BTVS, Angel and Charmed characters do not belong to me. I'm just borrowing them for a while.

Spoilers: Up until the Season 5 episode The Body (just to be safe).

Buffy closed her eyes in dismay. How many times had she herself defended Angel and his soul. She tested the magic that was restraining her and was able to stand. She backed away from Angel and put Mr. Pointy in a pocket that would be easy to reach if she needed it. Apparently she was allowed movement provided it wasn't directed at the vampire. She crossed over to her Watcher, who was untied but in and out of consciousness. Gently, she checked his wounds. The stab wound to his torso was bleeding sluggishly, but didn't appear to deep. Nonetheless, she felt her anger returning. "You call Angel your Champion, yet tonight, with his soul intact, he murdered five watchers and tortured mine. I've slain newborn vamps for less. Why should he get a pass?"

"Buffy, I did it for you. I thought you were in danger. The powers made me your Champion so I could protect you. I love you."

Buffy snorted, cutting off further declarations from the vampire. "My Champion was willing to go face the Master in my place, not hide himself in his apartment and leave a sixteen year old girl to face it alone." She placed a gentle kiss to Giles' temple. "My Champion stayed with me, even after he was fired, when it was no longer his responsibility. Even when he probably should have gone and had himself a life, instead of running away because it was "too hard" to be around me." She turned her attention to the representative of the Powers. "I get that you hold all the power here. I've had this lesson before." She stole a quick glance at Travers, who to her surprise was not scowling but smiling. "But I think I've earned some concessions."

The Oracle was impressed. This Slayer had courage and intelligence. "I'm listening."

"First, you anchor Angel's soul. Not that it will keep him from doing evil apparently, but the world does not need Angelus unleashed if he decides to go and get himself a happy."

"Buffy," Angel started but was cut off.

"Shut up, Angel. This is between me and the Powers. Second, Angel is your Champion, not mine, if he comes near my Watcher, my family, my friends or is even in the same town, I will slay him without hesitation. You may be willing to forgive his actions tonight, but I am not."

Buffy paused when Giles stirred. She leaned her ear close to his mouth so she could hear him. "No, Giles. I'm sure."

The Oracle held up her hand. "One moment while I consult with the Powers." After a very brief silent communication the Oracle nodded. "The Powers have agreed." She approached the vampire, still held motionless on the ground. She spoke a few words in a language that Buffy didn't understand and a white light shot out from her hand. Angel convulsed on the floor for about two minutes. Apparently having one's soul anchored was not painless. When he regained his feet, he tried to approach Buffy, but a wave of the Oracle's hand caused him to disappear into a portal.

The Oracle turned to Buffy. "That concludes your business with the Powers." She released the others. Wesley stood and helped steady Giles, while Danvers went to assist Travers. "But I would like to rectify a wrong that my brother helped perpetrate. Please take hold of your Watcher. I will need to put him to sleep so that I can heal his wounds."

"Why does he have to be unconscious?" Wesley asked.

"The setting and rapid healing of broken bones would be quite a strain on him in his current state. I only wish to cause him the least amount of distress."

"Will he be in any danger? Giles said that magic always has consequences. What will be the price?"

"Your Watcher has taught you well. But in a sense, my brother has already paid its price in that the Powers have stripped him of his abilities. I assure you, there will be no negative consequences for either of you."

Buffy glanced at Wesley, who nodded his agreement. And then surprised Travers by asking his opinion. "Do you think it's safe?"

Travers smiled. "Yes. I believe if she had wanted to harm Giles or any of us, she could have done so at any time."

Buffy gathered Giles to her. She whispered, "Giles, if you can hear me, we're going to put you to sleep so," she stopped. "Do you have a name? I'm not even sure what to call you," she said to the Oracle.

"Well, I haven't had need of a name for quite some time. On the few rare occasions that I've interacted with mortals, I've simply been called the Oracle."

Buffy nodded and continued to whisper to Giles, "Well the Oracle lady is going to heal you. She said it would really hurt if you were awake. And I don't want you hurting anymore. Okay?" She felt a slight pressure on her arm that she was going to assume was his consent. "Okay. We're ready."

The Oracles hands glowed white. She placed one hand on his forehead and Giles' head drooped forward as the sleeping spell took hold. She then placed the other hand on his torso over the worst of his wounds. His body convulsed, but unlike Angel he did not cry out. Buffy tightened her hold and whispered soothing words into his ear. The Oracle stepped back and Buffy watched amazed as the bruises and cuts healed over, leaving no scars.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. For what it is worth, Wolfram and Hart has been spiking Angel's blood supply. I am not condoning his actions by any means, but I do not believe that he would have killed those watchers or tortured your's had he not been drugged."

