A/N: Thanks for your kind reviews on the previous chapter. Here is the next one which, I hope, seems a bit more light hearted and brings back another BtVS alum. I do apologize for the lack of fighting detail. Please enjoy and review.
General O'Neill's office, SGC, two weeks later.
The General was sitting in his office doing his paperwork when suddenly a bright white light appeared and deposited a certain red head into his office.
"Good morning Sir" said Willow as she smiled at her Commanding Officer.
"Morning Red" said the General, "so I take it your counselling session with that Asgard went well?"
"Yes Sir" said Willow, "He's already beamed his report directly to Dr. Brightman."
"That's good" said the General, "I'm guessing you're just raving to go on a mission?"
"Yes Sir" said Willow smiling.
"That's great" said the General, "let's see what the Doc says, in the meantime I want you to report to the infirmary and then meet up with Teal'c for your session."
"Yes Sir" said Willow.
"Dismissed" said the General as Willow turned around and stopped just before she left the office.
"Ummm… Sir?" said Willow as she turned around and faced the General, "Is Faith around? I'm not able to telepathically contact her on the base."
"She's on P8… something or other with Daniel" said the General.
"Oh?" said Willow in surprise.
"Yep" said the General, "He said he wanted to check some doohickies at a site that SG14 found, and Faith asked if she could tag along."
"Oh" said Willow, "I completely forgot about that."
"They'll be back in about five hours Red" said the General, "don't worry; it's just a discovery mission."
"I'm not worried Sir" said Willow, "They can look after themselves."
"Yes they can" said the General as he looked at his wrist watch, "you know what, I could go for some cake."
"Sir" said Willow smiling, "it's only ten in the morning."
"The best time for cake" said the General, "Come on, we'll grab some cake before you have to go for your check-up."
"Yes Sir" said Willow smiling as she walked alongside the General on her way to the commissary, "You're coming for the session too right Sir?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world" said the General with a smile.
SGC Gym, two hours later
"Hey Teal'c" said Willow as she walked into the gym after her check up was done.
"Willow Rosenberg" said Teal'c as she stood up and gave a small bow to the red head, "it is good to see you again. I have been looking forward to these regular sessions."
"Me too, Teal'c" said Willow as she recalled that they would have a sparring session using both wooden staffs and unarmed hand to hand combat techniques whenever they were free, at least when there was no world endage or when she was not injured or almost dying.
"I have already completed my warm up sessions" said Teal'c as he walked towards the punching bag that was set at one corner of the room, "I shall await the completion of your warm ups and the arrival of our regular audience before we begin."
"Alright" said Willow smiling as she started on some stretching, "so what's the score now?"
"The score is twenty to seven in my favour for the sessions using the staff weapons" said Teal'c with a small smile on his face, "and twenty-one to six in my favour during the unarmed sessions."
"Ummmm…." Said Willow grinning as she started on some crunches, "really? I thought I'd have more."
"You shall have your chance this day to improve on your score" said Teal'c as he started to use a hand wrap around his hands.
"Hey" said Colonel Carter as she walked into the gym and looked at Willow, "you ready?"
"Yes ma'am" said Willow as she completed her last crunch and moved on to another warm-up.
"Hey T" said General O'Neill who was closely behind the Colonel, "you ready?"
"Indeed I am, O'Neill" said Teal'c.
"Well I've got the odds from Daniel and Faith" said the General, "Faith is going for Teal'c while Daniel is going for Willow."
"Wait" said Willow surprised as she stopped using the jump rope, "Faith chose Teal'c?"
"Indeed" said Teal'c proudly.
"I'm going to give her such a tongue lashing when she gets back" said Willow before she noticed the looks that the Colonel and General O'Neill were giving her and then her face turned red, "no, not that. I meant I'll scold her when she gets back… you know punish her… for not choosing me."
"Willow" said the Colonel as she covered her mouth trying not to laugh, "that sounds even worse."
"Oy" said Willow, "and Faith says that I'm the one with a dirty mind."
"I do not understand O'Neill" said Teal'c as he looked at the General, "why would it matter if Willow Rosenberg's mental faculties are in a state of being unclean?"
"It's nothing" said the General as he too struggled not to laugh while helping Teal'c tie the wrap around his hands.
"Ready, Willow?" said the Colonel after she had calmed down, with tears of laughter still coming out of her eyes.
"Yes, ma'am" said a sheepish sounding Willow as she held her hands out for the Colonel to wrap tightly.
