Each of those sent out to find and follow the hobbity creatures had done so. And each had ended up in the same place. Standing outside a luxurious penthouse apartment. Kyle and Rhonda visually confirmed that this was the woman who threw Kyle into a cement wall.
Xander gathered everyone together. The Pack, the Research Team, Jesse and Sarah and Uncle Rory. Tor and Heidi, Kyle and Rhonda, Giles and Jenny, Willow and Tara, Jesse and Sarah, Faith and Uncle Rory. He carefully laid out his plan.
"I don't know if there is a Higher Power trying to help us. Or even, given that there are apparently two other hell gods that want this one dead, whether they're good or evil. I do know some items have come into our possession in the last few months that may be able to help us defeat this hell goddess before she comes near to finding out about the baby."
He laid the Dagon's Sphere on the table. "This is supposed to repel that which cannot be named. It's speculated that this means it predates the written and possibly spoken word and this hell goddess probably does too. It may weaken her."
Next he laid the blasting rod the weird glowing demon had used to separate Giles into Proper Giles and Hooligan Giles. "This should be able to separate her into the separate human and god parts. Since their life forces are connected together, killing the human, means killing the god."
Next he laid the troll god hammer on the table. "This amplifies the strength of the one wielding it. Since Protectors are stronger than Slayers, a Protector will wield it. That Protector will use it to distract the goddess, while Rory shoots the human with a rifle from across the street."
"Sarah, Tara, Willow, Giles and Jenny, along with Jesse will stay here with Cordelia, to protect her and the baby.. The rest of us will attack this hell goddess. I will wield the hammer, Tor the blasting rod, Kyle the Dagon's Sphere. Rhonda, Faith and Heidi will attack the hobbits. Tor and Kyle, once your jobs are done, you help with the hobbits. Once Rory shoots the human hopefully it will all be over. Any questions?"
"Are we really going to do this?" Willow asked, quietly. "Are we really going to kill a human? We're supposed to protect humans."
"Sometimes humans are the enemy, Willow. You remember way back when I first told you guys about Protectors, about being a Protector. I mentioned that Uncle Rory had been part of a Marine demon hunting squad and they stopped a group from opening a portal to a hell dimension? They were humans, Willow. Uncle Rory's squad killed them all. They intended to end the world, for whatever messed up reason, they had decided the world must end. This hell goddess wants to end the world too. In the process, she means to harm an innocent unborn child. It's this human or the rest of the world starting with the baby. I choose the baby."
Everyone looked at Cordelia and then Tor picked up the blasting rod. Kyle picked up the Dagon's Sphere. The rest began to silently put on their heavy armor. Including the ones staying behind, in case anyone attacked. They carefully helped Cordelia into hers. They couldn't completely buckle it but it was better than nothing.
Xander and the Pack, along with Faith and Rory set out to beard the lioness in her den. They stopped first at the building across the street from the penthouse apartment. Via walky, Rory confirmed a clear view of the apartment through the large windows. The others quickly and silently made their way across the street and into the building. They knocked on several doors, checking for any innocent bystanders, each appeared to be empty, probably among the first human minds she'd consumed once she reached Sunnydale. They made it up the stairs to the top floor. Once at the door of the apartment, they didn't hesitate. Xander kicked in the door and jumped though. Kyle threw the Dagan's Sphere at the woman, who caught it. The air around her seemed to waver and she looked like she was hurting and confused. Tor didn't hesitate either, he blasted her with the rod and suddenly there was an adult human male standing beside her. Xander attacked, all the fear and rage he was feeling amped up his already considerable strength. And then there was a crash as the window blew apart and the human's head exploded. The goddess had time to scream once in impotent fury and then she crumpled in on herself, down to a small scrunched up form that suddenly exploded. Unlike the human though, there seemed to be no remains.
They quickly finished off the hobbity creatures and finally were able to breathe a sigh of relief. They gathered the unknown human's body and left as suddenly as they'd come. They met Uncle Rory on the sidewalk across the street. He put his hand on Xander's shoulder and said. "You did what you had to, kid. Always remember that. She was after you and yours. You protect what's yours."
They returned to the Magic Box and put away the weapons and armor. Each couple held each other. The anxiety of the last few months since the attack on Cordelia bled away in near giddy relief. It was over.
Later Xander and the Pack went out to talk to General Gregor, who told him their own clerics had already confirmed the hell goddess was no more. Xander explained the attack, but did not tell them about the baby. They might think there was still a danger and come after it. General Gregor agreed to withdraw his troops.
Afterward Xander and Cordelia lay in their bed, holding each other and discussing who they would name as godparents. It didn't take them long, as they were in complete agreement. They fell asleep cuddled in each other arms.