CHAPTER 22

Buffy finished the last of her breakfast and smiled at Willow. “You ready to face the gang, Wills?”

“No,” Willow answered with a quirky grin. “I’d much rather be hiding out in the guest house.” She kissed Buffy lightly. “But, I think I’m ready to unveil the new me.”

Standing and taking her plate to the sink, Buffy considered that. “You know, we’ve always been there for each other, but this is way more now.” She reached through the link, holding Willow closely in her mind. They stayed huddled together as Buffy washed her dishes and then returned to the table. “They’re here, aren’t they?” she asked.

“Yep. I felt them cross the warding a few minutes ago. How did you know?”

“Faith.” Buffy put a hand on Willow’s shoulder when she sensed her witch tense. “Careful, baby. She’s changed. I can tell.” She grinned at the feisty look in Willow’s green eyes. “Hey, you aren’t going to go all Jealous Will are ya? You can only do that when I can drag you off and prove my love for you.”

Willow blushed and ducked her head. “Buffy!”

Laughing, the Slayer pulled her witch to her feet. “Let’s go make sure our families don’t kill each other, ‘k?” Hand in hand, Buffy and Willow walked to the front porch, staring down the long drive. “Think Kirstan’s ever going to forgive you for redecorating?”

“Um, not any time soon.” Willow looked at the remains of the once-lovely rock garden. “I don’t think she’s big on magical repairing, either.” She wrinkled her nose. “Kirstan’s got plans to teach me the fine art of gardening.”

“Nice. Remind me to be long gone before she hands me a pair of gloves, too.” Buffy tilted her head. “Will? It’s not just the Scoobies.”

Willow frowned, feeling along their link. “What are…?” She tapped her reservoir and pushed a tendril of power toward the approaching vehicles. “There are three of them.” Her voice lost some of the tension. “They feel a little like Drew. I wonder if Giles is bringing in some of the Potentials?”

“What are those? Witches?” Buffy asked.

“No.” Willow blushed. “I guess you haven’t gotten all the big news. There are girls who carry the Slayer Potential. According to Mom and Mama, the Council identifies them and then trains them.”

Quietly, Buffy considered that. “It makes sense. I mean, Merrick didn’t find me until after I’d been Called. He always said I’d flown under the radar.” Running her hand through her hair, she shrugged. “Guess Giles did know some of what Kirstan was talking about, then.”

“Hey! No borrowing trouble, Buff.” Willow wasn’t going to let the blonde fall back into her depression. “Wait until they get here, and we have a chance to talk. Give him a chance to explain, sweetie.”

Buffy didn’t reply. Her attention was riveted on the two vehicles entering the circular drive. Willow felt the fear backing up in the conduit. Unfortunately, her own scattered emotions added to the block. Forcing her mind to clear, she slowly worked on evening out the lingering regret and bitterness. By the time the Jeep and the mini-van stopped, she was relatively calm.

Doors opened and the gang emerged. “Come on, sweetie, let’s go say hi.” Willow pulled a very reluctant Buffy down the steps and through the charred garden. There were some new faces in the group that stood waiting for them. Willow focused there first. Time enough to deal with the core group. “I’m Willow,” she announced. “My family’s inside. Why don’t you go on in. They can start the explanations and introductions.”

Two of the girls left immediately, perhaps sensing the tension in the people around them. “Hi, Willow,” the remaining teen said, sliding into the witch’s personal space. Dark eyes peered up at the taller girl. “I’m Kennedy,” she purred.

Willow felt the surge of primal rage pulse through her link to Buffy and scrambled to keep the peace. This Slayer wanna-be wouldn’t stand a chance against a fighter of Buffy’s caliber. “Well, Kennedy, welcome to the ranch. I’m sure you’ll find everything you need inside.” She stepped past the short brunette, making sure to keep a firm hold on her Slayer. Buffy was nearly vibrating with the need to take on her challenger.

For a brief moment, it appeared to work. Kennedy turned her head to watch Willow walk away – and then she crossed the line. A small hand reached out and gripped the redhead’s arm. Before Willow could do anything, Buffy exploded. Two hands latched on to Kennedy’s jacket, lifting her easily off the ground.

