Via web cam, Willow and Kennedy spoke with Giles.

Giles sat back and closed his eyes, "Blue...wizards?"

Willow shrugged. "Blue, yes. Wizards, well I am not sure that is entirely accurate. Definitely trippy."

Giles leaned forward. "Come here. Maybe with the coven's help we can shield you until we come up with something. Who they are, or how to keep them off your back. For the time being Willow, no magic. It may serve as some sort of homing device."

Willow agreed. "Ok. But there is one more thing. We can't get a hold of Buffy. We've tried calling the house and her cell phone. We're getting her voicemail over and over."

Giles seemed concerned. "We know some people in Italy. We will get someone down to the house to check on her."

"You don't think something has happened to her do you?"

"We'll worry when when there's a reason to. For now we need to get you here with us. By the time you arrive we should know more."

"I hope Buffy is okay."

"Me too. But Buffy is strong. No doubt she's indisposed for a good reason. Get over here, and in the meantime we will try and track her down."

"See you soon Giles." Willow closed her laptop and looked at Kennedy. "Ready for a trip?"

"Mmmm..."

"What is it Kennedy?"

"I was just wondering about Buffy. I'm just hoping she didn't run into any of our black robed friends."

"She...she wouldn't survive that attack would she?"

Kennedy grabbed Willow's hands. "No sweetheart. Not alone, I don't think. But we had help, so there's hope she did too."

"Yeah,"

"Willow, we have to stop focusing on fairytales that may not even be true. For now, lets get our tickets to England. The sooner we get there, the better I will feel."

Kennedy touched Willow's cheek. "Hey, Buffy is the toughest person we know. I am not sure there is anything badder than her. But she is smart too. And if she had trouble, she is probably laying low."

Willow looked up at Kennedy's face. Her girlfriend was straining. "You are a lousy liar. But I love you."

Kennedy enveloped Willow in a hug, and then kissed her forehead. "I love you too."

Lenara sat next to the bed where Buffy was sleeping. "You should be waking soon. I am curious who you are. You heal incrediby fast even without the help. Savon's poison is very strong," Lenara leaned over and moved a hair off of Buffy's face. "But you are going to recover. Who are you? I imagine you are a very interesting person. Selfless, after all you helped a complete stranger."

Nessa crept quietly into the room, listening to her granddaughter.

"Perhaps you...perhaps you and I will be friends. I think I would like to have a friend on Earth." Lenara clutched the locket on her chest. "Maybe I already do."

"Maybe," Nessa quietly interrupted, "you should open the locket."

Lenara sighed. "Not yet. Once everything is settled here."

"Why wait child?"

Lenara's eyes started to moisten. "I can't. Not now. I know this sounds horrible, but I am scared to. My soul only would have returned here upon my mother's death. What if I was responsible for that? What if..."

"What if you have another family who loves you?"

"Please. I am sorry. I know you want answers too. I just can't right now."

"In time then."

Lenara looked down at Buffy. "Wake soon. I'm sure you have a family worried for you."

Almost as if on cue, Buffy's eyes slowly opened.

Lenara smiled. "Hey there. Take your time. You are among friends."

Buffy slowly sat up. "Where am I?"

Nessa stepped near the bedside. "You are on Pellin. I am Nessa, ruling monarch. This is Lenara, my granddaughter who you apparently saved. I am most grateful."

Buffy looked at Lenara. "You saved me first. Least I could do." Buffy stared intently at Lenara. She's beautiful, she thought. And her presence is calming. Her smile reaches her eyes too. Buffy smiled weakly at Lenara, feeling slightly foolish.

Nessa asked lightly, "What is your name child?"

Buffy never took her eyes away from Lenara. "I, uh, my name is Buffy."

Lenara smiled even bigger. "Buffy," she lightly whispered. "Well, Buffy, how do you feel?"

"Surprisingly refreshed. But what in the hell was that all about? How was Druscilla disappearing? And energy balls? That's a new one, nevermind the whole attacking in broad daylight shi...shi...uh, she shouldn't be able to do that. And you move..."

Lenara interrupted. "Let's talk about all of this in the dining hall over food. You should eat, and we will discuss everything with Zaz and Mahzi."

"I'm sorry, who?"

Lenara laughed. "Zaz, my cousin. Mahzi is his..."

"Tormentor." Nessa laughed. "I will go get them. Get Buffy ready and we will see you in a few minutes." Nessa turned and exited the room. Buffy slid her legs off the side of the bed and stretched.

"Really gotta get one of those back home."

Lenara seemed puzzled. "You don't have a bed?"

Buffy laughed. "I do. Just not one this comfortable."

"I would share my bed with you."

"Umm, what?"

Lenara blushed. "I meant you are welcome to take it. That came out really wrong."

Buffy laughed. Not an unpleasant thought. Wait. What? No, no, no. Willow does the girl thing. No, no, no. "That's okay. I appreciate the offer. I have to ask something though."

"Yes?"

"Is it possible to go back to Italy? I mean I have no idea where Pellin is. Is it possible to get back?"

"Absolutely. Let's eat, and I will make sure you get home."

"Mmmm, home. Shower, toothbrush, Guzzi, and apparently some problems."

"Well, I do not know who or what Guzzi is, but you can bathe here or take care of any oral hygeine. As for your problems, I am not sure that they are going away quickly."

Buffy sighed. "Six months. Six stinking months."

Lenara frowned and furrowed her brow. "I'm sorry, I don't understand."

"We can talk about it at dinner."

"If I am not offensive smelling, I really just want to eat and figure out what the hell is going on."

Lenara smiled. "You are not offensive. C'mon."

Buffy followed Lenara out of the room, very glad that her companion did not find her offensive. What the hell?

A/N: And so it progresses. What do you think? Please tell me. Reviews make my day!