Cylon Earth, Camp Three, 1315 hours.
Triana couldn't believe what she just heard. The young woman looked at Daniel, Willow, Colonel Carter, and then at Giles before looking at Daniel again; the man who just brought her world crashing down around her. It was the second time after she had awakened from cryo-sleep that she received a shocking news; the first being that the Tigh's creations murdered billions, and the second being the bombshell that the newcomers were from Earth. Her trembling hands were holding onto the back of the chair, and with the lump in her throat that she felt was rising as she thought about the implications about what Daniel said would mean for her and her people, Triana gave out a sob as Giles reached out for her. But the young woman looked at him, and then at Leoben and the other Cylons who were an off-shoot of her race… an off-shoot who just committed an act of genocide against a race of humans without provocation and stepped back. Triana shook her head at Leoben who took a step towards her, and in return Trina took a few more steps back with tears in her eyes.
It was then that she felt the tent she was in spinning around her.
Triana closed her eyes and took in a few deep breaths before she looked at Daniel once again.
"What… what do you mean that you're from… from Earth" said the young woman as she struggled to speak. Triana was doing everything she could not to break down; she hoped that what she heard the archaeologist say was a mistake, "you… you can't be from Earth. This… this is the Alterra's home. This is the coordinates we found in the Kobol-class ship that crashed on Kobol. This is Earth…. This is EARTH!"
Triana covered her eyes and sobbed after her outburst while everyone just stood as they watched her cry. It was a few seconds later that she, in a broken voice, asked Daniel to explain what he meant by what he said.
"Explain it to me" said Triana as she put her hands on her waist and looked at Daniel through tear filled eyes, "prove it to me that we're not on Earth, that…. That you're from the Earth that belonged to the Alterra."
"They've given us samples of bones" said the number Six as she looked at her original, "ancient bones that are more than twenty thousand years old. We… we couldn't believe it either, Triana; at least not at first. We ran multiple tests and we came up with the same results."
"We gave the Colonials a jawbone as well" said Daniel, "eventually some of them took what we gave them as proof that we're from Earth… that Earth predated Kobol, and…. and everything they knew about what's written in their religious texts."
"No" said Triana shaking her head, "no…. I… I refuse.. I."
"It's the truth, Triana" said Giles as he motioned towards the Cylons, "we've given them evidence of our claims… the same evidence we've given to the Colonials. You can see the data for yourself."
"Are we a lie?" asked Triana as tears flowed down her cheeks, tears that for some reason made Leoben feel a pain in his chest, "are we a lie? Are the people who died here a lie? This is Earth, and…"
"We're not claiming it's not" said Daniel as he stepped forward, "Triana, your people named this planet Earth…. Even though it had already existed; for you and your people, this was the planet you settled on and called it Earth. It's here that your people evolved… just like the Kobolians who believed that humanity evolved on Kobol is partly right; their version of humanity did evolve on Kobol."
"Triana" said Giles, "what we've told you doesn't change who you are. You're a Furling, who settled on a planet called Earth. Does it matter if it's the real one?"
"We wanted to be in the home of the Alterra" said Triana as she wiped her eyes while Daniel and Giles translated what the woman was saying into English, "we hoped that they'd come back from wherever they were and our people would be allies and… and it was all a lie."
"We've already told the Cylons and the Colonials that the Alterra left this galaxy" said Colonel Carter while Giles translated, "they moved on to another one, but returned a little over ten thousand years ago, after millions of years, to Earth."
Triana could only shake her head from side to side while she rubbed her face with her hand as she heard about how the Alterra later called themselves the Ancients, and that the survivors made Earth their home again.
"They spread whatever knowledge they could among the natives that they encountered" said Daniel, "many even had relations with the humans of that time. Eventually some died and others ascended."
"Ascended?" asked Triana.
"They got to a certain point in their evolution that they shed their physical bodies" said Giles while Triana looked on, "they became pure, living energy that moved to a higher plain of existence."
"We haven't been exactly honest about everything" said the Colonel as she looked at Triana, and then at the Cylons, "we've had a source of information who told us about what happened on Kobol, about the Organic drones, the Kobol-class ship."
"What?" asked Anna as she looked at Giles, and then at Colonel Carter, "why would you hide this from us?"
