Willow giggled as she stumbled into the house, shushing herself. She staggered to her feet and turned around, frowning as she saw Spike's sleeping form on the couch. Glaring at the vampire, she muttered, "I should stake you now." She stepped forward but the bowl on the coffee table glowed silver brightly, causing her to hiss in irritation. Grumbling, she turned and paused as Dawn appeared at the foot of the stairs, frowning at her with curiosity. "Willow? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Dawnie," Willow said giggling and Dawn frowned deeper as nervousness crept into her stomach. Willow stumbled past her to the kitchen, saying, "I had such a fun time with Amy tonight."

"Where have you been though?" Dawn asked as she followed her. "We were worried about you."

Willow scoffed. "Right," she rolled her eyes as she looked in the fridge. She pouted and said, "No food." A smile lit up her face as she turned and pointed at the table, a plate of spaghetti appearing and making Dawn jump in surprise. "Yummy!"

Dawn eyed the plate of pasta suspiciously and said, "I thought you weren't supposed to use magic for things like that..."

"Please," Willow waved a hand dismissively. "It's not hurting anyone. Hey, it's early and I'm so not feeling tired. Wanna go see a movie?"

Dawn hesitated but nodded. "Ok."

Willow clapped her hands excitedly and said, "Great, okay, let's go now..."

She grabbed Dawn's hand and pulled her towards the door, Dawn grabbing her coat on the way with an expression of confusion. Willow laughed and said, "We don't even have to walk..." as her eyes turned black and Dawn shrieked as suddenly they stood in the middle of an alley.

"What?" she gasped spinning around. "Where?" Dawn turned but Willow was stumbling up towards an alley. "Willow?"

Luna staggered as she pounded on the front door, cursing under her breath as she doubled over. Pain flared in her chest as she gasped for breath and the door opened, causing her to almost fall flat on her face. Tara managed to catch her and said, alarmed, "Luna?" as Buffy came stumbling down the stairs.

"Where's Dawn and Willow?" Luna demanded hoarsely as she pushed herself away from the white witch. Buffy frowned deeply at the pale color of her sister's skin and said, "What?"

"Willow," Luna repeated. "Dawn. Where are they?"

Tara's eyes widened and she turned, going up the stairs and returning with worry written on her features. "Dawn's not in her room," she said and Buffy cursed, turning and running up the stairs. Returning in jeans and a leather jacket, she paused as she saw Luna standing over Spike, the bowl in her hands. The Seer tipped it over the sleeping vampire and he shot up with a shout, eyes widening as white light spilled from his nose, eyes, and mouth.

Spike blinked and said sleepily, "What...?" as Buffy rushed over to check on him. Surprise flickered over the Slayer's features as she said, "You're healed..."

Spike looked down at his body and blinked as he looked up at Luna. She shrugged and said grimly, "Dawn needs you. Let's go."

"Willow? What...?" Dawn hurried after the redheaded witch and Willow said, "It's fine, I just need to make a quick stop..." as Dawn looked around the room that suddenly appeared. She hesitated, asking nervously, "What is this place? Why is it hidden?"

"I don't know," Willow said as she walked towards the door. "It's cool, isn't it. Okay, you just hang here for a minute and I'll be back." She paused and turned her head to look at Dawn. "You want me to conjure you a magazine or something?"

"I want," Dawn said as she backed away from a guy sitting in one of the chairs. "To go to the movies."

"We'll make it, I'll just be minute," Willow said reassuringly but Dawn swallowed as the green eyes flickered black briefly. "And it doesn't matter if we miss the trailers..."

The door closed behind her and Dawn stared as she said softly, "But I like the trailers."

"Where are we going?" Buffy demanded as Luna walked briskly ahead of her. Luna didn't look back as she said grimly, "I had a feeling that your friend was getting in to deep. She's with Rack."

"Rack?" Spike repeated disbelievingly and the look of confusion on Buffy's face, added, "He deals in magic. Black stuff, dangerous."

"So, where is he?" Buffy asked and Spike shook his head, saying, "You can't feel his place, it's cloaked. Unless you're a witch or a vampire or-"

"Me," Luna said as she stopped in front of an alley. Her hands flared silver and she said darkly, "And Dawn was here."

Dawn stopped and looked around the empty street, Willow doing the same. "What now?" the witch asked irritably as she turned to look at her. Dawn frowned and scanned the darkness, shaking her head as she turned to Willow. "I thought I heard something."

"God, you're becoming just like Buffy," Willow said rolling her eyes as she put her hands on her hips. "Paranoid and thinking everything is demonic..."

Dawn stiffened as a feeling crawling up her spine. She turned her head slowly and said, "I'm getting out of here..." as she began to walk quickly, Willow following. "Dawnie, don't," she cajoled. "It was probably just a cat or something..."

Dawn screamed.

Luna's head snapped up as a scream echoed down the street, Spike and Buffy both jerking to a stop. Her eyes flashed silver as she said, "We're too late..." as she took off, Spike and Buffy on her heels. Buffy's eyes widened in horror as she saw the crumpled car and her baby sister on the ground, a red demon hovering over her.

