A/N: Two hundred frikken chapters! WooHoooo! Thanks to everyone who read, and is continuing to read AEJ. Thank you for your reviews and critiques, they have encouraged me to keep on going with this story. I hope that you, my readers, continue to follow for more chapters that follow. Again, thanks everyone; and cheers.
Auditorium, BPRI.
The auditorium in the main BPRI building was filled with Potential Slayers, and their family, who were already aware of their daughters' probable destiny, some of the NID personnel working at the BPRI, Spike and his team from L.A... including Gunn, Lorne, and a few other demon hunters, the members of the Oversight Committee, as well as a few other VIP's. Everyone had noticed the bunting along the walls, as well as the flowers and the special decorations around the tables where names on pieces of intricately designed cardboard indicated where people would be seated. There was music playing from the speakers while there was an open bar at the back, as well as a few tables of snacks. Everyone, except for some key personnel knowing the truth about the President's arrival, believed that the Mayor was the person coming to the BPRI to greet everyone and thank them for what they had been doing to protect the planet. However, no one asked why there weren't any media at this event; all of them knew secrecy needed to be kept about the true existence of the supernatural. People were milling around, while others were seated at their tables, and chatting about the gala. Many pointed at the empty, decorated stage which contained a lectern, and a few chairs. However, the whole truth would be realised in twenty minutes, after the President had completed a tour of dorms,
It was twenty minutes later that Cordelia and Angel walked onto the stage from a door to the left, the both of them dressed in formal wear as the ensouled Vampire placed his hand on the small of Cordelia's back as they were walking up the stairs, and remained even once they reached the lectern. Angel then leaned in and whispered that she looked beautiful. Cordelia smiled at him before he stepped to one side, and she then turned to the faces in front of her and tapped her fingers on the microphone. She got everyone's attention and then asked them to take their seats.
"Thank you all for coming for this special day," said Cordelia as the sounds around her from people talking slowly ebbed away, and everyone sat down. Cordelia held onto both sides of the lectern, and scanned the curious faces around her, and then stopped at Tara, who knew what was going on since she was the one who provided Faith with the spell bag that disguised the President's motorcade, and then at Camille who was looking at her with curiosity on her face, and then at Kennedy who was mouthing silently 'what's going on?'
And all Cordelia could do was smile as she looked back at Angel, and then at the sea of faces in front of her. She thought back to the very first day she found out the truth about Buffy and her role in protecting people from the darkness that always seemed to find a way to permeate this city, and then to everything that had happened since that very first day to this very point in time.
A soft smile on her face, Cordelia spoke, "I would like to welcome every one of you to the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Investigation. As you know, our official cover is researching the paranormal through the scientific process, and many of our people have given talks at some of the best colleges in the country on parapsychology and... well, you know what I 'm talking about. All of you are also aware of the television show where we feature some of our very own Potential Slayers as investigators who are called into homes and businesses for alleged hauntings, most of which really don't pan out. That, and a few other things we go are for the public that are already in the public domain, but all of you here know the truth... you know the truth about what happens out there. And because of what we do that the public does not know about... it is for that reason that we have a very special guest, but before we go on to greeting the Mayor of our city…"
At hearing the Mayor was in the BPRI, the crowd clapped with Cordelia looking back at the door where the Mayor was standing with the President, and the others. She then turned back to the crowd and asked everyone to calm down, and that there would be time to approach the man for autographs. Once the laughter had died down, Cordelia welcomed Callie's parents, who were seated with Wesley, Rona, Satsu, Violet, and Molly.
"The death of your daughter has changed the way we do some things at the BPRI," said Cordelia as she looked at the murdered Potential Slayer's parents, "and while I am unable to reveal what exactly we have done, we have come across a way to enable the rescue of a Slayer or Potential anywhere in the world. I can assure you that the person who killed Callie has been caught, and while this person is someone who cannot be tried in the justice system, I can assure you that she is paying for what she has done."
Callie's parents simply nodded their heads before Wesley leaned in, and told them that Cordelia had something to tell them in private. He looked at the confused looks on their faces, and then explained that Cordelia was going to explain to them, along with Angel, the reason why their daughter's killer wasn't going to be put on trial while adding, "I know you have been feeling that there are some thing's we have been hiding from you about Callie's murder; but it's only now that we've received permission from the NID to tell you the truth."