Kennedy was too stunned to react. She hung, helpless.

In the back of her mind, the redhead felt Faith take a hesitant step in their direction, and she held up a warning hand. Slowly, carefully, Willow released enough energy to leach off some of Buffy’s emotions. The witch trembled as the dark feelings cascaded through her. Using magic like a sieve, she drained the powerful rage out of Buffy’s energy and sent it back to her Slayer, purified.

Willow moved closer to the pair, and placed a gentle hand on Buffy’s right arm. The blonde turned to her. Buffy’s eyes glowed a deep orange and a low growl tore from her throat. Continuing the purification and sending calming thoughts and her love through the link, Willow shut out all external distractions. “Buffy, leave her alone, sweetie. She didn’t know about us. How could she?”

“She’s one of us,” Buffy snarled. “I can feel the Line running through her. She touched you. No one touches what’s mine.”

“Kennedy’s not touching me now, Buffy. Let it go. She won’t do it again.” Willow turned solid blue eyes on the frightened teen. “Tell her you won’t touch me again, Kennedy. Be convincing.”

Nodding frantically and staring at Buffy, Kennedy rushed to reassure the Slayer. “Hey, sorry about the grab. I didn’t know you two were together.” She tried to smile. “It’s good. I mean, I can do my looking elsewhere, you know? No more touching Willow.”

For a brief moment, Willow considered letting Buffy take one good swing at the arrogant brunette. The girl was far too insincere to placate her Slayer, but they didn’t have time for this. “OK, Buffy. Power down on the Slayer, sweetie.” Willow sighed in relief when Buffy’s eyes went back to hazel and the killing rage receded.

“Sorry, Wills.” Buffy mumbled. The Slayer dropped Kennedy back to the ground, and blushed as she turned to face the redhead. “Didn’t see that coming.” Peeking around Willow’s shoulder, she grinned a little at the shocked faces. “Um, hi, guys. Guess this wasn’t the best way to make the announcement, huh?”

Faith’s husky chuckle filled the air. “Hell, B, Junior there was such a pain on the trip, I’da liked to see you smack her down.”

Stepping away from Willow, Buffy took in the other Slayer. “Well, yeah, but you know Will. She’s never been big on the violence.”

Reaching back through their link, the Slayer whispered, I’m OK. I promise. Let her go and help me with the gang. Xander’s drooling; probably with visions of us in his head.

It was enough. Willow flicked a glance at the young Potential. “I’d go inside, if I were you, Kennedy,” she commented coldly. Looking mutinous, the brunette stalked toward the porch. “Well, that certainly livened things up,” she remarked, linking her hand with Buffy’s as she faced the Scoobies. “Sorry for the show, but what is her problem?”

Rubbing a hand over his hair, Giles commented, “Too much privilege and no boundaries, I am afraid.”

An uncomfortable silence fell.

Buffy took a deep breath. “Thanks for coming, guys. I guess you have some new info on the Big Bad.” She looked at all her old friends. “Will’s family has a place set up for us. If you want, we can take this inside.” Buffy met Giles’ eyes. “After the whole group thing, we can split up and research and, um, catch up on stuff.”

Everyone shuffled inside and got settled in the large living room-turned-research center. Jennifer smiled at the large, uncomfortable group. “I hope you know that you are welcome here. Despite the problems on the way, you’ve all been part of Willow’s life, and you are family.” She turned to Giles. “Mr. Giles, you called the meeting; would you like to start?”

“Thank you, Mrs. Hirsh,” he muttered. Leaning back into the couch and rubbing his hands along his pant legs, he searched for words. “When Buffy first called me several days ago, I discovered a prophecy that seemed to revolve around Willow and a great evil. I immediately began to research; unfortunately, the Council’s records were incomplete.” Giles took off his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I enlisted the help of some Watchers I trusted, and we found one of the oldest works, a Watcher’s Codex from the 13^th century, that mentioned a similar prophecy.”

Trying to put the older man at ease, Jennifer asked, “Do you have it for us?”