"We were going to leave it hidden" said Colonel Carter, "my superiors wanted you, and the Colonials, to find out your history for yourselves. We just wanted to give you that little push, but having Triana here changed all that. My superiors have said that they don't want the Colonials to know what we're about to tell you, particularly because it concerns Triana and her people."
"Who is your source?" asked Karyn, the Number Eight.
"Thousands of years ago" said Willow as she recalled what General O'Neill had said after they dialled the Stargate from the Jumper just before they left for Camp Three; that he, and Woolsey, felt with this new change that the Cylons, and Triana be given the story about why they ended up on this particular planet. They wanted to give the Cylonss just enough information to satisfy their inevitable questions without revealing that the information came from Willow herself. However, they knew it wouldn't be that easy… particularly with how traumatised Triana may be, "an Ancient ascended from Earth. Her name is Athena."
"A Lord of Kobol?" said Leoben while Willow shook her head.
"She was just someone who shed her physical body and became living energy" said Willow, "she wasn't a god, just someone who had vast knowledge and powers. The Ancient's first rule, their highest law is to have no interference in the lower plains of existence that would interfere with their evolution. Any interference is met with punishment based on the severity of the action. She travelled across the galaxy gathering knowledge, and…. and never mind. But she'd occasionally make her way back to Earth; her home. She even made her way to Kobol… she saw the early humans there find the drones. She was there when the Kobolians stated to spread that humanity began on Kobol itself. The Others, the collective of those we refer to as Ancients revered free will, so Athena just let that lie stand; she let them believe that Kobol was the home of humanity despite knowing that it was all a lie. Then she saw the war… she saw the violence… she saw everything."
"She see us leave?" asked Triana as the Colonel, and the others from SG-1 nodded their heads while Willow mentally told Giles to just pretend he didn't know this; that if trust was broken between Earth and Eden… then he and the others would be the bridge to help them build it again, at least according to the President, "then… then.."
"She knew you were heading for Earth" said Willow as she recalled materializing on the bridge of the ship the drones had built to find Earth, "just before you performed your final jump, Athena changed the coordinates… but that one brought the wrath of the Others on her and she was punished."
"Why?" asked an outrage Triana, "what right did she have in preventing us from getting to Earth? What right did she have? We could have been with humans and….."
"Do the same things that led to the destruction of your own people?" asked Colonel Carter as she looked at Triana while the Cylons just looked at both parties, "Athena told us that, and this was soon after we met the Cylons and the Colonials, she knew what a sudden jump in technology would have done to the early civilizations on Earth. Eventually they would have destroyed themselves, or one civilization would have claimed godhood over the others just because they had the advanced technology, or the early drones would have decided that they could use their advanced tech to push the primitive peoples of the time technologically when they weren't ready for it; and… and if the same things happened there, that happened here?"
"The destruction of Earth" said Leoben softly as he imagined a scenario where a nuclear holocaust happened on Earth.
"None of us would be here today" said Willow, "Athena made a hard choice, but it was the right one. You built machines, and those machines led the destruction of this world. If you gave advanced technology to the early humans on Earth, or even shared technology…. Then its possible that eventually they would be at war over that same technology…. People would be fighting each other to gain more tech that, to them were more like mystical forces."
"But why did Athena come to your people?" asked Anna as she looked at Daniel while glancing at a surprised Giles.
"We've done more to help people on other worlds free themselves from the Goa'uld" said Colonel Carter, "the ascended saw that we were leading the fight, and shedding blood while some of the other races were either isolationist, not technologically advanced enough, or were more interested in infiltration and acts of sabotaged which may or may not made an impact for another hundred years. We've shown the potential to go beyond what we know... at least that's what I think."
"And we've been fixing their mistakes" said Willow.
"We've also been fixing our mistakes" said Daniel, "particularly with the invasion of the Ori, and against them we've already taken massive hits. Some of the Ascended have been giving us clues to fight them… one even sacrificed himself in helping us find a cure for a plague that otherwise would have kept on killing people."
"I'm sorry to be blunt" said Colonel Carter, "but the Cylons and Colonials haven't gone out of their own territories. The both of your races were so busy fighting each other that… that you may have dismissed the possibility that there may be other life out there. And if that's the case, why would any Ascended make themselves known?"
