FF: Rewrite Season 6, part 7 - PG-13

["carrkjar" <carrkjar@xxxxxxxxx>]

Ain't It Heavy
Season 6 Reset, part 7

Author: Frau Hunter Ash 

Copyright © 2002 by Hunter Ash. All Rights Reserved.
Email: carrkjar@xxxxxxxxx Feedback welcome!!
Homepage Addy: http://www.hunterash.com/ 

Acknowledgments: Note: Plot collaborated on by Hunter Ash and Dark 
Gremlin 
Suggestions from many people and many boards. A special "thank you" 
to them.

Another special "Thank You" to Joan the English Chick 
(pisces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) for her transcripts.  

Disclaimers: The characters and show all belong to Joss Whedon, Fox, 
Mutant Enemy, Kuzui, and God only knows who else. No harm intended.

F/F romance: the story assumes a loving and sexual relationship 
between people of the same gender and opposite gender. If this 
offends or is illegal for you, then please leave. Come back when you 
are older, have an open mind, moved, or changed your laws. 

Spoilers: In my universe here, Season 6 is happening again! Starting 
with Bargaining and taking off from there. Things will be different 
here.  

Rating: PG-13 (US) 12 (UK) M (Aus) Pairings: W/T, X/An

Summary: Buffy must start facing real life issues: social workers, a 
rejected Spike, getting Dawn to clean her room and Willow's 
continuing weakness after bringing Buffy back. There's also a twist 
heading for the Slayer and some old familiar faces and dangers 
waiting.

* * *

Buffy woke early with her arm draped over Tara's ribs as the witch 
held Willow curled in her arms. Buffy smiled as she sat up and 
looked at her friends. Willow's face still looked strained and drawn 
but the Slayer thought they looked adorable snuggled up together.

"I didn't take time to know you, Tara, before I died," Buffy 
whispered. "I let my best friend slip away from me and almost lost 
her and you. I'm not going to let that happen."

Tara sighed in her sleep and Willow whimpered.

"Shhhhh," Buffy said softly, gently stroking Willow's hair until the 
red-head began sleeping more peacefully. Buffy got up and went to 
her room for clean clothes and a shower.  

The Slayer was pleased, that she had slept the entire night through 
without a nightmare. She heard Dawn moving in her room as Buffy 
started for the shower. She paused outside the teenager's room and 
then knocked softly.

"Come in," Dawn called out.

Buffy found her sister sitting on the bed with a notebook in her lap 
and pen thoughtfully in her mouth.  

"What up, Dawnie?" Buffy asked cheerfully.

"I've started keeping a journal again since&since&" Dawn said slowly.

"Since I died," Buffy supplied for her sister and Dawn nodded, 
closing the notebook. Buffy sat on the edge of the bed. "Does it 
help?"

"I think so," Dawn said slowly. "I found Tara sitting up lots of 
nights after Willow's nightmares, writing in one. She said Willow 
used to keep one but didn't after that night."

Buffy nodded slowly.  

"Did anything ever happen between you two?" Dawn asked, surprising 
Buffy.

"What? With who?" she asked, confused.

"You and Willow," Dawn said slowly and clearly.

"No, why would you think that?" Buffy looked confused. "We're best 
friends, always have been. You know that."

"Well, Mom said the Powers That Be picked Willow because she'd be 
willing to sacrifice everything for you; her soul and her life if 
need be," Dawn explained her line of thought. "That sounds like more 
than friends and she likes girls."

"She also liked Oz," Buffy countered.

"History," Dawn quipped.

"No, nothing happened between us," Buffy said honestly. "I'm not 
sure if things had been different sometime along the line if 
something might have. I was with Angel or grieving for him, she was 
with Oz. Angel left and she was with Oz. Then Oz left and I was with 
Riley."

"Then she met Tara," Dawn finished.  

"Yeah," Buffy agreed.

"But you thought about it," Dawn pushed.

"Not really," Buffy pondered, moving to sit up against the headboard 
with her sister. "Not until she told me about Tara. I kinda wigged 
on her."

"Why?" Dawn asked, obviously enjoying the conversation intensely.