Wesley saw that they were about to say something, so he whispered that he wanted the both of them to have closure; and that if they wanted to, they could confront the being that killed their daughter through a video link. The parents nodded their heads before tightening their hold on each other and then turning to face Cordelia who introduced the Mayor. Everyone got to their feet and clapped as the Mayor walked onto the stage, thanked Cordelia and Angel, and then stood behind the lectern while the two co-administrators of the BPRI sat down on the seats. He spoke for a little while before he welcomed the original Scoobies onto the stage as music played in the background. The Mayor introduced Buffy, Xander, Willow, and then Giles before telling the crowd that the four were the ones who had begun fighting against the growing evil in Sunnydale. He told the crowd about the first time he suspected the truth about Sunnydale and admitted that he was stunned to have his suspicions confirmed after he became Mayor and was briefed by Angel, "and I can think of no better people to fight the literal evils that lie in the dark".
He then talked about the Harvest, and then to the near disaster caused by Mayor Wilkins, the threat caused by Glory, and to the battle against Balthazar that cost the lives of many potential Slayers and witches.
He then turned away from the lectern and thanked each one of the Scoobies before going back to the microphone, and giving a wide smile on his face, "if you thought I was the VIP whom I'm sure you heard the rumours about, well, let me tell you that you're only half right. Given the secrecy for the real existence of the BPRI, our VIP's visit has been a closely guarded secret. And I have to ask each and every one of you who are present, to keep this secret close to your vests. Ladies and gentlemen, let me take this moment to introduce the President of the United States, Henry Hayes."
The entire hall was silent; with Kennedy looking at Tara in surprise, as were many of the others in the room. Tara feigned surprise as well, particularly since Kennedy wasn't too fond of secrets being kept between them.
"Seriously," said the Mayor leaning forward into the microphone, "the President is here."
The Presidential march then began to play as the guests rose to their feet and clapped, while others cheered as President Hayes walked onto the stage with General O'Neill behind him with Faith by his side. The other members of the Secret service had already taken positions around the room and were watching the cheering crowd while President Hayes waved and smiled, before shaking the Mayor's hand. At the same time, Faith whispered into her earpiece that she visually scanned the surroundings and the President was in no danger, "I'm connected to Red, and if she feels anything, she'll let me know."
"Everyone's excited," whispered Willow after pressing down on her earpiece while she felt the emotions that permeated the room, "some in disbelief… but nothing too dangerous. Got a few who're thinking that the never voted for the President though."
Faith chuckled at that comment, as did General O'Neill who took their seats next to Giles.
"Thank you," said the President as he nodded his head from the lectern while putting on his glasses. He smiled at everyone as the cheers and clapping slowly subsided and the crowd started to take their seats. The President, once it was quiet, with a few murmurs here and there, thanked Cordelia, Angel, and the other Scoobies for the tour before turning back to the crowd in from of him, "it's been a few years since finding out the truth about the supernatural, about demons, vampires, and every type of monsters that I once thought existed only in nightmares and stories. Imagine my surprise upon learning that all of this was true, that this planet is in danger of being overrun by demonic hordes… or being sent to hell, or hell being brought over here. Then imagine my surprise upon learning that there are people out there working in secret, protecting us from this evil."
The President then looked back at Buffy and the others before turning to the crowd again and continuing, "Angel, Buffy Summers, Xander Harris, Rupert Giles, and Major Willow Rosenberg have worked together to stop one apocalypse after another since 1996, ever since they were in high school. They put their lives on the line, eventually being joined by Miss Cordelia Chase, and various other allies, in this secret war. And in all that time, led by Miss Summers, they have never sought recognition or a pat on the back. Miss Summers told me, as we were touring the dorms, that this was her calling to be a Slayer. Like any sixteen-year-old, she was terrified… as I am sure many of the Potential Slayers here are terrified, as are the parents, of what could happen in the future. Where it was different before; now, this time, there are resources that have been made available that would prevent a team going out in the field without any emergency backup, and there are defences, both technological and magical, around this entire compound that would prevent both internal and external attacks. Everything is being done to make sure that all of you are protected."
