Chapter Ten

The group assembled themselves in the kitchen and Buffy got coffee for everyone. It was very late and she figured this might be a long night. "This is all complicated Tracy." Buffy said and began the tale of Willow and Tara being careful to add in as much detail as she could. She wanted everyone in the room to understand Willow's situation and what a wonderful person Tara was. She then told them how Willow reacted to Tara's death, how it almost destroyed her and the world literally. She told everyone of their strong love and how Willow still grieved for the woman who was, undoubtedly, the love of Willow's life. Lastly, she showed Tracy a picture but received no miraculous hint of recognition from the blonde-haired woman.

Dani was moved by this nearly hour long explanation from Buffy and torn as to what to do. She knew that Willow did not need to be tipped over the edge again but respected their friendship far too much to harbor such a secret. "Buffy, are you sure this is not Tara?" Dani asked bluntly, as Andrew wiped a tear from his face. He was filled with regret and guilt for the wonderful relationship that he had helped put an end to. He wished that he could make it all right but was resolved to follow Buffy's lead in the situation because she knew Willow far better then he did.

"That's so sad," Tracy stammered and wiped a tear from her own cheek. "I'm not Tara though but I do understand why you took the actions that you took Buffy. I am going to venture here that the best thing for me to do is leave and not look back. Dani, I'm so sorry that I reacted the way I did to you the other night and I do believe you fully now." Tracy finished speaking and stood to leave the building.

"Wait," Buffy too stood. "Tracy, those of us who have got the chance to know you, at least me, would like to remain friends with you. I don't want this to be a permanent good-bye and think that we just need some time to tell Willow. This could break her if we don't handle it right but I'm confident that, in time, we can manage it." Buffy was telling the truth in that she did want Tracy to remain a friend as well as believed that they could find a way to tell Willow. What she wasn't telling them was the fact that she was growing very fond of this woman in another way. The notion that her judgment was clouded due to her feelings did not even cross her mind though she had preached to Willow about allowing the very same thing to happen.

"That's right," Dani said and stood up from the table. "Being the chivalrous slayer that I am, I can't let you go on your own at this hour either." She, in part, wanted to see that the woman was safe and in part, wanted to see if there was a chance that the two could get to know each other. Her heart was with Willow but she feared that pursuing her was a lost cause and did enjoy Tracy's company during the brief time they had known each other. She also feared that Buffy too was interested in this beautiful woman and she would be left out in the cold once again.

"I'll get my coat and go with you Dani," Andrew said and got up from the table. He wanted something to do to take his mind off of the sad story that Buffy had just told him. Many times in his short life, guilt overtook him for the things that he helped Warren do and this was one of those times.

"Hold up gang," Buffy put a hand up. "I need the two of you to promise me that you will not say a word to Willow. At least until the three of us have had a better chance to sit down and talk. Also, I would really be owing you two if you didn't tell Dawn either." Buffy emphasized the importance of what she was saying with her facial expression and hand movements.

"I can do that much," Dani said and followed Andrew off to get their coats.

"I'm really sorry Buffy. I had no idea." Tracy said with a look so sad in her eyes that Buffy felt a sudden urge to hug her and cry.

"Of course you didn't." The blonde slayer said and turned to pick up the glasses from the table. "It's all right, we'll deal with this. Goodness knows we are dealing with far worse things right now."

While Buffy spoke, Tracy lifted her cellphone and quickly snapped a picture of Willow. There was a large photo of Willow and Tara hanging in the kitchen right next to one of Buffy, Dawn and Joyce. "If there is anything I can do to help you Buffy, don't hesitate to call me."

"You've helped me a great deal," Buffy turned back to the woman who sported a shy smile that looked just like Tara's. "It's nice to have someone to talk with that is not involved in this crazy world of mine."

- - - - -

Dawn, Willow and Giles had just finished lunch that next afternoon. "So Robin stuck up for Kennedy saying that Phil rushed out with them. The surviving slayers said that they can't really recall who all went and didn't go because the decision was made so fast. Andrew, on the other hand, says that the two Watchers and you with Xander went in search of the gang."

"This is correct," Giles assessed, as he pondered the picture as to where Willow was going with this. "However, they did not go directly with us. We all ended up there at some point and we're not going to have full details until all the autopsy reports come back. Doctor Kendall said he will do them ASAP for us though."

"Well the question is, do we believe Andrew or Robin and if Robin is lying," Willow lowered her voice as she spoke. "Robin could be one of the reasons we don't have a heads up on these people or beings. I mean, why would he lie to cover up for Kennedy?"

"Well I don't think that Kennedy is on the other side." Giles added. "I do think she acted irresponsibly due to the situation with you."

"Right but the lying would come in if he in turn did something to help Kennedy." Dawn added and finished off her drink. "Faith and I heard some moaning last night while we were talking in my room. I'm wondering if the two of them got it on and are now working together for some end purpose or other."

"Well I'm going to see a lady about my powers tonight. If I am able to get them back the two of you will be the only two informed. We've got to find a way to get a step ahead of whomever is doing this and then we need to find the sorceress." Willow said and stood from the table.