"But then again" said Willow, "being in your own corner of the galaxy may have prevented the Twelve Colonies from being enslaved by the Goa'uld, and it may have prevented the Replicators from attacking both the Colonies, and the Cylons."
"Replicators?" asked Triana.
"Long story for another day" said Giles while the others nodded their heads.
"What we've told you is the truth… what we've told all of you is the truth" said Daniel looking at Triana and then at everyone else, "whether you believe it or not, is totally up to you. I can tell you that an Ascended won't come down and…."
"Sorry, Dr. Jackson" said a familiar voice from behind SG-1 as they turned around, while Giles stood up in surprise, and the Cylons, and Triana took a step back in shock at the red haired woman in a white and gold dress who appeared out of nowhere. Willow gave a wide smile at Melina and mentally talked to her mother while connecting to all of the humans in that tent. Willow then looked over her shoulder at Giles and mentally introduced him to her mother before looking at the older redhead again and asking her what she was going there.
Melina: "I always did say that I would be watching over you, Athena."
Melina then nodded at Daniel and Colonel Carter before she walked calmly past them and approached the Cylons and Triana.
"Greetings, I am the one known as Athena" said Melina as Willow looked over at Daniel, Colonel Carter, and Giles before giving them a small smile. The redhead knew exactly what her mother was doing, putting a face to what had already been revealed to the Cylons. Melina continued telling the Cylons and Triana that everything Willow and the others had told them was true, "I have seen the war that took over Kobol, I did not want that war to be brought to Earth. True, it may not have happened on their Earth, but I did not want to take that risk. Earth is my home… and if there was a war there in the scale that decimated this planet… then you would have been held responsible for destroying humanity's home. I could not allow that, so I changed the jump coordinates on your ship to a lush, but empty world where you could start your race once again."
"So you have no regrets?" asked Triana as she shook her head and wiped her eyes.
"I do not" said Melina, pretending to be her daughter, "I did what I thought necessary, and I was punished for that decision."
The Colonel then looked at Willow and mentally asked her if she really didn't feel regret for changing their coordinates to this planet.
Willow: "I did what I had to do, ma'am. I have no regrets about it; I gave them a new start on this world. They built a life for themselves…. It was all them. They had free will to do what they wanted, and they made their choice to build those machines. These machines then rebelled against them after they were abused, and then they killed each other. If that happened on Earth? Then you, Daniel, Giles wouldn't be here today. So do I regret what I did, ma'am? No… I don't regret it at all."
The Colonel just nodded her head before looking back at Melina who was continuing her talk with the Cylons and Triana.
"But if you are not supposed to be appearing before us" said Karyn, "then why are you here and.. and isn't this interfering?"
"I am just confirming what these people have already told you" said Melina who looked at Giles, and then at the members of SG-1 behind her before looking at Triana again, "your people were sent here, Triana; everything that happened after that was the choice of your people. And that includes the creation of those machines; and you know what happened after that."
"We could have been with the Alterra" said Triana, "we could have been with the Furlings, our creators, made them proud of what we became and…"
"Your people grew up on their own" said Melina as she started to glow, "and you, and the Cylons, will have to continue growing now."
"Wait" said Leoben as he approached Melina who looked at the man with a smile.
"No" she said, "I am not a god; just as these people have already told you. We, the Ascended, were once living beings who managed to evolve to a point where we ascended… or some of us were worthy, good at the core for other Ascended to bring up to the higher plains. But we are not gods, that is what you were going to ask.. was it not?"
"Yes" said Leoben nodding his head as Melina smiled.
"Every living being aims for Ascension" said Melina as she looked at Triana, and then at the other Cylons again, "you just need to work at it. Farewell."
Melina looked back at Willow and gave the younger redhead a small smile before she vanished; leaving gasps from the Cylons as they looked at each other, and then at SG-1, and at Giles. Daniel then approached them and told them that he knew that they had more questions… but the first thing they needed to do was check the other bunkers for any survivors.
"Triana?" asked Giles as he looked at the still shocked young woman.
