Chapter Five:

"It makes sense that she would need to feed, being a cat and all, although I guess I'd rather prefer she did it outside the city limits," Giles began. "There's no need to get the town all worked up about dead carcasses if it can be avoided. I'm not too sure how we can convince our furry friend of this though."

Only Willow and Tara stood across from him, Xander having left earlier.

"Perhaps if you run into her tonight, try and, umm, communicate the message?" He added.

"Will do Giles. Not quite sure how we'll do that yet, but I'm sure we can think of something," Willow replied. "We're still meeting Buffy for patrol later on tonight so we can relay the message to her then".

"Good well, thanks for giving me a heads up about the animal, it's nice to feel informed and needed," he said taking off his glasses and cleaning them.

"What do you mean? You're totally valuable and needed here. Who would be the boss of things? And tell us what to do, and keep us in line? This place would be a mad house if you weren't here," Willow quickly responded, hoping for some back up from Tara.

"Yes Mr. Giles. We definitely need you around here," Tara added shrugging at Willow when Giles didn't immediately response.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence girls, but I just don't feel it all the time. Buffy seems to be so lost in her own world lately. She reports back to me sure, and gets my advice on slaying, but she fills me in on so little else. She's been so detached lately..."

"I'm sure that it's not you. She's still dealing with Jo...her mom's death. That's a lot to take in Giles. She's trying to stay busy and we all know she's doing the best that she can. Just give her some time," Willow added trying to be both supportive of Buffy and understanding of Giles.

"Yes well, I'll continue researching our new friend and you can let me know if anything progresses tonight," he said abruptly concluding the discussion.

"Of course! We'll talk to you later," Willow said heading towards the door. When she realized that Tara hadn't follow her, she turned around. "You coming?" She called.

The disapproving look she got from Tara reminded her that she hadn't yet told Giles about the feeling she had. "Oh yeah..." she said walking back and standing next to her girlfriend.

"Umm there's something else I need to talk to you about Giles. I probably should have told you earlier but it didn't seem like a big deal. I felt an added, well, presence last night when the cat followed Buffy home. It hasn't left yet, and I can only conclude that it has something to do with her."

After questioning Willow more about the presence she felt, and feeling satisfied that he had all the details, he asked them if they believed that cat had any magical properties.

"Tara, did you sense any specific auras around her, or notice anything unusual about her energy?" He asked.

Looking down at her feet, Tara responded "Sorry Mr. Giles, bu...bu...but I was kinda of too afraid to notice anything. There might have been something there, but I wasn't focused enough to notice." Picking up on her stutter, Willow grasped her hand offering support.

"It's no problem dear. If you notice anything tonight while on patrol though, just let me know. It would also be interesting to know if it's just you that's susceptible Willow," he added.

With that, both Willow and Tara left the Magic Box and headed home.

XXXXXXXXXX

Later that night on patrol…

"Get away from her!" Tara yield racing over to Willow. Buffy beat her there, body-checking the creature and sending her stumbling into a near-by gravestone. Buffy knelt down beside her best friend, noticing quickly that she was unconscious, but still breathing. Tara was suddenly at her side, "Willow, baby? Please be okay…" she said grasping at Willow's hand. Willow stirred at the contact, but did not wake up.

"We should get her home Tara…" Buffy started, moving to pick up the still unconscious form. Noticing a movement, she suddenly moved away from Willow and turned to face the approaching cat again. "You know, you should really learn to just stay down…" Buffy threatened circling away from the two witches. Just as she was about to move in to attack, a flash of light whizzed by her head. She could feel the heat of the blast along the side of her face, and turned suddenly to look back at where the witches were.

Tara's arms were outstretched, and she had a very determined look on her face. She glanced at the creature once more to make sure that it wasn't getting back up, and then she knelt down next to Willow again, quickly grasping her hand.

"Wow, Tara that was some spell. But, I could have handled it," Buffy said moving a bit more cautiously to the two witches.

"No one hurts her Buffy, no one," was the only response she got from the blonde witch.

"I know, you just surprised me is all," Buffy replied shrugging her shoulders. She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and began dialling.

"Who are you calling," Tara asked, her eyes never leaving Willow.

"Giles. I want him to bring the gun and we could also get Willow to the hospital a lot quicker if I didn't have to carry her there. Even despite the super human strength," she added.

Giles arrived ten minutes later, with the gun in tow. He moved to help Tara get Willow to the car after handing off the gun to Buffy. Checking to make sure it was loaded, Buffy headed over to where the cat was still lying. The cat hadn't moved yet, and Buffy could see the burn marks on her chest of where Tara's magic had hit her. It was still breathing, taking slow and ragged breaths, obviously in some pain. Lucky you're still unconscious Buffy thought to herself taking aim. Otherwise I'd have to enjoy myself beating the crap out of you for hurting Willow.

Just as Giles closed the door after making sure Willow was settled in the back seat, he heard the gun go off. He quickly glanced over to where Buffy was standing to make sure she was alright, and then satisfied; he got into the car himself.

"What do you want to do with her?" He asked as Buffy slid into the passenger seat. "Not sure yet," was the only response he got from his slayer.

As Giles started the car, a moan escaped from Willow in the backseat. "Will?" Tara questioned trying to position herself so she could see her better. Willow was sprawled out on the backseat, resting against Tara's body. "What happened…" she mumbled moving her head slowly from side to side. "You were unconscious baby. We're going to take you to the hospital now to get you checked out," she responded, pushing some hair gently away from Willow's face. Willow fully leaned back against Tara as the car moved forward.

Suddenly fully understanding what Tara had said, Willow responded, "I don't want to go to the hospital. I'm fine…" she added for some reassurance, although her shaky voice betrayed her.

"Will, hun. You were unconscious for a while. Let's just make sure that you're 100% okay and then we can take you home. I promise lots of snuggles."

Willow looked up at her and knew that Tara wasn't going to let her out of this. Letting out a sigh she nodded in agreement, resting once again against her lover.

XXXXXXXXXX

After dropping Willow and Tara off at the hospital and ensuring that Willow would be alright, Giles and Buffy returned to the cemetary.

"You sure this is a good idea Buffy?" Giles said opening up the trunk of the SUV.

"We can't just leave it out here," she responded motioning to the form lying on the ground. "And besides, we want to figure out exactly what she is. If she gets eaten by some demon tonight, it will make our job a lot harder."

Buffy dragged the body closer to the car and lifted her into the trunk. Giles slammed it down after her, and both of them climbed into the car.

"I agree with you there, I'm just a little concerned about Tara's reaction. And for that matter, Willow's when she wakes up." Giles started the car as they headed towards Buffy's house.

"Well until we figure out more of what we're up against here, we don't have to tell them. We can keep her in the basement, out of the way," was all she responded.