"You know" said the Colonel, "you're lucky that Colonel Dixon and Reynolds weren't here when you said that, they would never have left you hear the end of it."
"Hear the end of what?" said Colonel Dixon as he walked into the gym and took a seat at one of the chairs next to the wall, followed closely by Colonel Reynolds.
"Nothing Sir" said Willow as she looked at the Colonel who was again trying her best not to laugh.
"Sorry" whispered the Colonel as she finished wrapping Willow's hands.
"It's alright ma'am" whispered Willow in reply, "I walked right into it."
"So did we miss anything?" asked Colonel Dixon, "nothing's started yet right?"
"Nope" said the General.
"Who else are we waiting on?" asked the Colonel.
"Feretti, Altman, Castleman and Pierce" said General O'Neill.
"And speak of the devils" said Colonel Dixon as he watched the four men walk down the hallway along with two newcomers.
"Oh" said the General, "looks like they brought along the new commanders for SG-25 and SG-26."
"Oh" said Willow as she looked at Colonel Carter, "there's an SG-25 and SG-26 now?"
"It's the new Army Combat Units" said the Colonel, "they were created while you were on your two week leave, and the new commanders were just brought in this morning after you left for your counselling session."
"Oh" said Willow and her eyes widened just as she looked at the man at the entrance. She then slowly turned around and walked to one corner, hoping that he wouldn't recognize her immediately.
"Hey guys" said Colonel Feretti as he and the others walked into the room, "please let me introduce you all to Lt. Colonel Riley Finn and Lt. Colonel Sam Finn."
"Colonel's" said Colonel Feretti, "you already know General O'Neill."
"Sir" said Riley and Sam as they both saluted the General.
"That's Colonel Dixon and Colonel Reynolds" said Colonel Ferretti as they shook hands with each other before he introduced them to Colonel Carter.
"Ma'am" said Sam as she shook Colonel Carter's hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you, I've heard a lot about you and your missions."
"Thank you" said Colonel Carter.
"And these two are the ones we're here to see spar today" said Colonel Feretti as he stepped forwards and introduced Teal'c.
"It's a pleasure to meet you sir" said Riley excitedly as he shook Teal'c's hand, "at first I couldn't believe the briefing I was given by General O'Neill, but after spending time reading the mission reports, especially the first mission to Chulak… I… I… I don't really know what to say."
"Breathe" said Sam as she looked at Riley.
"I look forward to working with you Riley Finn, Sam Finn" said Teal'c as he gave the both of them a small bow.
Riley and Sam then walked with Colonel Ferretti and Colonel Carter to Willow was nervously standing in the corner trying her best to hide her face.
"And this" said Colonel Carter as she turned Willow around, "is…."
"Willow?" said Riley in surprise.
"Hi Riley" said Willow as she turned around and looked at the man that Buffy was interested in at U.C. Sunnydale. Suddenly realizing who she was talking to, Willow quickly gave a salute to both Riley and Sam, "Sir…. Ma'am."
"You're kidding me" said Riley after he returned the salute, "I heard you joined the Air Force but I never realized that you'd be here."
"She's a member of SG-1" said Colonel Carter as she squeezed Willow's shoulder.
"What?" said Riley and Saw together.
"Hold on" said Colonel Ferretti, "the both of you know each other?"
"We went to U.C. Sunnydale, I was the T.A in her psychology class" said Riley, "at least until she mysteriously disappeared."
"Hold on" said Sam as she looked at Willow and then Colonel Carter, "she's the one we've heard about on the way here? The one who is on track to tie General O'Neill's score against Teal'c?"
"She's the one" said Colonel Ferretti, "she only has to score one more to tie the General's win's against Teal'c in both armed and hand to hand combat."
"Willow?" said Riley.
"I think we should start" said Willow smiling as she looked at Riley and then Colonel Carter before going back to Riley and Sam, "Sir, Ma'am."
"Alright then" said Colonel Ferretti as he pulled away a still surprised Riley and Sam from the middle of the room and led them to one corner of the gym from where they could watch the sparring session.
As Willow and Teal'c were handed the wooden staff weapons by General O'Neill, Riley and Sam walked over to Colonel Carter.
"Colonel" said Riley, "please take Willow out of there. She can't take him on."
"Why?" asked a surprised Colonel Carter.
"She's not ready for this" said Riley, "I'm sure she's earned her way into her rank and position on SG-1 but fighting against someone who spent an entire lifetime fighting is a bit too much, don't you think?"