"Well, I didn't think she was gay or bisexual until then," Buffy 
answered. "Then she tells me she's found someone. Any stray 
thoughts I had about my best friend had to take a back seat."

"So, it wasn't that she was gay that wigged you, but that she was gay 
and found someone else before you let yourself think about it," Dawn 
ventured.

"Yeah, something like that," Buffy agreed with a smile.

"And now?" Dawn asked.

"Now what?" Buffy was confused again.

"Any thoughts there? She was like insane all this time, Buffy," Dawn 
said, her voice rising with emotions as she thought about Willow's 
suffering the two months Buffy was gone.  

"No," Buffy shook her head. "I love Will and I want to know Tara 
better but I wouldn't even consider doing anything to screw up their 
relationship."

"Good, I like them and they're so cute together," Dawn said firmly 
and Buffy laughed.

"Sometimes love isn't about sex, Dawn," Buffy said softly. "And most 
of the time sex isn't about love."

"Tara and Willow love each other but I think they love you too," Dawn 
said slowly.

"Not like each other," Buffy countered.

"I don't know about that," Dawn pondered.

"You're thinking too much," Buffy teased. "Tell me about the last 
two months."

"Well, I've been doing really well in school with everyone's help," 
Dawn began and Buffy listened closely.

* * *

Tara smiled as she woke up to Willow nibbling her earlobe, a small 
hand and long fingers playing with her nipples, waking them up as 
well.

"Hey, baby," Willow said softly as Tara opened her eyes.

"Hey, lover," Tara smiled, drawing Willow's lips to hers. The kiss 
was gentle and loving and Tara felt herself melting into Willow's 
arms. "It's been so long, Willow."

"I know," Willow nodded, moving her lips down to Tara's neck and her 
hand under Tara's shirt, moving over Tara's ribs to the her breasts.

Tara's hands moved down to Willow's t-shirt, pulling it up 
impatiently.  

Both froze at a knock on the door.

"Loving couple wanting privacy!" Tara shouted at the door and Willow 
giggled.

"Yes, well," Giles muttered. "I'm afraid it's rather important."

Tara and Willow could hear movement in the next room and then Buffy's 
voice in the hallway.

"What is it, Giles?"

"There's a social worker downstairs looking for everyone responsible 
for taking care of Dawn," he said to the doors and wasn't surprised 
when Buffy came tearing out of Dawn's room with the said teenager on 
her heels.

"Come in!" Tara called as Willow pulled her t-shirt down and sat up 
on the bed.

"A Mrs. Rogers is downstairs and insisting on seeing everyone who 
lives here," Giles explained, running a hand through his unruly sleep 
tossed hair.

"Okay, no problem," Buffy frowned. "They've switched workers again. 
We dealt with them after Mom died."

"We weren't living here, Buff," Tara said softly.

"What's that got to do with anything?" Buffy asked, her face curious.

"Some don't think we should&that we're good&" Tara stammered.

"Some people and courts don't think we set a good moral example for 
children," Willow muttered, her voice bitter.

"Why not? You're intelligent, in school and honor students," Buffy 
demanded. "You're in a stable relationship, what's wrong with this 
picture."

"Buffy, the stable relationship is the problem," Giles muttered, 
beginning to clean his glasses.

"Oh they can so get over it," Buffy mumbled. "It's a new millennium 
and California for crying out loud. Come on, Dawn, let's meet the new 
worker."

Willow started to stand up and grabbed for the bed, falling backwards 
into Tara's arms. "Whoa!"

"Willow!" Giles said sharply, bringing Buffy back up the stairs at a 
run as he crossed the bedroom.

"I'm okay," Willow mumbled as Giles placed her legs back on the bed.  

Buffy watched from the foot of the bed as Giles checked Willow's 
pulse.

"I just got up too quick, guys," Willow protested.

"May I be introduced to everyone?" 

Buffy turned to find a middle aged woman holding a notebook in her 
hands, a yellow legal pad of paper on top.

"I'm Buffy Summers, that's Dawn, my sister," Buffy said absently, 
watching Willow. "This is Giles, I mean&" Buffy mumbled.