With a pained smile, Giles nodded. “Indeed, forgive me.” He fumbled for his satchel, pulling out the old, battered book. He handed it to Willow’s mother. “I’m afraid it is very vague. The only concrete information we discovered is that the resurrection spell released the First back into the world.”

“The First?” Buffy asked. “That thing that tried to talk Angel into killing himself?”

“Yes.” Replacing his glasses, Giles looked at his charge. “Apparently, when Angel broke the First’s hold and chose to be a Champion of Light, the First had to go into hiding of sorts. It needed to gather power, build its army. By the time of the resurrection spell, it was ready to try again. What you and Angel experienced four years ago is nothing compared to its might now.”

“So, what kinda army?” Faith sat on the floor, idly playing with Dawn’s shoestrings.

“I have no idea,” Giles admitted with a grimace. “The tomes which may have helped us are all gone now.” He looked around the room. “Willow, Buffy, the Council have been destroyed. Only a handful of Watchers remain around the world. The First has begun exterminating Potential Slayers and Watchers alike, and the Council Headquarters is a pile of smoldering rubble.”

Struggling to come to terms with that statement, Buffy stared at Giles. “But, you’re OK, right?”

Giles’ eyes glittered in the sunlight from the window. “Yes, my dear. A little worn from the long trip, but I assure you, I am fine.”

“What are we looking for, then?” Kirstan smiled apologetically at Watcher and Slayer. Interrupting their reunion was necessary. “We need information on the types and numbers of demons under his command. What else?”

“Magic,” Willow chimed in. “He was able to tap my potential. I’m sure he has his own power base now. In Sunnydale, there are a lot of witches he can drain.” She paled. “Jennifer, could he somehow tap the Hellmouth itself?”

“I’d hate to think so, but…” Jennifer nodded. “We’ll add that to the research list. I’d also like to know more about the prophecy. It won’t really affect the rest of the preparation, but we may need to be prepared for certain signs or portents.”

“Giles, are there more Potentials? I mean, other than Kennedy and the other two?” Buffy had to concentrate on not growling the brunette Potential’s name.

“Yes. But, we’ve lost contact with them.”

“We could use their help,” Kirstan interjected. “Jenny, Willow? Is there a way to set up a homing beacon? Get them headed this way without knowing exactly where they are?”

The two witches looked at each other. “I’m going with yes, but let’s table that one until we get all the current info organized,” Willow answered. “Tara, I’m thinking there’s going to be heavy casualties this time. You’re a healer. Can you work with Mom or maybe Drew to set up a plan for getting the injured someplace to heal?”

“I think we’re clear on witch-y tasks.” Buffy glanced at Faith. “I’m not built for too much book time. Faith and I can work with the new kids. They’ll need some seasoning before we can send them out on patrol.”

Kirstan looked disturbed. “You’re assuming a return to Sunnydale?”

“That’s where the Hellmouth is. We can’t leave the town unprotected. Plus, if the beacon spell doesn’t work, we still may get a few refugees that know my location.” Buffy frowned. “Where were you thinking of setting up shop?”

“Here, of course. I thought that’s what you had in mind when we talked this morning.”

“B, what if me and Blondie head back into town?” Faith asked. “You and Red can stay here and work with the little girls. I, um, I ain’t much of a role model and all, but I can keep an eye on things in town, let you know what’s on the way.”

“The plan doesn’t suck,” Buffy muttered. “I just don’t like making you take on all the vamps and demons the Hellmouth will start pumping out.”

“I’ll go, too,” Drew said quietly. She smiled when the Scoobies looked at her blankly. “I’m one of Willow’s sisters. I’m a witch, and I have Slayer potential. That makes me an assistant for both sides of the fight.”

“Looks like we have a plan, then.” Faith nodded. “I know you don’t wanna leave SunnyD unprotected and all, B, but me and Blondie been up since yesterday. I’m kinda not ready for the drive back. Could we catch some sleep, get an update on what the research crew finds, and head back this evening?”

Buffy nodded. “Yeah. We need you on your game.”