Giles furrowed his brow and wiped off his glasses. He was glad to have the two women helping him with everything but worried that they were getting to many pans cooking at once. "Willow, I do wish to speak with you about this vampire as well." He added and shrugged when she walked off.

"She's looking for a spell to locate sorceresses," Dawn said quickly and joined Giles at the door. "Andrew told me but swore me to secrecy."

"Thanks," Giles said and stepped out into the raging snowstorm, as his cellphone rang. "Yes doctor Kendall?"

"Hello Mr. Giles. The three persons that were burned beyond recognition, um, there were no signs indicating that one was male. The one's dental records do match up with the young girl and I will have the other two identified within the week."

Giles thanked the doctor and hung up the phone. As he walked around the grounds, he cursed Phil and Robin. Something deep in his gut tightened when he thought of what the two men were up to and he was now certain more then ever that Robin was in on it. If by chance he was not in on this, Giles was certain he had some agenda that was not of the good kind. He lifted his gaze to the sky as if he were going to find some sort of revelation there but came up empty. As he wiped his cold hands on his jacket to warm them, he got the strangest sense that he was being watched. The sense was none to pleasant either because it made his stomach quench up and left a bitter taste in his gut. "Damn you, you have killed enough people! What the hell do you want from us?" He shouted and stamped his boot into the snow.

- - - - - -

The snowstorm was finally letting up as Willow waited for Harmony. "She's late," Buffy said sarcastically, as she looked out into the snowy night.

"She'll be here," Willow said and buttoned up her jacket. She had a few things to learn when she moved out of California and one of them was how to dress for the weather in the Midwest. "It's so pretty out there." Willow commented absent-mindedly with recollection of her fluffy cloud wish.

Buffy watched her best friend look out into the night as if she were looking somewhere beyond this plane and grew sad. In fact, she may not need to look further then this plane for what she was searching for. She hoped that if Dani found out anything on her dinner date she would let them know. She knew Dani had felt slighted of late by Willow but Willow had no idea that Dani had any type of feelings for her beyond those of friendship. She feared that Dani would let her fear of being alone cloud her perception on a clue or two that might tell them if this was for sure Tara. Finally, she feared that Dani would keep her word and tell Willow without hesitation if she thought there was a chance that this was Tara. Buffy would be happy to let Willow know if it was Tara but wanted to be more certain for fear of what would happen to the redhead. She didn't know which was worse, what would happen if this woman was not Tara or what would happen if Willow continued holding up with Harmony.

"Willow are you ready?" The chirpy voice of the vampire jerked Buffy out of her thoughts.

"Mind if I tag along?" Buffy asked so that she could gauge the vampire's reaction.

"Buffy I can do this." Willow said and turned towards the door.

"Harmony," Buffy started to speak but the vampire cut her off.

"Yeah I know the drill. If this is a trap I'm dust." The blonde vampire replied and smugly walked out the door. "It's pretty nasty out here Willow." She said and opened the door to a nice Toyota truck.

"Where did you get this?" Willow asked and climbed in the warm vehicle that had an 80's rock band playing softly from its speakers.

"Long story," the vampire replied and sped up the street. "Actually I got this when I worked at Wolfram and Hart. The windows are great, I can drive all day long in this thing."

"How far is it to this Secaura's place?" Willow asked, as the vampire quickly slowed to avoid a skidding car.

"Another ten minutes or so. She's meeting us at another location." Harmony replied in a bored tone. This line of work really was not her style and she wanted out badly. The fringe benefits of boinking the boss weren't so bad though so she supposed that she was learning to take the good with the style-cramping side of things.

The rest of the drive was fairly quiet minus Willow asking the vampire to watch the road and stop flipping through the radio stations. As they pulled up to an old house, a car swerved directly at them. The vampire's quick reflexes were all that saved them from a head on collision. "I don't think that was an accident." Willow said with a hint of fear in her voice.

"Obviously not Sherlock." The vampire replied and got out of the truck. "Let's go see what's on the go in here."

"Is anyone in there?" Willow asked with impatience in her voice, as the vampire knocked a little louder.

Just as the vampire was about to kick in the door, a tall thin lady with thick glasses and graying hair appeared at the door. "Have a little patience Harmony." She said and let the two women in. "I made you some hot tea to warm your bones Miss Rosenberg I presume." She extended her hand for Willow to shake. "I'm Secaura Dowling."

"Thank you very much." Willow said and gladly took the tea that the woman was offering. She got a glance around the room and found that magic books lined the walls as well as several old looking pendants. She couldn't help but wonder if this was the sorceress and feared that she had been lead astray by the vampire.

Secaura smiled and laughed, "I'm not your mark my friend. I'm no sorceress by any means but know how to test magical powers."

"Then let's get testing." Harmony said impatiently and received a glare from Secaura.

"You will need to leave the room Harmony. Your aura is to dark and I don't need the interference." Secaura said flatly and sat down next to Willow with a thin glass vase in her hands.

