Warning: minor character death.

Chapter 22

Faith found herself in a land of mist. The ground was solid beneath her feet, but she couldn't see very far, the fog too heavy. Finally, she saw a shape moving towards her, and readied a battle stance, just in case it wasn't friendly. It became clear that the shape was a person, then a woman, and then someone she knew.

"Willow?"

"Hi, Faith," she greeted, waggling her fingers.

"Where the hell are we?"

"We're in the in-between, Faith. It's a sort of meeting place, for spirits and their guides."

"Huh? What spirits? What guides?"

"Do you remember fighting on the Hellmouth, Faith?"

"Yeah…Wes and Fred were there, too, and we were fighting these wicked Gorlachs that wanted to open the damn gateway. It was a hell of a fight, and Wes was pretty handy with the mojo, too. The last thing I remember before showin' up here was that things had gotten pretty intense, and I yelled at Wes to get Fred out. She had a nasty gash on head wand was starting to wobble. I got stuck, but it hardly slowed me down, Will, and I killed that last son of a bitch before he could open the portal."

"You died, Faith. That's why you're here. Your would was mortal, it just took some time because you're a Slayer."

"I…died?" Faith whispered.

"Yeah, but you went down a hero. You made everybody proud, Faith, with how you turned your life around in Cleveland."

"It was nothin'," she shrugged off. "I just grew up, is all."

"Well, either way, I'm here to guide you to where you belong. It's not far."

"Willow, are you dead, too?"

"Nah…this is just an astral projection of me. I'm actually sitting in Canada right now. Basically, today is the first day of my new job." They started casually walking, Willow seeming to know the exact path.

"New job?"

"As a Guardian of the Slayer line. We watch the Watchers and the Slayers, only the Powers want us to take a more…proactive approach now. And so, here's me."

"Whoa. That's some gig. Well, you always were the responsible one…"

"Yep…well, here's your stop. Just walk up to the guy at the desk there. He'll buzz you in."

"Uh, thanks…and Willow…"

"Hmm?"

"Tell B I'm sorry, for all the shit I put her through. She's kinda been my compass for the new life, you know. 'What would Buffy do?', and stuff. I hope she got that happy life she was always going on about."

"Yeah, she did…and I'll tell her what you said."

"Cool. Later, Will. Good luck…" Faith walked up to the desk, and then, through the door opened for her. The bright light hid her from Willow's view, just before the door closed again.

"Time to go home," the new Guardian said to herself.

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Tara took a vegetarian casserole out of the oven, just before the doorbell rang.

"Just a minute!" she called, setting down the dish on the stove, then pulling off her oven mitts. "I'm coming," she said, unlocked the door, and opened it to her visitor.

"Hi, Baby."

Tara's face held a mix of shock and joy, before she recovered and rushed forward to kiss Willow passionately.

"You're really here! There's so much to tell you," Tara said tearfully, pulling Willow inside.

"I have a whole lot to tell you, too!"

"Well, that can wait. You're just in time for dinner. God, Willow, it's so good to have you home!" They hugged again, unable to stop touching.

"You have no idea how good it is to be here. I've been stuck in Canada all these months with my teacher, and we hardly ever left the house. So, you moved back to Sunnydale, huh?"

"Yeah…the apartment was too expensive to keep on just my salary, and it wasn't the same without you…I stayed with Kara and Spike for a couple weeks, then came up here. I've been working at The Magic Box ever since. It makes Giles happy, since he can spend more time with Joyce. Oh, and you probably know, but the Hellmouth is closed, and Buffy and Sebastian have pretty much cleared out the harmful demons, so Sunnydale's been thriving. It's kind of weird," Tara rambled.

"I'll bet…actually, I'll need to get in touch with Buffy really soon. We need to discuss stuff about why I was gone, and why I'm back. Um, gosh…I'm sorry – my mind's running all over the place, thinking about everything I need to do…but, I have time to spend tonight with you, so…what's for dinner?"

"Just a casserole. It makes good leftovers."

"Well, I always loved it, and I'm starved! Teleporting is hard work."

Willow briefly explained everything to Tara over dinner, stressing that Tara was to be an asset to the new plan, too. They caught up on Tara's side of the past months, then went to bed to make up for lost time.

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"Could you call a Scooby meeting for tonight, baby? I'd rather just tell this story once," Willow asked the next morning.

"Of course. I'll make sure everyone knows it's important."

"What's up, Tara? You wanted to see all of us?" Buffy asked that evening.

"Actually, I'm not the one who wanted the meeting…"

"Willow!" Willow suddenly found herself a Xander and Buffy sandwich.

"Uh, guys…air?"

"Sorry."