"I'm Rupert Giles, old friend of the family and guardian of Dawn 
whenever Buffy is out of town," Giles said easily. "I used to be 
Buffy's temporary guardian when she was a minor, as well."

"Your relationship to the family?" Mrs. Rogers asked, taking notes.

"Old friend of the family," Giles repeated.

"He used to date my Mom and we all got close, I think he was going to 
ask her to marry him before she died," Buffy added, not meeting 
Giles' eyes.

He nodded, agreeing with the subterfuge.  

"Yes, I came to look at the girls as something like step-daughters," 
he agreed.

"And the young ladies?" Mrs. Rogers asked, pointing with her pen as 
Tara glanced over at her, Willow closing her eyes.

"I'm Tara Maclay and this is Willow Rosenberg," Tara said softly.

"I'm afraid Willow is sick with the flu and not quite up to an 
interview right now," Giles said firmly. "Buffy, you and Dawn don't 
need to catch this, so out! Make Mrs. Rogers some coffee."

"Right, come on, Mrs. Rogers," Buffy suggested, moving past the 
Social Worker into the hallway.

The woman watched Tara lying next to Willow on the large bed with a 
frown before turning to head down the stairs.

"Giles?" Tara asked softly.

"She's exhausted still," he said gently. "I don't want her out of 
this bed for the next couple of days."

"Okay," Tara agreed, nodding her head as Willow smiled weakly.

"Normally I'd protest that I have school but I really don't feel 
good," the red haired witch agreed.

"Get dressed, Tara, and meet us downstairs after you've got Willow 
settled in," Giles suggested. 

"Alright," Tara nodded, her face worried as Willow reached for a 
tissue to keep from bleeding on the sheets and her clothes with 
another nosebleed.

* * *

"So are you in school, Ms. Summers?" Mrs. Rogers asked as Buffy set 
about making coffee and put on a pot of tea for Giles.

"Not during the summer session," Buffy answered. "I'm about to start 
the Fall semester and Dawn will be a sophomore this year."

"Will you be working?" Mrs. Rogers asked.

"Probably," Buffy said slowly. "I haven't gone over the finances but 
I think I'll need to work at least part time for the taxes on the 
house and odds and ends."

"Mom set up a trust fund for me before&before&" Dawn said slowly.

"I help out with the bookkeeping," Giles interjected. "Buffy 
receives a set amount each month to help with Dawn's care and 
household expenses."

"Yes, I see that in the records," Mrs. Rogers muttered. "And the two 
young women upstairs and Mr. Giles sleeping on your sofa?"

"Buffy was visiting her father in Los Angeles for a week and I was 
staying here to help Willow and Tara in taking care of Dawn," Giles 
answered easily.

"Tara and Willow, they live here?" Mrs. Rogers asked slowly, her 
voice going lower.

"Yes," Buffy nodded, her eyes beginning to flash. "They help out 
quite a bit and share expenses."

"And they have a lot of contact with Dawn?" Mrs. Rogers asked and 
Dawn shifted uncomfortably on the sofa next to Giles.

"Yes," Buffy answered calmly. "They help Dawn with her school work 
and even mine at times. They're both honor students and Willow is 
amazing with a computer."

"They seemed rather intimate," Mrs. Rogers commented slowly.

"Uh huh," Buffy shrugged. "They've been a couple for& how long now, 
Giles?"

"A year, I think," Giles smiled.  

"A couple?" Mrs. Rogers' frown deepened and Buffy's eyes flashed 
angrily. 

"Yes, their relationship has lasted longer than any of my dating," 
Buffy joked lightly.  

"And Dawn here is exposed to displays of their affection?" Mrs. 
Rogers demanded.

"Hardly!" Dawn complained. "They hold hands and sometimes give each 
other a light kiss but they wouldn't even let me watch Xena almost 
kiss Gabrielle until this year!"

"Tell me, Dawn, do you date?" Mrs. Rogers asked.

"Oh no, I'm not allowed to date yet," Dawn said, her voice 
sullen. "Tara and Willow wouldn't let me go out past 8 pm without 
someone with me."