"When was the last time you've seen her?" asked the Colonel as she saw Willow bring up her right arm and place it across her chest, right above her left breast and give a bow of respect to Teal'c while the larger Jaffa male did the same thing as well.
"It's been years" said Riley, "I mean Buffy used to tell me that she'd never be the one fighting alongside her, most of the time she'll be the one doing the research"
"That's just it Colonel" said Colonel Carter, "she's not that person anymore, she's changed. The way I see it, Teal's has more combat experience and is stronger, but Willow is just slightly faster and a bit more agile. She's been training hard."
"But Colonel" said Sam, "from everything I've been told about her…."
"One thing you learn here at the SGC" said Colonel Carter as she looked at Sam, "you never know what's going to happen, Willow's a fighter and whether she wins or loses, she'll give her all and fight."
"But…." Said Riley as Colonel Carter interrupted him.
"Just watch" said Colonel Carter, "I've got odds on her to win both the armed and unarmed parts, while the General thinks she'll beat Teal'c in the unarmed section only."
Just then everyone stopped and looked at the two sparring partners that were on the middle of the room.
Teal'c: "Willow Rosenberg, are you prepared?"
Willow: "I guess so. Just a bit surprised by the presence of Riley here, that's all."
Teal'c: "Would you like more time to prepare?"
Willow: "No. I mean I don't think there is a need. You thought me I need to focus on what I have to do, so that what I'm going to do… just focus."
Teal'c: "Very well."
Willow: "I won't use my telekinesis or my telepathy, as usual."
Teal'c: "No, this time you must."
Willow: "Teal'c?"
Teal'c: "A warrior needs to utilize every advantage that has been granted to them, Willow Rosenberg. Which is why I have always insisted that you employ your special abilities."
Willow: "Still, it kind of feels like cheating."
Teal'c: "Willow Rosenberg, I have mentioned before that in a real battle situation your enemy will not concern themselves with details such as fairness. They will utilize every advantage at their disposal. What matters is how you use your abilities in battle that would determine if you are the victor or not."
Willow: "How about just my telekinesis? Faith was telling me that I automatically put up some kind of a shield during our training sessions. I also want to test a theory that I could use telekinesis to augment my strength."
Teal'c: "It seems to be a useful ability."
"Gentleman and lady?" said the General as he looked at both Willow and Teal'c, "you folks ready?"
"Indeed" said Teal'c.
"Yes Sir" said Willow with a grin.
"Alright" said the General, "four rounds of five minutes each for the armed portion of our little session here. Winner is the one with the most points or the one who completely knocks out the other. Is that clear?"
"Yes Sir" said Willow as she smiled at Teal'c.
"Indeed" said Teal'c.
"I still don't like this Colonel" said Riley.
"Trust me when I say that this Willow isn't the same one you knew at U.C. Sunnydale" said Colonel Carter as Teal'c started attacking Willow while everyone cheered.
Riley and Sam looked on as Colonel Carter made it to the front of the small crowd while Teal'c brought down his staff on Willow's head, which she managed to block with her own staff. They looked on as Willow smiled and pushed Teal'c's blow to one side while at the same time she used her legs to sweep Teal'c down onto the floor. Willow then quickly got up and brought down her weapon onto Teal'c head, which he then managed to block himself.
"Ok" said Riley as he looked at Sam, "that's different."
"I guess you were wrong about her?" said Sam as she watched Teal'c use his own legs to knock Willow out of balance before he stood up and tapped her arm using his staff and in the process gaining a point.
"Something's different about her" said Riley after he saw the first few exchanges between Willow and Teal'c, "and that's a fact; she used to be in my class and she seemed so quiet, so nervous, even when she was dating that werewolf."
After the first round ended in a draw for both the combatants, Riley and Sam had walked up to Willow who was seated next to Colonel Carter and Teal'c drinking water from a plastic flask.
"A tie?" said Riley as he approached Willow, "you managed to hold off a lifelong warrior to a tie?"
"Indeed" said Teal'c smiling.
"You seem proud" said Sam as she looked at Teal'c.
"Indeed I am" said Teal'c, "It was myself and Faith Lehane that has been training Willow Rosenberg."
"Hold up" said Riley, "Faith's here too?"
"Yep" said the Colonel Carter, "you know her as well?"
"Yea" said Riley, "from Sunnydale. She's bad news. I'm guessing that if you know about Faith, then you know about Slayers, demons and vampires?"
"Yes" said the Colonel as she nodded, "Willow told us Faith was known as The Dark Slayer."
"Yes" said Riley.
"Are you alright with all of this?" asked Sam, "I mean demons, vampires and all these things?"