It would be a few minutes later, following the President's speech, that he and the Mayor presented the original Scoobies with plaques thanking them for their service in their earlier years. Before long, the President, joined by Willow and Faith as another layer to the President's security, shadowed him and the Mayor while they went on the floor to meet with the Potentials and their families, and the others who were present. In the meantime, General O'Neill was talking to Cordelia and Angel, and it was then he caught a glimpse of his clone with Dawn, Joyce, and the kids. The older man discretely nodded his head at his clone, who nodded back before turning back to their respective conversations. In the meantime, Kennedy asked Tara again if she had known about this from the beginning, to which the blonde witch said that she did not, all the while holding onto Camille who was looking up at the balloons.
Kennedy smirked at Tara and then looked down at Camille who was looking up at the bunting just before being approached by an excited Jay and Rose. The two kids asked Camille if she wanted to go out to the gardens, to which Camille looked up at Tara and Kennedy and asking them if she could. Tara chuckled, nodding her head before telling Camille and the kids not to do anything to the flowers and trees in the garden, "they tell me everything."
The three kids chuckled before running out into the hallway and heading out to the garden. It was the same place where Tara and other witches, as well as the trainee witches, performed their meditation exercises.
The gala would go on for another hour and a half, with the President, having said his thanks once again before being led to Cordelia and Angel's office with Buffy and the other Scoobies by their side. It was in the office, that the President gave a proper welcome to Jay, Rose, and Camille to Earth before going onto asking Angel if he received the letters that were sent to him two weeks ago.
"Yea," replied Angel as he walked around his table. He opened the top drawer, reached in, and then took out a pile of white envelopes which had the Presidential seal embossed on the left side. Angel and Cordelia remembered the day they received the letters through a courier direct from the White House, and they had been curious ever since that day on what they contained.
"As you all know," said the President looking at Buffy, Xander, Tara, and the others, "this is my last term in office. I will be leaving the Presidency in a little under two years, and there is a lot of things that I… that all of us still have to do. I know that, although all you may not show it, there has been something weighing all of you down in regards to a certain incident."
Willow looked at Faith, who gave a little smile. The both of them knew what was about to happen, and they turned to smile at the surprise on Buffy's face. Angel handed the President the letters, who then handed them one by one to Buffy, Xander, Tara, Giles, and Dawn while Jon, Joyce, and the kids looked on. Jon looked at General O'Neill and tried to read the older man's expressions about what was going on… but all he got was a nod from the General, and a small smile. And that was all Jon needed as he turned back to Dawn, and walked over to her before placing an arm around her waist while she opened the letter. Willow, Faith, Kennedy, General O'Neill, and the President looked on, while Cordelia held onto Angel, as Buffy was the first to read her letter, and then look up with her eyes wide open.
"This… this…." she stammered, "this..."
"Goddess," whispered Tara as she and Kennedy read the former's letter while Joyce rushed up to Buffy who had a smile on her face, before looking up at Faith. She saw her sister Slayer nodding her head before saying that she received her letter some time back. Then everyone looked at Dawn, who yelped out loud before hugging Jon and then rushing to hug Buffy and Willow.
As for Giles, he looked at the letter, and then folded it back up with a small smile on his face before looking up at the President, and then at Willow.
"It's true, Giles," the redhead said with a smile on her face as she then hugged the Watcher. Giles held on tight to her, nothing was said between the two of them while the three kids observed the looks of joy on everyone's faces.
"As you know," said the General after getting a nod from the President after everyone had calmed down, with Willow now holding onto both Dawn and Buffy, who had Faith and Kennedy by her side, "everything that happened since that particular incident has already happened. Nothing we could do or say would ever change that. But all of us see that as a blip on many years of faithful service to the protection of this planet."
"And what happened that day is something that I've already put behind me," said Willow before she kissed the side of Dawn's head, and then rubbed Buffy's back before smiling at Xander and the others, "we've already moved on from there, and this is just an acknowledgement of that."
"We know that some of are in the last year of your probation," said the President, "and like the letter states, once that year's been passed… your pardons will have been activated. You all have done great work in protecting this planet, and I hope this news gives you the encouragement to continue all the great work you've done."
BPRI, twenty minutes later, 1230 hours.
After the meeting with the President, which ended soon after Buffy gave the man a tight hug, the Scoobies, along with Willow, General O'Neill, Faith, and Jon headed to a private room with Buffy and the others. In the meantime, the President, Angel, and Cordelia were about to have a sit-down with Callie's parents. Back with Willow and the others, and before they continued with the celebration of getting their pardons, the redhead and Faith asked Tara about the possibility of restoring Apollo's soul on New Kobol. Tara told Willow that she wasn't sure what would be the protocol in restoring the soul of another vampire, on another planet. She clarified by saying that she wasn't sure if the ritual on New Kobol would work since he didn't die there, "by right it really shouldn't matter since the soul, the human soul, is supposed to travel into the ether. And theoretically, according to my books, the ether is everywhere… so technically, we should be able to restore a soul from anywhere."