“That’s my cue, then.” Kirstan stood. “OK, ladies. We’ve got some spare rooms upstairs.” It was clear the meeting was breaking up. Jenny was already grabbing books off the shelves. Xander, Dawn, and Anya got up to help her. Soon, only Buffy, Willow, and Giles remained.

“So, Giles, I think I’ve got some questions about Slayers and Witches,” Buffy began.

CHAPTER 23

Buffy felt Willow’s hand on her thigh, cautioning her to take things slow. Looking at Giles, the Slayer understood. He looked terrible. Buffy had never seen him so tired and disheveled.

“Yes.” He grimaced, not meeting her eyes. “I dare say you do. However, perhaps we should do this someplace more private.” The room was a beehive of activity. Bodies sprawled on the floor, the couches, and at the long table up front.

“We can go back to the guest house,” Willow said. She stood up, holding out a hand to Buffy.

Buffy took the hand, but simply held it. A bright blush crawled up her face. “I’m thinking no to that.” Hazel eyes met green and then skittered away and Willow barely restrained a chuckle. Will, Buffy whined through their link, I am not taking my Watcher into the Cabin o’Love.

“Well, if the guest house is out, Mom and Mama have a small den we can use. Or we could just go outside and enjoy the scenery while we talk.” Willow cocked an eyebrow at Giles.

“My dear, perhaps outside?” He regained his feet and looped the satchel over his shoulder. “I think we will all be tired of this room soon enough.”

It didn’t take long for them to exit the house near the path to the outlying fields and the Training Shed. As the walked through the trees, Buffy searched for a way to start. There were so many things…Finally, she settled on the one, central question. “Why didn’t you tell me that Slayers and Witches are bonded?”

“The simple explanation is that the Council has stopped the practice.” Giles stuffed his hands pockets, head bowed. “By the time I was assigned to you, there had not been a paired Slayer for years.”

“Sorry, Giles.” Willow shook her head, unimpressed. “That doesn’t make sense. Mom hasn’t been retired that long, and she was bonded.”

“Yes, but once she was no longer active, the Council would not have informed her of the change in policy.” His voice sounded mechanical. “It is quite possible the news never reached her.”

“Giles, even I can tell you don’t believe that crap, but we’ll tackle that discussion later.” Buffy’s voice wavered, and she struggled to keep going. “For now, if you knew about the bond, why didn’t you ever tell us? I don’t get it, Giles. Why let us flounder around, dating other people. Why?”

Sensing his Slayer’s anguish, Giles tried to find an answer that wouldn’t hurt her more. “I never considered the possibility, at first. Good Lord, Buffy,” he burst out, “you were both so young. Willow showed little sign of magical potential. And you…when I first began to wonder, you had Angel.”

At the mention of Angel, Buffy exploded. “That’s my point! If you have just told me about the bond, about Willow, there would have been no Angel. No ‘one moment of true happiness,’ no-“ her voice broke, “no Jenny and no Kendra. All that blood on my hands, why? Because you and the Council can’t just tell me anything.”

“Buffy-“ Giles broke off. He fought to control his own pain and rising agitation. “How could I have told you, Buffy? Bloody hell.” He moved closer, gripping Buffy’s arms. “Think back. You already thought I was too involved in your life. How well did it go when I cautioned you against dating Angel?”

“This is different,” Buffy insisted, jerking away.

Giles pulled off his glasses, rubbing at his tired eyes. “How? How is it different? I was just a meddling old man in your eyes.” Voice quiet but firm, he continued, “If I told you that Willow was most likely your soulmate, you’d have started running and never stopped.”

The Slayer had no answer for that, and simply stared at Giles, tears streaking her face. She was so tired of this. Of it all. She slumped, suddenly exhausted.

Choking on her own tears, Willow said quietly, “Be honest, Buffy. If Giles had told us, would we even have believed him? I wasn’t ready for that. Hell, I wasn’t ready for anything but secretly lusting after Xander.” She took Buffy’s hand, stroking the back with her thumb. “Even if we had been ready to explore the options, I don’t think anybody around us was. Principal Flutie or – even worse – Principal Snyder would have thrown us both out of Sunnydale High.”