"I just take it as it goes Colonel" said Colonel Carter, "maybe you should ask Willow how she ended up at the SGC?"
"I will" said Riley as he stared at Willow before looking at Sam and then Colonel Carter, "I still can't believe about Faith though. I mean, she's one bad egg."
"She's not that anymore, well she's still a Slayer but also a crucial member of the SGC that we trust" said Colonel Carter, "she's also with SG1 and right now I think she's with Daniel on some survey mission."
"She's off-world?" asked Sam.
"Yep" said the Colonel.
"Alright kids" said the General, "let's start the next round."
"Come on Captain!" shouted Colonel Dixon as Willow and Teal'c walked up to the middle of the room, "win the next round."
"I'll try Sir" said a smiling Willow.
"Let us begin Willow Rosenberg" said Teal'c as he held up his wooden staff while waiting for the General to give his go ahead.
"General O'Neill, Sir" said Walter who came running in panting just as the General was going to indicate the start of the next round.
"Walter?" said the General, "take a deep breath, what's going on?"
"Sir" said Walter panting as he handed the General a piece of paper, "Messages from General Carter and the President."
"Alright" said the General as he opened the paper and smiled, "Thanks Walter."
"Yes, Sir" said Walter as he ran past Willow and back to the control room, "good luck, Captain."
"Thanks, Walter" said Willow smiling.
"Alright Kids" said General O'Neill, "looks like both the President and General Carter are going for our resident red head."
Willow smiled as everyone whistled and Teal'c gave her a small bow.
"The President?" whispered Sam to Riley who just shrugged.
"However" said the General, "Selmak has gone for Teal'c."
Everyone, including Willow, clapped for Teal'c when the General said that particular bit of news which was funny, especially since Selmak was the Tok'ra symbiote inhabiting General Jacob Carter's body.
"Ready?" asked the General as Willow and Teal'c nodded, "start."
Gym, SGC, 20 minutes later.
"Willow Rosenberg" said a smiling Teal'c as he held his hand out to the red head who was lying on her back, on the gym floor.
"Teal'c" smiled Willow as she reached for his hand and held on tightly as the Jaffa warrior pulled her up.
"You are injured" asked Teal'c as he looked at the bruises on her arms and legs.
"Nah" said Willow as she slowly stretched herself, "these will heal, just need a few minutes."
"Your shield was not effective at this time" said Teal'c.
"I guess not" replied Willow as she looked at the slowly disappearing bruises and then at Teal'c, "are you alright? I know I hit you hard with the last couple of hits."
Willow looked down at the two broken pieces of the wooden staff she was holding just a few minutes ago when Teal'c brought down his staff hard onto Willow's and broke it into two pieces. She had used the broken pieces of the staff to land a few solid hits on Teal'c before he knocked her down onto the mat at literally the last second of the final round.
"I will survive" said Teal'c with a smile.
"Come on" said Willow as she reached for the Jaffa's shoulders, "I'll heal you."
"You do not need to" said Teal'c.
"We still have the unarmed round to go" said Willow grinning, "can't have you say that I had an advantage with my Ancient gene healing my body and you remaining injured."
"Very well" said a smiling Teal'c as Willow started to slowly heal the injuries on Teal'c's arm while the General was calculating the final score. Once the score for the armed portion was calculated, he showed it to Colonel Carter who gave a little smile. Willow tried her best not to use any of her empathic abilities or her telepathy to find out who won, all she knew was that Colonel Carter and the others in the room had enjoyed the sparring session.
"This was extremely close" said the General as he looked at Willow and Teal'c, "very, very, very close."
Willow smiled when Colonels Dixon and Ferretti whistled while Riley and Sam leaned forward on their chairs, their hands covering their mouths in total surprise at what the just saw.
"With a difference of only four points" said the General with a long dramatic pause, "the winner is… Teal'c."
Willow couldn't help but laugh and clap for her SG1 teammate as he bowed at the spectators and then bowed towards Willow, who returned the bow.
"That was a good one Teal'c" said Willow as she gave him the traditional Jaffa handshake.
"You fought well Willow Rosenberg" said Teal'c.
"Alright kids" said the General, "five minute break and then we start the unarmed round, the both of you decide how you want to do it."
"Yes, Sir" said Willow as Teal'c nodded at the General.
"Willow" said Riley as he walked up to her and Teal'c.
"Sir?" said Willow.
"You took a beating just now" said Riley, "You're going to continue?"
"Yes, Sir" said a smiling Willow.