"Can you come with us tomorrow to New Kobol and give it a try?" asked Faith.
"If it doesn't work on New Kobol," said General O'Neill as Tara and the others turned to him, "we'll use the Odyssey, since the Galactica is still being refitted, to travel to Kobol where we'd perform the ritual."
"But I've never restored a soul," said Tara as she looked around at everyone, and then at Willow, "I.. I mean it'll maybe take some time for me to…"
"You anchored Angel's soul, Tara," stated Willow.
"That was something completely different, Will," said Tara, "restoring a soul is… put it this way, Angel already has his soul; and anchoring that to Miss Chase was difficult in of itself. But half of the work was already done for me; you already restored his soul, and the other part took a lot out of me, and…"
"Tara was exhausted for three days," said Kennedy as she looked at Willow, and then at Faith and General O'Neill.
"I haven't used magic in years," said Willow softly as Faith held her wife's hand, "I…."
"We could try the soul-anchoring another time, but I would need some time to prepare for the re-ensoulment ritual, and…"
"It took me three days," said Willow softly as she looked at Buffy, and then at Faith, "we had to gather the ingredients, and the Orb of Thesula, and…"
"I have another one in storage," said Giles as everyone looked at him in surprise, "I had to keep one in reserve just in case."
"Okay, so we have the Orb," said Buffy, "and Tara? It'll take you how long to prepare?"
"Same time it took Willow," said Tara before turning to the redhead, "Will, you have the raw magical power needed for this. I know you haven't done that much magic, but you didn't have that much knowledge or control back in high school either. And… and I'll be there to help center you while you do the ritual, and then I'll finish up with the soul anchoring. It's the second part which is going to take a lot out of me."
"Red?" asked the General looking at Willow.
"It's up to you," whispered Faith as she looked at Willow, while Tara told the redhead that they could have the two rituals done on the same day. Willow, while Tara was talking, was looking at Faith the entire time as she tightened her hold on the dark-haired Slayer's hand. It was at that same moment, Willow and Faith found themselves in a mental projection of a beach. They were standing on the yellow sand while the sun shone down from the clear blue sky, a gentle breeze waving their hair about. Faith reached out and held Willow's other hand, the bot of them now facing each other, before whispering again that this was her choice; Tara could do the ritual in three days, and then a few days later anchor Apollo's soul to whoever volunteered from the Colonial side.
Willow and Faith rested their forehead's against each other, each listening to the other breathing in and out before Willow whispered that she was afraid. She told Faith that restoring Angel's soul was the first true taste of magic, and ever since then she wanted more and more, "and you know about the wish; I hurt Buffy and the others."
"No one stopped you then," whispered Faith as she looked into Willow's eyes, "and now you have someone who can stop you; you. Red… you can stop yourself. And you have me, I mean it, you really have me by your side, Red. And I know you won't get pulled down, and you know what? If you do get pulled down, I know you'll fight to get back up… and I'll be here offering everything I have. We have our link, Red… use that as your anchor."
"Rack took all my magic away from me, Faith," said Willow before reminding her wife about her jaunt to the alternate Earth after she was ascended, "even if I wanted to help, I have nothing."
"Red," said Faith as she placed a hand on her cheek as they stood on the beach with the ocean waves hitting their feet, "you always have something."
Out of the mental projection, only a second had passed before Willow turned to Tara and told her that she wasn't sure if she still had the magic in her to do the ritual since Rack stole all her remaining magic. Tara offered to check, which made Willow nod her head before Tara walked towards her and asked the redhead to reach out with her hands. Willow lifted her arms, palms up, and Tara hovered her hands over the redhead's. Tara's hands started to glow green, while Willow's hands glowed a faint blue.
It was something that didn't surprise Tara, who told Willow that she was still collecting magical energy. Willow gently pulled her arms away and told them that there was another reason that she didn't want to use magic.