The anger and sense of betrayal pouring through their link faltered. Willow pushed forward, watching to make sure the darker emotions continued to ebb. “You were still too much the Cordy-clone, caught up in the ‘I can still be a normal teen’ mode to want to date a girl. And besides,” she grinned quirkily, kissing Buffy quickly, “I wasn’t nearly as sexy then as I am now. I needed time to get rid of those jumpers and discover College Girl Willow.” Peering at Buffy through her lashes, she purred, “I might just be a match for you now, my Slayer.”

A smile twitched at Buffy’s lips, but Willow could still feel her pain, confusion, and lingering sense of betrayal. The Slayer was far too stubborn for her own good, but she deserved some answers. Willow stepped back, letting Buffy lead the rest of the conversation.

“Alright, Giles, “she grudgingly allowed. “So, maybe I wasn’t ready to hear the news. I get why you didn’t tell us about the bond. But…What about not having any support from the Council and not having any contact with other Slayers like Kirstan?”

“Ah, yes.” Giles replaced his glasses, and regarded the two girls solemnly. “I have no concrete answer for that.”

Running a shaking hand through her hair, Buffy pleaded softly “I don’t need something in a book, Giles. Right now, your opinion is fine.”

Giles nodded. “Very well. My own personal thoughts on the subject…” He hesitated, seemingly at a loss. “I believe it was an attempt by Quentin and the traditional-minded members of the Council to exert more control over Slayers.” He smiled slightly in memory, “As you once pointed out to him and his minions, the Council serves – or should serve – at the whim of the Slayers. However, there has always been a faction within the Council that believed otherwise. Slayers were tools. Toys to be played with and discarded when damaged or destroyed.”

“So Buffy was just a stepping stone to some kind of personal empire,” Willow commented bitterly.

With a pained smile, Giles nodded. “Yes.” He took a deep, slow breath. “I’m afraid I have other bad news as well.”

Wryly, Willow looked at Buffy. “I’m all with the ‘whoo hoo.’ How about you, Buff?”

“No. Sorry. No whoos or hoos here.” Buffy struggled to focus on the conversation, drained of energy. A headache roared up until even her eyes hurt.

“Shall I continue or would you prefer to rest, perhaps?” Giles, too, noticed Buffy’s condition.

Sweetie, you OK? Willow sent along their bond.

The reply was muffled, but rapid. Tired, angry, you name it, but I really want to hear this before he goes back to Unhelpful Giles.

“Please, Giles. I think we need to know.” Willow smiled slightly. “Buffy and I are on a new No Secrets Plan. Can we include you in that as well?”

The Watcher gave a wry chuckle. “Indeed, my dear. I will certainly look into it. I think it might be best for all of us.” Becoming more serious, he said, “When you first called me, Buffy, and I began looking into the prophecy, I did talk with Quentin. There was something in his manner. I began to believe he had already heard of the prophecy.”

“I’m not going to like this, am I?” Buffy’s voice was flat, resigned.

“I’d say that is rather unlikely, Buffy,” Giles said wearily. “I set some friends on the Watcher’s Diaries and other scholarly works. I, however, dug through Quentin’s files and the personal papers of several of his staunchest supporters. I found this.” He pulled a sheaf of documents from his jacket and handed them to Willow.

“Perhaps you could read later, my dears,” he said, forestalling Willow who had begun pulling the papers from their envelope. “What you need to know” he insisted, “is that the Council, or at least key members of it, knew of the prophecy and of Willow’s part in it. According to the memos and papers there, when the Council realized who Willow was, Travers went to the Council and pushed through a vote using his authority and vast amounts of ‘incentives.’” Voice rising, he growled, “The bloody ponce believed she needed to be isolated until the ‘proper’ Slayer was chosen and trained to bond with her.”

Huddling against Buffy, Willow numbly commented, “I gather that wasn’t Buffy.”