"They know the rules," Buffy said firmly. "She's not allowed out 
past 8pm on a school night and 10 pm on weekends and we're to be 
informed of whoever she's with."

"Good rules," Mrs. Rogers agreed reluctantly.

"And she's not allowed to go out unless she keeps up her grades," 
Giles added.

"Well, I'd like to take a look in your kitchen and through the 
house," Mrs. Rogers said, almost reluctantly.

"The kitchen and house?" Buffy repeated.

"I'd like to see what kind of food items you keep here for Dawn and 
see the rest of the house to make sure it's an appropriate 
environment," Mrs. Rogers explained.

"Okay, no problem. Giles could you ask Tara and Willow if they mind?" 
Buffy asked as everyone stood up.

"I said the entire house," Mrs. Rogers frown returned.

"They are renters here, Mrs. Rogers," Giles pointed out. "That makes 
their room separate property and Buffy has to ask permission to 
enter."

Buffy was surprised and Dawn's mouth dropped open.

"Well, yes, that is rental law," Mrs. Rogers agreed reluctantly.

"Let's see the kitchen then and Giles will make sure Willow is up to 
you taking a glance through their room," Buffy smiled sweetly and 
Giles headed for the stairs.

Giles softly knocked on the witch's door and entered quickly.

"She wants to take a look through the whole house and she's not very 
approving of you two living here," he quickly explained as Tara sat 
on the bed, Willow's head in her lap.

"Okay, sanitize time," Tara said firmly, jumping up off the bed.  

"She doesn't have a right to search the place, especially your room 
so just anything in sight that could be taken wrong," he explained 
and Tara quickly cleared the altar she and Willow shared and Giles 
placed a lamp and a couple of books on the small table. Tara shoved 
the items, including the athame knife, into a backpack and hid them 
under the bed.

"Hey guys! Willow up for this?" Buffy called from the hallway.

"Yeah, come on in, Buff," Willow said, sitting up slowly.

It didn't take much to convince Mrs. Rogers that Willow was indeed 
sick with the flu. The witch was far too pale for Tara's comfort and 
the dark circles under her eyes hadn't improved even with two good 
nights of sleep.

Mrs. Rogers glanced around the room, appearing to be casual about it 
but everyone could sense the sharp eyes taking in every little detail 
of the room and its occupants.

Tara stood next to the bed, holding Willow's hand as the hacker 
closed her eyes.

"Well, yes," Mrs. Rogers said finally. "Thank you, now may I see 
your rooms?"

Dawn's eyes widened suddenly.  

"My room?" she squeaked. "Uh, really, it's fine! Nice and large, I 
have my own bed and they never lock me in the closet."

"She also has a phobia about cleaning it," Giles teased.

"It's not that bad!" Dawn protested and then looked down at her 
shoes. "Okay, I haven't cleaned today."

"This week," Buffy muttered but with a smile. "Come on, Mrs. Rogers. 
You get the rest of the tour."

The Slayer was more than grateful to her friends when she had 
discovered that they had a well-stocked kitchen and pantry. Buffy 
felt her eyes filling with emotional tears when she considered how 
much she owed her friends, her family. They had taken very good care 
of Dawn while Buffy was dead.

Buffy frowned at herself. She had turned to Spike instead of her 
friends. That had been the worst part of that mistake. Instead of 
talking it out with Willow or turning to Xander for some common 
sense, she had turned to Spike to kick start her feelings and 
emotions again. Buffy shook the thoughts from her head to focus on 
the tour of the house. 

Mrs. Rogers took her time in Buffy and Dawn's room, making note of 
Dawn's clutter but admitting that it wasn't bad for a teenager. She 
took careful note of the crosses now hanging in the windows of the 
bedrooms.

Finally, she sat back down on the sofa with Giles and Buffy while 
Dawn went about cleaning her room. The social worker made several 
notes while Buffy and Giles waited impatiently.

"Well, Ms. Summers," Mrs. Rogers looked up from her notes. "I must 
say you apparently have done an adequate job of caring for your 
sister since your Mother's death. I am concerned with the frequent 
school absences and drop in grade last school year but they did 
improve at the end."