"Commander Adama saw me when he was a little boy," said Willow, "I use magic now? And he, and the others will know that something's up; that if I'm capable of using magic, then I am very capable of being the same person he saw. And I'm sure that he'd want to stay with us wherever we go, and I'm guessing so would Roslin. The excuse we have about genetic drift will have a large crack that'll be difficult to fix if they see me using magic, and I'm not ready to tell them that I was Athena."
"Then I can be prepared in three days," said Tara wth a small smile, and nod, while Faith placed her arm around Willow's shoulders before Tara told her 'thanks' for considering being the one to handle the re-ensoulment.
"There's no one else I'd trust to do this, Tara," Willow said honestly nodding her head.
"Tara," General O'Neill spoke, "where do you think would be the best place to carry out the ritual? New Kobol, or Kobol?"
"Like I said, General," said Tara, "a soul goes into the ether, and the ether is everywhere. I mean…. I can't say how it would work on an intergalactic level, but those who die on Earth, rise up on Earth.. and the soul is called from the Ether to Earth. I can't tell you if the ritual will work on New Kobol or Kobol until we go and try it out."
"Okay," said the General nodding his head, "I'll talk to Miss Chase and Angel about the SGC borrowing Buffy, Kennedy and another Slayer to watch the Major; and we'll need Tara to perform the ritual. I'll have SG-1 watch your backs on New Kobol and Kobol; hopefully, we don't have to go to Kobol. In the event that we do, the Odyssey will be orbiting New Kobol the day Tara performs the ritual; and if it fails, SG-1 and you guys will take a puddle jumper with the Colonials to the Odyssey since the Galactica is undergoing an emergency upgrade."
"Tara," asked Faith, "how about the soul anchoring?"
"We should get that done soon after the re-ensoulment," said Kennedy.
"We can wait for a little bit," said Buffy with her arms crossed over her chest while deep in thought, "once he gets his soul back, he'll essentially be the person he used to be. Well, mostly. Helps that he didn't kill anyone, though, but the Colonials should be warned that he can't have sex in those three days, or else.."
"Soul goes bye-bye," Xander said waving his hand.
"It's best that the person who becomes the anchor have a relationship with him that is already established," added Tara, "close friends, close confidants, boyfriend, girlfriend, and… I guess that his father would do too, but the problem is that the anchor would last as long as the other person is alive. And the Commander is… I mean…"
"Old?" asked General O'Neill.
"Like you," said Faith as she raised an eyebrow at the General while Xander and Giles chuckled, and Willow coughed.
"Very funny," was the dry reply from General O'Neill before he turned to Tara and told her that he'll ask the Commander to select people that he trusted to know the truth about Apollo; that everything would be explained to him during the briefing to be held in three days.
New Kobol, 1230 hours, three days later.
With SG-1, and the BPRI personnel standing in one corner of the refugee unit where the briefing was being held, the Colonials were stunned upon what they had just heard from Tara who, together with Riley and Buffy, explained what was going to happen on New Kobol. The Colonials, consisting of Commander Adama, Roslin, the Vice-President, Dee, Kat, Starbuck, Helo, and the entire quorum of Twelve had their mouths hanging open after what they had just heard.
"Wait.. wait," said Kat as she waved her hands about while looking at Tara, "you're telling me that you'll not only be restoring a soul, you'll be attaching it to someone else."
"I have to admit, Colonel," said the Commander as he looked at Riley, his hopes of getting Apollo back seemingly slipping away at the thought of someone having an aversion to his soul being anchored with theirs. The Commander had already volunteered, but it was Tara who said that the magic she was going to be wielding needed someone younger to handle the strain. She explained that the Commander may find himself getting weaker progressively if he anchored Apollo's soul to his.
"That's why the soul I already anchored," said Tara referring to Angel and Cordelia, "needed someone younger. It's a very… it's hard to explain, but it's like a feeling of yourself being weighed down. If the ritual is performed when the person being anchored to is younger, then it has time to solidify and mature. For my two friends, it would be matured within two years, and she won't feel any of the effects. But with you Commander? It would take a little bit longer, and during that time, you would get weaker. There is something else, whoever is being connected to Major Adama will share feelings and…"
"He'll be able to read minds?" asked Helo.
"No," said Tara shaking her head before continuing, "but they can feel each other. There is a bond between them. So when one dies… the other will feel the death and.. and there will be an emptiness. Like a part of you is lost. It's the same warning I gave my friends, and they accepted it. So, when he dies… she will feel an emptiness that stays with them."