"I…. I…" said Triana before her eyes rolled back into her skull and she fainted. Leoben was the first to rush towards her, grabbing her just before she fell onto the ground, as he knelt on the ground and felt for a pulse on her neck. Nodding his head, the man then looked at the other Cylons and SG-1, telling them that her heart was still beating.. but that she must be exhausted, and may not have been able to take in all the surprises in regards to the latest revelations.
"We'll take her back to Eden" said Leoben, "the Earth doctors there can take a look at her and get her back to heath. IN the meantime, we'll need to talk to the Council. Karyn and I will go, and talk to them."
"It'll be a less of a shock if she's sent to our outpost" said Colonel Carter, and interrupted Anna who was just about to speak, "she's already said that she didn't want to go to Eden. And… and we should honour that. But then again, remember that Sharon's on that same outpost too. We'll have someone talk to her about convincing Triana to talk with your Council."
"Leoben" said Giles, "that would be best. If she wakes up on Eden surrounded by your versions of Cylons, then she may never talk to you, or the Council again. I think you have to give her some time to adjust to this new reality. Colonel Carter's right, we'll have Sharon talk to her. And… and Triana's more familiar with Cylon pregnancies so…"
"She can help her if needed" said Leoben nodding his head as he looked at Giles, and then looked down at Triana.
New Kobol, 1315 hours.
Talks between the Earth and the Colonial delegations were continuing while the events in Cylon Earth were taking place, the two leaders taking quick breaks with Roslin delivering orders for what message that Apollo should send the Rogue ships that were carrying the rebel Colonials, and the President gave his orders in conjunction with General O'Neill and Woolsey in regards to Triana. It was a few minutes later that they were back at their tables discussing overarching points of an agreement between their two peoples while Buffy and Tara were standing in the tent behind the Secret Service detail. It was then they heard the sounds of a massive ship as it was flying down while it prepared to land at a distance.
Buffy looked at the ship before looking at Tara, and then at the ship again as it landed.
"Wow" said Buffy as she looking outside the tent's open sides, "that's like what? The second ship we've seen?"
"Uh huh" said Tara as she looked at the ships too, "it's kinda neat."
"No kidding" said Buffy as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she smiled at Riley who took a step forward and stood beside her. He whispered in her ear that he had been in contact with Colonel Ferretti who was on Cylon Earth with SG-2, and he said that Dawn was doing alright. He told her and Tara and a team would be bringing the injured Earth officers to Earth for medical attention, but Dawn and her team would be staying there until the Colonials led by Apollo received an answer from the rebel Colonials who were still in orbit of the planet.
Buffy and Tara nodded their heads just as the President Hayes and Roslin shook their hands while Dr. Burke translated that while they've got the major details out of the way in terms of sharing shield technology, and ammunition. Later on, there would be a discussion on possible weapons technology that could be installed once they had further talks, and later they would talk in regards to basic shelter, food and water. President Hayes told Roslin and Commander Adama that the minute details will be handled by Woolsey and his team in conjunction with Roslin's team.
The two Scoobies then headed to the President's side with Riley just as General O'Neill started to tell them about an Earth scout ship that was gathering more information on the Ori's capabilities on Caprica, especially after the report from Riley on his interview with Talia on Admiral Cain's turn to the dark side in affiliating with the Ori.
"Talia?" askedthe President confused as she looked at Commander Adama, and then at Starbuck.
"She's a resistance fighter who was fighting against the Cylon occupation on Tauron, Madam President" said the pilot as Roslin looked on in shock while Dr. Burke translated for the others, "she told us that Cain was searching for an experimental Battlestar that she could upgrade with Ori technology. She… well… it's best if you talk with her, ma'am. We wanted to bring her up after this meeting."
"She's right, President Roslin" said Riley, "she's got some story to tell. It's something you've got to hear."
"Of.. of course" said Roslin as she nodded before looking at President Hayes, "Mr. President, would you, General O'Neill and Mr. Woolsey care to join us for lunch after we have spoken with Talia?"
"Of course" said President Hayes, "thank you."
Commander Adama then escorted Roslin, as the both of them were led by Vice-President Hunt, an eager Baltar, and Starbuck to the infirmary building where Talia was being held for observation. The President then told Woolsey and Dr. Burke to stay with the Colonials, and hear what Talia had to say. Nodding their heads, the two of them continued on to the infirmary while the President turned to General O'Neill who in turn looked at Riley and asked him to contact their people on Cylon Earth, and ask them what was going on with the survivor they had found on the planet.