“Oh, no” Giles waved his hands in agitation. “Buffy evaded the usual detection as a Potential, so the Council judged her a renegade and assigned her to Merrick” His lips twisted. “The old boy’s job was to contain her, keep her out of the way until they could send someone of their choosing to the Hellmouth. However, Merrick died unexpectedly and the Hellmouth began preparing for the arrival of the Master.” He met Buffy’s eyes. “In essence, you were Called here before the Council had a chance to hand pick their Champion.”

Buffy pushed away from Willow. Striding up to Giles, she spit out bitterly, “What? I got here and they realized I was good enough to die for their cause, but not good enough for Willow?”

“I thought you were long past the stage of non-thinking dramatics,” Giles barked, not afraid of the angry Slayer in front of him.

The bond flooded with Buffy’s emotions, almost staggering Willow. Trying to keep the talk from becoming something more violent, the witch wrapped her arms around Buffy from behind. Chin resting on the Slayer’s tense shoulder, she said as calmly as possible, “So, Buffy wouldn’t play by the rules. The Council leaves her here to keep things under control until the ‘right’ girl can be found. Makes a creepy, Council-y type of sense.” Willow kissed Buffy’s neck lightly. “I’m guessing Kendra was supposed to be it, but she died. What about Faith?”

Wrenching away from Willow, Buffy stared at her in horror. “Please, Will. I think your Smart Girl title’s in jeopardy. Faith was never good enough for you.”

“I’m afraid the Council agreed with you, Buffy,” Giles’ tired voice interrupted “Faith was a stop-gap. Her only purpose was to take up the fight after you were killed. Quentin and the Council still hadn’t found anyone they thought might make a good match for Willow.”

Willow wrapped her arms tightly around her stomach. “Giles, you’re kinda freaking me out with this whole topic.”

“I’m sure, my dear.” Giles smiled at her gently. “However, as you pointed out, the time for secrets is passed.”

“Then what?” Buffy demanded impatiently. “Faith goes all Psycho Slayer. I’m still holding the fort on the Hellmouth.” She rubbed her forehead, trying to keep it from exploding at the pressure inside. “The Council throws us both out, but Will’s still with us. No new Slayers or Potentials on the scene. Did they just give up?”

Refusing to be rattled by Buffy’s urgency, Giles sighed. “I really don’t know, my dear. Quentin was becoming suspicious of my research. To perhaps hide what I had already discovered, I went back to work on the prophecy.” Eyes shadowed, he went on, “Before I had a chance to continue researching the Council’s actions, the First attacked.”

CHAPTER 24

When Giles’ voice died away, Buffy closed her eyes. The answers had been even worse than she’d expected. Mixing with the sense of the surreal at Giles’ explanation was the pain still hammering through her head. She wanted to grab Willow and run, hide, do anything she could to keep her witch safe. That wasn’t an option. Using the headache as a shield, she pushed the pain into the link, keeping Willow from touching her mind or emotions. “I can’t say I’m happy about what the Council did to us, but it isn’t anything new or even unusual. If they were still around, I might go pay a visit.” Light stabbed her eyes and her stomach roiled when she forced them open. “But we have a new Big Bad on the horizon, and a horde of researchers waiting on us.”

Striding away, she ignored Giles open-mouthed look and the gentle touch Willow sent into their link. Inside, the living room looked the same. People and books strewn everywhere. “Jennifer, any news?” Buffy demanded.

“Well, let’s see,” the older version of Willow responded. “You were gone about an hour. What do you think?”

Refusing to back down, Buffy glared into the cool green eyes. “I think I’d like an answer to my question.”

“Buffy!” Willow grabbed her lover by the arm. “Let’s leave Mama to the books and go beat up on some punching bags or something.”

The pain was worsening. Buffy swallowed hard against a surge of nausea. “Sorry,” she mumbled. “Will, you stay here. They need you.” Buffy forced a grin. She just needed to get away from everyone, work out some frustration. “You’re the best with the book work. I’ll head out and see if Kirstan has anything for me to hit.”

For a second, she feared Willow would refuse, but the redhead nodded reluctantly. “OK.” Green eyes searched Buffy’s face, not happy with her pallor and her dilated eyes. “But, you better not be planning anything stupid, you hear me?”