"You have a lot of 'splainin' to do, missy!" Xander exclaimed.

"And I will! As soon as everybody sits down.

Okay, first, I'm really glad to be home again and I missed you all more than you ever know. Now, the reason why the PTBs took me away is that they wanted me to be trained by an expert. Beatrice is an old woman that lives in the boonies in Canada, but she's also a Guardian, and one of the very last left…"

"As in 'the ones who watch the Watchers who watch the Slayers'?" Buffy interrupted.

"The very same, Buffy. As you can probably now guess, I have a new job. The Rowers picked me because 1) we're close and I care about the whole Slayer thing, and 2) I'm young enough to carry on the legacy for a long time. You see, they want the Guardians to take a more proactive role in the Slayers, and the Potentials, too. I'm here now because there is a new Slayer." Willow let this information settle in for a moment.

"That means…Faith is dead," Buffy said.

"Yes. It happened two days ago. She wants you to know that she's sorry, Buffy, and she hopes you're happy. She used you as a role model during her time in Cleveland. Wes and Fred are very proud of her. She died protecting the Hellmouth."

"Where is the new Slayer now, Willow?" Giles asked.

"Already in London. She's one of the Potentials that were identified at a young age. Her name is Simone, and she's 16. The Powers now have something to ask of you, Buffy. With the Watchers Council restructured, and a seasoned Slayer already in existence, they think it's the perfect time to have the new Slayer trained by the best teacher she could find for the job."

"They want me to train the new girl."

"Yes, and it's an unprecedented opportunity for a new Slayer. The one catch is that you will have to go to Cleveland. That's the most active Hellmouth, now, and it's only guarded at the moment by three humans. I know you have a life here, Buffy, but for at least a while, we all need you there with Simone."

"But Cleveland? And picking up the nightly slaying all over again? I don't know, Willow. It's a lot to ask. I've been a Slayer for 11 years, and I've earned my life back. That's the perk of there being a Chosen Two. I'm out of the daily line of fire." The stubborn set of her jaw said she was really going to fight the idea.

"It's your choice, Buffy…obviously, but you are needed. You and Sebastian can train this girl as a Slayer has never been trained before. But, either way, Tara and I are moving to Cleveland, at least for a while."

"Who's to be Simone's Watcher?" Giles inquired.

"Wesley is going to be asked to take over, if he's up to it. He and Fred are probably discussing the decision as we speak."

"Wills, we just got you back, and now you're moving again?" Xander asked sadly.

"I'm sorry we don't have more time to catch up, Xander, but we have to be there within a week. Events like this just move really fast. We'll be calling all the time, though, won't we, baby?" Willow replied.

"Definitely," Tara replied. "And once Simone is established, we'll have a lot more freedom to travel again."

"Perhaps you could share with us what your new duties are?" Giles addressed to Willow.

"Making the Slayer line the best it can be, Giles. The details are a bit more confidential. The Guardians have been able to do what they do by remaining in secret all these centuries. I'm only telling you all what I have so far because I trust you guys implicitly with supernatural info. Buffy, Sebastian – I know it's a big decision, but at least come out for a week or two and see if you can work with Simone. You're pretty famous among the Potentials, Buffy. She knows she has some big shoes to fill."

"You met her already?" Buffy asked.

Willow nodded. "Right after the Slayer essence transferred to her body. Cleveland can't wait for her to figure it out on her own. She's a lovely girl, very spunky…sorry, I'm channeling Beatrice again. I think a good choice was made. She's trying to be very mature about the whole thing. It helps that she's lived with a Council host family since she was three."

"So she knows what goes bump in the night. I bet she got some interesting bedtime stories," Xander quipped.

"And what do the Powers have in store for the rest of us, Red?" Spike asked. He and Kara had just been taking in Willow's presentation so far.

"Nothing, that I know of. They didn't ask anything of Tara, either, but with her counseling experience, I wanted her to come help Simone make a smooth transition into her new life. It's really just an assignment for Buffy and me. You guys' support is always welcome, though. Tara and I hope to give Wesley and Fred a bit of a break so they can grieve for Faith properly. Their group became pretty close."

"That happens on a Hellmouth," Dawn added.

"Well, since I'm not making my decision today, how about we celebrate Willow's return? Time is short, people. Bronze, tonight?"

"Uh…sure…"

"Great. We'll meet up later, then." Buffy gave Willow a very brief hug, and left. Sebastian stood up to follow his wife.

"Sebastian, before you go, could I speak with you…in private?" Willow asked. She looked so hopeful, he couldn't possibly turn her down.

"Of course, Willow. Will the training room suffice?"

"Thanks," she said gratefully, and followed him through the door.

"Do you know what that's about, Tara?" Xander asked.