Riley nodded his head before he patted Buffy and Tara on their backs before he turned and ran towards the Stargate to make his call. In the meantime, Buffy and Tara found themselves with General O'Neill, and the President.. along with his Secret Service detail.
"Mrs. Summers-Harris" said President Hayes as he shook the young woman's hands, something he wasn't able to do since she and Tara had taken over for Willow and Faith. He then shook Tara's hand before thanking them for being able to make it off world.
"No… no problem" said Buffy as she nodded her head, in slight disbelief that she actually shook the President's hand. She glanced over at Tara who had the same look on her face, at least she assumed it was the same look, "we weren't really doing anything much… I mean… nothing big… I mean…"
"There wasn't anything major that was keeping us away, Mr. President" said Tara with a small smile as she nudged Buffy who simply nodded her head.
"Jack?" asked the President as he looked at the grey haired man who was standing next to him, "do you mind giving us a moment?"
"Ummmm.. sure, sir" said the General confused as he looked at his commander-in-chief, and then at the confused looks on the two Scoobies, "I'll be right outside."
President Hayes nodded his head before he turned while watching the General walk out of the tent and then stand outside under the now cloudy sky. The President then turned and smiled at the two Scoobies before he asked the both of them to take a seat.
Nodding their heads, Buffy and Tara sat across from President Hayes with hands on the table. The President then leaned forward and looked at the both of them.
"First, I wanted to thank the both of you again… really" said the President as Buffy and Tara nodded their heads, "secondly, there's another reason that I wanted the both of you to come… there's a few questions I need to ask you."
"OK" said Buffy.
"I've read the report from Major Rosenberg about the First Slayer" said the President, "and the weapon she created when she was Athena for Sineya to use in the war against demons. And I know that a few of you will be going down to retrieve the weapon, or at least find it's location."
"Yes" said Tara nodding her head.
"That weapon is yours to do as you will" said the President as he looked at Buffy, "the Major said that it's something for the Slayer, and while I still don't understand the whole mystical side of things… I understand from the report she filed on her most recent trip to an alternate reality that the weapon rightfully belongs to Slayers… and that it can activate Slayers."
"Yes" said Tara.
"That's what Willow told us too" replied Buffy, "you're worried that I'll do the same thing here. Activate all the Slayers on Earth."
"It's something that I've thought about" said the President, "I was going to talk to you about it a few months from now, but since here you are… well, what better time. Right?"
"Mr. President" said Tara, "that Buffy…. that reality's Buffy and Scoobies had no choice but to activate all the Slayers. They were facing an end of the world scenario on their own and…. and…"
"And they didn't have back-up" said Buffy as she looked straight at President Hayes, "but I do…. We do. We have the NID, we have the military, and the SGC. I was actually thinking of finding a way to selectively activate Slayers."
"Using the weapon?" said the President while the two Scoobies nodded their heads, "this… Scythe?"
"Yes" said Tara, "Dr. Lam found an anomaly in Buffy and Faith… we're hoping that anomaly could be recreated, and then placed into one of the potentials. And then, once we found the Scythe…. I think we can ask Sineya to activate that particular Slayer."
"So you think it's not just this anomaly that's important?" asked the President as he looked at Tara.
"No" she replied, "there' always magic involved…. But there's always a cost, or maybe it just won't work…. The cost being that the Slayer lines could be damaged… or strained? Or maybe nothing could happen."
"All we know is that when Willow was in that alternate reality, her ascended alternate told her that activating all the Slayers could strain the Slayer lines for many years" said Buffy, "we're hoping that if we can manage to activate just one Potential using a combination of the anomaly, and magic… then we could activate two Potentials every few years."
"I think that wouldn't cause a massive strain on the Slayer lines" said Tara.
"I see" said the President as he rubbed his chin, "those Potentials you select would have to be given psych…."
"Any one selected would be given a full battery of tests" said Buffy, "at least that's the idea. And we'll do it with consulting Home World. At least that's the gist if what Cordy and Angel wants to do once we get that weapon."
"If it does work, I mean activating a Potential Slayer" said the President as he looked at Buffy, "will you retire? Can Slayer's retire?"