Despite her whirling head, Buffy’s sudden smile came from deep inside. “Nope. No stupid here,” she teased. “I’ve got this way powerful wife, and she’d kick my ass if I got out of line.”

Giggling, Willow kissed the Slayer gently before playfully pushing her away. “Damn. A wife? The good ones are always taken.” She winked at Buffy before turning away, grabbing a book from the research table.

Step a little lighter after her Willow-snuggles, Buffy headed back outside. The sun shone brightly and Buffy grimaced. Damn, I guess Willow-kissage isn’t enough to heal everything. Pushing open the door to the training facility, Buffy peered inside. “Anybody home?” she called out. No one answered. Shrugging, she moved inside, sliding the door closed behind her.

Deciding a houseful of mostly women was a safe environment, she stripped off her shirt. Her headache faded slightly as she loosened up. This was her world. Not the research center. Pushing down the flashbacks from the conversation with Giles, Buffy bounced in front of a practice dummy. Outlines on its chest indicated it was mostly used for staking practice, but Buffy was more in the mood for hands on combat. Lashing out, she rained blows on its padded form before interspersing kicks. Grunts and thuds were the only sounds in the large space until Buffy doubled over, panting. Sweat poured from her, dripping into her eyes.

“There are some towels on the bench over there.” Out of the corner of her eye, Buffy saw a hand wave to her left.

No longer focused on her workout, Buffy reeled from the stabbing pain in her head.

“Honey, are you alright? You look really pale,” the voice cooed.

Despite feeling very unsteady, Buffy spun around, ending in a fighting crouch.

“I know it’s been awhile, sweetie, but I haven’t changed that much, have I?” Joyce Summers smiled gently. “You’ve been out here a long time. Did you overdo it? Can I get you something? Some water? I could check inside and rustle up some lunch, too.”

“Mom?” Buffy’s voice sounded years younger. Tears mixed with the sweat on her face. “Oh my God. How did you…when did you get back?” She stepped forward, arms extended – and then recoiled. Her Slayer senses screamed. Joyce radiated an ancient, overwhelming evil. Backpedaling, she stared in horror at the thing pretending to be Joyce and remembered Angel’s explanation of the First’s abilities. “You’re not real,” she mumbled.

Hazel eyes lighting with laughter, Joyce peered at Buffy. “OK. Is that slang for ‘you’re not for real’, or…?”

“No!” Buffy continued backing away, stumbling over the scattered training tools. “You’re the First.”

Joyce frowned, moving after the fleeing Slayer. “Oh, baby, you’re so tired; you’re not making any sense. Maybe you should get some sleep.”

Now backed up against the wall, Buffy pressed against the surface shaking her head, shouting, pleading, Buffy shook her head. “No. Get away!”

“Buffy, I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but that’s enough.” Joyce crossed her arms and pursed her lips. Despite the sure knowledge deep inside that this was not her mother returned from the grave, Buffy responded to the look of motherly disapproval and dropped her eyes. “Sweetie, what have you been doing to yourself? I mean, look at you.”

Now that she couldn’t see Joyce, it was so much easier to pretend. Joyce’s voice wrapped around her, and Buffy sobbed, remembering the good times: movie nights, a warm kiss on the forehead just as she fell asleep, the pride at her acceptance to Northwestern.

“Sweetie, let me get you something for your head. Have you been eating enough? You’ve lost so much weight.”

Buffy moaned at the stabbing pain in her head, and at the voice that continued to wash over her. She had to make it stop. She could feel the evil. She knew it wasn’t Joyce. Desperate for relief of some kind, she lunged across the mat, grabbing a stake from a low table. Focusing her pain and rage into the toss, she heaved the weapon toward her tormentor. The sharpened wood flew true, but passed through Joyce, sinking deeply into the wall of the barn.

Earrings jingling as she shook her head, Joyce looked at Buffy sadly. “I’m so disappointed in you, Buffy. I came back to help you and the others, but I don’t think I know you anymore.” She disappeared with no warning.

