If Destiny Wills (8b/?)

[keeper444@xxxxxxxxx]

See I told you there was a part 'b', big thanks go out to Ralf for the
amazing speed displayed in getting this out. Again sit back relax enjoy,
I hope you like it.

Later
Alex
Disclaimers and all that required stuff see part 'a' K?
Don't own em didn't make any money off em.
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Title: If Destiny Wills (8b/?) 
Author: Alex P. 
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The route home took them by a poorly lit heavily wooded park that
adjoined the oldest of the towns many cemeteries. As they passed the
park, both girls stopped dead in their tracks when they both heard two
distinct terrified screams. They turned and looked at each other their
disappointment showing clearly in their eyes. 

"No rest for the Chosen One, I guess." Buffy said sadly and shrugged. 

"Or for her faithful soulmate." Willow added trying to lighten the mood.
Then putting on her resolve face she said. "I'm ready when you are." 

"Couldn't do it without you." Buffy said caressing her friends cheek,
only to be interrupted by another scream. 

"Let's go." Buffy turned and kicked a slat out of a near by park bench
and picked up the make shift stake, then took off running across the
park toward the screams. 

As she ran after the much faster Slayer, Willow began chanting
protection spells. They crossed the park and entered the old cemetery,
running past the old tombstones and came around an old mausoleum where
Buffy came to a sliding halt. 

Willow almost ran into the Slayer and was about to complain when she saw
the look on Buffy's face, following Buffy's gaze Willow saw why her
companion had stopped short. 

On a small rise behind the old mausoleum tied to tall headstones was a
young couple that looked barely old enough to date. 

Two rather nasty looking demons were tormenting their helpless victims.
They had already ripped all the couples clothes off, and judging by the
cuts and bruises covering their bodies, the demons had been torturing
the young boy and girl for quite a while before the Slayer had arrived. 

Both of the innocent victims were fighting for air and looked pleadingly
at the Slayer, as if begging her to save them. 

"Hello Slayer." a deep voice said from the shadows. "I almost lost
control of those two while we waited for you. I wanted you to see how
they die." 

A tall gaunt vampire stepped from the shadows. As they watched, his face
took on the twisted demented visage of the demon within him. He raised
his arm then clenched his hand into a fist. At that signal, the vampires
restraining the demons let them go. 

The two blood crazed demons attacked their defenseless victims, ripping
their living bodies into small shreds. The couples screams of terror and
agony filled the night air, slicing into Buffy's ears, etching their
final tortures onto her soul. 

While Buffy and Willow watched in helpless horror, as the demons
murdered the couple, several more vampires stepped out of the shadows to
join their leader. Before the girls realized it they were surrounded by
their enemies. 

"Buffy, they're gone." Willow whispered and looked around nervously at
the distinctly unfriendly circle of vampires. "And I think we're in
trouble." 

"I'd say you might be right Wills." Buffy said, losing the look of
horror and replacing it with the cold calculating rage of the Slayer.
"Come on you useless blood suckers, it's time for you to die." 

With an impatient growl, Buffy attacked the nearest vampire, dusting him
almost before any of his companions even realized the fight was on. 

The rest became a blur of kicks and punches with the occasional sound of
a stake piercing undead flesh. Willow was casting protective shields
around herself and Buffy. 

Several of the vampires were thrown back into the tombstones smashing
several bones. Often there were more injuries than the vampires
supernatural healing could fix before sunrise, causing them to retreat
back to their lairs. 

Some were hit with one of Willows binding spells and found themselves
held in one spot so the Slayer could dust them without any trouble. 

At this point in the fight, Willow was attacked by powerful dark bolts
of mystical energy. Some of it she was able to dissipate, but most of it
she deflected towards the attacking vampires. Every time one of the
bolts hit a vampire it disappeared in a puff of smoke. 

The battle wore on and Buffy was nearing the limit of her reserves. She
could feel herself slowing down. She stumbled slightly and found herself
being slowly being beaten back by the seemingly endless onslaught of
vampires. 

Buffy was beginning to fear that she and Willow would be dead very soon.
She knew none of the vamps had the guts to turn the Slayer or her witch
lover. 

Suddenly Buffy felt strength flowing back into her, energizing her body
and renewing her will to fight. She looked back over her shoulder and
Willow gave her a weak smile. Buffy knew Willow was using their
spiritual bond to give a portion of her energy to the Slayer. 