"It was a difficult adjustment period for everyone," Giles commented, 
not adding in the account of fighting for their lives against Glory 
and the crazed Knights.

"Yes, I'm going to suggest that you look into a part time job to add 
a bit more to the monthly income and that you be re-evaluated in 
three months," Mrs. Rogers declared.

"Three months?" Buffy asked with a frown. "I thought it was every six 
months or something."

"I'm flagging your file for closer observation," Mrs. Rogers informed 
them and Buffy's eyes narrowed.

"Why?" the Slayer demanded.

"I'm not sure the environment you're providing is appropriate for an 
impressionable fifteen year old," Mrs. Rogers said with a frown.

Buffy watched the middle aged woman brush a lock of mouse brown hair 
from her forehead as the Slayer attempted to gain control over her 
building emotions.

"Willow and Tara," Buffy snapped.

"Yes, actually," Mrs. Rogers agreed.

"Willow and Tara are in a stable relationship, honor students in 
college, and Willow's been my best friend since I was Dawn's age," 
Buffy growled. "They aren't child molesters, they don't do drugs or 
drink and they've helped me with Dawn. How are they a problem?"

"Your sister is only fifteen and at an impressionable age about her 
own sexuality," Mrs. Rogers said flatly. "You and your friends 
present this&this relationship as something normal and natural, it 
will confuse her."

"Mrs. Rogers, studies have shown that children raised in gay 
households turn out the same as children raised in heterosexual 
households, normal, messed up or somewhere in between," Giles 
commented before Buffy could explode. "If you insist on letting your 
own personal prejudices influence your decision in this case, I shall 
go to your superiors, the press, and a lawyer."

Mrs. Rogers' eyes widened at the threat coming from the gentle 
looking Englishman.

"You can't do that," she said in a low voice.

"Watch me," Giles snapped back. "This is my family, Mrs. Rogers, and 
they are doing a remarkable job in handling a precocious teenage 
girl. I'm sure there are a lot more serious cases you could focus on 
rather than having the ACLU and every gay organization I can find 
protesting outside your office."

"Well, I really don't see any serious cause for concern," Mrs. Rogers 
frowned, putting her yellow pad away in the notebook. "I shall drop 
back in and check on things in mid September concerning Dawn's school 
work and attendance."

"That sounds reasonable," Buffy agreed, standing up along with Giles 
and the worker. "Thank you, Mrs. Rogers, for being so concerned for 
Dawn."

"I wish we had time for all the cases," Mrs. Rogers said 
sadly. "It's worse in the larger cities but there are never enough 
of us and some real neglect out there."

"Well, you'll see that Dawn is well provided for," Giles assured the 
worker.

"See you in September then, Ms. Summers, Mr. Giles," Mrs. Rogers said 
as Buffy saw her to the door.

Buffy leaned heavily against it after closing it behind the 
prejudiced social worker. "Oh thank God that's over."

"I quite agree," Giles nodded.  

"What the hell kind of job can I get?" Buffy pondered, her expression 
one of exasperation.

* * *

The dark haired girl sat down cautiously at the table. Despite the 
leg and waist chains and handcuffs, she moved with an animal grace 
and natural strength that even hardened guards found disturbing.

"You aren't a lawyer sent by Angel are you?" she demanded as the good-
looking male watched her move with a hunger of his own.

"No," he answered and Faith quickly placed him as English.

"Goddamn Watcher," she muttered and he nodded. "Afraid I might 
reveal too many secrets?"

"Not at all," the man answered easily, sliding a pack of cigarettes 
across the table within reach of her restrained hands. 

"No, thanks," Faith growled. "What do you want?"

"Did Angel tell you of the Slayer's death?" the man asked and Faith 
resisted growling.  

"Yeah, said she saved the world again and gave her life for it," 
Faith snapped. She didn't like being reminded of Buffy and just the 
presence of a Watcher did that.

"Yes, well things have changed," the man hesitated.

"What? You guys need a Slayer without B around so you turn to me?" 
Faith demanded. "Sorry, I've got a couple more years for involuntary 
manslaughter, you know."