"You could use the work," Harmony said and Secaura knew that the vampire was not going to budge.

"You must have paid Miss Kendall well." Secaura chuckled with a half-grin on her face. "I need for you to close your eyes and place your right hand on mine. Then you must fully relax yourself," Secaura said and poured a foamy substance into the glass.

Despite her bravery in times of trouble, Willow felt uneasy and looked at Harmony. She didn't have a vibe that this lady was going to do her harm but one never knew who to trust at this stage of the game. "It's all right Willow." The vampire moved to Willow's left side and placed a cold hand on her knee. "I won't let her cause you any trouble."

Willow seemed to relax quickly when the vampire moved to a closer proximity to her and the lady was able to begin her work. "No talking or moving so that I can concentrate on blocking out Harmony's aura." Secaura instructed, as the blue foamy substance began to change colors. There were colors of red, yellow and blue and in the center of the jar was pure white. The white substance took shape into a weak image of a woman and then grew brighter as an image of a blonde woman was faintly coming in behind the brighter image. Another small pure white image was off to the side of the image of the blonde woman and began to turn into the image of a brunette woman but it was more faint.

"The white substance that is the largest is Miss Rosenberg. I see her facing a large costly battle with the aid of the other two women who are key to her survival. Miss Rosenberg has locked within her the power to do many great things and also the power to do much harm. This depends on how she takes a turn as to whether she is of the good or evil. The colors on the outer rim display many peoples who will aid her in a smaller way if she so chooses the side of the good. The blonde is her strength and may have to literally save Miss Rosenberg's existence on this plane while the role of the brunette I cannot see. The magic is there Miss Rosenberg and you must find it before this gray substance reaches you. The substance is watching you as we…" before Secaura could finish she began to rapidly age before their eyes.

Harmony jumped to her feet and removed Secaura's hands from Willows hand as the woman continued to age. She looked centuries old now and frail. "Willow she's an ancient being and it looks like her time is done."

"Bless you dear Miss Rosenberg," the woman said and began to convulse.

Harmony scooped the shaking redhead up and left the building quickly. "She's dying and it's all my fault." Willow said as sobs racked through her body.

"Everybody has to go sometime Willow." Harmony said coldly and started the truck. "Your magic is there and now you just have to concentrate on releasing your powers again before someone else does. That's all that you can afford to worry about right now."

"I'm going to call Giles and give him the information that she gave us." Willow said and got out her cellphone. She recalled the details of the conversation to Giles in full and then hung up the phone. She was unaware of the worried look she had left him with and the amount of booze he was putting away due to so much worry over the last few days.

Harmony pulled the truck to a stop at the headquarters but didn't shut it off. She pulled the redhead into a searing kiss that seemingly lasted forever. Willow welcomed the kiss straight away and put her arms around the vampire. "Willow I need to go for a couple of days. I have to oversee a project that must be done."

"Are you sure that it can't wait? I don't want you to leave because I may need someone to talk with and will miss all these things that you do to me on a nightly basis." Willow said as the vampire pushed her back against the seat and grew more aggressive with her fondling and kissing. The demon was fully out, game face and all but Willow didn't care.

As their passion ebbed and flowed throughout the remainder of the night, Willow's resolve sank even deeper. She knew that there was virtually no way that she could give up this vampire who gave her wave after wave of mind-blowing orgasms. She knew that she should have got out while the getting was good but it was to late now. "God harmony, I'm so into you." Willow let out without meaning too as the last wave of orgasms for the night ended. "You make me feel so good."

The vampire kissed Willow several more times before finally moving away. "I'm hoping that this won't take long Willow. You have my number and can call me if you get in trouble or just want to have a little chat before you go to bed." The vampire smiled at the redhead who got the meaning, as she got out of the truck.

As harmony pulled away, she dialed a number on her cellphone. "David, have you located where I need to go pick the Gem of Amara up at?"

- - - - - -

Willow heard noises coming from the sitting room as she entered the housing building. "I understand that she needed a place to stay because of the storm. There is no problem with that really Dani. You just should have warned me before Willow or Dawnie got up and ran into her. Did you notice anything?" Buffy asked with an even-toned voice. She hoped deep down that Dani and the girl had not had some sort of intimate date because she was finding herself very attracted to her.

"No, I didn't see anything out of the ordinary at all. She just took a couple minute break from me twice but I think it was her nerves." Dani added with a smile.

"A sexual break?" Buffy asked in not such a flattering tone of voice, as her brow furrowed.

"No, she said that she had a couple things to do with an assignment for this morning. She said it would only take ten minutes tops so I watched TV while she got it done. It was no big deal." Dani smiled and turned to go get Tracy up and out of the house before the clueless members of the gang saw her.

Willow was already headed up the stairs though. Her curiosity was winning out, as she opened Dani's room door. There was nobody in there so whomever this was, didn't sleep with Dani is what she was thinking as the bathroom door opened. Willow stood mouth agape and hands in the air. "Willow," a soft tender voice said.

A/n I hope you liked this one!