"Usually a retired Slayer is a dead Slayer" said Buffy with a smile, "but… yeah… I mean Faith retired from Slaying but she's now doing this. Her life's in danger but not from vampires…. But, I guess having a few more Slayers won't hurt. We're planning on going to Nairobi in two days, and if everything goes like it's supposed to… then I'm hoping that we'll have a couple of new Slayers in a few months. If it works… then I guess I'll talk to Xander about retirement. I mean I'll still train the Potentials but I won't be going out into the field anymore."
"Sounds like a good idea" said the President, "there's another thing I wanted to talk about… how's your relationship with Major Rosenberg?"
Buffy and Tara just looked at each other before looking at the President again. Buffy was playing with her fingers as she sighed and leaned back on her seat.
"I know what I did was wrong back then" said Buffy as she looked at the table in front of her, then she looked up at the President, "if I could take it all back? Then I would.. but I know I can't."
"Neither can I" said Tara as she recalled her culpability in what happened to Willow at the Slayer Council.
"Everyone who took part in that… I don't even have a word for that situation" said Buffy shaking her head, "everyone who took part, especially me, feels….. feels broken about what we did. I tortured my best friend for…. I mean what kind of a person does that? It's easy to say that we were paranoid and had PTSD from all the hell we had been through but…. but she was my best friend and I led everyone in doing what we did. And I was angry at her…. so angry that when I remember the things I said, the things I wanted to do? I still get sick."
"All of you had counselling" said the President as Buffy wiped her eyes and nodded her head, "as did Tara. And if I'm not wrong, all of you are still undergoing counselling."
"It helped.. a lot" said Tara nodding her head, "especially for Buffy, Xander, Giles, Dawn…. they were fighting the things the Hellmouth attracted for much longer than me. But that doesn't excuse me from the part I played."
"Things had gotten so bad that Willow never saw me in prison" said Buffy softly as she looked at the table, "Faith would always bring Dawn over, but…. I asked Faith once about it. She said that Willow was angry… and I don't blame her. The damage was already done, and our friendship was broken. At least what we had was broken."
"I see" said the President.
"Dawn was angry at her for so long but… but over time she started warming to Willow again" said Buffy, "and… and then I guess Willow and me… I mean… we agreed to reset everything the day I told her I was getting married. I wanted my best friend at my wedding and… and not having her there was going to kill me."
Tara and the President listened to Buffy telling them that she apologized to Willow and had asked her if they could have their old relationship again.
"She said that we needed a reset" said Buffy, "I knew that's the best I'd get…. At least it meant she'd be in my life again. We started warming from there. I guess… I guess we see each other as best friends again. I mean… you know, I think that what we had before the Slayer Council's something we can never break. She's always my best friend… she'll always be my best friend."
"And Willow sees herself as her best friend too" said Tara as the President looked at her, "I can sense her feelings, just as she can sense the feelings of others. But it's just me.. I mean, only Willow can give you an answer on that."
The President then nodded before looking at Buffy again.
"But… but I know that she'll never forgive me for what happened at the Council" said Buffy as she looked at the President, "I know it's gonna stay between us until we die… or ascend, whichever happens. My point is, I know she'll never forgive me, and she won't forget it either…. even if we're best friends. I don't know if that answers your question of how it's going between me and Willow but, that's my best honest answer."
"I know she hasn't forgiven any of us… but I also think that maybe having a reset is the best thing that's happened to us" said Tara as she looked at the President while thinking to herself, 'she loves Faith's I can sensed it coming in waves from her, but there's something else too…. She hasn't forgiven Faith either. We deserve it, I guess.'
"Thank you for your honesty" said President Hayes as he gave the both of them a small smile, "you've given me some things to think about."
"Ummm… yeah" said Buffy.
"Come on" said the President as he stood up, as did Buffy and Tara, "let's meet up with General O'Neill, and then we'll meet us with the Colonials in the infirmary. Again, thanks for talking."
"No problem" said a confused Buffy.
New Kobol, 2100 hours.