Buffy crumpled to the mat. Pounding head pressed to her knees, she rocked back and forth, sobs ripping from her throat.

***

Willow hauled her book into the heart of the living room and sat down on the floor, back resting against the couch. Dawn and Anya sat above her, both flipping through books of their own. “You guys finding anything?” she called up to the couch.

“Nothing,” Anya chirped, waving a thin manual. “And nothing. Cliff Notes to nothing.” The ex demon was really into her response.

Interrupting Anya before she could expand on the nothingness, Dawn muttered, “My research isn’t turning up anything either.”

Silence fell as the three went back to work. As she skimmed the spidery script in the Watcher’s Diary on her lap, part of Willow’s mind worked outside the box. They were quickly coming to the end of the more traditional research methods. What other ways could there be?

The answer, when it came, should not have been a surprise. “Dawnie, do you know if anyone called Angel after Giles got here?”

“Um…” Willow grinned. She could almost hear Dawn thinking about the question. “No,” the teen finally offered.

Scrambling to her feet, Willow shouted, “We’re idiots!”

The room froze.

“How did we miss this?” Willow asked the assembled crew.

“Maybe you could give us a little more information, and then we could tell you,” Jennifer responded dryly.

“Angel.” Willow flung her hands in the air. “We didn’t call Angel.”

“Gee, sis, can you just pick up the phone and dial Heaven?” Drew closed her book with a thud. “I thought prayer was the way to go.”

Dawn was giggling madly and even Anya cracked a smile, prompting more confused looks from the Hirsch clan.

Dropping her hands to her hips, Willow grinned at her family. “Well, this Angel is more familiar with Hell than with Heaven, but he does have a phone.” She backed off a bit when Jennifer gave her a piercing glare. “Oookay. Moving right along, he’s not an angel, he’s Angel, or Angelus.”

“You want to call Angelus, the most evil vampire in history?” Jennifer sounded horrified. “Do I even want you to explain how you know him?”

Dawn sucked in a deep breath and managed to choke out, “He was Buffy’s boyfriend.”

The Sunnydale crew howled at Jennifer’s mumbled, “My new daughter-in-law, the Slayer, was dating a vampire?”

Still laughing, Willow didn’t even bother to explain. “Drew, my laptop’s still upstairs. Get it for me, please?” Her sister was a little unhappy about the errand, but trotted for the door. “Mama, I’m going to set up a little video conference, and, I promise to explain everything.”

“See that you do, daughter mine.” Jennifer stood and stretched. “I don’t mind a little levity, but I need to be sure you aren’t putting us more at risk.”

Willow looked at her mother. “No, Jennifer. Angel’s a friend, and he faced the First once before. “

Drew came back into the room and stopped. “Hey, is everything OK?”

“Jennifer?” Willow asked.

Still appearing uncertain, the older witch nodded. “Fine, Drew. Willow can use the table here for her conference.”

Willow took the bag Drew held out and swiftly set up her equipment. “OK, guys, gather round. I’m going to call the AI office. Angel’s got a special set up there so we can actually see him on the screen. I’m thinking he may have some answers for us, or he can find them.” She typed rapidly for a second and the screen blanked.

A voice chirped out of the external speakers. “Angel Investigations. We help the helpless.”

“Cordy, hi. It’s Willow.”

“Oh, great. We haven’t had a paying customer in, like, a week. Every time the phone rings it’s one of you losers.” Despite the snap in the voice, Willow grinned.

“Same old Cordy. Good thing I’m using the new Willow 2.0, or I might just cry.” She listened to Cordelia’s laughter for a second. “Is Angel around? I’ve got some big, important questions to ask him. I’m set up on the vid, so can you have him log on?”

The former Prom Queen must have been on a portable handset because they heard doors opening and closing and the click of high-heeled shoes on stairs. “Angel, Willow’s on the line. She wants you to do a video conference.”

Another voice rumbled in the background.

“I don’t know, probably another apocalypse or something. They only ever call when they need our help,” Cordy answered an unheard question.

Seconds later, Willow’s computer screen flickered and Angel appeared. “Willow? Is something wrong? Is Buffy OK?”

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