"So your brother helped them spike Angel's blood? Why?"

"No. My brother's folly was in sending Angel to you in the first place. Vampires are obsessive and territorial. He should have foreseen the consequences on showing such a creature a pretty sixteen year old girl. Also, he did nothing when Angel attempted to claim you. Rather he allowed himself to be swayed by the argument that you would agree to such a claim given the choice."

Buffy smiled ruefully. "God, I was so in love with Angel I'm not so sure your brother was wrong." She stroked the hairs off her Watcher's forehead. "I don't think I could see anything beyond Angel back then."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. Vampiric thrall is hard to resist, even by those with more experience than a young girl in love for the first time."

"Angel put me under thrall?" Buffy was outraged.

"Nothing that was deliberate. For what it is worth, Angel believes that he truly loves you. I'm not sure he was even aware what he was doing. Only that he didn't want to share you with anyone."

"What will happen to him?"

"The Powers will give him time to get off the tainted blood. They'll keep him somewhere that Wolfram and Hart will not be able to get to him. Then they will look for a suitable place for him to be reassigned. They'll release him after they are relatively certain that he will leave you be as you've requested." With that, she was gone.

Buffy, with considerable help from Wesley, dragged Giles towards the exit. "Let's get him back to the Magic Box so he can sleep it off. And you two, you're going to explain what the hell you were doing going after my Watcher."

"What?" Danvers said.

"Buffy, I assure you, we did not come to Sunnydale to harm either you or Giles. We came because we had information on Glory."

Buffy and Wesley stopped. "And you couldn't have just called? Or told him without beating on him?"

"We did call and give him the information two days ago. When I called the next day, Giles had no recollection of our conversation or any of the information. The same occurred when I called him two hours later. I surmised there was some sort of spell that was surrounding Glory which caused everyone to forget pertinent information. It appeared localized as my associates and I, whilst in London, had full recollection of the discussions. We are now apparently affected by the spell as well, as I can only remember that I had some information about Glory. However, even that knowledge is fading."

"Buffy," Wesley gasped. "Perhaps we can continue this conversation back at the Magic Box. Giles is getting heavy."

After they made sure Giles was comfortably situated on the couch in the training room, the others returned to the main shop. There was enough evidence of a struggle that it did not take much convincing to persuade the Sunnydale police of gang activity. The bodies were removed and Travers made arrangements to have them flown back to London for proper burial.

A search of the materials the Council had brought revealed a note sticking out of one of the journals. The note was from Spike of all people, and addressed to Buffy.

Slayer,

I was minding my own business, not eavesdropping or anything, when my poofter sire busted into the Magic Box. When I saw him carry off Giles, I followed him back to the mansion and ran into Dru. She was quite pleased that she was going to have another go at the Watcher. I think she quite fancies him. Anyway, there were too many with Angelus for a rescue, but I figured I could at least take Dru out of there. I knocked her out and chained her up in my crypt and came back to see if I could find any of your little helpers around. The other watchers were dead but I noticed this book being clutched by the old guy. The one that brassed you off so much. Seems like they had information on how to stop that crazy bitch Glory. I couldn't touch the wanker because of the soddin' chip, but figured Dru would be mighty hungry. I told her that her Daddy wanted her to eat before she could play and she took care of your Glory problem right nice. She wasn't too pleased when I knocked her out again, but I'm taking Dru and we're leaving town.

I figure this squares me and the Watcher for his hospitality and all. The old sod is crazy about you. He'd likely do anything for you, 'cept tell you. Right. I left something for the Niblet back in my crypt. Figure she'll be mighty pissed that I left without saying goodbye, but I can't risk Dru laying eyes on her.

Spike

Oh. And if I ever get this bleedin' chip out I'll have your guts for garters.

"Well that explains why we didn't find Spike or Drusilla at the mansion," Wesley said.

"Ms. Summers, I have no idea how you've managed to inspire loyalty from such an evil creature, but Danvers and I will go and check out his claim." He looked towards the training room lost in thought for a moment, "I wonder …" He shook his head and called for Danvers.

"Come Danvers."

They heard sounds of Giles stirring in the training room. Wesley took it as his cue to leave. "I'll, um be back in a few hours. I expect you two have a bit to talk about."

"Yeah. Thanks, Wes." She surprised the ex-Watcher with a quick but heartfelt hug and headed towards the training room. She and Giles definitely had a lot to talk about.