At that, Willow and Faith looked at each other, remembering the link they shared before looking back at Tara.
"The benefit outweighs any negatives," said Riley.
"Your son will be able to have a normal life," said Satsu before shaking her head and correcting herself before some of the Quorum members could pitch in and get their say, "at least as normal of a life as can be expected. He is still a dangerous man, but he will be able to make decisions with a clear conscious."
"If he was a good man when he was alive," said Tara gently as she approached the Commander, the man looking at the young woman and having a feeling of calm permeate him, "then he will be a good man while he is ensouled. He will be your son again, Commander."
"He will receive special bags of pigs blood," said Riley while everyone nodded.
"I'll begin the soul restoration ritual on New Kobol today," said Tara while some of the Quorum members were delivering prayers to the gods, and another was asking Roslin if this was all a joke; that they were playing with the will of the gods. Tara interrupted what it was Roslin was about to say, and told the quorum members that she wasn't interfering in the natural order of nature, "Major Adama is an unholy creature. He is undead, not exactly dead… which means that there is a demon in his body. His soul has been pushed out, and what this ritual will do is bring it back. Restoring it to the original host."
"Like Angel," said Roslin.
"Yes," replied Dr. Burke.
"After this ritual, I will be exhausted," said Tara as she looked at the Commander, and then at Roslin, Billy, and the others, "I'll need to recharge for the next three days, and if everything goes well… I'll return to New Kobol and perform the anchoring ritual."
"What happens if we cannot make a decision?" asked Dee as Billy looked at her, wondering what she was thinking. He knew that before meeting the Earthers, she and Apollo had been spending some time together despite the both of them having gone out a few times. They were not dating by any means, but he hoped that the both of them still had a shot. Although recent events made him question that, especially when he had seen Dee talking to Colonel Mitchell earlier with her hands behind her back – and giving him a wide smile.
"He cannot have one moment of pure happiness," Buffy said as she shuddered, remembering the release of Angelus into Sunnydale. Billy heard the slight quiver in her voice before turning towards Dee again, while Buffy was about to continue Dee put her hand up.
"Meaning?" asked Dee.
"Sex," said Kennedy dryly as Starbuck chuckled while Dee's face turned red in embarrassment, and Kat only snickered, "he can't have sex for the next three or four days."
"Oh," said Dee as she looked away while recalling the wrestling training they were doing a few months back on the Galactica, "right… of.. of course."
Dr. Burke smiled at Dee's reaction before turning to Tara, asking her if she wanted to begin the ritual immediately. Tara nodded her head before Colonel Mitchell said that it would be best if Faith and Satsu headed to the room where they were keeping Apollo, and radio in once the soul was restored.
"You'll know it immediately," said Buffy, nodding her head at Satsu, "best way to tell is that his eyes will glow for a few seconds."
"I'll go with them," said Starbuck before Commander Adama added that he would be accompanying them as well. Riley and Colonel Mitchell nodded their heads while the others stayed behind. As the door closed behind them, Willow helped Tara take out the materials for the ritual while Colonel Mitchell, Colonel Carter, Roslin, and the Quorum members watched in silence as the two of them set up the ritual materials. Tara drew the symbols while Willow set down the animal bones from memory. The entire setting up took about five minutes, and it was a minute later that Faith radioed in saying that they were in the hallway outside Apollo's room.
"Copy that," replied Colonel Carter as she looked at Willow looking at the symbols with a far-away look in her eyes for a few seconds before getting onto her feet, and then stepping back. She then saw Kennedy take out a box from the small case they brought with them containing the materials for the ritual, and hand it over to Tara. The blonde witch opened it and the two Colonels, Teal'c, Vala, and Daniel caught a glimpse of a glass sphere.
"The Orb of Thesula," said Willow when she was mentally contacted by Vala. She stared at the ball and recalled that night long ago; the attack by Angelus' vampires just as she began the ritual, an attack that left her unconscious for hours. She then recalled getting up, and somehow completing the ritual… something she would later realize was thanks to the intervention of Melina and Hera. Back in the present day, Tara began to explain what was going to happen next, and that the Orb was the key pat of the Ritual. Willow then walked up to Colonel Carter and the others as Tara sat down on the tarp covered floor.
"Faith," said Colonel Carter over her radio as Tara told the Colonials that she was about to begin her attempt.