"Just an idea of Willow's. She'll fill us in when she's ready," Tara replied.

"Well, if the meeting's over, then can we turn the conversation towards lunch? I had to skip breakfast to make it down here," Dawn proposed.

"Busy morning, Dawnie?" Kara teased. By the blush that appeared on the young woman's face, her guess had been correct.

"Il Ghiotto's does a good lunch special," Tara said.

"Tara's quite right. I could go for Italian," Giles added.

"We'll have to call the sitter," Anya and Kara said simultaneously, then looked at each other and laughed.

Tara decided to ring ahead to let the restaurant know they'd have a big party coming. By the time she was done, Willow and Sebastian were rejoining the group.

"We're heading to Il Ghiotto's," Tara informed her partner.

"Oh, they make great sandwiches," Sebastian said.

"Should we call Buffy?" Willow wondered.

"Not yet. She's probably already at the studio working on her lessons for class. She just needs some time to work it out in her head," Sebastian answered. "Don't worry, Willow. She's not going to hate you for reminding her who she is. Buffy will do the right thing."

"Okay. Well, shall we go, then? You guys have lots to catch me up on," Willow said, brightening. It was really good to be home.

---------------

Why couldn't the Powers That Screw With You leave her alone? Hadn't she done enough, in Slayer terms, to earn retirement?

Buffy spin-kicked the punching bag, sending it swinging wildly, before dislodging from the ceiling anchor and plopping on the floor.

"Ooops," she muttered. Just great. Now, she had to find another corner to anchor it from that didn't already have a hole in it.

"Thought I'd find you still here."

"Yeah? Well, took you long enough," she said to her husband. "Come to tell me I was being a brat?"

"Do I need to tell you that?" Sebastian moved in front of her so she'd look at him. "The group went to lunch after you left. I told them to give you time, since you'd want to work out the information in your head. Are you mad that I didn't follow you out?"

"Yes, no…maybe. It doesn't matter, though, because Willow is your friend, too, and if you wanted to go to lunch with everybody, then you should. It's not like the group is together every day anymore."

"Thank you. Besides, Willow wanted to talk to me, anyway, so it all worked out. I see you've killed another punching bag."

"Nope. I killed the chain on the punching bag. It pulled out of the ceiling. So, what time are we Bronzing?"

"Buffy – would you like to talk about Cleveland? It's not just going to go away…not when the Powers have a plan."

"We will, but I already said it won't be today. I prefer to think of my best friend being back in time for Christmas, and no supernatural troubles are on the horizon. Now, either help me with this punching bag, or go home, 'cause my students will be here in 10."

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"You look beautiful, Willow. It's good to have you home," Joyce said, greeting Willow and Tara at The Bronze. She had been delighted when Giles told her the news when she got home from the gallery. "Rupert tells me life has changed your plans."

"Yeah, you could say that," her expression indicating that the statement was a gross understatement. "More like a life-long mission."

"Well, I'm sure you'll excel at it, as you always do."

"Thanks, Joyce. Where did Giles disappear to?"

"Oh, he's waiting for Buffy. He wanted to speak to her in private before she comes in. She hardly needs a Watcher anymore, but the fatherly role will always be needed."

Tara and Willow nodded in understanding. Willow knew perhaps best of all how much Giles meant to Buffy, including his guidance. It was totally expected that he would want to know if she was alright after the revelations of this morning.

"Glinda, Red…the pipsqueaks say hello. And they reminded me that you promised to bring cookies when you drop by for Lillian's next lesson," Spike said, joining the table. "Kara will be in, in a moment. She's trying to find a place to park."

"Yeah, this place is even busier than I remember it," Willow noticed, looking around.

"More people come out at night now, sweetie, since the vampires are gone," Tara replied.

"Where's the Bit?"

"Waiting for Michael at the house."

"Those two spend way too much time together, if you ask me," the vampire stated.

"They're young and in love. Besides, I seem to recall you fidgeting all over the place because you couldn't get home for a day once," Tara teased.

"That's different. We're mated. She's too young to be joined at the hip with some boy still wet behind the ears."

"Spike, if I'm the mother, and I can deal, then you can, too. Even I have to admit the boy is completely devoted to Dawn. There's nothing we can do but see how it plays out," Joyce said.

"Just wait until the twins have their first crush. He'll be insufferable," Kara added.

"Insufferable, my ass…crazy bint," he muttered.

"Love you, too, honey."

"Oh, bite me," he groused.

"Excuse me, ladies. That's an invitation I can't ignore." Kara pulled her mate upstairs to dance in private, in the dark.

"Hey, guys, sorry we're late. Did I just see Kara and Spike disappear to the balcony?" Dawn asked. She sat down on a stool, Michael standing behind her.