"Things changed a little more drastically than that, Ms. Mihailescu."

There was something about the man that made Faith uncomfortable. One 
was the fact he didn't seem nervous around her like other Watchers 
and lawyers that had visited her. Second, his eyes seem to bore 
right into her, brushing aside her rough exterior. Third, he almost 
set off her "spidey" senses.

"Who and what are you?" she asked softly, some of her bluster gone.

"Please call me, Ethan," the man said softly with a charming smile 
that reminded Faith of a snake approaching a bird. "We have mutual 
enemies and I think we can benefit each other."

"Yeah, like who?" Faith growled.  

"Willow Rosenberg and Buffy Summers," Ethan said calmly.

"Buffy's dead," Faith protested. "And Willow's one of the ultimate 
good guys, I don't kill good guys anymore."

"No longer," Ethan said, almost sadly. "Willow Rosenberg used extreme 
black magic to bring Buffy back and things didn't work out quite 
right. The danger they present is of major significance, Ms. 
Mihailescu. The question is, do you want out of here and to be a 
Slayer again?"

"Out?" Faith whispered.

"We've been monitoring your progress," Ethan said calmly. "You've 
been doing quite well. I'm offering you that redemption you've been 
seeking. You agree to eliminate the threat and you'll be reinstated 
as a Slayer."

"All I gotta do is kill Willow and Buffy?" Faith demanded.

"Eliminate," Ethan corrected. "Yes, no one in Sunnydale is aware of 
the dangers they now present so it won't be easy for you."

"How do you know they're evil if no one else does?" Faith snapped.

"We have witches monitoring Willow's power and it shot off the damned 
scale," Ethan explained. "The spell she used to bring Buffy back from 
the dead was the highest black magic there is, necromancy. Buffy 
appears to be herself for now but that will change and the darkness 
inside her will take over and she'll side with the Slayer's enemies."

Faith frowned as Ethan stood up.

"We've placed a hundred dollars in your prison account for whatever 
luxury items you might desire while making up your mind," Ethan 
informed her. "I can have you out of here within 48 hours."

"Why didn't you go to Angel?" Faith asked.

"He's still too attached to the Slayer and is quite fond of the 
witch," Ethan shrugged. "The world needs a Slayer. You should have 
been approached when Buffy first died. Here's my card with my number 
where I'm staying. You have 24 hours to decide, Ms. Mihailescu."

"Total freedom?" Faith asked, stopping Ethan at the door.

"Total," Ethan nodded. "No parole or probation. You will return to 
being a Slayer, under the Council. You'll be treated as an adult and 
as a full Slayer."

"Deal," Faith nodded, looking down at the prison clothes and chains 
she was wearing.

"You won't regret that decision, Ms. Mihailescu," Ethan 
smiled. "I'll see you in two days."

"How weird is this?" Faith muttered as the guard let Ethan out of the 
interrogation-visiting room. "I'm in prison because I'm a bad guy 
and B was the good guy. Now I'm getting out because B is a bad guy? 
Weird."

Ethan Rayne grinned as he climbed into his car. He knew the 
temptation of freedom and a chance of fighting Buffy Summers again 
would be too much for Faith to resist.  

"Soon, Ripper," he grinned and cranked the volume of the radio 
playing AC-DC's "Black in Black.' "You'll pay for locking me away 
with those damned government types."

* * *

Buffy and the rest of the gang looked up from the dinner table with 
concerned looks as Tara helped Willow down the stairs and to the 
table.

"Okay, you said she'd be weak after that spell but this is 
ridiculous!" Xander protested.

"I gotta agree with Xander," Willow said softly as she sat down. "I 
don't feel like I'm getting better here."

Giles frowned. "I'm not sure what's happening," he 
admitted. "Willow should be getting better after rest and food."

"I thought you said the Powers that Be or whatever said Will did 
good, why is she zapped then?" Xander complained.

"I'm not sure, unless there was something in that spell that is 
continuing to drain Willow," Giles pondered. "I think Willow, Tara 
and I need to go over that spell very carefully after dinner."

"Wouldn't the Powers put a stop to anything dangerous for Will?" 
Buffy asked.