"If it does not work on New Kobol," said Colonel Mitchell, "we have the Odyssey in orbit ready to take us to Kobol to complete the ritual. And that's a big 'if'."
"Understood," replied Helo as Dee, Kat, and the others looked on… some with curiosity, disgust, and other with scepticism.
Back in the basement of the tower that contained Apollo's prison, Starbuck, Commander Adama, Satsu and Faith were staring at the vampire form of the Colonial officer as he slammed his fists against the transparent door. He bared his fangs as he stared at Starbuck, and then at Faith and Satsu. Apollo had the knowledge the demon possessed, and it had heard legends of the Slayer… ancient stories passed down about a destroyer meant to wipe them out. He had already encountered a few of them when first arriving at New Kobol after his transformation, and now he was facing two of those he met before, "the both of you, again. Open the door and I'll show you what a Kobolian vampire can do, Slayers."
"Lee," barked Commander Adama, "this ends today, one way or another, and…"
"You're finally going to kill your own son?" smiled Apollo, "just like you killed Zack?"
"Lee," hissed Starbuck, "shut…"
"Shhhhh," said Apollo staring at Starbuck as he tilted his head while Satsu reached over her shoulder and grabbed the hilt of her sword after Colonel Carter sent another message saying that Tara was about to begin, "I can smell him on you, Kara."
"I…."
"Was he a good frack, Kara?" giggled Apollo with his hands on the transparent door while Starbuck looked away as she crossed her arms over her chest while Commander Adama looked at her confused. The both of them then turned their heads sharply towards the door when Apollo ran, and then, crashed into it and growled at the both of them. HE then turned his head towards Starbuck, and a smile formed, "Baltar must have been good, Kara… the smell on you is fresh… this morning? How does it feel to frack a traitor?"
"I…. I don't… traitor?" asked Starbuck while Commander Adam was telling Lee to keep quiet.
"Gaius Baltar is the reason the colonies fell," said Apollo as Starbuck shook her head while Faith closed her eyes, and translated what was being said, to Satsu, "you've been fracking a traitor; not bad, Kara… first a Cylon, and now a traitor. What next? You want to frack me?"
"No," said the stunned Starbuck as she took a few steps back while the Colonial Marines looked at each other in equal surprise as well. They had no idea of this fact as they turned to the Commander, who ordered them to keep silent on the issue of Baltar before turning to Starbuck, and grabbing her shoulders. She looked into the Commander's eyes while recalling that she had been sleeping with him for the past few days, a way to forget everything that had gone wrong in her life; and now, she knew immediately what Apollo had said was true, that Baltar was a traitor. She felt dirty while a lump rose in her throat as she jerked away from the Commander whilst shaking her head, her entire body numb as she heard Apollo laughing inside his cell.
"I… I…" said Starbuck before she turned and ran. The Commander sighed, and then rushed after the blonde officer. Eventually catching up to her before she reached the teleportation rings at the end of the hallway. While the Commander was telling Starbuck the reasoning for still keeping Baltar around, Apollo laughed while turning towards Faith and Satsu.
"Come in here, Slayers," growled Apollo, "show you what you can do… my kind has heard the legends, and now, I…"
"Here we go," said Colonel Carter's voice over the radio as Faith smiled.
"What are you smiling at… what…?" Apollo demanded to know as he pounded his fist on the transparent door.
"You'll see soon," said Satsu, it was something that Faith translated as Apollo pounded the door with his fists, demanding that they come into the room to fight him. Back in the refugee unit, the Colonials and the Earther personnel felt a temperature drop while Tara was whispering in latin. Willow rubbed her hands together as her breath condensed in the air, as did the breathes of the other in the unit much to their surprise.
And then Tara opened her eyes once again and stared at the Orb of Thesula.
"It's time," whispered Willow as Colonel Carter looked at her, and imagined the redhead doing what Tara was about to do. For a long time, she was a sceptic on anything magic… even now as she recalled the ball of light that Willow formed when she first arrived at the SGC. She always had an alternate explanation for magic, or some of the rituals she had heard about from Willow…. Including the one that had sent her 'spirit' to the Ori galaxy – the first time Daniel and Vala encountered the Ori, or when she took Tara to the Alpha Site to test her theory that Willow was infested with nanites. But the blonde officer always had an explanation, but this time she couldn't think of a plausible explanation. She was about to see, with her own eyes, the restoration of a soul… she had heard Willow's tale of restoring Angel's soul all those years ago; but to see it with her own eyes was completely different.