"Yep," the three women answered.

"Right…avoid dark corners like the plague. Where's everybody else?"

"Not here, yet. I don't know what's keeping Xander and Anya," Joyce replied.

"Do you think Buffy won't come?" Willow wondered worriedly.

"Oh, I'm sure she will," Tara assured. "Her class lets out at seven, and that's across town. I'm sure she and Sebastian will be here any minute."

"Yeah…what was up with the secret convo today? Does Sebastian have a new mission, too?" Dawn asked.

"It's only an idea…I don't want to say anything unless he's interested in helping out."

"Okay…What about this Guardian deal? Do you have new cool powers?"

"Dawn, honey, perhaps Willow would like a night without talking shop?" Joyce suggested.

"It's okay. I just did a lot of training and learning, Dawn. Witchy powers are sufficient once you know what to do."

"Cool. Well, we're going to go dance while we're waiting for everybody. Later." Dawn dragged Michael onto the dance floor just as a fast song came on. They watched him groan at his bad luck, but try to keep up with her, anyway.

"They're so cute!"

"Who's cute?"

"Buffy! Pull up a stool. We're still waiting for Xander and Anya. How was class?" Willow babbled.

"Good, as usual. I like my students, and this was the advanced class, so no goof-offs. Do you think we should call Xander?"

"I'll do it, since you ladies are already seated," Sebastian replied.

"Thanks, baby."

"Anything new in the past few months, Buffy?"

"A few trips here and there. We have even more freedom to our schedule now that the violent demons are gone. We went to Rome in August."

"Oooo, that must have been fabulous! I bet you did tons of shopping!"

"Yep, a whole new shoe wardrobe. You wouldn't believe how cheap cashmere was! I've got sweaters, scarves, and gloves to last years." Buffy was loosening up, with the topic being completely safe. "We took lots of pictures."

"That's great. I'd love to see them," Willow said happily.

Xander and Anya arrived soon, and the rest of the night went well, except for Buffy's blatant avoidance of any supernatural talk. Willow could only hope that her best friend would eventually see this new opportunity for what it really was – a chance to secure the future.

-----------------

The next few days were very busy for Willow and Tara. Willow had to pack enough for at least a month in Cleveland. She'd been in touch with Wesley and Fred, and they had generously offered her one of the spare bedrooms in their home there. Simone would have the other. Tara could spare no more than two weeks away, thankfully, on vacation salary from The Magic Box. Sunnydale was receiving more curious travelers now that word had spread the town was much safer now, and the shop was doing a booming business in souvenir trinkets and candles. Giles just couldn't handle all the traffic on his own for very long.

The gang tried to spend as much time together as possible in that one week, since Willow would be gone for an extended time again. Oh, she could teleport to Tara if she wanted, but it wasn't the same as being around all day every day, and they all knew Willow would be very busy with her new duties. It was just the way with anything Slayer related. Buffy finally gave her answer the day before Willow was flying out.

"Hey, Wills…can we talk?"

Willow put down the book she was packing into a box, and gave her friend her full attention. "What's up, Buffy?"

"I decided to come to Cleveland – for one week!" she said, at Willow's hopeful look. "That's all I'm committing to right now. Sebastian is going to take my classes, so I can spare a week to meet this new Slayer and give her some tips." Buffy paused, fiddling with her fingers.

"I'm not trying to be a bitch about this whole thing, but I've finally been free for the first time since I was 15. I've even gotten to see some of the world, Willow! I never thought I'd get that chance, let alone with the man I love. And now, with the Hellmouth closed, and the demons cleared out, I've been thinking about trying to have a baby, and…"

"Oh, Buffy…"

"Let me finish. So, when you come back with this all new mandate from the Powers, it threw me for a loop, see? Anyway, I'm willing to help, but I'm putting my foot down about being at anyone's beck and call. Unless the entire world is going to go boom, my life is here. By all rights, I should have been dead back in '97, anyway, so I figure I've put in more than my fair share when the Hellmouth should have gone to the next Slayer."

"I agree with you, as Willow-your-friend, so I promise I'll make this as painless on you as possible, Buffy. The whole point is to give the new Slayer her best chance at a long survival, and that's why we want you, need you, to help give her that edge. Simone has great potential as a Slayer."

"Good. I'm glad that's settled, then. Sebastian managed to find me a seat on your flight, so we'll be traveling together. Can I help with any of this packing?"

"It's pretty much all done. I was just boxing up my books from Beatrice. All the rest of my stuff was already boxed from when Tara moved back up here. I could use some help taking it all to the Post Office for shipping, though."

"I can do that. Just call me Buffy the Pack Mule."