"Willow" said Riley, "this isn't a laughing matter."
"No, it's not Sir" said Willow as she looked at Riley.
"Willow" said Sam as she put a hand on her husband's shoulder, "what's the next round supposed to be?"
"Unarmed combat" said Teal'c as he walked towards Willow and the two Majors.
"Unarmed?" said Riley shocked just as Colonel Carter walked up behind them.
"Something wrong here?" asked the Colonel.
"Colonel, armed combat is one thing" said Riley, "but unarmed? She'll be injured and laid up in the infirmary for days.. maybe she'll even suffer broken bones or internal injuries."
Willow: "Oh God."
Teal'c: "Indeed."
Willow: "Gloves?"
Teal'c: "Indeed."
Willow: "I'll be experimenting for this round so I apologize, in advance, if I cause any pain."
Teal'c: "Very well."
Willow: "Teal'c, I want you to go all out."
Teal'c: "Do you believe I will not?"
Willow: "I know you will… it's just that…. I guess I'm just disappointed that Riley doesn't think that I can handle myself."
Teal'c: "Do not pay attention to what he speaks off. Just focus on the next round because as you have mentioned, I will not hold back."
Willow: "Thank you."
Teal'c: "Indeed."
"Ma'am?" said Willow as she took off her previous hand wraps and handed the Colonel a new pair which she could tightly wrap around Willow's hands.
"Colonel" said Colonel Carter as she took the hand wraps from Willow, while she looked at Riley and Sam, "participating in these sparring sessions are the choice of Captain Rosenberg and Teal'c. They are not being forced in anyway. In fact it was Captain Rosenberg's idea that a sparring session be held between herself and Teal'c, actually they've been sparring for quite some time now."
"But…" said Riley as the Colonel interrupted him.
"You keep on looking at her through the rose tinted glasses of U.C. Sunnydale" said the Colonel, "you forget that she's now an Air Force officer who's been trained to operate in the field, you forget that she's been through the Stargate and even gotten injured a few times and lived, you also seem to forget that she has also saved the lives of SG1 and others in this base a few times. I have told you before and I will tell you again, you should not underestimate her. Not anymore. I've seen what happened to the people who underestimated her resolve, so I'm asking you as a colleague and your senior officer; don't push it with her. If she feels she can't fight anymore, then she'll pull out. If Teal'c thinks that she can't handle it, he'll stop the session and even carry her to the infirmary if he has to."
"Do we have a problem here?" asked the General as he heard Colonel Carter speaking a bit loudly.
"No, Sir" said a very surprised Riley.
"I'm sorry Colonel" said Riley, "I really don't mean any disrespect, I have read the mission files and I…. well, we both know what she's been through. It's just that I can't help but see her as the shy, mousy and nervous student who was in my class."
"It's not me you should be apologizing to" said the Colonel as she looked at Willow whose hands Colonel Carter was still wrapping up using the hand wrap.
"It's alright Colonel" said Willow as she looked at Riley.
"I think Sam and I will just take our seats again" said Riley as he walked to the wall.
"Good luck Captain" said Sam with a smile as she followed Riley back to the wall where their seats were.
"You alright, Willow?" asked Colonel Carter.
"Yes ma'am" said Willow, "thank you."
"For?" asked the Colonel as she tightened the wrap around Willows hands and stood back after she was done. She then lifted the boxing gloves from the floor and helped Willow put them on while General O'Neill was helping put Teal'c's gloves on.
"Standing up for me just now" said Willow once the gloves were tightened around her hands.
"Don't be silly" smiled Colonel Carter, "all of us would stand up for you, just do your best."
"Yes ma'am" said Willow grinning.
"You're healed?" asked the Colonel.
"Yes ma'am" said Willow, "even healed Teal'c."
"Good job" said Colonel Carter, "listen, after you're done with all of this. I need to talk to both you and Faith about something. Feel like having another girl's night tonight?"
"As long as there's no beers" said Willow, "Oh yeah, Cassie's still here for her summer break, we should ask her to come too."
"Ok" said Colonel Carter, "but its pop or juice for you and her, and beer for me and Faith."
"That's not fair ma'am" said Willow smiling as the General walked over to the both of them.
"Red" said the General as Teal'c walked up to Willow, "you ready?"
"Yes, Sir" said Willow.
"I couldn't help but overhear something about a girl's night out tonight?" said the General smiling.
"Yes, Sir" said Colonel Carter, "sorry, no boys allowed."