"Not necessarily," Giles said slowly. "You heard your mother, they 
are concerned with the ends, not really the means to get there."

"They were&were willing to sacrifice Willow to get there," Tara 
added, her voice sorrowful.

"I'm not sure how much help I could be with the spell thing," Buffy 
said thoughtfully.

"Why don't you go patrolling as usual?" Willow asked. "We don't want 
any stray demons thinking Sunnydale is open season again."

"We'll go out with you, Buff," Xander and Anya nodded. "In case 
Spike shows up again."

"He'll show up," Buffy muttered.

"Do I get to stake him tonight?" Xander begged.

"Not unless he tries to hurt me," Buffy said firmly.

* * *

Buffy was surprised, however, when Spike didn't show up and it was a 
normal night of slaying.

Three hours later Buffy found Giles and Tara pouring over books and 
Willow's laptop as the red-head tossed and turned restlessly on the 
sofa. Buffy sat on the edge and gently stroked Willow's hair and the 
sleeping witch calmed before getting up and heading to join Giles and 
Tara.

"Hey, guys," Buffy said softly as she entered the dining room. "Any 
answers?"

"I'm not sure actually," Giles admitted. "According to the spell, it 
should have been fairly simple once the impossible ingredients were 
gathered."

"Impossible?" 

"Well, almost," Giles admitted. "The last remaining urn of Osiris 
and a sacrifice was required."

"Sacrifice?" Buffy asked, glancing over at Willow who was tossing 
once more.

"Willow admitted she called for a sacrifice from the Earth and a 
small deer came to her willingly," Tara said softly, a pained look on 
her face.

"Willow killed a deer? She can barely eat meat," Buffy protested.

"Willing to do anything for you," Giles reminded his Slayer.

"Okay, go on," Buffy said slowly and shook her head in disbelief.

"We don't know how it happened but&well," Giles pulled his glasses 
off and began cleaning them.  

"We think Willow's slowly giving her life force for yours," Tara said 
softly, her eyes filling with tears.

"What? You mean, she's getting weaker because I'm alive?" Buffy 
demanded.

"It's possible," Giles said reluctantly.

"That is so not fair!" Buffy complained. "What happens, she keeps 
getting weaker and weaker and dies?"

"That might be the result," Giles admitted.  

"Okay, how do we break the connection?" Buffy demanded.

"I'm not sure, there's nothing in the books about bringing a Slayer 
back to life through magick, you know," Giles snapped.  

"We can't let Willow sacrifice herself for me!" Buffy whined.  

"I don't know how to stop it," Tara said softly.  

"Giles?" Buffy begged.

"Tara?" a weak voice called and the blonde witch was by Willow's side 
instantly.  

"I'm here, Will," Tara said as she brushed Willow hair from her eyes.

"I'm so weak," Willow whispered as Buffy and Giles walked up behind 
Tara kneeling beside the sofa.

"I know, baby," Tara choked and leaned back into Buffy when the 
Slayer placed her hand on Tara's shoulders.

"Giles," Willow gasped.

"I'm here, Willow," Giles answered.

Willow's eyes closed as her breathing became more labored.

"Willow?" Tara said, alarmed.

"She's dying, Giles," a voice said from the bottom of the stairs.

"Mom?" Buffy stammered.  

"Dawn is the connection, shared blood is the key," Joyce said and 
began fading.

"Mom! Wait! How is Dawn the answer?" Buffy cried out, starting to 
move towards her mother's spirit.

"Someone was watching Willow and used the demon rider's breaking of 
the circle to tap into the ritual," Joyce explained. "You have to 
bond together, all of you. The tie must be severed. Dawn and you are 
the key."

Joyce faded from sight. Buffy turned and looked down at her best 
friend.

"Buffy?" Tara asked, tears begin to escape her eyes. "She won't wake 
up."

"Giles, call Xander and Anya," Buffy said firmly. "I'm going to 
Janice's house and get Dawn. Tara, do you know what my Mom was 
talking about?"

"No, but we can figure it out," Tara stammered but with a determined 
look.

"Let's do this," Buffy said softly. "We're not going to lose her!"