Buffy stepped up her attack, knowing that Willow had drained most of her
reserves to support her. The Slayer knew it wouldn't be long before
Willow would be unable to function at any but the most basic levels. 

Finally only four vampires remained and the Eastern horizon was
beginning to lighten with the promise of the coming dawn. Buffy's heart
was pounding like a jackhammer, and her breath was coming in ragged
gasps. 

She knew her clothes were ruined from the blood, sweat and rips
resulting from the fight. She had several deep cuts that were still
bleeding freely. 

The determined blonde fell back a step hoping to lure one of her
opponents out. Buffy caught a movement out of the corner of her eye.
Spinning to face it, she saw Willow collapse to the ground. 

"WILLS!" Buffy cried out fearing the worst. 
She took up a stance over her mate determined to defend her love to the
death, if necessary. 

Seeing one of their opponents go down and the other fall back to a
defensive position, the vampires took the opportunity to attack. Finding
some reserve strength 
Buffy hadn't realized she possessed, the slayer attacked and within
seconds had reduced her opponents by two swirling dust clouds. 

In a final desperate effort Buffy tried to stand and face her remaining
attackers but having depleted her strength beyond its limits, the
exhausted Slayer fell to one knee. Try as she might the tiny blonde
could only brace herself to sell her life and that of her lover dearly
before falling to the seeming inevitable. 

Seeing the apparent weakness of their seemingly indomitable opponent,
the final two vampires sensed a possibility of the defeat of the
legendary Slayer. With a roar of certain victory, the two undead
warriors launched their attack on their obviously defenseless victims. 

Then, just as the two beasts were launching their attack, the clearing
lit up with an amazingly intense white light that seemed to appear out
of no where. 

Both vampires disappeared in flames as Buffy watched in complete
amazement. Sensing the benevolence of the power Buffy allowed herself to
collapse next to her slowly recovering partner. She wondered where the
last minute reprieve came from, then a smirk came to her face as her
mind filled with a familiar voice. 

<>You have fought well Slayer.<> the voice of Lugh commended her. <>I
hope my assistance is not an insult, but I thought you could use the
rest.<> 

"No insult at all my friend." the tired girl said under her breath. "I
take it Morrigan and Brigit are there too." 

<>Of course they are my child.<> Lugh assured her. <>Their thoughts are
never far from you, as are mine. We sensed your distress and, as it
isn't your time to cross, I came to your aid. Normally this is not
allowed, but this time the others let me.<> 

Buffy started to question Lugh on his comment but he stopped her. 

<>You are in no further danger my child.<> the Druids deep soothing
voice reassured the exhausted girl. <>Care for your beloved Sorceress.
She has defended you beyond any of our expectations. Only Brigit and
Morrigan foresaw her courage and love for you. They are justly proud of
you both and send their love.<> 

"Tell them that we return their feelings." Buffy answered and took a
deep cleansing breath. "Will we see you again Lugh, we miss you all a
lot." 

<>Of course my child.<> the voice of Lugh told her. <>We are bound
together as if by blood, we are never far. Now be off with you. When you
return to your sanctuary report all to your watcher, he will help you
face your coming trials.<> 

Not sensing any other threat, and knowing that Lugh was never wrong,
Buffy knelt down and pulled Willows limp body into her arms. 

"Wills baby talk to me." Buffy said quietly, panic and concern making
her voice quiver. "Come on sweetheart. I can feel your heart beating. I
know you're in there. Please Wills don't leave me like this. I need you.
Wills, please speak to me. I love you, Wills." 

Buffy was crying in fear that somehow her lover had been injured
seriously. 

"I love you too." Willow whispered weakly. "I'm okay, baby. Don't cry. I
just need to shut down for a while and recharge right now so I can't
move on my own right now so I guess I stay here and you get to watch.
Aren't you the lucky one." 

"No probs Wills, I am the lucky one, I have you." Buffy said softly,
caressing the red heads cheek, her relief renewing her strength. "Better
yet, why don't I carry you home?" 

Gathering the semi-conscious red head in her arms, Buffy turned towards
home. Tired and injured, she slowly made her way to the one place she
felt completely safe, and was soon approaching the front door of Giles'
townhouse. 

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END 8
TBC 
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