"It's alright" said the General as he looked at Teal'c, "boys night at my place tonight T; you, me and Daniel; some beer, pizza and Star Wars."
"Very well, O'Neill" said Teal'c.
"Team night tomorrow?" asked Willow.
"Sure, why not?" said the General, "Your place then, Red? I'll bring the beer."
"Yes, Sir" said Willow.
"Hey" said Colonels Dixon and Reynolds, "Come on! We don't have all day you know."
"Calm down" said the General as a few more people started to come into the gym as word got around the base that Willow and Teal'c were going to have an unarmed sparring match.
"Good luck Willow, Teal'c" said Colonel Carter as she walked back to her seat.
"Alright" said the General, "Four rounds of five minutes each for the unarmed portion of our little session here. Winner is the one who knocks out the other. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Sir" said Willow.
"Indeed" said Teal'c.
"Headgears on?" asked the General as both of them nodded.
"Mouth guards?" asked the General as they opened their mouths and showed him the guards.
"Red" said the General, "remember, no hitting below the belt."
Willow nodded her head as everyone laughed, everyone except for Riley she noticed. The last thing Willow saw as she was bowing to Teal'c was Riley's hand covering his mouth as he looked on in worry.
"Alright, Kids" said the General, "Start."
20 minutes later.
Willow found herself lying on the mat again after Teal'c had given her a solid punch to her jaw. She could see the General counting down to ten as Teal'c looked down at her worriedly.
"Red?" said the General as he finished the count and went over to where she was lying down.
"Willow" said Colonel Carter as she kneeled beside her and lightly tapped Willow's face, "you alright?"
"Yes, ma'am" said Willow softly.
"Jack" said Colonel Dixon as he reached for the phone, "I'm calling Dr. Brightman."
"It's alright Colonel Dixon" said Willow as she slowly sat up and looked at a concerned Riley and Sam.
"I apologize Willow Rosenberg" said Teal'c as he helped her up.
"Nah" said Willow, "I kinda lost my focus a bit."
"Willow" said the Colonel, "you got a bit of a bruise on your jaw."
"It's alright Colonel" said Willow as she smiled at Colonel Carter, "I'll be just fine, it will heal in a few minutes."
"Alright" said the General, "I'll go announce the winner."
"Looks like my experiment failed, Teal'c" said Willow as she looked at her SG1 teammate.
"Perhaps this time" said Teal'c.
"I guess you're going to say that I should train more with my abilities so that this doesn't happen again?" said Willow.
"Indeed" said Teal'c.
"All those who said that Teal'c will be the winner today" said the General after yet another dramatic pause, "should be really happy."
"Congrats, Teal'c" said Willow as she clapped Teal'c's victory, along with the other's who were in the gym.
"It has been an honor to spar with you once again, Willow Rosenberg" said Teal'c.
"Next month?" said Willow.
"Indeed" replied a smiling Teal'c as he walked towards the Men's locker room for a shower.
"Captain" said Colonels Dixon and Ferretti, "that was great."
"Thank you Sirs" said Willow grinning as she took off her hand wraps with the help of Colonel Carter and threw them away.
"Captain" said Colonels Reynolds and Pierce, "until next month then?"
"Yes sirs" replied Willow with a grin.
"Willow" said Riley, "are you alright?"
"Oh yeah" said Willow, "I'll be fine right after a shower."
"You sure?" said Riley.
"Yes Sir" said Willow.
"It was good to see you fighting like that" said Sam.
"Thanks ma'am" replied Willow.
"I'm sure Buffy and the other's would be impressed" said Sam.
"Yea" said Willow nervously.
"You do know what happened to them right?" asked Colonel Carter.
"To who?" said Riley, "Buffy?"
"Yes" said Colonel Carter.
"No" said Riley and Sam.
"You should finish up all the mission reports" said Colonel Carter, "you'll read what happened."
"Alright then" said Riley confused as he and Sam walked out of the gym.
"We should get together sometime, Willow" said Riley as he turned around before leaving the gym, "you know… reconnect after not having seen each other for a long time."
"Sure, Sir" said Willow as the two Finns walked down the hallway.
"Ready to go back home?" asked Colonel Carter as she turned to face Willow.
"I think I'll just wait for Faith to get back, ma'am" said Willow.
"She's got another two hours" said the Colonel, "maximum."
"How about we go get some stuff for girl's night and then pick up Cassie from the General's place?" continued Colonel Carter.
"That sounds like a plan, ma'am" said Willow.
"Let's go then" said Colonel Carter as she walked out of the gym alongside Willow.
TBC.