It had been hours since SG-1 had returned to New Kobol from Cylon Earth; the rebel Colonial ships had agreed to jump to New Kobol, and some Colonial Officers and Marines travelled through the Stargate so that they could personally input the Jump coordinates into the ship's computers before they made their first Jump. The other Rebels who participated in the attack on the Earth camp and the officers were being held prisoner on Cylon Earth while the injured, including Major Thompson, were taken to Earth for medical assistance.
Willow, who was one of the people who escorted Triana's unconscious body to the Stargate on Cylon Earth, and the other members from SG-1 remained behind to help SG-2 and the others keep a watch over the Rebel prisoners until Roslin sent more Marines. The redhead knew that she could heal all of them, but that would mean revealing her powers to the other Colonials something she did not want to do.
"I'll be coming back" said Major Thompson as Racetrack and Apollo walked alongside him while he was being held up by two of his own team, "it'll be as good as new… in a few days once they stitch me up."
"Hey" said Willow as she and Faith grinned at the Earth officer while the Colonial officers watched, not understanding what the redhead was telling the Major, "just so you know, I could heal you… I have the power. But that would mean I have to use it in front of them and then… well…."
"Yeah, better not" said the Major shaking his head, "still can't believe it. Rose, an Ancient."
"I'm still me, Mister" said Willow as the Major smiled before looking at Racetrack and Apollo and introducing them to Willow, and Faith.
"We've actually met" said Racetrack as she nodded at the redhead and the brunette before looking at Major Thompson again, "so… Earth?"
"We'll be going to a buffer planet first" said Major Thompson, "and from there we'll head to Earth."
"Ok" said Racetrack nervously as she glanced at the grinning Willow and Faith.
"You guys are making them nervous" said Major Thompson as Willow and Faith looked at him with their eyes opened wide, an air of innocence about them, "you two heading back to the SGC?"
"New Kobol" said Faith as she nodded at the Colonials, "once they get their teams to take care of those dudes that shot at us, we'll be heading there. I think we'll be spending the night on New Kobol while Giles remain here for now like Big K approved, plus another team also carried that Triana chick to the Beta Site."
"Still can't believe there's a survivor" said Major Thompson as he shook his head.
"Do these guys know?" asked Faith as she nodded at Racetrack and Apollo who were looking at each other confused about what the Earth officers were talking about in English, "about Triana?"
"No" replied Major Thompson just as the Stargate activated after another officer dialled for the buffer planet, "they don't know about her. Anyway, see the both of you planet side? Dinner?"
"Don't you have to get back here?" asked Willow as she smirked.
"Of course" said Major Thompson as two members of his team helped him to the Stargate, "I'm the commander of this expedition to Cylon Earth. SO yea, I'll be back. Why?"
"You know why" said Faith as Major Thompson looked back and stuck his tongue out at Faith before he looked at Racetrack. He told the female officer that he just needed to get checked out, and that he'll be out in a few days.
"Just to let you know" said Apollo, "I think we'll be requesting a mission here in a few days. I'll make sure Racetrack's one of the personnel coming along."
"Sir" said Racetrack as she looked at Major Adama while she was blushing, and her eyes were wide open. Major Thompson smiled at Racetrack before he nodded his head at the young woman and told her that he'll be up and about by the time she and her team get to the planet on an archaeological study. It was hours after that, that SG-1 left for New Kobol. On New Kobol, SG-1 headed for a debriefing with General O'Neill while Willow and Faith remained behind to say their goodbyes to Buffy and Tara before they had to stay with President Hayes. The knew that tomorrow was going to an even busier day since a large team was heading up to the Galactica to run scans, before meeting with Colonial engineering crews about the shield emitters. Willow had already mentally contacted the General, and connected him to SG-1, before he told them that they had already talked to Talia… and the President, himself, and Woolsey were thinking about giving them a version of Goa'uld staff cannons; but he needed input from the redhead, and Colonel Carter. While Willow was talking to Buffy, the redhead told the General that she and faith will be is the debrief in a few minutes once they've good bye to Tara and Buffy.
"Be careful, sweetie" said Tara as she hugged Faith while Riley dialled a buffer planet for Buffy and Tara. He was going to accompany them, and then from there they'll be heading back to Earth with Riley heading back to New Kobol.
"Dawn's safe, Buffy" said Willow as she looked at Buffy who nodded her head, "she says hi."
