Duncan smiled as he watched Tara and Amanda chat. He had learned more about his student these last few hours than he had in the months of training. He grinned as he headed up to the loft to get more coffee.

Tara sighed as the conversation twisted back to a discussion of work. "I know I can't live off Duncan forever but I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I used to help out at the Magic Box. Other than that, I'm not sure what I'm good at."

Amanda frowned, "What's wrong with starting a magic shop?"

Tara blinked a few times trying to get the sleepy feeling to retreat. "Other than the fact that there isn't magic here and that I have no money to start one? I mean it doesn't sound very honest selling magical trinkets to people when they don't work."

Amanda blinked, "What makes you think that magic doesn't work in this world?"

Tara breathed a long sigh, "I used to be able to use magic, but it's been fading since I got here."

Amanda frowned, "Well I've known a few witches over the years. Maybe the problem isn't the magic."

Tara stuttered slightly, "W-hat do you mean?"

"Have you thought about why you can't do magic. Maybe you don't want too?"

Tara shook her head, "I want my magic."

Amanda shrugged, "Really, even though it couldn't find Willow for you?"

Tara's eyes widened and her mouth opened in shock, "How…?"

"You don't get as old as I am without being able to read people very well. Plus Duncan mentioned that you tried to call your friends and couldn't find them via any normal methods. If I was looking for my friends I would use anything in my disposal to find them. So I'm guessing you hid from your magic after it failed you. But hey I could be wrong."

"I think I want to go to sleep now." Tara was blinking back tears as she hurriedly fled the room towards her bedroom.

Duncan sighed as he came back into the room with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Was that really needed?"

Amanda shrugged, "It's like a bandage, the only good way to get it off is to rip it off all at once. I have a feeling that part of her issues are mental. She took losing Willow really hard."

Duncan scowled, "Since when did you ever need a modern bandage?"

"Not really the point."

"I know, she never really talks about her."

"How often do you talk about Tess?"

Duncan's eyes narrowed, "Don't go there."

"Exactly, she lost something that meant a great deal to her. Shattered her world, I don't blame her that some of the pieces don't fit back the same way they used too."

Duncan frowned, "So what are we supposed to do?"

"I know a few people she might benefit from meeting."

"What's in it for you?"

Amanda smiled sweetly, "What, I can't do something out of the kindness of my heart?"

Duncan laughed, "Anything is possible, but well no."

Amanda sighed, "Let's just say I've grown tired of the game Mac. If I had magic like her, well let's just say that no jewel or prize would be safe."

"What does you having magic have to do with anything? And I'm sure every jewelry store in the world is glad you don't have magic even though they don't know they should be."

"What would happen if she loses her head? Does the magic go with her quickening? Do you have any idea how many of us would kill for an edge Mac?"

Duncan's face clouded, "Enough."

"Exactly, maybe her magic doesn't transfer, maybe it does. But honestly that's not a chance I'm willing to take."

Duncan glared at her, "So what are you suggesting we do, kill her?"

"Don't be an idiot, I wouldn't want the army of immortals coming for me. But we need to make sure she understands that immortals have watchers, that she can't leave evidence of magic around for anyone to find. If word got out that she has magic that could hold an immortal still while she cut his or her head off, what do you think would happen?"

Duncan sighed, "They would come for her in waves."

Amanda nodded, "And right now she isn't a good enough swords girl to save herself. She could start the final curtain call Mac. As immortals via for the chance to claim that prize. Even some that have no interest in the mythical Prize at the end might come out of hiding to claim magic as a prize. It would cause the game to burst into frenzy it might even start the gathering. That's not something I want to happen. I'm old Mac, not as old as some but I don't want other immortals to start wondering what tricks we have."

"What do you suggest?"

"Well I would say run really fast, but I think that point is long over. I'll put her in touch with some friends. Maybe start a business and make some money so that she has the resources to run if she has to." She looked down at her watch, "Maybe after some sleep." She smiled as she headed for Mac's bedroom before Mac could get there.

Mac sighed before slumping on the couch. 'Even if the world was ending Amanda would find a way to make a profit.'