"Dawn!" she screamed as she flew through the air, Luna joining her as Spike rushed over to the fallen girl. Gently, he checked over the brunette's injuries, shaking his head at the sight of her broken arm. Luna doubled back as Buffy faced off on the demon, saying, "Dawn? Sweetie, are you okay?"

"Don't touch it," the younger girl sobbed as she jerked away from Luna's outstretched fingers. Luna paused, fingers hovering over her sister as she said gently, "I won't, I promise. I'll just do something for the pain, okay?"

"It won't hurt?" Dawn whispered, tear-filled eyes flickering up to meet Luna's.

"It won't hurt."

Suddenly, the demon began to scream and the three looked over to see Buffy staring at it with confusion. The creature dissolved into sparks and smoke, revealing Willow standing behind him, magic crackling around her fingers. She leaned heavily against a wall, panting as she met Buffy's eyes with her own black orbs. The Slayer broke the gaze and turned, rushing over to her sisters and Spike, saying, "Dawn?" as she saw her younger sister sobbing.

"What happened?" Buffy demanded as she knelt beside the crying girl. "Are you okay?"

"He was after Willow," Dawn sobbed. "She made the car drive..."

Buffy's lips tightened at that and she gently touched her sister's tear-streaked face, saying, "I need to see your arm, okay?"

"Dawn?" Willow asked, limping over to her, blood on her face. Spike snarled, his eyes flickering amber as Luna straightened up. "Oh god, there's blood."

"Not just on her," Luna observed as she stepped in front of the others. "Don't come any closer, you got it?"

"Is she okay?" Willow asked frantically, tears sliding down her face. "Is she okay?"

"Okay," Buffy said to Spike as they helped Dawn stand. "We need to get her to a doctor."

"Back off," Luna warned as she turned to help. Buffy paused and met the other girl's eyes, Luna nodding as the Slayer stepped away to face Willow. The witch didn't notice, rushing past her, saying, "Dawnie! Dawnie! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, it was an accident, I didn't see-"

Dawn glared at her, angry tears in her eyes as she swung up her uninjured arm, slapping Willow hard across the face. Buffy looked away while Luna tightened her jaw and Spike gently tugged on Dawn as Willow cried, brokenly, "Dawnie! Dawnie, don't!"

"C'mon now," Spike said as he gently led Dawn away, Luna following as Willow fell to the ground, sobbing hysterically. Buffy watched her baby sister leave and turned to glare at Willow, who sobbed loudly as she curled into the dirt.

"Get up," the Slayer ordered harshly and Willow sobbed, "I screwed it up, everything, Tara..."

Buffy shook her head and reached up, pulling Willow to her feet. "Yeah, you know what? You did screw up, okay? You could have killed Dawn! You almost did!"

"I know!" Willow screamed at her. "I know! I can't stop Buffy. I tried and I can't."

"Bullshit," Buffy said coldly as she pushed Willow in the shoulder, hard. "You can stop Willow. You just won't."

"I can't!" Willow insisted. "I can't, I just, I need help. Please..." She fell into Buffy's arms, sobbing. "Please, help me, Buffy. Please."

Buffy stayed frozen, arms at her sides as her friend sobbed on her shoulder. She closed her eyes, pained as she said quietly, "I can't help you Willow. You're the only one who can." She pushed Willow away and said, "And I can't have you near Dawn or anyone else until I know you're better. Magic is in you and you have to learn how to control it. Until then, I can't have you near my family. Or me."

"You're abandoning me?" Willow whispered, green eyes wide and frantic. "Buffy, please..."

"No!" Buffy said stepping back. "No! If Luna hadn't come to the house tonight, knowing something was wrong with Dawn, she would be dead, Will. Dead. My baby sister would have been killed by a demon that you summoned here!" She shook her head angrily. "I won't have you near her again. I mean it. I want you out of my house Willow. Out of my house and out of my life until this, this is fixed."

"You trust Luna?" Willow hissed, anger flaring in her eyes. "You trust her more than me?"

"I trust her," Buffy said quietly. "To remember to do what it takes to keep Dawn safe. And I don't think you can remember that right now." She inhaled sharply and exhaled through her nose as she said, "I want you gone by the time I come back from the hospital. You wait until Tara leaves the house and then you get your things and go. Where, I don't care, Will. But someplace you can't hurt Dawn or anyone else."

"Buffy-"

"I'm sorry Willow."

Buffy turned and walked away, leaving Willow distraught and hurt. Anger flared in the witch's face as she screamed, "You're sorry! You aren't sorry you ungrateful..." as she rushed at the Slayer's back. Buffy reacted, her body moving smoothly as she threw Willow over her shoulder, swallowing as her best friend's form hit the ground. Regret filled her as she whispered fiercely, "That wasn't even my full strength. Don't test me Willow."

Then, she turned and disappeared into the night.

Next Chapter Seven: Hast All the All of Me...