Reunited

Willow's eyes widened as she took in Warren's presence in the doorway, but she was soon distracted by the lack of air her lungs were receiving. Lights danced before her eyes as the flow of oxygen was restricted.

The demon placed it's free hand on her chest. "I accept your offering, Beloved One. Now watch, as I devour her heart!" Its scaly hand began to glow a deep violet, but nothing happened. "What is happening?" it growled.

"It seems to me your powers aren't quite effective," came a familiar voice from the doorway.

The demon released its grip on Willow and she collapsed to the floor, coughing as she gasped for air. Here eyes were blurred, but she could still see who stood in the doorway behind Warren. She smiled as she whispered, "Giles."

Warren turned to face Giles, ready to fire, but Giles merely waved his hand and the gun flew out of Warren's grip. "Bind," he growled at Warren, and he was quickly encased in gel and lying resolute on the floor.

"Who dares to challenge me?" the demon hissed at him.

"Enough with the talk. Let's end this." Giles stepped closer, beginning a chant.

The demon howled, and it shifted into a hovering black mass of smoke, entering into Willow's open mouth.

Willow's eyes flashed black, and she stood up, facing Giles. Wind began to howl in the room, and her hair flew back. "Not so fast, old man." She raised her hands, "Intatae!" Giles spun sideways, head banging into a wall. "Well, wasn't that easy."

The gel covering Warren melted away, and he stood up, pointing his gun at Willow. "D-don't come closer. I'll use it!"

"Yes, I'm sure you will." She merely bent a finger, and Warren's skin flew off. Blood spattered the walls and ceiling, his skin slapping wetly onto the floor.

Amy disappeared in a bright flash. "Coward!" Demon Willow called into the darkness. Turning to Giles, who still lay in a heap, she whispered, "Look who's left." She cackled evilly, and walked slowly towards him.

"Don't take another step."

Demon Willow howled. Buffy stood in the doorway.

"Or what? You'll hit me? I could kill you in a second." She seemed to ponder this for a moment. "As a matter of fact, I think that's what I'll do." She thrust out her hands, blue and violet magical beams hurtling towards Buffy.

Buffy didn't even flinch as the rays hit a mystical barrier barely inches before her.

"Ah. A counter spell. Clever. Too bad I'm still going to have to kill you."

"I'd like to see you try," Buffy countered.
Demon Willow laughed. "You have no idea who you're messing with."

"No, but you have my friend, and I'm pissed off. I'd say we're about even. There is, of course, one difference."

"And what's that?"

Buffy smirked. "I'm going to win." She charged at Demon Willow, stopping short for a roundhouse kick. The blow merely knocked Willow a step back.

The demon blocked a punch by Buffy, but staggered again when it received a kick from its side. This time it retaliated, punching quick and hard at her face. The strike knocked Buffy to the ground.

"Guess you're strong. But I'm stronger." Buffy rushed at the demon again, jumping in the air and kicking out with both legs. Demon Willow flew backwards, knocking over the chair with the unconscious Tara still tied to it.

Demon Willow growled, jumping up and kicking at Buffy.

Buffy grabbed the leg, spinning the demon in the air. It landed hard on the floor, and Buffy grabbed it by the legs, throwing it into the wall.

Behind her, she heard rustling, and turned to see Giles standing up.

Giles stood up, head sore from its collision with the wall. His eyes took in the situation: Buffy and Demon Willow fighting. She could handle herself; he needed to figure out how to send the demon back to hell.

He heard mutterings from outside, and walked to the door to find Anya, a spellbook open in her hands, chanting an incantation. "Anya! Good. I need your help."

"Um…okay," Anya replied with a modest shrug.

"We need to send this demon back to hell. It shouldn't be that hard since the demon has already been exorcised once. I'll need you to go in the back door, that way you can get around it. Once I nod to you, I need you to shout, 'Demon, begone!' ok?"

"Whatever works," replied Anya. She walked off and around the corner of the building.

Giles began the incantation.

Buffy, distracted by watching Giles, was kicked in the side and sent sprawling to the floor. She grunted, and jumped to her feet. She threw up her hands and blocked a punch, countering it with one of her own. Her fist smashed into the demon's face, and it growled, grabbing her and throwing her over the counter.

"Demon begone!" Giles and Anya's voices echoed.

Demon Willow screeched, and black smoke burst from her mouth. The demon cloud slammed into the floor where it dissipated, leaving Willow on the floor, breathing heavily.

Giles and Buffy ran to Willow's side, and Anya untied Tara.

Buffy hugged Willow. "Are you alright?"

"I may be a bit bruised in the morning," she smiled, "but yea, I'm alright." Cringing, she stood up, limping over to Tara, who was still unconscious on the floor. Anya was kneeling next to her.

Willow sat down, gently rubbing her hand along Tara's cheek. "Baby?"

Tara's eyes slowly opened, and a thin smile appeared. "W-Willow?"

Anya stood up and walked out the door of the Magic Box, followed by Buffy and Giles.

"Yea baby, it's me."

"Am…" she licked her dry lips, "Am I in heaven?"

"No, Tara. You're right here with me." Willow smiled, eyes watery once more.

"I never thought I'd see you again. Willow…I was so scared."

"I know, baby, but it's alright." She picked Tara up into her arms, rocking her slowly. "I would have died without you," Willow held back a sob.

"I thought I was dead," Tara said, crying herself.

"About that… well… it can wait."

They continued to hold each other, time having no meaning. They had each other. Nothing else mattered.