"Riley's still dialling" said Buffy as she glanced at Riley before looking at Willow again, "could we talk? Real quick?"
"Yea" replied the redhead as they stepped to one side while Tara and Faith headed to the DHD where Riley was pressing the button for the fourth chevron.
"Will" said Buffy as she looked at the redhead, "I… I know you don't forgive me for what I… and the others did during the Council and…. and…"
"Buff" said Willow as she placed her hand on the blonde Slayer's shoulder. However, Buffy asked Willow to let her have her say before she said anything else.
Willow closed her eyes and just nodded while Buffy took a deep breath.
"I know you haven't forgiven me" said Buffy while Willow looked at her, "and… and you're right not to. I did some things that are unforgivable and…. well, unforgettable too. Despite that… Will, I'm still glad we're… I mean…."
"That's always gonna be there, Buffy.. the memories of that day" said Willow as the Slayer nodded her head, "but we've been best friends for a long time. That's something, I guess can't be broken… you know? Despite everything… despite my anger… my… I mean…"
"I know" said Buffy as the Stargate activated. The Blonde Slayer told Riley to give her two more minutes; that this was important. Buffy then looked at Willow again and smiled, "the President asked me about how we were doing.. I don't know why but… I mean maybe he was just curious."
"What did you tell him?"
"The truth" said Buffy, "that I know you haven't forgiven me… and that you can't forget what happened."
"Buffy" said Willow frowning, "why…"
"Because it's true" said Buffy, "we're best friends, Will. But… I know that you can't ever forgive any of us for what we did… especially me. I know you can't forget it, and I'm not asking you to… I mean… I'm ok with that. I deserve it… we deserve it. I just wanted to tell you that I'm glad you're in our lives again… you're in my life again… I'm glad that… I mean…."
"I'm sorry" said Willow as she hugged Buffy. The blonde held on to Willow's back tightly while Faith gave a sad smile and looked at Tara before the both of them looked at Willow and Buffy again, "I.. I can't… I don't… forgive… or forget. That's why I wanted something new… but you're right. We're still best friends no matter what and…. and I guess that's something we can't break."
"But we've changed, right?" asked Buffy as she continued to hug Willow.
"Yea" said the redhead as she looked at Buffy, "things aren't the same as when we first met. We aren't like how we used to be in High School."
"Buffy" said Riley as the blonde Slayer looked over Willow's shoulder and nodded at Riley before looking at Willow again.
"Before we head out for Nairobi" said Buffy as they walked towards the Stargate, "you wanna come by and have dinner? Xander was thinking about Barbeque."
"We're taking the Jumper anyway" said Willow, "I can take it out cloaked and have it parked in the back yard a day before we leave. We have the barbeque at night, and we leave the next morning."
"Good" said Buffy as she kissed Willow's cheek before they headed to the Stargate where she hugged Faith. Willow then hugged Tara before she and Buffy walked through the Stargate with Riley, leaving Willow and Faith alone under the stars next to the disengaged Stargate.
"You sense anyone close by?" asked Faith as she looked at Willow, who looked back at her with a smile while shaking her head. Faith then leaned forward and gave the redhead a peck on her lips before the both of them headed back to the Camp to meet up with the President once again.
"Faith" said Willow as they walked towards the camp. The redhead looked at her wife, and the dark haired Slayer just felt it deep in her heart that Willow still hadn't forgiven her for her role in what happened at the Council. No matter how much she wanted to forgive… the redhead just couldn't; despite doing everything that her councillor asked her to do in starting the process of forgiveness for what happened… Willow just couldn't find it in herself.
And Willow knew that Faith was aware of her feelings.
Faith knew that her wife couldn't forgive that glaring incident at the Council, and despite all that… the dark haired Slayer knew that Willow loved her with all her heart. Their link shared their deepest, and darkest feelings with each other. But Faith knew that they were strong enough to overcome what happened.. she knew that Willow was strong enough.
"None of them know" said Faith as she looked at a surprised Willow, "I know it through our link, Red. You haven't forgiven us… and you won't forget it. But you love us despite that, I can feel that it's much stronger than you know."
"I love you, Faith" said Willow as she placed her hand on Faith's lower back, "despite everything, I'll always love you."
"I love you too, Red" said Faith, "I love you always, Willow."
TBC.