Colonel Carter looked at Willow, who looked back at her and said that everything was going to be alright.
"I trust Tara," she said before turning back to the witch who started to recite the full incantation.
"Quod perditum est, invenietur.
Nici mort, nici al fiinţei,
te invoc spirit al trecerii.
Gods, bind him, cast his heart from the evil realm.
Let him know the pain of humanity, gods.
Reach your wizened hands to me. Give me the sword...
Te implor, Doamne; nu ignoră aceasta rugăminte.
Lăsa orbită să fie vasul care-i vă transportă sufletul la el.
Este scris, aceasta putere este dreptul poporul meu de a conduce.
Redă trupului ce separe omul de animal.
Aşa să fie cu ajutorul acestui magic glob de cristal.
Aşa să fie! Aşa să fie!
Acum! Acum!
"Oh my," said Vala as the Ord started to glow a bright white light, "is…. is that…"
"A soul," said Willow, a smile developing on her face as Tara placed her hand over the glowing orb. Willow looked at Colonel Carter, and then at Colonel Mitchell, Daniel, and Teal'c who were stunned speechless at what they were looking at. Willow could feel the surprise and the awe from the Colonials as well before Tara whispered, and the Orb vanished before she fell to the side, with Kennedy rushing forward to catch her in her arms.
"It.. it's done," said Tara looking at Willow and then at Kennedy, "I'll sleep… little while."
"Sleep," smiled Kennedy while Daniel, the first one to break out of the collective shock at what had just happened, contacted Faith and asked her if the ritual worked.
"Stand by," said Faith as she and Satsu stared at the screaming Apollo who had his hands on his head while he fell to his knees.
"NO! NO! NO!" he screamed as the Marines looked into the room while Satsu took out her sword and held it tight in her hand. At that same time, hearing the screams from Apollo, both Commander Adama and Starbuck rushed back to the door… only to see Apollo's eyes glow for just an instant before he fell on his side.
"Lee!" yelled the Commander as he placed his hands on the transparent door while Starbuck had her hands over her mouth, "Lee!"
As for Faith, she stared at the vampire while taking out her Zat, and telling Satsu to be prepared.
"Dad?" said Apollo as he looked at his father with tears gathering in his eyes and he immediately remembered his death, and the Earther he killed on Kobol. He remembered drinking her blood until her heart stopped, and he felt sick inside… and sorrow at what he had done. He murdered an innocent woman, someone he should have helped as a member of the Colonial military. Apollo started to sob as he remembered the things he said upon returning to New Kobol, he remembered nearly killing Roslin, and Racetrack. He remembered the threats he made on all of them as he broke down crying while mumbling, "gods help me, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."
"Open the door!" yelled Commander Adama as he stared at his sobbing son. The Marines, still stunned, took a few seconds to move before they followed the orders of their Commander. Faith and Satsu immediately rushed forward and gently pushed the Commander and the others behind them while the sobbing Apollo lay on the ground, his front facing them while mumbling that he was sorry.
Faith and Satsu took positions on either side of the man, each one prepared to dust him in case he made a wrong move. AS they cautiously walked in first, Faith told Colonel Mitchell that the door was ordered open by Commander Adama, but only because he had seen the eyes glow, "and the poor guy's voice sounds different, Cam. What B told me happened to Angel when his soul was restored happened again, his eyes glowed and now he's crying like a baby."
"Be careful," said Colonel Mitchell, "Teal'c and Carter are on the way to you."
"Got it," said the dark haired slayer while the Commander cautiously walked in, and then kneeled down in front of Apollo before reaching out with one hand, which then lay on his shoulder. Apollo looked up at the Old Man, and then closed his eyes while turning his head away and continued to apologize while tears fell on the ground.
"You're home, Lee," whispered the Commander as he reached down and then helped Apollo sit up, before hugging him, "you're home, Lee…. You're home."
Satsu and Faith looked on, their hands never relaxing their holds on the weapon that were being held. As for Starbuck, she leaned back against the wall as Apollo continued to cry on the Commander's shoulder. She wiped some tears before creeping out of the room, and towards the ring platform, with her hands rolled into fists. A mixture of anger, betrayal, and some relief that Apollo's soul had been restored, Starbuck knew she had to have a talk with Baltar; and then she'll demand an explanation from the Commander and Roslin.
TBC.